Journey to the Center of The Earth and others, July 12th-13th, 2008

Welcome to another installment of Our Two Cents Worth at the Movies.

This weekend we had Journey to the Center of the Earth starring Brendan Fraser as a scientist, looking for his missing brother, who discovers an incredible and fantastic dangerous world deep in the center of the Earth.
While it doesn't score many points for originality since this movie has been made numerous times from the original book by Jules Vernes in 1864, this action-adventure, sci-fi-fantasy, probably packs the best special effects and graphics of any of its predecessors.
At 92 minutes it is barely feature film length. Hollywood is getting lazy charging more for less.
Remember when most movies were over two hours long and admission was a fraction of what it is today? Now we pay through the nose to see a 90 minute remake. Is creativity dead in America?
We love Jules Verne so we enjoyed seeing this latest adaptation. We give Journey to the Center of the Earth 2008..............................................3-Stars

ON DVD -

Mad Money - This comedy starring Diane Keaton, Ted Danson, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes and Christopher McDonald is entertaining and fun to watch.
The premise involves three female employees of the Federal Reserve Bank who decide to steal money scheduled to be destroyed. Diane Keaton was at her criminal best and Katie Holmes plays ditsy, very well.
If some light comedic entertainment is for you, then we recommend this movie to you.
We give Mad Money..................................................2.75-Stars

Lars and the Real Girl - Nominated for an Oscar for Best Screenplay written directly for the screen, this movie did not disappoint.
Ryan Gosling triumphs in this role as a delusional young man who finds love and friendship with a mail-order doll bought through the Internet.
But even more bizarre than that, is the townspeople willingness to go along with the acceptance of the doll as real in order to help this young man who they have known and loved since he was a kid.
The movie is funny, warm, poignant, interesting and entertaining.
We loved Lars and the Real Girl and we give it.............................................3.5-Stars.

Cleaner - This straight-to-DVD crime drama is actually very good.
Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris and Eva Mendes, this movie is well acted, suspenseful and easy to watch.
Jackson, a former police officer who now has his own business as a Cleaner of crime scenes and other bio hazards, is unknowingly involved in a cover-up.
It was interesting and fun to watch. We give Cleaner...........................................3-Stars.

Revolver - We must say that this was one of the toughest movie to watch in a long time. Not because of the gore and violence of which there is plenty, but because of the way the story is told; using the character's inner voice and flashbacks.
Not even Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, who wears very little clothing in this movie, and
Vincent Pastore can save the story telling. And much to our dismay this movie was written and directed by Guy Ritchie. (No wonder there are rumors of Madonna divorcing him; I would too if he makes movies like this.)
The movie could have been more interesting if the viewer were allowed to understand what is happening at any given time.
We give Revolver..........................................2.5-Stars.