I am so sorry for the very long hiatus from postings. I promise to get back in the grove this weekend!
Enjoy the movies!!!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Hancock
From time to time, throughout our lives, we experience moments in which we feel alone or that only oneself truly understands what we are going though. That is where Hancock begins.
Hancock is a superhero living in L.A. fighting crime in a very unconditional manner; in a drunken state. Even though his drunken crime fighting skills have criminals shaking in their shoes, Hancock always leaves a little collateral damage in his wake. Beacause of his reckless attitude, the average law abiding citizens don't care so much for him. One of Hancock's escapades alone cost the city of L.A. more than $9 million dollars in repairs. Needless to say Hancock is not very well liked by anyone in the city of Angels that he calls home.
Through a chance meeting with an image consultant, Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), Hancock begins to find out who and what he truly is, and there is where the story really begins.
Will Smith is brilliant as the ungraceful, uncouth, nihilistic, superhero. The script is well rounded and smartly written. Peter Berg (director), whose directing and camera style have been critically acclaimed for the television show, Friday Night Lights, showcases his extraordinary talent.
Because of the special effects and hard hitting action sequences Hancock is a big screen film. You will laugh, you will cheer, you will fall in love with Hancock! Enjoy the movie!
Hancock is a superhero living in L.A. fighting crime in a very unconditional manner; in a drunken state. Even though his drunken crime fighting skills have criminals shaking in their shoes, Hancock always leaves a little collateral damage in his wake. Beacause of his reckless attitude, the average law abiding citizens don't care so much for him. One of Hancock's escapades alone cost the city of L.A. more than $9 million dollars in repairs. Needless to say Hancock is not very well liked by anyone in the city of Angels that he calls home.
Through a chance meeting with an image consultant, Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), Hancock begins to find out who and what he truly is, and there is where the story really begins.
Will Smith is brilliant as the ungraceful, uncouth, nihilistic, superhero. The script is well rounded and smartly written. Peter Berg (director), whose directing and camera style have been critically acclaimed for the television show, Friday Night Lights, showcases his extraordinary talent.
Because of the special effects and hard hitting action sequences Hancock is a big screen film. You will laugh, you will cheer, you will fall in love with Hancock! Enjoy the movie!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wall-E
Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth Class) may very well be Pixar's finest creation (in my humble opinion) . The film is primarily set on Earth, where the only lifeforms left are an adorable little rusty robot and his best buddy a cockroach who eats Twinkies. It is never quite explained how the evolution of Wall-E occurred, but somewhere in Wall-E's solitary existence he develops a personality, emotions and a sense of purpose. Overall he is guided by his mission to collect, compact and stack all of the trash left by humans and the big super mega store B&L (Buy and Large), but he enjoys his day, takes pleasure in finding new little treasures (i.e. a lighter), and the company of his cockroach friend.
Due to all of the waste, pollution, and toxins created by the residents of Earth, all humans were evacuated on to a space ship, the Axiom. On the Axiom no one ever has to do anything - everything is done for them by robots. At first the idea seems to be paradise, but as the story progresses, paradise it is not.
One day while Wall-E is out doing the job he is programmed for, compacting the trash, he has a visitor from out of the sky. Eve (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) is a sleek droid like robot, sent out from the Axiom, whose mission is to scan Earth searching for signs of plant life. When Wall-E and Eve have their chance meeting, life for Wall-E as he knows it is changed forever.
Full of action, drama, romance, suspense and comedy, Wall-E is a brilliant film that not only entertains the viewer but also reminds us that we have to take care of the only home we know, Earth. Unlike other Pixar movies, this one may not appeal to the smallest of audience members. I guarantee the adults in the theatre definitely enjoyed the film more so than the kids.
Wall-E is absolutely a full screen, Dolby digital surround sound kind of movie. It is worth a full price movie ticket!
Due to all of the waste, pollution, and toxins created by the residents of Earth, all humans were evacuated on to a space ship, the Axiom. On the Axiom no one ever has to do anything - everything is done for them by robots. At first the idea seems to be paradise, but as the story progresses, paradise it is not.
One day while Wall-E is out doing the job he is programmed for, compacting the trash, he has a visitor from out of the sky. Eve (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) is a sleek droid like robot, sent out from the Axiom, whose mission is to scan Earth searching for signs of plant life. When Wall-E and Eve have their chance meeting, life for Wall-E as he knows it is changed forever.
Full of action, drama, romance, suspense and comedy, Wall-E is a brilliant film that not only entertains the viewer but also reminds us that we have to take care of the only home we know, Earth. Unlike other Pixar movies, this one may not appeal to the smallest of audience members. I guarantee the adults in the theatre definitely enjoyed the film more so than the kids.
Wall-E is absolutely a full screen, Dolby digital surround sound kind of movie. It is worth a full price movie ticket!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Incredible Hulk
I have to preface my review of this movie with the following statement.... I love Ed Norton, I think he is one of the most underrated and under appreciated actors in our world today! Therefore I may be slightly biased in my review of this film.
With that being said, I enjoyed the movie quite a bit. This version of the Marvel Comic classic is much better than the 2003 version that was a horrible flop and a big snooze fest.
The story line is fairly well developed, there are a few plot holes, but overall it is pretty good. The cast is excellent! Liv Tyler has been out of the spotlight for a while, it was a welcome sight to see her once again, especially in a role that seemed to be tailored just for her.
Special effects are over the top! The action scenes (especially toward the end of the movie), however, are jumpy and erratic. While watching you will find yourself wanting to see more because it doesn't seem like the entire scene was revealed to the audience.
Special note: there are some violent scenes in the film - not much more violent than what is shown on network televion, they are not terribly graphic in nature, which was appreciated by this movie watcher, seeing so many children in the audience.
Watch and listen for the original Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno, he appears from time to time!
I have a theory as to why the Hulk movies are not the block busters that Spiderman and Batman have been over the past few years. In both Hulk movies, the Hulk is shown more as a dumb monster who only moans and yells. Whereas, the other Marvel Comic characters who have come to the silver screen talk, converse, and develop relationships with other characters and the audience.
Robert Downey Jr. makes a cameo appearance as Tony Stark (Iron Man), opening the door for joint venture of between a few of the Marvel Comic Characters in a full length feature film.
Special effects and surround sound make this a movie theatre movie - full price, no I don't think so, but it is worth a matinee ticket!
With that being said, I enjoyed the movie quite a bit. This version of the Marvel Comic classic is much better than the 2003 version that was a horrible flop and a big snooze fest.
The story line is fairly well developed, there are a few plot holes, but overall it is pretty good. The cast is excellent! Liv Tyler has been out of the spotlight for a while, it was a welcome sight to see her once again, especially in a role that seemed to be tailored just for her.
Special effects are over the top! The action scenes (especially toward the end of the movie), however, are jumpy and erratic. While watching you will find yourself wanting to see more because it doesn't seem like the entire scene was revealed to the audience.
Special note: there are some violent scenes in the film - not much more violent than what is shown on network televion, they are not terribly graphic in nature, which was appreciated by this movie watcher, seeing so many children in the audience.
Watch and listen for the original Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno, he appears from time to time!
I have a theory as to why the Hulk movies are not the block busters that Spiderman and Batman have been over the past few years. In both Hulk movies, the Hulk is shown more as a dumb monster who only moans and yells. Whereas, the other Marvel Comic characters who have come to the silver screen talk, converse, and develop relationships with other characters and the audience.
Robert Downey Jr. makes a cameo appearance as Tony Stark (Iron Man), opening the door for joint venture of between a few of the Marvel Comic Characters in a full length feature film.
Special effects and surround sound make this a movie theatre movie - full price, no I don't think so, but it is worth a matinee ticket!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Love Guru
Wow - it only takes one word to describe Mike Myers latest creation ..... AWFUL!
If defecating, farting, booger picking (and drinking) are your favorite subjects then you will thoroughly enjoy this appalling fart fest!
There is absolutely no reason for any one person to waste their time watching this imitation of a comedy. I am horribly disappointed in the fact I have lost two hours of my life to the crap that Mr. Myers put into the theatre!
Jessica Alba and Justin Timberlake are pretty funny, however they are not enough to save this dreadful film!
If defecating, farting, booger picking (and drinking) are your favorite subjects then you will thoroughly enjoy this appalling fart fest!
There is absolutely no reason for any one person to waste their time watching this imitation of a comedy. I am horribly disappointed in the fact I have lost two hours of my life to the crap that Mr. Myers put into the theatre!
Jessica Alba and Justin Timberlake are pretty funny, however they are not enough to save this dreadful film!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Get Smart
The year was 1980, I was in the Fourth Grade, and every afternoon at 3:00 p.m. a strange little man came on my TV. in a quirky little show created by the very twisted and very talented mind of Mel Brooks. “Get Smart” was a funny little show that I didn’t really understand until I got older – much older. Friday night, June 21, 2008 sitting in a dark theatre with about 200 of my closest movie friends I watched the reincarnation of the quirky little man, Maxwell Smart.
The original Maxwell Smart was slightly arrogant, at times quite conceited and always clumsily stupid. The new Max is smart, compassionate, and driven – but still a bit strange and clumsy. Steve Carell executes the role of new Max flawlessly. Much like Don Adams before him, Carell gives life to Maxwell Smart though use of subtle facial expressions and body language with an ease that makes one wonder if Carell weren’t Adams incarnate.
An amusing and sharply written script executed by an exceptionally clever cast makes Get Smart a very entertaining two hours. Despite the age difference between Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell, they are able to create exceptional movie chemistry. With several cameo appearances throughout the movie, it is quite fun to seeing them pop up from time to time, especially Bill Murray.
The audience was vastly different in age, which I truly believe enhanced the experience. From the row of teeny boppers behind me and the 50 something’s in front of me – we all were entertained heartily throughout the entire film. It has been since Star Wars in which I have been part of an audience that clapped at the conclusion of a film – at the conclusion of Get Smart, the audience stood, cheered and clapped with gusto.
Prior to the movie, I read the review of the film by the ‘professional critic’. In this professional review the movie was completely panned. After watching the film, and hearing so many people discuss how wrong the review was, those comments reinforced why I keep my blog going.
There is only one complaint that I have about the flick is that there weren’t more gadgets. Don’t get me wrong, there were several really cool gadgets, but I simply wish there had been more.
Get Smart is a full price, see it opening weekend, kind of movie. It was a lot of fun to watch and I hope a sequel of the same caliber is forthcoming.
The original Maxwell Smart was slightly arrogant, at times quite conceited and always clumsily stupid. The new Max is smart, compassionate, and driven – but still a bit strange and clumsy. Steve Carell executes the role of new Max flawlessly. Much like Don Adams before him, Carell gives life to Maxwell Smart though use of subtle facial expressions and body language with an ease that makes one wonder if Carell weren’t Adams incarnate.
An amusing and sharply written script executed by an exceptionally clever cast makes Get Smart a very entertaining two hours. Despite the age difference between Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell, they are able to create exceptional movie chemistry. With several cameo appearances throughout the movie, it is quite fun to seeing them pop up from time to time, especially Bill Murray.
The audience was vastly different in age, which I truly believe enhanced the experience. From the row of teeny boppers behind me and the 50 something’s in front of me – we all were entertained heartily throughout the entire film. It has been since Star Wars in which I have been part of an audience that clapped at the conclusion of a film – at the conclusion of Get Smart, the audience stood, cheered and clapped with gusto.
Prior to the movie, I read the review of the film by the ‘professional critic’. In this professional review the movie was completely panned. After watching the film, and hearing so many people discuss how wrong the review was, those comments reinforced why I keep my blog going.
There is only one complaint that I have about the flick is that there weren’t more gadgets. Don’t get me wrong, there were several really cool gadgets, but I simply wish there had been more.
Get Smart is a full price, see it opening weekend, kind of movie. It was a lot of fun to watch and I hope a sequel of the same caliber is forthcoming.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
You Don't Mess With the Zohan
Over the years Adam Sandler has entertained us with simple slap stick, in your face, slightly crass humor. He has taken risks with his outrageously portrayed characters providing us with many laughs. His most recent work pushes the "crass meter" to where it borders on slightly obnoxious and the humor meter is way, way low for this flick.
His latest release is probably his most outrageous character to date. Zohan is an over achiever in the Israel military who is obsessed with hair styling and his 1980s Paul Mitchell design book. He dreams of the day when he can just wash, dry and make the world "silky smooth", and not fight in a 1000 year old war.
Once you have seen an Adam Sandler film you know that he is loyal to his friends and they to him. You will see many of the same actors in several of his films; for example Rob Schneider and John Turturro. Because of the familiarity of the actors they often are able to provide fantastic movie chemistry on the screen. Unfortunately, this is not the case for this movie and it falls very short of Sandler greatest work (my humble opinion - Mr. Deeds and Big Daddy win that honor).
The plot is choppy, crumpled and convoluted. There are times when you are not sure who's who and what's what, and how the scene you are watching actually fits into the plot. I think Mr. Sandler took on a very complex subject for the basis of his film (Israeli Palestinian War) and was not really able to create a pervasive story that was entertaining.
I understand that Mr. Sandler may have taken on this project in order to demonstrate how horribly wrong both countries have been over the past few thousand years for their continued war on each other - I just wish he would have done so in a little more succinct fashion.
There are some sporadic moments of humor but they are few and far between and $9 is way to much to pay for just a few laughs. Is this a full price movie - in my opinion NOT! Wait for it to be on the Saturday afternoon cable movie, and then TIVO it and watch when you have nothing else left to do.
Side Note: So "they" have said, Mr. Sandler trained with Navy Seals, in order to obtain a little more military style body. Bravo Adam, your triceps are yummy and buttocks firm!
His latest release is probably his most outrageous character to date. Zohan is an over achiever in the Israel military who is obsessed with hair styling and his 1980s Paul Mitchell design book. He dreams of the day when he can just wash, dry and make the world "silky smooth", and not fight in a 1000 year old war.
Once you have seen an Adam Sandler film you know that he is loyal to his friends and they to him. You will see many of the same actors in several of his films; for example Rob Schneider and John Turturro. Because of the familiarity of the actors they often are able to provide fantastic movie chemistry on the screen. Unfortunately, this is not the case for this movie and it falls very short of Sandler greatest work (my humble opinion - Mr. Deeds and Big Daddy win that honor).
The plot is choppy, crumpled and convoluted. There are times when you are not sure who's who and what's what, and how the scene you are watching actually fits into the plot. I think Mr. Sandler took on a very complex subject for the basis of his film (Israeli Palestinian War) and was not really able to create a pervasive story that was entertaining.
I understand that Mr. Sandler may have taken on this project in order to demonstrate how horribly wrong both countries have been over the past few thousand years for their continued war on each other - I just wish he would have done so in a little more succinct fashion.
There are some sporadic moments of humor but they are few and far between and $9 is way to much to pay for just a few laughs. Is this a full price movie - in my opinion NOT! Wait for it to be on the Saturday afternoon cable movie, and then TIVO it and watch when you have nothing else left to do.
Side Note: So "they" have said, Mr. Sandler trained with Navy Seals, in order to obtain a little more military style body. Bravo Adam, your triceps are yummy and buttocks firm!
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