Monday, December 14, 2009
Rolling Stone: Top 10 Films of the Decade 2000-2009
1. There Will Be Blood
2. Cildren of Men
3. Mulhooland Drive
4. A History of Violence
5. No Country For Old Men
6. The Incredibles
7. Brokeback Mountain
8. The Departed
9. Mystic River
10. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

I enjoy films like WHAT JUST HAPPENED? It's a rare film that gives the viewer a glimpse into the real Hollywood...how films are made and how screwed up the business is. The film meanders a bit in the second act and the "surprise ending" which takes place at the Cannes Film Festival really isn't a surprise. Because of this, I think most people will give WHAT JUST HAPPENED? a thumbs down.
Jamie says "6". I enjoyed the back-drop and I always enjoy watching my favorite actor perform as Robert De Niro did a good job.
The best line from WHAT JUST HAPPENED? "Vanity Fair named me as one of the 30 most powerful producers in the business. Power is an elusive term, but in Hollywood it's everything, I don't care what they say, you either have it, want it, or you're afraid of losing it. Where you stand at these things, or who you may be standing next to, may not seem like the most important thing, but it *really* matters"
Robert De Niro's 10 Best Films
1. Goodfellas
2. Cape Fear
3. This Boy's Life
4. Casino
5. Wag The Dog
6. The Untouchables
7. The Mission
8. Heat
9. The Godfather 2
10. Meet The Parents
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
THE NATURAL

Saturday, October 17, 2009
DUPLICITY
Two competing corporate spies decide to shack up while sacking their employers of millions of dollars.Skip DUPLICITY. If the fact that Julia Roberts doesn't sour you on watching it...the fact that the screenplay is boring should do the trick.
Earlier this year Clive Owen was in "THE INTERNATIONAL"....rent this instead.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
SURVEILLANCE

Tuesday, October 06, 2009
The Invention of Lying
In a world where everybody tells the truth, a man learns how to to a lie...and then continues to tell a bunch of whoppers.I really hated this film. In a world where everyone tells the truth...why is everyone so sad? The gimmick of this film is old after the first five minutes. "The Invention of Lying" is a true one joke film.
My wife amd I had a hard time staying awake. We almost left the theater. Jamie says "0".
Monday, October 05, 2009
9

A talking sock puppet, 9, with mechanical innards awakes to find the human race exterminated by Terminator-like machines. 9 finds other talking sock puppets and together they try to save their world from the robotic menace.
"9" is a true original science fiction version. The animation is nothing special which is fine because the story is where its at. Jamie says "7".
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
SORORITY ROW

No surprises here. The plot gives several false leads and stupid hints that are supposed to lead you to the obvious masked killer. Being a seasoned movie-goer, I was not tricked. Nor was I tricked by the scooby-doo-like demasking of the villain at the end of this crap film. Jamie says "0". One good aspect of the film. Who doesn't like a scene with a young hotty holding a fireman's axe?
Rumer (daughter of Bruce and Demi) Willis co-stars in Sorority Row. In my opinion she doesn't look like Bruce and Demi.
Thursday, June 25, 2009

He's Just Not That Into You was directed by Ken Kwapis. His past directorial efforts include "Licence to Wed" and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"...not exactly high-art motion pictures.
...Not Into You isn't an awful film, it's simply weightless and unrealistic. Jamie says "5".
Thursday, May 28, 2009
ANGELS & DEMONS

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The 10 Funniest Actresses
The list in alphabetical order...
Anna Faris...last scene in Observe & Report
Tina Fey...30 Rock
Mindy Kailing...The Office
Jane Krakowski...30 Rock...see what I mean...a very weak list
Julia Louis-Dreyfus...Seinfeld
Jane Lynch...40 Year Old Virgin, Role Models
Amy Poehler...Parks & Recreation
Jaime Pressly...My Name is Earl
Wanda Sykes...Do you need more confirmation?...an extremely weak list
Kristen Wigg...Saturday Night Live
Monday, May 25, 2009
Poll Question #2: Results
The Bourne Trilogy - 12
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - 8
Star Wars (episodes 1-3) - 7
The Matrix Trilogy - 2
Spider-Man Trilogy - 2
I did forget about the X-Men trilogy...would that have changed the results?
Friday, May 22, 2009
MARLEY & ME
Upon a second viewing...MARLEY & ME gets an "8". Be warned...there may not be a dry eye in the house at the end of the film.
Owen Wilson's Best 5 Films
1) Bottle Rocket
2) Wedding Crashers
3) Marley & Me
4) You, Me, & Dupree
5) Behind Enemy Lines
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
NEXT DAY AIR

Monday, May 18, 2009
POLL QUESTION #2 RESULTS
Forrest Gump - 14
Shawshank Redemption - 10
Pulp Fiction - 6
Friday, May 15, 2009
Top 10 Worst Comedians...According to Maxim
1. Sinbad
2. Larry the Cable Guy
3. Jay Leno
4. Andrew Dice Clay
5. Gallagher
6. Carrot Top
7. Dane Cook
8. Gilbert Gottfried
9. Dennis Miller
10. Carlos Mencia
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
3 Short Reviews: Star Trek, Obessed, The Haunting...

Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Happy Birthday Ving

Monday, May 11, 2009
GREAT MOVIES: RESERVOIR DOGS

Released during the summer of 1992 and directed and written by then no-name Quentin Tarentino, RESERVOIR DOGS was film-mania's introduction to the "world of Tarentino". In Tarentino's world he dared us to listen how real tough guys talk, act, and kill people.
RESERVOIR DOGS follows the aftermath of a jewelry heist gone bad. When the team of hoodlums meet at the rendezvous point shot up and near death they begin to turn on each other trying to find the rat that let the boys in blue know the heist was going down. The film stars Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and Steve Buscemi. All of these actors excluding Penn will be featured in future Tarentino flicks.
My favorite aspect of any Tarentino flick are his screenplays. The language and rhythm of the characters seem so real. No one has ever walked in the shoes of his characters...but if one did...they would talk and act like one of QT's characters.
Put the kids to bed when watching this flick....Violence, blood, torture and some of the filthiest language ever heard on a rated R film is prevalent through out RESERVOIR DOGS.
Quentin Tarentino followed RD with 1994's PULP FICTION. RESERVOIR DOGS is much more subdued than PULP FICTION. Both films would be a great rental double feature the next time the kids are at a sleep-over.
QT's next film will be released this August...INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (yes, this is spelled correctly!), staring Brad Pitt.
Poll Question Results
Footloose - Kenny Loggins 9
Against All Odds - Phil Collins 6
Hello - Lionel Richie 1
Thursday, May 07, 2009
BODY OF LIES
Instead of fighting Klingons this weekend...rent BODY OF LIES. Jamie says "8".
Russell Crowe's 5 Best Films:
1) A Beautiful Min
2) L.A. Confidential
3) The Quick & the Dead
4) Gladiator
5) Body of Lies
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Happy Birthday George
Monday, May 04, 2009
DOUBT

DOUBT is a great film. Typically, I can take or leave (usually leave) Meryl Streep. Some say she's our greatest living actress. I say she's our most over-rated living actress. Personally, I'll take Kate Winslett over Streep...until now. Going into the 2009 Oscars one of the most heated battles was between Streep for her portrayal as a nasty nun in DOUBT and Winslet as a past Nazi who enjoys seducing teenage boys. It was obvious to me that Winslet was going to win. Her role was dramatic, brave, and she was due to win because of her past nominations and non-wins...all words and situations that the Academy love to praise and honor with the little gold man. When she won, I was happy. I would rather my big-toe win over Streep. At Oscar time, I hadn't seen DOUBT.
My opinion has changed. After seeing DOUBT over the weekend not only should have Streep won best actress, Philip Seymour Hoffman should have beat out Heath Ledger for best supporting actor (yes, he is that good in this picture), and Amy Adams should have won over Penelope Cruz (for the record...I have a big crush on Cruz).
DOUBT gets an "8". The end through me for a loop and questioned my faith in placing DOUBT onto my annual list of the 10 best films of the year. Simply stated, the acting in DOUBT is some of the best I've seen from an ensemble cast. The scenes with Streep and Hoffman going at it were some of the most memorable in any film released in 2008.
You will see that my post/ best of 2008 list from earlier in the year has been changed.
My 4 favorite Meryl Streep films...
1) Postcards From the Edge
2)The Manchurian Candidate
3) Doubt
4) Silkwood
2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS
The 5 films nominated for the best flick: Slumdog Millionaire, Twilight, Iron Man, The Dark Knight, High School Musical 3: Senior Year.
My vote goes to The Dark Knight. I don't think I know anyone who went to see HSM3SY?
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Wolverine must be considered as a "cash grab" for Hugh Jackman. The film is almost plotless and very poorly made. There are several scenes that one can easily tell were filmed with fancy "green screen technology". This is the high-concept technology that your local weatherman uses to stand in front of the animated weather map...very cool! X-Men Origins: Wolverine gets a "2".
Although Hugh Jackman is a good actor, he is getting very close to throwing away all of the good-well he has built up over the past 8 years. His last three motion pictures were all awful: Deception, Australia, and now Origins...One can officially say Jackman has hit a dry spell.
My 3 favorite Hugh Jackman films...
1) The Prestige (one of the best films of this decade)
2) Kate & Leopold (a little seen rom-com co-staring Meg Ryan)
3) Swordfish ( a pure, fun popcorn flick that received average reviews from professional critics)
One last comment on Wolverine...Why the hell is Ryan Reynolds in this movie?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
ADVENTURELAND
ADVENTURELAND is the first great film of 2009. Its comical, emotional, and it will bring back lots of memories if you consider yourself a child of the 80's. Jamie says "9".
I can't wait to pick the film's soundtrack.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
FAST & FURIOUS
FAST & FURIOUS is a little too slow and a little to nice for my liking. Much like part 2 and part 3...part 4 can be skipped. Jamie says "5".
Monday, March 09, 2009
WATCHMEN
Based on the 1987 graphic novel of the same name, WATCHMEN might be the most anticipated work of fiction to ever make it to the big screen. Was it worth the anticipation? I first heard about the graphic novel about a year ago when production started on the film. Because of this, I'm not qualified to compare the graphic novel and its film adaptation as I haven't read the graphic novel. I also possess a few other attributes that disqualify myself from critiquing the adaptation...1) I'm married (I've touched a live woman this decade). 2) I don't live in my parents basement. 3) I don't live my life according to any type of Jedi code.
WATCHMEN gets props for being original and well made. Its one knock is that the plot has more drama than the typical super-hero film. A little more action would have done wonders for my waining interest as the film lasted more than 150 minutes. Jamie says "7".
Sunday, February 22, 2009
PUSH

I've never left a theater before the movie I was watching was completely over. I consider this to be a moral rule as well as a badge of honor. PUSH tested my limits regarding this rule to the point that I was hoping a mad-man walked into the theater with an automatic weapon and started wasting the audience.
Yes, PUSH is that bad. I'm unable to say one redeeming quality of this film. PUSH is a mess from its screenplay, acting, special affects, and direction. I feel I'm dumber for have watched it.
PUSH is directed by Paul McGuigan. As bad as PUSH is McGuigan has had success in the past. in 2004 he directed WICKER PARK which was on my honorable mention list for the best films of that year. In 2006 he directed LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN, another good film.
PUSH gets a "0". However, if McGuigan's past work is any indication of his talent. He has the possibility to rebound nicely.
Friday, February 20, 2009
TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2008
TOP 10 MOVIES of 2008
1. The Dark Knight
2. In Bruges
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. Iron Man
5. Cloverfield
6. Step Brothers
7. Doubt
8. The Bank Job
9. Tropic Thunder
10. The Visitor
Honorable Mentions
Quid Pro Quo
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Gran Torino
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
My Bloody Valentine 3D

My Bloody Valentine is nearly the same slasher horror flick as the hundreds that have come before it. Good looking actors are terrorized my a relentless killer hell bent on causing as much bloodshed and mayhem as humanly possible. Added to the the blood curdling screams on screen is the fact that all of this happens in 3D.
I must be honest, the 3D affect drew to this flick. My Bloody Valentine is the first 3D film I've seen in a theater. Because the 3D effects are so well done the audience gets the privilege of bloody body pieces flying at their faces and appearing to land in their laps. Fun!
The plot, or lack there of, is very familiar. If you don't see the flick in 3D, there is no need to see the movie. Jamie says "4". A word of warning...My Bloody Valentine is the bloodiest slasher movie I've ever seen.
For the record...I can't wait to see "Friday the 13th"!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
The Wrestler

Sunday, February 01, 2009
Worst Films of 2008
2. Mad Money
3. Mama Mia
4. In the Name of the King
5. Strange Wilderness
6. Meet Bill
7. Deception
8. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
9. Prom Night
10. Charlie Bartlett
Dishonorable Mentions
The Spirit
Miracle at St. Anna
Jumper
Semi-Pro
10,000 BC
Drillbit Taylor
Bangkok Dangerous
Babylon A.D.
The Eye
Leatherheads
88 Minutes
The Punisher:War Zone
Friday, January 02, 2009
Yes Man
Yes Man is a safe comedy. Carrey has done this kind of film before with the likes of Liar Liar. Although Liar Liar is a superior film, Yes Man supplies a few good laughs as well as serving a simple life lesson: In life, when we sit on the side-lines one can easily get depressed. Complacency begins to feel a little too comfortable and living life to its fullest becomes that much more difficult. When people begin to say "yes" more often...one begins to have much more fun.