Movie Review Report

As previously stated, Christian Bale is one of my favorite actors of all time, so it was one of the main reasons I wanted to see this movie. Plus I was interested because you don’t see many western movies out nowadays do you?

3:10 to Yuma is a remake of the 1957 film of the same title based on a story by Elmore Leonard. Dan Evans (Christian Bale) is a struggling rancher who is unable to make payments on his land and barely able to support his wife and two sons. When the infamous outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) is captured nearby, Dan offers to join the group to escort him to the train station to catch the 3:10 to Yuma Prison, in exchange for $200. The group faces a difficult task, to get Wade to the station on time before his gang catches up to them, and also keep a close eye on the conniving outlaw. Dan is doing this as much for the money and he is to prove to himself and his family that he’s more than just a failing rancher.

This was such a great movie. It reminded me of the old time classic westerns. It was very well made and not cheesy at all, like most other attempts at western films recently. Some people are saying that this movie may be paving the way for more western movies in the future. I would agree with that…as long as upcoming westerns can meet the high expectations set by this movie.

Both Christian Bale and Russell Crowe did an amazing job in this movie. Bale continues to amazing me with one great performance after another. And apparently there isn’t an accent he can’t perfect or a genre he isn’t able to conquer. He has played so many different characters and been believable in every one.

I would definitely recommend this movie. Even if you’re not a fan of westerns, it’s worth watching it just to see the great performances and the classic story.

My Rating:

Really Liked it

Review: Rescue Dawn

3:10 to Yuma, movie review, Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, western

Top 5 movies at the Box Office:

1. Enchanted
2. This Christmas
3. Beowulf
4. Hitman
5. Bee Movie

I didn’t end up going to the movies this weekend because I was out shopping with the rest of the world… and lying around eating pumpkin pie.
But, I really want to see Enchanted. My sister went to see it this weekend and loved it. It looks really cute, a satire of Disney movies created by Disney? How can you get better than that? (Not really, but it does look good.)

As I was lying around eating my pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving leftovers, I did end up watching a few movies, one of which being The Ex.

I’m not going to do an official review because I just don’t care that much, but I will do a mini review.
When Tom (Zach Braff) loses his job as a chef, he is forced to take an advertising job with his father-in-law in order to support his wife (Amanda Peet) and new baby. The awkwardness of his bizarre new work environment grows when he meets his co-worker Chip (Jason Bateman), his wife’s ex-boyfriend. Let the cut throat, lying, back stabbing battle of good vs. evil begin… or something like that.

I was expecting this movie to be better than it was because I really like Zach Braff and he is is just one of those people that are naturally funny. Well, the movie definitely didn’t live up to my expectations. It had its laugh-out-loud slapstick moments but the characters (excluding Braff’s) were mainly unlikable, especially Chip. I realize Chip is supposed to be unlikable but there’s a fine line between unlikable and unwatchable.
There was a very funny scene at the beginning where, one of my favorites, Paul Rudd makes a cameo appearance. Besides the few funny moments and the likability of Zach Braff, this movie doesn’t offer much.

My Rating:

Didn’t Like it

Rescue Dawn came out on DVD this past week and it is an amazing movie. Definitely the best rental you could’ve picked up this week. I actually went to see it at the theater when it came out and I really liked it.
Christian Bale is one of my all time favorite actors and he is amazing in this movie.

Rescue Dawn is based on the true story of Deiter Dengler (Christian Bale), a German-American fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. His plane was shot down during his first bomb run and he was captured and put in a POW camp. During his imprisonment, he retains his upbeat attitude and creates a plan for him and the other prisoners to escape.

Steve Zahn plays one of the prisoners and also did an amazing job. The acting in the film was really incredible. The most amazing thing about the movie is that it is based on a true story. When you see how Dieter reacts to the circumstances he finds himself in it is really unbelievable that not only he could survive, but also keep his positive attitude and encourage the other prisoners.

Christian Bale’s performance is incredible as usual. In this film he had to lose a lot of weight throughout the filming to show his diminishing condition. This isn’t the first time he has changed his appearance drastically for a movie. He lost over 60 pounds to prepare for The Machinist and immediately after gained 100 pounds in order to play Batman in Batman Begins. His dedication to his work shows in all of his amazing performances; Rescue Dawn is no different.
I would definitely recommend Rescue Dawn, it is an extremely uplifting, incredible story and the acting is equally as impressive.

My Rating:

Really Liked it

Review: Blood Diamond

Rescue Dawn, movie review, Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Vietnam War

I have to be totally honest here and say that I first heard of this movie because Dane Cook was a part of the cast. As a huge fan of Dane Cook’s stand-up comedy, I’ve been following his emerging movie career closely waiting for his moment to shine. So far I don’t think that time has come yet, although he did a great job in this movie, as well as in Mr. Brooks.

But anyways, when I saw that Dane was in the movie along with Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche, I couldn’t wait for it to come out. I was actually expecting a zany comedy but I was pleasantly surprised with what the movie actually turned out to be.

Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a widower who is raising his three daughters on his own. When they all travel to his parents’ house for a family reunion, everyone is eager to help Dan get back into the dating scene. When Dan connects with a beautiful woman he meets at a book store (Juliette Binoche), he starts to feel like things may be looking up. He is shocked when he returns to the house to find out she is dating his younger brother, Mitch (Dane Cook). He now has to try to hide his feelings while surviving the concerns and questions from his family for his odd behavior.

I really liked this movie. I love Steve Carell and he did a great job in this movie in conveying a complex, lovable character. Juliette Binoche is as charming as ever and a great fit for the movie. Dane Cook does a great job as well, and his character ends up being very believable and endearing. This whole movie gets a lot of its charm from being believable. The relationships and the emotions are not so unrealistic that it makes you roll your eyes, which is common in a lot of movies these days. It has many funny moments, but overall it has a more dramatic feel to it as we watch Dan go through so many emotions throughout the movie. Although some of the scenes with the family seem kind of contrived, for some reason it all works well, most likely because the interaction with the characters and the emotions were so realistic.

My Rating:

Really Liked it

Review: Across the Universe

Dan in Real Life, Dane Cook, Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, movie review

Top 5 movies at the Box Office over the weekend (Nov. 16-18, 2007)

1. Beowulf
2. Bee Movie
3. American Gangster
4. Fred Claus
5. Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

I actually did end up going to the movies over the weekend, but I did not see any of these movies. I went to the discount theater and saw I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (even though I could have just gone and rented it at Blockbuster… but it’s just not the same).

I’m not going to do an official review because the previous writer of this blog already did one and I pretty much agreed with his (go and read it HERE). It was a really funny movie. A great movie to watch for a lot of laugh out loud moments. And I have to say, Rob Schneider was absolutely hilarious in this movie. He stole every scene he was in, he was just without a doubt the funniest character in the movie. And of course Adam Sandler and Kevin James are also very funny in the movie. Jessica Biel did a good job but I just don’t like her. Ever since she ruined The Illusionist for me with her horribly unbelievable accent, I just can’t stand her (For the record, I still loved The Illusionist, it just would have been better if she wasn’t in it). I would have rated it higher but there were a lot of really awkward, uncomfortable, gay situations in the movie that kinda brought it down for me. But overall, I would say it is definitely worth watching!

My Rating:

Liked it

Review: The Object of My Affection

Beowulf, Bee Movie, American Gangster, Fred Claus, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Rob Schneider, Jessica Biel

As previously stated, I did end up going to rent a movie and I had to get some older ones because no new releases sounded interesting to me… besides I was kinda in the mood for a chick flick weekend. I ended up with some interesting choices. Exhibit A: The Object of my Affection.

I remember seeing this movie years ago and liking it, and since I’m a big fan of Paul Rudd, I thought I’d watch it again for old times sake…plus, ya know, to see Paul Rudd.

Nina (Jennifer Aniston) falls in love with her gay roommate George (Paul Rudd). When George is dumped by his boyfriend and finds himself with nowhere to live, he ends up calling Nina, a girl he met at a party that night who offered him her spare room. After bonding together over boyfriend issues, ice cream in bed, and dancing lessons, George and Nina become inseparable best friends who have a better relationship than most married couples. When Nina finds herself pregnant with her “not-the-right-guy” boyfriend’s baby, she wants George to raise the baby with her. George wants to be there for his best friend but also finds himself falling in love, not with Nina though, with Paul. George is forced into a tough decision when he has to choose the direction he wants his life to go in, without sacrificing his friendship.

For some reason, the plot makes the movie sound worse to me than it actually is. Paul Rudd is so adorable and doesn’t play his character as a stereotypical gay guy, which makes it easy to believe Nina could fall in love with George. I mean who wouldn’t want to fall in love with a cute, understanding guy who can share ice cream in bed and watch old movies with you? Jennifer Aniston is also very charming in this movie and their relationship is strangely believable. But, I have to be honest, I really don’t want to see a guy (especially Paul Rudd) kissing another guy, I just don’t. So as lovable as this movie is, it has it’s uncomfortable moments.

But you have to take it for what it is, it’s a twist on a romantic comedy/drama from the 90’s… did you get the 90’s part? I try not to expect a movie to be something it wasn’t meant to be which is why I say, although it’s has it’s flaws… I liked it.
It’s not an Academy Award winner but it’s entertaining and lovable and let’s face it, isn’t that what movies are all about?

My Rating:

Liked it

The Object of My Affection, movie review, Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, gay man, chick flick

Beowulf (conventional theaters and 3D IMAX)
Action, Animated, War
Rated PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sexual material and nudity)
1 hour 54 minutes

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone, John Malkovich, Brendan Gleeson, Dominic Keating, Alison Lohman, Robin Wright Penn

Plot from imdb.com:

The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel who is terrorizing towns, and later, Grendel’s mother, who begins killing out of revenge.

Love in the Time of Cholera
Drama, Romance
Rated R (for sex content/nudity and brief language)
2 hours 18 minutes

Starring: Javier Bardem, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Benjamin Bratt, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Hector Elizondo, Liev Schreiber, Fernanda Motenegro, Laura Harring, John Leguizamo

Plot from imdb.com:

Florentino (Bardem), rejected by the beautiful Fermina (Mezzogiorno) at a young age, devotes much of his adult life to carnal affairs as a desperate attempt to heal his broken heart.

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
Comedy, Fantasy
Rated G
1 hour 35 minutes

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman

Plot from imdb.com:

Molly Mahoney (Portman) is the awkward and insecure manager of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. But when Mr. Magorium, the 243 year-old eccentric who owns the store (Hoffman), bequeaths the store to her, a dark and ominous change begins to take over the once remarkable Emporium

Also today, the following movies will have a limited release:
Eleven Men Out (LA)
Margot at the Wedding
Redacted (limited)
Smiley Face (limited)
What Would Jesus Buy? (NY)

I have to say, none of these movies sound interesting to me. I surely would not pay $9.25 (don’t even get me started on the prices) to see any of them.

Beowulf is the movie that has that strange new animation that looks like the real actors in weird cartoon form…why not just show the actors? I think the animation looks freaky. And what makes it even freakier is it’s rated PG-13 for sexual material and nudity?! How creepy is that? Who wants to see freaky cartoon-like people naked?
I don’t know, it might be a good movie but I will not see it for these reasons.

Looks like I’ll be heading to Blockbuster this weekend.

Beowulf, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Love in the Time of Cholera, Benjamin Bratt, Liev Schreiber, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Blockbuster

In case you haven’t noticed this site has been on hiatus for a little while and there is now a new writer. But no worries, the format will remain the same for the most part. And most importantly, movie reviews will be rolling again!

So, let’s get right to business: Across the Universe.

You may have heard of this movie the same way I did, referred to as ‘The Beatles movie’. If you haven’t heard of it at all, here’s the deal. Across the Universe uses very little dialogue and relies mainly on the music to tell the story (AKA it’s a musical…with A LOT of music). More specifically it is entirely Beatles music. Jude (Jim Sturgess…who is absolutely adorable by the way) travels from England to America in search for his father where he meets and falls in love with Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). The movie is set in the 1960’s and the story begins during their innocence and begins to become intertwined with the issues surrounding self-discovery and expression, civil rights, the Vietnam War and let’s face it…sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Bono, Joe Cocker, and Selma Hayek all have cameo-type roles in the movie.

I had heard a lot of buzz surrounding this movie simply because anytime someone is messing with anything related to The Beatles, sparks will fly.
I went in not really knowing what to expect and I ended up loving it! It is such an amazingly creative, colorful and artistic movie. The music is really awesome, I actually ended up going and buying the soundtrack. You have to go in with an open mind though. If you think about the fact that you can never beat the originals, than you will miss out on enjoying these unique interpretations of so many of our favorite Beatles songs. The way the songs were specifically picked and used to tell the story through the different characters eyes is really cool. And the acting was great on top of it. Everything about it was great; the story, the singing, the arrangements of the music, the acting, the costumes and set designs. It was just a very enjoyable and entertaining movie from start to finish.

I would highly recommend this movie, especially if you liked Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! and/or Romeo & Juliet. The kind of artsy, freaky, creative and imaginative styles are very similar.

My Rating:

Really Liked it

Across the Universe, movie review, The Beatles, Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood, Bono, Joe Cokcer, Selma Hayek, Baz Luhrmann, Moulin Rouge!, Romeo & Juliet