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 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

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