A Single Man

This is a beautiful movie. If you can deal with the subject matter, mainly gay lovers, then this movie is worth seeing. I personally thought this was the best movie of 2009. I saw Avatar and that was amazing, but as far as a serious and well made movie, this was the best of the year.

Colin Firth plays a professor at a small community college in Los Angeles who just lost his lover to a car accident. He is traumatize and contemplating suicide when he meets a number of interesting characters as he battles with his loss. Julianne Moore plays his best friend and is a great supporting actress in this movie, carrying some great scenes and witty dialogue.

For a first time director, Tom Ford does a great job of making this movie look like a fashion ad for the 1960's. Every shot is flawless and the colors are magnificient. Definitely rent this one if you can handle male nudity. If you can't, Broke Back Mountain is an alternative, or maybe The Hurt Locker.

Whip It!

I admit it. I like Drew Barrymore movies. I'm not ashamed that I watched Fever Pitch and enjoyed it. And this movie is no different. It's a good little story about a young girl, Bliss (Ellen Page) living in a small town in Texas and struggling to break out.

Her parents are completely dysfunctional and while her dad wants her to be a football player, her mom wants her to win beauty pageants. Geeze, no wonder the kid's confused. All the acting in it is good really with the exception of Drew Barrymore who's character is a stoner and really just not essential to the plot. I think if the character were a little different it would have been funny.

As the movie progresses, Page discovers roller derby is her way to express herself and so she lies and then tries out for the worst team, the Hurl Girls. She finds herself surprisingly good at skating and takes to it with passion. There's a romantic lead thrown in which really isn't terribly romantic. I think they hired a guy from a band who should have stuck to music rather than try to act. The whole movie is more like a coming of age story on roller skates. Page is still her self deprecating self but not as acidic as she was in Juno. Good movie for a date night at home.

-M

She's Outta My League

I thought this movie would be a cute little romantic comedy and that's pretty much what it was, and nothing more. The lead character played by Jay Baruchel is very likeable as is Alice Eve, but it's not really that great of a movie.

First of all the film's premise is really not all that believable. Not because she's hot and he's not. No, the real problem I had is that it takes place in Pittsburg! Pittsburg?! A hot girl like that in Pittsburg? No...I don't think so. Don't get me wrong there are beautiful women everywhere, but they never stay in the town they're born in, and if they do stay in a town like Pittsburg, they're fat and pregnant by the time they're 26 years old.

Yeah that's my biggest problem with the movie.

Now all you steel town lovers, don't be pissed at me. (Actually, Pittsburg is a big financial hub now). It just doesn't make sense, and then the fact that her boyfriend is a big time pilot, who flies in Pittsburg. No...not working for me.. Alleghany Airlines became US Airways years ago and moved to Nashville, so don't pull that crap with me. That's compeletely unbelievable. Other than the setting the support characters are funny, and there are some good parts. Alice Eve is devastatingly beautiful, but it's definitely a rental...even in Pittsburg.

-M

Castle in the Sky

Sorry it's been a while since I reviewed anything but this movie is definitely worth the rental. Another brilliant film from Hayao Miyazaki and this one was made almost 25 years ago! It is the very first film ever produced by Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli and it is brilliant as are most of his films.

Like all of Miyazaki's films this one has an environmental theme, with the lead character Sheeta being kidnapped for her pendant which radiates a special blue light. She is descended from the original rulers of Laputa (Castle in the Sky) which is a legend much like Atlantis is today. However this legend supposedly still exists, and Sheeta must find the Castle in the Sky too fulfill her destiny.

With the help of her new found friend Pazu, Sheeta escapes the clutches of the army and a group of pirates and sets out to find Laputa. It is also Pazu's dream to find the city as well since his father first photographed Laputa years ago. As the two friends set out to find the Castle in the Sky, along the way they are pursued by both pirates and the army each trying to steal the pendant from Sheeta for themselves. How it ends I'll never tell...

The two lead characters are again wonderfully crafted and the whole movie has that great Miyazaki future and past feeling. When you see his movies you are definitely transported to another world entirely. This movie is great for parents and kids alike. Rent it for its beautiful imagery, its great story and its wonderful theme about the power of love.

-M

Drop Dead Gorgeous

One of the classic comedies that no one has ever seen. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Ellen Barkin,Amy Adams, Kirstie Alley, and Brittany Murphy. What an amazing movie that most people haven't seen or heard of for that matter. Rent it if you see it in a store or download it on Netflix. I don't say this about too many movies, but watch it and you won't be disappointed. Very funny.

Food Inc.

Okay, so I'm not a big believer in conspiracy theories or the evils of "big business", but like all industries the food industry has been reduced to just a few large conglomerates in the US. This movie is an "eye opener" as to how our food is processed and how it has changed our lives. It documents how the industry has changed over the years as a result of the need created by fast food. What's interesting is it doesn't judge, it just tells the story of how the way we eat has changed and not for the better.

Well documented and extremely interesting, the film depicts how the agri-businesses have changed to accomodate the demand for fast food and developed systems which work but are inherent with risks; especially e-coli. It's frightening and overwhelming because it seems there is no way to stop the business machine. However, the movie has a rosie outlook because it offers a solution in the end. This is a very good documentary and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in what you're putting in your mouth. And that includes vegetarians.

-M

Valentines Day

How in the name of anything holy do you manage to screw up a movie with such an amazing cast? The same reason no one reads this blog, poor writing. This movie has Julia Roberts, Aston Kucher, Jennifer Garner, George Lopez, Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, and Topher Grace all in a crappy movie.(There are more stars but I'm tired of typing)

The plot runs all over the place almost like Shortcuts but with none of the wit and none of the romance. The master of romantic comeday Gary Marshall has failed miserably here. Please don't rent this, but since no one really reads this blog, I'm assuming it's too late and you've already wasted your money. Sorry.

Son of Rambow

Made in 2007 this movie, like all well made independent movies, receive great critical acclaim, but made very little at the box office. To be honest this is one of my favorite movies in recent years. It is well made, the cast is great, and it's really funny and touching at the same time. It is set in the 1980's so it took me back a few years.

Will Proudfoot, played by Bill Milner, is the son of very religious mother and an overbearing leader of the local church. I'm not sure which religious affiliation they are intended to represent but it seems as though they are very much offended by modern technology, and anything to do with entertainment, especially television or movies. Will's father has recently died, and the church leader, brother Joshua has taken a keen interest in Will's mother and the boy himself.

However in school, Will has an encounter with the worst kid in school, Lee Carter, played by Will Poulter, and because of the incident Lee Carter tricks Will into helping him with a movie he's making. It turns out though Will has never seen a movie, he has a very active imagination and his Bible and schoolbooks are all filled with drawings. The two boys set off to make the movie together and bond well, becoming "blood brothers" in the process. Both seem to use the movie as an escape from overbearing parents or big brothers.

Ed Westwick plays Lee Carter's overbearing and abusive older brother and does a great job. Much better than the character he plays on television's Gossip Girl. I won't give away the ending but there are some great scenes in this movie, with wonderful cameos by a visiting French exchange student, and the music is wonderful. Definitely rent this one!

Away We Go!

A great little movie which received a lot of critical claim, but as usual not much commercial success. Verona and Burt are an oddball couple that are living in a semi-trailer/house when Verona becomes pregnant. Excited they decide to tell Burt's parents, played by Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels, but the parents have news themselves. They're moving to India!

The problem now is where does the young couple live since they had moved specifically near Burt's parents just for the very reason they might help with watching the grandchildren.

However Burt's parents, like most baby boomers, seem more into their own lives then helping to support their son, Burt. This leads to the couple taking trips to visit various friends and relatives in different cities to try and find the best place for them to raise a child.

The couple, played well by John Krasinksi and Maya Rudolph, venture from Phoenix, to Tuscon, to Montreal, searching for the perfect environment to raise their child. I won't give away the ending, but this a very funny, sweet little movie, with a great cast, and poignant moments. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, but then again I wasn't expecting anything from it. Those are some of the best times to see a good movie, when you know nothing about it and you're pleasantly surprised. Definitely rent this one.

An Education

A great cast and a really good movie. However, this is just my opinion and don't take me literally. I know that sometimes when a movie is praised by everyone, you get kinda turned off. But this one lived up to the hype, at least for me.

Based upon a short novella and diary of a young English girl, it takes place in London during the 1960's and is perfectly cast. Carey Mulligan plays Jenny, a smart young girl who really never does anything wrong until she meets David (Peter Sarsgaard)who leads to this mysterious life filled with art, classical music, drinking, and trips to Paris. Her older boyfriend is so charming that even her parents approve of her weekly outings. I won't reveal too much, but the movie follows her "education" in culture and life from an affair with an older man. She is chided for her behavior by a protective teacher and her principal, but she ignores the well intentioned advice to continue with the relationship.
The romance goes well for a long time, and the acting of Mulligan is wonderful. She plays the part perfectly, and Sarsgaard does an adequate job as well. Some of the scenes feel awkward, especially the "intimate" moments, as we sense this girl is coming of age, but it works well, and plays out the way it would seem in real life. Whether you rent it on regular DVD or Blu Ray, definitely watch this one.

UP!

Okay, this is supposed to be a kids movie, right? So why the hell was I crying in the first 15 minutes of the movie? Cause it was sad as hell. This is a kids movie and is extremely funny but it sucks you in during the first 15 minutes with the story of Carl and Ellie.
They meet as kids because both share the spirit of adventure, and express an interest to go to South America and more specifically Paradise Falls. A brief montage of how they grow together get married, and find out they can't have kids all happens in the first part of the movie and leaves you feeling more depressed than happy. In fact, I'm sure children watch the movie and wonder "what the heck is going on mommy? Why are they sad? Why are you crying?"
Once you get passed this point you see the backdrop to the story and understand why Carl, now an old man, acts the way he does. He is a cynical old curmudgeon who through some crafty engineering manages to float his home out of the city and on it's way to Paradise Falls just as he had promised his beloved Ellie. Unfortunately he has a stowaway on board. Russell, a chubby little Wilderness Explorer who wants to earn his assisting the elderly badge.
The two of them travel to Paradise Falls where they encounter a rare and large bird, nicknamed "Kevin" by Russell and a cute and loveable dog name "Doug". I can't give away too much, but the four of them have a crazy adventure trying to keep Kevin safe from the clutches of Carl's boyhood idol, until the climatic scene aboard an airship at the end of the movie. It is a great movie for both kids and adults alike, and the voices of the characters, played admirably by Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, and Robert Peterson are cast perfectly.

35 Shots of Rum - Rental

Great movie in any language, this is really the story of a father and his daughter. Lionel and his daughter Josephine, are inseparable and have been for years. Lionel is very protective of his daughter, but despite his overly protective nature, he allows her to date Noe, and carries an ambivalence towards the young man.

At a party for a friend of his that is retiring Lionel declines the 35 shots of rum he is traditionally supposed to drink for his friend. He doesn't perceive this as a celebration. Instead he sees the demise of his friend come to soon after retirement. Lionel is concerned about both himself and his daughter, and their future. I won't let on too much, but if you can read subtitles rent this movie. If you can't read subtitles you're either slow or dyslexic so either you won't enjoy the movie or you'll be reading it backwards and banging heads with the person next to you.

-M

The Princess and the Frog

A great movie whether you're a child, or just a big kid at heart. This one is in the tradition of the older Disney musicals like Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and the animation is similar. It doesn't get too detailed or look overly done. It is a simple tale set in New Orleans around the 1930's about a young girl Tiana who has a dream of buying her own restaurant.

She has been working 2 jobs for years to save up enough money, and when it seems she's about to achieve her dream, a voodoo witch doctor comes in and ruins it by meddling with a visiting prince. I don't want to give away too much, but this is a heartwarming movie, with great muscial numbers, a wonderful cast of characters, and some very moving parts both happy and sad. Definitely a rental and if you have kids, buy it. Of course you may end up watching it 500 times, but isn't that the case with every kids movie?

-M

The Informant - Definitely a Rental

What I like about this movie is what a jackass Matt Damon is in the movie. He's even better than his role in Team America, which incidentally, I'm not sure that was him making a cameo in that movie.

It tells the story of Mark and Ginger Whitacre. A couple that is caught in a plot to fix the prices of lysine, a food additive at agri food giant ADM. Mark compiles hundreds of hours of video tape, film etc. to implicate the company but during this time he is stealing money from the company itself and turns out to be a horrible informant. His lying get's him and the FBI into some serious trouble and it isn't til after the movie is over we find out he's okay.

Not a great movie, but like any others in this range, we find out it's even worse when it tries to grow a consience. I thought Damon was great in this role, and his character was truly unbelievable. It all of this actually happened it must have been hilarious. Damon lies and covers up so much, you almost can't believe this story is true! And what's ironic is that in the end, he still comes out as the president of a major company. White crime does seem to pay. Rent it, don't buy it.


-M

Paranormal Activity - Rental

I was skeptical of this movie because of all the hype surrounding it, and mainly because I was jealous some asshole made a movie for less than I paid for my car and it made 100 million dollars at the box office. Secretly, I hoped it would suck, and that in a tiny way I could exact my revenge via judgement against this friggin jerk and his crappy little movie. I was wrong.

Do not get caught up in the hype, and just watch this movie for what it is. A cheaply made movie, with decent acting that gets you involved in the plot, and makes you like or dislike the characters. The two principal actors, Katie Feathersone and Micah Sloat, do a wonderful job of making you believe they are a real couple. Micah especially makes you hate him and his stupid obsession with a spirit which invades their home. It seems that this spirit/demon has been following his girlfriend around for years and now it has come to roost in their new house. Micah torments the spirit and it makes itself increasingly more hostile towards the couple until the final surprise ending.

Turn off all the lights and watch this one in the dark. It's much scarier that way.

-M

The Men Who Stare At Goats - Rental

If you're looking for a good Cohen Brothers movie you're not going to find it here. Not a bad movie, but not a great one either. None of the great acting like in Fargo, The Big Lewbowski, or even Burn After Reading. More like a poor version of O'Brother Where Art Thou. I was not expecting much but even then I was slightly disappointed. The director, Grant Heslov tried to make a Cohen brothers movie but failed in the endeavor, despite a slew of great actors.

To be sure it's worth a $3 rental, and I'm sure over the years it may become a cult classic like Lewbowski, because a bevy of weird performances from Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey, and Ewan McGregor.

McGregor is a journalist in Iraq who stumbles upon Clooney in the desert who explains he is a former member of the New Earth Army. The whole plot surrounds this secret military experiment, the New Earth Army, conducted during the 60's and 70's by Bridges to try and combat the enemy using a soldier's paranormal powers. Clooney is great as Lyn Cassady, the telekinetic prodigy of the army's experiment and Bridges pet student, while Spacey plays the villain and is great in this role. As usual it contains the standard weirdness, and you wonder at times where the movie is going. There are flashbacks to the present and past until it just kind of ends with a bizaree reunion of all the principals in the military experiment reuniting in a camp in Iraq.

Needless to say it's a decent film, but there were times I wished I were like the goats used in the military experiments. Dead. Rent it don't buy it. And don't expect too much from it, you'll be disappointed. Lower your expectations and you might be pleasantly surprised.

-M

The Blind Side - Rental

I saw this movie when it first came out and liked it even way back in the day. It is one of those feel good movies like The Rookie (baseball movie). A movie about southern people who love their sports but love religion even more. However despite all of the sentimental hogwash it's still a good movie.

Let's face it nobody likes to be preached to, but this movie doesn't come across like that. It tells the simple story of Michael Oher, who is a homeless teenager of massive proportions, and who is taken in by a wealthy Christian family. The matriarch of the family, Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock is a tough well meaning mother who tries to help Michael and in doing so helps herself and her family as well. The family comes together to help him get into school, onto the football field, and eventually in to a college.

Sandra Bullock is great in the lead role and still looks extremely hot despite her age (45) The producers obviously chose outfits which would accentuate her great figure. (What does she do, besides Jesse James, to stay in such great shape?) However, was it worthy of an academy award? Nope. That should've gone to Meryl Streep for Julie and Julia, but heh I'm not an Academy member.

Despite the religious overtones and goody-goodness, I found myself nearly crying at the end of the movie, for it's heartwarming message and for the actors wonderful portrayals of a loving family. This is definitely a good movie to rent even if you're not into sports.

-M

Crazy Heart - Rental

Academy award winning performance? Uh dunno. Good performance by Jeff Bridges, but worthy of an Academy Award? Uh no. Colin Firth was so much better in A Single Man, but Bridges probably was given the award because he deserved it years ago for other roles. The movie is good, but not incredible, or even that deep. It's the portrayal of an aging alcoholic country music singer, who is trying to get his shit together. Wow an alcoholic trying to get his shit together? That's amazing, but I could see that plot line at any of my relative's weddings. Not a big deal, but it did have Colin Farrell as a country music star. This made it that much more unbelievable.

Bridges keeps the film grounded, because any film with Colin Farrell as a country music singer can't be memorable. So Mr. Bridges keeps the film going for more than an 1.5 hours alone with some good songs and Maggie Gyllenhaal looking and acting better than I've seen her since The Secretary. Never been a huge fan of hers but she does a great job as his love interest and really helps turn his life around. Good film and good performances, but nothing spectacular to see here.

-M

Up In The Air - Rental

Good movie? Yes. Great movie? No. It really depends on what you're looking for. I had heard so much about how this movie was great, that I believed the hype. Don't get me wrong, it's a good movie. A very interesting look at the life of an aging bachelor and his job which allows him to not only detach himself from his family but from his life. He has no connections, either emotional, geographical, etc.

And Clooney is perfectly cast because this is how we all see him. It may not be how he really is, but it's our perception of him that counts. He is the ultimate bachelor, accessible but unreachable, and that's how he is in this movie. Until...

Enter Vera Farmiga, a hot equally travelled lady looking at the size of Clooney's (Ryan) travel portfolio. She possesses the best body double in Hollywood or the best ass, I can't tell which one, but it looks great on screen. She reaches him as does his unwilling fellow employee played by Anna Kendrick. One is his sexual interest and fellow "detachee" while the other is grounded and tries to bring him into the fold. Both these women touch parts of Ryan (George Clooney) that he didn't know existed, and it ends up affecting the three of them in unique ways. It's well acted, well written, and a good film. Just not a Best Picture nod. Sorry

Monsters vs. Aliens - Rental

A very funny movie, and not just made for kids. Great cast with Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Kiefer Sutherland, Raiin Wilson, and Will Arnett. The plot is pretty thin, with just a group of maladjusted "monsters" that end up taking on an overly calm and confused alien dictator named Gallaxhar. He is looking to secure some type of odd element which will give him the ultimate power to take over the universe. Aren't we all searching for that?

Regardless, Witherspoon is awesome as the monster "Susan", or as they refer to her in the movie, "Gianormica". She brings a cute and funny normalcy to the role, while the rest of the monsters are all equally funny. The best part about the movie is the average nature of the monsters and how they're put into these odd and stressful situations. Especially when Susan's parents host a pool party for her monster friends.

All in all, it's a simple but well intended movie that's just fun to watch. Don't get all excited to see it, because remember it's just for kids. That's probably why I enjoyed this movie so much.

- M

PS: Great cameo by Paul Rudd as Derek

Avatar - Blu Ray - Rental

Okay, so this movie if you saw it in the theatre lives up to the hype on Blu-Ray. The only thing missing is the 3-D effects. It's a re-used story which has been seen in everything from Fern Gully to Bambi. Evil men trying to rid native species of their forest and doing whatever it takes to get rid of them. However it's well done and the acting is good, but the effects are the main reason to buy or rent this movie.

James Cameron is a cinematic and effects wizard who probably is an absolute prick to work with, but makes everyone he works with a success. This movie is no different, the colors are incredible,the CG effects out of this world, while the acting is pretty good, with the exception of Sigouney Weaver's avatar. I found her oddly attractive despite the blue tail. (It must've been the large breasts)

The plot is weak but who gives a shit, the movie will make history for it's innovation and break through cinematic techniques.($2.6 billion doesn't hurt either) Be sure to pick this one up if you own a blu-ray player. If you don't then buy one, if you have an HD TV. If you don't have an HD television, you're either over 60, blind, or my parents. Either way, I truly feel sorry for you.

-M

Precious - Rental

I would rent this movie just to see Mariah Carey with facial hair and a terrible accent. However, to keep it short and sweet this movie is terrific. The acting is incredible from both the lead actress Gabourey Sidibe, and of course Academy Award Winner Mo'Nique. Seriously, she spells her name that way. Uh genius? No more like ridiculous, I hope that is her birth name and she didn't create it.

The movie follows the story of Precious, an overweight mother of one who lives with an abusive mother and is pregnant with a second child. This story is depressing enough but it gets worse for Precious. I won't elaborate you have to watch the movie. However, despite her situation we follow her story of perserverence and dedication to her baby and her education. The movie is based on a novel by Sapphire, which they seem to remind us of over and over in the advertisements everywhere. (Someone's trying to sell some books!) And it is well written, well directed, and a great rental. Please check it out, but don't expect it to cheer you up.

-M

Sherlock Holmes-Rental

Imagine that Sherlock Holmes was a roustabout and a little bit of rebel, and you have the 2009 version of the age old English legend. This is a good movie and a somewhat loyal but hugely updated version of the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. playing the principal part. Jude Law is Holmes' reliable Dr. Watson, and both men seem to be incredibly fit,smart, and physical, quite unlike the stories from the books. They are involved in all kinds of big action sequences and fights, which they always seem to win.
However, movies are invariably never as good as the books, so if you take it for what it's worth: this is just a movie, and it is a lot of fun, well acted, and worth the rental. The only drawback is having to look at the crusty smiles of Brits from the turn of the century, where brushing one's teeth with a sugary cinammon stick seemed to pass for dental hygiene. If you do rent this one get the HD version and turn up the sound, it's better that way.


Rating - B+

2012 - Rental

If you own a HD television this movie is worth the rental price. If you don't own an HD television, really what's the point. The only good thing is the computer generated effects. And that's the same as this director's other disaster movie, the Day After Tomorrow.(I don't mean 10,000 BC) What a witty title. This is almost exactly the same movie. In fact, my bad, it is the same movie. The only difference is there is less snow and more water. But snow is actually frozen water so I guess it's the same movie.
The highlight of the movie is when all of humanity is endanger of being wiped out by a series of colossal events, and a small dog is able to maneuver across a large metal wire to make it aboard one of the arks that is destined to save humanity. I think I cried when the dog made it aboard and I cried when the delegates of the world's leaders spoke with the worst fake accents I've heard in years. The acting is good from the main characters, but I can't believe this movie made 800 million dollars. I suppose people just want to be reminded of their own mortality. Thank god John Cusack is in the film, he was the best part about this movie. If you could have thrown in Jeremy Piven and Minnie Driver, they could have made Gross Pointe II Class Renunion 2012. I would've paid to see that one. Rent it, and if you buy it, you're an idiot.

- M