National Treasures #-M

This is my favorite character from Jim Carrey. This movie will keep you laughing throughout. "Like A Glove!"

A classic and original comedy. This film was the start to movie spoofs that have become my favorite types of comedies. The comedy in here just keeps coming at you and you can't help but laugh at it all. Yo will also recognize many comedic actors in here as well, including Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, and Robert Stack. Great barrel of non-stop laughter.

The story is very interesting and this is my favorite episode of the series. Parts of the movie takes part in the future and others take place in the past. What more could a person ask for? It is also recommended that you see the first one before watching this or you will be totally lost.

In 1997, there came a film known as Batman & Robin. At this time, a dire need for a start over to the series was needed. Soon enough, a man by the name of Christopher Nolan comes along with a re imagining of the series. A very good re imagining.

The story centers around the life of Bruce Wayne and not the villains. The bad guys really do take a back seat to the Wayne character and because of this we are able to get a clear picture of Bruce Wayne before Batman. It is nearly an hour before Batman does anything big and this is actually OK.

The setting of Gotham City is done nicely. Instead of the usual comic book style Gotham, we are shown a more modern city with just a hint of fantasy thrown in. The bat-mobile is redone as well. It may not look as slick, but it is definitely more versatile.

There is a decent amount of action, but it may not seem like there is a whole lot. This is because the film runs at about 2 hours 15 minutes and is story driven. The style of the action also plays out as if it is part of a thriller. There are no long drawn out fights and while this will disappoint some people, it is appropriate for the film.

The acting is great. There is an all star cast that pulls out all star performances, unlike In the Name of the King. Christian Bale is a nice match as Bruce Wayne and Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman among others, round out the superb supporting cast.

I'm not saying that the Batman films from the 90's are really bad. I'm just saying that this film is so much better.

Who ever thought "sweded" movies could be so funny. What looks to be a ridiculous sounding comedy, actually turns out to be a really hilarious film.

While the concept for the movie is simple to understand, the story goes a little bit deeper, which is what brings out the more dramatic elements of this film. As seen in a lot of movies, the dramatic portions tend to show up in the latter parts. This film is no exception, which unfortunately may have cost this movie a possible 5 star rating. Anyway, the first half of this film is ridiculously funny. There are very few films that get me tearing up in the theater and this happens to be one of them. The stuff that happens in this film seems so stupid, but it is so funny. The Ghostbusters segment will have you rolling in your seat. As soon as you regain your composure, the Rush Hour 2 segment kicks in. I guess the only real problem with these segments is that you have to have seen these films to get the most out of it. Ghostbusters, Rush Hour 2, Men In Black, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Driving Miss Daisy are a few movies that you should know about. This film really makes you see how cheap ideas and effects can turn out to be quite entertaining. Who would have thought that xeroxing your face could be such a brilliant idea for something?

The acting in this film is pretty good. Mos Def does a nice job as the lead and even Jack Black puts on a non-annoying performance. Of course you also have Danny Glover and Mia Farrow. Can't go wrong there.

If you only watch one comedy that comes out in 2008, this should be it. Bring some Kleenex because the laughter will get you crying. Oh, if you keep seeing "sweded" in everybody's reviews and you want to know what that is, then watch this film.

Highly entertaining Coen brothers movie. The acting is well done and the unique characters will keep you laughing. Not to mention the dialogue is nicely written (cuss words galore). If your a fan of the Coen brothers or just want to sit back to a good time then check this movie out. "The dude abides."

Well told story that will keep you wondering what's going to happen next. It is slow paced with not much action at all, but there is a pretty decent car/truck chase at the end. Also, if your a fan of Kathleen Quinlan, you may be disappointed because she is pretty much non-existent in this movie.

Disney does it again! In a good way.

First off, let me get this out of the way. All the trailers, posters, and promos that you've probably seen or heard really mislead this movie. Much like Pan's Labyrinth, this movie has little fantasy elements. In fact, it can be safe to say that most of the fantasy elements of this film appear in the trailers themselves. If you are only watching this film for the CG effects and the fantasy creatures and worlds, you have been warned.

You are probably asking yourself as to why then did I give this movie four stars. Well, what this movie lacks in fantasy creatures, it makes up for with a FANTASTIC story. It takes a real world story and combines fantasy elements, albeit a few, into this world nicely. I must say that this movie had to have one of the greatest stories I've seen in the past few years. There is even a great unexpected twist about 3/4s of the way through. What made it unexpected you ask? Well, it is something that you may not see to often in a Disney movie. Believe me when I say that the fantasy elements were the last thing on my mind at that point.

The acting was surprisingly good. I say this because you don't expect too much when you have young teens playing the main characters of a film. I had my doubts about Josh Hutcherson before watching this, because he really had only par performances in Zathura and RV. But he really grew up and showed his maturity in this film. A great improvement for him. Zooey Deschanel did a good job with what little airtime she had and Annasophia Robb is her charming self once again.

This movie is highly recommended for anybody in the mood for a great story with a dash of excellent CG fantasy creatures and elements.

When it comes to the Coens, they just know how to do things right. Weird, but right. Burn After Reading is not the best film from the Coens, but that doesn't really matter because this is still one fantastic ride.

I don't even know where to begin. The plot, at a high level is easy enough to understand, but once you actually dive into this film, the plot seems meaningless. What once seems to be all about a lost disk becomes some cheating blackmail fiasco. Seriously, there is no such thing as a main character in this picture. Guess what? There doesn't have to be. The Coens find a way to get a handful of characters with the same buildup and the same amount of airtime. This is certain failure for some directors, but for the Coens, it is just another day at the office.

Much like other Coen films, any actor that steps onto the set transforms into a star. George Clooney, John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton, and Frances McDormand are ALL memorable. Heck, J.K. Simmons has so little airtime, but he is memorable as well. It's all in the characters and the dialogue here. Every other word out of John Malkovich's mouth is some form of f***! Brad Pitt is really something. Upbeat and stupid. Most people will find his character the most enjoyable.

One of the only flaws about this film is that you need to pay attention. This is a laid back comedy, but that doesn't mean that you can leave your brain at home. There is just so much going on and you will need to process some things in order to fully grasp the story.

Burn After Reading is another Coen success and you will want to watch it again and again until ... well ... until it makes sense.

Brad Silberling has done a lot of directing for various TV episodes and such, but he does also direct movies. In this case, he brings the story of Casper to life in an impressive way. This is one fun film from start to finish.

There isn't much to the story, especially in the first half, but this is where it is the most fun. The nicely thought out dialogue and the funny antics of the ghostly trio, Stretch, Stinkie, and Fatso, all keep this picture highly entertaining. The second half of this 100 minute film slows down just a bit to get more story going. At this point the ghostly trio are a little less involved and Casper takes the stage.

The CG is outstanding. I know the ghosts look all cartoony, but this is a childish film. Anyhow, they look great. The voice acting is also spot on. Joe Nipote, Joe Alaskey, and Brad Garrett match wonderfully to their ghost characters. Malachi Pearson is also a solid Casper.

All the actors for the human characters are magnificently cast as well. Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman portray a nice father daughter relationship. Cathy Moriarty matches as the evil Carrigan Crittenden and who better than Eric Idle to play her goofy comedic sidekick. There are also a ton of enjoyable cameos in this movie, including Dan Aykroyd as the Ghostbuster Raymond Stantz.

Casper is truly one fun family film, except for a couple occasions where the "B" word comes out of somebody's mouth. Watch this if the opportunity arises.

This sequel in The Chronicles of Narnia series lives up to the hype, providing a great motion picture like its predecessor. It is no wonder as to why director Andrew Adamson is chosen to helm this film.

Yes, this movie can stand on its own, but from my understanding, it is easier to pick up the story if you've seen The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe or read the book. Don't fret because by the first quarter of the film it is pretty easy to understand everything that is going on.

The story is nicely told and it doesn't feel choppy, although some parts lack some explanations. That is nothing out of the ordinary though. Like the first installment, this film runs at almost 2 and a half hours, but it feels like less than that. The film never really drags and the comedy is thrown in at appropriate times.

The CG is excellent. The variety of "Narnians" ranging from dwarves, centaurs, minotaurs, and gryphons keep the story entertaining and visually pleasing to watch.

The action is great. The battle scenes are intense and there is more of it, when comparing it to the first film. My only complaint is that the swordplay is a little weak.

The acting is spot on with the same cast returning for the 4 Pevensie children. Ben Barnes also does a nice job as Prince Caspian. The voice over work also does wonders for this film. The CG characters have matching voices, which makes them even more believable.

There is no question that fans of the first film will enjoy this one. Don't even consider on whether or not to watch it. Just go!

Walt Disney Pictures creates a great book to movie adaptation of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

I'm sure many viewers have read the book and will agree with me when I say that this a great sci-fi fantasy story. This adaptation does a great job at creating a family film that is just under the point of not being for young kids. In other words, it is a film that a younger audience can watch without being too childish. The runtime is around 2 hours and 15 minutes, but it isn't a dragging 2+ hours. The runtime is actually appropriate for this movie. The big parts of the story are kept in tact and it runs rather smoothly.

The CG is fantastic. From the opening World War II bombing scene you can tell that everything in the Narnia universe will look great. Once the story shifts to Narnia, you see that you are right.

Like many other films, the only intense action is in the form of a huge battle at the end, but it is extraordinary. It really helps when there are a variety of creatures on both sides of the battlefield. Gryphons, centaurs, minotaurs, and other fantasy creatures alike fill the screen. The choreography for the White Witch's swordplay are nicely done as well.

The acting is good. The 4 young actors are more than enough to carry this film and the voice over work for the creatures turn out terrific. Tilda Swinton is the star of the show as the White Witch. She pulls off the villain nicely.

This film is worthy of a sequel and fans of the books will want to see this adaptation. In fact, anybody that enjoys fantasy will want to see this.

Michael Mann and his crime thrillers seem to find a way to stand out among many other films.

The story behind Collateral is straight forward and what makes it interesting is the fact that it spans only 1 night. At just under 2 hours, the pacing is moderate and there are only a few times where the movie drags. The characters do keep it entertaining. The beginning does a nice job at building up Jamie Foxx's character and also secretly setting up the story. The rest of the film is all suspense and violence.

There are moments where this picture looks as if it is a B-movie. The resolution is a bit grainy at times and some of the camera angles do seem amateurish, however we all know that Michael Mann is behind the scenes making everything work.

A contract killer is a bit of a different role for Tom Cruise and, as usual, he pulls it off. Jamie Foxx also delivers a good performance. Mark Ruffalo and Peter Berg's characters go nowhere as they just add a little more diversity to the story. Jada Pinkett Smith and Javier Bardem also have integral roles in the picture.

Collateral is not as explosive as action thrillers go, but the story and lead characters keep this one entertaining to the end.

This is another example of one of Disney's good movies. The story is well told with a good message to be learned. Many will classify this as a comedy and they are correct since there is a ton of laughs. It isn't all comedy though since there is a pretty emotional ending. Definitely worth your time to watch.

This is my favorite film starring Sylvester Stallone. It is a slow-paced movie with an interesting mob-type story. There are many big-name actors, who play there characters well, and the dialogue is nicely written to suit this type of movie. Don't expect a lot of action here since the only action in this movie is a small shootout at the end.

"Be careful what you wish for." Based off of Neil Gaiman's book by the same name, Coraline is one well written stop animation film from Henry Selick.

While it is a little slow in the beginning, the story does a nice job at developing and setting up ALL the characters for the fun to come. Soon enough the story is under way and this 100 minute picture becomes quite intriguing.

Coraline is made for the family and it only has a PG rating. I will say that there is sort of a scary and dark theme in this picture and there is a sequence or two with too much cleavage for a younger crowd. But, this film is still OK for the kids.

This movie is visually stunning. Stop motion and 3D are made for each other and this film proves that. I give the staff credit because a lot of work must have gone into creating this. The 3D elements are also well done. There are a lot of playful things going on and they don't feel like they are thrown in just for the purpose of effects. Everything feels like it is a natural part of the story. They are just enhanced.

The voices for all the characters are chosen nicely. Dakota Fanning is a nice fit for Coraline Jones and Keith David is a good cat. Teri Hatcher also provides her talents for Coraline's mother and "other mother."

This may not be a Pixar production, but Coraline is one great watch for the family.

Not only did Alex Proyas direct, write, and produce this sci-fi masterpiece, but his name spread as well. This is truly a classic film in the world of science fiction.

"They built the city to see what makes us tick. Last night one of us went off." Tell me that tag line doesn't make you want to see this.

First things first. The title. Dark City. Simple, yet highly appropriate considering the fact that 99 percent of this film takes place at night. Hence, it's a dark city. The story is pretty darn original and it is great. The movie itself maybe slow and there is little to no action, but Proyas shows how a good story can carry a film. Seriously, the story is more than enough to keep you watching.

There is just a right amount of big characters as well. Not too little to bore you and not too much to overwhelm you. Each character has its own contribution to the film. Especially the "strangers."

Visually, this movie will amaze the eyes. Some people may not enjoy the dark nature and setting of the film, but most will come to appreciate it. There is a nice amount of CG and while this film may not have the greatest stuff, it is still fantastic.

The acting is spot on. All the main characters are done by recognizable names and they all put on stellar performances. Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, and Richard 'O Brien are of note here. William Hurt and Rufus Sewell aren't too shabby either. To top it all off, you have a beautiful Melissa George showing us her rack.

Dark City just goes to show how good a movie can be when you combine an excellent story, interesting characters, fantastic acting, exceptional directing, and a nice score. This is a must watch if you like sci-fi.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a remake of the 1951 film by the same name. Scott Derrickson, who at this time hasn't done much in the way of directing, delivers a science fiction film that is worthy of noting.

The pacing of this 1 hour 40 minute feature film is moderate, but the story is interesting enough to carry this movie even if it was really slow. Just like the original, the film wastes no time at showing the viewer the spaceship, Klaatu, and Gort. This doesn't spoil the rest of the film because there is always the question of what will happen next. There are some questions that there are no answers for and while this is a bit of a letdown, it is only a minor flaw for this movie.

The CG is superb and the action isn't all that much. The Gort character is a little disappointing in the way it is used, however the CG effects stemming from its transformation is phenomenal.

Keanu Reeves, while not the greatest of actors, finds himself in a role that he matches, and when this happens he begins to shine. Jennifer Connelly is fabulous once again and most of the other supporting characters are cast nicely.

The original The Day the Earth Stood Still is a science fiction classic and this remake just enhances it with some changes to the story and some great effects. This is worth a watch for fans of the science fiction genre.

"And here we go." This film has been getting a ton of praise and I have to admit that it deserves it all. With that said, this is a great film, but is it the best film of 2008? I think not.

The story for this sequel is well written. When you think about it, you just think about Batman taking on The Joker, but there is way more going on than you think. The Joker's plot is fairly complex and this creates a deep story that affects multiple characters in a large way. This film also belongs to the villains, meaning that Batman takes a backseat to The Joker and maybe even Harvey Dent.

The run time is 2 and a half hours and while many people say that it is the quickest 2 and a half hours, I will have to disagree. Yes, this film doesn't feel like 2 and a half hours, but this movie doesn't fly by at all. It is because this isn't an action packed adventure. This film does have its action moments, as the bat cycle scene is fantastic, but the story and acting is what makes this film as good as it is.

Speaking of the acting, it is superb. When you have a cast as good as this and a director like Christopher Nolan, it is hard to go wrong in this department. Heath Ledger puts on quite a performance as the Joker and Aaron Eckhart pulls off Harvey Dent. Maggie Gyllenhaal does a nice job stepping in for Katie Holmes and the rest of the supporting cast are their usual great selves. One of the few annoyances of the film is Christian Bale's Batman voice. It is good, but only if given in small doses.

There is no use in recommending this film to anyone, because everybody will see it sooner or later. There is nothing more to say.

Coming off the very successful Dog Soldiers, Neil Marshall follows it up with a gripping horror thriller known as The Descent.

When it comes down to it, there isn't much to the plot. There are a bunch of young women in a cave. Fortunately, Neil Marshall is able to turn this into one great and entertaining film.

At just over 90 minutes, 6 women are able to carry this picture to the very end. The first hour is all about climbing through the caves. I know that may not sound all that interesting, however the camera work and the character buildup is there to pick it up. The suspense factor is also high with some excellent jump scares thrown in.

The final half an hour is one big violent gore fest. Now, there are many times where a film takes it slow and saves everything for the end. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. It works beautifully in this picture. The violence is R-rated bloody and the transformation of the lead character is just brilliant. The creatures also have a nice design to them. They are truly frightening.

The 6 beautiful females act superbly and this helps make the movie as good as it is. Watching Natalie Mendoza kick some a** is also a major turn on.

Once again, Neil Marshall delivers another excellent movie experience with The Descent. This is a must see for people that enjoy thrillers and is worthy of being called an instant classic. Don't forget to listen for the beat from John Carpenter's The Thing.

"40 stories of sheer adventure!" A perfect setting for a hostage-terrorist film. This is a great start to a great series.

The story for this film is really simple and easy to pick up. It does take a good 20 minutes to start rolling though, but the beginning isn't all that bad. It basically introduces you to the John McClane character as well as his relationship to his wife Holly. This miniature side story makes appearances throughout the series. Once you get past the introduction the film really takes off. Almost the whole film takes place in this one building, and with 40 stories to work with you're not really seeing the same exact setting all the time.

This film is over two hours, but like any other entertaining film, it doesn't feel that long. The film moves at a moderate pace, but the loads of action keeps this from becoming a drag.

The acting is spot on. Bruce Willis creates the John McClane character nicely, giving us a hero that can take as much punishment as he can dish out. Not to mention, there is still the time for him to deliver some great dialogue. "Yippee-ki-yay, motherf*****." It was nice to see Reginald VelJohnson in this as well, but the real star of the show goes to Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber. He pulls off the intelligent ringleader of the terrorists with smashing success.

If you are looking for action, this is the movie for you. It is great to see how one by one John McClane crosses with the terrorists, resulting in crazy shootouts and brawls leaving him more bloody as the film moves on. Another memorable element of Willis' character.

For Bruce Willis fans this is a must see. Sit back, relax, and let John McClane take you on an adventure.

This movie was great all around. Great characters with a nice story. It was fun to watch Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson run all over town performing tasks.

After directing only a few short sci-fi films, Neil Blomkamp busts onto the scene with the sci-fi phenomenon known as District 9.

"You are not welcome here" is the tag line for this picture, and while this may not apply to everybody, this is highly realistic to what could happen. This film is partially a sci-fi thriller and partially a documentary. The documentary style shows up mostly in the early going and it serves as a vehicle to layout the back story for what is to come. Gradually, the film becomes less of a documentary and more of a sci-fi thriller. The story is quite engulfing, especially in the latter half and the 1 hour 50+ minute run time doesn't seem that long.

The effects and action sequences are quite phenomenal. The creature effects are not held back, as the aliens have a lot of screen time. The alien weaponry is also fantastic. The second half of the film is a treat, as all these weapons light up the screen.

Sharlto Copley is the star of the show and while he is a tad annoying in the early going, he becomes more tolerable as the film progresses.

District 9 is definitely a must see for science fiction fanatics.

Besides The Rundown this is pretty much the only other movie that I liked that had the Rock. Let it be known that you really need to be a fan of the game to really like this movie, which I am. Although there may be a few people that will enjoy this without having played or seen the game.

Like all game to movie adaptations the story and characters are tweaked, but that is a must. If you don't like change then watch somebody play the game for 90 minutes and there is your movie. The acting is decent, but the CG effects are well done. The FPS scene is nothing short of spectacular.

Overall, there were a few more things from the game that I would have liked to have seen in this movie, but this was still a very good adaptation.

Doomsday. After watching this, I would say that the title is appropriate. Neil Marshall is able to deliver a film that is not for the faint of heart.

The story is probably the weakest part of this film. By 30 minutes in, the plot is completely gone and forgettable. The same can be said for the character development. The plot that does exist for the first 30 minutes or so is nothing original. There is a virus outbreak (Resident Evil). Rhona Mitra leads a team (Predator) into the unknown to find a vaccine (Resident Evil: Apocalypse). The story plays out this way until somebody gets the pointy end of a pick in the face. Then all hell breaks loose. For the next hour and 15 minutes it is non-stop senseless violence and action. You start out with crazy-a** cannibals in a ruined city and then, before you know it, the film turns into "medieval times" with archers on horseback and fighting in a castle. Soon enough you are on a long highway in an EXPLOSIVE car chase involving a nice Mercedes.

This movie sounds violent right? Well it is. Bloody and gory describes it nicely. If you don't like to see limbs cut off and blood all over the place stay away from this film. As far as the action goes, there is a ton of it. Guns, arrows, swords, and vehicles. Going back to the car chase that I mentioned earlier. It's been a while since I've seen a car chase that entertaining. What is even more ridiculous is that the Mercedes looks a little too clean after it. If a Mercedes is that tough then I can see why it is so expensive. The only real downside of the action is the editing.

The acting isn't too bad. The cast comes directly from Dog Soldiers. Not really, but there are at least 5 actors from that film in here. Not to mention that is another one of Neil Marshall's films. The lead, Rhona Mitra, is reminiscent of Kate Beckinsale in Underworld. Definitely a turn on.

Give this film a watch if all you care about is action and violence.

Sure, Disneynature's Earth is a documentary, and yes there is no acting. Believe it or not, there is a place for realism, and documentaries are it.

There is more to this story than just the following of the 3 families (polar bears, elephants, and the humpback whales). Of course, more time is spent with these 3, with the polar bears taking the bulk of it. I guess this is because global warming is having the greatest influence on this species.

The settings vary to multiple portions of the world and this allows the viewer to see places and species that he/she never imagined. Thus, this becomes quite an interesting watch. This documentary never gets boring.

The camerawork is superb. EVERY single shot is planned out and props goes out to the crew because this film must have taken an extreme amount of time and effort to shoot. Slow motion, as well as sped up shots, are also very effective at the times they are used. This movie is truly a visual treat.

James Earl Jones lends his voice for the narration and who could be better? This is what he does best, so there is no reason to fix what isn't broken. The narration is also descriptive enough and very easy to comprehend.

Earth is a serious movie with a serious message and it is seriously a film to consider watching.

This was a highly entertaining movie. The special effects are done well and there was a bunch of action throughout.

There are a lot of recognizable faces that act here but not all of them are utilized to their potential. John Malkovich has so little airtime that you wonder why they used him for the role. Hopefully he will play a bigger part in the sequel (if made). On the other hand Jeremy Irons gets a ton of airtime and does a superb job with his character. He matches perfectly in these fantasy type movies.

For a sci-fi/fantasy movie it is really short, coming in at a little more than 90 minutes. It is this that leaves the story feeling rushed and subplots and character backgrounds being left out. I haven't read the book, but it is obvious that much is not explained in this movie.

As mentioned earlier the special effects are well done, especially the last dragon battle which is nothing short of spectacular.

If you are a sci-fi/fantasy dragon lover then this movie is definitely worth a brief 90 minutes of your time.

This has to be one of Kurt Russel's best movies. The story is really entertaining and there are a number of popular actors that do an excellent job with their characters. Let it be told that this is not a full on action movie, but it doesn't have to be. The story flows in such a way that you will always be at the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. You will also see Steven Seagal do something that you most likely will never have seen before.

Face/Off may not be John Woo's first Hollywood film, but it is one of his greater Hollywood hits. It deserves to be.

What starts as a typical undercover story to find a location of a bomb, Face/Off slowly evolves into something much more engrossing as two men, who have switched faces, set out against each other ... as each other. The run time is a tad long at around 20 minutes past 2 hours and this is because there is quite a bit of time spent on the 2 main characters as they settle into their new lives. This does help because it does have an effect on what happens later on.

The multiple firefights have John Woo's signature all over them as bullets fly all over the place. They are entertaining and the standoffs, including the mirror and church scenes, between the 2 characters are nicely done.

Both John Travolta and Nicolas Cage put on excellent performances as both get a chance to play the good guy and the bad guy. Their lines of dialogue are great to listen to. Joan Allen, Gina Gershon, and Dominique Swain have other notable characters.

Face/Off has a creative story, amusing characters, and a decent amount of firefights to make this a fantastic action thriller.

Stemming from Roald Dahl's novel by the same name, Wes Anderson's stop motion adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox is, for lack of a better word, fantastic.

In a world where animals can talk, dress, and live like humans, the story is quite entertaining. With a run time just under 90 minutes, it never feels too short, because nothing feels left out, and not too long, because there is very little drag. A lot comes across as funny enough not to be left out.

Visually, this picture is oddly humorous. The stop motion moves along like stop motion should, but it is the many other things that generate the chuckles. The way the characters run, the close up facial expressions, and the electrocution visuals are some examples of this.

George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, and all the rest of the cast voices fit their respective characters nicely. The dialogue that is written for them also helps. "If what I think is happening is happening - it better not be."

Fantastic Mr. Fox succeeds in a lot of departments and is a fun comedic animation adventure. Put on a bandit mask and go check it out.

This movie is based on a true account and the story is told very well. The acting is superb along with the cinematography. This is a must see for any Coen brothers fan.

This is hands down the best pixar movie to date. The graphics were well done and the characters were funny and interesting.

This was one of my favorite movies when I was growing up. The story was really interesting and the CG effects were good for its time. The acting is not too bad and Paul Reubens' voice fits perfectly as the voice of Max. The soundtrack was well done too. "Compliance"

I honestly didn't think a film that pretty much takes place in a single portion of the desert would be this good. Flight of the Phoenix isn't anything original, but it isn't crap either.

The plot takes no time in the beginning to build up characters, but rather gets to the meat of the story rather quickly. Less than 15 minutes into the film you are already in the middle of the desert and this is where you stay until the very end. The only unfortunate part about this is that the setting stays the same. The inside of a plane and SAND. If you remember a few sentences ago, I said that the character buildup doesn't come at the beginning. Instead it comes in the middle as the characters figure out a way to get out of the desert. This offsets the lack of depth in the story.

There is little to no action in this film, but it doesn't need it. Like I said, this takes place in the desert, not a war zone. I can only imagine how this film could have gone if Michael Bay was attached to it. No character development and unnecessary action sequences.

The acting is better than expected. Dennis Quaid is alright and Miranda Otto pulls off the only female nicely. Surprisingly, Hugh Laurie finds a way to fit in. The most memorable character belongs to Giovanni Ribisi. Not only is he different, but you love him, you hate him, and then love him again.

The story for this film is pretty thin, but the variety of characters and the good ending more than makes up for it. If you don't mind looking at sand all day, then this is the film for you.

Jet Li pissing on Jackie Chan's face. Classic.

Despite all the negativity surrounding the "hollywoodness" of this film, it is actually quite good.

This movie has a story fit for the fantasy genre and it isn't too bad. As a whole it is told nicely, although it is a bit choppy at times with parts that may be better with more explanations and/or background. As previously mentioned, this movie is an American film, but for a good portion it doesn't necessarily feel that way. The first 10 minutes, as well as the last 10 minutes takes place in America and these scenes are horrible. Luckily the other 90 minutes take place in ancient China and this is the meat of the story and it is also shot fairly well. There is a nice amount of characters with some good CG.

There is a lot of action in this film and thanks to Yuen Woo-ping it is fantastic. It isn't his best stuff, but it is far from his worst. Jet Li and Jackie Chan provide most of the action, but the other characters jump in on the fun as well. Both Jackie and Jet carry this film and their aging bodies don't affect their fights at all. They both still have the moves.

The acting is good, except for the American characters in the American scenes. Michael Angarano is OK as the lead, but Jet Li and Jackie Chan both steal the stage from him. Collin Chou is a good villain and both Li Bingbing and Liu Yifei are gorgeous. Both in their looks and their fights.

Yes, this film has it's flaws, like too much English dialogue, but the positives outweigh the negatives. Fantasy/martial arts fans will want to check this out.

Futurama is one of the greatest animated television series to hit the airwaves. A nice combination of science fiction and comedy.

Matt Groening has had great success with The Simpsons and although Futurama didn't fair as well, I still find myself enjoying the latter more.

Visually, this is nothing spectacular, but it doesn't have to be. You will see 3-D animation for certain aspects of the show, but in total it is a typical 2-D animation. The same can be said about the sound effects. This isn't Star Wars, but all the sounds are fitting and appropriate. The theme song is catchy as well. It never gets old.

The thing that makes this show different from, oh say Family Guy, is it isn't all about the laughs. Yes, this is a comedy, but there are episodes that end in dramatic ways. Each episode tends to have its own story and the stories are quite entertaining. The fact that the series takes place in the 31st century keeps things from being hugely over the top. The gadgets and characters that appear in the show will most likely not be seen in real life, but it doesn't seem all that strange in a setting like this.

The voice work is great. The talents of Billy West and Phil LaMarr is nothing short of spectacular. Even Katey Sagal and John Di Maggio grow on you.

Futurama may not be the most successful series to grace your television, but it certainly isn't the worst. This series comes highly recommended to comedic and science fiction animation fans.

Good news everyone! Futurama is back baby. Many years have come and gone and the long wait is finally over with the release of this feature length film.

This film is made especially for Futurama fans. Other people may pick this up and watch it, but I really believe that you will get more out of this if you are a full-fledged follower.

The story basically plays out like a 90 minute episode and the ever-so-popular time travel experience serves as one of the main features of this flick. It not only allows for an entertaining story, but it is also able to bring in tons of characters from the past episodes. Yes, most are just short cameos, but you don't hear me complaining. It also allows the film to actually unfold some of the small events that actually take place in the past series. Great stuff. The ending may also catch you by surprise.

The animation is basically the same with no real improvements what so ever. But that doesn't matter, since it isn't the graphics of Futurama that entertains. It is the stories and the characters. The same thing can be said about the voice acting. It is nothing new. I guess you don't have to fix what isn't broken.

My only real complaint is that this film isn't as funny as the past episodes. Don't be fooled, it is funny, but I guess the expectations were a little high with the long absence of fresh Futurama material. Still, this is a must see for any Futurama fanatic. Enjoy.

Once again, the Futurama universe provides us with another entertaining adventure of the Planet Express crew.

Unlike the series, but more like the previous 2 films, the plot is way out there. It is also standalone from everything else. This may be disappointing to some people because the writing is definitely not up to par with the TV episodes, but this is still one heck of a good time. The opening credits is ridiculously funny as usual and the rest of this 85 minute picture just takes off from there.

The first 50 minutes is typical Futurama mumbo jumbo. Dungeons & Dragons plays a big part in Bender's storyline, while the rest of the crew are busy with the dark matter shortage story. At the 50 minute mark, the 2 merge together and the movie becomes one huge Lord of the Rings parody.

The jokes and dialogue are funny, even though they are more predictable and hardly original in the second half. It's the first half of the film that the hardcore Futurama fans will enjoy the most. If you are looking for the side characters, many of them make cameos. Remember the mad hatter? Change places!

Visually there is nothing new, although you get to see the characters in fantasy form in the second half. The voice work is all intact as well.

There is nothing really explosive about this movie. In the end it is just another fantastic watch for Futurama fanatics. Change places!

The lovable cast returns in Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder, which is the 4th and , at this time, final straight to DVD feature length film.

The story is standalone from the other films, as well as the series, but this still is strictly for fans of anything Futurama.

Not surprisingly, this 80+ minute animation delivers everything that is expected. The story takes a while to get going as the characters are messing around in their own mini plots. Fry can read minds, Leela joins the Feministas, Leo Wong is building a giant miniature golf course, and Bender is up to his usual antics. As the film progresses, everything mashes up together to focus on the main plot, which deals with preserving life.

The laughs are there, however, there isn't enough to fill up an entire picture like this. The same can be said about the story. Futurama is better in small spurts rather than a long haul like this, but that doesn't mean that this film sucks.

The voices for all the main characters are intact with some special guest appearances, including Snoop Dogg, Penn & Teller, and Seth MacFarlane. As usual, the voice actors are able to provide good delivery of their lines.

Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder, isn't perfect, but it is a must watch for fans of the series. Don't forget to be ready for the clever ending.

When it comes to Futurama, it's really hard to hate anything about it if you are a die hard fan of the show. Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs, is no exception. This is another feature length product for the fans.

It all begins with the opening credits. The out of the blue opening credits. Instead of starting with some dramatic movie credits, this film goes back to its roots by giving us the opening from the series, but with a little extra something. What a way to start the 90 minute Futurama bonanza. The first 20 minutes actually feels like an episode rather than a movie. All the main characters have their own mini-plots going and there is less focus on a main story. Of course, the main story kicks in for the last hour. It is stupid as h***, but this is Futurama. Ridiculous antics and dialogue fill up the 90 minutes and that is all a fan of the series can ask for. There are even appearances by many many supporting characters, including Pazuzu.

Visually, there is no improvement from what we've seen in the past. It is the same old 2-D characters and settings with the 3-D rendering popping up every now and then.

The original cast returns, once again, for the voice over work. This is a plus. Futurama, just wouldn't be the same without them.

Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs doesn't do anything new, but just keeps on doing what the series does best. Watch it, if you are a fan.

Proton packs. The Ecto-1A. Slimer. The walking Statue of Liberty. A river of slime. What more is there to say?

The Ghostbusters 2 is the sequel to Ghostbusters, which it doesn't take a genius to figure out. It is possible to watch this without watching the first. The only things you will miss out on are the character development, relationships, and their equipment. Other than that, there is no hard tie in to the story from the first film.

This sequel does not do anything really new or different from the first film, yet it is much more entertaining. The first half an hour is pretty slow going as it builds up the characters and introduces the villain, but once you reach the courthouse scene, the fun begins. The proton packs are put to use and the slime becomes an essential part of the story. The rest of the film is everything you expect from here on out.

The CG is once again good for its time. My only gripe is that the proton packs have too little airtime. The same can be said of the Slimer character. The sound effects are great as usual. The proton packs, the siren of the Ecto-1A, and even the background music is memorable. Speaking of the background music, the soundtrack is awesome. Bobby Brown has one of his greater songs in this film.

The acting is not award winning, but who cares. Other than the regular cast, Peter MacNicol puts on quite a performance as Dr. Janosz Poha. Hilarious with entertaining dialogue.

If you like the first film then you will like this one. A comedic science fiction extravaganza.

Another series with some good potential for the big screen. Along with other series like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and The Chronicles of Narnia, this one starts out great.

The story fits well for this type of film, but it is a little complex at times. It also seems to go offtrack from time-to-time, but as a whole it all comes together quite nicely. The film does move a little slowly in the beginning and it never really speeds up all that much. Luckily, the storytelling is great and the fact that new characters join the adventure quite frequently keeps the film interesting.

Another enjoyable concept of the story is the fact that everyone has a "demon" sidekick in the form of some animal. This will be the entertainment factor for the young ones.

One thing that may bother some people is the violence. Compared to tons of other movies this film is a fairy tale, but for a fairy tale it is quite brutal in the violence department. The ice bear fight is pretty hardcore.

The acting is great. There are a good variety of characters and they all have good actors chosen for them. Ian Mckellen's voice over work does wonders and Sam Elliot fits his usual role perfectly. The only disappointment in the acting department is for the Daniel Craig fans. It's not that his acting is bad, it's just he gets very little airtime when comparing him with the other main characters.

This film is loaded with CG and it is pretty spectacular, in my opinion. All the creatures turn out nicely and the final big battle is a blast to watch.

All in all, if you are a fan of fantasy films this should be on your must see list.

Mike Newell gets a turn at bringing Harry Potter to life in the 4th installment of J.K. Rowling's novels, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The theme is much more darker than the previous three films and this isn't surprising. At the same time, the main focus of the story is on the Triwizard tournament, with little emphasis on other school affairs. Nonetheless, the Triwizard tournament is interesting enough to carry this film and it also allows for newer characters to take the stage.

At just under 2 and a half hours, the film never really drags, although the Yule ball segment seems to be on a bit of a tangent. The film does get back on track for the finale though. "Bone of the father, unwillingly given. Flesh of the servant, willingly sacrificed. Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken. The Dark Lord shall rise again!" Let's just leave it at that.

Aside from the usual cast, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Miranda Richardson add their names to the growing list of characters.

There is nothing else to say here. This is for fans of the other Harry Potter films.

Another Harry Potter movie, another director. David Yates is the chosen one this time around, to bring the 5th installment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, to the big screen.

Much like its predecessor, the theme is quite dark. In fact, it is as dark as ever. As far as the story goes, it is good in the beginning and the end, while feeling a bit bland in the middle. Still, the 2 hours and 15 minutes will move by rather quickly. I'm also sorry to say that quidditch is non-existent in this picture.

The CG is impressive yet again, and the wizard battle at the end is just phenomenal. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the first of the Potter films that brings out the best in wizard duels. More please.

This time around, the new faces belong to Helena Bonham Carter, Natalie Tena, Imelda Staunton, and Evanna Lynch. Evanna does a nice job with the Luna Lovegood character, Imelda portrays a character to dislike, and both Helena and Natalie have too little airtime. The alumni cast continue to entertain.

At the end of the day Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is another film for anybody that is a fan of this series. "Reducto!"

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Chris Columbus steps aside and allows Alfonso Cuarón to direct the third installment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels.

The characters are aging and the theme gradually becomes darker. Sure, the playfulness decreases, but that doesn't mean the entertainment factor does. The pacing is pretty quick as their isn't much drag, and this leads to a Harry Potter film of 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is the shortest of these first 3.

The appealing knight bus segment in the beginning gets things going and the story chugs along from there. Time travel is always an interesting subject and it is great to see it play a role in this picture. The action and CG are also nice enhancements to the film.

Previous characters leave or fall into the background, but new ones emerge as Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, and Emma Thompson step in to join the regulars.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban continues the trend of Harry Potter films to see. "Mischief managed."

Chris Columbus gets the honor of introducing the world to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which is the first movie adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. Let the magic begin.

The story as well as the Harry Potter universe is quite engrossing, especially for fan's of the fantasy genre. There is the potential to show so much and yet there isn't enough time. The film still runs around 2 and a half hours though.

The pacing is moderate, with only a few drags, and while it seems like events may be missing, there is never the feeling that there are huge plot holes of any kind. The sorcerer's stone part of the story takes a while to get into full throttle because a good portion of the beginning provides much needed buildup for the characters and wizard universe. Speaking of the wizard universe, the CG is entertaining and the settings can make one forget about the real world.

The cast is nicely chosen. All the actors are able to provide unique personalities to each of their characters, while also giving good performances.

Sure, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone isn't for everyone, but this is quite the enjoyable adaptation. Hmm, alas, ear wax.

Heat is a crime drama done right by Michael Mann.

At a high level, this film has a simple "cops and robbers" type of story going for it. Mann just gives depth to the characters and adds multiple subplots to spice it up. The run time is a lengthy 2 hours 45 minutes and the film doesn't necessarily fly by; however, there is enough characters and story to fill the entire time. Still, there is the possibility for this movie to be shorter.

This picture isn't loaded with action, but when it happens, it really happens. The second half of the film contains, what many believe to be, a classic shootout in the streets of Los Angeles. It is easy to see why. The camerawork and the sounds of the gun blasts deliver a high sense of realism to this segment. It truly is a piece worth checking out. The airport segment, with some inspiration from Bullitt, also provides a nice conclusion to the film.

The cast is loaded with many recognizable faces and putting Pacino against De Niro works out wonderfully in the storyline. Pacino is a bit weird at times, but all in all the actors do fine jobs.

Heat may be longer than it should be, but it still comes together as a successful movie on Mann's directing resume.

Director Guillermo del Toro shows his movie greatness by creating a successful comic book to film adaptation.

The screenplay is well written and unlike other book to film or comic to film adaptations, the story does not feel rushed. In fact, for a superhero action adventure, the story moves slower than one would expect. Yet, this film is far from boring. There is some pretty good character development, although a little more background on some of the characters would have been nice. Del Toro provides minimal laughs and he also provides it at the right times, so as not to turn this into a comedy. This is more of a dark film.

One of the better elements of this film is the CG. Del Toro is not shy about using it, but at the same time he doesn't over do it. The creatures and the effects are nicely rendered and at times you question if CG is actually being used. As far as the action is concerned there is a decent amount. If anything there could have been a little more in the middle to spice things up.

The acting is another good element of this film. You wouldn't think that Ron Perlman could pull off a lead hero, but he fits the role of Hellboy nicely. The supporting cast is there as well. Both Selma Blair and Doug Jones complete the hero team and the uncredited David Hyde Pierce's voice does wonders for Abe Sapien.

In the end this is a well written and well directed movie that deserves a sequel. If you like science fiction and action adventure films, don't be afraid to give this a try.

The stories of Mike Mignola never get old and neither does seeing Hellboy animated. Blood and Iron is one of those animations that is geared more towards adults as it has a dark feel to it. This isn't rated R, but it sure as h*** isn't rated G.

As usual the story for this Hellboy adventure rides high on science fiction and that is what makes this series so entertaining. Blood and Iron focuses way more on story rather than the action. The run time is only 75 minutes and the action doesn't happen until 2/3 of the way in. Fortunately, the first 2/3 of the film is still good. The story jumps back and forth between the past and the present multiple times. What makes this even more interesting is that the scenes that take place in the past appear in reverse order, going back further and further in time with each new scene.

You do have to wait a while for the action, but you will get your fill at the end. Abe Sapien gets in on a bunch of the fights and Liz Sherman gets a chance to use her pyrokinesis to take down some baddies. Hellboy has the most intense fight when he battles the goddess Hecate. This is one fight that deserves to be in live action.

Once again the original actors, Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, and John Hurt, return to do the voices for their respective characters. John Hurt has a big role as Professor Broom, while Peri Gilpin only has a few minutes with BPRD agent Kate Corrigan

This is definitely another good watch for Hellboy fans. "Destiny is overrated!"

It is one thing to see Hellboy in live action, but it is also another to see Hellboy animated. The animations may not look as extravagant as live action, but that shouldn't chase you away from this. Trust me when I say that this is a good watch.

This animation has a great sci-fi story going for it and it fits into the Hellboy universe nicely. At only 75 minutes, this film is also able to provide all the major characters, Hellboy, Liz Sherman, Abe Sapien, and Kate Corrigan, with a decent amount of airtime. For the majority of this animation, Hellboy finds himself in another dimension in Japan. This world houses a variety of different monsters, ghosts, etc. Hellboy has to do battle with a good number of them as well. In case you are wondering, he does have his gun. After viewing this, it is easy to see Guillermo Del Toro turning this into a live action masterpiece.

Visually, this is no Japanese anime, but it isn't no cheap Family Guy crap either. The characters have the look and feel of their comic counterparts.

The voice work is fantastic. This is because the actors that pull off the great live action characters take the time to voice this animation. Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, and Doug Jones are no strangers to the Hellboy world and they are able to bring their agents to life. Peri Gilpin shows up as BPRD agent Kate Corrigan who is another big character in the stories.

People may expect to see some lame American cartoon, but this will be a satisfying watch for Hellboy fans.

Fun fact: This movie stars Charlie Sheen.

If you liked the first installment known as Hot Shots! then you will most likely enjoy this one as well.

Fun fact: This is a sequel.

There are many movie parodies in this film, but the most obvious and biggest one is Rambo: First Blood as you can probably make out from the cover.

Unscramble this movie title: Deux Part Shots! Hot

This 80 minute slapstick comedy will keep you entertained with humorous dialogue and small jokes including:

Throwing Bullets to kill
Saddam morphing with a dog (T-2)
Tied shoelaces

Quiz: Is this a comedy?

The acting is good for this type of film. You have comedians such as Lloyd Bridges, Ryan Stiles, and Rowan Atkinson to provide laughs. Valeria Golino and Brenda Bakke are candy for the eyes as well. Jerry Haleva does a nice job as Saddam Hussein once again and is even funnier when he talks like Sylvester the cat.

Fun fact: "The" is spelled t-h-e.

This film goes back to the classic comedies including Airplane, National Lampoons: Loaded Weapon 1, and the first Hot Shots!. Pick this up if you're in the mood for a comedy.

The Incredibles is for lack of a better word, incredible. Writer/director Brad Bird really comes through with an entertaining superhero picture that is better than a bunch of other live action superhero films.

Like any other Pixar film, up to this point, the storyline is well written, which leads to an hour and 50 minute film that never gets boring. This isn't total 100% action, but it doesn't have to be. The story finds a way to build up the characters, more than one mind you, nonchalantly and effectively.

Once again I will use the word incredible to describe how the film is visually. The characters have the usual Pixar touch, but it is everything else that really shines. You can tell that time is put into the rendering of the environments and objects. The scenes with Dash running across the water is phenomenal.

This wouldn't be a superhero movie without the action. It doesn't disappoint either. All the action sequences are written ... incredibly and are highly entertaining. The superheros even use their powers in unique ways. Elastigirl does more than stretch long distances.

The voice work is also top notch. Every character, seemingly, has an appropriate voice. Brad Bird even finds the time to voice a female character.

This film may be PG, but rest assured that The Incredibles is an incredible movie for the whole family.

I wasn't expecting much when I saw this, but when I did it blew me away. The special effects are as good as can be and the story is well told. There are a good variety of characters and they are played fairly well.

What really makes this film work is that it really does have a little of everything. There is a ton of action, but at the same time there is humor, romance, and drama as well. This movie is a must see for any sci-fi action fan.

So, you have Steven Spielberg and George Lucas coming together to bring back another installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. You can't go wrong right? Yes you can, but this movie is anything but wrong.

The story isn't the greatest and it does have a little more of a sci-fi element than one expects from an Indiana Jones film, but in the end it fits nicely. The quick and non-flashy opening credits to the opening action sequence, albeit a little delayed, is kept intact and this is a plus. Why fix something that isn't broken right?

The action comes in bunches and it is great. The opening warehouse sequence is good along with the motorcycle chase. The vehicle chase sequence in the latter part of the film is just fantastic.

While this film does have its moments, I think one of my few gripes is that there aren't really any MEMORABLE scenes as there are in its predecessors. There is also some CG, which is nice, but it isn't superb.

There are a ton of recognizable faces in this film and because of that the acting is pretty good. Despite the age factor of Harrison Ford, he still has it in him to pull off good ol Indy. Ray Winstone, John Hurt, and Karen Allen provide a good supporting cast. Shia LeBeouf is also good. Does he have what it takes to be the next Indy? I can't say. The acting award for this film has to go to Cate Blanchett. She is fantastic and proves to be a good rival to Harrison Ford's character.

This isn't the best Indiana Jones film, but it isn't the worst by any means. If you like Indiana Jones, there is no reason not to watch this.

A few years ago, Jon Favreau, directed a film titled Zathura, which is a good film. He really takes a huge leap by directing this film and he creates a successful Marvel motion picture.

The story for Iron Man is fairly complete as it goes through the entire process of the robotic suits. The Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III. The storytelling is pretty good too. The film starts out with a bang before going back to buildup Robert Downey's character Tony Stark. After that you are with Stark the rest of the way as he develops his various armor suits. Director Favreau does a decent job at not dwelling and dragging things out, so there are very little boring parts. He also finds a way to keep the film humorous by providing the comedy in the right proportions at the right times.

The CG is fantastic and so are the sound effects. At certain times these effects are drowned out by the rocking soundtrack, but this is only a minor flaw. The armor suits themselves are a treat for the eyes and it makes you want to see the Iron Man on screen more often.

The action is good, but seems to be lacking quantity wise. There is definitely room for more explosive robotic fights.

The acting has its ups and downs. Robert Downey does a nice job as the lead and Gwyneth Paltrow isn't too bad. Jeff Bridges is a good actor, but he just isn't menacing enough to be the villain in this film. The rest of the supporting cast is OK and Jon Favreau finds the time to cast himself in here as well.

Iron Man isn't perfect, but it is one of the better Marvel hero films out there. Watch this film if you ever have the chance.

F. Gary Gray creates a remake of The Italian Job in great fashion. This is one of the better remakes out there and it is also one gem of a heist film.

The story is engrossing and so are the characters, which makes this 110 minute film never boring. The first 20 minutes begins with a heist, which then sets up the rest of the movie. From here on out it is all planning and scheming, which is what makes a heist movie as good as it is.

The character buildup, while nothing huge, is more than enough to make the characters likable as well as memorable. Thus, making the viewer cheer for the good guys as they pull off the job.

The interesting thing about this film are the Mini Coopers, as they play an integral role in the job itself. There is a decent car chase in the latter half of the film and this movie will make the viewer want to go out and get one.

The cast is well chosen with Mark Wahlberg leading the way as the mastermind. The gorgeous Charlize Theron pulling a job is also a turn on. Jason Statham, Mos Def, and Seth Green, all have good supporting roles with appropriate nicknames and Edward Norton is a villain to hate.

While not as complex or as entertaining as Ocean's Eleven, The Italian Job is a heist thriller to not pass up.

Any Tarantino fan should like this movie. Great dialogue and characters as usual. The story is also very well told. Visually, not as flashy as Pulp Fiiction but still very entertaining.

This is a definite classic. If you aren't afraid of sharks and the beach you will think twice after watching this film. The story itself is really simple, yet it is the perfect suspense tool. With the help of the memorable theme, every scene with water gets your heart pumping and your just pulling for everybody to get out before something bad happens.

By todays standards the shark puppeteering is crap, but back then it was more than enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Its a gigantic shark for heaven's sake.

The cast is amazing and the acting is well done. you will get a kick out of Robert Shaw because he definitely had the most interesting and entertaining role in the entire movie. Maybe even the series.

All I can say is that you have to watch this movie at least once in your life and the next time you go to the beach, look before you go in the water.

This may be my favorite film starring Robin Williams. The story was really interesting and unique and you'll wish the movie was longer. David Alan Grier, as a goofy cop, will provide the comedy relief while your waiting for the next roll of the dice.

This is truly the best of the Jurassic Park series. When this movie came out, everywhere you went there was something about Jurassic Park. The special effects were excellent and there were a good variety of characters all played well by their respected actors, not to mention that the story itself was well written by Michael Crichton. This is a much see movie for everybody.

What can I say? Tarantino does it again. Very entertaning story of revenge as well as plenty of action. The action is not of Jet Li or Donnie Yen calliber, but it is well choreographed and it fits the movie well. The usual Tarantino type dialogue also carrys this movie.

This movie is a total 180 from volume 1. Instead of the action-packed gore-fest that was produced in the first we get a typical Tarantino flick.

This volume relies heavily on story to push the movie forward and with the usual Tarantino-ish dialgoue it is a success. Once again there are many memorable and interesting characters that will keep things fresh throughout.

Fans of Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown will most likely enjoy this over volume 1.

Alex Proyas knows his science fiction and science fiction is all about Knowing. I've heard some people questioning this picture, but I believe those people don't know who Alex Proyas is. If you do, then this is an enjoyable movie.

The story is slow, which makes the 2+ hours creep by, however it is interesting enough to hold people's interest the entire time. Everything is well thought out, which makes for some great storytelling, and there are hints and buildups throughout the picture for what is to come at the ending. The conclusion goes back to knowing Alex Proyas. It can be hit or miss, but if you've seen Proyas' other films, especially Dark City, the ending will not be all that surprising. At first glance this seems like a typical main character stop the disaster type of thriller, but there really is more to this than that.

The CG is superb and there is a good amount of it. This makes this mystery thriller a real visual treat.

Nicolas Cage is his usual self and it is nice to see him in a movie as good as this. Rose Byrne takes a while before making an appearance and she does a good job as well. The rest of the supporting cast, including Chandler Canterbury and Lara Robinson, don't disappoint.

Knowing is one science fiction thriller that some will classify as an instant classic. They just might be right.

Jim Henson's Labyrinth is one classic fantasy adventure.

What helps this film a lot is the plot. It is fairly simple, but at the same time it works wonderfully for this genre. The story wastes little time as there is just enough buildup to setup the labyrinth portion. The first panning shot of Sarah's room tells it all. Soon thereafter, the following words trigger the fun; "I wish the goblins would come and take you away, right now." The run time is around 1 hour and 40 minutes and while this feels appropriate, the labyrinth calls out for more fun and airtime.

It is nice to see live action puppets and creature costumes. It brings more realism to the film. Of course there are also a few effects, which are good enough for its time, despite their cheap look.

A lot of people will note David Bowie as the star of this picture. Yes, he does have a huge part and he does get a chance to sing, but the beautiful Jennifer Connelly is the one that carries this movie. When it comes to the creatures, the voice work is nicely done.

While some of the creatures may be a bit frightening for a really young audience, Labyrinth is a fantasy adventure that caters to a wide age range.

Before seeing this I had only heard good things from my friends, which gave me high expectations for this. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw in this film.

I can see people finding this movie extremely boring and hearing them say that it was too slow. Well yes, it is slow. But, where this movie lacks in pace it more than makes up for in story. This has got to be one of the greater stories of the decade, maybe even the century. Not only is the story amazing, but the way it is told is brilliant. The slow pace of this movie is what helps with the unfolding of the story. It creeps along and teases you with all these unnatural events leaving you wondering what all this will lead to. This movie really shows how a good story can keep you from getting bored.

The acting is pretty good. Rhiannon Leigh Wryn is outstanding and adorable throughout. Its hard to believe she is only 7 years old at the time of this film. Michael Clark Duncan felt somewhat out of place, but I wouldn't have been surprised if he took the role just to be in this. I would have done the same thing if I had been shown the script. I would have taken any part in this.

The CG in this film is SUPERB. I was really surprised at how good it was, especially for a film aimed towards a younger audience. Not only is the CG great, but the sound was amazing as well. This film was meant to be heard in 5.1 surround sound. I've never heard it in simple stereo, but I'm pretty sure that will not cut it. The sound brought back memories of the great seismic charges of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.

It was really hard to find anything really bad about this film except for the ending feeling a bit rushed. I would have loved to have had another half hour added to this film. The 90 minute runtime was great, but I think it could have done wonders if it reached the 2 hour mark. This is also considered to be a family movie, but it may be a little much for the really young kids to grasp story wise. A great sci-fi/fantasy film which has become a classic in my book.

Luc Besson's Leon: The Professional is a crime thriller that gets a lot of things right.

The plot isn't all that deep and the film moves at a rather slow pace, but for the most part, the entire 2 hours is entertaining. This picture is basically able to take 3 characters and have them take over. Good camerawork and dialogue also help to make, what could be mediocre scenes, memorable.

This is a hit man movie; however there is minimal action. Aside from the shootings early on and at the end, the middle is all character interactions. As for the action itself, it is pretty good and quite bloody.

A young Natalie Portman is, without question, the star of this film. She smokes, swears, and puts on one heck of a daring performance. She alone makes this film worth seeing. Add in Jean Reno as a hit man, Gary Oldman as a corrupt cop, and the triangle is complete. All 3 of these actors carry this film from start to finish.

Despite its lack of intense action and a fast pace, Leon: The Professional is still a movie that most will want to see. "Is life always this hard, or is it just when you're a kid?"

I had doubts about this movie when I first heard about it. Bruce Willis is aging and Die Hard with a Vengeance was so good there was no way that this could top that. Well ... it didn't top it. But, surprisingly, it came pretty DAMN close.

The plot is nothing really spectacular but it is enough to push this movie forward and allow for some great action. Speaking of action, this movie is loaded with it. And I mean loaded. There is no question that this movie had a huge budget to work with. Explosions are going off all over the place and vehicles are crushed left and right. Not to mention all the bad guys that McClane needs to take down. Maggie Q provides some decent hand-to-hand combat, while Cyril Raffaelli, of B13 fame, puts in some AMAZING stuntwork.

The acting is nothing to give awards to, but Bruce Willis does his job with his John McClane character that we have all gotten to love over the years. Justin Long also does a good job at making us believe he is a computer/electronics freak. Timothy Olyphant plays the main villain and although his character is played pretty well, I didn't find myself really hating him all that much. Don't get me wrong, you want McClane to win, but Timothy Olyphant has got nothing to Alan Rickman's and Jeremy Iron's characters from the previous movies.

You know a movie was well worth your time when you get out and are surprised at how late it is. This movie is near the 2 hour 30 minute mark, but it felt no where near that. Right from the get go McClane is bruised, battered, and bloody and he stays that way the whole entire movie. Actually he gets bloodier and yet stills finds the time for some great comedic dialogue. That is what we expect from the McClane character and that is why this movie fits in so well with the Die Hard Trilogy. The only real complaint that I have is that it isn't all that violent and the swearing is cut to a minimum. This was to go for the PG-13 rating. So much more may have been done if they went for the R rating instead. We'll just leave that up to the unrated version.

Fans of Bruce Willis, the Die Hard Trilogy, and action will all be satisfied with this film. Definitely a multiple time watchable movie.

This was my favorite episode of the 3 movie trilogy. I liked the way the story flowed from one place to the next when the fellowship was traveling. There was no big battles like the 2 sequels but that's why I enjoyed the action more in this one. It was easier to focus more on one characters fight sequence rather than having a horde of people just slugging it out. This is a great start to a great series.

I give director Christopher Nolan props for creating such an original film that doesn't fail. The tag line for this picture is "some memories are best forgotten." That pretty much says it all.

First off there is a single story about a man getting revenge for his wife's murder. Now that sounds unoriginal. The originality shows up in the storytelling, as it comes at you in what seems like 2 separate storylines. 1 tells the story forward in black and white, while the other tells it in REVERSE and in color. There is a constant and frequent switching between the 2, but at the end of the day, they both come together to produce a single picture.

Of course the problem here is that the viewer needs to pay attention. The switching between the 2 stories keeps the film interesting, but at the same time it keeps the brain busy. This may or may not be a good thing depending on the viewer. Most will find it enjoyable though.

Another thing when telling a story backwards is the fact that the ending, or the beginning in this case, is given away. That isn't necessarily the case here. The story is interesting enough that you want to see it play out to the very end. There is also twists and turns that provide unforeseen results.

While the acting is good, it doesn't feel like anything special. I think its the fact that everything else in the movie outshines the acting. Nevertheless, Guy Pearce, Carrie-Ann Moss, and Joe Pantoliano are able to carry this film.

Memento is truly a unique movie that is worth the watch more than once.

A great movie to get the Mission Impossible series back on track after a somewhat disappointing 2nd installment. This is not as good as the first though.

The story is great and has some nice twist and turns. This movie does what the second movie couldn't accomplish. That is add some action without losing focus on the story. Unfortunately, I felt that there was still a little too much action in this one. I like to picture Mission Impossible as a cross between Die Hard (action oriented) and Oceans Eleven (pulling a job) and this film was just a little too much more on the Die Hard side of things. Still, it is a more than successful movie. It was also good to have an IMF team of more than 2 members.

The acting is good and all the recognizable faces perform their roles nicely. Philip Seymour Hoffman does an exceptional job as a cold-hearted villain. It was nice to see Kerri Russell and Laurence Fishburne make appearances in this, but I would have liked to have seen more of them. The IMF team was also great in this film and got a nice amount of airtime.

The action in here is pretty intense. The helicopter chase was great as well as the shootout on the highway. Explosive stuff and filmed in a way to make it seem realistic.

This movie is a great watch, and not just for Mission Impossible fans. Action fanatics will also enjoy this flick.

Whoever thought a G rated film could be enjoyable to all ages? This is just great clean family entertainment. Drama, comedy and fantasy all rolled into one giant package.

The story is as entertaining as the title. It is really easy to follow and it doesn't go too deep, which means it leaves some of the why and how questions of the plot unanswered. But, with the way that this film goes, it doesn't need to explain itself as to why things are happening the way they are. Its just magic. Accept it and move on. Just sit back and let the story take you wherever it may. Let the jokes make you laugh. And let the huge amounts of CG dazzle you. Heck, you can let the credits entertain you as well. There is never really a dull moment in this film. It is just over 90 minutes long and the only time it seems to slow down is the end, when it gets dramatic. At the same time though, the ending comes a little too quick. Maybe a few more minutes could be the key to relieving this minor problem.

Not only will the story grab you, but so will the acting. All 4 main actors, Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, and Zach Mills put on memorable performances. Dustin Hoffman's dialogue will also crack you up. The only real complaint is that Ted Ludzik's character, Bellini, is under explored.

This movie won't take up too much of your time. So, don't be afraid to give it a whirl. Oh, and I'm just shopping. Shopping.

The Mutant Chronicles is better than many people make it seem. Yes, it is around the B movie level, but that doesn't make it a piece of crap.

The story isn't anything out of the ordinary, but I do love futuristic science fiction films. The first half an hour or so provides the most detail when it comes to the story and after that it becomes a walk in the park, which is normal for a movie like this.

The beginning and end has the most action, while the middle has some small spurts. At 1 hour and 40 minutes, there is definitely more room for it. The fights aren't award winning, but I've seen much worse sword and gun play. The futuristic design of the guns are nice and they look good when fired, but the sound effects are missing that extra something to make them feel extraordinary.

The weakest part of this film is the CG. Thankfully, this is not Speed Racer. Still, this movie is futuristic and there is a decent amount of CG to go around. It is not that all the CG is awful because there are times where the CG is good. There are just many more times where it is unimpressive.

The cast is made up of many recognizable faces and unlike some other films (i.e. In the Name of the King) it does wonders. Thomas Jane does enough to take the lead, even though Ron Perlman, who is great, carries a good portion of this film. I don't know why John Malkovich is in this picture and I'll just leave it at that. The two major female characters belong to Devon Aoki and Anna Walton, from Hellboy II fame. Both do good jobs and, what do you know, they both kick the most ass. Sean Pertwee puts on a good performance as he usually does and Pras, from the Fugees, even does a nice job with his small part.

Don't be fooled by the negativity of this film. If you like futuristic science fiction flicks, The Mutant Chronicles has stuff to offer. Just don't expect a masterpiece.

Tonino Valerii gets the credit of directing this great western comedy, however some credit is also due to Sergio Leone for providing the idea.

The story is a good one, despite the fact that it drags a little in the middle. The first 10 minutes of this hour 50 minute picture starts off on the right foot, with very little dialogue, good suspense, and a quick shootout. Just like that, the main character, Jack Beauregard, has a moderate amount of buildup. From here on out, the film continues to entertain.

There are a number of slapstick comedic elements in this movie. So yes this is a comedy, but at the same time, there is a serious tone that still makes this a distinguished western.

There is no question that Terence Hill and Henry Fonda are the ones that make this film as enjoyable as it is. Terence Hill's character is fun to watch and he is a good counter to the seriousness of Henry Fonda.

Ennio Morricone's playful soundtrack is also worthy of note. Very catchy and memorable.

My Name is Nobody comes highly recommended for fans of spaghetti westerns.