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

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

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

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

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