1 minute movie reviews

Rythemovieguy's Top 10 of 2011

2012-01-19T15:50:00.000-08:00

2011 has come to a close.....it may not have been the strongest year for movies, but it did have its share of "must see films." We saw the end of Harry Potter, another Hangover, giant transformers destroy Chicago, and some Bridesmaids crap in their dresses. Yet it is a silent black & white film that is stealing the spotlight late in the year. Movies really do offer something for everyone. Below I have listed my Top 10 Movies of the Year and like always I was lucky to see them all with my "best half" - so I have included Jen's list below mine...as a second opinion is always good to have.

10) The Descendants - A Difficult story to tell, but George Clooney's performance makes it work.

9) The Help - It is meant to be a little lighter on the subject matter, yet it still packs a powerful punch.

8) The Tree Of Life - The Most Ambitious film in the past 30 years.

7) Martha Marcy May Marlene - The hidden Olsen sister "Elizabeth" stars in a movie that will stick with you long after you see it.

6) Beginners - The Best movie about love this year!

5) Drive - The most stylized movie of the year is a fun ride!

4) War Horse - Seeing all the different lives the horse touched worked for me.

3) Warrior - Cliche? Yes.....but ultimately this is a story about family that had me cheering in the aisle.

2) The Artist - Refreshing to see a simple story told in such a creative way.

1) Shame - The Best movie of the year tackles a difficult subject matter with grace. Michael Fassbender is brilliant as is the cinematography and the score.

Jen's Top 10 -

10) Martha Marcy May Marlene

9) Midnight In Paris

8) Beginners

7) The Debt

6) The Artist

5) A Dangerous Method

4) The Help

3) Jane Eyre

2) Shame

1) Warrior

Honorable mention of both Ry & Jen: 50/50

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2012-01-19T15:20:00.000-08:00

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Midnight in Paris

2011-06-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Midnight In Paris: Woody Allen's 44th feature film is a true charmer! Owen Wilson plays Gil, a writer who is engaged to Inez (Rachel McAdams). They are in Paris with her Family for some vacation. Gil Loves Paris, but longs to go back to the 1920s when the city was the vibrant artistic capitol of the world. Low and behold when Gil goes out for a walk alone, at midnight he is transported back in time. He is able to meet such young artists that were in Paris in the 20s such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cole Porter and Salvador Dali (played hysterically by Adrian Brody). Each day he comes back to present time and spends the day with his wife. The city of Paris looks fabulous in the movie - The opening sequence reminded me of the way Allen showed New York in his 1979 masterpiece Manhattan. Owen Wilson delivers Woody's lines perfectly - it is easy to see the Allen character in him, but at the same time he makes it all his own. This is not so much a love story as it is a tale of appreciation for a golden age of art. I could not help think that one day we will look back at this time in cinema as a golden age of the art form. A time when legends such as Scorsese, Spielberg, Coppola, and Woody Allen made films that stuck with us for generations....

Rythemovieguy's Grade: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Before Sunrise

Tron Legacy on Blu-Ray

2011-05-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Tron: Legacy on Blu-Ray: 28 years after the original pushed the visual boundaries of film, the second installment shows up on Blu-ray aiming to do the same. In the digital effects age we live in, this is a rather lofty goal. However, I think they accomplished that goal – this is one Awesome looking movie! Not only is this eye candy from start to finish, but Tron Legacy will also give your home theater sound system a work out. Now the question is did they give us a story with enough substance to keep up with the dazzling sounds and visuals? Sadly the answer is No. Sam Flynn, the son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) goes looking for him in the digital world, which has now evolved as it tried to become a utopia of sorts. The speed bikes are back as is Jeff Bridges, who comes off as “The Dude” stuck in a video game….the only thing he was missing was a white Russian. Once reunited, the mission becomes trying to get out of the digital world. The story fails to give us a reason to care about the characters and that reduces the joy of the main action sequences near the end. That said this is still a movie to have some fun with, it is a real treat for your eyes and ears……..just not so much for the brain.

2.5 Jaws / C+

2010 top 10 !!!!

2011-02-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

Better late than never - I apologize for the lack of reviews over the past year, however it was not from a lack of movie watching. My concentration has been on my podcast - CinemaJaw (A weekly podcast where I give all my reviews and more). I still went out to the theater and spun DVDs just as much if not more than I always do. Yesterday we posted the latest episode of CinemaJaw which was a celebration of the year in film - 2010. We cover our top 10 lists - explaining why we liked each film, pick our worst movie of the year, play trivia and more. Give it a listen when you have time or download it at itunes. As for my favorite films from 2010, I have listed them below and as always I have included a second opinion. Jen,who I am lucky to enjoy all these movies with, has her top 10 listed as well. Enjoy and check out the Jaw - http://cinemajaw.com/wordpress/

10) Rabbit Hole

9) The Kings Speech

8) The Social Network

7) True Grit

6) The Ghost Writer

5) The Fighter

4) Blue Valentine

3) Inception

2) 127 Hours

1) Black Swan

A Second opinion - Jen's top 10

10) Catfish

9) Temple Grandin

8) True Grit

7) 127 Hours

6) Black Swan

5) The Social Network

4) The King's Speech

3) Rabbit Hole

2) The Fighter

1) Inception

The Social Network Review

2010-09-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Social Network:...a.k.a. The Facebook movie: In the fall of 2003 Mark Zuckerberg, a student at Harvard, sat at his computer in his dorm room and created a site that changed the way the world would communicate forever. If the story was that simple we would not have much of a movie and Mark Zuckerberg would not have been sued for 600 Million dollars by his best friend. The film opens up with Zuckerberg (played by Jessie Eisenberg) sitting with his then girlfriend at a restaurant on campus. The dialogue exchanged by the two characters is hilarious, fast paced, and insightful. We instantly have an understanding that Mark Zuckerberg has a yearning to be accepted. When he is approached with an opportunity to help develop a website for some classmates a light bulb goes off. Zuckerberg asks his best friend Eduardo Saverin to fund a new project of his called "The Facebook". Once the website takes off there are question marks on who deserves credit for what.....hence some major lawsuits. The movie jumps back and forth between the two lawsuits against Zuckerberg and to the time when he was creating the website. Eisenberg does an excellent job of portraying a young man who is emotionally disconnected from his friends and obsessed with creating something larger than life. He carries this film from start to finish and is ultimately the reason the movie works so well. The script is also superb, with humor laced throughout....I found this movie to be much funnier than expected. The score is done by Trent Reznor (yes, Nine Inch Nails Trent). The music supplies a dark undertone to the story and conveys the idea that something is being created that is larger than anyone expects. The only element I wanted to see explored more was the impact Facebook has had on society. This is an interesting and poignant story that is well told and entertaining......I think I will hit the "Like Button" on the film's fan page.

Rythemovieguy's Grade: B

If This Movie Had Parents they would be: War Games & Real Genius

Iron Man 2 Review

2010-05-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

Why It's Worth Seeing: Iron Man is back and this time he brought some friends with him. The first film was a huge success with both fans and critics. Knowing this, the filmmakers did not change the formula too much, just added to it (this is not new Coke, it's Coke Classic in a bigger bottle). Tony Stark has come out to the public as being the man behind the suit. I find this refreshing compared to the typical "secret identity superhero scenario" we normally see. The U.S. military wants Tony Stark to give them the secrets behind the Iron Man technology, but Mr. Stark thinks this could only lead to inappropriate use. Meanwhile, in Moscow Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), the son of a scientist who worked with Tony Stark's dad is hard at work harnessing similar technology to use against Iron Man. Besides some spectacular action scenes the film is filled with perfectly written characters and witty dialogue. Sam Rockwell in particular shines as Justin Hammer who is working for the Defense Department. I must also note that Gary Shandling shined in his small role as Senator Stern (I'm a closet Shandling fan). Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson both pop up as characters that the comic book fans will enjoy even more than the casual fan.

Why It's Not: To be honest the movie does very little wrong. The only knock against it would be that the story and characters do not feel as fresh as they did the first time around. They did not take too many risks with pushing the Iron Man story-arc in a new direction.

Verdict: The summer movie season gets off to a fantastic start. This is a pitch-perfect summer blockbuster that mixes high octane action with fun, well written dialogue.

Rythemovieguy's Grade: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Iron Man & Rocky IV

The Ghost Writer

2010-03-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

Why It's Worth Seeing: Roman Polanski directs a political thriller starring Pierce Brosnan and Ewan McGregor. Early on in the film I thought this might be one of those plot lines that is difficult to follow, but in the hands of Polanski the story flows effortlessly onto the screen. McGregor plays a ghost writer hired to finish the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister (Brosnan). Shortly after taking the job, the Prime Minister finds himself under investigation for war crimes. As the ghost writer digs up facts about the Prime Minister, he uncovers secrets that are extremely classified, with indications of a major conspiracy. Suspense builds as the ghost writer now finds his life in danger.

Why It's Not: You might not want to support Polanski considering his bouts with the law.

Verdict: This is a near perfect thriller that gives off a "Hitchcock" kind of vibe. It has a smart storyline, it is suspensful, and the acting is spot on. I am a big fan and believe you will be too!!!

Rythemovieguy's Grade: A-

If this movie had parents: Secret Window & All The President's Men

The Last Station

2010-03-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

Why It's Worth Seeing: An extremely strong cast headed by Christopher Plummer as the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. Playing his confidant Vladimir Chertkov is the always reliable Paul Giamatti while Helen Mirren gives a spectacular performance as Tolstoy's wife Sofya. Plus we have James McAvoy playing Valentin Bulgakov, an admirer of Tolstoy sent to observe the relationship between the author and his wife. The strong cast is complimented by a strong story. It takes place in Tolstoy's later years, much after he has written Anna Karenina and War and Peace. There is a struggle between Tolstoy's confidant and his wife as to who should have the rights to his published works after his death. Meanwhile the Tolstoy movement is in full swing, yet Tolstoy's relationship with his wife of 48 years challenges the beliefs of the movement while giving us an understanding of what love is all about.

Why It's Not: All the actors are speaking English with an English accent, yet they are suppose to be playing Russians.

Verdict: This is an interesting and entertaining look at one of the world's greatest authors. The story is multilayer and filled with complex characters. It is a movie that gave me something to chew about.........and that is refreshing!

Rythemovieguy's Grade: B+

If this movie had parents: Shakespeare In Love & Doctor Zhivago

Shutter Island

2010-03-01T15:50:00.000-08:00

Why It's Worth Watching: Leonardo DiCaprio teams up with Martin Scorsese for the fourth time and they do not disappoint. Ben Kingsley also pours in a fine performance as a doctor to the criminally insane housed on Shutter Island. Like many psychological thrillers, the plot will keep you guessing until the final few scenes. However what is different about Shutter Island and what I believe makes it standout, is that the revelation at the end is not the ultimate payoff. Instead, the revelation helps us relate to an already mysterious and tragic character.

Why It's Not: How many more movies can we see in a mental hospital. While the film supplies a couple of creepy moments, I would have liked to been scared a bit more.

The Verdict: You should not go in thinking this is some M. Night Shyamalan guess what is going to happen kind of film.....because it is not. The revelation at the end is a haunting understanding of the character being studied.

Rythemovieguy's Grade: B+

If This Movie Had Parents: One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest & The Game

Ryan's Top 10 of 2009

2010-01-20T08:50:00.000-08:00

Top Ten of 09: James Cameron gave us his first movie in 12 years, J.J. Abrams rebooted the Star Trek franchise and Mike Tyson appeared in one of the funniest movies of the year. 2009 gave us many gems and unlike most years did not wait for the last month of the year to unleash them. Some of my favorite movies came out over the summer and early fall. Below I list my top 10 favorite films of 2009. As always I have included a second opinion as Jen is along side me for the nearly 70 movies I checked out this year (it would be no fun otherwise). Although there may not be a runaway favorite picture, it still proved to be a great year for cinema.

10. A Single Man

9. Star Trek (review)

8. In The Loop (review)

7. Where The Wild Things Are (review)

6. Fantastic Mr. Fox

5. Up In The Air

4. Avatar

3. 500 Days of Summer

2. Invictus

1. An Education

Jen's Top 10 of 2009

10. Crazy Heart

9. A Single Man

8. Precious

7. Fantasic Mr. Fox

6. Up In The Air

5. 500 Days of Summer

4. In Glorious Basterds (review)

3. Invictus

2. In The Loop

1. An Education

Youth In Revolt Review

2010-01-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

Youth In Revolt: Michael Cera does play the same character we have come to know and love (awkward/nerdy), but he also pulls double duty as an alter ego that is a dangerous troublemaker. The awkward Nick Twisp (Cera) falls in love with a girl in another town while on vacation. His only way to get reunited with her is to somehow get kicked out of his mother's house. He would then have to live with his dad (played by Steve Buscemi) who has recently taken residency in the same town as his new love. To accomplish this feat he takes on the alter ego - Francois Dillinger. Francois supplies about 75% off all the film's humor. Without this change of character the film would have felt completely unoriginal. I felt the story as a whole felt a bit choppy, with a lot of scenes and smaller characters just thrown in for humor and not adding much to the plot. While some of the jokes are on the border of being stale, most still work rather well. I do not recommend going out to the theater to see this latest Cera fare, but when it comes to DVD - give it a spin!

Rythemovieguy's Rating: B-

If this movie had parents they would be: Fight Club & Rushmore

With a run time of 91 minutes

This film is rated R

Avatar Review

2009-12-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

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

Where The Wilds Things Are Review

2009-10-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

Where the Wild Things Are: Ultra-creative filmmaker Spike Jonze adopts the beloved children's book that was penned in 1963 by Maurice Sendak. Considering that the source material is less than 350 words cover-to-cover, one might wonder if there is enough substance to fill a 95 minute feature film. There is no need to worry, Spike Jonze does an amazing job of staying true to the spirit of the book while expanding the adventure! The story begins with Max (played tremendously by newcomer Max Records) playing outside his house with neighborhood kids. In just a few minutes of screen time we get an understanding of Max's high energy level, be it running around destroying things or crumbling down emotionally when things do not work out for him. Also explained in the opening moments of the film is the dynamic family situation Max finds himself involved in and how he perceives it. After angering his mom one night while she has a new boyfriend over, Max runs outside of his house and into the land of the Wild Things. It is here where the film impresses the most. I found it astonishing how well the film captured the wonderment of a child's imagination. The movie does not spoon feed you the correlation between the real world and Max's imaginative world. Instead, it does it very subtly and extremely beautifully. Accompanying Jonze's fantastic images is a haunting musical score that heightens the movie's emotions. Because the film is ultimately an exploration of imagination, I suspect that younger viewers will not find the film all that captivating. However for me, a young man that is a kid at heart, this is one of the year's best!!

Ry's Rating: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: The Never Ending Story & Finding Neverland

With a runtime of 98 minutes

this film is rated PG

A Serious Man Review

2009-10-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

A Serious Man: The Coen Brothers' latest effort focuses on a Midwestern Jewish man who is on the verge of a breakdown. Larry Gopnik is a married man and the father of two who sees his life unravel from just about every angle. For starters, his wife asks him for a divorce so that she can marry a friend of the family who is a recent widower. His 12-year-old son's main hobbies are getting high and listening to Jefferson Airplane. Meanwhile, he is up for tenure at the school he teaches at, but even that seems like it is about to become a disaster. Larry looks to his faith for answers on why all of this is happening, but he is having trouble finding an answer. If we have learned anything about the Coen Brothers throughout the years, it is that they are masters at creating and showcasing unique perspectives on distinctive characters. A Serious Man is no exception, the characters are so well written that humor pours out of their smallest actions. However, because the film plays so heavily on Jewish heritage I found myself missing out on a lot of that humor. In fact, at times I felt like an outsider looking in at the party. The film also features a serious side that tackles both morals and faith, but that failed to have enough substance and as a result did not work for me. In the Coen Brothers' filmography this would land somewhere in the middle............I'm serious.

Ry's Rating: B- (RAB: Rental At Best)

If this movie had parents they would be: Falling Down & Doubt

9 Movie Review

2009-09-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

9: Gorgeous animation wasted on a sub-par story! The opening scenes set the right tone while showing this film's huge potential. Our main character, a sock puppet named 9 awakens for the first time in a world that has been decimated by war. Those who fought in the war and why is unknown. As 9 discovers the world around him, he slowly uncovers clues as to what caused this mass destruction and wiped out all of mankind. He also encounters other puppets roaming the desolate landscape, each of them made by the same maker and each of them numbered like him. The leader of the puppets is number 1. He believes that they should stay in hiding until all is quite as they know that there is an evil machine roaming around the land that kills anything that moves. The detailed animation is simply amazing and draws you into this strange world. Unfortunately, the film veers from the eerie discovery theme and chooses to focus on big action sequences. This is a terrible mistake as all of the action takes away from the unique feel of the film. I would have preferred to spend more time with the characters adventuring through different environments revealing clues from the past. Eventually we do get a full explanation as to what caused the war and this too can be noted in the disappointment column. It is a story with themes that we have seen more than once before including the destruction of mankind and man vs. machine. The story is not complex enough and that in turn explains why they chose to fill so much time with loud action sequences. In the end, the lesson we learn from 9 is that above all a movie needs a compelling story in order for all of the eye candy to mean anything.

Ry's Rating: C

If this movie had parents they would be: Wall-E and Terminator 4 salvation

With a runtime of 85 minutes

this film is rated PG-13

Inglourious Basterds Review

2009-08-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

Inglourious Basterds: Quentin Tarantino, WWII, Brad Pitt, Jewish-American soldiers out for revenge against the Nazis = Where do I get in line? The premise of the film is straight forward, a group of Jewish-American soldiers led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Pitt) are dropped into Nazi-occupied France. Their object is to kill as many Nazi soldiers as possible, spreading fear among the Third Reich. This would make you believe that the film is going to be filled with a lot of gory action scenes, but that is actually not the case. Instead, the highlights of the movie are the well written Tarantino characters and the well written Tarantino dialogue. Speaking of dialogue, the story is told in a variety of languages including German, French, English and even a little Italian. As for the Tarantino characters I speak of, the show stealer is the German Colonel, Hans Landa played masterfully by Christoph Waltz (Oscar nom for sure). Hans is a detective with the Third Reich that has a specialty for finding Jews in hiding. He is evil, but comical at the same time. Another storyline that eventually crosses that of The Basterds is of a young Jewish girl who owns a cinema in Paris. While concealing her Jewish identity, she begins a relationship with a famous German actor and soldier which leads to a German film premier being held at her cinema. Eventually all of the characters and all of the storylines converge for a memorable night at the movies (yeah, that's a pun). As good as some of the characters were in the movie, I was hoping for a little more out of the group of Basterds. I was expecting them to have that Reservoir Dogs kind of chemistry and that was not the case. They are also not as prevalent in the movie as you would think. This is not all that bad, however, since the other characters are just as, if not more interesting. The film also takes some time to get going, but once it does hit full steam it never slows down. Ultimately, the main star here is Tarantino who has such a unique way of telling stories - and that it is a beautiful thing to behold.

Ry's Rating: B-

If this movie had parents they would be: The Dirty Dozen & Kill Bill

With a runtime of 152 minutes

This film is rated R

District 9 Review

2009-08-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

District 9: Once in a great while a movie comes around that is so original and so different, that it is hard to categorize. District 9 is one of those movies. It breathes much needed fresh air into the Sci-Fi/Alien genre. The movie opens with a documentary type of feel, with many experts from various fields catching us up on what has transpired over the past two decades. Twenty years ago a huge alien spacecraft came to a haulting stop hovering over the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. Instead of the typical "destroy the earth" scenario, the ship just hovered there with absolutely no activity taking place. Three months went by and finally humans decided to cut into the ship to see if they could make contact. What they discovered on the inoperable ship was a million malnourished and sick aliens. They decided to bring the aliens down to Earth and put them into a militarized camp named District 9. From here the film uses the unusual scenario to comment on everything from racism, slavery, concentration camps, slums, military experiments, and so forth. Our main character is a man by the name of Wikus who is in charge of moving the now 1.8 million aliens (known as prawns) to a new camp located outside of the city. This is thought to help clean up the city from all the crime happening in and around District 9. While Wikus is inside the District he becomes exposed to an alien fluid which changes his DNA. It was so refreshing to sit in the theater and have no idea where the story was going to lead. I will say there is plenty of action, some disgusting moments, and even a love story thrown in as the movie reaches its climax. As for the look of the film - the prawns look very realistic as does their interaction within the environment. It only takes about 20 minutes to get past the weird aspect of aliens and humans living together. It then becomes "Harry and the Hendersons" believable. The end result is a very original and a very entertaining film. In fact, it is one of the best Sci-Fi films that I have seen in a long time!!

Ry's Rating B +

If this movie had parents they would be: E.T. & Amistad

With a runtime of 111 minutes

This film is rated R

In The Loop

2009-07-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

In The Loop: A very witty, satirical comedy about the politics between the U.S. and Britain leading up to the Iraq war. The best way to sum up the style of the movie is to imagine a political satire filmed like the television show The Office. The funny business begins when Simon Foster, British Secretary of State for International Development is interviewed on a prime-time newscast. Although he is anti-war, he accidentally gives the impression that he is pro-war by stating that "war is unforeseeable". This draws the attention of Britain's foul-mouthed Communications Chief, Malcolm Tucker who ridicules Simon for such a statement. Meanwhile, a few American politicians take an interest in Simon for his outward statement which buys Simon and his new aide tickets to Washington D.C. to further discuss the matter. While in America, they meet politicians who are for and against the war, their young ladder climbing aides, and even a General (James Gandolfini) who opposes the idea of going to war. The film's clever writing reduces the important issues at hand into immature silliness, all the while making a very loud statement. If you like witty humor, hysterical one liners, and political goofiness with a flavor of The Office, check this one out because it has it all!
Ry's Rating B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Dr. Strangleove & The Office

With a runtime of 104 minutes

This film is rated R

Harry Potter 6

2009-07-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: This is the darkest, most mature Potter film that we have ever seen. At the same time it also manages to be the funniest film of the series. The gang is back for their sixth year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry - all of them another year older, all of them entering adolescence. The innocent feelings of first love supply a lot of the humor. More importantly, these feelings cast an emotional shadow on the characters that was not prevalent in the past. This helps us relate to them on a new level. Each Potter film seems to hit the jackpot when it comes to introducing a new character to the series. Professor Slughorn played by the brilliant Jim Broadbent is no exception. In fact, I would say he steals the screen for the first two-thirds of the movie. The special effects that bring this magical world to life are done so effortlessly, that in a way, you don't even notice them. From start to finish, the movie is just beautiful to look at. The one thing that hinders this chapter is that the storyline is primarily used to "set-up" the final film. Although Harry, Ron, and Hermione spend plenty of time together, the final quest of the movie detours from the series theme of "teamwork" and focuses only on Harry (and Dumbledore). This final quest also seemed to just pop-up and did not relate enough to the rest of the movie. Ultimately, the film does succeed with its goal - anticipation for movie # 7 - I can't wait!!!

Ry's Rating: B

If this movie had parents they would be: The Empire Strikes Back & Harry Potter 1-5

With a runtime of 156 minutes

This film is rated PG

2009-07-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

Public Enemies: Johnny Depp and Christian Bale star in the cool looking, not-so-interesting story of John Dillinger. The casting of Depp as Dillinger is perfect. He brought a flamboyancy to the character that must have been present in Dillinger himself, thus leading to his legendary status. I also really appreciated Bale's performance as Melvin Purvis the FBI agent who was in charge of hunting down John Dillinger. The downside of the movie is the rather weak story. For being one of the most famous bank robbers of all time, Dillinger's life was a rather bore. The film tries hard, but fails to get the audience to care about his relationship with his girlfriend Billie (played by Marion Cotillard). This is supposed to be the emotional side of the story, but I don't think they gave us enough reason to care about either character. The film is brought to us from acclaimed director Michael Mann (Heat, Miami Vice) - this ensures us of one thing.....some awesome looking shootout scenes. I like gunfire on the silver screen as much as anyone, but these scenes came to us with no suspense and seemed to go on for too long. I wanted to be so engaged with the movie that when I walked out of the theater I would be afraid of being shot just like Dillinger was. Instead, I walked out of the theater feeling like I was robbed.
Ry's Rating = C+

If this movie had parents they would be: Road to Perdition & Wisdom

With a runtime of 132 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

Angels&Demons Review

2009-05-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Angels & Demons: Ron Howard and Tom Hanks bring their second Dan Brown offering to the big screen. It pains me to say this, but they struck out again. I actually think the mediocre Da Vinci Code was a better effort. Angels & Demons feels rushed, insincere, and fails to capture one of the significant themes from the book - religion vs. science. The screenplay actually varies quite a lot from the novel, which should have given them more time to properly pace the movie, but it failed to do so. Code and Demons are both tough novels to translate onto film as so much of the action and discovery is done in the hero’s mind. The hero again is Robert Langdon (Hanks). He is summoned by the Vatican police to help solve a grave threat that has been made by the ancient secret group – the Illuminati. The Vatican is in conclave (electing a new pope) when four cardinals are kidnapped. The Illuminati say that they will execute each cardinal every hour at a different church in Rome. The fifth hour will bring mass destruction to Rome by means of a hidden bomb. The bomb is actually a droplet of “antimatter” which was created by scientists at CERN – thus making it a war between science and religion (this theme is barely touched on). Can Langdon figure out which churches the cardinals will be taken to and can he save them before they meet their maker? His only lead is a 400 year old poem by Galileo. From there, he must follow clues that take him across Rome, but time is not on his side. Not nearly as suspenseful as it should have been…..not as smart as it should have been….just not as good as it should have been.
Ry’s Rating: C

If this movie had parents they would be: Speed & The Da Vinci Code

With a runtime of 148 minutes

this film is rated PG-13

New Star Trek Review

2009-05-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Star Trek: Wow, am I impressed! When I heard the early buzz on this film “rebooting the series with a young attractive cast” I thought it would be like 90210 in space…or in other words, a complete disaster. Then a strange thing happened, the trailer came out and actually looked pretty good. Then the positive reviews and word of mouth started to come in. Finally, on Saturday I was able to check it out for myself. I have to tip my cap to J.J. Abrams for a job well done. I am not a “trekkie” by any means. However I have seen a couple of the movies, cried when Spock died in Khan, and know most of the main characters. This movie actually made me want to discover more of the Star Trek lore. The story starts at the very beginning and I mean the Very Beginning: we see Captain Kirk’s birth. We then jump ahead 25 years to the U.S.S. Enterprise's first mission out to investigate a distress call from the planet Vulcan. What makes the rest of the ride so enjoyable is the cast. Every one of the crew members does an excellent job of getting us to care about them, plus their chemistry together is tremendous. The two leads – Spock (Zachary Quinto) and Kirk (Chris Pine) are perfect together as we see their friendship begin. On top of the perfect cast is a well layered story that includes some time travel elements that work perfectly for the situation. Lastly, we have some grand special effects that breathe some life into the movie – gone are the days of a camera tilting and the actors falling all over. Star Trek is back…..and in my opinion, better than ever before.

Ry's Rating: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Back to the Future & The Last Star Fighter

With a runtime of 121 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

Indie Incubator 8 Review

2009-05-07T14:18:00.000-07:00

The Indie Incubator Film Festival turned 8 last week. I have been lucky to be a part of this phenomenon for the past 7 installments. Of course, there are two individuals who have been there from the very beginning – Matt Kubinski and Charles Klein. They have done an excellent job growing and refining this film fest throughout the years. In my opinion, this latest chapter was their best! As a whole, the crop of films shown at the Original Mother’s last Tuesday was the highest quality yet. What these young filmmakers may lack in budget they make-up for in a wealth of creativity. The films shown are judged by a panel of judges (Kathy Byrne, Kit Wood & myself) with the winning film earning a chance to be shown on WTTW’s Image Union. If I were in charge of Image Union, I would show at least 3 films from the festival. The first highlight was Already Happened brought to us by Orange Chair productions. The focus here is on a CD player that may or may not be a time-travel device. Very well produced, drew me in…I did not want it to end. The second highlight was Rock Star – a very funny video from Lola Balatro. We hear and see a Rock Star battle with the rock ' n roll lifestyle as he tries not to burnout. The last highlight was the brightest. Theory of Everything Productions screened the 3 part masterpiece Never. We were fortunate a couple of fests before to see the first part of Never and I loved it back then. Now complete – this film has the distinction of being the best film ever to screen at an Indie Incubator Film Fest. Both Devon Ford and Chris Lane (the mind and money behind Never) were on hand to receive the award for Best in Fest. If you have not jumped in on the fun yet, you are really missing out. Next Incubator is in November – do yourself a favor and make it out for the event!!!

Ry's Rating: A must attend event !!

Watchmen movie review

2009-03-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Watchmen: The first major “event” film of the new year came barreling into theaters this past weekend. With it comes a peculiar conversation regarding how you are going to judge the film. The conversation always opens up with this question – have you read the novel? The Watchmen graphic novel is held in the highest esteem by its followers. They want to make sure that the movie stays true to the source material. I believe the answer to that question is yes it does. Not that I myself have read it, but hearing from fanboys who have, they seem to really like the final result. However, it also seems to me that the people who have read the novel appear to generally like the movie a lot more than those of us who have not. Let us not forget this is a movie review site, I should not have to read something prior to seeing a film to get the full enjoyment of the movie. What I think that ultimately says is that the movie failed to capture all of the complexity of the characters and of the story lines.
The Story takes place in an altered 1985. It is a 1985 that has Richard Nixon as the president of the United States and has the world on the brink of nuclear war. The Watchmen are a group of people who dress up in costumes and fight crime, but they themselves have no superhuman powers. There is only one hero with powers and that is Doctor Manhattan – he can basically control matter, meaning…he can do basically anything he wants. Can the Watchmen save mankind from destroying itself? If they can, what is the best way to do so? The themes of the film are thoughtful, but I think they are themes that we have seen before (although some may have been stolen from the Watchmen). In the end we have a respectable adaptation that did not live up to the hype for this reviewer. For those on the fence about seeing it – don’t wait for DVD, because the fun I did get out of the movie was just how cool it all looked on the big screen.

Ry's Rating: B-

If this movie had parents they would be: X-men & Dr. Strangelove

With a runtime of 162 minutes

This film is rated R

The Reader movie review

2009-01-26T13:39:00.000-08:00

The Reader: After hearing that The Reader made its way to the big dance at the Academy Awards (nominated for best picture and 5 other awards), I put it at the top of my must see list. The story takes place in post World War II Germany and spans over 25 years. It is told during three different time periods. We begin in the late 1950’s when a teenage Michael Berg begins to have an affair with Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), a woman who is twice his age. The affair lasts for a summer and while Hanna is older and not as emotionally attached, young Michael falls deeply in love. Besides an abundance of nudity, this section of the film also reveals that Hanna loves being read to. When Hanna picks up and leaves, Michael figures he will never see her again. We then jump ahead about 10 years with Michael now a law student who sits in on a Nazi war trial against several women. One of the women being accused is Hanna Schmitz. The third time period in the story takes place in the 1980’s with an older Michael (Ralph Fiennes) who is still in contact with Hanna. The movie has a unique viewpoint of the Holocaust and contains a potent love story. However, the finale actually came across as a little clunky on screen. Winslet’s performance while good was not even her best of the year (see Revolutionary Road). So in closing, while I found the story to be very captivating I still would not have had this in my “best of the year category”. I would have preferred to see The Dark Knight or even Revolutionary Road get a nod in lieu of The Reader.

Ry's Rating: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Schindler’s List & Atonement

With a running time of 123 minutes

This film is rated R

Ryan's Top 10 of 2008

2009-01-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

Ryan: From a dark knight to a slumdog, a trash compacting robot to a man who ages backwards. The year in movies for 2008 was one entertaining ride. To be honest though, I think this year was rather weak in comparison to the last few. However, the year did produce some noteworthy pictures that were just a cut above the rest. Below I list my top 10 films of the year. There are some sacrifices made in seeing enough films to compile such a list. The worst has to be sitting through the same trailer multiple times to the point where I am able to recite the lines in unison. It is bad enough having to sit through a trailer for “Bride Wars”, but having to do it three weekends in a row is just brutal. Luckily, I always have someone next to me to roll my eyes with when the trailer for Last Chance Harvey pops up for the 7th time – Jen? (Jen's list is included as well)

Jen: Woo hoo! We agreed on our #1 film of the year! It is without a doubt that Slumdog, Milk, Frost/Nixon, Revolutionary Road, and WALL-E were some of the year's best. There were some strong performances in all of them including the most charming animated robot. I am glad that we both included some smaller films. Chicago 10 was so well executed through the weaving of fact, animation, and live footage to tell the story of the riots at the Chicago Democratic Convention in 1968. I loved Richard Jenkins in The Visitor - he is an amazing actor. In Bruges was funny and witty and The Duchess showed the strength of one woman. The Dark Knight was very entertaining. It is really a shame about Heath Ledger, he was brilliant as The Joker. As always, thanks for another great year of conspiring to see how many movies we can cram into a week. It is always fun to compare notes after arriving late, managing to find two seats next to each other, and sitting through yet another trailer for Last Chance Harvey.

Ryan's Top 10

10. Religulous

9. The Visitor

8. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

7. WALL-E

6. The Wrestler

5. Frost/Nixon

4. Revolutionary Road

3. Milk

2. The Dark Knight

1. Slumdog Millionaire

Jen's Top 10

10. W .

9. In Bruges

8. Doubt

7. Chicago 10

6. WALL-E

5. The Duchess

4. Revolutionary Road

3. Milk

2. Frost/Nixon

1. Slumdog Millionaire

Looking to join in the fun: The Visitor, The Duchess, Chicago 10, In Bruges, and Wall-E are all out on DVD.

Revolutionary Road

2009-01-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

Revolutionary Road: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reunite for the 1st time since the Titanic sailed into theaters 10 years ago. The two movies could not be any more different. Revolutionary Road is a drama driven by the intense dialogue hurled out by the two leads with a special effect shot nowhere to be seen in the 2 hour runtime. Frank (DiCaprio) & April (Winslet) are a young married couple living in suburbia with their two children. They begin to feel as if their lives have become formulated and uninteresting so they look for a change - a change of scenery, a new job, a new way of life (they decide on all three). At the heart of the film is the question - “what should we be doing with our lives?” Why does it seem that so many people fall into the same rut of working at a job that they don't like to afford things that they really do not need? For one, to support their family, but many forget during that journey what it is that they truly set out to discover in life. Just before Frank & April are to leave suburban life behind for Paris, April discovers she is pregnant with their 3rd child. This causes Frank to have second thoughts about their decision to start a new life. The acting by both DiCaprio (he should at least see an Oscar nomination for this) and Winslet is phenomenal and it actually has to be at that level for the film to have any weight at all. Through their on-screen arguments they carry the ideals of the story. This movie is certainly not for everyone and I can see some people brushing off the dreams that the characters have as “crazy notions of an unhappily married couple.” However, it worked for me as I believed their story and their feelings. This is one of the year’s best!

Ry's Rating: A-

If this movie had Parents, they would be: Little Children & The Hours

With a runtime of 119 minutes

This film is rated R

Doubt

2009-01-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

Doubt: Meryl Streep plays a strict nun and Philip Seymour Hoffman plays an unconventional priest, I doubt you can find two better actors for such roles. The story is set in the 1960’s when child molestation scandals within the Catholic Church were not as prevalent as they are today. The period when the film is set works in favor of the story for this reason. The scandal remains within the school walls and only involves the priest, two nuns, the boy, and the boy’s mother. The acting by Streep and Hoffman creates some tense moments, but I would have actually liked to see a few more of those moments. The script was adopted from a stage play and it is easy to see how well this would work in the theater. The film tries hard to create the Catholic school atmosphere and I thought that this is where it succeeded the most! Amy Adams plays the nice, naive nun. She is perfect in contrast to Streep’s character who is at the center of the accusations. Since there is never any hard evidence to convict or reprieve the priest, the premise is one of belief and doubt, religion and faith - making this a great film to discuss with friends. This is a well executed film with great acting…however, I think the story would work better as an intimate play than as a motion picture.

Ry's Rating: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Deliver Us from Evil & The Scarlet Letter

With a run time of 104 minutes,

This film is rated PG-13

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2008-12-31T09:08:00.000-08:00

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett star in this fascinating tale about a man who continually grows younger rather than older. The film opens with the title character being born. Benjamin is a baby, but his body features - bones, skin, and senses are that of an 86 year old man. His disgusted father abandons him on a door step that happens to be that of a retirement home. A few years into his life, Benjamin notices that something quite unusual is happening to him…..he is getting younger! From that time on the movie takes on the epic feel of watching one man's extraordinary life a la Forrest Gump. However, outside of the fact that he is aging backwards, not much more happens to him that I would label extraordinary. This is where I felt the movie dropped the ball or should I say the Oscar for best picture. It lacked those whimsical moments that lures you even more into the characters' lives, a moment that coats you with cinematic dust. The main emotional artery of the story is Benjamin reuniting with the love of his life as they cross paths in their late 30’s. It is a sad concept to be utterly in love with someone knowing you will not be able to grow old with them. The film explores the themes of love, death and aging, but again I felt it lacked something. It was missing a closing argument. One aspect where the film excelled was the make-up and special effects used to depict the varying ages of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett throughout this epic. They both looked great as teenagers with smooth youthful skin as well as elders with wrinkles and graying hair. This movie had so much going for it. It is one of my favorites of the year, but with a little help it could have been at the very top of my list!

Ry's Rating: B +

If this movie had parents they would be: Forrest Gump & Big

With a runtime of 159 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

Gran Torino

2008-12-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

Gran Torino: Clint Eastwood pulls double duty as he stars and directs in this latest feature. Eastwood plays Walt, a recent widower who insists on living in the “old neighborhood” even though the neighborhood is infested with thugs and gangs. His new neighbors are Hmong, an ethnic group originating from Southeast Asia. With Walt being an old Korean War veteran who still looks through the eyes of 1950’s America….this does not make him happy. When Tao, the young man from next store is harassed by neighborhood thugs, Walt steps in to save the day. He does not so much want to save Tao as much as he cannot bear the decline of his neighborhood that he has lived in for so long. However, his neighbors flower Walt with gifts of gratitude for saving their son. This does slowly open Walt up and he finally befriends his new neighbors. What makes this so entertaining is the character Eastwood plays – he is a cross between Dirty Harry and Michael Douglas in Falling Down. He is set in his ways and is not very rational when it comes to solving certain issues. Eastwood also flings racial slurs and one-liners out like nobody’s business. The movie is actually much funnier than I would have ever imagined. On the other hand, I thought the film was a little too formulated. I could tell Clint was buttering us up before the drama in the final act. The story is not all that original, but Clint’s outstanding character makes up for it.

Ry's Rating: B

If This movie had parents they would be: Falling Down & The Karate Kid

With a run time of 112 minutes

This film is rated R

Milk Review

2008-12-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

Milk: Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office. I myself am not a big fan of Sean Penn, but I have to give credit where credit is due - he might just be the best actor working today. He proves this again with the role of Harvey Milk. He does such a good job that you are not even conscious of his outstanding acting, you just believe he is that character. What makes the movie even more impressive is that the rest of the cast is outstanding as well. James Franco is excellent as Harvey’s partner. It is without a doubt his best performance to date. Plus, Emile Hirsch and Josh Brolin also pour in a couple of great supporting roles. Harvey Milk was elected to San Francisco public office in 1977 and was the voice of the people who had a right to be heard. In 1978 he stood up to Proposition 6, a California ballot measure aimed at preventing gay people and supporters from working as teachers in public schools. He was assassinated 3 weeks later. I am not giving anything away by telling you this. The story is not one of suspense, but of hope. The hope that his message is disseminated and helps open people's eyes. The story is extremely powerful and hits home at a time when Proposition 8 (banning of gay marriage) is front page news. This film is directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting). He structures the movie in a way that lets us know the accomplishments of Harvey Milk while getting to know the man himself. This is what makes the movie. It is what makes the message so powerful. Harvey is a person just like you and I, a person living life, loving the people close to him…why shouldn't that person have the same rights as the rest of us?

Ry's Rating: A-

Parents: Brokeback Mountain & Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

With a runtime of 128 minutes

This film is rated R

Australia Review

2008-12-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

Australia: Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman star in Baz Luhrmann’s sweeping epic about the land down under. All of the elements were in place to make the classic Hollywood saga, but yet the story ultimately felt empty. This is not to say that the movie is a total bust. Putting this film on the “perspective scale” you see that it was trying to be a lot more than the standard tale. Australia may have come up short of its goal, but it still lands above much of the junk in theaters today. The movie opens up with Lady Ashley (Kidman) traveling from England to Australia to see her long absent husband at the cattle ranch he purchased. Just before she arrives, her husband is murdered leaving her sole proprietor of the cattle ranch. She can either take the easy way out and sell the cattle business to her evil competitor or keep the business going on her own. It is almost a 3 hour movie…..she picks the latter. In doing so, she must figure out a way to heard 1,500 cattle over treacherous land to the Australian port of Darwin. There she will be able to sell her cattle to the army who is preparing for World War II. Enter Drover (Jackman), the best damn cattle drover in all of the land. With him in the lead and a cast of 5 others including Kidman and an aboriginal boy, the adventure begins. That is only part one of the story. When they finally make it to Darwin there is controversy about who the little boy should stay with since he is of white and aboriginal descent and has no parents to care for him. Then there is the empire of Japan who comes in and bombs Darwin in hopes that it will cut off supplies to the Australian military. Through all of this, the characters finally realize who they truly love and care for…now the question is whether they can save each other from danger. The movie is filled with wide shots of the beautiful landscape and even has some moments of awe during both the cattle herding and war scenes. Luhrmann also finds a way to incorporate the song “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. I thought the acting was good – Kidman better than Jackman and the boy above them both. I think two things that could have helped strengthen the film would be tweaking the story so that we cared more about the fate of the characters and adding a little more of Luhrmann’s creative directing style to separate it from the norm. The story was grand, but the emotion was shallow. I liked it, but wanted more…

Ry's Rating: B-

If this movie had parents they would be: Out of Africa & Pearl Harbor

With a runtine of 165 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

Slumdog Millionaire

2008-11-13T13:44:00.000-08:00

Slumdog Millionaire: An extraordinary motion picture from director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting). The premise of the movie is one that will have want-to-be screenwriters asking “why didn’t I think of that”. The story centers around Jamal Malik an Indian teen that grew up in the slums of Mumbai (Bombay) India and now finds himself on the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire. The film is brilliantly structured. After each question that Jamal is asked on the show, the film cuts to a flashback of his rough childhood. In each circumstance we get an understanding of why Jamal knows the answer to the question being asked. The flashbacks also reveal more about Jamal’s life and his resilience to succumb to the evils around him while he pursues his true love, Latika. Latika was born in the same slum as Jamal, but circumstances separate them on more than one occasion. As Jamal answers more questions, the story completes itself by leading up to the 1 million dollar moment. The film is more than just rooting for the underdog, it is ultimately a salute to love and to the beauty of life itself. The cinematography, editing, and music have to be noted as they turn this remarkable story into a masterpiece. With the movie taking place in India over the span of roughly 15 years, it is easy to see the correlation between Jamal’s life and the progress the country made during that time. Simply put, this is one of the best films of 2008. It will make you want to cheer in the aisle. So if the question is: Ry, what should I go see at the theater this weekend? Slumdog Millionaire ......and that is my Final Answer.

Ry's Rating: A

If this movie had parents they would be: Born into Brothels & Quiz Show

With a runtimes of 118 minutes

This film is rated R

Religulous

2008-11-10T14:28:00.000-08:00

Religulous: Bill Maher goes out on a ledge and dare I say - questions the validity of religion. He does so in a very Michael Moore kind of way, using tongue and cheek humor to prove his point. He opens up with a very strong statement – “Religion is a detriment to the progress of humanity”. This is a very fascinating point of view and one that most people are scared to touch, even with a ten foot poll. Over the next 90 minutes, he highlights how silly it is for people with any amount of intelligence to “literally” believe in some of the more bizarre stories of each religion. As I sat and watched him talk to people about various religions, I could not help but feel uncomfortable. I think that is fact enough that questioning the idea or truth of religion is taboo in our society. This is way too touchy of a subject for me to take sides on. I will just say that I am glad to see that someone finally had the guts to come out and make a film that will actually get people talking about the role religion should play in our day-to-day lives, politics/government, and humanity as a whole. This is in no way an attempt to smear a particular religion and favor another. Bill Maher is looking at the larger picture and questioning all religions and their motives. He also looks at those who profit in many cases from people who have strong faith. Not to be overlooked is the fact that this a very funny movie and this is coming from a guy who does not care for…..no, actually I should say hates Bill Maher. In the last 5 minutes of the film he gives his closing argument: so many religions speak of the Armageddon coming, but the fact is that the Armageddon may come as a result of people not being able to sort out their religious differences. This movie hopes to help people put everything into perspective…….lets pray it works.

Ry's Rating: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: The Passion of the Christ & Bowling for Columbine

With a runtime of 101 minutes

This film is rated R

W.

2008-10-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

W: An Oliver Stone film about George W. Bush……is this going to be a thrashing or what? To my surprise, Oliver Stone took the straight road instead of taking his normal path that always bends around to the left. The result is a tamer look at W. the man with more of an emphasis on explaining the motives of his actions than making fun of him. Prior to seeing the film, I thought it was going to be a political satire. A satire it is not, making the film all the more interesting. Stone made a film that takes a much more serious look at the 43rd President of the United States. Josh Brolin plays George W. who did an excellent job playing him at many different stages of his life. The film goes back to George’s sloppy college days and does not try to conceal his partying lifestyle. These younger Bush scenes, drunk and out of control, are the funniest moments of the movie. Throughout the course of the film we see the strained relationship between George W. and his dad George Sr. (played by James Cromwell). The movie’s thesis is based on this relationship, suggesting that many of W’s actions were based on his desire to prove something to his dad and make him proud. The story ends with Bush leading the country into the Iraq war. It is these scenes with his cabinet (Cheney, Powell, Rice, Rumsfeld) that I found the most insightful. In the end I came away knowing a little more about Bush and strangely….I felt sorry for him.

Ry's Rating: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Nixon & Fahrenheit 9/11

With a runtime of 131 minutes

This film is rated: PG-13

The Wrestler - early review by CK

2008-10-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

The Wrestler: Last Friday The 44th Annual Chicago International Film festival gave the Midwest its first look at “The Wrestler", directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain) and starring the great Mickey Rourke (Angelheart, Sin City). Rourke plays professional wrestler Randy “Ram” Robinson 10 years past his prime. We follow him (the camera is literally behind Ram a good portion of the film) as he tries to regain old wrestling glory while attempting to mend a personal life that has left him broke and alone caused by his career as a professional grappler. Marisa Tomei also stars as his favorite stripper and Evan Rachel Wood as his daughter. We’ve seen this story before, but what sets this movie apart from the others is Rourke’s performance and the minimalist, slice-of-life filmmaking approach.

A Q & A with Aronofsky followed the screening. I asked him what his approach was when coming to the set everyday. He told us how “Pi”, “Requiem”, and “The Fountain” was his first trilogy and “The Wrestler” will start his next series of films. He talked about reinventing his filmmaking approach. I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon. The Wrestler opens in December.

The Brothers Bloom

2008-10-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Brothers Bloom opened the 44th Chicago International Film Festival. Writer, director Rian Johnson and Oscar winner Rachel Weisz were on hand to talk about the making of the film. Weisz commented that not many comedies are thrown her way and this film presented a chance to show off her comedic side……and we are glad she did!

The Brothers Bloom: Rian Johnson, the creative force behind the superb 2006 film Brick has another success with his sophomore outing The Brothers Bloom. As he did with the film Brick, Johnson creates a distinct type of universe to tell his story, this time almost giving off a Wes Anderson type of vibe. The story centers on two brothers who make a living conning very rich people out of money. The brothers are played by Mark Ruffalo (Stephen) and Adrien Brody (Bloom). For their last con they target a beautiful heiress named Penelope (Rachel Weisz). It is her inventive character that makes the film so funny and also so charming. Of course, during “the hook” of the con, Bloom and Penelope fall in love with each other. However, instead of following all other con movies, this movie goes in another direction. The story ends up not focusing on some big con at the end or a “who conned who”, but rather focuses on the relationship between the two brothers and the relationship between Bloom and Penelope. The Brothers Bloom is a very funny movie with the humor being more of the witty variety. This is due to the three main characters being so well written and very well developed. I am not trying to con anyone when I say you should see this movie….it is just an easy one to enjoy!

Ry's Rating: B+

If this movie had Parents they would be: The Darjeeling Limited & The Sting

With a runtime of 109 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

Rachel Getting Married

2008-10-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

Rachel Getting Married: Anne Hathaway stars in this intimate, unorthodox family drama. We are introduced to her character, Kim as she is leaving rehab to attend her sister Rachel’s wedding. The beginning of the film is set-up well as we can tell Kim is still not in a healthy state of mind to be around a large group of people and of course there is a herd of family and friends staying at her house for the wedding. This scenario leads to some humorous moments during the early scenes of the picture and all the while keeps unlocking portions of Kim’s troubled past. The drama unfolds more as we learn how the whole family is scarred because of Kim’s drug abuse and a fatal mistake she made while she was high. The story is not an easy one to tell and a lot of credit has to go to Anne Hathaway for her performance. She brought an understanding to the character. She did not overplay the role and she saved her best for the movie’s most crucial scenes concerning the guilt she has to live with every day of her life. Now it would not be the movies if the wedding was not turned into a multicultural event. This film does not even attempt to explain all of the affluent and diverse people that attend the wedding. The wedding celebration scenes with live music and dancing go on way too long and take away from the emotion I had vested in the story. When the lights went up we had a good drama with an excellent performance, but I felt if the story had a tighter grip…..we could have squeezed much more passion out of it.

Ry's Rating: B

If this movie had parents they would be: SherryBaby & Margot at the Wedding

With a runtime of 113 minutes

This film is rated R

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

2008-08-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, and Javier Bardem star in Woody Allen’s latest comedic take on love and lust. Two best friends – Vicky and Cristina (Johansson) plan to spend a summer in Barcelona studying the culture. Early into their stay they are approached by a Spanish painter - Juan Antonio (Bardem), who offers or I should say suggests that they go on a trip with him and partake in….um…cough “extracurricular activities” together. Cristina is immediately drawn to his passion and is more willing to accept the offer than her friend. However, in due time both girls separately fall prey to his enthusiasm for love. The situation then gets turned on its head when Juan Antonio’s crazy ex-lover (Cruz) shows up. In typical Allen fashion all of the characters are refined, sophisticated, and into the arts. Allen’s strong suit is his sharp writing and his ability to get his characters into outlandish situations and this film is full of those moments. The film is equipped with a narrator from start to finish. Although he has some funny lines, I felt Allen could have done much more with this element. The ending of the movie was also a little bit of a let down for me as I did not feel satisfied with any of the characters’ evolutions. This is probably the best comedy Allen has penned in 15 years, but it is still far short of his greater works.

Ry's Rating: B -

If this movie had parents they would be: Wild Things & Melinda and Melinda

With a runtime of 96 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

Bullets of Interest

This is the 39th film directed by Woody Allen
It is the 3rd time he has worked with Johansson
1st Woody Allen movie to take place in Spain

The Clone Wars Review

2008-08-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

CK, an esteemed film director and a good friend of mine was lucky enough to catch an early screening of the new Star Wars animated film - his guest review is below. Thanks CK

Star Wars, The Clone Wars: There is a new Star Wars film, sort of. This Friday the newest entry into the most successful film franchise of all time will be released at your local multiplex. The Clone Wars is a 90 minute amped up Saturday morning cartoon for the big screen. The project was initially developed just for television, but supposedly once Executive Producer George Lucas saw the first three episodes he thought they looked so good that they would work as a feature. He was right for the most part. The plot centers around a kidnapping conspiracy involving the son of the infamous Jabba the Hutt (taking place sometime between Episode 2 and 3). It’s not an epic feature type story-line, it was never meant to be. Those looking for the 7th gigantic Star Wars film will most likely not find it here. What you will find is some great looking action, nice animation, a lot of wonderful nods to Episodes 4-6, and a good introduction to a promising family series. Lucasfilm has done a nice job of balancing the series between young kids and the adult crowd who grew up with the franchise.
CK Rating: C+ / but as far as launching a new TV series: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Star Wars & Atlantis: The Lost Empire

With a runtime of 98 minutes
This film is rated PG

X-Files: I want to Believe

2008-07-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

The X-Files: I want to Believe: Being a huge X-Files fan, I was very pleased to see the series get another big screen installment. Another plus was hearing that this film would have nothing to do with the on-going alien conspiracy and would instead be a “stand-alone” thriller. In its prime, The X-Files' stand-alone episodes were basically mini sci-fi movies. The idea of expanding the budget and scope for the movie houses seemed like a slam dunk. However, it did not seem to me that this latest X-Files movie really expanded the budget, nor the scope of the story. It was basically like watching a TV episode in the theater. This is not the worst thing though as the chemistry between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully is still one of the best. I also enjoyed how easily they caught us up with the character’s lives and what they have been doing since we last saw them some 6 years ago. The plot was average for X-Files standards, focusing on psychic visions from a priest to help find a missing FBI agent. The villains who kidnapped the agent and the reason for it was perverse, but again I would have liked something a bit creepier. I also would have enjoyed a little more screen time with the villains to fill out their characters. A sub-plot involving Scully’s connection with her young patient at the hospital gave the film a deeper meaning as did her relationship with Mulder. In the end, I liked the movie and was happy to see the duo in action again, but I did feel the series had more potential than what we saw in I Want to Believe.
Ry’s Rating: C+

If this movie had Parents, they would be: The X-Files (1998) & Dirty Pretty Things

With a runtime of 104 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

The Dark Night

2008-07-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Dark Knight: Best Batman movie ever? Absolutely. Best superhero movie of all time? Almost (answer may change to “yes” after another viewing). This latest bat adventure is different from previous superhero films in that it works more as a crime drama than an over-the-top action flick. Even without any of the bat gadgets or any of the bat stunts you would still be engrossed in the strong storyline - the gadgets and stunts are just a big plus. As for all of the hype concerning Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker = Deserved. He owned this role. Equally impressive and not to be overlooked is Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon whose character was at the heart of the film. Aaron Eckhart plays Harvey Dent/Two Face who I thought did an excellent job as well. In fact, Christian Bale who is an amazing Bruce Wayne was probably the weakest of the four. This is not a knock on Bale, but rather praise for the whole cast. The movie opens up with the Joker about to cause havoc on Gotham City’s mob scene. Meanwhile Batman is working closely with Gordon to rid the streets of crime. They are trying to go for a big blow against the mob instead of just making small arrests. Furthermore, Gordon and Batman are ready to start working with Harvey Dent, a district attorney with the same goal as them. Can the three of them work together to make Gotham safe again or can the Joker pit them against each other to cause even more disorder? “Holy 4-star movie Batman!”

Ry's Rating: A-

If this movie had Parents they would be: Heat & Batman (1989)

With a running time of 155 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

Wall-E

2008-07-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

Wall-E: It really seems like the team at Pixar can’t make a bad movie. Their latest offering, Wall-E may just be the best of the bunch. At its core, Wall-E is a simple and innocent love story. The movie is set about 700 years in the future when mankind has left Earth because the planet has become overrun with their own garbage. Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter, Earth Class) is the only robot still working to clean up the planet until another robot named EVE arrives on her own mission. Wall-E may not know exactly what EVE is trying to discover, but that does not stop him from making a discovery himself….love! The adventure then blasts off to space where we see how the human race has evolved, or really how they have un-evolved. The film works on multiple levels. Besides the love story, it also serves as a good sci-fi story and all the while is extremely amusing from start to finish. Neither of the lead robots has much dialogue so much of the storytelling and comedy is done in visuals and is reminiscent of the great Chaplin/Keats silent films. Meanwhile, the animation is done so well that you almost forget you are watching an animated movie – this is especially true for the 1st half of the picture. It is also the 1st half of the movie that reels the viewer in and makes you care so much for Wall-E and EVE. It is a film that gets the label “A movie for the whole family”. While this is mainly true, I do not think it is for younger children as I am not sure it will hold their attention. But anyone over the age of 5 will agree, Wall-E is one of the year’s best!

Ry's Rating: A-

If this movie had Parents they would be: 2001: A Space Odyssey & The Little Mermaid

With a runtime of 107 minutes

This film is rated G

Iron Man

2008-06-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

Iron Man: The barrage of superhero movies continues, this time with Robert Downey Jr. playing the man underneath the iron. In most circles (minus the hard core) Iron Man is a second or even a third tier superhero (lets just say he would probably be parking cars at Superman’s birthday party). In fact, I really did not know anything more about him other than: Iron suit painted red & gold. The movie is formulated much like all of the other opening acts in superhero franchises. The first half of the movie unveils how the superhero came to be -- then a bad guy emerges with like powers and is defeated just before the credits roll. It comes down to likable characters and an interesting plot. In this case, Iron Man is blessed with both. Downey is absolutely perfect as Tony Stark, an arms dealer who is taken hostage in Afghanistan while on a business trip. He is on top of the world up until this point - being best described as a rich, cocky, womanizer, alcoholic. The story behind the origin of the iron suit and thus the birth of Iron Man is extremely well done and interesting. It is also not very hard to see the correlation between the movie’s message and the current world perception of the United States. After his experience in Afghanistan, Tony Stark realizes what kind of responsibility comes with being a superpower in the world – that weapons should only be used as a last resort. Terrence Howard and a bald Jeff Bridges also turn in a couple of top rate performances. After his film debut, it is safe to say Iron Man will not be parking cars at Superman’s next bash…….he may actually have a seat at the bar!
Ry's Rating: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Lord of War & Batman

With a runtime of 126 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

2008-05-27T11:28:00.000-07:00

Indiana Jones 4: It has been 19 years since we last heard the crack of his whip and seen his famous fedora. The biggest question from fans was in regards to Harrison Ford’s age and if he could still pull off Indy in the way we would like to see/remember. I feel the film did an excellent job of addressing his age, but not overplaying it. Yes there are laughs supplied from Jones being older and not as capable, but for the most part Indy is still Indy and that is still fun to behold! The story gets going instantly - Communists, who have replaced the Nazis as the evil villains have captured Indiana in hopes he could lead them to a supernatural treasure. Just when Dr. Jones is about to wash his hands of the situation a young man named Mutt (Shia LaBeouf) arrives with a letter that only Indy would be able to understand, thus hurling him back into the adventure. The chemistry between LaBeouf and Ford is what really carriers the picture. Furthermore it is the element that separates this adventure from the previous three and also the justification for why Indy came back to the big screen to begin with. The action is done in that classic Indiana Jones style. You can expect astonishing car chases, creepy caverns, and some good old fashion fist fights. The film even supplies some extremely corny moments, although I believe all Indy film are wounded by this. In the end….was it worth the 19 year wait? Probably not, but a chance to catch up with an old friend like Indy…..definitely worth a trip to the theater.
Ry's Rating: B

If this movie had Parents they would be: Raiders of the Lost Ark & The X-Files

With a running time of 122 minutes

This film is rated PG

In Bruges Review

2008-02-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

In Bruges: The title might keep people away, because like myself they probably have no idea what it is or means. Bruges is a town in Belgium near the border of France and is the setting for the film. Colin Farrell plays a hit man who, with his partner is ordered to hide out “In Bruges” for 2 weeks or until things settle down in London, the city where their last “hit” went awry. Now in order to make the movie entertaining you have to fill the town of Bruges with a cast of unique characters for the hit men to get tangled up with. The film does a good job of this, from an attractive street thief to a midget who is there shooting a film. The movie is much funnier than one would expect. I would say the humor is similar to that used in (giving one of my parents away) Get Shorty, but only better. Being in Bruges actually becomes a running joke throughout the film and is played up perfectly. Where I felt the film came up short was the unraveling plot. After a strong set-up, the story seemed to get away from the director – with the final chapter seeming pieced together just to get to some kind of resolve. Colin Farrell, while very funny, did not sell me on the dramatic aspects of his role. Ralph Fiennes shows up three-quarters of the way through and absolutely shines in his small role. Overall, the good does outweigh the bad enough for me to recommend. This is not a movie to rush out and see, but you will be pleasantly surprised if you happen across it.

Ry's Rating: C +

Extra Insight from Jen: I on the other hand really liked Colin Farrell "In Bruges" (pronounced broozh). I am not a Farrell fan, but I felt he was very funny in the childish aspect of his role and surprisingly believable during his more dramatic moments on screen.

If This movie had parents they would be: Get Shorty & Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels

With a runtime of 107 minutes

This film is rated R

Top 10 of 2007

2008-01-25T14:15:00.000-08:00

Ryan: I love going to the movies! Furthermore, I really love going to the movies and seeing something exceptional. Each year there are always a handful of movies that stick with you long after you have seen them - movies that are a cut above the rest. 2007 was blessed with some outstanding films in a couple of different genres. Below you will find my Top 10 Films of the past year. Alongside me during all of the movies that I see is a person with an amazing taste in cinema – Jennifer. Her opinion and insight into the movies….is…well…..ALLLMOST as good as mine. Jen? (Her Top 10 is included as well).

Jen: Oh, I see. Now that I have edited YOUR comments above for spelling and grammatical errors, I can get to the matter at hand. It was a pleasure to make countless trips to the movies in 2007, especially the latter part when most of the noteworthy films were released. I see that both of our lists included No Country, Blood, Juno, Once, Charlie Wilson, SuperBad, and Atonement even after being locked in separate rooms while we compiled our lists. I suppose that evidences that these seven flicks were at the top of their game in 2007. I am glad that you included Sicko which had me laughing and crying. Do you think it has a shot for best documentary? The Kite Runner was definitely one of the better films of the year, but it just didn't compare to the book. Bourne was a fun watch and was left nicely open-ended. I was surprised that you gave Mike C. the axe. I thought it was different than the typical thriller/lawyer films that we have seen in recent years and what great performances by Clooney and Wilkinson! Sweeney was dark while being humorous and Helena Bonham Carter almost stole the show from Johnny Depp. Finally, Waitress was so charming and unpretentious - what an original script that showed us quite a different side of pregnancy (Knocked Up did this as well). Thanks for inviting me to share my comments. I look forward to our next trip to the theatre!
Jen

Ryan's Top 10

10. Atonement

9. SuperBad

8. Sicko

7. The Kite Runner

6. Charlie Wilson's War

5. Bourne Ultimatum

4. Once

3. Juno

2. There Will Be Blood

1. No Country for Old Men

Jen's Top 10

10. Sweeney Todd

9. SuperBad

8. Atonement

7. No Country for Old Men

6. Charlie Wilson's War
5. Waitress

4. Michael Clayton

3. There Will Be Blood

2. Once

1. Juno

There Will Be Blood Review

2008-01-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

There Will Be Blood: Fifteen minutes into Blood, without a single word yet spoken, you know you are in for a unique film experience. You instantly see that Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest offering is not just a wedge of entertainment, but a piece of art. When you want to be serious about “art” in the world of cinema, one actor’s name comes screaming to mind - Daniel Day-Lewis (DDL). DDL plays Daniel Plainview, an oil man in turn-of-the-century Texas. His greed leads him to any town or ranch where oil has been discovered. He eventually finds his way to the Sunday family ranch where oil is so plentiful that it has been spotted seeping out of the ground. Here Plainview meets Eli Sunday, a man who preaches the word of God. As the oil wells are constructed, the two of them slowly become adversaries. There Will Be Blood is a study of many things including greed, hatred, trust, jealously, and faith in God. Watching DDL deteriorate and transform his character because of greed is like spying on Dali while painting – a genius at work! Matching the exquisiteness of DDL’s performance is the powerful score supplied by Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood (I know what you are thinking, this coming from a huge Radiohead fan). The music becomes another character in this sprawling epic while providing in depth foreshadowing. In my opinion, it was the innovative score that really put this film on a higher pedestal. I think it is very important to know that the runtime is roughly 3 hours. Also, the pace of the film is much slower than the norm, however I am not saying that is bad. In fact, in this case it is a good thing because it gives you time to cherish the detail and thought put into this tour de force.
Ry’s Rating: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Wall Street & 2001 A Space Odyssey

With a runtime of 158 minutes
This film is rated R

Charlie Wilson's War Review

2008-01-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

Charlie Wilson’s War: Tom Hanks, Phillip Seymour Hoffman (PSH), and Julia Roberts punctuate the big screen story of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan. Charlie Wilson (Hanks) was an eccentric ladies' man allowing the movie to be furnished with plenty of humor based on that angle. Funny – yes, but the subject matter was quite serious. Wilson was the congressman behind supplying Afghan rebels with weaponry capable of combating the Soviet forces that had invaded their country. His mission had to be covert as any sign of U.S. involvement risked the dropping of the word “cold” from the term “cold war”. Aiding Wilson’s mission was CIA agent Gust Avrakotos (Hoffman). PSH is just about the best character actor working today and his performance is nothing short of amazing. Mixing humor with such an interesting topic made this one of the more enjoyable, entertaining, and informative movies this season. The way the film celebrates Charlie Wilson’s achievement is pitch perfect in that we are conscious that the long-term consequences of his actions turn out to be destructive. The movie's message is relevant to Afghanistan, but also the current happenings in Iraq. The final quote of the movie stings with fury: “These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we f**cked up the endgame." – Charlie Wilson
Ry’s Rating: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Wag the Dog & Lord of War

With a runtime of 97 minutes
This film is rated R

Into the Wild movie review

2008-01-03T13:59:00.000-08:00

Into the Wild: Sean Penn steps behind the camera to direct the real life adventure of Christopher McCandless. McCandless had some intriguing ideas about society and the way people should live their lives. After graduating from college at the top of his class, he decided to give away his entire savings ($24,000) to charity, dispose of all of his ID's and credit cards, and live off the land in Alaska. He was not running from some killer cyborg – he just wanted to live life his way. The movie tells the story of not only his time in Alaska, but of the people he met on his journey along the way. The film was beautifully shot and had a couple of good performances from Bill Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden who play Christopher’s parents. Playing the lead, McCandless – is Emile Hirsch. He did an adequate job, but failed to reel me in emotionally. I wanted to care more. I did like the way Mr. Penn decided to put the movie together – jumping between the time Christopher is in Alaska by himself and the voyage he took to get there. In addition, the use of voiceovers by the many people Christopher touched in his life brought some strong sentiment. I just felt the movie needed more of that. I think it was a case of too many people with not enough emotional ties between them to give me the payoff I wanted.
* * * or Grade: B-

If this movie had parents they would be: Grizzly Man & A River Runs Through It

With a running time of
This film is rated R

Juno Movie Review

2007-12-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

Juno: Witty, comical, sincere, and profound…..this little indie flick brings a lot to the table. The movie opens with 16 year old Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) discovering she is pregnant. The father of the child is the corky, yet cool Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera – cast perfectly). Juno’s first thought is to have an abortion. However, after a trip to the clinic she decides to go through with the pregnancy and look into giving the child up for adoption. She finds what appears to be the perfect couple in the “wanted” section of the local paper. What follows is a “peeling away” of all the characters involved in Juno’s decision. The film's success or failure rests on the shoulders of Ellen Page. She was not just good, but I would go as far as saying that she gave the best performance that I have seen this year! She is funny and candid throughout. More impressive however, is how she slowly shows us Juno’s vulnerability and at the same time her immense maturity. This is a case of the right actor being cast for the role and that can actually be said for the whole cast of Juno. Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman are perfect as the couple looking for a baby to love. Juno’s parents (played by Allison Janney & J.K. Simmons) fit perfectly into the quirky “Juno world” and at the same time bring seriousness to the subject matter. I did feel the first 15 minutes of the movie tried a little too hard. I thought the witty dialogue being flung around was over-the-top. Fortunately, the script (written by newcomer – Diablo Cody) did settle down to give us one of the better stories of the year. Juno blends clever humor and thoughtfulness with a subject matter that is normally difficult to discuss……the outcome is one of 2007’s best films!
* * * * or Grade: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Little Miss Sunshine & Rushmore

With a runtime of 92 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Sweeney Todd Review

2007-12-21T10:39:00.000-08:00

Sweeney Todd: The newest Tim Burton movie guarantees only one thing…..a new Johnny Depp movie. Their sixth collaboration – Sweeney Todd, is based on the popular musical. The story is dark and sinister with some twisted humor, what else would you expect from Burton/Depp. Set in Victorian London, Sweeney Todd, once a family man and a barber was wrongfully imprisoned by a menacing judge who was enamored by Todd's beautiful wife. After Todd is released from prison he resurfaces in London. He befriends Mrs. Lovett who serves “meat pies” in a café below his newly opened barber shop. Together they come up with a heinous plan to not only get revenge, but to use their victims in a creative…..um… “tasty” way. Burton did a great job of translating this musical for the big screen. I give huge thumbs up to the look of the film – from the sets and lighting to the costumes and the make-up. Similar to recent Tarantino and Rodriguez films, Burton does not shy away from using mass amounts of fake blood which often sprays from the jugular of Todd's victims. The songs are a little different than most other musicals as there are no sweeping memorable songs, but rather very edgy/humorous lyrics that move the plot along. In my mind Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs. Lovett) steals the show. She has the funniest lines, but she also plays the part so perfectly that it would be hard to envision anyone else playing Mrs. Lovett. Sacha Baron Cohen pops up as a rival barber and is hilarious during his small time on screen. Where I thought the film failed was the story itself. It may make a great musical, but I did not feel there was enough substance to span the almost two hour runtime. This is a movie to have fun with….well, at least for the sick minded people out there.
* * * or Grade: B-
If This Movie had Parents They would be: Barbershop & Kill Bill

With a runtime of 116 minutes
This film is rated R

Atonement Review

2007-12-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

Atonement: What would the Oscar movie season be without a sweeping love story that is disrupted by World War II. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) star as the two young lovers. Knightley plays Cecilia Tallis, the daughter of a very wealthy British family. McAvoy plays Robbie, the son of the Tallis family’s servants. The Tallis family puts Robbie through university at Cambridge, thus putting him on the cusp of joining the “upper class”. Cecilia and Robbie discover their love for one another however, not everyone in the Tallis family sees their relationship as “true love”. After having a couple of days to let this film soak in my mind, I can’t help but be mad at it. It did so much right - starting with the powerful story and the perspective in which it was told. The cinematography was absolutely beautiful and the score of the film was exceptional – I thought the use of the typewriter sound at key points was brilliant. I even treasured the scope of the film which captured an interesting viewpoint of WWII. All that said, the movie’s biggest fault was that it did not give us enough time with the two main characters before the conflict. How emotionally vested can we be when only 10 minutes of screen time is devoted to their affection for one another? This is one of the few times a movie could have truly been enhanced had the runtime been 20 minutes LONGER. To the film’s credit, I was still very much moved by the conclusion. This is a case of a “Good” movie that could have been.....and should have been -“Great”.
* * * or Grade: B

If this movie had Parents they would be: The English Patient & The Notebook

With a runtime of 120 minutes – too short
This film is rated R

Enchanted Review

2007-12-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

Enchanted: Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey star in Disney’s latest fairytale. The idea for the movie is extremely imaginative. The film starts out in animation “Snow White style” – Giselle, a young princess falls in love with a young prince. This angers the prince’s mother/evil queen, so she sends Giselle (Amy Adams) to another dimension where there is “no such thing as real love” – modern day Manhattan. Once in Manhattan, Adams is transformed into a human girl although her ideals remain the same and she continues to break out into song at any given moment. She meets a divorce lawyer (Dempsey) who tries to help her find her way home while at the same time learns from the naive Giselle that love can be everything it is cracked up to be in the fairytales. The film is full of charm, as more characters from the fairytale world enter the real world carrying on exactly as if they were still animated. The idea was pulled off perfectly up until the last act of the film. It was if the writers did not know how to end it so they went for some big spectacle which was not needed. I cannot say enough good things about Amy Adams’s performance. I would not be surprised at all if she gets nominated come Oscar time for this role. Enchanted also does a good job of paying homage to many of the past Disney fairytales, ie Cinderella, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, and Sleeping Beauty. The film succeeds in being entertaining for both adults and kids which is just wonderful for the holiday season.
* * * and ½ or Grade: B+
If this movie had parents they would be: Who Framed Roger Rabbit and The Princess Bride.

With a runtime of 105 minutes
This film is rated PG

2007-12-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

Beowulf: Please allow me to sound like a 13 year old for a minute – “Beowulf in 3-D is REALLY cool.” Robert Zemeckis, the man who brought us Forrest Gump and more recently The Polar Express is behind this innovative film. The entire movie is brought to life using computer animation. All of the CG characters are reproductions if you will, of living actors (Think Polar Express). Among the cast are John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Anthony Hopkins, and Angelina Jolie. What we see on screen could only be done using CG, as the battles are epic, astonishing, and gruesome all at the same time. I would say the script only “loosely” follows the ancient poem, as the screenwriters added much more to the story than I ever remember. The tale begins when the monster Grendel annihilates King Hrothgar’s village. Beowulf steps up to the challenge of hunting down and killing Grendel. However, Grendel is only the first beast he will have to face on this deadly test. Clearly, it is the amazing visuals that make this movie so exciting. I was bewildered with the 3-D presentation – I will go as far as to say “industry changing”. A few years back we would only be able to read and imagine such actions, now thanks to technology we can actually see it on the big screen. Beowulf 3-D is a very exuberant theater experience, so put the glasses over your eyes and enjoy!!!

The movie itself is only: * * and ½, but seeing it in 3D brings it to: * * * and ½ or Grade: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Polar Express & Clash of the Titans

With a runtime of 120 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

No Country for Old Men Review

2007-11-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

No Country for Old Men: It is so delightful to see the Coen brothers back in their elite form. In the same vein as Fargo and The Big Lebowski, Ethan and Joel Coen have once again tapped into a faction of people that will be memorable for years to come. No Country is adapted from the novel of the same name that was penned by Cormac McCarthy. We have seen this type of story told before. Basically, a man finds drug money that he shouldn’t have – keeps it – and is then chased by a mad killer who is also after the money. What separates this movie from the normal slaw are the unique and well-developed characters that are dropped into the saga. In particular, Anton Chigurh (played masterfully by Javier Bardem) as the menacing killer is so compelling to watch – only the Coen brothers could give us such a distinctive character. Josh Brolin plays Llewelyn, the (un)lucky guy who finds the money. Brolin plays the part perfectly, allowing the viewers to get involved in the film even further as his character is hunted down. The trinity is rounded out with the sheriff, played by Tommy Lee Jones, who is trying to make sense of all the mess happening around town. The film is shot beautifully with brilliant detail that adds to the intensity of the story. “Intense” being the key word as the characters get into some absurdly difficult situations. I sat in the theater with my heart racing and my palms sweating. I loved how the movie was so smartly written – I found each move the characters made to be well calculated. The only aspect of the film that I was not enamored by was the ending, which is what keeps this movie from a perfect score. That aside, the Coen’s have given us a magnificent motion picture……one of the best of the year.

* * * & ½ or Grade: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Fargo & A Simple Plan

With a running time of 121 minutes

This film is rated R

American Gangster Review

2007-11-21T08:49:00.000-08:00

American Gangster: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, and Ridley Scott bring us the true story of one honest cop and his relentless pursuit of the biggest drug lord in NYC. Crowe plays Richie Roberts, a cop so honest that his peers despise him. Denzel plays Frank Lucas, a drug dealer so well cloaked in his surroundings that he is not even known to the cops. The hunt for Lucas starts in the late 60’s with the Vietnam War as the backdrop. Lucas finds a way to smuggle pure heroin from Southeastern Asia into the United States, allowing him to flood the drug market with the highest grade of product at a cheaper price. Where there is smoke, there is….a crack pipe. With just a little evidence to work with, Richie Roberts begins his investigation to find and bring down Frank Lucas. Both lead actors do a terrific job, considering the talent of the said actors, it is to be expected. I think the thing that surprised me the most was how interesting the story was. I found it to be much more in depth, detailed, and tied into history than past “drug dealer” movies. I also thought that Ridley Scott did an excellent job of showing how the two characters were similar in their own ways. The film itself does lack the eccentricity that makes similar movies such as Goodfellas and The Departed so fun to re-watch. Gangster is more of a “one watch" kind of movie, but that “one” is quite good.
* * * or Grade: B+
If this movie had parents they would be: Scarface & L.A. Confidential

With a running time of 157 minutes

This movie is rated R

Guest Critic Corner

2007-11-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

** Guest Critic Corner **
Reviews from the O.C. by George Pfister
Michael Clayton:
Michael Clayton is an issue oriented drama, a taut legal thriller about a morally frayed law firm "fixer" (George Clooney). He is led into a crisis of conscience by a whistle-blower colleague, Tom Wilkinson, who I thought was outstanding as - a man who is so morally struck it causes him to demean himself in some aberrant behavior. This film is a must see, according to George Pfister of Southern California.

About George Pfister: Nicknamed “5.6 yards a carry” and father of the well known J.P. Pfister. George’s love for his son is overshadowed by his love for cinema.

Indie Incubator Review

2007-11-14T14:17:00.000-08:00

Indie Incubator Film Fest #5: The spotlights were once again shining at the Original Mother’s on Division St., home of the IIFF. Matt Kubinski and Charles Klein have done an excellent job of raising the bar with each fest - #5 being no exception! After the lights went down, Big Tree Productions' Haunted House trailer kicked off the IIFF to a thunderous start. A few short films later came what I thought was the gem of the night, Land of the Free from Forge Films - a political, action packed movie that had incredibly high production value and a very intriguing story. Another compelling feature, Street Jesus: The Story of Willie York gave an interesting look at Peoria’s most famous homeless man. Not only was this film humorous, but it also featured awesome music from the band Primal Seed. The funniest, most creative movie of the night was Meat Shake brought to us by Rookie TV. Simple and to the point (3 minute run time), we watch a man try to order a milkshake, but the restaurant he is trying to order from only makes shakes using different types of meat. Adding to the humor and originality of this short film is the method of the dialogue which is done in a “rap/rhyme”. Rookie TV was also behind the animated short: 100 Grand which I found to be hilarious. The rest of the night saw more quality films flicker across the screen - the highlights being Janus from One Tear Productions and some clever short commercials for The Comic Vault. At the end of the night the three judges (Kathy Byrne from the Chicago Film Office, Ed Griffen from WTTW's Image Union, and Matt Sardo from The Chicago Comic Vault) awarded Meat Shake the Best in Show and winner of the first ever Image Union award. WTTW will air Meat Shake on Image Union in the near future. The Incubator has turned into a special event, providing great short films and tasty cocktails all inside an electrifying atmosphere. The next Incubator is April 2008, mark your calendars – you won’t want to miss it!!!

Rythemovieguy's pic for best of: Land of The Free

Incubator Best Of Fest Award: Meat Shake

Gone Baby Gone

2007-11-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

Gone Baby Gone: Ben Affleck makes his directorial debut in this well written thriller. Ben abuses his newly acquired “Directorial Powers” right away and casts the lead role with his brother, the soft spoken / barely opens his mouth – Casey Affleck. Also starring in the film are Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris, both of which play excellent roles and are a joy to watch on the screen. The feature takes place in a poor part of Boston. Two local private detectives are hired to help find a missing girl from the neighborhood. Their investigation takes many twists and turns, but finally they discover that a much deeper crime was committed. The path the film takes that leads to the conclusion is perfect in that the viewer will not be sure which way they want to see it end. I am keen on movies with endings that make you choose what you think is best for the characters, with both outcomes being “right” in their own ways. These kinds of films are great conversation pieces after viewing and that is the case with Gone Baby Gone. Looking back at the story as a whole however, I find some of the basic structure not plausible and even a little impractical at times. Another personal gripe is the title of the film – Gone Baby Gone is said in a dramatic way by one of the characters which just sounds ridiculous. That being said I still recommend the movie and have to give Ben Affleck credit on his directorial debut. Hey, if it keeps him behind the camera and off the screen – we are all winners.

* * * or Grade: B -

If this movie had parents they would be: Mystic River & Brick

With a runtime of 114 minutes

This film is rated R

Darjeeling Limited Movie Review

2007-10-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Darjeeling Limited: Wes Anderson’s 5th feature film takes us on an unusual trip through India by train. We follow the 3 Whitman brothers - Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrian Brody), and Jack (Jason Schwartzman) as they take a spiritual journey that they hope will bring them closer together. After the death of their father, the brothers drifted apart. Each of them is still dealing with the death in their own unique way. As with Wes Anderson’s other films (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic), the humor lies in the characters which are so well written. In fact his characters and their characteristics are so defined that his movies take a couple of viewings to be fully appreciated. Intense detail is given to the train the brothers are traveling on and the luggage they carry with them making them central characters in the story. Being a huge fan of Wes Anderson, my expectations are extremely high which leads to my only complaint. The film is funny, clever, and even a little moving, but I did not feel Wes pushed his creativity level high enough. This film is in line with his other works, but does not stand out from them. However, I am saying all of this after one viewing and I know I will enjoy this movie more the next time I visit it. Additionally, I am sure the film will offer even more laughs after I see the short film Hotel Chevalier that is meant to be a prologue to Darjeeling, but was not shown in theaters. This is a welcomed addition to the Wes Anderson filmography, I just wish I could say it was near the top.

* * * or Grade: B

If this movie had parents they would be: The Man Who Would be King & The Life Aquatic

With a running Time of 91 minutes

This film is rated R

Kite Runner Movie Review

2007-10-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

The Kite Runner opened the 43rd Chicago International Film Festival – in my opinion, a perfect film to open such a fest

The Kite Runner: How often can you come out of a movie and be emotionally moved, learn something about the country of Afghanistan, and have a hankering to run outside and fly a kite? Such is the case with this beautiful and controversial film. The movie is based on the 2003 novel by Khaled Hosseini published under the same name. The story begins in Afghanistan during the 1970s. We meet 2 young boys, Amir and Hassan. Their friendship endures throughout their youth even though they are not a part of the same social class. A horrific event occurs to one of the boys that neither can deal with nor understand the ramifications of….thus the friendship dissolves. We jump ahead 21 years, the Soviets have invaded Afghanistan and left the country in shambles allowing the Taliban to take control. Amir and Hassan’s lives take two completely different paths during this time, but these paths will cross once again. Marc Forster directs this emotional tale and does an outstanding job with the material. I suspect this was not the easiest book to translate onto the big screen. I loved how the kite flying was filmed and depicted in the movie reminding us of the simple beauties in life. I also felt that the kites symbolized freedom and innocence before one is corrupted with all of the superfluous ideologies of the modern world. This is a multifaceted story that will stay with you for some time. Ahhh, I love the taste of the Fall Movie Season!
* * * and ½ or Grade B +

If this movie had parents they would be: Babel and Fox & The Hound

To Learn more about the controversy click here - "Kite Runner release push back"

With a runtime of 120 minutes
This film is rated R

The Bourne Ultimatum Review

2007-08-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Bourne Ultimatum: This is the 3rd and hopefully the last Bourne movie. I say “hopefully the last” because I feel the people behind these movies have made a PERFECT trilogy. Let the story and character live on in cinema lore, not to be disturbed by greedy studio execs. This third installment picks up right where the 2nd chapter left off. Jason Bourne is in Moscow running from and eluding the local police and other CIA agents…….and nobody “runs and eludes” better than Jason Bourne. His objective in this movie is to get back to New York where the treadstone project began, and to meet his makers. The action and the pace of this movie can best be described as - unyielding adrenaline. We are treated to some hand-to-hand combat, car chases, rooftop chases, motorcycle chases, assassinations, and some good old spy-expertise. Being a Paul Greengrass film you can expect a lot of handheld camera work that is close to all the action. Some may not like the unsteady, in your face style, I myself feel it is great for these movies. I think it makes it feel all that much more real. Along side all the great action is a well told, thinking man’s plot. There is just enough information given to keep you guessing what will come next, but nothing that confused me at any point. I also wanted to say that I thought the end of the movie/story could not have been better – just perfect. In a time when Hollywood loves to suck every cent from a franchise, it is rare to get 3 movies with this high of caliber both in story and action. Hands down it is the best “summer blockbuster” movie of the season. Thus making it one of the best trilogies of all time for this reviewer - Let us hope it stays just that way…a Trilogy!

* * * and 1/2 or Grade A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Casino Royal & The Bourne Supremacy

With a run time of 111 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

2007-07-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The 5th installment from Hogwarts has made its way to the big screen, this time a little darker and more complex. The story continues with Harry and his old friends and some new ones as well. The Ministry of Magic refuses to believe Harry and Dumbledore's claim that the evil lord Voldemort has returned influencing the opinion of much of the wizarding community and those at Hogwarts. In addition, Hogwarts has hired a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher – Dolores Umbridge (played masterfully by Imelda Staunton). Instead of teaching the young wizards helpful spells to defend themselves, Umbridge limits her teachings to a text book – which alarms Harry and his crew. Who is to teach the kids the proper way to defend themselves in case Lord Voldemort attacks? Step in…. Harry Potter. As with the other Potter films, almost all of the major action takes place in the last 20 minutes. The rest of the movie is full of discovery, the development of the evil plot, and the on goings at Hogwarts. To me, so much of the fun has been watching the characters grow up and mature. I find Harry’s character has become more complex with each chapter in the story. The ending of this film is probably the most emotional of the 5 so far. I was very impressed with the final wizard battle, my only complaint being I wish it would have lasted a little longer – just felt too short. This was not my favorite Potter film (still #3 for this guy), but I found it to be a very strong link in this magical chain of movies……

If this movie had parents they would be: “Just look back at the Potter Tree”

* * * or grade B

With a running time of 138 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Once Review

2007-06-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

Once: Movies such as this one are my main inspiration for writing these reviews. A brilliant, small film overshadowed by the summer blockbuster season….it is my duty to call attention to this work of art. The film stars Glen Hansard (lead singer of the band The Frames) and new comer Marketa Irglova. Hansard plays a guitar playing street performer who loves to write and sing his own music on the streets of Dublin - even if it is for only small tips. One night someone stops to listen (Irglova), she instantly sees genius in him and a relationship is formed. The story is then told through songs that both of the lead actors sing, either by themselves or with each other. If you have any type of enthusiasm for music, this is the film for you! The songs sung in the movie bleed passion. The acting by Hansard reels you into the characters and makes you see the beauty in their songs. The film was shot in just 17 days with a budget of only $130,000 – the inelegant style only helps the mood of the film. There were a few times in the movie I had chills just watching and listening to the performances. I cannot say enough good things about this small movie that could, other than I hope you see it in the theater!!!!! “2007 movies” – the bar has been set!

* * * * or Grade A-
If this movie had parents they would be: Lost in Translation & Walk the Line

With a running time of only 85 minutes
This film is rated R

Indy Incubator Review

2007-05-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

Indy Incubator Film Fest 4: It might have been one small step for Matt Kubinski and Charles Klein (creators of the incubator), but it was a giant leap for the Indy Incubator Film Fest (IIFF). The IIFF celebrated season 4 by introducing a panel of judges that critiqued each film and awarded a “best in show” at the end of the night. The panel consisted of Kathy Byrne from the Chicago Film Office, Ed Griffen from WTTW's Image Union and Matt Sardo from the Chicago Comic Vault.
As for the films themselves – another terrific harvest!!! The fest really got moving with a screening of Apocalypse Oz, a marvelous creation from cineclash productions. The film mixed elements of Apocalypse Now and the Wizard of Oz to perfection. Director Charles Klein in association with Film Beyond brought us the next highlight – Brain. The film centers on a handsome young man nicknamed – Brain, who works in the IT department of a company he does not like. One day he flips and goes out drinking….in his mind, he had the night of his life! Right before the intermission D-mob productions brought the house down with their small film – Ass Periods. Not for the faint of heart, the story centers around a wish made by a girl that her boyfriend would get a menstruation period so he could see what it is like first hand. As the title suggests….the wish came true. The movie was done perfectly, highly creative and just the right shots to get some gross humor going, but stopped short of being “vomit material”. Bravo!! I was not the only person impressed with Ass Periods, as the judges declared the film “Best in Fest” at the end of the night. The second half of the fest had 2 films from Blame Society – The Death of a Pumpkin & Chad Vader 7. Both these films were of the highest quality and very creative; Blame Society really has something great going on. In all it was a great night for the movies. All the filmmakers should be proud as to should Matt Kubinski and Charles Klein. They have created a Film Fest that keeps getting bigger, better, and more creative. Great work guys!!! See you in November for Season 5.

Spiderman 3 Review

2007-05-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Spiderman 3: The web slinger is back in his third installment and this time his web was stuffed with one to many storylines. The Hollywood formula for these blockbusters is to always top the last one…..well sometimes more is less, as is the case with Spiderman 3. For starters, Peter Parker has a record - 3 villains to take on while balancing his relationship with Mary Jane and new love interest Gwen Stacy. On top of that he is overtaken by a mysterious black substance that gives way to a “darker” Spiderman and Peter Parker. All of this crammed into a 2 hour 20 minute action packed movie, there is no wonder it feels “rushed” at the end. This is not to say that the movie is without highlights. The action sequences are a plenty and are the best of the series. Catching me by surprise was the humor the movie had, this is by far the funniest Spiderman. As for the 3 villains mentioned before: Sandman played by Thomas Haden Church was well done and looked fantastic on screen, but due to limited screen time, never lived up to his stature. The New Goblin played by James Franco came out with a lot of energy, however needing to stretch his plotline out, he gets thrown into a soap opera storyline for much of the movie. Finally we have Venom played by Topher Grace, all I can say is “way under written”. It felt Venom was just thrown in there to satisfy some hardcore fans as he appears late in the movie with almost no back story. The ending has everyone and everything colliding for a climatic battle atop New York City. It was the 1st time I finished a Spiderman movie and did not feel totally satisfied. This is in no way a BAD movie, it just failed to live up to the expectations the first two movies created for it. I enjoyed a lot of it, I was disappointed by some of it, the result….an average Spidey 3.
* * and ½ or a grade: C+

If this movie had parents they would be: Batman & Robin and Superman II

With a running time of 120 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Grindhouse

2007-04-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Grindhouse: A double feature paying tribute to the “B-movie thrillers” of the past, from directors Robert Rodriguez & Quentin Tarantino. I give big thumbs up for the ambition of the project which is comprised of 2 full length movies (each about 1:25 minutes in length), accompanied by faux “coming attractions” before and in between the features. The two films have nothing tying them together plot wise; however some of the same sets, props, and actors are used in both films. Up first is Planet Terror by Rodriguez. The film is a “gore fest” of a zombie movie. The story uses basic zombie movie understanding – everyone is infected with a virus which turns them into man eating zombies. A small group of rebels remain uninfected and need to get to a safe area to produce a cure to the virus. The humor in the movie is spot on, making fun of itself as it goes along. The second feature is Death Proof by Tarantino. I loved this movie. Kurt Russell plays Stuntman Mike, a mad man who likes to kill people in his death proof-(made for a stuntman)-car. The reason I found Death Proof to be a superior film is that not only did it pay tribute to old B-movies, but at the same time you were getting some classic Tarantino cinema!! I did not get that blend from Planet Terror. In fact I was getting bored by the mid-way mark of the first feature. Tarantino had the right mix and it worked. The final car chase was one of the most exhilarating scenes I have seen in a long time. Between the outstanding faux trailers and the extremely fun ride of Death Proof, Grindhouse gets a recommendation from me.
The Breakdown – Planet Terror : * * // Death Proof * * * *

Grindhouse (as a whole): * * * or grade: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Shaun of the Dead & Duel

With a run time of 191 minutes
This film is rated R

Perfect Stranger Review

2007-04-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

Perfect Stranger: Halle Berry, Bruce Willis, and Giovanni Ribisi team up for this mind numbing thriller. I left this movie with 1 BIG question…..how do scripts like this get green lit? Berry plays Rowena, a journalist always looking for the big story. When a childhood friend of hers is murdered she jumps onto the case – because in movies like this the star journalist is always better at solving crimes than actual cops. Rowena’s profound investigation finds that her friend was having an affair with the top advertising executive in NYC – Harrison Hill (played by Bruce Willis and a damn good “movie name” if I do say so myself). To get the inside scoop on Harrison Hill, she gets a temp job at his advertising firm. From there the plot thickens as we are given even more reason to think that Hill is our perpetrator. Of course, what would a thriller of this nature be without a twist or two……..or five. The movie does have a couple tense moments, but I would have liked a little more given that the movie is like so many we have already seen. The ending is creative, but it is almost laughable when you put it through the “believability test”. Every once in a while a movie of this nature is done right, with just enough thought put into it to allow us to believe in the irrationality of it all. Unfortunately, Perfect Stranger does not have the smarts to make it all work.

* * or a grade of a C -

If this movie had parents they would be: You’ve Got Mail & Basic Instinct

With a running time of 109 minutes
This film is rated R

Ry's Top 10 of 2006

2007-02-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay in getting my top 10 list out, but it just takes time for me to get out there and see all the late arriving films of 2006. I finally feel I have seen all the notable films that one should see. Like every year it all seems to come together to make a good crop of films. I liken it to a vintage of wine – you can look back at the years and argue or discuss what years were better for movies. I don’t think 2006 will be remembered as a great year for cinema, however there were most certainly some gems that stand out above the rest. In the list below I give you the 10 best gems of 2006. Now, for the almost 60 times I ventured out to the cineplex and the countless movies I rented throughout the year there were always another set of eyes watching with me. It is only right to give a second opinion and include Jennifer’s list, especially because she is the one that makes seeing all these movies so much fun.

With out further ado, I give you Ryan’s Top 10 of 2006. Each film will have a link to click on where you can read my full review of the film. Please feel free to make a comment and discuss the year in film by clicking on the comment link on the bottom…thank you.

10. Brick – Highly imaginative world of crime centered around high school students. Full Review

9. Pursuit of Happyness – A man overcomes poverty and homelessness in reaching his dream. Full Review

8. Half Nelson – Ryan Gosling plays a teacher addicted to drugs in this heartbreaking tale. Full Review

7. The Last King of Scotland – A tense ride, Idi Ami (Whitaker) had me sweating. Full Review

6. Notes on a Scandal – Acting at its finest between Dench and Blanchett, this movie will make you squirm. Full Review

5. The Queen – an inside look at the royal family in the week after Princess Diana’s death. Full Review

4. Pan’s Labyrinth – Fantasy world meets cold hearted corrupt world in this beautiful film from Guillermo del Torro. Full Review

3. The Departed – Martin Scorsese gives us yet another mob masterpiece. Full Review

2. Little Miss Sunshine – Humorous?….hell yes, but it was the message about beauty and family that made this film stand out. Full Review

1. Children of Men – It was the movie that transported me the most, I felt totally immersed in this futuristic world. On top of that it had a message of hope for the human race. I was delighted with how well the movie was made and was emotionally moved by its story. Full Review

A Second Opinion, Jen’s top 10 of 2006
10. Children of Men

9. The Departed

8. The Queen

7. The Pursuit of Happyness

6. Blood Diamond

5. The Last King of Scotland

4. Pan’s Labyrinth

3. Notes on a Scandal

2. Little Miss Sunshine

1. Half Nelson

The Pursuit of Happyness

2007-01-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

The Pursuit of Happyness: If this had to be a 2 word review: Heart Warming. Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a real life salesman who was pushed to the point of homelessness in an attempt to reach his life goal. The movie is based on true events and the script is actually adapted from the book Chris Gardner wrote about his struggles. When the story opens we find Chris selling or I should say “trying” to sell bone density scanners – something it turns out most hospitals are not in need of. With bills piling up, taxes to pay, and a young son to take care of, the Gardner’s are struggling to get by. When Chris decides to try a new career path (becoming a stock broker), his wife decides she has had enough and leaves the family. The struggles really get bad when Chris enters a training program as an intern at a brokerage firm. The program is 6 months long with no pay and no guarantee of a job when he is done either. We see a man literally hang it all out on the line to reach his dream. I have to admit I am a sucker for these kinds of stories. Seeing a person against all odds reach his goal always strikes a cord with me. As for the performance of Will Smith – brilliant, probably his best work to date. Will Smith carries this story from start to finish. His real life son, Jaden Smith, plays his on screen son and was serviceable (the good thing being he was not distracting like some young kid actors can be). The ending is uplifting and emotional and it all works in large part to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air……Will Smith.
* * * and ½ or Grade: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Rudy & Trading Places

With a run time of 117 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

The Last King of Scotland

2007-01-29T13:27:00.000-08:00

The Last King of Scotland: Forest Whitaker gives a stellar performance as Idi Amin, a brutal Ugandan dictator that reigned in the 1970’s. The story actually centers around another character, Nicholas Garrigan (played by James McAvoy). Garrigan is a recent medical school graduate from Scotland. He chooses to go to Uganda for two reason, for one – he wants to make a difference in the world and secondly he wants to get away from his egocentric father who is also a doctor. While working at a mission in Uganda, Garrigan treats Amin after a mild car accident. Amin is intrigued by Garrigan who is from Scotland, a country he greatly admires. Soon after, he invites Garrigan to come work at his hospital in Kampala and to also serve as his personal doctor. The naïve Garrigan accepts. The plot thickens as Garrigan becomes Amin's most trusted adviser as he slowly gets deeper and more involved in the inner workings of Amin's regime. The film is one very “tense” ride which can be credited to Whitaker 's stellar portrayal of Amin. He creates such a mad man on screen, a loose cannon if you will. I sat in my chair, palms sweating, literally afraid of him. On top of that, the story is engrossing from start to finish. By the time the credits rolled I felt exhausted. Bravo to Forest Whitaker and to all involved in this film! Check this one out.
* * * and ½ or Grade: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Hotel Rwanda & Match Point

With a running time of 121 minutes
This film is rated R

Letters From Iwo Jima

2007-01-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

Letters From Iwo Jima: Clint Eastwood found himself so immersed in the story of Flags of Our Fathers, that he figured the only way to do the whole story justice was to tell it from both sides. The film depicts the battle at Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective (told in Japanese with English subtitles). It opens up with the Japanese military on the island preparing for the American invasion by digging out caves and ditches. The Japanese commander, General Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) is informed upon his arrival that supplies, ammunition, food, and soldiers are running low and would not be replenished or reinforced. His mission, along with all of the Japanese on the island, is to hold the Americans from taking control of the island all knowing very well it is not a matter of winning, but delaying the inevitable. They all made the ultimate sacrifice to keep their homeland sacred if only for a few extra days. The beauty of the movie is its ability to show that neither side was a “dark enemy”. Both sides were doing what they felt was right. The movie itself is shot in a blue gray tint, with very little color, showing how colorless and cold blooded war is. I did however find the story to move at a slow pace, keeping me from becoming too emotionally involved. It also failed to “wow” me at any point – going into a film like this you expect a “wow” moment. Along with Flags of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima is an excellent account of a historical battle, but I found myself wanting a little more from both.
* * * or Grade: B-

If this movie had parents they would be: Flags of Our Fathers & Tora! Tora! Tora!

With a running time of 140 minutes
This film is rated R

Notes on a Scandal

2007-01-11T10:20:00.000-08:00

Notes on a Scandal: Cate Blanchett and the “Dame” Judi Dench star in this very tense and exciting thriller. I love when such good acting in films forces you to feel uneasy as you watch. The acting performances by both lead actresses here is nothing short of spectacular. The story centers on Mrs. Hart (Blanchett), a new art teacher to a school who is befriended by one of the veteran teachers, Barbara Covett (Dench). Mrs. Hart begins an affair with one of her male students (only 15 years of age) and Barbara Covet becomes aware of the scandal. Barbara decides that she will not notify the authorities, as long as Mrs. Hart ends the affair. After their agreement, Barbara and Mrs. Hart form a stronger friendship, but Barbara has a secret agenda. I was very impressed with the writing in this movie. The characters and story are so well written – not a cliché in sight and engrossing right from the start. Dench, Blanchett, and the writer of the novel of the same name (Zoe Heller) did their homework on this one and developed characters that are so unique and believable. They are real and not at all over the top caricatures that we’ve come so used to seeing in these types of movies. The plot keeps getting more intense with every scene, building up to a final confrontation that is remarkable to watch. This is a small, focused story that is told EXTREMELY well – Make Note of it!!!!!
* * * * or Grade A

If this movie had parents they would be: The Talented Mr. Ripley & Single White Female

With a running time of 98 minutes
This film is rated R

DreamGirls

2007-01-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

DreamGirls: Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, DreamGirls comes to the silver screen with some star-power. The film is loaded with good performances, but the two that really standout are Eddie Murphy as James “Thunder” Early and Jennifer Hudson as Effie White (I see Oscar nods for both). Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, and even the washed up Danny Glover all turn in terrific performances to round out the cast. The story spans roughly 8 years, as it follows 3 female soul singers from their breakthrough to the point when they are on top of the pop charts. Of course with success you always have some turmoil between the ranks. The turmoil between the girls and their manager (Foxx) is the meat of the story. For all that the film does right, it does wrong as well. Take the musical numbers for instance – there are many good ones, but they crammed too many of them in making me want to hit the fast forward button on the last few. The story which starts so well becomes very cliché, which I felt watered down the drama of the main plot. The film as a whole should have been 20 minutes shorter. I think director Bill Condon got a little too excited with the material and went over the top for the knock out punch when he did not need to. The good does outweigh the bad however, therefore I still recommend DreamGirls, it is just a case where “less could have been more...”
* * * or Grade B-

If this movie had parents they would be: Chicago & The Jacksons: An American Dream

With a run time of 131 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Children of Men

2007-01-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

Children of Men: The premise for this movie is enough to draw in any viewer: The year is 2027 and all the women in the world have become infertile. No babies have been born for 18 years, meaning the youngest person on earth is a little over 18 years of age. The human race is dying and with that the world is in total chaos. Enter our hero – Theo, played masterfully by Clive Owen (one of the best actors working today). Theo is an everyday man – depressed as everyone else in the world knowing there is no hope for the future. He is contacted by his ex-wife (Julianne Moore) to help get a young woman – Kee, across borders and check points and finally to a secret project, code named: Tomorrow. What is so special about Kee…….she is pregnant! The movie has plenty of action along the way, but it is the drama of the story that makes this film so captivating. On top of all that, Children of Men is probably the best made movie of 2006. The camera work and art direction are the best I have seen in many years! The world created is so authentic – not futuristic or gimmicky at all, keeping me totally immersed. Although the world created in this film is very dark, the message is one of hope and optimism. The movie makes you realize what we take for granted. It shows us the importance of children and the cycle of life. It makes you realize how precious life is, and reminds us that giving birth is truly a miracle. Intriguing – haunting – inspiring………simply put: an Exceptional Film.
* * * * or Grade: A

If this movie had parents they would be: Minority Report & Strange Days

With a running time of 113 minutes
This film is rated R

Pan's Labyrinth

2007-01-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

Pan’s Labyrinth: Set in Spain in 1944 we follow a young girl – Ofelia, as she begins a new life with her pregnant mother and her mother’s new husband. The country is in a post civil war period and there is not much to be happy about. Ofelia’s step-father is a commanding officer at a nationalist military base. Ofelia sees evil in him and refuses to accept this man as her new father. The only good news for Ofelia is she discovers a labyrinth that leads to an underground fantasy world. This is a dark fantasy world geared more for adults than kids. There she is given three tasks to carry out before she can return to this fantasy world as the princess she once was long ago. Going into the film I was under the impression that the story would mostly take place inside this fantasy world, but that is not the case. The story stays above ground in the post war setting more so than the fantasy world, but both worlds are engaging. As the story plays out, we as viewers have to decide if the fantasy world is real or not. The film is done so beautifully that you are caught wanting to THINK one way, but FEEL another way. The ending is a powerful cry out to the beauty of innocence. The costumes, make-up, cinematography, writing, acting and the vision the film had are all among the year’s best. This is a movie that stands out as a piece of art.
* * * * or Grade A

If this movie had parents they would be: Life is Beautiful and Alice in Wonderland

With a running time of 128 minutes
This film is rated R

Apocalypto

2006-12-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

Apocalypto: Mel Gibson directs this look at the decline of the Mayan empire. The film is violent, but has plenty of heart. No “name actors” are in the film and the dialogue is entirely in Mayan with English subtitles. This does not however mean the film is not an action packed, “edge of your seat” drama, because it is just that. The attention to detail in this movie is simply stunning – the costumes, makeup, jewelry, piercings, and tattoos are so meticulous. It would be fun to just watch the people on screen even if there was no story – that is how real it all felt. Nevertheless the film has an excellent story with superb action sequences. At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to a Mayan tribe and given a glimpse of their lives. The main characters are introduced and then further developed allowing the audience to identify with these villagers. All is good until their village is raided by another tribe. The story then takes us through the forests and on to the Mayan temples, giving us a fascinating look at this past civilization. Some of the scenes are jaw dropping for both their violence and just the scope of the film itself. The film then turns into a heart pounding chase / survival story. Mel Gibson has really given us an authentic look at a civilization gone "bye". The only part of the film I found out of place was when one of the Mayans called another Mayan a Jew – then started to point and laugh at him………strange. Seriously, Gibson gives a film on the scale of his award winning Braveheart, it was just missing some of the emotion William Wallace brought to the screen.
* * * and a ½ or Grade: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Last of the Mohicans & Rambo, First Blood part 2

With a running time of 135 minutes
This film is rated R

Blood Diamond

2006-12-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

Blood Diamond: An action packed drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou. The topic is one that needed to be brought to the big screen to make people aware of the devastation the diamond trade is causing in Africa. Set in the country of Sierra Leone during the 1990s - DiCaprio plays Danny Archer, a diamond smuggler who while in prison learns of a rare diamond that was found and hidden in the diamond fields. Solomon (Hounsou) plays a poor fisherman who hid the rare stone which he found while being forced to work in the diamond fields. He agrees to lead Danny Archer to the diamond, in return he wants Archer's help to find his family which was torn apart when his village was raided. The movie is filled with action, more so than I expected (but that was a good thing). The film also opens our eyes to the blood being shed over the diamond trade in Africa. Villages are raided by warlords who steal their children to join their militia. These children learn to kill at around the age of 10 – very disturbing. This is all done so they can smuggle diamonds and help finance the purchase of weapons to fuel the ongoing civil war. The acting by both DiCaprio and Hounsou is exceptional. The story drives home its point and may actually go a little over the top in the final scenes. Stories about these kinds of topics need to be made – having the film be as entertaining and powerful as it is ….is a bonus. Note: Guys if you are thinking of popping the question this Christmas consider seeing this movie before buying an overpriced and surprisingly common diamond.
* * * and ½ or Grade: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: The Constant Gardner & Romancing the Stone

With a running time of 128 minutes
This film is rated R

Bobby

2006-11-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

Bobby: A new film written and directed by Emilio Estevez……I can’t believe I just typed that, let me try that again. A new film written and directed by……...….Emilio Estevez -still feels strange. Even stranger – I really liked this movie. The film centers around 22 people who were at the Ambassador Hotel the night Bobby Kennedy was killed. There are a number of storylines in the film, all of which are meant to show you the state of mind people were in back in 1968. The cast is exceptional; it stars more big names than I think any other movie I have seen. The only role void of a big name actor is the role of Bobby Kennedy. For Kennedy, Estevez chose to use actual footage of the senator to increase the impact of the moment. As the film weaves between storylines we see and hear some of Kennedy’s great speeches leading up to that dreadful night of his assassination. Also, throughout the movie we see the hope building in people for the change they believed Kennedy would bring to the country if elected. The ending sees all that hope wiped away with a couple of loud bullet shots in a hotel kitchen. Emilio dips into the music of the time and lays it over the actions on the screen for an exceptionally powerful finish. I think this is another top 10 movie of the year for me…….Back to the cast for a moment, have a look for yourself at the names involved in this movie – CAST

* * * and ½ or a Grade: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Crash & JFK

With a running time of 120 minutes
This film is rated R

Little Children

2006-11-21T14:03:00.000-08:00

Little Children: Kate Winslet stars in this small film dealing with young married couples living in everyday “American suburbia”. The story opens up with us finding out that a man who exposes himself to little kids is out of jail and living back at home. This has the whole neighborhood up in arms and worried for their children. What we see is a lot of finger pointing by everyone, but what we learn is that everyone has their own evils inside. Winslet’s character finds out that her husband is addicted to internet pornography. This leads her to seek out something or someone new to satisfy her hunger and not just sit there and deal with the hand that has been dealt to her. Enter Patrick, a father who stays at home with his son while his wife works….you see where this is going. There are another four or so storylines going on in the neighborhood that all come to a head on the same night - (Think American Beauty). The film succeeds in getting its message across, however I thought it took to many “winding roads” to get there. The film is blessed with 2 great performances – one by Kate Winslet and the other by Jackie Earle Hailey who plays the best creep I have seen on the screen in some time. Not sure if my expectations for this movie were too high or if it was the fact that it had some misplaced humorous scenes that hurt the serious message being conveyed. I walked out of the theater wanting something better. As I let this film marinate some more I find myself wanting to discuss some of its ideas. Summed up: A very interesting film, which could have been carried out better.
* * and a ½ or Grade: B-

If this movie had parents they would be: American Beauty & Magnolia

With a running time of 130 minutes
This film is rated R

The Indie Incubator Film Fest III

2006-11-16T14:01:00.000-08:00

Indie Incubator Film Fest III: Creativity filled the back room at Mothers along with many spectators - all there to be part of this unique film festival. This was in fact the biggest Incubator to date. All those in attendance were treated to some astonishing short films by various filmmakers. The festival, organized by Matt Kubinski and Charles Klein, started off with a documentary about the rock band – The Ramones, the film had a style that reminded me very much of a Michael Moore doc. The next highlight was the extremely funny movie – Evil, which told the story of a possessed little dog – a Pomeranian to be precise. Speaking of funny, Chad Vader was in the house. The Chad Vader film series (4 parts) by Blame Society Productions has been sweeping Youtube by storm with over 5 million hits. Basically we see what it would be like if Darth Vader's younger brother "Chad" worked as a day shift manager at a local grocery store. The production of these films are outstanding and I look forward to seeing this series grow. Chad Vader may have had my vote for “Best in Show”, but it was one upped by the dazzling little film – Never: brought to us by T.O.E. productions. Bravo to all involved in the making of Never – you guys truly made a spectacular little movie. Best described as a twist on Peter Pan, we have a lady dressed as Tinker Bell that kills everyone she comes close to. The ending has her find a little girl that breathes life into the story before the shocking end. From start to finish the Incubator film fest delivered quality films such as the Stork and KillBilly. KillBilly came courtesy of Infinite Entertainment Productions – the same team that brought us the crowd pleaser Numbers are Down from the last Incubator. For those of you that missed out on the fest, you missed a great time. This is a film fest worth checking out!!!!!

Best in Show – Never by T.O.E. (That scene in the hallway with the young girl clapping is the reason I love movies)

If you want to check out Chad Vader go to - http://splu.net/chadvader.htm

The Queen

2006-11-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

The Queen: An extraordinary look inside the royal family during a time of turmoil. The story centers around the death of Princess Diana which happened just a few days after Tony Blair was elected as the new Prime Minister. Helen Mirren plays Queen Elizabeth II and does a tremendous job. Her acting performance is why this film works so well, we truly get to see a glimpse of how the royal family must have felt during these events. Michael Sheen also turns in an excellent performance as Tony Blair, who helps the royal family see how they were truly being viewed by the public. Actual footage of Princess Diana and other events that took place around that time are mixed in reminding us how real this terrible event was. The movie’s timeline is basically the week between Princess Diana’s death and her royal funeral seen by millions around the world. Although the script is not based on actual events, the idea of what transpired that week between the Queen and the Prime Minister is compelling. I personally love when films go back in time and visit an event, tragic or joyful, and show us their take on what might have happened behind closed doors. The movie also gives multilayered messages about public leaders' responsibilities and how they are viewed in the public’s eye. This is one of the best films I have seen this year and I believe it will be mentioned a lot come award season. Bravo!
* * * * or A-

If this movie had parents they would be: JFK & Elizabeth

With a running time of 97 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Babel

2006-11-06T10:44:00.000-08:00

Babel: Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett headline this latest effort from acclaimed director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Like the last 2 films Alejandro directed, Babel tells multiple stories that are somehow all intertwined. Babel is by far his most ambitious movie –as the storylines are taking place all around the world – from Tokyo, to Morocco, to San Diego. There are 4 storylines that the movie jumps between and like his past movies, it takes time to see how everything is linked together – in the beginning it is hard to believe they even could be. We start out with a married couple (Pitt, Blanchett) facing a most tragic event while on vacation in Morocco. Secondly, we have a deaf-mute teenage Japanese girl struggling with her sexual feelings. Also in the mix is a nanny who brings 2 kids over to Mexico from the U.S. so she can attend her son’s wedding. And finally we have two brothers in Morocco who are told to look over their cattle while their father is gone. Seeing them all come together is the beauty of the film. Still on their own each storyline tells the same message but in a different way. Unfortunately Babel failed to draw this viewer in emotionally. I think a lot of this has to do with not feeling that sorry for the parties involved – because in a strange way they were all to fault for what happens to them. I give credit to Alejandro for the idea of the film. Also for trying to bring it all together to show us that we, as people from around the world, are really not that different.
* * * or a Grade: B
Want to see a Alejandro masterpiece, rent Amores Perros

If this movie had parents they would be – Traffic & 21 Grams

With a running time of 142 minutes
This film is rated R

Flags of Our Fathers

2006-10-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Flags of Our Fathers: Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial effort is the highly anticipated adaptation of the best selling novel of the same name. Flags tells the story of the famous picture taken of the six marines who raised the American flag on top of Iwo Jima. The picture became famous instantly back home in the states and was used everywhere to show US victory. It also was a way of drawing up more support for the war, thus selling more war bonds to keep the fire burning. Wanting to put faces to the picture, the army and US government flew the 3 surviving marines from the picture back to the states. Once home they did a city to city publicity tour for the army to raise money. Problem is, were these 3 marines even in the picture? Were there multiple pictures taken?
The film is shown in three different aspects – One, we see the 3 marines making the publicity tour around the country. Secondly we have the marines when they are older telling their story. Finally, we have flashbacks to the invasion of Iwo Jima. The war scenes here are up to par with Saving Private Ryan, showing the brutality of war and the sacrifices made. The movie jumps back and forth between the different aspects, which I felt hurt the emotional impact of the movie. I also found the musical score which was also written by Eastwood, not up to par with the epic story. The acting is adequate, nothing noteworthy, but not distracting either - which is good when we have Ryan Phillippe in the cast. Coincidently the film stays away from that “one emotional peak in the story” that will really draw you in. Instead the movie plays out like the message it tells, that there is no “one” or “six” heroes that should be singled out and celebrated when it comes to the horror of war.
* * * or Grade: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Saving Private Ryan & Born on the 4th of July

With a running time of 132 minutes
This film is rated R

The Departed

2006-10-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

The Departed: Martin Scorsese returns to the gangster movie genre with style. He brings with him a cast that only includes the names DiCaprio, Damen, Nicholson, Wahlberg, Baldwin and Sheen…….he’s not messing around. The movie is actually a remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. We have two cops working undercover -infiltrating both aspects of the Irish mob scene in Boston. One cop was raised by the mob since he was a young kid and worked his way into the police force, basically working undercover for mob boss Frank Costello (Nicholson). The other undercover cop is working for the police force and is part of Frank Costello’s mob. Suspicion arises on both sides that there is a rat in the house….but finding out who it is, is not that easy. As for the cast mentioned above = OUTSTANDING! All the actors stepped up to the plate for this movie. I can’t say enough about the acting – I wish all movies could have this high of caliber. The writing has to be mentioned next – I have not seen a movie with this crisp of screenplay since………....... Goodfellas – “A real F*cking shame” it’s been that long. The story gets you involved early and keeps you there the whole time. Tense moments throughout the entire film will keep you glued to the screen. The violence that takes place seems so naturally placed….never forced just for shock value – that is the sign of a good gangster movie. The only aspect keeping this movie from a perfect rating is the core of the story…..it seems way more is going on than should be for what is at stake. On the whole, The Departed is a stellar film (top 10 of the year) that will only get better after a few spins in the DVD player!
* * * and ½ stars or Grade: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Infernal Affairs & Goodfellas - a lay up

With a run time of 149 minutes
This film is rated R

Stranger Than Fiction (opens Nov 10th)

2006-10-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

Stranger Than Fiction: Will Ferrell makes the transition from comedy to ……heartfelt dramedy in Marc Foster’s new movie. The story is very imaginative – Ferrell plays Harold Crick, a lonely tax auditor who one day starts to hear a voice of a narrator, who is actually narrating his life. He is the only one who can hear her and everything the narrator says is right on. The comedy scenes here are played perfectly by Ferrell. The film jumps to more of a drama when the narrator hints at what is about to happen to Harold Crick’s life. This leads Harold to seek out a literary theorist, played by Dustin Hoffman. Also in the mix is a love interest that Harold is in the middle of auditing – Plus we are introduced to the Narrator of Harold Crick's life (Emma Thompson) who is actually a living author writing a book whose main character is named……..Harold Crick. Shake all this together and you pour out one hell of an entertaining movie. The film works on all levels, from well written comedy to bizarre comedy to plain silly comedy – it is all there. We also see Ferrell move up to a new level in some of the more dramatic scenes in the film, which might be hard for some fans of Will Ferrell’s Anchorman type movies to understand. I could feel people wanted to laugh at everything Ferrell does even when it is not appropriate – (also known as the Jim Carrey Factor). This film will not only make you laugh, but it will tug at your heart and will also make you think – Bravo
* * * and ½

If this movie had parents they would be: Adaptation and 12 Monkeys

With a running time of 113 minutes
This film is rated R

The Lake House - (On DVD as of this review)

2006-09-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Lake House: Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock team up for the first time since Speed…..the result = Who Cares? The premise for the movie is what made me give this a spin. Reeves’ plays Alex, an architect living in the year 2004. Bullock plays Kate, a doctor who is living in the year 2006. She just moved out of the lake house and left a letter for the next tenant (very common I’m sure), supernaturally the letter goes to Alex in the year 2004 who is currently living in the same lake house. Does he just throw the letter out and never think of it again like most guys would do…..of course not – he writes a very thoughtful letter back(very common I’m sure). Again supernaturally it goes to Kate in 2006. They become the best pen pals ever – falling in love in fact. Even though they are 2 years apart Kate can remember where she was on certain days in the year 2004 and so Alex actually comes into contact with the 2004 Kate, who is unaware of the 2006 Kate who is writing these letters (has not happened to her yet, but has for him). Whenever you have a time travel / supernatural premise you are opening a huge can of worms. I mean why wasn’t Kate in 2006 giving Alex in 2004 sports scores of games about to happen in 2004 - duh? Seriously – there are always flaws with the time travel premise and the Lake house has plenty of them. The other major flaw the movie has is Keanu Reeves; I mean who is the genius that says “Lets cast Keanu in a role where he is not wearing a black trench coat and does not say "whoa" – people will think he is a real actor”. Even though the movie was full of flaws I still give it credit on the creativity side – in the right hands this movie could have been outstanding.
* *
If this movie had parents they would be: Frequency & Back to the Future 2

With a run time of 105 minutes
This film is rated PG

Brick - (On DVD as of this review)

2006-09-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

Brick: Film noir meets high school movie in this HIGHLY creative motion picture. Written and directed by new comer Rian Johnson comes a movie that has really never been done before. The story revolves around Brendan, a high school student who is trying to solve the mystery of who killed his ex-girlfriend and why. The reality the characters are living in is what sets this movie apart from the norm. It is a corrupt reality filled with crime, fighting, drug dealers, and murders….yet the kids are preppy high school students who live at home with their parents. The mix of the 2 genres is done perfectly – it is not over the top humorous like a Wes Anderson film, but has subtle humor while keeping it a realistic mystery at the same time. The challenging aspect for most viewers will be the dialogue. The characters speak fast, in slang, and use words and names that they never point blank explain……you have to give it time and pay attention to follow along. Midway through you will find that you understand it all and you will be immersed in the story. The cinematography and music is outstanding – truly lets the audience believe in this strange reality. The acting by lead Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock form the Sun) is right on, balancing both aspects of the film flawlessly. I love seeing such imagination lit up on the screen, if you give this film a chance….you will enjoy!!!!
* * * and ½

If this movie had parents they would be: L.A. Confidential & Beverly Hills 90210

With a running time of 110 minutes
This film is rated R

Half Nelson

2006-09-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

Half Nelson: A very powerful and painful look at a junior-high school teacher’s addiction to drugs. Ryan Gosling(the Notebook) plays Mr. Dunne, a History teacher who works at an inner-city school in Brooklyn – this is the best performance of his career and the best acting by far that I have seen this year. One of the great aspects of the story is seeing how Mr. Dunne really does care about teaching his students about history – even though he hits the crack pipe at night. But the aspect that makes this movie stand out the most is the friendship he has with Drey -one of his female students in his class. She is also affected by the world of drugs – her brother is in jail for dealing and her family is friends with the neighborhood drug dealer. On paper you might think that true friendship between a teacher and a 12 year old girl is far fetched, but the actors bring it to life. What we see develop is both characters give in to the evil world around them until their worlds collide. The climax of the movie is one of the more stirring, haunting and beautiful moments I have seen in film in a long time. This is all done by the performance of the 2 actors, but mainly by Ryan Gosling. Like all great acting performances everything is said in expressions – no words are needed. As Mr. Dunne teaches in his History class = History is made when there is conflict from 2 opposing forces, we see that all happen on screen and it is truly brilliant!
* * * and ½

If this movie had parents they would be: Dead Poets Society & Boyz N the Hood

With a run time of 106 minutes
This film is rated R

Little Miss Sunshine

2006-08-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Sunshine: A small independent film about a dysfunctional family brings a BIG breath of fresh air to theaters. The story seems basic at first glance – A family must drive cross country to get their 7 year old daughter to the “Little Miss Sunshine” beauty pageant. Enter the crazy characters that make up this family. This is one of the best cast ensembles I have ever seen. Each character is cast, written, and acted perfectly. 5 minutes into the film you have a hilarious dinner table scene which introduces us to each member of the family. The dad is played by Greg Kinnear, he is a motivational speaker. His brother-in-law played by Steve Carell, has to live with them because he is depressed and just tried to commit suicide. Rounding out the family is a son who does not speak, a grandpa who does drugs and says whatever is on his mind, a mother who is trying to make the family work and a daughter fixated on winning a beauty pageant. The laughs keep coming as the whole family jumps into a VW van to drive to California. The movie actually stays away from the typical “family traveling” humor and instead gets into some outrageous circumstances – most of which would be far-fetched if it were not for us believing in the characters so much. Indeed this was the funniest movie I have seen this year, but the whole time there was also this real, sad, and important message beaming across the screen. The film definitely works as a comedy, but it also works as an off-beat drama. As of today - August, 15 – it is the best movie I have seen this year!!!! Check it out!

* * * and ½

If this movie had Parents they would be: The Royal Tenenbaums & Vacation

With run time of 101 minutes
This film is rated R

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

2006-08-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: Strange, Silly, violent……very entertaining. The film stars Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. Kilmer plays Gay Perry, a gay private detective who also works with actors in Hollywood to help their acting performance as detectives. Downey plays a thief turned actor who is working with Gay Perry to prepare for an audition. On a night out they witness two hit men disposing of a body and the plot thickens from there. The movie has many strange and just silly plot lines and the story keeps getting deeper and more bizarre, yet it all works as a whole - For one Klimer’s character is hilarious and the best role he has had in 10 years and second, the writing of the film is brilliant. Downey narrates the story and even that is done in a creative way, with him rewinding the movie or explaining to you why he is telling you something. I do not like either of these actors normally, but in this film they are a great on screen duo. I have a feeling watching this a second time would open up even more laughs – it is just that kind of movie. A very funny, film noir!

* * *

If this movie had parents they would be: The Whole Nine Yards & The Boondock Saints

With a run time of 103 minutes
This film is rated R

The Devil Wears Prada

2006-08-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

The Devil Wears Prada: This film starring Meryl Streep was adopted from the novel written by Lauren Weisberger. The story revolves around a naïve young woman – Andy, who comes to New York looking to write for a major publication. The job Andy lands is 2nd assistant to the most powerful women in the fashion world – Editor and Chief of “Runway” magazine Miranda Priestly (played by Streep). Andy(Anne Hathaway) knows nothing of the fashion world or of the magazine “Runway” – which is where she will be working. The reason the story works …..Better yet – the reason to see this movie is the performance by Meryl Streep. I have not seen a better, stronger character on screen in a long time. Her strong performance brings comedy with it as everyone is so scared/intimidated by her…..reminds me of a certain boss I use to have. Andy is determined not to quit and slowly gives in and embraces the world of fashion to the extreme. The rest of her life begins to crumble as she has no time for anything else but her job. The plot twists around in a funny way until we get to the age old question – What do we really want out of life? The story, the characters (especially Streep) are all fantastic. This is a grown up comedy that works…….try that on for size.

* * * and a ½

If this movie had parents they would be: 13 going on 30 & Clueless – Not good parents

With a run time of 109 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Lady In the Water

2006-07-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Lady In the Water: Basic summary - A bedtime story by M. Night Shyamalan. Paul Giamatti stars as Cleveland, a superintendent at an apartment complex. One night he hears someone swimming in the pool after “pool hours”, but this someone is not human. After coming into contact and housing this mythical being -“a narf”, he begins to believe her myth about where she is from and why she is here. From there Cleveland talks to an elder Asian lady in the complex who knows of the story to hear more of this myth’s lore. What would a M. Night Shyamalan movie be without a suppose-to-be-scary-but-really-isn’t monster of some sort? The monster lurks in the grass around the complex waiting to strike the Narf….not very scary at all. Something different with this M. Night movie….no plot twist/surprise ending – it is a pretty straight forward story. The plot is told to the viewers by the characters during the movie and then we see it play out, with a couple bumps in the road of course. Saving the movie is the emotional scene near the end that sort of comes out on nowhere, but gives the story some much needed meaning. The Characters in the apartment complex were also well thought out and interesting. In the end I can’t really recommend as I felt the movie was flat, original yes, but lacking that spark that made M. Night Shyamalan a house hold name.

* *
If this movie had parents they would be: Splash & The Never ending Story

With a running time of 110 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

Superman Returns

2006-06-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

Superman Returns: It has been 19 years since the last time we saw the man of steel on the big screen. The year was 1987 and we were on Superman #4 – still played by the late Christopher Reeve (the True Superman). All would agree the series went WAY down hill after the second installment. So director Bryan Singer picks up the story after the 2nd superman – acting as if the other 2 never happened. It is important that one knows this going in, because the story revolves around the love between Superman and Lois Lane from the past movie. I am glad to report that the series is back to the level it should be at. Lately the trend in superhero movies is to make them darker and in an odd way – more realistic. This superman instead pays tribute to, and glorifies the rich history of past superman episodes. There is a little nod to the comic books, to smallville, and the 1st two superman movies…..I found all this fantastic. As for the new actors – Brandon Routh is our new man in the red cape, he does an excellent job as both Clark and superman…..although he pulls off a much better superman than the clumsy Clark Kent. Kate Bosworth plays Lois Lane and is nothing outstanding, but serviceable. Kevin Spacey comes in to play an excellent Lex Luther, he is evil, but has enough fun with the role to give it the perfect balance. The Action sequences are all on a grand scale especially the 1st in which superman makes his return known. Yes I knew I would get see some great action, but what I was surprised by the most was how this film is much more a drama than anything else. Prepare yourself for a longer…more in depth superman. A dramatic and stunning moment near the end of the film gives all the reason this series should have returned. An undertone of the movie is why the world needs superman, as a fan of movies….I sure am glad he is back!!!!

* * *
If this movie had parents they would be: Superman II and Spiderman II

With a running time of 154 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

2006-06-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

The 3 Burials of Melquiades Estrada: Tommy Lee Jones makes his directorial debut in this very weak drama. Jones actually pulls double duty as he stars in the film along side Barry Pepper. The Story takes place near the Texas/Mexico boarder. Jones plays Pete - a ranch hand who works with his friend Melquiades, a man who crossed over the Mexican boarder illegally. When Melquiades shows up dead, Pete keeps a promise to his friend and returns his body to Mexico to be buried near his family and in the land he loves. The who, what, and why Melquiades was killed is answered early in the second act and the film goes down hill from there. Talk about slow moving, the pace of the film is on course with the long horseback ride down to Mexico…….in real time. The film failed to create any drama or suspense; plus there was no reason to care about the characters. The only thing Jones did right was create such a mysterious world down around the boarder. I recommend you stay away from this rental.

* and ½ stars

If this movie had Parents they would be: The Missing & Open Range

With a running time of 121 minutes
This film is rated R

Cars

2006-06-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

Cars: The newest animated feature from Pixar/Disney is a roaring success. The greatness of the movie starts with the idea – a whole world of cars with certain personalities. The personalities shine through with the actor voicing it, but also through the make/model/year of the car. Big Thumbs up to the creativity team over at Pixar, they think of it all. Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, and Larry the Cable guy and many others all lend their voices to give character to particular cars. Wilson plays Lightening McQueen, a young race car who is a rookie on the circuit. He has one race left out in L.A. to win the Piston Cup. On his way out to L.A. he gets lost and comes to the Town of Radiator Springs, an old rundown town off route 66 that use to be thriving before the days of the interstate. It is in this town he meets other cars…..from old pick-up trucks to a Porsche. They all have a different outlook on life than the young hotrod. It is here Lightening McQueen learns what it is like to have true friends. It is not a mystery how the story is going to end, but the joy of it is watching it all unfold. The animation is pushed to a new level, there are some shots I would actually describe as beautiful. My only semi-complaint is the idea of finding these funny, corky friends is getting a little worn out by these cartoons. Back to the positives – The cartoons always have a point or message and this one may just be the best of the bunch. Because it is not simplified down like Nemo _”Family is important”, but rather makes you reflect on the speed of life. Make sure you don’t hop out of your chair when the credits come up, because the film keeps rolling and actually has some of the funniest moments right at the end. I love when movies have something during the credits!
* * * and ½

If this movie had parents they would be: Days of Thunder and Toy Story

With a running time of 121 minutes
This film is rated G