|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:48 pm
Date Night - 2010
★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Steve Carrell, Tina Fey, Mila Kunis (small role)
With Steve Carrell & Tina Fey, both very successful comedians, what less could you expect? I was very close to giving this 4 stars, there were just one too many cliche moments for me, so it just barely made it. A loving mother and father are worried that their marriage is in jeopardy. In one last attempt to see if their relationship could last, they go out to have a nice dinner for the first time in a long time. Without giving away too much, they get confused with another couple who just happen to have some serious crime lords after them. It was a fun and exciting storyline with some pretty good jokes in there. This movie actually surprised me a bit with one of the most kick-a** car chases I have ever seen. It was overall a good movie, and the acting was not bad, it just got a little sarcastic at some points, but thats kind of just Carrell & Feys acting styles.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:56 pm
The House Bunny - 2008
★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Anna Faris, Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, Hugh Hefner as himself
This is a comedy about Shelley (Faris) who is an ex-playboy bunny. She gets kicked out and finds herself having to look for a place to live. She stumbles upon a crumbling sorrority house with shy, not-really-sorrority-type people that is does not have enough pledges and will soon be kicked out. She decides to become their house mom and fix things up and save the girls. She helps the girls out of their shells and learns some things about herself and how beauty really isnt everything. Its a good storyline and there are definitely some good, fresh jokes in there. Some of the lines are pretty silly though, so at some points, youll just have to turn off a few brain cells and just go with it. The good acting and funny jokes in this counter the predictable ending, and thus gives it a good middle score of 3 1/2 stars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 11:20 pm
Ed Wood - mid 90's
★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Johnny Depp, Bill Murray, Sarah Jessica Parker
This is meant to be a comedy about a failing movie director/producer/actor named Edward D. Wood (Depp) in the 30's or 40's, so its all black and white. I was kind of surprised, as it wasnt as much of a comedy as I had expected. There are some very sad moments, and some dramatic ones. Johnny Depp goes all out in this one though, and went as far as dressing up as a girl multiple times. He made a very pretty woman too. Him just being willing to dress up as a woman bought the movie another 1/2-1 star itself. Besides that, I probably wouldve given it a lower score. All the roles were just so welly played, I had to bump it up a notch. I also for some reason really like movies based on a true story, so that helped it a little too. I like more short one-line jokes thrown into my comedies, but if you have a different liking of comedy style, this one may be the one for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:02 am
Lord of the Flies - first 60s, then 90s
★★★★
Notable Actors: none
So this movie is based on the very famous book Lord of the Flies. The books is excellent, and contains alot of symbolism, which is sometimes harder to express in a movie. Its about a school group of only boys whose plane crashes while flying back from a trip. They end up stranded on a deserted island, and no one knows theyre there. They try to develop a civilized society, and, well... lets just say the message that the movie is trying to get across is that there is an inherent evil within all human beings. The movie, Id imagine would be much more difficult to keep up with if you have not read the book, as some of the boys actions may seem questionable. And if you have read the book and are looking for the symbolism and deeper meaning as it is expressed in the book, well there is some, there isnt much. Example: they do not specify the destruction of the conch, which should have been a bigger thing considering it represented civilization. Overall, there were a few slow parts in the movie, and one of the characters, Piggys, speech went slowly, but it always picked up and there is always something going on. It holds your attention very well, and the acting is pretty decent. One thing the movie also didnt do well is blowing up the moment. The climax, though obvious, isnt as intense as it could have been, and the ending, disappointing. You couldnt quite tell what was going on.
★★
Notable Actors: N/A
The 90s movie Lord of the Flies was worse, by far. There were better transitions between scenes and you could tell the characters motives much better, but besides that, all the flaws of the 60s movie were included, and some made 10x worse. This one was definitely made to be more of an action movie, no symbolism or anything metaphoric. I was really disappointed in the screenplay with this one because it seemed like the writer didnt even READ the friggin' book. It was completely different, and in this one, there was no castle rock, no parachutest, and the pilot of the airplane that crashed was on the island with them... also, they had some glowsticks. Absolutely no idea where those came from or why they were there. Truly disappointed with this one, guys.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:03 am
The Kings Speech - 2010
★★★★★
Notable Actors: Helena Bonham-Carter, Colin Firth, Michael Gambon
This is really a great movie, worth seeing in theaters if its still out where you are. Nominated for 12 Oscars, with another 21 wins and 68 nominations, and maybe more where that came from, there was no doubt that this movie would entertain. Its based on a true story about King George VI, who had a major stuttering problem which was a big deal since speaking was such a big part of his job, being king and all. Its a drama, but lets not let that fool you, its also a comedy. It has alot of wit and a lot of charm, most of it played by Geoffrey Rush, who you may have recognized as Barbossa from Pirates of the Caribbean. He was very funny and absolutely splendid in this film, along with Colin Firth (who was the king), Helena Bonham-Carter (his wife), and everyone else who had performed in this film. There were some parts that went a little slow, and if your real impatient with people with speech impairment, dont worry its tolerable, but watch out. The acting was superb and the script was first class. One other thing, I dont know why, I usually dont comment on this stuff, but I LOVED the music score. The music was perfect for the film and very very classy. Go out and see it if you already havnt, or buy the DVD!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:33 am
The Informant! - '09
★★★★
Notable Actors: Matt Damon, Melanie Lynskey, Joel McHale
One of the people who wrote the script or screenplay for this film must have been really funny. Starting from the opening credits, there was a small joke. This film is loosely based on a true story, about a man (Matt Damon) who goes to the FBI to become a mole for a company that hes been working for for years and when he decides hes finally put up enough with the extortion and law breaking going on in the company. He becomes an informant for them and gets evidence that the company is price fixing, but the line between the truth and a tangle of lies gets confused and the FBI ends up going after him. Its a pretty interesting story with some great metaphors and proverbs narrated by Damon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:35 am
Liar Liar - 97
★★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey is GOLD in this, shows just how amazing he really is. This is a hilarious comedy about a liar, or lawyer, (same thing, right?) who is obsessed with working and puts his son aside to get it done. After missing his sons birthday after again promising to see him, his son makes a birthday wish that his dad cant lie for a whole day. Fletcher, the father (Jim Carrey), discovers that he cant lie just before one of his biggest law suits (think thats what you call 'em?) He cant even write a lie, and even attempts this in a great pen scene where he tries to write "this pen is red" with a blue pen. There was one part in the movie where it got a little sad, and Carrey isnt the best at acting that kine stuff. Parts sounded a little sarcastic, but it was only breifly. Besides that, this movie had me jumping off my chair laughing and smiling. The acting is great, story line is great, and movie overall is great. Though I dont always necessarily like Jim Carreys over-the-top comedy style, he was just outstanding, perfect, and definitely struck gold in this one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:38 am
Hitch - 2005
★★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James. Jeffrey Donovan
This is a classy movie. What Will Smith movie isnt? This is about a guy (Smith) who helps other men find love, hes the "date doctor". No, he doesnt set up sleezy guys just who just want to get laid, and clearly demonstrates this in the movie, namely with Jeffery Donovon who plays Vance, who you might recognize from the TV show Burn Notice. Well he gets a job to help the clumsy & nervous Albert Brennemen (Kevin James) get a date with the famous, beautiful, rich, Allegra Cole. All goes well, and even he starts to fall in love himself with Eva Mendes, until things come crashing down when things get out on the papers. Watch and see. Its clever and quite charming. Will Smith especially. Dont worry, it is a love story, but its not too sappy, theres plenty of comedy all the way through. A very clever story line and original jokes and scenes, and of course, the acting is spectacular.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:39 am
Young Frankenstein - 1974
★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Gene Wilde, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldmen
I know, I know, your giving such a low rating to such a classic movie? Well sorry. It wasnt bad, and it is a classic, I just think 4 stars is too much. Weve all heard about Frankenstien right? Gene Wilde stars in this one (I know these are all old actors, but you might recognize him from the old Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and when he discovers his once hated grandfathers work on creating life out of death, he begins to take on the same goal. He and his assistant Igor (Marty Feldman, yeah his eyes were actually like that) use a dead body, a brain, and some chemicals and lightning to create LIFE! (Peter Boyle, you probably wont recognize him from the father on Everybody Loves Raymond) Its a comedy, and chlidren bewarned, there are some good sex jokes, and a few scenes. Nothing like WOWOMGCLOSEYOUREYES, but keep it away from the 7 year olds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:41 am
Dirty Dancing - 1987
★★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Patrick Swayze, Jerry Orbach
This ones debateable, I was very surprised to see such a low rating on IMDb. I thought it was pretty good. Patrick Swayze dancing with his shirt off? Yes, please. I this one, a young working Johnny Castle (Swayze) finds his way into a hotel guests heart, "Baby" Houseman. Baby gets pushed into competing in an important dance competition with him after his partner gets.... sick. They end up spending alot of time together, after all, she had had absolutely no idea what to do when it came to dancing, and when you spend that much time alone with a muscley shirtless male, well, things happen. You know that song, "Its the time of my life, and I owe it all to you", that was the perfect song for this movie. Absolutely great. If your ever in the mood for an old fashioned love story, this is your one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:43 am
The Nanny - 90s
★★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Fran Drescher
This is quite a hilarious show. One of my favorites, you can find it on at night on Nick@Nite, and I think its also on TV Land. A desperate millionaire Broadway producer hires a nanny right off the street trying to sell him make up. Fran Fine (Fran Drescher) is more than she seems with her New Yorker Jew street smarts and unnatural voice (yeah, its her real voice, folks) when she starts talking to the children and shows off her natural parenting abilities. An attraction between her and her boss develop as his icey business partner slowly gets pushed aside for her, and the witty, hilarious butler, Niles, gets in on every drop of gossip and isnt shamed to show off his knowledge, and smack Cici (the business partner) in the face with it. Trust me, the back and forth cat and mouse thing Cici and Niles have is priceless. Some of the best jokes and comebacks I steal come from them (; Every episode is ride with laughter, and is guaranteed to make you want to stay up late to finish watching all the episodes. All the characters are very well developed with their own sense of style, and I love it. The acting is great, at least amont the adults, the children were a bit young when they were hired and Im afraid in at least the later episodes the kids acting have become bland. Aside from that minor mishap, the show is spectacular, and even after about 6 years of filming and making, it never got old.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:58 pm
Good Will Hunting - '97
★★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck
The laughs, the tears, the drama, the grit, the charm. This movie has it all. Matt Damon plays Will Hunting, a math genious who works as a janitor and drinks and parties with his friends every night. I know, not your typical genious, but hey, hes getting there. A college professor is first to discover his brilliance, and right on time too, as Will has just gotten himself thrown into jail. He works with the court, and having been smart enough to get himself out of trouble numerous other times, this time he gets lucky and out math professor saves the day. He agrees to take classes to work on math theories and visit a psychologist once a week, Shaun, the great Robin Williams. They are great together. This is a touching story really, but also a great comedy. There is a good amount of profanity in there for thsoe of you who dont like it, and some sex references, but the latter is kept to a minimum. Damon will charm your heart out with his wit and glory, he is just so damn smart in this movie. And I dont mean smart like genious kine smart, like a freaking smartass. Its just too funny. Comedy, drama, its basically got the whole package. Fall in love with Damon and Williams today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:59 pm
Crash - 05
★★★★1/2
Notable Actors: Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, maybe more, maybe not
This seems to be a very high rated movie amongst most people. I recommend you see it, unless your a racist black person hater... on second thought, scratch that, thats even more so a reason to see it. It deals with lots of differing situations here, following the stories of 3, 4, maybe 5 people (depending on how you look at it) whos lives loosely intertwine with eachother, or in some situations effect eachother greatly. It is very well thought out and can really get you going. By going, of course I mean, laughing, crying, on the edge of your seat, whatever. Irony plays a big role in this film too, so look out for it. Crash is rated R, there is one pretty rough sex scene, a bit of profanity, and one woman does deal with an on-screen molestation to watch out for, but its not violent, just... kind of sad. If you ahvnt seen this movie, you definitely should.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 3:39 pm
Orphan - 2009
★★★★
Notable Actors: Vera Farmiga, Jimmy Bennett
This is one movie that is definitely not for kids. Lots of dark images, and some serious psychological stuff going on here. Its a psychological thriller/horror about a family who adopts an 8 year old girl after losing a daughter. The girl, Esther comes off as charming, delightful, and unusually bright for her age, but after living with her and getting to know her better, the mother (Vera Farmiga) begins to question the girls manipulative powers. Its quite disturbing, definitely a good watch if you want something that might haunt your thoughts at night while your sleeping... Do NOT watch this if your thinking about adoption. And definitely do NOT give this movie to a kid. Id say, 13 or so might be ok, as long as you know their maturity level can handle it, but Im only 15, so feel free not to trust my judgement so well. Theres something frightening about seeing children do such madness that takes a toll on the brain. It may be slightly predictable if youve seen alot of "creepy kid" movies, as I am told they are called, but for the ones who dont watch many scary movies, this ones a winner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
