Best Birth Scenes

Excellent premise, although I'd like to have a bit more clarity as to exactly why the whole world is in chaos, and why the birth of the first child in 18 years would not bring some peace.

I can't believe how many long takes this movie had. Huge props to Alfonso Cuaron and the cinematographer for pulling it off. The scenery was a cross between Minority Report and Saving Private Ryan. It was really grungy and war-torn, but futuristic at the same time. Also, this movie has the most awesome birth scene I've seen since Jasmine Women.

While the visuals were stimulating, the acting just wasn't doing it for me. In my opinion, Julianne Moore cannot act. Here's a perfect example. "I can't look at you. He had your eyes." The way she delivered that line was borderline porno star. Actually, I felt all the acting in the movie was below average-- maybe with the exception of Peter Mullan (Syd), who stole every scene he was in.

If only the film had better actors, this would be one of my all-time favorites. Instead, Julianne Moore gives it 3.5 stars. (4.5 if she died sooner)

This movie is about a family's three generations of daughters, and Zhang Xiyi plays ALL THREE. And if that wasn't enough to show off her acting chops, at one point of the movie she even has to deliver her own baby. A beautifully shot story of a family's hardships, underscored with a dash of hope.

NOTE: If you're expecting a solid 90 minutes of nothing more than mindless college humor, you're looking to the wrong director. I mean, just look at the premise of the film-- a guy gets a girl pregnant at the start of the film and the two try to make a relationship of it. You gotta know there's gonna be more to it than sex jokes.

Judd Apatow adds solid plot and character elements to potentially stupid comedic premises, not unlike the more recent Farrelly Brothers films, creating some well-rounded pieces of work. This film is a perfect example. Knocked Up walks a fine line between mindless comedy and chick flick, and surprisingly, it plays out pretty well. This is a rare film, in that couples can see it without one half being totally disconnected from the experience.

The cast is great, with every single actor contributing positively-- with some minor annoyances by Ben (Seth Rogen)'s friends. The chemistry between Paul Rudd and Rogen as witnessed in The 40-Year-Old Virgin is alive and well here. Leslie Mann's perfect portrayal as a needy, annoying blonde makes me seriously wonder if art is imitating life.

My only real complaint is that I feel this film could've been... how can I say it... "tighter"? Some of the scenes could've been edited down a little, and sometimes the actor improvisations, while constantly entertaining, just kinda make the overall film drag a little. Apatow's formula works better in Virgin, and Steve Carell (just narrowly) beats out Seth Rogen for funniest movie poster, but this one will still entertain you sufficiently.

The title of this film is all you need to know. Shoot 'Em Up is one big gunfight. Nothing more, nothing less. There is no plot, no character development, and no real reason to watch this film other than for over-the-top action scenes chock-full of sloppy special effects.

Carrots are good for your eyesight. This film, however, doesn't help.

Juno is a highly stylistic and equally cute film about a wise-assed young girl who faces an unplanned pregnancy. The quirky visuals complement the Wes Anderson-esque score. The dialogue is quick, witty, and lightly peppered with lingo exclusive to the world in which the characters live, making them all the more real and endearing.

Jason Reitman approaches the story headstrong, playing the potentially delicate issue of teen pregnancy with deadpan humor and a welcome sense of normalcy. But it's the acting that makes this movie-- not just Ellen Page, who was excellent, but the entire supporting cast, which is rare. A lesser ensemble would not pull off the dialogue and material. Sometimes you wonder how a 16-year-old can naturally spit references to Sonic Youth and Thundercats, but to Page's credit, you buy it. (By the way-- isn't it "ThunderBIRDS are go", and "Thundercats HO"?)

If you like orange Tic-Tacs, hamburger phones or Cut Chemist, please see Juno. ...Actually, see it no matter what.