2008 in Film

Christopher Nolan continues the new dark Batman saga with one of the best all around movies I have ever seen. Everything about this movie was flawless: acting, directing, music, cinematography, camera angles, everything. Nolan perfectly blended light hearted humor with suspense and action. It scared you, may have even traumatized some... it toyed with your emotions, made you question your morals. This movie made you think! I have never, and probably will never, see a comic book movie that brought so much character emotions to the forefront as the Dark Knight did.

Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker makes me forget all about the iconic Jack Nicholson version. It's no contest really... Ledger's portrayal is probably my all time favorite movie character. He literally stole every scene he was in... he was crazy!

Overshadowed by Ledger was a brilliant performance by Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent aka Two Face. Christian Bale and the others did a great job, but Eckhart and Ledger really stole the show.

I can't say enough good things about this movie, it's one you have to see for yourself.

I don't think I am capable of writing a review that will do justice to this great film. Just go read my buddy Cal's review, haha. Gran Torino is one of the best all around films of 2008. It was snubbed by the Oscars (of course) in almost every category.

First, I'd like to thank god for giving us Clint Eastwood. This is just another great piece of work in his illustrious resume. Eastwood both directed and starred in this film, and his visual flare for directing is amazing. Gran Torino is dark, sleek, and edgy. It's as endearing as it is realistically brutal, sprinkled with a dash of light-hearted humor makes this recipe a success.

Gran Torino gets the full 5 stars from me. This film will never get old to me. Perfect.

Since I am the last person on Earth to see this film, I guess I can skip the plot introduction because we all know what it's about.

Universally renowned by critics and viewers alike, Wall-E proves that Pixar is the elite driving force in animation today. Since the film has appeared on nearly every "Best of..." lists for 2008, I went into this film expecting a masterpiece. Initially after viewing it, I must admit I was a bit underwhelmed. But I gave it a few days to think about it, and concluded that my prior reaction was due in part to bloated expectations.

First, Wall-E is the only kids movie that I can think of that serves to entertain children, but engage adults. These two groups can watch the same movie but, in fact, be watching two totally different messages. Nuts right? Let me explain... kids will be awed by the grandeur of the effects and the bright colors and the adventures of traveling through space. The effects are mind-blowing!

But in this sweet little film are many underlying themes that adults can relate to. It deals with the hardships of being alone, love at first sight, being relevant, taking care of the environment, obesity and staying active, and the notion that humans rely too heavily on computers.

When Eve, who is programmed to follow orders, disobeys a directive to save Wall-E was one of the most heart-warming moments in modern cinema.

There was a scene when the captain was so clueless about what Earth was, or a sea, or dancing that he needed to ask the computer. This is chillingly symbolic of our society's reliance on computers.

The guys at Pixar managed to accomplish all this with the smallest amount of dialog. Now THAT'S a feat worthy of a "masterpiece" title.

50 years from now, everyone will still know the name Wall-E. A modern classic that will undoubtedly withstand the constraints of time. Wall-E is one of the most unforgettable characters ever.

The Wrestler is an amazing story of Randy "The Ram" Robinson's struggles as a professional wrestler long past his prime.

Not enough can be said about Mickey Rourke's performance as the broken down wrestler. He was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar, but was horribly snubbed. The line between realism and acting is invisible here. While watching this film, you will forget that you're looking at an actor... Rourke's performance is so riveting and effortlessly convincing that I forgot he was just acting. He was born to play this role and, likewise, submerged himself into this character perfectly. There is no justification for him not winning that Oscar.

The gorgeous Marisa Tomei was also nominated for an Oscar in a Supporting Role. She was eloquent as the aging stripper who became Randy's love interest. And, wow, her body is fantastic for her age...

A lot of people are criticizing the ending, but I found it to be perfect for this film. Who ever thought a director could utilize empty space as a beautiful ending?!?! Kudos Mr. Aronofsky! This is one of those films that was going to have either a dissatisfyingly unhappy ending or a lame happy ending... but instead Aronofsky perfectly (and surprisingly) delivers a compromising conclusion that captured both the glory and the tragedy of Randy's life.

The Wrestler is a beautiful character portrait that everyone should see, whether you're a fan of wrestling or not. But if you are a fan, then you will love the wrestling matches. They are extremely intense and absolutely brutal! I was cringing at the realism of what these guys really go through! The Wrestler was a wonderful experience.

"The boy they brought back is not my son.

Clint Eastwood's Changeling is a chilling tale based on a true story of a mother whose kidnapped son is returned to her, but in a gut-wrenching twist, the boy turns out not to be hers.

Eastwood's historical period piece is a thoroughly engrossing and haunting film. Due to the fact that it is a true story, it makes Changeling a heart-breaking and sad experience. Eastwood's work here is impeccable. The set was flawless, and the directing was smooth and thoroughly engaging. It's a shame he didn't receive an Oscar nomination, but his Cinematographer, Tom Stern, rightfully was nominated.

Also receiving an Oscar nom was Angelina Jolie. This is by far one of her greatest performances to date. She really immersed herself into the role, and where others would have over-exaggerated the performance, she nailed it. Her performance made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I also thought John Malkovich was stellar as a strong advocate of the despairing mother in her fight against the LA Police Department.

And on a side tangent... Wow, I can't believe the utter corruption of the LAPD in the 1920s! This was an eye-opening piece, and I'm glad Mrs. Collins fought the police and brought about a huge change in policy.

An underrated sleeper hit of 2008, Changeling is a powerful and engrossing drama that reminds us that even in the face of certain misery, there is always hope. Changeling is unforgettable.

"Yeah... I let the American people down. And I'm gonna have to carry that burden with me for the rest of my life. My political life is over. "

Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon is a riveting and informative film that accurately centers around young, charismatic British talk-show host David Frost's post-Watergate interviews with the disgraced former US President Richard Nixon.

This film was like a heavyweight boxing match with words. Frost/Nixon is a thrilling film that is rich in dialog. Literally... there's not much here other than sharp, witty exchanges between the dynamic two leads: Michael Sheen as Frost and Frank Langella as Nixon. Langella was stellar, and captured the essence of the highly intelligent, and deep-voiced Nixon perfectly. He earned an Oscar nomination for this role. Sheen displayed great versatility as the young, out-matched, yet charming TV personality Frost. Director Ron Howard was flawless in crafting this esoteric film, and he also earned an Oscar nom for his efforts.

Engaging and thought-provoking, Frost/Nixon is a compelling political drama that every history buff must see.

I haven't seen this since opening night, but I just watched the DVD, and it reminded me of how great this movie really is. I bumped up my rating another half a star.

This is one of the best comic book movies ever. Combined with the Dark Knight, I'm glad to see directors are starting to take this kind of entertainment seriously.

I liked how this movie was more about Tony Stark than it was about Iron Man. His transformation was brilliantly epic, and flowed perfectly throughout the film. Robert Downey Jr did a wonderful job of breathing life into his character (Stark). He contributed and modified his own mannerisms into the character that no other could have been able to do. It was truly an Oscar-worthy performance. I've never liked the guy, but he was extremely impressive.

The Director Jon Favreau had the daunting task of inaugurating a huge summer movie season in which he was going up against the Dark Knight... and he held his own. Very impressive for the young Director. He told this story in such a unique way that it really raises the bar for future Superhero movies.

The special effects were jaw-dropping, the CGI is well worth the price of admission. Excellent performances from Gwenyth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges. It might be a little pretentious to say, but I felt they were Oscar-worthy as well. Also the absolutely stunning Leslie Bibb was impressively mischievous as the reporter Christine Everhart. Her first encounter with Stark's female assistant Pepper Potts was one of the best (and most memorable) dialogs of the entire movie. Terrance Howard, however, was a little flat for me, sorry.

Watch this movie all the way to the end of the credits because there is a PERFECT SURPRISE clip at the end that hints towards a future project.

There is no DOUBT that John Patrick Shanley's drama Doubt is one of the best movies of 2008. The story centers around a stone cold nun who suspects a priest of sexual abuse against a minor. With no evidence and no confessions, all that remains is doubt...

What anchors this excellent film is its all star cast: Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis... impressively ALL 4 received Oscar nominations for their performances. It was like watching an All Star game for any sport: the game itself isn't that interesting, but wow is it a spectacle to watch all those talented players together on one field!

The dialog is rich and profound, and the verbal altercations between Streep and Hoffman were amazing to watch. Amy Adams was amazing as the young, naive nun... I actually thought her performance was the strongest.

In Bruges is a complete surprise... I didn't have any expectations going into it, but it completely delivered on all cylinders.

The story is pretty simple: it centers around 2 hitmen who were ordered to take a vacation in the angelic city of Bruges. Of course, nothing goes as planned.

Excellent performance by Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson. Colin Farrell was ok as well... that thing he kept doing with his eyes was a little irritating. But still a solid performance that is overshadowed by the first two.

This is a dark comedy that is sleek, cool and filled with a lot of heart. There is a good lesson to be learned from this movie. It also has great, witty dialog (which I love). There's something for everybody: drama, guns, fights, comedy, midgets, yeah it's all there.... Don't miss out on probably one of the coolest films of the year.

I'll end with one of my favorite quotes from the movie:

"I grew up in Dublin, and I love Dublin. If I had grown up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me. But I didn't, so it doesn't.''

Slumdog Millionaire, winner of 8 Oscars including Best Picture in 2008. This low-budget, sleeper hit captivated audiences and critics alike. By the time I got around to viewing this film, its reputation preceded itself. Slumdog is an endearing film that centers around a poverty-stricken "slumdog" kid named Jamal who is a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." The narration is unique and effective because director Danny Boyle chooses flashbacks of his life to tell the story of how the uneducated Jamal is able to answer every question correctly. Danny Boyle is the best thing going for this film. His signature flare and effective use of bright colors is mesmerizing. The way he unfolds this brilliant and unique story is absolutely perfect. Slumdog is an inspiring love story that is both memorable and charming. It is also exceptional what Boyle had to go through to complete this film. It should also be noted that he has helped raise a lot of charitable donations for the slumdogs in Mumbai.

Despite all this, I believe Slumdog Millionaire is a bit more flawed than most people are willing to admit. It's easy to get caught up in the spectacle of such a great story... but the fact remains that the plot is inconceivable and a bit foolish at times. The acting was very sub par. Much has been said about Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, but I don't think their performances were anything special (hence Best Actor and Actress were just about the only 2 categories that didn't receive a nomination). The best actors in the whole movie were the young kids... and also Anil Kapoor as the talk show host.

My main problem with the plot is the reliance on something as lousy as "fate." I'm no psychologist, but I'm sure there is one out there that could prove that it would be impossible for a man to remember one small event 10+ years in the past without repeating the information at some point. For example, an uneducated Indian boy remembering that Benjamin Franklin was on the US $100 bill. It's inconceivable.

Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire is a good movie worthy of praise and multiple viewings, but it's not worthy of total Oscar domination. It happened to be the beneficiary of a weak year in film. It would place runner-up to both 2007 hits No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood. 10 years down the road after the heart-warming stories attached to this film have disappeared, all that's left is a good movie (not a GREAT one) with an exaggerated resume of glamorous awards that well exceeds its potential.

Wanted is everything I didn't think it would be. I expected to see a kick ass movie with amazing fights, cool cars, good looking girls, and mass mayhem. I got all this and more... Wanted was funny, touching, and engrossing. This movie is also laced with unexpected twists throughout that will really keep you on the edge of your seat. This is not just your ordinary mindless summer blockbuster, it is a very smart thrill ride that will captivate you.

I can't help but to compare this to the Matrix. It has all the same elements, but yet still remains original. Wesley is Neo, Fox is Trinity, Sloan is Morpheus, several of the assassins look identical to Agent Smith, so on and so on. What the Matrix had that Wanted does not is the element of believability. The Matrix explains our world as made-up or created and that allows for all the crazy stunts, but in Wanted we are led to believe these skills of (curving bullets for example) happen in reality because they just can for those who are predestined to be assassins. There's no real rhyme or reason for it. This lack of clarity is my only complaint and the only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5. However, I still love this movie for its style and uniqueness. I will see it again in theaters and will definitely own the DVD.

"If you ever carried out your proposed threat you would experience such a shitstorm of consequences my friend your empty little head would be spinning faster than the wheels of your Schwinn bicycle. "

The Coen brothers have done it again! Not even a year after winning the Best Picture Oscar for No Country For Old Men the Coen's return to making an incredibly entertaining black comedy in Burn After Reading.

The plot is a bit complex, and too much information may give away important details. But the film centers around two brainless gym employees who devise a plot to blackmail a CIA analyst when they happen to stumble across a secret CD of his that contains sensitive information.

Nothing is what it seems in this uproarious tale of selfishness and infidelity. This film incorporates a wide array of flawed characters played by a host of A list actors, but the real show-stealer here is John Malkovich. So much is being made about Brad Pitt in this movie, but the true star was Malkovich. GREAT performance... if there was an Oscar ceremony for fluff films, I would guarantee him a nom for his portrayal of down-on-his-luck former CIA analyst Osbourne Cox. Brad Pitt was also a scene-stealer... he really doesn't play a big part, but watching him rock out on his ipod the whole film was really funny. Frances McDormand and George Clooney were good as well... and Tilda Swinton did a phenomenial job.

My only complaint with this film is it's message to those who are unhappily married, or who are skeptical about getting married as it is: everyone in this film was committing adultery. Maybe that's the real world we live in, and I just don't know it yet.

What really made this film for me was the excellent score... it had a very fast-paced serious tone in a very non-serious film. It was great to see that the Coen's weren't taking this film too seriously... it's nice to sit back and watch in ensemble of great directors and great actors have fun and do what they do best. It's one of the most fun films of 2008. The Coen brothers are proving themselves to be one of the most versatile directors in Hollywood.

"What a clusterfuck!"

Nothing But the Truth is an underrated, lesser-known 2008 political thriller that delivers on all levels. The story is based off true events and revolves around a reporter whose story blows a CIA's cover and the government's atrociously relentless pursuit of discovering her "source" whom the reporter refuses to reveal.

The story is gripping and powerful, filled with excellent performances. Kate Beckinsale doesn't usually impress outside of her looks, but here she does a film where she spends 90% of it with no makeup and she delivers one of the finest performances of her career! Alan Alda and the underrated Vera Farmiga were exceptional here as well.

It's amazing to me that extremely average political thrillers like State of Play had a tremendous amount of marketing and A-list actors only to deliver a mediocre movie... but yet a film like Nothing But the Truth falls through the cracks and turns out to be one of the finer films of the year.

This film is engaging from start to finish... I found myself emotionally attached to the poor reporter. It was an amazing, unforgettable story that was based off true events. Heartbreaking to say the least.... And the ending will absolutely floor you, I did not see that coming. Nothing But the Truth was a pleasant surprise that everyone should check out.

Boy did this movie surprise me??? I did not have high hopes for this film, hell, it didn't even crack my top 15 most anticipated summer movies. But after watching it, I would go so far as to say it's the funniest movie I've seen this year. This might not be a fair statement because I have yet to see Step Brothers... but they're totally different types of comedy. But Tropic Thunder is leagues better than Zohan, Get Smart, Love Guru, or Pineapple Express.

The movie begins with a fabricated but genuinely authentic looking movie trailers which serve to introduce the 3 main characters (who are in this case, actors). The trailers sound and feel so real that at first you question if this is the movie starting or another damn preview! A lot of laughs from these bits...

I found this film to be a smart comedy that doesn't rely on puerile jokes or stoned teenagers. There is a part where the movie could've exploited a funny moment with cocaine, but chose not to.

Great performances all around, most notably from Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and TOM CRUISE... that's right! Tom Cruise! Cameo's galore in this film, but none greater than Cruise! This is probably his best performance since Jerry Maguire! He was funny... i don't think I've ever said that.

Can you imagine how hard it is to act like your acting badly, then find it in you to act like your really acting? Geez, mind-boggling... great movie with lots of good laughs and great performances! A perfect satire about movie industry....

I've never been a fan of Woody Allen, but Vicky Cristina Barcelona was a pleasant surprise. The story centers around two young American women, Vicky and Cristina, who travel to Barcelona for a summer. Vicky is engaged and Cristina is beautiful and free-spirited. Once in Spain, the girls meet a suave romantic womanizer named Juan Carlos who has a crazy ex-wife.

The cast was excellent... Penelope Cruz won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the crazy ex-wife Maria. It was nice to see Javier Bardem outside of his psychotic role from No Country. Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall were great and had great chemistry as the two young American girls.

This is a wonderful film about the exploitations of love and romance. The love scenes were tasteful and sensual without being raunchy. It's almost like an anti-Nicholas Sparks chick flick. It still has a happy ending, but it's just not as sappy.

Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a witty, yet passionate film about love. It's a fun alternative to most typical cliched romance films.

All star cast of actors that centers around a tragic diner shooting rampage that leaves many dead and the survivor's lives in despair. Excellent story about coping with pain and tragedy. Some turn to religion, others to gambling, some to alcohol, and others just bottle it inside. The director did a fantastic job shooting this film. I love the constant flashbacks to the shooting, each time learning a little bit more of what really happened. It keeps you intrigued. The cinematography was beautiful, and the score was perfect.

Dakota Fanning was, once again, the shinning star here. She's amazing to watch in these kind of touching roles. Forest Whitaker, Guy Pearce, and Kate Beckinsale were all excellent as well. And it was nice to see Jeanne Tripplehorn back in a big role. Jennifer Hudson's role was absolutely pointless though. Seriously, wtf? They could've saved some money and hired my neighbor. Her role was brief, pointless, and not complicated.

Fragments originally was titled Winged Creatures which would've been a more fitting name. But this drama does tend to move a bit slow, but if you let yourself in these character's lives, you'll be impressed with how touching this film truly is. Very underrated film in 2008.

This is the purest definition of mindless fun in cinema that I've seen in the past couple of years. This film follows a very linear and predictable storyline, but it was loads of fun.

Warning: this is not for the weak. It's nice to see ruthless gore with no CGI, but it's hard to stomach for the light-hearted... especially since there are numerous scenes of brutal killings of women and children, including one where a young child is ripped from his mothers arms and flung into a fire like an expendable toy.

Although this is merely a sequel, I think this is how a Rambo film is supposed to be made. This film pays homage to the original and it was tactfully done.

The movie was shot very well, I loved the constant raining conditions they had to endure. This film also introduces the trouble in Myanmar, which I never knew about.

This is one badass 91 minute pure adrenaline rush that any hardcore fan of action will love.

Traitor is a film that everyone should watch at least once in their lifetime. I'm not saying this for it's cinematic achievements, because at face value it's nothing special. Rather it sends an unconventional message that a lot of people (especially Christians and Americans) don't want to hear.

Traitor is a high-octane terrorism spy movie that delivers on many different levels. At the surface, it's nothing more than a suspenseful roller coaster with some nice twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the climatic end. You can't help but to feel that you have seen this film before.

However, deep down the director, Jeff Nachmanoff, tackles a very controversial issue: he shows us how so-called "terrorism" is carried out by the other side. He very eloquently shows us how Muslims are effected, and he does an excellent job of arousing sympathy for Muslims during these trying times. Nachmanoff shows us the humane side of Muslims that many Americans never get to see... he even shows us that the unfortunate ones who get led into terrorist rings are merely the victims of radicals as well. He also clarifies one of our typical stereotypes: not all "Muslim terrorists" come in the form of heavy-bearded tan men.

Traitor is one of the most eye-opening films I have seen a while.

I now see why Don Cheadle signed on for this role. He's a very respectable actor that is picky about his roles. He did a great job, along with the underrated Guy Pearce. Great performances all around.

This is a film that many people will only give average marks, but it deserves more attention than it is getting. It has good action with a witty climax. And you just might learn a thing or two about our Muslim friends, I know I did....

The Bank Job is not your average heist movie, nor is it your average Jason Statham action flick. It's not anything what I thought it was, but yet it completely exceeded my expectations.

The film follows a group of "down on their luck" small-time crooks looking for a big score led by Jason Statham's character. In comes a sexy former fling of Statham's (played by the beautiful Saffron Burrows) with a job that will set everyone for life. It's not long before Statham is on to her hidden agenda; however, she is completely unaware of everything that is really going on.

The story is twisting and complex, and includes deception from the highest level of the Royal Family... and it's a true story! The movie is a bit predictable once the full story is revealed, but it's a fun and charming ride.

"Let this remind you why you once feared the dark..."

Visionary director Guillermo Del Toro takes over to add his signature flare in an attempt to improve the mediocre original Hellboy. It's rare that a sequel, in fact, is much better than it's predecessor, but with Del Toro at the helm it was inevitable. Immediately the difference is felt when scores of dazzling and exotic new characters are introduced (like the infamous baby who turns out to be a tumor... it's classic). Also new to this film was the brilliant fight scenes. They were well choreographed, and not cheesy like it's predecessor.

Hellboy 2 is far from perfect, but it didn't take much to upgrade from the original. Ron Pearlman, in my opinion, was born to play the role of Hellboy. He's big, he's serious, and he has the wittiest sense of humor. Chalk full of clever dialog, Hellboy 2 is wildly entertaining with a perfect mix of action and tension-easing comedy.

Selma Blair's character is a big improvement . In the first film, she was weak, annoying, and was primarily moping around. But in the second film, she is strong, witty, and, well... pretty damn sexy.

The plot and the antagonist in this second installment was much more intriguing. Prince Nuada, played perfectly by the underrated Luke Goss, is one of the most formidable enemies in recent marvel movies (sans the Joker of course). The idea of the Golden Army and how events played out were compelling, which is what the first film lacked.

Overall, it's a shame that Hellboy 2 was unable to shine as it lurked in the grand shadows of The Dark Knight and Iron Man because Guillermo Del Toro crafted a fascinating and visually splendid superhero flick. It's a VAST improvement over the first film.

"Dr. Manning, suck my ectoplasmic schwanzstucker!"

This might not be the best movie you will ever see, nor is it even the scariest (for the horror genre fanatics). In fact, this movie is flawed and predictable all the way thru. However, what it lacks in substance it makes up for in originality.

Director Matt Reeves tackled a seemingly redundant topic - Godzilla - and "Americanizes" it. What was brilliant about it was his marketing campaign. For months he teased movie-goers of a giant monster that attacks New York City... and everybody wanted a small glimpse of this thing.

After seeing this giant cockroach looking creature, I must admit I was a little let down. But what else could he do? In the end, I think Reeves did an excellent job.

His idea of Blair With Project-esqe handheld camera method of telling this story was an excellent choice. In conclusion, I enjoyed this film more for it's cinematic beauty and originality.

I loved it... Forgetting Sarah Marshall is hilarious and sweet. It's easily relatable to one's own life. It's hard to have a girl break up with you for another guy... and then you find out she was cheating on you the whole time!! The director did a great job of getting the audience to feel Peter's pain, and to relate with the emotions he was going through.

The two lead actresses were phenomenal: Kristen Bell (from Veronica Mars) and Mila Kunis (from that 70's Show). Both are smoking hot and put in solid performances. Loved Russell Brand as well in his first major movie. I hope to see more of him in the future. I kind of felt like Jason Segel was a little flat most of the time. He pulled off a helpless loser pretty well, but was it necessary to flash his penis many times??

I do, however, have one complaint about the film. SPOILERS... Ok, so the whole conflict is that Peter is trying to move forward with Rachel and forget about Sarah, even though Sarah is (towards the end) trying to get him back. The director wants you to feel like he should get back with Sarah, or at least make it a TOUGH DECISION. But, in essence, it's not! The reason being is that Rachel is soooo much more smoking hot than Sarah. He would be congratulated if he broke up with Sarah INITIALLY for Rachel. I think maybe the rolls should have been reversed. Mila should've played Sarah Marshall to help make that conflict appear tougher for Peter. Just my opinion...

This movie is endearing, memorable, funny, and most definitely re-watchable. If you had a long day and want to come home, turn off the brain and watch something sweet and funny, then pop this in.

Let the Right One In is a breath of fresh air after seeing the teenie vampire flick Twilight. Following a similar storyline, this film is about a young female vampire, Eli, who falls in love with her neighbor, Oskar. The icy winter backdrop made for a very eerie atmosphere that meshed well with the vampire story.

As impressed as I was with this film, it still comes with flaws. There were scenes that seemed horribly shot and others seemed pointless. The dialog was god awful, and the acting was ridiculous. However, the young girl, played by Lina Leandersson, was exceptionally creepy and delivered a solid performance.

The romance between Eli and Oskar was perfect. Cheesy one-liners like the ones used in Twilight were not necessary to display the love connection these two shared. Beautiful work. The ending was really strong and saved this film. It tends to be a bit slow and sluggish at times, but there were several very powerful scenes.

This Swedish flick has been a sleeper hit with audiences and critics, and they already have an English version in the works to avoid watching the horribly dubbed version. It's a great vampire film with a powerfully unforgettable ending.

"Things don't happen the same way twice"
These are the words that were spoken twice by Aslam, the lion who formerly ruled Narnia when the Pevensie children first discovered the magical world. Aslam has never sounded more prophetic. Prince Caspian was a breath of fresh air compared to the boring journey of its predecessor: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The Positives:
Prince Caspian was a much darker and violent follow-up to the first Narnia movie. The PG rating should be in question, but the action scenes should be relished by the older generation. The plot is engaging, and not terribly predictable. But, for those with Lord of the Rings style fantasy fight scenes nostalgia, the battles will thrill you. The landscape and cinematography were amazing, even better than the first movie.

The Negatives:
The marathon time of 2 hrs. and 22 minutes is a bit longwinded for this fantasy caper. There were many unnecessary scenes depicting emotions or there were attempts at character development that completely flat lined. It was also a little hard to take the elder Pevensie kid, Peter, seriously. In the beginning of the movie we find him getting roughed up by the neighborhood bullies, and then he comes full circle and battles the leader and warrior of an empire who is twice his age in a 1 on 1 battle to the death? Color me blind, but I'm sure I wasn't the only person rolling my eyes. Another aspect to the ending of this movie was a little disappointing, but I won't spoil it.

Recommendation:
Had the movie been about 30 minutes shorter, this would've been a great, action packed film. Instead we're left with an entertaining ride that you don't want to ride again. If you're a fan of the first, then you will love the second. Enjoy it for it's amazing battle scenes, but don't expect much else. It's forgettable...

A bit of a slow, melodramatic tale of a married couple's so-called "boring" life in the suburbs in the 1950s. I'm really not a fan of these types of movies because I don't think life in the suburbs is as mundane as Hollywood portrays it... but that's just me.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were absolutely phenomenal here... in fact, their tremendous acting is the only thing that keeps this film a float. The first 3/4 of this film was fairly dull and unengaging, but the final act was worth the wait and even bumped my rating up a whole star.

All in all, Revolutionary Road is not a film I'd watch again, but it's worth a view. I didn't think it deserved to be a Best Picture Oscar nominee because there were host of other films that got snubbed that were better, but it's not a total waste of time.

I thought it was kind of amusing as well that the only sane person in this film happened to be the crazy, insane guy.

Seann William Scott is back! I'm one of the few people out there who actually think he's funny.

Role Models is a typical feel-good buddy movie. In this case, Seann and Paul Rudd are required to mentor neglected young children - one being an introverted, dedicated fan of a live action role playing game of medieval battles called "Laire" and the other kid being a crude, foul-mouthed kid who loves women's breasts.

What could be more fun? It was brilliant... the screenplay was excellent, the execution even better. The jokes were witty and funny, everything you've come to expect from a Paul Rudd movie (Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin, etc).

The acting was great by most everyone involved. Role Models marked the return of McLovin! I love that guy... he's the quintessential dork. Jane Lynch was a little over-the-top at times, but still effective.

One of the best things about this movie is that it doesn't mock the nerdy, neglected kids. Similar movies, like Drillbit Taylor, display these kids as being losers with no deserved empathy. Roles Models, however, glorifies them. It teaches a valuable lesson about being yourself regardless of what it is we like to do and unaffected by how others will perceive us. The climatic fight scene at the end was inevitably extremely cheesy, but you can't help but to feel good and smile while watching it.

The only negative thing I can say about this movie is that it suffers a little from predictability, but most comedies do. You also see a few boobs. I wouldn't say it was necessary nudity, but it was quick....

and nice ; )

But if that kind of thing offends you, then all the cussing might offend you too.

A must see comedy.....

"Dad, I can't believe you smoked... and drank... and were such a slut... But I still love you."

A surprise hit in 2008, Definitely, Maybe is a sweet and charming film about a recently divorced father (Ryan Reynolds) who tells his daughter (Abigal Breslin) the story of how he met and fell in love with her mother. The narration then turns to lengthy flashbacks, and we're introduced to the three women Reynold's character fell in love with. Mystery deepens as more and more is revealed about each chance encounter until the climatic ending when his daughter finds out which character in the story tale is her mother.

This film is cute and enjoyable. Breslin is adorable, and although she already knows her mother in real life, she was overwhelmed with anxiety trying to piece together the puzzle of which character from her dad's story was her mom. When faced with the idea of one of the characters being her mom, she swore she'd move to Canada.

I liked this setup... it enables you to get lost in the story, and intrigued by the mystery.

The three lead actresses are all beautiful and delivered convincing performances: Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, and Isla Fisher.

This is a beautiful story about love, hope, and second chances. One of the most endearing films of 2008.

"Fine, I'm gonna tell you the story, but I'm not telling you who your mom is. You're just gonna have to figure it out for yourself. And I'm changing all of the names, and some of the facts. I just decided that right now. Then we'll see how smart you are."

This is a very original idea... 1 high risk all out Presidential assassination, and 5 different point of views. It's a little redundant to see the same scenario 5 times in one short movie, but the director did a great job of spicing each vantage point up with something new and different. Each point of view built off the another... it was genuinely amazing.

My only beef with this movie (and I will explain this without spoiling anything for those who haven't seen it) is that a lot of events take place that are a little hard to believe. I found myself saying "That would never happen" or "That never would've been able to happen."

Regardless, this is a very intelligent movie that will keep you gawking at every twist and turn (and there's a bunch of them). If you like mystery crime "who done it" types of movies, then you will completely enjoy Vantage Point.

I just want to say that this is not a movie that is looking to cash in on the recent trendiness of Las Vegas and gambling in general. This is based on a true story about an extremely gifted MIT student who is recruited by a devious professor (played amazingly by Kevin Spacey) to a clandestine group of students who train to count cards to take Vegas casinos for thousands every weekend.

It's a fun ride full of loud music and bright lights... everything you'd expect from Vegas. I was a little disappointed that they didn't explore the system and how it works. You're just told it does and you get to watch their faces as they win instead of actually realizing how they won. This is the main flaw of the movie...

The story is intriguing and fun to watch because I'm a huge fan of Vegas and gambling in general. If you're not a fan, this might be a waste of your time. The ending really makes this movie special. Spacey and Fishbourne put in top notch performances; however, everyone else came up flat... especially Kate Bosworth! Blah!

The 2008 version of the Incredible Hulk is better in every aspect than Ang Lee's 2003 abomination attempt at bringing the green giant to life. I'm going to do my best not to compare the two because that would only serve to make the 2008 version a masterpiece... and sadly, it's not.

My original intent was to give this movie 3 stars, but the ending prompted me to bump it up another half a star. I don't want to spoil anything, but all I'm saying is you should definitely watch Iron Man before you watch this movie. The ending will make much more sense.

I was amazed that the directors collaborated the 2 movies together setting up the stage for the much heralded Avengers project.

Altough I honestly believe this movie's sole purpose serves to enlighten viewers on some background information on the Hulk for the Avengers film.

This version of the Hulk was fun and exciting. The CGI was up to par, and the fight scenes were fairly good. The plot was predictable, and some of the acting was campy. Edward Norton did a fantastic job, and so did Tim Roth. Everyone else -namely Liv Tyler - wasn't very convincing.

I recommend this movie because it's a fun, entertaining way to spend an hour and a half. It's an engaging, higher degree of mediocrity that shouldn't be missed.

I loved this little direct-to-DVD horror film. It teaches a lot about Halloween folk lore that I never knew about. For instance, I never knew it was considered bad customs to blow out your pumpkin before Halloween night was officially over!

Trick 'r Treat is a well-made Halloween scarefest that centers around four interwoven stories that FOR ONCE actually overlap and are related. I loved the narration and most of the stories were both scary and interesting. One of the stories turned a little "odd" but I won't delve much into it.

The little demon that watches our characters is unique and scary and, hopefully, becomes an icon of Halloween in the future (much like a Grinch for Christmas). Brian Cox is awesome, and Dylan Baker and Anna Paquin were good here as well.

Overall, this is a nice throwback to horror films of the past thats not too gory, but yet it still conjures up a good amount of thrills and scares. It's got some creepy moments, but the end result is highly entertaining.

David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one of the biggest disappointments for me in 2008. The story is unique and original... it centers around a boy who was born in his eighties and ages backwards. The premise is clever and opens the door for all sorts of creativity. And for me, this sweeping epic failed to endear. One's enjoyment of this film can be derived from their appreciation of all the characters Benjamin meets throughout his life. This is one of the main flaws for me... I found most of the characters to be uninteresting and completely forgettable.

In short, Benjamin Button is overrated. Nominated for Best Picture, it's hard to believe this film is considered top 5 of the year. However, the makeup and visuals were absolutely perfect. This film was well made and looked amazing. But that alone doesn't warrant it high accolades. At roughly 3 hours in length, this film fails to engage for the entire length. Many parts drag, and the romance is uninspiring and just awkward.

This is not an awful film, but it's nothing I would want to see again. It could've been better.

It's safe to say.... GUY RITCHIE IS BACK BABY! But don't start popping the wine bottles and tapping the kegs yet my friends...

RockNRolla is a welcoming surprise compared to Ritchie's most recent turd in Revolver. But it's not even close to the masterpiece that Snatch was. Ritchie returns to what he does best: making convoluted British gangster films with a lot of witty dialog, double-crossings, and brutal violence.

RockNRolla is immensely entertaining, and there's hardly a dull moment (although the action really doesn't begin until half way through the film). It had some funny moments, and a lot of bad ass characters... but what it was lacking was a powerful, memorable climax like in Snatch. This ending was predictable and unsatisfying.

I also felt no real connection to the characters. There was also nothing memorable about them either. I'll never forget the great characters from Snatch like Turk, Mickey, Frankie Four Fingers, Bullet Tooth Tony, etc. Although Toby Kebell's performance as Johnny Squidd was the most enjoyable of the whole film.

RockNRolla is a nice escape from reality, and I loved seeing Ritchie back to form... but, ultimately, this film is forgettable.

Yes Man is no comedic masterpiece, but it is fairly successful in conjuring up a night of laughs. It has a fairly predictable plot that involves recently divorced, down-on-his-luck Carl (Jim Carrey) who enlists in a self-help program that teaches him to say "yes" to every situation... no exceptions!

Yes Man has it's comedic moments, and it's definitely a nice break from the tons of crude humor-based films that have been getting mass-produced lately.

Jim Carrey shines in this role that appears to be designed just for him. His humor is unique and infectious... I've really missed this guy. Zooey Deschanel is beautiful and wonderful in all her roles... no different here.

Good, clean, popcorn fun.... but it unfortunately doesn't have much replay value.

Engaging and fun, but the only thing that makes this movie stand out is the big twist. Worth a watch.....

Valkyrie is a well told little-known true story about officers inside Hitler's staff that attempt to assassinate him. Anchored by strong acting and excellent, fast-paced political narration, Valkyrie still never seems to lift off. It's a very nice pseudo-documentary that is interesting to know, but falls short of being a successful film. It's kind of ho-hum. Thanks for the info Mr. Bryan Singer, but I'm afraid I'll probably never visit this one again.

"Most people respect the badge. Everyone respects the gun."

Righteous Kill marks the monumental reunion of two cop, thriller, gangster movie ICONS in Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. Unfortunately for all of us, Michael Mann's no where to be seen. For what it's worth, Jon Avnet had big shoes to fill and HUGE expectations... and sadly neither were met here. But Righteous Kill by no means is a disaster. It has a fairly typical plot about two partner NYPD cops who are chasing a killer who targets high profile criminals. All signs point to a cop as the killer.

Pacino and DeNiro are strong together, and they share the camera faithfully. They have great chemistry, but I think they are more entertaining as arch-nemesis rather than buddies.

Carla Gugino was smokin' hot....

The directing of the film is a little stale, but it's still entertaining. Although the plot is a little formulaic, there are some nice twists throughout that keep you engaged.

This is no Heat, but Righteous Kill is still a very entertaining popcorn thriller if you temper your expectations.

"Dirty Harry said there's nothing wrong with a little shooting, as long as the right people get shot."

I didn't love it, and I can't really appreciate it, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a good time watching this film.

Death Race is an action junkie's movie. I'm a huge fan of Jason Statham, and he delivers here with lightning quick fights and an all around bad ass demeanor.

It's not the most enlightening film this year, and it's chalk full of cheesy moments. But cars will blow up and it's a blast (no pun intended).

Turn off the brain and relax for a little while....

Formula:
The Fast and the Furious + The Longest Yard + The Transporter = Death Race

This movie was much better than I thought it was going to be. It kept me laughing all throughout, but the plot was extremely childish and laughable. I've seen better plots in any and every CSI episode.

Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway were great together, and David Koechner (who is extremely underrated) was hilarious. I couldn't help but to think the Rock was a little out of place in this film tho...

Where this film lacks is the ability to bring viewers back. The jokes were funny because they were shocking and took you by surprise, but if you knew they were coming then the punchline loses its edginess. After seeing this once I know I could never go back and laugh as hard or as many times as I did the first time.

In conclusion, shut down your brain, be ready to laugh and enjoy the comedic gem of Get Smart, but don't expect to want to see it again.

This review can be summed up in 3 words:
Cute. Funny. Forgettable.

Disney's Bolt is a nice little family film that is entertaining for both adults and children. It's a funny and inspiring tale of friendship and discovery. Some nice messages are placed here, but overall it's predictable and campy. I was disappointed in Rhino, the hamster, I thought he would be more funny. A lack of a villain also serves to hinder this film. Bolt is not bad, but it's nothing memorable.

Disney: You're no Pixar, that's for sure.

A very high liking for sci-fi films is needed to really enjoy Mutant Chronicles. It's very stylish in a Sky Captain kind of way. The action is gruesome and quite good. The film boasts a solid cast with Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, John Malkovich, and Asian swordsmen Devon Aoki and Aaron Yoo. Character development for our heroes was a little slim, but it gave enough information to distinguish them and to make some sort of connection.

The dialog was a little cheesy at times, and the plot was fairly one dimensional and predictable, but overall it's a pretty well made sci-fi action caper. It's nothing to write home about, but it's a solid way to spend 2 hours for avid fans of the genre.

Quantum of Solace?? What the hell does that mean any way? Other than Quantum being the name of the "mysterious" corporation in this film, this obscure title has no relevance. It's not very Bondish....

This appears to be the underlying problem with QOS: it feels, looks, and sounds nothing like a Bond movie. I always look forward to the same quotes reciprocated: "Bond, James Bond" and "Martini, shaken not stirred." But unfortunately, neither were used. It was like celebrating Christmas with no presents.

Bond himself was diluted and perversed. Bond is supposed to be witty and humorous while maintaining a cool, tough exterior. Unfortunately, here he is just menacingly psychotic.

And what kind of James Bond doesn't sleep with the Bond girl? C'mon.....

The storyline is pretty good, although you must have details from Casino Royale fresh on the brain to fully comprehend everything (which is another trait Bond film's don't typically have). The action and explosions are amped up. It was obvious more time went into creating eye-candy than to script-writing.

The primary antagonist, Dominic Greene, is easily the weakest villain in the Bond franchise history. His short stature and overall laughable demeanor rendered his character pathetic, weak, and not intimidating.

The biggest problem with this film is that it doesn't exist on it's own. You can randomly draw any Bond movie out of a stack and enjoy yourself. But 15 years down the road, QOS will be an incredibly painful film that requires too much background knowledge. The opening car chase scene won't make any sense to the casual viewer, neither will most the characters or even Bond's motives.

QOS is nothing more than an extended 2 hour long ending to Casino Royale.

The big question here is, do we have another killer croc movie a la Lake Placid?

Answer: No........ and well, damnit, yes we do.

Rogue is ultimately better than your typical killer croc movie. But let's face it, how over-dramatic was Lake Placid? C'mon... This Australian version of the killer croc succeeds because it doesn't inject us with a surreal beast that has been genetically mutated by government nuclear waste, or anything outlandish like that... it's just a real big hungry beast! It keeps the look and feel of the crocodile authentic. Also, the croc itself is amazing looking, even for a low budget film like this. Technology has come a long way. I love how the director stays true to realism by the actions of the killer croc. It's not doing anything abnormal, and even executes the "spin" when it grabs on to something that attempts to resist. Very realistic indeed....

I'm beginning to grow fond of Radha Mitchell as an actress... she put in a wonderful performance here in this film. She wasn't given a whole lot to work with, but she was clearly the best actor in this group. The male lead role went to a very talented, but unheard of Michael Vartan (girls might remember him as the "hot" teacher from Never Been Kissed) who displayed a great range of versatility in his part.

However, the rest of the cast was all garbage - sans the witty, comedic beer guzzling Aussie Neal played by Stephen Curry. They were bland, boring and too similar. I had a hard time deciphering who was married to whom... then I realized I didn't care. I had zero empathy for any of them. Instead of leaning back wide-eyed in suspense, I was leaning forward with a sadistic smirk anticipating the glorious devouring of these ridiculously stupid characters.

Rogue suffers from extreme predictability, and plot holes long enough to swallow the Outback. I don't want to delve into it because I don't wish to spoil the story for anyone. But the film's lack of common sense is absurd and completely laughable. Despite all the ground it makes in this genre, Rogue is still constricted by it's own underlying flaws.

Absolutely loved the Outback scenery, and the female Aussie accent tho ;)

The Judd Apatow crew came out of nowhere a few years ago, and they have produced funny movie after funny movie. But now they're starting to face HIGH EXPECTATIONS... and I'm afraid this one doesn't get there.

Apatow and Rogen live off originality and "holy shit I can't believe he just said that" humor... and this is the major flaw of Pineapple Express. It's not original, and it's not even all that funny. This film is more situationally comedic, meaning I laughed at certain situations, but not necessarily at any one punchline.

This film really feels like a bad action spoof, to tell you the truth.

The bright spot in this movie is hands down James Franco... he was the one guy who consistently made me laugh. I've only seen him in dramas, so this was a change of pace for me. He's really proving himself as a versatile actor. And Seth Rogen was, ehhhh, a little boring and predictable. I love the guy, but he can do better.

It gets 2.5 stars because it can be a fun ride to sit through, and it's definitely not painful. But it's really not that funny... it's not one of those comedies you can watch over and over again. It's nothing special

And one more tedious complaint... the trailer introduced a great song to me: Paper Planes by MIA and I was waiting to hear it in the movie.... and it never came!!

Eagle Eye is easily one of the biggest disappointments of 2008.

This film stars an unlikely rising action-junkie Shia LeaBeouf, and typically beautiful "damsel in distress" Michelle Monaghan. Both are recruited by a mysterious voice of a woman to carry out an assassination on the entire US chain of command, beginning with the President. This is not a spoiler because you find this information out before the half way point of the film, but the "mysterious woman" is no more than a covert super computer built by the US that has gone AWOL.

Where have we heard this before?? Oh, that's right, it was in I-Robot which LaBeouf starred in. The only difference is that I-Robot took place in a fictional setting where Robots existed, Eagle Eye however, is supposed to be more realistic.

The first 30 minutes of the film was tense and exhilarating, but then the plot takes off into laughable absurdity. Too many times I found myself reaching for my BS card. For instance, this Super Computer could pick up conversations by tapping into vibration sounds off a coffee cup. LAME! Why the hell was he even drinking coffee?? Hey, the President is about to be killed, can someone get me a hot cup of joe!

The acting was average... the two leads did a great job with what they were given. LaBeouf is turning into a great actor, but the chemistry between him and Monaghan just wasn't there. She looked to be 12 years older than him, even with that ridiculous partial facial stubble he was sporting (I'm guessing it was the director's attempt to close the age gap between the two). Three veteran actors were widely underused: Billy Bob Thorton, Rosario Dawson, and Michael Chiklis.

If you're able to turn off your brain, and you have a sweet tooth for action movies, then you will highly enjoy this film. It's fast paced, and there's rarely a dull moment. But the plot was completely far-fetched for me to enjoy it.

It's a preposterous plot masked by great action. Highly disappointed...

Street Kings is one of the most unauthentic movies I've seen in years.

Don't get me wrong, if I had never seen a cop movie or an LA violence-laced, cops against gang members movie or a dirty cops movie before, I would've given this 4.5 stars. But I have seen all of the above, and I have seen better.

Nothing about this movie is original: the twists, the action, the plot, the double crossings, the set-ups, the payoffs, the corruption, the gun fights.... NOTHING. It was like a montage of clips from random movies with Keanu Reeves in the middle whinning and complaining. It's hard to take a movie seriously when a character tries so hard to kill himself and yet he seems to be the only one who lives. I felt no empathy for Reeves character....

Chris Evans, Forest Whitaker, and Hugh Laurie all put in good efforts, but they alone can't save a plot you've already seen before.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad flick if you're a fan of the genre.. just don't expect anything new or ground breaking. The multiple twists are engaging... but I still feel it comes up flat in the end.

"You have the voice of an angel. Your voice is like a combination of Fergie and Jesus."

Color me blind, dumb, and ignorant! But holy hell, isn't the premise of Step Brothers absolutely ridiculous??!!?? Some comedies are plausible (Wedding Crashers, Grandma's Boy), some a little far-fetched (Old School, Super Troopers), and some exist in a world different from our own (Anchorman, Talladega Nights).... but this plot was ABSURD. In no parallel universe can 40 year old men live at home without having jobs for 20-something years and still act like they're 15. It's just a completely ridiculous idea.

If you can forget the fact that the director thinks you're an idiot for believing this type of thing can happen in the real world, then you will find an extremely funny film. Will Ferrell and John Reilly are top notch. Their toilet humor flows together perfectly. The witty dialog and jokes had me rolling... but, man, was it dumb.

The parents were idiots and horribly acted, the brother Derek was too over-the-top. His friends were stereotypical meatheads... and why the hell does Will Ferrell sing all the time?? It's so corny....

Good jokes, bad plot... and you heard it right here:

John Reilly out performed Will Ferrell.

There I said it. So sue me.

"Barbara Walters, Oprah, your wife. You gotta fuck one, kill one, and marry one, go! "

The Reader will forever notoriously be known to me as the film that replaced The Dark Knight in the Best Picture Oscar nomination for 2008. It had some big shoes to fill.... and failed miserably.

The plot is unique and interesting... set in post-WWII Germany, it deals with a young schoolboy who has an ongoing sexual relationship with an older woman that comes to a mysterious end when she disappears. Years later the schoolboy, now a law student, encounters her at a war-crime trial where she is being charged with serious crimes against humanity. He alone holds the truth to her innocence.

This film is very sexual and erotic... Kate Winslet, even as she ages, is still not ashamed to bare it all in the name of aesthetic beauty. The story, although interesting, was rather stale and bland. The pacing was slow and, to be honest, there's no real message I could take out of this film. The decisions the characters made were absolutely inane to the point that it rendered them unsympathetic.

Kate Winslet did an amazing job. She won an Oscar for Best Actress for this role. She definitely deserved a nomination, but I think the trophy was undeserving. Ralph Fiennes was grossly underused here as well.

The Oscars got this horribly wrong... it's not a bad film, but it's not a very good one either. Worth one viewing if you're in the mood.

Suffice to say, I finally got to see what all this Twilight hype was all about. I have never read the books, and I have no desire to either. So my thoughts and opinions are based on this movie as it exists in the film world with no outside biases.

Coming into Twilight I had low expectations, but I actually kind of enjoyed it. It's severely flawed, but I'm going to start with the positives. I loved the hazy, murky woods as the setting. It added an eerie overtone that fit the whole mystery just right. I was glad director Catherine Hardwicke didn't make this a dark and sleek vampire flick... it just wouldn't have felt authentic like the dreary woods. I also thought the music (most of the time) was perfect for the film as well.

Overall, I hear the book does a better job going into detail, but I thought the film was an excellent narrative that was engaging from start to finish.

Now what I didn't like... mainly, Robert Pattinson. What's the deal with this guy? He doesn't shower, his motivation for acting is to pick up chicks, he's not THAT good looking, and he's not even a good actor!! His lines were forced and his delivery was flat and stale. I'm not a fan... It should be noted that Kristen Stewart was amazing, and I kind of liked Taylor Lautner as Jacob. I hope he has a much bigger role in the sequel.

The plot holes in this film are laughable. For instance, so Edward Cullen has been a senior in high school for like 50 years. Aaaaaaand nobody notices? No student is like "Hey, this guy was a senior when I was a freshman, now were in the same class." Or maybe a "hey I was in Edwards graduating class 12 years ago, and he's still there?" C'mon........

And there was a slew of other blatant lazy holes. It's like the writers just assumed all the viewers were going to be incompetent.

But my main beef with Twilight is a lack of a formidable bad guy. James the Tracker wasn't really scary or menacing, and he received a whole 10 minutes of air time. I understand the first film in sagas usually spend a lot of time setting the story and introducing the characters, but it creates a nauseating experience for those of us looking for some vampire action.

This film lacked a lot of action and replaced it with some cheesy teenage dialog. But I hear the sequel is supposed to be a little more beefed up. I'll be hoping for the best, so I'll wait to pass judgment on the franchise until then.

Wow! This was intense! I imagine the writers and directors were really drunk and high off illegal substances when they made this film. What it lacks in substance, it makes up for in gore and unreal violence.

Seriously, Punisher War Zone has some of the most graphic and intense death scenes I've ever seen in an action movie. Unfortunately, it's hard to take seriously because it's highly unrealistic and waaaaaaay over-the-top.

This 2nd edition to the franchise is vastly different than the 2004 Thomas Jane, John Travolta version. Both considered "flops" but I still consider the 2004 version to be a much better movie. War Zone lacks a logical plot, boasts cheesy acting, and has no heart.

Although the new Punisher, Ray Stevenson, looks the part, his delivery is painfully stiff. And the bad guys were laughable... Jigsaw? Seriously? Hahaha...

I can't recommend this movie unless you have a thirst for watching some extremely gory and creative deaths.

Unfortunately, there's just not much to say about this movie.

It's a very CGI heavy movie and, therefore, GREAT to look at. And that's it....

It's one of those movies where young kids will rant and rave about it, but those of us who look for something to pull out of it will be left empty handed.

Christensen just annoys the piss out of me and Rachel Bilson came across as flat. Solid performances from Samuel L. Jackson and Jamie Bell however.....

It's a great movie to look at, but it's nothing I can recommend seeing. Once is probably enough....

Here we have another post-apocalyptic/quarantined virus movie. I love these types, namely the 28 days later movies. This movie can be very much compared to a mix of 28 days later and resident evil.
So that means it's good right?
Answer: No, not really.

Yet another movie you can chalk into the "So Much Potential" list. The director/writer Neil Marshall also directed The Descent, which is another film I had mixed reviews on. One thing is certain with Mr. Marshall: he loves his female heroines, and so do I.

Welcome to Hollywood Rhona Mitra. She is the only redeeming quality in this film. She kicks more ass than Milla Jovovich and Kate Beckinsale... However, she's not as hot. Regardless, she single-handedly made this movie for me.

I have many problems with the plot. Most of the things that happened were inconceivable. For instance, if Glasglow has been quarantined for 30 years, how exactly is there gas for all those vehicles?? Many many things go unexplained, and things that are explained were poorly executed. So the reason they survived inside the wall is nothing spectacular, just survival of the fittest? C'mon, that's lame!!

Was I the only one who found it a little trite that there was a group of nobles filled with knights, castles, horses, archers, and even the clothes were authentically noble looking?? That sort of evolution doesn't occur in 30 years. And then if that wasn't cheesy enough, it moves onto the opposing group inside the wall who is led by the King's outcast son: the savages, who are all barbaric looking and don mo hawks, chiseled bodies, piercings, tattoos, and who just yell and scream constantly while listening to heavy metal music.

The director took it a little over-the-top. But overall, this can be a fun, gory, action-packed ride if your a fan of 28 Days later, Resident Evil, or even Underworld. But please leave your minds at the door, and watch out for the enormous plot holes the size of Texas.

The Positives:
- The Humor. Beware of the generic nature and the abundance of convenient coincidences of What Happens in Vegas, but be prepared to laugh... a lot. This movie stands out only for its clever humor. It wasn?t your typical silly, puerile humor. This is one of the funniest films I have seen all year.
- Rob Corddry. He played Ashton?s best friend ?Hater? and was one of the only bright spots in this movie. His witty jokes and frat-boy antics steal the show. I started laughing to myself every time he came into the scene in anticipation of something funny.
The Negatives:
- Ashton Kutcher. Ashton is a comedic icon and, subsequently, I laughed? I laughed a lot. He sold his role well? in the beginning of the movie that is. This is where the problem lies with Ashton: he is such a funny guy, but he is completely unbelievable when placed in a serious role. His transition from selfish, greedy, low-life who urinates in the dishes to compassionate, sweet, romantic guy who dramatically (and anti-climatically) finds his love on the beautiful beach during sunset (can we be more generic?). As he was speaking his lines during the aforementioned scene in which he was expressing his inner most feelings for Cameron Diaz?s character, he appeared to be holding back from laughing. It?s like HE doesn?t even take himself seriously? so how are we?

- The Director: Ashton was perfectly cast for his part as a comedic loser, but it?s too bad the director Tom Vaughn didn?t know whether to make this a serious movie or a funny movie. But here in lies the problem with most of the movies in the romantic comedy genre. Knocked Up is a good example of a movie that did both, but stayed true to its comedic nature

Recommendation:
Girls will love it and guys can enjoy it. The memorable jokes will help you forget the cheesiness of the plot. But compared to similar movies in this genre, this is pleasant.

"Nobody's innocent in this shit."

Ridley Scott's latest take on America's War on Terror pleases the eye with mind-blowing explosions, but fails to deliver anything substantial. Body of Lies centers around a covert CIA operative working in the Middle East trying to track a notorious mastermind terrorist, which clearly mirrors Osama Bin Laden.

Ultimately this film lacks focus and credibility. I highly respect Ridley Scott who has turned out some great films: Alien, Gladiator, Blade Runner, American Gangster, etc. But this latest attempt is just a poor excuse to cash in on the intrigue of America's War on Terror. Most of what happens is illogical and completely unconceivable. The twists weren't memorable, and there were so many of them that it began to get annoying (not confusing, just annoying to try and follow).

Leonardo DiCaprio gave an excellent performance, he's one of the few redeeming qualities for this film. Russell Crowe is one of my all time favorite actors, but he was ultimately wasted, flat, and dull here. On a side note, new-comer Mark Strong has been making a name for himself lately. I believe he was better than both DiCaprio and Crowe here. He played the head intelligence operative for Jordan. Remember his name, he's highly underrated.

In the end, there's nothing to take home from this film. There never seemed to be any feeling or motivation for what was happening. It ultimately seemed pointless...

Body of Lies is just another excuse for America to flaunt their big almighty guns against the terrorist. Nice action and good acting can't salvage this convoluted CIA/spy thriller. It's average at best.

"Ain't nobody likes the Middle East, buddy. There's nothing here to like. "

Jennifer Lynch, daughter to renowned director David Lynch, makes her debut here with Surveillance and has inherited his eye for style and taste for bizarre twists. This film involves 2 FBI agents investigating a spree of gruesome murders across the countryside. They have 3 witnesses to one of the crimes who are all give differing accounts of what they saw.

It was no secret that a big twist was coming at the conclusion of this film, but I easily predicted it in the first 15 minutes. Maybe my senses were to keen on searching for it, but it was a very disappointing and obvious twist.

The acting was stiff and atrocious, and the plot was rather weak. Bill Pullman, a fine actor, was really really bad here. I don't know if he didn't care or what, but his performance was laughable.

The directing and signature flare was there, which served to help the film a little. And the violent scenes were graphic and shot very well. But overall, this film is a bit of stinker. Not impressed...

I had HIGH expectations for this new-age western. Fresh off being wowed by 3:10 to Yuma I saw this brilliant, kick-ass trailer and the dark, edgy posters for Appaloosa that boasts great actors Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, and Renee Zellweger. Unfortunately, the film as a whole was a bit underwhelming.

Appaloosa is the town Harris and Mortensen are hired to protect from a menacing gang of misfits led by Irons character.

In his directorial debut, Ed Harris does a splendid job of creating a gritty western atmosphere. He succeeds in creating a very rich, character-driven story with quick, profound dialog. The problem here is the slow-pacing. This film tends to drag in the center... you're guaranteed to check your watch a couple of times.

The acting was just ok, the only shinning stars were Ed Harris and Viggo. Zellweger, for what it's worth, is a talented actress. Her role here, however, was borderline atrocious. It might've been her character more than her acting. She was annoying, unattractive, and pointlessly twisted.

My other real complaint about Appaloosa was the lack of a formidable bad guy. All great westerns have a ruthless antagonist (i.e. Russell Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma)... but Irons character was boring and pathetic. The climatic stand-off at the end was one of the most laughable confrontations I have seen in recent memory. His character was a joke....

Those high off the 3:10 to Yuma buzz need not waste their time here. Appaloosa is rich in dialog and a character-driven snoozer that fails to deliver.

You're still the man Ed Harris! No one hits a home run in their first at bat....

It should be noted that I have never seen the Spanish film REC that Quarantine is re-making.

Quarantine is another hand-held camera, "found footage" knock off that appears rushed into production just to earn a quick buck. Moviegoers, including myself, are fascinated by this sense of realism.

This regurgitated horror follows a reporter and her cameraman as they shadow a team of firefighters for a night. A call leads them to a small apartment complex where they encounter an old woman who is sick and begins biting people. At once the reporter and everyone inside the complex are quarantined inside and not allowed to leave. Unimaginable horror ensues....

Dark, gritty, and terrifying, Quarantine is an effective horror film. This film is shot solely behind the lenses of the news reporter's cameraman. This effect enhances the film, submerging the audience into a realistically eerie atmosphere.

What keeps this film from being creditable is its huge plot holes and inconsistencies. The time it took to "change" after being bitten varied tremendously. It took some hours to turn, and it took others only moments to turn. Huge error in the screenwriting.

Another aspect that plaques this film is the shaky camera work - it serves as a distraction, and it's hard to tell what is really going on during some intense action scenes. At times, the camera work is very erratic and annoying.

Overall, Quarantine is successful in conjuring up some cheap thrills. However, it's primarily cheap and unoriginal... Check out Cloverfield instead.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno marks the return of iconic comedy director Kevin Smith from a 3 year hiatus. Those expecting to see classic Smith comedy need not read any further. This film looked, felt, and sounded like a half-assed Judd Apatow project that was tossed in the trash can and picked up by the janitor.

Zack and Miri has its funny moments, but it tries to be endearing in a film that no one can possibly take seriously. It's not as touching as Knocked Up or 40 Year Old Virgin, which is what this film is often compared to.

I love Seth Rogen and the beautiful Elizabeth Banks, and they do their thing here... but it just wasn't convincing enough for me. The whole life long friends turning into lovers just wasn't believable.

The jokes, at times, were hilarious, especially in the beginning of the film. All the different names of porno movies they came up with were clever and amusing as well.

Justin Long, however, was actually really convincing as a gay man. Have we found his new niche? And what the hell was Brandon Routh doing? God, he blows (pun intended...).

For the most part, this film seemed like an excuse to literally make a porno. Yes, if you're offended by porn then don't watch this. All anatomies are exposed for both sexes.

Primarily lewd, silly, and completely unimaginable, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is exactly that: a porno. B-rated, soft core porn with some funny moments. And if you're in the mood for porn, I recommend the real thing... it's less excruciating.

This movie can best be summed up in three words: Crap, Crap, Crap.

Yes, that about covers it. It's a bit of an understatement to say that I was disappointed.

I used to have M. Night Shyamalan listed under my favorite directors list, but after this movie I have to remove him.

Listen, I'm a huge fan of his... but his last 2 films (Lady in the Water) have been disasters. He's clearly out of ideas... there's no shame in retiring at the top of your game, which you can no longer do unfortunately. Other people have said that everyone needs to view this as a separate project from his other films... and well, it's still crap.

Shyamalan has a cunning way of luring you in with exceptionally enticing trailers.. and most recently, falling completely flat on execution and all around storyline. I don't want to spoil the plot, but it will disappoint the crap out of you. The trademark Shyamalan "twist" is absent from this film as well as the supposed "twist" is merely just revealed about halfway through the movie.

Poor acting by everyone involved, including Wahlberg. The only redeeming quality this movie holds is Shyamalan's technique of building suspense and overall feel of the movie was his typical eerie nature.

Another teen comedy that wasn't all that funny, or original. The characters were over-animated and spin-offs from other films.

The only redeeming factor for this movie is the donut suit. I'll admit, that was a little funny. But overall, this movie is a royal waste of time.

However, bumped the rating up half a star for the R-rated DVD version that has random fully nude females randomly placed throughout the film. Not too bad, but I still can't recommend the film to anyone over 18 years old.

Too LAME for words! I don't even want to waste my time, so I'll make it quick: They're attacked by plants. That's right. Plants.

Decent gore, and surprisingly decent acting by most the cast save this crapfest from being a 1/2 star.

Drillbit Taylor was nothing special at all. Every character was over-the-top stereotypical to the point where it is was embarrassing to watch. The only funny thing about this movie was watching all the different ways the "bullies" played pranks and harassed the nerds. Too bad the whole point of the movie was to sympathize with the nerds. I found myself not wanting them to stand up to these kids because watching them get their ass kicked was the only redeeming thing about this movie. And that's sad........

This sequel is a huge letdown!! It's no where near as funny or creative as the original. The Guantanamo Bay idea was clever and incorporates the whole War of Terrorism into a comedy that will be seen for many years. However, they were only there for 2 minutes, and it was done so horribly.

Everything about this movie was complete crap. I hated the way they mocked America, the government, rich elitist, southerners... EVERYTHING! It was tacky and tasteless.

What made the 1st Harold and Kumar film was that it didn't take itself too seriously. They had a mission to get several miles down the road to White Castle because they were high and had the munchies. But not in this crapfest.. it attempts to have a semi-serious plot and they just try to do too much. It was waaaaaaaay over-the-top.

Aspects I did like: several punchlines were great. There was a scene that involved a baby deer that had me spitting my drink out I laughed so hard. Neil Patrick Harris' unicorn scene is also pretty hilarious.

But overall, there is no reason to watch this movie

When there is a 10 year gap between sequels, there is typically only one reason: cashing in on prior success at the expense of eagerly anticipating fans. We all "Want to Believe" that this 2nd installment was created to reboot the franchise, or at least to add something memorable and worthwhile. I Want To Believe....

But like most supernatural stories, it just isn't true.

Everything that made The X-Files unique and magical was completely absent from this film. For instance, Scully always acted on her emotions, and now that she is a doctor, she now rationalizes everything. In fact, I found her new role to be extremely annoying. Scully, played by Gillian Anderson, looked 10 years older and she didn't fit the part any more. It was sad to see....

David Duchovny, as Mulder, looked like he hadn't aged a day. He still nailed his role very convincingly...

Where this film ultimately fails is the plot. It's ludicrous and dry. There was hardly anything paranormal about it. It was just a very average crime flick. In the era of CSI, it's laughable to create such a story that is only pieced together by a ridiculously trite subplot of a pedophile priest who seeks forgiveness from God by helping the FBI with his "visions." This guy is the only reason they find their clues. It's extremely lazy script writing.

I gave it higher marks than it deserved because I'm a fan of The X-files, but this franchise deserves better than this crap. If this franchise wasn't dead before this film, it definitely is now. What a bad way to go out....

I'm a big fan of sci-fi films, but this remake is pretty bad. The plot is sloppy, the acting is bad, and it really just didn't make much sense. The whole film seemed absolutely pointless. I love end of the world scenarios, but this was just crap. However, the graphics were mind-blowing. It's a visually appealing film, but there's really not much substance. We've come to expect that from Keanu Reeves films though. Shame it had some wasted talent with Jennifer Connelly and Kathy Bates, who weren't actually half bad for what crap they were given.

It's sad to watch one of my favorite high school comedians plummet to mediocrity (or even worse). You Don't Mess with the Zohan is just as unnecessary and ridiculous as it's lengthy title.

Surprisingly the first half of the plot which introduces Sandler as an Israeli super spy/assassin appears to be interesting, until you find out that he catches bullets with his nose and his arch enemy runs upside down on ceilings.... I know right:What are we? 8 years old? Then he wants to give up this wonderful life for his dream of.... hair styling? I'd rather be punched in the crotch multiple times than listen to that garbage again.

I'm guilty of laughing many times at the jokes, but it still can't hide the pointlessness of the film. Sandler's attempts to be relevant by tackling controversial topics is asinine (last years gay marriage issue with "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" and the current Israeli Palestine controversy in the pitiful "Zohan" garbage).

And I could've done without seeing Sandler's ass multiple times. I'm glad he's in the best shape of his life, but keep your clothes on please.

One of the only bright spots is Sandler's beautiful love interest Emmanuelle Chriqui, I can only hope to see her again some time soon.

Flashbacks within flashbacks!! AHH!! It's making my head spin...

The Saw films, unfortunately, are starting to get a little redundant and dry. The latest edition is uninspiring and vapid.

I love and cherish the first film, and a few of the sequels are fairly entertaining and smart. But now that Jigsaw is dead, so is this series.

Saw V feels rushed and unintelligent, and the signature "twist" never came. This film has huge plot holes, inconsistencies, and too many coincidental circumstances for it to be considered a creditable addition to the Saw franchise. Even the gore and traps were rather sub par. I also found that the most interesting characters were getting killed off first. A bad move for a dying series headed in the wrong direction.

Hopefully the 6th film will be better, but I won't get my hopes up.

I love George A. Romero and zombie movies, but WOW, this was a disappointment!

Diary of the Dead carries the same similar plot: the dead have risen and continue to eat the living, otherwise they die of thirst. Yeah, we all knew that.... the twist here is that the entire movie is made on a small video cam recorder.

Diary chronicles the Armageddon experience through the eyes of a group of film students, namely one little prick: Jason Creed, the aspiring film maker who will stop at nothing to make this documentary and spread the "truth" about what is happening. This in lies the problem with this film: disbelief. I know right, disbelief in a zombie movie??? I know that sounds strange, but hear me out. This guy continues to film during all instances, including while his closest friends are being attacked by zombies. One time he just watched as his female friend fended off a zombie by herself as she begged for his help, but he thought continuing to film was more important than saving her life. He also would choose some of his friend's deaths as an opportunity to get a close up. His actions were completely unnatural and unrealistic. There was also occurrences where he refused safe, secure places because he wanted to be out in the world filming this damn "truth." It was completely absurd! And even more absurd, his friends followed!! In real life, we would say "Hey man, you're an idiot. See ya!" Hmmmm... safe room or film zombies?

I had no empathy whatsoever for the characters. One couple in particular were being shown as infatuated, head-over-heels in love... but when one of them is killed, the other doesn't even cry. The event doesn't even move him/her!! Terrible acting... awful scenarios with huge plot holes. All of Romero's movies have made sense, but this one is just a complete disaster.

The only positive thing I can find is the cool, drunk, arrow-shooting professor. That guy was a bad ass. I wish he would've put an arrow through Creed's head.

It should also be noted that Romero used the slow-moving zombies opposed to the super-fast ones in Dawn of the Dead. This created a laggish pace for the movie with very little thrills.

If you love Romero, then you will inevitably see this crap. Don't get your expectations too high. I wish I would have never paid money for the DVD :(

Seven Pounds is a melodramatic story of a mysterious man's quest for redemption. It has an interesting setup that unfortunately grows stale after 45 minutes. An odd choice of flashbacks and fast forwards by the director Gabriele Muccino rendered this film easily predictable. This is one of those films that relies heavily on it's final act because the entire film builds up to it, but since the director made it easy to unfold well before the curtains closed, the end result is a drawn out snoozefest.

Despite some poor choices by the director, the film has some messages of redemption and goodwill. However, he ends up glorifying the one person in this film that shouldn't be. It's a self-indulgent film that can't even follow its own sentiments. The ending was awful... it should've been more about celebrating life rather than mourning the dead, since that's what the message of this film was supposed to convey.

Will Smith and Rosario Dawson are fine actors... no complaints here. The material was just a little bit too weak. On paper, this script probably sounded good... too bad the director pissed all over it.

This movie never had a chance... It took an awful movie idea (Into the Blue) and crafted it into a less serious romantic comedy from two familiar actors (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days). The plot becomes more and more unoriginal as the movie progresses, I felt like I was watching a blended storyline of Sahara and National Treasure. The acting was stale and unconvincing, and the chemistry between Hudson and McConaughey was non-existent. All the supporting actors were absolutely annoying, ESPECIALLY Gemma. I also failed to see the "comedy" aspect of this movie. The punchlines left me wondering if that's the part where I was SUPPOSED to laugh.

My question for the director of this movie would be: "Who was your target audience?" You can go ahead and eliminate the younger generation because there was a pointless scene where a girl flashes her chest to McConaughey's character. I enjoyed the gesture, but I couldn't help but to laugh at how irrelevant it was. This scene would also eliminate a large number of people who find pointless nudity obscene. It takes the "family" out of Fun-Filled, Family Adventure. Now we're left with a seemingly puerile adventure too fluffy and predictable for adults, and too obscene for families and children.

You'd be a fool to spend money on this garbage....

"Yes, I think I'll have the mahi-mahi, but can I get it with just one mahi? I'm not that hungry."

The House Bunny is about as endearing as a brick wall. This film is plaqued by predictability and trite cliches. Every aspect of this film has been done before, except better.

However, there are a few laughs provided by Anna Faris. I enjoy her a lot, and she plays the dumb blonde to the T. Not to mention she is smoking hot in this film. And sticking true to the Playboy way, you get to see her cute little derrierre.

The message this film is sending out is ridiculous. Just be better looking than your rival and you'll be popular. Being popular is the ultimate goal in one's life... blah blah blah. The whole point of college is to have fun, and according to this film, ugly smart kids can't have fun.

Do I really need to mention how unrealisitc it is? Ok, I will anyways.... if this were a little more realisitic, a guy like Colin Hank's character would've stayed as far away from Shelley as humanly possible. Oh yeah, that's right, being hot is the only criteria for bending over backwards for a girl, no matter how ridiculously stupid she is.

Like all typical teeney bopping movies, this one concluded with a moronic speech by the lead character to a large group of people at a meeting that decided their fate. This idiotic diatribe even serves to persuade a good portion of their haters. It's so cheesey it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Overall The House Bunny is completely forgettable. A few minor laughs are provided, but avoid if at all possible.

Untraceable, in the spirit of good psychological crime thrillers, attempts to rejuvenate a genre with the addition of a new element: torture porn. Where others have succeeded, this film fails miserably...

Essentially what the director attempted to do was mix two cult classics in Saw and Silence of the Lambs, but instead the end result is a convoluted crapfest of FearDotCom and Twisted (both god awful films).

Everything is wrong with this film... I love Diane Lane, she is absolutely gorgeous. But this was not a good role for her. These stereotypical crime thrillers always have a headstrong, stunning female protagonist (i.e. Twisted, Silence of the Lambs, Bone Collector, Kiss the Girls, etc). Lane's character fails due to predictability and trite cliches. For instance, the pointless opening scene shows us just how smart Lane's character is by tracking down and nailing an elaborate internet scam artist who steals identities and credit cards... all while she leans back cozy in her spinning chair smiling and winking at her co-worker (Colin Hanks) gingerly whisking her hair around and talking sarcastically seductive as if she were sharing a margarita with a handsome stranger. Somebody gag me.....

On to my main quarrel with this film... However, BEWARE THIS PARAGRAPH CONTAINS SPOILERS. The mysterious killer is actually revealed in the middle of the movie! I couldn't believe my eyes! This film was some what intriguing when the killer was a mystery. It completely took the edginess out of the film. Imagine knowing who the mastermind in Saw is at the beginning of the film... that's right, the rest of the film would have SUCKED! That's what we have here... then to top it off, the killer is 20 years old! The director really assumes the audience is completely ignorant and void of all sense of reality. This kid isn't old enough to buy beer, yet he is smart enough to develop elaborate schemes in a short amount of time? And is strong and smart enough to abduct predetermined victims, while staying one step ahead of the FBI? C'mon.... I'm not THAT stupid. I was annoyed by this film's lack of realism.

The only redeeming quality of this pathetic little film is it's overall message, and the eye-opening revelation that we as humans are entertained by other people's misfortunes.

Good message... horrible execution...

Hahaha, what a piece of crap this was!!! I can't believe this idea was even pitched to executives...AND PASSED!

The only bright spot about this is Will Ferrell of course. Although sometimes he seemed like he was trying too hard, but his witty dialogue was hilarious. I can't help but to think it was improv because this movie was complete garbage.

Don't waste a dime on this movie

Hmmm... A Mummy movie with no mummies...

This film had three-headed dragons, headless horses, skeletons, a mythical beast, and it even had some random Yetis... but NO mummies!

What's more ridiculous than The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor's contradictory and unnecessarily long title? The campy dialog!

This film was all kinds of rotten smelly cheese. Was this film geared towards adolescents, because every one-liner left me rolling my eyes. For instance, towards the end when Brendan Fraser's character is overpowered and outmatched by the immortal Emperor (played by Jet Li), he jumps up beats his chest and yells "Where is your honor, fight me like a man!" Right!! A 2000 year old immortal Emperor hell bent on destroying all those who don't kneel before him and who also has a history of betrayal and immoral decisions all of a sudden decides he wants to fight a mortal man because he challenged his "honor." That's just stupid.

Maria Bello could never replace Rachel Weisz, and her accent was awfully forced. The O'Connell son also was easily one of the most annoying characters of 2008.

On a good note, the graphics were top notch. The big battle scene was amazing to watch. But it was nothing you haven't seen before.

Hopefully this will be the final installment because this one had the most potential, but yet failed miserably. This uninspiring Indiana Jones knockoff franchise needs to be buried in a tomb of it's own.

So this is what The Lord of the Rings would look like if Peter Jackson didn't do it???

Uwe Boll continues his career of shame with another incoherent crapfest, this time in the sci-fi action fantasy epic In the Name of the King.

One of the easiest aspects of this film to complain about is the piss poor acting... yet this film is chalk full of great actors: Jason Statham, Matthew Lillard, Ron Pearlman, Leelee Sobieski, Burt Reynolds, and Ray Liotta. With the exception of Statham, all gave awful performances, ESPECIALLY Ray Liotta.

Terrible script, awful directing, atrocious effects.... Just an all around lame movie. Avoid like the plaque. Even all you Statham fans need not watch this painful attempt at entertainment.

Not really scary, not really entertaining, and not really engaging. Unoriginal, boring, and predictable, One Missed Call is the one movie you should miss in 2008.

Not impressed....

If you think for one minute that I chose to watch this crap on my own accord then I will punch you square in the jaw.

I went to a lady friend's house to chill and have some drinks... I get there and this crap was on. I should've just left....

The only message I got from this movie is the reassurance that black people have rhythm.

Once upon a time, I wrote a detailed review about this crappy film. Mysteriously, it has disappeared off Flixster. I kind of wish this movie would have disappeared during production. But anyways, here's my review in a nutshell since I can't remember details:

*ahem*

This film sucks really really bad. It's awful. I say so, 91% of critics say so, and a majority of moviegoers also say so. So if you decide to watch this crapfest after knowing all this, then somebody should pee on you. Thank you, and have a nice day.

I normally don't rate movies unless I have seen them, but I HAVE to break the trend here. All you have to do is watch the trailer to know this is CRAP. The whole concept of the movie is complete and utter garbage! Eddie Murphy is really looking to sweep the Razzies this year AGAIN!

From what I've heard from a friend of mine, and some trusted people here on Flixster, and just from the trailer alone, this movie is 100% avoidable!

Ok, I have a serious problem with this film that I haven't seen anyone else address. Let me go ahead and get this out of the way first: spoof movies suck now. They're over done, boring, and tacky. 10 years from now no one's going to laugh at this crap. Hell, I had already forgotten about some of this material in only 2 years. Mind-blowingly awful...

Second, my most angry point: the tasteless, gaudy, despicable reference to Anna Nicole Smith's death. I understand it's "pop culture" but it was incredibly cheap and insensitive to poke at someone's untimely death at such a young age. Do director's Friedberg and Seltzer have no souls??? Do they not understand the term "Rest In Peace"? It's bad enough their failed attempts at "humor" was pathetic, but this inappropriate reference to a deceased icon only puts the nail in the coffin making this easily one of the worst films of all time.

Oh, and if you want your film to suck, cast Carmen Electra.