Star Trek

2009 Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Comedy by director J.J. Abrams

Description: On the day of James Kirk's birth, his father dies on his ship in a last stand against a mysterious alien vessel. He was looking for Ambassador Spock, who is a child on Vulcan at that time, disdained by his neighbors for his half-human nature. Twenty-five years later, Kirk has grown into a young troublemaker inspired by Captain Christopher Pike to fulfill his potential in Starfleet even as he annoys his instructors like young Commander Spock. Suddenly, there is an emergency at Vulcan and the newly commissioned USS Enterprise is crewed with promising cadets like Nyota Uhura, Hikaru Sulu, Pavel Chekov and even Kirk himself thanks to Leonard McCoy's medical trickery. Together, this crew will have an adventure in the final frontier where the old legend is altered forever even as the new version of it is just beginning. (I liked their description so much that I borrowed it from imdb.com)

Review: Ok, so I should start out by saying that I am not a trekkie per se but have always been a fan of Star Trek and grew up watching the tv shows. But I really enjoyed the opportunity to see the beginnings of our favorite Star Trek characters.  This rendition has edginess that the previous movies and tv shows have lacked.  I was so happy and surprised to see Leonard Nimoy.  Chris Pine’s Jim Kirk is so cocky that it is undeniable that he will grow up to be William Shattner!  There are so many great actors in this movie; I don’t have the space to list them all!  J.J. Abrams did an amazing job!

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 9
Acting – 9
Action – 7
Comedy – 7

My favorite quotes:

ü  “Are you out of your Vulcan mind?”

ü  “You got numb tongue? I can fix that!”

ü  “Come with me… Cupcake.”

ü  “Live long and prosper”

ü  “Damn it man, I’m a doctor!”

ü  “I’m giving it all she’s got captain!”

Lead cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana
Supporting cast: Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy, Bruce Greenwood, John Cho, Anton Yelchin

The Guardian

2006 – Inspirational/Action/Drama/Military by director Andrew Davis

Description: Senior Chief Ben Randall is forced to take a break from U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimming and is ordered to either instruct potential future swimmers at A school or ride a desk.  Airman Jake Fischer, is fresh out of basic training with awesome potential, has a massive chip on his shoulder, has a hard time with authority, and with being anything other than the best.  Although they are a few decades apart in age, these two have a lot more in common than either of them is willing to admit to and lay on the table. Watch as Randall pushes Fischer to his full potential and to humble his at the same time and Fischer forces Senior Chief to come to terms with his own demons.

Review: I love this movie!  It’s one of my favorites in the inspirational genre.  Kevin Costner played the role of Senior Chief amazingly.  And it was no shocker that Ashton Kutcher was completely believable as the cocky, smart-alecky, super star kid fresh out of his teens, but he did a really good job showing his serious side in this film.  This is a great movie for everybody but it is a good coming of age or accepting your age film… I really liked the chance to see the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers in the spotlight.  Great writing, great direction, great acting, just all over great!

My ratings:
Storyline & Plot – 10
Acting – 10
Comedy – 9
Drama – 9
Action – 8

My favorite quotes:

ü  “When storms shut down entire ports, we go out. When hurricanes ground the United States Navy, we go out. And when the holy lord himself reaches down from heaven and destroys his good work with winds that rip houses off the ground… We go out.”

ü  “What if another swimmer had cut into your lane? For the love of god, you could have been killed!”

ü  “There will come a time when you are going to have to say no.”

ü  “You might want to re-check your compass… This ain’t no puddle pirate bar.”

Lead cast: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Sela Ward, Melissa Sagemiller
Supporting cast: Brian Geraghty, Neal McDonough, Clancy Brown

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

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