The movie stars Ned Beatty (Hopscotch, Rudy), Liev Schreiber (Sphere, The Hurricane), Peri Gilpin (Frasier tv), Campbell Scott (Dying Young, Saint Ralph).
The plot is the friendship that developes between Beatty and Schreiber while working for the Parks and Rec. department. Thats the entire movie with one or two secnes with other people.
I rated the movie as a C. It could go eather way weather to see it or not. For about the first half ofthe movie I was not fond of it but it grew on me enough to give it as a narrow go and see it. Its not a strong recommendaton. The structure of the movie was pretty basic. Long scenes between Beatty and Schreiber that are well done with shrot exterior scenes that denot the passage of time. The movie takes place over a year.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
How About You (2007 NR)
The movie stars Jdosh Ackland (Die Hard 2, The Hunt for Red October), Hayley Atwell (The Pillars of the Earth, Cassandra's Dream), Brenda Fricker (The Intended, Pete's Metor), Imelda Staunton (a few Harry Potter films as Doloris? Umbridge, Shakespeare In Love), Vanessa Redgrave (Howards End, Girl, Interupted).
The plot is Atwell comes to work in her sisters retirement home to get money for a trip around the world. There mother gest sick around Christmas and has to leave Atwell in charge with four residents who dont have anywhere to go for Christmas. The story revolves around the developing affection they have for each other.
I rated this movie as a B. The biggest problem of the movie is the first maybe half of the movie before Atwell is in charge and there are other characters running around. The movie gets good when its just the four residents and Atwell. The movie does a good job of having people like the characters. Its a movie of the elderly having regrets. It could be a cautionary tale for people that time goes by quickly and to try and not be bitter because everybody has bad things that happen.
I would say dont wait to stream or rent this movie its worth an hour and a half of your time.
The plot is Atwell comes to work in her sisters retirement home to get money for a trip around the world. There mother gest sick around Christmas and has to leave Atwell in charge with four residents who dont have anywhere to go for Christmas. The story revolves around the developing affection they have for each other.
I rated this movie as a B. The biggest problem of the movie is the first maybe half of the movie before Atwell is in charge and there are other characters running around. The movie gets good when its just the four residents and Atwell. The movie does a good job of having people like the characters. Its a movie of the elderly having regrets. It could be a cautionary tale for people that time goes by quickly and to try and not be bitter because everybody has bad things that happen.
I would say dont wait to stream or rent this movie its worth an hour and a half of your time.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Philadelphia Experiment (1984 PG)
The movie stars Nancy Allen (Robo Cop, Sweet Revenge), Michael Pare (Village of the Damned, Far Cry), Eric Christmas (Home is where the Hart Is).
The plot is very "B" movieish. A Navyin the 40's with stealth technology sends two crew men 40 years in the future where a second attempt is being made. The result is a rift in time, a worm hole, that has to be sealed by the crew man who falls in love with a women in the 80's. He goes back in time, saves everybody and makes it back to the 80's to be with the one he loves.
I rated the movie as a D. If you really love "B" movies watch it but dont expect anything great. The sepical effects are dated. And in one scene a character is smoking in a doctors office in the hospital, werent the 80's great you could smoke in hospitals.
The plot is very "B" movieish. A Navyin the 40's with stealth technology sends two crew men 40 years in the future where a second attempt is being made. The result is a rift in time, a worm hole, that has to be sealed by the crew man who falls in love with a women in the 80's. He goes back in time, saves everybody and makes it back to the 80's to be with the one he loves.
I rated the movie as a D. If you really love "B" movies watch it but dont expect anything great. The sepical effects are dated. And in one scene a character is smoking in a doctors office in the hospital, werent the 80's great you could smoke in hospitals.
I am Number Four (2011 PG13)
The movie stars Alex Pettyfer (number 4), Timothy Olyphant (The Crazies, The Safty of Objects), Dianna Agron (Skid Marks).
The plot is nine infants of an alian race are sent to Earth with sepical powers to develope to return and kill the alians that invaded there planet. The invading alians send forces to kill the nine in numerical order. While on the run number 4 and number 6 team up. The first three are dead.
I rated this movie as a C-. The first two thirds of the movie it was as if there was nothing for plot. I assumed the plot of the movie was going to be all about the aliens and why they were here ect. The first two thirds is about number four having to move and falling in love as teenagers are apt todo. Then the last thrd of the movie is the climax and the fight begins. I liked the last third of the movie.
I would say pass on this movie. I may be out of the target audiance. There were 5 or 6 teens sitting in frount of me I got the impression they liked it mor then I did. Both may be geared toward teens. They both ended in mid sentance and was just a set up for the sequel. That was a little disapointing.
The plot is nine infants of an alian race are sent to Earth with sepical powers to develope to return and kill the alians that invaded there planet. The invading alians send forces to kill the nine in numerical order. While on the run number 4 and number 6 team up. The first three are dead.
I rated this movie as a C-. The first two thirds of the movie it was as if there was nothing for plot. I assumed the plot of the movie was going to be all about the aliens and why they were here ect. The first two thirds is about number four having to move and falling in love as teenagers are apt todo. Then the last thrd of the movie is the climax and the fight begins. I liked the last third of the movie.
I would say pass on this movie. I may be out of the target audiance. There were 5 or 6 teens sitting in frount of me I got the impression they liked it mor then I did. Both may be geared toward teens. They both ended in mid sentance and was just a set up for the sequel. That was a little disapointing.
Zombieland (2009 R)
The movie stars Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Solitary Man), Woody Harrelson (The Messanger, The People vs Larry Flint), Emma Stone (Easy A, Superbad), Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, Signs), Bill Murry (Ghost Busters, Caddyshack).
The plot is pretty basic the four try to make it to a "safe zone" in an amusement park. Killing zombies as they go, and they happen to kill a non zombie Murry. Thks movie is campy but it works. The makers did not try to make it too diffrent things. There are a few points where they try to make it a little bit deep by focusing on the bond of the four. They dont go over board with that and do a good job of making it fun with just enough of the bond they form. The movie Galexy Quest is a movie that does a bad job of combining camp and a deeper emotional bonds. This movie figures out how to ballance the two perfectly.
The movie is narrated by Eisenberg. He does a good job as the nerdy guy but also has a list of rules to get through Zombieland. Harrelson does a goodjob as the enfourcer. Stone and Breslin are good as sisters who make it through pre and post Zombieland with scams.
I rated this movie as a B-. The sepical effects for the zombies eating people are pretty good but if that bothers you skip the movie. With most movies you have to have a suspension of disbelief (sp). The supermarket scene is the only scene that I found it hard to do that. Harrelson throw away his weapons after killing one zombie with it. That I thought was out of character for the movie.
The best line of the movie is when they are saying what was the best part of Zombieland. Eisenberg responce is now you dont have to deal with Facebook updates that you just dont care about. I just thought it funny that what I assume is his next role was as Zuckerberg.
If you want to a ggod campy movie with a good ballance of something just a little bit deeper stream this movie.
The plot is pretty basic the four try to make it to a "safe zone" in an amusement park. Killing zombies as they go, and they happen to kill a non zombie Murry. Thks movie is campy but it works. The makers did not try to make it too diffrent things. There are a few points where they try to make it a little bit deep by focusing on the bond of the four. They dont go over board with that and do a good job of making it fun with just enough of the bond they form. The movie Galexy Quest is a movie that does a bad job of combining camp and a deeper emotional bonds. This movie figures out how to ballance the two perfectly.
The movie is narrated by Eisenberg. He does a good job as the nerdy guy but also has a list of rules to get through Zombieland. Harrelson does a goodjob as the enfourcer. Stone and Breslin are good as sisters who make it through pre and post Zombieland with scams.
I rated this movie as a B-. The sepical effects for the zombies eating people are pretty good but if that bothers you skip the movie. With most movies you have to have a suspension of disbelief (sp). The supermarket scene is the only scene that I found it hard to do that. Harrelson throw away his weapons after killing one zombie with it. That I thought was out of character for the movie.
The best line of the movie is when they are saying what was the best part of Zombieland. Eisenberg responce is now you dont have to deal with Facebook updates that you just dont care about. I just thought it funny that what I assume is his next role was as Zuckerberg.
If you want to a ggod campy movie with a good ballance of something just a little bit deeper stream this movie.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Eight Men Out (1988 PG)
The movie stars John Cusack (Stand By Me, High Fidelity), Christopher Lloyd (Taxi tv, Back to the Future trilogy), David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck, Silkwood), Charlie Sheen (Wall Street, Two and a Half Men), and DB Sweeney (A Day in October).
The plot is a recounting of the 1919 Black Sox scandel in the World Series. I rated the movie as a C. With the cast I was expecting it to be better. It is one of the movies that is based on a true story that just dd not make a good transactin to film. The ending was good with the character of Shoeless Joe Jackson playing in a minor league 6 years later. You get to decide if it was him or not. It did have greed of the owners, the trial and the instalation of a comminisher of baseball.
If you want to strem a baseball movie do Field of Dreams, The Natural, or Bull Durham.
The plot is a recounting of the 1919 Black Sox scandel in the World Series. I rated the movie as a C. With the cast I was expecting it to be better. It is one of the movies that is based on a true story that just dd not make a good transactin to film. The ending was good with the character of Shoeless Joe Jackson playing in a minor league 6 years later. You get to decide if it was him or not. It did have greed of the owners, the trial and the instalation of a comminisher of baseball.
If you want to strem a baseball movie do Field of Dreams, The Natural, or Bull Durham.
The Education of Charlie Banks (2007 R)
The movie stars Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Zombieland), Jason Ritter (Good Dick, Joan of Arcadia tv), Sam Daly, and Eva Amurri..
Ritter, a kid always in trouble,comes back into Eisenberg life after killing someone. The setting is at an Ivy League type school. Ritter hones in on a girl Eisenberg likes
I rated the movie a C- ad would say skip it. My problem with the movie is I was waiting for something to happen. The bad part is it never seemed to happen. I was expecting something big and bad out of Ritters character and it never happened. They bilt up Ritters character to be evil and you hear about him killing a person in a bar but thats it. It was almost all style but no substance.
If you want to see Eisenberg stream The Social Network, if you want to see Ritter stream Joan of Aracada, or The Event.
Ritter, a kid always in trouble,comes back into Eisenberg life after killing someone. The setting is at an Ivy League type school. Ritter hones in on a girl Eisenberg likes
I rated the movie a C- ad would say skip it. My problem with the movie is I was waiting for something to happen. The bad part is it never seemed to happen. I was expecting something big and bad out of Ritters character and it never happened. They bilt up Ritters character to be evil and you hear about him killing a person in a bar but thats it. It was almost all style but no substance.
If you want to see Eisenberg stream The Social Network, if you want to see Ritter stream Joan of Aracada, or The Event.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Falling Down (1992 or 1993 R)
This movie stars Michael Douglas (Wall Street, China Syndrome), Robert Duvall (To Kill A Mockinbird, True Grit), Rachel Ticotin (Total Recall, Man on Fire), Barbara Hershey (Last of the Dogmen, The Last Temptation of Christ), and Kimberly Scott (The Commish tv, The Abyss).
The movie is about Douglas having a psychotic break after being fired a month before. He wants to see his daughter but Hershey his ex wife has a restraining order. Duvall and Ticotin are the cops trying to track Douglas down and stop his killings.
I rated the movie as an A. Douglas who has most of the screen time does a very convencing job of loosing contact with reality. He is outto get revenge for all injustices preceived or real. His character may be suffering from PTSD or some disorder that has a tirgger and makes Douglas snap. I think his character can tell the diffrence between right and wrong, he shows compassion for a little girl but does not care for those who treat him poorly.
Not a movie for little kids but should be seen by all in an age when it seems there are unlimited instances where people go out and kill people at political rallies in Arizonz, Virginia Tech, or Collumbine.
The movie is about Douglas having a psychotic break after being fired a month before. He wants to see his daughter but Hershey his ex wife has a restraining order. Duvall and Ticotin are the cops trying to track Douglas down and stop his killings.
I rated the movie as an A. Douglas who has most of the screen time does a very convencing job of loosing contact with reality. He is outto get revenge for all injustices preceived or real. His character may be suffering from PTSD or some disorder that has a tirgger and makes Douglas snap. I think his character can tell the diffrence between right and wrong, he shows compassion for a little girl but does not care for those who treat him poorly.
Not a movie for little kids but should be seen by all in an age when it seems there are unlimited instances where people go out and kill people at political rallies in Arizonz, Virginia Tech, or Collumbine.
My Year Without Sex (2009 NR)
The move stars Sacha Horler (Look Both Ways). Matt Day (The Hounds of Baskervlles).
This Austrailian movie is about a wife Horler who has an aneurysm. The rest of the movie revolves around her marriage to Day and her children. Just dealing with the everyday life and not enough money time or enegry. The almost affair the husband has at work is a plus for the movie.
I rated the movie as a C. If a movie needs a 5 for me to recomend it to other people I would rate the movie as a 4.8 or 4.9. It just did not get to a point for me to say go out and stream it. I can also see how some people would love it or hate it. Since its not a Hollywood movie that adds something for me. There are a few songs by the same artists that add to th movie. The plot does not connect to me. I had problems seeing that anything was happening. You may want to a take a chance on the movie it may connect with you more then it did with me.
This Austrailian movie is about a wife Horler who has an aneurysm. The rest of the movie revolves around her marriage to Day and her children. Just dealing with the everyday life and not enough money time or enegry. The almost affair the husband has at work is a plus for the movie.
I rated the movie as a C. If a movie needs a 5 for me to recomend it to other people I would rate the movie as a 4.8 or 4.9. It just did not get to a point for me to say go out and stream it. I can also see how some people would love it or hate it. Since its not a Hollywood movie that adds something for me. There are a few songs by the same artists that add to th movie. The plot does not connect to me. I had problems seeing that anything was happening. You may want to a take a chance on the movie it may connect with you more then it did with me.
Mary and Max (2008 NR)
The movie stars Toni Collette (The Sixth Sence, Little Miss Sunshine), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Charlie Wilson's War, Boogie Nights), and Eric Bana (Munich, Black Hawk Down).
The movie is about pen pals Mary, a child in Australia, and Max, a middle aged New Yorker with Aspergers. Its claymation, if you know Wallace and Gromit you know what Im talking about. The movie is based on a true story. I would think the letters are the source material. It takes place over a few years.
Usually movies based on true events and espically those spread over many years I dont like. I like this movie. Usually movies that has prominate songs used in other things I dont like. For this movie it works. It does a pretty good job of giving some good info on Aspergers. The movie stared real well and draged for me a little in the middle. The movie may be a little dark for some people but at least it seems to deal with real issues. I rated the movie as an A. I would think the claymation would get in the way but it worked.
The movie is about pen pals Mary, a child in Australia, and Max, a middle aged New Yorker with Aspergers. Its claymation, if you know Wallace and Gromit you know what Im talking about. The movie is based on a true story. I would think the letters are the source material. It takes place over a few years.
Usually movies based on true events and espically those spread over many years I dont like. I like this movie. Usually movies that has prominate songs used in other things I dont like. For this movie it works. It does a pretty good job of giving some good info on Aspergers. The movie stared real well and draged for me a little in the middle. The movie may be a little dark for some people but at least it seems to deal with real issues. I rated the movie as an A. I would think the claymation would get in the way but it worked.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Brave One (2007 R)
The movie stars Jodie Foster (Contact, Silence of the Lambs), Terrance Howard (Iron Man, Crash), Mary Steenburgen (Phildelphia, Nixon), and Naveen Anderson (Lost tv, Animals).
The moive is about Foster who was attacked and her boyfriend, Andrews, is killed in New York City. Foster is a radio personality show after being attack becomes a vigilante. She befriends Howard who is a cop. Steenburgen plays Fosters boss at the radio station.
I rated the movie a B+,A. The scene where they are attacked for me is pretty graphic. The scene is not too long but is pretty intense. The movie is well acted by the two leads Foster and Howard. They make the movie worth streaming. For me a good thing about the movie was the fact that Foster was comming off making two movies with basicly the same plot. Flight Plan and Panic Room Foster played a mother who has to save her daughter. This move was far and away the best one of the three. The ending from what I remember may be predictable but satisfying for me.
The moive is about Foster who was attacked and her boyfriend, Andrews, is killed in New York City. Foster is a radio personality show after being attack becomes a vigilante. She befriends Howard who is a cop. Steenburgen plays Fosters boss at the radio station.
I rated the movie a B+,A. The scene where they are attacked for me is pretty graphic. The scene is not too long but is pretty intense. The movie is well acted by the two leads Foster and Howard. They make the movie worth streaming. For me a good thing about the movie was the fact that Foster was comming off making two movies with basicly the same plot. Flight Plan and Panic Room Foster played a mother who has to save her daughter. This move was far and away the best one of the three. The ending from what I remember may be predictable but satisfying for me.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Wrestling with Alligators (1998 NR)
The move stars Aleksa Palladino, Joely Richardson (Wetherby, I'll do Anything), Ian Holm (5th Element, Bilbo Baggins in Lord of the Rings Trilogy), and Sam Trammell (Beat).
This a comming of age story taking place in 1959 New Jersey. The story revolves around a girl working in a garage and living in a boarding house run by an old silent age actress. One friend leaves as she is getting married. Another friend gets pregnate and has to choose weather to have the baby or to get married.
Im rating the move as a C-. Its rare that any technical issues affect my feelings about a movie. But in this case I noticed three times where the over head mic comes into the screen and its distracting. It was acted ok I guess but the story does not seem to go anywhere.
This a comming of age story taking place in 1959 New Jersey. The story revolves around a girl working in a garage and living in a boarding house run by an old silent age actress. One friend leaves as she is getting married. Another friend gets pregnate and has to choose weather to have the baby or to get married.
Im rating the move as a C-. Its rare that any technical issues affect my feelings about a movie. But in this case I noticed three times where the over head mic comes into the screen and its distracting. It was acted ok I guess but the story does not seem to go anywhere.
Big Night (1996
The movie stars Stanley Tucci (The Pelican Brief), Tony Shalhoub (Monk. Wings), Isabella Rossellini (Death Becomes Her), Allison Janney (The West Wing), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), Campbell Scott (Dying Young).
The plot is as follows. Tucci and Shalhoub in an attempt to save there restaurant from bankrupcy they have a dinner party for a jazz musician who never shows up. Shalhoub would be girlfrend is there. Tucci's girlfriend, mistress (who is dating his mentor), and his mentor are there.
I rated the movie as a C. I would say the movie is worth watching. I just would not say it with any conviction. Its a character driven movie. Not that much happens but the focus is just what happens between the characters. The dinner scene is somewhat of a legend I think. Tucci talked about it on an interview with Terry Grose but cant remember waht he said about it.
The plot is as follows. Tucci and Shalhoub in an attempt to save there restaurant from bankrupcy they have a dinner party for a jazz musician who never shows up. Shalhoub would be girlfrend is there. Tucci's girlfriend, mistress (who is dating his mentor), and his mentor are there.
I rated the movie as a C. I would say the movie is worth watching. I just would not say it with any conviction. Its a character driven movie. Not that much happens but the focus is just what happens between the characters. The dinner scene is somewhat of a legend I think. Tucci talked about it on an interview with Terry Grose but cant remember waht he said about it.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Homeless /There's no Place Like Home (1989 NR made for TV)
This movie stars Jeff Danials (Purple Rose Of Cairo, Terms Of Endearment), Christine Lahti (Running on Empty, Swing Shift, Chicago Hope tv), Kathy Bates (Fried Green Tomatoes, Misery), and CCH Pounder.
The movie is about Danials and Lahti and there two kids dealing with becoming homeless. They are forced to move around and go on welfare and live in government housing.
I rated this movie as a D-, F. While some of my disliking of this movie may be because of the tough subject matter. But it is more of the fact that thought it was not well written. It seemed to skip some emotional steps in the process of a deteriating family. The costumes that they had Danials in made me think of a child as opposed to an adult. The arguements scenes between Danials and his on screen brother were blocked by someone who had no idea what the hell they were doing. The breaks in the action made me think that it would be a good time for a commercial. And that was before I knew it was made for tv. There was no resolution at the end. The brother and his family disapear with no explanation. It was distractng.
Do youself a favor and find something else to watch, from what I hear Angeles in America is good.
The movie is about Danials and Lahti and there two kids dealing with becoming homeless. They are forced to move around and go on welfare and live in government housing.
I rated this movie as a D-, F. While some of my disliking of this movie may be because of the tough subject matter. But it is more of the fact that thought it was not well written. It seemed to skip some emotional steps in the process of a deteriating family. The costumes that they had Danials in made me think of a child as opposed to an adult. The arguements scenes between Danials and his on screen brother were blocked by someone who had no idea what the hell they were doing. The breaks in the action made me think that it would be a good time for a commercial. And that was before I knew it was made for tv. There was no resolution at the end. The brother and his family disapear with no explanation. It was distractng.
Do youself a favor and find something else to watch, from what I hear Angeles in America is good.
Black Swan (2010 R)
The movie stars Natalie Portman (Brothers, The Professional), Mila Kunis (After Sex, That 70's Show tv), Vincent Cassel (The Apartment), Winona Ryder (Heathers, Edward Scissorhands) Barbara Hershey (Last of the Dogmen, Hossiers, The Natural).
The movie is about a ballet dancer, Portman, who lives with her mother, Hershey and is going through a mental breakdown.. She gets the lead in Swan lake from the director Cassel. A new dancer, Kunis, arrives while an older dancer, Ryder, is forced out of the company.
I went to see this in the theater today and I rated it a B+. The movie is worthy of the Golden Globe and Oscar buzz. All of the main characters do an excelent job with there roles. Hershey is good as the mother bitter over givng up her asperations when she got pregnate. The movie stars off dark and stays dark. This is not a feel good movie. But is well done in all aspects. The backstage of the theater seems realistic. I was happy to see an "authentic" stage weight used for the counter ballance system holding a door open. I remember moving those exact weights when I was working backstage for theater and ballet n college.
On the preview page for Netflix it says Portman is threatened by the new dancer Kunis. I think that is a little misleading. The way I "read" the plot was Portman is havng a mental breakdown and is paranoid. It is unclear if people are working against her. She is having hallucinations. At one point she peels back some skin off a finger only to have imagined doing it. In the movie Portman and Hershey are preoccuupied with fingernails. I went to college with a ballet major and knew a few majors. I never knew about the obsesive over fingernails or if it was made up for dramatic effect.
I may be reaching but the movie seems to be a warning for how we treat people who give us our entertainment. It may be true of athletes, dancers and people in the movies. We have such high expectations of these people that there mental status and bodys take a beating. Portmans mentality takes a beating as well as her body. Football players who get concussions may live shorter and be subjected to any number of mental problems. As a society what does it say about us that people who entertain us are made to suffer after there bodies fail. How often do you read about Charlie Sheen and all the issues with substances. Or with Kelsey Grammer who is just divorced and is already planning to get married for the forth time. I don't know if being in the public spotlight is to blame but it can't help. On the other hand non movie stars certainly have trouble with drugs and divorce.
I heard recently that Ryder may be going about rebuilding her carear in a smart way after her legal trouble. She had a small but good role in Star Trek and in this movie. I don't think she may ever become a leading lady but may turn into a vary good character actress.
The movie is about a ballet dancer, Portman, who lives with her mother, Hershey and is going through a mental breakdown.. She gets the lead in Swan lake from the director Cassel. A new dancer, Kunis, arrives while an older dancer, Ryder, is forced out of the company.
I went to see this in the theater today and I rated it a B+. The movie is worthy of the Golden Globe and Oscar buzz. All of the main characters do an excelent job with there roles. Hershey is good as the mother bitter over givng up her asperations when she got pregnate. The movie stars off dark and stays dark. This is not a feel good movie. But is well done in all aspects. The backstage of the theater seems realistic. I was happy to see an "authentic" stage weight used for the counter ballance system holding a door open. I remember moving those exact weights when I was working backstage for theater and ballet n college.
On the preview page for Netflix it says Portman is threatened by the new dancer Kunis. I think that is a little misleading. The way I "read" the plot was Portman is havng a mental breakdown and is paranoid. It is unclear if people are working against her. She is having hallucinations. At one point she peels back some skin off a finger only to have imagined doing it. In the movie Portman and Hershey are preoccuupied with fingernails. I went to college with a ballet major and knew a few majors. I never knew about the obsesive over fingernails or if it was made up for dramatic effect.
I may be reaching but the movie seems to be a warning for how we treat people who give us our entertainment. It may be true of athletes, dancers and people in the movies. We have such high expectations of these people that there mental status and bodys take a beating. Portmans mentality takes a beating as well as her body. Football players who get concussions may live shorter and be subjected to any number of mental problems. As a society what does it say about us that people who entertain us are made to suffer after there bodies fail. How often do you read about Charlie Sheen and all the issues with substances. Or with Kelsey Grammer who is just divorced and is already planning to get married for the forth time. I don't know if being in the public spotlight is to blame but it can't help. On the other hand non movie stars certainly have trouble with drugs and divorce.
I heard recently that Ryder may be going about rebuilding her carear in a smart way after her legal trouble. She had a small but good role in Star Trek and in this movie. I don't think she may ever become a leading lady but may turn into a vary good character actress.
Friday, February 11, 2011
All About Steve (2009 PG 13)
The move stars Sandra Bullock (While you Were Sleeping, Speed), Bradley Cooper (Failure to Launch, The Weddings Crashers), Thomas Hayden Church ( Sideways, 3000 Miles to Graceland), Howard Hessman ( WKRP in Cinninnati) and Keith David (They Live, The Cape tv).
Bullock, socially inept, is in love with Cooper. She follows him around the country. It may be that Bullocks character has Aspergers or some other social interaction disorder.
In fairness Bullock got a Rassie (for worst actress of the year). I rated the movie as a B. I connected to the socially inept Bullock. Its oftern I hate movies that go out of there way to make fun of people (Dinner for Schmucks, I hope to get to later in the Blog, is a movie that went out of its way to be mean and vindictive). For me this movie did not make fun of Bullocks character. In my oppion she should of gotten the Rassie for her role in The Proposal a much worse character and movie but I dont get to vote.
For me the movie worked but this may be a review where I am in the distinct minority. So even though I liked the movie I would have to say watch it but be prepared to not like the movie.
Bullock, socially inept, is in love with Cooper. She follows him around the country. It may be that Bullocks character has Aspergers or some other social interaction disorder.
In fairness Bullock got a Rassie (for worst actress of the year). I rated the movie as a B. I connected to the socially inept Bullock. Its oftern I hate movies that go out of there way to make fun of people (Dinner for Schmucks, I hope to get to later in the Blog, is a movie that went out of its way to be mean and vindictive). For me this movie did not make fun of Bullocks character. In my oppion she should of gotten the Rassie for her role in The Proposal a much worse character and movie but I dont get to vote.
For me the movie worked but this may be a review where I am in the distinct minority. So even though I liked the movie I would have to say watch it but be prepared to not like the movie.
Last of the Dogmen (1995 PG)
The movie stars Tom Berenger (Platoon, The Big Chill), Barbara Hershey (The Last Temptation of Christ, Beaches), Kurtwood Smith (Robo Cop, That 70's Show), and Wilford Bremley (The China Syndrome, The Firm)
The plot of the movie is Berenger, a cowboy/mountain man, and Hershey, a teacher and Indian expert, go in search of a lost "tribe" of Indian soldiers. They find the soldiers. Smith plays Berenger ex father-in-law, the daughter died, and Brimley narriates the stroy as it was told to him (or was it just a tall tale.)
I rated this movie as an A. I would put it at the top of my Netflix account. The acting is way above avarage. The story line reminds me of Dances with Wolves. "Last" band of free Indians as a result of the slaughter of indginous peoples. White people being folded into the ranks. The woman leads knowing the language. The male leads comming in later.
A lot of times I get upset with people takng the same plot and making two movies. But in the case of Dances and Dogmen it works for me. You could almost call Dogmen a sequel to Dances. What would of happened if the Indians in Dances were not captured/surendered and if they were the same tribe. Dances takes place in the 1800's (I think) and Dogmen take place in modern times.
The only thing I dont like about the movie is Smith's character may not be nessary to be related to Berenger. I suspose he is in there to supliment the feeling of loss that Beringer has over the death of his wife but that was estableshed well in a scene with Hershey.
Just to recap if you liked Dances with Wolves put Last of the Dogmen at the top of what ever ovie service you have I don't think you will be disapointed.
The plot of the movie is Berenger, a cowboy/mountain man, and Hershey, a teacher and Indian expert, go in search of a lost "tribe" of Indian soldiers. They find the soldiers. Smith plays Berenger ex father-in-law, the daughter died, and Brimley narriates the stroy as it was told to him (or was it just a tall tale.)
I rated this movie as an A. I would put it at the top of my Netflix account. The acting is way above avarage. The story line reminds me of Dances with Wolves. "Last" band of free Indians as a result of the slaughter of indginous peoples. White people being folded into the ranks. The woman leads knowing the language. The male leads comming in later.
A lot of times I get upset with people takng the same plot and making two movies. But in the case of Dances and Dogmen it works for me. You could almost call Dogmen a sequel to Dances. What would of happened if the Indians in Dances were not captured/surendered and if they were the same tribe. Dances takes place in the 1800's (I think) and Dogmen take place in modern times.
The only thing I dont like about the movie is Smith's character may not be nessary to be related to Berenger. I suspose he is in there to supliment the feeling of loss that Beringer has over the death of his wife but that was estableshed well in a scene with Hershey.
Just to recap if you liked Dances with Wolves put Last of the Dogmen at the top of what ever ovie service you have I don't think you will be disapointed.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Crazy Heart (2009 R)
Ths movie stars Jeff Bridges (True Grit in 2010. King Kong in 1977), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Sherry Baby, Donnie Darko), Robert Duvall (Falling Down, To Kill a Mockingbird), Collin Farrell (A Home at the End of the World, The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus).
The plot is Bridges plays a hard living country musician who is interviewd by Gyllenhaal. Bridges starts to make a llife with Gyllenhaal and her son. There relationship ends not so well. Farrell plays a singer Bridges mentors, has success and gives Bridges a second chance at fame.
I rated the movie as a B, B+. It is definatly worth renting or streaming. The acting is above avarage. The plot shows real lives not things are good and happy. The ending was satisfing. When need a good music supervisor its hard to go wrong wth T. Bone Burnett for this kind of movie. I think he did the music for Oh Brother Where Art Thou.
The plot is Bridges plays a hard living country musician who is interviewd by Gyllenhaal. Bridges starts to make a llife with Gyllenhaal and her son. There relationship ends not so well. Farrell plays a singer Bridges mentors, has success and gives Bridges a second chance at fame.
I rated the movie as a B, B+. It is definatly worth renting or streaming. The acting is above avarage. The plot shows real lives not things are good and happy. The ending was satisfing. When need a good music supervisor its hard to go wrong wth T. Bone Burnett for this kind of movie. I think he did the music for Oh Brother Where Art Thou.
Unstopable (2010 PG13)
The movie stars Denzel Washington (Glory, Training Day), Chris Pine (Star Trek in 2009, Bottle Shock), Rosario Dawson (He Got Game, Men in Black 2), and Ethan Suplee (My Name is Earl)
Washington and Pine play conductors who try and track down a runaway train. Dawson plays someone who works in the "traffic controol" for the train company. And by the way the train has toxic material. Suplee is responsible for "loosing" the train.
As a general rule I dont like movies based on real events. This is an exception I rated it as a B. I would say rent it or stream it. Maybe I thought it was good because the events took place over a few hours (may be 12 hours may be a guess) unstead of a movie like 13 days that take place over more time. They had less things to cover. The movie does a good job of going a little bit into the "real" lives of the characters. How many liberties with the events and characters I don't know.
Again this is a movie so events may be fictionalized but it goes into how detached management can be when they are not in the field dealing how things really work in the real world.
Washington and Pine play conductors who try and track down a runaway train. Dawson plays someone who works in the "traffic controol" for the train company. And by the way the train has toxic material. Suplee is responsible for "loosing" the train.
As a general rule I dont like movies based on real events. This is an exception I rated it as a B. I would say rent it or stream it. Maybe I thought it was good because the events took place over a few hours (may be 12 hours may be a guess) unstead of a movie like 13 days that take place over more time. They had less things to cover. The movie does a good job of going a little bit into the "real" lives of the characters. How many liberties with the events and characters I don't know.
Again this is a movie so events may be fictionalized but it goes into how detached management can be when they are not in the field dealing how things really work in the real world.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Catfish (2010 PG 13)
This is a documentary. It starts Nev and Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost.
The documentary is abot Nev becoming facebook with an 8 year old artist. Nev gets some information that does not add up and the movie is him trying to track down the truth. It involves going to the 8 year olds home town.
As a general rule I dont like documentaries or movies based on real people or events. The reason I don't like them is how do you boil down a persons life or complicated event (like the Cuban Missle Crisis 13 days) to a two hour movie. My view point is you don't do it well.
My biggest problem with this one is in the promo that ran on TV. What this promo did was show you part of a scene and imply what might happen next. When I went to the documentary what happens next was so far from what the promo indicated that it took away from the creadibility of the film makers.
I rated this movie as a C. My recomend was to pass on the movie. You may feel diffrent since I was so offended by the misleading promos.
The documentary is abot Nev becoming facebook with an 8 year old artist. Nev gets some information that does not add up and the movie is him trying to track down the truth. It involves going to the 8 year olds home town.
As a general rule I dont like documentaries or movies based on real people or events. The reason I don't like them is how do you boil down a persons life or complicated event (like the Cuban Missle Crisis 13 days) to a two hour movie. My view point is you don't do it well.
My biggest problem with this one is in the promo that ran on TV. What this promo did was show you part of a scene and imply what might happen next. When I went to the documentary what happens next was so far from what the promo indicated that it took away from the creadibility of the film makers.
I rated this movie as a C. My recomend was to pass on the movie. You may feel diffrent since I was so offended by the misleading promos.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Predators (2010 R)
Predators stars Adrian Brody (King Kong 2005), Topher Grace, Lawrence Fishburne (Searching for Bobby Fisher), and Danny Trejo.
The movie has a basic plot. People are transported to a distant planet and hunted by Predators. Fishburne has been on the planet for a while.
I rated the movie as a C. If you have seen other Predator movies use your judgement. If its your thing go and see it, if you did not like the movie dont go and see this one. I would say if violent movies dont bother you go and see it. Not much new here. Its not a bad movie but nothing here for me to say you have to go and see it.
The movie has a basic plot. People are transported to a distant planet and hunted by Predators. Fishburne has been on the planet for a while.
I rated the movie as a C. If you have seen other Predator movies use your judgement. If its your thing go and see it, if you did not like the movie dont go and see this one. I would say if violent movies dont bother you go and see it. Not much new here. Its not a bad movie but nothing here for me to say you have to go and see it.
Easy A (2010 PG 13)
This movie stars Emma Stone (Superbad, Zombieland), Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada, The Pelican Brief), Patricia Clarkson (The Untouchables, The Green Mile, The Station Agent), Thomas Hayden Church (Wings tv, Sideways) Lisa Kudrow (Friends tv, Wonderland), Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange)
The plot is an update of The Scarlet Letter. High school student Olive (Stone) decides to make some extra money by letting high school boys spread rumors that they slept together without the trouble of sleeping together. The story is told as a web-cast after all of the events happen. The climax of the movie comes down to no good deed goes unpunished. Olive has to make a choice between helping people and her own self esteem.
I rated this movie works on every level. I rated it a B+. I haved a little reservation recomending a movie whos star is a high school girl. But the movie just works. I don't remember it going for easy jokes. It deals with high school kids who are gay. While Olive is only interisted in spreding rumors others want to actually have sex.
Tucci and Clarkson, the parents, add a lot to the movie. The younger adopted brother also adds a lot of humor to the movie. A funny scene is when the adopted son tells his parents he knows he is adapted. The parents funny line is who told you. When you see the movie and the kid you will understand the humor. Patricia Clarkson is one of my favorite actresses. If you want a movie to be good get Clarkson (kind of how I feel Chris Cooper see The Company Men).
The plot is an update of The Scarlet Letter. High school student Olive (Stone) decides to make some extra money by letting high school boys spread rumors that they slept together without the trouble of sleeping together. The story is told as a web-cast after all of the events happen. The climax of the movie comes down to no good deed goes unpunished. Olive has to make a choice between helping people and her own self esteem.
I rated this movie works on every level. I rated it a B+. I haved a little reservation recomending a movie whos star is a high school girl. But the movie just works. I don't remember it going for easy jokes. It deals with high school kids who are gay. While Olive is only interisted in spreding rumors others want to actually have sex.
Tucci and Clarkson, the parents, add a lot to the movie. The younger adopted brother also adds a lot of humor to the movie. A funny scene is when the adopted son tells his parents he knows he is adapted. The parents funny line is who told you. When you see the movie and the kid you will understand the humor. Patricia Clarkson is one of my favorite actresses. If you want a movie to be good get Clarkson (kind of how I feel Chris Cooper see The Company Men).
Salt (2010 NR)
Salt stars Angelina Jolie (A Mighty Heart Girl, Interrupted), Liev Schreiber (Sphere, The Hurricane), Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Daniel Pearce.
The plot is Evelyn Salt (Jolie) a CIA agent is accused of being a Russian spy. She goes on the run from the CIA to reinstate her name and protect her husband. The problem is she is in a Russian sleeper cell. The movie deals with Salt's feelings for her two countries.
I rated the movie a C-. I would say pass on the movie unless you are a die hard Jolie fan of which I'm not. There were certain parts in the movie where what happens is predictible, or not a suprise. There was a part in the movie where Salt "shoots" a foreign leader. The way they shot it, it took me one second to realize she did not shoot him. There was another similar scene towards the end of the movie. If I can see through the plot it is just not worth me spending time on it.
The plot is Evelyn Salt (Jolie) a CIA agent is accused of being a Russian spy. She goes on the run from the CIA to reinstate her name and protect her husband. The problem is she is in a Russian sleeper cell. The movie deals with Salt's feelings for her two countries.
I rated the movie a C-. I would say pass on the movie unless you are a die hard Jolie fan of which I'm not. There were certain parts in the movie where what happens is predictible, or not a suprise. There was a part in the movie where Salt "shoots" a foreign leader. The way they shot it, it took me one second to realize she did not shoot him. There was another similar scene towards the end of the movie. If I can see through the plot it is just not worth me spending time on it.
The Switch (2010 PG?)
The film stars Jennifer Aniston (The Good Girl, Friends tv), and Jason Bateman (Juno, Hancock). It also stars Jeff Goldblum (Independance Day, Jurassic Park) and Patrick Wilson (Angels in America).
The movie is standard fare for a romantic comedy. Aniston gets a sperm doner. Her neurotic best friend, Bateman, objects and ends up has to substitue his own sperm. Aniston moves away for seven years and comes back with her seven year old son and reconnects with Bateman.
I rated the movie as a B, B+. The plot may not appeal to all or seem contrived. If you are in the mood for something light and wont have to think too much about go and see it. One thing I liked about the movie is the 7 year old son in the movie is not perfect. I think that has something to do with why the movie connected wth me. Batemans character also has flaws.. The fact that they are not movie perfect is a good thing. Hollywood has a bad habit of making fun of people who are diffrent but in this movie they don't, that is a plus for me.
The movie is standard fare for a romantic comedy. Aniston gets a sperm doner. Her neurotic best friend, Bateman, objects and ends up has to substitue his own sperm. Aniston moves away for seven years and comes back with her seven year old son and reconnects with Bateman.
I rated the movie as a B, B+. The plot may not appeal to all or seem contrived. If you are in the mood for something light and wont have to think too much about go and see it. One thing I liked about the movie is the 7 year old son in the movie is not perfect. I think that has something to do with why the movie connected wth me. Batemans character also has flaws.. The fact that they are not movie perfect is a good thing. Hollywood has a bad habit of making fun of people who are diffrent but in this movie they don't, that is a plus for me.
True Grit (2010 R)
The movie stars Jeff Bridges (Starman, The Big Lebowski King Kong 1977), Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting, The Talented Mr Ripley, The Bourn movies), Halilee Steinfield (She's a Fox) and Josh Brolin (Milk, Jonah Hex).
The plot is Bridges is hired by Steinfield to find the man, Brolin, who kills her father. Damon also joins in on the hunt.
I rated the B a solid go and see or rent the movie. The movie has a steller performance from Bridges. He is a little hard to understand at times but fits the character. Steinfield also gives a steller performance. Both actors give a performance good enough to go and see the movie. Damon does a good job. Brolin's role for me is small. If you want to go and see the movie only because of Brolin I would be disapointeed. The other performances carry the movie but I think it wrong to put his name on the poster and not Steinfield. She has a much bigger role and does a great job. I really dont think the size of Brolins role is of deserving of bening on the poster but I guess thats Hollywood.
If the origional is anything like the remake it must be good also. The fact that John Wayne received his only Oscar for True Grit has to say something about the quality of the origional.
The plot is Bridges is hired by Steinfield to find the man, Brolin, who kills her father. Damon also joins in on the hunt.
I rated the B a solid go and see or rent the movie. The movie has a steller performance from Bridges. He is a little hard to understand at times but fits the character. Steinfield also gives a steller performance. Both actors give a performance good enough to go and see the movie. Damon does a good job. Brolin's role for me is small. If you want to go and see the movie only because of Brolin I would be disapointeed. The other performances carry the movie but I think it wrong to put his name on the poster and not Steinfield. She has a much bigger role and does a great job. I really dont think the size of Brolins role is of deserving of bening on the poster but I guess thats Hollywood.
If the origional is anything like the remake it must be good also. The fact that John Wayne received his only Oscar for True Grit has to say something about the quality of the origional.
Panic (2000 R)
This one stars William H Macy (the Cooler, Thany You For Smoking), Neve Campbell (Scream, Relative Strangers) John Ritter (Three's Company tv, Sling Blade), Donald Southerland (Cold Mountain, The Italian Job 2003) and Tracey Ullman (Bullets Over Broadway, The Tracey Ullman Show tv).
Alex (Macy) goes to see a therapist (Ritter) while he triesto leave the family business, being a hit man, started by his father (Southerland), Ullman play Macys wife. While in the waiting room he meets a young lady (Campbell) and falls in love with her. The climax of the movie involves Alexs wife finding out about the affair and Southerland trying to bring Alexs son into the family business by the same means, startng the grandson to kill a squrel.
I rated the movie B+. Solidly in the go out and rent the movie. The cast of the movie does a good job of acting. The characters has some debth. The main actors do a good job of making the characters beleivable. They made me want to connect with them and care about them. Like I said worth the time to try and find for a movie night at home.
Alex (Macy) goes to see a therapist (Ritter) while he triesto leave the family business, being a hit man, started by his father (Southerland), Ullman play Macys wife. While in the waiting room he meets a young lady (Campbell) and falls in love with her. The climax of the movie involves Alexs wife finding out about the affair and Southerland trying to bring Alexs son into the family business by the same means, startng the grandson to kill a squrel.
I rated the movie B+. Solidly in the go out and rent the movie. The cast of the movie does a good job of acting. The characters has some debth. The main actors do a good job of making the characters beleivable. They made me want to connect with them and care about them. Like I said worth the time to try and find for a movie night at home.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Illustrated Man (1969 PG)
The movie stars Rod Steiger (In the Heat of the Night, Mars Attacks), Jason Evers (The Brain That Would Not Die) and Clair Bloom (Wrestling with Alagators and Crimes and Misdemeanors).
A drifter, Evers, meets a tattooed, "illistrated", man. The illistrations are little portals into what the future will be given to him by a women he now wants to kill. One of a future where people work only 6 months out of the year and a form of entertainment is something like a holodeck (from Star Trek for lack of a better explanation), astranauts stranded on Venus in search of domes that protect you from the rain, and humanity on the brink of Armageddon. There is one spot on the Steigers back where people can see there future.
Overall I would rate the movie as a C-,D. The scenes of the present Steiger character seems a little one dimentional for my liking. He is all consumed by hate to the woman who gave him the illustrations. The future scenes he has a little more emotional divergance but not enough for me to give the movie a passing grade. The future secens are very dated to the 60's. People dressed in white living in all white houses. Maybe if it was done now the future would have a more interisting look to it. I would say just pass on the movie and maybe read the origional story by Ray Bradbury something I hope to do in the future. Mikel I will try and get around to reading the Bradbury source material.
A drifter, Evers, meets a tattooed, "illistrated", man. The illistrations are little portals into what the future will be given to him by a women he now wants to kill. One of a future where people work only 6 months out of the year and a form of entertainment is something like a holodeck (from Star Trek for lack of a better explanation), astranauts stranded on Venus in search of domes that protect you from the rain, and humanity on the brink of Armageddon. There is one spot on the Steigers back where people can see there future.
Overall I would rate the movie as a C-,D. The scenes of the present Steiger character seems a little one dimentional for my liking. He is all consumed by hate to the woman who gave him the illustrations. The future scenes he has a little more emotional divergance but not enough for me to give the movie a passing grade. The future secens are very dated to the 60's. People dressed in white living in all white houses. Maybe if it was done now the future would have a more interisting look to it. I would say just pass on the movie and maybe read the origional story by Ray Bradbury something I hope to do in the future. Mikel I will try and get around to reading the Bradbury source material.
The Company Men (2010 R)
It has a good cast Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugative, No Country for Old Mene), Ben Afflack (Good Will Hunting), Chris Cooper (Seabiscuit, American Beauty), Kevin Costner (Field of Dreams, Dances with Wolves), Maria Bello (Coyote Ugly, The Cooler) Craig T. Nelson (Parenthood tv, The Otterman Weekend). As a note Nelson had to change his middle name when he joined SAG union. Its not too common but does happen. If someone in SAG union has your name you have to change it so as not to get the two of you confused when people go and see a movie with you in it also it is to clear up who would get resigial checks when they need to send them out.
I could sum up the movie in two words Corporate Downsizing. The movie is about what happens to Jones, Afflack, and Cooper w hen they get downsized. Nelson plays the company CEO and Bello, whos character is sleeping with Jones, is the person brought in to help decide who gets fred and then help fire them. The movie was written and directed by John Wells (ER). Wells was an asset (ER was good but did Jump the Shark when they killed of Dr Green but thats another issue).
I went in with high expectation because of the cast. I rated the movie C+. I would say that it is worth seeing. Its not a strong recomendation but there overall there is more good wth the movie then is wrong wth it. Often when I go to see a movie and have high expectations I am disapointed. So the fact that I recomend the movie says something. I have a bit of free advice for people making a movie. IF YOU WANT A MOVIE TO BE GOOD GET CHRIS COOPER TO BE IN IT. Another bit of advice if you are gong to spend over $150 million on a movie take out a few of the sepical effects and spend the money to get Chris Cooper to me in the movie. Ok I think its clear how feel about Chris Cooper.
I could sum up the movie in two words Corporate Downsizing. The movie is about what happens to Jones, Afflack, and Cooper w hen they get downsized. Nelson plays the company CEO and Bello, whos character is sleeping with Jones, is the person brought in to help decide who gets fred and then help fire them. The movie was written and directed by John Wells (ER). Wells was an asset (ER was good but did Jump the Shark when they killed of Dr Green but thats another issue).
I went in with high expectation because of the cast. I rated the movie C+. I would say that it is worth seeing. Its not a strong recomendation but there overall there is more good wth the movie then is wrong wth it. Often when I go to see a movie and have high expectations I am disapointed. So the fact that I recomend the movie says something. I have a bit of free advice for people making a movie. IF YOU WANT A MOVIE TO BE GOOD GET CHRIS COOPER TO BE IN IT. Another bit of advice if you are gong to spend over $150 million on a movie take out a few of the sepical effects and spend the money to get Chris Cooper to me in the movie. Ok I think its clear how feel about Chris Cooper.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Human Stain (2003)
It stars Anthony Hopkins who stared in Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon, The Elephant Man, Amastad among many others. Nicole Kidman has been in To Die For, Rabbit Hole, Days of Thunder, Cold Mountain among others. Gary Sinise has been in The Stand (TV mini series), Of Mice and Men, Forrest Gump, Sansom among others. Ed Harris has been in The Abyss, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, The Truman Show among others. Anna Deavere Smith from The West Wing and The American President (both by Aaron Sorkin) is also in the cast.
The plot of the movie revolves around the friendship of Hopkins and Sinise after Hopkins is forced to retire as a dean for "makng racial remarks" in a class. Hopkins wife dies and he starts a relationship with Kidman whos estranged husband Harris causes trouble. The plot takes an interisting turn towards the end which is intersting.
I rated the movie as a B. The four main actors are all good enough to make the movie worth watching.
The plot of the movie revolves around the friendship of Hopkins and Sinise after Hopkins is forced to retire as a dean for "makng racial remarks" in a class. Hopkins wife dies and he starts a relationship with Kidman whos estranged husband Harris causes trouble. The plot takes an interisting turn towards the end which is intersting.
I rated the movie as a B. The four main actors are all good enough to make the movie worth watching.
Smoke (1995 R)
Smoke stars William Hurt. He has been in I Love You to Death, Accident Tourist, The Big Chill, Children of a Lesser God among others. Harvey Keitel has been in Clockers, The Last Temptation of Christ, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs among others. Forest Whitaker has been in The Last King of Scotland, the TV show as host of The Twilight Zone, Panic Room, The Color of Money among others. Ashley Judd has been in an episode of Star Trek TNG, Frieda, The Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Double Jeopardy, Kiss the Girls among others. Stockard Channing has been in Greese, The West Wing (TV), Through Dead Eyes among others.
The plot revolves around a cigar store owner Keitel and a customer, who is a writer, Hurt. Keitel gets a visit from his ex wife, Channing, about a daughter he never knew he had, Judd. Hurt befriends a young man on the lamb from a drug dealer. The young man finds his estranged father Whitaker. An interisting part of the movie is Keitels character taking a photo a day for years and years at the corner of his cigar store.
I rated the movie as a B. The characters are interisting and I was interisted in what happens to them. All of the characters have there ups and downs that I found good enough for me to recomend the movie. Worth the time to watch.
The plot revolves around a cigar store owner Keitel and a customer, who is a writer, Hurt. Keitel gets a visit from his ex wife, Channing, about a daughter he never knew he had, Judd. Hurt befriends a young man on the lamb from a drug dealer. The young man finds his estranged father Whitaker. An interisting part of the movie is Keitels character taking a photo a day for years and years at the corner of his cigar store.
I rated the movie as a B. The characters are interisting and I was interisted in what happens to them. All of the characters have there ups and downs that I found good enough for me to recomend the movie. Worth the time to watch.
The Curse of Frankenstein (1957 NR)
This movie stars Peter Cushing. He was in Twins of Evil, Alesander the Great amont others. The movie also stars Hazel Court and Christopher Lee.
The plot of the movie is pretty standard Frankstein. The story of his monster is told while Frankenstein is in jail. It tells of his creation and his marriage to a cousin.
I rated the movie as a C. There was nothing diffrent or anything that stood out for me to feel anything but avarage about it. I would recomend the movie to a true Frankenstein fan. But to all others just spend the movie watching time on something.
The plot of the movie is pretty standard Frankstein. The story of his monster is told while Frankenstein is in jail. It tells of his creation and his marriage to a cousin.
I rated the movie as a C. There was nothing diffrent or anything that stood out for me to feel anything but avarage about it. I would recomend the movie to a true Frankenstein fan. But to all others just spend the movie watching time on something.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Amanda (2009 NR)
Stars Ariana Dubynin, no other movie listings. Randy Ryan no other listings. Faith Marie,Erin Raftery also star.
The plot is about a couple who date get married then a problem comes up. Its kind of a suprise twist and am debating weather to tell what it is.
In short I rated this movie as a D. The fact that the wife decided to tell the secret after the marriage was unnessary and stupid. Then the plot takes another turn just as unbelevable. The husbands best friend lies to him. Take my advice do something fun like trying to figuring out the tax code or mowing the lawn in the rain or snow naked.
The plot is about a couple who date get married then a problem comes up. Its kind of a suprise twist and am debating weather to tell what it is.
In short I rated this movie as a D. The fact that the wife decided to tell the secret after the marriage was unnessary and stupid. Then the plot takes another turn just as unbelevable. The husbands best friend lies to him. Take my advice do something fun like trying to figuring out the tax code or mowing the lawn in the rain or snow naked.
The Babystters (2007 R)
Stars John Leguizamo who has been in The Happening, Moulin Rouge, Esecutve Decsion and Die Hard 2.
Katherine Waterston has been in Good Dick. Ethan Phillips is best know as Nelix in Star Trek Voyager he was also in The Man Without a Face. Cythia Nixon was in Sex in the City and Amadeus among others.
A hgh school student, Waterston, turns a babysitting business into a call girl business. The call girl business expands to include other high school girls.
I rated the movie a C so I could go eather way to say watch it or pass it. It does an ok job of showing the unintended consequences of going down a slippery sloap. What appears as easy money turns out to cause a lot of emotional trouble.
Katherine Waterston has been in Good Dick. Ethan Phillips is best know as Nelix in Star Trek Voyager he was also in The Man Without a Face. Cythia Nixon was in Sex in the City and Amadeus among others.
A hgh school student, Waterston, turns a babysitting business into a call girl business. The call girl business expands to include other high school girls.
I rated the movie a C so I could go eather way to say watch it or pass it. It does an ok job of showing the unintended consequences of going down a slippery sloap. What appears as easy money turns out to cause a lot of emotional trouble.
Swimming with Sharkes (1994 R)
This movie stars Kevin Spacey has been in A Time to Kill, Pay it Foward, The Usual Suspects among others. Also Frank Whaley. He has been in Field of Dreams, Broken Arrow, IQ, and Hoffa among others. Benicio Del Toro has been in The Pleadge, The Usual Suspects, and the Funeral. Michelle Forbes has been in Star Trek TNG, Dandelion and others.
The movie focuses on movie exec. Spacey and his latest assistant Whaley. (del Toro plays the leaving assistant). The second part of the movie is about what happens when the assistant has had enough.
I gave the movie a C-/D. It should be passed. The movie takes an interisting twist at the end but not good enough to make the movie worth watching.
The movie focuses on movie exec. Spacey and his latest assistant Whaley. (del Toro plays the leaving assistant). The second part of the movie is about what happens when the assistant has had enough.
I gave the movie a C-/D. It should be passed. The movie takes an interisting twist at the end but not good enough to make the movie worth watching.
Brothers (2009 R)
This movie stars Tobey Maguire. He has been in Pleasentville, Spiderman series, The Cider House Rules, and Seabiscut are a few of his movies. Also Jake Gyllenhaal who has been in Moonlight Mile, Jar Head, Brokeback Mountain among others. Natalie Portman movies have included The Professional, Cold Mountain, Garden State and No Strings Attached among others. The movie also stars Mare Winningham, Sam Shepard, and Clifton Collins Jr.
The basic plot is while Maguire is a POW Gyllenhaal helps Portman with her two daughters. Maguire is rescued and the movie from that point is how he deals with being home. The movie is well done and hard to watch at times. It deserves the R rating and is not a movie for young kids.
I rated this movie a B. The climax of the movie is very well done. I dont know anyone with PTSD but this movie seems to give a realistic description of the disorder.. In a time of war this movie should be watched by people to get a small glimpse of what war can do to people.
The basic plot is while Maguire is a POW Gyllenhaal helps Portman with her two daughters. Maguire is rescued and the movie from that point is how he deals with being home. The movie is well done and hard to watch at times. It deserves the R rating and is not a movie for young kids.
I rated this movie a B. The climax of the movie is very well done. I dont know anyone with PTSD but this movie seems to give a realistic description of the disorder.. In a time of war this movie should be watched by people to get a small glimpse of what war can do to people.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009 PG 13)
This movie stars Christopher Plummer. He has been in Star Trek IV, Dolores Claiborne, Nicholas Nickerby, and Up. Heath Ledger has been the Dark Knight, Monsters Ball, Brokeback Mountain among others. Johnny Deep Colin Farrell and Jude Law took over Legers role after he died. This is Lily Coles only role I could find.Verne Troyer from the Austin Powers movies is also in the movie. Other in the movie are Tom Waits, and Andrew Garfield. Garfield was in The Socal Network and Never Let Me Go.
The basic plot is Plummer after making a deal with the devil needs to collect souls or people faster then the devil. Plummer is the leader of a acting troupe. For me movie had a hard time get going. It seems that there are a few times in the movie where the deal is reset. To me it seems to restart the plot.
I gave the movie a C- so I would say skip it.
The basic plot is Plummer after making a deal with the devil needs to collect souls or people faster then the devil. Plummer is the leader of a acting troupe. For me movie had a hard time get going. It seems that there are a few times in the movie where the deal is reset. To me it seems to restart the plot.
I gave the movie a C- so I would say skip it.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Trancers
This movie came out in 1985. It stars Helen Hunt. She has been in Mad About You (tv), Twister, As Good As it Gets, Castaway, What Women Want, Pay it Foward among others. Tim Thomerson (playing Jack Death). He has been in Cherry 2000 and Zone Troopers. He has a face that seems familure but maybe not in big movies. On Wikipedia it says there were 5 other Trancer movies. Thelma Hopkins is in the movie also. She has been in Boosom Buddies, Gimie a Break, Family Matters among other tv shows. I dd not fnd out the actress name but someone from ths movie sounds exactly like the lady who played the lady who gives James Earl Jones the newpapers in Field of Dreams.
The plot it Thomerson comes back in time to capture a criminal who uses psyic powers to turn people into zombies. Hunt is the 1985 person who helps him.
This movie I rated as an F after the plot summary do I have to say more. I like Helen Hunt but she could not save this clunker. I was amazed there were 5 others, the last one came out in 2002.
The plot it Thomerson comes back in time to capture a criminal who uses psyic powers to turn people into zombies. Hunt is the 1985 person who helps him.
This movie I rated as an F after the plot summary do I have to say more. I like Helen Hunt but she could not save this clunker. I was amazed there were 5 others, the last one came out in 2002.
Sunshine Cleaning
This movie stars Amy Adams. She has been in Junebug, Catch Me if You Can, The Fighter, Julie & Julia among others It also stars Emily Blunt. She has been Charlie Wilson's War, The Devil Wears Prada, Gulliver's Travels among others. Alan Arkin also has a role. He has been in Catch 22, Edward Sissorhands, Little Miss Sunshine among others.
The basic plot of the movie is Amy Adams starts a cleaning company that cleans up tough stains. She and her sister played by Blunt clean up blood and other things from crime sceens and suicides. The movie starts off strong and ends well. The mddle of the movie is also strong enough to keep me interisted through the entire movie.
I rated this move as a B. That is good enough for me to recomend. Find it on Netflix or another movie service I dont think you will be sorry.
The basic plot of the movie is Amy Adams starts a cleaning company that cleans up tough stains. She and her sister played by Blunt clean up blood and other things from crime sceens and suicides. The movie starts off strong and ends well. The mddle of the movie is also strong enough to keep me interisted through the entire movie.
I rated this move as a B. That is good enough for me to recomend. Find it on Netflix or another movie service I dont think you will be sorry.
Moon
The main character by a long shot is Sam Rockwell. Some of his films are The Green Mile, Charlie's Angeles, Galexy Quest, and Matchstick Man. Kevin Spacey is the voice of a robot.
The basic plot line is the lone techncian on the moon is comming to the end of his 3 year contract. He has an accident then the plot takes a turn I wont go into, would not want to give away too much.
Im giving this movie a C-. After the movie takes thhe plot turn it just goes nowhere. It may be a little too unbeleivable or some might be able to see whats comming. Science fiction can be a hard type of movie to come across as good. I like Rockwell he has been in some good movies but this one just could not get over the hump into a movie I would recomend.
The basic plot line is the lone techncian on the moon is comming to the end of his 3 year contract. He has an accident then the plot takes a turn I wont go into, would not want to give away too much.
Im giving this movie a C-. After the movie takes thhe plot turn it just goes nowhere. It may be a little too unbeleivable or some might be able to see whats comming. Science fiction can be a hard type of movie to come across as good. I like Rockwell he has been in some good movies but this one just could not get over the hump into a movie I would recomend.
The Man From Earth
It stars Tony Todd who was in a few Star Trek Deep Space Nine and the Next Generation. He was an older Jake Sisco. He was in Candyman and Platoon. William Katt was in The Greatest American Hero and Carrie. John Billingsley was in 2012, White Oleander and Star Trek Enterprise. Ellen Crawford who was in ER, she had a recuring role as a nurse. And David Lee Smith. David was in A Walk to Remember,. Fight Club and ZodiaC
The plot is a professor is leaving and his fellow professors come over to have a going away party. The professor, John Oldman (Smith) indicates that he is 140,000 years old. The rest of the movie delves into religious, medical, and social issues.
I am starting off with a movie where the grade is a bit more spread out then usual. I rate it as C- , B-. Overall I would rate this movie as a pass. But the structure was close to being good. Some movies are easy to say are a pass this is one that was hard for me to say is a pass.
The plot is a professor is leaving and his fellow professors come over to have a going away party. The professor, John Oldman (Smith) indicates that he is 140,000 years old. The rest of the movie delves into religious, medical, and social issues.
I am starting off with a movie where the grade is a bit more spread out then usual. I rate it as C- , B-. Overall I would rate this movie as a pass. But the structure was close to being good. Some movies are easy to say are a pass this is one that was hard for me to say is a pass.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)