The Movie Page

The Blue Collar movie review

By Peasant Sharecropper

Someone who has to pay to watch the movie

----------------------------------------------------------------

***** Great Movie **** Theater *** Rental

** If Free * If On Death Row

2007

KNOCKED UP R

*** This is no 40 year old virgin but it is still pretty funny sometimes. Katherine Heigl, whom I have never heard of and at one point was wondering if it was Charlize Theron. I guess Heigl is a TV star. I wouldn't know. I don't watch TV, unless it is called South Park. She does a great job. Seth Rogen whom helped carry 40 year old virgin is a great character actor but cannot carry a movie and the same goes for Heigl. The buddies were very funny. But the worthlessness of them wore out way before the movie ended. If this movie would of stopped at 90 to 100 minutes it would have been okay but the 130 or 140 minutes was way to long for a comedy. One of those movies I will never see again. Leslie Mann did a wonderful job as the sister. Her character carried the movie many times. A good rental but don't waste the money for the theater.

Grindhouse R

*** Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino doing a B double feature can only be entertaining at worse. This project had great intentions and when you have a little clout in Hollywood you can do projects like this. I give them all the credit in the world for taking this on and it was funny in alot of places but it is nothing but a Saturday night video rental with alot of beer and popcorn to take it all in.

**** Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror was a very good B Zombie movie. I liked it alot. Great characters and off the wall funny blood gore stuff.

** Quentin Tarantino's Death proof is a bad C movie at best. Just terrible. Way to wordy and a D car chase seen. I almost fell asleep. Hope Tarantino's next flick doesn't compare to this.

Black Snake Moan R

*****March and we have a great movie already. But after seeing the week departed win best picture I am sure this movie will have no shot at an academy. Wonderfully directed by Craig Brewer this movie takes us to the far south. I think. Doesn't really say. Samuel L. Jackson whom just had he wife leave with his brother it trying to find God. Christina Ricci a sex addict whom was raped when she was a little girl, was found beaten unconscious along the side of the road by Jackson. He takes her home and nurses her back to health. She tries to leave before she is cured by the devil. Jackson chains her up with a big logging chain. The movie is nothing but joyous from here on it. Two small time city losers become a close father daughter team that bond together. Justin Timberlake also does a great job with his little part. Jackson and Ricci should both bet nomination this fall but this movie will be forgotten by the idiot academy voters.

______________________))))))))))))))))))))*(********************&&&&&&&&&&&^^^^^^^^^^^^

2006

Awarded best picture of 2006. Shows how week out movies are when a film like this get best picture of the year. Not a bad movie but if this is the best Hollywood can do how sad. Or the idiots that do the academy voting. This was nothing more then a good rental. I doubt if I ever watch it again.

Letter from Iwo Jima R

*****My pick for best picture of the year by far. A brother to the movie Flags of our father. Clint Eastwood is all you really have to say. Again the greatest director of our time if not of all time. Ken Watanabe is great and a very wonderful screen presents. Along with all the cast this movie is so wonderful you forget there are even subtitles. I loved it.

Rocky Balboa pg

****Hello old buddy. Now before I go on about this movie I should tell you there is no bigger fan of the Rocky Series then I. With the original Rocky in my top 10 of all time you can about imagine what my review will be on Rocky Balboa. From the first Rocky in 1976, yes 30 years ago. The fight which ends all of the films has lost its spark as the series continued. Don't get wrong still good but not the impact as the first two had. This one was no better. Now to the movie. Until the fight started the movie was wonderful. To me it was like seeing an old friend again. Rocky Balboa will go down in cinema history as one of the greatest characters ever brought to the silver screen. In Rocky III, IV, V the real Rocky kinds of left his roots. Why I love everything about this movie except the fight was the Rocky we came to love came back to us. The story was very warm and tender and superbly written by Sylvester Stallone. When he chews out his kid in a Vince Lombardi like speech on winning it was as good as any fight could have been. Goodbye old buddy. Its like Pualie, Burt Young says to him, "Hey Rock, I love ya" Thanks Sly for giving us Rocky - It was nice saying goodbye to him----------------I hope

Blood Diamond R

*****This has to be one of the best movies of the year. Directed wonderfully by Edward Zwick. It should get a best picture nominee. Leonardo DiCaprio proves again why he is one of the best actors around and should also get a nomination. Even if the cigarette smoking was getting to me. He never put it down for 3/4 of the movie. Djimon Hounsou has a wonderful screen presents and hold his own and almost steals the whole movie from Leo. Also could get a nomination. - Jennifer Connelly did a good job for the little part she had. The cinematography was breathtaking. Will also open up the people eyes that love diamonds. Brutal world out there. Not for kids. Awesome movie. A must see at the theater. Loved it.

The Good Shepard R

*A good sheep Shepard would even be bored to death with this disaster. And what a long boring disaster this is. Acting is good but every other aspect of this movie is a big flop. I think Robert De Niro was trying to make his , Once Upon a Time in America The Godfather The Deer Hunter all in one. But this time he was no Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Cimino, Sergio Leone. This movie is 3 hours of bore and all over the place. 1961 back to 1938 to 61 to 42 to 62 to 46 - Oh my God. You would have to watch this movie 6 times to try and figure out what the hell is going on. Once this makes video there will be very few on this earth that will be able to sit through it without hitting the pause and checking the ball scores or tomorrow's weather. The casting was awful. Matt Damon didn't change age in 22 years the movie covers. All they did was change his glasses. Never should have been cast for this. When his kid grows up he looks like Matts little brother at best. Then out of the blue Joe Pesci pops in the movie for 3 minutes- It was like De Niro felt bad he had no parts for his buddy so he went to the writer and told him to write something for him. Then Pesci pops off a bunch of racist stuff to fill his screen time. If any other director would have done this film none of these actors would have done this movie. What the hell was Angelina Jolie thinking - I guess De Niro is why - This is the worst movie I paid to see in years. Should fade into oblivion on the big and small screen- One bad movie.

Apocalypto R

****Maya culture history lesson here. Base on true facts. Mel Gibson is a great director no matter what he does in his personal life. I was expecting it to be much more gory then it was. We have no idea how easy we have it in life. Watch this movie and I think anyone will appreciate life more. Mel cast it with all no names and the cinematography makes it all looks so real. I won't go into the story but it is about survival of the Maya Civilization. Real people with real feelings that could have their life taken away at any split second. Great movie - will lose alot on a small screen. Go see it.

The Nativity Story pg

*** A little movie that tried. All the credit in the world for trying to walk in Mel Gibson's footsteps with a story of Jesus. At least this one was a very warm and loving movie compared to Gibson's three hours of blood and guts of the beating of Jesus. I liked this one but it's not powerful enough for the big screen. Nice little Christmas rental for years to come. Mary was played very well by Keisha Castle-Hughes, (Whale Rider) and David by Oscar Isaac. It is still the greatest story ever told no matter what your religious belief are. Now Merry Christmas

Casino Royale pg13

****Daniel Craig is a freaking stud. None of the other James Bonds could carry his jock strap. This movie offers alot of great action and a tad love story. A bit to long in a few places but that doesn't really effect anything. Not a James Bond fan at all going in but this guy will put this character at an all time high. Along with his toughness his coolness rules the screen. Will get your money's worth with this film. Kicks ass. Can't wait for the next one.

Deja Vu PG13

*** Where do we start with this one. I guess we have to bag on the worst part of the movie. The ending. Oh I forgot it didn't have one. I thought the writing was great but in order to be a great writer you have to come up with a good ending. This script is wonderfully written until the end. Bill Marsilii, Terry Rossio wrote themselves out of one. Give me a break. The ending is like, awe the audience is dumb they will figure out something. Away from the ending the movie is very wonderfully acted- Denzel Washington, James Caviezel, and directed, Tony Scott. A modern day - sci fi - time travel film. Paula Patton could be Halle Berry's twin sister. She did a good job with this. Her part was small but done very nicely. She will have to prove herself in a bigger role. Although I liked this movie alot is is very hard to follow and will lose most people. Hope not because it is worth seeing even if the ending is bad and doesn't due the other 98 % of the film justice.

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada R

*****A great directorial debut for Tommy Lee Jones. This is what movie are made to be. A great story, great acting top by a great directing job by Jones who makes this a wonderful surprise. Rancher Jones adopts a Mexican Immigrant Melquiades Estrada, played by Julio Cedillo. Cedillo shooting at a coyote missed and sends bullets at patrol agent played wonderfully by Barry Pepper. He shoots back and accidentally kills Cedillo. The boarder patrol cover it up until Jones finds out and takes revenge on Pepper in a wonderful way. Pepper should be nominated for an academy. Just a great performance. It probably won't happen but Jones could easily get an Oscar nod for his directing. This is what a movie should be. Great all the way around. One of the years best.

Flags of our Fathers R

***** Clint Eastwood behind the camera and a movie is almost a can't miss. This one should again get quit a few Oscar nominations. Most Americans don't know much about the battle of Iwo Jima. All they know is the famous Photo. This is not only a great movie but a history lesson to boot. War is a tough thing and unless you were there, there is really no way to understand the people that went through it. Clint takes the story back and forth. He tells the story how the feds used the three surviving members that raised the flag, to sell war bonds. This is no movie for young kids. Lots of blood and guts for reals. Adam Beach stars as Ira Hayes. He very well could get an Oscar Nomination. Also many other young actors that do a wonderful jobs. A can't miss. Johnny Cash wrote a song about Ira Hayes years ago .

The Departed R

***With a director like Martin Scorsese and a cast with the following Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin , you would think that you have a can't miss - Well it was close but overall I will have to say I was expecting more and a more sophisticated ending. The ending was a cop out by a great filmmaker whom didn't have an ending so he figured lets just kill everyone and end it that way. The acting was great on all ends. Story had all this potential but again with no ending. You end this movie with any kind of twist you have academy stuff - but to me it all went out the door with the ridicules unrealistic ending - rent it at best.

Little Miss Sunshine R

**** This movie sure was a pleasant ray of sunshine. I laughed pretty hard at times. It had its drag and unrealistic moments but overall was a very enjoyable time at the movies. A dysfunctional family that takes a road trip from New Mexico to California so Olive, played wonderfully by Abigail Breslin can compete in the little miss Sunshine beauty pageant. AKA- Jonbonet Ramsey pageant. Olive wins her local hillbilly pageant but when she gets to LA she sees that the other contestants are little beauty queens. Her grandpa played by Alan Arkin teaches her dance moves that bring the house down in the wrong way. For the first 3/4 of the movie Alan Arkin steals the movie. He was so damn funny I could not stop laughing. Greg Kinnear Toni Collette Steve Carell are all wonderful. Great little sleeper of a movie. Not for you kids - Liked it alot.

Invincible pg13

****Being a hard core Football fan and also knowing a true Eagles fan I found this movie very touching and uplifting. Vince Papale is a wonderful story. A football Rocky. It is a story of a man that was down and out in 1976, lost his job and his wife. Tended bar to try and pay the rent. Went to a football tryout for the Eagles and made the team. The story is not only about football but about south Philly buddies and the bond they had. Mark Wahlberg is one of the best actors in the game today. He finally gets a movie to show it. Greg Kinnear is wonderful as always. Many other also turn in fine performances. I liked it alot. Won't win any awards but a very enjoyable movie to see.

World Trade Center pg 13

***** POWERFUL is all I can really say. I have always felt Oliver Stone was one of the better directors of our time but his conspiracy theory films kind of took its toll on me. I sure hope this is the new Oliver Stone because he should be a shoe in for the Oscar this year. I laughed, cried, squirmed in my chair, felt angry, felt proud, but over all overall felt like I just watched an amazing movie. September 11th changed America. Bush haters will hate this movie because it shows something good that came out of September 11th. Two NY Port Authority Policeman , played by Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena , trapped in the rubble and how a marine, Dave Karnes played by Michael Shannon found them and others risk their lives to get them out. September 11th divided our country even more. Bush haters have tore this movie up. They just want nothing positive to happen to this country while he is President. Even an uplifting movie that is not political. What this movie tells is, what two families went through the first 24 hours after the towers fell. They were the lucky ones. As we all know many didn't make it. Oliver Stone made you feel what the trapped men felt and what the families felt. Michael Pena should easily get an Oscar nod. When you think of Oliver Stone making a movie about September 11th you would think he would have the buildings coming down and Bush pushing the button.- (I guess that version will be made soon by Charlie Sheen or Michael Moore) - But no he stays away from that and tells one hell of a courageous story. Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal did wonderful jobs playing the wives. The is a must see film. Will be hard to see a better picture this year.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby pg13

*** How much of Will Ferrell can you take? If you can take alot of him then you will enjoy this movie to no end. A big fan of his but the running around in the underwear, yelling is starting it wear thin. At the beginning there is funny scene that made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes. The family getting ready to eat dinner. I thought to myself this is going to be one heck of a funny movie. Well it was all down hill from here. Don't get me wrong I did laugh a few times here and there the rest of the way but the whole movie wore thin. I felt like I was watching one big commercial. The endorsements sold for the film will pay all of Ferrell's salary alone. I don't think there is a product on the market in the free world that wasn't plugged in this movie. Watch the race car movies start to roll now. Will Ferrell is a very funny guy. John C. Reilly also did a wonderful job. Molly Shannon was funny with her little part. First I have seen Greg Germann seen since Ali Mcbeal. If you have seen the trailers you have seen over half the funny scenes in the movie. Will be an okay rental. It will be one of those movies that will play for years on the tube. Good rental when it comes out.

Clerks II big R

**** I never saw the first movie so I didn't know what to expect going in but this is my kind of movie. Funny as fuck. And believe me, if you do not want to hear the work fuck you should stay away from this movie. Because this is one fucking funny movie. Not really familiar with Kevin Smith. I know he made the first Clerks with little or no money. I guess now after some success in Hollywood he didn't abandoned what got him here. I am not into sequels but since I never seen the first one this one rules. No names like Brian O'Halloran Jeff Anderson Jason Mewes fit these parts like a glove. It has been a long time since I heard out loud laughing at a movie like I did in this one. Me included. The big surprise for me was Rosario Dawson . Not only very pretty but also a very good actor. This movie should make her a household name, or at least get her a top notch gig. Very nice screen present. If you like raunchy filthy humor and alot of f-bombs this is for you. Liked it alot.

You, Me and Dupree pg13

**I was at the theater and a bad movie moved in and would not leave. It had its cute parts but this will go down as the dumbest movie of the year. Owen Wilson moves in with Matt Dillon and Goldie's daughter - The nightmare not only begins for Dillon and Goldie's daughter but for movie goers. The fun just wore thin and it became more idiotic as the clock ticked away. Rent it and you may have a good time.

Superman Returns pg

*** The super is missing in this man. I guess it is not right for me to judge this movie. When I think of Superman I will always think of Christopher Reeve and when I think of Lois Lane it will always be Margot Kidder and when I think of Lex Luther it could only be Gene Hackman -- And when I think of a Superman Movie none will ever top the 1978 Richard Donner film. To me it was one of the best films of all time. Saying all that this Superman is not bad. Just not really good. For starters too long. At 2 1/2 hours they could have easily cut it down to 2 hours. The sad part about this movie is it ended with the sequels already in pre-production I am sure -- Brandon Routh looks the part but is an awful actor in this role. At least when dialog comes into play. Kate Bosworth does do a nice job playing Lois Lane but again, her and Superman have no chemistry.. Kevin Spacey plays a good villain but he couldn't wear Hackman's jockstrap as Lex Luther. Parker Posey does a wonderful believable job as Kitty, Lex's girlfriends James Marsden has a great screen presents and is a huge star on the rise. The action scenes were good but overly worked. The movie was okay but I will never watch it again. I think I will toss in the 1978 version and watch the real Superman.

Nacho Libre pg13

**** What a wonderful surprise. Not being a big Jack Black fan I will have to say he did an absolutely wonderful job in this one. A Mexican Friar who moonlights as a wrestler to help feed the children of the orphanage. Directed by the same guy Jared Hess whom directed Napoleon Dynamite (2004). He is a very good comedic director and I am looking forward to his future movies. Jack Black stars and is the movie. I laughed very hard throughout the movie, especially the ending battle. This was a very very fun time at the movies. We cannot say that about many movies these days. Loved it. Also a great soundtrack.

The Da Vinci Code PG 13

****This film may not be the holy grail but following them on the search for it was rather fun. Two hours and 50 minutes long and it goes pretty fast. I guess if you are a Jesus freak religious fanatic you may find this movie offensive. If you watch it as a movie about the Greatest Story ever told then you will find it very good. Ron Howard is one of the best directors out there. Tom Hanks is very good like always but this is a rather stand out performance. Audrey Tautou does a find job who ever the heaven she is.. Ian McKellen is one of the finest actors of our time. He shows it here again. Paul Bettany plays a great villian. Jean Reno is in the movie and that is about it. His career has went nowhere but down hill since the professional. The movie is not slow like many critics say. I think most of them for some reason hate Ron Howard. I don't think Howard could make a bad movie if he tried. I like this one alot.

The Sentinel PG 13

**** Good to see Michael Douglas back doing a movie that is worth seeing. This is a very intense movie. Like all movies these days you can pick it apart in several unrealistic scenes but overall it moves by fast. Kiefer Sutherland also does a really good job. I have never scene his TV show but he belongs on the big screen. Aging very well. Eva Longoria also does well. I have not seen here TV show. She handles a gun pretty well for being such a tiny thing next to the guys. Kim Basinger is good as always but the role is very weak for her. I hope this wasn't the best that came her way. She is much better then a role like this. It is about a snitch inside the secret service and Douglas is accused of it. I liked it alot and would suggest it to all of adult age.

Inside Man pg13

*** Inside man is spelled Clive Owen. This movie had all it takes to get going but just does not have the wam bam ending I thought was going to come. Cute but not great. Very cleverly written about a bank robbery that is suppose to go sour. The robbers want no money just a safe deposit box that contains diamonds and notes from the Hitler era. The banker, Christopher Plummer sold out his Jewish counterparts during the holocaust and became rich from it over the years. Jodie Foster and Denzel Washington do fine jobs like always but Owen will still most movies he is in these days. He has a presents on the screen we have not seen since and early Clint Eastwood. Will be a good rental. Thought is was okay.

Lucky Number Slevin R

***Another pulp fiction wanna B. Saying that it turned out pretty good. If you like hard core killing this will be your movie. Bruce Willis plays a veteran hit man back in town for a big job. From here the movie goes all over the place. If you go the bathroom you will lose what is going on. The directing gets kind of cute-z maybe a little too much. Good written story, just really hard to put it on the screen. Josh Hartnett is just not believable in this role. Lucy Liu is the only real bright spot of the characters. Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley also very good. It will be a very good rental. I liked it.

V for Vendetta R

** For starters if you hate America and the West in general you will at least love the storyline. Terrorist win, Terrorist win. Government bad, government bad. Now to the movie. I guess I can recommend this to some and not to others. Overall I will say I kind of liked it. It did drag thou. Had its cute parts and nice little twist here and there but overall it is all over the place. It will be a little to all over the place for most people. Natalie Portman is wonderful as always. Good to see Stephen Rea back doing some good work. He is a very good actor. John Hurt is about over the top as one can be. Seeing him get killed was a relief to get him off the screen. the movie is about a terrorist getting even with the government. Flip a coin. I would wait and rent it. If you go to the bathroom you will be left out in the dark on what is going on. Get caffeine in you or you may fall asleep. Was okay. Not saying alot for the 2006 box office so far.

2005

*** ***** ***** **

Crash best picture of 2005

=======================================================

Goodnight, and, Good Luck PG 13

** Goodnight and good luck watching this movie. This by far will be the worst movie ever nominated for best picture. David Strathairn, Best actor nomination over the likes of Russell Crowe Cinderella Man. Give me a break. This movie should have gotten no nominations - I can tell you right now the academy will be the lowest watch academy in the history of the show. No one really cares what the content is in a movie but for the love of God at least nominate good movies. Now saying that this movie will be okay when on the tube for free. Don't waste a penny on it. I won't even go over the movie because it is not worth my time.

Capote R

***** If any film deserves best picture this one sure does. What a wonderful movie and wonderful job by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Bennett Miller is a guy like many others in the business if giving a chance can churn out a great movie like this. The studios need to jump all over this guy. Didn't know what to expect going in. About all I knew about Truman Copete was the comedians imitating him in the 70s. Philip Seymour Hoffman should be a shoe-in for best actor this year. Although the brokeback guys did a good job, he rules. Not only mastering the voice but the emotions to go with it. Based on Capote's book In Cold Blood it covers the infatuation of his with the killer and the execution. A do not miss movie. A close second behind Crash for best picture of the year. Loved it.

Brokeback Mountain R

*** Well we hear nothing but this is not a gay Cowboy Movie well this is a Gay Cowboy Movie. A good one at that. Not great but good. To long and slow. It was like when Ang Lee filmed it, if all else failed the scenery will at least keep the people entertained. For all the homo phob guys this is very light as far as the guys all over each other, although they are alot but not in the sexual way. Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michelle Williams all did wonderful jobs and I guess their nominations are well deserved. They really pushed Michelle's Williams character aside. The movie should have had a lot more to do with her. That is were the movies fails. She finds out about her husband and the next thing they are in front of lawyers getting a divorce. Very weak. She did the best should could with her small role. It will be a nice rental but if this is one of or the best movie of the year I guess it just shows how bad the movies were in 2005 - This is no Man with no name meets Rooster Cogburn kind of cowboy movie. I like it.

Crash R

*****My best movie of the year so far. An edgy racist filled movie that shows the sides of all races and the good and bad in all of us. I laughed hard and broke a few tears. If you have ever seen the Movie Magnolia it is made in the same way. This is what you look for when you go to the movies. Sandra Bullock had a very small and weak role. A paycheck for her and that is about it. Don Cheadle carries most of the film and is great as always. One of the better actors working today. Matt Dillon is a great screen presents. By the time his career is done he will have 100 or more films under his belt. Comedy or Drama he is great. Terrence Dashon Howard, Thandie Newton, Ludacris, Larenz Tate all give great memorable performances. There is alot of movies yet to come out this year and there may be some just as good but there will not be one any better. It could of easily got a PG 13 rating, so if your kid is over 13 this movie would be okay. Love it.

Match Point R

*** For the first hour I was wondering what the heck I was doing in the theater watching this movie. To say the least it was very very slow and will lose most people. I have never watched many Woody Allen movies I really didn't know what to expect. About an ex tennis pro Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, who gets a job teaching at a local rich club. The Rich guy's daughter, Emily Mortimer falls in love with him but he falls in love with the rich guy's son's girl, Scarlett Johansson - he marries the rich guys daughter while he is having an affair with his future sister in law. When he has to make a choice between Scarlett Johansson or his wife, her rich family and the great lifestyle he is living, he does just that. Will have to say it was a wild ending. It saved the first boring hour of the movie and the movie itself. Great acting and great writing by Woody Allen. Will be a great rental but make sure you drink plenty of coffee or you will fall asleep and miss the good part.

Fun with Dick and Jane PG 13

***At least Dick Jane had fun with this movie but I doubt if many others will. Don't get me wrong Jim Carrey and Téa Leoni are great together and do a great job but the overall movie is just plain weak to say the least. Jim Carrey loses his job and he and Téa Leoni go on a robbing spree and everyone lives happily ever after. Little more to it then that but not much. I never seen the 1977 flick with Jane Fonda but if the story is the same I cannot see how it could be any better. Jim Carrey in any movie will be entertaining to some extent. Alec Baldwin collected an easy paycheck. I think if they could have kept it a little more realistic the movie would have some legs at the box office, but this one will fad fast and I mean fast. I did laugh a few times and one of the funniest came when the credits started to roll and they named all the corporate big wigs now in jail for ripping off their company.

King Kong pg13

***** Jurassic Park meets King King- I will have to say the first 45 minutes is slow but still entertaining. When they hit the island the Peter Jackson sets in. Non stop the rest of the next 2 hours and 10 minutes - yes over three hours long but it goes fast. Outside of a goofy dinosaur stampede the movie is great. Naomi Watts lights up the screen like no other - cannot see any other actor playing this role. Stole Kong's heart and will steal yours. Jack Black and Adrien Brody do wonderful jobs but Naomi Watts and Kong steal the movie. Great fight scene between Kong and T-Rex's - keeps you on the edge of your chair. Not a kid's movie - 13 or over for a few reasons - one it is very scary in some places and the beginning will bore the kids to death. A must see on the big screen - will lose alot on TV unless you have one of those 5k tubes. Loved it.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire R

** Yawn, yawn a few special effects - yawn yawn - Well, I will not waste alot of time with this movie. Have not seen any of the other -- thank god- but the story was still weak - and I would never take any kid under 13 to this movie- dark and scary in some spots - to long at 2 1/2 hours. To much kid's jabber etc,etc,etc, maybe if I had watched the other movies this one would have been better but that is no excuse to have a weak story - This would have been a great Disney Sunday night movie on TV.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang R

**Kiss Kiss bang bang bore bore funny funny - Has its funny stuff but just a little to all over the place for me. Story is weak to say the least - Shane Black thought he was making Pulp Fiction II- Robert Downey Jr. is good but looks awful- off the drugs but hardly ever a scene without a cigarette in his mouth - Val Kilmer looked like he didn't want to be there - Michelle Monaghan stole most of the scenes. She was good all the way around. I caught myself dozing off a few times but the killing got me back on track - still don't get the story - to messed up. Liked the way it was done if it only had a stronger story ond plot- A mild okay from me.

The Weather Man R

****This weatherman gets the forecast right for once. Nicolas Cage is a man that has it all in the business world but his personal life is a disaster. A wonderfully written script by Steve Conrad and beautifully directed by Gore Verbinski . Off the wall dark comedy that makes you laugh when you wonder if you should be laughing. Cage is a Chicago weatherman that gets no respect from anyone. His wife left him and is getting married. He wants her back. His overweight daughter, his troubled son and his counselor that tries to molest him all add the taste that a movie like this needs to keep you very entertained. Let not forget Michael Caine Always great all the time. This is a movie with real people in real situations. Nicolas Cage could get an academy nomination. He is very wonderful and believable in playing a real person. Liked it.

Two for the Money R

**** This is all for the Money. A very slick movie with great acting performances by Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey . This is Al Pacino's best role in years. They story is very well written. The betting game is really hard to follow. Outside of that it is a really fun movie to watch. You are waiting for disaster to strike but it never does. Rene Russo looks like death warmed over. Bad enough she is 52 years old but she must weight 90 pounds soaking wet. Looks awful. Thank God she is a good actor but I think her career is as good as over unless she puts on some weight. Sports betting movie is the last thing you would want to go to the movies to see, but Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey make it all worth the price of admission. D.J. Caruso does a great job directing and we will be seeing more of his movies to come. Worth seeing. Liked it. You can bet on this one.

A History of Violence R

**** This very good movie has killing like a Dirty Harry film and sex scenes that top 9 1/2 weeks. They push the envelope to that NC 17 rating but didn't get it. Viggo Mortensen plays a father and great husband that runs a small diner in nowheresville USA. One day two serial killers try to rob him at closing time. Chuck Norris and Clint Eastwood appear from within his skin. He disarms and kills both of them in a matter of seconds saving the killing of a waitress. He becomes a hero and it makes national news. The kicker now is he use to be a mafia hired killer, a secret he never told his wife and kids - Now they are after him. I will let you go from there. Maria Bello is awesome and a very wonderful big screen presents. Ashton Holmes as the son does a nice little job. Gives you everything you need at the movies Viggo Mortensen shows why he is one of the best working today. William Hurt and Ed Harris make great appearance that keep reminding us how great they really are. If you like Sex - Violence and a few giggles this is your film. A can't miss. Loved it.

An Unfinished Life PG 13

***** This is about as good as it gets at the movies. Lasse Hallström hits the nail on the head with this one. The cinematography alone is worth the price of a ticket. Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman bring two characters to the screen that will last a lifetime as long as movies are shown. This is a movie that in ten years when you are flipping channels and come across it you will pull up a chair and enjoy it again for the ump-teenth time. There is not a sexier actor on the screen today then Jennifer Lopez. She is becoming a very good actor also. She holds her own and more here. She is just plan hot. With a cast like this Becca Gardner does all she can not to steal the movie from them all. She is adorable and wonderful in the Daughter and Granddaughter role. What a wonderful young actor. Her career is only just begun. This is a do not miss movie - Great story that will make you laugh and cry. Will easily make my top five this year. Josh Lucas - Damian Lewis -Camryn Manheim also carry their own.

The Constant Gardener R

** This is one Garden where the weeds just got to high. A dull all over the place movie. A awful film to bring to the table on the aids problem in Africa. Ralph Fiennes is a great actor and good here but cannot save this big bore. I am so sick of the Directors trying fancy camera work. One point they film it like the DP (director of Photography) is walking with the camera on his shoulder. Or in other words you are letting a 9 year old use the camcorder. I got so bored at one point I fell asleep for a minute or two. A free movie of the week should have been the max for this film. This one will fade fast at the box office. Forget it.

Broken Flowers R

** These Broken flowers are lost in Translation. Laugh - bore - laugh - bore - chuckle - bore. Bill Murray needs to go back to comedy and stop taking our money trying to show us he can act. It is almost like he is trying not to be funny and doesn't want to be funny. Nothing else on the tube and your kicking it, this may be your movie. If you can stay awake. Jeffrey Wright is the only real bright spot in this film. Very funny. Jessica Lange and Sharon Stone do nothing roles. Slim pickings if they have to take something like this. Alexis Dziena is hot. Full nude body of a 19 year old. It is in this movie. I guess if you have a body like that who wouldn't want to show it off.. She was a bright spot in more ways then one. Come on Bill, give us back the Bill Murray we all have came to love. Not this crap.

The 40 Year-Old Virgin

****In this day and age of special effects and bad movies this one is a breath of ------- filthy funny air. Word of month will make this movie a huge hit of the year. That is if you like a little R rated filthy sex talk in the funny way. Me along with the crowd laughed our asses off throughout most of the movie. To top the film off it even had a love story. People will get 100 % more then they expected when they go to see this flick. After watching at least, 15 trailers, 14 bad - Redford- Freeman and Lopez look like a hit coming-- Virgin makes you forget about the everyday world we live in. Steve Carell (anchorman and comedy central) is very funny in his first major role. Seth Rogen as the side kick is just as funny and maybe ever funnier. Catherine Keener is as hot as any 45 year can be in the movies these days. "wow" Great actor also. The rest of the cast plays along well also. there is not many movies you can go to these days and laugh your ass off but this is one, if you like everyday R rated life. Hard not to like it. Good all the way around.

Bad News Bears PG 13

*** One word says it all and that is Billy Bob Thornton , no other actor in the biz can handle a beer can, smoke and swear like this guy, and still be believable. He can play the blue collar guy till the sun comes up and will always be successful. This is just a PG 13 of Bad Santa. I laughed alot and all because of him. The kids, well they did okay but most all were bad actors. But not really alot here to showcase their talents. Will be a great rental when it comes out. Greg Kinnear does a good job along with Marcia Gay Harden, but Billy Bob steals the scenes and movie. Liked it alot. My favorite line, Kids ask him to take them to Tony Roma's, He says, " I can't afford a place like that. I have to kill Rat and Mice for a living ( he's an exterminator) to pay for my Trailer-----------In Sunland----------In a wash.

Wedding Crashers R

**** Didn't expect a whole lot going in but got plenty. Well worth the money for this movie if you like raunchy humor. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are a great buddy combo. Two guys that crash weddings to pick up chicks. All goes well until of course they both fall in love for reals. Christopher Walken's dysfunctional family is one of the best I have seen in the movies in a long time. They are hilarious. I laughed lots. Just a great cast. Rachel McAdams (Notebook) plays a role that suits her well. The fall in love gal. She has wonderful screen presents and her career has only begun. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn will make a great pair and hope they consider doing more films together. They were a joy to watch. Will Farrell make a funny cameo appearance at the end. R rated but will still be good when they cut it for TV. Liked it.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory pg 13

** This movie is far from sweet candy. More like melted chocolate. Tim Burton is one of my favorite directors but just misses this one. I have never seen the Gene Wilder film but I hear it is the same story as this. This is too adult for kids and to kiddish for adults. Kids got restless and were talking throughout the movie. A guy next to me was talking on his cell phone. This will be a good Sunday night at the movies on the tube. It will have a big opening and then drop out of the theaters fast. Johnny Depp is a very good actor but it has been a while since we have seen him take on a real person. An easy paycheck here for him and a nothing role. Freddie Highmore (finding neverland ) is a wonderful little actor. More then I can say for the other kids in this film. They must be related to the filmmakers because they are bad. Acting with a capital A. Helena Bonham Carter is one of my favorites but this is a paycheck and nothing role for her. Wait for the tube. Will never watch it again.

War Of The Worlds pg 13

***Suspenseful, Scary, nice special effects, and a whole lot of nothing else. Only Steven Spielberg could save a movie like this. He had to get half way through it and wonder what the hell is was doing with something like this. Aliens attack - they kill people and then out of the blue they die without any explanation really. Tom Cruise is good as always, but is not on the movie poster for a reason. Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin are both really bad. The bad acting is at its best. Why would Spielberg cast Chatwin, a 23 year old in real life to play Cruise's teenage son that is several inches taller then Cruise. Chatwin should be dating Katie Holmes. Speilberg and Cruise will try to forget about this one fast. Rent it. Oh I forgot about Tim Robbins, yeah.

Batman Begins PG 13

*****Now this is a movie. Starts out just a tad slow but once it gets going look out. Christopher Nolan is the man behind this hit. Tim Burton got it close but Nolan hits the nail on the head. This movie is Batman at his best. Christian Bale is the perfect cast for Bruce Wayne aka Batman - When you cast a well known actor it never works or loses it believability. Bale has a recognizable face but just not a household name. Fans will only connect him to being Batman and do not see the other characters he has played - Like Val Kilmer and Michael Keaton. Love the darkness of the town and the making of the Bat Cave and how Batman came about. Just loved it all. Once this movie gets going you will be on the edge of your seat till the credits role. Morgan Freeman is awesome like always. Got to love him. Good to see Gary Oldman play a good guy for once. Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Rutger Hauer all were wonderful in their roles. Katie Holmes , oh well, very cute to look at but a nothing role for her. If Christopher Nolan directs the next one with the Joker I will be waiting in line. Like it alot.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith PG 13

*** Dumb to say the least. Probably the dumbest entertaining movie I have seen in a long time. A no thinker here. Toss two of the hottest stars in a shoot'um up weak story and you get a hit. It is real sad that we get this as one of the better movies this summer. They kill more people then Arnie and Clint together in a movie. A PG 13- what the hell is with this rating. Kill 150 people and get PG 13 - show a tit or say fuck twice and it goes to R. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie are funny and good together, but nothing can save this movie. It is funny and Stupid at the same time. About one action scene to long. Vince Vaughn is funny like always. Could have used much more of him. It will make millions which doesn't say much for movie goers like myself. Dumb, Dumb, Stupid, Funny and entertaining. Rent it. This one can wait.

Cinderella Man PG 13

****This is one Cinderella Story. Got to love a great sports movie especially when it is based on a True Story. Jim Braddock was a prize fighter in the Depression area. When he was almost to the top, he lost a couple tough fights, had an injury and wound up with the poor class when the depression hit. While in the bread and welfare line, a top contender needed a bum to warm up for the champ. Braddock got the call and registered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history - from there you will have to watch the movie. Russell Crowe kicks butt in this role like he does in almost all his roles. One of the best actors working today. Renée Zellweger, well whatever. A nothing role. Collect the check, Sad that one of the hottest actresses in the business takes on a wife roll. The old wife roll. Like they say in Hollywood. 1 female role to every 20 roles for the male. Ron Howard does a great job and it could garner him an academy nomination. A wonderful movie. I like it alot.

Crash R

Kingdom of Heaven R

* Kingdom of lame is more like it. What a waste of $120 million dollars. Ridley Scott is good but what a bore. A shipwreck happens -- all hundreds and hundreds are dead - except Bloom and a horse. YEAH - Some of the slow motion fight scenes reminded me of Sly Stalone's contender TV show. Orlando Bloom is a goodlooking knight but just cannot carry this film. The story is weak and confusing on what is really going on. Scott used titles every now and then just to keep up connected. Would have been a good TV movie --Maybe???? - I will have to say this is one movie I will never ever see again. One time was one time to many.

Millions G

*****The only thing bad about this movie that is it flying under the radar and most people will miss it. This is an absolutely wonderful movie. About a young boy, Damian, Alexander Nathan Etel finds a bag full of money. Since his Mom died he has lived in a fantasy world. Make believe characters throughout the movie appear. He talks to them. His older Lewis Owen McGibbon wants to buy houses and have fun. Damian wants to give it to the poor people, and does in very funny and warm way. A warm hearted loving movie that just doesn't come around often. There will not be a person that watches this movie that doesn't fall in love with Damian. He is a young boy who doesn't see what he doesn't have but only sees what others don't have and need. Boy, doesn't our world need more children like Damian. A don't miss flick. I liked it a whole lot.

Sin City R

**** Just have to give the movie an A for effort. What do you get when you cross Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino? Blood and more blood - arms and heads cut off plus more. But what is best about this movie is the way it is shot. Black and white with selected things colored. Thank God not the blood. Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke are wonderful, especially Mickey Rourke's character. He is funny along with a brutal killer. If you are looking for a great story this is not it. I give Robert Rodriguez all the credit in the world to do a movie like this. What a great change at the movies. He doesn't really give a shit what anyone in Hollywood thinks. He is going to make movies his way an all else can take a hike. Must be nice to be in that position. After the horrible Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) i was second guessing myself going to this, but i will say i liked it a lot. It is a movie you will like or just hate. You will have no problem guessing what part of the film Tarantino directed. "Wowy" Body parts go a flying.

Hostage R

**** This Movie will take you hostage and before you can leave the theater it will make sure you never forget it. What a great movie. This is the best action movie I have seen, probably since Die hard one. Why this is so good is because it has it all. A great written story. Robert Crais (novel) Doug Richardson (screenplay). Great Directing Florent Emilio Siri. Last but not least Great acting. This is Bruce Willis at his best. It is early but I truly feel he deserves an academy nomination for his work. You heard it here first. He is wonderful. He not only is an action star but also has the acting tools to carry this strong story. Not a minute goes by in this movie that you do not sit at the edge of your seat. Wham bam thank you maam. It is bloody so parents do not take your young kids. They will be scared shitless and have nightmares. Under 17 no. Kevin Pollak, Jimmy Bennett, Michelle Horn, Ben Foster, Jonathan Tucker, Marshall Allman all deserve credit for a great job. If you are over 17 this is the flick. Has it all when it comes to an action movie. Will be one of the best movies of the year. Loved it.

Be Cool PG 13

***Be Cool is luke warm to say the least. John Travolta has a very weak role. Uma Thurman same. The only time the movie stumbled is when they came on screen. Boring stuff. They do a dance that is awful. Their chemistry is not believable. Uma Thurman is believable in her role but just doesn't look like she really wants to be in this movie. Trovolta is not believable at all. After he smokes 10 cigarettes in the first 30 minutes ( and he says he doesn't smoke in real life- yeah right) The director must of cut the hell out of it or told him to put the smokes away because he doesn't smoke one cig the last 3/4 of the movie. Now comes the fun part of the movie. Vince Vaughn, Cedric the Entertainer, André 3000, The Rock These guys carry the movie. Lots of funny stuff here. Trovolta and Thurman collect the checks - these guys carry the movie. Vaughn is hilarious as a white guy being black. Cedric and his gang record buds steal all the scenes they are in. The Rock is the most loveable character on screen. He plays a soft gay guy. Great stuff. Story was weak - slow - Aerosmith's Steven Tyler along with Christina Milian - give the movie a huge break from its weakness when they do a duet together in concert style. Shows just what a legend Tyler and Aerosmith are. Just not a good movie overall. Rent it a most- Was glad when it ended.

Hitch PG 13

****Well it took two months to get me to the theater and my friend had a lot to do with this pick, but I am happy to say it was a joy. I laughed hard many times. An uplifting movie that is a great break from our everyday lives of on the go stress. Will Smith shows why he is the biggest draw in the game. Fun, loving and a very good actor. Eva Mendes is as beautiful to look at on the screen as any female out there. She overacts on many occasions but her beauty carries her. If she gets a handle on the acting gig she will rule the screen. Kevin James is very funny but does a little too much most of the time. He will be a character actor for many years to come if he ever leaves the small tube.