World's Greatest Dad

9/11/09

Went out to see World's Greatest Dad, mostly by lack of other choices, also after seeing quite a large crowd at the sneak peak which I did not attend. I haven't enjoyed too much Robin Williams since Good Will Hunting, but walked into this one with an open mind. World's Greatest Dad is about a hard luck poetry teacher that has been unsuccessful his entire life in getting a book published. Williams' character, raising what appears to be the least respectible high school youth; this movie revolves around their relationship and after a bizarre occurence, the life changing aftermath. The acting in this film outside of Williams is very average and the other characters just seemed awkward interacting with each other. Overall, the film just didn't seem to flow too well, though there were a few moments of laughter during this movie that really wasn't very comedic. Wait for the video.

Inglourious Bastards

8/23/2009

Attended this film with Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones on a recent Sunday afternoon. OK, I went to the movie by myself and he with his wife, but nonetheless we were there at the same time. I had the better seat, but I digress. Inglourious Bastards is Queintin Tarantino's ficticious take on a group of renegade soldiers on a mission to kill one-hundred German-Nazi soldiers each. Not as graphic as some of his other films, Tarantino still put together a good cast loaded with great dialogue. While Brad Pitt's over used heavy southern accent was a bit annoying in my opinion, I want to go ahead and give my early Oscar nomination nod to Christopher Waltz for his role as Colonel Hans Landa. He was brilliant and it could probably be argued that he qualifies for leading or supporting role, as this movie is chopped up, much like most of Tarantino's pictures. A very good film, I would defintely recommend a viewing whether at the theater or before the end of the year on video.

District 9

8/14/2009

Went to watch District 9 knowing absolutely nothing about what to expect. I heard the buzz, or otherwise, this would have probably been a pass for me. A little confusing in the beginning, this documentary style sci-fi film settles down about thirty or so minutes where we find Wikus Van De Merwe caught between arresting alien prawns and trying to save his own life. I give this movie a high rating based on the uniqueness of the plot, something difficult to find these days, but in the end it most likely a slightly above average sci-fi film. A friend of mine described it best today as a movie caught between being a silly mocking style sci-fi and a serious sci-fi. I'm not going to tell you to rush out and see this one, but if you are looking for a movie that you will enjoy for the uniqueness on a Saturday afternoon, this is the one for you this summer.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

7/26/2009

It was a bloody hot day that we waited and waited for Jeremy Piven to show up at an early screening of The Goods. After over three hours of waiting, the last hour outside in the sun, we finally settled in our seats. A huge Entourage fan, I really wanted this movie to be funny...And it was. Though Piven's character, Don Ready mirrors his much lauded Ari Gold character, I was still pleased. There are plenty of laugh out loud scenes throughout the movie and I thought the surrounding cast of characters were very funny. Check this movie out and then rent it, and I bet you will like it even more the second time around.

Public Enemies

6/29/2009

I was able to catch a screening of this movie and thought it was a bit ho-hum. To be honest, I thought the role of John Dillinger was just too easy for Johnny Depp, an actor that I really like. I was hoping to get a little more of the ins and outs and the how-to's of everything that went into robbing banks and the lifestyle of the 30's. I wanted a bit of a history lesson, I think. I thought the movie was well made, just a little shallow in my opinion. The two and half hours certainly didn't help. Wait for the video.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

6/24/2009

Saw the much anticipated Transformers sequel with several friends on opening night. I have to begin with a quick caveat that I just find Shia LaBeouf annoying. There, it is out of the way...OK, to begin, this movie was just entirely too long. Gratuitous fight sequences that were extremely confusing as to who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. I believe it was when LaBeouf briefly died and somehow witnessed what looked to be a robot heaven. Really? Unfortunately, for a movie that you know is fiction and going to be unrealistic, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, takes unrealistic to new heights. Coupled with the running time length of over two and a half hours, makes for quite an uncomfortable seat. Wait for the DVD and don't wear a watch.

Whatever Works

6/16/09

Whatever Works is the newest Woody Allen film with the great Larry David playing his Allen's alter ego. I personally really like Larry David and the vast majority of Allen's "newer" movies, so this movie was right up my alley. The basis of this film is the collision of a lifetime pessimist "genius" (David) and an unlikely new roomate, the very young Melanie (Evan Rachel Wood). Boris Yellnikoff has a philosophy that things may not always make sense, but whatever works...A few other positive chance incidences follow in this movie mixed in with a few funny lines, makes this movie a decent view. No rushing to the theater, but it will give you a good HBO night later in the year.