Slow Weekend at the Movies 8-15-08

Hello and welcome to Ken and Len's Movie Review.
This week we skipped the movie theater for the first time in months because we had chores to do and it was very slim pickings at the movie theater.
But we do have a handful DVD reviews so without much more ado here are this week's reviews.

DVD's -

Rambo - This 1980's classic returns with a new episode of a crime action thriller written, directed and starring Sylvester Stallone.
This time our hero is in Thailand where he joins a group of mercenaries to venture into war-ravaged Burma to rescue a group of Christian aid workers who were kidnapped by ruthless paramilitary locals.
The action is non stop and the computer graphics depict vivid violence and gore.
We liked Rambo and give it.....................................................3.25-Stars

Cloverfield - This action-mystery-sci-fi-thriller was much anticipated but packed very little punch.
The plot revolves around a Godzilla-type monster attack on New York city as told by a group of friends wielding a video cam after their going away party was interrupted.
Starring a bunch of unknowns, this movie lacked the star power and the writing required for an interesting Hollywood film.
Cloverfield was so-so and we give it.............................................................2.5 Stars

The Spiderwick Chronicles -

Upon moving into the deserted Spiderwick Mansion with their mother, twin brothers and their sister find themselves pulled into a parallel world full of faeries and other creatures.
Starring Freddie Highmore as the twins, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Sarah Bolger, Joan Plowright, David Strathairn and voices by Seth Rogen and Martin Short, this family adventure-fantasy pleases on all levels. The writing is good, the action is better and the computer generated graphics are excellent.
We enjoyed The Spiderwick Chronicles and we give it ...................................3-Stars

Saw -4 -

Tobin Bell is back as Jigsaw in this crime-horror-thriller that is likely to affect your nightmares for a few days following your screening of it.
In this latest installment, Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are dead, but somehow his legacy carries on. Talk about creative writing.......
But the movie does what it means to do and that is to horrify you with unspeakable blood and guts and related mayhem. If you like horror movies you will like Saw-4. We give it.................3.25 -Stars

King of California -

This wacky comedy starring Michael Douglas is very well done even though his character can be infuriating at times.
Playing an unreliable dad recently released from a mental institution, he tries to convince his daughter that there is Spanish gold buried under the suburbs in California.
The movie is very well done and it can be heartfelt at times. What do you do with an unstable parent?
It was very enjoyable and has a good ending. We liked King of California and we give it..............................3-Stars.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford -

Well, so much for plot development and a surprise ending. The movie tittle says it all. No much room for interest in the movie when you know the ending. And so is the case with TAOJJBTCRF; the fact that it was a western, poorly made, didn't help its cause either; the fact that Casey Affleck is not our idea of a good actor even when you can understand what he is saying; and that Brad Pitt is not much better, add up to terrible cinematic experience.
The total sum of its part add up to a not so enjoyable, too long movie. We gave this disaster...........................................................2-Stars.

Please come back soon as we hope to bring more movie reviews so that we can share Our 2-cents worth at the movies.