In the Theaters

ateixeira · September 2007

Did see this a couple of weeks ago, good movie.

I did get a little tires of musicles in general because I had recently watched High School Musical with my kids. It was not bad though.

My favorite scene was then Travolta danced, that was worth the price of admission.

ateixeira · September 2007

Funny movie, but a bit of a let down after the much-better Knocked Up.

Lots of crude humor made some of the main characters not-so-likable.

Also, they go off on too much of a tangent with the police officers and McLovin. Get to the stinkin' party already.

kyfdx · September 2007

I want to see this... but, I have no one to accompany me..

My wife is too mature, and my son (who would love it) isn't old enough for R-rated movies..

PF_Flyer · September 2007

But I bet it would be shorter if I flew into CVG :P

kyfdx · September 2007

Well.. sure!! Come on down!!

okko1 · September 2007

disturbia , what a movie. sometimes a director gets it right. this moive that reminds me of a cult classic called last house on the left. fear can be fun just not in this context.
the terror is not of the nature that lends to belief in some circles. leaving the question. is this the work of artist or the fantasy of someone with a differnt take on the game.
rest my friend it's over or is it

ateixeira · September 2007

Think "Death Wish" minus the one-liners, plus more psychological.

Jodie Foster does a good job as a torn victim enacting revenge as a vigilante, but this film is a bit too predictable. It's also not as memorable as lines like, "Do you believe in Jesus? You're gonna meet him!" that Bronson delivered with gusto.

Still, an interesting film, with good acting. The chemistry is not there with her husband, but it's there with the detective, for sure.

ateixeira · September 2007

Wait 'til this is out on DVD, and even then, only rent it if there's nothing else you haven't watched.

Jessica Alba doesn't pull off the clutzy beauty the way I had hoped. Maybe that's because I like her, or because her previous roles were so serious, dark.

The movie also really pushes the envelope in terms of gratuitous sexual humor, but in a tasteless way. At times it's hard to like any one of the characters, except Jessica's, and even then you feel pity.

Slow start, and it gets a little better, but still not recommended.

Karen_S · October 2007

I went to a midnight showing of this film. Foster certainly delivered another riveting performance. Her character contrast from before to after the attack was gut-wrenching. She may get an Oscar nod for this film. Predictable, yeah, but I didn't mind it so much because of the quality of acting. Terence Howard is also excellent.

ateixeira · October 2007

Terence was good, indeed, I'd forgotten the name.

He had more chemistry with Jodie Foster than her husband did.

Karen_S · October 2007

This one is not for everyone as it takes awhile to grasp what is actually going on. It's one of those "thinking" films. I saw a dozen or so people leave less than 30 minutes into the film. I was beginning to wonder if they were right, but then it all starts to click and whoa--a really great story. Clooney may get another Oscar nod for his performance, but Tilda Swinton is the one that blew me away.

ateixeira · October 2007

We saw that last week.

I agree it took a while to develop the story, and the second half was far better than the first.

I still thought it was only a B- or so. I guess I didn't buy the way Arthur Edens fell apart psychologically.

Also, for a law-related drama, there could have been some court room drama. It was almost more of an action flick.

The CEO-as-the-bad-guy was a bit much, too. Hollywood likes their bad guys really, really bad.

ateixeira · October 2007

This is a low budget film about a guy from the Bronx who wants to Rap and ends up in Puerto Rico and starts doing Reggaeton instead.

Omarion stars in a slow-starting film that could have been a lot better had they given in a proper budget.

As is, it shows some interesting dancing and decent music, but a weak plot and some awful fake accents.

Some dancing/music parts are entertaining but it's not enough to carry the whole movie. I'll give it a C+.

Karen_S · October 2007

I guess I didn't buy the way Arthur Edens fell apart psychologically.

FWIW, I thought it was quite believable, especially for someone suffering from bi-polar disorder that is off medication.

ateixeira · October 2007

It was hard to distinguish what was related to the disorder, and what was related to his own morals. Perhaps that was intentionally "fuzzy", leaving the viewer thinking about it.

Karen_S · November 2007

Yeah, I loved it. It was so much fun to see Disney poking fun a themselves for a change. And the actress (can't remember her name) playing the Princess was perfection! Loved the Prince too. My only beef was with the inconsistency with the evil step-mom. All the other characters experienced diminished capabilities in the real world, but not her? Oh well, it was still a good time!

ateixeira · November 2007

I have to agree.

I love humor that is self-depricating, and sure enough Disney does have a sense of humor about...itself!

We loved it, and so did the kids. Strongly recommended for all ages.

Amy Adams plays the Princess, and she's good, but James Marsden plays the Prince and I thought he was perfectly cast. He was just "corny" enough, and even though he played a smaller role, he was funny in almost every scene.

Very enjoyable movie.

ateixeira · November 2007

Not nearly as good, Seinfeld offers the type of humor where you sort of have to see his delivery, and the animation doesn't do that for you.

The adults thought it was only so-so, and the kids liked it even less.

The story is lacking and the message, mised.

Save your money, or at least wait for the DVD.

ateixeira · November 2007

Yes, I know, we see a lot of moview. It's just been a while since I posted a review, and we go every week.

Fred Claus is a bit dark, but funny. We went without the kids, and in a way I'm glad, as a lot of this humor would go right over their heads.

Vince is funny, as usual, but this movie isn't nearly as well written as Elf was.

See Elf first if you haven't seen that yet, and want a Christmas themed movie. Fred Claus plays 2nd fiddle to Santa Claus, but the movie also plays 2nd fiddle to Elf.

ateixeira · November 2007

Loved it. Wife really loved it.

At first I was skeptical, thinking this would be another chick flick that my wife loved and I just didn't get, but that's not the case.

The little boy's acting and music playing isn't well done, but overlook that small detail and the movie itself is dreamy and inspiring.

The lead couple has great on-screen chemistry and I promise it's a great date movie. Thumbs up.

Karen_S · November 2007

You know, that film had so much hype and I could tell from the trailers that it was not that good. I don't even plan to rent it when it's available, which will most likely be soon as I don't think it did well at the box office.

ateixeira · November 2007

Another great one. Denzel at his best. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays a small role but he's good, too.

This is a dark tale about the opiates trade in Harlem in the late 60s and early 70s, when the drugs were sourced from Vietnam and transported by the US Army.

Russel Crowe performs well, he must have really set his ego aside, playing the very down to earth special invetigator in the drug division, pursueing criminals and corrupt cops.

I love it, the wife usually doesn't like violent movies, but this reality-based movie had plenty of plot and kept her interested the whole time.

Strongly recommended. It is long so get a large drink and popcorn.

kyfdx · November 2007

We went to see it in IMAX 3-D... Pretty stunning..

The story was sort of basic... but, visually it was entertaining..

Mr_Shiftright · November 2007

I liked Gangster. It was one of those rare films where the bad guy is more likable than the good guy. Like Richard III in Shakespeare. The villain is despicable, but charming. The film has some holes but it is interesting to watch.

ateixeira · November 2007

You must've liked the scene with the fire place?

That was powerful.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2007

Oh when he burns the coat?

Yep, that's what did him in, didn't it?

ateixeira · November 2007

I thought the symbolism was very powerful.

Basically, he really only got himself in trouble when he starting showing off his wealth.

When he ran a low key operation, he was the top supplier of opiates in the country yet nobody even knew who he was.

I bet he wishes he never wore that coat.

By the way, the real person is free today, got out of jail in 1991, as part of the plea deal. Read about it on wiki if you want.

Cuba's character is also on wiki. Also interesting.

ajvdh · November 2007

We saw it in 3D also. I don't think it would have been near as entertaining "flat." The pseudo animation is kind of creepy. It's in that gray area where it's just far enough away from "real" to be off-putting. Speaking of off-putting, after watching that movie, the idea of 3D porn makes me cringe.

kyfdx · December 2007

I didn't really want to go, because the previews didn't look that good..

I was right... Don't waste your time..

Karen_S · December 2007

Awww, shucks. I wanted to see this one. Save my dollars for rental?

The top one on my list now is Sweeney Todd. I've always been a Depp and Burton fan and I hope they can pull this one off. Sondheim isn't everyone's cup of tea, but IMO, he's brilliant.

kyfdx · December 2007

I haven't read the book, but there is obviously a lot more going on, than in the movie... Every time you get a new character, they do a little one-minute monologue to explain who they are, and where the hell they came from, and why they are there..... Shewwwwww...

When it was over, my 13-yr-old son looks at me and says, "That's it?".

ateixeira · December 2007

I haven't been to the movies lately (nanny is on vacation) but I really want to see that new one with Will Smith, set in the future in NY City.

pat · December 2007

I heard most of an NPR interview about this movie the other day. The consensus seemed to be that the movie had eliminated all of the potentially controversial parts of the books.

Karen_S · December 2007

I've not read the book, but I've read in articles about the film that the author promotes atheism and the evil characters in the story represent religious leaders.

ateixeira · December 2007

I hate when there are hidden agendas like that.

Such a thing spoiled The Contender for me, and otherwise good movie.

The agenda was pro-HMO, if you can believe that.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2007

it's just a movie :P

Kirstie_H · December 2007

I'm pretty much in that camp - same for me as those who don't participate in Halloween because it's a "pagan" holiday (there are SO many good reasons not to participate, why focus on that one?). Most stuff is what you make of it - no one can force you to buy into their way of thought. I heard that one religious group was saying Golden Compass was OK because it would prompt parent-child conversation about religion.

Karen_S · December 2007

Actually, I was more inclined to see the film after I read that article. :P

Mr_Shiftright · December 2007

Exactly--- I mean really now, doubts are going to enter any child's mind as they grow up. It is the doubts that often re-affirm, and in fact MATURIZE the individual's view of religion. If a movie can knock all the faith out of you, what did you have anyway?

kyfdx · December 2007

Doesn't really matter, anyway...

As noted above, they've removed any real religious references.. Sure, the bad guy seems like he might be a priest of some kind...

But, it's more of, the guys in authority are bad... let's rebel... type of thing..

It's so watered down.. it's just a mediocre movie.. Some real controversy might have been interesting..

The actress who plays the girl is pretty good... and, it has James Bond in it!! (woefully underused).

Wait for your friend to rent the DVD..

The best part for me? We went before Noon, and the price was only $5 each.

ateixeira · December 2007

A local theatre near me has that same deal.

Kids want to see that Alvin movie (yikes) so I'm not paying more than $5 to watch that!

Mr_Shiftright · December 2007

I heard Alvin divorced. He looked very fat in People magazine.

jlbl · December 2007

'Away from Her': Did anyone else see it? Excellent opera prima of Sarah Pollley ('The Secret Life of Words', 'My Life Without Me') as a fimlmaker. One the best performances of Julie Christie, IMO.

Regards,
Jose

PD: I wish you a Merry Christmas, or whatever meaningful deed you celebrate these days. And also a prosperous Year 2008. I am going to the mountains and intermitently disconnect from the electronic world. So long, may be, until 2008.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2007

Yes I saw that film. A little slow, a bit grim, needed editing, but you're right Julie Christie did a great job.

pat · December 2007

Alvin has a longer lifespan than Lassie. :sick:

(And if that's not showing my age, I don't know what will! :shades: )

jlbl · December 2007

Pat, I thought you was referring to Lassie II, didn't you? :surprise: :P

Regards,
Jose

ateixeira · December 2007

We enjoyed this movie, especially our 5 year old, who giggled non-stop and the mostly physical humor in the film.

Our 8 year old daughter thought it was OK, my wife felt the animation could be better. I guess it's hard to do fur.

I liked it, though. So the boys give it a big thumbs up. It had a good message and was just good entertainment, so take the kids, even little ones.

jipster · January 2008

I was disappointed in Alvin AND the Chipmonks. Had a lot of potential. Dave and Chipmonks were perfectly cast, the writing, story and plot development were slow. A few laughs, a couple giggles and that was about it in a theatre full of kids. My six year old said it was good. Though he says that about any movie he can watch at a theatre with popcorn, soda and candy. My 12 year old girl didn't care for it. I'd give it 2 Jip-stars max.

ateixeira · January 2008

Yeah, it was a very simple plot line. That's why my 5 year old liked it better than my 8 year old.

Good for the little ones. And goofballs like me.

Karen_S · January 2008

It's been a very long, long time that I've actually laughed out loud watching a film. Not even the much acclaimed "Knocked Up" prompted a chuckle for me. And I wouldn't classify Juno a "chick flick" either.

If there was ever an example of why good writers are important, Juno is it. The dialogue is the wittiest and most intriguing I've heard in a very long time. Couple that with the excellent performances of ALL of the actors and I defy anyone to walk away from this one without a smile on their face. It is a must see and I am planning to see it again! Mostly because I know I missed parts where I and the audience were laughing too loud to hear.

In the Theaters

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