Last First Impression of 2009

Okay, here's the last First Impression for 2009. Inception is a sci-fi action/adventure flick starring Leonardo Dicaprio. After watching the trailer, which you can view here, I was more than sure that I'd be seeing this. Let's hope director Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight) doesn't disappoint—I have the feeling he won't.

New Look

Okay, if you have looked at this blog over the past day or two, it's gone through a little bit of a "plastic surgery nightmare" — but, we are pleased to announce that with the help of some knowledgeable people who we call friends, the site was saved from further exposure before it was ready.

And now, it's ready—at least on the surface. There will be more changes and modifications coming soon, so check back with us then.

Thanks.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

Okay, Christmas Day is always a great day to go see a movie, weather permitting and once all the presents are opened.

This Christmas Day I had the opportunity to see the latest Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. It was everything I expected it to be - no more, no less. It wasn't a bad movie, and there were definitelty some funny parts - both for the kids and the parents (if you've seen it, think "Dutch oven").

Will it win any awards? Probably not, but it was entertaining and I think my kids liked it. The music was upbeat and popular, so that's a good thing. Will I see it again in the theater? No, probably not - maybe as a rental in the future.


The Other Critic Writes Again

All About Steve

There are only two things that I remember from the trailer for this movie: her red boots and the fact that she fell in a mine.

With that said, this movie was a surprise to me. It was definitely a comedy. But I don't know if I could label this as a romantic comedy. Maybe abnormal stalker comedy (if you've seen the movie, you'll understand that little joke). If not, go see the movie.

All-in-all it was a great movie, definitely right up Sandra Bullock's alley. The way Sandra portrayed her character was very believable. Without giving away too much, or the ending, let me just say that if you are in the mood to laugh this is a good movie to see.


The Other Critic Writes Again

The Blind Side Opened My Eyes

I love movies that are based on true stories. I think they are easier for most people to relate to. This movie was no exception.

It never ceases to amaze me that in a world full of problems, conflict and constant day-to-day chaos, there are still good Samaritans.

Sandra Bullock did an amazing job portraying her character in this movie, as did the rest of the cast. There were emotional parts, humorous parts and parts that made me think if something like this can happen to someone, then I should be able to overcome anything that stands in my way.

Is this movie worth seeing? Definitely. Will you tear up? Probably, although I must admit, I thought it was going to be more of a tear jerker for me than it actually was.

Good movie.

Two Days in a Row of First Impressions

Wow, two days in a row of First Impressions. I told you that 2010 was going to be a good year for movies.

The first was a surprise to me. Shrek Forever After. Looks promising, loved all the other ones. Hope this one doesn't disappoint—seeing how this will be "the last one." We'll see. Here's the trailer (and for those of you with an iPhone, view it here).

The next First Impression is a strange, and yet fascinating, coupling of talent. What do you get when you take Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Disney and twist them together? Alice in Wonderland, of course, with Mr. Depp playing the Mad Hatter. This one will be a must see in the theaters for me. Here's the trailer (iPhone users click here).

That's it for today.

First Impression

Okay, today's First Impressions are epic, to say the least. It seems that there are certain times of the year that are favored more than others for movie releases. It seems to me like some of the best movies are released in May. This coming spring there will be plenty to choose from.

Set to be released in March is our First Impression, Clash of the Titans. Here's the trailer (iPhone users view here).

The next epic release teams Ridley Scott with Russell Crowe telling the tale of Robin Hood. Set to release in May, this will have to contend against Ironman 2. Here's the trailer for Robin Hood (iPhone users view here).

I have a sneaking suspicion that 2010 is going to be a good year for movies.

The Princess and the Frog

Okay, one of the best places to be on a cold December Saturday is none other than the movie theater with the family.

This weekend I had the chance to see the new Disney movie The Princess and the Frog. I was impressed. I didn't think that Disney was in the business of making anything that didn't have the name Pixar in it.

The story, music and animation was everything that you would expect from Disney. It was a fun show, definitly one that we will more than likely purchase and watch over and over again.


The Other Critic Writes Again

Home Alone

Ah, the holidays. Nothing like the holidays to give you an excuse to take a stroll down memory lane and watch all the holiday classics.

I had the opportunity to sit down with my family and watch Home Alone last night. Now, the acting wasn't as bad as it could have been, but kids are kids, and I really don't think they care. It was funny to see my kids watch this movie, because they were really concerned that he was left all alone at home. Once the story got going they were fine with him being all alone, but then there were the robbers. Once the robbers started getting hurt, it was all laughs. Even I laughed at some of the pain, and cringed at others.

Over all, it was a good reminder of fun times when I was younger.


The Other Critic Writes Again

A Christmas Carol; A New Take on an Old Classic

Tis the season for holiday movies, both old and new. I had the opportunity to take my family to see the new version of Dickens A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey. We've all read the story, or at least heard it. There wasn't really anything different story wise to this version, but it went above and beyond when it came to the animation. Very realistic and detailed, things really came to life - especially the Scrooge character.

It is a little scary in parts, especially for little kids, but over all this was a really good film, full of everything that makes for a good holiday feel good movie.


The Other Critic Writes Again

First Impression

I have decided to stop using a particular day to do the First Impressions on and go with a more open flow environment. With that said, here we go (on a Tuesday).

Check out this trailer for an action packed spy thriller due out next summer. With explosions, gun fire and Angelina Jolie, Salt looks like the perfect summer movie. Here's the trailer. (And for the iPhone users, click here)

Next up is a new Zac Efron movie titled Me and Orson Wells. This one's a little more on the dramatic side, with a side dish of Claire Danes for romance. Definitely a date movie, not one that you and your buddies could, or should, just decide to watch on a whim. Here's the trailer. (And for the iPhone users, click here)

And for those of you who like a feel-good, half a box or tissue tear jerker, check this out. Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford star in Extraordinary Measures. Grab a tissue and check out the trailer here (iPhone viewers click here)

That's all the First Impressions for now, but you never know when you're going to find an extra three or four minutes to watch a trailer, or two, worth talking about and sharing.

First Impression Wednesday

I thought I'd start to get into the holiday spirit by giving out a few more First Impressions. With the holidays just around the corner, there's bound to be at least one movie to see that's going to be good. Here are a few to consider.

Let's start off with Matt Damon and Greg Kinear in Green Zone. Here's the trailer.

Love Matt Damon in this kind of a role, he does a great job. Even though this doesn't come out until the spring, it's nice to see good previews this close to the holidays.

Look for more trailers under the tree to unwrap coming soon.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant'

I have recruited again; this time the services of my friend Aaron Watson. Here's his take on Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant'.

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So, the other night I reluctantly went to see 'Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant' with my wife. I had no desire to see this movie, because it looked very “Nickelodeon” to me and childish. It just seemed too... teeny-bopper for me. But, my wife is a vampire fan and likes these kind of things so I obliged. And ya know what? I was pleasantly surprised. No, that doesn’t sound quite right. Let’s say, I was surprisingly entertained.

There are some good story elements in this film. Consequence. Friendship. Sacrifice. I particularly like the tragic “best friends turned arch-enemies” story line. No Oscars will be given for this film, but some of the characters (as the title implies) are delightfully twisted. (Others are just twisted.) And surprisingly, I was not bothered a bit by John C. Riley playing a non-comedic role. He played his part rather well.

One thing that does niggle me about the movie, though, is that I feel it suffers from a personality disorder. It doesn't know what kind of movie it is supposed to be. It definitely has a “Nickelodeon”, "after-school-special" air about it. But, there is strong language, relatively intense violence, and displays of disturbing behavior which feel out of place. But, perhaps that’s what the creators wanted you to feel... A sense of unease or disconnection.

Ultimately, I enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds and am now considering reading the books as well. For a fun fantasy/horror escape I’d recommend 'Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant'.

First Impression Monday

Since I missed last Fridays post, I thought I'd do it today—who couldn't use a little pick-me-up on Monday, right? Here goes.

The first movie trailer I have selected is Clint Eastwood's Invictus. Based on a true story, this powerful movie stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. I really, really like these actors—what makes this even better is the fact that the movie is based on a true story.

Here's the trailer for it.

The second, and final, movie for today's installment of First Impression is another movie based on a true story called The Blind Side. Starring Sandra Bullock (which as of late I have been very impressed with) this is sure to be one of the best films of 2009.

Here's the trailer:

That's it for this week.

The Maiden Heist

Interesting enough, I think this is one title that probably didn't get a lot of attention when it came out, but I have to tell you, I was pleasantly surprised with this one.

Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman and William H. Macy play the role of three museum guards who over the years have come to be quite attached to certain pieces of art. Besides a bit of a Mr. Rodgers slow start, this was a great no-brainer of a movie. It reminded me a little of the whole Night at the Museum movie with Ben Stiller, minus most of the laughs and a little more suspense.

Worth renting, especially if you've seen almost everything else.

Jennifer's Body

You know, that Megan Fox sure is hot - but if you know what's good for you, you'll want to go back and watch the two Transformer movies you've already seen about a million times and leave this one alone.

Without ruining the whole movie for those of you who don't want to take my advise just be warned that this is a bad movie. Bad story, bad acting. Once I caught on to what was happening, I was like, seriously?don't waste your money on this one. Trust me.


The Other Critic Writes Again

Delta Force 2

Didn't I tell you I liked comedies starring Chuck Norris? Seriously, they should have stopped with the first one. In fact, Chuck Norris should have gone straight to doing Walker Texas Ranger.

If you own this movie on DVD, I hope you use it for a coaster.


The Other Critic Writes Again

Movie Endings That Suck

Okay, here's the newest feature to The Other Critic blog - it's called Movie Endings That Suck (from now on called METS). You might agree, you might not. That's up to you.

WARNING. Possible spoiler(s) ahead.

Just watched The Breakup on TV the other night. It'd been a while since I had seen it. As the ending neared, it dawned on me that I didn't like the ending. Sure enough, the movie ended and I was right. What a stupid ending. They should have stayed together. Too little effort too late on Vaughn's character.

This movie ending sucked.

Tidbits: Zombieland

There are always little mistakes in movies that make it in, whether on purpose or completely by accident.

It's one thing to have a car driving in the distance like in Lord of the Rings, but when you don't fact check, that's when things get real interesting.

Every so often, well have these little "tidbits" of information for you. The first comes from Zombieland. When Columbus and Witchita are reminiscing about 1997, Witchita makes the comment that in 1997 she saw her first rated R film, Anaconda. Bzzzz. Wrong. Anaconda is rated PG-13.

There's a little tidbit for you to chew on.


The Other Critic Writes Again

August Rush

Wow. This movie took me to the edge and beyond. There's never enough tissue to stiffle a good cry during a movie like this.

Besides the awesome story and music, the cast was amazing. Who knew that you could ever dislike Robin Williams so much -what a performance.

I really, really enjoyed this movie. Just goes to show you that when you think you've seen all the good ones, there's always at least one that you haven't.

It is true, there's music all around us - you just have to listen.


The Other Critic Writes Again

Delta Force 1

Oh, man. We've hit Chuck Norris rock bottom.

If you thought that the acting in Walker: Texas Ranger was bad, strap yourselves in - you're in for a real treat.

This movie was bad. Bad, bad, bad. The acting was awful. The terrorists were portrayed as these off the wall bipolar nut jobs - half the time threatening to blow up the plane, the next making sure a pregnant woman on board is comfortable (with pillows). And don't get me started on the choreography. It was like watching an extended version of an A-Team, except people actually got shot.

Oh, man. I can't wait for Delta Force 2. Really, I love comedies.


The Other Critic Writes Again

Assassination of a High School President

Now, I've seen some Bruce Willis shows that I didn't care for...this was not one of them. Granted, Mr. Willis was not one of the main characters, but for me, he carried a good part of the show.

This was actually a very interesting show. I really enjoyed the way there was a modern, more of a grown up twist on this story set in a private Catholic school.

Sometimes somenof the best shows never make it to the theaters. Sometimes.

Marley and Me

Okay, before I go any farther I need to warn you about this show (potential spoiler ahead).

If you cry easily at shows (like I do) you might want to make sure you have tissue on hand or not watch it at all. This show really got to me, like I'd heard it would. I've always been a fan of both Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, but this movie brought them further up my list of all time greats.

If you've ever owned a dog you will be able to relate to this movie and everything that this couple goes through.

This was a great movie.


The Other Critic Writes Again

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Wizard of Oz

Well, my kids go to experience what some might call "an oldie, but a goodie" last night when we watched The Wizard of Oz. Is it me, or has that movie always been that full of singing? Man, it's was like every other sentence lead to a song. Not that it's a bad thing - my kids did seem to enjoy it, which was a good thing. I just remember it a little bit differently from when I was a kid. Still, it's always nice to see the bad guys get it in the end, even if it was only with a bucket of water.


The Other Critic Writes Again

He's Just Not That Into You

So, I thought I'd give this one at least a chace before I passed judgement on it for being yet another typical chick-flick. You know what? I actually liked it. (this shouldnt come as a surprise to anyone who knows me).

I was surprised to see so many big name actors and actresses in this film. Usually there's one, maybe two, big names (any more than that and there's bound to be ego parking trouble). There was a nice cast to this movie. The story was interesting as well - not too predictable, but at the same time you weren't required to think too hard to see where things were heading.

This was a good movie, although probably not a good first or second date movie.


The Other Critic Writes Again

Twinkies, Zombies, and Bill Murray: Zombieland Rocks

As promised (for those of you who are connected via Facebook) here is my "official" review of Zombieland.

This movie freakin' rocks! It combines the perfect blend of comedy and zombie gore, along with a great story and an awesome cameo by Bill Murray himself (stay in your seats until after the credits roll for an extra treat). And the nice thing about this film is the fact that it's not really your typical zombie horror flick—this was an awesome, light-hearted take on the whole virus-infested, flesh eating movie genre.

And whatever you do, remember the rules (watch the movie and you'll understand).

The Other Critic Writes Again

New Moon trailer

I just saw the New Moon trailer again. Gives me chills.


The Other Critic Writes Again

48 Hours

I could go all night ripping apart the horrific acting of movies in the 80s, I really could. But, if I stopped, what fun would that be? Besides, there has to be at least a few movies done in the 80s with decent acting, right?

Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy together in what appears to be a Lethal Weapon wanna-be. Man, I don't know what's worse, Nolte's acting or the fight choreography in the film. I don't think I'll watch this show again. Not really one of those "keepers" if you know what I mean.

I'm glad at least Eddie Murphy did something with his acting career.

-- The Other Critic Writes Again

First Impression Friday

What the heck, let's do one more.

Do you like John Woo? Do you like epic war movies? If the answer is yes (and why wouldn't it be?) then do I have a treat for you. Take a look.

This will definitely be one to see in the theaters, for sure. There's just something about an epic war movie that demands it be seen first on the big screen. Fun, fun.

First Impression Friday

Okay, I haven't done this in awhile—my apologies.

I am not sure if I am going to do more than this one today, we'll just have to see. Today's FIF movie is From Paris With Love. It was the poster first that caught my eye. For a split second I thought we were going to get another Daniel Craig Bond movie. After looking closer (and then watching the trailer) I realized that I was wrong. See for yourself.

The movie looks good, probably one I will try and see in theaters. Still, I wish it would have been a trailer for a real Bond movie.

Another First Time: Gremlins 2 The New Batch

Yeah. Gremlins 2: The New Batch. They really, really should have stopped with the first one. Really. This movie was horrible. From the story to the acting. There should be a law against movies like this.

The only redeeming quality of this movie—and even this is a stretch—is the cameo appearance of the 80s wrestling icon Hulk Hogan (please don't confuse the 80s Hogan with the washed-up, has-been that's on tv these days).

Just awful. Yuck.

There's a First Time For Everything: Gremlins

Yeah, yeah. Don't act so surprised. There are lots of movies that I've never seen before. Gremlins is one of them.

This was definitely a movie of the 80s, of that I am certain of. The acting (as with most movies of that time) was hideously awful, but still fun to watch. I loved the old Chinese guy who scolded the family at the end for letting Gizmo watch television. But the best part by far was seeing a very young Cory Feldman. Man, that kid was in everything in the 80s.

-- Posted from my iPhone

On the Menu Today: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

I have to say, I was a little unsure about this movie when I saw the previews. I guess I was a little hesitant about the story - after all, how far can you go with food?

To my surprise, this was a seven course meal in humor, laughs and overall entertainment - with a cherry on top. The animation was very loose and fun and the story not only kept my kids attention, it kept mine. And there was plenty of jokes for the adults to go around.

All in all, this was a great show for everyone in the family - very entertaining.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Passengers Goes First Class

It's been a long time since I've seen a movie that makes me feel the way I feel right now. This was really a great show with a great ending. If you get a chance to see it, do.

9 Gets 7.5 Rating

So, I was really looking forward to this movie. Ever since I saw the trailer and the short film the movie was based on, I have been excited.

I went with some friends to a late show last night to see 9. I should have realized I was in for it when the trailers were few in number and even less in quality. Man, they were really, really bad. But, don't let me persuade against seeing this movie. The animation and story were absolutely amazing. Very visually pleasing to the eye and imagination. There were only two things that I was disappointed with. The first was the way it ended. It wasn't a bad ending, just a little anti-climactic. The second, and bigger, letdown, in my opinion, was the misleading message that the trailer ave when it came to the music. Again, the music wasn't bad, just not what was portrayed in the trailer. I think the movie would have been a lot better if the music would have incorporated a little more of the music from the trailer.

With that said, 9 fell a little short with me, but was still a great show and worth seeing in the theater.

Crank 2: High Voltage Sizzles Out

Boo. Hiss. Don't bother with this movie—even if it's free. If you go to a friend's house and they have rented it, turn it down and tell them you'd rather have acid poured in your eyes.

Hey, I am a really big Jason Statham fan, but seriously, a sequel to the first Crank movie? That movie was bad enough, but the second movie was just awful. Horrible acting, and an even worse story.

Don't waste your time with this one.

Coraline

Let me just say this: I might be getting up every few hours to reassure my children that my wife and I have no intentions of sewing buttons on their eyes after watching this. This was really a pretty twisted, and scary, concept for a movie. While the animation was very unique, this is not a movie I would let my kids watch again.

Mean Machine

If you're a fan of Vinnie Jones and Jason Stathom, Mean Machine is a well-oiled entertainment vehicle.

I saw this show a few years ago for the first time and loved it as much the second time around. Lots of action, a bit of humor and a great ending.

If you like Brittish films, give this one a spin around the yard.

First Impression Friday

Oh boy, oh boy have I got a few trailers I want to share with you!

First up is Law Abiding Citizen (Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler). Check out the trailer:

Holy cow, does this look like a good show. Reminds me of a combination of a few shows, like Taken with Liam Neeson. I got the chills watching this trailer.

Next up is Whiteout with Kate Beckinsale. Check out the trailer:

Nothing good EVER happens when the setting for a movie is Antarctica. Nothing. This looks good—maybe a bit predictable, but you never know. Might be worth watching in the theater. We'll see.

The last First Impression for today is Legion with Paul Bettany and Dennis Quaid. Check out the trailer:

From the trailer, I think this is what you'd get if you took Dawn of the Dead and smashed it together with Constantine, with a little Dogma sprinkled on top. Not sure how I feel about this one. It might end up being a rental. I do like Paul Bettany, though.

That's it for this installment of First Impression Friday.

Dragonball Evolution

Ever have one of those days where you think you've seen all there is to see (movie wise, that is) and so you start scraping the bottom of the barrel for something to entertain your brain? Yeah, you know what I am talking about.

Dragonball Evolution is one of "those movies". Man, I wish I could scrub it from my brain—it was truly a great example of one of the movies that should have stayed as a cartoon. I am not going to apologize to all of the 10 and 11 year olds (and the small handful of grown men living in their mom's basement) who idolize the character Goku—this whole movie reaked of truly bad acting.

The only saving grace was that the movie only lasted a mere 85 minutes. Even the fact that Chow Yun Fat was in it was not enough to make this movie palatable.

Sorry, kids. I wouldn't watch this one again if you paid me.

In Four Sentences: District 9

Instant classic, as good and as memorable as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner, you don't want to miss seeing this in the theater if you like sci-fi at all. District 9 is a near perfect mix of Halo and Cloverfield. The south african setting and documentary style make this feel extremely plausible. But despite that they deliver everything and more in the climax.

17 Again

So, 17 Again just came out on DVD this week. After a bit of a fiasco with a faulty DVD, I was able to finish the movie and now comes the review.

I was a little unsure about this movie, to be honest. Zac Efron was in the High School Musical movies, and I was a little unsure how he would transition into a show like this. When it started it was like watching a scene from HSM3 all over again. Thankfully, things slowly left that road and got on the right track.

At one point very early on, my movie conscience whispered to me, "hey, this looks like it could be a scene from 'It's A Wonderful Life' ". Seriously. The whole part with the janitor and the bridge at night... Totally a Jimmy Stewart moment.

I think the highlight of this movie (as with most of the movies that I've see lately) had to be the older version of of the nerdy waterboy turned multiple-millionare. He really was the highlight of the movie for me.

Overall, this was worth the time and travel it took to get a DVD that wasn't defective. A great movie with lots of laughs and a great message.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Okay, here's my take on this novel turned to film.

When I first saw the trailer, I thought "hmm, interesting concept, might be worth renting." Then my wife read the book, finished it in a matter of days and proclaimed that she wanted to see this film opening night.

This was a very good movie, full of emotion. A good combination of laughter and tears, this romantic, sci-fi drama left me wanting to read the book - if I can find the time, I just might do that. Eric Bana's performance was outstanding, as was that of Rachael McAdams.

It's a great thing when a novel gets turned into a movie that actually follows the original plot.

The New New Moon Trailer

Okay, I am sitting in the theater and I just saw the new trailer for New Moon. That movie is going to rock.

In Four Sentences: A Perfect Getaway

I was really surprised at how good this movie really was. I expected a slasher flick but it was very well thought out, more like a Hitchcock. But it was definitely fun, unlike Hitchcock, in that it was fast and quick witted and very modern. The violence was short and to the point, much classier then I expected.

In Four Sentences: G.I. Joe

Really dumb in a cheesy and far-fetched kinda way, yet really fun in that they really thought through all the sequences. Makes me think an awful lot of the movie Spy Kids, except Joe is made for adults. They did a great job still keeping a human element and making you care for the characters more then you'd expect. Oh, and finally a G.I. Joe that has real killing, lol!

GI Joe: Rise of Cobra

Okay, so I just got back from a late showing of the new GI Joe movie and for those of you who haven't had the opportunity to see it yet, I am sure you're dying to know if it was worth it. The answer is a surprising "yes".

Did I have my doubts? You bet I did. And can you blame me? After the plotless and absence of a story bundle of special effects you know as the first Transformers movie, I am very wary of movies taken from action figures and comic books of the 80's (although I did enjoy the second Transformers movie much more than the first one).

This is a guys movie - not that the female gender wouldn't enjoy it - it's just that this is a movie full of action, explosions and that kind of stuff. And in the tradition of these types of movies, this movie was extremely predictable and very, very far-fetched with everything that happened - but it's GI Joe, so who cares, right? There was even a nice bit of comedy with Marlon Wayans playing Ripcord.

Bottom line is this. Will I need my brain to watch this movie? No. Will I be entertained for the entire 118 minutes of this film? You should be. Is this a movie worth seeing in the theater? You bet, at least once.

Pretty good movie overall.

In Four Sentences: Funny People

Bottom line, Judd Apataw writes and directs damn good movies (40 year old virgin, Knocked up). And Adam Sandler is killer in dramas (Reign over me, Punch-drunk love). You know it's a great movie when you get teary eyed one minute from the incredibly deep and well understood life lessons and laughing your head off the next at the IKEA swiss doctor jokes. Absolutely loved the cameo by Eminem bashing Ray Romano, hilarious.

In Four Sentences: The Ugly Truth

You can always tell when a romantic comedy is going to be good because RottenTomatoes.com gives it a dismal score. The best part about The Ugly Truth was that it represented men in a way men want to be - themselves. At the showing I went to, a group of guys actually chose to go see the movie, but the girl I went with loved it too. So the Ugly Truth is a definite win-win for both genders.

Coming Soon: Threesome Reviews

Okay, here's something that I think will be a big hit. Coming this week, The Other Critic will introduce another movie review feature. For lack of a better name (a good one to come eventually) we'll call it Threesome Reviews.

What we'll do is take an actor or actress and review three of their movies; one good one, one bad one and then a third one - good or bad. This should be a fun way to explore some of the older movies from the past.

Looking forward to it.

Nights in Rodanthe

Okay, here's the deal with Nights in Rodanthe. It's a typical Richard Gere chic-flick with a different twist. A little more on the serious side, not very light-hearted like I am used to (like Run Away Bride), this is not a show you want to watch if you've had a bad day or are looking for a pick me up. Like it says in the show, this is not a love story, but a story about love.

I don't think this is a show that I would own or probably watch again, honestly, but that's just me.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Okay, this review comes to us from the newest member of Reviews From the Other Critic—Mr. Ian Parker. To read the synopsis of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, click here. To view the trailer, click here. Now, on with the review.

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Up until recently, I would not have classified myself as a Harry Potter "fan." I only recently read the books at the insistence of my wife, who has been a long-time member of the so-called wizarding community. "The Half-blood Prince" ended up being my favorite book so, needless to say, I was pretty excited for the movie. I'm very happy to say that I was absolutely thrilled with the result. The film was exciting, funny, heart-breaking, and (for lack of a better word) magical. Die-hard fans may balk at the few changes from the original text, but the name of the game in films made from books is adaptation not duplication. The feeling of the book was preserved without resorting to using it as the script. Director David Yates shows superlative skill in using montage to further plot. Sub-texts are moved along visually, so the dialogue stays free to develop the characters. Yates keeps the camera closer to the actors than in previous Potter films, allowing one to be more intimately involved with what they are feeling. The viewer feels as though they are involved in the events of the film, rather than watching from a distance. The characterizations are also closer to the source material than in the other films. As always, the actors portraying side characters are wonderful. Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn, and Jessie Cave as Lavender Brown nearly steal the show. I would definitely say this has been my favorite movie of the summer. "Half-blood Prince" definately warrants multiple viewings; I've already seen it twice, and I will snap it up as soon as it becomes available on DVD. So, in short, I absolutely loved it, and it receives my highest recommendation.

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Thanks to Ian for this review. Look for more reviews from him in the future.

First Impressions – End of the Week

Okay, I think I have a couple of films here that hold some promise—but, honestly, time is the only way to tell, that and the opening weekend at the box office.

The first movie is Zombieland starring Woody Harrelson and Jessie Eisenberg (Adventureland). Here's the trailer for it.

I don't know about everyone else, but I get a kick out of a really good zombie movie (or vampire movie)—it's even better when there's the added humor of someone like Woody Harrelson. Hopefully, this one won't disappoint. It's slated to come out in October and hasn't been rated yet. They might be able to get away with a PG13 rating with some clever editing, but I think this one will follow the trail of past zombie movies and get stuck with an R rating—cause zombies don't die unless they lose their heads...

The second movie is The Last Airbender directed by M. Night Shamalan. Here's the teaser trailer.

This one's based off of a cartoon series that I have watched a few times, and enjoyed. My worry is not with the basis of the film, but rather with Shamalan's directing track record. I don't know about anyone else, but I loved his first movie, The Sixth Sense. Everything else has sort of gone downhill from there. I have liked bits and pieces of some of the things he's done, but then something happens and the whole thing is ruined. Hopefully, he won't mess this one up too bad.

That's it for this week. I am sure there will be more next week.

First Impressions

No one likes Mondays, right? At least, that's what we want people to think. I have the perfect solution to Mondays—that is, if you like movies. I will be reviewing the latest and greatest trailers from the only site on the web worth watching when it comes to movie trailers, Apple.com/trailers. We'll call these reviews First Impressions.

Today might be a bit different because this is the first time I have done this, so it might be a bit crazy, but I know we will get through it. Here goes.

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The first movie is Sherlock Holmes staring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

I have seen the poster for this numerous times in the theaters but had never seen the trailer. I watched it this morning for the first time and my first impression was wow. This looks like something I am definitely going to go and see in the theaters.

The film is not yet rated (although my guess is that it will more than likely be a PG13 rating) and is due out in theaters Christmas Day 2009. This definitely will be a good way to get out of the cold weather once all your presents are opened.

The next movie is 2012 with John Cusack and Amanda Peet.

Just another "end of the world and human existence as we know it" film? Maybe. Maybe not. I really liked Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow (directed by Roland Emmerich), so I think I will give this a shot in theaters. They don't show much as far as story goes in the the trailer, that's okay, though. With tons of special effects, this will no doubt be one that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire movie—let's hope so, at least.

Due out in November 2009, I am going to guess this will have the same rating as all the other "end of the world and human existence as we know it" movies—PG13. Looking forward to it, though. Should be a good one.

The last movie for this segment of First Impressions is a movie that a friend of mine turned me onto called 9 staring the voice talents of Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly and Crispin Glover.

This film feels like a Tim Burton film, no doubt. It is based off of a short film called 9 (view the short here). My first impression of this film was wow, awesome, definitely something I want to see. Then, I watched it again, and again. Yes, this is going to be a must see. I hope the music from the trailer is the type of music we can expect to be blessed with throughout the film.

Due out September 9, 2009 (9-9-09) this already has a PG13 rating, and for good reason. Don't be fooled that because this is animated it is appropriate for kids, especially small kids. There are definitely some images and scenes from the trailer alone that could give kids a reason not to go to sleep at night.

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Well, that's all the reviews for today. I think I am going to try and do this a couple times a week for the first little while, time allowing, until I get to a point where I feel caught up enough.

We've Got Color!

You'll notice that with the last review (The Proposal) the image was color. I thought it would be a nice change to the site. Look for more upgrades like this in the future.

The Proposal

You can read the full synopsis of the film here (brought to you by Rotten Tomatoes) or you can watch the trailer by clicking here (brought to you by Apple).

Here's what The Other Critic is proposing...

This was a great show. I had heard pretty good things about it from a few friends so when the opportunity came to go out and see a movie, it was The Proposal or Transformers 2. Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved Transformers 2 (review to come soon), but I thought it would be selfish not to see what my wife wanted to see...

As with most of the chick-flicks that I have seen, this one was pretty predictable. You all know the formula—boy meets girl, boy likes girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl again and they live happily ever after. Ryan Reynolds rocked this show (would you expect anything less from him?) and there was some pretty good on screen chemistry between him and Sandra Bullock (who still looks good). But, it was the opening 20 or so minutes of this show that really won me over. Ryan Reynolds facial expressions are simply the best. Props go out to Betty White as well, a job well done.

This is a great date movie—be warned, though, there is a bit of nudity from both Reynolds and Bullock. But, if you blush at the sight of naked people, no worries, the theater is dark and no one will notice.

Was it worth the price of admission? Sure. Would I buy it? Yeah, probably. Would I watch it over and over and over? Probably not, but it was still a great show.

Critics from the iPhone

Okay, I recently became the proud owner of the new 3G S iPhone and it's been a real blast.

The thought occured to me tonight that I bet I could do a few simple posts to this blog from the iPhone. Why not, right? So, here goes.

I just finished watching Columbus Day with Val Kilmer and a couple of other people you might recognize. It was a free Redbox rental, and thank goodness for that. I would not recomend this film for the simple reason that it was pretty slow in most parts. Not much of a story line either. All in all I think I need to give this show a B-.

First, and hopefully not last, critic from the iPhone.

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

The Scoop:

Manny, Sid, Diego, and Ellie are back in this third film in the computer-animated Ice Age series. With those creatures in starring roles, fans also get another dose of the vocal talents of Ray... more

Here's what The Other Critic thinks:

Okay, let me get straight to the point here. This is a great movie for kids—and adults (well, at least those adults who have kids). Like the previous two Ice Age movies, there are enough laughs for the whole family. I actually took my three kids to see this one in the theater. They enjoyed it—which is good, cause even matinees can be a bit pricey. I see the potential for at least one more installment from Fox with this title—maybe we'll see an Ice Age 4 in a few years.

I would recommend this to parents if you think your kids will sit through it. Some kids won't, so if you do take a chance on the theater, go see a matinee.

I have found a few wallpapers for this movie that I thought I would share with you all. Simply click on the image below to download a zipped file of the wallpapers shown*. Enjoy!

* I did not make these, nor do I claim them as my own.

Return From Movie Review Hiatus

Ah, it's good to be back among the living. Don't ask, it's a long story and everyone will want to hear it over and over—just wait for the movie. :)

Anyways, since my arrival back, I have been busy. Very busy. The people in the theater near my house must love me, some even know me by name (a little sad, but then again...).

In this post I will be reviewing 4 movies. Yes, four movies. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation and Angels and Demons. So, lets get down to it.



The Scoop:

When choosing which mutant hero they would use to launch the X-MEN feature-film prequel series ORIGINS, the creators of the hugely successful franchise had a no-brainer of a decision in going with... more

Here's what The Other Critic thinks:

You know, I think a lot of people were expecting a lot more from this film. True enough that there were some flaws in the storyline, but, in my opinion, those were minor. I would have liked to seen a little more of the story behind some of the characters, and I would have liked for Gambit to have had a little more screen time, but, the story is about Wolverine. I loved, absolutely loved, the opening sequence. Fantastic. This is a movie that I plan on buying when it is released on DVD for sure.

If you like comic book based movies, you should like this one. If you don't like comic books, you still might like this one, but I'd steer clear of the Punisher series...



The Scoop:

The greatest adventure of all time begins with Star Trek, the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey... more

Here's what The Other Critic has to say:

There are only four words to explain how I feel about the latest installment in the Star Trek franchise of movies: "Beam me up, Scotty!"

This was a brilliant move for Star Trek movies. I was really glad when I saw that they were going to go back and tell the "how it all started" story—I don't think I could have watched anything starring the original James T. Kirk. I knew within the first ten minutes of the movie that I was soooo getting my $8 worth, no doubt in my mind. The story was refreshing, the special effects were amazing and for once, it wasn't Kirk who had the romantic story line—way to go, Spock! I loved all the "subtle" references to "our parents Star Trek"—things like "Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor not a physicist!" Props goes out to the person who cast the actors and actresses for this film—especially for Scotty. Wonderfully done.

This is definitely one you will want to see in theaters, at least once. Very, very, very good show. Probably the best of the year, although there might be a few contenders on the horizon...



The Scoop:

In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against... more

Here's what The Other Critic thinks:

There are people out there that will tell you this movie was nothing more then explosions and bullets with little story line. They might have seen the movie, they might have read some critics review. I 'd say that it was worth the $8 to find out for yourself—and if you're cheap, spend $5.50 and see a matinee.

I am a fan of the Terminator series. Good old Arnold will always be The Terminator to me. I actually really enjoyed this installment in the Terminator series. I expected to see the usual amount of gunfire and explosions that tend to accompany such films like this one—and I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome in the end. There were only a few things that I didn't like. Christian Bale saying "I'll be back." and the molten metal scene were a little over the top for me—they could have done something a little better I felt. But, aside from that, I'd say that I would see this one again—probably a matinee, though.



The Scoop:

The team behind the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code returns for the highly anticipated Angels & Demons, based upon the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard... more

Here's what The Other Critic thinks:

You know, I thought this movie was pretty good. Not as intriguing as The DaVinci Code was, but still pretty good. I am not sure if it was because I had just eaten dinner or the fact that I caught a later show, but the first part of the movie was really slow moving for me—I even caught myself nodding off a few times. Now, don't let that discourage you from seeing the movie—I tend to fall asleep when the lights go out, especially after eating. There were parts of the movie that were slightly predictable, but the sory itself was good. Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor deliver as usual.

If you have read the book, you might not like this movie. The whole first part of the book is hardly mentioned—no whirrly motorized wheelchair or super fast privately owned plane. And there is no mention of the relationship between the daughter and her scientist/priest father, simply that they were lab partners. I am not sure that I would go to the theater to see this one again, maybe rent it from Red Box when it comes out, maybe.

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Well, that's it for now. I am still planning on doing a "First Impressions" post soon to review movie trailers that I've either seen online or in the theater. Until that happens, if you have any movies you'd like The Other Critic to (watch) and review, let me know.

Hotel for Dogs

Thor Freudenthal makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of Lois Duncan’s children’s book HOTEL FOR DOGS. Sixteen-year old Andi (Emma Roberts) and her younger brother, Bruce...The Scoop:

Thor Freudenthal makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of Lois Duncan’s children’s book HOTEL FOR DOGS. Sixteen-year old Andi (Emma Roberts) and her younger brother, Bruce (Jake T. Austin), are orphans living with their foster parents (Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon), two washed-up musicians. Desperate to keep what’s left of their family together, Andi and Bruce have secretly been caring for their family dog, Friday, on the sly for the last few years. When they follow their beloved pet into an abandoned hotel and find stray dogs living there, Andi and Bruce decide to round up all the strays in the city and expand their family. With the help of Dave (Johnny Simmons) and Heather (Kyla Pratt), two teens who work at the local pet store, they transform the abandoned hotel into a canine wonderland, using young Bruce’s skills as an inventor to make an automated feeding system, doggie restrooms, and some fun amusements, such as a car-ride simulation and a fetching machine. But if Animal Control has their way, all the residents of the hotel will be taken to the pound, and it’s up to Andi and Bruce to save their new family.

Here's what The Other Critic has to say about the film:

We actually dared to take our kids to see this one in the theater—and if you know anything about kids and theaters, you'll know that if it doesn't grab and keep their interest, you'll find them eating candy, gum and popcorn off the floor—my kids are no exception to this rule.

Turns out that the movie did capture their attention, even the little one, and held it for almost the entire movie. This is a great show for anyone who has kids who love dogs. The story was a little predictable in parts, and some of the funny parts seemed a little forced—especially Lisa Kudrow's character. Julia Robert's niece did a great job—hope to see her in more films in the future.

All in all, I'd say this is a show you can take your family to the theater to see (matinee prices are acceptable to pay for this one—but not full price) or wait until it comes out to rent—or buy, if you really, really like it.

The Specs
Here are the vitals on the movie.

Hotel For Dogs
Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow
Rated: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

First Impressions: Coming Soon

In the next few days, The Other Critic will introduce a new section to the blog called First Impressions—a review of the up and coming movies based on the movies trailers that can be found on Apple's website.

Keep checking back to see the new reviews, or better yet, become a follower of this blog or stay connected via our RSS feeds. 

Transporter 3

Okay, I am really excited about this review—Transporter 3 with Jason Statham. I have always been a huge fan of Statham, and have made it a goal to see every movie he does (even the not so hot ones, like In the Name of the King–a Dungeon Siege Tale).

Transporter 3 was better than Transporter 2, but the first one is still the best. Here's what 3 is all about (thanks RT):

Combining Western-style car chases and Hong Kong-inspired fight sequences choreographed by martial arts legend Cory Yuen, the Luc Besson-created TRANSPORTER films have found international success as a sort of working-class James Bond series. Jason Statham, who has become the go-to guy for big-budget B-movie thrills, returns once again as Frank Martin, the driver-for-hire for whom no job is too risky. Brimming with the usual jaw-dropping stunts, this is another crowd-pleasing entry in the saga, delivered at a brisk and flashy clip by director Olivier Megaton. Following the coercion of Ukrainian environmental official Leonid Vasilev (Jeroen Krabbe) into signing papers permitting the shipping of toxic materials into a harbor by criminal mastermind Johnson (Robert Knepper), Frank Martin is forced into accepting the job of driving Vasilev's kidnapped daughter, Valentina (Natalya Rudakova)--acting as human collateral--from Marseilles to the Black Sea coastal city of Odessa. On the chance the Martin should attempt to flee, Johnson has rigged him with a bracelet that will detonate if he strays more than 75 feet from his car. When Valentina is intercepted by a rival group, Martin will have to push his Audi M8 to the limit to complete his mission and ensure his own survival.

Here's what The Other Critic thinks about the film:

While Transporter 3 isn't as good as the first, it still rocked. I don't care what other's say about the series or Jason Statham. This is a great, action packed flick with just enough of the kissy kissy to make it work—and the fight scenes are classic Statham. And as for the Tansporter girl, I am not a huge fan of red-heads, but Natalya Rudakova is enough to make me want to convert. And to top things off, they picked the perfect actor for the main bad guy in this, Robert Knepper (you might know him as T-Bag from Prison Break).

Not sure if this is a show that the Mrs. will want to sit with and watch, maybe—after all, there are plenty of Statham abs strewn throughout the movie. But, this is definitely one you will want to at least rent (if not own) when it is released March 2009.

The Specs

Here are the vitals on the movie.

Transporter 3

Jason Statham, Robert Knepper, Francois Berleand, Natalya Rudakova
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour 44 minutes

The Rocker

Here's the scoop about The Rocker, according to Rotten Tomatoes:

Slovenly drummer Robert "Fish" Fishman (THE OFFICE's Rainn Wilson) is booted out of his 1980s hair metal band, Vesuvius, right as they're signed to a big label, crushing his dreams and leading to a 20-year stretch of office park employment. A second chance comes in the form of his overweight teenage keyboardist nephew (Josh Gad) who needs an emergency drummer for his band's gig at the prom. It's an odd match--an '80s metal guy in a teen emo-lite band (their name is A.D.D.)--but he's soon offering fatherly counsel to fatherless boy singer Curtis (Teddy Geiger), giving hair gel tips to the foxy bassist (Emma Stone), and working to get the band a club gig. Soon A.D.D. is signed to the same label as Vesuvius, poised for major MTV-stardom, all leading to a big arena spot as the opening band for the dreaded Vesuvius. Fish needs to overcome his tantrum-throwing ways and step up to the kit, if he wants to impress Curtis's hot mom (Christina Applegate) and outrock his former colleagues.

Here's what The Other Critic has to say about the film:

I have to say, I was skeptical about this one. I have only seen an episode here and there of The Office. I know, I know—there are those of you who can't believe I don't watch it religiously. To be honest, it's kind of painful to watch, although it does have it's funny moments. That aside...

This is definitely a rental. I don't think I would have paid money to see this one in the theaters. It's one of those predictably funny, feel good shows—where the "bad guys" get theirs in the end and the "heroes get the girls". Very predictable. But, funny. Although I did see a little too much of Rainn Wilson—who am I kidding. I think I'll be scarred for life after that scene. Yuck (trying to scrape the visual image from my brain). Thankfully, there was an antidote to the "no-clothes-Dwight" scene, and that is the smokin' hot Christina Applegate.

You might be able to watch this one with the guys, but you'd probably have better luck with a mixed gender group of friends late at night when you're all in one of those slap–happy moods.

The Specs
Here are the vitals on the movie.

The Rocker
Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Jeff Garlin, Teddy Geiger
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Babylon A.D.

Here is the basic idea of what Babylon A.D. is about (thanks to Rotten Tomatoes):

In sci-fi thriller BABYLON A.D., Vin Diesel's Toorop is an antihero who quotes the best of cinema's bad boys from films such as THE GODFATHER and SCARFACE. But all the tattooed muscleman really wants to do is leave poverty- and violence-ridden Russia and return to his family's home in upstate New York. However, he has been banned from his native America, so when a Russian mobster (a prosthetic-enhanced Gérard Depardieu) offers him a job and a forged passport that will take him back home, he agrees, even though the mission seems close to suicide. He takes a strangely gifted orphan named Aurora (Melanie Thierry) from a Mongolian convent to Harlem, his only help being a nun—though it is a nun played by action star Michelle Yeoh. Thugs attack them on every leg of their journey, following them as they take car, train, sub, and snowmobile to ensure Aurora's safety.

What The Other Critic says:

That get's you the general idea of the movie. Now, here's the real question. Is it any good? Can I watch it with my honey on the couch or should I rent this for a guys night out? Unless your woman (or significant other) is really, really into action/sci-fi, I'd say that you'd better keep this one for the guys. Worth the rental fee? Sure, but watch it and then return it—it's not worth paying a late fee on.

Don't know if you can get this one at Red Box, they move through their videos pretty fast (sometimes). Best bet is your local video store.

The Specs:

Here are the vitals on the movie.

Babylon A.D.
Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Melanie Thierry, Lambert Wilson
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour 41 minutes

Welcome to the Other Balcony

Well, you made it—and you even brought me gum drops. How sweet. I hate gum drops.

This is hopefully the first of many posts to this blog—I imagine that there will be at least a dozen. The reviews you will find here will vary. Some will be movies in theaters, some will be movies coming to theaters (judged solely on the trailers available)—most will be things that you can rent from your local video store (new releases should be picked up no later than Friday afternoon, otherwise you'll find yourself wandering the aisles looking for a movie you haven't seen) or at any local Red Box location (becoming a personal favorite, but you need to reserve them ahead of time online).

Okay, enough talking—nobody likes people who talk during the movie. On with the reviews.