HANNA

I was happy to get out of the rain yesterday and be able to see the movie HANNA. This movie was at the top of my list to watch and I was not disappointed. I found myself sitting there near the end thinking, is this a 3 1/2 or a 4 movie. (that would tell you that it is a 3 1/2 because if it was a 4 I would not have been thinking about it). But it is definitely worth seeing.  The young (then 16) actress Saoirse Ronan the main character is brilliant in the role and as she is the main character and spends a lot of time on camera she makes the girl assassin real. It is also interesting watching her assimilate to the outside world. With the Aussie's Eric Bana and Kate Blanchard as the two other main characters they do their roles well as usual, especially Kate as the driven CIA character. I loved how the story behind what was happening unfolds. I also liked how they did not show the 'friendly' people being killed (but somehow you know that is going to happen due to the nature of other scenes). Worth seeing? I think so, if you enjoy thrillers.  I give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Postscript.  A few days later than seeing Hanna I was taking a friend to the movies for her birthday and she wanted to go see Hanna. She knew I had seen it, but I said I did not mind going again and I'm gald I did. I enjoyed it more the second time. Now, is that because I had someone with me, was it because I was not as tired. It was the same theatre so that was not an influence. I think it has to do with I was not trying to figure everything out, instead I could sit back and enjoy the subtlies of this girl the sights of the colors and the settings more. I knew the outcome, I knew what to expect and therefore enjoyed it much more. I found that interesting.  Therefore I upgraded it - second viewing to 4 out of 5.

Arthur

I had time yesterday, while I'm in Victoria to go and see Arthur. Now, although I slightly remember the original Arthur with Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli I was prepared not to compare but to just watch Russell Brand, Helen Murrain and the other actors act this movie. I will say I was disappointed in that it did not hold my attention. Never mind that half way through the movie I had something happen to my foot (still don't know what it was) but it hurt and took my attention as I tried to find a comfortable position for it. But that wasn't it. I thought Russell Brand did as good a job as he could. Helen Murrain, who is always a fabulous actress no matter what role, did give her character the merit it needed. But something was lacking, what I could not actually say. Jennifer Garner did her usual great self in her role. So each actor did their part, and the girl (name not available to me right now) who played Naomi did her part too. But truly, something was missing - what??? that I'm not sure. Don't go rushing out to see this movie, DVD or TV will be sufficient, unless you really want to see it on the big screen. 2 1/2 stars out of 5.

Soul Surfer

While in Vancouver I managed to find some time to go and see Soul Surfer.  I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and although I would not say its a 'must see' it definately has alot in it to merit a viewing. I was pleased I went to see it.
This movie is based on a true story. The acting is good with Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt as the parents going through the horror of having their 'star' surfer daughter losing her arm to a shark, then how they support her as she begins surfing again.  I'm typing this up without the awareness of the actor's name who played the daughter, but she did a great job as well. All the supporting actors, including Kevan Sorbo played their roles well. So you have a well acted human story all coming together, showing how with faith and determination you can overcome all the odds. I liked how they truly built up the story before the 'accident' and oh yes, Carrie Underwood has a role as well.
I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars. If you don't get to see it in the movie theatre, I believe its definately worth a DVD watch.  The scenes of Hawaii, were worth it alone.

Source Code

Source Code is one of those movies in which time and space is explored in a different way. I found this movie enjoyable, even though the same scenario takes place over and over, it is done in an interesting way. What makes this work, is because of the progression of understanding the main character, played very well by Jake Gyllenhaal, goes through as he comes back from the assignment of discovering who is going to let off a bomb on this train. Each trip he has eight minutes to gather intel. During the many eight minutes he has he falls in love with the girl played by Michelle Monaghan. I would have like a little longer to digest the ending to ensure I was computing it correctly. I ran into a friend of mine after the show was over, she was just coming out of the movie to and we both had a different take on it. No matter, I enjoyed it, again representing how time and space can be altered. 3 1/2 out of 5.

The Lincoln Lawyer

I found myself with some time in Kelowna the other day, so decided to go see the Lincoln Lawyer with Matthew McConaughey. I had wanted to see this movie and so far it had not arrived in my town, so here was the opportunity. Thank goodness for Spring break, when they also have day time movies.
There were three of us in the theatre to watch Matthew do his work. I must say I do enjoy his movies. He seems to embody, in his style, the characters he plays. I think he must really look for ones he knows he is suited for.
I did not know the story of the Lincoln Lawyer, not having read the book or really heard too much about it, but the plot was delightful. How a lawyer, who works out of his car, defending guilty people is hired to defend a rich kid/man, played by Ryan Phillippe - who did a great job in that role - when he finds out he is actually the person who killed one of his previous clients who had said he was innocent but he did not believe and made a plea bargain putting him away for 15 years. Guilt results, yet he is sworn as his lawyer to defend and keep his counsel.
How the plot unravels is masterful, and if you have an opportunity to see this, its good to watch. Oh yes, there is a bit of pay back and some tense moments, but it is all about knowing how to manipulate the law, people and get the result you want. A few surprises, but all in all and enjoyable plot line and as usual with Mathew McConaughey a good watch.  3 1/2 out of 5.

Battle: Los Angeles

I was almost surprised as to how much I enjoyed watching this movie. I went because I needed to go 'out' and there was not another movie on which I wanted to see. So this was the one. As I found my seat in this afternoon show, I realized there were not many in the theatre. Never mind - I was there.
I found the movie moved very well, not spending too much time on a scene - just enough to get the 'picture' as to what was happening, and then onto the next scene. I had been expecting a lot of noise and things being blown up, as per the promos. Again a surprise, it had a heartfelt story contained within it, and older marine who had lost men in his last tour who was now training young marines.
Now, due to this threat, which in the beginning they were not totally aware of he was thrown into being the master sergeant of a new group, one of which was the brother of one of the men who had died on his last tour. This sets up the energy projected towards him.
The group is sent to pick up some civilians who need to be taken to the safe zone. Now the story begins to heat up. Slowly we learn more and more about the invaders, how they seem to be machines and when Michelle Rodriguez's character joins what is left of the group they learn more. She seems to shine in these 'tough girl' roles.
Again slow but sure they lose more of their troop until a handful are left to fight their way to the safe zone, and on the way take out the 'master mind' of it all.
As I sat there in the late afternoon, I found myself caught in the story, the actors, Aaron Eckhart, doing a fine job as the Staff Sergeant, Bridget Moynahan as the yet, and the three child actors, all doing their part in playing their roles. When at the end, the men plus Rodriguez's character are 'full' marines and do not give up or in. I left the theatre quite happy with my two hours of watching men fighting machines. Oh yes the sub plot that the aliens were here for our water - now that is interesting too.
I give this movie 3 starts out of 5. Worth viewing for many slants.

Rango

Last night I finally got to go see a movie again. My schedule has been such that I have not been able to see one for a few weeks. Unfortunately, I chose to see Rango, not that the choices at the theatre I was at was much. I really don’t know what to say except this is NOT a child’s movie. Although this was an afternoon session and there were not many people there I only heard the children there laugh once. I laughed more than that. This is an adult script, not a children’s one. I thought I would enjoy a lovely 2 hours. Forget it. I heard some teenagers afterwards saying it was the ‘boringest show ever’. Yes, not a great movie. I give it one star out of five. The one star is because I did laugh a few times.