Hello and welcome to our Movie Blog.
We have been remiss in updating our Blog during the last month. We have been busy with our Halloween Party, Len's Birthday Party, and planning our Thanksgiving Day Feast next week.
Please check the corresponding sections of our Blogs to read up on some of our other activities during the last month.
For now, though, these are the movies we have seen in November and a brief review.
At the Movies -
Pride and Glory - Well done movie. Good acting and thought provoking. John Voight, Colin Farrell and Edward Norton are excellent in this saga about a multi-generational family of police officers in New York City. We give Pride and Glory ...................................3.25 - Stars
Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa - Wonderful animated flick following up as a sequel to the original Madagascar. The voices are from an all star cast of Hollywood notables including Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith. Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Bernie mac, Alec Baldwin and others. We loved Madascar 2 and give it......................................3.5 - Stars
Quantum of Solace - The latest in the James Bond franchise is sure to please in this non-stop, action adventure thriller. Daniel Craig is excellent as bond and second only to Sean Connery. This movie picks up exactly where Casino Royale ended with the apprehension of Mr. White. I like the direction that they have taken Bond. A little more time with his clothes on and a bit less cliche-ish dialogue. We thought it was an awesome film and we give Quantum of Solace...............3.75 - Stars.
On DVD -
Shrek the Third - 3.75 - Stars
Basketball Diaries - 3.5 - Stars
Ulysses - 2.5 - Stars
Casino Royale - 4.0 - Stars
Superhero Movie - 2.0 - Stars
88 Minutes - 3.0 - Stars
Made of Honor - 3.0 - Stars
Tortured - 2.5 - Stars
Please come back soon as we bring you the films that may be nominated to win the Academy Awards during their years' end release as we give you our 2-Cents Worth at the Movies.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Last Weekend in October 2008
The frenzy of summer blockbusters releases has slowed to a trickle now that summer is gone.
The weather has changed for the better giving us cooler nights and less humid days.
Soon the flurry of Academy Award nominated films being released in December will be upon us and we will be right there to bring you the up to date reports on all of the nominated films.
In the mean time, let us share with you the films that we have recently seen.
At the Movies -
Body of Lies - This movie brings us Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe as CIA agents involved in international intrigue and mayhem. Explore what is done in the name of love and war. It is a good movie but the ending was weak.
We give Body of Lies ............................................................................3-Stars.
Max Payne - This action, crime-drama thriller starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges and Chris O'Donnell is action packed and very well done for its genre. The story is interesting and the movie keeps you engaged until the end. Mark Wahlberg plays a DEA agent who has recently lost his family in a conspiracy and is now assigned to the Cold Files Unit, that unwittingly teams up with a professional assassin to who is looking to avenge the death of a sibling. Together they fight the police, the mob and a a ruthless corporation who have done them wrong.
We liked Max Payne and we give it...................................................3.5-Stars
On DVD -
Street Kings - Keanu Reeves, Hugh Laurie and Forest Whitacher become entangled in the battle between right and wrong in the LAPD cop culture. A very interesting film about trying to do the right thing. We give Street Kings....................................................3.5-Stars
Don't Mess with the Zohan - See review dated June 9th in our Blog..............2.5-Stars
Rails and Ties - A deadly collision between a train and car lead to an unlikely bond between the train engineer and a young boy who escapes the carnage. Starring Kevin Bacon, and Marcia Gay Harden, this movie deals with lives falling apart and about love putting lives back together.
Well done. We give Rails and Ties.................................................................3-Stars.
San Pietro (St. Peter) - Omar Sharif stars as the passionate but reluctant leader of the apostles after the Crucifixion of Christ, in this Italian adaptation. Cast of thousands. Very well done. We give San Pietro..............................................................................3.75-Stars.
Otis - Starring Bostin Christopher, this comedic horror thriller falls short and does not satisfy. Poor acting and an apparent low budget doomed this film from the start.Suburban America gone haywire. In the midst of a serial abductor/killer's rampage, a beautiful young teen, Riley Lawson, goes missing. When her desperate parents, Will and Kate, are contacted by her kidnapper, an insufferable FBI Special Agent takes charge of the case.But, from deep within the psychopathic subterranean world created by Otis, Riley turns the tables on her tormentor, manages to escape and to contact her parents. And, fed up with the tragi-comic inability of the FBI to find their girl, Will, Kate, and Riley's brother, Reed decide to take matters - and justice - into their own hands
We give Otis...................................................................................................1-Star.
Leatherheads - George Clooney and Renee Zellweger star in this romantic comedy set in the world of 1920s football, where the owner of a professional team drafts a strait-laced college sensation, only to watch his new coach fall for his fiancee. The movie is cute. We give Leatherheads................................................................................................2.5-Stars.
Sunshine - Humanity faces a glacial period as the Sun begins to expire on our solar system.
After the first team of astronauts fails in their mission to restart the sun, a second team is sent 7 years later and their actions could be Earth's last hope. Starring a cast of unknowns, the movie is mildly interesting. We give Sunshine.................................................................2-Stars.
88 Minutes - A thriller about a college professor who, while moonlighting as a forensic psychiatrist for the FBI, receives a death threat telling him that he has only 88 minutes to live. In narrowing down possible suspects, he frantically seeks to communicate with a problem student, an ex-girlfriend, and a serial killer on death row. The movie is well acted by Al Pacino, Alicia Witt and Leelee Sobieski. We give 88 Minutes.................................3-Stars.
Made of Honor - Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan star in this romantic comedy about a guy in love with an engaged woman and how he tries to win her over aster she has asked him to become her Maid of Honor. Humorous high jinks. We give Made of Honor.............2.5-Stars.
Tracey Fragments - Tracey Berkowitz, 15, a self-described normal girl, loses her 9-year old brother, Sonny. In flashbacks and fragments, we meet her overbearing parents and the sweet, clueless Sonny. We watch Tracey navigate high school, friendless, picked on and teased. She develops a thing for Billy Zero, a new student, imagining he's her boyfriend. We see the day she loses Sonny and we watch her try to find him. In bits and pieces, we see what leads up to her riding in the back of a city bus wrapped in a shower curtain. Coming of age, or just surviving?
Interesting style of film making having multiple frames on screen at the same time.
Ellen Page however is a good actress. The movie is a little slow to get going and a bit dark.
We give The Tracey Fragments..........2.5-Stars.
The weather has changed for the better giving us cooler nights and less humid days.
Soon the flurry of Academy Award nominated films being released in December will be upon us and we will be right there to bring you the up to date reports on all of the nominated films.
In the mean time, let us share with you the films that we have recently seen.
At the Movies -
Body of Lies - This movie brings us Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe as CIA agents involved in international intrigue and mayhem. Explore what is done in the name of love and war. It is a good movie but the ending was weak.
We give Body of Lies ............................................................................3-Stars.
Max Payne - This action, crime-drama thriller starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges and Chris O'Donnell is action packed and very well done for its genre. The story is interesting and the movie keeps you engaged until the end. Mark Wahlberg plays a DEA agent who has recently lost his family in a conspiracy and is now assigned to the Cold Files Unit, that unwittingly teams up with a professional assassin to who is looking to avenge the death of a sibling. Together they fight the police, the mob and a a ruthless corporation who have done them wrong.
We liked Max Payne and we give it...................................................3.5-Stars
On DVD -
Street Kings - Keanu Reeves, Hugh Laurie and Forest Whitacher become entangled in the battle between right and wrong in the LAPD cop culture. A very interesting film about trying to do the right thing. We give Street Kings....................................................3.5-Stars
Don't Mess with the Zohan - See review dated June 9th in our Blog..............2.5-Stars
Rails and Ties - A deadly collision between a train and car lead to an unlikely bond between the train engineer and a young boy who escapes the carnage. Starring Kevin Bacon, and Marcia Gay Harden, this movie deals with lives falling apart and about love putting lives back together.
Well done. We give Rails and Ties.................................................................3-Stars.
San Pietro (St. Peter) - Omar Sharif stars as the passionate but reluctant leader of the apostles after the Crucifixion of Christ, in this Italian adaptation. Cast of thousands. Very well done. We give San Pietro..............................................................................3.75-Stars.
Otis - Starring Bostin Christopher, this comedic horror thriller falls short and does not satisfy. Poor acting and an apparent low budget doomed this film from the start.Suburban America gone haywire. In the midst of a serial abductor/killer's rampage, a beautiful young teen, Riley Lawson, goes missing. When her desperate parents, Will and Kate, are contacted by her kidnapper, an insufferable FBI Special Agent takes charge of the case.But, from deep within the psychopathic subterranean world created by Otis, Riley turns the tables on her tormentor, manages to escape and to contact her parents. And, fed up with the tragi-comic inability of the FBI to find their girl, Will, Kate, and Riley's brother, Reed decide to take matters - and justice - into their own hands
We give Otis...................................................................................................1-Star.
Leatherheads - George Clooney and Renee Zellweger star in this romantic comedy set in the world of 1920s football, where the owner of a professional team drafts a strait-laced college sensation, only to watch his new coach fall for his fiancee. The movie is cute. We give Leatherheads................................................................................................2.5-Stars.
Sunshine - Humanity faces a glacial period as the Sun begins to expire on our solar system.
After the first team of astronauts fails in their mission to restart the sun, a second team is sent 7 years later and their actions could be Earth's last hope. Starring a cast of unknowns, the movie is mildly interesting. We give Sunshine.................................................................2-Stars.
88 Minutes - A thriller about a college professor who, while moonlighting as a forensic psychiatrist for the FBI, receives a death threat telling him that he has only 88 minutes to live. In narrowing down possible suspects, he frantically seeks to communicate with a problem student, an ex-girlfriend, and a serial killer on death row. The movie is well acted by Al Pacino, Alicia Witt and Leelee Sobieski. We give 88 Minutes.................................3-Stars.
Made of Honor - Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan star in this romantic comedy about a guy in love with an engaged woman and how he tries to win her over aster she has asked him to become her Maid of Honor. Humorous high jinks. We give Made of Honor.............2.5-Stars.
Tracey Fragments - Tracey Berkowitz, 15, a self-described normal girl, loses her 9-year old brother, Sonny. In flashbacks and fragments, we meet her overbearing parents and the sweet, clueless Sonny. We watch Tracey navigate high school, friendless, picked on and teased. She develops a thing for Billy Zero, a new student, imagining he's her boyfriend. We see the day she loses Sonny and we watch her try to find him. In bits and pieces, we see what leads up to her riding in the back of a city bus wrapped in a shower curtain. Coming of age, or just surviving?
Interesting style of film making having multiple frames on screen at the same time.
Ellen Page however is a good actress. The movie is a little slow to get going and a bit dark.
We give The Tracey Fragments..........2.5-Stars.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
First Weekend in October, 2008
Welcome to another installment of Our Two-Cents Worth at the Movies.
We have several movies to share with you this week, so without any delay.......
At the Movies -
Eagle Eye (IMAX) - Our local movie theater is now offering movies in an IMAX format and this was the first movie we saw there in the new IMAX surround sound and larger screen. It was great. You could feel the vibrations of the action depicted on the screen, under your seat.
Eagle Eye was a great film to see in this new format.
This film about two strangers that are brought together by a voice on the phone from a woman they have never met, who threatens their lives and family if they do not comply with "her" instructions. This action-mystery-thriller starring Shia LaBeouf, Michael Chiklis Michelle Monaghan and Billy Bob Thornton is a non-stop, in your face, drama, about an experiment dealing with tracking human beings from every angle in their everyday lives. It is well acted and directed with excellent editing and sound. You can go wrong with a movie produced by Steven Spielberg. We liked Eagle Eye and we let it soar with................................................3.5-Stars.
On DVD -
War Dance - This is an Oscar nominated Documentary about three children in Uganda who have lost everything due to war; except for their music.
This was an excellent heartfelt documentary showing the will to live and improve one's present condition, in the face of every obstacle no matter how insurmountable those obstacles may seem.
We loved the story in War Dance and we sing out it's praise...................................3.75-Stars.
Hair - The Musical - This timeless movie version of the Tony Award winning musical on Broadway about the freedom of the youth- subculture in New York City in the 1970's is inspiring to this day. Starring John Savage, Treat Williams and Beverly D'Angelo the music is fun, and alive and it makes you feel like dancing. We loved Hair and we give it..........3.5-Stars.
Birthrite - This low-budget thriller about a crazy mother and son who kidnap wayward women travelers in the East swamps of Arkansas in search for a bride for the son; someone to take care of him due to his numerous handicaps before the mother dies of old age.
The movie was mildly. We give Birthrite....................................1.5-Stars.
Sleepwalking - This B-movie drama starring Charlize Theron, Woddy Harrelson, and Dennis Hopper, deals primarily with an 11 year old girl's resentment for having been abandoned by her mother. The brother/uncle tries to take care of the young girl while the mom's away but this proves to be futile for a slacker in his mid twenties sleepwalking through life in a Midwestern town. He tries to find some answers in his childhood but that proves to be the source of all of the problems. Sleepwalking was interesting but not engrossing. We give it................2.5-Stars.
Starshiptroopers 3 - Marauder - The most recent in the saga of humanity being attacked by killer insects brings back Rico from the original episode. Not even he could save this sequel.
A federation star ship crash-lands on the distant alien planet OM-1, stranding a group of citizens.
Rico is called in to arrange a rescue mission a decade after he was the hero on Planet P.
In this sequel, the citizens find religion.
I hope they put this series to rest. We give Marauder...............................2-Stars.
The List - A sudden death tied to a list from the past leads tremendous evil. Just out of law school, Renny Jacobson is stunned by his father's sudden death--and then by the terms of the will: the elder Jacobson has left the bulk of his estate to charity. For his only son, he has left nothing more than the contents of a deposit box and interest in a company no one has heard of--the Covenant List of South Carolina, Ltd.
The movie is a suspenseful thriller starring Malcolm McDowell and others. It is interesting and worth watching, but it drags a little at the end. We give The List.............................2.5-Stars .
Definitely Maybe - This dramatic, romantic-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, and Kevin Kline, is very well acted and interesting to watch.
The premise revolves around a political consultant, who tries explaining to his 11 year old daughter the reason he is getting divorced and his previous failed relationships.
We love Abigail so we give Definitely Maybe..............................................3-Stars.
Stop-Loss - A veteran soldier returns from his completed tour of duty in Iraq, only to find his life turned upside down when he is arbitrarily ordered to return to field duty by the Army.
Starring Ryan Phillippe, this war-time drama merits special consideration due to the fact that it is happening to thousands of our troops in Iraq and other places.
The acting was good but the movie itself however was tedious and slow moving at times.
We give Stop-Loss.......................................2.5-Stars.
On Cable -
Choose Me - Several lost-soul night-owls, including a nightclub owner, a talk back radio relationships counsellor, and an itinerant stranger have encounters that expose their contradictions and anxieties about love and acceptance.
Love is the true adventure of this romantic comedy. Starring an ensemble cast including
Genevieve Bujold, Keith Carradine, Lesley Ann Warren, Patrick Bauchau, Rae Dawn Chong, and John Larroquette was a dated look at love in the mid 80's.
Some what anachronistic it was funny at times and boring at others. We give Choose Me.................2-Stars.
Thanks for stopping by. Please visit is soon as we bring you Our thoughts: Our take; Our Two-Cents-Worth at the Movies.
We have several movies to share with you this week, so without any delay.......
At the Movies -
Eagle Eye (IMAX) - Our local movie theater is now offering movies in an IMAX format and this was the first movie we saw there in the new IMAX surround sound and larger screen. It was great. You could feel the vibrations of the action depicted on the screen, under your seat.
Eagle Eye was a great film to see in this new format.
This film about two strangers that are brought together by a voice on the phone from a woman they have never met, who threatens their lives and family if they do not comply with "her" instructions. This action-mystery-thriller starring Shia LaBeouf, Michael Chiklis Michelle Monaghan and Billy Bob Thornton is a non-stop, in your face, drama, about an experiment dealing with tracking human beings from every angle in their everyday lives. It is well acted and directed with excellent editing and sound. You can go wrong with a movie produced by Steven Spielberg. We liked Eagle Eye and we let it soar with................................................3.5-Stars.
On DVD -
War Dance - This is an Oscar nominated Documentary about three children in Uganda who have lost everything due to war; except for their music.
This was an excellent heartfelt documentary showing the will to live and improve one's present condition, in the face of every obstacle no matter how insurmountable those obstacles may seem.
We loved the story in War Dance and we sing out it's praise...................................3.75-Stars.
Hair - The Musical - This timeless movie version of the Tony Award winning musical on Broadway about the freedom of the youth- subculture in New York City in the 1970's is inspiring to this day. Starring John Savage, Treat Williams and Beverly D'Angelo the music is fun, and alive and it makes you feel like dancing. We loved Hair and we give it..........3.5-Stars.
Birthrite - This low-budget thriller about a crazy mother and son who kidnap wayward women travelers in the East swamps of Arkansas in search for a bride for the son; someone to take care of him due to his numerous handicaps before the mother dies of old age.
The movie was mildly. We give Birthrite....................................1.5-Stars.
Sleepwalking - This B-movie drama starring Charlize Theron, Woddy Harrelson, and Dennis Hopper, deals primarily with an 11 year old girl's resentment for having been abandoned by her mother. The brother/uncle tries to take care of the young girl while the mom's away but this proves to be futile for a slacker in his mid twenties sleepwalking through life in a Midwestern town. He tries to find some answers in his childhood but that proves to be the source of all of the problems. Sleepwalking was interesting but not engrossing. We give it................2.5-Stars.
Starshiptroopers 3 - Marauder - The most recent in the saga of humanity being attacked by killer insects brings back Rico from the original episode. Not even he could save this sequel.
A federation star ship crash-lands on the distant alien planet OM-1, stranding a group of citizens.
Rico is called in to arrange a rescue mission a decade after he was the hero on Planet P.
In this sequel, the citizens find religion.
I hope they put this series to rest. We give Marauder...............................2-Stars.
The List - A sudden death tied to a list from the past leads tremendous evil. Just out of law school, Renny Jacobson is stunned by his father's sudden death--and then by the terms of the will: the elder Jacobson has left the bulk of his estate to charity. For his only son, he has left nothing more than the contents of a deposit box and interest in a company no one has heard of--the Covenant List of South Carolina, Ltd.
The movie is a suspenseful thriller starring Malcolm McDowell and others. It is interesting and worth watching, but it drags a little at the end. We give The List.............................2.5-Stars .
Definitely Maybe - This dramatic, romantic-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, and Kevin Kline, is very well acted and interesting to watch.
The premise revolves around a political consultant, who tries explaining to his 11 year old daughter the reason he is getting divorced and his previous failed relationships.
We love Abigail so we give Definitely Maybe..............................................3-Stars.
Stop-Loss - A veteran soldier returns from his completed tour of duty in Iraq, only to find his life turned upside down when he is arbitrarily ordered to return to field duty by the Army.
Starring Ryan Phillippe, this war-time drama merits special consideration due to the fact that it is happening to thousands of our troops in Iraq and other places.
The acting was good but the movie itself however was tedious and slow moving at times.
We give Stop-Loss.......................................2.5-Stars.
On Cable -
Choose Me - Several lost-soul night-owls, including a nightclub owner, a talk back radio relationships counsellor, and an itinerant stranger have encounters that expose their contradictions and anxieties about love and acceptance.
Love is the true adventure of this romantic comedy. Starring an ensemble cast including
Genevieve Bujold, Keith Carradine, Lesley Ann Warren, Patrick Bauchau, Rae Dawn Chong, and John Larroquette was a dated look at love in the mid 80's.
Some what anachronistic it was funny at times and boring at others. We give Choose Me.................2-Stars.
Thanks for stopping by. Please visit is soon as we bring you Our thoughts: Our take; Our Two-Cents-Worth at the Movies.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Movies over Ken's Birthday Weekend Sept 19-21
Welcome to this week's review of movies.
We saw one new and 2 on DVD. It was Ken's Birthday weekend and we had a fairly full agenda so movies were not at the fore front of our activities.
At the Movies -
Lakeview Terrace - This drama-thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington and Ron Glass is somewhat suspenseful but it falls short of being a satisfying movie.
An emotionally scarred, self absorbed, egotistical Afro-American police officer will stop at nothing to make his new interracial neighbors miserable. The plot of this movie is weak and predictable and the acting is mediocre at best. The cop's psychotic behaviour is not acceptable under any circumstance.
We give Lakeview Terrace........................................2.5-stars
On DVD -
Insanitorium 2008 -
Starring Jesse Metcalfe this comedic horror-thriller is terrible. Jesse was Eva Langoria's teen aged on screen adulterous lover on Desperate Housewives. That was a more realistic role for him than that of Jack in this demented tale of a scientist who is turning his patients into flesh eating zombies after some medical trials with some sort of nanotechnology.
Jack has himself committed into a mental institution in order to save his sister who has been unjustly labeled criminally insane. The movie deals with his manipulation of the system in order to save himself and his sister. The problem is that all of the cast turn into flesh eating zombies and/or is killed and this seems to hamper the escape of the good guys.
The funniest part is at the end.
We give Insanitorium 2008 a deservedly............................................1.5-Stars
Stormship Troopers 2 -
This second installment of the franchise Stormship Troopers is tittled Hero of the Federation.
Starring a cast of unknowns with one possible exception, this sci-fi, horror thriller is not as good as the original upon which it is based.
The Hero is Captain V. J. Dax played by Richard Burgi. Most recently he has had a recurring role in Desperate Housewives (another DH alumnus). He has also appeared in many made for TV movies and TV series like 24, Judging Amy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The District and many others. However he couldn't save this movie single handedly.
The movie was OK but I can not recommended it. I like the first one a lot better.
We give Stormship Troopers - Hero of the Federation................................2-Stars
That is all of the movies for this week.
We celebrated Ken's Birthday on Friday at Del Frisco's Steakhouse and at Disney's Pleasure Island. (Please see Restaurant Review and Trip sections in this Blog)
Sunday we had Bill and Russell over for a little party and food from Babalou's Bodacious B-B-Q and an afternoon of Settlers of Catan and Dominoes.
Thank you for visiting our little bit of cyberspace. Please come back soon so we can give you more of Our 2-Cents Worth at The Movies.
We saw one new and 2 on DVD. It was Ken's Birthday weekend and we had a fairly full agenda so movies were not at the fore front of our activities.
At the Movies -
Lakeview Terrace - This drama-thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington and Ron Glass is somewhat suspenseful but it falls short of being a satisfying movie.
An emotionally scarred, self absorbed, egotistical Afro-American police officer will stop at nothing to make his new interracial neighbors miserable. The plot of this movie is weak and predictable and the acting is mediocre at best. The cop's psychotic behaviour is not acceptable under any circumstance.
We give Lakeview Terrace........................................2.5-stars
On DVD -
Insanitorium 2008 -
Starring Jesse Metcalfe this comedic horror-thriller is terrible. Jesse was Eva Langoria's teen aged on screen adulterous lover on Desperate Housewives. That was a more realistic role for him than that of Jack in this demented tale of a scientist who is turning his patients into flesh eating zombies after some medical trials with some sort of nanotechnology.
Jack has himself committed into a mental institution in order to save his sister who has been unjustly labeled criminally insane. The movie deals with his manipulation of the system in order to save himself and his sister. The problem is that all of the cast turn into flesh eating zombies and/or is killed and this seems to hamper the escape of the good guys.
The funniest part is at the end.
We give Insanitorium 2008 a deservedly............................................1.5-Stars
Stormship Troopers 2 -
This second installment of the franchise Stormship Troopers is tittled Hero of the Federation.
Starring a cast of unknowns with one possible exception, this sci-fi, horror thriller is not as good as the original upon which it is based.
The Hero is Captain V. J. Dax played by Richard Burgi. Most recently he has had a recurring role in Desperate Housewives (another DH alumnus). He has also appeared in many made for TV movies and TV series like 24, Judging Amy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The District and many others. However he couldn't save this movie single handedly.
The movie was OK but I can not recommended it. I like the first one a lot better.
We give Stormship Troopers - Hero of the Federation................................2-Stars
That is all of the movies for this week.
We celebrated Ken's Birthday on Friday at Del Frisco's Steakhouse and at Disney's Pleasure Island. (Please see Restaurant Review and Trip sections in this Blog)
Sunday we had Bill and Russell over for a little party and food from Babalou's Bodacious B-B-Q and an afternoon of Settlers of Catan and Dominoes.
Thank you for visiting our little bit of cyberspace. Please come back soon so we can give you more of Our 2-Cents Worth at The Movies.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Movies During September 12th-14th, 2008
We did not make it to the movies this weekend but please visit us again during the next few weeks as we endeavour to catch up At the Movies.
We did however see several movies on DVD so without any more delay, we bring you ...........Our Two-cents Worth at the Movies.
On DVD -
Doomsday - Great Britain, 2007. A deadly plague, known as the "Reaper Virus," has broken out, killing hundreds of thousands in its wake. In desperation, the British Government evacuates as many survivors as it can out of the infected area, and then builds a wall, preventing the remainder from escaping. Thirty years later, with the wall still up and the victims all but forgotten, the virus breaks out again. The Government decides to send a crack team of operatives, led by Major Eden Sinclair, into the hot zone to investigate the possibility of a cure.
This a a low budget English Sci-fi drama that borrows from every other "virus on the loose" movies. It has interesting scenes but most are confusing, dark and not well staged. It was hard to follow and understand.
We give Doomsday........2.25-Stars
Storm Trooper - This film is not only bad it is terrible. But, this one is so bad, you have to see it. I love really bad movies that are trying to be good. The acting is bad, the lighting is bad, the direction is bad, the plot stinks............, oh, well, you get the picture. When you have an afternoon free watch this classic. While you are laughing, please try to remember, this is not a comedy.
Starring Carol Alt, John Laughlin and ....yes folks, Corey Feldman, this movie's only redeeming value was they they have spared us from the sequel.
A couple of runaway bionic drones are fighting for their survival, while the scientists that created them, with some mercenaries, are trying to apprehend and neutralize them.
Awful........We give Storm Troopers.............1.5-Stars
Deathsport - Just when you thought that things had to be better for this one, you thought wrong. This is is even worse, and the actors knew it. Picture a really bad episode of Lost in Space, then picture it with even less special effects.
Starring David Carridine and Claudia Jennings this want-to-be action-sci-fi thriller is plain ol' boring and bad. They did have a handy gadget to get rid of people and "destructocycles" as they battle in a sport to the death. We are so happy we never have to see it again. We give Deathsport..................................1-Star.
The Air I Breath - This was a much better film than the others so far.
This crime-drama, romance, thriller is based on an ancient Chinese proverb that breaks life down into four emotional cornerstones: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. A businessman bets his life on a horse race; a gangster sees the future; a pop star falls prey to a crime boss; a doctor must save the love of his life and how it all was inter-related as life comes full circle.
This all star cast including; Kevin Bacon, Julie Delpy, Brendan Fraser, Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Geller, Emile Hirsch and Forest Whitaker deliver a solid performance in a powerful movie. Definetely worth seeing. We give The Air I Breath..............................3.25-Stars.
Starship Trooper - This 1997 classic was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Special Effects category.
This sci-fi thriller deals with a militaristic future where a "brainwashed" youth battles intelligent life in the form of giant alien bugs in a struggle for survival. It is interesting movie in a simple sort of way.
Starring Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Muldoon and Rue McClanahan the movie has enough star power to raise it above the ordinary cheap sci-fi movies that fight alien bugs. We give Starship Troopers..............2.75-Stars.
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay - John Cho and Kal Penn reprise their roles as Harold and Kumar in another wacky adventure of the pot-smoking duo. The tittle describes the plot of the movie and all of the related hijinks.. Also starring Neil Patrick Harris, we liked this movie better that we thought we would. We give this installment of Harold and Kumar....................................2.5-Tokes err....-Stars.
The Upside of Anger - We like Joan Allen so we like to see all of the films she has done.
This one also starring Kevin Costner, deals with a suburban wife and her four daughters as they adjust to having their husband/father leave them and the romantic comedic situations that arise. Also starring Keri Russell, Alicia Witt, Evan Rachel Wood and Mike Binder, the movie is fast paced and funny at times. We liked it and we five The Upside of Anger.............3-Stars.
Thank you for your visit to our little bit of cyberspace. Please come back soon for more of Our Two-cents Worth at the Movies.
We did however see several movies on DVD so without any more delay, we bring you ...........Our Two-cents Worth at the Movies.
On DVD -
Doomsday - Great Britain, 2007. A deadly plague, known as the "Reaper Virus," has broken out, killing hundreds of thousands in its wake. In desperation, the British Government evacuates as many survivors as it can out of the infected area, and then builds a wall, preventing the remainder from escaping. Thirty years later, with the wall still up and the victims all but forgotten, the virus breaks out again. The Government decides to send a crack team of operatives, led by Major Eden Sinclair, into the hot zone to investigate the possibility of a cure.
This a a low budget English Sci-fi drama that borrows from every other "virus on the loose" movies. It has interesting scenes but most are confusing, dark and not well staged. It was hard to follow and understand.
We give Doomsday........2.25-Stars
Storm Trooper - This film is not only bad it is terrible. But, this one is so bad, you have to see it. I love really bad movies that are trying to be good. The acting is bad, the lighting is bad, the direction is bad, the plot stinks............, oh, well, you get the picture. When you have an afternoon free watch this classic. While you are laughing, please try to remember, this is not a comedy.
Starring Carol Alt, John Laughlin and ....yes folks, Corey Feldman, this movie's only redeeming value was they they have spared us from the sequel.
A couple of runaway bionic drones are fighting for their survival, while the scientists that created them, with some mercenaries, are trying to apprehend and neutralize them.
Awful........We give Storm Troopers.............1.5-Stars
Deathsport - Just when you thought that things had to be better for this one, you thought wrong. This is is even worse, and the actors knew it. Picture a really bad episode of Lost in Space, then picture it with even less special effects.
Starring David Carridine and Claudia Jennings this want-to-be action-sci-fi thriller is plain ol' boring and bad. They did have a handy gadget to get rid of people and "destructocycles" as they battle in a sport to the death. We are so happy we never have to see it again. We give Deathsport..................................1-Star.
The Air I Breath - This was a much better film than the others so far.
This crime-drama, romance, thriller is based on an ancient Chinese proverb that breaks life down into four emotional cornerstones: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. A businessman bets his life on a horse race; a gangster sees the future; a pop star falls prey to a crime boss; a doctor must save the love of his life and how it all was inter-related as life comes full circle.
This all star cast including; Kevin Bacon, Julie Delpy, Brendan Fraser, Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Geller, Emile Hirsch and Forest Whitaker deliver a solid performance in a powerful movie. Definetely worth seeing. We give The Air I Breath..............................3.25-Stars.
Starship Trooper - This 1997 classic was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Special Effects category.
This sci-fi thriller deals with a militaristic future where a "brainwashed" youth battles intelligent life in the form of giant alien bugs in a struggle for survival. It is interesting movie in a simple sort of way.
Starring Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Muldoon and Rue McClanahan the movie has enough star power to raise it above the ordinary cheap sci-fi movies that fight alien bugs. We give Starship Troopers..............2.75-Stars.
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay - John Cho and Kal Penn reprise their roles as Harold and Kumar in another wacky adventure of the pot-smoking duo. The tittle describes the plot of the movie and all of the related hijinks.. Also starring Neil Patrick Harris, we liked this movie better that we thought we would. We give this installment of Harold and Kumar....................................2.5-Tokes err....-Stars.
The Upside of Anger - We like Joan Allen so we like to see all of the films she has done.
This one also starring Kevin Costner, deals with a suburban wife and her four daughters as they adjust to having their husband/father leave them and the romantic comedic situations that arise. Also starring Keri Russell, Alicia Witt, Evan Rachel Wood and Mike Binder, the movie is fast paced and funny at times. We liked it and we five The Upside of Anger.............3-Stars.
Thank you for your visit to our little bit of cyberspace. Please come back soon for more of Our Two-cents Worth at the Movies.
Monday, September 8, 2008
First Weekend in September, 2008
We are back with another weekend review of the movies we saw during the last couple of days.
This weekend was the slowest weekend at the Movies in the last 5 years, where the #1 movie only raked in $7.8 million. Here is what we thought......
At The Movies -
Bangkok Dangerous -
This action, crime-thriller starring Nicholas Cage was interesting and well done. Cage plays a hit man, with very strict criminal ethics. There is plenty of violence so you may want to think twice if you are squeamish. The movie is worth seeing although in our opinion it falls short at the end. Bangkok Dangerous merits...............................3-Stars.
On DVD -
Into the Wild - This screenplay written by Sean Penn plays better than one would first think.
Starring a good cast including Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Hal Holbrook, and Vince Vaughn, the movie deals with a young man's desire to escape from everyday life and to buck all societal expectations. It is based on a true story and can be touching but slow moving at times.
We give Into the Wild................................................2.75-Stars.
Shopgirl -
This romantic drama starring Steve Martin and Claire Danes is an adaptation of Steve Martin's novel about the love triangle between a wealthy older man, a young woman looking for affection, and a spacey young man without much ambition. The movie is well done although it can be predictable and slow going. We give Shopgirl.................................2.5-Stars.
I am Not There -
This was an interesting movie about the life of Bob Dylan who is portrayed by 6 different actors who depict him as an actor, a folk singer, a rocker, Billy the Kid, Woody Guthrie and an author/poet.
The all-star cast helps in maintaining ones interest in this somewhat confusing tale. His music is the back drop to the story that is told in varying degrees of success by Cate Blanchette, Ben Whishaw, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Marcus Carl Franklin and Heath Ledger. Also starring is Kris Kristofferson, Julianne Moore, and Bruce Greenwood.
This is an Artsy type film that is thought provoking but not visually exciting.
Overall it is very well done and Cate Blanchette was excellent.
We give I Am Not There..............................................................3.25-Stars.
This weekend was the slowest weekend at the Movies in the last 5 years, where the #1 movie only raked in $7.8 million. Here is what we thought......
At The Movies -
Bangkok Dangerous -
This action, crime-thriller starring Nicholas Cage was interesting and well done. Cage plays a hit man, with very strict criminal ethics. There is plenty of violence so you may want to think twice if you are squeamish. The movie is worth seeing although in our opinion it falls short at the end. Bangkok Dangerous merits...............................3-Stars.
On DVD -
Into the Wild - This screenplay written by Sean Penn plays better than one would first think.
Starring a good cast including Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Hal Holbrook, and Vince Vaughn, the movie deals with a young man's desire to escape from everyday life and to buck all societal expectations. It is based on a true story and can be touching but slow moving at times.
We give Into the Wild................................................2.75-Stars.
Shopgirl -
This romantic drama starring Steve Martin and Claire Danes is an adaptation of Steve Martin's novel about the love triangle between a wealthy older man, a young woman looking for affection, and a spacey young man without much ambition. The movie is well done although it can be predictable and slow going. We give Shopgirl.................................2.5-Stars.
I am Not There -
This was an interesting movie about the life of Bob Dylan who is portrayed by 6 different actors who depict him as an actor, a folk singer, a rocker, Billy the Kid, Woody Guthrie and an author/poet.
The all-star cast helps in maintaining ones interest in this somewhat confusing tale. His music is the back drop to the story that is told in varying degrees of success by Cate Blanchette, Ben Whishaw, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Marcus Carl Franklin and Heath Ledger. Also starring is Kris Kristofferson, Julianne Moore, and Bruce Greenwood.
This is an Artsy type film that is thought provoking but not visually exciting.
Overall it is very well done and Cate Blanchette was excellent.
We give I Am Not There..............................................................3.25-Stars.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Labor Day Weekend 2008 Movies
We hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend 2008.
We spent the weekend at Flagler Beach but had several day trips to nearby locations including Palm Coast, St. Augustine, Ormond Beach and Jacksonville.
While we were in St. Augustine we decided to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon at the movies. We found a quaint little theater at The Ponce de Leon Mall; The Regal 6 Cinema.
Since we were more interested in timing and not content, we went to see Tropic Thunder.
At the Movies:
Tropic Thunder - Yeap. This is the movie that has been number one for the last three weekends. While it was mildly amusing it is NOT, #1 material.
The cast of comedic giants and cameos of Hollywood A-Lister's is not enough to save the script which is sophomoric at best. Farting jokes, sexual innuendos, and gratuitous gore were funny in high school. Perhaps that was the target audience.
Tropic Thunder starring Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Steve Coogan and Ben Stiller is about a group of Hollywood B-Lister's ( type casting perhaps???) making a big budget War movie who get caught up in a real war against a quasi-military heroine production cartel called the Dragons.
The premise then becomes that these actors now must ACT like soldiers to save their own lives.
While the premise is a good one, this movie took a more casual approach to the problem and got lost in the jungles of Viet Nam. (Filmed in Hawaii)
Robert Downey Jr. makes his debut as a surgically induced African American. Why not right?
Cameos by Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, John Voight, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Lance Bass, Alicia Silverstone, Tobey Maguire and Mickey Rooney add interest and texture to the movie but not enough to save it.
We hope and pray there is no sequel. We give Tropic Thunder........................2.5-Stars
On DVD -
In the Name of The King: A Dungeon Siege Tale -
A simple family man and farmer, named Farmer (Jason Statham) sets out to rescue his wife and avenge the deaths of his son and wife's family against a race of animal warriors called the Krugs.
The premise of the movie is simple. Perhaps to simple. The movie is predictable and we found ourselves fast forwarding through scenes that added no substance to the plot.
Also starring Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds, Ron Pearlman and Leelee Sobieski the movie was obviously low budget and it showed in every way.
We always enjoy Jason Statham movies but we will pass on this one; probably his worse.
We give In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale...........................1.75-Stars
In Bruges -
A couple of hit men are sent to the peaceful historic city of Bruges to cool off and lay low, after their last hit in London goes awry. The interaction between the older and younger murderer is an interesting repartee of words and culture.
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Colin Farell and Brendan Gleeson, this dark comedy is brainy and thought provoking. Is there honor among murderers? Watch for yourself.
We liked In Bruges and we give it...............................................3.0-Stars
On Cable -
Derailed -
Starring Jennifer Aniston, Clive Owen and Vincent Cassel, this crime, action thriller is a story of blackmail and double cross. It is difficult to speak of the plot without giving the suspense away.
We saw this at the theater in 2005 and saw it again this weekend and it was still fresh and engaging. We liked Derailed and we give it....................................3.0-Stars
Thank you for visiting with us.
Please come back soon as we bring you another installment of Our 2-cents Worth at the Movies.
We spent the weekend at Flagler Beach but had several day trips to nearby locations including Palm Coast, St. Augustine, Ormond Beach and Jacksonville.
While we were in St. Augustine we decided to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon at the movies. We found a quaint little theater at The Ponce de Leon Mall; The Regal 6 Cinema.
Since we were more interested in timing and not content, we went to see Tropic Thunder.
At the Movies:
Tropic Thunder - Yeap. This is the movie that has been number one for the last three weekends. While it was mildly amusing it is NOT, #1 material.
The cast of comedic giants and cameos of Hollywood A-Lister's is not enough to save the script which is sophomoric at best. Farting jokes, sexual innuendos, and gratuitous gore were funny in high school. Perhaps that was the target audience.
Tropic Thunder starring Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Steve Coogan and Ben Stiller is about a group of Hollywood B-Lister's ( type casting perhaps???) making a big budget War movie who get caught up in a real war against a quasi-military heroine production cartel called the Dragons.
The premise then becomes that these actors now must ACT like soldiers to save their own lives.
While the premise is a good one, this movie took a more casual approach to the problem and got lost in the jungles of Viet Nam. (Filmed in Hawaii)
Robert Downey Jr. makes his debut as a surgically induced African American. Why not right?
Cameos by Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, John Voight, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Lance Bass, Alicia Silverstone, Tobey Maguire and Mickey Rooney add interest and texture to the movie but not enough to save it.
We hope and pray there is no sequel. We give Tropic Thunder........................2.5-Stars
On DVD -
In the Name of The King: A Dungeon Siege Tale -
A simple family man and farmer, named Farmer (Jason Statham) sets out to rescue his wife and avenge the deaths of his son and wife's family against a race of animal warriors called the Krugs.
The premise of the movie is simple. Perhaps to simple. The movie is predictable and we found ourselves fast forwarding through scenes that added no substance to the plot.
Also starring Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds, Ron Pearlman and Leelee Sobieski the movie was obviously low budget and it showed in every way.
We always enjoy Jason Statham movies but we will pass on this one; probably his worse.
We give In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale...........................1.75-Stars
In Bruges -
A couple of hit men are sent to the peaceful historic city of Bruges to cool off and lay low, after their last hit in London goes awry. The interaction between the older and younger murderer is an interesting repartee of words and culture.
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Colin Farell and Brendan Gleeson, this dark comedy is brainy and thought provoking. Is there honor among murderers? Watch for yourself.
We liked In Bruges and we give it...............................................3.0-Stars
On Cable -
Derailed -
Starring Jennifer Aniston, Clive Owen and Vincent Cassel, this crime, action thriller is a story of blackmail and double cross. It is difficult to speak of the plot without giving the suspense away.
We saw this at the theater in 2005 and saw it again this weekend and it was still fresh and engaging. We liked Derailed and we give it....................................3.0-Stars
Thank you for visiting with us.
Please come back soon as we bring you another installment of Our 2-cents Worth at the Movies.
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