Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Everything is back. CGI, Michael Bay, Megan Fox, Shia, John Turturro. It's all bigger...but is it better?

A few things - I didn't hate the movie and the CGI is too much. If you've seen the first one, you are getting the second version of that. You know what to expect. Don't hate the first and see this one expecting to love it. You won't. If you liked the first, you'll like this.

The script is written fairly well, minus one scene at the end (apparently when you die you see Transformers in "heaven" and what they tell you changes the course of the movies plot and design for no apparent reason). It's about 2 years later, and the transformers kick some ass with Josh Duhamel and Tyrese on a regular basis across the world. This is until our government realizes the bad robots want to come back, and blame it on the transformers. Long story short, they come back, and they need the transformers and Sam (Shia LaBeouf).

My problem is the CGI is too quick and annoying. Also, they do a terrible job of establishing the transformers characters letting you know who is who. Except in the case of the possibly racist car transformer twins.

All this aside. The movie flows very well. There is a ton of action. For the guys, there is Megan Fox (overrated). You can't really complain.

I rate this movie 7.0 out of 10.

Year One

When I first read of this movie I got excited. When the trailers came out, I was hoping. However, when I entered the theater I knew that I was expecting too much. Harold Ramis is good. He's had a great career. However, trying to write a comedy with Jack Black and Michael Cera about them being cavemen and going through the early years of Earth and having the storyline explain how things came to be was just way, way too much.

Jack Black should always be in a supporting role. He just can't lead it. As should Michael Cera (see: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist). Black just has too much physical comedy which was only funny before the year 2000. Putting David Cross and Paul Rudd in it sounded good, too. However, if you force them to go on a horrible script and have them act in ways they don't (physical comedy), its awful.

They also put in Olivia Wilde for eye candy. Her character is just boring in the movie.

I don't know, basically from 10 minutes in the movie, you know you want to stop watching it, but you just sit through it. Oh, and they put McLovin in it, and he isn't funny in the movie. Coupled with the fact that Hank Azaria is in it doing the voice of the old sea man with the scratchy voice from The Simpsons. Its just painful.

This movie is a mess held together by a terrible portrayal of events that took place... or maybe didn't, over the course of time.

Good idea, bad casting, bad script.

I rate this movie 4.0 out of 10.

The Hangover

Directed by the guy who brought us, Old School. Excellent.

This movie was great from start to finish, best comedy since Step Brothers, one of the top since the year 2000.

Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and kind of Justin Bartha star in a movie full of other names like Rob Riggle, Heather Graham, the overused Ken Jeong, and more. Basically the top 4 mentioned about are going to Vegas to have Bartha a bachelor party. The movie then shifts to the morning after, and Bartha is missing, and chaos ensues.

Zach Galifianakis (hate to spell it) is the scene stealer. You may not know him, but he's been around for a while, and is finally getting what he is due. Hopefully they don't over use him on other projects. Bradley Cooper (funny in Wedding Crashers) can play a comedic/serious role well. Ed Helms, no explanation needed.

Basically, the only drawback to the movie was watching it in a theatre. People were laughing so hard and often, i missed some dialogue. Yeah, it was that funny.

No plus/minus on this one. All plusses. Trust me, just watch it.

I rate this movie 9.5 out of 10.

Step Brothers

Another Will Ferrell Movie...

This time, its under the supervision of Adam McKay and co-stars John C. Reilly. When these 3 work together, there is great chemistry (see Talladega Nights). I guess I could start off by saying its mostly a guy movie. Girls will like it, too, but its geared towards guys.

Reilly and Ferrell are both 40ish year old men who still live with their parents. Their parents meet (Richard Jenkins (great actor) and Ted Danson's wife, Marry Steenburgen) and get married and the two are forced to share a room and live together. The craziness then ensues. Will Ferrell's brother in the movie is hilariously played by Adam Scott. He moved out at a normal age and hates his older brother for being a loser.

Basically, this movie is what it sounds. However, it delivers over and over and over. Hell, even after the credits roll it keeps going. I loved this movie from start to finish. There are a lot of subtle things, and a lot of obvious humor. Also, a lot of guest spots from other comedians.

The premise is crazy, but I guarantee you will laugh.

Plusses

• Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly together
• Adam Scott as Derek
• Adam McKay
• hilarious
• well timed
• well written

Minuses

• not another Ferrell/Reilly movie coming out soon enough

I rate this movie 9.0 out of 10.

Land Of The Lost

Having been too young to see Land of the Lost when it first arrived on TV, I can't comment on on the comparisons. That said, I love Will Ferrell (when he's under the supervision of Apatow or McKay) and I love Danny McBride (yeah he may play a lot of similar roles, but he's great at it).

The movie wasn't the best written movie ever. However, it was Ferrell at his best. He plays Dr. Rick Marshall, a scientist who's been laughed at about his theories on time travel, etc. Him, his assistant, played by Anna Friel, and a tour guide redneck, Danny McBride, end up back in time in a parallel universe. They meet a monkeyish tour guide, played by Jorma Taccone. They get into wacky adventures trying to find a way back home.

The comedy is over the top in most scenes, but the dialogue is pretty decent. Its funny at random points of the movie, and it got me to laugh a decent amount.

However, this movie wasn't written that well, and it let me down.

Plusses

• Danny McBride
• some jokes

Minuses

• lack of decent writing
• too much physical humor

I rate this movie 5.8 out of 10.

Bruno

Coming into this movie I expected to have a Borat feeling. Even though, Bruno was my least favorite of the three Sacha Baron Cohen characters. I was completely excited, and watched Borat again just before I went to go see Bruno. While watching Borat, I realized that I had seen it too much, and it was over played. The jokes didn't have the same effects they did when the movie first came out. I ignored this.

However, it lingered over. There was more shock in Bruno than in Borat, but the same played out theme of making people feel uncomfortable. Taking that thought out of my head, the movie held up on its own. I think a lot of people are just too grossed out to see "pornographic images" (not really) unless its a girl or its in a very artsy movie. Also, people tend to feel uncomfortable around homoerotic humor. Hey, its their taste.

I'm not going to go into the plot, but it basically was an 18 year old Austrian named Bruno coming to the United States to try to become famous, any way he can.

Plusses

• Sacha Baron Cohen is brilliant and funny
• well timed stunts/acts

Minuses

• Borat came out years earlier
• everything was overdone and repetitive, plus commerical didn't help spoiling it

I think this is the end for Cohen's characters. He's a risk taker and will make money especially on this DVD, but the movie has to be considered a flop.

I rate this movie 6.3 out of 10.

There Will Be Blood

At first I tried to avoid this movie when it came out because it seemed boring. Then when I finally first saw the movie, I was dozing in and out of sleep for the first 45 minutes. Basically I'm not going to lie... the begininng of this movie is a little slow. However, by the movie's end, you realize its importance. The movie never lacks detail and everything that takes place is for a reason.

The movie follows Daniel Plainview, an oil man out to dominate his field, played by Daniel Day-Lewis. This role is one of two roles in which he has won an Oscar for Best Actor. He completely deserved it. He immersed himself with this character, and it came out brilliantly. He's on my short list of top actors in the field today, maybe ever. As the story progresses, you realize more and more of what type of man Mr. Plainview is. His nemesis/opposition is a young teen who is the head of a local church where he plans drilling named, Eli Sunday, played by Paul Dano. Oddly enough, too, he also plays his older brother, Paul Sunday, in a short role at the beginning of this movie. Quite odd casting if you ask me.

The movie is 3 hours long, which is a little off putting, especially since it isn't fast paced, but the story is gripping til the end. This movie was rightfully nominated for Best Movie, it wasn't the best, but it was one of the top that year, definitely.

Plusses

• Daniel Day-Lewis, outstanding acting
• great story
• blood, killing
• original

Minuses

• Paul Dano's whining/screaming
• 3 hour movie
• slow first 40 minutes

I rate this movie 8.7 out of 10.

Public Enemies

Bale. Depp. Mann. (Cottilard.)

That billing should make me want to see this movie more than 5 times.

It doesn't.

However, it makes me wonder why. Was this because it was based on a true story that wasn't creative enough to make a full length movie for? Should this have been a documentary? Has Michael Mann lost his ability to entertain?

I think the first question answers my question. Before I go on, I want to talk about something that no one has picked up on yet. Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp is a good actor, agreed. The disagreement is that he is not even in the discussion of top 10 actors. He plays a good character when its all spiced up for him, or when Tim Burton asks him to put on the same repetitive, wacky character role. But, as you can see in this movie, he is greatly outacted by Marion Cottilard and especially Christian Bale. Yet for some reason, Bale never gets the credit.

Going on, this movie briefly outlines the time the movie was going through. With multiple bank robbers and their demises from a vastly improving government agency targetted to stop domestic crime. After which, it focuses on Dillinger the whole time, with a less than 50% split on Melvin Purvis, the man who led his team to eventually capture John Dillinger. The movie is a bit different than the facts of what really happened, but it stays relatively true.

I think the movie had too much information it wanted to cover. Instead of a good story to be entertained by, Mann delivered a good story to be educated by. I never felt sucked into this movie, and it was a disappointment.

All that aside, the movie is very watchable, and there is some great acting, and it is quite educating. However, it doesn't deliver to its hype.

Sorry for the Depp bashing, but he is a little over-rated and I'm not really looking forward to his role as Willy Wonka The Mad Hatter in the new Alice in Wonderland.

I rate this movie 6.5 out of 10.

State Of Play

State of Play despite a few setbacks and cast changes, was still a movie full with talent and big actors. The movie stars Russel Crowe as a journalist for a major Washington D.C. paper who is entirely too committed to his work. It has destroyed his life outside of the job, however, he is one of the best at what he does. His boss is played by Hellen Miren, and he is befriended by new 'online' journalist Rachel McAdams, whom he doesn't like at first. The movie centers around a conspiracy focused on a military security company, and their alleged involvement of an assistant to a congressman, who is played by Ben Affleck, who is also Crowe's characters old roomate. Affleck's character is against giving this company the contracts that would enable them to provide us homeland security and make them rich. From there, we learn twists and turns and up until the final minute, have no clue why any of this has happened.

And the movie does a good job of it, except for one clue which I won't mention.

In addition there is a few spots from some notable actors, Viola Davis, Jason Bateman (as a sleezy character...again, he's getting typecasted it seems), and Jeff Daniels.

I can't find too many faults with the movie. It is very watchable, kind of remniscent of say... U.S. Marshals, you know in the sort of, good political/conspiracy driven thriller. Reminds me of a 90's movie in that. Which isn't bad because these movies are very good, and there aren't much of them anymore. I guess, I'll say thanks to director Kevin Macdonald.

I rate this movie 7.4 out of 10.

The Informers

The Informers is a limited release starring Jon Foster, with supporting roles from Mickey Rourke, Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, and Winona Ryder. To describe the movie, picture the movie Crash in terms of an interweaving group of characters, and then set it in the early 1980's. Then erase any and all plot...

It seems like they failed to include one. The movie was full of characters that were either scumbags, weirdos, or creeps. It never seemed to go anywhere. That doesn't mean there wasn't good acting, however the movie together was just, eh. They did do a good job, however, of keeping it set in the 80's with people not really aware of what AIDS was.

As I watched through this, I just waited for it to end. It had the makings of a decent movie, but it never went anywhere. That is probably why this movie never expanded to a full release.

I rate this movie 4.9 out of 10.

Adventureland

When I first started seeing ad spots for this movie, I decided in my head that this would be a mildly funny, mildly entertaining movie that would keep me amused for an hour and a half.

I was pretty wrong about that.

The movie is entirely too long, over two hours, and feels like its four hours long. Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and Martin Starr are the stars of this movie with guest spots from the T-Mobile kid, Bill Hader, Kristin Wiig, and Ryan Reynolds. While I'm not saying this movie didn't have its moments, it did, but they didn't lead anywhere.

The movie stars Jesse Eisenberg (of The Hunting Party and soon to be Zombieland) as James. A timid college student looking for a summer job. He lands one at an amusement park and falls for Kristen Stewart's character, who has a mixed up life. Problems ensue, jokes, plot, the whole works. Its very predictable. Eisenberg is a pretty good actor, think Michael Cera with more range and acting skills.

The movie has an 80's feels to it, and it can possibly bring some people back to its times. I think the movie could have used a bit more definitive scenes and maybe even gotten rid of some parts.

However, it was watchable, and if you have time to kill and its on TV, its worth a watch. Maybe even rent it from NetFlix. Just don't buy it before you see it.

I rate this movie 6.0 out of 10.

Funny People

To start off, Funny People wasn't exactly what I expected. I knew there would be old Adam Sandler clips from when he and Apatow lived together and it would be integrated into his character, including some his old stand up. However, I didn't realize the movie would be about 30% stand up comedy. However, to my surprise, it was awesome. The standu up from Sandler, Jonah Hill, Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, and even surprisngly Seth Rogen was top notch. The movie really delivered there.

Going with the plot, Jason Schwartzman, Jonah Hill, and Eric Bana really deliver. All 3 of them were great and funny, and had good timing with it.

Basically the movie revolves around struggling comedians trying to make it big and Seth Rogen's character gets lucky even to work with Adam Sandler's character who is a famous comedy actor who's sick. While they both learn from each other, Adam Sandler's character has trouble letting go of his ego, and the drama ensues from there. The chemistry between the two never seems natural, and for once, Rogen actually out acts Sandler as they act side by side.

Overall, the movie had some great standup, some great acting spots, and Jonah Hill was hilarious. But if you are looking for a really good plot, or something as flowingly funny as Apatow's other movies, you probably won't find it. But its a good time, none the less.

I rate this movie 7.2 of 10.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Is it just me, or is Channing Tatum like some robot actor created for action movies? Not saying this is a good thing either. It just seems that he's used because he fits the description of tall, handsome, and fit. I'm not completely knocking him because he doesn't completely lack talent, he is just an average actor, nothing more, nothing less. That aside, this movie is what it is - action. It cut right to the chase.

I think it was made to seem like the cartoon/toys came to life. Which feeling that way, it wasn't that bad when Dennis Quaid had a ridiculous voice the entire movie, or that the fight scenes were unrealistic and action packed. The movie was marketed as a thrill ride and that's what it was.

In addition they tossed in a little action. Some sexy names like Sienna Miller, and some comedy from Marlon Wayans, and some decent writing.

The real trouble with the movie was the lacking of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. For such a good, versatile actor, they really didn't allow him to do much, except for set up the next movie in which he will. Trouble is, this gigantic budget has set to produce results and there may not be a 2nd movie.

However, if there is, I'd expect it to be a lot better. This movie had the right intentions, and just didn't deliver. Seriously, half these movies have too much CGI and its just silly at times.

I rate this movie 6 of 10.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

I came into this movie thinking Will Ferrell and Adam McKay produced this, it should be a classic in the mold of Step-Brothers, Taladega Nights, or East Bound & Down. However, what I got was half of Ari Gold, and a lot of short laughs attached to a terrible plot.

I'll give them credit for the casting, Piven needed a role where he starred in that was a comedy. Ving Rhames, David Koechner, and Kathryn Hahn were great as his sidekicks. Rob Riggle's character was classic, too. However, Jordana Spiro, James Brolin, and Ken Jeong failed to deliver in their respective and appropriately sized roles. The movie just seemed like it had a bunch of lame parts to it.

In comparing this to Step-Brothers, where you laughed constantly throughout the whole movie, The Goods was a few hard, but very short laughs. Most of it seemed used, and over used, mistimed, and Craig Robinson really needs to get a new character, he plays the same one in every movie, and its getting old.

The movies best point came towards the end in the form of Will Ferrell's first small appearance. It was one of the funniest scenes in any movie this year, and definitely the funniest of this one.

I'm really upset about this movie because I looked forward to it so much. It was just boring. I mean I won't deny I laughed, but not enough.

I rate this movie 5.3 of 10.

District 9

Let me start off by saying, WOW. After watching the trailers for the last two months, I figured this would be like another Cloverfield type movie. Where basically its all trailer hype, and the movie doesn't deliver. Needless to say, I was blown away.

The movie starts out in documentary form, laying down the foundation from the aliens first arrival some 30 years ago until present day today. It gives you the people's opinions, feelings, and the whole thing seems very genuine. From there we arrive at the current day. The lead, Wikus Van De Merwe, played by Sharlto Copley, at first seems a little miscast. But shortly after the movie begins and from there on out, you realize more and more that his acting is phenominal for the role.

Short premise for the movie would be that aliens came here 30 years ago in South Africa, and have been relocated after a short time to a "refugee camp" call District 9. The aliens are treated as second class citizens and District 9 has become a slum in the middle of South Africa, and the citizens do not want it there any more. The lead, Wikus, is sent to evict the alien residents and inform them of their relocation to a smaller, more structured, and more militarized camp. At the same time, MNU, a military company who has been contracted to run the "refugee camps" is looking to figure out how to use the aliens' technology. After a short time, Wikus becomes exposed to an alien chemical and the consequences set the tone for the entire movie.

From start to finish this movie is impressive. Its storyline is phenominally written and this movie is something totally different from what we've seen in a long time. Everything seems realistic. The special effects aren't over done, either. Also, we get to look at some fresh, new faces and not the same Hollywood A and B listers.

This is more than just "an alien movie," this is a masterpiece.

I rate this movie 9.6 of 10.

Inglourious Basterds

If you like Quentin Tarantion movies, you'll enjoy this one. It's got his style all over it, which is all good except for one thing. When you feature a lot of dialogue, especially small talk, you should stick to it being in the language of the audience. Having to read subtitles while people spoke German and French for over 2 hours is a bit much. His choice of casting 'the basterds' was a bit intriguing with Eli Roth, BJ Novak, and Samm Levine. The first, isn't the greatest actor to begin with, and the other 2 aren't known for being serious or soldierlike at all. However, his decision to cast Brad Pitt as the lead in the movie and leader of the basterds was brilliant. He was spot on with everything form beginning to end and was the best part of the movie.

Tarantino does a good job of the world the movie takes place in from Germany to the farms of France to the city of Paris. He coves a lot of detail and develops the plot well. However, like he does in most of his movies, he doesn't transition from scene to scene, rather going with chapters. Which isn't a bad technique, but again, with a 2+ hour movie, it just seemed a little too jumpy.

As far as the killing scenes you see in the commercial, again Tarantino delivers, with my only gripe being that there wasn't enough of it.

However, if you like a movie with a lot of killing, graphic violence, and a pretty dark humorous plot this movie is for you. If you hate reading subtitles or sitting over 2 hours in a theatre, flip a coin, either way you'll be ok.

I rate this movie 7.8 of 10.

A Different Take?

Welcome to my movie review blog. Here I intend review movies as I see them as well as movies from the past I've seen. I intend to go into my likes and dislikes. There is going to be no specific format, just my real thoughts. I could end up going on a tangent for paragraphs at a time that deviate from the the movie itself. However, at the end I tend to give it my best 'x out of 10' rating. Enjoy... or don't.