Saturday, July 24, 2010

Salt

Last night I went to see Salt, and was I glad I did. It was the most enjoyable movie I've seen this summer. Angelina Jolie at her best. I loved it. The action, the story line (not a new one, but well done). My friend and I got up and looked at each other and said "that was really good".  Oh yes, it was. It you like action, with of course some violence, (that seems to be the usual mode these days) but the action and when you think Angelina does all her own stunts and the stunts are spectacular here you shake your head.
Want a good movie filled with action almost from beginning to end, and a great ending for a set up of a second to follow (I wonder?) then go see Salt.
I loved Prince of Persia, I enjoyed The Sorcerer's Apprentice and still thinking about Insense, but Salt - well Angelina (great actress she is) takes the cake.
5 out of 5 stars for pure enjoyment.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Inception

I just completed seeing Inception for the second time.  The first time I enjoyed it, but I was not sure what had happened at the ending. I realised I did not remember the piece of information which was given which would explain the last bit. Was he still in dreamland or reality? So today I went and saw it again with a friend who is visiting. I paid attention to the piece of information which was the key to the ending. And although the ending could be interpreted either way, I think you get to decide for yourself how you want that to be.
This is a fascinating story. Especially to me, who deals with the subconscious, and although not a 'dream' expert, I certainly appreciated the concept.
This movie is totally well acted, not one of the characters was weak. Everyone played their role well. The results of this is that the movie is believable. Yes, violence again, guns, shooting, but there was also lots of other actions, and the scenery sets were great too.  I just loved it when the people floating (as they were not in gravity in the earlier dream) had to be tied together and floated to the elevator. I'm sure I would never in 100 years figured out how to create gravity when they were not in any.
Another sub story to this movie about 'letting go' and not living in our memories I thought was also pertinent. Food for thought on so many levels if you are interested in the subconscious, dreaming and personal growth. I totally recommend this movie, in fact I ll need to add the DVD to my collection of self-growth movies.
Want to see a movie which has it all, action, romance, food for thought, then Inception is it!!
Four 1/2 stars out of Five. 

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Sorcerer's Apprenctice

I totally enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. In fact I did not want it to end. The story line was set up really well, so you knew what had happened and what the 'fight' with the sorcerers was about. The fast paced action, interjected with the love story of the two younger characters made for an even pace, and then the humor also delivered by Nicholas Cage, who seems to get only better with every movie he makes (I've become quite a fan over the years) I also appreciated.
Jay Baruchal was wonderfully cast for his role as the young, nerd apprentice who really did not want to be one, he just wanted his girl. I found it amusing that he even spoke the same way as Nicholas Cage. (I wondered if a bit of hero worship had not found its way into his speaking style).
If you want to have a couple of hours of really nice entertainment with a little bit of everything - even a car chase - you can't go wrong with this movie.  4 stars out of 5.
'

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Despicable Me

I took my granddaughter who is 9 years old to see Despicable Me.  Well the title says it all - despicable. I was not impressed with this movie at all. In fact, and yes I was tired from being up early watching the Tour de France, I fell asleep, twice. Mind you that was near the beginning of the movie which I found boring and could not keep my eyes open. Then I heard the laughter of the young kids in the theatre. Well Despicable Me is really for kids. The children enjoyed the antics of the main character, whose name I even forget right now - that's how much of an impression it left on me - I think it began with a C. My granddaughter as she chomped through her popcorn laughed often, and each time I looked closer to see what was funny -  Generation gap - maybe. I must admit the second half was better and I think I chuckled once or twice. The most adorable thing about the movie was the three girls -- they were interesting, cute and made the movie worthwhile - a little. I would give this movie 1 1/2 stars out of 5, the 1/2 because young kids really like it. But as an adult, I think you need to realise this is a sacrifice for the children.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Knight & Day

I was pleasantly surprised ho much I enjoyed this movie. Here the recurring theme of being drugged and ending up somewhere else, often exotic got to be funny. The stunts, which I expected and one reason I wanted to see this movie, were great and the chemistry between Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz surprised me - it worked.
If you like movies which have stunts, subtle humor and without a great story line but is entertaining then this is it. Definitely  worth it for me to drive an hour to see it. A nice afternoon entertainment. Four stars out of Five.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Eclipse

Today, I decided I would go and see Eclipse. Glad I've seen it, so I can say I've seen it, but I'm not sure what everyone is going on about it being the best of the three. I did not think so. I thought the love scenes were 'slow and drippy' (perhaps teenagers go for that - but not for this older lady) I thought Kristen was very 'dead' in her scenes (preparing for when she becomes a vampire no doubt) but thought Robert as Edward had more character than the other two films. He smiled more. But loved young Taylor Lauter - what a body, even I can appreciate that. The wolves were the highlights for me this time. They were lovable - all in all a way to spend a few hours away from the summer rain - but I could have waited to catch it on TV. Mind you I did not see it in 3D (our local theatre does not have that - and can only imagine what those wolves jumping out at you would look - now that might be worth another visit).
I found it only a 2 1/2 stars out of 5 for me. (Teens I'm sure are much higher).

The Last Airbender

I began to wonder if I was in the right movie house when I saw families with lots of children. I thought I was going to see a sci-fi movie. Yes, I knew there was a child actor, but I truly did not know it was considered a 'family' movie. When you think of the amount of fighting with fire and spears I guess its not that much different from what they see on TV. in fact, probably less.
I enjoyed this movie. I found the lesson of all elements earth, air, fire and water needing to live in harmony is appropriate for the time. Its a lesson which many of us forget. Plus the action scenes of the fighting with calling up the 'air' or the other elements fire, earth and especially at the end water. I just loved the water being pulled up to a giant wave and how it just hung there. Of course we know it is computer generated, but still it was wonderful to see.  I also enjoyed watching the lines of people doing what looked like tai chi. Yes the educational value of this movie, which I take is the beginning of at least two others (considering this was water and the avatar is the airbender, so the earth and fire still have to be dealt with).  I'm looking forward to the next adventure of the airbender.
I give this 3 out of 5.