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.
Monday, September 22, 2008
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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