To say that I am a movie junkie is an understatement. I go to the theatre at least three or four times a month and the netflix queue keeps getting longer. Like my 52 books in 52 weeks list, this is a list of the films I have watched in 2008. Let’s see just how much of my life is devoted to film.
Start/End Date Date: Jan 1, 2008 – Jan 1, 2009
Number of Films: 205
Total Hours Watched: 352 hrs 50 min
Last Updated: November 17th, 2008
Rating Scale:
4 Popcorns = A worthy addition to any film collection. Loved it. See it theatres if you can.
3 Popcorns = Please go see or rent. Liked it.
2 Popcorns = More flaws, than merits. Wait for HBO or TBS. It was okay.
1 Popcorn = Not Worth Watching. Not even on HBO or TBS. It was horrible.
Italics denotes favorite
205. The Fall (2006)
Plot: The unlikely friendship between a 5 year old girl & a Hollywood stuntman creates a dazzling world of magic & myth - changing both their lives forever.
Starring: Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, Justine Waddell, and Kim Uylenbroek
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 57 min
Comments: While Tarsem Singh’s last film The Cell wasn’t anything spectacular as a while, the imagery within it was brilliant. Add in Lee Pace of Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies fame and I knew I would try and catch it. Of course it never came to town so I had to wait until my Netflix queue brought it to my doorstop. Was it worth the wait? Partly. What was odd was I preferred the non visually brilliant parts of the film to the more fantastical bits. The story centers on a depressed and broken hearted stuntman who is in the hospital after an ill fated stunt goes wrong. He wants to end it all, but can’t get the morphine to do it. So he befriends a young girl in hopes that his storytelling will get her to steal the pills he needs. The legendary tale he tells is fun, a child’s story and yet I wanted more out of it. Catinca Untaru does a marvelous job and was just cute as a button. But the storytelling is a bit muddled as pretty as it might have been and I was left just a little disappointed. And yet it’s still good just not all that I wanted it to be.
3/4 popcorns
204. Fire & Ice (2008)
Plot: When danger strikes from above, either burns your soul or freeze you to death. Princess Luisa and knight Gabriel must face a dragon to save their kingdom.
Starring: Amy Acker, Tom Wisdom, John Rhys-Davies
Genre: FANTASY
Time: 1 hr 24 min
Comments: For a Sci Fi Channel Fantasy film it wasn’t horrible and more B movie than the C films they usually make. It’s still bad and the dragon effects are horrid, but as a Whedonverse fan I had to watch Amy Acker. Though every time I see John Rhys-Davies shine in a cast of mediocre players, I just want to shake him and say you’re so much better than this. The cinematography is pretty subpar, but then again what do you expect out of a Sci-Fi Channel film. Meh.
2/4 popcorns
203. Winter Passing (2004)
Plot: Reese (Zooey Deschanel) is a brusk barmaid/actress, toiling away in the East Village fringe circuit. Her father is reclusive J.D. Salinger-like author Don Holdin (Ed Harris). Reese hasn't seen him for years. One night after a performance, an editor from a major publishing house, offers $100,000 for the letters he and her late mother exchanged during their courtship. Reese turns her down flat. Eventually, she changes her mind and takes off for rural Michigan to retrieve them. She finds the disheveled, hard-drinking Don living with former student Shelly and ex-Christian rocker Corbit. It's a bizarre, if functional arrangement: Shelly cooks the meals, while Corbit serves as security guard. All try to make nice, but the coke-snorting, insult-flinging Reese won't have any of it. She just wants to find the letters and go. This turns out to be trickier than expected, especially once she actually sits down to read them.
Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Ed Harris, Will Ferrell, Amelia Warner
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 39 min
Comments: I absolutely adore Zooey Deschanel, but the rest of the cast is just as amazing. Dysfunctional, touching and heartbreaking, it also has its spots of humor. Based on Adam Rapp’s play of the same name, this film is a brilliant character study of not one but four people. Reese, Zooey’s character, is my favorite and watching her grow and stumble is both a joy and moving. Its quirky and odd with a third act that was a shade too long, but I loved it.
3.5/4 popcorns
202. The Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep (2007)
Plot: When a lonely young boy named Angus discovers a large, mysterious egg along the shores of Loch Ness, no one is prepared for what lies within. He soon discovers that the strange, mischievous hatchling inside is none other than The Water Horse, the loch's most mysterious and fabled creature! But with the Water Horse growing ten times its size every day, Angus finds it increasingly difficult to keep his new friend a secret.
Starring: Alex Etel, Emily Watson, Ben Chaplin, and David Morrissey
Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY
Time: 1 hr 52 min
Comments: The story of Nessie from a child’s perspective, but more than that its about a child trying to deal with the loss of his father. The cast is great and even the effects for Crusoe weren’t bad. But it is a family film despite some darker elements thrown in now and again. It was cute, but a bit forgettable for me.
2.75/4 popcorns
201. I am Legend (2007)
Plot: Robert Neville is a brilliant scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable, incurable, and man-made. Somehow immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City and maybe the world. For three years, Neville has faithfully sent out daily radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. But he is not alone. Mutant victims of the plague -- The Infected -- lurk in the shadows... watching Neville's every move... waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind's last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But he knows he is outnumbered... and quickly running out of time.
Starring: Will Smith, Alice Braga
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 40 min
Comments: I was excited to see this film…until I found out that it no longer contained vampires, but still I went and saw it. I will say that Will Smith does a great job of showing a vulnerability that is realistic. How would you react if you were the last man on earth? Would you have conversations with mannequins? Here is a man who is trying so hard not only to maintain his sanity, but to help find a cure. He wants to save the world that is hunting him every night and from the shadows in every corner. You like him and that is a good thing since it is largely Neville and his dog through most of the film. My problem with the film is the CGI. The monsters just scream CGI and I think that sometimes less is more. We have seen that you can have equally creepy and terrifying creatures that are actors in masks. Use wires to make them uber agile or even small amounts of CGI, but this was too much for me. It took me out of the film. The first half of the film is wonderful, the second half not as much. Of course once again it isn’t very true to the novel, but it is still a good film. And you got to love the Bob Marley.
3.25/4 popcorns
200. Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)
Plot: At the turn of the 20th century youthful romantic Florentino Ariza spots the stunning & sheltered Fermina Daza & immediately falls in love. Denied by her father Florentino refuses to give up his dream of winning her hand .. Even if that means waiting decades to fill the passion in his heart.
Starring: Javier Bardem, Benjamin Bratt, Gina Bernard Forbes, and Giovanna Mezzogiorno
Genre: ROMANCE/DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 18 min
Comments: I have never read the novel on which the film is based, but I am a sucker for the classic tale of forbidden love and a romance that goes through the years. In a way the film reminded me a bit of “Like Water for Chocolate” but it was missing the magic of that film. However, I wasn’t really disappointed and I have director Mike Newell and the lead actors to thank for that. The sexual comedy in the film is great, giving some much needed humor at times. However, there was something missing for me that made me truly fall in love.
3/4 popcorns
199. License to Wed (2007)
Plot: Newly engaged, Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore) can't wait to start their life together and live happily ever after. The problem is that Sadie's family church, St. Augustine's, is run by Reverend Frank (Robin Williams), who won't bless Ben and Sadie's union until they pass his patented, "foolproof" marriage-prep course. Consisting of outrageous classes, outlandish homework assignments and some outright invasion of privacy, Reverend Frank's rigorous curriculum puts Ben and Sadie's relationship to the test. Forget happily ever after--do they even have what it takes to make it to the altar?
Starring: Robin Williams, Mandy Moore (II), John Krasinski, and Eric Christian Olsen
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: It is never a good thing when I use the DVR to fast forward through a good portion of the film. I like John Krasinski, Mandy Moore and even Robin Williams on occasion, but this was just meh. It wasn’t horrid, but not really good either. Sure there are a few laugh moments, but I found it so difficult to suspend any sort of disbelief at Williams’s character that it was mostly ruined because lets face it Reverend Frank is an utter psycho. The dialogue is nothing spectacular and poor John Krasinski is wasted. Skip this one.
2/4 popcorns
198. Gray Matters (2006)
Plot: In this hilarious romantic comedy, Gray (Heather Graham) helps her brother (Tom Cavanaugh) find the love of his life. But the night before her brother's wedding, Gray's world is turned upside-down when she discovers that she has feelings for his fiancé (Bridget Moynahan)! With the help of a sarcastic co-worker (Molly Shannon), a sympathetic cab driver (Alan Cumming), and her therapist (Oscar-winner Sissy Spacek), Gray is forced to figure out who she really is.
Starring: Heather Graham, Thomas Cavanagh, Bridget Moynahan, and Molly Shannon
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 36 min
Comments: I loved Ed and even more so I loved Tom Cavanagh. Give me the promise of Alan Cumming, Sissy Spacek and Bridget Moynahan and I am a happy camper. However, for a coming out flick, Imagine Me & You was far better. Despite the adorable cast it was chock full of stereotypes and fairly implausible. It feels contrived and I cannot imagine that Gray would be that in the dark about her own sexuality. I mean come on. I didn’t really care about any of the characters save for Alan Cumming’s lovable taxi driver. It is never a good sign when you like the bit players more than you do the leads. Superficial and disappointing.
2/4 popcorns
197. The Heartbreak Kid (2008)
Plot: When the single and indecisive Eddie (Ben Stiller) meets the sexy and beautiful Lila (Malin Akerman) the guy who could never pull the trigger jumps the gun. While honeymooning in Mexico Eddie discovers he's made a really big mistake. He soon meets Miranda (Michelle Monaghan) his real soul mate. But when the love of your life isn't your wife things can get quickly out of control. Now it will take some desperate measures to turn his honeymoon from hell into the perfect romantic getaway.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman, and Jerry Stiller
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 55 min
Comments: I am not a big fan of the Farrelly Brothers in general. I have never really been a fan of the crude humor that tend to be in their films, and yet I still pick them up and give them a go. I do like Ben Stiller though and Michelle Monaghan. I cant say that I was disappointed in the film because it was a typical Farrelly Brothers film and I knew what to expect (raunch, absurdity, bad taste, etc). And yet I can’t help but be disappointed in a film that I wanted to be better. The film drags a bit and despite a few laughs ended up being a lackluster watch for me and one that I would not recommend even renting. Wait till it shows up on a premium channel like I did and even then maybe multitask while watching it.
2/4 popcorns
196. Eagle Eye (2008)
Plot: Jerry and Rachel are two strangers thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move.
Starring: Shia Lebeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Ethan Embry, Michael Chiklis, Billy Bob THorton
Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE
Time: 1 hr 58 min
Comments: I don’t know when or how I started, but I developed a small crush on Shia LaBeouf. He tends to be engaging, definitely has a screen presence and one of the younger actors that I don’t mind seeing in a film because he can actually act. Now I enjoyed DJ Caruso’s Disturbia last year which was a delightful little modern take on Rear Window (one of my favorite films) so I thought I would give Eagle Eye a go. I will say that it was entertaining, unrealistic but delightful in its own popcorn fun sort of way. My expectations were fairly low and it actually exceeded them so bully to them. It has some great action sequences and as an action junkie I was happily sated (the airport baggage chase is wonderful) My only problem, and its not really a problem per se, with the film was the turn that it took toward the latter half of the film. I was not expecting a Sci-Fi flick, but in the end that is what it is. And it’s not really a problem, but it wasn’t at all what I expected (I was expecting a Bourne Identity, Political/Espionage Thriller sort of flick). On the sci-fi front, the idea of technology being everywhere and that Big Brother is always watching, is an old but effective plot line. The film does a great job of giving you that edgy paranoia, but I was more engaged in the first half of the film before the reveal which was then a retread of other films. Surprisingly, my favorite part of the film was Michael Chiklis as the Defense Secretary (well that and the fun I had deciphering who the voice of Aria was…Julianne Moore). It’s a film that is still fun despite the wasted potential and one I am glad I managed to catch on the big screen.
3/4 popcorns
195. Nancy Drew (2007)
Plot: With her magnifying glass and fingerprint powder in hand, Nancy Drew leaves River Heights for La-La-Land...but not to meet that guy on Smallville, as her boyfriend Ned fears. No, she's out to solve one of the greatest mysteries ever: the death of movie star Dehlia Draycott. But the bigger mystery is how our perky, plaid-clad sleuth will fit in with the text-messaging teen queens of mean she meets at Hollywood High.
Starring: Emma Roberts (II), Josh Flitter, Max Thieriot, and Rachael Leigh Cook
Genre: CHILDRENS
Time: 1 hr 39 min
Comments: Like a lot of young girls, I grew up reading Nancy Drew. Here was a heroine I could admire. She was witty, resourceful, and extremely intelligent. She is by far the iconic girl detective and because she was such a big part of my childhood, I thought it would be fairly hard for anyone to live up to those childhood expectations. I will admit Emma Roberts is adorable and this film is largely for that tween set. Unfortunately for me, Nancy was never that socially geeky for me. She was the girl next door who just happened to have a sense of deduction that few could match. In this film she was a bit too goody goody. Her personality was off and just didn’t work for me. For me, the film was sadly flat, but I imagine that it may have created a new set of tweens who will pick up the Nancy Drew books and for me that is a win. However, I choose not to endure it again though there are far worse teen films out there.
2.50/4 popcorns
194. Miss Potter (2006)
Plot: The story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", and her struggle for love, happiness and success.
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, and Barbara Flynn
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 33 min
Comments: Charming, but not what I expected. I don’t know much about Beatrix Potter other than having a love for her books. I am not a big Renee Zellweger fan, but the trailers looked charming and a bit like Finding Neverland but with Peter Rabbit. One of the things I loved about the film was the latter half of the film, despite my tears, due to the beautiful scenery of the Lake District which is one of the places I feel the need to visit before I die. I will admit it didn’t have as much of the magic as I was expecting but it did have a delightful little romance. From what I am told it should not be viewed as a biopic as many things were changed but I will admit that I enjoyed what I did saw, even if it all was a bit different than I had expected.
3/4 popcorns
193. Appaloosa (2008)
Plot: When Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch arrive in Appaloosa, they find a town suffering at the hands of a rancher named Randall Bragg that means to own everything in it, and who has already left the city Marshall and one of his deputies dead. Cole and Hitch are used to cleaning up after scavengers, but this one raises the stakes by playing not by the rules, but with emotion. Cole and Hitch are hired to save the town from Bragg, but a young attractive widow arrives to complicate matters.
Starring: Jeremy Irons, Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Renee Zellweger
Genre: WESTERN
Time: 1 hr 54 min
Comments: I should start with the fact that I am not terribly fond of westerns in general. On the whole it is not a genre I seek out when it comes to my movie geekiness. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed at all. Based on a novel by Robert B Parker, Ed Harris plays Virgil Cole who, along with his long time partner and friend Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), is hired as marshal to clean up the small town of Appaloosa. Applause goes to Ed Harris who acted, directed, produced, and helped write the film. While his character may be somewhat stereotypical of the Western genre in my opinion (cold hearted gunslinger who wants to settle down and get out of this life, but who will never back down from a fight even when he questions it), he plays it well. Same goes with Viggo Mortensen, who disappears into his roles. As Everett he is largely silent, his rifle always on his shoulder and looking oh so delectable leaning against plenty of walls. The chemistry between Harris and Mortensen makes the film that more enjoyable.
And then you have Jeremy Irons, who is equally gorgeous to a gal such as me, and certainly no slouch in the acting department. Add in great turns by Timothy Spall and Lance Henricksen and the film is actuallu chock full of great performances. The one performance I did not like was Renee Zellweger’s. Not only did she seem to have lost all ability to emote from the mouth up, but I really did not like her character. She was a plot device while her character may be realistic of women of that time perhaps, her constantly wanting to snog every Alpha male in the film was disturbing. Apart from the great performances I did not find the film predictable despite having some of the Western staples. I got a great gunfight, some beautiful cinematography, and the outlaws I expected to find, but I also got an old school western about friendship, honor and loyalty. It had everything I wanted in it and it is a film that I would recommend seeing in the theatre if you can as some of the film’s beauty will be lost on the small screen. Definitely worth a look.
3.75/4 popcorns
192. The Abandoned (2007)
Plot: An American woman searching for her birth parents learns she has inherited a house in the middle of a forest in a remote area of Russia. It is the house where she was born. Abandoned and uninhabited for 40 years, it stands in total disrepair and neglect. What she finds is more than an old house. She meets a mysterious man claiming to be her twin brother and together they find the house holds dangerous secrets to a past they don't even remember. They are forced to relive a series of horrifying events and shocking murders that occurred just after they were born, and in the place where they were supposed to die.
Starring: Karel Roden, Paraskeva Djukelova, Valentin Ganev, and Anastasia Hille
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 38 min
Comments: Another of the After Dark horror films, it has the potential to be very good, but winds up being mostly boring. There are some nice moments in the latter half of the film and yet the ending is so convoluted that it ruins any mood it was trying to go for. The lead character isn’t terribly likable and I thought the character interactions between her and her twin were both unbelievable and fairly mundane. There isn’t any real tension or thrills and yet the cinematography evokes the spooky atmosphere the movie as a whole was trying to go for. I think with some sharper dialogue, making the lead a bit more likable and limiting the confusing plot twists you would have a decent horror flick. That being said, it is still better than most of the After Dark films.
2.25/4 popcorns
191. The Seeker: The Dark is Rising (2007)
Plot: Filled with magical characters, thrilling action and spectacular visual effects, The Seeker is an epic fantasy adventure the whole family will love! During Christmas break from school, a seemingly typical teenager discovers he's anything but ordinary. As the seventh son of a seventh son, Will Stanton is The Seeker - a chosen warrior destined to restore the delicate earthly balance between Light and Dark. Guided by ancient protectors of the Light, young Will must travel through time to gather the hidden signs that hold the ultimate power to protect the world.
Starring: Alexander Ludwig, Christopher Eccleston, Ian McShane, and Frances Conroy
Genre: FANTASY/CHILDREN’S
Time: 1 hr 39 min
Comments: You would think a movie that has both Christopher Eccleston and Ian McShane would be passable. ‘Fraid not in this case. Now I haven’t read Susan Cooper’s books, but I have heard great things. Let’s just hope that this film completely mangled her series. Thankfully I have always believed that the book is better than the film, so I am still willing to give the books a go. But what ever you do, do not watch the film. Not only is it confusing, glosses over important things, convoluted and the lead character isn’t very likable at all, but the twin element is eye rolling. As I said, avoid.
1.75/4 popcorns
190. The Deaths of Ian Stone (2007)
Plot: On an otherwise ordinary night the young Ian Stone encounters a mysterious creature and is forced into the path of an oncoming train. Rather than facing certain death Ian finds himself reborn into a new life that feels strangely familiar. After his second death it becomes apparent that Ian is being hunted by an evil presence and will be forced to die every day until he can solve the mystery of his own life.
Starring: Mike Vogel, Jaime Murray, Christina Cole, and Michael Feast
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 27 min
Comments: The After Dark Horrorfest films haven’t really wowed me save for Reincarnation from a couple of years ago. For me the After Dark films have been Sci-Fi Channel movies with more gore, gratuitous t&a, and some language. But they are still Sci-Fi Channel movies to me. The Deaths of Ian Stone had potential though still didn’t come even close to being scary or thrilling. Perhaps it is because I don’t think that Mike Vogel is that great of an actor, the CGI Harvesters made me giggle, and when they explain the mystery behind Ian and why he keeps jumping from life to life, it lacks the thrill or punch it should have. And yet for a horror film that airs on the Sci Fi Channel it wasn’t horrible. I just wanted more out of it. The beginning is good, but the end will just make you giggle. An average outing that is a bit better than the rest of this year’s offerings, it is still a wait till it shows up again on cable.
2.75/4 popcorns
189. Rendition (2007)
Plot: Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal and Meryl Streep star in this nail- biting thriller about a man who mysteriously disappears on a flight from South Africa to Washington DC and the government conspiracy put in place to cover it up.
Starring: Omar Metwally, Reese Witherspoon, Aramis Knight, and Rosie Malek-Yonan
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 2 min
Comments: Brought to you by Gavin Hood of ‘Crash’ fame, the film takes another issue, this time extraordinary rendition and shows how such an action affects various people: a pregnant wife whose husband is taken, the CIA agent who is there to observe, the man who was taken, the interrogator and his family and various government officials. While I was not bored watching the film and such an act leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, the movie never feels full realized as if something is missing, though I couldn’t tell you what right now. The twist at the end took me by surprise. Worth renting.
3.25/4 popcorns
188. Once (2007)
Plot: A serendipitous meeting on the streets of Dublin between a down on his luck Irish street performer and a poor Czech immigrant sparks a bond that plays out in this hip modern day music film. ONCE follows the two as they write rehearse and record the songs that reveal their unique love story.
Starring: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Senan Haugh, and Leslie Murphy (II)
Genre: ROMANCE/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 26 min
Comments: I am a sucker for the quiet little romance, and more often the ones that don’t quite end the way that you would expect them to. I recognized Glen Hansard from one of my other favorite films, the Commitments, and I had heard some of the music from a couple of podcasts. Why it took me so long to watch this charming little film, I will never know. It isn’t a traditional love story nor is it a musical, though it has elements of both. I think what makes it even more charming is its ending, is the beautiful heartfelt soundtrack and the fact that in reality Glen and Marketa have the happy ending. It’s a great little film. Definitely worth picking up.
3.5/4 popcorns
187. Rush Hour 3 (2007)
Plot: When a Chinese criminal mastermind flees to Paris, there’s only one culture-clashed, crime fighting duo for the job. Ready to raise hell in the city of lights, Chief Inspector Lee (Chan) and Detective Carter (Tucker) instead get caught in an explosive battle between French police, the Triad gang and two gorgeous femmes fatales! With everybody kung-fu fighting to the top of the Eiffel Tower, this one-two punch of hilarious action doesn’t let up to the final heart-stopping au revoir!
Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Julie Depardieu, and Max von Sydow
Genre: COMEDY/ACTION/ADVENTURE
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: This is what happens when I am a bored insomniac. None of the Rush Hour films have been very good. Personally, I would rather have Jackie Chan team up with Owen Wilson for the buddy movie. But, meh…this outing is really nothing new as far as the story, funny ha has and action scenes. If you’ve seen one Rush Hour, you’ve seen them all. Chris Tucker is loud and annoying as ever and the horrible ‘Who’s on First’ routine made me cringe. There is a decent fight scene set on the Eiffel Tower there is pretty cool, but other than that…skip it.
2/4 popcorns
186. Perfect Stranger (2007)
Plot: When her friend s affair with married ad exec Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis) ends in the woman s murder investigative reporter Rowena Price (Halle Berry) vows to bring the killer to justice. Suspecting Hill of the crime she goes undercover by posing as two highly alluring women: Katherine a sexy temp who works within his agency and Veronica a seductive temptress he chats up online. Engaging in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse both Rowena and Hill begin to realize things may not be what they seem. For some people will go to great lengths to protect their secrets even if it means risking everything.
Starring: Halle Berry, Bruce Willis, Giovanni Ribisi, and Richard Portnow
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 49 min
Comments: I am not a fan of Halle Berry. Sure, she’s a pretty little thing, but I don’t think she is that great of an actress. So, why did I watch this flick? I was intrigued, Bruce Willis is still hot and I adore Giovanni Ribisi. In this film, no one did a thing for me, not even my men. The gratuitous sex scene with Gary Dourdan was pointless, the massive amounts of red herrings laughable, and the ending and plot reveal eye rolling. More of a cable tv movie with big names, than a steamy thriller. Sadly, it only reminded me why I don’t like Halle Berry.
2/4 popcorns
185. 88 Minutes (2008)
Plot: Nine years ago, Dr. Jack Gramm (Al Pacino), a forensic psychiatrist, was the key witness in the trail and conviction of serial killer Jon Forster (Neal McDonough). Today, Jon is set to be executed for his crimes. Jack not only has his own psychiatric firm, but he also teaches at the University of Washington in Seattle. He wakes up this morning to learn that one of his students was killed exactly the say way that Jon killed women. Then he receives the phone call. "You have 88 minutes to live. At 11:45, you will die." At first he considers it a crank, but the more the person calls back, the more he takes it seriously. Is Jon guilty? Who murdered his student? And who is going to kill him?
Starring: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, and Amy Brenneman
Genre: THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 47 min
Comments: I like the whodunit thrillers and the ticking clock premise, but this is not one of the better ones especially when you figure out the villain half way through and then have to wait for your lead to get a clue. And to be honest, Amy Brenneman has a better performance than superstar Pacino and she is in it very little. The film tries to put a lot of red herrings in your way, sometimes eye rollingly so. The film is predictable despite these and the characters are very one dimensional so I feel nothing for any of them, except Brenneman’s character. Someone said that without Pacino it would have been a made for tv movie film and I would agree. Wait for cable.
2.25/4 popcorns
184. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
Plot: Just when he s needed most Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) that witty and wily charmer of a pirate is trapped on a sea of sand in Davy Jones Locker. In an increasingly shaky alliance Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) begin a desperate quest to find and rescue him. Captain Jack s the last of the nine Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court who must come together united in one last stand to preserve the freedom-loving pirates way of life.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, and Orlando Bloom
Genre: HORROR
Time: 2 hrs 47 min
Comments: Nothing will ever be as good as the first one and to be honest both Dead Man’s Chest and this film are watchable primarily due to Johnny Depp whose Jack Sparrow is funny, interesting, and let’s be honest very appealing to a woman such as myself. But wow, this was a disappointment. Of course not all of it, but there are some moments (such as a giant Calypso) that are so over the top and laughable that it ruins any of the good bits. Unfortunately, they tried to stuff far too much in a film that was far too long than it needed to be. The changing of allegiances was exhausting and the plot not wholly coherent. However, the special effects are still great, the action scenes fun, the relationship between Elizabeth and Will one that makes my mushy side all aflutter, and the score fabulous. I just wish things were put together better, that so much of what I call ‘filler’ was taken out and a tighter film had been made. Of course now as I rewatch it, though it was obvious from the finale, finale that the story was left open for more, there is news of a fourth film. Let’s just hope it is better than this one.
2.75/4 popcorns
183. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Plot: A real-life tale of survival over life's toughest challenges. After a chain of circumstances left Gardner jobless and homeless at age 30 he found himself and his baby son living in a bathroom at a San Francisco train station. Despite the negative situation Gardner continued to fight toward his goal of becoming a broker eventually landing a job as a trainee and rising through the ranks at such companies as Dean Witter and Bear Stearns to his current standing -- partner and owner of the Chicago-based minority brokerage firm Gardner Rich & Co. and self-made millionaire.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton, and Brian Howe
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 57 min
Comments: A heartwarming, inspiring little film that tugs on your heart strings and makes you smile when your hero, despite everything, triumphs. Will Smith does a great job as Chris Gardner and his son, both onscreen and in real life, is simply adorable. Its one of those feel good movies with the happy ending. My only problem was that the crisis part of the film when on a bit too long which overshadows the positive ending of the film. Still very good, though I don’t know if its one of those films that you can watch again and again.
3.25/4 popcorns
182. December Boys (2006)
Plot: They share the same birth month so the orphanage calls them December Boys. But these teens ? Maps Spit Spark and Misty ? have much more in common. With no hopes of ever joining a family they form their own familial bonds. Then the unexpected news comes that a young couple may adopt one of them and the long-time pals suddenly share something else: a rivalry to be the chosen one.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Teresa Palmer, Lee Cormie, and Christian Byers
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Comments: I like Daniel Radcliffe and since this film was being heralded as the breakout film for him, I was sorely disappointed. It’s not that the film is bad, though it does have its flaws, but it is nothing special and I saw no more of a performance from Radcliffe than I have in anything else. The cinematography is beautiful and I long to go to Kangaroo Island to see the rocks and the sea. Absolutely beautiful. There is a lot of symbolism in the film from Henry, a huge fish, to a beautiful wild stallion. The story itself is heartwarming and emotional albeit one that is a bit predictable. Radcliffe is talented, but this was not the film to showcase that talent. Wait till it shows up on cable.
2.75/4 popcorns
181. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Plot: Experience the triumphant tale of renowned Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby a man whose love of life and soaring vision shaped his will to achieve a life without boundaries. You'll soon discover why David Benby of "The New Yorker" calls THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY "nothing less than the rebirth of the cinema."
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, and Marie-Josée Croze
Genre: FOREIGN (French)/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 52 min
Comments: I think what makes this film wonderful is not only the fact that it is a true story, but the way in which the film itself is handled. It’s a movie that made me laugh and cry and it’s a film about love, imagination and a man’s will to live despite all things. From the moment the film begins we generally view everything through Jean-Do’s eyes. We are there when he awakes from his coma and when he is told that he has locked in syndrome. We see life through his eyes, a blurriness when the tears fall and only half a frame when people are out of view. We share his frustration and his anger as well as his regrets and sadness. Mathieu Amalric does an amazing job as does the rest of the cast. It’s a beautiful film that all should watch and pick up the soundtrack while you are at it.
4/4 popcorns
180.The Illusionist (2006)
Plot: Eisenheim is a magician in early 1900's Vienna, who falls in love with a woman well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to a Crown Prince, Eisenheim uses his powers to free her and undermine the stability of the royal house of Vienna.
Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, and Rufus Sewell
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 50 min
Comments: I absolutely love this film. Not only do I adore the story, but the art direction and the actors bring it to life and make it absolutely magical. Part thriller, part romance and fused with sleight of hand it is a great first outing for Neil Burger. Apart from the costumes, I loved the lighting and old fashioned camera techniques such as the camera’s eye closing for the transitions as it makes you feel as if you are watching a classic film. If you don’t love Edward Norton already (he is by far one of the best actors out there today), you will after his understated, but mesmerizing performance. But Norton is not alone. I loved Paul Giamatti, especially watching him through Eisenheim’s performances or his realization at the end of the film. And both Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel don’t do bad either. Philip Glass’s score goes with the film perfectly, only making it more elegant and graceful than it already is. The magic tricks are very believable to watch and you never know what is real and what is illusion, even until the end. A wonderful movie that everyone should have in their library.
4/4 popcorns
179. Hairspray (2007)
Plot: It's 1962 and change is in the air in Baltimore. Tracy Turnblad a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart has only one passion--to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program "The Corny Collins Show" and is transformed overnight from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can the trendsetting Tracy win the heart of teen-dream Link Larkin and stand up for what she believes in despite the program's scheming stage manager? All she needs is her best friend Penny a toe- tappin' beat - and a little HAIRSPRAY!
Starring: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nikki Blonsky, and Zac Efron
Genre: MUSICAL
Time: 1 hr 57 min
Comments: Let me start with saying that I love John Waters’s original film so I didn’t really feel the need to remake it. However, I have not seen the musical which is it’s own
thing and it is the musical not the original film that is the basis for this version. Things are a bit different, but the quirkiness, the energy and the themes are the same. It was cute…but I still love the original.
3/4 popcorns
178. Jane Austen Book Club (2007)
Plot: Six months. Six novels. Six members. The Jane Austen Book Club takes reading the classics to new heights of passion in this romantic comedy featuring an all-star cast. When five women and one man get together to discuss the English writer s beloved novels they realize the heartaches of Emma Mr. Darcy and the Bennet sisters are not so different from their own. Finding comfort wit and wisdom from the pages and each other they discover that in matters of love all they need to ask is: What would Jane do? Starring: Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker, and Amy Brenneman
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 46 min
Comments: A chick flick yes, but a good one. It helps that Hugh Dancy is completely adorable and makes references to Buffy, LARPing and sci-fi novels (where can I get him?) and the rest of the cast is equally likable even when you’re loving hating them at times. You don’t have to have read any of Jane Austen’s novels, but if you have you will see the similarities in some of the titles especially Grigg and Jocelyn. Its modern tale full of Austen like manners, emotions, repressed feelings, desire, relatives, and friendship. It’s not all drama, there are actually quite a few laughs as well. I liked it, enough so that I want to read the book on which the film is based…well that and reread all of my Jane Austen. A great little flick.
3.5/4 popcorns
177. Death Sentence (2007)
Plot: Nick Hume is a loving father with a perfect life until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman, and Kelly Preston
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 51 min
Comments: James Wan of Saw brought Brian Garfield’s follow up to his book Death Wish. I like revenge films, the vigilante stories somehow thrill me and this one tries to be a really good one. It is good but uneven. For example the dialogue between the gang members or with Bacon’s family works, but the moment the cops show up they ruin whatever atmosphere that has been created. I also thought that revenge came a bit too easily for Bacon’s character and yet the aftermath of his decision is powerful. The same could be said for the lack of emotional impact when his family is attacked, but his decision to end it once and for all works. The violence is brutal, the look gritty and there are some great emotional moments, but there are also a lot of average moments as well. It is a bit uneven, harrowing to watch, but has a stand out performance by Kevin Bacon. In all, worth renting just don’t expect to feel all warm and fuzzy afterward.
3/4 popcorns
176. Pulse (2006)
Plot: When the dead discover a means to contact the living through electronic devices cell phones and computers become open gateways to monstrosities and destruction. Starring Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) Christina Milian (Love Don t Cost a Thing) Ian Somerhalder (Lost) and Rick Gonzalez (Coach Carter) Pulse is loaded with terrifying thrills and gruesome special effects and capped with an astonishing surprise ending.
Starring: Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhalder, Christina Milian, and Rick Gonzalez
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 28 min
Comments: I am giving up on Asian horror remakes because they suck no matter how much you may love the lead actor (In this case Kristen Bell). And if you have seen One Missed Call, Shutter, The Eye, etc, you know what I mean. And yet I still watch them. I have seen the original version of Pulse and while I didn’t find it scary, it is trying to be a cautionary tale of how we have lost the ability to not only communicate, but truly live. This film tried to do the same at one point and then switched directions. It opted for the scares instead. They bring up secondary plots that are never resolved, don’t really explain what the pulse is, how it began and really how to stop it. I felt the ending was rushed as well. In the original we see the world become less and less populated and you get this sense of dread. But it doesn’t really happen in this version. Its better than the Asian remakes I mentioned above, but doesn’t come anywhere close to The Grudge or The Ring. More of a wait till it shows up on cable than pay money for it. Then again it is Halloween season and I will watch anything that makes me jump at least once.
2.5/4 popcorns
175. Bee Movie (2007)
Plot: Having just graduated from college a bee by the name of Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld) finds himself disillusioned with the prospect of having only one career choice honey. As he ventures outside of the hive for the first time he breaks one of the cardinal rules of the bee world and talks to a human a New York City florist named Vanessa (Renee Zellweger). He is shocked to discover that the humans have been stealing and eating the bee s honey for centuries. He ultimately realizes that his true calling in life is to set the world right by suing the human race. That is until the ensuing chaos upsets the very balance of nature. It is up to Barry to prove that even a little bee can spell big changes in the world.
Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Matthew Broderick, Renee Zellweger
Genre: ANIMATED/CHILDRENS
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: Bee Movie wants to be the next Shrek or Flushed Away and it certainly tries its hardest with the star power, the one-liners and the double meanings. But it doesn’t quite hit its mark. Maybe its because I have never really been a fan of Seinfeld or maybe because the animated see through an animal’s eyes is a bit old and you have to admit that the whole ‘bee’ pun stuff got a bit eye rolling. And yet I like the social commentary that ties the whole thing together. The moral isn’t completely bludgeoned upon the viewer and the animation is very pretty. Still, something was missing.
3/4 popcorns
174. I Know Who Killed Me (2007)
Plot: Aubrey Fleming (Lindsay Lohan) was living the small town life until the day she was abducted by a sadistic killer. After a frantic search Aubrey turns up alive but changed. She is missing limbs but has gained a new personality - that of bad girl Dakota Moss. Her parents and the FBI think she’s suffering from delusions but if Dakota is just a trick of her mind why do strange wounds keep appearing on her body? Desperate and alone Aubrey must now unlock family secrets to unmask a mysterious killer with a deadly obsession.
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Julia Ormond, Neal McDonough
Genre: DRAMA/THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 46 min
Comments: Lindsay Lohan as a stripper, seems not like a hard stretch. To be honest, I don’t know why I watched this in the first place, and even more confused as to why I watched the whole thing. The plot is nonsensical, Lohan is not hot as a stripper, the violence is laughable and Lohan’s performance laughable. A wreck, which is sad because I really like Julia Ormond. Maybe that’s why I watched it.
1.75/4 popcorns
173. The Craft (1996)
Plot: Sarah has always been different. So as the newcomer at St. Benedict s Academy she immediately falls in with the high school outsiders. But these girls won t settle for being a group of powerless misfits. They have discovered The Craft and they are going to use it.
Starring: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 41 min
Comments: I love the Craft and it’s a film that studios have tried to duplicate since then and sadly failed (The Covenant?). It’s fun, entertaining, has a great soundtrack and dark and edgy. ‘Carrie meets Clueless’ (the tagline) it isn’t and the use of witchcraft in the film is never derisive though manipulated a bit for the plot. As much as there is magic in the film, it is also a story about teenagers and the stuff we went through in high school. Its about relationships, angst and of course good over evil. The cast is great and while not exactly scary, an excellent predecessor to ‘Charmed’.
3.75/4 popcorns
172. The Catacombs (2006)
Plot: On her first trip to Paris a young woman hits a party in the Catacombs the 200-mile labyrinth of limestone tunnels under the city that's lined with the remains of 7 million people. Separated from her friends she becomes convinced that someone or something is chasing her.
Starring: Pink, Shannyn Sossamon, Alecia "Pink" Moore, and Alecia Moore
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: What a disappointment. It could have had so much potential, especially considering the location of the Parisian catacombs beneath the city. I wanted something original and fun and above all either thrilling or scary. Unfortunately, I got neither. Shannyn Sossamon runs around a lot, crying or screaming through the maze, but none of it is very scary. Her character is actually fairly annoying which is never good in a horror film when you are almost wishing the lead character (aka the one that lives at the end) is the one you wish would die. As far as the ending you will either love it or hate it, but compared to the rest of the film….rent The Descent instead. Far better.
2/4 popcorns
171. The One (2001)
Plot: Jet Li portrays Gabriel Yulaw a police officer confronted with a sinister duplicate of himself. This evil double is an escapee from an advanced parallel universe with a mission to kill Gabriel. His alter ego's hunt culminates in a fateful battle between good and evil that changes Gabriel's perception of reality and forces him to e
xamine the evil hidden within him.
Starring: Jet Li, Carla Gugino, Delroy Lindo, and Jason Statham
Genre: SCI-FI
Time: 1 hr 27 min
Comments: I am not a Jet Li fan, so when I can say that I like a film even though he’s in it, it has to be a decent flick. Not that the One isn’t flawed. It is, but I like the idea of a Multiverse and someone becoming power hungry. James Wong and Glen Morgan were two of my favorite X-Files alumni and I liked Space: Above and Beyond as well. Since they are the team behind the film I knew I would like bits of it. I thought the pacing was good, the action fun, and the plot while similar to the Matrix, has its own charm. Its not an amazing film, but it’s fun.
3/4 popcorns
170. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Plot: Lord Voldemort has returned but few want to believe it. In fact the Ministry of Magic is doing everything it can to keep the wizarding world from knowing the truth - including appointing Ministry official Dolores Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. When Professor Umbridge refuses to train her students in practical defensive magic a select group of students decides to learn on their own. With Harry Potter as their leader these students (who call themselves "Dumbledore's Army") meet secretly in a hidden room at Hogwarts to hone their wizarding skills in preparation for battle with the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson (II), Rupert Grint, Imelda Staunton
Genre: FANTASY
Time: 2 hrs 18 min
Comments: Overall the film isn’t too bad. There are many things I absolutely loved such as any chance to have Gary Oldman in a film (he is still one of my favorite actors and a perfect fit for Sirius), Imelda Staunton as the absolutely horrid Umbridge (she is my favorite villain because she doesn’t see herself as evil. Though the ends justify the means and her methods are often sadistic, she truly believes she is doing good), the dark tone, and getting some decent performances out of the actors (though I wish they would use Ron and Hermione more as they are just as important and I absolutely loved Evanna Lynch as Luna). I really loved seeing more of the Ministry as I think the places and the sets are just as much characters as our leads. However, I did miss many things and was disappointed with the treatment of others. Of course this is the shortest of the films thus far but the longest of the books and the book is usually always better. Though I missed having Quidditch especially when it means ‘Weasley is our king’, but I understood why they cut it. I didn’t understand why they chose to leave out the importance of Neville and why Neville was a target for Voldemort’s wrath in the first place because that is so important. The same goes for Snape’s memory of being tortured by James Potter and how important Lily Potter was and still is for Snape. Alas that scene got cut to about 10 seconds worth of screen time. I also have qualms on how the Order is discovered, the poor development of Harry and Cho and making Cho a snitch. And yet I still liked the film. I just wish it were Cuaron that were doing the next two as I have always felt that it is the best film, but the worst book.
3.25/4 popcorns
169. The Touch (2002)
Plot: A sister and brother, the last heirs of a family of acrobats, are called upon by a thief to help retrieve an artifact that their ancestors have protected throughout the ages.
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Ben Chaplin, Richard Roxburgh
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 43 min
Comments: It’s not every day that you see Michelle Yeoh in the same film as Dane Cook. Sadly, there is such a film. Attempting to be part Tomb Raider and part Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon it has a decent cast in Yeoh and Chaplin. But it is vastly disappointing. The plot is unoriginal yes, but between the dialogue, and bad directing in general it is lackluster. Dane Cook’s out of place in this and his bumbling jock routine is both woefully bad and annoying. It is a fairly forgettable film with only one or two memorable scenes.
2/4 popcorns
168. Nancy Drew (2002)
Plot: In this movie, Maggie Lawson plays Nancy Drew. A young woman who has just entered college. While rushing with her friends Bess and George, the star football player, Jesse, goes into a coma. Nancy can sense there is something more to the story, so she starts investigating. In only a short period of time she gets arrested, asked out by a cop, almost expelled and gets one of her friends expelled. But that doesn't stop her from finding out what happened to Jesse.
Starring: Maggie Lawson, Jill Ritchie
Genre: FAMILY/MYSTERY
Time: 1 hr 27 min
Comments: I was a big Nancy Drew fan when I was a kid and I like Maggie Lawson (Juls from Psych) so I thought I would watch this when it came on TV. But I did not get the smart, courageous, and vivacious sleuth I knew and loved. Instead she seemed arrogant and self-centered, a stereotype instead of being loyal to the character. Bess was too much of an airhead and though George’s character was about right, there wasn’t enough of her for me to really see. I guess for a made for tv movie, it was okay, but I would say pass and read one of the books instead.
2.25/4 popcorns
167. Moliere (2007)
Plot: Romain Duris is Moliere a down-and-out actor-cum-playwright up to his ears in debt. When the wealthy Jourdain (Cesar®-winner Fabrice Luchini) offers to cover that debt (so that Moliere’s theatrical talents might help Jourdain win the heart of a certain widowed marquise) hilarity ensues. Disguised as a priest Moliere becomes a guest in Jourdain s palace on the pretext of teaching Jourdain the craft of the stage which annoys his wife Elmire. But soon after the confrontation between Elmire and Moliere turns seductive. Too busy to notice Jourdain enlists the aid of a well connected and scheming acquaintance to help him pursue the young widow. Romantic yearning human foibles and laughs galore all characterize MOLIERE a delightful film that slyly captures your heart. Starring: Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Laura Morante, and Edouard Baer
Genre: FOREIGN (French)/ROMANTIC COMEDY
Time: 2 hrs 1 min
Comments: `Molière' is delightful. A bit like Shakespeare in Love, Molière draws from the French playwright’s two missing years and goes with it. It’s funny, it’s romantic and if you know or have seen any of Moliere’s films you will recognize some play elements as well as some characters. The film is gorgeous to watch and I want all of Elmire’s costumes. A great little piece.
3.5/4 popcorns
166. Zoom (2007)
Plot: Years ago Jack (Allen) was adopted for a government program that capitalized on the oddities of unusual children. Under the influence of super-strength-building Gamma rays Jack became the lightning-fast Zoom and joined the Zenith team a group of other similarly cultivated superheroes that included his brother Concussion (Kevin Zegers). But Concussion went bad betrayed his fellows and Zoom was the only one to survive; since then he has rescinded his powers. Now the government alarmed at Concussion s approach from another dimension wants to put together another Zenith team with Jack as their leader.
Starring: Tim Allen, Courteney Cox, Kate Mara, and Spencer Breslin
Genre: FAMILY/COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 23 min
Comments: I think maybe they might have been trying to go for Galaxy Quest, but with superheroes and made for kids. There’s nothing terribly original about the film and seeing Chevy Chase squander what little talent he seems to have left was absolutely tragic. Still, I think kids might enjoy it. But I am not a kid, so…catch it on HBO.
2.25/4 popcorns
165. Georgia Rule (2007)
Plot: Three generations of top actresses - two-time Academy Award winner Jane Fonda Lindsay Lohan and Felicity Huffman - unite in a film from director Garry Marshall about the power of redemption freedom in forgiveness and the unbreakable bonds of motherhood. When Lilly (Huffman) can no longer handle her rebellious teenage daughter Rachel (Lohan) she takes her to the one place she swore she'd never return her mother's house. For one very surprising summer these three very different women are living under one roof and under one rule: Georgia's (Fonda).
Starring: Jane Fonda, Lindsay Lohan, Felicity Huffman, and Dermot Mulroney
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 43 min
Comments: I was expecting a film about an out of the control granddaughter who is forced to live with her no nonsense grandmother. Snarkiness ensues. That isn’t exactly what I got. There are the comedic elements of course, but there are some pretty heavy elements as well which don’t always work within the film especially Rachel and her reason for being a pathological liar. And the small-town characters were almost laughable in how stereotypical they were in their depictions. Come on. However, the film was interesting to watch as much as it didn’t always gel. Worth renting, but don’t expect the movie from the trailers you might have seen.
3/4 popcorns
164. Martian Child (2008)
Plot: In MARTIAN CHILD David Gordon (Cusack) is a successful science fiction author plagued by both the death of his wife and writer s block. When a group home worker (Sophie Okonedo) tries to pair him with a young boy named Dennis (Bobby Coleman) David initially resists. But once David spends time with Dennis he realizes how special the boy is. The outsider (and sci-fi fan) in David thinks he might just understand Dennis best since the child believes that he s from Mars and he ll return there soon. David and Dennis struggle to create the most unconventional of families as Dennis strives to learn more about being human.
Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Bobby Coleman, Sophie Okonedo, Joan Cusack
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 47 min
Comments: I adore John Cusack and my long standing crush got just a bit bigger after this film. Some will call it a little over dramatic and disjointed, but I loved it. Dennis is an odd kid, but so was David. Maybe they gloss over some of Dennis’s problems, but I still laughed and cried and wanted my own little Dennis. Both John Cusack and cute little Bobby Coleman have lost a lot in their lives and together they finally find a new beginning. Great little film anything that I can see both John and Joan in, with Amanda Peet and even Anjelica Huston makes me happy.
4/4 popcorns
163. Superbad (2007)
Plot: Two co-dependent high school seniors (Hill and Cera) are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.
Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 59 min
Comments: Maybe I have outgrown the raunchy teenage comedy or maybe I just don’t like the new versions of Meatballs or even American Pie. I like Michael Cera and even thought Jonah Hill was quite funny, but this wasn’t for me. Maybe it’s a guy thing. I just didn’t get what all the hype was about. There are some funny moments, but to be honest most of the time I was either bored, rolling my eyes or doing something else. The movie doesn’t need to be two hours and Seth Rogen and Bill Hader’s scenes were too long and bordered on absolutely ridiculous.
2./4 popcorns
162. Primeval (2007)
Plot: An American news crew determined to capture a legendary 25-foot man-eating crocodile and stop his demonic rampage travel deep within the darkest reaches of Africa to hunt their prey. But Gustave as the natives call him is also on the hunt always on the move always elusive always hungry for human flesh. Heart-pounding fear is nonstop in this edge-of-your-seat nail-biter about the cunning killer who continues to blaze his blood-soaked trail of terror.
Starring: Dominic Purcell, Brooke Langton, Orlando Jones, Jürgen Prochnow
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 34 min
Comments: I am not sure what I was expecting. I guess either a Lake Placid sort of film or a film that was Ghosts in the Darkness but with a crocodile. I didn’t get either one unfortunately. There was even a human-rights subplot interwoven which seemed unnecessary especially when the evil dictator shares his name with the killer croc. The film, alas, tries to take itself too seriously even though it is full of stereotypical characters, plot points, and bad dialogue. I like Dominic Purcell. I liked him in John Doe and I like him in Prison Break. I even like Orlando Jones. But the acting is fairly bad, then again those two are the shining moments in the film which isn’t saying a lot. Don’t rent, wait till it shows up on TV and even then only when you are bored.
1.75/4 popcorns
161. Balls of Fury (2007)
Plot: Down-and-out former professional ping-pong phenom, Randy Daytona, is sucked into a maelstrom when FBI Agent Ernie Rodriguez recruits him for a secret mission. Randy is determined to bounce back and win, and to smoke out his father's killer -- arch-fiend Feng.
Starring: Dan Fogler, George Lopez, Christopher Walken, Maggie Q
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: There are some down right hilarious moments in this film and then there are some really bad moments. A plot revolving around the underbelly of ping-pong just sounds funny even on paper. Two of the Reno 911 guys wrote it, so I kind of knew what to expect. There are a lot of cameo appearances by some very funny people and while I laughed quite a bit, its still not my favorite type of humor and there were too many bad moments. Ends up in a wash.
2.5/4 popcorns
160. Traitor (2008)
Plot: Samir Horn (Don Cheadle), a devout American Muslim, and a former U.S. Army Special Forces expert in explosives, has been mysteriously showing up on the FBI's radar for being in the area of terrorist bombings. FBI agent Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce) heads up a task force investigation to link Horn to these bombings. But perhaps not everything is at it seems.
Starring: Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Neal McDonough, Saïd Taghmaoui
Genre: DRAMA/ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 44 min
Comments: When I first saw the trailer I was interested because I really like both Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce. Even better, I bought a movie at Best Buy and got a free ticket to go and see it. I will have to say it is not this year’s Bourne Ultimatum like the trailers were trying to suggest but it is a good movie. There is plenty of action, mystery and conspiracy, but what makes it is interesting is how much the film makes you think as well. With the war in the Middle East, Americans in particular have a very skewed idea of terrorism and more importantly Muslims. I like that the film presents the idea that many of those pulling the puppet strings in the terrorist organizations are not pious religious men who turned from an interior jihad against temptation to an external jihad against the infidels; they stopped submitting to god and began submitting to hatred and violence. The cast did an amazing job and I quite enjoyed it. I even would have paid money for it.
3.5/4 popcorns
159. Copying Beethoven (2006)
Plot: When young Anna Holz (Diane Kruger), a Viennese music student is asked to transcribe scoring notes for the great Ludwig van Beethoven (Harris), she eagerly accepts, despite warnings about his volatile behavior. Part maestro, part mentor and part madman, Beethoven reluctantly relies on Anna to help him realize the culmination of his art.
Starring: Diane Kruger, Ed Harris
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 44 min
Comments: Copying Beethoven finds Beethoven towards the end of his life. He’s haunted, jaded, and composing his 9th Symphony. Ed Harris makes him both a monster and a genius. He’s intense, but charismatic. Diane Kruger plays Anna, his transcriber. As a composer, she is fascinated by the maestro and wants to see the world and music as he does. Watch it for the music and to see the stunned and in awe look of the audience members as the 9th Symphony premieres.
3/4 popcorns
158. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
Plot: "The best of the best is back and better than ever" (WNYW-TV) in the latest installment of the pulse-pounding thrill-a-minute Die Hard action films. New York City detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) delivers old-school justice to a new breed of terrorists when a massive computer attack on the U.S. infrastructure threatens to shut down the entire country over Independence Day weekend.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Justin Long, Timothy Olyphant, Maggie Q
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 2 hrs 10 min
Comments: The movie where John McClane becomes a cross between a terminator and James Bond. I like the Die Hard films. They’re fun, Bruce Willis is hot and bad ass and there is enough action to keep me occupied and entertained. While I like Justin Long and Timothy Olyphant, neither makes the best addition to this outing. Olyphant is never really believable as a villain especially when he has to compete with previous villains like Jeremy Irons and Alan Rickman. The action scenes are over the top and unbelievable, and yet Bruce Willis still plays McClaine with as much snark and attitude as ever. And I must say that Bruce Willis is still sexy doing it all. Credible it is not, but amusing in a popcorn movie way.
3/4 popcorns
157. Stomp the Yard (2007)
Plot: DJ (Columbus Short) an amazing underground street dancer hasn't been in college for a day before he's entranced by the lovely April (Meagan Good).Working as a gardener to pay the bills DJ doesn't fit in with the wealthier students around campus but one thing does catch his attention the rival fraternity competitions known as stepping. With April's help DJ learns about the legacy and heritage behind the fraternities and decides to join up. Now part of an official step group DJ must balance rehearsals work and school while at the same time winning the heart of the girl of his dreams. With the National Step Championship drawing closer DJ must learn to stop dancing as an individual and start stepping as a team.
Starring: Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Ne-Yo, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Brian J. White
Genre: DANCE/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 56 min
Comments: Columbus Short where have you been? I am a sucker for dance movies and when I found out that Dave Scott, one of the choreographers on So You Think You Can Dance, did all the choreography I had to watch. It’s formulaic, sure, but the stomping scenes are fun to watch.
2.75/4 popcorns
156. The Invasion (2008)
Plot: The Invasion tells the story of a mysterious epidemic that alters the behavior of human beings. When a Washington D.C. psychiatrist (Nicole Kidman) discovers the epidemics origins are extraterrestrial she must fight to protect her son who may hold the key to stopping the escalating invasion.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Jeremy Northam, Jackson Bond, Jeffrey Wright
Genre: SCI-FI
Time: 1 hr 39 min
Comments: The Invasion of the Body Snatchers has been done quite a few times; sometimes wonderfully and sometimes not. This version falls somewhere in between. Maybe it is because of Daniel Craig, *shrug* The only problem I have with the film is that it cannot seem to decide what kind of film it wants to be: sci-fi, thriller, allegory; almost as if it looked at it’s predecessors and couldn’t quite make up its mind. I did like the film though and its discussion on what would this world be like if there was no violence or individuality. I only wish that it was explored just a bit further.
3.25/4 popcorns
155. Angel of Death (2005)
Plot: Mira Sorvino and Olivier Martinez Angel of Death takes you into the depths of Holy Week and the most spectacular Easter celebration in the world. But as hosts of hooded penitents parade through the ancient narrow streets of an old town in time-honored ritual a series of bizarre ritual killings follow their path. As the death toll mounts it falls to detective Maria Delgado to stop the predator - before he claims his next victim.
Starring: Mira Sorvino, Olivier Martinez, Féodor Atkine, and Luis Tosar
Genre: CRIME/THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 33 min
Comments: You know a movie isn’t very good when you spend most of it doing something else or fast forwarding until it looks like something interesting is happening. It’s slow, the plot is highly convoluted, and Mira Sorvino and Olivier Martiniez completely phoned in their performances. There is no suspense, or thrills what so ever. The only reason it gets two stars is because I do like Mira and Olivier, but that’s it. Avoid at all costs.
2/4 popcorns
154. 5ive Girls (2006)
Plot: After a young student at St. Marks Catholic School for Girls suddenly disappears the school is closed and abandoned. But after 13 years the school is re-opened as a "boot camp for the soul". Now more prison than school five new wayward students rebel against Father Drake (Ron Perlman) and the headmistress Miss Pearce (Amy Ciupak Lalonde). When the group of girls realize they possess supernatural skills they don't hesitate to use them to try and escape. After all of their attempts fail they realize that they must unite their skills and powers to face the malevolent entity Legion that holds thrall over the institution in a battle for their lives and their souls...
Starring: Ron Perlman, Amy Ciupak Lalonde
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 36 min
Comments: This wants to be The Craft, but it isn’t even a B-Movie version of the Craft. You know the moment there is a strip-search of the girls what kind of film it is really going to be. Why Ron Perlman is in this film I will never know, but I have already been meaning to ask him about In The Name of the King. Between the acting, or the lack of it, and the horrible clichéd dialogue, you are in for a treat of a bad film. Strictly for those who suffer from insomnia.
1.5/4 popcorns
153. 21 (2008)
Plot: Inspired by the true story of MIT students who mastered the art of card counting and took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings. Looking for a way to pay for tuition Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) finds himself quietly recruited by MIT's most gifted students in a daring plot to break Vegas. With the help of a brilliant statistics professor (Kevin Spacey) and armed with fake IDs intelligence and a complicated system of counting cards Ben and his friends succeed in breaking the impenetrable casinos. Now his challenge is keeping the numbers straight and staying one step ahead of the casinos before it all spirals out of control.
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Jack Gilpin, Jack McGee, Kevin Spacey
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 3 min
Comments: Based on the book, “Bringing Down the House”, 21 chronicles real life student Jeff Ma and his experience. Unfortunately the core of the story is one we have seen before in films like the Ocean’s 11 films and those are done a bit better. Though I like Jim Sturgess and Kevin Spacey, something was missing in the film. It wasn’t that I wasn’t entertained, it just left me feeling a bit meh afterward. More of a renter than a buyer.
3/4 popcorns
152. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
Plot: Based on the novels by Ann Brashares, Sisterhood 2 picks up where the last film ended. Tibby, Carmen, Bridget, and Lena are growing up and trying to figure out how to become ourselves without losing each other. The young women fight heartache and family trouble while seeking adventure in their first year of college and the summer after--and trading off a pair of what must surely be the best-traveled garment in the history of Hollywood.
Starring: Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn
Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 59 min
Comments: I’m not really sure there needed to be a sequel because nothing new was shown us, except that perhaps maybe I need to live in that movie world so I can have those men. It is still a story about friendship and finding out who you are and where you belong. There are a lot of coming of age issues like maturity, family, pregnancy scares, etc. And though I still like the girls I didn’t feel like the way it was presented was anything different than what I saw in the first one. Still good, but not great.
3/4 popcorns
151. Serenity (2005)
Plot: The crew of Serenity will take any job, even if that job isn't exactly legal. Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his crew take small smuggling and robbery jobs to keep their ship afloat, and to stay under the radar of The Alliance, the galactic conglomerate that not only rules the galaxy, but was on the opposite side of the war Mal lost years ago. But when a Simon and his unstable, telepathic sister, River join the crew, they get in much more trouble than they bargained for. A mysterious man is after River, because she stumbled onto a secret no one was supposed to know... and the alliance will do anything to get her back.
Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin
Genre: SCI-FI
Time: 1 hr 59 min
Comments: I am a Browncoat through and through so it is highly necessary for me to throw in Serenity or Firefly every couple of months. Why Fox cancelled Firefly I will never know but at least I got Serenity out of it which is everything I want in a film (yes, including Nathan Fillion whom I would happily stalk…in a good way) and everything I expect from Joss Whedon whom I adore. You don’t have to be familiar with the series to enjoy it and I guarantee it will be a film that you will watch again and again and quote incessantly. Or maybe that is just me. I aim to misbehave.
4/4 popcorns
150. Dan in Real Life (2007)
Plot: Advice columnist Dan Burns (Carell) is an expert on relationships but somehow struggles to succeed as a brother a son and a single parent to three precocious daughters. Things get even more complicated when Dan finds out that the woman he falls in love with is actually his brother's new girlfriend.
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Steve Carell, John Mahoney, Dianne Wiest
Genre: COMEDY/ROMANTIC COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 38 min
Comments: Steve Carell is a funny guy and he can be quite endearing when he is not hamming it up in his films. I liked this film because I liked him though the film played out a bit like a TV movie. The supporting cast is wonderful as well and the performances funny, touching and relatable. Though it runs like a typical romantic comedy there are a few new twists to the formula and I think by the end of the film I developed an even bigger crush on Mr. Carell.
3.25/4 popcorns
149. Veronica Guerin (2003)
Plot: Cate Blanchett stars in the title role as the Dublin journalist on Ireland's leading newspaper, who takes it as her personal mission to expose the burgeoning drug trade in the mid-1990's. Her stubborn probing brings her onto the radar of some very hard and violent men, in particular one John Gilligan (Gerard McSorley). Guerin persists despite escalating threats and violence to her person. It's a matter of public record that she was gunned down in her car on June 26, 1996 while waiting at a traffic light.
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Gerard McSorley, Ciarán Hinds
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 38 min
Comments: Cate Blanchett is one of the most beautiful and talented actresses today and she is by far my favorite actress. I adore her so much that I am even willing to endure a Joel Schumacher film to see her. Its an average film, which is to be expected, but Cate’s performance makes Guerin reckless, passionate, courageous and likable. The film does have its flaws though, over the top stereotypical snarky reporters, and some slow moments. I didn’t know much about Veronica Guerin so I applaud the film for enlightening me. I just wish it had been done by a different director.
2.75/4 popcorns
148. In Bruges (2008)
Plot: Hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) have been ordered to cool their heels in the storybook city of Bruges (it's in Belgium) after finishing a big job. But since hit men make the worst tourists they soon find themselves in a life & death struggle of comic proportions against one very angry crime boss (Ralph Fiennes).
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes
Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE
Time: 1 hr 47 min
Comments: 'If I'd grown up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me. But I didn't, so it doesn't’. Actually Bruges looks like a delightful little city and the film was just as much of a treat. It also appears to be a bit of a Harry Potter reunion with Fiennes, Gleeson and Clemence Posey. It has the feel of other ganster black comedies such as Layer Cake, Snatch or even Circus. The visuals are great as is the dialogue which is witty and snarky. It’s a comedy, a drama, a thriller, and an action film full of very human characters. Worth renting or owning.
3.75/4 popcorns
147. Definitely Maybe (2008)
Plot: When Will (Ryan Reynolds) decides to tell his daughter (Abigail Breslin) the story of how he met her mother he discovers that a second look at the past might also give him a second chance at the future. Co-starring Elizabeth Banks Rachel Weisz and Isla Fisher it's the heartwarming story that makes you realize it's definitely never too late to go back and maybe find a happy ending.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Rachel Weisz
Genre: ROMANCE/COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 41 min
Comments: A cute little romantic comedy that has a nice little twist. I adore Ryan Reynolds so it was hardly a surprise that I would watch it. Abigail Breslin is delightfully precocious and the rest of the cast is great as well. It is one of those great little films that make me feel all girly girl and smiley. Worth renting.
3.5/4 popcorns
146. Doomsday (2008)
Plot: From the director of The Descent comes an action-packed thrill-ride through the beating heart of hell! To save humanity from an epidemic, an elite fighting unit must battle to find a cure in a post-apocalyptic zone controlled by a society of murderous renegades. Loaded with ferocious fights and high-octane chases, Doomsday grabs you right from the start, and doesn't let go till its explosive end!
Starring: Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Alexander Siddig
Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE
Time: 2 hrs
Comments: From the beginning it is clear that this film borrows from every apocalyptic film from the past 30 years including Escape from New York, Mad Max and even 28 Days Later. Rhona Mitra looks great as the cynical heroine, but her back story is never fully told and that is a shame. It is nothing extraordinary, not at all original, but just a teensy bit of fun. I had extremely low expectations, despite my love for Neil Marshall’s The Descent and it rose a bit above those. One of those popcorn flicks that you watch on TNT when you’re bored.
2.5/4 popcorns
145. Hamlet 2 (2008)
Plot: In this irreverent comedy, a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama-teacher rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Starring: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Joseph Julian Soria, Melonie Diaz
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 32 min
Comments: A movie as absurd as the play within it, I have never laughed so much in a very long time. Coogan is great as man whose life is a parody of a tragedy, but who continues to try and triumph. His musical sequel to Shakespeare’s Hamlet involves sexy Jesus, a time machine and a song about being raped in the face. The movie is hilarious and has a great cast. Definitely one to own.
4/4 popcorns
144. The Happening (2008)
Plot: In the northeastern US, people inexplicably begin committing suicide en masse. First they become disoriented, then stop moving, and finally find the quickest way to kill themselves. The pandemic begins in parks, and quickly spreads to nearby population centers. Initially believed to be a bioterrorist attack, it later seems less likely, as the events increase in ever smaller population centers.
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, John Leguizamo, Zooey Deschanel
Genre: THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: I like M. Night Shyamalan a lot, from Wide Awake to Lady in the Water, I truly like his films. However, The Happening was the first time I really wanted my money back. M. Night usually gets some great performances out of his actors, but this was not the case. In fact, I have seen better performances from Sci-Fi channel movies which is odd since I know that Zooey, Wahlberg and Leguizamo can actually give some amazing performances. The film has few creepy moments and the dialogue is often horrible, but it could have been the dull and monotone delivery of it. This was unrelentingly bad, kind of embarrassingly so which makes the disappointment so much more…disappointing.
1.5/4 popcorns
143. Ballad of Jack and Rose (2004)
Plot: Jack (Day-Lewis) and his 16-year-old daughter Rose (Belle) live in relative isolation on a beautiful island off the East Coast. When he invites his mainland girlfriend (Keener) and her two teenage sons to come live with them, it is Rose's first exposure to society - and sexuality. As worlds collide, the consequences will threaten not only Jack and Rose's way of life but also their unusually close bond.
Starring: Camilla Belle, Daniel Day-Lewis, Catherine Keener, Paul Dano
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 41 min
Comments: Brought to the screen by Rebecca Miller who is the daughter of Arthur Miller and the wife of Daniel Day Lewis, the Ballad of Jack and Rose is a story of a loving father and daughter and what happens when their lives change. It’s a strange film full of symbolism and some fairly heavy themes such as forbidden love. We see how powerful love is, but also how destructive it can be as well. The characters well played by the actors and symbolism prevalent throughout, sometimes blatantly so. Sometimes the dialogue isn’t the best and things tend to be a bit busy at times. However, the overall film is delightful and I cannot wait to see Camilla Belle in more things (provided they aren’t more 10,000 BC in nature).
3/4 popcorns
142. Red (2005)
Plot: An older, reclusive man, Avery, (Brian Cox) has a best friend in his dog RED. When three teens kill Red for no reason, Avery sets out for justice and redemption, attempting to follow the letter of the law. But when the law fails him, and the boys' father (Tom Sizemore) clearly defines right and wrong in his own way, Avery must use whatever means possible.
Starring: Brian Cox, Noel Fisher, Tom Sizemore, Kyle Gallner
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 38 min
Comments: What a wonderful film. Brian Cox is amazing as a man who just wants someone to apologize and admit what they did was wrong. Based on a story by Jack Ketchum, it is more than a thriller and a story of revenge. It is about a man with a troubled past and the frustrations at getting justice and redress for a crime that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. I love Lucky McKee, of May fame which is a movie I adore, and as one of the directors the vision he gives is a joy to watch. It’s a serious and tense drama with breathtaking performances. Worth watching.
3.75/4 popcorns
141. Swimming Upstream (2002)
Plot: As the target of his father Harold's (Geoffrey Rush) drunken abuse, young Tony Fingleton (Jesse Spencer) escapes to the underwater solitude of the local pool, where he aspires to win his father's love by becoming a national swimming champion. But when his cruel father pits Tony against his own brother in a competition to make the Olympic team, Tony must find the courage to swim his way to victory... and out of his father's emotionally crippling net.
Starring: Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, Jesse Spencer,
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 37 min
Comments: Judy Davis and Geoffrey Rush are two amazing actors and between them and the typical sports movie plot, I decided it would be fun to watch. It was okay. Geoffrey Rush is amazing as a loathsome and tortured soul who takes a lot out on his family. Jesse Spencer, of House fame, plays one of his sons. It’s not a bad film, but drags in places and none of the characters are fully actualized. And if it were not for Rush and Davis, the film would have been truly bad. More of a, if you’re bored and really love swimming, then watch it sort of flick.
2.5/4 popcorns
140. The Orphanage (2007)
Plot: The Orphanage centers on a Laura (Belén Rueda) who purchases her beloved childhood orphanage with dreams of restoring and reopening the long abandoned facility as a place for disabled children. Once there, Laura discovers that the new environment awakens her sons imagination, but the ongoing fantasy games he plays with an invisible friend quickly turn into something more disturbing.
Starring: Belen Rueda, Roger Pincep, Fernando Cayo
Genre: THRILLER/SUSPENSE/HORROR
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Comments: A second time around and the film is still eerie and thrilling and sad. And let me say you will still never *ever* see me play 1,2,3 knock on the wall. Ever. It’s a great film, one of my favorites this year.
4/4 popcorns
139. Mirrors (2008)
Plot: Ben Carson (Kiefer Sutherland) is an ex-cop dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome, who takes a job as a night watchman at an old luxury department store that was burned in a large fire. Soon after he begins his job, Ben is haunted by horrific visions in the large mirrors of the store at night. These entities begin to pursue him and his family, watching them through all reflective surfaces Ben's family is near. In a desperate race to save himself and his estranged family from harm, Ben attempts to unveil the sordid story that these spirits want him to bring to light...before it is too late.
Starring: Kiefer Sutherland, Paula Patton Amy Smart
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 50 min
Comments: I should have known the movie was going to be bad the moment I knew it was an Asian remake. I have enjoyed Aja’s other outings (remake of The Hills Have Eyes and High Tension) and was intrigued. Sadly the film misses on almost every note. It’s far too long, the dialogue was atrocious at times and the turn to a monster movie at the end of the film had me giggling in the theatre (seriously a demon in the mirrors and you have a nun whose faith apparently has no faith). The film is atmospheric though and the dilapidated department store with its eerie mannequins are some of the creepiest moments. Then they get ruined by poor dialogue, a phoned in performance by Keifer and a story that is disappointing which is sad since the first five minutes of the film showed the potential it could have had. Woefully not what I expected.
2/4 popcorns
138. Shooter (2007)
Plot: Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg) a former Marine Corps sniper who leaves the military after a mission goes bad. After he is reluctantly pressed back into service Swagger is double-crossed again. With two bullets in him and the subject of a nationwide manhunt Swagger begins his revenge which will take down the most powerful people in the country.
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover, Kate Mara, Elias Koteas
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 2 hrs 5 min
Comments: Its not Training Day, but it was a nice popcorn film. You can expect explosions, gun battles, and Mark Wahlberg looking all too masculine and surprisingly convincing as a marksman. My only problem was Danny Glover and the mouth full of cotton that made him lisp and sound like…well he had a mouth full of cotton. It was distracting. Overall, it’s a great little action filled romp.
3/4 popcorns
137. Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
Plot: Families come in many different shapes and sizes, but few humans consider rodents members of the family. Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is no exception, so when this flailing musician finds three young talking chipmunks gorging themselves in his kitchen cupboards, Dave is quick to question his sanity and then toss the offending chipmunks outside into the rain and restore order. When Dave hears the chipmunks singing outside his window, he realizes that that unusual trio might just be the world's next vocal sensation and he strikes a bargain with them--the chipmunks can stay with him if they sing his songs.
Starring: Jason Lee, David Cross, Justin Long
Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY
Time: 1 hr 32 min
Comments: I had no desire to see this as I was a fan of Alvin and the Chipmunks when I was a child. However, my nieces had other ideas and really wanted to watch it, so I sat down preparing to endure the worst, see Garfield for what I am referring to. Maybe it was the giggles of my nieces, but it wasn’t too bad. There was some of the prevalent poop and fart jokes that seem to be in kids movies these days, but it was fairly harmless and dare I say, cute. It’s predictable, anti-climatic, and pure fluff. But it’s for kids and the kids seem to love it.
2.5/4 popcorns
136. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)
Plot: Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) owns and runs the most magical store in the universe where all of the toys for sale are alive. But when the aging shopkeeper decides to retire and sell the business to his faithful cashier (Natalie Portman) he hires an uptight accountant (Jason Bateman) to get his affairs in order.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman
Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY
Time: 1 hr 34 min
Comments: I have one thing to say…can I work at that store? This was a great little film full of magic and fun. It has an excellent cast including Jason Bateman, the counting mutant, who makes me smile whenever he is on the screen. The visual effects are great and I enjoyed the story. My only real problem with the film is the last ten minutes. I wanted Molly to sit at the piano and play as it is what we have been anticipating throughout the film instead of her almost awkward conducting of her symphony. But it is a small flaw and did not deter my overall enjoyment of the film. It’s a delightful and enchanting little film.
3.75/4 popcorns
135. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (2008)
Plot: The mythical world starts a rebellion against humanity in order to rule the Earth, so Hellboy and his team must save the world from the rebellious creatures.
Starring: Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, Luke Goss
Genre: COMIC/ACTION/ADVENTURE
Time: 2 hrs
Comments: I was a big fan of the first film and of Del Toro in general, so it was hardly a surprise that I went and saw this when it came to theatres. The first one is flawed, but fun. The Golden Army seemed to pick up on those flaws and fix them. The story is more intriguing, the characters more fleshed out including a villain you can not help but empathize with, and the art direction breathtaking. This is one of those films that you can watch again and again and notice the little creatures in the background, the meticulous set design that may only be on screen for a minute but fits oh so well. I was also happy to see that Doug Jones finally got to fully play Abe instead of just his physical portrayal. The man is a genius and his Angel of Death was truly scary. The film is funny, full of adventure, visually stunning and I was not bored for one moment. I cannot wait to see it again.
4/4 popcorns
134. The Dark Knight (2008)
Plot: Allied with both the police department and the district attorney’s office, the vigilante known as Batman continues to bring justice and hope to Gotham City. But one man dares to mock Batman’s mission. A man with a twisted sense of humor. A man whose grotesque smile is reflected on the calling card he leaves at the scene of his crimes: The Joker.
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart
Genre: COMIC/ACTION/ADV
Time: 2 hrs 32 min
Comments: The Dark Knight lives up to its name in that it is deliciously dark in both its tone and its look. And you have one hell of a villain in The Joker. In fact, Heath Ledger pulled him off brilliantly. He is by far the best Joker on screen. He is charismatic, brutal, funny, and functional psychopath who is manipulative and can muster very little empathy for anything other than his own interests. He is everything I wanted him to be and more from his mannerisms, look and voice. Finally he wasn’t some snarky clown, but a brutal killer with a twisted sense of humor. He was the perfect villain for Batman always wanting to push, never believing that the bat could really be incorruptible. Alfred said it best, “Some men aren't looking for anything logical. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” Knowing that there will not be any more of Ledger’s performance makes me sad because I didn’t feel like I got enough of him in this one and I definitely want more. By the way…magic trick with the pencil. Made of awesome. I did enjoy this movie as a whole and I think the more I watch the more I will like it. I had extremely high expectations and add in the death of a brilliant actor the film had a very high order to fill. Nolan continues to impress and I cannot wait to see what he come sup with next.
4/4 popcorns
133. 10,000 B.C. (2008)
Plot: young hunter D Leh (Steven Strait) set out on a bold trek to rescue his kidnapped beloved (Camilla Belle) and fulfill his prophetic destiny. He ll face an awesome saber-toothed tiger. Cross uncharted realms. Form an army. And uncover an advanced but corrupt Lost Civilization. There he will lead a fight for liberation and become the champion of the time when legend began.
Starring: Camilla Belle, Steven Strait, Cliff Curtis
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 49 min
Comments: Expect nothing except for ridiculous action sequences and pretty people with artfully placed dirt on them wearing skins and furs. If you want to see woolly mammoths wreak havoc on pyramids, see emus with razor sharp teeth and other quasi stone age things, this is the movie for you. It’s cheesy, but so obviously so, that you can’t help but be entertained because honestly who had high expectations for this thing. It makes a great MST3K film by the way. Wait for it to show up on TV.
2/4 popcorns
132. Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
Plot: A case of mistaken identity lands Slevin into the middle of a war being plotted by two of the city's most rival crime bosses: The Rabbi and The Boss. Slevin is under constant surveillance by relentless Detective Brikowski as well as the infamous assassin Goodkat and finds himself having to hatch his own ingenious plot to get them before they get him.
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Morgan Freeman
Genre: COMEDY/ACTION
Time: 1 hr 49 min
Comments: What fun. I cannot believe it took me this long to watch this. The dialogue is great, the performances just as wonderful and enough clever plot twists, action, in this little jigsaw puzzle of mistaken identity to make me one very happy viewer. I am a fan of black humor and was pleasantly surprised by how the movie turned out because the trailer was a bit misleading. Definitely worth watching.
3.5/4 popcorns
131. Nearing Grace (2005)
Plot: High school senior Henry Nearing has to cope with the death of his mother and is also forced to come to terms with evolving from a self-absorbed and confused adolescent to accepting the responsibilities of early adulthood. Unfortunately his father Shep and his older brother Blair (David Moscow) don t offer any kind of guidance and find themselves detaching at the seams. His father quits his teaching job buys a motorcycle and becomes a perpetual drunk while his brother takes off to live as a transient doper. To make things even more complicated Henry has two young women on his mind: the sexy wealthy and very popular Grace and childhood friend Merna (Ashley Johnson)--one drives him crazy the other keeps him sane. Based on the novel of the same name by Scott Somer
Starring: Gregory Smith, David Morse, Jordana Brewstrer
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Comments: It was a nice little indie coming of age story. Though I never watched Everwood, I recognized Gregory Smith and he did a good job in this as did the always fantastic David Morse. There are flaws in this. There is no chemistry between two characters that really need it and the dialogue isn’t always the best. There is a lot of potential in the film and it doesn’t always reach it. However, like most coming of age flicks I liked it and didn’t wish I had my two hours back.
2.5/4 popcorns
130. Dead Mary (2007)
Plot: An innocent childhood rhyme uttered by a group of vacationing high school friends brings a devious killer back to life in DEAD MARY. Plenty of gore and violence ensues as the friends are picked off in classic slasher-film mode.
Starring: Dominique Swain, Maggie Castle
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 43 min
Comments: I like horror films from slasher to zombie to atmospheric suspense. Is this film flawed? Yep. Could it have been decent? Yep. Was it? Nope. The first half is horrible and dull and boring, if not scarily predictable. Characters are brought up (one of their group is missing, but it never pans out anywhere which could have been interesting), plot holes widen and I really didn’t mind some of the characters meeting their demise. In fact sometimes I was hoping it would come quicker. However, it does have its moments. The mutual suspicion plotline works as does the reanimated corpse and are they or are they not still your loved one is great. Watch only when you are really bored and you seem to have misplaced all of your good horror DVDs.
2/4 popcorns
129. I’m Reed Fish (2007)
Plot: Reed Fish (Jay Baruchel) hosts a radio call-in show whose audience is as loyal in spirit as it is infinitesimal in size. His listener-ship is comprised exclusively of the citizens of Mud Meadows, a small town discreetly nestled in the pine-encrusted mountains of Southern California (the movie was filmed in the scenic Big Bear area). Although he's come to be known as "The Voice of Mud Meadows" for keeping the town folk apprised on issues of concern to the local community, Fish really isn't all that happy with his life. When an old high school crush returns to his small hometown Reed Fish's once simple calculated life begins to unravel. A drunken incident prompts Reed's fiancee (Alexis Bledel) and the entire town to turn against him.
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Alexis Bledel, Schuyler Fisk, Katey Sagal
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 33 min
Comments: This charming Indie comedy was recommended by someone on one of my Shelfari groups and when I saw that it was on, I had to give it a try. It was an adorable little film, a clever little movie within a movie and had a tone that reminded me a bit of Prairie Home Companion. It was relatable because the characters are intensely likable. One of the reasons I really liked it was Schuyler Fisk who has been on my ipod playlist for some time after a song she sang with Joshua Radin on the ‘Last Kiss’ soundtrack (‘Paperweight’) and her cute little song from the film Penelope (‘Waking Life’). Her performance at the local bar is amazing. Great little film that leaves you smiling afterwards.
2.5/4 popcorns
128. Bobby (2006)
Plot: A re-telling of the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968. The film follows 22 individuals who are all at the hotel for different purposes but share the common thread of anticipating Kennedy's arrival at the primary election night party which would change their lives forever. This historic night is set against the backdrop of the cultural issues gripping the country at the time including racism sexual inequality and class differences.
Starring: Martin Sheen, Shia Lebeouf, Anthony Hopkins, Helen Hunt
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 59 min
Comments: I must admit that most of what I know about Bobby Kennedy is from history book sin school as it was before my time, so I was curious to see the film on that alone. It also had a very impressive cast list which helped as well. However, instead of focusing on Bobby the film is more about the people who were at the hotel or surrounded Kennedy before he was shot interspersed with actual footage of the man who was well on his way to becoming president. One thing that was depressing for me was the hope that surrounded Bobby and the cast did a great job of showing that eagerness for change and then seeing it fall apart. The entire cast is great, but the ones who stand out for me were Laurence Fishburne, William H Macy and Elijah Wood. Sometimes it was a bit scattered but overall a great film from Mr. Emilio Estevez.
3/4 popcorns
127. Restoration (1995)
Plot: Robert Downey Jr. plays Robert Merivel, King Charles II's (Sam Neill) spirited young physician in 17th-century England. The king offers to set Merivel up for life in exchange for one small favor: marry the royal mistress (Polly Walker) to provide his highness some cover for his philandering. But Merivel blows it by falling in love with the woman, and he is cast out of his pampered paradise to reinvent himself as a serious man helping victims of the plague beyond the palace's walls.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Sam Neil, Meg Ryan, David Thewlis
Genre: DRAMA/COSTUME
Time: 1 hr 53 min
Comments: I have said it before and will say it again, I love costume dramas. They make me happy. Add Robert Downey Jr into the mix and I am a happy camper. Plus you have Ian McKellen, Meg Ryan and David Thewlis in small but memorable parts as well. Of course the costumes and the setting are eye candy, but the story is about one man’s journey and its his restoration not just the period in which the film takes place that gives the film its title. I will admit the pacing is sometimes off and there are some flawed moments, but over all I really like it. If you are a fan of Robert Downey Jr or costume dramas, don’t miss this one.
3/4 popcorns
126. Crow: City of Angels (1996)
Plot: After a brutal attack by an evil drug cartel, the murder victim (Perez) is brought back to life by a mysterious crow. With the help of a beautiful woman named Sarah (Kirshner), he exacts revenge on his killers one by one ... only to realize his enemy, the lethal Judah, has discovered the one weakness that can destroy him forever!
Starring: Vincent Perez, Mia Kirschner, Iggy Pop
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: Here’s what I have to say about the Crow series of films. The first is the best both visually and plot wise. The second is pretty to look at, but the story isn’t there. The third has a decent story, boring to look at it and well we’re just going to forget that Wicked Prayer ever happened because that is one of my favorite Crow stories turned into an Uwe Boll type of film. The problem with the second film is they were trying to make Vincent Perez into Brandon Lee (Same makeup, etc) instead of just treating it as another Crow story. The screenwriter even felt the need to tie in an adult Sarah from the first Crow film. The film does have a stronger second act, but is a bit sloppy and messy in the first half. One of my favorite Crow stories involves a female crow whose school and the children she cared for is blown to bits by racists who didn’t really approve of a minority government official. Would be nice to have a strong female character. Also would have been nice to have a decent version of Wicked Prayer. Anyway, don’t discount this one entirely. It’s not that bad. Plus I own it.
2.5/4 popcorns
125. Peaceful Warrior (2006)
Plot: Dan Millman is a top gymnast at U. C. Berkley yet despite his many successes he feels empty and incomplete inside. Plagued by dreams of failure Dan is unable to sleep and finds himself wandering the streets in the early hours of the morning. When he stops at an all night gas station and service mart he meets a man of unconventional wisdom who begins to instruct him on the process of clearing his mind of all the useless garbage it contains in order to view himself and the world around him in a brand new way.
Starring: Nick Nolte, Scott Mechlowicz, Amy Smart
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 1 min
Comments: I saw this movie for free when it was in theatres and for a free movie it wasn’t bad. It has its flaws, but I am a sucker for the formulaic sports film though this has bit more of a motivational speaking sort of bent to it. Then I watched it again. Still good. I don’t think the film is preachy when it gets into the self help sort of territory where living in the moment and focusing on the present. The inspirational elements work probably because it is what we expect when it comes to sports films. I liked it.
3/4 popcorns
124. The Dead Girl (2006)
Plot: In Los Angeles, a story about a dead girl, told in five chapters. A woman, miserable in her circumscribed life caring for her domineering mother, finds a body. Somehow, this discovery allows her to change. At the morgue, the sister of a girl missing for 15 years believes the body is that of her sister; this liberates her. An older woman, married to a man who pays her little attention, finds evidence in a storage unit; how will she handle it? The mother of the dead girl, who left home some years before, visits the last place her daughter lived and makes her own discoveries. Last, we flash back to the victim's final day. Starring: Toni Collette, Giovanni Ribisi, Brittany Murphy
Genre: CRIME/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 27 min
Comments: Wow. I had heard a bit of buzz about this film a while back but kind of forgot about it when it didn’t come to my neck of the woods. Then I caught it on one of my movie channels. Great film. Depressing, but complex and raw and great. There are amazing performances by everyone from Toni Collette to Rose Byrne who is hoping the dead girl is her sister just so she can move on to Mary Beth Hurt and Nick Searcy who run a storage unit business and nothing is as it seems. Each little vignette can be its own film, however the stories all revolve around the dead girl in question. Great film.
3.25/4 popcorns
123. Van Wilder 2: Rise of the Taj (2006)
Plot: Taj Mahal Badalandabad leaves Coolidge College behind for the halls of Camford University in England, where he looks to continue his education, and teach an uptight student how to make the most out of her academic career.
Starring: Kal Penn, Lauren Cohan
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 37 min
Comments: I like Kal Penn (The Namesake is very good and I like him on House) and parts of the first Van Wilder made me smile (most notably whenever Ryan Reynolds was on the screen and the line of ‘Are you stalking me? Cause that would be super). This was formulaic, short on the laughs, big on the crude humor, but you like Taj which helps a lot. Which is why it isn’t getting just one star. If you’re bored for 97 min, go for it.
2/4 popcorns
122. Wall*E (2008)
Plot: What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL*E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL*E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans.
Starring: Wall*E, Eve and other assorted cute robots
Genre: CHILDREN/ANIMATED
Time: 1 hr 37 min
Comments: I think I fell in love with Wall*e the moment I saw the first trailer. He’s far too cute. Of course the cuteness began with the opening cartoon which involves a magician’s rabbit and what happens when the magician neglects to feet him. I giggled far too much. And then the film began. Its pretty to look at it and not only is Wall*e adorable, but I don’t think I’ve ever ‘aw’d’ over a cockroach until now. I love his curiosity. I love that he collects things that he finds fascinating. Yeah he’d a robot and technically should not be able to do anything he’s not programmed to do, but it’s a kid’s movie. Is there a message? Yes. But more than just a commentary on our consumer culture, but how we have stopped learning to communicate with one another, face to face. I loved it. Will definitely add it to my Pixar collection.
3.5/4 popcorns
121. In the Name of the King (2008)
Plot: The life of a simple family man named Farmer (Jason Statham) is changed forever when a horrifying army of animal-like warriors known as Krugs who are controlled by the evil Gallian (Ray Liotta) invade his village murder his son and kidnap his wife. Farmer sets out on a momentous journey to get his wife back and along the way encounters magic and adventure as the quest soon reveals his real destiny in the kingdom.
Starring: Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Ron Perlman, Claire Forliani
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 2 hrs 7 min
Comments: I detest Uwe Boll. In fact, I signed a petition hoping he would be forced to stop ruining perfectly good video games by turning them into horrible movies. So why did I watch this film? Cause I kind of have a crush on Jason Statham and figured I could be multitasking while watching it. I still mystified on how Uwe gets some of these people to do his films. If Jason Statham needs money that badly, I will proudly be his Sugar mama. Same goes with Matthew Lillard. So what does the tragedy begin? Where doesn’t it? The dialogue is horrible, the acting just as horrid and even the fight scenes yawn worthy. It’s bad enough that we are expected to believe that a farmer is half ninja with the way he fights, but then we have to endure the Uwe Boll version of LOtR. John Rhys-Davies is the only person who was even remotely decent in the film, but is underused and even he couldn’t have saved it. Though Ron Perlman gives it a go as well. And did it really need to be 2 hours? Avoid this. But then again you were probably going to anyway.
1.75/4 popcorns
120. The Eye (2008)
Plot: Blind violinist Sydney Wells undergoes a corneal transplant to restore her sight. With the help of her doctor and her sister Helen, Sydney learns to see again. Unfortunately, the surgery leaves some creepy side effects, and Sydney's sanity soon comes into question when she starts seeing supernatural beings.
Starring: Jessica Alba, Alessandro Nivola, Parker Posey
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 37 min
Comments: I knew I was going to be disappointed, but I watched it anyway. I love the original film. While it has flaws, it some great creepy scenes including my favorite which is the elevator scene. But this was just a mess. There is no eerie quality to it, no suspense so when the jump scares happen I found myself rolling my eyes. I couldn’t help but compare each scene to the original. One thing it did do marginally well was tying the two halves of the movie together which is a bit disjointed in the original. The final act is fairly decent. However, stick with the original. This one doesn’t even come close.
2/4 popcorns
119. Clerks II (2006)
Plot: 10 years later Dante and Randal are working at a fast-food restaurant and Dante considers leaving the clerk life behind for greener pastures.
Starring: Jeff Anderson, Brian O’Halloran, Rosario Dawson
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 37 min
Comments: I love the original Clerks film, but this one was just so so for me. I didn’t feel like it hit its stride until about half way through and then I was enjoying myself. I love Dante and Randal. It’s just not as charming as the original and the dialogue not as witty. For me it was a bit uninspiring and lowbrow retreads of the original. However, if you are a Kevin Smith fan, its worth the watch. I will have to admit Pillow Pants made me giggle.
2/4 popcorns
118. Brothers of the Head (2006)
Plot: In the 1970s a music promoter plucks Siamese twins from obscurity and grooms them into a freakish rock'n'roll act. A dark tale of sex, strangeness and rock music.
Starring: Harry and Luke Treadaway, Jonathan Pryce, Sean Harris
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 33 min
Comments: A realistic mockumentary about two conjoined twins who front a punk act in England in the late seventies. Part of the film is interviews on the highs and lows of the brothers, part of is it is a character study of the two people connected in ways that are hard to understand. Here are two young men exploited for money and fame. Drugs, sex, smoking, alcohol, all become part of their daily existence as they fall into a world they never would have been part of. And then the world fell down. The ending is touching and sad, but expected. A great little piece.
3/4 popcorns
117. Masters of Horror: Family (2006)
Plot: Harold is a seemingly peaceful neighbor in a quiet Midwestern neighborhood, but underneath, he's a murderous psychopath who sets his eyes on a couple that have moved in across the street.
Starring: George Wendt, Meredith Monroe, Matt Kesslar
Genre: HORROR
Time: 58 min
Comments: I think this may be my favorite Masters of Horror outside of Sick Girl. Directed by John Landis, it is a quirky and deranged little piece with Norm from Cheers. George Wendt is great as a psychopath who has a ‘family’ of skeletons that talk to him. He’s likable in that extremely dark deranged way. I really liked this one.
3/4 popcorns
116. Basic Instinct 2 (200)
Plot: Novelist Catherine Tramell (Stone) is once again in trouble with the law, and Scotland Yard appoints psychiatrist Dr. Michael Glass (Morrissey) to evaluate her. Though, like Detective Nick Curran before him, Glass is entranced by Tramell and lured into a seductive game.
Starring: Sharon Stone, David Morrissey, David Thewlis, Indira Varma
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 54 min
Comments: I am still really not sure why I decided to watch this. I think I should get a gold star just for finishing it because it is a really bad film. And when I say bad I mean everything is horrible – bad acting, bad direction, sloppy editing, and laughable dialogue. Not that the original Basic Instinct is Oscar worthy, but I somehow expected…well something more. The plot is just a mess and the ending is stupid and completely unbelievable.
1.75/4 popcorns
115. The Faculty (1998)
Plot: A horror tale set in a High School where the students suspect the teaching staff of being aliens, who are intent on making the students their victims.
Starring: Elijah Wood, Jordana Brewster, Clea Duvall, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 44 min
Comments: I love this movie. Put Scream scribe Kevin Williamson and Robert Rodriguez together and you have a great little flick. Using the premise of your teachers being aliens (I think we’ve all thought this at one point in our life) and playing with Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the film boasts Robert Patrick, Piper Laurie, Bebe Neuwirth, Christopher McDonald, Jon Stewart and Famke Jansen as the adults in this teen creature feature. It’s funny. It’s slick. And completely worth watching if not owning it like me. Decent Soundtrack as well.
3/4 popcorns
114. Troll (2008)
Plot: A wicked troll king in search of a mystical ring that will return him to his human form invades a San Francisco apartment complex where a powerful witch lives.
Starring: Noah Hathaway, Michael Moriarty, Shelley Hack, June Lockhart
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 22 min
Comments: I grew up on this flick and it belongs with those cheesy horror flicks like Ghoulies or Critters. I think even as an adolescent I recognized its badness, but loved it anyway. It is why I still like movies like Ice Pirates despite their badness. Did you really expect it to be good? After all, it is a film about a troll taking over an apartment building and turning it into a world of Faerie. My favorite part? When the trolls sing. Plus not every film can boast Sonny Bono, Elaine from Seinfeld, Atreyu from the Never Ending Story and both June and Anne Lockhart or that the lead character is named Harry Potter. Troll can though.
2/4 popcorns
113. Wanted (2008)
Plot: Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is a neurotic accounts manager who works in a small cubical filling out billing reports day end and day out. He allows his boss and his girlfriend to walk all over him. To cope with his life, he takes anti-anxiety pills by the bottle full. Wesley has no desire to change his humdrum life, but one day while getting more pills at the drug store, he meets a beautiful woman in black, Fox (Angelina Jolie) who changes his life forever. Fox was sent to protect Wesley from the man who had just killed his father. Wesley thought his father had died soon after he was born. Fox tells Wesley, "that your father died yesterday on the rooftop of the Metropolitan Building and you are next". Wesley is recruited into the "Fraternity," a secret society of assassins that his father was a member. Fox must train Wesley to bring out his special powers that he was born with in order to avenge his father's death.
Starring: James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Thomas Kretschmann, Morgan Freeman
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 50 min
Comments: After seeing Daywatch and Nightwatch and not being overly impressed I had fairly low expectations on Wanted. It looked cool, but I wasn’t expecting much out of a plot. It did have James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie in it which helped. Also Thomas Kretschmann who is a new crush. I was pleasantly surprised. Almost everything worked for me in the film. It held my attention, was pretty to watch, and had a decent soundtrack by Danny Elfman. James McAvoy does a great job (so glad to see him in so many films now. I was hooked after seeing Children of Dune) of remaining likable from his wry sense of snark to action hero. Its one of the movies office workers can enjoy (though I haven’t discovered my assassin superpowers yet). I don’t think it takes itself too seriously. It’s fun, there are curving bullets and over the top action scenes. And save for the rats (which just made me giggle and roll my eyes) I enjoyed it. Great little summertime popcorn flick.
3/4 popcorns
112. The Zodiac (2005)
Plot: An elusive serial killer known as the Zodiac terrorizes the San Francisco Bay in the late 1960s, while detectives aim to stop him before he claims more victims. Based on a true story.
Starring: Justin Chambers, Robin Tunney, Rory Culkin, William Mapother
Genre: DRAMA/CRIME
Time: 1 hr 37 min
Comments: After seeing David Fincher’s Zodiac, I think I have seen the best film about the Zodiac Killer. Certainly Fincher’s film deserves the end quotation of "I am waiting for a good movie about me". Because this one does not deserve it. Robin Tunney does a great job, but Justin Chambers is horrible. His acting is wooden one minute and then over the top the next. The movie as a whole is just boring and bland and focuses too much on the detective, his quirky son, and his wife. There is no insight to the murders and when the police business is the focus it is incredibly boring. In short, it was bad and I would recommend Fincher’s Zodiac with Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr in a second.
2/4 popcorns
111. Devour (2005)
Plot: In Cheever Lake, the twenty-one years old Jake Gray (Jensen Ackles) has bloody nightmares while awake. His friends Conrad Dean (Teach Grant) and Dakota (Dominique Swain) apply him in a weird game called "The Pathway". Jake begins to mix reality with daydreams, while his closest friends die. Jake blames the game, which might be connected to the devil, for the deaths of his friends and decides to investigate the mystery.
Starring: Jensen Ackles, Shannyn Sossamon, Dominique Swain
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: It’s never good when I start to compare a film to a Sci-Fi Channel Original Movie. The beginning of the film didn’t start that way. In fact, it was fairly promising that a game begins to twist people around making them extremely violent as they give in to their own secret desires. And then it gets bad. Why do they start the game in the first place? Who is behind it? What really happened to Jake as a child? The answers to these questions are either not answered at all or poorly answered. And the conclusion? Laughable. Though I am sure Supernatural fans will get a kick out of seeing Jensen Ackles.
2/4 popcorns
110. Possession (200)
Plot: Roland Michell is an Americian trying to make it in the difficult world of British Academics. He has yet to break out from under his mentor's shadow until he finds a pair of love letters in the textbook that once belonged to one of his idols, a famous long dead Victorian poet. Michell, after some sleuthing around, narrows down the suspects to a woman not his wife, another well known Victorian poet. Roland enlists the aid of a Dr. Maud Bailey, an expert on the life of the woman in question. Together they piece together the story of a forbidden love affair, and discover one of their own.
Starring: Gwenyth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam, Jennifer Ehle
Genre: DRAMA/COSTUME
Time: 1 hr 42 min
Comments: I am a sucker for costume dramas. In fact, most of the romances that I like to be period dramas. It helps that I like Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam and Jennifer Ehle as well. I think I loved this film because it has that mystery intertwined with romance. There are secret clues, hidden treasures, and snippets of poetry that betray what really happened between two Victorian writers so many years ago. The performances are great and there is genuine chemistry. I loved it when I first saw it in theatres and I love it now.
4/4 popcorns
109. Lie With Me (2005)
Plot: An outgoing, sexually aggressive young woman meets and begins a torrid affair with an equally aggressive young man in which their affair begins to bring a strain on their personal lives.
Starring: Eric Balfour, Lauren Lee Smith, Polly Shannon
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 33 min
Comments: Can you have love and great sex? That’s the question posed with our lead character who loves sex, but eventually she wants though is afraid of a deeper commitment. When she meets Eric Balfour’s character she is instantly drawn to him. There is passion and heat and the two become addicted to those feelings. But what happens when you feel helpless in another’s arms, when the addiction to the physical becomes something more emotional? It’s a good little exploration and the onscreen chemistry between the two is palpable. I liked it.
2.75/4 popcorns
108. Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls (2008)
Plot: Famed archaeologist/adventurer Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones is called back into action when he becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia Lebeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 2 hrs 2 min
Comments: I love Indiana Jones. I love Shia and I adore Cate. But wow, this was bad. The first half didn’t start out that way. The dialogue, story, and even some of the action scenes were a bit over the top and yet believable in their own pleasantly absurd way. And then we had the nuclear explosion scene. *shakes head* Really, who came up with that? Killer Ants? Aliens? Cutesy creature moments? *sigh* This was what we waited 20 years for? There were some okay moments. I liked Shia. I loved the quicksand scene despite its absurdity. But overall this was a major disappointment. I think I’ll just stick with the first 3 Indys.
2/4 popcorns
107. Pulse (2001)
Plot: a group of young friends rocked by the sudden suicide of one of their own and his subsequent ghostly reappearance in grainy computer and video images. Is he trying to contact them from beyond the grave or is there something more sinister afoot? The mysterious floppy disk they find in the dead man's apartment may provide a clue but instead launches a program that seems to present odd ethereal transmissions of people engaged in solitary activities in their apartments. But there is something not quite right in the appearance and behavior of these lonely souls. Soon there are more strange deaths and disappearances within the group terrifying rooms sealed in red tape and the appearance of more ghosts as the city of Tokyo - and the world - is slowly drained of life.
Starring: Haruhiko Kato, Kimiko Aso
Genre: HORROR/FOREIGN
Time: 1 hr 59 min
Comments: I was expecting this to be better than the American remake because lets face it most of the remakes of the Asian horror films have been terrible (The Eye, One Missed Call). I am going to have to say I liked the American remake better. There were absolutely no scares in this film and even the creepiness factor wasn’t there for me (I don’t scare easily). It was too slow paced, too dull and the overall plot a bit too convoluted. I did like however that the underlying message seems to be how we are disconnected from one another, alone in our own little universes which differs from the dead using technology to be all menacing which is in the remake. Its more sad than it is scary and worth catching on tv, but that’s about it.
2/4 popcorns
106. Jackass 2 (2006)
Plot: Johnny Knoxville Bam Margera Steve-O and the entire crew from the popular MTV franchise return in the most insane DVD of the year jackass number two. Available in both rated and too hot for theaters unrated versions jackass number two pushes the limits with all-new stunts pants-wetting practical jokes fun with bears bees snakes bulls sharks and other REALLY bad ideas.
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Wee Man
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: I’m not sure why I watched. Apparently I love to see men who will never grow up do mean things to one another and take part in stunts you couldn’t pay me enough to partake in. The sequel is just as full of stunts, pranks, one-liners, nudity, laughter and contains such gems as "Beehive Limo", scaring the bejebus out of Bam with a defanged Cobra, Johnny catching Anacondas in a children’s ball pit and Fishing for Sharks with Steve-O as bait. Bam pleads at one point, "Please God, don't let there be a "Jackass 3". I can see why and yet I kind of enjoyed watching them go through all of it. A guilty pleasure for when you are bored.
2.25/4 popcorns
105. Failure to Launch (2006)
Plot: Matthew McConaughey is Tripp a 35 year-old who still lives with his parents. And who can blame him? Its free he’s got a great room and mom (Kathy Bates) does the laundry. Desperate to get him out of the house his parents hire a gorgeous woman Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) to give him a little push. They just didn’t expect Tripp would push back!
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew McConaughey, Zooey Deschanel
Genre: ROMANTIC COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 36 min
Comments: Predictably entertaining. It’s your typical romantic comedy albeit one with some quirks (the lead still living at home, naked rooms, random acts of violence by cute little animals towards our hero and a mockingbird). It gets the half star simply for Zooey Deschanel whom I adore and who is hilarious in this film. Actually most of the supporting cast is what really made me giggle. Its not the best, but I have also seen a lot worse.
2.5/4 popcorns
104. Home of the Brave (2006)
Plot: When Army medic Will Marsh (Samuel L. Jackson) and soldiers Vanessa Price (Jessica Biel) and Tommy Yates (Brian Presley) return to Spokane, Washington, major readjustment problems loom, mostly due to a chaotic ambush in a small Iraqi town. Will and his angry teenage son wage their own war, while Dad takes to the bottle; Vanessa's learning to cope with a prosthetic hand, while Tommy's grieving over the best buddy who died in the ambush and the loss of his job, girlfriend, and self-respect.
Starring: Jessica Biel, Samuel L Jackson,
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Comments: I understand what the film is trying to say, that war changes everything and those who have fought are forever changed as are those they left behind. However, the film glosses over most of it. The ambush at the beginning of the film was painfully obvious as were some other plot points later in the film. There are better films out there about soldier’s readjustments when returning home. Seek those out instead.
2/4 popcorns
103. An American Crime (2007)
Plot: Based on a true story that shocked the nation in 1965, the film recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. Sylvia and Jennie Fae Likens, the two daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the Indianapolis home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski and her seven children. Times are tough, and Gertrude's financial needs cause her to make this arrangement before realizing how the burden will push her unstable nature to a breaking point. What transpires in the next three months is both riveting and horrific.
Starring: Catherine Keener, Ellen Page, Bradley Whitford
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 32 min
Comments: Not for the faint of heart. The abuse that Sylvia endured is graphic and heart wrenching. The fact that the film is based on a true story makes it even more horrific considering how sadistic Gertrude was and how sociopathic some of the other children, including neighborhood children, were. Catherine Keener does an amazing job at making you despise her and Ellen Page shows that she is more than just ‘Juno’. What gets me is how Sylvia and Jenny’s parents leave their children with a woman they met that day. It’s hard to watch and not exactly a film you say to yourself, ‘I’m in the mood for this film’, but one I recommend none the less.
4/4 popcorns
102. Americano (2005)
Plot: Chris McKinley (Joshua Jackson) a recent college graduate backpacking through Europe savors his last three days of freedom before boarding the career fast track back in the States. In Pamplona for The Running of the Bulls with his best friend Ryan (Timm Sharp) and Ryan’s girlfriend Michelle (Ruthanna Hopper) Chris meets a quintessential Spanish beauty Adela (Leonor Varela) and an enigmatic provocateur Riccardo (Dennis Hopper) both of whom encourage him to rethink his life. As the minutes and seconds until his departure tick away Chris struggles with an age-old question should he follow the beaten path or risk it all on the road less traveled?
Starring: Joshua Jackson, Leonor Varela
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 25 min
Comments: Do what scares you. That is the overall theme of the film and done subtly with little dialogue, beautiful footage of Spain and Joshua Jackson who needs to marry me already. It’s introspective and it made me ponder my own life and the steps I am taking in the near future. I could have lived without Dennis Hopper’s character or even that of Chris’s friend Ryan whom I didn’t understand why Chris was friends with in the first place. Overall, it is a nice light sublime little film I’m glad I caught. Did I mention Joshua Jackson needs to marry me? *grin*
3/4 popcorns
101. Son of Rambow (2008)
Plot: Set in an average English town in 1982 the movie revolves around the interesting life of a 12-13 year old boy named Will whose family is part of a strict religious group that prohibits him from having any friends outside the group and strictly forbids him from watchings any TV or Movies. Without these usual sources of childhood entertainment Will finds other ways to pass the time, namely in drawing out his flourishing imagination that he scribbles and doodles all over the pages of his bible. One day Will unexpectedly crosses paths with the school terror Carter who also happens to be an amateur bootlegger at the local movie theater. Will, whose never seen a movie before is caught off guard when at Carters home he sees Rambo playing on the TV, the visuals of the movie explode in Will's imaginative mind and from there on out Will is forever changed. An unlikely friendship begins between Will and Carter as they begin production on Carter's home movie masterpiece, Son of Rambow. Starring: Neil Dudgeon, Will Poulter,
Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 36 min
Comments: I hadn’t heard a whole lot about this film going in so didn’t really know what to expect. What I saw was a charming little story that made me laugh, fondly remember my own childhood where my imagination got me into far too much trouble, and where friendship means everything. The performances are brilliant, the music great and sometimes the absolute absurdity of it all was exactly what I needed. A great little film, well worth catching in the theatres if you can.
4/4 popcorns
100. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Plot: Fugitive Dr. Bruce Banner must utilize the genetic accident that transforms him into a giant, rampaging hulk to stop a former soldier that purposely becomes an even more dangerous version.
Starring: Edward Norton, Tim Roth, Liv Tyler
Genre: ACTION/ADV/COMIC
Time: 1 hr 54 min
Comments: Hulk Smash! It’s no Iron Man and I have never been much of a fangirl for the big green guy. However, I also spent my childhood watching the old TV series with Bill Bixby so it has its own spot in my heart. I also absolutely love Edward Norton and have since I saw Primal Fear in the theatre. He plays Bruce as someone who is constantly on the run not only from the monster within, but from those who want to use that monster. As a reboot the film is great. As a shout out to comic fans, it also does its job well (Stan Lee, Lou Ferrigno, the theme to the old TV series and even a little TV cameo from the late Bill Bixby as well as many other little shout outs.) The CGI isn’t bad and the final showdown between Hulk and Abomination is pretty much made of awesome. I wasn’t a big Hulk fan going in, but now I kinda dig the green guy and having Tony Stark show up makes this geeker girl extremely excited for an Avengers film. One to watch on the big screen if you can.
3.5/4 popcorns
99. Jumper (2008)
Plot: David is a Jumper who can teleport himself anywhere in the world which creates a fun and exciting life. But things turn deadly when David finds himself pursued by a secret organization sworn to kill Jumpers. Forming an uneasy alliance with another Jumper he becomes a player in a war that has been raging for thousands of years.
Starring: Diane Lane, Hayden Christensen, Jaime Bell, Samuel L Jackson
Genre: THRILLER/SCI-FI
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: I almost wish that Jamie Bell had been the lead instead of Hayden because Hayden is horrible in this movie. In fact I was wishing Jamie Bell’s character was the lead that is wiser, more likable despite his extremely antisocial tendencies and better at his ability. The plot is rather nifty, just sadly wasted on a poor script and a terribly wooden performance. In fact, if we were supposed to feel anything for David, it just doesn’t happen. However, I give it an extra .5 because of Jamie Bell, clever editing, and a decent idea. Can they just not allow Hayden to do anymore (I hear its going to be a series)? Mindless entertainment, but entertaining nevertheless; you get what you expect.
2.5/4 popcorns
98. Quid Pro Quo (2008)
Plot: Isaac Knott (Nick Stahl) is a Public Radio reporter in New York City . When he was eight his mother and father died in an automobile accident that left him in a wheelchair. On air Isaac recounts how he recently received an anonymous tip from someone identified only as "Ancient Chinese Girl." She tells him a perfectly able-bodied man walked into an emergency ward downtown and attempted to bribe a doctor into amputating his leg. As Isaac investigates the eerie tip he encounters Fiona (Vera Farmiga) who through her own quandary leads Isaac to a netherworld of people afflicted with a perverse desire to be disabled.
Starring: Nick Stahl, Vera Farmiga
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 21 min
Comments: I was expecting a quirky and disturbing film like ‘Crash’, what I got was a drama with a bit of mystery thrown in. While the ‘wannabes’, the group that leads Isaac to ‘Ancient Chinese Girl’ in the first place bring the two together, they quickly take a back seat to the couple’s own tale. Both Nick Stahl and Vera Farmiga do a great job and you genuinely feel for both of them. It was a great little film.
3/4 popcorns
97. The Pink Panther (2006)
Plot: When a star soccer coach is murdered and his priceless Pink Panther diamond stolen France is in an uproar. Fortunately Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) is on the case. He doesn't have a clue but for Clouseau that's just a minor detail. With his partner Gilbert Ponton (Jean Reno) he careens from one misadventure to the next leaving mayhem in his wake from the boulevards of Paris to the streets of New York .
Starring: Steve Martin, Kevin Kline, Jean Reno
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 33 min
Comments: Meh. I love Steve Martin, but he is no Peter Sellers. Most of the humor is so predictable that it doesn’t really hit the way it should. And yet there are funny moments. Kevin Kline and Jean Reno are another couple of my fave actors and they are no slouches when it comes to comedy. They are all just in a movie that hinges completely on the one-liners and slapstick comedy. I think the old adage if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it will have to sum this film up. Watch the Sellers versions. However, any chance to see Clive Owen in a movie makes me a happy camper. Especially when he is parodying Bond.
2/4 popcorns
96. Urban Legends: Bloody Mary (2005)
Plot: On a prom-night dare, a trio of high-school friends chant an incantation, unleashing an evil spirit from the past with deadly consequences. That same night, the girls are abducted by a gang of high-school jocks. Once rescued, their tormentors receive their just desserts, dying one by one in a chain reaction of gruesome murders, each with a bizarre "Urban Legend" twist. Is it all just a high-school prank taken to grisly extremes - or has "Bloody Mary" returned from the grave to wreak her own vengeance?
Starring: Kate Mara, Robert Vito, Ed Marinaro
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 33 min
Comments: Better than I was expecting. I was expecting awful. I got just okay. For a straight to DVD release it didn’t rehash the first film (The only one I have seen) though the urban legend deaths abound. It’s a bit predictable and the killer practically had a glowing aura of its me dancing around them. And not everything makes sense. I have seen worse.
2/4 popcorns
95. Nacho Libre (2006)
Plot: Nacho (Jack Black) is a young man who was raised in a orphanage in Mexico and now works there as a cook. Fueled by his passion for lucha libre wrestling, he dons a mask and cape and picks up a partner to compete in a local Lucha Libre tournament to try for the 200-peso prize so he can buy better food for the kids and achieve respect. When a new nun, Sister Encarnación (Ana de la Reguera), arrives at the monastery, he tries to win her adoration as well, all while attempting to prove that being a Luchador isn't a sin and win the grand prize at a battle-royale tournament so he can buy a bus for the kids.
Starring: Jack Black, Hector Jimenez
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 40 min
Comments: I like Jack Black, really I do. Just not in this. The film was funny, ridiculous and something I can see a lot of kids enjoying. However, it just didn’t work for me though I cannot imagine anyone else but Black being in it.
2/4 popcorns
94. Soul Survivors (2001)
Plot: College freshman Cassandra "Cassie" (Melissa Sagemiller) steps into a nightmare of otherworldly visitations after surviving a devastating car accident. Haunted by a grim reaper of a far different kind, her only hope is to cling to chance encounters with her lost love Sean (Casey Affleck) and the aid of a mysterious young priest named Father Jude (Luke Wilson). It is the spirit of Sean, her soul mate, who guides her to love, but it is her friends Matt (Wes Bentley), Annabel (Eliza Dushku) and Annabel's morose friend Raven (Angela Featherstone) who try to draw her to the dark side.
Starring: Eliza Dushku, Casey Affleck, Wes Bentley
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 25 min
Comments: A movie with Eliza Dushku and Casey Affleck, okay I will bite. Not sure why I did. Its not that the film had potential, it does as a decent psychological thriller, but it’s badly convoluted and jumps all over the place without really explaining anything. I was left feeling more confused than anything over the jumbled mess. A shame because I like most of the actors. Meh.
2/4 popcorns
93. Dead Birds (2004)
Plot: When a group of criminals on the run after a bank robbery take refuge in an abandoned house, they have no idea what evil they have come upon. Isolated and presumed deserted, the house is anything but safe...As the night wears on and a thunderstorm grows outside, each member of the group begins to have visions of the atrocities that occurred within the house, haunting it forever. Voices in the well, visions of mangled bodies and clawing under the stairs plague their waking hours. As the fear in the group begins to grow and the supernatural forces in the house start to manifest themselves, the group turn on each other and exact the wrath of the soul trapped within the walls
Starring: Patrick Fugit, Henry Thomas, Isaiah Washington, Nicki Aycox
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: Nothing good ever happens in corn fields. You would think that the characters would know this. Of course they don’t. It had a great little cast, a creepy little story and some nice creature effects. It’s a typical ghost story once they get to the plantation albeit one with a bit of a twist that I am still a bit confused on. But overall I liked it.
2.5/4 popcorns
92. An American Haunting (2006)
Plot: Based on true events validated by the State of Tennessee of the only case in US History where a spirit or entity caused the death of a man.
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, Rachel Hurd Wood
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: It wasn’t the spookiest tale nor did it really make sense why Betsy was tormented especially considering what the ending suggests, but it does have some great little moments and the actors do a decent job with the weak script. It is Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek after all.
2/4 popcorns
91. See No Evil (2006)
Plot: A group of delinquents are sent to clean the Blackwell Hotel. Little do they know reclusive psychopath Jacob Goodnight (Jacobs) has holed away in the rotting hotel. When one of the teens is captured, those who remain -- a group that includes the cop who put a bullet in Goodnight's head four years ago -- band together to survive against the brutal killer.
Starring: Kane, Christina Vidal, Samantha Noble
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 25 min
Comments: To say I had low expectations is an understatement. I didn’t even have expectations. So when a film is so clichéd and horrible that I can’t even finish watching it, you know it is truly, truly horrible. And I like those clichéd slasher flicks. The movie goes wrong from the moment the group of teens show up to an abandoned hotel which still mysteriously has running water, electricity, a working elevator and surprisingly small amounts of dust and disrepair and it only gets worse from there. Stay far far away.
1/4 popcorns
90. Pride (2007)
Plot: Based on true events PRIDE is the inspiring story of Jim Ellis a charismatic schoolteacher in the 1970s who changed lives forever when he founded an African-American swim team in one of Philadelphia s roughest neighborhoods.
Starring: Terence Howard, Bernie Mac, Tom Arnold
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 48 min
Comments: Like all underdog sports films it is fairly formulaic and even cliché in nature. Then again, would we watch a film where everyone works really hard only to fail miserably? That aside you need to care and root for the characters and you do. You like Terence Howard. He’s a good guy, he’s inspiring and you root for him and his kids all the way. It has a couple of flaws, but not enough to make it bad or even lackluster. Enjoyable little flick.
3.25/4 popcorns
89. National Treasure 2 (2007)
Plot: Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage), the treasure hunter who feverishly sought, in the first film, the whereabouts of a war chest hidden by America’s forefathers, is now charged with protecting family honor. When a rival (Ed Harris) offers alleged proof that Gates’ ancestor, Thomas Gates, was not a Civil War-era hero but a participant in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Ben and his father (Jon Voight) and crew (Justin Bartha, Diane Kruger) hopscotch through Paris, London, Washington DC, and South Dakota to gather evidence refuting the claim.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Krueger, Ed Harris
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 2 hrs 4 min
Comments: I liked the first one. It’s a popcorn film and this one, though not as great as the first still kind of fun. Riley is still funny, Helen Mirren is a welcome addition and though I like Sean Bean as a villain more than Ed Harris, Harris was still good. Sure the plot is a bit unbelievable and full of holes, but you take it for what it’s worth. A bit of a letdown and yet I was still entertained.
3/4 popcorns
88. The Strangers (2008)
Plot: After returning from a wedding reception, a couple staying in an isolated vacation house receive a knock on the door in the mid-hours of the night. What ensues is a violent invasion by three strangers, their faces hidden behind masks. The couple find themselves in a violent struggle, in which they go beyond what either of them thought capable in order to survive.
Starring: Scott Speedman, Liv Tyler
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: Save for the last minute and a half, I enjoyed it. It’s a simple story. There are no Jigsaw characters, no clever back story on why the villain is doing what he or she is doing. “You were home” is simple enough. There is a mounting tension, and despite characters doing some horror movie clichés it never crosses that line into a slasher flick. It’s believable. Its disturbing and works for me. Worth catching in your cheap seats theatre or renting.
3.5/4 popcorns
87. Sex and the City (2008)
Plot: A New York writer on sex and love is finally getting married to her Mr. Big. But her three best girlfriends must console her after one of them inadvertently leads Mr. Big to jilt her.
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, Chris Noth, Kristin Davis
Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 28 min
Comments: I loved the show and found the series finale charming. I didn’t really need a film, but was willing to go and see it. I was disappointed. In the two and a half hours, I caught the occasional glimpse of the show I adore, but it was largely flat and many of the characters didn’t seem to be themselves. Sadly, Jennifer Hudson’s token character was pointless. Which is a shame. She just didn’t fit. In the end, minus a few great moments and almost every Big moment, I will just stick to the series finale.
2.75/4 popcorns
86. Untraceable (2007)
Plot: Within the FBI there exists a division dedicated to investigating and prosecuting criminals on the internet. Welcome to the front lines of the war on cybercrime where special Agent Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) and Griffin Dowd (Colin Hanks) have seen it all?until now. A tech-savvy internet predator is displaying his graphic murders on his own website and the fate of each of his tormented captives is left in the hands of the public: the more hits his site gets the faster his victims die. When this game of cat and mouse becomes personal Marsh and her team must race against the clock to track down this technical mastermind who is virtually untraceable.
Starring: Diane Lane, Colin Hanks, Zachary Hoffman
Genre: THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 41 min
Comments: I was expecting this to be completely lackluster, but I actually enjoyed it. It’s not flawless (there is a moment on a bridge with Lane towards the end that seemed to be the opposite of her character thus far), but I like the overall concept and what it has to say about the modern youtube/internet culture. It’s a fairly decent thriller, definitely has its cringe worthy moments and worth the rent.
3/4 popcorns
85. Ju-on 2 (2003)
Plot: Tragedy strikes when Kyoko is in a car crash losing her boyfriend and having a miscarriage. But soon after the accident Kyoko still feels something moving inside her. Feeling something still moving within her she visits her doctor. To her surprise he assures her that she is definitely still pregnant...but with what?
Starring: Noriko Sakai, Chiharu Niyama
Genre: HORROR/FOREIGN (Japanese)
Time: 1 hr 32 min
Comments: Cut up into little vignettes the movie was okay. Time is all over the place which can be a bit confusing. Though there are some creepy moments, it was not as scary as the first Ju-on and there were other moments that bordered on the absurd and I couldn’t help but smile. More of a wait till it son HBO sort of film or rent it when you have nothing better in your queue for me and yet still far better than the American Grudge 2.
2.75/4 popcorns
84. The Cell (2000)
Plot: A therapist (Jennifer Lopez) uses an experimental treatment to enter the mind of a serial killer (Vincent D'Onofrio) to learn his secrets. An FBI agent (Vince Vaughn) must rescue her from the killer's nightmare mind.
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, Jake Weber
Genre: THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 47 min
Comments: In the end the plot doesn’t matter to me. What matters is the amazing visual and surreal feast that Tarsem Singh brings to the film. Being in Carl’s mind is a journey into the disturbing and the amazing. As a highly visual person this was amazing just simply for the visual display. Coupled with a great soundtrack and like I said, the story doesn’t matter as much, but it works with the rest of the film.
3.5/4 popcorns
83. Shrek 3 (2007)
Plot: When Shrek married Fiona the last thing he had in mind was becoming the next King of Far Far Away. But when Shrek s father-in-law King Harold suddenly croaks that is exactly what he faces. Recruiting Donkey and Puss In Boots for a new quest Shrek sets out to bring back the rightful heir to the throne. Meanwhile back in the kingdom Fiona's jilted Prince Charming storms the city with an army of fairy tale villains to seize the throne. Fiona and a band of princesses must stop him to ensure there will be a kingdom left to rule!
Starring: Mike Meyers, Antonio Banderas, Eddie Murphy
Genre: FAMILY/ANIMATED
Time: 1 hr 32 min
Comments: The weakest of the three Shrek films, it does have some great moments. The sophomoric body humor jokes grow thin this time around and I really didn’t like Arthur who is in it quite a lot. Also I love Donkey, and Puss but they aren’t in it as much as they were in the other films. Still, the Shrek series is a keeper in my book and I do like them.
3.25/4 popcorns
82. Evan Almighty (2007)
Plot: Steve Carell is junior congressman Evan Baxter whose wish to "change the world" is heard by none other than God (Morgan Freeman). When God appears with the perplexing request to build an ark Evan is sure he is losing it. But soon mysterious deliveries of wood and tools are being dropped on his doorstep animals of every shape and size are flocking to him two by two and his self-absorbed life goes from overnight success to almighty mess!
Starring: Stave Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 35 min
Comments: I like Steve Carell, really I do. The man is very funny and he did what he could with what he had, which wasn’t a lot. It just wasn’t as funny as Bruce Almighty though there are some great laughs. *shrug* I might watch it again if it is on HBO.
2.5/4 popcorns
81. Masters of Horror: The Damned Thing (2006)
Plot: The Damned Thing stars Sean Patrick Flanery (Powder, Boondock Saints) as a small town sheriff tracking down a deadly force that causes people to violently kill each other, just as it did years before when it devastated his own family.
Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery, Marisa Coughlin
Genre: HORROR
Time: 60 min
Comments: I know when I start nitpicking, especially in the first fifteen minutes, things are not going to go well. While I like Tobe Hooper of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist fame, this was just bad. The premise had potential, but poorly executed especially the last 20 minutes. Not even my affection for Sean Patrick Flanery could give it 2 stars.
1.5/4 popcorns
80. Starter for 10 (2007)
Plot: James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) stars as Brian a working class student from Essex navigating his first year at Bristol University with a ragtag group of new friends. Brian's life-long dream is to join the team for the British quiz show University Challenge...and to pull Alice the fittest girl on the team. Set against the backdrop of Thatcher-era Britain defined by the music of New Order The Cure and The Smiths
Starring: James McAvoy, Alice Eve
Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 36 min
Comments: I have said it before and I will say it again, I heart James McAvoy. So between the fact that the soundtrack rocks and he’s in it, I decided to give it a go. What you get is a British John Hughes type flick. The cast is great and the plot, though formulaic in bits just made me smile. James McAvoy does the everyday, quite likable bloke perfectly.
3/4 popcorns
79. Microcosmos (1996)
Plot: Creative photography, music, and sound effects enhance this documentary about the bizarre, alien and beautiful world in one’s backyard. The importance of the tiniest lifeforms in the grand scheme of things.
Starring: The world beneath your feet
Genre: DOCUMENTARY
Time: 1 hr 20 min
Comments: I wouldn’t really say I am a bug fan, but they don’t really freak me out either. Maybe it’s because I am bigger than they are. Beautifully captured and made even more brilliant by the soundtrack are caterpillar traffic jams, mating snails, a pheasant becoming a hulking predator to ants, and butterflies dancing. I don’t think that the world beneath our feet ever looked so beautiful.
3.5/4 popcorns
78. The Hole (2001)
Plot: Over holiday, four prep school students decided to have a very private party in an abandoned underground shelter out in the woods. It was supposed to be for a few short days, but it turned out to be eighteen days.
Starring: Desmond Harrington, Thora Birch, Keira Knightley
Genre: THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 42 min
Comments: A little hidden gem of a thriller in my opinion. I am not a big Thora Birch fan, but I like her in this. I like the mystery of what really happened and without giving away anything, it definitely has its visceral moments of creepiness and is a great little character study. Also Clint Mansell’s score = great. Worth watching.
3/4 popcorns
77. Evening (2007)
Plot: A drama exploring the romantic past and emotional present of Ann Grant and her daughters, Constance and Nina. As Ann lays dying, she remembers, and is moved to convey to her daughters, the defining moments in her life 50 years prior, when she was a young woman. Harris is the man Ann loves in the 1950s and never forgets.
Starring: Claire Danes, Hugh Dancy, Glenn Close
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 53 min
Comments: Talk about a cast of amazing female actresses: Natasha Richardson, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Vanessa Redgrave, Toni Collette and Claire Danes. That alone was enough to get me to watch it and I am glad I did. The performances are wonderful and the story about wrong choices, the relationships between mothers and daughters, friends, lovers, family and so much more really touched me. Claire Danes is absolutely luminous and I am beginning to really like Hugh Dancy. The performances alone are worth watching. It helps even more that the story grabs at the heart strings as well on many different levels and through many different stories.
3.5/4 popcorns
76. Final Fantasy: Spirits Within (2001)
Plot: A female scientist makes a last stand on Earth with the help of a ragtag team of soldiers against an invasion of alien phantoms.
Starring: James Woods, Alec Baldwin, Ming Na
Genre: FANTASY/SCI-FI
Time: 1 hr 48 min
Comments: I’ve never played the games, so watching this I had no real expectations. I will say it is odd to hear actors you know come out of human bodies that look nothing like them (e.g. Steve Buscemi). The animation is great. Facial expressions are sometimes wooden, but it is amazing what they can do now. The story itself is a blend of dystopia and science fiction. It was slow at times, but not painfully so. Occasionally the storyline is a bit convuluted and I never really felt like I got any big character development. Then again, I wasn’t expecting much. I was expecting eye candy and that’s what I got.
3/4 popcorns
75. Graduation (2007)
Plot: When a friend is in need of financial assistance the logical next step is to plan a bank robbery. At least that was the conclusion of four high school friends about to embark on the next stage of their lives. The question is will they pull off this heist in time to toss their caps at graduation or have they gotten themselves way in over their heads?
Starring: Shannon Lucio, Chris Marquette, Riley Smith
Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 29 min
Comments: I caught this one on one of my HD channels. The cast is likable and the plot while a typical heist movie adds its own twists and gems to the story. It turned out to be quite fun. Well worth watching
3/4 popcorns
74. PS I Love You (2007)
Plot: A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life.
Starring: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow
Genre: ROMANCE/DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 7 min
Comments: I am picky when it comes to my romances and Hilary Swank is hit or miss for me. Sometimes I find her engaging, other times I don’t. This was a case of the so-so’s on both ends. However, I liked the overall plot and how well Gerry Butler’s character seemed to know his wife, knowing what grief would do to her. I must admit I was expecting something akin to ‘Ghost’ and that isn’t really what I got. Hilary just didn’t ring true to me and some of her actions completely threw me for a loop. But I did get a little lump in the throat a couple of times and laughed (most notably anything with Lisa Kudrow) as well. It has flaws, and gets the three stars for its supporting cast and having both Gerard Butler and James Marsters in the same film. Now if you could get James McAvoy, Johnny Depp and Nathan Fillion in there as well I would become my favorite film. *grin*
3/4 popcorns
73. The Andromeda Strain (2008)
Plot: When a satellite crashes near the remote Utah town of Piedmont, it becomes apparent that it may be carrying a deadly virus. All but two of the town's inhabitants, a baby and a Sterno drinker, are dead. Working in a secret government laboratory deep underground, Dr. Jeremy Stone leads a team of scientists who try to identify the virus and develop a means of stopping its spread. Several others, including the military and other senior government officials, have their own agendas however leading to the spread of misinformation about the origin of the virus
Starring: Benjamin Bratt, Daniel Dae Kim, Eric McCormack
Genre: THRILLER
Time: 2 hrs 48 min
Comments: I have never seen the original film or read the book, so I didn’t have much to go by. Frankly, I enjoyed the first half of the mini-series. Performances are TV movie like in quality, but I was entertained by the overall story. However, that was until the moment Andromeda has an origin and one that ruined the film for me. The second half proceeded to completely ignore subplots (the two survivors of Piedmont, the rebellious son of Dr. Stone, the destructive capabilities of the Andromeda to rubber and even metal during the final moments – those helicopters must be immune) or become horribly heavy handed when it came to the environmental bit. Also the sequence during the nuclear fail safe was extremely boring. I guess I was expecting more of an Outbreak sort of thing, and then was let down. Shame really. I hear the original film and book are much better.
2.5/4 popcorns
72. Amadeus (1984)
Plot: The incredible story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told in flashback mode by Antonio Salieri - now confined to an insane asylum.
Starring: Tom Hulce, F Murray Abraham
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 40 min
Comments: I really don’t know why it took me this long to see this film. It was wonderful. More about Salieri, played brilliantly by F Murray Abraham, and his madness and obsession with Mozart rather than Amadeus himself, the film is wonderful. I don’t know if it is at all accurate, but I was entertained, loved the music of course and some of the arias are amazing especially that of the Queen of Night. Well worth renting and even buying.
4/4 popcorns
71. Dear Frankie (2004)
Plot: After having responded to her son's numerous letters in the guise of his father, a woman hires a stranger to pose as his dad when meeting him.
Starring: Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Comments: I liked Dear Frankie. It was cute. It was heartwarming and everyone does a great job. I think I was expecting either a tear jerker or a romance and while there are elements of each, it is something else entirely. It starts off a little slow, but once it hits its stride it made me smile and I really liked the ending.
3.5/4 popcorns
70. Masters of Horror: Valerie on the Stairs (2006)
Plot: Taken from a Clive Barker original screen story, tells the tale of a novelist who discovers there are fates worse than literary anonymity in this sexually-charged tale of terror.
Starring: Tyron Leitso, Tony Todd, Christopher Lloyd
Genre: HORROR
Time: 60 min
Comments: I watched this partly because I am a horror movie junkie and the other because I like Tyron Leitso who is from one of my fave tv shows Wonderfalls 9if you haven’t seen it, you should). The story is decent. I loved the ending. And while I could have done without the prerequisite T&A that seems to be part of any horror film these days, I have grown used to it. Not a bad outing for the Masters of Horror.
2.5/4 popcorns
69. Ironman (2008)
Plot: While in captivity, industrialist Tony Stark (Downey) creates a high-tech suit of armor which he first uses to fight his way to freedom, and then to prevent a dark-minded scientific genius from carrying out his nefarious plot against humankind.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Terrence Howard, Gwenyth Paltrow
Genre: ACTION/COMIC
Time: 2 hrs 6 min
Comments: Robert Downey Jr, how do I love thee, let me count the ways. You are amazingly talented and really not hard to look at. There are a lot of superhero movies out there these past five years. Most of them bad. This was not one of them. It was great. It was human. It had just the right amount of action, character development, etc. Did I mention it had RD Jr in it? Oh and if you are a SHIELD or Nick Fury fan, stay for the end credits.
4/4 popcorns
68. Masters of Horror: Pro Life (2006)
Plot: Determined to "rescue" his pregnant daughter from an abortion clinic, a religious fanatic and his sons plan a violent firearm assault just as the doctors suspect her pregnancy might not be of this world.
Starring: Ron Perlman, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Caitlin Wachs
Genre: HORROR
Time: 57 min
Comments: Meh. I am a horror fan and while some of the concept was great, fairly poorly executed. But then again, its what I have come to expect from Carpenter’s fare lately.
2/4 popcorns
67. The Orphanage (2007)
Plot: The Orphanage centers on a Laura (Belén Rueda) who purchases her beloved childhood orphanage with dreams of restoring and reopening the long abandoned facility as a place for disabled children. Once there, Laura discovers that the new environment awakens her sons imagination, but the ongoing fantasy games he plays with an invisible friend quickly turn into something more disturbing.
Starring: Belen Rueda, Roger Pincep, Fernando Cayo
Genre: THRILLER/SUSPENSE/HORROR
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Comments: I wanted to see this film in the theatre, but alas it never showed up, which is a shame because it is a wonderful film. Like a good thriller ghost story it relies on mood, chilling atmosphere, and an eerie yet emotional story. And let me say you will never *ever* see me play 1,2,3 knock on the wall. Ever. It’s a great film, one of my favorites this year.
4/4 popcorns
66. No Reservations (2007)
Plot: Kate is a terrific chef at a Manhattan restaurant, sent to therapy by the restaurant owner because she is cold, unyielding, rule-bound, and a pain in the neck. Kate's world is flipped over when her only sister dies and her ten-year-old niece, Zoe, comes to live with her. As Kate struggles to be a parent to a grief-stricken child, the one world she used to control - the restaurant kitchen - is changed utterly by the restaurant's hiring a second chef, the loose, operatic, Italian-trained Nick, who claims it's an honor to work in Kate's kitchen but who she suspects wants to replace her. Can the music of Puccini and the taste of good pasta soften Kate's heart?
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Abigail Breslin
Genre: COMEDY/ROMANCE
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Comments: I was expecting more romantic comedy than there was in the film. In fact most of the film is really about Kate and Zoe with Nick as a side bit. Not that Aaron Eckhart isn’t charming. He is, but he’s only a minor piece of the story. It did make me smile though and Abigail Breslin is far too cute. Also, it made me hungry.
3/4 popcorns
65. The Painted Veil (2006)
Plot: The Painted Veil is a love story set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young English couple, Walter, a middle class doctor and Kitty, an upper-class woman, who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to Shanghai, where she falls in love with someone else. When he uncovers her infidelity, in an act of vengeance, he accepts a job in a remote village in China ravaged by a deadly epidemic, and takes her along. Their journey brings meaning to their relationship and gives them purpose in one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth.
Starring: Edward Norton, Naomi Watts
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 4 min
Comments: I loved this film. The cinematography was breathtaking, the performances great and even the story something I fell into. It is sad. It is touching and reminds me, not that I ever forgot, how much I adore Edward Norton. Oh and it made me ball like a baby. Somehow I have a soft spot for that sort of film. Apparently I am more of a sweeping romance kind of girl than I am a romantic comedy chickie.
4/4 popcorns
64. Dead Silence (2007)
Plot: A widower returns to his hometown to search for answers to his wife's murder, which may be linked to the ghost of a murdered ventriloquist.
Starring: Amber Valetta, Ryan Kwanten, Donnie Wahlberg
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: Meh. I should know by now that the average horror film just doesn’t make me a happy camper. Though I do have to give props to the premise because dummies are just freaky in the first place. However, performances were only so so and the scares not where I would like them to be.
2/4 popcorns
63. Alien vs Predator 2 (2007)
Plot: Warring alien and predator races descend on a small town, where unsuspecting residents must band together for any chance of survival.
Starring: Aliens, Predators, Reiko Ailsworth
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 26 min
Comments: I didn’t mind the first AvP and actually enjoyed the characters more in the first film than in this installment. The dialogue was pretty bad, but you got to love the creatures themselves. If you didn’t think there was enough gore in the first film, you’ll probably enjoy the second. Not me, so much.
2.5/4 popcorns
62. My Boy Jack (2008)
Plot: Author Rudyard Kipling and his wife search for their 17-year-old son after he goes missing during WWI.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Kim Cattrall, David Haig
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 33 min
Comments: Saw this on PBS and thought David Haig did a great job as Rudyard Kipling and was happy to see ‘Sally Sparrow’ from Doctor Who as well. Performances were great, but the pacing a bit slow and the ending a bit abrupt, but it was very good.
3/4 popcorns
61. Lucky You (2007)
Plot: A hotshot poker player tries to win a tournament in Vegas, but is fighting a losing battle with his personal problems.
Starring: Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall
Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA/ROMANCE
Time: 2 hrs 4 min
Comments: I went in thinking this was a romantic comedy. It’s not. It’s all about professional poker. In fact, it’s a bit of a tutorial starring Eric Bana. It’s not a horrible film, but the romance part with Drew Barrymore doesn’t really fit with the rest of the film. I did like how Vegas was just a normal city, without the glitz and just how addicting gambling can be. Pace is fairly slow, but I was entertained.
2.75/4 popcorns
60. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Plot: Three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other -- to become brothers again like they used to be. Their "spiritual quest", however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray), and they eventually find themselves stranded alone in the middle of the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer, and a laminating machine. At this moment, a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins.
Starring: Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 31 min
Comments: I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it. I felt just meh about it. Wes Anderson is still a cut above a lot of directors and I love his directing style from the angle changes to the rich color palettes. As per usual its odd and quirky, making this little travel adventure film interesting. And yet the plot couldn’t hold my attention and I wanted more character development. That being said performances are great, but I still dig some of his other stuff more.
2.75/4 popcorns
59. The Ruins (2008)
Plot: A Mexican vacation takes a turn for the worse for a group of Americans when they head into the jungle to look for the missing brother of a fellow traveler. A foreboding encounter with a couple locals is only a hint of the evil that awaits them on a patch of secluded hillside.
Starring: Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: Sometimes when you read a book, despite the absurdity of some things, you accept it and it works in the context of the book. But then again, you cannot picture how they can pull it off without the aid of your own imagination without it seeming absolutely hilarious and absurd. That was my fear with Ruins. I read the book and loved it and wasn’t sure how they were going to pull some of the plant’s special talents off. What they did is change things…a lot. Characters are completely different and what happens to each of them is changed, as well as how much the plant’s talent is used and how it is used. The suspense isn’t quite there. There is no sense of desperation and the ending tragically is not the same for the film as it was in the book (the book is so much better).
2.5/4 popcorns
58. The Nines (2007)
Plot: A troubled actor, a television show runner, and an acclaimed videogame designer find their lives intertwining in mysterious and unsettling ways.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy, Hope Davis
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 39 min
Comments: I will pretty much watch anything Ryan Reynolds is in because he makes me smile and it is extremely purty. He’s actually a decent actor as well when given the right script and is actually allowed to do something other than Van Wilder type humor. In this instance the beautiful film was by John August who wrote Go, and Tim Burton’s Big Fish. The story is original (more of an existential sort of tale) and makes you think, the cast rocks, and it is actually very entertaining to watch.
3/4 popcorns
57. La Vie En Rose (2007)
Plot: An un-chronological look at the life of the Little Sparrow, Edith Piaf (1915-1963).
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Gerard Depardieu
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 21 min
Comments: I didn’t know a whole lot about Edith before I saw this film other than my love for her music. I’ve also seen Marion in quite a few other things and was amazed and how well she fell into the part. She deserved every bit of that Oscar. While I didn’t buy it, it is worth every four popcorns.
4/4 popcorns
56. Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)
Plot: Despondent over his breakup with Desiree, Zia slashes his wrists and goes to an afterlife peopled by suicides, a high-desert landscape dotted by old tires, burned-out cars, and abandoned sofas. By chance, Zia learns that Desiree offed herself a few months after he did, and she's looking for him. He sets off with Eugene (an electrocuted Russian rocker) to find her, and they pick up a hitchhiker, Mikal, who's looking for the People in Charge, believing she's there by mistake. They're soon at the camp of Kneller, where casual miracles proliferate. They hear rumors of a miraculous king. Can Zia find Desiree? Then what? Where there's death there's hope.
Starring: Patrick Fugit, Shannon Sassamon, Tom Waits
Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 28 min
Comments: I saw the trailer months ago and waited for it to come around, but it never did, which is a shame because it is a cute and quirky little romance, and I dig offbeat romances. It’s imaginative, has that great macabre humor and has Tom Waits in it. How can you go wrong?
3.5/4 popcorns
55. The Mist (2007)
Plot: A freak storm unleashes a species of blood-thirsty creatures on a small town, where a small band of citizens hole-up in a supermarket and fight for their lives.
Starring: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden
Genre: HORROR
Time: 2 hrs 7 min
Comments: I don’t like Thomas Jane. In fact I think he is a fairly bad actor, but that aside I cant seem to turn down horror films and I like Stephen King. What stands out in this film is Marcia Gay Harden who plays her religious zealot to a t. I loved to loathe her and her contrasting behavior (quoting the bible and acting prim and proper one minute then cursing up a storm the next) was just fun. It’s a movie about man vs man, not necessarily man vs the evil and scary monsters from another dimension or what have you. My problems with it, were the aforementioned Thomas Jane who I just didn’t believe the horrible CGI monsters (they were far scarier when you only saw bits of them). I also really hated the ending. In fact, it is the ending that ruined the rest of the film for me as it woefully different from the short story. Le sigh.
2/4 popcorns
54. Transformers (2007)
Plot: A war re-erupts on Earth between two robotic clans, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, leaving the fate of mankind hanging in the balance.
Starring: Shia Lebeouf, Megan Goode, Josh Duhamel
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 2 hrs 23 min
Comments: It’s flawed, yes, but what Michael Bay film isn’t? If you’re looking for depth, this isn’t it. It’s a popcorn film with some awesome special effects when it comes to the transformers themselves. Some of the cast works, most notably Shia Lebeouf, but others didn’t such as John Turturro (whom I love). Sadly, the transformers aren’t focused on enough instead there are too many subplots that distract from the story that every fanboy and even some fangirls (like myself) were waiting for and that was with the Transformers themselves. I bought it, so it isn’t all bad. Just don’t have extremely high expectations.
2.5/4 popcorns
53. Stargate: The Ark of Truth (2008)
Plot: SG-1 search for an Ancient Artifact to finally defeat the Ori. But the Artifact is in the Ori Galaxy.
Starring: Michael Shanks, Claudia Black, Christopher Judge
Genre: SCI-FI/ACTION
Time: 1 hr 37 min
Comments: It was good but not great. More like an extra long episode than a film, though I wasn’t really expecting a whole lot save for a conclusion to the Ori storyline. But any Stargate is better than no Stargate and I am still sad that there will be no more Daniel or Vala or Tealc. It is a lot of fun though but a bit heavy on the exposition sometimes. If you’re a Stargate fan, it is one to watch.
2.5/4 popcorns
52. Hitman (2007)
Plot: A gun-for-hire known only as Agent 47 hired by a group known only as 'The Agency' is ensnared in a political conspiracy, which finds him pursued by both Interpol and the Russian military as he treks across Eastern Europe.
Starring: Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 40 min
Comments: Most video game turned movies suffer from the same things: Zero plot, but plenty of graphic violence. This is no exception. I tried watching it once, turned it off. I tried again, mostly because I like Timothy Olyphant, and found him pretty enough and occasionally engaging enough that he gets the two stars. Ooh and Desmond from LOST is in it…briefly. However, if you are looking for a fun shoot em up movie, watch Shoot em Up instead.
2/4 popcorns
51. The Good Shepherd (2007)Plot: The tumultuous early history of the Central Intelligence Agency is viewed through the prism of one man's life.S
tarring: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert DeNiro
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 48 min
Comments: You would think that a film that clocks close to three hours would be full of character development, but not so in this case. For a character driven story, I felt like I no more knew about Damon’s character at the end then I had at the beginning. It’s well acted, but it is very slow paced, sometimes excruciatingly so. More of a renter, as it wont be for everyone.
2.75/4 popcorns
50. Flawless (2008)
Plot: A crime/drama set in 1960 London , where a soon to retire janitor convinces a glass- ceiling constrained American executive to help him steal a handful of diamonds from their employer, the London Diamond Corporation.S
tarring: Michael Caine, Demi Moore, David Henry
Genre: DRAMA/HEIST
Time: 1 hr 49 min
Comments: Michael Caine’s been in better heist movies and yet this did bring some new little twists to the genre. The actual robbery takes place early on, so that you spend the rest of the film discovering how and why it took place in the first place and it’s those motives that were interesting, though sometimes a bit drawn out. Parts could have been trimmed as it drags a bit, but in all it’s worth catching if you see it on one of the premium channels.
2.75/4 popcorns
49. Death at a Funeral (2007)
Plot: Chaos ensues when a man tries to expose a dark secret regarding a recently deceased patriarch of a dysfunctional British family.
Starring: Mathew McFayden, Alan Tudyk, Peter Dinklage
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: I have decided that I like all of Alan Tudyk’s films because he never fails to make me laugh…a lot. In fact he is one of the best parts of this film though any film that involves a midget, hallucinogenic drugs, sibling rivalry, and family secrets all taking place at a funeral should usually involve humor. A dark comedy at times, it also never forgets that it is a funeral and the eulogy at the end is heartfelt. Great little flick.
3.5/4 popcorns
48. Lust, Caution (2007)
Plot: An espionage thriller set in WWII-era Shanghai, in which a young woman, Wang Jiazhi, gets swept up in a dangerous game of emotional intrigue with a powerful political figure, Mr. Yee.
Starring: Tony Leung, Wei Tang, Joan Chen
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 30 min
Comments: Espionage films are hit or miss for me sometimes, but I like Ang Lee so I thought I would give it a go. I’ll do the complaints first: It is far too long, but I also think if you cut too much you would have lost the whole character development and point. As I think of it now, I am not sure which scenes I would cut which says a lot. I do think that the sex scenes were unnecessarily long and Leung’s character a little too one dimensional. That being said, it is still a great film. Wei Tang, a newcomer does an amazing job and you can see her progression throughout the film and the cinematography is absolutely beautiful. A very good film, but with notable flaws for me to make me really, really love it.
3.25/4 popcorns
47. 300 (2007)
Plot: Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" concerns the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where the King of Sparta led his army against the advancing Persians; the battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians, and helped usher in the world's first democracy.
Starring: Gerard Butler, David Wenham, Michael Fassbender, Hot Spartans
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 57 min
Comments: Is it historically accurate? No so much. Is it true to Miller’s comic? Pretty much though there were some expansions and subplots added. Is it pretty to look at (and not just because of the above 300 hot Spartans)? Absolutely. Is there plenty of carnage? Sure. It is a war movie after all. Is it lots of fun? You betcha. From the moment I saw the trailer, I knew I would be a very happy camper. The stylized look is breathtaking. In short, every shot is like a work of happy comic book art brought to life; complete eye candy (no, I am not just talking about Gerard Butler and the other Spartans, though admittedly they fit the category). The story is simple, the dialogue uncomplicated, but its not the point. I wasn’t expecting an Oscar worthy script. It doesn’t matter. I love the film. I am starting to have a crush on Zack Snyder. I loved what he did with the Dawn of the Dead remake and am quite curious to see how the Watchmen is pulled off.
4/4 popcorns
46. Fracture (2007)
Plot: An attorney intent on climbing the career ladder toward success, finds an unlikely opponent in a manipulative criminal he's trying to prosecute.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Anthony Hopkins, Rosamund Pike
Genre: DRAMA/THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 52 min
Comments: I like Anthony Hopkins and he has a knack for playing such a manipulative bastard that you half like him as much as you loathe him. Ryan Gosling is one of those actors I am looking forward to seeing do more. Put them together and you have a decent little noir cat and mouse game. It less about the overall crime itself and more about the chess game between the two leads. The direction isn’t really imaginative, but I really didn’t care. I just dig thrillers.
4/4 popcorns
45. Flushed Away (2006)
Plot: The story of an uptown rat that gets flushed down the toilet from his penthouse apartment, ending in the sewers of London, where he has to learn a whole new and different way of life.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet
Genre: ANIMATED/CHILDRENS
Time: 1 hr 24 min
Comments: I love the singing slugs and ninja frogs. In fact, they made me giggle incessantly. The film is cute, an animated version of Nick Park’s recognizable claymation, and the characters are fairly well developed for a kid’s movie. Did I mention the slugs? Not the best animated movie, but very entertaining.
3/4 popcorns
44. Shutter (2008)Plot: A young American couple (Jackson and Taylor) honeymooning in Tokyo discover strange, ghostly images in the photographs they're taking. Are these images imaginary or real -- and how are they related to a tragic accident they recently witnessed?
Starring: Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor
Genre: HORROR (Remake of Asian Film)
Time: 1 hr 25 min
Comments: I wanted to like this film. Really I did. It had Joshua Jackson, whom I love, and a decent premise. However, the problem with this film is there are no real thrills. Nothing that was even remotely creepy. I take that back there are a couple of scenes, but in an hour and a half horror film 2 scenes are not enough. Dialogue was fairly bland and boring and the story has no real tension to it. I hear the original is decent which seems to be the case in almost all Asian remakes. Walk slowly, very slowly to the video store. And even then probably pick up the original instead.
1.5/4 popcorns
43. Night at the Museum (2006)
Plot: A newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson
Genre: COMEDYTime: 1 hr 48 min
Comments: As a kid and even as a teen I always wanted to work in a museum as much as I did a library. To work in a museum where everything came to life would be even better. In fact, it would be made of awesome. A bit slow to start, once it gets going the film was great fun. I will have to say that Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan completely steal the show though. Too funny.
3.5/4 popcorns
42. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007)
Plot: A chronicle of how American Indians were displaced as the U.S. expanded west. Based on the book by Dee Brown.
Starring: Aidan Quinn, Adam Beach, Anna Pacquin
Genre: DRAMA/WESTERN
Time: 2 hrs 11 min
Comments: If you’ve read Dee Brown’s book you know that this film glossed over a lot. In fact, it would have been much better if it were a mini-series, but that would still be a very big undertaking. But Wounded Knee, still has its merits in its two hour running time. There are a lot of historical inaccuracies, but I think the point was to show the pain and struggle of the Sioux during the latter part of the 19th century. There are some great scenes and great performances and it is still powerful to watch. As someone who has been living in South Dakota for the past eight years and sees the hardships Native Americans are still enduring, it certainly strikes a chord.
3.50/4 popcorns
41. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Plot: Robert Ford, who's idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the reforming gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.
Starring: Casey Affleck, Brad Pitt, Sam Rockwell
Genre: DRAMA/WESTERN
Time: 2 hrs 2 min
Comments: More of a reflective look on Jesse and those around him, then a taut action adventure ridden western, it was a good film. The cinematography is absolutely breathtaking, the performances very good, and the pace slow. You can see Jesse’s paranoia, his complexity as well as Robert Ford’s idolization that turns inexplicably sour of him. Nick Cave’s score works well and though at times I was a bit bored, the times were few and far between. Worth watching.
3.25/4 popcorns
40. Becoming Jane (2007)
Plot: A biographical portrait of a pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman.
Starring: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy
Genre: ROMANCE/COSTUME DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 40 min
Comments: A bit of an attempt to do with Jane Austen that Shakespeare in Love did with Shakespeare, Becoming Jane was a delightful little costume drama. It also has James McAvoy whom I have a very big crush on and have had one since Children of Dune. Is it historically accurate, no, but do I really care? Nope. The performances are great and the visuals beautiful. Did I mention I adore James McAvoy?
3.50/4 popcorns
39. Juno (2007)
Plot: Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 36 minComments: I’m a snark fan as well as witty dialogue, great performances, quirky characters and great soundtracks. Juno encompasses all of these. If you haven’t seen this film, shame on you. Its great. I heart Juno!
4/4 popcorns
38. Penelope (2008)
Plot: Penelope (Ricci) is a modern-day princess who was born with a pig's snout -- a curse that can only be broken when she finds true love with a prince.
Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon
Genre: COMEDY/ROMANCE
Time: 1 hr 44 min
Comments: It wasn’t what I expected, I think I was expecting more of a fantasy, but I thought it was charming and cute. A bit Beauty and The Beast and a bit Cyrano, it features great performances by Ricci, McAvoy and Catherine O’Hara and Richard E Grant. And the set pieces…beautiful. In fact the unique settings make it stand out. The latter half drags a bit and the shift in focus a bit jarring, but it is still a delightful little treat. Also Meiko’s ‘Piano Song’ off the soundtrack is one of my faves.
3/4 popcorns
37. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Plot: Two sisters Anne and Mary Boleyn (Portman & Johansson) vie for the affections of King Henry VIII (Bana).
Starring:Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 55 minComments: I really wanted to like this. I am a sucker for period films and even better when they are period romances. And yet, this just didn’t work. It is very pretty to watch and I would give anything to have some of Anne or Mary’s costumes, but the dialogue was fairly bad, the pacing frenetic which distracts for any real characterization and the core of what made Philippa Gregory’s novel such a treat gone (Actually its more of a cliff notes version of her novel). It’s just an okay film and I actually prefer watching the Tudors (which has no real basis in history half the time, but is fun to watch). Read the book instead.
2.5/4 popcorns
36. Be Kind, Rewind (2008)
Plot: Unaware that he has a magnetized brain, a man (Jack Black) accidentally erases every tape at the video store where his friend (Mos Def) works. In order to satisfy the store's most loyal renter, an aging woman with signs of dementia, the two men set out to remake the lost films.
Starring: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover
Genre: COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 41 min
Comments: Gondry is a bit of hit or miss for me (loved Eternal Sunshine, didn’t really like Science of Sleep), but he is always insanely creative. More than ‘sweding’ films, this was about community and made me smile. It was one of those instances where I felt good coming out of the theatre and also had the insane urge to go and recreate my favorite films.
3.5/4 popcorns
35. Vantage Point (2008)
Plot: Five different points-of-view are woven together to chronicle an attempt on the life of the President of the United States.
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Matthew Fox
Genre: ACTION/THRILLER
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Comments: An okay film. Love the premise and a good deal of the cast. My problem was how they did the ‘rewind and new perspective’ bit which got insanely repetitive and annoying which is sad when you’re only dealing with an hour and a half film. Still, as I said it’s a great premise I just wish it were honed a bit differently. Hence the 3 out of 4.
3/4 popcorns
34. Awakenings (1990)
Plot: The victims of an encephalitis epidemic many years ago have been catatonic ever since, but now a new drug offers the prospect of reviving them.
Starring: Robin Williams, Robert DeNiro, Julie Kavner
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hr 1 min
Comments: For the life of me, I do not know why it took me so long to see this film. So, so good and heartbreakingly sad at the same time. Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams give fine performances and the story is absolutely wonderful. If you have not seen this film, well in the words of Dwight from the Office, “You’re an idiot.” *smile*.
4/4 popcorns
33. The History Boys (2006)
Plot: In 1980s Britain, a group of young men at Cutlers' Grammar School all have the brains, and the will to earn the chance of getting accepted in the finest universities in the nation, Oxford and Cambridge. Despite the fine teaching by excellent professionals like Mrs Lintott in history and the intellectually enthusiastic Hector in General Studies, the Headmaster is not satisfied. He signs on the young Irwin to polish the students' style to give them the best chance.
Starring: Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Samuel Barnett
Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 42 min
Comments: Another instance where I fell in love with the soundtrack before I had seen the movie. I had heard good things about it and am a bit of a sucker for the Dead Poet’s Society sort of film, which this is. A nice little film.
3.50/4 popcorns
32. Shoot Em Up (2007)
Plot: A man named Mr. Smith delivers a woman's baby during a shootout, and is then called upon to protect the newborn from the army of gunmen.
Starring: Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 26 min
Comments: This movie is just fun. In short it is an over the top send-up of action films including every single film made by John Woo. It is one continuous in joke where Clive Owen’s character is always shooting and always snarky. I laughed from the opening credits until the end and yet it doesn’t go into the groan ‘Not another Teen Movie’ type of parody. How Clive Owen managed, or Paul Giamatti for that matter, to keep a straight face the entire film is beyond me. I imagine it was a great deal of fun to work on the film. My favorite bit: “I move my finger one inch to use my turn signal. Why are these #*!holes so lazy they can't move their finger one fucking measly inch to drive more safely?” Great film.
4/4 popcorns
31. Anna and the King (1999)
Plot: The story of the romance between the King of Siam and the widowed British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens during the 1860's.
Starring: Jodie Foster, Chow Yun Fat, Bai Ling
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 27 min
Comments: Visually stunning with one of my favorite actresses, Jodie Foster. It also has a little Draco Malfoy in it as well. Minus the musical accoutrements from the King and I, the story is still the same and quite beautiful.
4/4 popcorns
30. Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
Plot: Two faiths, two empires, two rulers - colliding in 1588. Papist Spain wants to bring down the heretic Elizabeth. Philip is building an armada but needs a rationale to attack. With covert intrigue, Spain sets a trap for the Queen and her principal secretary, Walsingham, using as a pawn Elizabeth's cousin Mary Stuart, who's under house arrest in the North. The trap springs, and the armada sets sail, to rendezvous with French ground forces and to attack. During these months, the Virgin Queen falls in love with Walter Raleigh, keeping him close to court and away from the sea and America. Is treachery or heroism at his heart? Does loneliness await her passionate majesty?
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Abby Cornish
Genre: DRAMA/PERIOD
Time: 2 hrs
Comments: All I have to say is Clive Owen is damn sexy in period garb. This installment is not as strong as the first film. Pacing is off and the story convoluted at times. However, visually it is beautiful and Cate Blanchett is stunning as always.
2.75/4 popcorns
29. Broken English (2007)
Plot: Nora Wilder is freaking out. Everyone around her is in a relationship, is married, or has children. Nora is in her thirties, alone with job she's outgrown and a mother who constantly reminds her of it all. Not to mention her best friend Audrey's "perfect marriage". But after a series of disastrous dates, Nora unexpectedly meets Julien, a quirky Frenchman who opens her eyes to a lot more than love.
Starring: Parker Posey, Melville Poupaud
Genre: COMEDY/ROMANCE
Time: 2 hrs 17 min
Comments: Nora Wilder has my life, except that I don’t have as cool of a wardrobe, am making that much money or have a hot Frenchman. But other than that she has my fears and insecurities and is prone to do the same things I do. That being said I loved this film. Parker Posey is best when she is doing a quiet subtle humor in my opinion and she is perfect in this role. I like her. I relate to her. And the ending makes me all warm and fuzzy. Highly recommended.
4/4 popcorns
28. The Chorus (2004)
Plot: The new teacher at a severely administered boys' boarding school works to positively effect the students' lives through music.
Starring: Gerard Jugnot
Genre: DRAMA/FOREIGN – (French)
Time: 1 hr 36 min
Comments: An inspirational little story that makes you smile. It may be a little formulaic, but the cast, beautiful vocals and one lovable but offbeat teacher is sure to make you fall in love with it. If you liked films like Mr. Holland’s Opus you’ll enjoy this one.
4/4 popcorns
27. Sunshine (2007)
Plot: A novel blend of doomsday thriller and meditative science fiction, Danny Boyle's Sunshine imagines a disturbing future in which mankind must re-ignite the sun or face total extinction. A team of scientists and crew members (played by an eclectic cast that includes Cillian Murphy from Boyle's 28 Days Later, The Fantastic Four's Chris Evans, Rose Byrne of TV's Damages, and martial-arts legend Michelle Yeoh) is dispatched to the dying star, but disaster strikes from almost every conceivable angle; as the crew is whittled down by accidents and psychological breaks, the survivors must discover a way to carry out the mission or seal the fate of the world's population.
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh
Genre: SCI FI/ACTION-ADV
Time: 2 hrs
Comments: A little bit sci-fi, a little bit suspense and horror and a lot of amazing visuals. I loved this film, though I must admit I think I am in the minority. I’m a fan of Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, The Beach) and he didn’t disappoint me this time. The cast is great, the story has many different elements (including some that are philosophical in nature) and I was pleasantly surprised to see that Chris Evans can play something other than a jock. It’s a great film whether you are Danny Boyle fan or not
4/4 popcorns
26. 3:10 To Yuma (2007)
Plot: A small-time rancher agrees to hold a captured outlaw who's awaiting a train to go to court in Yuma. A battle of wills ensues as the outlaw tries to psych out the rancher.
Starring: Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Ben Foster
Genre: WESTERN
Time: 2 hrs 2 minComments: I am not a fan of Westerns or Russell Crowe, but I am a fan of Christian Bale and Alan Tudyk. That being said, Russell Crowe does a great job of being a bad guy as does Ben Foster. It wasn’t too bad. Not bad at all.
3.25/4 popcorns
25. The Last Kiss (2006)
Plot: Architect Michael (Zach Braff) is a commitmentphobe who wanders into a flirtation with coed Kim (Rachel Bilson) because he's gun-shy about settling down with his perfect girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett), who's expecting his child. His fellow pals face their own romantic crossroads; one (Michael Weston) desires to settle down with a woman who doesn't love him back; another (Eric Christian Olsen) can't find someone who just wants a meaningless fling like him; and the third (Casey Affleck), ponders leaving his weary wife who's constantly berating his shortcomings as a father.
Starring: Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, Rachel Bilson
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 43 min
Comments: Amazing soundtrack, okay movie. Why didn’t I love it? Because I found it heart to have any sympathy for Michael. The cast is talented, but their characters unsympathetic. In fact it is due to the excellent cast that the somewhat clichéd storylines work. Buy the soundtrack though.
2.50/4 popcorns
24. Mission Impossible 3 (2006)
Plot: Ethan Hunt comes face to face with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer while trying to keep his identity secret in order to protect his fiancée.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Mognaghan
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 2 hr 6 min
Comments: I may think Tom Cruise is a complete nutter, but I do like watching his films. The Mission Impossible series are fun popcorn films. Plus this one had Billy Crudup. Le sigh. Also, I think someone needs to put Keri Russell in more things. She did a good job.
3/4 popcorns
23. Ella Enchanted (2004)
Plot: Ella is under a spell to be constantly obedient, a fact she must hide from her new step-family in order to protect the prince of the land, her friend for whom she's falling for.
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes
Genre: FANTASY
Time: 1 hr 26 min
Comments: It’s a kid’s film and not as horrible as everyone makes it to be. It’s harmless. It’s fun and actually made me smile a few times. Sure, it has its flaws but I cannot help but watch it when it shows up on TBS or TNT.
2.50/4 popcorns
22. Saw IV (2007)
Plot: Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are dead. Now, upon the news of Detective Kerry's murder, two seasoned FBI profilers, Agent Strahm and Agent Perez, arrive in the terrified community to assist the veteran Detective Hoffman in sifting through Jigsaw's latest grisly remains and piecing together the puzzle. However, when SWAT Commander Rigg is abducted and thrust into a game, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of demented traps and save an old friend or face the deadly consequences.
Starring: Donnie Wahlberg, Angus MacFayden
Genre: HORROR
Time: 2 hr
Comments: I don’t know why I keep picking these up. Mostly they are just ‘inventive ways people die horribly’ kind of films. I don’t think there are any plots anymore, if there were even coherent ones to begin with. However, if you are a fan of the above mentioned genre then feel free. Just wait till its free and on one of the movie channels.
2/4 popcorns
21. Shrooms (2007)
Plot: Having been promised the 'trip' of a lifetime by their Irish friend and mushroom expert Jake, a group of American teenagers arrives in Ireland, keen for adventure. Despite Jake's warnings about the 'shrooms they shouldn't eat, things start to go horribly wrong and the teenagers suffer horrific visions. The panicked friends are attacked by ghostly creatures, never sure whether they are experiencing gruesome reality or startling hallucinations.
Starring: Lindsey Haun, Jack Huston
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 26 min
Comments: I caught this on one of the HD channels and for a seemingly straight to DVD horror film, it was actually pretty good. There wasn’t a whole lot of cheese, or completely unnecessary gore (though I am a slasher flick fan and there is a bit here as well) I thought it was fun.
3/4 popcorns
20. Cloverfield (2008)
Plot: A going-away party turns into a frantic fight for survival for a group of young people in Manhattan, as they bear witness to a monster's attack on New York City.
Starring: Mike Vogel, Lizzie Caplan
Genre: HORROR/SCI-FI
Time: 1 hr 25 min
Comments: I really enjoyed Cloverfield. I did not get sick and I have now renewed my love for Drew Goddard (not that it ever waned really) who wrote the film. I thought it was slick. I liked how not every question was answered, sometimes frustratingly so and I even liked how it was shot so that we never really got to see the monster full on. Also, the scene where everyone had their cell phones out taking pictures of Liberty’s head would *so* happen.
4/4 popcorns
19. One Missed Call (2008)
Plot: A detective (Burns) investigating the mysterious calls received by a college student (Sossamon) learns she's one of many people who have received such communications -- ones that reveal the date, time, and details of their deaths.
Starring: Edward Burns, Shannyn Sossamon
Genre: HORROR (Remake of Asian film)
Time: 1 hr 27 min
Comments: I really enjoyed the Asian original and thought, ‘how could they get it wrong’ with an American update/remake. Oh how wrong was I? There are no chills, the dialogue is horrible and the overall story lacks the punch that the original has. Forget this and go watch the original.
1.5/4 popcorns
18. Go (1999)
Plot: Go! tells the story of the events after a drug deal, told from three different points of view.
Starring: Sarah Polley, Katie Holmes, Timothy Ophylant
Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 42 min
Comments: I love the soundtrack and bought the soundtrack long before I had ever seen the movie. Rewatching this again though I remember why I liked the film. I like the dialogue, the interconnectedness of all of the tales. And did I mention the soundtrack rocks?
3/4 popcorns
17. Breach (2007)
Plot: Based on the true story, FBI upstart Eric O'Neill enters into a power game with his boss, Robert Hanssen, an agent who was ultimately convicted of selling secrets to the Soviet Union.
Starring: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillipe, Laura Linney
Genre: DRAMA Time: 1 hr 50 min
Comments: Meh. A little too slow paced for my tastes. Chris Cooper, is amazing as always though. Ooh and it has the Wonderfalls girl in it.
2.50/4 popcorns
16. The Kingdom (2007)
Plot: A team of U.S. government agents is sent to investigate the bombing of an American facility in the Middle East.
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Jamie Fox, Jason Bateman
Genre: ACTION/DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 50 min
Comments: I actually really enjoyed this. Great cast, good story and some seat gripping thrills and visuals. However, the only reason it isn’t a four for me as I don’t know what kind of mood I would be in to watch it again and again. Well worth the rent though.
3.50/4 popcorns
15. War (2007)
Plot: An FBI Agent seeks vengeance on a mysterious assassin known as "Rogue" who murdered his partner.
Starring: Jason Statham, Jet Li, Devon Aoki
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 39 min
Comments: I heart Jason Statham and he is the sole reason I picked this up. Sadly, it is yet another film that makes me wish a decent director would pick him up as a leading man. It doesn’t help that I really don’t like Jet Li. There are some okay moments in it though, but that’s probably because I am an action junkie fan.
2.50/4 popcorns
14. The Claim (2000)
Plot: A prospector sells his wife and daughter to another gold miner for the rights to a gold mine. Twenty years later, the prospector (Peter Mullan) is a wealthy man who owns much of the old west town named Kingdom Come. But changes are brewing and his past is coming back to haunt him.
Starring: Peter Mullan, Wes Bentley, Milla Jovavich
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs
Comments: Basically Thomas Hardy’s Mayor of Casterbridge set in frontier gold rush America, it’s a decent film. The cinematography is beautiful and Peter Mullan does a good job. However, there is no one character I particularly like or connect with. Despite its few flaws, I did enjoy it.
3.25/4 popcorns
13. Incident at Loch Ness (2004)
Plot: The German film director Werner Herzog sets out to the Scottish Highlands to make a documentary, "Enigma of Loch Ness", exploding the myth of the Loch Ness Monster. Meanwhile, another documentary film crew is making a film about Werner Herzog, and we see the production of "Enigma" from their point of view. Shooting on a rented boat, tensions begin to rise as director Herzog and his producer, Zak Penn, find themselves at cross-purposes on the black surface of Loch Ness. Things get very edgy when the film crew starts seeing shapes in the murky water.
Starring: Werner Herzog, Zach Penn
Genre: COMEDY/MOCKUMENTARY
Time: 1 hr 40 min
Comments: Mockumentaries can sometimes be very clever. This one is and Herzog’s dry wit had me smiling quite a bit. However, overall it was slow in a lot of places and sometimes dull like a real documentary. It does have its fun quirks though and ones that made me give it another handful of popcorn more.
2.50/4 popcorns
12. The Last Legion (2006)
Plot: As the Roman empire crumbles, young Romulus Augustus flees the city and embarks on a perilous voyage to Britain to track down a legion of supporters.
Starring: Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Thomas Sangster
Genre: ACTION/ADV
Time: 1 hr 42 min
Comments: I adore Colin Firth so I had to try this out. Is it great cinema? No. However, it was a fun little popcorn film for me. Then again I am the woman who liked King Arthur which most people hated. It does have its flaws, but it’s worth the rent. Just don’t have any high expectations.
3/4 popcorns
11. White Noise 2 (2007)
Plot: A man's family is killed and he is brought back from the verge of death, he then realises he can identify people who are about to die.
Starring: Nathan Fillion, Katee Sackhoff
Genre: HORROR
Time: 1 hr 39 min
Comments: The only reason I picked this up was because of Nathan and Katee. The premise wasn’t too bad, but wow was the story convoluted. I still don’t understand it and there was only one real big scare. But hey Katee and Nathan were cute. However, not even they could save it.
2/4 popcorns
10. A Good Year (2006)
Plot: A British investment broker inherits his uncle's chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new laid-back lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to be sold.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Albert Finney
Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 58 min
Comments: Not a big Russell Crowe fan and for me this seemed a lot like Under the Tuscan Sun but with a male lead instead. However, parts were enjoyable though extremely formulaic. Love Marion.
2.50/4 popcorns
9. Angel-A (2007)
Plot: André, a small-time ex-convict, scrambles onto a bridge over the Seine, intending to leap to his death. He is surprised to see a tall, beautiful girl clinging to a rail on the same bridge, apparently preparing to end her life as well. She jumps, and he jumps too, suddenly resolving to save her life. After scrambling ashore, she tells him her name is Angel-A. Together, they take a cruise on the Seine, repay André's creditors, visit a Parisian nightspot, and more, as Angel-A helps André. He learns that for this purpose she has fallen out of the sky and into his life. André finds himself falling in love with this mysterious beauty.
Starring: Jamel Debbouze, Rie Rasmussen
Genre: DRAMA/FOREIGN (French)
Time: 1 hr 28 min
Comments: I try to watch a French film a month just to keep up with my French. This looked intriguing and I am glad I picked it up. I thought it was great. Funny, enjoyable and with just a little bit of a quirky romance.
3.75/4 popcorns
8. We Are Marshall (2006)
Plot: When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team's new coach (McConaughey) and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.
Starring: Matthew Fox, Matthew McCounghey
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 2 hrs 5 min
Comments: Not bad for a sports team triumphs after adversity sort of film. The fact that it is based on a true story probably endears it to me a little more. I kind of heart feel good movies.
3/4 popcorns
7. Somersault (2004)
Plot: New experiences help a young girl learn the differences between sex and love.S
tarring: Abby Cornish, Sam Worthington
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 46 min
Comments: Abby does a good job and her quest for love and intimacy is a good one. However, it’s a bit slow in some parts and the dialogue can be extremely cliché at times. The cinematography is beautiful and the story good but not executed the best. Worth the rent though.
2.50/4 popcorns
6. SLC Punk (1999)
Plot: In the early 1980's Stevo and Heroin Bob are the only two dedicated punks in conservative Salt Lake City.
Starring: Matthew Lillard, Michael Goorjian
Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY
Time: 1 hr 37 min
Comments: It might not be for everyone, but Matthew Lillard shines in it. It’s funny, smart, engaging and even heartbreaking at times. The narration works and of course the music rocks.
3.5/4 popcorns
5. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Plot: A documentary on Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide.
Starring: Al Gore, the Earth
Genre: DOCUMENTARY
Time: 1 hrs 40 min
Comments: It’s a documentary worth seeing. If everybody could go just a little bit green, what harm could it do? Al Gore is actually fairly entertaining.
3.5/4 popcorns
4. Children of Men (2006)
Plot: In 2027, in a chaotic world in which humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child's birth may help scientists save the future of humankind.
Starring: Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore
Genre: DRAMA
Time: 1 hr 49 min
Comments: This is an amazing film from the cast, the cinematography, and the story itself. Even the soundtracks are beautiful (I won both the score and the regular version). Alfonso Cuaron captivated me once again. If you haven’t seen this, you should.
4/4 popcorns
3. Fast Food Nation (2006)
Plot: An ensemble piece examining the health risks involved in the fast food industry and its environmental and social consequences as well.
Starring: Greg Kinnear, Patricia Arquette, Bobby Canavale
Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY
Time: 1 hrs 54 min
Comments: It’s a satire, I get that. And the cast is decent, but somehow it didn’t work for me. Something was missing. There are a lot of interconnected stories, some better than others. But in the end, no one topic or story is developed enough for my liking. Worth watching once, but that was enough for me.
2.50/4 popcorns
2. Rescue Dawn (2006)
Plot: US Fighter pilot's epic struggle of survival after being shot down on a mission over Laos during the Vietnam War.
Starring: Christian Bale, Jeremy Davies, Steve Zahn
Genre: DRAMA/WAR
Time: 2 hrs 6 min
Comments: I heart Christian Bale. Not a big war fan, but Christian Bale and Steve Zahn do enough to keep me interested for two hours. A little too long for my tastes, but worth renting.
2.75/4 popcorns
1. Daywatch (2006)Plot: A man (Khabensky) who serves in the war between the forces of Light and Dark comes into possession of a device that can restore life to Moscow, which was nearly destroyed by an apocalyptic event.
Starring: Konstantin Khabansky
Genre: FANTASY/FOREIGN (Russian)
Time: 2 hrs 25 min
Comments: I keep wanting to like these films, and though there are some great visuals the story overall is just not captivating enough nor is the dialogue.
2.50/4 popcorns
Monday, November 17, 2008
208 in 2008: A Year in Films
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