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.

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.

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.

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.

Burlesque

I read a report that said Burlesque was mild and dull and I could not help wondering if he saw the same movie I did. I loved it. So much in so, I want to see it again. It was full of singing and dancing that your senses were almost overwhelmed by the action, color and sound. It had the feeling the Cabaret had many years ago. It was great to see Cher sing her two numbers (yeah only two). All of us Cher fans were disappointed in only two songs, but it was good to see her back on the screen. It really is Christina Aguilera's movie. I can't say I'm a fan of Christina, but she sure can belt out a song, and she kept up with the dancers really well. The criticisms, if any, would come in the story content and the dialogue. But heh, with all the beauty and fast moving, mostly, dance and song numbers that did not seem so important. The predicable love story, the close to be taken over due to debt, the lovely young ingenue saving the day, well it was perhaps predicable, but on the other hand the five of us who saw the movie were all thrilled with it. 
I would give it 3 1/2 out of 5, just on the dancing and singing alone.
Go see it, enjoy it. Stay home if you don't like dancing and singing.

RED

I did not realise I had not given my review of RED yet. In fact I've seen it twice, once here in Penticton and once while in Vancouver. I loved it and will see it again I'm sure. What fun to watch these great actors all together responding, in satarical style to them being anialiated by the "who?". Each actor was great in their part, like it was written for them. Mary Louise Parker was the surprise. She was wonderful and some of her lines were delivered so well, I think I laughed the hardest with her transition from a kidnapped phone worker to "lets get 'em" person. Yes, want a laugh, see great acting, this is the movie for you.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.

movie review - Hereafter

Last night my friend Anne and I went to see Hereafter.  I had read a couple of reviews which said this movie was slow and did not catch on till near the end. I totally disagree. I thought, it was carefully constructed so that you really understood the characters contained within the main story. Bit by bit it took your through their struggles, pain and then the ending where the three stories merge. As a working psychic I totally related to Matt Damon's character George. The different between him and myself, is he can't turn it off. Whenever he touches someone he immediately sees who is on the other side who is close to the person. Whereas I'm a trained psychic and turn it on to work, and off when I'm not.
The script though, truly showed George's dilemma It is not always easy to give people information that they may not want to hear. So although I work as a psychic, my work is very different, but I could relate and empathize. It is really a gentle movie, a movie which shows people's frailties, of people coping with disappointment and heartbreak and it is also a movie of hope. Hope of the hereafter, hope of people being in the right place at the right time to support and love. I found one scene which I thought could have been done better and that is when he is talking to macus's brother and says he is leaving, and when George sees Marcus is upset has him returning to give him more message. That did not ring true to me. Something was out a bit, but otherwise I thought it was well done.
I give this movie 4 out of 5. A movie to be seen because it makes on ponder, think and question what is the hereafter and there is someone for everyone.