Nacho Libre (2006)
I had high expectations for this movie w/ Jack Black and Jared Hess (from "Napoleon Dynamite"). It was slow at times w/ for this type of humor/slapstick, you lose some oppurtunities, but then again you weren't overloaded w/ silliness for the sake of silliness.
Jack Black usually pretty much plays himself in movies so this prevented him from doing that 100% which was a pro and con - but good overall, I'd say.
Good, light, escape comedy.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Cars (2006) - 4/5
Cars (2006)
Cute, fun and no heavy handed liberal messages.
I liked this movie. It's pretty funny, fairly clever, has a good message and doesn't taint it w/ heavy handed messages.
The animation is top notch and the voice acting is really good.
It's fun and funny.
Cute, fun and no heavy handed liberal messages.
I liked this movie. It's pretty funny, fairly clever, has a good message and doesn't taint it w/ heavy handed messages.
The animation is top notch and the voice acting is really good.
It's fun and funny.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Unknown White Male (2005) - 3/5
Unknown White Male (2005) - very interesting topic.
What if you lost your memory? Where/how wd you start to get to know who you were? Who wd you be now? What about your family and friends?
This documentary follows this situation. They don't draw too many conclusions for you, but allow the situation to move while you watch.
It's pretty interesting.
What if you lost your memory? Where/how wd you start to get to know who you were? Who wd you be now? What about your family and friends?
This documentary follows this situation. They don't draw too many conclusions for you, but allow the situation to move while you watch.
It's pretty interesting.
Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) - 1/5
Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) - let down.
Weak all around: acting, action, puzzles/riddles, racism, cussing, etc.
If you use your brain during this movie, you'll be asking things like "why didn't they just kill him when they had the chance?"
Weak all around: acting, action, puzzles/riddles, racism, cussing, etc.
If you use your brain during this movie, you'll be asking things like "why didn't they just kill him when they had the chance?"
Monday, June 05, 2006
The Family Stone (2005) - 4.5/5
The Family Stone (2005)
This movie was VERY powerful to me though it cd be b/c of personal 'current events' that it affected me so much.
It starts out introducing a very liberal family and brings in their somewhat conservative son and his girlfriend to whom he intends to propose using 'The Family Stone.'
The family, very tolerant of race, homosexuality, etc., is VERY quick to not only judge the girlfriend, but also be quite mean to her... openly.
They're a close, but harsh family so some of that is not a big surprise, but they mean to be mean so...
Soon the family begins to show their own cracks and chinks in their armor. They all believe they know best and reveal that, though it's done out of love in many cases, they are closed minded to outside ideas and people.
The foundation of the story is the mother (who controls her family though in a very loving way... if that's possible - even to the point from the screenwriter's lines of "You need a haircut." to her husband as they lie in bed) not wanting her son to marry a certain woman and w/holding 'the stone' from him and the son who wants to marry her.
The character of the son somewhat faded away to me b/c I focused mostly on the family as a whole and he was probably the least interesting. The 'hole in his heart' for the right woman to love was a great way to tell a story. And there is a breakthrough for him about his control, but his story wasn't the core to me.
The other siblings' stories, while interesting and somewhat intense at times, together are greater than the sum of the parts. The family to me is where the power is.
SPOILERS
The dinner where Sarah Jessica Parker questions the mother's desire to have all gay sons is amazing. The writer's ability to see both sides is key. The mother wants (jokingly?) all her sons to be gay so that they never leave her. Wow!
Meredith questions that not able to understand how a mother cd wish her son be 'not normal' and wish a harder life for her son. The gay/deaf son and his black 'partner' both being offended and the father putting his foot down. All sides well done.
A brother takes out Meredith and gets her to 'relax' - something all characters need despite their appearance. She takes his advice and all things change for them.
Everett seeks what he wants and finds a girl wanting him to find it more than find her.
The mother, dying, needs to find a way to control (or take care of) her kids after she's gone which can't be done.
The powerful affection this family has for one another brings you into their family despite not liking them at times. Families are all flawed. None of them are normal despite the mother's insistence that the gay/deaf son is more 'normal' than any of them.
Another great scene is when Meredith gives out her Christmas gift to everyone, a framed picture of the mother pregnant. It really is a great picture and they all appreciate the gift and it ties in the image of her as the matriarch of it all.
I think this is a good combination of close family going through many struggles and pain.
Again, I think my personal situation made the 'family' aspects all around very powerful to me.
This movie was VERY powerful to me though it cd be b/c of personal 'current events' that it affected me so much.
It starts out introducing a very liberal family and brings in their somewhat conservative son and his girlfriend to whom he intends to propose using 'The Family Stone.'
The family, very tolerant of race, homosexuality, etc., is VERY quick to not only judge the girlfriend, but also be quite mean to her... openly.
They're a close, but harsh family so some of that is not a big surprise, but they mean to be mean so...
Soon the family begins to show their own cracks and chinks in their armor. They all believe they know best and reveal that, though it's done out of love in many cases, they are closed minded to outside ideas and people.
The foundation of the story is the mother (who controls her family though in a very loving way... if that's possible - even to the point from the screenwriter's lines of "You need a haircut." to her husband as they lie in bed) not wanting her son to marry a certain woman and w/holding 'the stone' from him and the son who wants to marry her.
The character of the son somewhat faded away to me b/c I focused mostly on the family as a whole and he was probably the least interesting. The 'hole in his heart' for the right woman to love was a great way to tell a story. And there is a breakthrough for him about his control, but his story wasn't the core to me.
The other siblings' stories, while interesting and somewhat intense at times, together are greater than the sum of the parts. The family to me is where the power is.
SPOILERS
The dinner where Sarah Jessica Parker questions the mother's desire to have all gay sons is amazing. The writer's ability to see both sides is key. The mother wants (jokingly?) all her sons to be gay so that they never leave her. Wow!
Meredith questions that not able to understand how a mother cd wish her son be 'not normal' and wish a harder life for her son. The gay/deaf son and his black 'partner' both being offended and the father putting his foot down. All sides well done.
A brother takes out Meredith and gets her to 'relax' - something all characters need despite their appearance. She takes his advice and all things change for them.
Everett seeks what he wants and finds a girl wanting him to find it more than find her.
The mother, dying, needs to find a way to control (or take care of) her kids after she's gone which can't be done.
The powerful affection this family has for one another brings you into their family despite not liking them at times. Families are all flawed. None of them are normal despite the mother's insistence that the gay/deaf son is more 'normal' than any of them.
Another great scene is when Meredith gives out her Christmas gift to everyone, a framed picture of the mother pregnant. It really is a great picture and they all appreciate the gift and it ties in the image of her as the matriarch of it all.
I think this is a good combination of close family going through many struggles and pain.
Again, I think my personal situation made the 'family' aspects all around very powerful to me.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) - 3.5/5
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
This was probably my favorit Potter movie of the 3. It cd be b/c my expectations were low - I wasn't a big fan of the first 2.
One thing that seems to annoy me about these movies (and I'm not really sure why) is that they tend to always introduce major 'aspects' of the reality as they go and no one really has heard about them before. Contradiction.
So in this one, there were 'portkeys' - like a portal or something. Not a huge part of the story. But the whole 'Goblet of Fire' and the Triwizard Tournament. It's introduced as this major event and yet the students hadn't seem to ever hear of it.
I probably can't explain it well here, but I think I'm a little insulted as the viewer by it somehow.
Anyway, I thought this was better than the others. No big deal.
This was probably my favorit Potter movie of the 3. It cd be b/c my expectations were low - I wasn't a big fan of the first 2.
One thing that seems to annoy me about these movies (and I'm not really sure why) is that they tend to always introduce major 'aspects' of the reality as they go and no one really has heard about them before. Contradiction.
So in this one, there were 'portkeys' - like a portal or something. Not a huge part of the story. But the whole 'Goblet of Fire' and the Triwizard Tournament. It's introduced as this major event and yet the students hadn't seem to ever hear of it.
I probably can't explain it well here, but I think I'm a little insulted as the viewer by it somehow.
Anyway, I thought this was better than the others. No big deal.
The Island (2005) - 4/5
The Island (2005)
This is a pretty good and fun sci-fi/action movie. It's not earth breaking or anything, but it's good and fun to watch and pretty clean. That is a pretty tough combination to pull off.
It feels like other Michael Bay movies to me which isn't bad (e.g., The Rock).
This is a pretty good and fun sci-fi/action movie. It's not earth breaking or anything, but it's good and fun to watch and pretty clean. That is a pretty tough combination to pull off.
It feels like other Michael Bay movies to me which isn't bad (e.g., The Rock).
Monday, March 13, 2006
Grizzly Man (2005) - 3.5/5
Grizzly Man (2005)
I think Werner Herzog did an incredible job of taking hundreds of hours of video covering several years and putting it together to tell a compelling story.
I thought this movie wd be about the events of Timothy Treadwell's time in Alaska, but it's really about Timothy himself.
I think he was mixed up a bit, but anyone being by themself in the wilderness like that wd look crazy on camera before long.
He had some issues and seemed to be drawn to the thrill a lot. He was a little paranoid and strange, but I don't think we can write him off too quickly only.
He just got hooked on going up there and had some bad conclusions of what he sd do about it.
I think it does a good job of presenting the various aspects of the person and story and let's the viewer draw their own conclusions.
I think Werner Herzog did an incredible job of taking hundreds of hours of video covering several years and putting it together to tell a compelling story.
I thought this movie wd be about the events of Timothy Treadwell's time in Alaska, but it's really about Timothy himself.
I think he was mixed up a bit, but anyone being by themself in the wilderness like that wd look crazy on camera before long.
He had some issues and seemed to be drawn to the thrill a lot. He was a little paranoid and strange, but I don't think we can write him off too quickly only.
He just got hooked on going up there and had some bad conclusions of what he sd do about it.
I think it does a good job of presenting the various aspects of the person and story and let's the viewer draw their own conclusions.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
From Russia w/ Love (1963) - 4/5
From Russia w/ Love (1963)
Probably my favorite James Bond movie. It's not the typical or at least what as become the typical. It's more of a spy movie w/ strong character/story/love aspects. I think the JB franchise needs another one like this. The audience may not like it, but it needs to be pulled back to what makes it really good: the story/characters.
Probably my favorite James Bond movie. It's not the typical or at least what as become the typical. It's more of a spy movie w/ strong character/story/love aspects. I think the JB franchise needs another one like this. The audience may not like it, but it needs to be pulled back to what makes it really good: the story/characters.
Flightplan (2005) - 4/5
Flightplan (2005)
Powerful start of a good pyscho-thriller. A good uneasiness rests over the whole
thing as you empathize w/ the main character. The mood of panic and confusion is
well done.
It maintains the tense feeling and the overall trapped feeling well. I thought it was going
to be hard to pull of the whole thing on a plane, but they do it well.
Some great shots of flight and related landscape too.
Powerful start of a good pyscho-thriller. A good uneasiness rests over the whole
thing as you empathize w/ the main character. The mood of panic and confusion is
well done.
It maintains the tense feeling and the overall trapped feeling well. I thought it was going
to be hard to pull of the whole thing on a plane, but they do it well.
Some great shots of flight and related landscape too.
Meet the Fockers (2004) - 3.5/5
Meet the Fockers (2004)
Funny and well acted. The interaction of everyone makes this movie. The levels are all good: silliness, love, affection, mystery, etc.
Funny and well acted. The interaction of everyone makes this movie. The levels are all good: silliness, love, affection, mystery, etc.
The Jerk (1979) - 3/5
The Jerk (1979)
Mostly liked by me b/c I saw it so many times as a kid. There were still a few
jokes in there I didn't get as a kid that were fun to see now.
It's createive and original and that goes far.
Mostly liked by me b/c I saw it so many times as a kid. There were still a few
jokes in there I didn't get as a kid that were fun to see now.
It's createive and original and that goes far.
Goldfinger - 3.5/5
Goldfinger (1964)
Great James Bond movie. It has everything you want in a good, old JB movie.
It's not built around the gadgets and such, but the story and characters. Good stuff.
The exagerated plot is there, which is good too - world domination type stuff. :)
Great James Bond movie. It has everything you want in a good, old JB movie.
It's not built around the gadgets and such, but the story and characters. Good stuff.
The exagerated plot is there, which is good too - world domination type stuff. :)
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Lord of War (2005) - 3/5
Lord of War (2005)
The first 20 mins feel like serious liberal propaganda to me: guns are bad and kill children and people who like them are only into money and don't care, etc.
After that it's a decent unfolding of events, but not the best story. It's nice to watch though in the sense of shots and the international stage, etc.
I liked the feel of it, but it wasn't helped by the rest of it: story, acting, etc. I felt like everyone was just reading lines.
Early on there were some decent symbolic shots w/ the docks making a cross and such, but it all felt too heavy-handed to me. I thought about noting some examples of my point, but soon there were too many.
The first 20 mins feel like serious liberal propaganda to me: guns are bad and kill children and people who like them are only into money and don't care, etc.
After that it's a decent unfolding of events, but not the best story. It's nice to watch though in the sense of shots and the international stage, etc.
I liked the feel of it, but it wasn't helped by the rest of it: story, acting, etc. I felt like everyone was just reading lines.
Early on there were some decent symbolic shots w/ the docks making a cross and such, but it all felt too heavy-handed to me. I thought about noting some examples of my point, but soon there were too many.
Cinderella Man (2005) - 4/5
Cinderella Man (2005)
Great movie. Even better being based on a true story. It was all great.
Great story, drama, action, everything really.
I wdn't say it's the deepest story and not too much underneath the surface, but I don't mean that in any type of negative way - it's just a great story told well.
Great movie. Even better being based on a true story. It was all great.
Great story, drama, action, everything really.
I wdn't say it's the deepest story and not too much underneath the surface, but I don't mean that in any type of negative way - it's just a great story told well.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Big Momma's House (2000) - 3/5
Big Momma's House (2000)
Funny and a decent story.
I noticed a similarity btwn this and "Diary of a Mad, Black Woman" in that it also had a 'silly' character (both heavy black women played by men), dark storyline and significant Christian presences (more cultural than spiritual).
I started thinking about other comedies and if they had similarities. I figured I cd find the silly/comedy , but not the Christian.
The first one I thought of was "Fletch" - silly characters/comedy, but a serious story of drugs/murder.
Then I went extreme: "Dumb and Dumber" - same: silly characters/comedy, but serious story of kidnapping.
Funny and a decent story.
I noticed a similarity btwn this and "Diary of a Mad, Black Woman" in that it also had a 'silly' character (both heavy black women played by men), dark storyline and significant Christian presences (more cultural than spiritual).
I started thinking about other comedies and if they had similarities. I figured I cd find the silly/comedy , but not the Christian.
The first one I thought of was "Fletch" - silly characters/comedy, but a serious story of drugs/murder.
Then I went extreme: "Dumb and Dumber" - same: silly characters/comedy, but serious story of kidnapping.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Blazing Saddles (1974) - 3.5/5
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Very funny, but not as fast paced as I remembered. I think in today's terms it wd be considered a slow movie. There's a musical number that probably killed when it was new and now seemed to drag on too long.
I still found it creative and witty and juvenille and silly at the same time.
I'm not sure Gene Wilder pulled of the 'cool' of the character as he needed to. Also, I can't believe the freedom of the 'N' word they took in this movie.
The DVD has a pilot of a show based on Black Bart - I didn't much as apparently no one did.
Anyway, it's funny and dumb as you wd expect/remember.
Very funny, but not as fast paced as I remembered. I think in today's terms it wd be considered a slow movie. There's a musical number that probably killed when it was new and now seemed to drag on too long.
I still found it creative and witty and juvenille and silly at the same time.
I'm not sure Gene Wilder pulled of the 'cool' of the character as he needed to. Also, I can't believe the freedom of the 'N' word they took in this movie.
The DVD has a pilot of a show based on Black Bart - I didn't much as apparently no one did.
Anyway, it's funny and dumb as you wd expect/remember.
Monday, January 16, 2006
My Date with Drew (2004) - 4/5
My Date with Drew (2004)
This was a good surprise. I heard about this a while back from Mo and was pretty interested. I didn't hear much for a while and kinda forgot about it.
I rented hoping it wd just be somewhat interesting b/c I just assumed it wasn't too goo. W/ low expectations like that, it cdn't help but impress me.
I probably gave it a higher rating that it might deserve as far as full cinema 'quality', but it makes up for all that w/ lots of heart.
I liked it from just about every angle. Brian is authentic and energetic and very likable. He really does represent so many little dreams we've all had and go unfulfilled.
Official Site
Brian's got some great friends to do so much of this w/ him.
SPOILERS
I have to say I thought it was a little strange that he avoided the movie premiere idea so much. A) It was like he assumed he cd go though maybe that's just the way I took it and B) I wd think that wd be the best bet and he wd have spent more of his energy towards that. It was like he wanted a date w/ her, but he didn't want to have to deal w/ her to get it!?!??
Also, I was pretty disappointed that once he got to the movie premiere, he froze up. A) What do you think you'll do on the date? and B) Anyone w/ the heart/guts to do all the things he did, sd have been able to do better???
And just for the record, I didn't really like the camera 'scam' and the fake ID part. No biggie, but I just don't like them taking advantage of things. I guess the camera store will get decent promotion for it... or at least their 30 day policy will.
Drew rocked! She was so real and nice and generous. I read she invited him to the "50 First Dates" premiere later on (I read that from the site above).
UPDATE: I think one of the best parts of this movie is when he gets the call about finally getting the date. It's great b/c he doesn't (get to) say much. You just see his reaction as he soaks up every word from the phone. I think it's great how only the two of them on the phone know what was fully said. It had a cool effect IMO.
This was a good surprise. I heard about this a while back from Mo and was pretty interested. I didn't hear much for a while and kinda forgot about it.
I rented hoping it wd just be somewhat interesting b/c I just assumed it wasn't too goo. W/ low expectations like that, it cdn't help but impress me.
I probably gave it a higher rating that it might deserve as far as full cinema 'quality', but it makes up for all that w/ lots of heart.
I liked it from just about every angle. Brian is authentic and energetic and very likable. He really does represent so many little dreams we've all had and go unfulfilled.
Official Site
Brian's got some great friends to do so much of this w/ him.
SPOILERS
I have to say I thought it was a little strange that he avoided the movie premiere idea so much. A) It was like he assumed he cd go though maybe that's just the way I took it and B) I wd think that wd be the best bet and he wd have spent more of his energy towards that. It was like he wanted a date w/ her, but he didn't want to have to deal w/ her to get it!?!??
Also, I was pretty disappointed that once he got to the movie premiere, he froze up. A) What do you think you'll do on the date? and B) Anyone w/ the heart/guts to do all the things he did, sd have been able to do better???
And just for the record, I didn't really like the camera 'scam' and the fake ID part. No biggie, but I just don't like them taking advantage of things. I guess the camera store will get decent promotion for it... or at least their 30 day policy will.
Drew rocked! She was so real and nice and generous. I read she invited him to the "50 First Dates" premiere later on (I read that from the site above).
UPDATE: I think one of the best parts of this movie is when he gets the call about finally getting the date. It's great b/c he doesn't (get to) say much. You just see his reaction as he soaks up every word from the phone. I think it's great how only the two of them on the phone know what was fully said. It had a cool effect IMO.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) - 3/5
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
I liked this movie, but it's hard to say it's very 'good.' I think it starts well w/ some good setting of premise and characters, but then it seems to stop.
I'm probably guilty of comparing it too much to the first movie which I really liked. I think this movie sets the tone w/ Charlie, but then leaves him for most of the rest of the story and focuses on Wonka.
Also, the first movie didn't have the modern technical abilities which I think made this version focus too much on the setting and not enough on the characters.
SPOILERS:
In the original movie, they had the concept of the 'spy' offering money to tempt the children to bring him an everlasting gobstopper. This movie didn't have that. So this movie didn't have a 'test' really for Charlie to pass. He just lasted longer than the other kids who were clearly intentionally tested by their obvious weakness.
Charlie wasn't tested and therefore lasted the longest. He was tested to leave his family which he passed, but that was after the fact (and Wonka didn't reward the 'passing' so it wasn't a test by him).
Also, as someone else pointed out, the story of this movie was more about the 'saving' of Wonka instead of Charlie. Again, that might be comparing too much to the first, but I really liked the first one.
I liked this movie, but it's hard to say it's very 'good.' I think it starts well w/ some good setting of premise and characters, but then it seems to stop.
I'm probably guilty of comparing it too much to the first movie which I really liked. I think this movie sets the tone w/ Charlie, but then leaves him for most of the rest of the story and focuses on Wonka.
Also, the first movie didn't have the modern technical abilities which I think made this version focus too much on the setting and not enough on the characters.
SPOILERS:
In the original movie, they had the concept of the 'spy' offering money to tempt the children to bring him an everlasting gobstopper. This movie didn't have that. So this movie didn't have a 'test' really for Charlie to pass. He just lasted longer than the other kids who were clearly intentionally tested by their obvious weakness.
Charlie wasn't tested and therefore lasted the longest. He was tested to leave his family which he passed, but that was after the fact (and Wonka didn't reward the 'passing' so it wasn't a test by him).
Also, as someone else pointed out, the story of this movie was more about the 'saving' of Wonka instead of Charlie. Again, that might be comparing too much to the first, but I really liked the first one.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) - 3/5
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)
This movie is a weird mix of silly comedy, serious drama and Christian movie themes. I think they did a good job of pulling it off, but it's such a weird mix that it still stood out to me.
Tyler Perry has done several plays based on one of the (silly/comedic) characters, Madea. He plays her and also plays 2 others in the movie: one comedic and one serious.
The basis of the story is one, really two, marriages that are broken for two different fleshly sins. How do people react/handle the situation when they are wronged?
I was left wondering if the Christian influence and presence in the movie was cultural. Many shots of the Bible, church, people talking and referencing Christian things, topics and ideas. It wasn't overt, but it was clearly there (though I wdn't call it a Christian movie).
It was an interesting movie more for those reasons than the story itself.
SPOILERS:
Each of the offending spouses turns to the love of the flesh in one way or another. However, in one marriage, the offending spouse kicks the innocent out and the reverse for the other couple.
When the first needs salvation, the innocent returns to care for him out of Christian duty. In the other case, repeated failings have caused further requests to be rejected.
In the end, both relationships are restored in different ways. The first still winds up in divorce (all the Christian influence, but the divorce still continues) to stay w/ a man she has since fallen in love with. The first husband is redeemed by a change in ways and receiving salvation, but the wife no longer loves him and only helped him out of a sense of right.
The second marriage is reconciled when the offending spouse, the wife, goes thru rehab and returns to the church.
This movie is a weird mix of silly comedy, serious drama and Christian movie themes. I think they did a good job of pulling it off, but it's such a weird mix that it still stood out to me.
Tyler Perry has done several plays based on one of the (silly/comedic) characters, Madea. He plays her and also plays 2 others in the movie: one comedic and one serious.
The basis of the story is one, really two, marriages that are broken for two different fleshly sins. How do people react/handle the situation when they are wronged?
I was left wondering if the Christian influence and presence in the movie was cultural. Many shots of the Bible, church, people talking and referencing Christian things, topics and ideas. It wasn't overt, but it was clearly there (though I wdn't call it a Christian movie).
It was an interesting movie more for those reasons than the story itself.
SPOILERS:
Each of the offending spouses turns to the love of the flesh in one way or another. However, in one marriage, the offending spouse kicks the innocent out and the reverse for the other couple.
When the first needs salvation, the innocent returns to care for him out of Christian duty. In the other case, repeated failings have caused further requests to be rejected.
In the end, both relationships are restored in different ways. The first still winds up in divorce (all the Christian influence, but the divorce still continues) to stay w/ a man she has since fallen in love with. The first husband is redeemed by a change in ways and receiving salvation, but the wife no longer loves him and only helped him out of a sense of right.
The second marriage is reconciled when the offending spouse, the wife, goes thru rehab and returns to the church.
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