Gamer

From the people who brought you Crank and Crank: High Voltage, present Gamer. Modifying their over-the-top action style slightly to present a much more realistic (although still not believable) movie in which Gerard Butler, or Kable, a convicted murderer (although since everyone knows he's the good guy, he obviously didn't do what he was accused of), who's signed up for a real life video game. Basically imagine you control a real human in Call of Duty or Halo. His game player is a 17 year old kid who is great at these games. The two of them working together have managed to keep Kable alive for over 20 days. If he survives 30 days, he gets his freedom. Kable is a hero to the world as this is being broadcasted on PPV by billionaire Ken Castle, played by Michael C. Hall (of Dexter fame). He also has another project similar to as if the Sims were real. People get paid to be a Sim, and people pay to control them. Castle doesn't want Kable to win at all costs, but why?

Directors/writers Neveldine and Taylor present this in incredible quality and depth as to translating these video games to real life people. Real gamers will laugh and enjoy all the subtleties that are presented before them. The story is fast-paced, but it flows great. Its non-stop action.

There are tons of names in this from Ludacris to Kyra Sedgewick to UFC Star Keith Jardine, John Leguizamo, Milo Ventimiglia (of Heroes), Terry Crews, and blink if you catch him Efren Ramirez (Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite, and all other Neveldine/Taylor movies).

I would have to say I was quite impressed. This movie is ridiculous, but in a good way.

I rate this movie 7.8 out of 10.

Push

I wanted to see this movie when it hit theatres, however it got little screen time by me. So I had to wait. I'm not going to say the movie was worth the wait, but it was very good.

The movie stars Chris Evans (he is who he is). Not a terrible choice, but he works. Also stars, Dakota Fanning as a teenager, Camilla Belle, and Djimon Hounsou. Everyone has their own abilities as well as many others in the world. Evans is a Mover, he can move things with his mind. Belle and Hounsou plays a Pusher, who can push thoughts into people's minds. Fanning plays someone who can draw the future. There are other types of characters, too.

The premise is that Hounsou is a member of an agency called the Division, who is after Belle and others because of what they can do. Evan's character, Nick is the boyfriend of Belle's character, Kira, and him with the help of Dakota Fanning's character, Cassie try to save her.

The movie sounds simple and dumb, but actually is quite intricate. The directing wasn't the best, but this was a great script if you are into sci-fi. Yeah, its not realistic, either, but the way its explained, if you realize its a movie, you'll enjoy it.

This actually surprised me as I expected it to be lame and cheesy once they got explaining everything, and it turned out to be the exact opposite.

If you like suspense, action, intricate twists and plots, you'll enjoy this. More likely if you are between the ages of 20-30. Just my guess.

I rate this movie 7.0 out of 10.

Watchmen

I'll admit it, and most should... the opening credits were probably one of the best parts of the movie. I'll also add this - I never read the graphic novel, so any differences wouldn't have bothered me. The characters were original in this one. They were acted beautifully, too. The special effects were fantastic as well. The movie flowed, as well. It was long, about 3 hours. (seems I always mention length) However, I didn't mind the length. I became engrossed in it.

The movie is about if super heroes really existed in our world. Basically an alternate reality of how things would be. However, all but 1 of these super heroes have no super powers. The movie begins with one of the heroes being killed, years after they were all retired. The movie follows around Jackie Earle Haley's Rorschach character, named after the psychiatric ink blot Rorscach test because his mask had an everchanging ink blot on it. The mystery and action ensue from there.

The movie is made to flow like a graphic novel would. It also doesn't take itself too seriously using song choices at awkward moments to lighten to mood. Some people find that takes away from the movie, I find that it lets people know how the movie should be viewed.

I'm not a Jeffrey Dean Morgan fan by any means, mostly because he does girl movies, yet he played his character perfectly. Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan was awesome as well. However, Rorschach still takes the cake. Haley did an amazing job at making his character intelligent, deranged, energetic, stubborn, and psychotic all at the same time.

If you like comic book / graphic novel movies, I'd recommend you watch this one.

I rate this movie 8.1 out 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.