Overall the sequel to the laugh-out-loud original movie was if not more, then just as funny. Although the story and the chain of events almost mirrored the first film, its disastrous situations made up for the lack of originality. The character of Allen made the movie what it was even more so than he did in the first installment. If I'm going to speak from an intellectual standpoint, I would say that this film is an embarrassment of American cinematic production that shouldn't have gone past the drawing board. On the other hand, as a movie-goer I would say that it was a hilarious film. Even though a lot of the images in the movie were not needed and may have scarred many in the audience including myself, it did not subtract from the level of hilarity that the sequel had. If I have make one thing clear however, it would be that I don't want there to be a third movie. That would be over-kill to what has already been killed. 2 out of 4 stars.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Midnight in Paris
Woody Allen's latest film involves a couple played by Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams, who take a trip to France for family business. Allen addresses the idea of nostalgia as being perfectly normal despite "pseudo-intellectuals" in the film frowning upon the idea of wanting to be somewhere else in time. Owen Wilson was portrayed closest to what Allen's character would have been in the film. He yearns to live in 1920's France with writers of that time. His fiancée in the film couldn't disagree more with Wilson's late night strolls in Paris where he goes to a world unknown to anyone living in present day... except for one person. Marion Cotillard played brilliantly the role of a costume designer who lives in Wilson's nostalgic world. The movie was very funny with subtle humor that gets everyone laughing out loud. "Paris" is easily Allen's best film of the new millennium with its star-studded cast, charming story and simplistic take on life. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Something Borrowed
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content including dialogue, and some drug material.
Something Borrowed is a romantic comedy starring two Hollywood starlets, Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin. The film is based on a book by Emily Giffin. The film is essentially about two young women who have been friends their whole lives and share everything, including men. Through this debacle of a situation, they show their true colors toward each other and true friends will be sorted out from the other people in their lives who were considered to be important to the leading ladies. Although the film is cute and all, it lacks the unpredictability factor. The audience can almost sense what is going to happen next and it makes for dull moments when they should really be interesting. John Krasinski stars as a friend of Goodwin's and provides ample comic relief, much like his character did in "It's Complicated"- come to think of it, it feels like he was transported through film and the same character was inserted into this movie. Still, it was fresh and provided me with several "aha" moments in a film that was otherwise very cliché. 2 out of 4 stars.
Something Borrowed is a romantic comedy starring two Hollywood starlets, Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin. The film is based on a book by Emily Giffin. The film is essentially about two young women who have been friends their whole lives and share everything, including men. Through this debacle of a situation, they show their true colors toward each other and true friends will be sorted out from the other people in their lives who were considered to be important to the leading ladies. Although the film is cute and all, it lacks the unpredictability factor. The audience can almost sense what is going to happen next and it makes for dull moments when they should really be interesting. John Krasinski stars as a friend of Goodwin's and provides ample comic relief, much like his character did in "It's Complicated"- come to think of it, it feels like he was transported through film and the same character was inserted into this movie. Still, it was fresh and provided me with several "aha" moments in a film that was otherwise very cliché. 2 out of 4 stars.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Rio in 3D
Captured by smugglers when he was just a hatchling, a macaw named Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) never learned to fly and lives a happily domesticated life in Minnesota with his human friend, Linda. Blu is thought to be the last of his kind, but when word comes that Jewel (Anne Hathaway), a lone female, lives in Rio de Janeiro, Blu and Linda go to meet her. Animal smugglers kidnap the Blu and Jewel, but the birds soon escape and begin an adventure back to freedom... and Linda.
MPAA Rating: G
I still do not grasp what 3D does to enhance the quality of a film but I saw it in 3D anyway. I thought Rio would be another childrens' movie about talking animals but it turned out to be a decent picture. The time passed well and the story kept me interested. There were a lot of witty one-liners but some were more suited for the older audience. Nevertheless it was a great animated film with lively characters and a feel-good story. 3 out of 4 stars.
MPAA Rating: G
I still do not grasp what 3D does to enhance the quality of a film but I saw it in 3D anyway. I thought Rio would be another childrens' movie about talking animals but it turned out to be a decent picture. The time passed well and the story kept me interested. There were a lot of witty one-liners but some were more suited for the older audience. Nevertheless it was a great animated film with lively characters and a feel-good story. 3 out of 4 stars.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The King's Speech
England's Prince Albert (Colin Firth), soon to become King George VI, is plagued by a speech impediment. With her husband soon to take over the throne, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) hires Lionel Logue, an Australian actor and speech therapist, to help Albert overcome his stammer. An extraordinary friendship develops between the pair as Logue uses unconventional means to teach Albert how to speak with confidence.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language.
With all of the awards this film has won, I was sure that it would be just as over-rated the previous few years' films have been. The King's Speech was one of the most riveting stories I have seen in cinema in a handful of years. I never quite imagined Colin Firth to be the "leading man" kind of actor but throughout watching this film I was proven to be wrong time and time again, while feeling like an idiot at times... I now believe that Firth would be ready to take on just about any role that comes his way after his impeccable portrayal of King George VI. Geoffrey Rush was outstanding as Lionel Logue, making me seriously consider him and Firth both playing equally important roles in the development of the film because of their on-screen chemistry, making it seem as if they have been fond of each other years prior to the making of this borderline masterpiece about two men: one, looking to find confidence in himself and the other, trying to maintain his confidence after a series of setbacks. 4 out of 4 stars.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language.
With all of the awards this film has won, I was sure that it would be just as over-rated the previous few years' films have been. The King's Speech was one of the most riveting stories I have seen in cinema in a handful of years. I never quite imagined Colin Firth to be the "leading man" kind of actor but throughout watching this film I was proven to be wrong time and time again, while feeling like an idiot at times... I now believe that Firth would be ready to take on just about any role that comes his way after his impeccable portrayal of King George VI. Geoffrey Rush was outstanding as Lionel Logue, making me seriously consider him and Firth both playing equally important roles in the development of the film because of their on-screen chemistry, making it seem as if they have been fond of each other years prior to the making of this borderline masterpiece about two men: one, looking to find confidence in himself and the other, trying to maintain his confidence after a series of setbacks. 4 out of 4 stars.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Just Go With It
A plastic surgeon romances a much younger schoolteacher and enlists his loyal assistant to pretend to be his soon to be ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie. When more lies backfire, the assistant's kids become involved, and everyone heads off for a weekend in Hawaii that will change all their lives.
Despite what other reviewers are saying about the newest Sandler film, I enjoyed it. The story may be far-fetched and outrageous but it was funny, fresh, and Adam Sandler. He is one of my favorite comedians and his movies are hilarious 9 times out of 10. This happened to be one that I enjoyed. At first, the idea of watching Jennifer Aniston alongside one of my favorite comedians was less than pleasing, but it turns out that Sandler actually gave her a funny part where I was not wanting to scratch my eyes out. The child actors were funny and witty and the funny one-liners were actually funny. I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed "Grown-Ups". 3 out of 4 stars.
Despite what other reviewers are saying about the newest Sandler film, I enjoyed it. The story may be far-fetched and outrageous but it was funny, fresh, and Adam Sandler. He is one of my favorite comedians and his movies are hilarious 9 times out of 10. This happened to be one that I enjoyed. At first, the idea of watching Jennifer Aniston alongside one of my favorite comedians was less than pleasing, but it turns out that Sandler actually gave her a funny part where I was not wanting to scratch my eyes out. The child actors were funny and witty and the funny one-liners were actually funny. I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed "Grown-Ups". 3 out of 4 stars.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Golden Globes Comments
Despite the fact that I have not seen most of the films nominated, I was happy with the results more than I was last year. Glee winning all of the big TV awards wasn't shocking but I would have liked to see Modern Family win an award or two considering that is one of my favorite shows right now. I did see "The Kids are All Right" and "The Social Network" and thought the awards won by the films were deserving. I was especially glad when Annette Benning won for best actress in a comedy. She deserved nothing less than to win that award. I'm looking forward to this year's Oscars and also to catching up on 2010 films!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Little Fockers
I would like to apologize to any readers that I have left out there, as if there were many to begin with. I have not seen any new films in two months for two reasons. The first being that I don't have any time. The second, because there aren't any new films that have stood out and that I would liked to have seen. Now, on to the review!
The third installment of what is now a "trilogy" was mediocre at best. I came in expecting funny one-liners and awkwardly hilarious entanglements for Stiller's character. One would think that after waiting six (6!) years, they would have come up with something better. There were not many one-liners that made me laugh and the situations that arose between Stiller and DeNiro were awkward but not hilarious. The best word to describe those situations would be "annoying"; in fact, the whole film was annoying. To make matters worse, they stick Jessica Alba in it to make it ten times MORE annoying. They didn't need much help from her though. Adding Alba to what was an already great cast was just overkill. They make her out to be some stupid bimbo and it doesn't fit where the character's lives are. I am overly disappointed with the film. The only positive thing I brought out of it was getting to see Streisand and Hoffman together. They make for a great comedy. 1 and a half out of 4 stars.
The third installment of what is now a "trilogy" was mediocre at best. I came in expecting funny one-liners and awkwardly hilarious entanglements for Stiller's character. One would think that after waiting six (6!) years, they would have come up with something better. There were not many one-liners that made me laugh and the situations that arose between Stiller and DeNiro were awkward but not hilarious. The best word to describe those situations would be "annoying"; in fact, the whole film was annoying. To make matters worse, they stick Jessica Alba in it to make it ten times MORE annoying. They didn't need much help from her though. Adding Alba to what was an already great cast was just overkill. They make her out to be some stupid bimbo and it doesn't fit where the character's lives are. I am overly disappointed with the film. The only positive thing I brought out of it was getting to see Streisand and Hoffman together. They make for a great comedy. 1 and a half out of 4 stars.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
In Woody Allen's latest film, the cast struggles with situations that life brings to them. You may be thinking, "Doesn't every film have a conflict?" The answer is yes, but in this film the struggles and conflicts of the characters delve into a much deeper hole than one is accustomed to. Even though the story is written with wit and cynicism, two things that I would usually give up my arms and legs to see, "Stranger" takes that and lowers it to a point to where it's depressing to watch. I am a fan of Allen's work and thoroughly enjoyed "Whatever Works" even though some panned it, but "Tall Dark Stranger" is very black and morbid. Yes, there are funny one-liners that remind you that it's a Woody Allen film, but something didn't seem to be there. That charm and dry humor that I'm used to was not included in this piece of work. So this leads me to think, was it actually as bad as I originally perceived it to be? No, because the writing still enticed me. BUT, don't get me wrong, it was not his best. 2 and a half out of 4 stars.
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Social Network
The drama involves the creator of Facebook getting into all sorts of trouble because he supposedly stole the idea from elite classmates at Harvard. The story evolves to be intrigiuing and interesting. The acting is great and the when the plot thickens things become even more interesting. It reaches deepep into the actual background surrounding Facebook and the laxidazical creator. Great quality film that deserves any award recognition it recieves. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.
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