(500) Days of Summer

--PG-13-- This movie made me angry. I go to movies to escape and become engrossed in a fantasy world...not to be slapped with a depressing story about a man that loves a woman that is totally selfish and ignorant of how her decisions affect those around her. And to top it off, everything works out for her in the end. Not teaching her a damn thing.

What irks me more than anything however is that the movie was well made in every aspect. I have no complaints about the movie as a piece of art, just a major complaint about the message it is sending to an already self absorbed world.

A funny thing about it is that most people won't understand what I am saying. Most people will identify with Summer. They won't recognize that how she acts and behaves has a direct influence on others. That while she may have "covered her basis" by stating "I am not looking for a relationship" everything she did was contrary to that statement. Treating him like a boyfriend, doing "couple" things lead to mixed signals that can and did become emotionally crippling.

Anyway, I don't recommend this to anyone.



cah

Julie & Julia

--PG-13-- Nora Ephron made a legitimate Oscar caliber film. Who knew she had it in her? I sure didn't. The queen of RomComs has shocked perhaps us all. With a steller cast comprised of Meryl Streep(another oscar caliber performance), Amy Adams as the titular characters with support from the likes of Stanley Tucci(I love this guy), Jane Lynch and Mary Lynn Rajskub. The ensemble cast was top notch and they all lived up to what we as fans come to expect from them.

Beyond the acting we have a story that was compiled from two books and weaved together to make a hilarious, touching and inspiring film. Ms. Ephron finally transcended her reputation and may perhaps garner her first Oscar nomination. She wrote, produced and directed this beautiful film and is well deserving of all accolades heaped on her this upcoming awards season.

Now to the story...Julie & Julia follows two women as they embark on life changing adventures. Julie is a failed novelist that finds comfort in cooking fabulous meals for herself and husband. Julia is Julia Child and the movie begins with her arrival in Paris and how she becomes "Julia Child." Inspired by a self-obsessed friend Julie decides to start a blog about cooking all the culinary delights in Julia Child's French Cuisine book in one year. This process tries her patience and her sanity as she struggles to create what we discover is perhaps an insane idea.

Throughout the course of the film you will laugh, perhaps cry but definitely will leave the theater smiling as you consider the beautifully executed (in every possible way) film that you just watched. A must see for everyone. It is not a RomCom, it isn't even a comedy by today's standards. This movie makes you think back to comedies use to be...laughter without the need for "potty" humor and "gross out" tactics that are now used in today's comedy realm filled with the likes of the Farrelly brothers and Judd Apatow tripe.



cah

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

--PG-13-- I don't want to spend too much time on this movie, because it is what it is. And that is a summer popcorn thrill ride. So I will review it as such. You won't be bored, and there are only a few cheesy lines. Granted the acting is a bit weak, but the action sequences more than make up for the few and far between serious moments. In a movie that runs just shy of two hours, there is easily 1 1/2 hours of action.

The action sequences in my opinion never run too long. They are well paced and perfectly timed so you won't feel exhausted at the end of the scene and it will leave you wanting more...which you won't have to wait very long for. In fact the longest you have to wait between action scenes is probably 5 minutes.

To sum up, the movie is what it is...an adrenaline fueled thrill ride that is based on an action figure that has been around for half a century.


cah

Land Of The Lost

--PG-13-- The best part of the movie is the very last scene. Everything before it should have landed itself on the cutting room floor. To say anything more would be a further waste of time.

Adventureland

--R-- To start with the marketers of this movie completely misrepresented what it was about and the category in which it should fit. I distinctly remember watching the trailers and thinking that Adventureland was going to be another Superbad, Knocked Up type comedy. So, instead of watching a crude low brow comedy I was surprised to see a pleasant dramedy that had the same look, feel and flow as Juno.

Now, Adventureland isn't Juno, it isn't based on a pregnant teenager that is surprisingly well informed and mature for her age. No, this is about an over-educated kid working at an amusement park trying to earn enough money for graduate school...oh did I mention that it is based in the great bygone era of 1987! You have a couple of social misfits, mixed with an older musician that is living dangerously close to being a pedophile, a couple of misplaced intellectuals and your stereotypical arrogant pretty people that act dumb, and are dumb....Phew!

Okay...okay! I have given you way too much background on the characters. Part of the reason I found it so enjoyable is because I was taken aback at what the movie actually was. In short, this is a character story about a smart boy finding confidance and his relationship with an emotionally stunted, self-destructive, underachieving rich girl.

Adventureland is a movie that I hope everyone can enjoy, not just for it's self effacing humor, or the nostalgia it might illicit, but for the overall story, direction and execution that combined to make this a film that stands out in its misrepresented category.



cah

Race to Witch Mountain

--PG-- Watching movies that star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson bring me back to my younger years when I would see a movie that starred Hulk Hogan. Not because the movies they make are similar, but because those two people followed similar career paths. The big difference between the two is that Dwayne is a former wrestler and actually makes decent movies. Hogan still wrestles and made movies that would make most people run away and hide.

I for one am glad Dwayne Johnson has dropped his wrestling moniker and has taken his charisma and good looks to such family friendly films as The Game Plan and now Race to Witch Mountain. For those of you that never saw the original which was made back in the early 80's, both movies revolve around two alien kids with supernatural abilities trying to locate their spaceship so they can return home. Both movies also feature an enemy that wants to capture the kids and either dissect them, or control them.

Now that the basic plot line is layed out Race to Witch Mountain is a fun light-hearted comedy that should entertain anyone that is in the mood to smile. It isn't particularly funny or witty, the acting isn't superb and the pacing of the movie isn't perfect. But even with those unspectacular facts you still will smile at Jack Bruno (Johnson) muddling through something that is clearly over his head. You can't help but smile at Gary Marshall's (Soapdish) cameo as a wacked out alien conspiracy theorist. Better yet is Carla Gugino (Spy Kids) playing this straight laced scientist that is trying desparetly to be taken seriously by both the scientific world and the sci-fi alien nut-jobs.

No, Race to Witch Mountain is perfect, it isn't a laugh a minute comedy, but it is a light-hearted family film that will entertain you and have you believing that aliens might just be real.



cah

The Last House on the Left

--R-- In a day and age when horror movies are a dime a dozen, filled with Saw XV's and Hostel V's it is rare to find a true horror film. To be clear I think a true horror film is one that terrifies you for its real life possibilities. Most horror movies made today are either supernatural and ridiculous or movies like Saw that celebrate depravity regardless of what could or would really happen.

The Last House on the Left is a truly terrifying film. The movie consists of a prisoner transport escape (plausible), teenagers making stupid decisions (plausible), rape of one of the teenagers by an escaped convict (plausible), surviving a gun shot wound to the back (plausible), power outage in a rural setting during a storm (plausible). All the key points to this film were plausible. Nothing was supernatural, the bad guys weren't heartless...just criminals trying to survive in a situation that calls for extreme measures.

Now all that being said, The Last House on the Left isn't the best horror movie ever made, but it is one that is based in reality and is entertaining enough to overlook its negatives. I will say that the rape scene is probably the most terrifying part of the movie, one in which averting your eyes would be beneficial. There is no need to watch a 17 year old girl get brutalized by a sociopath, however the scene was pivotal to the movie and a catalyst which allowed for survivors of this horrifying experience.

If you are a bit timid and tend to shy away from horror movies, don't go see this one. If you like movies like Saw you will probably not be disappointed however don't expect there to be complete depravity celebrating violence for violence sake. If you want to be scared and maybe teach your teenage daughter a lesson or two you will most likely enjoy this movie in all its horrifying splendor.



cah

Doubt

--PG-13-- With protest and only by request I am writing this review...I'll leave it at that.

The most controversial thing that has sprung up about this movie isn't about whether it was good or not. That fact was decided by earlier reviews and Oscar night. No, the real controversy is about whether Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) committed the unthinkable act of molestation. With all evidence being circumstantial, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) is certain that the Father committed the crime and therefore must be ousted from the Parish.

The movie focuses on a sister in a patriarchal society, in a patriarchal religion standing up against her "superiors" and by any means necessary accomplishing that which she feels she must. This is the topic in which I would like to discuss. It doesn't matter whether I think he did it, or if you think he did it. What matters is if Sister Aloysius was correct with her flagrant disregard of church protocol and potentially ruining someones life without any real proof. We live in a society where everyone is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. But in a religion where reputation is perhaps more important than innocence the fact that she even hinted at accusing him of it, would scare even the most innocent of men in his position, away.

Sister Aloysius acted in a way that portrayed a "by any means necessary" attitude. This kind of attitude is dangerous; they will lie, cheat, steal and in some circumstances kill to accomplish their end goal. What makes her attitude even worse is the fact that she had no concrete evidence, she was acting on instinct and experience. Two things that can lead to doubts. For instance, in the closing moments, Sister Aloysius with all her talk about certainty and doing what is necessary confesses to Sister James (Amy Adams), "I have doubts, so many doubts!" This startling confession proves that she acted in a manner that goes against reason and against all we as a democracy believe. Without certainty, without absolute proof, Sister Aloysius did all she could, to remove a priest that she simply did not like.

Do the "ends justify the means?"



cah

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

--PG-13-- I am torn...I don't know if this movie should be in the popcorn category, or the trash heap. My reasoning is if I throw trash cans up there I will have to admit I am ashamed I saw the movie, but the problem is why should I be ashamed? This is based on a video game franchise that has sold millions of copies for nearly two decades, additionally Jean-Claude Van Damme made an earlier film in this franchise back in the early '90's. So I just can't admit that I should be ashamed I saw this movie.

That just leaves popcorn, my problem here is I don't think it was even a popcorn worthy film. I saw this for another Monday morning early bird special with ten other people. Of those ten, six left during the movie, there was even a moment in which I wanted to leave...okay there were three or four.

Unlike the Van Damme version that was futuristic, cheesy and full of 1 : 1 fighting scenes, this Street Fighter incarnation was filled with story, and voice overs to explain "The Legend of Chun-Li." Which of course is the subtitle to the title Street Fighter. Ugh, the movie was filled with bad acting by Chris Klein (American Pie Trilogy), decent acting by Neil Mcdonough (Band of Brothers) and interspersed with mediocre acting by Michael-Clarke Duncan (Green Mile) and Kristin Kreuk (Smallville).

Oh Kristin! This brings me to perhaps my biggest hang-up...Kristin is not Asian, she isn't even half Asian. Since her character has a caucasian mother this could be explained away if they didn't cast younger versions of her character as Asian girls. Those girls at various stages of development looked absolutely nothing like the adult Chun-Li. Ugh!!! Huge casting mistakes, stupid directing, bad acting and limited action sequences mean I have to throw this movie onto the trash heap.





cah

Fired Up!

--PG-13-- I know...I know! So this is the story, I woke up late Monday morning...was bored...had no homework...nothing on TV...the showtime was perfect...and it was early bird $6 special. I also know that some of you won't care about my feeble excuses to why I saw this movie. But there might just be a few people out there that will secretly want to watch a couple of high school football jocks infiltrate a "cheer camp" and hook up with as many girls as possible.

For those of you, with that secret desire stashed away under that facade of a grown up, let me just say this...it wasn't bad. The movie is not about cheering, it isn't about hooking up with "chicks," or even about a creepy guy friendship. This movie is about change, and about how we all can have one idea of life and how if we try something else, for whatever reason, we might find a new joy and a new level of understanding about life, love and friendship.

Seriously, did you just read that drivel about life changing experiences? Who am I trying to kid? Let me just say that any movie which employs an alum of such awesome fare as Best In Show and A Mighty Wind deserves a viewing. John Michael Higgins is that alum, and he was pretty good, in an okay movie that gets firmly planted in the trash can department.



cah

The International

--R-- The International is a crime thriller that pits good vs. evil, big business vs. government, right vs. wrong. The movie definitely will leave you questioning the perils of capitalism and if fighting back against "the man" is even worth it. I know that this movie sounds heavy, one that seems too close to home to spend 2 hours at the movie for. Especially when you go to the movies to escape life and imagine living in an entirely different world. This movie won't let you escape the economic status of the world right now. Instead it will make you think about which bank holds your money, and what prè tell are they doing with it?

This film follows a somewhat "rogue" inter-pol agent, and New York ADA as they try and prosecute one of the worlds largest most influential banks. I know that The International sounds like a dramatic slow paced film, but I am here to emphatically state that it is not! In fact with heart pounding tension and acting that is top notch this movie is not just entertaining and insightful, but also one of those rare films that make you think about society, and what we as citizens can do to correct it.

This film is R, for its language and violence. None of the violence is gratuitous and the language flows easily with the script. In other words, yes there is a lot of shooting of guns and swearing, but if you are already desensitized to these types of movies, there is no reason why you won't enjoy this film. And as a bonus you might just learn something as well.


cah

A Reinvention

I am sure that it is quite obvious that I have been taking a sabbatical from my blog...my only excuse is I got a wee bit board with writing reviews, and to be honest there really hasn't been anything of significance to write about.

I know that one of my original desires was to write a review for every movie that I have ever seen...and well to be honest this is a hobby and I should enjoy it. So I decided that I will only be writing reviews about films that I feel like writing about.

I have seen a good 2-3 dozen new films since my last posting and I don't think any movie has moved me to the point of wanting to write one. So this is the deal about what movies I want to write reviews on. Why should I write about The Dark Knight when everyone is going to see it anyway? What does my opinion matter about such substantial films as that? Absolutely nothing! I am going to concentrate my efforts on writing reviews on films that my opinion might actually make a difference.

For those of you that still have been checking for reviews I am starting again so please come back, and I once again hope to entertain and enlighten once more.


cah

Forgetting Sarah Marshal

*I can't give it 4 due to crudity*

--R-- First thing, funniest movie ever. I have never been to a crowded theater that has laughed from beginning to end before. That was an experience all itself.

Now the bad news...rather crude. What should I have expected from Judd Apatow, the brain behind Knocked up, and Superbad? Granted since this was directed by someone different and written by someone different, there were far fewer site gags, and more situational comedy. Ultimately, I think that is why I found this movie so hilarious. I admit, I have seen Superbad and Knocked up (not two of my proudest moments of movie going) and found them humorous. Forgetting Sarah Marshal is comedic genius.

If you don't know what the movie is about...it centers on a musician that gets dumped by a super hot actress. To escape and forget about her, he goes to her favorite location (Hawaii) and more importantly her favorite hotel (Turtle Bay Resort). Like that was smart! Predictably, as he is checking into the hotel, being helped by uber gorgeous Mila Kunis (That 70's Show) in walks Sarah and her new flame.

The movie follows him around as he runs into her, makes friends with characters that can't even be explained, only watched and finally attempts a relationship with hot hotel girl.


The knitty gritty of the crudity of the movie can be summed up as thus: 5 - 7 totally hilarious and unfcomfortable penis shots. You can predict when they are going to happen, so if don't want to see it (I don't blame you) you can avert your eyes. Other than that there was swearing, but the swearing wasn't over the top (like anything from Scorsese or Tarantino). If you can manage the things I have mentioned, you won't regret seeing this movie.

Funniest movie EVER!

cah

Run, FatBoy, Run

--PG-13-- Raise your hand if you thought David Schwimmer (Ross from Friends) would direct a successful British Romantic Comedy. Okay now raise your hand if you thought Schwimmer would make a film starring writer/actor Simon Pegg. Thought so...

Pegg, the star of films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz makes a legitimate statement in his first leading role in a straight film. Admittedly when I watched the previews for Run, Fatboy, Run I was certain it was going to be another farce. Clearly I was wrong, because Fatboy is a very kindhearted endearing film.

The movie begins at the wedding of Dennis (Pegg) and Libby (Thandie Newton), it quickly becomes apparent that Dennis is struggling with his decision to marry the woman of his dreams (who happens to be pregnant as well) and is last seen by many to be running as fast as he can away from the chapel, the wedding and his beloved Libby. Next thing we know, several years have passed and Dennis has become a hapless, out of shape, beer-belly toting, lingerie shop security guard. Trust me it is more bleak than even that description implies.

Dennis is sad and has never recovered from leaving Libby at the alter so he decides to make a drastic change in his life and in a misguided attempt to win her back, Dennis decides to compete in a marathon against her new Beau. A nice guy that is in impeccable shape and with minimal effort makes Dennis look really bad. Which is why it is such a great moment when you notice he is completely frustrated with the fact that Dennis seems to still have some kind of appeal to his jilted ex-fiance that also happens to be his babies momma.

I hope you followed that, if not reread it...anyway that is the basic story line of Fatboy. Schwimmer does an amazing job, especially when you consider the fact that British humor is decidedly different than American. Pegg does an admirable job as the depressed and love hungry Dennis. Newton gives an endearing turn as the still smitten jilted ex-fiance.

All in all I think just about everyone would enjoy this heart-warming, underdog tale with an undertone of forgiveness.

cah

Stop-Loss

--R-- This movie has come and left many theaters already, and to be honest that is a shame.

Stop-Loss is a movie about an obscure contractual clause in the armed forces paperwork. Apparently in a time of war, the military can decide to re-deploy men or women after they are supposed to be getting out of the military. This of course comes as a shock to Staff Sgt. King (Ryan Phillipe) as he arrives home expecting to be relieved of his command. While there are a couple sub-plots running throughout, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder the bulk of the movie is about King and his decision to AWOL from duty and seek help in legally breaking his military contract.

What was so fascinating about the film was the subject matter, something I had never heard of before and how writer/director Kimberly Price decided to intertwine current scenes with hand-held recordings of King's unit in Iraq. It was fascinating to see the camaraderie and dynamic of the unit in Iraq compared to how they reacted and interacted to being State side.

Price made a thought provoking, visually masterful...predictable film. Without going so far as to give the ending away, I will state that it is not a surprise and to be honest a bit of a let down after the political and personal struggle Staff Sgt. King goes through.

Overall, the film was above average and worthy of receiving far more attention than it got. The acting was superb (save for pretty boy Channing Tatum), the directing was good and the story intriguing. Definitely a worthy rental if you missed it in the theaters.

cah

Leatherheads

--PG-13-- Clooney followed a well established path in making this film. Most people won't recognize that because they haven't watched film from yesteryear. I have, and know that the witty dialogue and quick banter is a style that was used in the fifties, and brought to modern day audiences by the Cohen Brothers early work Hudsucker Proxy.

I dare say that most people haven't seen Hudsucker and therefore will think that Clooney was original and creative in making Leatherheads. Obviously I disagree with that assertion.

That being said Clooney and company did a wonderfully pleasant job in making this film. I may be stretching here but I think most football fans would love to see a movie about the early years of professional football. In addition to the sports aspect the aforementioned witty dialogue, coupled with engaging stars like Clooney, Zellweger and Krasinski you find that Leatherheads is quite enjoyable, albeit a bit uneven.

The overwhelming feeling that you take from this film is the fact that when it is funny it is some of the most laugh out loud hilarity I have seen since...honestly I don't have a comedy to compare it to. Mainly, because this film isn't low-brow, slapstick, or potty humor: It is smart! Something that most film goers aren't use to seeing in today's dumbing down of audiences with films such as; Austen Powers, Waterboy, Anchorman and more notably the Farrely brothers films beginning with There's Something About Mary. No this film is different...in a decidedly good way.

Now the flip side is, when the dramatic scenes begin they are extremely slow and come close to the border of boredom. We are talking about Dances With Wolves boredom.

Overall, the funny and humorous scenes overwhelm that feeling of boredom. The movie starts funny and ends funny, you just will have to endure 20 minutes scattered throughout the film of its nearly 2 hour runtime in restful sleep.



cah

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

--R-- Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's best collaboration since Ed Wood.

Benjamin Barker (Depp) was wrongfully imprisoned due to the jealousy of a powerful Aristocrat known as Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman). After 15 years Barker returns with a new moniker Sweeney Todd. With the aid of Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) Todd resumes his career as a barber with the hope of taking his revenge upon Turpin. Whether he succeeds or not and what happens in between you are just going to have to see the movie.

It is a mark in a good direction that I enjoyed this film considering it is foremost a musical. Now I hate musicals and quite frankly wouldn't give any other musical as glowing an endorsement as this.

Bonham Carter is at the top of her game, but let us be honest is she ever off? Depp is superb and it was fun to see him as a character other than the over-rated Jack Sparrow concoction. Now my only complaint is the blood. This movie didn't need to be rated R, if Burton had cut out the blood splatter this movie would have been more family friendly and would make more money.

I don't understand the reasoning of releasing a film during the Holiday season if it isn't either hands down an Oscar caliber film or family friendly. Sweeney Todd is neither, it may garner some Oscar attention and maybe even a nod or two but it really doesn't deserve it other than for set and costuming...maybe. Anyway Burton should have cut down on the blood and made this a more accessible film that could be enjoyed by all.

cah

Juno

--PG-13-- This movie is a perfect example of what is wrong with the rating system of America. While technically there is no F... words, no violence, no nudity or sex (the tell tale reasons for an R rating), this movie is of decidedly adult material and should not be seen by anyone of younger than adulthood.

That said; Juno is a sweet, fun, quirky film that exemplifies what a slice of life film should be. Juno Macguff is an outcast that is smarter and far more mature than your average 16 year old. The film begins with Juno taking her third pregnancy test refusing to believe that she is indeed pregnant. I mean after all she only had sex once and only did it because she was bored...and did it with her best friend Bleeker.

Now, Bleeker unlike Juno (that while she is an outcast is one of those people that doesn't care and in fact flourishes in her uniqueness), Bleeker is odd, geeky and as far as Juno is concerned the coolest guy she knows. Anyway I digress, Juno is a story about a teenage girl's pregnancy, the decisions she makes and how she grows into an even more mature and unique individual that realizes...oh well you have to see it to find out what she discovers about herself and life.

Once again Juno is a superb film, one that I recommend to anyone that can handle adult situations, because even though this film is about teenagers and received the rating of PG-13 the dialogue and situations call for a far more mature mindset.

cah

3:10 To Yuma

--R-- A Western film that was good...something that is not very common in this day and age. In my lifetime I can count on one hand quality Westerns. They are in no particular order Young Guns, Unforgiven, Silverado and now 3:10 To Yuma. There are few stars that can match both Russel Crowe and Christain Bale as tough guys and to have them both sharing the spotlight in this movie was a joy to watch.

This movie is a remake, I haven't seen the original but if it was anywhere near as good as this one I should probably rent it. Everything about this movie both technically and artistically is superb, I have no complaints, and for me that is saying something.

Last and certainly not least we have the R rating. I know that there are several of my readers that don't see R rated films, and to them I say that this is one of those rare movies that has this rating for the sole reason to draw in bigger crowds. A film with sparse foul language, no nudity and truth be told very little blood and blood splatter. If you wanted to see this movie and were scared away by the rating, trust me and don't let it stop you, it is a film that won't leave you feeling dirty.

cah