Mikey @ the Movies!

2009 Update

2009-02-03T19:41:00.003-07:00

Hey everyone! So I'm still keeping my Mikey @ The Movies: 2009 Edition afloat. Nowhere near the way I had it in 2008, but I at least want to keep you updated on the few films I do see. So please mosey on over there to see my mini-review updates and please add yourselves as followers if you want!

Just click here to go to the new blog: 2009

Oh and I WILL be announcing my winners for my 2008 awards in the next two weeks! I'll keep you posted!

First Annual Mikey @ The Movies Best of the Year Awards

2009-01-03T09:37:00.001-07:00

The First Annual
Mikey At The Movies Awards

And the Nominees are:

Best Dramatic Motion Picture:

Dark Knight, The
Doubt
Reader, The
Slumdog Millionaire
Wrestler, The

Best Comedic or Musical Motion Picture:

Burn After Reading
Ghost Town
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Tropic Thunder

Best Independent Motion Picture: (Not already nominated in the Dramatic category)

· Boy A
Rachel Getting Married
· Snow Angels
· Special
· Visitor, The

Best Animated or Family Motion Picture:

Bolt
City of Ember
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Kung Fu Panda
Wall E

Best Documentary Feature:

Encounters at the End of the World
Man on Wire
Standard Operating Procedure

Best Foreign Language Motion Picture:

· Let the Right One In (Låt den Rätte Komma in)

· Orphanage, The (El Orfanato)

Best Other Genre Motion Picture:

Incredible Hulk, The
Iron Man
Signal, The
Strangers, The
Wanted

Best Director:

Boyle, Danny for Slumdog Millionaire
Daldry, Stephen for Reader, The
Howard, Ron for Frost/Nixon
Nolan, Christopher for Dark Knight, The
Shanley, John Patrick for Doubt

Best Original Screenplay:

Docter, Pete & Stanton, Andrew for Wall E
Leigh, Mike for Happy-Go-Lucky
Lumet, Jenny for Rachel Getting Married
McDonagh, Martin for In Bruges
Siegel, Robert D. for Wrestler, The

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Beaufoy, Simon for Slumdog Millionaire
Gordon Green, David for Snow Angels
Hare, David for Reader, The
Nolan, Christopher & Nolan, Jonathon for Dark Knight, The
Shanley, John Patrick for Doubt

Best Film Editing:

Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The
Dark Knight, The
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Cinematography:

Changeling
Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The
Dark Knight, The
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Musical Score:

Changeling
Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The
Dark Knight, The
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Special Effects:

Cloverfield
Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The
Dark Knight, The
Incredible Hulk, The
Iron Man

Best Sound Effects & Sound Editing:

Dark Knight, The
Iron Man
Strangers, The
Wall E
Wanted

Best Art Direction & Best Set Designs:

Changeling
Frost/Nixon
Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Best Costuming & Best Make-Up:

Changeling
Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The
Frost/Nixon
Reader, The
Revolutionary Road

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

Dicaprio, Leonardo for Revolutionary Road
Jenkins, Richard for Visitor, The
Langella, Frank for Frost/Nixon
Rockwell, Sam for Snow Angels
Rourke, Mickey for Wrestler, The

Best Actress in a Leading Role:

Beckinsale, Kate for Snow Angels
Hathaway, Anne for Rachel Getting Married
Hawkins, Sally for Happy-Go-Lucky
Streep, Meryl for Doubt
Winslet, Kate for Revolutionary Road

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Downey Jr., Robert for Tropic Thunder
Eckhart, Aaron for Dark Knight, The
Hoffman, Phillip Seymour for Doubt
Ledger, Heath for Dark Knight, The
Shannon, Michael for Revolutionary Road

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

Davis, Viola for Doubt
DeWitt, Rosemarie for Rachel Getting Married
Henson, Taraji P. for Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Tomei, Marisa for Wrestler, The
Winslet, Kate for Reader, The

Best Comedic or Musical Performance: (Not already nominated in other categories)

Clooney, George for Burn After Reading
Gervais, Ricky for Ghost Town
McDormand, Frances for Burn After Reading
Pitt, Brad for Burn After Reading
Vaughn, Vince for Four Christmases

Best Performance by a Young Actor or Actress: (20 or younger)

Butterfield, Asa for Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The
Hederbrant, Kare for Let the Right One In (Låt den Rätte Komma in)
Khedekar, Ayush Mahesh for Slumdog Millionaire
Leandersson, Lina for Let the Right One In (Låt den Rätte Komma in)
Patel, Dev for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Cameo or Limited Role Performance:

Cruise, Tom for Tropic Thunder
Fernandez, Karina for Happy-Go-Lucky
Simmons, J.K. for Burn After Reading
Voight, Jon for Four Christmases
Wiig, Kristen for Ghost Town

Best Ensemble Cast for a Motion Picture:

Burn After Reading
Dark Knight, The
Doubt
Rachel Getting Married
Revolutionary Road

SPECIAL CATEGORY: Best Straight-to-DVD or Made for TV Feature:

24: Redemption
An American Crime
Lazarus Project, The
Otis
Purple Violets

The Top Fifteen Films of 2008!

2009-01-01T19:24:00.001-07:00

The First Annual

Mikey At The Movies

Top Fifteen Films of the Year

2008 Edition

I’m not a professional film critic, so I don’t really have to follow the guidelines they set for themselves. Every year most critics release their “Top Ten” films of the year. I wanted to be a bit different, for no reason. So I decided to do a “Top Fifteen” films of the year! And here are my choices, in alphabetical order:

Ø The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ø The Dark Knight

Ø Doubt

Ø Frost/Nixon

Ø Happy-Go-Lucky

Ø In Bruges

Ø Let the Right One In (Låt den Rätte Komma in)

Ø Rachel Getting Married

Ø The Reader

Ø Revolutionary Road

Ø Slumdog Millionaire

Ø Snow Angels

Ø The Visitor

Ø WALL E

Ø The Wrestler

The First Annual Worst of the Year Awards: 2008

2008-12-31T17:33:00.002-07:00

The First Annual
Mikey At The Movies Awards
The Icky Side of Film Edition

Worst “Dramatic” Motion Picture:

21
My Blueberry Nights
Noise
Quid Pro Quo
Redbelt

Worst “Comedic” Motion Picture:

Definitely, Maybe
Mad Money
Meet the Spartans
Step Brothers
Witless Protection

Worst Other Genre Motion Picture:

88 Minutes
10,000 B.C.
Day the Earth Stood Still, The
One Missed Call
Passengers

Worst Direction:

21
88 Minutes
Passengers
Rambo
Witless Protection

Worst Screenplay:

88 Minutes
Day the Earth Stood Still, The
Meet Dave
Quid Pro Quo
Witless Protection

Worst Film Making (Score, Cinematography, Art Direction, Etc.)

88 Minutes
Meet the Spartans
Passengers
Quid Pro Quo
Witless Protection

Worst Actor in a Leading Role:

Faris, Sean for Never Back Down
Larry the Cable Guy for Witless Protection
Pacino, Al for 88 Minutes
Stallone, Sylvester for Rambo
Wahlberg, Mark for Happening, The

Worst Actress in a Leading Role:

Farmiga, Vera for Quid Pro Quo
Keaton, Diane for Mad Money
Mortimer, Emily for Redbelt
Snow, Brittany for Prom Night
Sossamon, Shannyn for One Missed Call

Worst Actor in a Supporting Role:

Gigandet, Cam for Never Back Down
O’Hara, David for Doomsday
Osmond, Donny for College Road Trip
Spacey, Kevin for 21
Wilson, Patrick for Passengers

Worst Actress in a Supporting Role:

Deschanel, Zooey for Happening, The
Heard, Amber for Never Back Down
Holmes, Katie for Mad Money
Sobieski, LeeLee for 88 Minutes
Witt, Alicia for 88 Minutes

Worst Casting for a Motion Picture:

21
88 Minutes
Happening, The
Never Back Down
Witless Protection

SPECIAL CATEGORY: Worst Straight-To-DVD Feature:

Asylum
Automaton Transfusion
Bone Eater, The
Insanitarium
Rest Stop: Don’t Look Back

The Bottom Fifteen Films of 2008!

2008-12-30T20:30:00.001-07:00

The First Annual
Mikey At The Movies
Bottom Fifteen Films of the Year
2008 Edition

Ø 21

Ø 88 Minutes

Ø 10,000 B.C.

Ø The Day the Earth Stood Still

Ø Disaster Movie

Ø Mad Money

Ø Meet the Spartans

Ø Never Back Down

Ø One Missed Call

Ø Passengers

Ø Quid Pro Quo

Ø Rambo

Ø Redbelt

Ø Step Brothers

Ø Witless Protection

To my readers:

2008-12-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

I am sorry to announce that this will be my only Mikey @ The Movies blog. I've decided that movies are not as important in my life as I may think they are. Yes, I will continue to see movies but I will no longer post my reviews. The reviews have taken a huge chunk out of my personal life, as well as the 179 movies I saw this past year. I used any ounce of free time I had to watch movies and post reviews and my life suffered from it. Next year I only plan to see a max of 50 movies. I'm also dropping most of my TV shows so I can free up more time for myself.

I just wanted to send a thank you to all of you who read my reviews. Thank you for taking the time to read them and comment. This may not be end for Mikey @ The Movies, I may just need a year break. I may even post my end of the year awards for 2009, I don't know yet. But again, my thanks goes out to you and happy movies to you all!

**My 2008 Awards and top fifteen lists will still be released this week**

The Wrestler

2008-12-29T11:45:00.001-07:00

The Wrestler

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 49 mins

Cast:

Mickey Rourke
Marisa Tomei
Evan Rachel Wood

Critical Consensus:

**** out of *****
(98%!!! Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

****1/2 out ******

The Premise:

A drama centered on retired professional wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson as he makes his way through the independent circuit, trying to get back in the game for one final showdown with his former rival.

MY REVIEW

I've never been into the wrestling craze. Before or after people realized it was all fake. I've seen a few films that center around wrestling. 'The Wrestler' is easily the best wrestling movie I've seen. It's actually quite a beautiful and stunning film with terrific performances.

The film follows "The Ram" a very popular wrestler from the 80's who's now living in present day doing gigs on the weekends and living a regular life on the weekdays. He works at a "Costco" type store, lives either in a trailer or sometimes out of his van. He's estranged from his daughter. His only connection to the outside world is a stripper named Cassidy. He's essentially a nobody at this point, and his life basically sucks. He misses the thrill of wrestling for huge crowds. Wrestling is his life, and when he tries to break free from that is when his life goes downhill. He made bad choices. He got into drugs and steroids. His heart begins to fail. He never sees his daughter. He tries to live this outside life, but he always goes back to wrestling. It's as if wrestling is his addiction.

This was a fantastically written story that shows the other side to these old time wrestlers. I loved how they showed us the wrestlers planning how each match would go. They showed us that these wrestlers who hated each other in the ring, were close friends on the outside of the ring. The film never once tries to make us think for a moment that wrestling was real. There's no buildups to any climatic wrestling matches. This story is about this man who's life got ruined because wrestling is his passion. It's a very sad story, almost depressing. This wrestler has broken down, and tries so hard to pick up all the pieces, but he just can't. His life sucks, and it will never be truly happy as long he's outside the ring. It was just a wonderfully written screenplay that showcased the fact that everyone's human. Everyone makes mistakes. Even these big tough guys who you think can never break down. It was so moving watching Randy "The Ram" try to live this life he's created for himself. Trying to reconcile with his daughter, but he just can't manage to do it. Even after all the begging, and the speeches this man is lost. The only thing he can win anymore is a staged fight in a wrestling ring. That's a bit haunting at times, if you ask me. The story does tend to drag on at times, and that's really my only downside. But otherwise, just a brilliant screenplay!

Mickey Rourke really has delivered a tour de force film performance here. He has proven you do not have to be flashy, you don't have to go all out to deliver a remarkable, sincere and unforgettable performance. He plays this deeply scarred character with such bottled up emotion and you can see that in his eyes. The times when he just lets lose and reveals his emotions are some of the most simple but most moving scenes in the film. This was a brilliant performance that could have been to much or over the top, but Rourke played it like an absolute champ. Also great was Oscar winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, In the Bedroom) who could very see herself with a third Oscar nomination with this performance. She plays a stripper, and this is the type of role that has been showcased in years past as being to flashy. A lot of the times these actresses who play strippers really go for a knock out "look at me, I'm a stripper, I'm at my lowest point" performance. But Tomei, like Rourke plays this role with such realism. She humanizes this character. You really feel for her. She never has a big, showy scene but her performance still managed to be quite superb and I applaud her.

The Wrestler is a remarkable and incredibly made film. When it gets wider release you should all go see. Even if you are not a fan of wrestling, this is still a film you should see. It's one of the most simple, realistic and down to earth films you will see this year. Full of characters you can feel something for. A story a lot of people can vaguely relate too. This was a brilliant film.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Wrestler

*This is the 179th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

To the SAG members, We strike YOU!

2008-12-28T20:58:00.005-07:00

Shut up SAG jerks!

How can SAG members have the RIGHT to complain about getting paid more money?!? I barely get by in my life with my $11.76 an hour. I live paycheck to paycheck, and almost never have money to treat myself to anything. But guess what, I make due and live a selfless life. You stupid actors are the single most selfish individuals on the Earth. Oh and guess what? I don't have any health insurance, and I have plenty of health issues. But guess what I'm still alive and kicking!

Go to www.sag.com and watch the most ridiculous video of your life. There is a clip of actress Alicia Witt begging to SAG members to vote yes on an actors strike. Apparently new contract negotiations failed and an impending strike could happen early next year. Actors are pissed off about new media which includes the internet. They are upset because well they aren't getting paid for their programs that are being aired on Network websites such as NBC, ABC, etc. Oh also they are upset because SAG is trying to stop residuals. Residuals are payments to actors for every re-run of their show that airs. According to the wonderful Alicia Witt actors are ONLY getting paid a measly $23 for their residuals. Only. Oh and when I said wonderful Alicia Witt, I of course meant wonderfully lacking of any remote ability to act. Seriously go see 88 Minutes and witness one of the single worst female performances known to movies. The woman can't act and yet she complains she needs more money for this "talent" of hers. The most she has to say for herself is an Academy of Science Fiction, and Horror Award NOMINATION for Urban Legend. Really Alicia Witt? REALLY?

Meanwhile some people in Africa, Mexico, etc. live off $2 a day for their entire families. I'm considered extremely wealthy to those people. I own a computer, a TV, I make about $500 a paycheck. I'm filthy rich compared to them? And do I feel good about that? NO! I feel awful. Yet these stupid actors demand more money or else they will strike and halt the production of our favorite shows and movies. Well I bring this to the table: How about we just strike right back! I know some of you love TV...but let these SAG people know how much we really don't care and stop watching their crap TV. Let them stop filming. Let them see what it's really like to live paycheck to paycheck. Let them work "crap" jobs like: teacher, pastor, doctor, firefighter, grocery store clerk, bank teller, warehouse worker, maid, garbage man, plumber, janitor. Or better yet, I dare them to try being HOMELESS for a DAY! Sure they can play these types of people on TV, but can they play them in real life?

It's so frustrating, especially in a time where EVERYONE is struggling with money for these group of inconsiderate, selfish people to say they aren't getting paid enough. They aren't getting re-paid for work they've already done! Gee wouldn't that be nice. Wouldn't you like to get paid today for a job you used to have along with the job you are doing now? Man that would be the life! So I say SCREW the SAG!!!!

Let's boycott them! Who's with me?!?

The Tale of Despereaux

2008-12-27T12:15:00.002-07:00

The Tale of Despereaux

Rated G

Running time: 1 hr 40 mins

Voice Cast:

Matthew Broderick
Dustin Hoffman
Emma Watson
Tracey Ullman
Kevin Kline

Critical Consensus:

**1/2 out of *****
(53% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

** out of *****

The Premise:

The tale of three unlikely heroes - a misfit mouse who prefers reading books to eating them, an unhappy rat who schemes to leave the darkness of the dungeon, and a bumbling servant girl with cauliflower ears - whose fates are intertwined with that of the castle's princess.

MY REVIEW

'The Tale of Despereaux' tells quite a boring tale if you ask me. I had a very hard time staying focused on the movie. I think for an animated childrens film, 'Despereaux' may have suffered most from an overly "complicated" story. No I don't mean it was difficult to understand, just that it was too busy and I think ultimately would just distract kids. These types of movies should have fairly simple stories with simple dialogue. Or at least lovable characters. This one really didn't have enough of any of those things. It did however have some great animation, I will definitely give it that much praise. But other than that, there is too much more to say. 'Despereaux' is simply to boring and has to much going on. It wasn't all that fun.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Despereaux

*This is the 178th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Doubt

2008-12-27T12:00:00.003-07:00

Doubt

Rated PG-13

Running time: 1 hr 44 mins

Cast:

Meryl Streep
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Amy Adams
Viola Davis

Critical Consensus:

***1/2 out of *****
(73% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

The Premise:

Set in 1964, Doubt centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him abusing a black student. He denies the charges, and much of the play's quick-fire dialogue tackles themes of religion, morality and authority.

MY REVIEW

In the film 'Doubt' the word doubt is probably said 10-15 times. Some would think that would be a over use of the film's title. But the title is appropriately named, seeing as how the film centers around characters who truly aren't certain about any of their finger pointing. Even the stern Sister Aloysious who's accusing Father Flynn of some serious wrong doing towards an alter boy shows moments of uncertainty in her actions. But one minuscule moments. The movie, if you don't know, is about a head nun/principal at a Catholic school who adamantly tries to get the new priest to confess he "made wrongful advances" on a young black alter boy. He denies it with every ounce of his power. She seems one hundred percent sure he did something very bad. In the middle of this is Sister James who originally told the principal she suspected some wrong doing. However she ends up caught in the middle, and attempts to be the voice of reason. Of a main cast of 3 or 4, Sister James really is the only good person with truly good, God like intentions.

Doubt is one of very best films of 2008, there is simply no question about that. This is a movie I had been looking forward to since the day I saw the preview and I have recently been afraid I would be dissapointed by the outcome. I had been hyping myself up with all the award talk surrounding the film. I am very happy to say that 'Doubt' was just as amazing as I originally expected it to be. The film is based off a play that has won a few Tony Awards. The movie comes to screen with the same feel of a stage play. Some critics were bothered by that, but I thought it worked perfectly. The literal setting never really left the Church. So we weren't bothered by too many sets (which were perfect in the film). It also made the setting very simplistic, and the story never wandered to far out of it's reach where the audience would get distracted. This film stuck to it's story, and we were offered nothing else. No major backgrounds of any of the characters and no elaborate set-up. The story kicked off almost immediately and never once let go of you. This made for an incredibly tense story. It was a great story.

The entire time you honestly have no idea who's side you are on, at least I didn't. The two main characters are both right in their own ways, and also both wrong. Both of them are also not all that lovable. You really don't feel for any of them so it's difficult to take a side when you don't have proof from any of them for their cases. Which makes the title even more perfect, because I too felt this level of uncertainty the entire running of the film. That to me makes for a very suspenseful character drama. A lot of people may wonder how on Earth a drama about a Catholic nun and priest could have any remote levels of excitement. Well then see 'Doubt' and you will know exactly how that could be. Do you ever find out the truth? I'm not going to tell you, but the movie in my opinion concluded absolutely perfectly for the message it was ultimately trying to give to us.

The man who created the play, also brought this film to screen life. He did such a fantastic job with this task. Like I said above, it all looks very simplistic and nothing no set or costume is to elaborate. I don't think it will win any costuming or set design awards, but the movie wasn't supposed to be flashy. Why get distracted by over the top visuals, when the story never calls for it even though it takes place in the 60's. It would be silly. But really this had perfect craftsmanship nonetheless. The camera focused on these characters and their verbal battles which really just got you into what we were watching unfold. Oh and also, an excellent score by Oscar winning composer Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings)!

This may be one of the smallest ensemble casts of the year, but it may very well be one of the best. Oscar winner Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice, Kramer Vs. Kramer) was brilliant! This may actually be one of my favorite Streep performances. Her performance here was incredibly powerful and terrifying. Her character was down-right nasty and scary, and she did a phenomenal job playing a cold hearted you know what! She deserves to WIN an Oscar for this turn! Oscar winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Capote, Charlie Wilson's War) was not to shabby himself. Actually he was incredible and worked perfectly with Streep. He plays his character so creepily, and you never really feel bad for him. When he goes toe to toe with Streep in verbal wars, he is simply amazing and makes you feel so tense! He was excellent!

Oscar nominee Amy Adams (Junebug, Enchanted) was the only character you felt true compassion for. You know what, she may not have been as fierce as the two main characters, but that didn't stop her from delivering one of her best performances to date. She had to play that voice of reason, and in a way she was the character the audience relates to, because we are in the same boat as her. She had her moments of snapping though, and she really shined in this film. I of course have to talk about Viola Davis (Disturbia, Nights in Rodanthe), seeing as how she is garnering a ton of awards and attention for her role in this film. She has but one scene in the entire film, and really she's just a cameo. But her scene may very well be one of the most memorable in the film. She really takes the film and flips it in her one ten minute scene. I won't say what goes down, but her emotional talk with Streep does not go down how you expect it to. You want her to be the victim and the voice of reason, but it's really not what you get. It's actually quite shocking where she takes the film. Her performance for me was incredibly moving and one of the best parts of a brilliant film. For the first time, an actress who went head to head with Meryl Streep out-shined the Oscar winner! She owned that scene, no question. While all the other characters scream at each other, Viola Davis uses a more calmed anger to voice her place in all this. Superbly acted scene in an incredibly well acted film.

This review has gone on a long time, I'm sorry about that. But in time full of colorful and flashy movies garnering all these awards, it's actually quite refreshing to have a film like 'Doubt'. You would think a movie like this, with a cast like this would just be screaming for Oscar, but I never once thought it was just going for awards. I really think this film was made to simply be a great film, and that's exactly what it was.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Doubt

*This is the 177th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Four Christmases

2008-12-26T20:05:00.003-07:00

Four Christmases

Rated PG-13

Running time: 1 hr 21 mins

Cast:

Vince Vaughn
Reese Witherspoon
Robert DuVall
Sissy Spacek
Jon Voight
Mary Steenburgen

Critical Consensus:

** out of *****
(25% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

*** out of *****

The Premise:

A couple struggle to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day.

MY REVIEW

Pleasant surprise alert! Here I was expecting 'Four Christmases' to be just another random and stupid family Christmas film that we see a ton of every holiday season. Well OK it was a family holiday film and it was a bit on the random side. But you know what? It was not stupid. This movie was actually quite hilarious! You know what else? I kinda quite took a liking to this movie. Yes, I will forget about it in maybe a week or two, and it won't be a nominee for my best comedy award. But this movie provided some good, near clean fun that I think families can enjoy.

The movie really nailed dysfunctional families. Obviously they threw in a comedic twist, but the family situation in the film were almost like reality. There were so many awkward moments for the two main characters, but they also made me feel uncomfortable like I was in the rooms with them. I felt bad for all the characters! Babies screaming, dads yelling, crazy moms, off the wall siblings, bizarre step-parents, the works. It's kind of silly to admit, but this movie was somewhat realistic. Now, my family is not like this, but there are families out there that are very similar to what's featured in the film.

The story was probably the weakest part of the film. It follows a long term relationship couple played by Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line, Legally Blonde) and funny man Vince Vaughn (Old School, Wedding Crashers) being forced to visit their divorced parents when they should have been going to Tahiti for Christmas. This couple seems perfect and loving, and we have no reason to believe other wise. Through their family gatherings, they each learn a new thing or two about each other. Some of the stuff is upsetting to them, but nothing really traumatic. Then about 16 or 17 minutes before the film ends, the big fight happens and all these pent up issues arise in a car ride. I was like, "Whoa! To much, to late". The big dilemma of the film happens way to far into the movie, and it get's resolved way to fast. The last 20 minutes felt like one of those half hour sitcoms where a problem happens but then it's solved by the end of the episode. This wasn't really all that bad for the film, but they just tried to incorporate to much sappiness into an otherwise lighthearted family comedy.

This movie was darn funny! I laughed quite a bit! I've never really appreciated Vince Vaughn as a comedic actor. Usually he's in films where his dialog is a bit risque for me, and is just littered with sex crap. Usually I said, not all the time, don't yell at me. To see him here, and act in his Vince Vaughn persona but with clean dialog was just great! He really was the funniest part of the film! The rest of the case was great comedically too. Most of them were mere extended cameos, which was nice. We didn't have to deal with a large cast together with to much screen time.

Hey if you are bored during the holidays and want to go see a fun movie, don't waste your cash on Yes Man I would suggest 'Four Christmases', it's a much better, less forced comedy!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Four Christmases

*This is the 176th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2008-12-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Rated PG-13

Running time: 2 hrs 47 mins

Cast:

Brad Pitt
Cate Blanchett
Taraji P. Henson
Tilda Swinton

Critical Consensus:

***1/2 out of *****
(76% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

****1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.

MY REVIEW

Benjamin Button is a beautiful, epic and absolutely wonderful film clocking in at just under three hours. A film like this needs to be three hours because there is a ton of story to tell and a whole lifetime to show us. This movie is easily one of the most original and also touching concepts of a love story that I've ever seen. The story really proves the point that true love CAN stand the test of time and that beauty isn't just skin deep. Button could have been a creepy story with it at times being about an "older" looking man having the hots for a seven or eight year old. But really the story was told much more delicately than that.

Button really is a unique film. It tells the story of Benjamin Button, who was born an old man in a babies body. He grows like a child does, but ages backwards. So he's about in his mid-eighties when he is born. We seem him grow, have love for his adopted mother, and explore the world. He then meets Daisy, a girl about his age (technically) and a spark grows between the two. The rest of the film follows both characters in their different lives which eventually have them meeting in the middle (age wise) and falling in love. There really is a ton of story in this film, so I won't go on to much about it, but you get the idea now. In terms of the screenplay, it is amazing One of the best storylines of the year. Beautiful dialog and unique characters. A truly original tale of love.

The problem I had with the movie was there was no real emotional depth to the film. It's a near three hour movie, and never once did I feel any connection or sorrow for any of the characters in the film. Not to say they were all one-dimensional, but they weren't fully three dimensional either. Somewhere in the middle. So that when tragedy strikes their lives, I didn't feel bad. I didn't get teary eyed. There's even a part in the film where a central character passes away (of course there's death, this movie takes place over 90 years) but it happens so abruptly and we never had a hint that they were dying. It was one of my favorite characters in the film, but when they died it was like.."Oh...OK" and I didn't feel the heartache of the characters. And other people passed away but not once did I feel ANY emotions over it. The ending of the film did seem a tad rushed, but not to much that I didn't like it. Although there was a storyline that didn't seem to get resolved between a mother and daughter but I won't go into to much detail.

That may sound like enough to ruin the movie, but it did not. I still think this was an incredible movie. First off, it looked stunning. One of the best looking films of the year. I get so excited to see these epic films that span a lifetime because you get to see an array or wondrous set designs and costumes that really add to the feel of a movie like this. And boy oh boy were there some great visuals. Absolutely lavish sets that really brought you back in time. And the film had an amazing musical score that you would expect a film like this to have. Well I was not dissapointed by that aspect. The music captured the essence of the movie, so it was pitch perfect! The aging of Benjamin Button was done masterfully and every new Benjamin we got to see (the oldest and some of the youngest) looked just like Brad Pitt. I don't know exactly how they did this, but it was awesome. The older one was maybe three feet tall, but still had that Pitt face. Freaking movie magic, got to love it right?

A movie like this would not be complete without some brilliant performances, and I felt like it did have some of those. Oscar nominee Brad Pitt has amazed me this year with film's like this and Burn After Reading. I never knew he could be this good. He carries this film all the way to the finish line. He narrates the movie excellently, and when he's on screen you don't really see the Brad Pitt we've all grown to know so well. I feel he immersed himself in this character, and it payed off super well for him. I believe he deserves an Oscar nomination this year (two if you include Burn After Reading). Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (The Aviator, I'm Not There) was in almost the entire film if you think about it. She did play the old woman version too you know. Personally I thought she was brilliant and stunning. I think she deserves her sixth Oscar nomination for this film! Maybe it was that New Orleans accent, I don't know, but she was amazing! She looked beautiful as well, even as she grew a little older. You know who else I loved in this movie, and also deserves some award attention, Taraji P. Wilson (Talk to Me, TV's Boston Legal). She played Benjamin's mother Queenie was such an incredible sweetness and she was so lovable. It was kind of a simple performance, but at the same time she was so great!

Benjamin Button is a must see film in my opinion, even though it is very long. But really for me it didn't feel three hours in length. This movie, which only falters in grabbing an audience emotionally (at least me it didn't), really is a near masterpiece in film making. One of the best movies of the year, and I think it will prove that come Oscar time. Go see Benjamin Button! Great movie!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Benjamin Button

*This is the 175th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Seven Pounds

2008-12-23T14:45:00.003-07:00

Seven Pounds

Rated PG-13

Running time: 1 hr 58 mins

Cast:

Will Smith
Rosario Dawson
Woody Harrelson
Barry Pepper

Critical Consensus:

** out of *****
(28% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

*1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.

MY REVIEW

I don't want to lie or be tricky in my review of this film. I simply did not get or really even care for 'Seven Pounds'. This is one of those movies where the critics really hate it but fans really love it. I don't like to call myself a critic, I like to think I'm more open minded of a film reviewer. But I have to say...I agree with the critics on this movie. It is way to grim but not all that emotional. This really is a fake you out tearjerker that doesn't really even make you cry. I didn't cry. I didn't even get teary eyed or choked up. This movie had zero emotional pull. It did not tug on the strings of my heart. It was weak and by the end all I thought was, "Yeah, OK so what?".

This is strange for me to say, but this movie suffered from not revealing to much in the preview. This has to be one of the most mysterious films of the past decade. I don't think anyone knew what on earth it was about going into the movie based of the trailers. Usually that's great, but here it really faltered from poor advertising. Because nothing about the story was shocking and you can almost see the whole thing coming. Everyone keeps saying there's a big "twist" in the end. Where??? You should have expected it to end the way it did from the very first scene. Yes at the beginning you could have logically thought it wouldn't really go that way, but when it does...how can you be shocked? They dropped obvious hints the ENTIRE movie. So I ask again, what was so "twisty" about this ending?? It should have been touching, but instead it was just blah.

The story was WAY to mysterious for WAY to long. I mean it goes well over an hour before you truly learn exactly why this man is doing what he's doing. The previews advertise that he is supposed to do something miraculous for seven strangers. The film only really focuses on one of them and the rest are mere after thoughts. And I'm confused as to how he even helped one or two of them. He's supposed to be this great man doing great things, but you don't really feel that. By the time it's revealed what he's doing, and honestly there really isn't that much explanation, it's really just disappointing. Was it just me, or was everyone able to predict where this movie was going? I thought the end was kind of a cop out actually.

For a movie that was meant to be very emotional, I had no connection with any of the characters. What's with movies these days focusing WAY to much on story and visuals and not on buttering up their characters through the story to get us as an audience to actually care for them? I didn't care about anyone in this movie, at least not really. Like I said I didn't even get teary eyed. This movie just grazed over it's glossy surface and never dug deep into the real spirit and nature of these characters. So why should we care about them?

Maybe I'm being to harsh here. There were some bright spots. It was filmed excellently and had some great musical scoring. Oscar nominee Will Smith (Ali, Pursuit of Happyness) was very good as expected. Yet not as powerful or as moving as he was in Pursuit of Happyness. His performance was a bit dry at times, but for the most part he was awesome. The brightest spot was Rosario Dawson (Rent, Sin City). I thought she was absolutely incredible throughout this film. I was very pleasantly surprised by her, because she's not one you think would deliver a performance of this caliber. It is kind of a shame this movie is the way it is, or else I think Dawson might have garnered some award attention. Everyone else in the movie seemed to be extended cameos. Even Rosario Dawson didn't seem like a leading lady.

I really hate to say I disliked a Will Smith movie, he is one of my very favorite actors working today. I guess even the greats can't be perfect every time right? Oh well, I know he will step it up next time. But today, Smith severely swung and missed on his choice and movies. I really just didn't care for this film. Yikes, maybe I am becoming a snobby critic! That doesn't mean you shouldn't go see this movie, readers. You may very much like it, a lot of regular audiences genuinely like the film. Just wasn't for me personally.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Seven Pounds

*This is the 174th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Special

2008-12-23T14:15:00.002-07:00

Special

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 18 mins

Cast:

Michael Rapaport
Paul Blackthorne
Josh Peck

Critical Consensus:

*** out of *****
(58% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

****1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

A lonely metermaid has a psychotic reaction to his medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero. A very select group of people in life are truly gifted. Special is a movie about everyone else.

MY REVIEW

'Special' is a incredible movie. Would you ever think you would see an independent "superhero" movie? Probably not! Well this movie is half a superhero movie, considering there aren't any characters with actual super powers. The main character in this film, Les, only thinks he has super powers because he's having an adverse reaction to a trial study medication called "Special". We are told everyone else in the study reacted just fine to the drug, but Les is the rare exception. When his doctor and his friends tell him the drug is making him think he's someone 'special' he doesn't believe them and thinks they are the enemy. Les thinks he can fly, teleport, become invisible, etc. When he displays these things to his friends he's just slamming into walls, falling flat on his face, or just running away but he thinks he has great powers.

It may sound like a comedy, and in a way it is but really this film is a very moving drama. It tells a very sad yet oddly inspirational story with a few deep messages. This film shows us what America has become: a pill popping society. We pop pills to make us different then who we truly are. Some of us have meds to make us happy; some to calm us down; some to make us concentrate, the list goes on. Now a lot of us need these pills to function properly. Heck I take a few pills for seizures and bi-polar disorder. But this movie really displays how dependent we can become on these medications in order for us to live lives we can't make for ourselves. The movie hit the point right on the head, and I thought it was perfect!

This also has another side, a more poignant one. Les is a nobody, he has barely any friends. He has job that people hate or make fun of. He has no girlfriend. He lives alone. He gets pushed around. But once he takes these pills, he becomes someone new. He becomes someone that he thinks people will love and aim all their attention towards. He tries to stop crime (really he's just tackling innocent people because he thinks he read their minds and saw their evil thoughts). Even after he's told what the pills have done to him, he doesn't care he keeps taking them. These pills make him believe that people will like him for who he is. The best part of the movie is when he's being beat down and forced to say he's a nobody. A scene later he confronts these men who do this, and doesn't give up on his battle. He's off the pills, but he keeps taking the violence they throw their way. It was a very moving scene because for the first time in his life, he took control. He realized he didn't need a pill to make him a strong willed person. Les is one of my favorite characters of the year. He was very inspirational. The story was just awesome. It was very well written.

The star of the film is Michael Rapaport (Deep Blue Sea, TV's Prison Break). I've never paid much attention to his career and I've seen him pop up in a few films. He's never been a person I thought could carry a film in a lead role. I was wrong. His portrayal of this deeply scarred and troubled individual who just want's to be noticed was brilliant! One of the best male performances of this year, and I know for a fact it has and will go unnoticed. He plays this character almost like a child, and you feel so bad for him. This guy was so consistently good throughout the entirety of the film, and had some amazing stand out scenes that were very heartwarming. It's a shame he won't get a single ounce of award attention. Well...he will from me!

The film also looks really great. Believe it or not there are special effects in this indi-flick. Not amazing ones, but I think that was kind of intended. It was all shot with such a dark quality, and really set the tone for the film. The direction never once let the audience feel truly happy, but at the same time the movie still put a few smiles on my face. I just thought the movie was excellently shot.

You can find 'Special' on your Cox On Demand if of course you have Cox. I would strongly recommend this movie to all my readers. It really is an excellent film that I honestly believe most people could grow to love and enjoy.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Special

*This is the 173rd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is currently playing in some independent theaters as well as on Cox On Demand!

Yes Man

2008-12-22T22:06:00.002-07:00

Yes Man

Rated PG-13

Running time: 1 hr 43 mins

Cast:

Jim Carrey
Zooey Deschanel
Bradley Cooper

Critical Consensus:

**1/2 out of *****
(43% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

**1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

A guy challenges himself to say "yes" to everything for an entire year.

MY REVIEW

I won't dribble on to much with my review of Yes Man. For me this film was just another forgettable comedy from Jim Carrey (Liar Liar, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). I've actually grown tired of his comedy routine in his films, and I prefer him in dramas now. He actually has the ability to be a fantastic actor when he's serious such as in films like The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine. But he just starts to try to hard in his comedies of late. He doesn't do his over the top thing like he usually does, in this film but there are still hints of it. The weird contorted faces, the high pitched voices, it's all so 90's Jim Carrey. If he is going to continue to do comedy, maybe he should switch it up a bit and be original. Or just stick to drama man!

The movie isn't bad though. It does actually have some funny moments, but I didn't laugh out loud in any aspect of the film. I think a lot of the jokes and whatnot were a tad to awkward or outdated or just simply poorly written. But a few good ones slipped through the cracks. The story also has a good message: be more open to things. You know we live in a world full of "No", "Maybe" and "Sure". Everyone knows when a friend or family member tells you "Maybe" to an invite or just to hang out...they clearly mean "No". People are just to full of themselves or have to many unsure plans to commit to anything outside of their routine. People these days just simply assume they have plans every weekend so they can't say "Yes" to someone outside their normal plans just in case something "better" does come up. You know if you don't have definite, set plans, say "Yes" to someone who wants to do something with you. Stop being selfish. You lose people that way, just like Jim Carrey nearly does in this film. It's kind of weird I got a deep meaning out of this film huh? But it's true...open your book a little more, be open to doing things you don't always do. Why do you HAVE to live the same routine with the same group of people every weekend? Or the same routine with yourself every weekend? Or whatever your case may be. I know I'm that way, but this movie actually opened my eyes a little bit. Kind of bizarre I know!!

But yeah, Yes Man worked on some levels, but for the most part fell flat for me. The writing was a little plain and dull and not consistently funny. I'm tired of laughing at people getting hit in the head, or making funny faces. I want more grown up comedies (and not the ones littered with sex jokes and nudity...those also are for adolescents). But the serious or random comedies (like Juno or Burn After Reading) don't really exist these days because audiences don't usually flock to see them. But Yes Man tries, it really does. Unfortunately for me, it just didn't quite get over that bump.

On a side note Zooey Deschanel (The Happening, Almost Famous) really surprised me. She delivered one of the single worst performances in a major released motion picture I've ever seen in The Happening earlier this year. But in Yes Man she was kind of sweet, funny and charming. I liked her here. She should just stick to this type of film. Leave the serious stuff to the professionals.

**HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY THIS WEEK!!!!*

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Yes Man

*This is the 172nd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Hamlet 2

2008-12-22T20:33:00.001-07:00

Hamlet 2

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 32 mins

Cast:

Steve Coogan
Catherine Keener
Joseph Julian Sorian
Skyler Astin

Critical Consensus:

*** out of *****
(63% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

** out of *****

The Premise:

In this irreverent comedy, a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama-teacher rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet.

MY REVIEW

If Hamlet 2 was supposed to be a spoof on movies like Dangerous Minds and Dead Poets Society, than it may have worked well. However, if it was supposed to be a random movie with it's own story, than it wasn't that great. The only positive thing I can say about this movie was that it was legitimately funny. I had a fun time watching it, but that's really it. Because if this was supposed to be a film with it's own story and not making fun of other movies, it really was just too silly for my liking. The story was a bit dumb, and the characters were kind of stupid. The acting wasn't bad, the performances were actually quite humorous...but man what idiotic, unappealing characters. No it wasn't offense with all the Jesus references, including a song titled "Rock Me Sexy Jesus". That song was actually kind of funny. But can a movie really just be carried solely on the fact that it's amusing? I don't think so, at least not for me. And that's why Hamlet 2, for me, wasn't all that great or entertaining. Got some good chuckles out of me, but everything else was to overly stupid.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Hamlet 2

*This is the 171st new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Burn After Reading

2008-12-22T18:17:00.002-07:00

Burn After Reading

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 36 mins

Cast:

George Clooney
Frances McDormand
John Malkovich
Brad Pitt
Tilda Swinton

Critical Consensus:

***1/2 out of *****
(79% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

**** out of *****

The Premise:

A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.

MY REVIEW

'Burn After Reading' is essentially a film whose story has absolutely no purpose for existing. By the end, it literally goes nowhere and we end basically where we began. The characters aren't anyone that important in the world and all they are is a vehicle to drive this virtually pointless film. 'Burn After Reading' is a great film, and I am not being sarcastic.

Everything I said above is true. This is a movie with no important story, but I think that was the point. It was almost a satirical or spoof film. Basically two characters come across a CD containing the memoirs of an ex-CIA analyst, and they try to blackmail him in order to get a crud load of money. The information on the CD is really nothing top secret, yet these two nobodies think it is. We also have the storyline of said analyst and his life going downhill fast. His wife is sleeping with a married and overly paranoid treasury agent.

This may all sound like it is going somewhere interesting, but it never really does. But the writing of this film is outstanding and by the end I really didn't care that the story went nowhere. The characters, while having no grave importance in the grand scheme of things, are incredibly entertaining. It's a story that you really can never take seriously, and I also think that was the point. You can't take the characters seriously, so why do the same to the story? So what we are left with is a highly engaging and entertaining film. It's not a stupid story, just a pointless one. And personally I thought it worked brilliantly.

This has to be one of the most fun and "intelligent" comedies I've seen this year. The humor is very witty and smart. I don't think a lot of audiences would get the comedy, because today we are used to raunchy sex comedies coming out every two months. It's very refreshing to a have a comedy where the humor is never over the top or to much to handle. It's not just joke after joke, the movie takes breaks. The writing was done so well to bring this comedy to the story, but it was in the characters where all the real fun happened.

This film has an incredible cast. One of the most talented of the year in my opinion. Oscar nominee John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, Changeling) plays the ex-analyst. He's a bit vulgar, but man was he great! He does an awesome job of really making you hate this character, but at the same time just love to watch him. Oscar winner George Clooney (Syriana, Michael Clayton) is not an actor I love as much as everyone else. He is talented, but I think over rated. However, he was perfect for this role. This had to be my favorite Clooney performance. Really great. Oscar winner Frances McDormand (Fargo, Almost Famous) was amazing! I've always been a big fan! She was so far out of her normal zone I feel like, and it was so good! Funny performance too! I think the highlight of the performances was Oscar nominee Brad Pitt (Twelve Monkeys, Babel). I think all the main actors were out of their element in this film (and in a good way) but Pitt was like I've never seen him before. His character was so stupid and bubbly, that you just love the guy! I cannot believe Pitt is not garnering any attention for this performance, I think it's one of the best supporting roles of the year! Also like to point out that J.K. Simmons (Juno, Spiderman) has a really funny limited role!

Burn After Reading is just a super fun movie that you don't have to take seriously. At the same time, it's oddly believable. It's on DVD now, if you like a good cast, or a funny story, this is a movie for you! I loved it!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Burn After Reading

*This is the 170th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

FOREIGN FEATURE: Let the Right One In

2008-12-21T15:28:00.001-07:00

Let the Right One In (Låt den Rätte Komma in)

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 49 mins

Cast:

Kåre Hedebrant
Lina Leanderson

Critical Consensus:

**** out of *****
(97% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

****1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

Oskar, a bullied 12-year old, dreams of revenge. He falls in love with Eli, a peculiar girl. She can't stand the sun or food and to come into a room she needs to be invited. Eli gives Oskar the strength to hit back but when he realizes that Eli needs to drink other peoples blood to live he's faced with a choice. How much can love forgive? Let The Right One In is a story both violent and highly romantic, set in the Stockholm suburb of Blackeberg in 1982.

MY REVIEW

Let the Right One In is what Twilight should have been and I really hate to compare the two, but they share a lot in common. This too is about a "young" vampire who falls for someone even though they lust for their blood. The characters are much younger however, they are only twelve years old. Also the genders are reversed because the girl is the vampire and the boy is the one who falls in love. Yes kids can fall in love with each other. Maybe not in a sense that adults do, but kids can still feel love and companionship.

It really is a excellent and "sweet" story between these two characters actually. The boy is a loner and is picked on every day. He never defends himself and he's always getting hurt. Then this mysterious girl shows up and quickly a bond develops. The girl we come to find out has been twelve "for a very long time". She's a vampire and has to feed off blood to survive. We have a side story of her killing people for blood which sparks a murder spree that no one can solve. I liked the fact that we got to see the true vampire side to this girl, like we didn't get to see in Twilight. There were no cheesy special effects, which I thought was great. But that is a mere side story. Like I said, the main plot is the relationship of these two polar opposites. And what a magnificent story it was. The innocence of children is a beautiful thing but can also be quite scary and we get a wonderful picture of both sides in this film. It was an incredibly told tale of love.

The direction was fantastic as well. The camera work and musical score really set a very dark tone for the film. This was a much needed improvement over a film like Twilight. The movie and it's snowy and dimly lit backdrops were absolutely perfect. As an audience you never feel safe while watching this movie, even though you have an overwhelming sweetness to the actual story. Also I'd like to point out the two kids did a wonderful job at carrying this movie. It's a foreign movie and all subtitled but that didn't stop me from feeling connected to these two kids. Fantastic job to both of them.

Let the Right One In is definitely not a film for all, but I highly recommend it. It is one of the best films to come out in 2008.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Let the Right One In

*This is the 169th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Milk

2008-12-20T23:58:00.002-07:00

Milk

Rated R

Running time: 2 hrs 8 mins

Cast:

Sean Penn
Emile Hirsch
Josh Brolin
James Franco

Critical Consensus:

**** out of *****
(92% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

*** out of *****

The Premise:

The story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, a San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.

MY REVIEW

Milk is a film that should have been very important to me, and should have last a lasting impact. It really did not do any of those things. After watching the movie, I'm actually a bit surprised by the huge critical support it is getting right now and all the award attention it has. I'm not saying Milk is a bad film, it's actually pretty good. But it just didn't feel important, and it times like these, this movie should have been huge. For me, Milk is like last year's American Gangster (Ha Ha I know they are polar opposites on storylines). Meaning that it was very good on first time viewing but an hour after watching it...it's simply forgettable. That's really disappointing to me.

The movie tells the true story about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a political office in the United States. We are shown the major struggles the gay community faces especially a proposition to take almost every human right away from gays like being able to work anywhere. People were being fired from their jobs for being gay, and people were being fired for just associating with gays. This was all so frustrating to watch, because I just can't stand people creating battles they have no reason to start. Someone being gay has no affect on anyone outside of that person. If you can waste your time and effort on banning rights from gays, then how much of a life are you living for yourself? I could understand if gays were killing people and molesting kids, but my gosh they aren't. They are literally doing NO harm to you...so why fight? Anti-Gay people are just like racists. They are judgmental and ignorant. Spending ALL of your time and even your money to strip rights away from gays when they have done NOTHING to hurt you in any way is pure and utter hatred. Sorry folks, it's true. If you can deny that, than there is something wrong with you. But if you can possibly explain to me the love and support in these things...please tell me...I'm all ears. You know I respect people who just simply don't agree with the lifestyle for their own reasons. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, of course! I'm more irritated by people and groups physically taking severe action against gays in the way they did in the 70's and now again today. It's sickening. It hurts. Being openly judgmental towards a person is actually a lot more hurtful that most people can every really imagine. It actually hurts more than physical pain.

Yikes, I'm ranting! It almost seems like I'm supporting this film now. I guess that makes me a hypocrite for not loving this movie then right? Well no. Listen the story was great, it really was. But sometimes I think a historically based filmed could actually benefit from a little bit of "Hollywood" as they say. The story was told kind of blandly and moved very slow. It was never fully able to grab a hold of me and reel me in like I was expecting it to do. There was never that emotional and powerful moment. So I think it could have benefited for some Hollywood-ized puffing up of emotions. You know you are supposed to really root for Harvey Milk, but he's kind of portrayed dully. Not to knock Oscar winner Sean Penn (Mystic River, I Am Sam) because he did a great job at performing the character, but he was written so uninspiring and I really hate to say that. Harvey Milk really did change a whole lot of things, but this movie I don't think did him full justice.

Actually there aren't any characters you fully connect with, well at least that I didn't connect with. None of them had that great likability factor because we knew virtually nothing about any of them. Harvey Milk was assassinated, and I'm not ruining a major plot point. You are told this fact in the very beginning of the film. The way the film portrays it, Milk is actually not killed for being gay, he's killed by a man who just fell off the deep end and went a little nuts. But this movie did allow us to invest in these characters, it did not develop a real connection. So when the scene comes where he is killed, it just kind of feels empty. I didn't feel sad (I obviously I'm saddened for the real Harvey Milk) because the movies story didn't really make me care. I don't know it's hard to explain. Because this is a good one time movie.

I'd like to quickly point out Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men, American Gangster) and how great I thought he was. This guy has really developed into a fantastic actor. He plays Dan White, the man who kills Harvey Milk. The funny thing is, the only character I felt any connection to and felt bad for was this man and he was the "bad" guy. So I just wanted to applaud Brolin for doing a fantastic job, and I really think he deserves a supporting actor Oscar nomination. James Franco (Spiderman craze)also surprised me and we wasn't bad himself.

So for me, Milk was a good movie but in the end let me down. It has a great story and message to tell it just wasn't told with any real emotional oomph. Oh well, can't win them all.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Milk

*This is the 168th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Slumdog Millionaire

2008-12-20T23:50:00.000-07:00

Slumdog Millionaire

Rated R

Running time: 2 hrs

Cast:

Dev Patel
Anil Kapoor
Irfan Khan

Critical Consensus:

**** out of *****
(93% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

The Premise:

The story of how impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" -- an endeavor made without prize money in mind, rather, an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show.

MY REVIEW

I might get hated on for saying this, but I have to say it. I think I have to jump off The Dark Knight train and board the train of love for Slumdog Millionaire. This is truly the feel good, awe inspiring motion picture of the year. It is a brilliant film. I honestly didn't think I could find it in me to enjoy a movie like this, but man am I glad I was wrong. This film packs in a lot of different emotions, and still has a fantastically happy conclusion.

What I thought was really cool was how the movie was centered. The main character Jamal played very well by Dev Patel, is on the Hindi version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? He is a young teen, and we are told that no one has ever walked away with the grand prize of 20 million rupees. First we see him being tortured by police because they believe he cheated to get as far as he did on the program and they want the truth. We seem them play back the tape of the show, and then they interrogate him after every question he got right. They want to know how he knew if he wasn't cheating. The wonderful aspect of this film is fate. For every question Jamal is asked, we get a flashback of his past showing us exactly why he knows the answer.

There's a lot of story packed into this film, and I won't go into it. But we see Jamal's life with his mother before she is killed. Then we see his life with his older brother while they are living for themselves. We also see how he meets a beautiful young girl named Latika who he kind of starts to have a little "thing" for. Something happens, and they are forced to go their separate ways creating a story of finding a lost love. It's a story about him trying to find himself, and what his purpose is. But the deep underlining story is about destiny. Destiny showed him the answers to those questions on the game show. Destiny brought him to where he ends up in the final moments of the film. A lot of us may not believe in destiny, but Jamal does and he made me a believer! The movie, and these characters just bring such a genuine smile to an audiences face and I just loved that!

But it isn't just this fantasy type story, there are some very real elements to it. We get a look into the life of parts of India and it's harsh more so than I think people realize. My gosh, there were so many children running free and fending for themselves for food and shelter and clothes. Now I don't know how exact that is to real life in India, but I can imagine it's at least pretty darn close. But that's another reason why this movie is so unbelievable. Jamal as a young boy (played really greatly by Ayush Mahesh Khedekar) struggles not only with his controlling older brother, and the inner emotional feelings he has for Latika, but also just struggles to live. This film tells a very powerful and incredibly moving story about one boy's fate and destiny and how he believes so much in those things that it get's him by even in the extremely rough times. And I would just like to say the Dev Patel delivers a very simplistic performance, but it somehow manages to be quite superb and very memorable for me.

And it isn't just the amazing story and great performances, the movie has so much more to offer. The musical score is sometimes just as powerful as the story! But it never is overpowering. It really brings out the emotions of the film and it's almost a rare things these days when music can do that in film. A good musical score is very valuable in film. It can make or break a movie sometimes. The movie was already fantastic, and the score just added so much awesomeness to the table! The cinematography was also some of the best I've seen this year. Slumdog Millionaire was an perfectly crafted film.

I don't know if we will ever see a film like this again. There is no grave importance in it's story because it may be an over the top tale of fate and destiny. But regardless it's a movie that makes us think and does deliver a powerful but spiritual message. What if everything does happen for a reason? What if you really are supposed to be where you are in life? We are put on a path for our lives to go, and it's up to us to decide if it's the right path. If we decide to stay on the right path, than maybe fate really is what lies ahead. Maybe everything that happens on that path is in fact your destiny that was all mapped out for you. This movie kind of made me learn to not take everything for granted. It showed me to open my eyes and really see the signs that lay before me. Jamal did it right? And even though it's a film and a borderline fantasy, why can't fate and destiny be a part of my life?

Slumdog Millionaire is the most inspirational film of 2008 for me. Slumdog Millionaire is at the point, the best film of 2008. I urge you to go see it.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Slumdog Millionaire

*This is the 167th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

2008-12-20T22:55:00.002-07:00

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Rated PG-13

Running time: 1 hr 34 mins

Cast:

David Thewlis
Asa Butterfield
Jack Scanlon
Vera Farmiga

Critical Consensus:

*** out of *****
(63% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

Set during World War II, a story seen through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp, whose forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and unexpected consequences.

MY REVIEW

Some online sites are labeling this film as a "family drama" but I think it may be very far from that. However at the same time I do think this is an important film for younger teens to watch with their parents. When you have a movie that centers around a concentration camp during the Nazi era, you know you are not in for a very happy time. That's not to say Boy in the Striped Pajamas does not have any happy moments, because honestly it does.

I personally thought this was an incredibly moving tale about two boys who are raised to be natural enemies, but instead befriend each other. What makes it even more touching is the innocence these children bring to the story. Bruno, son of a commandant at a concentration camp meets Shmuel, a Jewish prisoner at said camp. The shaved head and sickly looking Shmuel is behind an electrified fence wearing prison clothes which Bruno lives the good life. Shmuel knows vaguely what his situation is, but at the same time he appears clueless. He knows he's in a jail like camp and that people hurt him, but I don't think he grasps the severity of it all. Bruno is completely innocent. He has no clue why Shmuel is where he is or even what the camp is. He keeps saying it's a farm and he just never understands. So it's easy for them to become friends so quickly, and through this we get a very touching story of friendship.

The movie does tend to drag on at some points, even though it's only an hour and a half. That was one concern of mine. Another was that they never seemed to lay on the gloom to much. Which may sound silly to some people, but this is a movie about a boy in a concentration camp, you can't make the whole thing light and fluffy. It also has to have a level of great importance so that kids who may watch it with their families, will understand what was really going on. Now obviously we all know what happened, but the story as a whole should have left a great impact. I don't think it did for me, so I don't think it will for kids who may be learning about the subject now.

The final act of the film is a different story. I don't want to ruin anything, but that final "gut-punch" of a scene WILL leave a very lasting impact on me personally. It was so very hard for me to watch and bear. It did get me a little teary eyes just from the sheer emotional impact of it. I think the rest of the film should have packed more emotion in it, like that final moment. But listen, these are just minor flaws for me. Because it did pack in SOME emotions, like I said it's very wonderful story about two boys at opposite ends of the spectrum becoming amazing friends.

The film had some good performances. Mainly from the two little boys. They were incredible, I won't lie. Some of the best child acting I've seen all year. And they are complete unknowns, which just added more onto the realism of their friendship. We don't associate these boys with other films, so it was a lot easier to connect with them. They did an excellent job at making a connection with the audience. Bravo to them! David Thewlis (Harry Potter craze) stood out for me, because I've only ever known him as Professor Lupin. He was creepy, but also had a heart to him that managed to pop out every once in a while. It was a good performance. I'm most surprised by Vera Farmiga (Quid Pro Quo, Nothing But the Truth) who I thought was awful in Quid Pro Quo earlier in the year. But she showcased herself here in what I thought was an excellent and emotional performance, especially in those final moments of the film.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas lacks in some serious, consistent emotional depth but when it comes down to it, it is a beautiful story of the true innocence of children and of love and friendship. I would very much recommend the movie to anyone! Just know that it can at times be very difficult to watch.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Striped Pajamas

*This is the 166th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

2008-12-19T15:41:00.005-07:00

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Rated PG-13

Running time: 1 hr 40 mins

Cast:

Keanu Reeves
Jennifer Connelly
Jaden Smith
Kathy Bates

Critical Consensus:

** out of *****
(20% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

1/2* out of *****

The Premise:

A remake of the 1951 classic sci-fi film about an alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who visit Earth to save it from mankind.

MY REVIEW

Wow, this movie was awful! At least for me it was, I can't speak for other people of course. Talk about being dissapointed by a film. I won't lie, I was kind of excited to see this movie, believe it or not I had high hopes for it despite what the critics were saying. We all know by now that you can't take a critics word for much anymore, which goes for me as well readers. Don't let my words spoil the fun of a movie for you, we all have different tastes. But I hate to say it, the critics got it right this time. Day the Earth Stood Still really is one of the most incoherent movies of the year, and for me one of the very worst.

We only get about an hour and thirty five minutes of film and story here, so there's quite a bit to pack in. We literally have no clue what is really going on, and why these "aliens" are on Earth until one hour into the movie. That only leaves thirty five minutes for everything to unfold. Well why are they here? **SPOILER ALERT** They are here to wipe out humankind to save the planet Earth. We have been destroying it for to long, and the Earth is a vital planet in the solar system. So these aliens have come to destroy us to save the planet. **END SPOILER ALERT**. The alien who appears to be in charge is an unnamed one played by Keanu Reeves (Speed, The Matrix). He eventually tells the reasoning for him being on Earth to a human he quickly grows to trust played by Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind, Blood Diamond). We also have the side-story of the government trying to stop these things at whatever cost, and this is led by the Secretary of Defense played by an odd choice...Oscar winner Kathy Bates (Misery, Primary Colors).

That all may sound simple enough, but really it isn't. These story is so scattered about and sporadic. Like nothing seems to happen for a while then bam...something happens and we are left thinking, "Wait...what just happened???". The story throws out these big plot details but sort of leave out any coherent explanation to anything. Things just happen, people suddenly figure things out and we as an audience are just simply supposed to understand. I'm not saying a big budget alien flick has to have a brilliant and intelligent story (although those are usually the better alien movies) but come on...give us something that can connect us to the movie. The movie has a not so hidden message that we are slowly killing the Earth and we need to be punished. OK so we can connect on that level right? No, because no one in the movie really seems to care. We don't see many moments where the human race is actually scared of what's going on. We only see brief glimpses on news channels. We have no clue how the humans are responding. So why should we as an audience feel connected or even give a hoot?

What's even better than that? Well I'll tell ya! By the end, the fate of the WORLD rests on Connelly's characters ability to persuade Reeves alien to just stop and go home. Yes, this was the big plan to save the entire WORLD!! When bombs and guns don't work, leave it to a random person to simply talk him out of it. I could understand if she had to talk a crazy guy off the edge of a roof...but an alien that was sent to destroy us? COME ON! Listen it's not that it's unrealistic, that doesn't bother me of course. It's just the silliness of the story idea. She's supposed to show this alien that people can change, which is great, really it is, but for a movie like this? Most people don't want to see that. They want to see huge action sequences and many explosions. We don't get much of that. Usually it's not best to depend on a moral solution in a movie about aliens.

The movie looks great, most of the time. Which is why I gave the movie a measly half of one star. The visuals are fantastic. I wish I could say that the visuals saved the movie, but I can't. Because the special effects were a mere side plot and didn't come up that often. There was maybe two or three semi-action scenes in the last thirty minutes. We didn't even get enough time to relish the wonderful effects. The movie didn't use them to it's advantage. In a way, I think I felt gipped. However, when we did see cool action scenes or some form of visual effect, they were great!

The performances were OK, but nothing special. Keanu Reeves...I just could not take him seriously here. Well, I normally can't take him seriously. However I feel his cliched persona we all know and love fit perfectly. Playing an alien doesn't require the great acting chops of a more capable actor. Jennifer Connelly is good, and actually better than I've liked her before. Jaden Smith (Pursuit of Happyness), Will's son, was adorable and was as good as he could be with the dialogue he was given. Kathy Bates was just....miscast. I really just did not like her very much in the few scenes she had. I'm sorry, but that was just an icky choice.

To wrap it up, I really disliked this film. It had no real direction or path, and the story was just so all over the place and stupid. Only think relatively good were those special effects....but that's still not saying a whole lot.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Day the Earth Stood Still

*This is the 165th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Mamma Mia!

2008-12-18T11:55:00.001-07:00

Mamma Mia!

Rated PG-13

Running time: 1 hr 48 mins

Cast:

Meryl Streep
Pierce Brosnan
Colin Firth
Stellan Skarsgard
Amanda Seyfried

Critical Consensus:

**1/2 out of *****
(53% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

*1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA.

MY REVIEW

Sorry folks, but I didn't much care for good ol' Mamma Mia! I'm kind of a person who likes musicals that have music that was written for the production (even if the film was originally a Broadway show) and doesn't use someone else music to tell the story. Moulin Rouge was the exception for me, because they used many different songs from many musicians and the songs worked perfectly in the story. I kind of think that these ABBA songs didn't fit well into the movie. I know it's been a Broadway show forever, and very well loved and all but I just didn't get it. The story was pretty weak and cliched. To many drastic things happened to fast and no one seemed to care. I don't know, I just kind of think Mamma Mia! the movie was a bit of a mess.

What I did love about the movie was the GREAT Oscar winner Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice, The Devil Wears Prada). She is one of my favorite actresses and I think she brings a lot to a movie. She is a brilliant actress who almost never really fails. I thought Streep was fantastic in this film. Her singing was awesome, and what I loved the most was that she was very "electric". Meaning that I haven't seen her bring this much life and energy to one of her characters since Death Becomes Her. Definitely one of the only bright spots to this movie for mer personally. Pierce Brosnan (Die Another Day, The Matador) needs to stick to his day job. He really should not sing a film ever again. His singing was actually quite distracting, thankfully he didn't have a lot of solos. Now obviously I can't sing a single note in tune, but don't use that excuse on me. This man is a paid actor, this is supposed to be his job. So there!

Sorry people, Mikey @ The Movies cannot support Mamma Mia! I'm just a little dissapointed by it, not even the great Meryl Streep could save it! Boo!

To view this film's theatrical trailer click this link: Mamma Mia

*This is the 164th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Happy-Go-Lucky

2008-12-18T09:02:00.001-07:00

Happy-Go-Lucky

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 58 mins

Cast:

Sally Hawkins
Alexis Zegerman
Eddie Marsan

Critical Consensus:

**** out of *****
(94% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

****1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

A look at a few chapters in the life of Poppy, a cheery, colorful, North London schoolteacher whose optimism tends to exasperate those around her.

MY REVIEW

Happy-Go-Lucky may very well be the "happiest" film of 2008. I don't think any movie this year has put a genuine smile on my face like this one did. A few comedies have certainly made me laugh, but none of them were as warm and welcoming like this little charmer of a film. Happy-Go-Lucky certainly is one of the best films of 2008, and the funny thing is, is that's virtually a movie with no actual story. Basically a movie about nothing in particular.

What it is about, is a British schoolteacher who seems to see the good side of everything. She always has a smile on her face and she continually laughing things off. In the opening scene her bike is stolen and all she has to say is, "Oh no, I didn't get to say goodbye!" with a huge grin on her face...of course. We follow her the entire movie. We see her in her "flat life" with her "flat mate". We see her teaching her young students. We see her hit the night life. And probably the best parts of the film, we see her take driving lessons from a very angry man. Poppy, the woman, never for a moment strays off her course. Her goal is simple: infect the world with happiness even though she knows it's incredibly impossible. "Doesn't hurt to try" she says.

She walks through town spreading as much joy as she can, even though most people don't even respond. It's not a movie about a woman simply trying to cheer people up, it's a movie about a woman trying to show the world that happiness is a real thing even in very hard times. That smiles and laughs really are the best cure for a bad day. There is even a very touching scene where she comes across a crazy homeless man who just mumbles nonsense. She never once is frightened of this man. She warms up to him, she responds to his nonsensical mumbles and there is a moment where he understands her. Even though he doesn't smile, you know for that single moment he was truly happy.

Then there are the driving lessons. Poppy meets her polar opposite in Scott, a very bitter and angry instructor. He emotionally abuses her at times, and is constantly screaming but she never falters. But in Scott she meets the one person she really cannot cure with her smile. Hard as she tries, he just rejects it...at least on the outside. In the inside this guy feels a different emotion for Poppy which he to scared to come out and say. So even with no defined storyline, Happy-Go-Lucky has one of the most charming and inspiring screenplays of the year. It's just such a touching story.

The best part of this movie is the performances. Sally Hawkins (Vera Drake, Cassandra's Dream) plays Poppy. I agree with Roger Ebert when he says this has to be one of the most difficult performances to pull off. But Sally Hawkins pulls it off! She is absolutely delightful and incredibly charming as Poppy. This has to be one of the best females performances of this year. She has this amazing power to warm your heart and inspire you to do good things. Not a lot of performances are able to do that. Some consider her to be a bit annoying, well I say those are the people who are unhappy about a lot of things. When you find someone who is always happy and are bothered by it, then you clearly have some issues. Eddie Marsan (The Illusionist, Hancock) plays Scott the driving instructor. Marsan is freaking brilliant in this movie, no question about it. One of the finest supporting performances of the year because he really bounces of Hawkins superbly. He has a scene at the end that is as good as any performed scene I've seen this year where all his true emotions come out. It was a very sad and moving scene, because he made the character of Poppy vulnerable for a moment. Awesome performances!

I would urge anyone I know to see Happy-Go-Lucky! If you really want to be inspired just by joy, then see this film. It really has no other specific purpose other than to bring happiness to an audience, and boy oh boy does it do that!! Great film!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Happy Go Lucky

*This is the 163rd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Gran Torino

2008-12-17T17:50:00.001-07:00

Gran Torino

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 56 mins

Cast:

Clint Eastwood
Christopher Carley
Bee Vang

Critical Consensus:

***1/2 out of *****
(79% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

**** out of *****

The Premise:

Disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.

MY REVIEW

I should point out to you review reading world, that I have pretty much never been a fan of Oscar nominated Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby) the actor. I think it's always been that raspy, gritty tone of voice that's always bothered me about him, and I never got how he was considered some great actor. Well I would like to insert my foot in my mouth or just admit that I may have been wrong about old Clint. He truly makes this movie! And not just because he directed it! But his performance defines why this movie is so very good.

Gran Torino is definitely not for everyone. I would absolutely recommend it to everyone I know, but would also warn them that this film is extremely harsh. It follows the life of Walt, a 70-something Korean War vet whose wife just passed and now he lives alone in a neighborhood that has become overly populated by the Korean community. Walt is not your everyday old man sitting on a porch. Walt is a very racist bigot. He hates the Koreans. He hates Hispanics. And he hates blacks. He has a racial slur for everyone of them, usually something pretty darn awful (Spooks, mooks, fish heads, the list goes on for a while). He especially hates his next door neighbors because one of the kids played by newcomer Bee Vang, tries to steal his prized Gran Torino for a gang initiation. Next day he comes across the young girl next door played by Ahney Her being attacked by a group of younger black guys. He ends up scaring them off and the story takes a twist...Walt starts to like his next door neighbors. A bond between him and the family begins.

Gran Torino could very well have been a really bad film. But thankfully the Oscar WINNING director Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven) was at the helm, and he is no slouch when it comes to directing. He directs a story that is so scary in how real it is and how real and terryfing racism can be. Gangs are fighting over it, and killing over it. Children get hurt. I could go on, but I won't. But while the story also tackles racism, it also tells us a story of a man everyone considers a monster who really has a heart deep down. You have to think, this guy fought in Korea and he grew up in numerous decades where racism dominated the country. This "mean" man is all he's known how to be his whole life. But a Korean family opens up to him, and shows him people are defined by what's inside not how they look. And he drastically begins to realize this, even though he still spats off a ton of racial slurs (and the family just doesn't care after a while). By the end, it has a deeply moving message which I won't ruin.

I hate, hate, hate to describe this movie as a "comedy" because it isn't by any means. However, this movie is really funny! And I mean, legit funny not "so bad it's funny". It's not Tropic Thunder or Knocked Up because those films you are supposed to laugh at. I think you are supposed to laugh at Gran Torino but not for the same reasons you laugh at those other films. The humor in this film all derives from the Clint's character and his racist obscenenities which is not something to laugh at normally. What I believe is that we chuckle at this because it is so uncomfortable to hear. We aren't laughing at what he's saying, we laugh because he's saying it. I think the audience is just in a state of shock at the harshness of it, you have to be amused. I really don't know how else to explain it, but I know that if you see it and you aren't easily offended, this movie will entertain your chuckle box a lot!

Part of the reasoning above, as to why we laugh at it, was the performance of Clint Eastwood. Like I said, I've never been a fan until now. Because now in this film, Clint works perfectly. This movie was meant for him to act out. I'm not saying he's a racist in real life, I'm saying his persona was spot on for this role. It has to be the best Clint performance I've ever seen! I don't know if the "Clintys" would agree (Clinty's are the group of 70+'s that I created that have watched and loved the Clint since he first made movies in 1863...just kidding about that last part. There were about 25 of them last night at the theater though. They must have been in shock). But his gritty, hard ass persona was brilliant here and I honestly believe he deserves an Oscar nomination for his work here. He really was the epitimy of B.A. in this movie. He would kill anyone in a heartbeat, now that rocks!

My only downside to the movie was the performances of everyone else mainly those teenage kids. The two main kids in the film were just awful, I'm sorry. I really hate to sound mean about it, but man they were distractingly bad. I could look passed it if they weren't a prominent part of the movie...but they were. Some scenes they had moments of acting glory, but others were just hard to watch after a while. But to their credit, for both of them this is their acting debut's so I can't be to harsh. Really though that's the only bad thing I have against the film. The movie does get a little slow at times, and certain aspects of the story are not wrapped up like I was expecting them too. The end left a hole for me for some of the characters and I was a bit bothered by that.

With that said, Gran Torino is a fantastic film. Very harsh, very vulgar, but somehow manages to tell a really solid and moving story. Good job Clinty!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Gran Torino

*This is the 162nd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Frost/Nixon

2008-12-14T12:42:00.006-07:00

Frost/Nixon

Rated R

Running time: 2 hrs 2 mins

Cast:

Frank Langella
Michael Sheen
Sam Rockwell
Kevin Bacon

Critical Consensus:

**** out of *****
(90% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

The Premise:

A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.

MY REVIEW

Frost/Nixon is an absolutely remarkable and powerful film in so many ways! I had to look up the Watergate Scandals to actually know completely what the whole thing was about. I'm not afraid to admit I was virtually clueless on the story. Frost/Nixon isn't necessarily just about Watergate as it is about two men going head to head to secure their names for the better in the eyes of the world. Richard Nixon of course will do what he can to rehabilitate his name since at the time he was the worst of the worst. He shocked a nation. He angered a nation. He dissapointed a nation. David Frost, a "lightweight" TV personality secured the interview to get Nixon to admit guilt and offer the country an apology. Both did what they could at whatever cost. And in the end, we as a film audience get to see one of the best head to head battles in recent movie history.

Sometimes a movie can be carried by good performances. Sometimes a movie can be carried by a brilliant, tense, and engaging storyline. This movie is carried strongly by both aspects. The story is clearly based off the 1977 "Frost interviews Richard Nixon" segments that debuted in May of '77 in four 90 minute viewings. The interview took place over 28 hours spanning almost a month in time. This popular interview was than adapted into a Tony winning Broadway show of the same title (Frost/Nixon). Some of the details are apparently slightly fictionalized (such as the ever so important drunk phone call from Nixon to Frost before the crucial final interview). But we get is an almost true to life recount of the events. The story focuses more so on David Frost so as to shed a good light on him. We technically see more of Nixon but Frost is shown in such a positive way. After all we don't want to feel sorry for Nixon do we?

What we view is the challenges Frost and his team go through to actually fund the interview (which Frost ends up paying $600,000 to do) and also to find a network willing to air the now famous interview. No one would pick it up so it was done independently by Frost and team. I bet all those networks regret that. The story is told so magnificently it's so hard to describe. I feel like there were two halves of the tale. The first 50 or so minutes depicts the lead up to the interviews, and then the second half is some of the greatest film making I've seen recently. The last hour is chalk full of the interview segments. Nixon just pulverizes Frost. He tears him apart for 26 hours virtually. But that final interview regarding to Watergate...that was some fine work in every aspect of film. This is easily one of the best screenplays of 2008.

The performances, namely from the two main men, were astonishing to say the least. Starting with Michael Sheen (The Queen, and also the Broadway version of Frost/Nixon). Some consider him a lead performer in the film, but I'm going to be stingy and say he's supporting. He has a lot of screen time, yes, but his performance feels overshadowed (more on that in a second). Regardless of lead or supporting, the man was brilliant! He plays the suave and charming Frost to a degree of immense likability. You really root for this guy the whole way! He truly shines in his interview scenes, especially in the final act. Now the true lead actor of the film is Richard Nixon himself...Frank Langella (Superman Returns, and also the Broadway version of Frost/Nixon). All I can say is...WOW! What a remarkable and jaw dropping performance. This guy deserves the Oscar nomination he is surely going to get! You really dislike Nixon most of this film, but you can't help but laugh at a few things he says, thanks in part to this performance. He has at least three scenes in this film that just blew me away. The scene with the drunk phone call was so amazing. But as well as Sheen, he truly shined in that final interview scene and he almost makes you feel incredibly sad for Richard Nixon. A very powerful performance to say the least. Easily at this point the best male performance of the year!

That's not all however. Oscar winning director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) has probably shown us his masterpiece. I just applaud this guy for doing a beautiful job at directing this film. The academy better nominate him, it would be a travesty if not! I also think the cinematography of this film was a character in itself. Mainly in the interview scenes. The camera work really captured the essence and feel of what was really going on in that living room. The zoomed in shots of Nixon as went on rants...just amazing! The musical score was pretty subdued and never overpowering, but it still added a great feel to the movie.

This really is almost a perfectly crafted film, and I honestly have no complaints about it. A movie that could have so easily bored me turned out to be one of the most entertaining films of the year for me. To me there is nothing better than a head to head acting showdown, and this really has some of the best confrontation scenes in a long time! You're eyes will be glued to the screen! A brilliant, brilliant movie!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Frost/Nixon

*This is the 161st new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

STRAIGHT-TO-DVD SPOTLIGHT: The Lazarus Project

2008-12-14T12:00:00.001-07:00

The Lazarus Project (The Heaven Project)

Rated PG-13

Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins
DVD Release Date: October 21st

Cast:

Paul Walker

Piper Perabo

Bob Gunton
Linda Cardellini

MY REVIEW

Part of me is surprised this is a straight-to-DVD movie, part of me isn't. It has a star like Paul Walker (Joy Ride, The Fast and the Furious), whom I thought was a big enough actor to not already be headlining a movie like this. When I think of actual straight-to-DVD movies I think unknown actors, bad quality film making and cheesy storylines. This movie didn't really have any of that. However I can also see how it didn't get in theaters because even with Paul Walker (who girls still think is sexy-McGee) the story really has no appeal to a large audience...at least not a large enough one to make a lick of cash at the box office. Now crap movies like One Missed Call, which really suck in every aspect, still has a lot of appeal to a large specific audience and that's why movies like that go to the front of the line. This movie doesn't really fall into a genre most people flock to the theaters to see: the dramatic thriller. Young audiences don't care for the genre, because usually they are pretty slow moving films with a pinch of mystery and sometimes a twisty ending.

That being said, I actually kind of liked this movie. Nothing about it stood out as being great, but heck...it was a pretty standable flick. When you see the preview you kind of get this feeling it's going to be some crazy supernatural-esque God movie. Really it isn't any of that. It's about a man who's sentenced to death (and yes in Texas you can actually get sentenced to death for being involved in a crime where people die but you don't actually kill anyone....yeah...crazy I know) and then finds himself suddenly in Oregon at some church/hospital for the criminally insane where he has a job as a groundskeeper. We are told, as is he, that he was given a second chance at life by an angel. He has to stay there and start a whole new life and forget about his wife and daughter and he can never see them again. Of course he doesn't like this and he starts prodding and trying to find out the truth. I won't say more so I don't spoil anything.

But this film works pretty well as a dramatic thriller, because I honestly had no clue what was going on yet I was still really into the movie. I actually wanted to know how it was going to end. To me that means the movie worked. It was never over the top like I was expecting it to be. It was actually very "down to Earth" and for the MOST part, pretty realistic. Now at times the story did cross the line of realism, but you all should know by now I don't even care about that. It all made perfect sense in it's own world, which is fine by me! I was also suprised at how simple and easy to understand the story was. The curse a lot of these types of movies have is that they pack way to much into an hour and half film and the audience just gets confused. I applaud this movie for not taking that path. It stuck to it's core story and never added to much more to the pot. Everything happened for a reason, and all had a part in the ending.

The ending is kind of where the movie slipped, but just a little. The big reveal started to pack to much punch and really wasn't all that shocking even though I didn't see it coming. I should have saw it coming, but I just didn't. It wasn't much of a twist so much as it was one of those, "Oh, OK now I see" moments. There were some bits of the story that weren't covered or explained which was as bit bothersome. The ending also left a few of the characters stories unfinished and that kind of bothered me as well. Mainly Linda Cardellini's (TV's ER, Scooby Doo) psychiatrist character. She befriends Walker and almost sparks a love interest, but she kind of just falls off the radar at the end and we aren't entirely sure what her character was really meant for. But really in the end these are just minor issues.

This isn't really a movie I could recommend everyone to see, but if you do see it on a rental shelf, just know it isn't all that bad as it appears. Lazarus Project is actually a pretty good movie.

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating: ***1/2 out of *****

To view this film's trailer, click this link: Lazarus

*This is the 160th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Man on Wire

2008-12-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

Man On Wire

Rated PG-13
Running time: 1 hr 30 mins

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

Subject Matter:

A look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City's World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974, what some consider, "the artistic crime of the century."

MY REVIEW

From my experience of documentary viewing, most of them have a subject matter about something positive or negative that's either affecting the country or a group of people that was a problem in the past and/or continues to be a situation now. It can be as something as little as the stand up comedian world being hassled by hecklers (Heckler) or something as severe as the Abu Ghriab torturing in 2003 (Standard Operating Procedure). Man on Wire takes sort of a different route that I'm used to seeing. It tells the story of a one time event that really only affected a handful of people, namely one man (Philippe Petit). It tells us the tale when he performed a dangerous high wire routine across the very tops of the World Trade Center towers.

Interesting enough, Man on Wire is probably the best documentary of the year in my opinion. Because in a weird way it is like a bank heist movie. Philippe even states that his plan to walk across the towers excited him on the level because it was like he was robbing a bank. The whole movie shows us the set up of this great "crime". We see his plans, we meet his posse, and we are shown in re-enactments, his breaking into the World Trade Center. They faked security badges, and pretended to be delivery men. At one point on the night of, they had to hide under tarps because of unplanned guards, for literally hours at a time in very uncomfortable positions. They had to walk up 30 flights of stairs with a bunch of equipment. Really, it was brilliantly planned. Because up until the actual walking the wire, they did not get caught, not one of them! Not even when they walked right past a security guard who was wide awake! Genius!

This story was just relayed to us very well. It was incredibly exciting, and it was just awe inspiring. This man showed us that if you have a dream, go for it! No dream can be that unattainable...I mean look what this man did! They all called him crazy, but at the same time described what he did as "beautiful", and really it was just that! I never heard of this man or this event before now, and I'm glad I got to watch this movie and learn something about a tiny little event in history.

I'd like to point out that the movie never once mentions the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Which personally I thought was very tasteful. These towers have a lot of history, and we don't just want to remember the bad and dwell on it. This movie actually made 9/11 kind of surreal and that much more haunting. Many, many American lives were lost that day at the World Trade Center, but just remember that one man's dream can to a reality on those same towers. Something just so bittersweet to remember through it all....

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Man on Wire

*This is the 159th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Wanted

2008-12-13T11:45:00.001-07:00

Wanted

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 50 mins

Cast:

James McAvoy
Angelina Jolie
Morgan Freeman

Critical Consensus:

*** out of *****
(73% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

**** out of *****

The Premise:

A frustrated office worker learns that he is the son of a professional assassin, and that he shares his father's superhuman killing abilities.

MY REVIEW

OK, I'm just a wee bit late to jump on the "Wanted" train...about 6 months late...but who's keeping track? After viewing this film on DVD I regret not being able to see it in theaters (long story as to why I didn't). This definitely is a movie theater experience film. It's big. It's loud. It's fast. It's action packed. Now when I say action packed, I don't mean this film has a lot of run of the mill shoot 'em scenes capped off with huge explosions. Now, it has all that...and then some. And I mean, "AND THEN SOME!". This has got to be the most over the top and ridiculous action film I have ever seen. Yes even more so than films like Live Free or Die Hard or Eagle Eye or yes, even The Matrix (but please don't compare the two films). The action is so out of this world, I can't even begin to describe it. That being said, I loved this movie! It was DARN good fun!

Wanted truly is the 'guilty pleasure' movie of 2008. You shouldn't really like it, but you just can't resist the appeal of it all. You're supposed to watch this movie and laugh at the insanity of it all (well...if you are a stuck up snobby film critic you will laugh for real because you are to full of yourselves to be simply entertained). This movie should not make any sense. But in some bizarre way...it does. I never once gave the action scenes a second thought, I just assumed it be real in the world of Wanted. I mean cars flip over other cars perfectly so that the hero can shoot a man through the sun roof of the other vehicle. One scene a car literally drives sideways on a bus. Not to mention the fact a character can "curve" a bullet so it travels in a perfect circle killing 6 or 7 people in one shot. Can that happen in real life? Who the hell even cares?? Do you think the filmmaker of Wanted thought he was making a realistic movie? Do you think the filmmaker of Wanted was expecting the audience to believe what they were watching to be true to life? No, of course not, that's silly! If you think any of those things...please stop watching movies, because I fear your heads may explode soon. These action scenes were incredibly entertaining! I even felt tense in a few scenes. This may have been the most fun I've had with an action movie this year.

The story is a little empty, but I won't knock it down to much for that, it is an action movie after all. I don't think the writer was going for a best screenplay Oscar here. The story of the "Fraternity" is pretty cool, not all that original but whatever. It was simple enough for me to understand. They never went into great detail about the history of the Fraternity, which I think was good because you don't want an over the top story to compliment already over the top action. Audiences would just be confused at that point. That's why with movies like this you have a very simple story, with a little bit of ridiculousness to it. Now what I didn't care for was the way the assassins chose their victims. They got the names in code that was hidden in weaved thread. Now that's OK, if we knew where the names originally come from. All we are told is that "fate" selects and sends the name. So it was some kind of supernatural force? I don't know...maybe I missed that. That really threw me off for a while. But after sometime, I just didn't care.

The performances were pretty good for an action flick. James McAvoy (Atonement, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe) did a really great job with this character. I loved the comedy (a bit dark) he provided with his story. He plays a out of his luck accounting manager who's life just sucks. He brought a really good, pretty funny energy to the movie. Oscar winner Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted, Changeling) finally has done a solid action flick and she was good in it to boot! She really can be a brilliant actress when she chooses the right role. She isn't brilliant here, but she did choose the right role. I like how she didn't take over the movie with her performance and make it all about her. She was good. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby, Shawshank Redemption) was great as usual! He did a really perfect job at playing the mysterious and sometimes creepy leader of the Fraternity.

Yes I am giving this movie four stars. No, it will not make my top ten list. I give it four stars because through it all this movie entertained me like not many action films this year have. The movies main focus was the action and it was complimented with a pretty cool but simple and understandable storyline. A lot of action films lately have way to much of both for me to personally find it 100 percent enjoyable. So yeah I saw Wanted really late in the year, but whatever it's not to late to join in on the fun! And that's what this movie was, damn good fun!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Wanted

*This is the 158th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Standard Operating Procedure

2008-12-12T18:00:00.003-07:00

Standard Operating Procedure

Rated R
Running time: 1 hr 56 mins

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

**** out of *****

Subject Material:

Errol Morris examines the incidents of abuse and torture of suspected terrorists at the hands of U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison.

MY REVIEW

I'd like to start with a warning. This documentary is NOT for the faint of heart or for those who have weak stomachs. This movie depicts through interviews, re-enactments and a lot of photos, the events that occurred at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. Probably one of the most notorious and infamous events of the war. Now I honestly don't have a lot of knowledge stored in my head about the war, or even about the torture at Abu Ghraib, but this film filled me in on the things I needed to know about what happened. Quite frankly, I'm disgusted.

I agree that we must do whatever to protect the lives of Americans, but I feel like this severely crossed the line. Half of the prisoners these young US soldiers subjected to torture and humiliation were innocent! A lot of them were just cab drivers, or really just nothing at all in the grand scheme of things. But they were all treated the same. They were all stripped naked. They all had feed sacks tied over their heads. They were handcuffed in awkward positions to their beds or jail cell doors. These things in effect were not bad compared to what happened later on. Prisoners were tied to each other in sexual positions. They were forced to form into a human pyramid, completely naked. They were forced to sexually gratify themselves as the soldiers pointed and laughed. They were punched. They were poked and prodded in their "private areas" with sticks. This to me went way beyond torture.

I don't like torture, call me old fashioned. It's cruel and unusual and when we do it, we are no better than these scum who kill Americans. This film depicted what bullies we Americans are. Now obviously this isn't some playground fight, this is Americans being killed here. I'm aware of how serious and dangerous the situation actually is. What I mean is that we apparently feel that when push comes to shove, shove back and with fifty times the force. Yes the people who killed us and injured us deserve to punished...but like this?? I would think we would still want to look good in the World's eye. I would assume we would want to be equal with the World, not consider ourselves better. That's such an awful, cocky, sick attitude but that's what America has seemed to become. Not just on a grand scale, but on individual basis too. Come on, we HAVE to be better than that!

Anyway, this movie is excellent. It is all told through interviews and pictures popping up on screen. Every once in a while we get a blurred re-enactment of a particular horrific event that happened there. A picture is really worth 1000 words, and these pictures tell a terrifying story of many words. You feel bad for some of the people involved because really they did nothing wrong. They simply were in the wrong place at the worst time. Others who were interviewed acted as if they did nothing wrong, but the pictures clearly show a different story. A woman took a picture next to a dead prisoner and she had a big smile and her thumb was up. She made excuses like she never knows what to do with her hands in a photo...come on. You knew what you were doing. Point being though, we get a very good perspective on both sides of the story.

This film was incredibly shot and very engaging. I could not take my eyes off the TV. It's a very shocking film, and like I said not for people with a weak stomach. You see everything. You see nude men head to toe. You see men bloodied and bruised. You see these men gratifying themselves. It is not a pretty sight. Do not watch this film if you are even slightly uncomfortable by even a little bit of graphic imagery. I had a hard time watching some scenes, and I think my jaw may have dropped one or two times. But if you can stomach a film like this, I urge you to watch it, it really is an eye opening film.

To View this films trailer, click this link: SOP

*This is the 157th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Bolt

2008-12-11T16:53:00.010-07:00

Bolt

Rated PG

Running time: 1 hr 36 mins

Voice Cast:

John Travolta
Miley Cyrus
Susie Essman
Mark Walton
Malcolm McDowell

Critical Consensus:

***1/2 out of *****

(85% Fresh Rating)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

**** out of *****

The Premise:

The canine star of a fictional sci-fi/action show that believes his powers are real embarks on a cross country trek to save his co-star from a threat he believes is just as real.

MY REVIEW

Bolt is a pretty simple movie, so I will make this a pretty sweet, simple and short review. Bolt is a wonderful and adorable film! Now this is an animated movie, along with Wall E, that can be considered a timeless classic for kids of this new generation. There is nothing extravagant about it's story. There is no "bad guy" or protagonists. This is about a dog who gets lost, and then with the help of some new friends, tries to find his way back home to his owner. Now there's a little bit of a unique quality to the story seeing as how this dog is a TV star where he plays a superhero pup. Bolt thinks he's a superhero in real life, and does not realize he's on a TV show. Now that just adds a lot of good humor to the movie. This is a solidly written and very funny kid movie. I know for a fact that kids will LOVE Bolt. I loved Bolt. It was very entertaining. It had such great, charming and hilarious characters (The pigeons were the best!). I mean this movie is just darn good and very clean fun for the entire family, and I suggest if you have the extra money...take the kids. It would be a good time!

Bolt is in the top three of best animated films of 2008!! Hands down! Great flick!

To view this films theatrical trailer, click this link: Bolt

*This is the 156th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Fly Me to the Moon

2008-12-08T19:21:00.002-07:00

Fly Me to the Moon

Rated G

Running Time: 1 hr 24 mins

Voice Cast:

Tim Curry
Robert Patrick
Kelly Ripa
Christopher Lloyd

Critical Consensus:

** out of *****
(17% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

** out of *****

The Premise:

Three young houseflies stow away aboard the Apollo 11 flight to the moon.

MY REVIEW

Blah. Man I did not realize how many cruddy animated movies there are these days. I remember when I was a kid and I loved everything that came out because they had stories I was able to understand, or stories I just found funny in my little kid brain. Remember Aladdin? The Lion King? Of course you do! Not only were they funny, but they were incredibly memorable! Those movies will stick with me forever. Who do these filmakers think kids are these days? Do they think kids have no sense of humor, or the opposite of being the most easily amused things on this Earth? Because movies like Space Chimps and now 'Fly Me to the Moon' I honestly don't think would appeal to children. It's also so rare this day and age that children get to watch movies they will remember forever. They don't get to experience movies like Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Little Rascals, or even the Toy Story films. They are subjected the hollow, un-funny crap like this. Yes they have movies like Wall-E, and Cars and Monsters Inc, but these memorable films are far and few between.

You can probably tell that I didn't really care for this particular film. As an adult watching it with an adult movie watching mindset, it's a pretty bad movie, I won't lie. The story is so weak and the dialog is empty and not funny in the least. I did not laugh once. I never thought voice acting could be bad, but man this was atrocious. I mean this cast provided no energy, it was all so bland. You just don't feel for these characters or even really like them. Now if I'm reviewing it from what I think a kid's movie mindset is...this movie sucks. It's not funny and I don't think it would grab a childs attention like a movie like this should. For a kid this movie in unappealing and they would probably be just as bored with it as I was. It was full of awkward and untense moments as well. In all the scenes where there is danger and suspensful music, the characters are just suddenly are out of their situation within seconds and without even trying. If that makes any sense to you at all.

I just can't recommend this to parents with kids. I mean it vaguely has a message which is why I gave it two stars. It teaches kids to reach for the stars and keep dreaming and one day those dreams will come true as long as you keep trying. So that's an aspect I liked. But it wasn't enough to redeem the movie as a whole. Just skip it folks, there are some better kid flicks out there for your family to enjoy.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Fly Me to the Moon

*This is the 155th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Boy A

2008-12-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

Boy A

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 40 mins

Cast:

Critical Consensus:

***1/2 out of *****
(89% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

The Premise:

The story of a young ex-con Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a murder he committed as a child.

MY REVIEW

It's the little things in life that are sometimes the best things in life. Such is true with movies. It's the little movies that are sometimes the best. Boy A is easily one of the finest films of 2008, in this reviewers opinion. It is incredibly acted, beautifully shot, and has one heck of a story to tell!

It follows a young man played by Andrew Garfield (Lions for Lambs, The Other Boleyn Girl) who is given a new life and identity after being released from prison for the murder of a young girl when he was just a boy. He's mentored by his guidance counselor played by Peter Mullan (Children of Men, Session 9) who himself is dealing with his own son he's barely seen. The young man, who's name is now Jack, tries to fit into the new mold of life he's not yet been exposed to. He has a job at a warehouse, he befriends some co-workers and even finds love in one of the receptionists. His new life is going extremely well until a single act of kindness changes everything. His old life as a murderer is exposed and he starts struggling with this.

This is a wonderful story of a redemption. Can a boy who brutally murdered a girl, change? Can he be forgiven for the crime he committed? Can he lead a normal life? All these questions are answered by the end of the film, but I will not spoil it. You know in a lot films about a character seeking redemption and a fresh start at life, you kind of know how it will end. You know if it will end with sadness and tears or happiness and joy. In this film, you just never know until the end. Because it's so authentic to human nature, I feel like the screenwriter and director nailed it. You feel so bad for this young man, and you can see the regret and anguish in his eyes and actions and he really just wants to be loved. But at the same time, he did kill a girl, brutally so with one of his friends. He's labled a monster, and really that's what he was. But can even a monster be forgiven? Can a monster be given a second chance. Certainly the family of the little girl probably will never forgive him, but this is more about can he forgive himself. Again, you know this answer by the end as well. I just thought it was a fantastic and sometimes dark and sad story. Really good.

The performances were brilliant. I'd like to point out Andrew Garfield for a moment. He plays the lead character, and for all intensive purposes this is his true introductory performance. He was absolutley phenomenal. He got all the emotions perfectly, and he had to go through a range of them. This young actor delivers probably one of the best and most realistic performances of this year. He really made you feel for this character, which doesn't happen a lot in movies these days. Peter Mullan was also fantastic. I've pretty much never seen this guy really act before, but now that I have, I think he's great. He has some very touching scenes with the character of his son, as well as the lead boy. He plays a guy who's spent more time with troubled kids than his own son, and now his son is troubled and depressed. So Mullan has to go through a range of emotions himself, and he did a very good job!

This really is just a brilliant film in every which way! You know if you are a fan of film, and appreciate the little known movies and those indi flicks, then I highly suggest this one to you. Boy A is a near perfect, almost flawless piece of dramatic work and is definitley one of the very best films of this year.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Boy A

*This is the 154th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Nobel Son

2008-12-05T13:46:00.008-07:00

Nobel Son

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 42 mins

Cast:

** out of *****
(21% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

** out of *****

The Premise:

On the verge of receiving the Nobel Prize in chemistry, Professor Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman) learns that kidnappers have snatched his son Barkley (Bryan Greenberg), a promising graduate student. But when the captors want a ransom of $2 million -- the exact amount of the Nobel Prize money -- the self-serving Eli refuses to cough up the cash in this vitriolic tale about an acutely dysfunctional family. Shawn Hatosy and Mary Steenburgen also star.

MY REVIEW

If by some chance you are like me, and see over 150 movies a year, you may have the same feelings towards this film that I did. I'm not saying that's a fact, but just a possibility. Nobel Son falls into the category of "not all that bad, but not all that good". It's just one of those run of the mill, random, average movies that in the long run is pretty forgettable. At least for me personally. I can however see how some people would in fact be attracted to a film like this and enjoy it. So I don't want to say for sure that this film will have the same effect on everyone else like it did for me. This movie was just weird, plain and simple. It had a very eccentric cast, a very busy plotline, and an over the top musical score.

I don't mean that the cast was bad, because actually they weren't bad at all. Most of them were pretty good and entertaining. Namely the always fun Alan Rickman (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Harry Potter fame). As far as I can tell this guy never plays a likeable character, but I guess that's his thing. But he's so good at it I think! This may have been his worst persona ever (even over the dreadful Proffessor Snape and the evil Judge Turpin). This guy just hates everything that doesn't glorify him. He's selfish, he's rude, he's a jerk! But Rickman plays him in that "love to hate him" kind of way, and I just thought he was fantastic! Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen (Melvin and Howard, Step Brothers) isn't someone I've seen a whole lot of, but I thought she was perfect here! She has to play the worried mother and the wife of this dreadful man. She plays this character so balanced, but in the scenes were she sort of snaps, man she's good! The rest of the supporting cast all did well too I thought. Eliza Dushku (TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, TV's Tru Calling) was bizzare as heck but that was her character.

The story was all over the place! Not totally in a bad way, but it did tend to be a bit much after a while. Seriously there was like two kidnapping plots, an ATM robber plot, the story of Rickman's character and his affairs and his nobel prize, and the story of the kidnapper who may or may not be related to Rickman. I think it was to much packed in to one story in the length of time we got. If the film was about twenty minutes longer, the story may have flowed with ease a bit better. What I mean is, this movie all seemed rushed. It moved way to fast. However you still get the idea of the story, and don't lose much of it and never really get confused. So in a way, it balanced itself out.

What I really did not care for was the obnoxious musical score! I've always said a musical score can make or break a movie, and this one nearly breaks it. It was like toned down techno music that seemed to play non stop the whole movie. The music was loud and sometimes actually drained out the dialog. It was used in the wrong ways and the wrong times. Even the serious "dramactic" scenes had all the same score, it was so distracting and just weird. It's as if the music was meant for an entirely different film. It did not fit.

Such is almost the same with the rest of the filmaking. The camera jerked around so much it made your eyes blurry at times. The camera did these weird fast takes like it was being fastforwarded and it was accomanied by some weird sound effects. Maybe it was just the theater I was in, but the sound appeared to be kind of muffled. That was another issue I had. Like at times it was hard to even hear what was going on.

But listen, Nobel Son through all of this is not an awful movie. I know I may have painted the picture, but really I think this movie could appeal to some audiences. Just not so much me. I mean it was just simply OK, a little weird, and overall forgetabble.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Nobel Son

*This is the 153rd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Encounters at the End of the World

2008-12-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

Encounters at the End of the World

Rated G
Running Time: 1 hr 39 mins

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

Subject Material:

Filmmaker Werner Herzog travels to Antarctica to capture its landscape's rarely seen beauty on film.

MY REVIEW

Encounters at the End of the World ranks at number one in terms of the best documentaries I've personally seen this year. This is probably the most fascinating and engaging one to say the least. I mean this truly is a beautiful piece of work by Werner Herzog. He takes us into the mysterious world of Antarctica and shows us things we have never seen. The underwater wonders that look like magnificent spectacles you may only see in a fantasy movie. Creatures that may look hideous but are a incredible thing to marvel at. There are just so many glorious and unheard and unseen things that this film allows us to watch.

There is an amazing scene where we hear seals communicating under water, and it sounds like some weird sci-fi movie computer noises. But it's the real deal, it's really these amazing creatures talking amongst themselves in some of the most incredible and unique sounds. That was awesome. We see a really sad tale of a penguin. Some penguins go a little "bonkers" and wander off there nest into the vast openness of Antarctica only to find certain death. These rogue penguins just go "nuts" so to speak, and the humans cannot touch them when the do this. It was really emotional because you see this poor tiny penguin running/waddling off to his certain death. So sad, but really cool in a weird way.

We also hear the tales of the humans who now live and work on this desolate continent. Some really brave stories in fact. People who have traveled across countries in garbage trucks and via pipelines (well sort of). People who were in Guatemala and were almost killed just for looking a child the wrong way. People who were forced to escape their homes for the sake of their own lives. These people all now find themselves where they feel they are needed and belong. They are some really cool, fascinating people who all have kind of inspiring lives and stories to tell.

This is a remarkable documentary, and if you see it somewhere on a shelf at a DVD rental place or on Netflix...check it out. It's great!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Encounters

*This is the 152nd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

EXCLUSIVE INDEPENDENT FILM REVIEW: Home Movie

2008-11-27T22:24:00.010-07:00

Home Movie

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 17 mins

Cast:

Adrian Pasdar
Cady McClain
Amber Joy Williams
Austin Williams

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

Documents one family's descent into darkness, using a compilation of found home-made footage. In the remote woods of upstate New York, the Poe Family lives a Norman Rockwell life. Perfect house. Perfect marriage. If only the children stopped stapling frogs to trees. Something is very wrong with ten-year old twins, Jack and Emily Poe. And, to stop them, their parents must enter the nightmare of their minds. The only question is: who will survive the night?

MY REVIEW

Home Movie is an all hand held camera film. The whole film is shot like...a home movie. Yes we have seen a slew of these types of movies in the recent year, but this film actually uses the camera effect in a very cool way. We see snippets of events in this families life over the course of a few months, mainly major holidays. The pastor father played by "Heroes" star Adrian Pasdar and the child therapist mother played by Cady McClain documents as much of the families life as possible. Now for the first half of the film, this family seems very happy and quite normal. Despite the children (Amber Joy Williams and Austin Williams)being very quiet and standoffish. We see the mother shooting video for patient purposes and the father filming himself practice sermons. All is well.

The second half things take a turn for the worse. The children start acting a little sinister. They kill their fish and put it in a sandwich. They crucify the family cat. They throw their plates of food on the ground on Thanksgiving while the father tries to pray. The mother begins to suspect they may have some mental illness and tries to treat them. The father things there is evil in the house and tries to perform and exorcism. Nothing works.

Home Movie is a very well made psychological horror film. I hate to even use the word horror to describe the film's genre. Because there is no blood or gore. There are no jump scenes. There are no moments of evil torture. This film is purely a trick on the mind. It glorifies the phrase "what you don't see is what scares you the most". Not literally per say, although those creepy little kids do some sneaky and unsettling things behind the camera that we don't see. What I mean is we don't see evil in these kids, and neither do the parents at first. We all see two shy, quiet kids who may be a bit socially awkward. Then it all flips.

This movie isn't amazing, but I thought it was very well executed and it was the perfect length and just under an hour and twenty minutes. Just enough time to show the rapid growth in fear and evil in that house. We never know what triggers these kids. We never find out if they are possessed or just insane. That's not the point. A lot of the times kids do crazy things in real life and we never know why. Heck recently in Phoenix an 8 year old shot and killed his father and his roommate. Kids that age don't have the mentality to plan these things like an adult would. They just...go crazy sometimes. And sometimes it's because of their home life. In this case, these kids had a very good home life, with very loving parents. Which makes this story even creepier.

The movie is currently playing on Cox On Demand under "New Releases" and then I think the "In Theaters" option. Or something close to that. I believe it is on other cable on demand networks as well. The movie is qualifying as a normal released film for my review purposes because it is playing in some independent theaters in the country. If you are into unsettling creep fests, I would check out Home Movie if you can. It works very well in my opinion. Very creepy "horror" flick.

To view this film's trailer, click this link: Home Movie

*This is the 151st new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film was featured in select independent theaters across the country and is available on Cox On Demand and Direct TV until December 31st 2008.

Space Chimps

2008-11-26T16:41:00.005-07:00

Space Chimps

Rated G

Running time: 1 hr 21 mins

Voice Cast:

**1/2 out of *****
(35% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

*1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

Playful circus chimp Ham III -- grandson of the first simian astronaut -- finds himself knee deep in an intergalactic revolution when NASA drafts him to recover a missing probe in this comic animated adventure. Can Ham and his shipmates, the intrepid Lt. Luna and testy skipper Titan, save a planet under the thumb of a nefarious tyrant? Celebrity voices include Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Patrick Warburton, Jeff Daniels and Stanley Tucci.

MY REVIEW

I really hate to give animated films low marks, because I am not the target audience. But Space Chimps is just a sucky movie, I'm sorry. I honestly think that this film wouldn't even appeal to many young audiences. I think if you are between the ages of 5-8 you might find it slightly entertaining but otherwise, this movie is just bland.

All Space Chimps really is, is an extended version of a Saturday morning cartoon. I feel like there was virtually no effort put into this film to appeal to much of anyone. It wasn't even funny. It had no charming likability. I think for adults and most kids, this movie would be a bore. It certainly was for me. It tries to hard to be funny for kids, and I don't think most kids would get it. I know kids, I have 7 nieces and nephews, I've grown up with children for the past 13 years. I have a fairly good gauge for how the average mind of a child works. And this film is not something that would be fun for most youngsters.

The animation was outdated, it's as if it went back to the stone ages of 3D animation, and then some. That's not something I typically want to complain about, but this movie had nothing in it's favor. The voice actors were dull and unfunny, just like the story.

Listen parents, this film may be totally clean for children s minds, and there aren't any grown up jokes kids won't get; but really there are so many other good family films out there you can show you kids instead of this one. Wall-E, Kit Kittredge, Kung Fu Panda, etc. Don't waste your time showing the family this one. There isn't even a good message in it like the other films have. The film's I just listed have very sweet morals to teach kids and families, Space Chimps is just a mess of a film that leaves you feeling empty.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Space Chimps

*This is the 150th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

MADE FOR TV SPOTLIGHT: 24:Redemption

2008-11-26T15:55:00.001-07:00

24: Redemption

Rated NR
Running Time: 2 hrs (on TV)
TV Premiere Date: November 22nd

Cast:

Kiefer Sutherland
Jon Voight
Cherry Jones
Colm Feore
Powers Boothe

The Premise:

While helping his old friend Carl Benton (Robert Carlyle) build houses for the poor in Africa, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) gets caught in the middle of a military coup. Back in the United States, Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) prepares to be sworn in as president. Filmed on location in South Africa, this stand-alone movie serves as a bridge between the sixth and seventh seasons of the popular show "24" and co-stars Gil Bellows and Jon Voight.

MY REVIEW

Oh gosh, SO glad this show is back! This is technically a Made for TV movie and that qualifies for a review from me. You don't like that I count made for TV movies in my movie tally...that's just way to bad. This isn't an official site, I'm not a paid reviewer, I do this for fun. Get over it! So with that in mind...I LOVED this movie!!

This film covers for us what happened after the season six finale of the hit action-drama "24" aobout a year and half ago. The show's seventh season was given the boot last January due to the dismal writers strike, so we haven't had any 24 since May of 2007! WAY to long! I will be the first to admit, season 6 was probably the weakest of the shows running. Season 5 wasn't all that better. The first 3 seasons were simply unbelievably great, and the 4th was pretty awesome itself. What "24: Redemption" has done...has redeemed the show. It made up for the cruddy past couple years. And it did it in just 2 measly real-time hours.

To those who don't know, the first few seasons of 24 is an action-drama that follows Agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) who works for CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit) as he tries to foil terrorist attacks on US soil, mainly in Los Angelas. Each season takes place over the course of just one single day. Each episode takes place in an hour of real time for that day. So we have 24 episodes, hench the name...24. We have a ticking clock that pops up periodically through each episode letting us know what time it is. At the beginning of each episode it tells us what current hour the following episode will show us.

Jack Bauer is this generations Chuck Norris, but a whole hell of a lot cooler! He does whatever he can to save the day, even if that means shooting innocent women in the kneecaps. Yes, he has done this. Or excecuting his own boss to delay an awful attack on the city. The man has been through a lot, and has received nothing in return for the government he works for. Last we saw Jack he was fed up with the people that used and abused him over the years (or days??). They let jack get taken prisoner for a 18 months by the Chinese government. They used Jack as bait several times, and were prepared to have him killed. Because of these people he works for, he lost his wife (who who shockingly killed at the end of season one) and has become estranged from his daughter (Elisha Cuthbert) Now Jack isn't all that innocent. He's brutally tortured some mean people to get information. He shoots people on a constant basis, I think he's killed over 75 people over 6 seasons (days). The guy is a mad man, he's freakin' nuts...but simply put he is a true American hero.

To watch the 24 movie you actually need no real background to the previous seasons. I mean you will need a slight tutorial on the life of Jack Bauer (which I just explained above) and a bit about the governmental characters. Speaking of which, 24 breaks ground when it comes to Presidents. They just don't care. The now assasinated President Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) from seasons 1-4 was the real first black president! And now we are introduced to a new president...a woman (Cherry Jones). Meanwhile we learn Jack is in Africa helping his good friend with a school while the Sengala (a fictional city in Africa) army threat is growing as they start to recruit child soldiers. Blah blah blah...and Jack is forced to help save the day. And boy does he! This comes with a price though. He's also forced to return to the US to stand trial for the acts of torture he commited many years ago.

This movie kicked butt! Such a great story, perfectly fit for 24. I feel like this movie brought the show back to it's roots, maybe even better. I'll tell ya, when Jack blew up a car for the first real action scene, I was pumped! THen he took out six or seven soldiers all by himself with his little gun. Oh gosh then he snapped a guys neck with his legs while he was tied up by the arms. I'm not kidding guys, this show and this movie is intense and action packed! Kiefer Sutherland rocked it as Bauer once again! This character has gone through so much and Sutherland is excellent at playing this role. I cannot picture anyone else doing it.

This movie is now on DVD actually, and I think you guys should check it out even if you have never seen the show! You may very well become a fan, and start watching when the show itself premiers in January! I for one and freakin' excited!

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating: ***** out of *****

*This is the 149th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Rachel Getting Married

2008-11-23T13:18:00.007-07:00

Rachel Getting Married

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 54 mins

Cast:

Anne Hathaway
Rosemarie DeWitt
Bill Irwin
Debra Winger

Critical Consensus:

***1/2 out of *****
(87% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

****1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

A young woman who has been in and out from rehab for the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister's wedding.

MY REVIEW

A pleasant surprise is always the best kind of surprise. That is exactly what this film was. I have to say, Rachel Getting Married is one of the best and most real movies of 2008 chock full of incredible performances. You know you see the preview, and you kind of think: this might be a softer chick flick. I mean it has the word "Married" in the title, that mean total girl sobfest right? Wrong! This movie isn't really about a wedding, even though it's about a wedding. This movie is about a very dysfunctional family full of individuals who desperately seek attention from everyone else in the family. You know I'm convinced entire families can suffer from bi-polar disorder.

What this movie does is gives an very true insight into the world of family dysfunction. You know we've seen plenty of films with families who are crazy, but usually it's shown in a lighter tone. This cuts right to true to life core. I've never seen a film display this kind of family behavior so accurately. You have the drug addict in recovery sister played by Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada, Princess Diaries); the sister getting married who just wants everything to go smoothly played by Rosemarie DeWitt (Cinderella Man, TV's Mad Men); the loving father who just wants everyone to get along played by Bill Irwin (Lady in the Water, TV's Sesame Street); and the distant mother played by Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment, Shadowlands). It really isn't to far fetched from a typical American family these days.

The story of this family is quite moving actually. This family all claims to be so loving and loves one another, but really they are deeply scarred. They all still mourn the death of their baby son and brother that happened in a tragic accident. They all try to cope with their wild daughter and sibling who just got out of rehab. All the while trying to maintain some smiles and happiness for the wedding that's right around the corner. You know I just loved the tension this family displayed. Not in a good way of course, but I loved it because it shows how any seemingly normal family can have serious issues too. Is there such thing as an absolutely perfect family? I don't really think so. If there is, they are possibly the ones who are dysfunctional. Rached Getting Married takes a happy time in someones life and turns it into a crazy battle of emotions ranging from sadness to pure hatred all in one weekend. That to me is brilliant. This movie had a very great story to tell, a very realistic story to tell.

Some I think complained about the style of fimaking, claiming that it tends to be a bit awkward. In some sense I agree with that, but for the most part the filmaking was genius. What I agree with, is that some scenes played out a little to long. Namely the reception scene that just kept going and going with no dialogue but just clips of the festivities. It seriously dragged on for maybe ten minutes. About seven minutes to long. A couple other scenes also could have been cut just a smidgeon. Some people may not like the shaky camera effect, and may not expect it in a film like this. I found it to be a perfect tool for this movie. The camera effect almost looked like a home video, which really added on to the realism of the movie and these characters. It kind of had the same look as "The Office" does, but just a little grainier, which I just loved.

What I loved the most was the performances. They certainly don't overshadow eachother or the story, they fit in so snuggly. Topping it off was the shockingly brave and brilliant performance of Anne Hathaway. She 100% leads Best Actress category for my awards at this point. Her performance was never flashy or colorful. It was sad, funny, and incredibly moving. I actually see a lot of myself in this character, which was a plus becuase I got to relate to her. She just wants people to love her and forgive her and she's doing such a hard job to accomplish that. But it just comes out that she's starving for attention and it's all about her. A solid job on her behalf, easily her greatest performance by a million miles.

Rosemarie DeWitt is an actress I've never seen or heard of. But man was she great in this movie as the sister getting married. Her character has the most conflict with Hathaway, and their chemistry was excellent. You would actually think they were sisters. She comes off as sweet and loveable but also this person who just isn't giving her sister a fair chance. She isn't listening to her sister like she should. DeWitt plays off this tension so wonderfully. She too has some very moving scenes and is absolutely one of the best supporting female performances of this year. And I just want to touch on Bill Irwin for a second. This guy apparently plays Mr. Noodle on Sesame Street. I got a kick out of that. He really is one of the most loveable movie dads I've seen in a while. He delivers such a sincere and touching performance. He just wants his girls to be happy, and he plays that role so well. I think he may be in my supporting actor list at years end.

Rachel Getting Married has taught me a very valuable lesson. It is important to be who you are, not who other people want you and expect you to be. Don't mold yourself off other people because they want you to. Live your life they way your life is meant to be lived. The love and acceptance of your family and friends is very important, but it also important to be yourself. Don't cater to people's needs and don't expect to be catered. It's amazing that a movie has taught me this. But that just shows how good this movie really is, bravo!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Rachel Getting Married

*This is the 148th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Twilight

2008-11-22T08:50:00.009-07:00

Twilight

Rated PG-13

Running time: 2 hours 2 mins

Cast:

Kristen Stewart
Robert Pattinson
Cam Gigandet
Taylor Lautner
Ashley Green

Critical Consensus:

**1/2 out of *****
(43% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

** out *****

The Premise:

A teenage girl risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire. Based off the best selling novels of the same name.

MY REVIEW

Since I've never read any of the books in the series, I have to review this film from an unbiased perspective and review like it's just a random movie. With that in mind, I was not a fan of the movie. In reality the small budget of the movie ruined it, but that's just my personal opinion. If I had read the books, had invested time in these characters, my opinion would probably be more positive. Sadly, this is not the case. I apologize to the Twilight book fans, please do not think I am attacking you if you did like the film adaption. If fans of the book enjoy this movie, I am very happy for that, it's been a long time coming for them! And I also very much understand why you would enjoy the movie in that case.

The movie kind of starts off awkwardly and never really lets that go. What I mean by that is that nothing really fits snugly into place due to it's very weak production value. The scenery isn't as pretty as it should have been, it actually looks kind of fake. Not an unrealistic fake, just...I don't know. The scoring and random music they threw in every once in a while always seemed out of place. I've always been a very firm believer that music can make or break a movie. It truly sets the tone for most films. This music...just was so awkwardly placed.

You would think in a movie like this special effects would be something to ogle at...not so much however. Again because of the low budget they couldn't dare waste too much on the the visuals. When Edward steps into sunlight he's supposed to look beautiful with some diamond like textured skin. Yet when we see this, we can barely see a difference and it just looks cheesy. But that fits the pattern for the whole look of the film: cheesy. Nothing about it's visuals ever stands out. That sort of irritated me. I don't like low budget films that have stories meant for big budgets.

Speaking of the story, it wasn't bad. It had a very sweet love story that I believe is the main focus of this first book. I could be wrong though. So if it is, the movie stayed very true to that, and in terms of love stories it was pretty good. The film really stretched it out the whole length of the film and I liked that it did so. Other aspects of the story were kind of weak, such as the villain. He kind of comes in about half way through the movie, then dissapears then comes back a little bit later. When he does come back, he immediately wants to kill the main girl. I get it, he's a vampire who thirsts for blood, so I understand his motive. But I didn't get why he was so adamant about ruining Edwards life. But it didn't really matter, he was dead for to quickly. Not much of a good villain. The story kind of jumped from one point to another to quickly. It seemed badly edited but again, maybe the books were like that too so I can't call it out for that.

What I can say though is that the story ultimately lacked any true excitement. There was almost no tension, even in the love story. Love stories can have tension in film too, not just action and suspense. I never once really cared about any of these characters or their safety. Speaking of the characters, the low budget really scarred the film's performances too. Better actors could have been chosen. Kristen Stewart (Panic Room, Zathura) didn't seem like she knew what she was doing. I feel she stuttered through her lines quite frequently. But again, that could be the character and I just don't know. She was pretty bad though, if I'm being honest. Robert Pattinson (Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire) was just way to dry. Oh and his facial expressions, especially the close up shots, were just creepy and uncomfortable. I understand he's supposed to be some super hot vampire dude, and I don't think he fit that role either. I think he may need a few more acting lessons. Who am I do judge right? I don't act right? Well guess what, these people DO act. This is their freaking job! Just like they expect us to be good at our jobs, we expect the same from them. They get paid a buttload of money to act and all these actors are on the verge of a strike...so you know what, I can judge. The acting in this movie was just bad. I'm sorry.

A quick note here: shouldn't a movie that has a big vampire cast, showcase the vampires a little more? I feel like we didn't see many of those fangs, or really any neck biting. The family of vampires all seemed like a nice, cozy little family with a few stuck up kids...but none of them really showed us their true vampire-esque abilities. Maybe a nice little tree climbing, or a really speedy run...but is that what we all really know and love about vampires? Even the bad guys didn't do much on screen vampire bad guy things. That just seemed a bit weird to me.

Again, I don't want to critisize the fans of the books. To them, this movie was a lot better than it was for me. They have invested their time with these stories and characters, so it's easier for them to float right into the movie. But now that I think of it, these movies shouldn't just be meant for fans of the books. A movie should try to be good to all people who like the particular genre. I feel the movie sort of catered to the fans of the books and in a way leaves us non fans in the dust. Like we feel cheated in some weird way. I'm very glad the book fans got what they wanted, but I would at least expect the courtesy of a film maker to also make their film appeal to other audiences.

Twilight is by no means an awful movie. I think this movie will be a great success to the die-hard fans of the series, but to people like me, I think it will brush on by as just another forgettable movie. I also think it will have great numbers in it's opening box office totals. Thanks to those teeny boppers out there!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Twilight

*This is the 147th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

2008-11-10T14:55:00.005-07:00

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Rated PG

Running Time: 1 hr 29 mins

Voice Cast:

Ben Stiller
Chris Rock
David Schwimmer
Jada Pinkett Smith
Sacha Baron Cohen
Bernie Mac
Alec Baldwin

Critical Consensus:

Coming Soon
(Coming Soon)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

The Premise:

A botched rescue attempt strands Alex the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller) and his companions smack dab in the African wild. Sadly, as in Madagascar, Alex discovers he has little in common with the locals, having lived for so long in the city. His friends, meanwhile, begin to doubt they'll ever make it back to the zoo. David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock and Sacha Baron Cohen reprise their voice roles in this hysterical animated sequel.

MY REVIEW

Not many sequels are as good or even better than the first film. I personally think Madagascar 2 was an improvement over the original. Now I liked the first movie, I thought it was adorable and perfect for kids. The animation was a bit weird though, and it seemed like a TV show and not a major film. However, kids don't care about that and that's who the target audience is, so ultimately I didn't care. The sequel however does improve in this area greatly.

But really, this film is very cute, very funny and very lovable. It may not stand up against films like Toy Story or this years Wall*E but it's still a really entertaining and fun movie. The kids will love it! I was in a theater full of kids, and I can tell they just had a blast with this film! Movies like this weren't intended to wow adult audiences and garner tons of Oscar nominations. The animated film category at the Oscars didn't come around until fairly recently. These movies are MEANT for children and families. How can an adult review this movie with an adult mindset. That's just silly!!

I have NOTHING to complain about in this movie. Because for what it was supposed to be, it was perfect! All the characters are so fun! I was laughing right along with the kids in the audience. Those freaking penguins are absolutely hysterical! They were a highlight in the first film, and they were even funnier here! Each character just had their own individual quirks that just added to the humor. The film has the added benefit of being well written too. They story was very simple, and played out very well. There were jokes thrown in that were obviously meant for adults too, which is always a cool touch. And in the end, the story delivers a good message: friends are important, especially the good ones. We will always have disagreements with friends, but with the good friends you see right past the arguments.

Yes, I gave this films five stars. Is it as good as Wall*E or Kung Fu Panda? Not in my adult mindset no, but kids don't really care what I think! I review these movies indivually, and try very hard not to actually compare them while watching them. Madagascar 2 is a very good film that the entire family can enjoy! Even you can enjoy it! It's fun!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Madagascar 2

*This is the 146th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Super High Me

2008-11-07T13:26:00.001-07:00

Super High Me

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 34 mins

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

* out of *****

Subject Matter:

Determined to find out the true effects of marijuana on the human body, stand-up comedian and former Stoner of the Year Doug Benson documents his experience avoiding pot for 30 days and then consuming massive amounts of the drug for 30 days. More than just an amusing story of one man's quest to get superhigh, this documentary also examines the hotly contested debate over medical marijuana use.

MY REVIEW

Super High Me is almost a spoof movie in itself. It essentially spoofs the critical hit, "Super Size Me" from a few years ago. However instead of a man going around getting fat and nearly killing himself off of McDonald's food, we have a man (comic Doug Benson) smoking pot non-stop. Well first he goes 30 full days without smoking any marijuana then goes 30 full days smoking pot all day. To those who chuckle from this premise, you may be a pot head, or once were one.

This movie is not interesting in the least. It really provides no actual insight into the world of drugs. Nothing we as a country didn't already know. Really this movie is an excuse for a man to smoke weed constantly on camera. Doug Benson is known as one of the top pot comics in the country. I'm sad there is such a list. I don't judge pot smokers for smoking pot, I just think when you are in your 30's and 40's and smoking weed is the best thing you can do for fun, you may not lead an amazing life.

To be an actual legit documentary, the movie brings us glimpses of insight into the medical marijuana life. We see clinics being shut down by the DEA even though it's technically legal in some states like California. However even these moments take a back seat to Doug Benson rattling off pot jokes and talking nonsense in front of the camera due to being high. He even goes to a doctor before and after and really learns that there is not much of a change from not smoking pot to smoking pot all the time. Almost as if it's an actual advertisement for pot.

Super High Me is really kind of a childish documentary in my eyes. I mean many people may actually enjoy a movie like this, especially the pot smokers of the world. To me smoking pot in this regard is not cool in my personal book. I've never smoked pot. I've never done a drug in my life. I've barely consumed alcohol. I personally have never been a fan of any of it. I don't like what it does to people. I don't like the fact that people have to drink or do drugs to actually feel emotions like happiness. That stuff should come naturally. But this is just MY opinion. I'm not saying I hate potheads and alcoholics. And I'm not saying other people won't like this movie. I just didn't, that's all.

**To discuss this film and my review please go to my message board by clicking this link: Review Talk **

To view this films trailer, click this link: Super High Me

*This is the 145th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Transsiberian

2008-11-07T10:46:00.007-07:00

Transsiberian

Rated R

Running Time: 1 hr 51 mins

Cast:

***1/2 out of *****
(92% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

The Premise:

A Trans-Siberian train journey from China to Moscow becomes a thrilling chase of deception and murder when an American couple encounters a mysterious pair of fellow travelers.

MY REVIEW

Transsiberian is how a thriller should be done. This movie is near perfect in almost every way and is easily one of the best film's of 2008. Sadly it's just another one of those movies that no one really saw in theaters and that will carry on in it's DVD time. Sometimes I feel it's movies like this that should be the big summer blockbusters. Because these really are the highest class of film, but they don't have huge stars and big explosions to get an audience. Movies like this have real quality to them.

The movies first half is nothing but pure build up to something big and not so good. While watching it, you know something is going to happen, but you just can't predict what that will be. For me that made this film incredibly tense. I was expecting something awful to happen, but then it didn't. Then at the right moment, the movie completely unfolds. It's at this point where the story flips and goes in another direction and new characters are introduced. Characters that you as an audience don't really trust but the heroes of the story seem to. We have a murder, a drug ring and characters you really can't figure out. To me that's a brilliant formula for a tense thriller.

A lot of the times for a movie like this to work, it has to look amazing. This movie looks incredible. More than half of the film takes place aboard a train. The cinematography as the camera weaves through the halls and sleeping quarters, is really something great. The camera work adds on to the tense feelings you get while watching the story unfold. It's also full of dull colors just to add to the dark feeling of the film. Even when the characters are in the bright snow, the film making just has a way of creating that darkness. The director did an excellent job creating this world of thrills and suspense.

I was glad to see Woody Harrelson (Semi-Pro) here. He's just one of those guys you see in movies and TV that you always know is good but isn't all that recognized still. I thought he did such a great job in this film. You really love his character in the first half, and then in the second half he does such an amazing job at showcasing the fear and confusion that sets in with the story. I've never been a big fan of Emily Mortimer (Redbelt), she's never really proven herself as a dependable actress. But she temporarily changed my mind after this film. It was her that really carried this film performance wise. She was essentially the main character who has to go through so many feeling and emotions and I was honestly shocked at how well she did. Just based off what I've seen of her before. Really outstanding job. Of course Oscar winner Ben Kingsley (Ghandi, House of Sand and Fog) was awesome yet again. This time playing a mysterious Russian cop. When he's on his game, he's good. No difference here.

I highly recommend Transsiberian to everyone! It's such a tightly wound thrill ride, that will please fans of the genre. Is it wildly exciting? No not really. Are there many chases? Again, no. Explosions? None that I can remember. But not every good suspense thriller has to have those things. In fact, usually the good ones like this don't have those things. This movie certainly did not need any of that to prove itself as a brilliant film!

To view this films theatrical trailer, click this link: Transsiberian

*This is the 144th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

S.R.M Presents!

2008-11-04T21:45:00.003-07:00

Hey everyone! So I have a special little treat for you! About a month or so ago, my sister Kelly and I were visiting some family in California. My brother Shawn along with my sister Tricia and my sister-in-law Jenn and their friends Matt, Robert and Cathy have a myspace filmaker page called S.R.M. They film videos that range from 2 minutes to almost 7 minutes long. The videos are purely comedy, and a lot of the time pretty vulgar and/or a little extreme! And I love it! They have completed an entire first "season" of 15 videos, and will actually put them on a DVD for you if you ask, and may cost you a few bucks. They currently are working on their second "season" and already have three videos up as of this blog.

Well I mention this because I "starred" in two of these videos. One of them was a Ghost Hunters spoof which we called "Spook Searchers". Me along with my two sisters played members of PAPS and "investigated" a haunted apartment. When you watch the video you will notice we are a bit clueless, which was the fun of it! To those who don't like bad words or anything of the sort, you don't have to worry much about this video, theres only one bad word (D**khead) and that's it.

So the video is right down below for you viewing pleasure! Please let me know what you think of the video! I hope you enjoy it! Remember, it is only a spoof video, not to be taken seriously. And if you like what you see and you have a myspace page, please add S.R.M. to your friends list!

Click here to get to their page: SRM and again, please add them as a friend! Tell them Mike from Mikey @ The Movies sent ya!

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Heckler

2008-11-01T13:33:00.005-07:00

Heckler

Rated R
Running Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

**** out of *****

Subject Matter:

This offbeat documentary starring comedian Jamie Kennedy explores the often contentious relationship between the people onstage and the vocal critics in the audience who are more than willing to make their opinions known. Interviews with such stars as comedian Bill Maher, director George Lucas and football legend Mike Ditka make it clear that heckling can happen at any venue -- and that not even the biggest luminaries are immune.

MY REVIEW

A lot of this movie has to do with the overall unacceptance of Jamie Kennedy (Scream trilogy, Son of the Mask) and his film choices. Honestly, I've never seen his so called crap films, so I have no opinion. I think he's finally made his first good movie! This time in documentary form. You actually feel kind of bad for the guy, he's taken a lot of heat for his film's and stand up routine. I really have no issue with the guy.

The movie focuses on people in audiences who heckle and ridicule stand up comics. It also shows how some comedians think fast and retort. Most of the time it's something pretty vulgar and mean spirited. By no means is this film lighthearted. It's hits a harsh truth...that some people are just jerks. Some people crave for attention by trying to be the funniest guy in the room other than the man or woman doing a routine on stage. Some people do it because they are drunk or on drugs. Some people do it for the sole purpose of impressing their friends. Have you ever been a group of friends where one friend is picked on a lot by one person? Like really mean things are said to that person. But outside the group this jokester is totally cool and never makes fun of you? Yeah most groups have that friend or maybe two of those friends. Most people do it soley to impress their group of friends. Sad, but it's life. I'm sure we are all guilty of it. I am, I'll admit it! These hecklers take that attitude and amplify it. And in this case, it's just crude and awful.

The movie also depicts critics in a bad way. Namely film critics. I have to say I absolutely agree with almost everything that was said about critics in this movie. I don't like to call myself a critic. Heck, I'm not even a proffessional, I do this from my own home. I consider myself a reviewer with my own opinion. I try very hard not to enforce my film opinions on others (however I do on occasion find myself guilty of this, and I am sorry) because everyone is different when it comes to their preference on movies. If a kids movie, like Kennedy's Son of the Mask then adults cannot possibly critique it with such horrible words. If kids liked it, then the film succeeds! The movie centers on that aspect a lot...that film critics come off as know it alls, and rub our faces with big fancy words and ridicule movies for absolutely retarded reasons. Man do I agree with that! I'll be the first to admit some of my reviews can be harsh and may come off as being a bit too analytical. I'm not perfect, but I try not to be that way.

You know these comedians work very, very hard on their acts. Screenwriters and directors work very hard on their films. Most critics have never had a part of actual filmaking, they just watch a lot of movies. They have no right in some sense to ridicule movies. But at the same time critics HAVE seen a lot of movies. They, along with me, do know a thing or two about the finished product and can tell if a movie is bad or good in it's own genre.

I'm sort of rambling here. I thought Heckler was a great look into an unknown problem in the entertainment industry. The movie was a tad on the overly vulgar side, but you are dealing with stand up comics here, who am I to judge that?? This is their world, not mine. They are free to talk anyway they please. Other than that, the movie had a good subject to tell us about. Entertainers are people too, when it comes down to it. They are human beings with actual human feelings. There is nothing different about them from us. They read reviews. They deal with the hecklers. They read the gossip magazines. They have the internet. How would you feel if you typed your name in Google and saw hundred of pages about you blasting how awful you are? You wouldn't, I can assure you. And neither do they.

I don't recommend this movie to people who can't stomach a lot of vulargity, but if you can I think you may like this neat little documentary!

**To discuss this film and my review, please go to my message board by clicking this link: Review Talk **

*This is the 143rd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Changeling

2008-11-01T13:04:00.012-07:00

Changeling

Rated R

Running time: 2 hr 21 mins

Cast:

Angelina Jolie
John Malkovich

Critical Consensus:

*** out of ****

(54% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

The Premise:

A mother's prayer for her kidnapped son to return home is answered, though it doesn't take long for her to suspect the boy who comes back is not hers.

MY REVIEW

Personally I have to say Changeling is in the top three, maybe two of the best films of 2008. You know I have said time in and time out that I love a good period piece film. If a movie takes place in the 20's or 30's, I'll almost surely be there to see it. Director Clint Eastwood uncovered a remarkable true story from the 20's of a woman who's son goes missing and five months later a boy is returned to her that she is convinced is not her son. The LAPD denies this woman her rights to question them and at a point, they throw her in a mental institution, all because they are unable to admit they made a grave mistake.

I have read up on the actual case, and according to the stories I read the film was almost one hundred percent accurate. The bigger, more publicized case was the Wineville Chicken Coop murders. Where Gordon Northcott tortured and killed up to 20 young boys on his chicken farm. Of the supposed boys was Walter Collins (the boy the movie portrays). There were a few details left out, some bigger than others, but the point is this story was brought to us just like it happened in the 20's.

Eastwood did a brilliant job at bringing this time era to life. A lot of movies like this will focus a lot on the fancy sets and costumes, delibertatley trying to wow us. What Eastwood did was wow us with the story and the characters. The 1920's setting literally just became a part of the story. I felt incredibly immersed in this story and time frame that I thought I was watching it unfold for real. Not a lot of movies can truly capture a moment in history like this one did. Undiscovered history at that. Not a lot of movies can captivate an audience like this film did for me.

I don't know if I went through this many emotions in a movie this year. This movie truly tugs away at your heart. It made me feel so sad at times. The story takes us to such a real life level, and when we see the story unfold about the chicken coop murders, it just makes your heart sink. I felt almost traumatized after watching certain events come out in the story. At the same time I felt incredible anger towards certain characters, namely from the police force. They were so frustrating to watch. You really just hate them. And the little boy who claims to be the real Walter Collins, sometimes you want to ring his neck, but than at times I felt really bad for the kid. What I'm saying basically, is that this movie captures real life emotions these characters felt and puts them on us very effectively. Mothers I'm sure feel this woman's pain and suffering when watching the movie.

Oscar winner Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interupted, Wanted) was absolutely brilliant and delivered a haunting performance as the distraught mother. She may make some mistakes in her movie choices, but when she picks the right story, she really picks it. This woman can act, and from time to time she really proves it. Her performance gave me chills. There were two scenes specifically that blew me away. Freaking fantastic performance and she at the very least deserves an Oscar nomination. No doubt! Oscar nominee John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, Places in the Heart) was amazing as well as the preist who has a personal vendetta against the LAPD. These two worked well together. As much as I hated the characters played by Colm Feore and Jeffrey Donovan, the really did turn in some pretty solid work. And the kids! Oh man, they were great! This was a really awesome cast!

Changeling is a must see film of 2008 in this reviewers opinion. The movie is beautifully shot in every single aspect a film can be shot. I mean a perfectly crafted film. It is one of the only movies of the year to captivate me personally and make me go through a range of emotions like this. No doubt in my mind, this movie will stick in my little noggin for quite some time. That's how effective and brilliant it really is to me. Easily one of the finest and best films of this wonderful year!

**To discuss this film and my review, please go to my message board by clicking this link: Review Talk

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Changeling

*This is the 142nd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

War, Inc.

2008-10-30T11:21:00.008-07:00

War, Inc.

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 47 mins

Cast:

John Cusask
Hilary Duff
Marisa Tomei
Joan Cusask
Ben Kingsley

Critical Consensus:

** out of *****
(30% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

** out of *****

The Premise:

John Cusack heads the cast as professional ice man Brand Hauser, who's paid by a private corporation's brass to take out the competition -- a Middle East oil minister -- while masquerading as a trade-show director. But not all goes according to plan when fetching field reporter Natalie Hegalhuzen (Marisa Tomei) sidetracks the young assassin. Hilary Duff, Ben Kingsley and Joan Cusack also star in this outrageous satire.

MY REVIEW

I'm going to keep this one short. There really is nothing all that special about War, Inc. This movie is just full of forgettable moments. I honestly forgot the first half of the way while watching the second half. I don't even know if I can clearly tell you what I thought this movie was about. To me it just seemed like there was a LOT going on, and it was moving a little to fast for me to comprehend. I understand that it's a political satire, and honestly I didn't get half of the fun. I did laugh a few times, it had some humorous moments.

I was a bit disturbed by Hilary Duff's (TV's Lizzie McGuire, A Cinderella Story) performance and character. I mean she is a beloved Disney Channel star even to this day, and in this movie she portrays a vulgar russian slut. Sorry for the harsh words, but that's what she is here. And I think that really made me uncomfortable. I guess any performer can leave their comfort zone and go to the extremes huh? I just hope her young fans don't catch this movie, because it can severely tarnish her image. I liked John Cusask (Identity, High Fidelity) here but he did get a little carried away with the performance at times. I think the only performance I truly loved was that of Oscar nominee Joan Cusask (In & Out, Working Girl) who has now appeared in 10 movies with brother John. She was her usual self here, which is usually something crazy and different. She made me laugh almost every time she was on screen!

I don't know, I just can't say I "liked" this movie. I really didn't hate it by any means, theres just nothing about that stands out. Nothing that I can say "wow, that was brilliant!" too. War, Inc. is just another film cycling through the world that probably a lot of people won't see. It certainly isn't a movie I think many will remember if they do see it.

**Voice your opinion at my new message board by clicking this link: Review Talk **

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: War, Inc.

*This is the 141st new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Deception

2008-10-30T10:59:00.006-07:00

Deception

Rated R

Running Time: 1 hr 47 mins

Cast:

** out of *****
(12% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

* out of *****

The Premise:

An accountant is introduced to a mysterious sex club known as The List by his lawyer friend. But in this new world, he soon becomes the prime suspect in a woman's disappearance and a multi-million dollar heist.

MY REVIEW

Yikes, I didn't know I'd be watching some weird soft core porn when I rented this movie. I think half of this movie was just about Ewan McGregor's (Moulin Rouge, Trainspotting) shy, shut off character having sexual intercourse with numerous mysterious women in fancy hotels. Young AND old. Which is why I found most of this movie to just be dirty and gross.

The movie had a really stupid storyline outside of what I just mentioned. While McGregor falls in love with one of these mysterious ladies of the night played by Oscar nominee Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain), Hugh Jackman's (The Prestige, X-Men trilogy) character is busy plotting some sinister scheme to use McGregor to transfer millions of dollars from one bank to another. Oh, so diabolical! Please like we haven't seen that before. Now you know I don't mind when movies share similarities, I even think it's silly at this point to compare movies. But this idea has been done so much better is all I'm trying to say. This was just a really, REALLY weak version of the particular story. I mean even go as far to say that Deception is one of the very worst movies of 2008. It won't make my final cut I'm sure, but you get the point.

The film is just to concerened with looking to flashy and sleek and has no focus on it's story. Like I said, a good portion of this movie is a character meeting extravagent ladies for sex in hotels. In reality, this part of the movie has almost nothing to do with the movie's main story. So therefore it's tasteless and just plain old crude. The more that I think about it and write this review, the more I realize how much I genuinely hated this movie. It was bland, it was stupid, it was dirty, it spent way to much time on a storyline that wasn't needed. Blah!

Deception is just a terrible movie. The only reason I give it one measly star is because through all of it, it had some pretty decent performances and it did look cool for a while before the director spent way to much time on that aspect. Don't see it, that's just my advice.

**Voice your opinion at my new message board by clicking this link: Review Talk **

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Deception

*This is the 140th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

2008-10-29T14:23:00.005-07:00

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

Rated PG
Running time: 1 hr 30 mins

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

Subject Matter:

Hosted by Ben Stein, this controversial documentary examines how pro-intelligent design scholars and scientists are often chastised, fired or denied tenured positions by those who believe in Darwin's theory of evolution. Nathan Frankowski's film explores how scientists who believe in God are oppressed and how the acceptance of evolution may have played a role in the formation of organizations such as the Nazi regime and Planned Parenthood.

MY REVIEW

Expelled is personally one of my favorite documentary's that I have seen. It's almost harsh in it's storytelling. There were scientists featured in this film who called regligious people "idiots" and "ignorant" because religious people believe a higher power (God) created the Earth and all mankind in what is now known as creationism. These scientists write books about how "stupid" and "un-educated" it is to not believe in Darwinism or the Theory of Evolution. I love how it's called a "Theory" but according to these people it's the only thing we should accept.

Truth is, Ben Stein is right. This country claims to be about freedom, which means we have the right to free speech and especially free thinking. Just because the "theory" of evolution isn't something I completely, whole heartedly believe in, why do I have to force my opinions and beliefs on others? People should have freedom of religion, they should have the freedom to accept or believe in anything they want. On a grand scale, there is no wrong belief or theory. Since we all individually accept our beliefs as being right, how can their be a wrong one? I'm speaking on religious terms of course. If you believe that murder is right, then you may be crazy.

There is a few parts of the movie, where real life scientists actually state what they think pro intelligent design MAY be. There is a floating theory amongsts respected men and women of science that this race of man and all living organisms may have been created by an alien life. They think it's possibble alien life evolutionized first over thousands of years and then planted "seeds" on our planet they may have created the first living organism. These same people think having a faith in God and beliving He created us, are nut jobs. Well then I guess all of us are nut cases then huh?

Ben Stein does a brilliant job at capturing both sides to this story. It is incredibly powerful and gives us a wonderful and shocking insight into the minds of some really selfish thinking people. That's just my opinion of course. Stein was perfect in his grilling of some of the more stubborn scientists. Especially in the final scene between Stein and the most severe Darwinist ever. Stein does not hold back and was not afraid to subtly poke fun at a man who really was just making fun of himself. The movie really just makes you look at the world and see how far we have come from that tiny alien seed we started off as way back in the day....

If you see this movie on a shelf somewhere at a rental store or on Netflix, please rent it. This, I believe, is a must see documentary. Really well made movie!

** Voice your opinion at my new message board by clicking this link: Review Talk **

To view this film's extended trailer, click this link: Expelled

*This is the 139th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Passengers

2008-10-27T11:07:00.008-07:00

Passengers

Rated PG-13

Running time: 1 hr 34 mins

Cast:

N/A

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

0 out of *****

The Premise:

A grief counselor working with a group of plane-crash survivors finds herself at the root of a mystery when her clients begin to disappear.

MY REVIEW

I'll give it this much, Passangers does not fall into the dissapointing catergory. Probably because I didn't see the preview or know much about the movie before I walked into the theater to see it. However, Passangers does in fact fall into the catergory of "some of the worst garbage or the year". Now that I've seen the trailer for the film (which you can watch below) I am slightly angry at the movie. The preview totally makes this movie out to be some intense thriller of some other wordly proportion. Really it isn't that.

The first fifteen minutes of the movie or so paints the picture for the story we think we are going to see. It starts off with the plane crashing, a few people survive and now they are being treated by a therapist played by Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada, Get Smart). All of them have different stories about what happened on the plane, and they all seem to be a bit mysterious themselves. Especially the one who doesn't want to be a part of the group sessions, a man played by Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy, The Alamo). He is the most mysterious of them all, he seems to know what Hathaways character is physically thinking. He knows things about her he should not know. So now we are led to believe he has gained some psychic powers. Mind you, this all happens in the first 15-20 minutes.

The next 45 mintues to an hour the film completely takes a different course. It turns into a sappy love story between the two main characters. The therapist struggles with falling for a patient, but she does so anyway. They have some lovely times together such as swimming in a freezing cold body of water, or having an intimate conversation on a rooftop. All of this is accompanied by a welcoming and charming musical score that just makes us all warm and happy inside. Occasionally the movie throws in some of the airplane mystery. A character from the airline company played by David Morse (Disturbia, 16 Blocks) pops up every once in a while in a sinister way telling Hathaway to back off. Then some thrilling music pops in to make us "tense" and then immediately back to the lovey dovey stuff.

This goes on for a while then the last 10 or 15 minutes the big twise comes into play. Honestly, you can see most of the twist coming from the first few minutes of the movie and just by looking at the freaking poster for the movie. The other part of the twist, the really big part I honestly did not see coming but at the same time I was not suprised. I was angry. There was no reason for us to ever even think this part of the twist would happen. I guess you can say, "Well Mike doesn't that make it a good, successful twist then?" The answer is no. In movies with twists, they drop subtle hints, and have backup for us to go "Ooooh Ok!" but this movie didn't. Here's my theory:

The filmakers forgot what the movie was about. They got so wrapped up in the silly love story they forgot they were making a mystery thriller about plane crash survivors. Once they realized how far off course they were, they had to film some fill in scenes to keep their original story in tact. Then they filmed this ending as a way of just lazily wrapping everything up. That's what the ending was: lazy. When in doubt...just end your movie this way.

Passangers is by far one of the worst film's of 2008 and should not be seen by anyone with a brain. This movie uses audiences. Uses them and abuses them. You probably haven't even heard of this movie. Critics sure haven't. Rotten Tomatoes has only 4 reviews posted as of today (10/27). When the critics haven't even seen it, and only 1 of the 4 liked it, you know you have a really bad movie. And that is what Passengers is: A really disgustingly awful motion picture.

Do NOT see Passengers. It wreaks of terribleness. If that's even a word.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Passengers

*This is the 138th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Body of Lies

2008-10-25T16:04:00.008-07:00

Body of Lies

Rated R

Running time: 2 hrs 8 mins

Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio

Russell Crowe

Critical Consensus:

*** out of *****
(50% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

** out of *****

The Premise:

Based on Washington Post columnist David Ignatius's 2007 novel about a CIA operative, Roger Ferris, who uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan.

MY REVIEW

I'm going to be completely honest here, I didn't really like this movie. Political thrillers aren't typically my thing, and that's essentially what this movie was. I'm sure I've said time and time again on this blog that I am so out of the loop when it comes to anything about politics, or wars, or who's fighting who, or who's the bad guy, or who is the even more bad guy...I just don't know. And that's pretty much how I felt about this movie.

This movie throws around a lot of jargon that just simply flied right over my head. I really don't think you could even explain it to me if you sat down and rattled off information for hours. Yes, I am admitting right now that I am fairly stupid when it comes to this particular subject. To me there was no part about the film I was firmly able to grasp onto and run with and say "I know what's going on now!" I don't know what character in the film was bad and what character was REALLY bad, I don't know if there was more than one terrorist cell involved in the story. I cannot explain this movie to anyone, is basically what I'm saying. I cannot honestly review this film on it's story. Well...I can by using the fact it wasn't dumbed down enough for me but that's greedy because not everyone is as dumb as me in terms of this subject.

I know it has really good performances though. Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator, Blood Diamond) and Oscar winner Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Mind, Gladiator) had some truly stand out performances here. But that's to be expected, they have established themselves as brilliant performers.

Look, I can't say a ton about this movie and I apologize for that. So no, I didn't like the movie. I was not entertained. I was more confused than anything. But please don't take my word for it if you like these types of movies. I'm sure in that case you may like it. But if you are like me, if you know where I'm coming from, I wouldn't waste your money on the movie.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Body of Lies

*This is the 137th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Pride & Glory

2008-10-21T20:15:00.008-07:00

Pride & Glory

Rated R

Running time: 2 hrs 5 mins

Cast:

**1/2 out of *****
(35% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

A saga centered on a multi-generational family of New York City Police officers. The family's moral codes are tested when Ray Tierney, investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law. For Ray, the truth is revelatory, a Pandora's Box that threatens to upend not only the Tierney legacy but the entire NYPD.

MY REVIEW

I'm going to start with this: "Pride & Glory" is NOT "We Own the Night 2". I'm sure I said it when I saw the preview as a joke last year when it premiered. But I know a lot of smart alecks out there (people on message boards and even reviewers) who have seen We Own the Night like to consider this film a ripoff of it based soley off the preview. Here's what I have to say: shut up you condesending fools and get that self righteous movie critic stick out of your butts. This movie has virtually no similarites to We Own the Night. Both movies feature families of cops and that's about it...yeah, I see what you all mean now. You know I guess you could compare this movie to Kindergarten Cop! There are kids featured in this movie, who sit next to cops...so yeah...man can't believe I didn't get that comparison from the preview. Here's some startling news for you: Most movies out there are just like every other movie. People use the sarcastic excuse, "well I've already seen that movie before" to sound like some almighty film know it all or just as an excuse to not see the movie. Tons of movie share common bonds, you can't expect all of them to be 100% original. My goodness people!

With that rant out of the way, Pride & Glory was a pretty good movie in my mind. But nothing spectacular or re-defining in the genre. However, definitely a better cop drama than We Own the Night (hehe). Essentially the movie is about corrupt cops who use and abuse drug dealers and scum of the earth for their personal gain. But when four cops are killed, an investigation brews that may out these corrupt men in blue. OK yeah, we've seen this type of flick before, but not all have engaging characters like this one. The characters, namely the performances were really the best aspect of the film. However from the previews and even half way into the movie I just assumed Colin Farell character (Phone Booth, In Bruges) was an actual brother of Oscar nominee Edward Norton (American History X, The Incredible Hulk) character. But no...they were not blood related.

That was my main issue with the movie, that it was a bit confusing and slightly misleading in some regard. There was apparently a lot of story to tell, and I think it was told a tad to fast (even for the over 2 hour running time) and I personally couldn't grasp a lot of the story. There were times I didn't know who was bad, who was good, who was corrupt, who was undercover, blah blah. To many characters with to much story made for a slightly muddled ball of confusion. But I got the gist of the story, I understood the movie on it's surface. And with that in mind, it was a pretty good movie. You know I was entertained. Not in an action packed kind of way, just in the core story. There wasn't a lot of action featured in the film, which may be a turn off for fans of intense cop dramas. I didn't mind, because like I said the story as confusing as it tends get, was engaging enough for me.

Edward Norton, Colin Farell, Noah Emmerich, and Oscar winner Jon Voight (Coming Home, Ali) all deliever really good performances I thought. Edward Norton is really a brilliant actor, and while sometimes he may stray off course by choosing weak films, he usually doesn't fail. Colin Farell deserves more credit than he gets. Earlier this year he delivered just a fantastic performance in In Bruges, and he may not be at that level in this film, but he was still good.

Pride & Glory is it's own film, not We Own the Night 2. If you are capable of looking past that, I'd suggest seeing it to those who find entertainment in cop dramas. Because even though it is a bit cliched and not all that unique, this is still a pretty decent film.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Pride & Glory

*This is the 136th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

2008-10-21T20:03:00.010-07:00

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Rated G

Running time: 1 hr 52 mins

Cast:

*** out of *****
(64% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***1/2 out of *****

The Premise:

As seniors in high school ,Troy and Gabriella struggle with the idea of being separated from one another as college approaches. Along with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical to address their experiences, hopes and fears about their future.

MY REVIEW

I won't linger on to long for this review, because there isn't a whole lot I can say. I liked it. It was actually very entertaining and charming. It was cute to say the least. I really cannot critisize the movie. How can I? This movie is meant for young kids and for teenagers. Is it good for them? Absolutely! Kids and teens will love it! I personally thought it was good improvement over the first two movies which were made straight for the Disney channel. This was bigger. Better productions, catchier tunes, more fast paced. It was good! Take the kids!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: HSM3

*This is the 135th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

Pathology

2008-10-21T19:30:00.006-07:00

Pathology

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 33 mins

Cast:

Milo Ventimiglia

Alyssa Milano

Michael Weston

Critical Consensus:

**1/2 out ****
(50% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

** out of *****

The Premise:

A group of medical students devise a deadly game: to see which one of them can commit the perfect murder.

MY REVIEW

I don't really know what to say. Pathology is one of those movies that is geared towards a very select group of people. Who those people are, I can't honestly tell you. What I can tell you is that I'm not really one of them. This movie focuses on a group of young pathologists who literally kill the "scum of the earth" to test the other ones to see if they know how they killed them. It's a "game" as the call it. Now the premise isn't all that awful, it does teeter on being somewhat interesting.

The reason I don't really like it, is because we aren't given an insight into WHY these certain kids don't mind killing all for the thrill of some sick game. And we don't know why Milo Ventimiglia's (TV's Heroes) character, who is supposed to be the hero of the story, just suddenly joins in on the fun. Then he switches back to being the good guy. The characters just don't fit well into this story mainly because they are young and we know virtually nothing about them. Sometimes explanations are needed in movies, but in the case of Pathology, one was needed and we didn't get one.

The movie was overly gory for a movie you have to expect some carnage from. But I think it was a tad to gross for my personal liking. This movie could have also worked better as more of a psychological thriller, and maybe shyed away from so much blood and guts (literally). But that's not really a major issue, you can't really complain about the gore factor so much in a movie where it was intended. You can't nitpick details like that to much. Because then as a reviewer you just come off as being full of yourself and picking apart a movie for dumb reasons just to make yourself look like some overly intelligent movie goer. Blah!

Pathology is just simply an OK movie in my opinion, but totally forgettable in the long run.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Pathology

*This is the 134th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

2008-10-17T18:25:00.006-07:00

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

Rated PG-13
Running time: 1 hr 33 mins

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

**** out of *****

Subject Matter:

Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me) tours the Middle East to discuss the war on terror with Arabic people and help America find Osama Bin Laden once and for all.

MY REVIEW

Most of my readers will probably know I'm not exactly politically savvy. A lot of this movie focused on the politics and religious aspects of the war on terror. Politics is something I'm pretty dumb with, I won't lie. But you know I got the gist of the movie. I found this documentary to be quite engaging and a little sad too. It's just depressing to see all facets of the world and how much we don't really get a long. It's sad to know our government is hated with a passion. It's sad so many innocent people are being slaughtered for political and religious sake. Yet Morgan Spurlock managed to take all this sadness and make an entertaining and almost comical documentary out of the subject. There isn't a whole lot more I can say about the movie, other than: I liked it, it was fun, sad and informative.

To view this film's trailer, click this link: Where is Osama?

*This is the 133rd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Quarantine

2008-10-17T18:17:00.010-07:00

Quarantine

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 29 mins

Cast:

Jennifer Carpenter

Jay Hernandez

Steve Harris

Critical Consensus:

*** out of *****
(60% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

*** out of *****

The Premise:

A television reporter and her cameraman are trapped inside a building quarantined by the CDC after the outbreak of a mysterious virus which turns humans into bloodthirsty killers.

MY REVIEW

You know I can't honestly call "Quarantine" a bad movie. I was actually a bit suprised by the movie. Was it good? Not all that much. But was it entertaining? Very much so! It's the same kind of storyline we have seen over and over again: a bizzare virus finds it's way to human kind and turns them into freakish zombie like things. The only thing that really seperates this movie from the rest is the hand held camera effect. The effect was actually the best part of the movie, even though we've seen this done with a few movies already. The movie, because of this, seemed very "real". Not realistic, but the performances never seemed forced, never seemed like they were acting. I was happily suprised by the fact that there were no awful performances.

Also because of this hand held camera aspect, there is no background musical score. All we here is the people talking and the ambient sounds. Also, this makes the movie extremely quiet at times, especially when the characters are walking down hallways trying to avoid zombie people. That made the movie very creepy for me personally. I actually had to look away at some parts, which is not something I do very often. This movie genuinely freaked me out. It also grossed me out. This at times was a very disturbing film. You have guys stepping on rats and squishing them; zombies eating the flesh off people; peoples bones protruding out of their legs...the works. It's kind of nasty in parts and I gagged a few times.

Like I said, the storyline is unoriginal, but you have to expect that going into the movie. You can't see the preview and honestly say, "Hey, now there's a movie I've never seen before!" unless you never watch movies. So with that, Quarantine brings some fun entertainment and some legit scares to a genre of film that is dying quickly.

If you like a good zombie gore/scare fest...Quarantine is for you. I kinda liked it.

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Quarantine

*This is the 132nd new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

STRAIGHT-TO-DVD SPOTLIGHT: Rest Stop: Don't Look Back

2008-10-13T11:22:00.005-07:00

Rest Stop 2: Don't Look Back

Rated R
Running time: 1 hr 25 mins
DVD Release Date: September 30th

Cast:

Jessie Ward

Richard Tillman

Joey Mendicino

MY REVIEW

What can I really say in this review that you weren't expecting me to say? Rest Stop 2 is gross, vulgar and utterly horrendous. I mean this was one stupid, stupid movie. Disgusting scenes of blood and guts, and nasty moments with feces in a port-a-potty, just a tasteless gruesome flick. Sometimes that can work, if you have a decent story and decent acting (aka Saw) but usually, as is the case here, it doesn't work. In fact usually, it fails miserably. Rest Stop 2 is a complete waste of time, and I don't ever recommend it to anyone. It's not even a funny kind of bad. It's just that classic kind of bad...the kind of bad that makes you want to vomit afterwards because you just sat through it. Blah!!!

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating: 0 out of *****

To view this film's trailer, click this link: Rest Stop 2

*This is the 131st new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

Chapter 27

2008-10-13T10:54:00.004-07:00

Chapter 27

Rated R

Running time: 1 hr 24 mins

Cast:

** out of *****
(20% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

*** out of *****

The Premise:

A true story about Mark David Chapman in the days leading up to his infamous murder of Beatle John Lennon.

MY REVIEW

Chapter 27 is an independent film that I'm pretty sure no one actually knows exists. It's the true story about Mark David Chapman and the weekend that led up to his execution of John Lennon in front of the Beatle's apartment building. The movie focuses soley on the Chapman character played by Jared Leto (Lord of War, Panic Room) and we get a vague insight into his mind. He befriends a few Lennon fans in his days leading up to the killing played by Lindsay Lohan (Mean Girls, I Know Who Killed Me) and Judah Friedlander (TV's 30 Rock).

Personally I thought the movie was pretty good, and I think mainly that's due in part to Leto's solid performance. The guy gained 67 pounds to play this role, and he truly immerses himself in it. Not only was he much larger than we are used to, he dawns a raspy, quiet southern accent. He really commited himself to this role, and shows us that he really can act. He displays Chapmans odd side very well. We really get a feel for what this guy really was like. Lohan was suprisingly good, but her performance was very limited and really had no grave significance to the film.

My ultimate problem with the movie is we didn't get enough insight into the brain of Chapman. I feel we only got a snipet. The main issue at hand that I had was that we aren't really told as to why he initially decided he was going to kill John Lennon. He annouces it quietly to himself in the movie, but there's never an actual explanation. Was it really that random? Or do we just not truly know? Or was it something more hidden that we were supposed to see in the film itself? I don't know, and that's what bothered me the most.

Yes a little later we have a scene explaining that Lennon's song Helter Skelter "led" to the Manson murders and that Lennon's apartment is where scenes from Rosemary's Baby was filmed (which at the time people thought was a building for satan worshipers). Chapman used that info in his crazy mind to fuel his already set intentions to kill Lennon. But why the initial thought to do it? Maybe I didn't read between the lines well enough, or maybe the movie was just a bit weak in that aspect.

Regardless, the rest of the movie went pretty well. Nothing spectacular, but it was good. The filmaking was a tad on the sloppy side, but nothing that noticeable that would make a film buff cringe. It is an independent film afterall, so give it SOME slack. It had a nice musical score, but a little overpowering at times. But thats OK for me, but others may be turned away from it.

I would recommend it for sure, especially to followers of the infamous tragedy. It has a solid lead performance, a somewhat creepy story to tell and only a few weak spots (although kind of major weak spots). But when it comes down to it, Chapter 27 for me by the end of the year won't be remembered for it's story, only for Jared Leto's stand out performance.

To view this film's trailer, click this link: Chapter 27

*This is the 130th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.

The Visitor

2008-10-08T19:44:00.010-07:00

The Visitor

Rated PG-13

Running Time: 1 hr 44 mins

Cast:

**** out of *****
(93% Fresh Rating!)

Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:

***** out of *****

The Premise:

A college professor travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment.

MY REVIEW

The Visitor is one of the finest dramatic films of the year, in fact it's one of the best films of 2008. It's really a story of finding friends in places we never thought we would. It's about falling in love with people we never imagined we would fall for. It's about finding a passion within us we never knew existed. The Visitor takes all these things and weaves them together to craft a near perfect character drama that I just absolutely loved.

What a wonderfully written screenplay. The story was just so incredibly moving. It demonstrates to a degree the old saying, "Never judge a book by it's cover". We have Richard Jenkins, an older actor, who here plays a quiet college professor that kind of comes off a bit scary and uninviting. But we come to find out he's far from them. He befriends illegal immigrants and lets them stay in his New York apartment. One of them begins to teach him how to play the drums until he is arrested and sent to a detention center for being an immigrant.

What follows is Jenkins giving us a brilliant and stunning performance as his character tries his best to get this young man out of the detention center. He visits him everyday and he tries to take care of the mans wife. When the man's mother comes to town (who is also an illegal), Jenkins takes her into his home, feeds her and lets her stay there. A mini bond grows between the two during this time. You know it's a very simplistic storyline, but like I said it's so beautifully told and ends up being so very heartwarming.

I highly recommend this film, it really does have a sweet story to tell and anyone can fall in love with it. I also like to point out that Richard Jenkins delivers what I think is a incredible Oscar worthy performance. The supporting cast is quite good as well. Just everything about this movie was perfect in my eyes. Wonderful direction, a great score, the works. Just proves that believe it or not, there are such things as great movies that don't have big booms and people running screaming for their lives. Drama works too, my friends!

The Visitor is a great film, please see it!

To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: The Visitor

*This is the 129th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.

*This film is now on DVD.