Avatar Review

Avatar: James Cameron's long-awaited Sci-Fi epic comes close to getting a prefect grade, but falls one Na'Vi short. The movie is spectacular on screen, like nothing I have seen before. In fact, Avatar leap frogs past the current state of filmmaking. The first 90 minutes of the film explores the moon of Pandora with our hero Jake Sully, this alone was worth the price of admission. Where the movie comes up a tad short is the story. This is not to say that it is bad, more that it is not that original of a theme. The final twenty minutes depicts a battle on screen that really has to be seen to be believed. The blue natives fly on dragons battling military planes, while on the ground robot enhanced soldiers take on exotic alien creatures. I watched the movie on IMAX in 3-D. The 3-D effect is subtle, not used as a gimmick. It actually lets you get more immersed in one of the most creative worlds ever seen in movies. The bigger the screen you see this on the better, so don't wait until it is available to download on your iPhone. Get out and explore Pandora the way it was meant to be seen because it is Big, Bright, and Beautiful! Thanks James.

Rythemovieguy's Rating: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Dances with Wolves & The Matrix

With a run time of 162 minutes

this film is rated PG-13

Brothers Movie Review

Brothers: Toby Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman all bring their "A" game in this dramatic tale of service, family, and love. The film is a remake of the 2004 Swedish movie "Brodre". In the opening moments of the film we learn that Capt. Sam Cahill (Maguire) is being deployed back to Afghanistan with his troops. He lives in a small town with his wife (Portman) and two daughters. We are also introduced to Sam's brother Tommy (Gyllenhaal) who has recently been released from jail and is the black sheep of the family. While in Afghanistan, Maguire's helicopter goes down and he is presumed dead by the military. His family back home tries to cope with the news. His brother Tommy comforts his wife and two daughters and slowly they get back to living a normal life with Uncle Tommy filling in as "Dad". However, Maguire is not dead, he is just being held prisoner. Upon his return home we see the affects of post-traumatic stress syndrome as he can no longer function in his old life.

The story is a real pressure cooker and the ending sequence is its boiling point. Kudos to Tobey Maguire, this is easily the best performance of his career. He looks and acts the part to perfection. Both Portman and Gyllenhaal pour in excellent performances as well. As much as I loved a couple of the tense scenes in the story, I could not help but think the film just misses its mark for greatness. I felt that we could have spent more time with Maguire while he was in Afghanistan to see all of the horrors that he encountered. This would help us relate to his struggles even more so. I also would have liked to see a little more insight into the psychiatric care he was receiving after his return home. The story too conveniently keeps the problems between the three main characters. As the movie is very compelling I am recommending it, but I would have liked just a little more.

Rythemovieguy's Rating: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Legends of the Fall & Born on the Fourth of July

Runtime: 110 minutes

Film is rated R

Fantasic Mr. Fox Review

Fantastic Mr. Fox: Thank you Wes Anderson for this great cussing movie! The film is adapted from Roald Dahl's 1970 children's book and is voiced by George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray. It is the kind of movie you will watch with a smile on your face from start to finish. This is because of the whimsical world Anderson creates on screen by using witty dialogue and stop-motion animation, not to mention how much this world mirrors human life. For example, Mr. Fox and his family buy a new property in a tree which is to say they are moving from a garden apartment (a hole in the ground) into a new condo that has spectacular views. Eventually Mr. Fox realizes that he needs danger in his life to be happy, so he concocts a plan to rob three farmers. This angers the farmers who in turn make it their mission to kill Mr. Fox. From there more silliness and humor ensues. The show stealer may just be Jason Schwartzman who voices Ash, Mr. Fox's son who is....well.....different. Wes Anderson fans will love this latest effort as will kids who will enjoy the movie on a different level. Charming, funny.......just cussing FANTASTIC!

Rythemovieguy's Grade: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Wallace & Gromit and The Royal Tenenbaums

With a runtime of 91 minutes

This film is rated PG