Sunday, June 28, 2009

The Proposal

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MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, nudity and language.
I don't think I have ever sat through a movie and wanted to leave the theatre the way I did during this trashy "movie". I take that back; I wanted to leave the theatre when I watched Hellboy II. I think I may have even left some of my intelligence in the theatre after I watched the Hellboy sequel. This was the comedy equivalent of that movie. The basic foundation of The Proposal was that a big executive of a company (Sandra Bullock) was getting deported to Canada because her visa expired so she decides to marry her assistant, played by Ryan Reynolds. Yada yada yada... The material was a bunch of recycled ideas that were used in many good comedies in the past that made them succeed. It didn't work in this movie at all. Sandra Bullock has lost her charm in her recent movies and I would die to see Ryan Reynolds make his films aim toward younger audiences as he did in "Just Friends" in 2005. 1 out of 4 stars.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Away We Go

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MPAA Rating: R for language and some sexual content.
Away We Go follows the journey of an expectant couple (John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph), as they travel the U.S. in search of a place to put down roots and raise a family. Throughout their journey to find themselves, they come across many odd couples and characters that end up influencing them in how they want to raise their future child. The on-screen chemistry of the characters is something more eye-capturing than the story. When it comes to the overall premise of the film, it is numbingly raw in its depth and focus of rounding out the story to make the movie-goers relate to what the couple go through. Away We Go is one of those films that makes you want more out of life, and that's exactly how it left me feeling. 3 out of 4 stars.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Public Enemies-Trailer Review

FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Bale) sets his sights on American gangsters John Dillinger (Depp) and Pretty Boy Floyd (Tatum) in an attempt to curb a rampant Midwest crime spree during the 1930s. This movie caught my eye the moment I first witnessed the trailer in theatres. It looks action-packed and entertaining. I have come to respect Johnny Depp after watching his latest films and Christian Bale was remarkable in The Dark Knight, thus making it a perfect cast and a seemingly perfect story. When all factors are put in (cast, plot, genre) this trailer deserves an "A" rating. It can be viewed on the side of this page until the movie is released into theatres.
Release Date: July 1, 2009

Thursday, June 18, 2009

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

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MPAA Rating: R for violence and pervasive language.
A New York City subway dispatcher draws on his extensive knowledge of the subway system in order to outsmart a dangerous criminal mastermind who's hijacked a subway train. Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) was moving through his daily routine when he received word that a heavily armed gang of four has hijacked a subway train and are holding all of the passengers hostage. Led by cunning master thief Ryder (John Travolta), the gunmen will begin killing everyone aboard should the authorities fail in delivering $10 million in one hour. With the tension in the tunnels rising, Walter races to save the hostages before the shootings start. Overall, this was a huge surprise. The reviews for the film weren't great but boy, did the critics get it wrong this time. It was an exhilarating thrill that literally kept me on the very edge of my squeaky theatre chair. It was a masterpiece that put Travolta back on the radar as one of Hollywood's greatest villains. If it were up to me, I would have had him nominated for an Oscar in the category of "Best Actor". This is a MUST-SEE! 3 and a half out of 4 stars.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

The Hangover

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MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, sexual content including nudity, and some drug material.
Two days before his wedding, Doug and three friends drive to Las Vegas for a wild and memorable bachelor party. In fact, when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning, they can't remember a thing; nor can they find Doug. With little time to spare , the three hazy pals try to re-trace their steps and find Doug so they can get him back to Los Angeles in time to walk down the aisle. As they attempt to re-trace what had happened the night they were totally wasted, incredibly crazy events occur that include a baby, a tiger, and Mike Tyson. This recipe calls for a disaster in the works. This was a hilarious, well-thought out comedy that had the whole theater gasping for air as they were laughing incessantly. This is a movie that everyone must check out. Word is that Warner is already planning a sequel. Hopefully it won't be an awful continuation like most of the sequels today are. In any case, this deserves a great rating. 3 out of 4 stars.

Friday, June 5, 2009

My Life In Ruins

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MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content.
Georgia (Nia Vardalos) is a Greek American tour guide who is leading a tour around Greece with an assorted group of misfit tourists who would rather buy a T-shirt than learn about history and culture. In a clash of personalities and cultures, everything seems to go wrong, until one day when older traveller Irv Gordon (Richard Dreyfuss), shows her how to have fun, and to take a good look at the last person she would ever expect to find love with: her Greek bus driver. This is a fantastic quality comedy that made the time fly as I was watching. I came into the theatre expecting something like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", and as I watched it, I realized that it exactly like it. The writers knew how to capture the audience and havae them rolling on the floor laughing! There were only a hand full of people in the theatre which shows just how unintelligent most Americans are when you see movies like Land of the Lost selling out. The movie also focuses on stereotypes that people from different countries possess. (What a coincidence!) Outstanding quality film that should be taken in for its well-written story as well as the beautiful sights shown. 4 out of 4 stars.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Up in Disney Digital 3-D

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MPAA Rating: PG for some peril and action.
Carl Fredricksen, a quiet young boy, meets the tomboy Ellie in her clubhouse, discovering together they share the same interest in exploration as their hero, famed explorer Charles Muntz. Ellie expresses her desire to move her clubhouse to Paradise Falls in South America, a promise she makes Carl keep. Carl and Ellie wed and grow old together in the old house where they first met. Unable to have children, they also try to save up for the trip to Paradise Falls but other financial obligations arise. As she grows old and dies of old age, Carl is left in their home by himself. Until one day, a boy scout comes knocking, trying to assist Carl with anything around his house because he needs one last badge to become a "senior scout." Little does anyone know, Carl's house lifts off of the ground and into the sky above, where they embark on many challenges that challenge their loyalty and dependency on one another. My experience from the title to the credits was an enjoyable one. The 3-D animation was the icing on the cake. The images and story almost felt real. My eyes were stuck to the screen from start to finish. This fantastic Pixar film will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart because the movie shows just how valuable friendship really is. Another win for Pixar! 4 out of 4 stars.