Drive

I'm going to come right out and say this, going against many of the critics reviews. Drive was bad. It was like watching a bipolar film. One minute everything's exciting, the next minute the most exciting thing was searching the faces in the audience to see if anyone else felt the way I did.

This might be okay as a Red Box rental, but I would advise against spending money at the theater to watch it.


—The Other Critic

Scream 4

The term beating a dead horse applies to movies as well, and judging by the condition of the Scream stallion, it looks like ending this saga should have taken place after the first one.

Definitely glad I didn't waste money to see this bomb in the theater. Not even a fairly decent cast could keep Scream 4 afloat.

I say if you've seen the first Scream movie, then you've seen this one as well.

The Next Three Days

Ah, how I do enjoy watching films starring Russell Crowe. I don't think he's done anything that I haven't liked—at least not that I have seen. This was a great story with action, twists and turns—it really brought me in and made me part of the story.

This is probably one of the best movies I have seen this year. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nail-biting thriller.

Quick Look

So, I have discovered the joy of Netflix, and with that have been watching a lot of movies. With that, I have decided to implement a quick and easy way to review handfuls of movies that you may, or may not have seen. Most likely, these are shows that I have already seen at one time, but it's always nice to watch them again. With that said, here we go with Quick Look:

Outsourced This is where the television sit-com got it's start. I was actually really excited, and ready to have a good laugh. Unfortunately, all I got were a few chuckles here and there and a whole lot of drama. I'll stick with the sit-com, until it gets canceled.

Over the Top I don't even know where to begin with this one. Sylvester Stalone in his younger years playing a arm wrestling trucker. This movie was lame. I wish I could get the time back that I wasted watching it.

Insomnia Ah, this is a classic macho-cop Al Pachino flick. While I like, and appreciate, Pachino's talent as an actor, I felt that Robin Williams' character in this film was awesome. I thought it was interesting that Williams was chosen to play the villain. Typical Pachino cop flick, but a good show.

I'll review a few more films in the next day or so.

Stardust

If you are a fantasy movie fan and haven't seen Stardust, shame on you. If you have seen it, good for you.

This is a great, feel good fantasy adventure filled with witches, princes, lightning pirates, and a fallen star that has one of the best endings I have ever seen. Supporting acting talent from Robert Deniro and Michelle Pfifer helps as well.

If you liked The Princess Bride, I think you'll like Stardust.

The Other Critic Writes Again

Gamer

Ah, this movie was even better the second time around. Not exactly a totally original idea, but I think the best that's out there—so far. Gerard Butler is classic in this. It is definitely not a movie for the faint of heart, though. Definitely one of the more violent movies out there.

Great movie, but for me, I'll be just as content to play Call of Duty.

World Trade Center

You know how there actors that are hit and miss with their movies? You know the ones. I feel like Nicholas Cage is one of those actors. He's done some super awesome movies, and then he's done some real stinkers.

This review is of the movie World Trade Center, which tells the survival story of two port authority cops caught in the ruble and aftermath of 9/11. There were a lot of familiar faces that appeared in this movie alongside NC, and I think that was a good move. Let him share the spotlight. This was a great film and I am glad that it was made. I thought they did a good job of not dwelling on the actual attack of 9/11, but more on the story of the survival and rescue of the main characters. I think what helped me really connect with this story was the fact that NC and company weren't playing fictional characters, but living, breathing human beings.

Great job, NC. Hope you continue to not disappoint, but that's to be determined by what you choose to do next.

Robocop & Robocop 2

Okay, this is going to be a double movie review in a single post. I know, I know—really pushing the envelope here. I just think I could bear to write two posts that will be virtually the same thing.

I have wasted about 4 hours of my life that I cannot ever get back. You'd think that I would have learned after dragging my poor brain through the first Robocop. But, no. I had to go and watch Robocop 2. Double ouch. What a waste. If you haven't seen these movies, don't. Apparently there is a Robocop 3. I will be skipping this one at all costs.

127 Hours

Let me start this review by saying that this is one of the most realistic and intense movies that I have ever seen.

This has to be James Franco's best acting performance, in my opinion. I remember back in 2003 when I first heard about the story of Aaron Ralston, and thinking to myself wow, that had to have been some experience to go through. I think the movie captured the intensity of the situation perfectly. The way this story was told was like my arm was pinned by the same bolder; I truly felt like I was there.

Excellent movie. Great story. Awesome ending.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Okay, kids. This is another flash back to the 80s. Anyone remember way back when Keanu Reeves could act? Neither do I, nor does Val Kilmer. While looking at the majority of the films from the 80s, I realize that things like special effects and stuff like that were limited, but acting talent—there was plenty of that to go around. Unfortunately for Keanu, he never got on that bad wagon. Too bad, because he's done some really cool movies.

Anyways, back to Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Minus the poor acting, I quite enjoyed the premise of the movie; entertaining and original. It was nice to see this movie again—I'll probably watch it again in another ten years or so.

On a side note, the only thing worse than Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey.

Death At a Funeral 2010

Okay, this is the Chris Rock 2010 version of this film. To be completely honest, I really expected more from this all-star cast. But, sadly, I was let down. Maybe because it was a remake; I really enjoyed the British version of this film much more.

So, if you want to watch one of the two, I'd say you'd be better off with the British version.

Tombstone

Okay, I need to recant my previous statement about Val Kilmer not being that great of an actor. It's been a few years since I have seen Tombstone, so I thought I should get reacquainted with this classic western.

I think that of all the actors in this film, Val Kilmer did the best job—he really was the most believable. I really thought that he was sick the entire movie. This is one of the few westerns that I can saw I actually like—they are far and in-between.

So, it looks like Val has moved up a few more spots on my cool actor radar.

Die Hard 2

Okay, so maybe Die Hard 2 wasn't as good as the first—it's always hit and miss with sequels or second parts; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But, regardless of whether you won or lost with Die Hard 2, I have to share with you my two absolute favorite parts of this movie.

First favorite part: McClane decides to fax over the fingerprints of one of the suspects. As he's at the desk, being helped by a young, attractive women (according to early 90s standards) and as he finishes, she's like, "I close in about an hour. Maybe we can get a drink?" McClane raises his left and and shows her the ring on his finger and replies, "Just the fax, ma'am. Just the fax." (think Dragnet)

Second favorite part: "Yippie-kai-yay, motherf*****." It just wouldn't be Die Hard without that quote.

The Saint

Okay, okay, so I have been a little hard on Val Kilmer lately. Sheesh. Give a guy a break. It's true that I have said that the best movie of his acting career is Willow—I still stand by that statement. But, tonight I was reacquainted with an older movie of his that I hadn't seen in a long time called The Saint. Truth be told, I enjoyed it. The acting and story were quite good, but I have to admit, Elizabeth Shue was reason enough to watch it again.

So, Val Kilmer has redeemed a few cool points with me. We'll see how long that lasts.

The Green Hornet

Hmm...how can I put this gently. This movie sucked. It lacked "sting".

Although it was action packed, with tons of explosions, gadgets and the occasional funny one-liner from Seth Rogen, this show is nothing more than a waste of time and money—and even more money of you rented the 3D glasses. There was no chemistry between the characters—Cameron Diaz must have used up her "chemistry account" with Knight and Day. It seems to me that the character of Britt Reid (in this film) is the horrible result of mixing the stories of Batman and Billy Madison together—wealthy, powerful and retarded, all in one. Seriously. Horrible acting on the villains part as well—just stupid acting. No real story or development overall. Jay Chou (Kato) was the best thing about this flick, and he was the sidekick.

Don't waste your time with this one, at least not in the theaters. Red Box it or get it through Netflix when it comes out.

New Jack City

Any idea what Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, and Chris Rock did before they were popular movie stars? I do. They starred in 1991s New Jack City (along with some other actors that have since disappeared). I know that this was supposed to be a serious movie, but I had to stifle more than one giggle during it—especially when Wesley Snipes appears in the club wearing a Flava-Flav necklace. Decent enough story, but the acting left me wanting something...oh, yeah, talent. I guess that's why some of them went onto bigger things and the rest of them stayed in New Jack City.

Felon

You know, I never thought I'd like anything that Val Kilmer did after Willow (laugh if you want), but I think I just found one. Felon has Kilmer playing second fiddle (good spot for him) to Stephen Dorff (Blade, Public Enemies) as a convicted killer and cell mate to Dorff. Aside from the fact that the language and violence in this movie was over-the-top, the story was really good, and Kilmer actually made me think he was the character who he portrayed. Dorff was excellent as well, and believable.

Definitely not a date movie—but interesting and entertaining just the same.