| Movie | Rating | Review | Date | Your Rating | Match | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fido - R | I'll preface this by saying I'm not exactly a connoisseur of zombie flicks. But I did enjoy Shawn of the Dead, and Fido is similar in that it's an intentionally humorous take on the genre. I loved the colorful yet sterile portrayal of the 1950s combined with the nonchalance with which the citizens treat the brutal zombie attacks in their neighborhood. The Zomcon concept of "taming" zombies for conventional service is a clever idea, and Henry Czerny was great as zombie war hero Mr. Bottoms. All in all, Fido is definitely a fun and fresh zombie film. But for all that, I think the unique and frankly brilliantly-portrayed setting is the main draw here. Once the stage is set and the story takes over, the movie began to lose steam. Worth seeing especially if you like the genre, and maybe even worth owning just for its uniqueness and portrayal of a 1950s town full of domesticated zombies. But it's just shy of a 4/5 star movie overall. | December 6, 2008 | N/A | |||
| WALL-E - G |
If there's one studio with a consistent track record of fine (not to mention family-friendly) films on par with Pixar's, I'd like to find it. Though I wouldn't consider all of their films masterpieces, they have yet to make one that isn't thoroughly original, entertaining and beautiful at the same time. WALL-E continues this tradition. Nevertheless, I can't say it is one of my favorites. As animated films go, it's great. As Pixar films go, it's only good. Yes, it's cute. Yes, the CGI is fantastic. And yes, I enjoyed it. The robot romance was remarkably well-conveyed and even moving without feeling corny, and there is some really cool scenery and choreography. But when the credits rolled I couldn't help but feel that the movie just wasn't as fun as other Pixar films. Perhaps WALL-E felt this way because it is trying too hard to make a serious point about consumption and dependence upon technology that it lacks the thrills and wit that we've come to expect from Pixar. And although the CGI was superb as usual, I found it somewhat less impressive than recent efforts like Ratatouille. Yes, this is largely because the subjects in WALL-E are mostly inorganic, but I couldn't help feeling a tad underwhelmed, particularly since the humans were so simplistic (granted, this was a stylistic choice that fits, but it just wasn't very technically impressive). And I'm not sure I like the inclusion of real footage in a Pixar film, as minimal as it may be in this one. All in all, I don't mean to suggest that WALL-E isn't a good movie, or even a great one. In many ways it's beautiful in its simplicity. But as Pixar films go, I'd place it somewhere in the middle of the pack. I liked the film more than, say, A Bug's Life and Finding Nemo, but it fell short of the brilliance of masterpieces like Toy Story 2 and Ratatouille. Not a disappointment, but I'm hoping for better next time. A distopian future flick just doesn't seem to be the best place for cute Pixar characters. Definitely rent it, but you may decide it's not one you have to own. Either way, be sure to watch the Burn-E short film included on the disc...it's great. |
November 24, 2008 | N/A | |||
| The Fall - R | I really don't know of a better way to describe this movie other than "Pan's Labyrinth meets Pushing Daisies." And no, not just because both PD and The Fall star Pace. It has a similar setting and dual story lines each incorporating the experiences and imagination of a child as she deals with some pretty grown-up issues a la Pan's Labyrinth. Yet it has the amusing and quirky storytelling merged with vibrant colors and style of Pushing Daisies. All in all I thought it was wonderful...great story and simply amazing performance by the young Untaru in her first role. Definitely worth seeing if you enjoy film as an art form. | November 10, 2008 | N/A | |||
| The Prestige - PG-13 |
As a fan of many of the actors (and actress) in this film and especially of director Christopher Nolan (Memento and the Batmans are brilliant), I had high hopes for it. Although the performances and direction were very good and the story was fairly interesting, I really didn't find the movie itself to have much of a "prestige," despite all the leading up to it. SPOILERS: The only real "surprise" in the film is that Alfred has a twin brother who helps with his illusion and gave him a dual love life. The thing with Robert killing himself every show was pretty obvious as soon as we saw his use of the trapdoor, and thus it wasn't much of a surprise when he showed up alive as Alfred's daughter's caretaker or his hundred drowned bodies at the end. Frankly, the Alfred brother thing was kind of cheap as there was no way to have predicted it. Frankly, although the movie seems to make it clear that Alfred's double is indeed his brother, I initially thought Alfred had gotten to Tesla first, used the invention once, and it was him and his double that lived their dual life. I actually liked that idea better, because then it showed how one of the magicians managed to use that power in a way that didn't require the death of one of them, while the other cheapened it by overusing it and committing murder to keep things "simple." END SPOILERS So, ultimately, I didn't think the film had much of a payoff and most of the twists were fairly predictable. I also didn't like how the entire third act relied upon a pseudoscientific invention that exploited a great scientist's legacy, even if it is one rife with speculation and grandiose claims. All in all, not a bad movie and certainly the product of lots of talent, but definitely not deserving of being in the IMDB top 250. |
October 20, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Kill Bill: Volume 1 - R | Just watched this again on blu-ray. On paper it's just cheesy dialogue with over-the-top violence put together into an martial-arts-meets-grindhouse rampage of revenge. And it is. But what a mere description cannot do justice is the brilliant cinematography, choreography and soundtrack. While the film is essentially a combination of elaborate assassination scenes, it all comes together in a way that is both bloody and somehow beautiful. The shot that begins at 1:10:55 in the American release is nothing short of masterful and a perfect example of what I love about Tarantino's filming style. Although Pulp Fiction is ultimately more satisfying as a film, the Kill Bills are nevertheless masterpieces in their own right. Must-see if you're not bothered by lots and lots of blood. | September 17, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Burn After Reading - R | At first, this film appeared to be heading toward being another depressing "comedy" where a cast of really screwed up people wind up ruining each other's lives with their selfishness. While that's not a terribly inaccurate description of the plot, the way the Coen brothers pull it off is brilliant. It's offbeat and dark, but I love the ending and craziness of it, particularly how completely atypical it is of normal spy movies. Great performances all around, especially by Pitt, Simmons and McDormand. A must see if you're a fan of offbeat and original filmmaking, or the Coen brothers in general (not that you can really be one without the other). | September 17, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Wedding Crashers - R | September 16, 2008 | N/A | ||||
| Tropic Thunder - R | Definitely funny and Downey Jr. was awesome, but I got tired of all the crass dialogue. Black can be genuinely funny, but simply wasn't in this film, and the retard thing was overplayed (although Downey Jr's monologue about "retard" movies from Hollywood's history was great). Overall, a movie whose moments of brilliance were too often marred by excessive sexual humor and a fair number of jokes that fell flat. Oh, and while Cruise's performance was definitely new and very un-Cruise-like, he really only had a couple funny moments (the end credits being one of them). Perhaps worth seeing if you're not easily offended, but not one I plan to buy. | September 14, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Amelie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain) - R | A predictably unique yet surprisingly enjoyable French romance. The great thing about foreign films is they always have a fresh style when compared to typical Hollywood fare, and this is no exception. Definitely recommended if you're looking for something light and fun. | August 30, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Death at a Funeral - R | So ridiculous, but hysterical. Alan Tudyk on acid is priceless. | August 27, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Get Smart - PG-13 | Wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised. Genuinely funny. Not the smartest of comedies nor the most exciting of action films, but it pulls both elements together well into a film that I really don't have anything negative to say about. Not gonna win any Oscars, but definitely fun and definitely worth seeing. | August 27, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang - R | Brilliant film. Stylish, fun and at times hilarious, I'd say this is almost as good as Snatch, and similar in a lot of ways. | August 23, 2008 | N/A | |||
| The Bucket List - PG-13 | Another great feel-good movie from Rob Reiner. Fantastic performances by both Freeman and Nicholson with plenty of humor and heart to keep it fun and satisfying. | August 14, 2008 | N/A | |||
| August Rush - PG | A bit melodramatic and predictable, sure, but a great example of "Hollywood magic" nonetheless. Great performances all around and I loved the fusion of music and sound with the slick photography. | July 26, 2008 | N/A | |||
| The Devil Wears Prada - PG-13 | Sure, it's a chick flick with a typical feel-good Hollywood ending, but I enjoyed it. A humorous critique of the fashion world (and any industry with egomaniacal executives, really) with solid performances all around, The Devil Wears Prada is worth seeing. | July 22, 2008 | N/A | |||
| About a Boy - PG-13 | July 20, 2008 | N/A | ||||
| The Dark Knight - PG-13 | Although its #3 ranking on IMDB is sure to fall as the excitement wears off, this film absolutely deserves the acclaim it's been getting. I saw it last night at the IMAX and was blown away. A true masterpiece, and Nolan's best film (which is quite a statement considering Batman Begins and Memento are both fantastic). And Ledger. Wow. He steals every scene he's in with his deliciously creepy portrayal of the Joker. Tragic though his death was, at least he left us with an amazing performance to remember him by. Dark Knight is still a superhero movie that requires some suspension of disbelief, but much like Batman Begins, its brilliance lies in the depth of its characters and story which transcend its comic book origins. Hands down the best movie in that genre, and frankly one of the best I've ever seen. If you haven't yet, go see it now. And while it'll be great no matter what format you see it in, there are several scenes that particularly benefit from the IMAX treatment. | July 19, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Hitch - PG-13 | July 8, 2008 | N/A | ||||
| The Incredible Hulk - PG-13 | Never saw the first one, but I enjoyed this one. Never been a huge fan of most comic book heroes (although I loved Batman Begins and Ironman) and I've skipped most of the recent wave of their movies. Still, it was better than I expected and a good summer action flick. | July 8, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - PG-13 | Sorry, I know I'm probably being too critical of an action/adventure flick, but there were enough "are you kidding me?" moments that I just can't give this movie a good rating. Between selective magnetism that only attracts certain objects at certain times, Indy surviving a nuclear explosion in a "lead-lined" refrigerator, Shia Lebouf's character swinging through the jungle like Tarzan, Indy and company surviving multiple falls down gigantic waterfalls, and a goofy alien story basis, this movie had more in common with Temple of Doom than either of the other Indy flicks, and that's not a good thing. | July 8, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Hancock - PG-13 | Entertaining and worth seeing, but it kind of got derailed half-way through. The first half was original, fun and very entertaining. Once they threw in the "twist," it tried to get too serious and wound up killing everything that made the first half fun. The "villain" was really just some pissed inmate who somehow escapes with some buddies and somehow expects to hurt Hancock with guns despite them never working before, and who never becomes worth fearing because you never see enough of him to form any emotional response. And I kept waiting for Theron's character to explain who "they" were that kept trying to hurt them, but I guess "they" is just fate and/or random jerks. The actors do a good job and I really liked the first half. I generally prefer superhero movies that have some semblance of realism (ok, mainly Batman and Ironman). But for movies that don't (like this one), at least have the sense to leave it unbelievable and fun. Instead they had to give some laughable backstory about these superbeings being sent as insurance by the gods and who can't spend too much time together because that somehow makes it easier for them to experience life, love and happiness. For a movie like this, I thought all the seriousness was out of place and killed the mood. If I want that, I'll go see a good drama, not a superhero flick. Not a bad movie, but could have been a lot better. | July 8, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Iron Man - PG-13 | Actually lived up to the hype. In my opinion, it's second only to Batman Begins in the superhero category. Robert Downey Jr. does a fantastic job as Stark and the movie is pure entertainment from start to finish. But why, oh why, did they have to crush that beautiful Shelby Cobra??? | July 8, 2008 | N/A | |||
| Wanted - R | Felt a lot like Shoot 'Em Up. Over-the-top violence played for laughs, lots of style and humor and of course plenty of unbelievability thrown in just to make it clear that we're not supposed to take it seriously. A fun movie to go see with a bunch of friends who like this sort of thing, but not one I'll try to see again anytime soon. | July 8, 2008 | N/A | |||
| 8 Mile - R | July 8, 2008 | N/A | ||||
| Scary Movie - R | July 8, 2008 | N/A |
93 ratings
42 reviews
