one out of ten
What if organs cost money and if you took out a loan to get one implanted but didn't make the payments they came to repo it? What on earth? As if the premise isn't dumb enough- they manage somehow to make it even dumber as it goes along. I do not know what mechanisms are missing in the Hollywood industry that let a movie as horrible as this sneak through. Forrest Whitaker- I expected better from you.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Couples Retreat
two out of ten
A movie about a couple who wants to work on their marriage and decides to bring their friends with them to a couples retreat. The friends go thinking it will be a fun vacay, but little do they know the hijinks to come. The scenery in this movie is absolutely stunning- hence the two stars. On blue ray? It looks fab. The rest of the movie? Predictable. Cliche. No real heart whatsoever.
A movie about a couple who wants to work on their marriage and decides to bring their friends with them to a couples retreat. The friends go thinking it will be a fun vacay, but little do they know the hijinks to come. The scenery in this movie is absolutely stunning- hence the two stars. On blue ray? It looks fab. The rest of the movie? Predictable. Cliche. No real heart whatsoever.
Death at a Funeral
six out of ten
A man's father dies and everyone is attending the funeral. Lots of crazy hijinks happen. Ha. Ha. It made me laugh a handful of times so for that it gets a 6/10 but I'm quite sad at the dearth of good movies new to DVD.
A man's father dies and everyone is attending the funeral. Lots of crazy hijinks happen. Ha. Ha. It made me laugh a handful of times so for that it gets a 6/10 but I'm quite sad at the dearth of good movies new to DVD.
I Love You Beth Cooper
one out of ten
Why did I rent this? I dont know. Nothing good out these days and I thought I remembered hearing this was good. I thought wrong. This move is horrible to the nth degree. A romantic comedy about a nerdy highschooler who tells the whole graduating auditorium of his love for Beth Cooper, the most popular girl in school. They go on an adventure together thanks to her jealous boyfriend- and what happens? Jee, I wonder. Pardon me while I go puke.
Why did I rent this? I dont know. Nothing good out these days and I thought I remembered hearing this was good. I thought wrong. This move is horrible to the nth degree. A romantic comedy about a nerdy highschooler who tells the whole graduating auditorium of his love for Beth Cooper, the most popular girl in school. They go on an adventure together thanks to her jealous boyfriend- and what happens? Jee, I wonder. Pardon me while I go puke.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Hot Tub Time Machine
one out of ten
In an attempt to watch "The Wire" we netflixed it. Instead of "The Wire" we were sent "Hot Tub Time Machine". Easy to confuse the two, really. It's annoying, cliched, and I really wish the Wire had actually arrived. GRR.
In an attempt to watch "The Wire" we netflixed it. Instead of "The Wire" we were sent "Hot Tub Time Machine". Easy to confuse the two, really. It's annoying, cliched, and I really wish the Wire had actually arrived. GRR.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Inception
This is a movie about dreams. Leo is a dream thief. He breaks into people's dreams and steals information. He is approached to undertake a new assignment: Don't steal, implant an idea in someone's head.
I think I expected way more out of this movie so initially when I walked out of the movie theater I was a little disappointed. I thought it was going to explore the meaning of our dreams, etc. The narrative is mostly expository and I miss the emotional punch to the gut that I got in Shutter Island, but once I realized that I was expecting too much and this is just a typical heist movie with a sci fi twist, and when I look at it like that- its sheer brilliance [though perhaps a teensy bit too long]. I want to watch it again with my lowered expectations and see how I find it then.
Shutter Island
Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. I have to say this might be one of my favorite fun movies to watch. It left me thinking for days about perception. The story begins with a police officer sent to a mental institution situated on an island to investigate a missing person. As the cop investigates he learns that not everything is as it seems. I don't know how else to describe this movie without giving too much away. It looks like a scary movie but its not! It's suspenseful and engrossing every step of the way!
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Extract
seven out of ten
I give this a seven because its not a bad movie. It's just not great. Made by the Mike Judge, director of my favorite movie Office Space I guess I just expected more. The movie follows the main guy who is trying to sell his factory and has a marriage he wishes was more passionate. There is a con artist girl, a guy who she tries suckering in. . . eh. . . it was just kinda dull.
I give this a seven because its not a bad movie. It's just not great. Made by the Mike Judge, director of my favorite movie Office Space I guess I just expected more. The movie follows the main guy who is trying to sell his factory and has a marriage he wishes was more passionate. There is a con artist girl, a guy who she tries suckering in. . . eh. . . it was just kinda dull.
The Lovely Bones
four out of ten
A young girl is raped and murdered and we watch this movie through her narrative as she watches the aftermath of her murder unfold on earth while she sits in some sort of an in between land. This was a disturbing movie and not well told. It seemed to almost make it okay that she was murdered since she was in such a 'happy' place now. Just a weird, weird movie.
A young girl is raped and murdered and we watch this movie through her narrative as she watches the aftermath of her murder unfold on earth while she sits in some sort of an in between land. This was a disturbing movie and not well told. It seemed to almost make it okay that she was murdered since she was in such a 'happy' place now. Just a weird, weird movie.
Precious
eight out of ten
This is a movie about a young girl named Precious, who at 16 already has two children, both fathered by her own father who raped her since she was three years old. She lives with her cruel mother in a tough neighborhood and is merely struggling to survive. This is one heck of a powerful movie and some scenes are strong, not for the faint of heart. In any case its a good insight into a life that at least I have never lived and could not fathom. Movies like this help me better understand other people and for that this movie must be watched.
This is a movie about a young girl named Precious, who at 16 already has two children, both fathered by her own father who raped her since she was three years old. She lives with her cruel mother in a tough neighborhood and is merely struggling to survive. This is one heck of a powerful movie and some scenes are strong, not for the faint of heart. In any case its a good insight into a life that at least I have never lived and could not fathom. Movies like this help me better understand other people and for that this movie must be watched.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Men Who Stare At Goats
six out of ten
This movie is based on a real life operation in the military where psychics were used to try to bend spoons and do other metaphysical things. The movie follows a journalist in Iraq who runs into one such psychic and wanders with him as he goes on a mission. It's sort of funny, but very weird. It held my attention though once we reached the end, I was left unsatisfied.
This movie is based on a real life operation in the military where psychics were used to try to bend spoons and do other metaphysical things. The movie follows a journalist in Iraq who runs into one such psychic and wanders with him as he goes on a mission. It's sort of funny, but very weird. It held my attention though once we reached the end, I was left unsatisfied.
Up In the Air
six out of ten
Maybe this movie was too hyped up or me but I finished it wanting more than I got. This is a movie starring George Clooney who plays a consultant who travels every weekday helping companies fire their employees. He is training an underling with spunk and having a relationship with a woman with whom he may realize he wants more despite his determination to be single and not have baggage. I guess I thought the movie was going to be heavier on plot. If you like character assessment movies this is one of those. It's 'a day in the life of' and its well acted and makes you think, but its not a plot driven film by any means.
Maybe this movie was too hyped up or me but I finished it wanting more than I got. This is a movie starring George Clooney who plays a consultant who travels every weekday helping companies fire their employees. He is training an underling with spunk and having a relationship with a woman with whom he may realize he wants more despite his determination to be single and not have baggage. I guess I thought the movie was going to be heavier on plot. If you like character assessment movies this is one of those. It's 'a day in the life of' and its well acted and makes you think, but its not a plot driven film by any means.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Invention of Lying
three out of ten
A good concept. A place where no one lies because it has not been invented yet. We follow a loser who learns how to lie and the results are what the movie is about. It sounds interesting but there were so many logic holes I could not properly enjoy it. An example is a 'funny' scene where the hero says he wants to withdraw $800 when he knows he only has $300. Because no one lies, the teller sees he only has $300 but presumes the machine must be broken and gives him $800. Huh? So no one makes mistakes or miscalculates in this world? It's not a lie if you make a mistake. There were other things that just didn't ring as they should have. Gervais did good with the Office, too bad he can't write or act in a funny movie.
A good concept. A place where no one lies because it has not been invented yet. We follow a loser who learns how to lie and the results are what the movie is about. It sounds interesting but there were so many logic holes I could not properly enjoy it. An example is a 'funny' scene where the hero says he wants to withdraw $800 when he knows he only has $300. Because no one lies, the teller sees he only has $300 but presumes the machine must be broken and gives him $800. Huh? So no one makes mistakes or miscalculates in this world? It's not a lie if you make a mistake. There were other things that just didn't ring as they should have. Gervais did good with the Office, too bad he can't write or act in a funny movie.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Zombieland
four out of ten
It seems lots of people love this movie but I guess its just not my thing. The movie takes place at a time when everyone is a zombie save a few people and they are trying to survive and hopefully find a zombie-free place to live. It's a comedy-horror film and it just wasn't funny save for Bill Murray's cameo which was priceless, but he's Bill Murray- so there's that.
It seems lots of people love this movie but I guess its just not my thing. The movie takes place at a time when everyone is a zombie save a few people and they are trying to survive and hopefully find a zombie-free place to live. It's a comedy-horror film and it just wasn't funny save for Bill Murray's cameo which was priceless, but he's Bill Murray- so there's that.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Up
nine out of ten
A beautiful animated film that is more than just a simple children's movie but a touching story of love and loss and living your dream. I found the film absolutely gorgeous in its colors and creativity and I think its one of my favorite animated movies of late!
A beautiful animated film that is more than just a simple children's movie but a touching story of love and loss and living your dream. I found the film absolutely gorgeous in its colors and creativity and I think its one of my favorite animated movies of late!
17 Again
six out of ten
It's a lighthearted movie about a guy who becomes 17 again and could possibly redo the mistakes he thinks he made in his life. Instead he finds a different purpose behind this freak circumstance: helping his kids. It's a comedy and its silly but you should expect that going into it. For what it is, its fine.
It's a lighthearted movie about a guy who becomes 17 again and could possibly redo the mistakes he thinks he made in his life. Instead he finds a different purpose behind this freak circumstance: helping his kids. It's a comedy and its silly but you should expect that going into it. For what it is, its fine.
Donkey in Lahore
nine out ten
This is a documentary I saw recently and found absolutely fascinating simply because its an unlikely concept: An Australian white goth guy falls in love with a traditional Pakistani girl in Pakistan. He converts. He marries her. Then they spend two years apart trying to get her sponsored. It's a very powerful documentary that is very realistic and shows how difficult a long distance relationship is, and the pressures and regret that the young Pakistani girl now feels to have married this man despite her brother's begging her not to. Overall just very real and very raw. Worth seeing.
This is a documentary I saw recently and found absolutely fascinating simply because its an unlikely concept: An Australian white goth guy falls in love with a traditional Pakistani girl in Pakistan. He converts. He marries her. Then they spend two years apart trying to get her sponsored. It's a very powerful documentary that is very realistic and shows how difficult a long distance relationship is, and the pressures and regret that the young Pakistani girl now feels to have married this man despite her brother's begging her not to. Overall just very real and very raw. Worth seeing.
Twilight
two out of ten
Oh boy. I know many people love Twilight and that's cool. I hated the book. I hated the movie. I did think the scenery was beautiful and there was a Pakistani flag in the cafeteria opening sequences which is kind of cool. Other than that, I couldn't stand it. Bella blinks a lot and the actress did a bad job, and the writing, well. . . just not for me.
Oh boy. I know many people love Twilight and that's cool. I hated the book. I hated the movie. I did think the scenery was beautiful and there was a Pakistani flag in the cafeteria opening sequences which is kind of cool. Other than that, I couldn't stand it. Bella blinks a lot and the actress did a bad job, and the writing, well. . . just not for me.
Memento
eight out of ten
This is an older movie that I just saw again and I don't remember feeling as confused on the first watch as I did years later, watching it for the second time. I enjoyed the fast paced story telling but I did have to do some google searching for perspectives on it to fully understand exactly what happened. It's an older movie but worth watching if you haven't caught it.
This is an older movie that I just saw again and I don't remember feeling as confused on the first watch as I did years later, watching it for the second time. I enjoyed the fast paced story telling but I did have to do some google searching for perspectives on it to fully understand exactly what happened. It's an older movie but worth watching if you haven't caught it.
Moon
nine out of ten
This movie is the type that leaves you thinking for days. A man is alone on the moon working for a corporation that mines a resource on the moon which provides energy back home on earth. He has a three year contract ending in two weeks and is looking forward to seeing his wife and young daughter. As the days get closer to going home he gets sicker and sicker and that is when the true story really begins. . .
I don't want to give away too much but this movie really was awesome. It's science fiction but the sort that you can foresee happening someday. I thought the movie was well acted and enjoyed it very much.
This movie is the type that leaves you thinking for days. A man is alone on the moon working for a corporation that mines a resource on the moon which provides energy back home on earth. He has a three year contract ending in two weeks and is looking forward to seeing his wife and young daughter. As the days get closer to going home he gets sicker and sicker and that is when the true story really begins. . .
I don't want to give away too much but this movie really was awesome. It's science fiction but the sort that you can foresee happening someday. I thought the movie was well acted and enjoyed it very much.
The Hurt Locker
nine out of ten
This is a movie about the current war in Iraq, set in 2004 about a unit that finds and diffuse bombs. They have less than a month to go before their tour ends. And we literally, follow them as they do their job. In particular there is one soldier, the one who actually diffuses the bombs and we see him take risks to do what he does with a strange pleasure that mystifies his colleagues. The movie almost felt like a documentary to me. Though its not the sort of movie I would normally watch, it gave an interesting perspective and had no real agenda that I could make out except to show a day in the life of a soldier.
This is a movie about the current war in Iraq, set in 2004 about a unit that finds and diffuse bombs. They have less than a month to go before their tour ends. And we literally, follow them as they do their job. In particular there is one soldier, the one who actually diffuses the bombs and we see him take risks to do what he does with a strange pleasure that mystifies his colleagues. The movie almost felt like a documentary to me. Though its not the sort of movie I would normally watch, it gave an interesting perspective and had no real agenda that I could make out except to show a day in the life of a soldier.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Inglorious Bastards
nine out of ten
This movie is Quentin Tarantino's latest and one of his better movies as of late. It takes place in Nazi Germany and focuses on a few characters who are all interesting, compelling, and in Tarantino style, absolutely bizarre. I found myself on the edge of my seat for most of the movie. If you can't handle violence then avoid this movie, but if like me, you're cool with closing your eyes once in a while, this movie is worth checking out.
This movie is Quentin Tarantino's latest and one of his better movies as of late. It takes place in Nazi Germany and focuses on a few characters who are all interesting, compelling, and in Tarantino style, absolutely bizarre. I found myself on the edge of my seat for most of the movie. If you can't handle violence then avoid this movie, but if like me, you're cool with closing your eyes once in a while, this movie is worth checking out.
Public Enemies
Six out of ten
I was very excited to see Public Enemies as I am a fan of Johnny Depp. Though he did a good job acting in this movie I found the movie as a whole to be rather disappointing. The movie follows the life of Johnny Dillinger who robbed banks in the 30's. We don't get into why he does what he does, we just watch what he does. In this way it felt almost like a bizarre documentary. Still, it was well acted and though I would not consider it my favorite movie, it was interesting.
I was very excited to see Public Enemies as I am a fan of Johnny Depp. Though he did a good job acting in this movie I found the movie as a whole to be rather disappointing. The movie follows the life of Johnny Dillinger who robbed banks in the 30's. We don't get into why he does what he does, we just watch what he does. In this way it felt almost like a bizarre documentary. Still, it was well acted and though I would not consider it my favorite movie, it was interesting.
Wanted
two out of ten
How incredibly . . . *yawn*. This movie meant to be important but it was simply boring. Just your average chase and duck movies. Angelina Jolie was incredibly vapid in this role and I just found myself wanting the movie to end as soon as possible.
How incredibly . . . *yawn*. This movie meant to be important but it was simply boring. Just your average chase and duck movies. Angelina Jolie was incredibly vapid in this role and I just found myself wanting the movie to end as soon as possible.
Towelhead
two out of ten
This movie about a young girl sent to live with her Arab father after her mother feels she can't handle her is a movie that I watched from beginning to end but felt horrified and disgusted throughout. The acting is mediocre at best and the subject matter, the exploitation of a young girl is explored into such fine detail that it makes you nauseous particularly as in my opinion, most of it was unnecessary. I felt dirty after finishing this movie and I might never look at Aaron Eckhart the same way again.
This movie about a young girl sent to live with her Arab father after her mother feels she can't handle her is a movie that I watched from beginning to end but felt horrified and disgusted throughout. The acting is mediocre at best and the subject matter, the exploitation of a young girl is explored into such fine detail that it makes you nauseous particularly as in my opinion, most of it was unnecessary. I felt dirty after finishing this movie and I might never look at Aaron Eckhart the same way again.
Whatever Works
four out of ten
Eh. Another Woody Allen movie featuring a much older man (Larry David) in a relationship with a much younger woman told in one of those quirky over-acted ways. I watched it because I rented it but I was sorely disappointed but if you like Woody Allen I'm assuming you'll like this.
Eh. Another Woody Allen movie featuring a much older man (Larry David) in a relationship with a much younger woman told in one of those quirky over-acted ways. I watched it because I rented it but I was sorely disappointed but if you like Woody Allen I'm assuming you'll like this.
The Uninvited
six out of ten
The heroine of the movie is released from a mental ward after dealing with issues surrounding the death of her mother to a house fire. She comes home to find that her mother's nurse is now living with her father and seems to have a past that may be shadier than anyone suspects. I'm not usually one for scary movies but this one was interesting and I enjoyed the ending which I did not see coming.
The heroine of the movie is released from a mental ward after dealing with issues surrounding the death of her mother to a house fire. She comes home to find that her mother's nurse is now living with her father and seems to have a past that may be shadier than anyone suspects. I'm not usually one for scary movies but this one was interesting and I enjoyed the ending which I did not see coming.
The Hangover
six out of ten
I think sometimes when people hype up a movie too much you're bound to be disappointed. This is a comedy about friends who run off to Vegas for a bachelor party and things get crazy. It's a funnier twist than I expected and enjoyable for one of the usual raunchy comedies out lately.
I think sometimes when people hype up a movie too much you're bound to be disappointed. This is a comedy about friends who run off to Vegas for a bachelor party and things get crazy. It's a funnier twist than I expected and enjoyable for one of the usual raunchy comedies out lately.
Invictus
seven out of ten
This movie is very well acted and focuses on Nelson Mandela's first years in office as he tries to help rescue a losing rugby team. The rugby team symbolized racism for many in South Africa and after Mandela came to power there was a strong push to shut down the losing team. Mandela, however, chose to use the rugby team as a symbol of the country uniting, forgiving the past and moving forward together. Its a good movie but it was more sports focused than I expected. Perhaps the movie in truth deserves to be an 8/10 but because of my expectation that it was going to focus more on Mandela I was a touch disappointed.
This movie is very well acted and focuses on Nelson Mandela's first years in office as he tries to help rescue a losing rugby team. The rugby team symbolized racism for many in South Africa and after Mandela came to power there was a strong push to shut down the losing team. Mandela, however, chose to use the rugby team as a symbol of the country uniting, forgiving the past and moving forward together. Its a good movie but it was more sports focused than I expected. Perhaps the movie in truth deserves to be an 8/10 but because of my expectation that it was going to focus more on Mandela I was a touch disappointed.
Avatar
nine out of ten
Many years into the future America is trying to extract precious resources from a faraway planet of Navi's who regard the resources as spiritual treasure. America doesn't care and they have a team of scientists seeking to understand the elements of this planet and the military and private corporations set on exploiting these very elements.
I saw this on IMAX 3-D and I found it a very enjoyable experience though the movie is a touch long. The movie is a very obvious political allegory to what happened to the Native Americans and the current "war on terror" that is going on. It's heavy handed but I still liked it. It really brought home to me how much the Native Americans went through. Outside of the story, the special effects and graphics were beautiful.
Many years into the future America is trying to extract precious resources from a faraway planet of Navi's who regard the resources as spiritual treasure. America doesn't care and they have a team of scientists seeking to understand the elements of this planet and the military and private corporations set on exploiting these very elements.
I saw this on IMAX 3-D and I found it a very enjoyable experience though the movie is a touch long. The movie is a very obvious political allegory to what happened to the Native Americans and the current "war on terror" that is going on. It's heavy handed but I still liked it. It really brought home to me how much the Native Americans went through. Outside of the story, the special effects and graphics were beautiful.
District 9
six out of ten
This movie felt like a veiled analogy to the Is.rael/Pal.estine conflict. Aliens landed in South Africa two decades earlier and their spacecraft won't work. They are relegated to refugee camps and treated poorly. A task force set up to deal with them goes to work and a spill on one of the workers causes unexpected results. I thought the lead actor was okay, perhaps a different actor and the movie would have been better. The aliens were disgusting looking. They looked like large roaches, in the movie they were given the slur of "prawns" because they look like . . . prawns. It's an interesting suspenseful movie clearly set up for a sequel. I liked it, but it could have been much better.
This movie felt like a veiled analogy to the Is.rael/Pal.estine conflict. Aliens landed in South Africa two decades earlier and their spacecraft won't work. They are relegated to refugee camps and treated poorly. A task force set up to deal with them goes to work and a spill on one of the workers causes unexpected results. I thought the lead actor was okay, perhaps a different actor and the movie would have been better. The aliens were disgusting looking. They looked like large roaches, in the movie they were given the slur of "prawns" because they look like . . . prawns. It's an interesting suspenseful movie clearly set up for a sequel. I liked it, but it could have been much better.
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