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Rock of Ages (2012)
Hey kids, Rock and Roll....Rock on with Rock of Ages
The year was 1987, the cost of gas was .89 per gallon, The Cosby Show and Family Ties ruled television, and Rock'n Roll music was extremely popular. Rock of Ages appeals to the lover of late '80's Rock on so many levels. The cast and crew do a truly amazing job at bringing the '80s back to life. The hair, clothes, and even the twelve pound cell phones, complete with antennae and phone bag, were true to the era.
Rock of Ages tells the story of Sherrie Christian (Julianne Hough), a small town girl who hopped a midnight train going anywhere; okay, actually it was a bus on its way to LA. The movie follows Sherrie on her quest to stardom beginning with her arrival in LA, where she meets Drew Boley (Diego Boneta), an aspiring singer and bar back at a Rock' n Roll bar called the Bourbon Room. As luck would have it, the bar is in need of a waitress and Sherrie is in need of a job. The Bourbon Room, owned and operated by Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin) with help from business partner and friend Lonny (Russell Brand), is floundering badly. To make matters worse there is a politically motivated protest, led by Patricia Whitmore (Catherine Zeta-Jones) being held outside the bar deeming Rock 'n Roll detrimental to society, all in an attempt to get her husband Mike (Bryan Cranston) elected Mayor of Los Angeles. In a quest to save the bar, Stacee Jax (Tom Cruise) a famous, drunken rock star managed by money hungry Paul Gill (Paul Giamatti), is booked; however, it may be a case of too little, too late.
As you would expect, the music choices was sublime. Naturally, nearly every popular song from the era is included at some point in the movie. Everything from "Every Rose Has its Thorn" to "Small Town Girl" makes its way into the movie without feeling forced. It's a natural progression that makes sense, which can be difficult for this type of movie. My fiancé and I agreed that Rock of Ages did a better job of combining the songs into a story than the 2007 film, Across the Universe. Not only is the succession of songs truly wonderful, but the combination is amazing as well. Who would have thought that "Juke Box Hero" and "I Love Rock and Roll" could work in unison or that "We built this City" could be joined with "We're Not Gonna Take It"? Yet somehow, those are now two of my all-time favorite mash ups; and this is coming from a girl who watches Glee, a show littered with mash ups.
So, we've covered the plot and the music, but what about the acting? Well, honestly, that too was great. Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand are a true force to be reckoned with. The dynamic duo was the driving force of most of the comedy within the movie, although there was comedy sprinkled throughout. Russell delivered so many hilarious one liners, that I would put this movie in the category of a "must buy", if for no other reason than just to hear them and grasp the true hilarity. Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta's characters, Sherri and Drew, play love interests in the film flawlessly. Their interactions come across as very genuine and believable. The rest of the cast worked together extremely well and it looked like they were really enjoying themselves and the roles they were playing; the set of the movie had to be a complete blast.
Joining the likes of Hairspray, Mama Mia, and RENT, Rock of Ages has now been adapted from Broadway to the big screen, and it does not disappoint. The plot may come across as predictable, and in some ways it is, but the there are twists and turns to surprise you. The cast's chemistry, paired with amazing music, awesome (and at time awesomely awkward) choreography, and a storyline that seems generic at times, but is anything but, make this movie a must see. If you leave the theatre without a smile on your face, Rock songs in your head, and a sudden urge to buy Aquanet, I will truly be surprised.
Grade: A-
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Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
Everybody loves the Circus
It's been seven years since Marty (Chris Rock) escaped his comfortable confines, followed by Alex (Ben Stiller), Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Melman (David Schwimmer) in Madagascar. Unfortunately, a zebra (Marty), lion (Alex), hippopotamus (Gloria), and giraffe (Melman) running loose in the Big Apple isn't easily accepted. Once captured, the four life-long friends are put in animal containers and shipped to Africa; and end up in Madagascar, found by King Julian (Sacha Baron Cohen) and his tribe of lemurs. In Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa, the group end up in *SPOILER* Africa, and now in Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, the wayward animals are stranded in Africa, trying to make their way back to New York's Central Park Zoo.
Although the first Madagascar wasn't perfect, it was an enjoyable family film; made even more so by its cast of characters and especially by its breakout stars, the penguins: Skipper (Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Chris Miller), Private (Christopher Knights) and Rico. Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa tried to relive the comedic moments from the first film far too often, and even worse, came off as a cheap imitation of the Lion King. It wasn't a matter of would a 3rd film be made, not with a combined gross of over $373 million, but when would it be made? And would it be an improvement over the 2nd film?
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted starts off familiar, with our trusty foursome, along with help from King Julien, Mort (Andy Richter) and Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer) making their way to Monte Carlo to track down the ever so tricky penguins, to gain their help in the hopes of getting back home. Upon their arrival and ensuing crashing of a Monte Carlo casino, they become the target of local Animal Control led by Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand). In order to avoid being found, the group takes refuge as part of Circus Zaragoza, a traveling circus.
Madagascar 3 is a definite improvement over Escape to Africa; however, the film is not without its flaws. The biggest issue is the inclusion of the Monte Carlo Animal Control. I realize that it's a plot device used to guide the film's stars to the traveling circus, but it didn't feel necessary; often it felt forced, and intrusive to the story. Captain Chantel DuBois is aggressive and non-stop of her pursuit of Alex for the sole purpose of mounting his head on her wall. Truth be told, once the four make it to the circus she becomes irrelevant.
The opposite can be said for the traveling circus, and the cast of new characters introduced. Vitaly (Bryan Cranston) the tiger, Gia (Jessica Chastain) the jaguar, Stefano (Martin Short) the sea-lion and Sonya (Frank Welker) the bear perform various stunts and acts in the failing circus. Once Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman incorporate themselves into act, the movie really takes off. It becomes a bright, fun and enjoyable spectacle to watch. The interactions between the old and new characters are done perfectly and in such a way that easily integrates the new characters into the Madagascar lore; in the case of King Julien and Sonya, their relationship provides some of the films funniest moments.
The issues I have with Madagascar as a franchise is the length of time spent in Madagascar, Africa and now Monte Carlo, all in the hopes of getting back home. I'd also rather not even see any human characters in the films, because all they do is take away time from the films' actual stars. They don't add anything in the form of plot, and that screen time could be better used by showing more of the penguins. Speaking of which, I realize they have a T.V. show of their own, but isn't it time we get a Penguins of Madagascar movie??
What makes Madagascar 3 work is the exceptional voice work done by the actors and actresses. The chemistry between them shines through in every sequence. The addition of the new characters, as well as introducing the traveling circus allows for new opportunities to help the franchise move forward. My only request is that they don't continue to have Marty sing "dadadalala Afro-circus, Afro-circus, polka-dot, polka-dot, polka-dot, Afro", because I'm not sure how much more I can take of hearing my kids sing it. Although not on par with films by Pixar, Disney or even Dreamworks' own How to Train Your Dragon, I really enjoyed Madagascar 3 and hope they take advantage of the story possibilities revolving around a traveling circus.
Grade: B
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Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Theron truly is the fairest of them all
The past nine months have been an up and down roller coaster ride for the mythology that is Snow White. In September 2011, television network ABC began televising a show built around Snow White and Prince Charming, named Once Upon a Time, that went on to be one of the highest rated new shows. At the end of March 2012, Relativity released the film Mirror Mirror, starring Julia Roberts as the evil queen. The film went on to gross just under $63 million; much less than its budget of $85 million. Snow White and the Huntsman was scheduled a mere three months after Mirror Mirror and many wondered whether Universal Pictures was risking a case of too much too soon; however, Universal never wavered.
Prior to viewing the first trailer released, Snow White and the Huntsman barely registered on my radar. Upon seeing the first trailer my interest was piqued, and only grew with each subsequent trailer. It deserves pointing out that the marketing behind Snow White and the Huntsman was perfectly executed. The film was able to slowly build itself up as something far more than just the typical "fairy tale" and more as an action film filled with special; much closer in style to Lord of the Rings than to the silliness of Mirror Mirror.
First time director Rupert Sanders does a very admirable job of crafting a dark version of a familiar story, by including just the right amount of special effects without going overboard. Sanders does a good job of using his strongest asset, Charlize Theron, to hide his weakest link, Kristen Stewart.
Charlize Theron's Ravenna is the most beautiful evil queen to grace the big screen. Theron's acting is top notch, and although at times she seems to be over acting she does it with grace a style. The woman who nine years ago won a Best Actress Oscar for playing the mass murder Aileen Wuornos, a role in which Roger Ebert wrote was "one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema", easily makes the transitions into a woman whose only want is vanity. Theron easily commands the screen and carries the film.
I understand and realize that Kristen Stewart has a very large fan base thanks to her playing the part of Bella in the Twilight series of films. Unfortunately for Ms. Stewart, I haven't seen nor have any desire to see any of the Twilight films. Stewart's Snow White is supposed to be the main character in the film, but she has very little dialogue and her time on-screen is enhanced playing opposite Chris Hemsworth's Huntsman or Theron's Ravenna. Additionally, Stewart's acting appears stiff and in many ways is lacking any passion, and although a cute girl she is a far cry from what I would consider "the fairest of them all."
Although looking very much like his Thor character, Chris Hemsworth's Huntsman is without arrogance. The Huntsman is a widower, who wears his emotions unconditionally and makes it his purpose to protect Snow White from the evil queen. Hemsworth's performance is a pleasant surprise, and I look forward to him showing his full range in the future; after, of course his many appearances as Thor.
Additional roles are played by: Sam Spruell, who's a bit peculiar as Ravenna's brother, Finn. Spruell isn't bad in the part, he just doesn't look quite right to me.
Sam Claflin, who plays Snow White's prince charming, William; I don't know that there's ever been a more useless prince charming before. William starts out as Snow White's friend at a young age, and ends up in love with her and her defender?? C'mon now!!!
Robert Hoskins, Ian McShane, Nick Frost, Ray Winstone, Eddie Marsan, Toby Jones, Johnny Harris and Brian Gleeson, all very talented actors, make up the dwarfs. You'd think with the level of talent involved, the dwarfs would have more depth to them. Regrettably, they are underutilized and it feels as though they are merely included to complete the fairytale that is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Snow White and the Huntsman is a far cry from a fairy tale; it is a dark, dramatic action film that is visually very beautiful and not over done with CGI or special effects. Although the story revolves around Stewart's Snow White, she isn't required to carry the film; that job lies with Theron's evil queen, and she owns up to the task and gives a memorable performance. The film runs about 20 minutes too long and is a bit unsatisfying in the end, but is still a very enjoyable twist on a well-known story.
Grade: B
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Piranha 3DD (2012)
Never taking itself too seriously
In 2010 Piranha 3D, made on an estimated budget of $24 million, went on to gross over $83 million worldwide. The movie was far from good, but was able to succeed by not taking itself seriously and upping the "camp" factor. It shouldn't be a surprise, based on the film's gross, that a sequel would be spawned; the aptly named Piranha 3DD.
When last we saw the prehistoric piranha they were wrecking havoc on Lake Victoria's Spring party. As predicted by Carl Goodman, played by Christopher Lloyd, the piranha have begun to evolve and are now able to breakthrough steel, metal, and wood to get to their next meal. That next meal, or appetizer is to be found in a nearby lake, and ends with the ravenous, toothy fish finding their main course in a water park, which includes a newly constructed "adults only" section called "Big Wet" that employs "water-certified strippers" and where "double Ds get in for free"; and there are plenty of double Ds (here lies the reason for the movie's title).
At an estimated budget of $20 million, Piranha 3DD is the most expensive film directed by John Gulager, known mostly for being the Project Greenlight: season 3 winner and director of the Feast trilogy. Based on what Gulager's Piranha 3DD, having never seen any of his Feast films, his style of film making appears to be one in which he favors style over substance. He would seem to be someone who could make a very decent living directing films to be seen on the Syfy network.
The only returning cast from the original are Christopher Lloyd's Goodman and Ving Rhames' Deputy Fallon; when we last saw Fallon he appeared to be getting eaten alive from the waste down. We learn that in fact he wasn't killed and was rendered legless; however, he was able to save enough money for replacements. Gary Busy also makes an appearance, albeit a short one.
The lead actress is Danielle Panabaker (Shark), starring as Mandy, 49% owner of "Big Wet" and marine biology (!?!?) student. Panabaker's Mandy is the least campy of the characters, and unfortunately there's nothing to take seriously in the film and for that she's the least memorable.
Matt Bush's (Glory Daze) Barry is the dorky guy and basically the park's glorified trash man
.and seemingly useless when it comes to anything else, because he can't swim. Bush has the look of the dork down pat, and provides some very funny moments.
David Koechner, who has played in some very funny comedies such as Anchorman, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, and Semi-Pro, is the perfect choice to play the park's majority owner and Mandy's step-father Chet. Koechner has a way about him that is perfectly suited for a film and role of this stature.
David Hasselhoff plays himself and steals the film with his self mockery; it's not a far cry from the truth when Hasselhoff mutters the line that he's "hit rock bottom".
I'd be remiss if I didn't give kudos to Katrina Bowden, who plays Shelby, and Jean-Luc Bilodeau, who plays Josh; the duo have one of the best scenes in the film and Bowden easily delivers the film's funniest line.
As much as Piranha 3D didn't take itself seriously, it was more than just big chests, gore and comedic moments; it had a storyline to aid in guiding the film along. In Piranha 3DD it's all just big chests, over the top gore, and comedic moments. That's not to say that it's a bad thing, because the film doesn't try to be anything more than what it is; a lot of cheese and double Ds.
Grade: B
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The Avengers (2012)
The Avengers assembled flawlessly
I'm sorry to say The Avengers isn't a good movie; it's a GREAT MOVIE!!!! It's not only the best team superhero movie ever made, but it may just be the best comic book adaption made period! The Avengers is the culmination of what began in Iron Man; and continued through The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America. It was only a few years ago that my son and I had just finished watching Iron Man and as the credits were ending, Samuel L. Jackson appeared on screen as Nick Fury and spoke to Tony Stark about joining Avengers Initiative
in that short scene, the framework for potentially the greatest comic book movie of all-time had begun! Director Joss Whedon, most known for the T.V. series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, takes the foundation that was built in the prior films and brings together the greatest team of superheroes in film history, The Avengers: Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk/Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) as "assembled" by Nick Fury. Whedon's scripts usually include clever banter, gripping action sequences and an air of mystery and The Avengers is no different. Whedon has an utter love for comic books, and it is proudly put on display in The Avengers. The cast does a great job of bringing these iconic characters to life, beginning with Robert Downey Jr. Unlike Iron Man 2, in which Downey seemed to skate through scene after scene, Downey plays Stark almost effortlessly, delivering his lines with relative ease allowing his charisma, charm and smugness to shine through; Robert Downey Jr. IS Tony Stark! Chris Evans' solidifies himself in the role of Captain America. He was very good in his solo film, but truly owns the role standing alongside Iron Man and Thor. Chris Hemsworth's Asgardian god Thor has some incredible battle scenes and indirectly provides one of the film's most funny moments. After being seriously underutilized in Iron Man 2, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow is provided a back-story, which helps in developing the character and provides an opportunity to prove she is much more than just a pretty face; she's as dangerous psychologically as she is physically. I could envision myself enjoying a beat-down at the hands (and feet) of Black Widow. The character I was most concerned about being given little story and the least amount of screen time was Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye; happily, he's not left by the wayside and does a more than admirable job of developing the character. Hawkeye stands alongside Robin Hood and Katniss Everdene (The Hunger Games) as the best archers to grace the silver screen. I'd like to see more of him in a film of his own. Mark Ruffalo, the most recent choice to play Hulk, is far better suited to the role than Eric Bana (The Hulk) and Ed Norton Jr (The Incredible Hulk). Ruffalo looks more the part of the nerdy scientist Banner and plays the part without looking angry in every scene. In The Avengers, the Hulk is at his most impressive, both in his on-screen transformation and the violence he displays when the opportunity calls for him to "hulk out". If any character appeared to stand out a little bit more than the others, for me it was the Hulk. Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury is finally more than just the guy making surprise appearances. Fury is finally able to stretch his legs some, and Jackson slides quite easily into the role. Clark Gregg's Agent Caulson returns, and Cobie Smulders makes her Marvel films debut as Agent Maria Hill, and she is a welcome addition. The film's main villain is Thor's adopted-brother Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston. You would think the part would be a difficult one to play being opposite such powerful personalities and strong characters, but Hiddleston does a fantastic job; the performance should not go unnoticed, because it's one of the strong points of the film. Loki is not a villain without purpose and Hiddleston comes across as a devious mastermind without being cartoonish. At a running-time of 2+ hours, The Avengers is well paced and time flies by. The effects are top-notch, the acting is very good, and the script drives the movie elevating its strengths. For viewers that may not have seen any of the other films (and if so, why not!?!?), we're provided just enough information to bring everyone up to speed without feeling overdone. Whedon provides more than just a standard comic book film, but a story with reason that's backed up with incredible action and humor. Although the film is filled with larger than life characters, none are short changed; each character is given at least one great scene to work with, and the opportunities don't go to waste. The film's finale provides a deafening crescendo of action that is breathtaking. As usual with Marvel films, be sure to stay around for the post credit sequence, which provides a surprising reveal. I went into The Avengers with unfairly high expectations, due to all of those that were involved, as well as the films that came before it. After viewing the initial trailers and not being blown away, I had set myself up for disappointment. It was only a matter of minutes after the film started that I was put at ease, and just minutes later when my expectations were blown away. I never imagined that it was possible to put onto the screen, what I was watching. I'm happy that Marvel had the sense to keep these properties to themselves and to move forward with these characters in the manner in which they did. Marvel Studios and Disney are going to make a boatload of money off this film, and deservedly so; because there's never been another movie made of its caliber. Grade: A+
A Simple Plan (1998)
Things don't always go as simply as planned
Simple: easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty. Plan: A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.
How often does a simple task, such as hanging up a picture or changing the lock on a door, turn into a far more complicated project than when it was first started? Sadly, more times that I'd personally like to think about. There's an expression "the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray", meaning that no matter how well you plan for something, there's always something that comes along to mess things up. A Simple Plan, from director Sam Raimi, is a perfect illustration of how things can go unbelievably bad, incredibly fast, no matter how simple the plan.
Hank (Bill Paxton) has everything he needs to be a happy man; a pregnant wife who loves him, a decent job, and neighbors who like and respect him. One day while out in the woods, Hank, his brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thorton) and Jacob's friend Lou (Brent Briscoe), stumble across a snow- covered airplane. After searching the wreckage, they discover a duffel bag filled with money; Four million, four hundred thousand dollars to be exact. Although unsure where the money came from, Hank is convinced by Jacob and Lou that it's in their best interest to take the money for themselves. After coming up with a "simple plan" to sit on the money for some time, Hank takes the money home for safe keeping. It doesn't take long before greed, necessity, and temptation overwhelm the men, causing distrust. As other people are made aware of the money, the problems increase, leading to conflict between brothers, friends and family. Things intensify all the more, when someone comes looking for the missing money.
Director Sam Raimi, mostly known for Evil Dead and the Spider-Man trilogy, does a spectacular job of turning Scott B. Smith's novel and screenplay into a modern-day masterpiece. Raimi does a wonderful job of perfectly pacing the film and slowly establishing the growing tension that evolves once opportunity presents itself, before the shocking finale. In typical Raimi fashion, there are shockingly brutal scenes throughout the highly suspenseful film, but all tastefully done.
Bill Paxton gives one of the few fine performances of his career; another would come three years later in Frailty. Paxton's ability to play the nice guy is done in such a relaxing manner, he makes the character easily someone your able to relate to. The complex transformation Hank goes through is made all the more true to human nature, thanks to Paxton.
Billy Bob Thornton, nominated for Best Supporting Actor, portrays Jacob as a bit mentally challenged, only to show that he's not quite as simple-minded as one would think. Early in his career, Billy Bob played some very well written characters; such as Ray Malcoln in One False Move, and Karl Childers in Sling Blade for which Thornton was nominated for Best Actor and won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar®.
Brent Briscoe, mostly known for a number of small character roles in film and on television, easily gives the most memorable performance of his career as the troubled and desperate Lou. The camaraderie between Briscoe and Thornton, which started when they worked together on Sling Blade, is plain to see.
Bridget Fonda, the unsung star of the film, gives a Lady Macbeth like performance as Hank's pregnant wife Sarah. Sarah starts as the loving wife, only to become the dark side of Hank's conscience, planting the seeds of despair in his mind pushing him to make rash decisions for which there's no coming back.
A Simple Plan, similar to the Cohen Brothers' great film, Fargo, is very well written, directed and acted film; a dark, intriguing, and intense character study of choices made and the ramifications of those choices. Although Billy Bob's performance was the only thing the film was recognized for, there are arguments that could be made that the acting performances by Bill Paxton and Bridget Fonda, as well as Sam Raimi's direction, went unrecognized, undeservedly so. Similar is style to the Cohen Brothers' great film, Fargo, A Simple Plan is by no means a happy film, it is a pleasant surprise just how good it truly is.
Grade: A
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American Reunion (2012)
True friendships last a lifetime
In July of 1999 audiences were introduced to American Pie, a movie that showcased the sexual frustrations of Jim (Jason Biggs), Oz (Christopher Klein), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas); the four friends make a pact to lose their virginity by their Senior Prom. The breakout star of the film was Stifler, played by Sean William Scott, whose offensive and rude behavior was uproarious and solidified Stifler as one of the funniest characters in recent memory. The film went on to gross over $235 million dollars and was a surprise hit. In the two subsequent sequels (not including the direct to DVD films), the characters aged, but never matured; always finding themselves in precarious predicaments and as they grew up, we grew up right along with them. In the newest film, American Reunion, the whole gang returns home to East Great Falls, Michigan to celebrate their 10 year high school reunion, "13 years later".
The writing team of Hayden Schlossberg and Jon Hurwitz, who'd done a more than admirable job on the Harold and Kumar films, were given writing and directing duties on American Reunion. I give both men credit for not trying to do too much and by sticking with the formula that made the prior movies so successful, because "if it's not broke, don't fix it". Schlossberg and Hurwitz do a perfect job of putting the characters into situations many of us are all too familiar with; some due to getting older and others due to our own stupidity. Unlike The Hangover 2, which recycled the same plot from The Hangover, American Reunion continues the process of advancing the characters further into life. Yes, some of the jokes are rehashed; but sometimes no matter how much someone ages, they never grow up.
I'm pretty sure everyone has a friend like Jim, that did something when he was younger that was so ridiculous that he'd never live it down; ours goes by the name of Shmo and he's proud to be that guy. There's the friend that's a jock like Oz, that would do anything to impress a girl; the friend like Kevin, that's the pretty boy and thinks he's destined to be with that one girl; the friend that's the most mature of the bunch and acts a lot older than he actually is, much like Finch; and then there's Stifler, the one guy that all he does is bust balls endlessly and is easily accepted as part of the group. I'd be willing to be I just described a good number of guys that hung out together growing up. Some of us even had a cool dad like Jim's, played by Eugene Levy in every American Pie film including the direct to DVD movies. Although it took years for me to realize it, Eugene Levy is the moral compass of the franchise and gives a rock steady as well as laugh out loud performance each time out.
Similar to the previous three films, the strength lies in the believability of what the guys go through; reminiscent of experiences most lifelong friends may have gone through in life. That's not to say that everything that happens in the films is plausible, but it is sure as hell funny watching it all unfold. American Reunion is vulgar, crude, filled with dirty jokes, nudity and all kinds of raunchy behavior
and I love every single last minute of it.
Next year will be my 20th year high school reunion, of which I won't be going. I had a number of acquaintances while in high school, but no one that I'd call a true friend. The true friends I've had in life I'm happy to say are now life-long friends of mine. The time we spent together were great and over the years we've made a lot of memories; some low key ones such as sitting up all night playing video games or poker, and other outrageous drunken ones
.okay, there were a lot of drunken ones, in which I was always the sober guys. In all the years that have passed, my core group of friends has always remained close and I'm thankful that we've all stayed in touch over the years. It's movies like this and the others in the franchise that stir up memories and conversations that throughout the years are worth remembering, enjoying and laughing about 13, 25, or even 50 years later.
Grade: B+
The Hunger Games (2012)
a brutally violent film for teenagers and adults to enjoy
Unless you've been living in a cave or hiding under a rock, the newest film franchise to be based on a series of books is The Hunger Games. The trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins, has been read by millions around the world, so anticipation and expectations for the film have been high. The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian future in the country of Panem, where the Capital rules over 12 "districts". As punishment for a prior uprising by the districts, a ceremony is held every year in which each district selects a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to represent their district in a battle to the death on live television.
The key to making a successful film is selecting the right director. Gary Ross, whose previous directorial efforts were the underrated Pleasantville and the Oscar nominated Seabiscuit, was the director chosen; Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) was brought on as Second Unit Director. The next major hurdle was in casting, and it goes without saying that the casting choices were absolutely perfect. The stunning Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar nominated for her performance in Winter's Bone, was chosen as the films lead character, Katniss Everdene. Katniss is an intelligent, strong willed, and determined young woman and Jennifer Lawrence's portrayal is of her is perfect; she IS Katniss! Josh Hutcherson (Journey 2: Mysterious Island) plays Peeta Mellark, the love struck baker's son selected as the male tribute to represent district 12. Hutcherson is not the typical leading man in an action film. He doesn't have magazine cover looks, he doesn't have a chiseled body, he's just your average Joe; and it's that reason that he works so well in the role of Peeta. Woody Harrelson's Haymitch should have been great! In the scenes Harrelson's in, his Haymitch is engaging and commands the screen; unfortunately Harrelson is completely underutilized and doesn't get enough screen time. Elizabeth Banks looks great as Effie Trinket. Stanley Tucci plays Caesar Flickerman with great flamboyancy and looks to be enjoying every minute of it. Donald Sutherland's President Snow exudes power and rules with an iron fist. The rest of the cast includes such fine additions as Wes Bentley, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz and a slew of others. Regrettably, the majority of the cast, much like Harrelson's Haymitch, isn't provided enough screen time to allow the characters to be developed; and there lies the biggest problem with the movie.
As I was saying earlier, the main problem with The Hunger Games is that a majority of the characters lack depth due to being underdeveloped, leaving the audience invested mostly in Katniss and mildly in Peeta. Characters like Haymitch, Cinna (Kravitz), Effie, Gale (Hemsworth), and Rue (Amandla Stenberg) who could have had bigger roles are given so little that a few of them could have been left out completely. To be fair, having read the books in which the reader is given more information on the characters, it's difficult to separate the two and judge the film on its own merit.
The Hunger Games is that rare type of movie that appeals to all audiences; younger, older, male and female; it is a very, very good film. The story is well established, albeit at times moved along too quickly. The acting performances are wonderful, the training sequences are entertaining, and the overall action sequences are well executed; The Hunger Games is a very, very violent movie. This isn't a movie along the lines of the Harry Potter or Twilight series'. It's brutally dark film, and one that can be enjoyed by most; just be sure not to try and compare it directly to the book, because you'll only be disappointing yourself.
Grade: A-
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Silent House (2011)
Silence isn't always golden
Silent House, directed by Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, the pair behind the thrilling film Open Water, is a remake of the 2010 Uruguayan film La Casa Muda. The story centers on a young woman, her father and her uncle working together cleaning out and repairing an old lakeside family cabin; in the process ending up stalked, while "trapped" inside.
Elizabeth Olsen, having received high praise for her performance in Martha Marcy May Marlene, gives a solid performance as the young Sarah. If her first two feature films are a sign of things to come, then Ashley and Mary-Kate's younger sister is well on her way to establishing herself as an extremely talented actress on her way to a very successful film career. Sadly, the same can't be said for Adam Trese, who plays Sarah's father John, and Eric Sheffer Stevens, who plays John's brother and Sarah's creepy uncle, Peter. Neither of the two men is capable of holding their own when sharing screen time with Elizabeth; whether it's in delivering the dialogue or just acting out a scene.
The most impressive thing about Silent House is that the movie appears to have been filmed in one continuous take; running the entire 88 minute length of the film. The problem with shooting the film in this fashion is that not every scene works. In one sequence, we follow Sarah as she runs throughout the house trying to hide, and then escape. The scene is well done, and is at times reasonably suspenseful. In other scenes, however, the camera does more harm than good; such as poorly focused shots on the appearances of ghostly figures and the jostling of the camera as we run along with Sarah as she attempts to get away from the house.
As someone who sees many movies, there's nothing that bothers me more than when a director, writer, producer and/or studio thinks the audience is easy to get over on. The biggest issue with Silent House is that it was marketed incorrectly. The movie is not a horror film; it is a psychological thriller. If the film had been marketed as such, and wasn't done in the single shot format, I think the potential was there for a decent movie. If the film had been made as a horror movie and followed through on that, I think it could have been better. As it is, Silent House is a major disappointment that never meets its potential on any level.
Grade: C-
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Safe House (2012)
a film Denzel Washington fans will love
2012 has started off with some fairly enjoyable action films, such as Contraband, Red Tails, Chronicle and The Grey; and we're only 6 weeks into the year! Safe House, the new film starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, continues the hot streak Hollywood has been on.
Director Daniel Espinosa has a small directorial resume, none of which have been studio pictures. Safe House is the first studio film for Espinosa, and he does not disappoint. Similar in directorial style to Tony Scott, a frequent collaborator with Denzel Washington, Espinosa uses a choppy camera style, a number of close range fight sequences and doesn't waste any time before kicking things into high gear. There's no shortage of action sequences, ass kicking, and gun fights; but some of the best parts of the film revolve around the intellectual back and forth between Washington and Reynolds. The best thing Espinosa does is allow the film's stars to do what they do best, keep us engaged.
In Safe House, Denzel plays Tobin Frost a rogue ex-CIA agent highly sought after by the United States for trading top-secret information. Ryan Reynolds, proving that he's capable of being more than just comedic talent or a guy taking off his shirt, although he does it not long into Safe House, plays CIA agent Matt Weston. Reynolds' Weston, an inexperienced agent for the CIA, has been biding his time working as watch guard over a safe house in Cape Town, South Africa while awaiting a field promotion. After Frost turns himself in to the American Consulate, he's transferred to the safe house for interrogation. Unfortunately, or more like unsurprisingly, the safe house turns out to be not so safe forcing Weston to flee and protect Frost; unbeknown to Weston, Frost has plans of his own. Although we're meant to dislike Frost, Washington makes it difficult because he's at his best when he plays flawed characters; especially ones with questionable morals. Washington has always brought a level of intelligence and charisma to his characters and Frost is no different. Denzel Washington has made high quality films for over twenty years; beginning with Glory and continuing with Safe House. Unfortunately for Denzel, there's an expectation for him to be great or close to it, in every movie he appears; in Safe House he doesn't disappoint. Supporting roles played by Sam Shepard, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson and Robert Patrick are very well cast and do not disappoint.
As much as I enjoyed Safe House, this was not a perfect picture. The relationship between Weston and his girlfriend Ana, played by Nora Arnezeder was unnecessary. It felt forced and like a cheap attempt to include a love story or romantic angle to a movie that didn't need it. Another issue I had was with regards to the choppiness of the camera-work. It's becoming something we're seeing more frequently in action films, and often times distracting. The biggest issue however, was the level of predictability. By no means am I saying that every film needs to have a red herring, but at least make an attempt to force viewers into thinking a little. Although not perfect, Safe House is a very likable film and one that most action film fans will like; and one that Denzel Washington fans will not want to miss.
Grade: B
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The Vow (2012)
not bad, just expected more
Michael Sucsy makes his big screen directorial debut with The Vow, starring Rachel Mc Adams and Channing Tatum. The movie centers on a woman who loses her memory as a result of a car accident; and how her husband tries to recreate their life together in hopes that she will remember it.
The decision to see The Vow was an easy one; I'm a big fan of Rachel McAdams and am starting to become of fan of Channing Tatum as well. I'm a sucker for a love story, so it was that reason that I believed I would at least like the movie. And like it I did, I just didn't love it. While the film seemed like something out of a Nicholas Sparks book, it's based on true events, and having known that I found myself drawn to the film's plot.
There were a few things about the film that I didn't like. For starters, it felt as though the beginning of the film was rushed. At one point, not soon after the accident, an amnesic and banged up Paige is in the hospital and in the next scene she's up walking around with barely any scarring. I thought the movie would show more romance as well as Leo's efforts to win back Paige's heart and rekindle the love they shared. While the movie did focus on their love, it also included a fair amount of involvement with her parents, played very nicely by Sam Neil and the great Jessica Lange. Some could argue that the inclusion of the parents should be expected, since it was their daughter involved in the accident, I felt that too much time was spent on their past with Paige. I also would have liked to have seen more of Leo's attempts at helping Paige regain her memories of their life together and not as much time spent on her family trying to make up for things they did wrong. Throughout the film there were some very romantic scenes between Tatum's Leo and McAdams' Paige that convincingly showed their unconditional love; unfortunately, there just wasn't enough of them.
In the end, I really did enjoy The Vow, and it's one that I will watch again when it comes out on DVD and Blu-ray. I think it makes for a nice date night film or something to see on Valentine's Day.
My grade: B
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Contraband (2012)
An intense, edge of your seat thriller
Typically, during the winter months most of the films that come out are late releases for films with award aspirations or, as in most cases, the dumping grounds for movies that have very low expectations. In recent years there were a few films that surprised by being better than anticipated, such as The Edge of Darkness and Unknown.
This year's first surprise hit is the crime thriller Contraband, directed by the relatively unknown, Baltasar Kormákur. Kormákur does a commendable job in ensuring that Contraband's pacing is fast and yet steady. There's a lot going on, however it's never difficult to follow. Kormákur's strength lies in the drama and intensity he builds into each scene. Kormákur is able to maintain the viewer's interest at all times; whether the scene takes place in New Orleans, in Panama or on the shipping vessel traveling between the two destinations. Each location is visually appealing and also provides great locations for the gritty action that takes place.
Mark Wahlberg, as reformed smuggler Chris Farraday, leads a very good cast. Chris attempts to make a better life for himself and his family, and as is often the case, is pulled back into the life he'd left behind. Wahlberg is at his best when given an excellent script and quality direction, as proved in such films as The Italian Job, Invincible, and Four Brothers. Contraband is another film of that variety, and Wahlberg is exceptional. Kate Beckinsale, as Chris' wife, Kate Farraday, adds a dramatic element to the film. Beckinsale has made a career out of playing women capable of taking care of themselves as well as being an action star in the Underworld series of films. Ben Foster is well cast as Chris' best friend, Sebastian. Foster excels in supporting roles such as this, as evidenced by his performances in Alpha Dog and The Mechanic. Giovanni Ribisi gives one of his best performances as the violently twisted Tim Briggs. The underrated Ribisi gives Briggs one of the most annoying voices in film, but somehow he makes it work. The rest of the supporting cast is equally praiseworthy and are utilized perfectly.
Contraband is the style of film that comes along after all the holiday pictures, romantic comedies or crappy horror movies (i.e. The Devil Inside) have come and run their course, and viewers need something to quench their thirst for excitement. Contraband provides the edge of your seat action thriller that caters to everyone. At a time when there aren't many movies capable of drawing viewers in, this is one that won't disappoint.
Grade: B+
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Straw Dogs (2011)
another disappointing remake
Rod Lurie made a name for himself when he burst on to the scene in 2000, with the political thriller The Contender and then followed that up a year later with the very under rated The Last Castle. Lurie then did some TV work, before returning to the big screen in 2008 with Resurrecting the Champ, followed by Nothing But the Truth. Unfortunately, Lurie's most recent directorial effort, a remake of the 1971 film Straw Dogs starring Dustin Hoffman and Susan George, is a far cry from the well written, well directed earlier four films.
Lurie's Straw Dogs stars James Marsden as screenplay writer David Sumner and Kate Bosworth as his wife, Amy Sumner. Marsden's David is a borderline geek lacking what it takes to be a man, which Marsden plays convincingly well. Marsden has never struck me as someone tough or able to defend himself. I hated him as Cyclops in the X-Men films, and found that he was better suited to movies like Enchanted and 27 Dresses. Bosworth's Amy, however, comes across as a woman better suited to put up a fight if need be. Bosworth's performance is one of the better parts of the movie. Alexander Skarsgård, best known as playing Eric Northman in the HBO hit series True Blood, plays Charlie Venner. Charlie is Amy's ex-boyfriend and leader of the group of rednecks that cause trouble for the Sumners. I like Skarsgård on True Blood and think that with quality writing he is capable of giving a solid performance. In Straw Dogs, Skarsgård just wastes away due to the character being seriously under developed. James Woods plays the drunken, over protective Tom Heddon, ex-head coach of the local football. Woods is the best thing about the film and his performance stands out as such.
As a thriller, Straw Dogs was terribly disappointing and could have been a lot better, had it had a better script and director; Lurie also wrote the screenplay. The pacing of the film left much to be desired, as often times it felt as if the story was dragging. The characters needed better development and the violence should have been more brutal; although the finale does include a pretty violent death. The underlining message of the film seemed to be that people got what they deserved; regardless of whether they were asking for it or not. That must mean that viewers deserved to waste their time and money, because that's exactly how I felt after watching this.
Grade: D+ visit our site at www.twodudereview.com
Warrior (2011)
more than just a movie for guys
Anytime a movie comes out that involves some form of boxing there's always a comparison to Rocky, and Warrior is no different. The only things the two films have in common are that they were very well cast and each movie is exceptionally well done; the similarities end there.
Gavin O'Connor, most known for directing Miracle, the very under rated film about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, co-wrote, directed and makes an appearance in Warrior. A dramatic film about family and Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA), Warrior is more than just a run of the mill fight film. The movie is incredibly well constructed and nicely paced. At a run-time of 140 minutes, the movie never feels like it's running too long. The fight scenes are intense and brutally realistic, and the family dysfunction is all too real. Tom Hardy as the psychologically scarred Tommy Conlon, gives a very emotionally charged performance. Hardy's career has really started to break out, having recently been seen in Inception and playing the main villain, Bane, in the upcoming Dark Knight Rises. Joel Edgerton, who made his break as Uncle Owen in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, plays the financially strapped Brendan Conlon. Edgerton is convincing as a husband and father trying to do what's necessary for the betterment of his family. Jennifer Morrison, as Brendan's wife Tess Conlon, is very good and believable as a woman torn between her love for her husband and her fear of losing her family. Oscar nominated Nick Nolte, plays Paddy Conlon, father to the Conlon brothers and an alcoholic former boxer. It goes without saying that this is the best we've seen from Nolte, since Affliction.
As much as I enjoyed the film, I thought that it was a little over hyped. There were a few things that I felt were a little to convenient, like a Physics teacher being included in a battle of the top 16 fighters in the world. I understand that it was for the betterment of the story, but it just didn't sit right with me. I also felt Jennifer Morrison's character was underutilized and could have been a bit more developed. Warrior is a movie that guys will like for the fights; the idea of a Sparta style tournament in MMA is good one, and one that many fans would enjoy. Woman will like Warrior for entirely different reasons; such as the story itself that builds up to the finale. Although Warrior was marketed as a "guy" movie, it's definitely one that both men and women can enjoy.
Grade: A visit our site at www.twodudereview.com
Green Lantern (2011)
a little could have gone a long way
comic book characters on screen must be something Ryan Reynolds enjoys. Reynolds has played Hannibal King (Blade: Trinity), Wade Wilson/Deadpool (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), and in Green Lantern, stars as Hal Jordan. Jordan is an arrogant pilot working for Ferris Industries, owned by Carl Ferris (Jay O. Sanders). Jordan's antics and brashness during a simulation costs him his job, puts a strain on his relationship with Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) and puts Ferris Industries' ability to obtain a government contract at risk. Simultaneously, Abin-Sur (Temuera Morrison), Green Lantern of Sector 2814, battles Parallax (voiced by Clancy Brown) an evil being feeding off the fear of others. The result of this fight leads Jordan into being selected as Sector 2814's next Green Lantern. Once Jordan touches his power ring to the lantern, it takes him to the planet OA, home to the Green Lantern Corps. It's here that Jordan receives his training from Tomar-Re (voiced by the great Geoffrey Rush), Killowog (voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan) and Sinestro (Mark Strong). On earth, while performing an autopsy on Abin-Sur, Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), scientist and acquaintance to Jordan and Carol Ferris, becomes infected with a yellow energy. The infection causes Hector's brain to intermittently grow, causing his head to enlarge and appear grotesque, while also providing him mind reading ability and telekinesis. Jordan must battle a revenge seeking Hammond, as well as save the planet from an unknown enemy in Parallax, amidst his self-doubt and continuing to grow into his new role as protector.
Director Martin Campbell's (Goldenye, Edge of Darkness) Green Lantern is a CGI laden demonstration of both good and bad. Hal Jordan's "costume", a glowing, energized form of skin, tops the bad. Reynolds appears to be in pretty good shape and I'm sure could have filled out a skin tight suit sufficiently. The good is definitely the planet OA and the Green Lantern Corps. Visually the movie looks fantastic, and the amount of time spent in creating the universe was worth it. Ryan Reynolds' performance isn't Oscar worthy, but he's charismatic and knows how to grasp and maintain an audience. Blake Lively, better known from her days on Gossip Girl is gorgeous and the chemistry with Reynolds is obvious. Tim Robbins' Senator Hammond is a small, but important part in the film. All in all, I think the casting was spot on.
My son J and I saw Green Lantern in 3D and as visually impressive it was, I'm still not a fan of 3D; unless it's animated. Warner Brothers' attempt to create a large DC Universe, much like Marvel has done recently, has gotten off to a slow start. 'Green Lantern', a lower tiered character, was packed with too much. As an introduction film, the need to include Hector Hammond as an additional villain was pointless. I'd have rather seen more time spent on watching Hal learn his powers and training with Sinestro. Mark Strong's Sinestro was an extremely under-utilized character, but commanded the screen when he was on it. Parallax was disappointing as a main villain, but if better developed could have improved the film. This was definitely a case of a little goes a long way
.and instead they went a little too far.
Summer Movie Grade: C
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Yogi Bear (2010)
a worthy addition to a family DVD collection
When reviewing a family movie, I look at it a few different ways: first, is it appropriate for my three kids; second, is it entertaining to me and my kids; and third, is there a decent storyline. I didn't see Yogi Bear in theaters and I am glad I didn't spend money, for a family of five, on tickets and concession items that go with taking my family to a big screen showing. However, I think this is one of the more appropriate and enjoyable family movies that I have seen in years. Yogi made me laugh and it was just long enough to keep my kids attention for the entire movie. The story line is basic and not to deep, which helps to keep the kids' attention. As a dad, I appreciate not having to explain everything to them and am able to enjoy the movie myself. I thought Dan Aykroyd's voice work on Yogi was over acted and made to sound like the cartoon I grew up on, but after a few scenes you get used to it. Justin Timberlake, as you would expect him to be, was funny voicing Boo Boo. Tom Cavanagh, as the abused Ranger Smith, was a clean cut likable character similar to the character he portrayed on the T.V. show ED, on which he starred. Anna Faris's part although limited, fit in the movie's overall context. T.J Miller, Nathan Corddry and Andrew Daly were entertaining fodder to Yogi's antics.
I watched this movie with my kids and I can't remember a part where at least one of them was not laughing. To me, that's all you can ask for in a family movie; no swearing, no violence, just good old fashioned Yogi Bear Fun. This is a movie that I will be buying for the collection.
Grade: A+
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Super 8 (2011)
Summer's best movie is a throwback to old
Super 8 is an action mystery that takes place during the summer of 1979 in the small town of Lillian, Ohio. It's been four months since the accidental death of Joe Lamb's (Joel Courtney) mother. He and a group of friends are making a movie, "The Case", to submit to a local film contest. Charles (Riley Griffiths) is the director; Joe handles the makeup; Cary (Ryan Lee) plays the zombie; Martin (Gabriel Basso) is the lead actor; Alice (Elle Fanning) is the lead actress; and Preston (Zach Mills) is a supporting actor. One evening the group sneaks out to film a pivotal scene at a nearby train station. While there, Joe spots a speeding truck and watches as it turns on the railroad tracks and collides head on into the passing locomotive. The ensuing accident is horrific, and chaos ensues all around our young filmmakers. As the unknown contents of the train are released, the group narrowly escapes being caught when the Air-Force arrives to contain the crash site. Soon, strange occurrences begin happening in and around town. The Sheriff vanishes, and then Jackson begins questioning Colonel Nelec (Noah Emmerich) about the contents of the train. As the teens discover what was on the train one of their group goes missing; while separately Jackson pieces together parts of the puzzle. It's a race against the clock. For the teens to save their friend and Jackson to save his town, they're going to have to find what's out there and stop both it and Nelec from destroying everything important to them.
When viewing a movie, escaping into what you see is likely. It could be the storyline, the performance, or just the vision on the screen. We sit in our seat watching the previews, anxiously waiting for the movie to begin, and once the movie starts, the viewer is transported into the filmmaker's vision. Super 8 is J.J. Abrams' (Star Trek, Mission Impossible III) homage to Steven Spielberg, also a producer on the film. Super 8 stands alongside Spielberg's greats, E.T., The Goonies, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, as a superbly made beautiful picture. One of the keys to separating a good movie from being either bad or borderline great is in the casting. J.J. Abrams' casting of mostly unknowns as the young teens was perfect. How a movie is marketed is equally important. There is nothing worse than seeing a movie only to find that all the best scenes were in the trailers or previews. Abrams artfully creates interest without ruining the plot or the mystery, and the audience is never cheated. In this cleverly crafted production, we experience suspense and receive entertainment. As much as I enjoyed Star Trek and Mission Impossible, along with TV shows Alias and Lost, I look forward to Abrams making more films that go against the grain.
I tried not to spoil much, but I must say
.the train accident is one of the most intense scenes I've ever viewed on the big screen. It was on par with the airplane crash in Castaway, and better than the train crash in The Fugitive. Also, be sure to stay for the credits
you won't be disappointed.
Summer Movie Grade: A
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Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
the legend continues
Our story begins at a time when the Peacock Clan ruled Gongmen City. The heir to the throne, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), is informed by a Soothsayer (Michelle Yeoh) of a prophecy in which a warrior of black and white will defeat him. Shen, believing he could outsmart the prophecy, oversees the slaughter of all pandas. Discovering what their son has done, Shen's parents banish him from the City.
Many years pass, The Dragon Warrior Po (Jack Black) along with the Furious Five, consisting of Tigress (Angelina Jolie); Mantis (Seth Rogan); Monkey (Jackie Chan); Crane (David Cross); and Viper (Lucy Liu), have become the protectors of the Valley of Peace. As Shen plans to retake Gongmen City, using a powerful new weapon, orders his henchmen to steal all the metal from the surrounding areas. A pack of bandits invade the Valley and meet resistance from our heroes. Po, spotting a symbol on the armor of one of the bandits, has flashbacks to his youth with his real parents. Po and the Five, in hopes of saving all of China, travel to the Gongmen city; however Po's journey includes one of self importance as he hopes to discover where he came from, and to achieve the inner peace he so desires.
Dreamworks Animation has come a very long way since Shrek. In earlier years there were too many adult innuendos incorporated into their movies. Although the films were entertaining, parents were presented with a level of discomfort when allowing their younger children to view such films. The same cannot be said for Megamind, How to Train Your Dragon, and Kung Fu Panda. These movies are enjoyable by children of all ages, and adults alike. The innuendos are gone, and replaced by wholesome stories, beautiful backgrounds, and wonderful characters that are easy to relate too, and learn from. Kung Fu Panda 2 continues this trend with a welcome addition to the story of Po and the Furious Five. The comedic style and warmth that Jack Black brings to Po makes the character lovable and innocent. Gary Oldman is perfectly cast as the evil Lord Shen, bringing a welcome nastiness.
My seven year old son and I viewed the movie in 3D enjoying the experience immensely. Although the 3D glasses darken the brightness of the film, the picture jumps off the screen. I believe the animation is more enjoyable when viewed in 3D (not necessarily IMAX). Kung Fu Panda 2 is filled with martial-arts action and is a throwback to the old kung-fu movies I watched with my own father as a kid. My only hope is that Dreamworks continues to make more movies of this quality so I can continue to enjoy these experiences together with my own children.
Summer Movie Grade: A
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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
A vast improvement
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides returns Johnny Depp to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow. After four films, the comfort with which he plays Captain Jack is easily reflected on-screen. After Gore Verbinski, director of the prior three films, declined to return, Rob Marshall ('Chicago') stepped in to direct his first Pirates movie. Marshall, bringing a fresh perspective, improves upon what went wrong with the last two films: walking sea monsters/humanoids, excessive CGI, substandard stories, and poor editing.
On Stranger Tides begins with the finding of a man's body. Suddenly the man awakens, rambling of Ponce De Leon and the Fountain of Youth. Elsewhere, Jack is attempting to help his shipmate, Joshamee Gibbs (Kevin McNally) from an impending hanging. During the daunted rescue attempt, Jack is captured by the British. King George II (Richard Griffiths) interrogates Jack on his knowledge of the Fountain of Youth. It is alternately revealed that the King had previously procured the services of Captain Barbosa, played once again by the great Geoffrey Rush, to find the Fountain. Spectacularly, Jack escapes his predicament and soon finds himself in a vulnerable position when he meets Angelica (Penẻlope Cruz). Angelica, a past lover, has need of Jack's assistance in locating the Fountain. He soon finds himself, along with her, aboard the "Queen Anne's Revenge", the famous pirating vessel belonging to the notorious Blackbeard, Angelica's father. Blackbeard is superbly played by Ian McShane, who seems quite comfortable in the role of the villain and provides a standout performance. In searching for the Fountain, a scavenger hunt ensues between all the key characters.
The Fourth Pirates movie is definitely worth seeing in theaters! No matter how disappointed you were by the second and/or third movie, this one has an actual story. Aside from a pointless subplot, with a reluctant member of Blackbeard's crew and a mermaid, the rest of the movie flows nicely. Jack is as entertaining as ever, and although some of the jokes may seem old or repetitive, it still works. Keith Richards returns as Jack's dad and has the best line in the movie. I look forward to appearances from him in future movies. Yes, you can be certain that there will be additional Pirates of the Caribbean films made. Considering the amount of money each movie makes, and in this case the addition of a quality story, Disney would be foolish not to continue. As is the new trend, there's an additional scene, post credits .save yourself the time, and don't bother. Considering the length of time it takes to watch all the credits, you will leave disappointed that you stayed for such a small reveal.
Summer Movie Grade: B-
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Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
Mission Impossible 4 = possibly the best
It's been five years since Tom Cruise had starred in a Mission: Impossible film. In those five years Cruise has made Lions for Lambs, Tropic Thunder, Valkyrie, and Knight and Day; each film successful in its own right. Cruise also made headlines with a couch-hopping declaration of love for his much younger girlfriend, Katie Holmes, on the Oprah Winfrey show. Although Mission: Impossible was a successful franchise, expectations for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol weren't high.
Brad Bird, known for Pixar's Ratatouille and The Incredibles, was Director on Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, his first live-action film. Surprisingly, the transition from animation to live-action was an easy one; Ghost Protocol was an extremely well made film. Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec, both writers with a proved record of producing quality scripts for television, wrote a fantastic screenplay for the film. The storyline isn't necessarily original; I mean how many different ways can you expect terrorist to do what they do? However, its how the story is delivered that makes it work so well. There's nothing difficult for a viewer to follow or understand. The film is paced by the many high octane action sequences, as well as the elevated level of energy displayed by the characters. Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, performs most, if not all, of his own stunts, and is at the top of his game. One scene takes place in the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, which is located in Dubai, and is intense; but when you realize that Cruise did not use a stunt double for the sequence, it gives you an all new appreciation for the man and his abilities. Simon Pegg returns as Benji, and adds light humor without turning the movie into a mockery. Jeremy Renner, who was rumored to be taking over the franchise from Cruise, is a welcome addition to the IMF team as William Brandt. Renner continues a run of brilliant performances, which began with his Oscar nominated performance in The Hurt Locker, followed by another Oscar nomination for The Town. I think Renner is extremely talented, however I wonder about his being involved in too many franchises as he's been cast as Hawkeye in the upcoming The Avengers, as well as appearing in the forthcoming The Bourne Legacy currently filming. Paula Patton makes her Mission: Impossible debut as Jane Carter. Patton does a fine job, and holds her own alongside such experienced actors. The only disappointment for me, was that Ving Rhames, who appeared as Luther Stickell in the prior three films, only makes a short cameo.
Tom Cruise has re-established himself as an action hero and shown he is capable of moving the franchise forward; no passing of the baton is necessary. Brad Bird has put himself in position to be a well sought out Director, and deservingly so. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is not only a welcome addition to the series, but may just be the best of them. If you like well constructed action sequences, stunt work impressively choreographed, and an all around fun film to enjoy; then make seeing Ghost Protocol, mission possible.
Grade: A
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Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)
more like the sinking of the Titanic
I'm not ashamed to admit that I enjoyed Alvin and The Chipmunks; I even enjoyed Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squekquel, albeit a little bit less than the original. The two movies combined for a gross of over 400 million dollars. No, that's not a typo, I said 400 million dollars! It goes without saying that 20th Century Fox had a money maker on their hands, and was going to keep going to the well until it was emptied. Anyone who has seen Alvin and The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked should be able to tell you that the proverbial well is BONE DRY!
I wish I could tell you that Chipwrecked was just a tad beneath the quality of Squekquel. I wish I could tell you that the Chipmunks and the Chipettes were just as cute as you remember. Unfortunately, that's just not the case. The musical numbers were forced; the shenanigans were tired and old, and more important that anything, the chipmunks as a whole just weren't cute and funny. ******************************SPOILER ALERT******************************** David Cross, who can be quite funny, is relegated to spending the entire movie in a bird suit. Jason Lee, who must be getting an overwhelming payday to keep coming back, spends most of the time whining. The introduction of Zoe, played by Jenny Slate, was a cheap attempt to add a foil to the characters. Honestly though, she came across more as irrelevant. By no means was I looking for a movie written by Aaron Sorkin, Academy Award winning screenplay writer of The Social Network, but a little bit of an effort would have been nice. It seemed as the Writers were only worried about how many songs they could squeeze into the film and how many movies they could spoof off of, most notably Castaway, The Lord of the Rings, and James Bond; there's even a bit of The Jersey Shore thrown into the mix. Once you add it all up, it equates to nothing more than very lazy writing.
My wife and I took our 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter with us, and although the two of them were entertained, my wife and I were both extremely disappointed. If the intent is to move forward on additional films, then the writing is going to have to improve. I find it hard to believe that after 2 movies, the writers can't come up with any original ideas. If that's the case, then I think it's time to put the film franchise back in the vault and bring the Chipmunks to Saturday morning cartoons.
Grade: D
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New Year's Eve (2011)
for the hopeless romantic
New Year's Eve moves back and forth between six sub plots. It sounds complicated, but having been broken up made for a better movie and didn't cause any difficulty in following the story lines; at least that's how my mom and I both felt.
As a fan of romance, one of my favorite plots revolved around Ashton Kutcher, who also starred in Valentine's Day, and Glee's Lea Michelle. The chemistry between the two of them was undeniable, and really stood out. It was nice to see a softer, romantic side to Ashton Kutcher, who is usually more of a comedic actor. In a more serious storyline, Robert DeNiro, one of the greatest actors of our generation, stars as a cancer patient who is near death. DeNiro is without a doubt a fantastic actor and this performance was more of the same. The gorgeous Halle Berry was prominent in DeNiro's scenes. Although the topic was weightier, it didn't bring the mood of the movie down. There were additional story lines revolving around Sophia Vergara (Modern Family) and Jon Bon Jovi (Pay it Forward), making his return to film after a five year hiatus, Zac Efron (High School Musical), and Michelle Pfeiffer (Up Close and Personal), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex in the City) and Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) and Ludicrous (Fast Five), and Seth Myers (Saturday Night Live) and Jessica Biel (The Illusionist); not to mention the other characters that play large roles, and the endless number of people that make cameos.
The legendary Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, Princess Diaries) directed one of my favorite films, Valentine's Day, the year before. As soon as I saw the trailer for New Year's Eve, it wasn't a question as to whether or not I would go and see it; the question was when. Once the opportunity arose, and I finally had the chance to see it, I enjoyed it just as I had anticipated. New Year's Eve is a perfect "date movie", an enjoyable "chick flick" and the kind of movie any "hopeless romantic" would enjoy.
Grade: B
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The Muppets (2011)
A Muppet return for all-ages
As I have said many times before, when reviewing a family movie, I look at it from a variety of perspectives; first, is it appropriate for my three kids? Second, are I and my kids being entertained? And finally, is there a decent storyline?
The Muppets stars Jason Segel, co-star of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the hit T.V. Series How I Met Your Mother. Segal, a long time fan that had grown up watching The Muppets, only to see them face into obscurity, co-wrote the screenplay for the film. I applaud him for his genuine love of the characters and the care he took in bringing them into the present. The Muppets is a truly entertaining movie! I'm glad that I had an opportunity to take my kids to see something that I had grown up on and how enjoyable it was to me. As I go on a tangent, without spoiling the movie; The Muppets popularity shrunk as animation grew and the human element of children's entertainment was lost. If you are looking for CGI and crazy animation this isn't the movie for you or your children. If you are looking for a movie that won't over stimulate for your kids and is easy enough for them to understand, than this is the movie to take them.
What stands out most about The Muppets is that the movie embraces what the Muppets were and what their current perception is; and again for that I applaud them. As you watch the film it is very clear that this is the message that is the underlying theme of the film. This film is funny and touching in true Muppet form, all of the characters are touched upon and the movie flows well with a great deal of cameos. It is long enough that my 6 year old wasn't antsy and my 10 year old understood it and laughed along without thinking it was a baby movie.
I am glad that the Muppets are back and I wouldn't be surprised if there is another one made soon. To me if you loved the Muppets as a kid this is a must see.
Family Movie Grade: A+
Is it Worth the Price of a Rental: Yes
Would I watch It Again: Yes
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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
A Star is Born
In 2005, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the first book in Swedish journalist and writer Stieg Larsson's "Millennium Series", was published; unfortunately, Larsson died without ever having the opportunity to see his books published, let alone how popular they would go on to become. The novel went on to become a worldwide best seller, as did the two sequels: The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. As the books grew in fame, and Swedish film adaptations of the series were successful, so did the likelihood of Hollywood film version.
In order to meet the complexities within the novel, a director proved capable of handling such complexities was needed; there was no better choice than David Fincher. Fincher, whom in prior years had been nominated for Academy Awards in Directing for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Social Network, was tailor made based on previous films, such as Se7en, The Game and Zodiac. The decision to film the movie on location in Sweden was an intelligent choice, as it allowed the natural elements and locations to set the backdrop. The biggest decision Fincher made, and one that would make or break the movie, was casting choices. Daniel Craig, best known for playing the latest incarnation of James Bond, does a fantastic job as journalist/investigator Mikael Blomkvist. Craig's best attribute is his ability to play up to the strengths of his character, and with Blomkvist it's his charisma and submissiveness. Although Blomkvist is one of the central characters of the film; without question, the star is Lisbeth Salander, played by Rooney Mara. Mara gives an Academy Award worthy performance as the socially awkward Salander. Mara commands the screen in everything she does. Mara provides the character with such depth, that you sympathize with Lisbeth and understand her need to not attach herself to anyone. If an Oscar Nomination doesn't come her way, it would be disappointing. The rest of the supporting cast is also impressive; Christopher Plummer continues to get better with age, as Henrik Vanger, Stellan Skarsgård is wonderful as Martin Vanger, and Yorick van Wageningen gives one of the creepiest performances of all-time as Nils Bjurman.
No film is without flaws, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has a few. The one issue I had with the film was the opening credits; it played like a music video and was entirely unnecessary and there's one sex scene near the end of the film that wasn't needed. Aside from that, I thought the film stayed very true to a book with approx. 480 pages. With a book of that size, certain parts must be left out of the movie; I truly believe that what wasn't included, wouldn't have improved the film. Without a doubt, this film is one that merits a lot of consideration come Awards season. Rooney Mara's star has begun to blaze ever so brightly and deservedly so. The transformation into her character alone was impressive, but to look the part and be the part are two entirely different things and she was able to achieve both. David Fincher accomplished what he set out to do, to make a brutal, mysterious and brooding film and I enjoyed the end result.
Grade: A+
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Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010)
A Nanny worth bringing back
As I have said before when I review a family movie I look at it in a few different ways; first is it appropriate for my three kids, second is it entertaining to me and my kids, and thirdly is there a decent storyline. In the second installment of Nanny McPhee I believe it hit on all three of my requirements. With the feel of a modern day Mary Poppins, without the music, this movie turned into an instant favorite of my kids, 2 girls and a boy. As with the first Nanny McPhee the messages written into the movie were not lost on my kids so they could again understand the transitions of the characters. Emma Thompson renewed her role as Nanny McPhee with a classic acting approach and that is what this movie needs to stay on point.
The cast of the movie has one of my favorite actresses in Maggie Smith; she delivers a part that you would expect from her in a family movie. The five children consisting of Oscar Steer, Asa Butterfield, Lil Woods, Eros Vlahos, and Rosie Taylor-Ritson share a great chemistry. It's evident right from the beginning that this is truly a bunch that needs Nanny McPhee. The pretty and natural looking Maggie Gyllenhaal plays a solid part that is miles away from the character she portrayed in Secretary. As the mother/aunt of this bunch she is not the star of the movie however she compliments the children well.
If you are looking for a lot of special effects and CGI this isn't your movie. I would say this movie is closer in style to the Disney based movies of the 60's and 70's; and I am fine with that. The movie is fun and enjoyable and a great choice for any family movie night.
Grade: B+
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