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You are hearing it here first folks….I actually LIKED a chick flick! I took my best gal pal and we made a night of it, crying and laughing our way through this amazing adaptation of the novel by author Elizabeth Gilbert, which was a personal journey she took in her own life. The story is about a woman (played by Julia Roberts) who realizes that she is very unhappy in her life and her marriage, and decides to divorce and move on. Her woeful husband is played by Billy Crudup. She is a writer, and she tries to change her life by falling in love with a young actor (James Franco). This relationship also ends sadly as she realizes she just moved from situation to another, but is still not truly happy with herself. So she decides to jump ship, cross the world and search for herself and her “word” that defines her. She goes to Italy, India and Bali and in the end seems to find her deeper meaning. I won’t ruin the ending but it was worth the over two hours of story to see it! I thought the book was great when I first read it, and I was doubtful about Ms. Roberts playing the part. Not that she can’t act, but the emotion needed to feel real and honest, like we were allowed inside her soul, and I was very happily pleased with the movie! I totally cried so many times, I lost count! And we got to see the beautiful Javier Bardem in all his sexy self…can’t go wrong with him in a film for sure! I love James Franco, but I felt like his character came off being a bit whiny. And the plotline with him was not real developed, so I was a bit confused by their flashbacks with him and Julia. Billy Crudup was simply hilarious as the geeky needy ex hubbie! My favorite character by far was the Texan her character meets in India, played by Richard Jenkins (Of Six Feet Under fame). His down to earth self honesty was great and I walked away repeating a line from the movie that will go into my personal databank! Grab your best girlfriend and go see this…have a good laugh and a good soul cleansing cry. Walk out and enjoy life! But mostly walk out and just spread your love and light! So, I actually like going to the occasional family/kids movie…and usually I LIKE the whole talking dog gimmick….but not this time! This movie was just really corny and short on real laughs. Which is really too bad, considering the heavy cast they had. They should have been able to get this beast off the ground running. At least the 3D Wile E. Coyote short before the film was cute. And the 3D in the film worked out for the most part. Let’s get the party started! I normally love Katt Williams, but his voice for the Seamus (the dumber than grain pigeon) was a bit much. There was so much he could’ve done (tastefully even!) if he was given some freedom in the role. Nick Nolte as Butch was too 6-packs-of-cigarettes- a-day voiced to be convincing (hey, why DIDN’T Alex Baldwin come back???) Neil Patrick Harris was wonderful as Lou. And even my favorite diva, The Amazing Mizz Midler could not overcome! Maybe if she had sung a bit???? Although I have to admit…seeing Kitty Galore dressed in a bunny suit was hilarious! The story is about an ex cat spy that has gone rogue against humanity and dogs, and the special dogs that go after her before she destroys the world. They copy all the good and bad cop movies out there…Lethal Weapon, James Bond, you name it. I thought I could even figure out each movie they were referring to! But no originality and just not enough fun. Definitely wait for the rental, and save it for that cranky baby…maybe it will put them to sleep! Rated PG (animal action and humor) For some reason, Karl just loves to send me to all the foreign films with sub-titles…good thing I can read very, very fast! Not that there was a lot to read during this lovely gem of a French film! The actual title of the film is “Micmacs a tire-larigot” which means “Non Stop Shenanigans” and it is a perfect title! This was one of the best comedies I have seen all year! The tale starts off with us seeing the lead actor (Dany Boon) Bazil as he is first orphaned when his father’s dies from a land mine accident, then as he is shot in a freakish drive by as he works in a video store. After he gets out of the hospital, he realizes a few things…first, he has a bullet in his head that may or may not kill him…second, that he is jobless and homeless. Not much material for a comedy you say? Read on! Bazil is taken in by a weird but loving lot of scavengers, each whom has a talent that is whimsical and ultimately fits together like a perfect puzzle. They make such a ragtag family but you see the love they all have for each other. You may also recognize actor Fracois Berleand from the “Transporter” films. But I think most eyes will be on the pretzel girl! Bazil seems happy finally with this new life, but is reminded one day of his sad past and sets upon a grand scheme to wreak havoc on the arms dealers who are responsible for the bullet in his head and the death of his father. And let the ridiculous inventions begin! He tries not to include his new friends and much to his surprise, they all want to pitch in. Some of my favourite parts in the film were the billboards that kept popping up all over with advertisements for the film itself! The ending is perfect and the journey from start to finish was just perfect! French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet has a gem and I would love to see a sequel from this one! He keeps the scenery alive and the verbalization to a minimum…making the film easy to follow, regardless of the language spoken. Don’t be afraid of the subtitles and enjoy the fun! Rated: R (Sexuality, Violence) Okay, I have to admit, I was not a fan of the first Predator movie…I just could not stand Arnold in the lead I guess! I have loved many of the following installments to the series. And I guess I will add this one, but it is not a favorite for sure. Don’t get me wrong, I just adore Adrien Brody as the lead baddie Royce, but…well, read on! The story opens with people literally falling from the sky with parachutes…they are unconscious, and wake up during their fall. They all land relatively close to one another and start to meet up, attacking each other before asking questions. They all seem to have one thing in common…they all are killers in one way or another. As they become a raggedy team, thanks to Royce and his leadership, they soon realize that a) they are not on Earth, and b) they are not the only living beings on this planet. The group finally realizes that they are being hunted like game by the Predators. The story then follows the team as they try to outsmart the Predators and possibly escape. There are many interesting characters in the story…one of the best we are introduced to mid way is Laurence Fishburne, who plays a Navy Seal who has gone a bit mad and has survived on the planet for many years. My personal favorite was Louis Ozawa Changchien and his scene of death with a total Asian old style duel to the end. The other character that I liked was the doctor, played by Topher Grace. His character’s reason for being there is left for you to guess until the very end, but makes sense and works for the script. Speaking of the script, it was actually written by none other than Robert Rodriguez (hence the appearance of the gravelly Danny Trejo!). Robert wrote the script back in the nineties but 20th Century Fox was not about to spend millions on a script that had a non-quite known director at the time. This movie can be quite cheesy as far a dialogue, but the action is pure Rodriguez. There is tons of gore, and ridiculous amounts of bloodshed. And don’t forget all the lovely special effects of the Predators themselves. One thing that Karl points out is that we still do not get a real explanation on how they are able to stay invisible…we do get a lame line saying they can hide themselves spectrally to our vision…okay. This movie is a summer fun one, but you could just wait to rent it in a few months and watch it on HDTV for the same visual fun…and not blow the wad of cash! Sorry Adrien and Robert…I still have lots of love for both of you! This film could have gone wrong in so many ways…DNA splicing, lies, unfaithfulness???? Thankfully, new director Vincenzo Natali has a real gem here and manages to pull it off with panache. And it doesn’t hurt that he has the beautiful and massively talented Adrien Brody starring in it! Also starring is Sarah Polley, in a film that will affect you in many ways...curiosity, disgust, sympathy and just pure weirdness! Adrien Brody plays an established wonderstar scientific engineer along with his girlfriend (Polley). They have been working on a DNA splicing project in which they take DNA from various species and combine it to create a new life form, one that produces chemicals that can address various human disease strains. Polley takes it upon herself to introduce human DNA into the mix, and the results are...well, you will need to see it for yourself! It creates an interesting scenario into DNA research and its work. Do these creatures have rights as humans or are they literally the lab animals that they have been bred to be? Brody brings sensitivity to the role, which could have been corny but he makes you actually think about the situations they have created with another life being. It makes us respect life a bit, but it also makes us think about what science could really accomplish someday! Have some fun and check out this Sundance winner! RATED R (DISTURBING IMAGES, SEX, LANGUAGE) SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD “Survival” follows the humanity is falling to the zombie disease, but the tale is kind of Resident Evil in the telling. There is an isolated location, Plum Island, which seems to be the nice refuge for two powerful families who have to this point avoided being completely zombied off. The problems start when one family, the Muldoons, decide they should save up their loved ones that are infected until a possible “cure” is found. On the other side of the conflict is the O’Flynns who decide all zombies must die (in some pretty creative kill scenes I might add). Pure Romero mayhem inserted here! Oh, and in wander our soldiers that we last saw in the previous Dead film “Diary of the Dead”. Again, Romero does not fail to have surprises, but the tale was lacking the spirit he has had in the past. I will say this much, it was better than the previous film of the series. Wait til this one comes out again on DVD and rent it for a Halloween party. RATED R (VIOLENCE, GORE) THE SQUARE The Edgerton brothers never seem to fail…with the suspense and storytelling, you just sit on the edge, waiting for that other proverbial shoe to drop. You think you know where the road is going, but you are just not quite sure! This movie just really made me laugh, which is not exactly what I think the brothers were going for, but nonetheless, I just was so amused by the bad luck that just wouldn’t stop! And the ending is a typical Edgerton surprise. Hopefully, the film will be preceded by their short film “Spider”, as a character makes a surprise entry into this film. Why is it that every Aussie film looks like Mad Max and his cohorts will be jumping out? I just love the shooting style and cinematography, the music and the way they seem to all go together so well. Am I just so hollywoodized that I see it that way? You be the judge! But I think you will really enjoy this flick no matter what! Rated R (Language, Nudity, Violence) Running Time: 105 mins DATE NIGHT First off…Yay to Steve Carrell for getting his mojo back! And thanks to whomever had the bright idea to team him up with Tina Fey! Oh yeah, that would be the brains behind this whole shindig, director AND producer Shawn Levy! I was worried this movie would be too formulaic and not enough of funny…and I was pleasantly happy to be wrong! The storyline follows the life of Claire and Phil Foster; and their simple married family of four, who seem to have all they want and everything has its scheduled place in their lives. But when the couple realizes their friends are getting divorced because of boredom, they start to wonder if they are headed down that same separate path. Phil (Steve Carrell) decides its time to put that spark back into the marriage and have a night on the town. What follows is silly but amazingly NOT boring! The adventure really begins when the couple takes a walk on the wild side and steps into good cop/bad cop/even ickier villain (insert icky Ray Liotta performance here) triangle of deception, bribery and corruption…and the Fosters think it’s all a big game in the beginning! The one-liners were sharp, the sight gags were done with as much tact as you can expect with these two comedically perfect actors. Who else could get away with a “long Duck Dong” reference and make it actually FUNNY? Only Shawn Levy, obviously! And what a ridiculously great cameo by Mark Wahlberg (Even out of shape this guy has still got it!) as an old client of Claire’s who ends up helping them out of a few spots they manage to find themselves in. Also in a few well placed cameos were James De Franco and Mila Kunis in supporting roles. Non stop action and fun…and nicely paced out from start to end! Take a date, take your significant other, heck take your mom to see this one and have a great time! Rated PG-13 (violence, sexual references) This movie is an art house film, as Karl likes to call them…but it was a GREAT art house film! It is a French crime flick and the plotline is ridiculously good! The story is about this young Arabic man that gets thrown into prison. He is smart, but he cannot write or even read. After he is taken in by a Mafia gang, you would think because of his age and looks that the convicts will eat him alive, but he learns to adapt and survive…even beat them at their own…but wait! I don’t want to give away too much! Let’s just say that newcomer Tahar Rahim really draws you into his character’s weakness and then his strengths. Director Jacques Audiard does an amazing job, both with his directing and with his vision. He apparently wrote the piece after he was so blown away by the degradation he saw in a prison that he visited. He even used real prisoners and convicts for advisors and extras to keep the film as real as he could. I am so surprised that after this film one at Cannes that it did not get better screen time across the country. I would love to see Audiard crossover and do a good action flick here in the US. Rated R (Violence, Nudity, Drugs) Through my twin nephews and my god-kids, I have heard A LOT about the book series, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”. And I thought it was cool that there would be a movie version of the first book in the series…for some reason, I thought the movie would be the stick figure animations through the whole thing…don’t ask me why, I don’t know either! So, I bundled up the kids (okay, I didn’t bundle them…the weather was in the 60’s) and off we went ready for some fun! The story revolves around Greg Heffley (Zach Gordon) and his best buddy Rowley (Robert Capron) as they start their first year of the dreaded MIDDLE SCHOOL! The film follows the attempts by Greg to become popular and cool, but he seems to be destined to be the ultimate loser. Most of his problems are caused by; yea you guessed it…himself. He comes up with some really hare-brained schemes but they all backfire on him each time. And about halfway thru the movie his buddy Rowley suddenly becomes…COOL. I thought the movie had a great plot line; I just could not stand the kid…not sure if it was because of the actor (Zach Gordon) or if the director (Thor Freudenthal) meant him to be such a brat. I do know this…all the kids in the theatre seemed to love the whole movie! When I asked my young ones what they liked the most? All the trouble that Greg got himself into…imagine that! So take the kids, overdose yourself on popcorn and a huge soda and enjoy the kids’ laughter…it’s worth it to see their smiles! Rated PG (Crude Humor) GREEN ZONE When I first saw some of the trailers for this film, I thought, “How is this NOT another Bourne movie”? I felt a bit mislead, thinking Matt Damon was just playing another special agent character. I haven’t been super impressed with Mr. Damon as of late so I went in to the theatre hoping it would all go quickly. So, imagine my surprise when the movie turned out to be very well done! I have a bit of military experience, so I always get a bit skeptical whenever a movie comes out trying to give an “insight” to a military mission. This flick was loosely based on occurrences that happened during the Iraq takeover and disarmament of the Iraqi government and army. We are given a front seat trip along with Matt Damon’s character; Roy Miller, a warrant officer in charge of locating and taking of weapons of mass destruction. Only, his men seem to have been sent on multiple goose chases, always coming up empty at each site they are given. Greg Kinnear plays a smarmy self appreciating government man who is finessing the press and American government into putting the man of his choice up to lead the Iraqi people…a US puppet as he is called. He apparently has the only connection to “Magellan”, a supposed high Iraqi government official who knows the location of all these WMDs. But thanks to the amazing Brendan Gleeson’s character as a (what?) honest CIA man, he and Roy Miller try to get the real story, and get the right man in charge, without a bloodbath to the soldiers as well as the Iraqi people. Amy Ryan portrays the reporter that is tired of the taled she is being given to report and holds on to Miller as he discovers that what we are told is not always the truth. For me, the true wonderful characters were Yigal Naor, who played Iraqi General Al Rawi, and also Khalid Abdalla, an Iraqi citizen, who only wants his country back and to be safe. These two wonderful actors give us an insider’s view on what we don’t see on the news…what it must be like to be there, to see the destruction of their country, to be ruled over and tossed about by outsiders. I truly hope many people go out and catch this one…time for us to step outside the press and government bubble and see the world outside our backyard. RATED R (VIOLENCE, LANGUAGE) With a stable of fine actors playing the leads, I expected depth and insight…all I found myself feeling was boredom and predictability. The tale revolves around the lives of three officers; first up is Richard Gere, an alcoholic aging cop about to retire. He does not want to get involved with anyone on the force, and wants to turn a blind eye to any crime he sees as he only has a week to go. Then there is Ethan Hawke, , a dirty cop trying to take care of his family and failing miserably all around. And last is the gang leading undercover cop portrayed by Don Cheadle…he has perhaps the most charismatic and deepest characters in the entire film. I was impressed by the cameos by Wesley Snipes as an ex-con getting back on his streets, and Ellen Barkin as a jaded, sassy Agent Smith. There are lots of shootings, lots of realistic inner city life and crime, but way too predictable in the outcomes that occur. The film was shot in a gritty, dark fashion…which is one thing I actually loved about it. Then again, I was confused by the director’s choice of heroes in the end…not who I would have wanted to stick around. I guess director Antoine Fuqua thought that having so many heavy hitters would blind the average viewer to the gaps in the script and story. Not so in my book. I still cannot believe this movie was the first one that sold at the 2009 Sundance Film Fest…must have been a slow year! Rated R (Violence, Language) I was extremely curious to see this movie as it has been many years since Roman Polanski has released a great film here in the USA. And with Ewan McGregor in the lead as the ghost writer (he never is named in the film), I thought I would be in for a good turn. And, for the most part it was. The movie does drag out a bit and gets a bit boring at times, but there are good moments when you are not quite sure where you are being lead in the story. McGregor is a ghost writer hired to help on a rewrite of the ex-Prime Ministers biography (played by Pierce Brosnan). His job is further confused and complicated by the wife (Olivia Williams) and the private secretary/ possible mistress (Kim Cattrall). The Ghost continues to attempt to write the memoirs, but seems to have uncovered some details and issues that may suggest some underhanded dealings by the Prime Minister when in service. And the wife is such a strange character…I could never decide what she was angry about all the time. Even in the end, I just was confused. The ending actually shocked me, I was not expecting it at all. I wonder if it was the ending that Polanski wanted or did he settle on it because at the time of filming end and getting ready for post production he was arrested. He managed to finish post production and get the film out but at what cost? I guess I will have to read the book to get an idea of what the author was trying to say… Rated PG-13 (Language, Sexual references) The story goes like this…happy, small farm town, until WHAM! Suddenly the townsfolk start acting crazy, trying to kill their families…and the Sheriff and his trusty Deputy (played by Brit Joe Anderson) must figure out just what has happened. And it turns out to be a doozie! A military aircraft carrying some baaaad bio-toxins has accidently crashed into one of the town’s main water sources…and it turns them into sick zombies. The Sheriff, joined by his doctor/wife (played by Pitch Black star Radha Mitchell) and his trusty Deputy try to escape before the government moves in and take over the town. This is of course, a wonderful remake of the classic George Romero film from 1973, also titled “The Crazies – Code Name: Trixie” which was actually referenced in the film (see if you catch it!). And I think the soundtrack was done fabulously by Mark Isham in setting up each scene with nerve wracking sound effects and perfectly eerie music (of course, he can do NO wrong in my eyes – he did the soundtracks for Point Break, Blade and Romeo is Bleeding!). It was great to see a remake that actually used some good ole scare tactics and some new ones (really nice use of the Stryker saw guys…really!) Director Breck Eisner could not have done a messier, gorier job…and it was just great! Seriously, if you want a movie to scare the liquid right out of you…sees this…with a friend of course! Rated R (Language, Violence, Gore) I have always been intrigued by the debate between the existence of God and the actual creation of man and animal. I have never really thought of Charles Darwin the man, only remembered him as the guy who dared to compare us to apes in the history books. This film gave him a totally new and understandable dimension. Played by Paul Bettany, we are introduced to a Darwin that is ill and torn….torn between his wife and her faith, and from his own observations of the planet around him. Ill from the stress of this and from the constant visits from his daughter Annie (played with such grace and maturity by Martha West); it seems at times that he may never fulfill his obligations to finishing the book that will revolutionalize science to its very core. Jennifer Connelly plays Emma Darwin, Charles’s wife…interesting as she is actually Bettany’s wife in real life. I think their wonderful chemistry played out well on the screen. She was gentle, yet quite formidable when she needed to be. But you could always see just how much they really loved one another…it is nice to imagine that is what really transpires in this great story. Other wonderful supporting roles were played by Jeremy Northam and Toby Jones, as well as relative newcomer Benedict Cumberbatch as the forces behind and against this idealistic man and his attempt to understand science, as well as deal with his own crumbling reality. It was a beautifully shot movie and director Jon Amiel brings forth such a wondrous world as he shows us the sights of the world and its evolutionary path told thru Darwin’s eyes…at the same time he reveals a love story, between a husband and wife; and between a man and his daughter. I won’t ruin the ending for you, I encourage you to watch it for yourself and see it as it unfolds. Rated PG-13 Anthony Hopkins did his usual stuffy yet crazy British aristocrat, and even though we figured out where he was going waaay too early with the storyline, he was still great to watch. And the lovely Emily Blunt just continues to astound me with her acting…I just never figured this girl to have what it takes and here she is AGAIN wowing me with her gentleness, and yet this beautiful inner strength comes pouring out. And finally, where I love the CGI in many other films this past year, this is one where I truly wish they would have stayed old school and used the great special FX that I know are still roaming around the world. The fake bear and deer in the movie were just too ridiculous. And I know this is one of my own minor gripes, but who the heck was watching the continuity on this film? Bottles got corked too many times, collars were done then undone…and what was with Benicio’s “special” hearing? He can hear horses arriving miles away but he can’t even find his own Dad three rooms away? Okay, I am done…it was a fun romp, but not a lasting relationship. And that really bugs me cuz all my bunnies KNOW how much I adore my horror stories! Watch it for fun, but no scariness for the Raven! Rated R (Violence, Horror, Gore) Everyone has been touched by death in their lives…and many of us have wondered what happens when we die? Where do we go? And what happens if it wasn’t our time to even go? When I originally read the book by Alice Sebold a few years ago, I was touched and amazed by the voice she gave the main character of Susie. And I also was quite moved by the sensitivity that Ms. Sebold used in creating such a touchy subject. So when I finally found out that the movie was in progress, I was delighted but also wondering just how it would transfer onto the screen and still remain sensitive to the murder of a young girl. Leave it to Peter Jackson to take an intriguing leap of faith and vision and direct this movie in such a beautiful way, not losing sight of the issues but blanketing them carefully within the details. The story is about a young girl named Susie, portrayed with touching grace by newcomer Saoirse Ronan after she has been murdered by a serial killer (Stanley Tucci in one of the scariest portrayals I have EVER seen). Susie is stuck in the afterlife, unable to move on because she doesn’t want to leave her father (played by Mark Wahlberg) in sorrow. Her father cannot stop obsessing over her disappearance, even when it causes his family to unravel. The narration by Susie as we glimpse the events leading to, and after her death is simple, shown from the eyes of a fourteen year old girl. But at the same time, the story is told in a very mature and enlightened way. Rachel Weisz plays Susie’s mother and Susan Sarandon plays the grandmother…each handling the situation in completely different ways. But it is Susie’s sister nicely portrayed by Amanda Michalka who fascinated me by never giving up and suspecting all is not right in her neighborhood and giving Tucci a run for his money…literally! I totally loved the beauty in which Mr. Jackson can bring to life on screen. This movie was a million miles away from Lord of the Rings, yet the same basic feelings of morality and life are infused in each. The ending was handled in such a great way and it reaffirms my belief that karma always wins in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this film…I hope you do too! Rated PG-13 (Violent Content and images) Let me start by saying I am a huge fan of the fashion world…but I had some doubts when I found out Tom Ford, only one of the world’s most renowned designers was directing a movie. I mean, what would a designer of clothes know about film? And was I ever proven wrong… The story is about a quiet, bespectacled gay professor George Falconer (wonderfully and stoically portrayed by Colin Firth) and a day in his life in 1962. He is still emotionally dealing with the death of his life partner Jim (played by sexy Matthew Goode) and George’s upcoming dinner that evening with close friend Charley (Julianne Moore). The entire film revolves around this single day and falls into flashbacks to fill in the blanks of the story. It shows the façade George puts on throughout the day, making plans and encounters with various people…at the same time he has meticulously planned his suicide for later that evening. He meets two young men who both make an impact on what he has decided to do. When the film ends, it is sad, yet perfect for the story and the love and emotion have been beautifully choreographed…designed you might say, to fit together. Tom Ford financed this movie himself, designed and directed this movie, adapted from the novel by Christopher Isherwood. It is like walking through the most beautiful Gucci ad I have ever seen. The cinematography is laced together intricately, with the emotions floating and falling into place like the leather and lace of a costume. The costuming was simple and elegant, and you can see Mr. Fords’ wonderful expertise in every stitch. For this being his first foray into film, I am quite impressed with the gorgeousness, yet heartfelt touch it has on screen. I totally enjoyed every minute. RATED R (NUDITY, SEXUAL THEMES) I have never been a big romantic comedy fan…except for Sandra Bullock in Speed…hmmm, wonder why? Anyway, this film made me realize again why I just cannot get into the whole ROCO thing… The tale is doomed from start to finish…it follows the unbelievable tale of Anna, played by Amy Adams as she races to propose to her boyfriend (Adam Scott) who is in Dublin Ireland for a medical conference. She has heard that it is a tradition for women to be able to propose in a leap year. She has been in this happy, perfectly organized love fest for 4 years and has been waiting for him to propose to make a fairy tale life. So Anna takes her neurosis on a trip and literally bores the crap out of everyone she meets along the way. Due to typical Hollywood bad luck, she is stranded miles away from her man and meets the (again, Sexy!) Matthew Goode. He portrays Declan…a small town pub owner, disillusioned by love. Bring on the stereotypical romance situations as she breaks, falls, slides and basically ruins anything in her path to get to Dublin, and of course falling in love with our sexy Irishman on the way. I just cannot get past the unbelievable storyline…why would a woman who has been happy with someone that she obviously is well suited for, just up and drop it all for a man she has barely known two days? I mean seriously? Can’t any of these writers be more original? At least the countryside was beautiful to look at, and there was actually chemistry between Anna and Declan…couldn’t they both have gone back to their lovers respectively and had happiness? I mean at least that could have been believable…they teach each other something about themselves and they find their love re-ignited with the people they seem to be meant for? So, not the worst movie I have seen but so far the most unimaginative. Take your chances and don’t blame me if you hate it! Rated PG-13 (Language, Sexual theme) Okay...I love me some Hollywood musicals for sure! But I am kinda stuck in the middle on this one...I am also a HUGE Fellini, the famous (or infamous) Italian director. So, I thought, cool a double whammie!
EAT PRAY LOVE
CATS & DOGS:THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE
Running Time: 82 mins.
MICMACS
Running Time: 105 mins.
PREDATORS
Rated R (Violence, Language)
Running Time: 106 mins.
SPLICE
RUNNING TIME: 104 MINS
It is pretty much an undisputed fact that George A Romero is one of the absolute kings of the schlock/gore horror movie. And he is one of the reasons horror films have become one of my favorite genres of films. So I was equally happy and apprehensive when I knew he had a new release coming out, a sixth “Dead” movie. As far as gore and schlock go, Romero does not fail. But as for relative content and story, he is falling to the wayside of the business, which really bums me out!
RUNNING TIME: 90 MINS
I have always had a soft spot in my wee little heart for anything Australian as many of you know. And here is another film that keeps that love alive! Written by Joel Edgerton and directed by Nash Edgerton, it is a crime thriller that just makes you thinks, “How much worse can life get”? The film revolves around two lovers who have decided to leave their spouses and run off together, but run into trouble from the very first lie they get into. Featuring David Roberts (who has been in the Matrix series), he just can’t seem to get a break…from his boss (played by William Hunter who you might remember from Priscilla of the Desert fame), his girlfriend…even from the guy who is cutting him an underhanded construction contract! And playing his girlfriend is beautiful Claire van der Bloom. You just want them to finally have some luck by the end of the film!
Running Time: 88 mins
A PROPHET
Running Time:155 mins
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
Running Time: 120 mins
RUNNING TIME: 115 MINS
BROOKLYN'S FINEST
Let me start by saying that I am actually a big fan of the NYPD…but even a hard core fan will end up with doubts about the men in blue thanks to this controversial movie. And I was so disappointed to say the least.
Running Time: 133 mins
THE GHOST WRITER
Running Time: 128 mins
THE CRAZIES
Every time a new “horror” film comes out, I find myself shaking…usually with laughter because they never impress me as being scary! As most of my pals know, I spend most of the movie giggling at the “non-scariness” of the film. Well, this film made me laugh, but not because it wasn’t any good! In fact I thought it was simply marvelous! Plenty of gore, lots of blood flying, and sickos everywhere! And to top it off, I got to watch lead actor Timothy Olyphant shake that cute butt in that sexy lil Sheriff’s outfit he had on! And I seriously laughed because I watched my friend almost run screaming from the theatre… the movie made him jump like a 14 year old girl every time something squirted on screen! I actually even jumped a few times…and that NEVER happens!
Running Time: 101 mins
CREATION
Running time: 108 mins
THE WOLFMAN
Grrrr….and I am NOT trying to growl against this one, but read on dear person! Okay, I have always been a humongous fan of Benicio Del Toro. He is smart, makes pretty great movie decisions and is oh so easy to look at on that big screen, with those smoky Latino eyes! But he failed me, dang it! It was almost like he thought he was playing Frankenstein, not the Wolfman! He was so detached that I almost left the theatre before any pivotal scenes even occurred! Was he hot…CHECK! Was he intelligent in the role…CHECK! Was he believable in the character…FAILING!
Running Time:125 mins
THE LOVELY BONES
Running Time: 135 mins
A SINGLE MAN
RUNNING TIME: 101 MINS
LEAP YEAR
Running Time: 97 mins.
Review (c ) 2010 Stephe Raven | Contact phone (213-53RAVE9))or e-mail.
NINE
The plot revolves around the main character, Guido Contini (played by Daniel Day Lewis)...an aging Italian director, trying desperately to prepare to shoot a film for which he still has no script written. It is also about his relationship with the many women of his life, the most important being his wife, portrayed in great beauty by Marion Cotillard.
Everyone seems to demand something of him, be it a script, his attention , his physical body or his past memories...He is overwhelmed and takes off to a spa, where he is immediately met by his stunning mistress (Penelope Cruz),who seduces him with her wonderfully sexy song and dance routine. He realizes afterward that this meeting is a mistake, as he really does not need the distraction she amply provides. At this point, we realize his wife is going to leave him...she cannot take the embarrassment or pain anymore. And when Guido brushes off his mistress, she attempts suicide! All of which leads to many flashbacks (and forwards!) where Guido is constantly going back and forth in his real life and his memories...we are introduced to his mother, played by the still volumptuous Sophia Loren. And Judi Dench seems to keep him grounded back in reality as his enlightened costumer for the film, of which he still cannot seem to write a single word for.
Guido is also chased by the impressive Kate Hudson, who actually convincingly plays a flirty American interviewer looking for a little time with the director...she actually quite impressed me with her singing ability...guess all that time running around with her ex-husband being in a band paid off! Another old memory resurfaces in the embodiment of the gorgeous Fergie...she appears to be the man's fantasy as a young boy...the woman who gives the very fire to his vision of Italy. Fergie sings with her whole soul on display in this raw song named "Be Italian".
We then realize that there is no way he will ever get this movie written...and we meet Claudia...his muse, his starlet that he has directed in many other movies and has planned on working with one last time. She is of course played with rock star precision by none other than musical vet Nicole Kidman. But even she has demands of Guido...that he love her for who she really is and not the fantasy he has created of her on the silver screen.
Guido finally admits there is no film and he shuts down the production...his wife indeed leaves him and he left alone for possibly really the first time; to contemplate life. We are reunited with him two years later, as he spies on his wife and a young man...he meets with his old friend Judi Dench and she tries to convince him he belongs back on the film scene...but he still misses his wife...
All in all, most of the songs and choreography was done very well. I was not overly impressed with Daniel Day Lewis as Guido...he just did not convince me as a passionate Italian man. Fergie was fantastic, but the big surprise for me was again, Kate Hudson. I think I loved her number the best. If you are a real musical fan, see this one on the big screen...but if not, wait til it releases on dvd and rent it then.
Rated R (sexual situation, language, drugs)
Running Time: 118 mins
Review (c ) 2010 Stephe Raven | Contact phone (213-53RAVE9)or e-mail.
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