Friday, December 31, 2010

Little Fockers

I finally made it to see Little Fockers. My friend Jeanne came with me for an afternoon showing. I was looking forward to this show, as I knew I would get some laughs and I wasn't disappointed. I did laugh, but I would have liked to have laughed more. At the end of the movie, I turned to Jeanne and said "I did not think this is as good as the other two", and she replied. "I thought it was the best".  So there it is, different strokes for different folks.
In reality, is it worth seeing? Oh yes of course. Some of the scenes, especially with Dustin Hoffman (who I wished had a bigger part in this one) and the faces of the ever cycnic Robert DeNiro are priceless. The introduction of the twins was also great. Both so different, the 'smart' girl and the 'feeling' boy. Loved that. Also Jessica Alba, looking great in her bikini type underwear. One always has to mention the ever lovable Barbra Streisand, who again it would have been great to see more of. But perhaps that will happen in the inevitable number four - after all they are moving two houses down.  I loved the look on Teri Polo's face when Barbra announced she and Dustin (oh never mind their movie names) were moving two houses down and then Blythe Danner and Robert DeNiro announce they could move too....yes I will go see it. You can depend on laughs and Robert DeNiro is definately priceless as the father-in-law. The Focker world rocks on! If you are a Focker fan, you do not want to miss this one.
I give this 3 1/2 out of 5.

Monday, December 27, 2010

True Grit

Just got home from seeing True Grit.  I thoroughly enjoyed it. I vaguely remember John Wayne and Kim Darby in the original. This version was hilarious in places. It was watching the credits at the end that I realized the Cohan Bros wrote produced and directed it. No wonder it was funny. The seem to get better and better. The only problem I had with it was I had to listen really hard due to the accents they were using. Jeff Bridges is phenomenal in this role, (perhaps another Oscar nomination) the young girl was great....she really pulled the role off (but off the top of my head I can't remember her name - age, I worked to remember it off the screen too). Matt Damon I'm not sure of, but he is Matt Damon, I think other kinds of roles suit him better. Josh Brolin was great as the villain (although there were many villains).  Yes, go see this movie, it is definitely worth seeing, for the laughter. If you have a strange sense of humor like I do, you will laugh often even when no one else is. I give this movie 4 out of 5. 

Friday, December 24, 2010

movie review - The Tourist

Just in case you are reading this movie review before Tron: Legacy I went north to watch two movies, Tron: Legacy and The Tourist.
The Tourist was my second movie of the day and as I'm a huge Angelina Jolie fan (not so hot about Johnny Depp) I was looking forward to it. I had been disappointed in Tron: Legacy (but please read what I wrote) and as I sat down to see this movie I was hoping for the best. The last movie I had seen Angelina in was Salt, which I loved. But, once again this afternoon brought some disappointment. Angelina played the mysterious lady, and luckily she is so beautiful so the shots of her face and wondering on the miracle of make up to hide her numerous tattoos during different shots, did not thoroughly disappoint. But this woman is a phenomenal actress and I felt like she was walking through the part, hardly any movement except to walk and drive a motor boat (oh yes the dance scene - that was good) but she came over mysterious but cold.  Which was her part, it just seemed so one dimensional. I only found a little bit of this movie I could get my teeth into.  Everytime the movie would 'take off' it stopped.
I'm also a fan of Paul Bettnay (must not forget him) and even he seemed to play this role stiffly, while Johnny Deep seemed out of his league somehow. Regardless of my disappointment, there were some great moments. On the dance floor, then the twist at the end (which by this time I had figured out) after all there were several hints along the way.  I don't know who the director was, but I think a different director might have produced a different movie. one in which we all would want to pour in to see, after all the scenery of Venice is always a treat and the suspense as different peoples were chasing each other could have produced more tension than it did.  The question I ask myself is The Tourist worth seeing. Probably yes, which is why I give it a 3 out of 5, but you don't want to have to travel to far to go see it.
Over all, although I enjoyed my day off to go see two movies I wanted to see, I was disappointed but still glad I had seen them.  Now onto the Fockers. At least I will laugh there.

movie review - Tron: Legacy

Yesterday I decided to take a day off and travelled north to catch two movies. The first one I saw was Tron: Legacy.  Now I loved the first Tron. I always figured it was way before its time, but it had lots of action (which I enjoyed) and the story line was intriguing.  I can't say the same for this one. I thought the story line was slow, and yes the computerization was phenomenal, but I do like personality and the characters in the main were like the computer programs they represented. Dull. The think men would like looking at Cora and the other spandex/plastic glad gals. To say I was disappointed would be correct. Was it worth travelling north for - no, but on the other hand, I can say I've seen it, and it did have a couple of moments which were worth seeing. I just wish somehow they were able to make the characters more believable.  Therefore I give this 2 1/2 stars out of 5.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

movie review - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Last night I went to see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I had heard a review where the person gave this movie a one star, so it was with some trepidation that I went. Well I give it much more. I liked this one more than the last Narnia movie and although I'm not sure if it is totally on par with the first which was so delightful, but it most certainly held its own. The only thing I did not enjoy (well I guess there was two) was I thought the scene with the sea serpent went on too long (I'm picky) and the horrid cousin, could have transformed sooner. He was a bore, I could not help sitting there wondering where his voice came from, I wonder what it will be like when his voice changes (or perhaps he just looks young and his voice already had changed). For an evening of entertainment, dotted with wonderful phrases of philosophy with the usual fight on Narnia between good and evil I think it is worth viewing. I found the quotes delightful, and wished I had a pen to write them down so I could remember them. Mind you, I have not read the books, so not sure if the movie reflected the book. From the movie I gather this is the last one, although they did leave the door open for the cousin. Not sure about that, a movie without the delightful Lucy acted by Georgie Herley. would not be the same. Aslan, with his wisdom will be missed though. 
I give this movie 3 out of 5.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Unstoppable - movie review

Denzel Washington - no matter what movie you see him in he is good! In fact in Unstoppable he gives his role this basic calm yet speaks volumes. A master of the understatement, is the understatement. He is great in this role. Chris Pine (of the new Star Trek fame) with those wonderful eyes complemented him well. They were able to play off each other - whoever casted this did a great job. Beginning with tension between them, they end up working well together as they undertake the 'job' of stopping the runaway train. I enjoyed this movie, caught up in the drama of these two. I nearly did not go and see it, due to the promotion I thought someone was going to get killed. Luckily a friend told me she had seen it so I asked her if anyone died. I was not in the mood to see death on the screen. When she told me no, no one died and it was a good movie, I made the time to go see it, and I'm happy to report I did enjoy it.
It truly is a two man movie. With the other actors playing bit parts, even Rosario Dawson, who is listed as a 'star'. She did a great job, although I picked up an editing issue, which is unusual for a large budget film. In one scene she is tying her hair up, in the next it is back down on her shoulders. It would not have fallen that fast. As you know I'm a editor fan.  Good editing makes the movie. Mind you the editing was not Rosario's fault. Regardless of the small editing slip, this is a movie, if you like, tension, drama and great exchanges between twos great actors, then go see this movie. Unstoppable is unstoppable.
I give this 4 out of 5 stars for an enjoyable ride.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Tangled movie review

Last night I went and saw Tangled the Rapunzel story. I dashed out the door after a client and managed to get into my seat just before the movie began. Was I ever glad that I went. For some reason I really wanted to see this movie, which seems crazy when you think its a Disney animated one. Yet, I laughed. One would never think that a cartoon horse Maximilian, a chameleon sidekick and an iron frying pan could make you laugh. But they did. The antics of the Max alone was worth the trip to the movie. I am a huge fan of the TV show Chuck and so wanted to see Zachary Levi in his role (well hear him) and Mandy Moore made a wonderful Rapunzel. Those big eyes which were so expressive. This movie is for adults as well as kids. If you want to laugh and be entertained. I recommend you take whoever adult friends, your children or grandchildren. There is something in this movie for everyone.
I give this movie 4 out of 5. Well worth the rush to get there. Came home with a smile on my face.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Last night I decided to go see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. After all, I have seen all the others and can't let this one go unseen.  I had hoped to see it in Calgary, but with the cold and snow I did not venture out to view it. Then Monday night I was going to head out to the local theatre here, when it snowed and once again decided I would stay inside. So when last night there was no snow I decided third was a charm and off I went.
I had heard that some critics were very critical, I guess that's what they do, but for the most part I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I shut my eyes at the snake scenes, I jumped sometimes with the noises of the sudden changes as the 'three kids' were harassed. I enjoyed watching Ron and Hermione began their relationship dance. After all, I had read the book and do know what happens, but I still enjoyed being reminded. It amazes me how much we forget of a book we read, then when it appears on the screen its as though your mind goes, "oh yes, I remember now".
Even knowing there is one more film to go, I already felt sad at the loss of these three characters we have all come to love, Harry, Ron and Hermione have been with us for a long time. And the same as when I finished reading the book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I felt sad when the movie came to an end, although what an ending. Oh yes I'll be waiting for the next and sadly the last installment of this series, even if it takes me three goes to get three.
I give this movie 4 stars out of 5.