Good day to you and thank you for visiting our little blog in cyberspace.
We enjoy watching movies and like to provide you with our thoughts, to steer you in the right direction if you are unsure about a particular movie which we may have seen.
This week we bring you our thoughts on one current movie, 2 recent releases, and one from the archives.
At The Movies:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - In this 4th installment, of one of the greatest franchises in movie history, Steven Spielberg pulls out all of the stops and brings us Indiana Jones in a digital format. This allows for the first time, the use of computer generated graphics, which add an incredible dimension to the film.
The movie is very well done, it is action packed, and the cinematography is stunning.
Harrison Ford brings back the Action Hero, Indiana Jones, with the alacrity of a much younger man. (He will be 66 yo on July 13th)
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is sure to please audiences of all ages.
Ken and Len give this Summer Blockbuster 4.25 stars
On DVD:
The Reaping - Hilary Swank stars in this drama about a small town in the bayous of Louisiana that appears to be facing the 10 Biblical plagues. Hilary's character, a former Catholic Missionary, who has lost her faith by events in her life, has made a career of debunking religious phenomena, by finding scientific causes for the events.
The movie is a low budget thriller, but it keeps you interested in the events that are haunting this old town. The movie is hard to follow at times, due to the style of story telling mixing the present, with flash backs and dream sequences that make you question the time line of the events.
The Reaping is certainly worth seeing and deserves...................................... 2.5 stars.
Made for TV Movie:
Recount - This movie relives the chaos created by the State of Florida results of the 2000 elections. Kevin Spacey and Laura Dern star in this HBO made for TV movie, and it is surely the front runner to win the Best TV Movie Emmy for 2008. Spacey and Dern will also receive nominations for best TV actor/actress for their roles.
We give Recount........................................................................................................3.0 Stars.
From The Archives:
The Naked Prey - This 1966 South African movie deals with a hunting Safari that goes terribly wrong. Staring and Directed by Cornel Wilde, the movie turns into the hunt for a human being who has offended a local tribe. This movies was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Screenplay Written directly for the Screen. (Clint Johnson and Don Peters)
Also in the cast are Ken Gampu and Gert Van der Bergh, notable South African actors.
The Naked Prey suffers from 1966 technology or lack thereof. It can drag on at times but overall it is entertaining and gives us a view into many of the South African animal habitats.
We however hated the scene depicting the slaughter of elephants for their tusks.
The Naked Prey merits...................................................................................2.5 stars.
Thank you for your time and we hope you check some of these movies out for yourselves.
Please come back and visit us soon and check out Our 2 Cents Worth.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Happy Memorial Day Weekend 2008
Hello to old and new friends and to our families. Happy Memorial Day Weekend.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about Memorial Day:
Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, since many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.
So in keeping with the sentiment of the Day, let us remember solemnly and give thanks to all of the men and women who have given their lives so that we can enjoy this weekend with all of the freedoms that we have as Americans.
Now on to the reviews:
At the Theater:
Speed Racer - Even though this movie was canned by the critics, we both enjoyed it very much. We like the cast including, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon and Christina Ricci. While their roles were light hearted and hollow, we have to remember that this is a cartoon people. It is a fantasy. It is meant to be a diversion and not a documentary.
The computer generated graphics were stunning and visually exciting.
This movie was special for me because I used to watch this cartoon as a child before going to grammar school everyday,(Yes we had TVs then), and it was nice to see it on the big screen 40 years later.
We don't care what the over priced, over rated critics say....
Ken and Len give Speed Racer.....3.25 Stars
Home Video Reviews:
Love in the Time of Cholera - Adapted from the novel by Nobel prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the time of Cholera is an excellent story of postponed, inevitable love. Academy award winner Javier Bardem stars in this period movie, set in Columbia in the late 1800's. Love in the Time of Cholera merits ............4 stars.
The Order - Starring Heath Ledger, this is a film noir about the Catholic Church and the battle against evil. Not spectacular, The Order gets........2.5 Stars.
War - Stars Jet Li and Jason Statham. Any time you have Statham in the mix you are going to have an action/adventure flick. This is no exemption. War gets.........3 Stars
3:10 to Yuma - Starring bad boy Russell Crowe, Christian Bale and Peter Fonda is a surprisingly well made and poignant western. 3:10 to Yuma deserves.......... 3.75 Stars
Gay Deceivers - This is a funny little romp that reminds me of Love American Style but with a gay theme. Made in 1969, it stars a bunch of unknowns, who remained unknown after this movie. It is what you would call an ensemble piece. We liked it; it was funny and amusing to see gay life styles in the late 60's Gay Deceivers merits........ 2.25 Stars
The Forgotten - Starring Julieanne Moore is based on an interesting premise. Can't say more without spoiling the movie. We liked it.
The Forgotten gets.......3 Stars
Crazy in Alabama - This is a period piece from the 1950's starring, Melanie Griffin, Rod Steiger and Meat Loaf and is directed by Antonio Banderas. It won't win any academy awards but is a solid little film with several relevant social commentaries.
Crazy in Alabama garners..........2.75 Stars
Resident Evil - Starring Milla Jovovich is an interesting fictional depiction of scientific research run amok. Interesting and entertaining trilogy (so far).
Resident Evil..........2.75 Stars
Resident Evil - Apocalypse........2.5 Stars
Resident Evil - Extinction........2.75 Stars
We strongly recommend that you view them in order. lol
There Will Be Blood - Starring Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis, is an excellent movie dealing with the then American Dream of striking oil and making it big, at the turn of the century. This is a notch above.
There Will Be Blood deserves.........4.25 Stars
Please come back and vist us soon as we will endevour to bring you Our Two Cents Worth at the Movies. (and at home too)
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about Memorial Day:
Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, since many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.
So in keeping with the sentiment of the Day, let us remember solemnly and give thanks to all of the men and women who have given their lives so that we can enjoy this weekend with all of the freedoms that we have as Americans.
Now on to the reviews:
At the Theater:
Speed Racer - Even though this movie was canned by the critics, we both enjoyed it very much. We like the cast including, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon and Christina Ricci. While their roles were light hearted and hollow, we have to remember that this is a cartoon people. It is a fantasy. It is meant to be a diversion and not a documentary.
The computer generated graphics were stunning and visually exciting.
This movie was special for me because I used to watch this cartoon as a child before going to grammar school everyday,(Yes we had TVs then), and it was nice to see it on the big screen 40 years later.
We don't care what the over priced, over rated critics say....
Ken and Len give Speed Racer.....3.25 Stars
Home Video Reviews:
Love in the Time of Cholera - Adapted from the novel by Nobel prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the time of Cholera is an excellent story of postponed, inevitable love. Academy award winner Javier Bardem stars in this period movie, set in Columbia in the late 1800's. Love in the Time of Cholera merits ............4 stars.
The Order - Starring Heath Ledger, this is a film noir about the Catholic Church and the battle against evil. Not spectacular, The Order gets........2.5 Stars.
War - Stars Jet Li and Jason Statham. Any time you have Statham in the mix you are going to have an action/adventure flick. This is no exemption. War gets.........3 Stars
3:10 to Yuma - Starring bad boy Russell Crowe, Christian Bale and Peter Fonda is a surprisingly well made and poignant western. 3:10 to Yuma deserves.......... 3.75 Stars
Gay Deceivers - This is a funny little romp that reminds me of Love American Style but with a gay theme. Made in 1969, it stars a bunch of unknowns, who remained unknown after this movie. It is what you would call an ensemble piece. We liked it; it was funny and amusing to see gay life styles in the late 60's Gay Deceivers merits........ 2.25 Stars
The Forgotten - Starring Julieanne Moore is based on an interesting premise. Can't say more without spoiling the movie. We liked it.
The Forgotten gets.......3 Stars
Crazy in Alabama - This is a period piece from the 1950's starring, Melanie Griffin, Rod Steiger and Meat Loaf and is directed by Antonio Banderas. It won't win any academy awards but is a solid little film with several relevant social commentaries.
Crazy in Alabama garners..........2.75 Stars
Resident Evil - Starring Milla Jovovich is an interesting fictional depiction of scientific research run amok. Interesting and entertaining trilogy (so far).
Resident Evil..........2.75 Stars
Resident Evil - Apocalypse........2.5 Stars
Resident Evil - Extinction........2.75 Stars
We strongly recommend that you view them in order. lol
There Will Be Blood - Starring Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis, is an excellent movie dealing with the then American Dream of striking oil and making it big, at the turn of the century. This is a notch above.
There Will Be Blood deserves.........4.25 Stars
Please come back and vist us soon as we will endevour to bring you Our Two Cents Worth at the Movies. (and at home too)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Happy May Day 5-01-08
Hello to new and old friends and and to all of our fantastic family.
We have not updated the Movie Review Page as often as we used to because we have been watching more movies at home. Ken has nearly 600 movies and active memberships in two CD rental sites, and we both have pay per view options in our homes, that make movie watching, more comfortable and hot dogs are only 50 cents and not $4.00. (Although we have to admit we love the Big Screen)
Add to that the privilege of paying 33% more for gas than we did in the last quarter of 2007, (thank you Exxon, Shell, BP, and others that shall remain nameless but you know who they are)and the increase in price for even matinee shows at the movie theater ($15 for two between noon time and 4 PM), we have decided that we are going to do all that is needed to protect ourselves during these horrible financial times.(Please raise your hand if you are republican, but enjoyed the Bill Clinton Administration better). We hope that the future will bankrupt those who are raping us financially while they are riding the high tide. We(the American people) will have our say and they will not be happy when we do.( Unprecedented Profits every reporting period for the last year for the big oil companies?) Exxon reported billions of dollars. It is disgusting how this fleecing of Americans is allowed to occur.
However, we do have some reviews to share with you.
At the Theater:
21 - We always like Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth but the others were excellent as well.
The movie was very fast paced, entertaining, not predictable and interesting, (and love math, statistics and odds.) We didn't know story until the move publicized the event. Certainly worth seeing.
Ken and Len's two cents worth says 3.50 Stars.
Nim's Island - Very nice, family movie with a wonderful cast. Jodie Foster (old favorite), Gerard Butler(new favorite), and Abigail Breslin (America's darling child-actress since Little Miss Sunshine, are charming and endearing. We are suckers for happy endings. It is worth seeing.
Our 2 cents worth says.....3.50 Stars
Iron Man - The summer blockbusters are HERE.This movie was excellent, even for people like us who didn't care much for Robert Downy, Jr.. It is a classic comic book story brought to life by excellent actors such as Gweneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrance Howard. The special effects are stunning and we can not wait till the sequel.
Iron Man is a solid.........4 Stars
Home Videos:
These are movies we have seen at home in the last few weeks.
Gone Baby Gone - Excellent screen play. While Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris deliver excellent performances, Casey Afleck is not a very good actor. However the movie is poignant and moving. Ken and Len say..........3.75 Stars
Ratatouille - A beautiful animated film with a great story line. 4.25 Stars
30 Days of Night - A weak suspense thriller. 2.5 Stars
Chaos - An edge of your seat thriller with Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes and Ryan Phillippe. 2.75 Stars
Skin Walkers - Mildly Suspenseful .....2 Stars
Final Destination 1, 2 and 3. As a series we give it..... 3 Stars
The Mist......1.5 Stars
Three ......... 3 Stars
The Covenant......2.5 Stars
The Hitman........ 3 Stars
American Gangster......3.75 Stars
Dan in Real Life........... 3.75 Stars
We have not updated the Movie Review Page as often as we used to because we have been watching more movies at home. Ken has nearly 600 movies and active memberships in two CD rental sites, and we both have pay per view options in our homes, that make movie watching, more comfortable and hot dogs are only 50 cents and not $4.00. (Although we have to admit we love the Big Screen)
Add to that the privilege of paying 33% more for gas than we did in the last quarter of 2007, (thank you Exxon, Shell, BP, and others that shall remain nameless but you know who they are)and the increase in price for even matinee shows at the movie theater ($15 for two between noon time and 4 PM), we have decided that we are going to do all that is needed to protect ourselves during these horrible financial times.(Please raise your hand if you are republican, but enjoyed the Bill Clinton Administration better). We hope that the future will bankrupt those who are raping us financially while they are riding the high tide. We(the American people) will have our say and they will not be happy when we do.( Unprecedented Profits every reporting period for the last year for the big oil companies?) Exxon reported billions of dollars. It is disgusting how this fleecing of Americans is allowed to occur.
However, we do have some reviews to share with you.
At the Theater:
21 - We always like Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth but the others were excellent as well.
The movie was very fast paced, entertaining, not predictable and interesting, (and love math, statistics and odds.) We didn't know story until the move publicized the event. Certainly worth seeing.
Ken and Len's two cents worth says 3.50 Stars.
Nim's Island - Very nice, family movie with a wonderful cast. Jodie Foster (old favorite), Gerard Butler(new favorite), and Abigail Breslin (America's darling child-actress since Little Miss Sunshine, are charming and endearing. We are suckers for happy endings. It is worth seeing.
Our 2 cents worth says.....3.50 Stars
Iron Man - The summer blockbusters are HERE.This movie was excellent, even for people like us who didn't care much for Robert Downy, Jr.. It is a classic comic book story brought to life by excellent actors such as Gweneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrance Howard. The special effects are stunning and we can not wait till the sequel.
Iron Man is a solid.........4 Stars
Home Videos:
These are movies we have seen at home in the last few weeks.
Gone Baby Gone - Excellent screen play. While Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris deliver excellent performances, Casey Afleck is not a very good actor. However the movie is poignant and moving. Ken and Len say..........3.75 Stars
Ratatouille - A beautiful animated film with a great story line. 4.25 Stars
30 Days of Night - A weak suspense thriller. 2.5 Stars
Chaos - An edge of your seat thriller with Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes and Ryan Phillippe. 2.75 Stars
Skin Walkers - Mildly Suspenseful .....2 Stars
Final Destination 1, 2 and 3. As a series we give it..... 3 Stars
The Mist......1.5 Stars
Three ......... 3 Stars
The Covenant......2.5 Stars
The Hitman........ 3 Stars
American Gangster......3.75 Stars
Dan in Real Life........... 3.75 Stars
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