"The Green Hornet" A
It was just an ordinary day today. I went to work this morning, Corrine went to class this morning and it was good. I came home at 3:00, put some clothes in the dryer and took out the trash. Then, Corrine called stating that she was coming home so I awaited her arrival. I then got on the computer and found out that we had the chance to get two free passes to a movie that is not even going to be released until January 14, 2011. I decided to give it a try and miraculously, we got the passes. The movie we saw this evening was The Green Hornet. I did not expect to see it this early (almost a month early), and I have to tell you, I was very impressed! I have wanted to see this movie since I saw the first trailer and I have heard a lot about it. I know it was radio show, and a tv show and a comic book series about two crime fighting vigilantes with a really cool car. The movie stars Seth Rogen, who is in top form as Britt Reid, the newspaper publisher by day and crime fighter by night. His sidekick, Kato, has some skills of his own, including working on cars, making cool gadgets, kung fu and making awesome coffee. Together, they make a good masked pair, which makes this movie so good. It is a buddy comedy with lots of typical Seth Rogen laughs, but at the same time, it is a non stop action packed superhero movie. The fight scenes were top notch and the villain Chudnofsky, played by Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds), was a scene stealer too. The most fun character to watch was Kato, played by Jay Chou. He has some good one liners and it is so much fun watching him in slow motion showing his kung fu skills. The chemistry between Rogen and Chou was what also made the movie, and Waltz proves once again that he can play a villain. This is going to be a good start to the 2011 winter movie season and I am sure that people are going to love it. It was a fun time at the movies.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
True Grit
"True Grit" A
I really like how Hollywood has brought back the western genre. Westerns are the kind of stories that are about old fashioned heroism. It has always been fascinating to me to watch movies or read books about old western heroes and how they restore a town and how they become the hero. We have gotten some new westerns in the past few years, such as 3:10 to Yuma, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Appaloosa, and each have stood alone on how they display the old fashioned western story. The newest one, True Grit, is a remake of a classic John Wayne movie, and is directed by the Coen Brothers. The Coen Brothers directed movies such as No Country for Old Men, Fargo and The Big Lebowski. Jeff Bridges reunites with the Coen Brothers for this action western and is nothing like The Dude. He is the perfect replica of an old fashioned western US marshall. The story is about a girl, who wants to avenge the murder of her father. She enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), and Lebouf (Matt Damon). They all go on a journey to bring in Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), the man who murdered the girl's father. The chemistry between all of the actors is perfect. There should be some oscar nods for all of the actors in the movie and the Coen Brothers bring back their methods they used with No Country for Old Men. There is a lot of action, the scenery is amazing and even the music made for an old fashioned western classic. I bet it was tough to remake a classic, but the Coen Brothers pulled it off and this movie ranks as one of the top movies of the year.
I really like how Hollywood has brought back the western genre. Westerns are the kind of stories that are about old fashioned heroism. It has always been fascinating to me to watch movies or read books about old western heroes and how they restore a town and how they become the hero. We have gotten some new westerns in the past few years, such as 3:10 to Yuma, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Appaloosa, and each have stood alone on how they display the old fashioned western story. The newest one, True Grit, is a remake of a classic John Wayne movie, and is directed by the Coen Brothers. The Coen Brothers directed movies such as No Country for Old Men, Fargo and The Big Lebowski. Jeff Bridges reunites with the Coen Brothers for this action western and is nothing like The Dude. He is the perfect replica of an old fashioned western US marshall. The story is about a girl, who wants to avenge the murder of her father. She enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), and Lebouf (Matt Damon). They all go on a journey to bring in Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), the man who murdered the girl's father. The chemistry between all of the actors is perfect. There should be some oscar nods for all of the actors in the movie and the Coen Brothers bring back their methods they used with No Country for Old Men. There is a lot of action, the scenery is amazing and even the music made for an old fashioned western classic. I bet it was tough to remake a classic, but the Coen Brothers pulled it off and this movie ranks as one of the top movies of the year.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Hereafter
"Hereafter" B
Clint Eastwood does it again. It is amazing how many movies he has starred in and has directed. I am a big fan of Clint Eastwood as a director and an actor, so I was very interested in seeing his latest recollaboration with Matt Damon, Hereafter. Is it a good movie? Yes it certainly is, even if it is quite slow at times. Yes the movie is slow, but I don't know if I would say that it is boring. The performances by each of the actors were riveting, and showed some emotional quality. The movie is three different stories: one in France about a former show host who becomes inspired to write a book; one in France with two twin boys and their estranged alcoholic mother; and in San Francisco, which is Matt Damon's story about a lonely man who wants to get away from his past. While this movie is sad and emotional at times, we do get some comic relief from the teacher of Matt Damon's cooking classes. The opening scene was very realistic and it felt like you were there during the tsunami scene. It marked Clint Eastwood's use of special effects in his movies. Overall, it is a good movie, even if you have to be in a certain mood to watch it. I do, however, think that Invictus, Eastwood's last collaboration with Matt Damon, is one of his best movies.
Clint Eastwood does it again. It is amazing how many movies he has starred in and has directed. I am a big fan of Clint Eastwood as a director and an actor, so I was very interested in seeing his latest recollaboration with Matt Damon, Hereafter. Is it a good movie? Yes it certainly is, even if it is quite slow at times. Yes the movie is slow, but I don't know if I would say that it is boring. The performances by each of the actors were riveting, and showed some emotional quality. The movie is three different stories: one in France about a former show host who becomes inspired to write a book; one in France with two twin boys and their estranged alcoholic mother; and in San Francisco, which is Matt Damon's story about a lonely man who wants to get away from his past. While this movie is sad and emotional at times, we do get some comic relief from the teacher of Matt Damon's cooking classes. The opening scene was very realistic and it felt like you were there during the tsunami scene. It marked Clint Eastwood's use of special effects in his movies. Overall, it is a good movie, even if you have to be in a certain mood to watch it. I do, however, think that Invictus, Eastwood's last collaboration with Matt Damon, is one of his best movies.
Due Date
"Due Date" B
Road trip movies are sometimes the funniest type of comedy that comes out these days. Not only do you get the feel that you are with the characters on their journey, but you tend to have fun laughing at them too. In Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zack Galifinakus, you get exactly what you pay for, a buddy comedy. Basically, Galifinakus plays Ethan, an aspiring actor traveling to Hollywood because he wants to be one of the stars of the popular sitcom Two and a Half Men. Robert Downey Jr. plays Peter, an uptight kind of guy who wants to be their in time for the birth of his child. This movie is from director Todd Philips, director of Road Trip, Old School and the ever so hilarious The Hangover. While this one is not quite as funny as The Hangover, it still has the same slapstick humor and good chemistry between Downey Jr. and Galifinakus. It is certainly a fun time at the movies and it is sure to make you laugh.
Road trip movies are sometimes the funniest type of comedy that comes out these days. Not only do you get the feel that you are with the characters on their journey, but you tend to have fun laughing at them too. In Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zack Galifinakus, you get exactly what you pay for, a buddy comedy. Basically, Galifinakus plays Ethan, an aspiring actor traveling to Hollywood because he wants to be one of the stars of the popular sitcom Two and a Half Men. Robert Downey Jr. plays Peter, an uptight kind of guy who wants to be their in time for the birth of his child. This movie is from director Todd Philips, director of Road Trip, Old School and the ever so hilarious The Hangover. While this one is not quite as funny as The Hangover, it still has the same slapstick humor and good chemistry between Downey Jr. and Galifinakus. It is certainly a fun time at the movies and it is sure to make you laugh.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Saw 3D
"Saw 3D" B-
It has been a long time since I have reviewed a movie and I have seen a few movies, so I think it is time to put some more reviews on here. On Halloween, we celebrated by seeing Saw 3D. Was it good? Yes. Was it the best Saw out of the entire thought provoking franchise? No, it was pretty much all about the 3D. In 2004, we started out with an indie like horror movie called Saw, which displayed a different side of Cary Elwes, and brought out a new horror star named Tobin Bell. The first Saw showed an in your face twist ending, along with a few grueling traps. Saw II, III and IV came out, courtesy of director Darren Lynn Bousman, Saw V from David Hackl, and Saw VI and VII from Keven Greutert. The first Saw revolutionized the horror genre in my opinion, II was a good follow up, III was thought to be the conclusion, but then IV was made and then V and VI was made, creating new layers to the story. Well, VII, named 3D, is the conclusion of the entire series. And while it does a good job of wrapping everything up, it is all about the traps it seems, and making the audience say, Wow! That trap was cool... in 3D! Let's watch a saw fly at the screen, a key fly at the screen, and lets have one of the traps be in your face. The opening trap in the movie bordered on ridiculous, but it had originality for sure, and it gave new meaning to shopping at an outlet mall. Saw 3D was a good conclusion to the series and it even answered some questions we were all wanting answers for from the first one. Overall, it was a pretty good movie, but certainly did not need to be in 3D to be enjoyed.
It has been a long time since I have reviewed a movie and I have seen a few movies, so I think it is time to put some more reviews on here. On Halloween, we celebrated by seeing Saw 3D. Was it good? Yes. Was it the best Saw out of the entire thought provoking franchise? No, it was pretty much all about the 3D. In 2004, we started out with an indie like horror movie called Saw, which displayed a different side of Cary Elwes, and brought out a new horror star named Tobin Bell. The first Saw showed an in your face twist ending, along with a few grueling traps. Saw II, III and IV came out, courtesy of director Darren Lynn Bousman, Saw V from David Hackl, and Saw VI and VII from Keven Greutert. The first Saw revolutionized the horror genre in my opinion, II was a good follow up, III was thought to be the conclusion, but then IV was made and then V and VI was made, creating new layers to the story. Well, VII, named 3D, is the conclusion of the entire series. And while it does a good job of wrapping everything up, it is all about the traps it seems, and making the audience say, Wow! That trap was cool... in 3D! Let's watch a saw fly at the screen, a key fly at the screen, and lets have one of the traps be in your face. The opening trap in the movie bordered on ridiculous, but it had originality for sure, and it gave new meaning to shopping at an outlet mall. Saw 3D was a good conclusion to the series and it even answered some questions we were all wanting answers for from the first one. Overall, it was a pretty good movie, but certainly did not need to be in 3D to be enjoyed.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Red
"Red" A-
I know one thing for sure, advanced screening are the best. I love getting the opportunity to see movies that are not only free, but are available for early viewing, way before the movie officially is released. Tonight, they had an advanced screening of the movie "Red", starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary Louise Parker and Karl Urban. The cast is what really drives this movie in my opinion. It is a funny movie and it has some intense and exciting action scenes, but its the cast that really sells here. The movie starts out with Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) in his spacious house just dealing with retirement. Every month, he calls Sarah 9Mary Louise Parker, in a very funny role), his love interest, at a Pension office in Kansas City. He rips up the check each month as an excuse to talk to her about popular books and their attraction to each other, whether they know it or not. This is where it starts in a rousing action scene in his house where machine guns and bombs are loud as ever. This takes place in a suberb full of Christmas decorations. I guess the neighbors were either on vacation or didn't care that there were machine guns and grenades going off at their neighbor's house. Then the layers keep coming, with each of the characters coming in for the fun. We have Morgan Freeman being his usual self, which is a good thing, and we have John Malkovich in a scene stealing role, and Helen Mirren showing once again her acting talent. Another surprise was Karl Urban. I am not usually impressed with his acting, but he was actually not too bad in this role. He was actually one of my favorite characters is the movie as CIA agent William Cooper, along with Frank Moses of course. This movie is based on a DC comic, which was the whole reason why I wanted to see it in the first place. The movie has some action packed scenes, but it slows down at times to remind us of why we care about the characters. There are some light and very funny moments too, which makes for an entertaining time at the movies.
I know one thing for sure, advanced screening are the best. I love getting the opportunity to see movies that are not only free, but are available for early viewing, way before the movie officially is released. Tonight, they had an advanced screening of the movie "Red", starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary Louise Parker and Karl Urban. The cast is what really drives this movie in my opinion. It is a funny movie and it has some intense and exciting action scenes, but its the cast that really sells here. The movie starts out with Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) in his spacious house just dealing with retirement. Every month, he calls Sarah 9Mary Louise Parker, in a very funny role), his love interest, at a Pension office in Kansas City. He rips up the check each month as an excuse to talk to her about popular books and their attraction to each other, whether they know it or not. This is where it starts in a rousing action scene in his house where machine guns and bombs are loud as ever. This takes place in a suberb full of Christmas decorations. I guess the neighbors were either on vacation or didn't care that there were machine guns and grenades going off at their neighbor's house. Then the layers keep coming, with each of the characters coming in for the fun. We have Morgan Freeman being his usual self, which is a good thing, and we have John Malkovich in a scene stealing role, and Helen Mirren showing once again her acting talent. Another surprise was Karl Urban. I am not usually impressed with his acting, but he was actually not too bad in this role. He was actually one of my favorite characters is the movie as CIA agent William Cooper, along with Frank Moses of course. This movie is based on a DC comic, which was the whole reason why I wanted to see it in the first place. The movie has some action packed scenes, but it slows down at times to remind us of why we care about the characters. There are some light and very funny moments too, which makes for an entertaining time at the movies.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Life As We Know It
"Life As We Know It" B+
I got the pleasure of seeing a sneak preview of "Life As We Know It" tonight for free. At first, I was not really sure as to what I would think of this movie. I will be honest, I really enjoyed it. There were some sad parts, but it was also very funny and the acting was very good too. Basically, the movie starts out with our two main stars Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl going on a first date that was set up by their best friends. They hate each other immediately, but are around each other a lot of their best friends and now their baby. A tragedy happens with their friends, which is sad, and the wishes for Heigl and Duhamel are to be to care for their baby, Sophie. They are skeptical at first, and they don't know anything about raising a baby, but they learn about not only that, but more about themselves and about their growing love relationship. It seems like a formulaic plot, but it is really good the way it was made. I thought the chemistry between Heigl and Duhamel was so good. You really get the impression they hate each other at first and then... Some of the lines are really funny and the supporting cast members add to the movie too. The movie is scheduled for release on October 8th, and I really think it is worth seeing.
I got the pleasure of seeing a sneak preview of "Life As We Know It" tonight for free. At first, I was not really sure as to what I would think of this movie. I will be honest, I really enjoyed it. There were some sad parts, but it was also very funny and the acting was very good too. Basically, the movie starts out with our two main stars Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl going on a first date that was set up by their best friends. They hate each other immediately, but are around each other a lot of their best friends and now their baby. A tragedy happens with their friends, which is sad, and the wishes for Heigl and Duhamel are to be to care for their baby, Sophie. They are skeptical at first, and they don't know anything about raising a baby, but they learn about not only that, but more about themselves and about their growing love relationship. It seems like a formulaic plot, but it is really good the way it was made. I thought the chemistry between Heigl and Duhamel was so good. You really get the impression they hate each other at first and then... Some of the lines are really funny and the supporting cast members add to the movie too. The movie is scheduled for release on October 8th, and I really think it is worth seeing.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Easy A
"Easy A" B
There are some movies that come to theatres and you think to yourself, I don't think I really want to see that movie. Then, sometimes, they keep showing previews on it on tv and the previews never stop. Gradually, with all of these previews coming on every 10 seconds, you eventually think to yourself, wow, this movie might actually have potential. That is pretty much what I was saying when I attending a sneak preview tonight for the movie "Easy A". The synopsis is actually better than it sounds. Basically, a high school girl is tired of being unpopular. She wants to be known and popular by a lot of people because "a google map would not be able to find her" as actress Emma Stone says in the movie. Emma Stone has been in a few movies, such as "Superbad" and "The House Bunny". She was also in "Zombieland", which was an action comedic turn for her. This movie not only shows that she can totally funny without even trying, but it also has some really good supporting cast members, such as Lisa Kudrow, Thomas Haden Church, Amanda Bynes, Malcom McDowell, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson. Each actor has some equal screen time and they all contribute to the story nicely with their performances. This movie has kind of a "Juno" like feel to it, with the wisecracking high school girl as the central character discovering what it is like to enter adulthood. When this movie is funny, it is really funny, with some of the best lines I have heard in a long time. When this movie wants to be serious, it is definitely serious, showing a different side of the story. Overall, this movie was a nice surprise and I am sure it will be a good surprise for everyone this friday too.
There are some movies that come to theatres and you think to yourself, I don't think I really want to see that movie. Then, sometimes, they keep showing previews on it on tv and the previews never stop. Gradually, with all of these previews coming on every 10 seconds, you eventually think to yourself, wow, this movie might actually have potential. That is pretty much what I was saying when I attending a sneak preview tonight for the movie "Easy A". The synopsis is actually better than it sounds. Basically, a high school girl is tired of being unpopular. She wants to be known and popular by a lot of people because "a google map would not be able to find her" as actress Emma Stone says in the movie. Emma Stone has been in a few movies, such as "Superbad" and "The House Bunny". She was also in "Zombieland", which was an action comedic turn for her. This movie not only shows that she can totally funny without even trying, but it also has some really good supporting cast members, such as Lisa Kudrow, Thomas Haden Church, Amanda Bynes, Malcom McDowell, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson. Each actor has some equal screen time and they all contribute to the story nicely with their performances. This movie has kind of a "Juno" like feel to it, with the wisecracking high school girl as the central character discovering what it is like to enter adulthood. When this movie is funny, it is really funny, with some of the best lines I have heard in a long time. When this movie wants to be serious, it is definitely serious, showing a different side of the story. Overall, this movie was a nice surprise and I am sure it will be a good surprise for everyone this friday too.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Machete
"Machete" B+
I remember in 2007 when "Grindhouse" came out. It was the Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino double feature that was an homage to the old 80s horror movies and cinema. It contained an 80s like horror movie and an old fashioned 80s action movie. It even included some fake commercials and fake movie trailers that added to the 80s feel and experience. I remember the fake trailers were my favorite part of this three and a half hour experience. The main favorite trailer being "Machete", the fake trailer that got the audiences wishing it was a real movie. The good news is, it was actually made into a movie and it was directed by Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico). He directs this the way he always directs his movies, non stop action with old fashioned one liners and some over the top scenes (in this case mainly having to do with Lindsay Lohan). The prologue starts out with Machete as a federale and trying to save a girl from Torrez (Steven Seagal in villain mode). He gets double crossed and his family is murdered by Torrez. After the flashy, awesome opening credits, we see Machete three years later as a laborer in Texas, where he gets another job offer, and another double cross. He is asked to assassinate the Senator (Robert DeNiro) who is trying to build a giant electric fence in order to keep immigrants out (I know, cartoonish). Basically, after that, it is all about revenge and Machete, while kicking major butt, manages to find time to get the girls. Jessica Alba is Jessica Alba in this movie, and Michelle Rodriguez has delivered her best performance in this movie as She'. Lindsay Lohan was out of place in this movie, but basically showed her true self I suppose. Steven Seagal was his usual tough guy, donning a Mexican accent and doing some cool fight scenes with Machete with a samarai sword. I guess he was busy working on this movie, since he was not in Stallone's The Expendables. The other supporting actors, Jeff Fahey (you might remember him from The Lawnmower Man) and Cheech Merin as Machete's brother who is a Priest. Everyone was good in this movie and the action just kept on coming. Warning though, this movie does not sugar coat anything, meaning, there are some of the goriest scenes. In one scene, let's just say you will never look at intestines the same way again. Overall, its a good old fashion man's action movie, and who knows, they might make sequels!
I remember in 2007 when "Grindhouse" came out. It was the Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino double feature that was an homage to the old 80s horror movies and cinema. It contained an 80s like horror movie and an old fashioned 80s action movie. It even included some fake commercials and fake movie trailers that added to the 80s feel and experience. I remember the fake trailers were my favorite part of this three and a half hour experience. The main favorite trailer being "Machete", the fake trailer that got the audiences wishing it was a real movie. The good news is, it was actually made into a movie and it was directed by Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico). He directs this the way he always directs his movies, non stop action with old fashioned one liners and some over the top scenes (in this case mainly having to do with Lindsay Lohan). The prologue starts out with Machete as a federale and trying to save a girl from Torrez (Steven Seagal in villain mode). He gets double crossed and his family is murdered by Torrez. After the flashy, awesome opening credits, we see Machete three years later as a laborer in Texas, where he gets another job offer, and another double cross. He is asked to assassinate the Senator (Robert DeNiro) who is trying to build a giant electric fence in order to keep immigrants out (I know, cartoonish). Basically, after that, it is all about revenge and Machete, while kicking major butt, manages to find time to get the girls. Jessica Alba is Jessica Alba in this movie, and Michelle Rodriguez has delivered her best performance in this movie as She'. Lindsay Lohan was out of place in this movie, but basically showed her true self I suppose. Steven Seagal was his usual tough guy, donning a Mexican accent and doing some cool fight scenes with Machete with a samarai sword. I guess he was busy working on this movie, since he was not in Stallone's The Expendables. The other supporting actors, Jeff Fahey (you might remember him from The Lawnmower Man) and Cheech Merin as Machete's brother who is a Priest. Everyone was good in this movie and the action just kept on coming. Warning though, this movie does not sugar coat anything, meaning, there are some of the goriest scenes. In one scene, let's just say you will never look at intestines the same way again. Overall, its a good old fashion man's action movie, and who knows, they might make sequels!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Jonah Hex
"Jonah Hex" B
There are two words that typically make me excited about movies. If the genre of a movie is a western, it usually makes me want to see it. If the genre of a movie is superheroes, it makes me really want to see it. I had the pleasure of seeing this movie with my wife Corrine. Yes she actually sat through the whole movie with me. I love you babe! Imagine a movie that has the words "western" and "superhero" in it. You get a movie like "Jonah Hex". The movie had a lot of issues with production and took a while to make. They even had a different actor try on the makeup and the costume. But that didn't work because they pulled out and the original director pulled out too. Two years later, out of nowhere, we get the DC comics superhero western. In the role of Jonah Hex is Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men, W., American Gangster) and he does a really good job as the scarred bounty hunter. In other roles, we have Megan Fox (Transformers) as a saloon girl prostitute who is also Hex's girlfriend, and John Malkovich (Changeling, In the Line of Fire) as Quentin Turnbull, the villain who murdered Hex's family. The acting is certainly not going to be up for Academy Awards but overall it is a fun action western. In fact, the movie is also one of the shortest movies I have seen in recent memory. It also has one of the coolest opening credits and opening scene too. With a running time of an hour and twenty one minutes, there is not much character development, other than Jonah Hex's family life and Civil War days. In the comic books, Jonah Hex is just a regular bounty hunter anti hero. In this one, he is an anti hero with supernatural powers. I don't recall that in the comic books I have read, but I don't know. The whole movie, Jonah Hex is set on revenge and that makes the movie fast paced. He seems to be riding his horse with his dog pal to all of these different states in a short length of time. It is a good western with a lot of action and Josh Brolin pulls the role off, but the whole time watching it, I couldn't help but think this movie is Ghost Rider and Wild Wild West combined. Not that I am complaining because I like those movies, but it was just funny to me. It is an awesome, short and sweet summer superhero action movie that will probably be overpowered at the box office by Toy Story 3, but I liked it just the same. I have read some of the comic book stories and enjoy Jonah Hex's adventures. It is a classic spaghetti western with superhero elements in it, and that suits me just fine.
There are two words that typically make me excited about movies. If the genre of a movie is a western, it usually makes me want to see it. If the genre of a movie is superheroes, it makes me really want to see it. I had the pleasure of seeing this movie with my wife Corrine. Yes she actually sat through the whole movie with me. I love you babe! Imagine a movie that has the words "western" and "superhero" in it. You get a movie like "Jonah Hex". The movie had a lot of issues with production and took a while to make. They even had a different actor try on the makeup and the costume. But that didn't work because they pulled out and the original director pulled out too. Two years later, out of nowhere, we get the DC comics superhero western. In the role of Jonah Hex is Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men, W., American Gangster) and he does a really good job as the scarred bounty hunter. In other roles, we have Megan Fox (Transformers) as a saloon girl prostitute who is also Hex's girlfriend, and John Malkovich (Changeling, In the Line of Fire) as Quentin Turnbull, the villain who murdered Hex's family. The acting is certainly not going to be up for Academy Awards but overall it is a fun action western. In fact, the movie is also one of the shortest movies I have seen in recent memory. It also has one of the coolest opening credits and opening scene too. With a running time of an hour and twenty one minutes, there is not much character development, other than Jonah Hex's family life and Civil War days. In the comic books, Jonah Hex is just a regular bounty hunter anti hero. In this one, he is an anti hero with supernatural powers. I don't recall that in the comic books I have read, but I don't know. The whole movie, Jonah Hex is set on revenge and that makes the movie fast paced. He seems to be riding his horse with his dog pal to all of these different states in a short length of time. It is a good western with a lot of action and Josh Brolin pulls the role off, but the whole time watching it, I couldn't help but think this movie is Ghost Rider and Wild Wild West combined. Not that I am complaining because I like those movies, but it was just funny to me. It is an awesome, short and sweet summer superhero action movie that will probably be overpowered at the box office by Toy Story 3, but I liked it just the same. I have read some of the comic book stories and enjoy Jonah Hex's adventures. It is a classic spaghetti western with superhero elements in it, and that suits me just fine.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Letters to Juliet
"Letters to Juliet" A-
Love stories are a popular genre in cinema. They tend to inspire loved ones to go out there and believe in true love. Love stories can be romantic, they can be comedies, or they can be tragedies, for example, William Shakespeare's popular works of literature. It is appropriate, in my opinion, to make a feel good movie about how true love can prevail, even after 50 years. Today on Mother's Day, I got to pleasure to attend a sneak preview for free of "Letters to Juliet" with my wife. The movie doesn't open until Friday May 14th, but some lucky viewers got to watch this one today. In my opinion, it was a really good love story with some funny moments, sad moments and romantic moments. The movie stars Amanda Seyfried (Dear John, Mamma Mia!), Christopher Egan (Eragon) and Gael García Bernal (Babel). Sophie, Amandas Seyfried's character, travels to Verona, Italy with her fiancee for a pre honeymoon. Basically instead of a vacation, he treats it as a business trip for his new restaurant. They are apart for most of this vacation and they just seem to be okay with it. Sophie then joins a club that answers letters to Juliet and she finds a letter that was written 50 years ago. She writes and sends it and low and behold, Charlie (Christopher Egan) shows up and is angry with her. However, Charlie's grandmother wants to help and her companionship. She is looking for her long lost love, Lorenzo Bartolini. Its a very good story and the scenery of the vineyards of Italy are breathtaking. They are so beautiful and it really makes you want to take a vacation to Italy, not to mention eat Italian food. It is the perfect feel good movie and it is also the perfect date movie.
Love stories are a popular genre in cinema. They tend to inspire loved ones to go out there and believe in true love. Love stories can be romantic, they can be comedies, or they can be tragedies, for example, William Shakespeare's popular works of literature. It is appropriate, in my opinion, to make a feel good movie about how true love can prevail, even after 50 years. Today on Mother's Day, I got to pleasure to attend a sneak preview for free of "Letters to Juliet" with my wife. The movie doesn't open until Friday May 14th, but some lucky viewers got to watch this one today. In my opinion, it was a really good love story with some funny moments, sad moments and romantic moments. The movie stars Amanda Seyfried (Dear John, Mamma Mia!), Christopher Egan (Eragon) and Gael García Bernal (Babel). Sophie, Amandas Seyfried's character, travels to Verona, Italy with her fiancee for a pre honeymoon. Basically instead of a vacation, he treats it as a business trip for his new restaurant. They are apart for most of this vacation and they just seem to be okay with it. Sophie then joins a club that answers letters to Juliet and she finds a letter that was written 50 years ago. She writes and sends it and low and behold, Charlie (Christopher Egan) shows up and is angry with her. However, Charlie's grandmother wants to help and her companionship. She is looking for her long lost love, Lorenzo Bartolini. Its a very good story and the scenery of the vineyards of Italy are breathtaking. They are so beautiful and it really makes you want to take a vacation to Italy, not to mention eat Italian food. It is the perfect feel good movie and it is also the perfect date movie.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Iron Man 2
"Iron Man 2" A-
The summer movie season has officially started and there seems to be a new trend every year. We get the opportunity to see a Marvel superhero in action as the summer movie kick off. Am I complaining? Not at all! Two years ago, a superhero movie was released and that was when we first heard that Robert Downey Jr. was playing Industrialist Billionaire Tony Stark AKA Iron Man. I was skeptical at first at how he would play the role, but he surprised me by bringing charisma and heroism to the role. Two years later, we get a sequel appropriately titled Iron Man 2. Director Jon Favreau returns to the director's chair and brings back most of the cast and then some. Robert Downey Jr. returns (way more cocky than he was in the first one), Don Cheadle plays Jim Rhodes AKA War Machine (replacing Terrance Howard from the first movie), Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts and a couple more familiar faces. We also get many people added to the cast. Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko/Whiplash and the predictably cast Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Basically this one starts right where the first one left off, showing once again Tony Stark's "I am Iron Man" speech. Then we get introduced immediately to Ivan Vanko. After he loses his father, he wants revenge on Tony Stark because their fathers were business partners. You see how much he wants to defeat him in a rousing action scene at the Monaco Grand Prix. Whiplash definitely is a darker villain than Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger played by Jeff Bridges in the first movie. After that scene, things get more complicated for Tony. His best friend Rhodey betrays him, the US Government is on his case about taking possession of his suits. In Iron Man, we see the Mark I, II and III. In this one, we see the Mark IV, V and VI. The suit coming out of the suitcase is pretty awesome. The movie is bigger, louder and way more action packed than the first one. That is all well and good, but the main thing this sequel lacks is the charm of the first one. Tony seems more cocky and pompous this time, although he still has some good one liners. It has a darker, more complex story. It even goes into more about his relationship with his father, Howard Stark. The climactic battle is sure to be exciting for fans, especially in IMAX. Lots of explosions, lot of drones and the awesome team up of Iron Man and War Machine. Of course, we get not only a hint at a 3rd Iron Man movie, but we are getting more and more hints of the Avengers movie. In fact, there are two teasers of the "certain weapons" of the Avengers. Be sure to stay after the end credits. You get a very nice teaser then. As for the other teaser, It will make you even more excited for the Avengers movie. Overall, this sequel has enough firepower and action to kick off the summer movie season. I was impressed and the Marvel superhero movies keep getting more and more awesome every year.
The summer movie season has officially started and there seems to be a new trend every year. We get the opportunity to see a Marvel superhero in action as the summer movie kick off. Am I complaining? Not at all! Two years ago, a superhero movie was released and that was when we first heard that Robert Downey Jr. was playing Industrialist Billionaire Tony Stark AKA Iron Man. I was skeptical at first at how he would play the role, but he surprised me by bringing charisma and heroism to the role. Two years later, we get a sequel appropriately titled Iron Man 2. Director Jon Favreau returns to the director's chair and brings back most of the cast and then some. Robert Downey Jr. returns (way more cocky than he was in the first one), Don Cheadle plays Jim Rhodes AKA War Machine (replacing Terrance Howard from the first movie), Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts and a couple more familiar faces. We also get many people added to the cast. Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko/Whiplash and the predictably cast Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Basically this one starts right where the first one left off, showing once again Tony Stark's "I am Iron Man" speech. Then we get introduced immediately to Ivan Vanko. After he loses his father, he wants revenge on Tony Stark because their fathers were business partners. You see how much he wants to defeat him in a rousing action scene at the Monaco Grand Prix. Whiplash definitely is a darker villain than Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger played by Jeff Bridges in the first movie. After that scene, things get more complicated for Tony. His best friend Rhodey betrays him, the US Government is on his case about taking possession of his suits. In Iron Man, we see the Mark I, II and III. In this one, we see the Mark IV, V and VI. The suit coming out of the suitcase is pretty awesome. The movie is bigger, louder and way more action packed than the first one. That is all well and good, but the main thing this sequel lacks is the charm of the first one. Tony seems more cocky and pompous this time, although he still has some good one liners. It has a darker, more complex story. It even goes into more about his relationship with his father, Howard Stark. The climactic battle is sure to be exciting for fans, especially in IMAX. Lots of explosions, lot of drones and the awesome team up of Iron Man and War Machine. Of course, we get not only a hint at a 3rd Iron Man movie, but we are getting more and more hints of the Avengers movie. In fact, there are two teasers of the "certain weapons" of the Avengers. Be sure to stay after the end credits. You get a very nice teaser then. As for the other teaser, It will make you even more excited for the Avengers movie. Overall, this sequel has enough firepower and action to kick off the summer movie season. I was impressed and the Marvel superhero movies keep getting more and more awesome every year.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Kick-Ass
"Kick-Ass" B+
How come nobody has ever tried to be a superhero? That is the question that Dave Lizewski poses to his friends in the first 5 minutes of the movie. Honestly when I heard him say that, I kind of wondered it myself. I mean, wouldn't it be cool to get a costume, give yourself a cool superhero name and go out into the world and help people? Yes it sounds like an awesome idea. However, we are quickly brought into reality with this movie. Not long after Dave buys the $99 wetsuit does he get taught a true lesson in superheroism (he gets stabbed and then hit by a car). Even after that though, he goes out and fights again and actually saves someone on a convenience store parking lot. That is when the movie takes an unexpected turn. There really are superheroes out there that are well trained and know what they are doing. They are named Hit Girl and Big Daddy and they steal the show in my opinion. The twist of the movie comes in when Red Mist comes into the picture, appropriately played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse (also known as McLovin). It has some similarities to the popular graphic novel written by Mark Millar, but overall, it has a very different feel. I would have been surprised if the MPAA allowed the ending of the graphic novel to even be on screen. I really enjoyed this movie. It had a really good story, emotion and some funny parts (mainly from Dave's best friends). And of course, there is the love interest who thinks he is gay. That plays a big role in the movie too. I found this movie to be a good take on the superhero genre and I enjoyed the action scenes and the costumes. The movie has a Tarantino feel to it too, especially when Hit Girl and Big Daddy are on screen. Mark Strong also plays the villain once again, like he usually does in his movies (Sherlock Holmes and the upcoming Robin Hood). He seems to be the go to guy to play villains. I can see why, he really does make it work. So the important question is, does Kick-Ass kick ass? Absolutely! It's a fun movie and I recommend it!
How come nobody has ever tried to be a superhero? That is the question that Dave Lizewski poses to his friends in the first 5 minutes of the movie. Honestly when I heard him say that, I kind of wondered it myself. I mean, wouldn't it be cool to get a costume, give yourself a cool superhero name and go out into the world and help people? Yes it sounds like an awesome idea. However, we are quickly brought into reality with this movie. Not long after Dave buys the $99 wetsuit does he get taught a true lesson in superheroism (he gets stabbed and then hit by a car). Even after that though, he goes out and fights again and actually saves someone on a convenience store parking lot. That is when the movie takes an unexpected turn. There really are superheroes out there that are well trained and know what they are doing. They are named Hit Girl and Big Daddy and they steal the show in my opinion. The twist of the movie comes in when Red Mist comes into the picture, appropriately played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse (also known as McLovin). It has some similarities to the popular graphic novel written by Mark Millar, but overall, it has a very different feel. I would have been surprised if the MPAA allowed the ending of the graphic novel to even be on screen. I really enjoyed this movie. It had a really good story, emotion and some funny parts (mainly from Dave's best friends). And of course, there is the love interest who thinks he is gay. That plays a big role in the movie too. I found this movie to be a good take on the superhero genre and I enjoyed the action scenes and the costumes. The movie has a Tarantino feel to it too, especially when Hit Girl and Big Daddy are on screen. Mark Strong also plays the villain once again, like he usually does in his movies (Sherlock Holmes and the upcoming Robin Hood). He seems to be the go to guy to play villains. I can see why, he really does make it work. So the important question is, does Kick-Ass kick ass? Absolutely! It's a fun movie and I recommend it!
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Wolfman
"The Wolfman" B
Nothing says I love you like a movie about a werewolf terrorizing a village. This Valetine's Day, we got three different kinds of movies. That is basically the rule on Valentine's Day weekend. We get a romantic comedy/love story, a family movie and a scary/action movie. Last year, around this time, we got He's Just Not that Into You, Confessions of a Shopaholic and the Friday the 13th remake. This year, we got Valentine's Day, with just about every actor in Hollywood starring it (a really good movie by the way), Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and the scary/action movie is The Wolfman. This movie is fun and it was made like the old 1950's monster movies. This remake was directed by Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III, Hidalgo, The Rocketeer), and it has an all star academy award winning cast of Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving. While the acting might not get academy award recognition, the performances are enough to keep the story interesting. It starts out with a violent prologue and then gets into the story immediately right after the old fashion and cool opening credits. It is a classic remake of a classic monster movie and it is a good date movie.
Nothing says I love you like a movie about a werewolf terrorizing a village. This Valetine's Day, we got three different kinds of movies. That is basically the rule on Valentine's Day weekend. We get a romantic comedy/love story, a family movie and a scary/action movie. Last year, around this time, we got He's Just Not that Into You, Confessions of a Shopaholic and the Friday the 13th remake. This year, we got Valentine's Day, with just about every actor in Hollywood starring it (a really good movie by the way), Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and the scary/action movie is The Wolfman. This movie is fun and it was made like the old 1950's monster movies. This remake was directed by Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III, Hidalgo, The Rocketeer), and it has an all star academy award winning cast of Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving. While the acting might not get academy award recognition, the performances are enough to keep the story interesting. It starts out with a violent prologue and then gets into the story immediately right after the old fashion and cool opening credits. It is a classic remake of a classic monster movie and it is a good date movie.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sherlock Holmes
"Sherlock Holmes" B
There is something interesting about mysteries, isn't there? It has entertainment value, but in the process, it makes you think and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. You never know what is going to happen next, but you keep venturing guesses as to what is going to happen or who the culprit is in a mystery. That is pretty much what its all about with Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes adventures. They are all about mysteries. In the movie version, directed by Guy Richie starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. we not only get a mystery, but we also get a blockbuster action movie with an awesome score by Hans Zimmer. The score by Hans Zimmer is very similar to his music in Pirate of the Caribbean. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect as Sherlock Holmes, displaying once again his charisma and increasing maturity as an actor. Jude Law is his usual self as Dr. Watson, Holmes's sidekick. In this movie though, he isn't just a sidekick, he kicks butt along side his trusted mentor. The movie has the action and the thrills, especially in a fight scene on a constructed tower between Holmes and Blackwood. My favorite scenes were when Sherlock would imagine his attack before actually doing it. It because Sherlock Holmes mixed in with The Matrix! I was quite impressed! The movie flirts with the line of complete goofiness, but doesn't exceed it. It is funny when it has to be and it is action packed and suspensful when it has to be. Your question may be right now, so do you recommend this movie? Yes absolutely!
There is something interesting about mysteries, isn't there? It has entertainment value, but in the process, it makes you think and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. You never know what is going to happen next, but you keep venturing guesses as to what is going to happen or who the culprit is in a mystery. That is pretty much what its all about with Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes adventures. They are all about mysteries. In the movie version, directed by Guy Richie starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. we not only get a mystery, but we also get a blockbuster action movie with an awesome score by Hans Zimmer. The score by Hans Zimmer is very similar to his music in Pirate of the Caribbean. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect as Sherlock Holmes, displaying once again his charisma and increasing maturity as an actor. Jude Law is his usual self as Dr. Watson, Holmes's sidekick. In this movie though, he isn't just a sidekick, he kicks butt along side his trusted mentor. The movie has the action and the thrills, especially in a fight scene on a constructed tower between Holmes and Blackwood. My favorite scenes were when Sherlock would imagine his attack before actually doing it. It because Sherlock Holmes mixed in with The Matrix! I was quite impressed! The movie flirts with the line of complete goofiness, but doesn't exceed it. It is funny when it has to be and it is action packed and suspensful when it has to be. Your question may be right now, so do you recommend this movie? Yes absolutely!
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