Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Fido

2006 – Comedy/Drama by director Andrew Currie
Description:  When Timmy Robinson’s mom buys a house zombie his whole family is in turmoil.  His mother doesn’t want to be the only family on the block without a zombie anymore, his father is terrified of zombies and Timmy doesn’t know what to think. Always being picked on by bullies his new zombie comes to the rescue and then eats an old lady.  Timmy has to think quickly to fix this mess and then decides that he should name is zombie Fido.  Before you know it Timmy and Fido are inseparable.  Scared of someone finding out that Fido ate the neighbor, Timmy has to figure out what to do now.

Review:  A well done, fun, and funny faux period zombie piece.  Of course I am always a sucker for zombie flicks, but there aren’t a lot of funny zombie movies so it’s nice to have another to add to the arsenal.  There was one thing that I thought was weird, the soundtrack was all period appropriate save for one exception.  In the scene where the mom is dancing in the living room the song playing is “Put A Lid On It” on the album “Hot” by Squirrel Nut Zippers, released in 1996.  Other than that I really enjoyed this movie and recommend that it be added to everybody’s ‘DVDs to buy’ list.

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 9
Acting – 8
Comedy – 8
Drama – 6.5

My favorite quotes:
ü  “In the brain and not the chest. Head shots are the very best.”
ü  “From dust have you come and to dust shall you return, but from dust shall you not be resurrected.”
ü  “That’s why they call it “A Man’s Job”… Flesh eating maniacs need not apply.”
ü  “You crazy, wonderful zombie!”

Lead cast:  Kesun Loder, Billy Connolly, Carrie-Ann Moss, Dylan Baker
Supporting cast:  Henry Czerny, Tim Blake Nelson, Alexia Frost, Sonja Bennett

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

High Hopes

2006 Comedy by Joe Eckardt
Description: A group of friends are trying to make a movie. They have a script, an actor, a stoner, and a deaf mute. All that they need now is the money to finance this flick. Starting to feel a little desperate, they devise a plan that if exacuted properly will put them into a a very large budget for a bunch of nobodies.

Review: This movie is just a bunch of supporting actors in lead roles. So basically who you see is what you get.  It’s not a terrible movie but it’s nothing special either. The story line tends to lag a little and as the viewer I didn’t really have any motivation to care what happens to a bunch of guys fumbling through a scheme. Also, there were a few funny parts but I couldn’t find one quote worth the ink to write it down.

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 4
Acting – 6
Comedy – 5

My favorite quotes:
None

Lead cast: Corin Nemec, Jason Mewes, David Faustino, Jason Marsden
Supporting cast: Lacey Chabert, Andy Dick, Edward Furlong, Cecily Gambrell

Monday, November 28, 2011

Eagle Eye

2008 Action/Suspense/Mystery by director D.J. Caruso
Description: When a high tech, top secret classified, super smart computer decides that it knows what is better for the American people than the American people do, things get complicated.  The computer starts enlisting the assistance of unwilling everyday citizens to help complete its objective through blackmail. Now it’s up to Jerry and Rachel to save the people of America from this computer, while being chased by law enforcement, the military and 3 letter agencies.  Will they be successful in protecting the American way of life or will the super computer take over?

Review: A very well done “what if” story.  Granted, this idea has been done is various ways before; the idea of computers taking over is always a very real chance.  But I really liked the direction that Eagle Eye went and I like the character’s solutions. There is lots of action and suspense with a few comic relief moments. Well written, directed and acted.

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 7.5
Acting – 7.5
Action – 8
Suspense – 8

My favorite quotes:
ü  “Jerry Shaw you have been activated. Your compliance is vital.”
ü  “Well on behalf of all that fucking bomb equipment in junior pinhead’s apartment, no, you’re not.”
ü  “You’re all going to be demoted into something that’s gonna require touching shit with your hands.”
ü  “You couldn’t have picked a worse time to be of some use.”


Lead cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton
Supporting cast: Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie, Ethan Embry, William Saddler

Sunday, November 27, 2011

A Guide For the Married Man

1967 Comedy/Romantic Comedy by director Gene Kelly
Description: Everyone knows that all married men cheat on their wives… Most men get caught. This movie shows them how to do it successfully.  Step by step.  Watch as Paul learns all the tricks from his buddy Ed.

Review: A very funny farce, Gene Kelly did an excellent job!  Walter Matthau is very funny, as usual, and very nervous and innocent.  Packed full of great cameos!  Absolutely silly.   Even if you don’t like old movies, you should see this one.

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 7
Acting – 7.5
Comedy – 7

My favorite quotes:
ü  “Well if you think I’m going to stick about here, just watching you be cheerful, you’ve got another thing coming!"
ü  “That’s the trouble with Ruth; she’s such a wonderful wife…"
ü  “Deny, Deny, Deny! No matter what she knows, or thinks she knows, deny it."


Lead cast: Walter Matthau, Robert Morse
Supporting cast: Inger Stevens, Claire Kelly, Jackie Russell

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The A-Team

2010 - Action/Adventure/Comedy by director Joe Carnahan
Description: An alpha team of Army Rangers takes on a mission without orders to retrieve some stolen U.S. currency printing plates. When the plan doesn't go quite the way they had expected, they find themselves in a court martial and with dishonorable discharges. After each member of the A-Team is incarcerated in separate facilities, the action really heats up as these former soldiers seek redemption. 

Review: An awesome movie, considering what it is being adapted from. Don't get me wrong, the TV show is classic in all of its cheesy, corny, retro glory. But to say that it was an amazing TV show is giving it too much. With understandably lowered expectations going in, the pretty much nonstop action from start to finish, and the humor splashed in, you really don't have much choice but to finish the movie in high spirits. Overall, it’s pretty quote-able…  The actors did really well with what they were given.

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 6.5
Acting – 8
Action – 9.5
Comedy – 7

My favorite quotes:
ü   “I love it when a plan comes together."
ü  “Give me a minute, I'm good. I've got an hour, I'm great. You give me 6 months... I'm unbeatable."
ü  “No.... They're trying to fly that tank...."
ü  “You should see these bullets in 3-D!"

Lead cast: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton Jackson, Sharlto Copley
Supporting cast: Jessica Biel, Patrick Wilson, Gerald McRaney, Brian Bloom

Friday, November 25, 2011

Rumor Has It

2010 – Comedy/Romantic Comedy by director Rob Reiner
Description: Confused and unsure of her place in the world and in her own family, Sarah brings her new fiancée home to Pasadena. While at home she uncovers a highly guarded, 3 generation old secret, her family is the Robinson's. That's right the Robinson family of the book and movie The Graduate. While trying to unearth the truths behind the story and what it might mean for her, Sarah ends up on a path taken by her mother and grandma. Suddenly she finds that NOTHING is what it seems in her family.

Review: Has all of the prerequisites for a romantic comedy: love, humor, complications, resolve, happy ending.  It’s a pretty interesting story line, a nice twist doing the other side of The Graduate story.  I'm always a little disappointed when the characters give in so quickly... If Jeff had held strong longer it would have been more realistic.  But at the same time, everybody loves a happy ending.  Shirley was great, as always, playing a strong willed and brash cougar! Kevin's character was briefly creepy but over all likable. Jennifer really pulled of the scared and confused 30 year old.

My ratings:
Story & Plot – 7.5
Acting – 8
Romance – 5
Comedy – 7

My favorite quotes:
F    “I'm being sucked, and not in a good way.”
F   “Life is short and marriage is long... So... Drink up - it will make it go a help of a lot faster.”
F   “Mrs. Richelieu, are you trying to seduce me?”
F   “Oh, yeah? You and what lightning hands?”
F   “That's the power of please, kids.”

Lead cast: Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Ruffalo
Supporting cast: Richard Jenkins, Mena Suvari

Thursday, November 24, 2011

The Graduate

1967 – Drama/Comedy/Romance by director Mike Nichols
Description: Confused about where to go and what to do with his life now that he is a college graduate, Ben goes home to Pasadena.  He fumbles his way into an unusual situation: seduces into an affair with Mrs. Robinson.  Wasting his days away and flinging through his nights, Ben still has no idea what to do.  Unexpectedly he decides that he is in love with and is going to marry the daughter of his mistress, much to the dismay of Mrs. Robinson.

Review: It is a very good adaptation of the book and the roles are played perfectly by a wonderful cast.  Dustin Hoffman plays a nervous, confused, moody 21 year old well.  Of course Anne Bancroft did such a good job playing nonchalant, confident, controlling, guilt tripping Mrs. Robinson!

My ratings:
Story & Plot – 8
Acting – 7
Drama – 7
Romance – 6

My favorite quotes:
F    “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me.”
F   “Goddamn, that's great. So old Elaine Robinson got started in a
       Ford.”
F   “Benjamin, I am not trying to seduce you.”
F   “Mrs. Robinson, if you don't mind my saying so, this conversation is
       getting a little strange.”

Lead cast: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katherine Ross
Supporting cast: William Daniels, Murray Hamilton, Elizabeth Wilson

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

13

2010 – Drama/Suspense by director Gela Babluani

Description: Vince’s father is in the hospital and their family is out of money.  So, to pay the hospital bills they put their house up for sale.  But then, by sheer chance, Vince stumbles upon a way to make a lot of money.  The catch is that he doesn’t know what he is in for, only that the instructions have to be stolen.  Lucky for Vince, the man with the instructions drops dead of an overdose.  Now all he has to do is follow the directions and hope that everything will work out.

Review: The opening scene is catchy and it has an overall interesting story and plot.  I didn’t really care for the main character Vince; it was kind of like he just happened to be there at the same time as the story is going on.  The movie was really carried by the other cast members.  I had never seen a preview for this movie I just happened to add it to my Netflix, it was a decent gamble.

My ratings:
Story & Plot – 7
Acting – 6.5
Violence – 6.5
Suspense – 6

My favorite quotes:
F    “Didn’t you hear? We don’t keep sheep inside and we don’t take them
       to bed with us.”
F   “Players, load your bullets into their cylinders.”
F   “Mrs. Richelieu, are you trying to seduce me?”

Lead cast: Sam Riley, Jason Statham, Ray Winstone, Mickey Rourke
Supporting cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Michael Shannon, 50 Cent

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Pump Up the Volume

1990 – Drama/Comedy by director Allan Moyle

Description: As a recent transplant from the east coast to Arizona, Mark Hunter attempts to keep in touch with his friends with a short wave radio.  When he is unable to contact anybody he decides to turn his attention to a pirate radio program using the pseudonym Happy Harry Hard-on.  But then he realizes that people are actually listening to him every night.  His dime store operation becomes a beacon of hope for local teenagers, and things start happening.  Suddenly his alter ego becomes a hero in the eyes of kids at school.  Watch as a corrupt school principle gets the surprise of high school students actually speaking and standing up for their right to an education and the right to be a teenager.

Review: Great movie for teenagers and adults alike!  So much better than most teen movies out there, it’s more realistic.  Actually admits that everybody has issues and everybody is messed up.  At some point everybody is angry, confused, depressed, and misunderstood.  It is the movie for a generation of young people at the end of the 80’s and beginning of the 90’s.   There is lots of adult humor and themes going on.  It’s like blogging before blogging.  Awesome, awesome, awesome soundtrack!!!  Seriously.

My ratings:
Acting – 8
Story & Plot – 9
Drama – 6.5
Comedy – 8

My favorite quotes:
F   “So be it…”
F   “Talk hard!”
F   “Is it bigger than a baby’s arm?”
F   “Eat your cereal with a fork and do your homework in the dark.”

Lead cast: Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Ellen Greene, Annie Ross
Supporting cast: Scott Paulin, Mimi Kennedy, Cheryl Pollak, Seth Green, Billy Morrissette

Monday, November 21, 2011

The Amityville Horror (2005)

2005 – Horror/Mystery/Suspense by director Andrew Douglas

Description: Newlywed couple, George and Kathy Lutz, find and buy their dream home.  After moving their family in, strange things start to happen.  Maybe the history in this house plays a bigger part in their story than they think could be possible.  Will the Lutz family survive and if so for how long?  And will they ever get to the bottom of the riddle that is their house?

Review: If you have never read the book or seen any of the dozen previous versions of this movie, then I would tell you that it is a great movie!  It has a little more gore, suspense and more back story on the DeFao family and house pre-DeFao.  Ryan Reynolds does an amazing job with the character of George Lutz, makes him 5 times scarier.

BUT –I do have a few gripes: the real children that lived in this house were Danny, Chris and Missy.  These are Kathy’s children from a previous marriage that George adopted.  Later after the Amityville house George and Kathy had Chelsea.  In the original 1979 movie they changed the children’s names to Matt, Greg & Amy.  In the 2005 movie they changed the names again to Billy, Michael and Chelsea.  Why would they not use the boys but then put the wrong girl in?  Also, they changed the girl’s imaginary friend Jody.  In real life, the book and the original movie Jody is like a demon pig thing and in the 2005 they made Jody into a little girl who supposedly was a member of the DeFao family.

My ratings:
Acting – 8.5
Horror – 7
Suspense – 7
Violence – 6

My favorite quotes:
F   “Your house frightens me, Mrs. Lutz.”
F   “Hi, Lisa. Look what Ronnie did.”
F   “Do I look nuts to you?”
F   “When the body suffers... the spirit flowers.”

Lead cast: Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Jesse James, Jimmy Bennett, Chloe Grace Moretz
Supporting cast: Philip Baker Hall, Rachel Nichols

The Amityville Horror (1979)

1979 – Horror by director Stuart Rosenberg

Description: Newlywed couple, George and Kathy Lutz, find and buy their dream home.  After moving their family in, strange things start to happen.  Maybe the history in this house plays a bigger part in their story than they think could be possible.  Will the Lutz family survive and if so for how long?  And will they ever get to the bottom of the riddle that is their house?

Review: Classic story of when your house attacks!  The writers stayed pretty close to the book.  You would get the most out of this movie by watching it after nightfall.  Typical overacting of the 70’s and 80’s drenches this movie.  Overall I think that I love this movie for the nostalgia factor, it used to scare the crap out of me when I was a kid!

My ratings:
Storyline & plot – 6.5
Acting - 4
Horror – 6
Suspense – 6.5

My favorite quotes:
F   “I went into that house… And what I saw there was real, what I felt
       there was real and what I heard there WAS real!”
F   “Jody doesn’t like George.”
F   “Goddamn it, this is MY house!!”

Lead cast: James Brolin, Margot Kidder
Supporting cast: Ron Steiger, Don Stroud, Murray Hamilton

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Taking Chances

2009 – Comedy/Romantic Comedy by director Talmage Cooley
Description: A self appointed local historian living in a financially broke town with a small history finds out that the town officials are trying to get Native Americans to build a casino in their small town.  He meets a mysterious girl and convinces her to join his fight.  In trying to prevent the building of a casino on his beloved battlefield and dragging the town into a sleazy tourist trap he finds that there is more going on behind the curtain than the town realizes.  Knocked down every time he tries to stand up against the casino he drives on desperate to find a ray of light.


Review: BORING!!!!  The story lags.  What humor is in the movie is few and far between and in need of a face lift.  I am glad that I did not pay to see this.  The cast suggests that this movie will be at least a little funny but the writing was terrible.  I do have to give credit to the actors, they did the best they could with what they were given.  I had a hard time pulling even one quote out of this sinking ship.  There was no incentive for me to care about this town or its citizens.  There were a few pathetic attempts at plot twists, whatever.  Over all this movie is completely forgettable and I do not recommend it.

My ratings:
Storyline & plot – 2.5
Acting - 5
Romance - 2

My favorite quotes:
"If this thing gets out, we’re gonna find ourselves with a mouthful of balls. By which I mean to say, it would be unpleasant.”

Lead cast: Justin Long, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Rob Corddry
Supporting cast: Keir O’Donnell, Missi Pyle, Brian Howe

Paul

2011 - Adventure Sci-Fi Comedy by director Gregg Mottola

Description: Two friends from London, UK come to America to attend Comic Con in Los Angeles and continue onto a road trip throughout the southwest to visit common UFO sighting locations.  Suddenly the most extraordinary thing ever to cross the path of these particular nerds happens.  They meet Paul, an alien, who needs a ride away from Area 51.  While on their journey they encounter many obstacles and through Paul they learn a lot about life, themselves and their friendship.

Review: Classic writing and acting from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost!  A must see for anyone who enjoys the sci-fi life.  Total nerd humor with references and tributes to numerous classic films and TV of the genre.  I think that even if you aren’t a geek you would still enjoy the movie.  Great line up of actors with special appearances.  We all know why we love Simon Pegg and Nick Frost!  Jason Bateman’s (classic) dead pan humor nicely contrasts the silliness of the other characters.  I love the combinations that Kristen Wiig’s character creates in an attempt to use swear words!  Bill Hadar and Joe Lo Truglio play really well off of each other.  Like they are 7 year old boys playing in the backyard…  Seth Rogen did an amazing job voicing Paul.  His voice adds the extra bit that really wraps the character up in a laid back, rude, funny blanket.  I wasn’t expecting one of the twists that came at the end… One of them was completely obvious from early on and through the film, but was still pretty cool.  Even without Kristen Wiig’s swearing this movie is really quote-able.

My ratings:
Storyline & plot – 7.5
Acting - 8
Action - 5

 My favorite quotes:
"That is jenga."
"Listen to me Frick & Fuck; I want everything you can remember about the pissy nerds."
"Baby, where we’re going you don’t need teeth."
"Fuckaroo that was the best titty farting sleep I’ve ever had!"

Lead cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen
Supporting cast: Jason Bateman, Kristen Wigg, Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Jane Lynch

Horrible Bosses

2011 Action Comedy by director Seth Gordon.
Description: Three male lead characters who have been friends since high school find that they absolutely hate their individual bosses and jokingly decide that their lives would be better off if they just killed them. When this becomes a reality things start to get interesting as they find themselves in situations that they never thought possible. They figure out if they have what it takes to take a life.

Review: So funny! Greatly written storyline.  Verbal and physical comedy that is on par with The Hangover. Nice use of different movie quotes and references throughout the movie and I was still able to pull lots of quotes specific to this movie. Lots of plot twists and a pretty good ending. The story line is original but somewhat predictable. You can pretty much figure out where this is going or at least see the possible outcomes but I don't feel that the predictability takes away from the story or ending. Everyone likes a happy ending. This movie has made its way onto my favorites list. Jason Bateman is awesome. The combination of great actors really sets this movie up for an hour and 40 minute ride of laugh after laugh. Colin Farrell did a great job with his sleazy character.

My ratings:
Storyline & plot - 8
Acting - 8.5
Action - 8

My favorite quotes:
"You know what’s going on in there? That was almost all over us."
"Suddenly I'm an expert on sifting cocaine... It's amazing dude."
"You think you're more rape-able than I am!"
"I gave the rest of my mother fucking money to Motherfucker Jones!"

Lead cast: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day
Supporting cast: Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Donald Sutherland

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

First blog post..... Ever

For those who did not read the title to this blog.... This is my first post on my first blog.  Ever.  My ultimate goal is to basically put my thoughts and opinions on movies into writing here.  I am a (self-proclaimed) movie aficionado and I want to put that to good use.  So instead of only telling family and friends what I think about all of the various movies that I watch I will be telling the world.  Or at least those that read this...

I am also guilty of watching movies more than once (gasp) so there will be a nice mix of the new, newish, old, and older movies reviewed here.  I have a pretty decent collection of movies so the reviews will be brought to you by my personal collection, Netflix, Redbox and the movie theater.  So guess that this is it.

As I go on and get more of a feel for this website I hope to find a gadget to do a couple of 10 point scales for each post, but until then I will just write it out...  I also want to include at least one good quote from each movie, but as we all know some movies just aren't quotable so I will have to make do with what I have.

Until next time...