Bolt (2008) - 3/5
Great animation, fun action, touching story. I think this movie hits on pretty much all cylinders. However, the story (or at least the concept) might be too complex for the target audience.
I wd think this is aimed at little kids (as opposed to 7 and up) and the story concept of the dog thinking the show is real and switching btwn filming scenes for the show and the real-life story might be too much.
Not that they mind. :)
"Anything is possible if you're fully awesome." - Rhino
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Helvetica (2007) - 3/5
Helvetica (2007) - 3/5
I thought this was a good documentary, but probably only needed to be about 30-45 mins long. Basically it's a bunch of design people talking about how much they love and how great Helvetica is (or isn't in a few cases). There was a little bit of history in there which was good, but not great revelation or statement, I don't think.
So I did enjoy it, but it wasn't amazing.
I thought this was a good documentary, but probably only needed to be about 30-45 mins long. Basically it's a bunch of design people talking about how much they love and how great Helvetica is (or isn't in a few cases). There was a little bit of history in there which was good, but not great revelation or statement, I don't think.
So I did enjoy it, but it wasn't amazing.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Young at Heart (2007) - 4/5
Young at Heart (2007) - 4/5
Very fun and inspiring. Though sad at times.
It's basically what you expect, but I think the personalities come through more than I expected. You get closer to the people than you might think b/c that's what it spends all the time on.
SPOILERS
It really got to me when the various people passed away and to think of them all dealing w/ that daily was powerful.
Very fun and inspiring. Though sad at times.
It's basically what you expect, but I think the personalities come through more than I expected. You get closer to the people than you might think b/c that's what it spends all the time on.
SPOILERS
It really got to me when the various people passed away and to think of them all dealing w/ that daily was powerful.
Man on Wire (2008) - 4.5/5
Man on Wire (2008) - 4.5/5
Good documentary - won an Oscar this year.
It feels like you're watching a heist movie and can feel pretty good about it coming together. Tense, but very fun.
Good documentary - won an Oscar this year.
It feels like you're watching a heist movie and can feel pretty good about it coming together. Tense, but very fun.
frontline: is wal-mart good for america? - 4/5
frontline: is wal-mart good for america? - 4/5
This is a good, but short, documentary about Wal-Mart's practices. It sticks mostly to their business practices of driving vendor's prices (too) low and the results of moving jobs overseas and American companies out of business.
"The Wal-Mart Movie: The High Cost of Low Prices" goes into more detail.
Hate America? Want to stay ignorant about what you support while shopping at WalMart? If so, don't watch this!
This is a good, but short, documentary about Wal-Mart's practices. It sticks mostly to their business practices of driving vendor's prices (too) low and the results of moving jobs overseas and American companies out of business.
"The Wal-Mart Movie: The High Cost of Low Prices" goes into more detail.
Hate America? Want to stay ignorant about what you support while shopping at WalMart? If so, don't watch this!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sunshine (2007) - 3.5/5
Sunshine (2007) - 3.5/5
I think my expectations were a bit high based on the director and sci-fi. And while it was good in a lot of ways, it fell short in just a couple.
SPOILERS
One thing that bothered me, and I know this is silly, but the physics of the space travel bugged me. They wd have to be traveling amazingly fast to reach those distances w/in a reasonable amount of time yet the ship was able to slowdown, dock, etc.
Also, the somewhat cliche storyline that I know I've seen before where they get into deep space and people start going crazy. I'm pretty sure I've even seen the case where they find the "previous ship" and everyone's dead, one guy's still alive and crazy, etc. Though this one somehow added the twist that the completely fried guy is somehow still alive and has superhuman strength??? What?
The one "don't go in there" moment was when Icarus told Cada there was a 5th crew member. I wd be so scared! Yet he makes a bee-line to the guy and doesn't think to tell any other crew members? This reminds me of the thing in "28 weeks later..." w/ no guard on the only possible immune person.
I just have to chalk that kinda thing up to poor writing. I'd think in 15 mins you cd come up w/ a really good scenario why it wd happen.
I think my expectations were a bit high based on the director and sci-fi. And while it was good in a lot of ways, it fell short in just a couple.
SPOILERS
One thing that bothered me, and I know this is silly, but the physics of the space travel bugged me. They wd have to be traveling amazingly fast to reach those distances w/in a reasonable amount of time yet the ship was able to slowdown, dock, etc.
Also, the somewhat cliche storyline that I know I've seen before where they get into deep space and people start going crazy. I'm pretty sure I've even seen the case where they find the "previous ship" and everyone's dead, one guy's still alive and crazy, etc. Though this one somehow added the twist that the completely fried guy is somehow still alive and has superhuman strength??? What?
The one "don't go in there" moment was when Icarus told Cada there was a 5th crew member. I wd be so scared! Yet he makes a bee-line to the guy and doesn't think to tell any other crew members? This reminds me of the thing in "28 weeks later..." w/ no guard on the only possible immune person.
I just have to chalk that kinda thing up to poor writing. I'd think in 15 mins you cd come up w/ a really good scenario why it wd happen.
Cop Land (1997) - 3/5
Cop Land (1997) - 3/5
I've been meaning to see this movie for a LONG time. It came out when we lived in Sweden and I've meant to see it since.
I'm not sure how well it did then, but I got the impression it was big in some way(s).
My expectations weren't too high until I started seeing one big actor after another come into scenes. This was like the cast of "Good Fellas" w/ Stallone. My expectations rose.
However, I think it was a bit of a let down though still good. It just didn't really build too much.
I've been meaning to see this movie for a LONG time. It came out when we lived in Sweden and I've meant to see it since.
I'm not sure how well it did then, but I got the impression it was big in some way(s).
My expectations weren't too high until I started seeing one big actor after another come into scenes. This was like the cast of "Good Fellas" w/ Stallone. My expectations rose.
However, I think it was a bit of a let down though still good. It just didn't really build too much.
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - 4.5/5
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - 4.5/5
I think blogged about this before, but didn't see it to update...
I think I got lost in the story for this when I saw it in the theater, but seeing it again I followed the story better and it was great.
Also, I think they did an amazing job of having a complex story while having seemingly continuous action.
SPOILERS
The Tangiers fight scene is one of the best ever.
Almost the whole story takes place btwn the last 2 scenes of the previous movie. So cool.
I think blogged about this before, but didn't see it to update...
I think I got lost in the story for this when I saw it in the theater, but seeing it again I followed the story better and it was great.
Also, I think they did an amazing job of having a complex story while having seemingly continuous action.
SPOILERS
The Tangiers fight scene is one of the best ever.
Almost the whole story takes place btwn the last 2 scenes of the previous movie. So cool.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Death Proof (2007) - 4/5
Death Proof (2007) - 4/5
Kurt Russell is awesome as usual. Lots of greatness in this movie but one pretty disturbing shot.
SPOILERS
The first big wreck, head-on, was the disturbing shot. Ouch, man, I got nauseous after seeing that. It haunted me.
When the second set of girls shot and then chased Stuntman Mike, my emotions were really confused: I was excited about the justice/revenge, but still a bit tense and paranoid too. It was a very strange mix.
The last freeze-frame shot made me laugh out loud - so great.
Kurt Russell is awesome as usual. Lots of greatness in this movie but one pretty disturbing shot.
SPOILERS
The first big wreck, head-on, was the disturbing shot. Ouch, man, I got nauseous after seeing that. It haunted me.
When the second set of girls shot and then chased Stuntman Mike, my emotions were really confused: I was excited about the justice/revenge, but still a bit tense and paranoid too. It was a very strange mix.
The last freeze-frame shot made me laugh out loud - so great.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Taken (2008/I) - 3.5/5
Taken (2008/I) - 3.5/5
I dig the spy-action feel and the revenge aspects work well. I was a bit paranoid and tense after this movie which was either b/c they did a good job or b/c I'm very sensitive about these ideas as a parent (or both).
SPOILERS
I think the biggest flaw of this movie was the end. It's like they didn't know how to wrap it up and they never really figured it out. My guess is they'll have a few alternate endings on the DVD.
I dig the spy-action feel and the revenge aspects work well. I was a bit paranoid and tense after this movie which was either b/c they did a good job or b/c I'm very sensitive about these ideas as a parent (or both).
SPOILERS
I think the biggest flaw of this movie was the end. It's like they didn't know how to wrap it up and they never really figured it out. My guess is they'll have a few alternate endings on the DVD.
He's Just Not That Into You (2009) - 4/5
He's Just Not That Into You (2009) - 4/5
A chick flick of a unordinary style. The varied story lines helps keep this movie from being one dimensional and cliche.
Also, the feel is a bit more realistic - the characters aren't stereotypes and such - they're real people w/ flaws and they make (serious) mistakes.
A chick flick of a unordinary style. The varied story lines helps keep this movie from being one dimensional and cliche.
Also, the feel is a bit more realistic - the characters aren't stereotypes and such - they're real people w/ flaws and they make (serious) mistakes.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) - 4/5
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) - 4/5
This is kinda what I'd like to see as the new 'teenager' movie style. It's still enough about going out and sex and such that it cd pull it off, but not only about all of that.
It certainly has it's faults, but what it is, it's pretty good.
This is kinda what I'd like to see as the new 'teenager' movie style. It's still enough about going out and sex and such that it cd pull it off, but not only about all of that.
It certainly has it's faults, but what it is, it's pretty good.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Planet Terror (2007) - 3/5
Planet Terror (2007) - 3/5
I'm on a zombie movie kick w/o trying! :)
Good action, tongue-in-cheek cheesyness, sci-fi/horror in a great and campy way. Good stuff.
SPOILERS
The gun on her leg is a great effect, but I just hope it's a tribute to "Evil Dead" w/ the chain saw. That's how I'll take it.
What are the chances that I'd see 2 movies back-to-back where a chopper mows thru a field of zombies!?!?!!? Awesome!
I'm on a zombie movie kick w/o trying! :)
Good action, tongue-in-cheek cheesyness, sci-fi/horror in a great and campy way. Good stuff.
SPOILERS
The gun on her leg is a great effect, but I just hope it's a tribute to "Evil Dead" w/ the chain saw. That's how I'll take it.
What are the chances that I'd see 2 movies back-to-back where a chopper mows thru a field of zombies!?!?!!? Awesome!
28 Weeks Later (2007) - 3/5
28 Weeks Later (2007) - 3/5
Decent story/drama. I liked how it had similarities and differences from "28 Days Later."
SPOILERS
I felt a bit cheated since all of it wd have been prevented if they just put a guard outside of the mom's trailer when she was strapped down. Just too obvious.
Also, the dad showing up over and over w/ the kids to attack them was... er.
However, it was all worth it to see the chopper mow thru a field of zombies. Awesome!
Decent story/drama. I liked how it had similarities and differences from "28 Days Later."
SPOILERS
I felt a bit cheated since all of it wd have been prevented if they just put a guard outside of the mom's trailer when she was strapped down. Just too obvious.
Also, the dad showing up over and over w/ the kids to attack them was... er.
However, it was all worth it to see the chopper mow thru a field of zombies. Awesome!
Monday, February 02, 2009
28 Days Later... (2002) - 3.5/5
28 Days Later... (2002) - 3.5/5
Zombie movies pretty much get an automatic extra point from me b/c they're awesome.
I liked the feel of this movie - sorta low budget feel, but also well done.
The action was good, not too reliant on the 'spook' effect. Very gory and brutal and a bit deeper and relationship oriented than most movies like this.
Zombie movies pretty much get an automatic extra point from me b/c they're awesome.
I liked the feel of this movie - sorta low budget feel, but also well done.
The action was good, not too reliant on the 'spook' effect. Very gory and brutal and a bit deeper and relationship oriented than most movies like this.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Hitman (2007) - 3/5
Hitman (2007) - 3/5
Reminded me of "Equilibrium" - trying to hard for a cool tone and didn't make it. This movie has some cool action, but most of it is too much like Schwarzenegger movies made in the 80's (e.g., Commando).
There were some cool parts and locations, but the acting was fairly lame, the story kinda thin and trying too hard and I cdn't buy this guy as a "killer." I felt there were too many scenes were his clothes were too big and made him look like a kid.
It was fairly fun, but about 20 years too late.
Reminded me of "Equilibrium" - trying to hard for a cool tone and didn't make it. This movie has some cool action, but most of it is too much like Schwarzenegger movies made in the 80's (e.g., Commando).
There were some cool parts and locations, but the acting was fairly lame, the story kinda thin and trying too hard and I cdn't buy this guy as a "killer." I felt there were too many scenes were his clothes were too big and made him look like a kid.
It was fairly fun, but about 20 years too late.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Yes Man (2008) - 3.5/5
Yes Man (2008) - 3.5/5
Nothing great, but funny, entertaining and not insulting.
The comedy is good, the writing is pretty clever and the story isn't great, but doesn't hurt the movie.
Unlike many recent comedies, it doesn't get too into the story half-way thru. It remains a comedy w/ a bit of story that ties things together.
SPOILERS:
I died laughing at the part where Carl was dreaming he was dead and the fly landed on his eye. I just thought that was quite the humorous thing.
Nothing great, but funny, entertaining and not insulting.
The comedy is good, the writing is pretty clever and the story isn't great, but doesn't hurt the movie.
Unlike many recent comedies, it doesn't get too into the story half-way thru. It remains a comedy w/ a bit of story that ties things together.
SPOILERS:
I died laughing at the part where Carl was dreaming he was dead and the fly landed on his eye. I just thought that was quite the humorous thing.
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) - 5/5
I finished the first part of season 4 on DVD (and watched the first new episode) so I'm caught up. I feel like going from DVD to TV is lame, but I don't want to wait.
Anyway, it continues to be greatness. :)
I finished the first part of season 4 on DVD (and watched the first new episode) so I'm caught up. I feel like going from DVD to TV is lame, but I don't want to wait.
Anyway, it continues to be greatness. :)
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Cobra (1986) - 1/5
Cobra (1986) 1/5
Horrible. Just really bad: bad acting, dialog, action, premise, story, what-else? You name it, it's bad.
However, it's quite enjoyable since it's so laughably bad. Watch w/ friends and have a great time!
Enjoy Sergeant Gonzales trying to shoot a gun as if you throw the bullet out of the barrel. Get a kick out of Cobra cutting a piece of pizza w/ a pair of scissors (that's how tough guys eat pizza). Watch Cobra use a TV remote like Gonzales uses a gun. Wonder why the axe-clanking, suit-wearing gang allows every one of their members to die b/c Ingrid sees one of their members (why does he just stand there when she sees him?) instead of just getting rid of the member she saw???
It's a piece of art that makes a few social commentary highlights on the direction of our society. Or, it's garbage.
Best line: Hard to call, but "There's a magic word!?" is awesome.
Horrible. Just really bad: bad acting, dialog, action, premise, story, what-else? You name it, it's bad.
However, it's quite enjoyable since it's so laughably bad. Watch w/ friends and have a great time!
Enjoy Sergeant Gonzales trying to shoot a gun as if you throw the bullet out of the barrel. Get a kick out of Cobra cutting a piece of pizza w/ a pair of scissors (that's how tough guys eat pizza). Watch Cobra use a TV remote like Gonzales uses a gun. Wonder why the axe-clanking, suit-wearing gang allows every one of their members to die b/c Ingrid sees one of their members (why does he just stand there when she sees him?) instead of just getting rid of the member she saw???
It's a piece of art that makes a few social commentary highlights on the direction of our society. Or, it's garbage.
Best line: Hard to call, but "There's a magic word!?" is awesome.
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