UPCOMING SUMMER MOVIES

Soooo, being the movie fanatic that I am, I'm going to be compiling the list of movies I reallllly wanna see. Starting with:

- Red Eye (starring Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy): Lisa hates to fly but the terror that awaits her on the night flight to Miami has nothing to do with a fear of flying. Moments after takeoff, Lisa's charming seat-mate, Jackson, menacingly reveals the real reason he's on board: He is an operative in a plot to kill a rich and powerful businessman... and Lisa is the key to its success. If she refuses to cooperate, her own father will be killed by an assassin awaiting a call from Jackson. Trapped within the confines of a jet at 30,000 feet, Lisa has nowhere to run and no way to summon help without endangering her father, her fellow passengers and her own life. As the miles tick by, Lisa knows she is running out of time as she desperately looks for a way to thwart her ruthless captor and stop a terrible murder.

(note: hehehehe, i was too lazy to write my own synopsis so i stole one...) Jenny and I are seeing this in August. Any other takers?

 

(haha, jenny and i did commentary pour le pic and said she was like "dude, you stink") 

MAD HOT BALLROOM (as seen on 7/3/05) DOCUMENTARY RATED: PG

WAR OF THE WORLDS (as seen on 6/30/05) STARRING: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins RATED: PG-13

HITCH (as seen on 6/28/05) starring: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James RATED: PG-13

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (as seen on 6/25/05) STARRING: Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart and Ethan Suplee RATED: R

ALEX AND EMMA (as seen on 6/24/05) STARRING: Luke Wilson and Kate Hudson RATED: PG-13

  

So its the last day of school and i just had a freaking painful mold and i go to nate's house. After we watch some kickass Alias, we kick back and decide to watch Alex and Emma (which cough cough got TERRIBLE reviews). But Nate liked it and alas, we watched. The story is about Alex (Wilson) who is a struggling writer with a gambling problem, which results in him owing about 100 grand to a mafia. They give him  30 days to write a story and give them the moolah that comes with publishing it. But Alex is braindead and instead, hires a stenographer (aka someone to type for him as he dictates). Move camera in on Kate Hudson (Emma) who is the stenographer and probably polar opposites with Alex: She's spunky and romantic while he's more straightforward and precise and a bit lost. They begin to type each day, unraveling Alex's tale of a 1920's affair. In it, a man who is a tutor, falls in love with the wealthy/seductive mother of the children he's teaching. He begins to find himself not being able to get with her unless he has money and her fiancee is dead. But also, a love triangle forms as another character, who eventually embodies the real character of Emma, makes him fall head over heals. Alex starts to incorporate his real life into his stories creating chaos. The days wind down as Alex must meet his fate as his love triangle haunts him. The movie is split into reality, of which Alex and Emma are typing and pondering what should happen. The other half is the book, playing out what Alex is dictating. In the book part, Alex is the man and Emma is the second lady he falls for. Luke Wilson was just kinda bland in this role, not really providing any comedy or any emotion. He was pretty stiff the whole time. Kate Hudson, however, did a fabulous job of being SOME comedic performance to an iffy movie. Nate and I were pointing out ALL the cliches and trust me, we got a lot. This movie had a good premise but definitely fell flat. I expected more from the dircector  (rob reiner) who had done movies like When Harry Met Sally. Oh well.... 4/10

MR. AND MRS. SMITH (as seen on 6/18/05) STARRING: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie RATED: PG-13

 

So, it dawns on me at around 5:00, that this is our last weekend as 8th graders. Sad? Yes. Depressing? Yes. How do you cure this empty feeling? With a freaking movie. So I felt like I needed to see a vibrant one and (duh) I've been waiting/wanting to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith for a realllly long time (as in since I first saw the trailer in November). Anyway, after coaxing Nate (who wanted to lounge around watching Alex And Emma), we decided to see it. Simon got in the picture too and off we were.... so I was all excited and Nate and Simon were the only other people i knew who remotely wanted to go near this movie. I like Brad Pitt (although his acting was only superb in Fight Club) and Angelina Jolie (Lara Croft!!) and their chemistry was absolutely amazing. I totally forgot I was watching actors and thought they were really married..no joke. Back to the premise of the fabulous movie (which, by the way, was directed by Bourne Supremacy director..) which is that a marriage between Jane/John Smith (Pitt and Jolie...not our friend Jolie, but Angelina..) that is decreasing. The movie begins with a very seductive scene between John and Jane, when they met 6 years ago in Colombia in a nightclub-ish place. It then zooms forward, into a marriage counseling scene, when they discuss their problems which is basically saying "there is no more passion, desire or love." Little do they know that their spouse is not a constructor or banker, but really professional assassins. Soon, both of their companies need to extract a hostage and then Jane and John find out each other's indentities. However, no matter how much anger and violence they feel to kill the opposite, they realize that (duh) they do love each other in some odd way. The movie works through their hate, intertwining the lies and secrets that kept them apart while driving through a path of intense action. Will Jane and John ultimately know they love each other or will their different sides split them apart into dangerous territory? I absolutely loved this movie. The music was totally kickass which helped the feel-groovy mood. The acting was on par and like I said, the chemistry was soooo apparent between the 2 leads. Vince Vaughn, an agent with Pitt, added a lil bit of spice and humor to the action mix which had the audience laugh a lot (especially Simon). It didn't get boring, the lines were hilarious, and the story unfolded quite nicely. Great summer movie!!!! 9/10

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MEET JOE BLACK (as seen on 6/17/05) STARRING: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani RATED: PG-13

  

So I saw this film aujoud'hui parce que you either loved it or you hated it. It came out in '98 quand i was just 7 so i obviously had no idea how good looking brad pitt was. and anyway, i felt like a needed to see a dramatic-ish movie today cause i was feeling all sentimental so (duh) i watched this. Its about a successful, powerful and wealthy businessman Bill Parish (Anthony Hopkins, star of my fav old movie Howard's End) who almost dies from a near fatal heart attack. However, a voice protects him from his deadly fate and he does not die. Instead, the next day, he is visited by a mysterious stranger (Brad Pitt) who greets himself as "Death" in the human form. Death and Bill make a pact that Bill will live a bit longer to enjoy life if in exchange, Bill becomes an earthly guide to Death, showing him what living is all about. But things take an awkward turn when Death (who Bill calls Joe Black) falls for Bill's daughter Susan (Claire Forlani). And so towards the end, when Bill's deal is fading away and people become suspicious of Joe Black, revelations are made about life and death and what we become from secrets. Ok, a lil rant: this movie took a freaking 90 million dollars to make. It freaking takes 50 million dollars to make an efficient action movie. soooo...what the hell did that money go to? anyway, it kinda showed cause of the set designs (a huge freaking mansion) and amazing ball at the end of the movie. the story had such a rich, empowering message and premise. However, the script was really tattered...I mean, "I love you, Susan." - "No, I love you, Mr. Joe Black." C'mon, I think I wrote like that in a poem I wrote in first grade about my mother. Seriously. But also, the movie was long. I mean, 3 hours. Lord of the Rings was probably longer (reminding me that I still have to see that...). HOwever, some things did make up for the poorer elements. Like an occassional speech that sounded genuine and the ending.  I guess I was kinda hard on this movie and don't get how people could cry during it (i was really sad but didn't feel the Niagra Falls). Anyway, I just thought it would have been better tied together with such a talented cast and storyline. Oh well. Movies fail and this one attempted to at least be a tearjerker. 6/10

SISTERHOOD OF TRAVELING PANTS (as seen on 6/12/05) STARRING: Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel RATED: PG

 

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Probably the only word I can use to describe it. I mean, months of mounting anticipation and anxiety pretty much killed me when the opening credits rolled onto the screen. Jolie and I like squeezed the knees out of each other (I also held really tight to the popcorn bag). I watched the trailer...umm...like 30 times? Maybe more. Anyway, the movie was on par with the book, following so immactuately close to the book it was really unnerving..but it a wonderfully fantastic way. The only altered part was Lena's. But anyway, to all those who haven't read the Sisterhood (and should be hunted), its about these 4 very different and unique teens who know each other inside and out. Lena is the shy one who doesn't know how beautiful she is; Bridget is the energetic, lives-off-adrenaline-athletic type; Tibby is the quirky and fiesty rebel with an attitude; Carmen is the outspoken, independent-minded one. This summer, their sophmore years in high school, will be their first away from each other. Before they all part (Lena= going to Greek roots; Bridget to soccer camp in Mexico; Tibby stays home to work: Carmen visits her estranged dad in SC), they discover a magical pair of pants that seem to fit them all, deciding to send them amongst one another throughout the summer. The pants connect their memories, their truths, their bonds. Lena finds herself falling for a Greek boy (AHEM KOSTOS AHEM HOTTIE AHEM) who she is afraid to pursue; Bridget goes above and beyond to capture the affection from an older soccer coach while realizing being too pushy can't get you far; Tibby finds comfort and an unusual friendship with a 9-year-old girl with leukemia; and Carmen finds out that her father left her and her mother for a better life in a different state with a different family. Throughout their feats, victories and hardships, the girls remain tied to each other. Its a great movie about the connections friends share, the paths we embark on and the spunkiness in all of us. It was a bit of a tearjerker for me (although I didn't show it, but a man in the front aisle did...he was like blowing like crazy into the same tissue). Carmen and Tibby's parts were extremely emotional. THe leading ladies did a fabulous job, rightfully deserving the parts while the guys (hehehe) were amazing as well. I liked it after I saw it but the more I reflect on it, the more I lvoe it. Great, great, great movie to accompany such a beloved novel. CAMPING OUT POUR LE SEQUEL!! 8/10

TITANIC (as seen on 5/29/05) STARRING: Kate Winslet, Leo DiCaprio RATED: PG-13

STEPMOM (as seen as 5/29/05) STARRING: Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon RATED: PG-13

PRETTY WOMAN (as seen on 5/27/05 on TBS) STARRING: Julia Roberts and Richard Gere

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ABOUT A BOY (as seen on 5/27/05) STARRING: Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz RATED: PG-13

 

 

SUCH A CUTE MOVIE!!

STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH EPISODE III (as seen on 5/21/05) STARRING: Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan Mcgregor RATED: PG-13

PIECES OF APRIL (as seen on 4/29/05) STARRING: Katie Holmes RATED: PG-13

 

Ok, since all this speculation about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes finally caught up with me, I decided to find out if she really was a good actress in this movie. It got critical acclaim so I was like "get my arse to blockbuster." Watched it alone (tear tear). Its about this young adult April (Holmes) who was the bane of her family's existence when she lived with them. She did drugs, had a bad group of friends, tried to light her brother on fire, that whole gist. So now she lives in a rundown NYC apartment with her boyfriend, Bobby (Derek Luke) who genuinely cares for her and is SOOOO cute. Its Thanksgiving and her mom has terminal cancer and can die any moment. So April invited her family (Dad, Mom, sister and brother and grandmother) so a meal. The movie takes place within that one day. It is split up into how April is preparing the meal (with a lot of difficulties including going around the apartment to "borrow" a stove) and the family's long drive (humorously and then dramatically discussing how April has changed their lives). As time is running short, the family ponders if they should actually be going into the home of the girl who made their lives hell. It is a bittersweet ending and is so poignantly done that I felt like "Awwww..." its a slow movie that you have to feel in order to get into it. I think the Mom (Patricia Clarkson) was the best actress here although some scenes where she was throwing up kinda made me queasy. The whole cast was really talented in expressing where they stood with April and their feelings to seeing her after so many years. Its a great indie film that I hope you'll wanna see! 8/10

TROY (as seen in May '04 & 4/21/05) STARRING: (a buttload of people but most notable-) BRAD PITT, ERIC BANA, ORLANDO BLOOM, DIANE KRUGER RATED: R

 

- Saw at at night. Dead tired maintenant. Coming Soon

IN GOOD COMPANY (as seen on 4/17/05) STARRING: Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid, Scarlett Johanssen RATED: PG-13

 

So I'm stuck in a hotel in like Ithaca, New York with my dad and Sarah at like midnight. We're bored to death so we're like "Let's rent a movie on the TV thing." Eventually, we choose In Good Company after deciding not to watch Meet the Fockers. Anyway, the movie is essentially about a 50-something-year-old man Dan (Quaid) whose life is being turned upside down. First, his oldest daughter Alex (Scarlett) wants to transfer to NYU which means its a lot more money. Second, his wife is pregnant. Third, a new hotshot Carter Duria (Topher) is becoming his new boss and Dan steps down. Dan's has to multitask with his hectic family life and his collasping business career. But soon, he realizes, Carter is just human and no, is not trying to destruct him. So they soon form a bond (although at first reluctantly) as Carter makes sure Dan is an asset to teh new project. However, things get a bit messy as Alex becomes involved with Carter without Dan's knowing. The movie focuses on the humor and sometimes heartbreaking drama of making mistakes. I think Topher was such a standout in this movie, being really hilarious as a workaholic who is young and needs a break. But Dennis Quaid was also really good as the struggling dad. They both have a great on-screen prescence. The plotline keeps moving along as this simple movie brings the joy of first love. Corny, yes, but c'est vrai. All performances were hilarious with a great amount of depth. 9/10. There were some HILARIOUS scenes (including a basketball one with Topher and Dennis...god, i was like dying)

DON'T SAY A WORD (as seen on 4/17/05) STARRING: Michael Douglas, Brittany Murphy

LORDIE, THE FREAKISH MOVIE EVER (THUS FAR...)

 

TWISTER (as seen on 4/15/05) STARRING: Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton RATED: PG-13

  

(Note: I love the picture on the right. She's like, "Get the hell off of me, asshole.")

On the day before les vacances, the Green Team had the pleasure of wathcing the movie which Ms Cohen called "Flying Cows" (aka Twister). It was actually quite durable and enjoyable, to my surprise, after watching snippets of it on TNT. Its about this woman named Jo (Hunt) who has been obsessed with tracking down twisters since one took away her father when she was young. Her hubby Bill (Paxton) was her closest partner in this field when he soon left her. Now, he jumps back into the picture when he wants to suddenly get married to a stiff reproductive therapist, Melissa (i know, what kind of therapist is that?!) But soon, Jo's team of whacky experts sense a huge twister coming their way and its their chance to utilize a machinery they created to keep a radar on the tornado's direction. In this wild ride, Bill and Melissa are taken on it too as well as an arch-rival group who want to steal their spotlight. Jo's team only has 4 chances to release their creations and after a crazy day of following these nasty twisters, their opportunity gets slimer and slimer. But the twister is not the only thing on Jo's mind: So is Bill. Its a bit of a love triangle between them all. If you haven't seen the movie but reading from this review, you probably know that most forces of nature movies are predictable, so this one is no exception. But I still won't spoil it... lol. I thought it was an entertaining movie for 3 periods with a cool plot. Visual effects were good, except for the freaking fact that NONE (besides Auntie) of the actors had ANNNYYY sign of cut marks. They managed to stay perfectly intact. That's Hollywood, I guess. 7/10

FEVER PITCH (as seen on 4/9/05) STARRING: Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon RATED: PG-13

 

 

COMING SOON

Bride and Prejudice (as seen on 2/19) STARRING: Aishwarya Rai and Martin Henderson RATED: PG-13

God, loved this movie. Maalika got me semi-obsessed with Bollywood and I've been waiting to see this movie since like November. I'm in love with the two leads, Martin Henderson as Will Darcy and Aishwarya Rai as Lalita Bashir, who are witty and sentimental. The movie, from director of Bend it Like Beckham, delivers a musical feel as well as good romance and humor. Its a modern Indian take on the classic book Pride and Prejudice, with a lot of twists. I also saw it again avec Maalika and we are now semi-obsessed (ok, me more than Maalika...lol). Its a modern tale set in the lovely landscapes of Amritsar, Goa, London and even Beverly Hills. Lalita is an independent, headstrong daughter (one of 4) who is intent on marrying for love, amindst a time of urged marriages in India. While her older sister Jaya pursues Balraj, a wealthy UK bachelor, Balraj's best friend, American hotel tycoon Will Darcy, is keen on Lalita. What seems as romance at first, turns sour when a series of misunderstandings stands between them. Lalita soon finds herself in a whirlwind of 3 suitors: Kholi, a hilariously acted part, of whom Lalita's mother wants her to marry (he is a kind of dorkish rich man who lives in LA); Johnny Wickham, a really cute traveler Lalita meets in Goa and feels an immediate attraction to; and the lasting prescene of Darcy, who despite his differences, still intrigues her. Will love play out for Lalita or will she be lost looking for romance? I've seriously been dying to see this film since it opened at #1 in the UK in October...October, hELLLOOOOO..that was like 6 months ago. So when I finally saw it, it really did pay off. Its a bit more mature and wittier than Bend it Like Beckham. The song/dance numbers are well done, though some songs are kinda iffy. Whats good about the film is that the songs don't interfere with the moving plot line and acting. I think the lead of Aishwarya was amazing; she's so pretty and has really good acting skills. I actually came to really like Martin Henderson as Darcy (dude from The Ring). Great supporting cast. 8-9/10

The Notebook (as seen on 2/20) STARRING: Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling RATED: PG-13

 

K, very hyped up movie from peeps I've heard about...so I had my Kleenex ready. It was a really cute, sentimental movie about staying true to the ones you leave behind. It begins with an old man (James Garner who starts to read a tale of romance in the 1950's to a woman who doesn't remember a thing (Gena Rowlands).  The story is about a young woman (McAdams) who.....

FINISH SOON

8 Mile (as seen on 2/18) STARRING: Eminem, Brittany Murphy, Mekki Pheifer RATED: R

 

I saw this on VH1 late in friday, so like Fight Club, it was much more durable when edited a bit. Eminem was actually quite amazing in this movie; realistic, emotional, talented....The movie itself gave me a raw taste on the underground rapping movement in detroit. The movie is based about Jimmy Smith (Eminem), also known as "Rabbit," who lives in shady conditions in a run down town. His family life is unraveling (his mom's boyfriend is obnoxious; his mom lives in a trailer she can't afford; he has a baby sister he can't support) while his career is boring (a tough job at a steel work place). His only place of comfortability with his friends (Wink, Future, Cheddar Bob) as they go around doing improv rap......

FINISH SOON

ETERNAL SUNSHINE FOR THE SPOTLESS MIND (as reviewed on 2/5/05) STARRING: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo RATED: R

  

SERIOUSLY, MY FAVORITE-IST MOVIE OF ALLLLL TIME. This movie was so original, confusing yet clever....Its about a man, Joel (Carrey) and woman, Clementine (Winslet) who are a tricky couple to explain. He's boring and plain; she's outgoing and energetic and spontaneous. After finding out that Clementine was with another guy, Joel outbursts and Clementine hates him forever. All of a sudden, Clementine is ignoring him like she never knew him. Its because she went to a secret agency to have Joel erased from her mind. Soon, Joel decides to do the same. This movie revolves around all the memories Joel has kept with Clementine, surreal and zany, and how his heart is prying him to stop the erasing process. Its a odd situation to explain and I really didn't dig the first half hour. But then a strong supporting cast backed up Winslet's and Carrey's mindblowing performances. Both Clementine's and Joel's sanity/memory is as alive as ever as a team tries to kill all the thoughts they ever shared with each other. Its a race against the process as they attempt to hold onto each other as long as they came...SO SWEET, so real, so witty. I can't even put into words my love for this movie. The ending is bittersweet; 2 scenes almost made me cry when Joel and Clementine know that they can't hold onto their memories forever....God, soooooo in love with it!! SO RENT IT!!! 10/10 (a first)

FINDING NEVERLAND (as seen on 1/29/05) STARRING: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman RATED: PG-13

 

This was such a moving story about the author of Peter Pan and his inspirations for his play. Johnny Depp stars as J.M. Barrie, the author,  who is open to imagination and against growing up. He encounters the widow Kate Winslet and her 4 sons during a walk in the park. In a series of meetings, Barrie forms a bond with the boys and they begin to go on countless adventures. Peter, one of the sons, however, is reluctant to let Barrie in for he thinks he is trying to replace his deceased father. Throughout their playful journeys of fun and moments of reality, Barrie discovers that the life he is leading with the boys is the perfect play. Barrie's previous plays have failed horribly and his wife is getting suspicious of his time spending with Winslet. Problems climax as Winslet's mother is seriously opposed to the relationship and Winslet is starting to get sick. Yet Barrie continues to spend time with the boys...soon, the play is finished and the curtain goes up on Peter Pan, amidst a painful time for the family. Will is succeed or be just another one of Barrie's failures? This movie is not the blockbuster you expect to see with Johnny Depp...he is so amazingly perfect for the role and Winslet is amazingly terrific as well. Its the younger cast, though, that shines. The boy who plays Peter (nominated for a Golden Globe) is so realistic and superb. In beautiful sceneries, from parks and theaters to imaginative fantasties, this movie whisks you away on an inspirational trip. It is simple and a bit slow but you get so involved with the emotion. I went with Maalika and we were always like "This is sooooo sad..." Very well done!!!! 8/10 

OUT OF SIGHT (as seen on 1/24/05) STARRING: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle RATED: R

Storyline and basis in a nutshell: A career bank robber breaks out of jail and shares an attraction between a US Marshall he has kidnapped. Phew...now on to the confuzzling things. Its an action, suspense, Ocean's 11-ish type movie mixing a lot of class, espionage and good one-liners. Clooney plays the fugitive-ish guy and J.Lo (i know...) plays the person set to get him. In a rare twist, Jack (Clooney) and Karen (Lopez) bicker yet ultimately fall for each other. But its not all sappy butt romance dialogue. Its witty to the max! The plot is basically about Jack and Karen settling their differences in the world of crook and cop through prety nifty missions. I know I'm making this movie sound iffy, but its one of those things that you need to see. Clooney, and surprisingly J.Lo as well, share a great chemistry and deliver their parts realistically. The ending is kick-ass and, i know i'm being odd, the music score was really catchy. Think Ocean's 11 music...really upbeat and spyfull. There are several twists and turns as well as some nice supporting performances by Don Cheadle and a lil cameo thing from Samuel L. Jackson are good touches. I loved the heist scenes...very well done. Clooney is as smooth as ever, definitely one of the slickest movies in the 90's. 8/10

   

ELEKTRA (as seen on 1/17/05) STARRING: Jennifer Garner RATED: PG-13

K, saw this avec Eric-aloo et Nate-ton on the Monday holiday. I was totally like "Dude...it got 1 star...its going to suck." Yet since I love Jen Garner, liked Daredevil, and hate homework, I decided to regarder it. And it turned out not to be that bad..... Except for the fact that it was iffy. Elektra (Garner) is brought back alive and out to kill some more peoples. In "Daredevil," she shared a romance with Matt Murdock (urg, Ben Affleck) and then died. She is now very much living and the movie takes off with this, never looking back to connect the ties with the previous "Daredevil.." Its like this movie was NEVER a spin-off of another one. Anyway, she is an assassin hired to kill whoever her assignment is. However, after a friendy aquantince with fellow neighbors in a remote place, Elektra realizes her next mission to kill them. The neighbors are this dude (I forget the name...) and his daughter (like 13 yrs old). Elektra cannot bring herself to kill whom she believes are innocent people. However, a band of evil people are then sent to assassinate them. Elektra takes it upon herself to protect them and they race across beautiful sceneries to safety. But what Elektra doesn't realize, is that the daughter is The Next Big Thing (aka prodigy) and that she will fall for the father. The evil people are Tyhpoid Mary, Tattoo, this asian-guy-who-can't-act-and-carries-a-stupido-sword, a jumpy guy, and a dude with a huge club. Most of the villians aren't utilized to their fullest capabilities, one of the many flaws of this movie. Will Elektra be able to push away her personal feelings to see the truth of the danger by hiding this family? This movie is dark and a bit confusing. It does a few flashbacks but it doesn't help the movie at all. The acting is mediocre. I don't blame them, because the dialogue was choppy, forced and not very good at all. The fight scenes could have been improved a bit. It was a bad movie, but I always like those the best so I can't fully downgrade Elektra. 6/10

FOR LOVE OF THE GAME (as reviewed on 1/1/04) STARRING: Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston RATED: PG-13

                         

Dude, peeps on like Amazon or something recommended this movie so I was like "urg...fine, i'm dead of boredom so i'll go rent it." So I go to Best Buy to gets some pics developed and then there's the movie on the DVD rack-ish thingy, and its practically as cheap as RENTING it...anyways, I end up buying it for real cheap. This was SUCH an incredible movie about baseball, relationships, love, and a bunch of other touching stuff....much better than I thought. Kevin Costner stars as a baseball pitcher (Billy Chapel)whose career is winding down and he's finally pitching his last game. Throughout this momumentous game, we see lotta flashbacks to his past 5 years. Jane (Kelly Preston) plays his on-off girlfriend and they share this really special and really romantic chemistry which helps propel this movie. It mixes the perfect balance of sports/suspense, love and heartbreak. For Love of the Game intertwines realistic aspects of playing on the field as well as relationships. Its a great, moving movie and I loved the actors in it. The dialogue could have been taken up a notce (its the basic "i miss you..i need you..."). However, the scenes on the baseball field make you feel like you are Billy, pitching because the movie gets inside his head. I probably am making this movie sound too iffy but its really an incredibly sweet film! 9/10

LOVE ACTUALLY (as reviewed on 12/28/04) STARRING: a bunch of famous British peeps including Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth. RATED: R

 

Ok, lemme just get this out...the first time I saw this movie, I thought it was perverted, boring, and really bad. That was at Jen's house and all of us were screaming at the (ahem ahem) inapro-pro scenes and at how disguistingly tiresome it was....and back then, it really was. HAHAHA...then comes this year's Christmas and guess what my dad buys my sister...YUP. So here I am like 8 months later, watching it again at midnight. I totally zoned out of the beginning because I saw it before. But then I came to the parts we hadn't before..and I realized some of the characters storylines really are sweet. The basis of this movie is about like 9 British people looking for love near the Christmas holiday. The cast is totally packed, so I'm only going to highlight some of the cute scenes. Hugh Grant is a prime minister who falls in love with his secretary; Colin Firth is a writer who falls in love with this Porteguese woman who does not speak his language; Emma Thompson is a woman who fears that her husband (Alan Rickman) is having an affair with his assistant; Keira Knightley is a married woman who has the most gorgeous photographer falling in love with her; Liam Neeson is a single father who's adorable son (like 10) in love with this girl; etc etc etc. This movie jumps back and forth between on stories and adds a few along the way. The one I liked most was Knightley's and Grant's. Towards the middle-end and final end, the movie FINALLY gets on a fricking roll. The music is soooooooo perfect and all the scenes end so well, depending on their situation. Ok, the ending outcome is inevitable...yes, most of them DO get their loves and wishes. But its the way the movie executes it that makes it so enjoyable...like Liam Neeson's son race through the airport to say goodbye to the girl he loves. So this movie is tough to grade because the first part was dragging and lagging and all that bad stuff....plus, i  zonked out of it. But the second part was really well done and fun to watch...and totally got me in the holiday mood, despite the fact that its not Christmas anymore. SOOO...(drum roll): The grade is 6/10.

13 GOING ON 30 (as reviewed on 12/28/04) STARRING: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo

                 

I love "Alias," Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and comedies which is actually what this movie offers. Yet even so, I kinda held mediocre expectations for it. "13 Going on 30" is about a 13-year-old girl in the '80s who wants to be older. She is definitely a wannabe and has a dorkish guy friend who is genuinely sweet, but she doesn't pay any attention to him. Finally, after a birthday diaster, she wishes to be "thirty, flirty, and thriving." Little does she know, she gets her wish. Jenna Rink (Jen Garner) is now a successful magazine editor with a famous boyfriend and in charge of the bully she longed to be in middle school (Judy Greer). She has everything she ever wanted, except for the friendship of Matt whom she lost in touch with over the years. After contacting him (Mark Ruffalo), she discovers about the past she never lived which means how mean and cruel she grew up to be. In middle school and throughout high school, Jenna ignored and never spoke to Matt. Determined to change her ways, Jenna sets the tone by boosting her magazine's image and trying to rebuild her trust with Matt. Through loopholes and comic twists, Jenna attempts to straighten her so-called perfect life. I really did enjoy this movie...it does have a lot of comedy, yet does take some dramatic-y turns with its leading emotions. The plot swifts from being bubbly to bittersweet. I thought Jennifer Garner was really well fit for this role because she can transition between being funny to being serious and real. I am seriously in love with Mark Ruffalo now (even tho I already was)...he was just so cute and welcoming to a person who made his life hell before. All in all, this was fluffy fun enjoyment that really gave true moral, one liners, and feeling to a fun storyline. 8/10

NAPOLEAN DYNAMITE (reviewed 12/26/04) RATED: PG

    

So Christmas comes and I get this DVD, even tho I had never seen it before. So at like midnight today (12/26), I plopped down and watched it. It was such an oddly interesting, engrossing, simple yet fun movie. Napolean Dynamite is about a nerd high school kid (dude...that's his name...) who is just dealing with his crazy family life and his school life. His grandma is like a woman who flies over sand dunes (don't ask) and hurts herself, so Napolean's uncle comes to help around the house (he's a football fanatic/whacky salesman). Napolean's bro is like him in 20 yrs, a nerdish adult who chats all day with his "soulmate." Odd already, right? So then Pedro comes, a Mexican guy who is pretty reserved and becomes Napolean's new best friend. Then comes Deb, a quiet dorkish girl who Napolean befriends. This movie is all about intertwining these interesting characters with Napolean's entertaining lifestyle. He lives in rural Idaho and has a llama (har har) and a pretty much normal life...its just the quirky people around Napolean who make things interesting. Such as the dance, Pedro wanting to become President, his brother meeting his online chat girlfriend, drawing a picture of his date Trisha, etc. I know this review makes the movie sound extremely bizarre, but the movie really is, in a delightfully positive way. Its so weird, quaint and oddball-ish that it just makes you enjoy it more and more as the funny scenerios roll along. Napolean's character is so hilarious...I mean, just looking at him makes me smile. The way he talks, his awesome 'fro, and the way he talks makes you fall in love with him (quote: "I was with my uncle, shooting wolverines." SO FUNNY) He's full of this inner energy, yet displays this dull annoyed personna. Pedro, I am truly in love with. He doesn't talk a lot, but he's just so warm and nice and lovable. So with a whacky plot, and even crazier characters, this movie really grew on me....9/10. Oh yeah, Haylie Duff is in it, Hilary's sister. She plays the most popular gal in skool who Pedro has a crush on...AWWW

Before Sunset (as seen on 12/3/04). Rated R: language and crap like that. STARRING: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy

                             

I think this movie was like at the top of list on seeing and I finally got to. It's actually the sequel to the 1994 film "Before Sunrise," both of which got incredible reviews and rave. So I kinda had a dilemma in Blockbuster whether to start with the first movie, or to jump into the second one which I heard more about. Anyway, I picked the 2nd one and watched it at like 11 in the night. I was pretty dead but the movie was just so unbelivably good. Its the follow-up to 2 strangers (Hawke is an American; Delpy is the French girl) who met by chance on a train and spend a nite in Vienna. They shared this great connection but never saw each other again. Now, 9 years later, they meet by chance (again) in the lovely Paris and only have about 2 hours to catch up on how that one nite changed their lives (he has a plane to catch so they don't have much time). Its not one of those movies that jump around from scene to scene because its taking place in "real time," which means the 80 minute movie is the 80 minute conversation they have...there's no special effects, sci-fi crap, or anything but just pure, fresh, raw dialogue. Jessie (Hawke) is now an acclaimed writer with a family and Celine (Delpy) is an activist with a boyfriend. That night they spent together 9 years ago had imprinted upon themselves and their lives, so the careers and ways they chose to go on, always seemed to be based on their memory of each other. They hadn't exchanged any type of e-mail, phone, or whatever so they had spent 9 years in agony, wondering if they had let The One away. I really really loved this film. It just seems like you're in the conversation with them, sitting down with them in the cafe or walking down the alleys of Paris. The dialogue and things they share are just really amazing... and it was a real refreshing movie to see with all the action crap movies out there. The ending is bittersweet and poignant and the movie made me want to live in Paris. Its a very simple, well written movie that held a lot of bottled emotion. Hawke and Delpy, I think, were totally made for these roles, with their chemistry...plus, they co-wrote the screenplay. Although a bit boring in some places, the overall gist it gave off was realistic and touching. 9/10

National Treasure (as seen on 11/24 early release avec Maura et Nate-ton) STARRING: Nicholas Cage and Diane Kruger (Troy woman) and Sean Bean

                                         

WOW....What to do on a early release?? Screw at Cabot's avec Rae? Mall avec Maalika? Or screw at home watching Dawson's Creek repeats? Well, Nate first goes, "Hmmm...Becca, we should see a movie." Me: "Like After the Sunset or like The Grudge?" Nate goes (and Maura too, eventually): "NATIONAL TREASURE!!" And I'm all like: "EWWW...that movie looks too fake and predictable and PG!" But hey, after a lot of persuading and annoying lil rants, I went to the 12:30 showing at Chesnut Hill. Plus, in gym, Bri was all like "That movie rocked!" And it was like amazingly better than I thought. I really want to screw all those early reviews that really mess up the movie. Anyway, the movie was about generations of the Gates family, trying to solve the mystery (and treasure) that our Founding Fathers formed like centuries ago (aka Ben Franklin...and some other people....). The newest generation in attempt to find the treasure is Ben Franklin Gates (Nicholas Cage who NEEDS A FRICKING NON-FLOPPY HAIRDO...plus, he wore a furry jacket identical to Devin's). He's a 30 something guy who builds a team that tracks down the clues that are scattered throughout the world. Its actually very historical but in a funky way. One clue leads to another and another and another. Soon, his team gets really pissed that its taking so long to find datreasure, but obviously (all movies have this), Ben does not want the treasure (dumbarse), just the answers to his generations of hard work. He teams up with funny guy Riley (do not know the guy's name, but he was a hottie) and Abigail (Diane Kruger who Nate couldn't stop mooning over), who is a witty worker at this historic place. Soon, its Ben and his new team race against the people-who-turned-their-backs-on-him in order to find the treasure. All the clues are hidden inside national monuments (like the cracked Liberty Bell. Quote from movie: "The crack expanded" and we all cracked up...no pun intended) and souvinirs (dollar bill) and crap like that. Its a hunt for the treasure and in reality, the hunt for the final clue to the long-lost mystery. Dude, this movie was like incredible...definitely "cheesy/predicable fun" but hey, its fun none the less. For all you peeps worried about the PG rating (like Nate was..he was like "EWW..its PG!!"), there is some kissing (between Cage and Kruger), implied crap at the end (she gives him a treasure map to a mysterious place and then they smile and run into the house giggling), and some scary moments of dead people popping out. None the less, its a funny fun movie. I really,thoroughly enjoyed myself and was intrigued b/c right when you thought the movie is gonna end, it continues (like Something's Gotta Give...went on and on and on). EXTREMELY smart tech and crap things going on that made me go "DUHHH...how you do dat?." The acting was mediocre b/c not too much emotion except from Kruger who had to fly off vans and scream her ass off. Some twisted turns and funny lines are spread throughout...So 8/10. By the way, sorry for all those parenthesis, but I was on a roll. Oh yeah, HAHAHA...funny note: the director's name is like Turtletaub. ISN"T THAT AWESOME????

The Prince and Me (as seen on 11/13/04) Starring Julia Stiles and Luke Mably (who the hell is he??)

                                 

To get the gist of this movie in a nutshell, think Notting Hill (minus the actress thing and replace it with royalty) meets typical teenage romance flick. If you're thinking right, you'll end up with a typical teenage romance flick with a royal twist. In THE PRINCE AND ME, its your average movie about 2 young adults falling in love and the little conflicts that fall in between their union (love that word). But the "conflict" in this movie is that one of them happens to be a prince (duh...the title totally gives it away). It all starts with Page Morgan, a pre-med student who is extremely focused on her work in chemistry during her stay in college. She is not exactly social or wants to be, for that matter. Then comes in the fun loving, spirited Edward (aka Eddie), the heir to the throne of Denmark. He wants to escape his boring life and ends up at the same college at Page. They click and clash during their first encounters (including an embarrassing bar thing and other crap) but ultimately have to help each other to survive college: Page sucks at Shakespeare while Eddie practically memorized it; Eddie isn't that great in learning how to deal on his own while Page is far more independent. In a whirlwind of "should we-should we not be," the typical storyline of a teenage romance flick, evaporates as the royal part comes in. Of course, they fall in love, but the whole Prince thing makes Eddie have to go back home and Page mad at him for not telling her "The Truth." He must go to the throne (his father is sick) and wants to bring Page with him, but will she give up all she's lived for to be part of someone else's destiny? Watch and figure it out....embarrassingly bad at some parts; sentimental and kinda real in others. Some whacko scenes to check out: Eddie in full Denmark costume with a mask of hair covering his face while on a horse (don't ask) and the lawnmower races (again...don't ask). A tad bit better than I thought, but still.....6/10

HEARTBREAKERS (as seen on many many many various occassions with Nate, most recently on 11/6/04)

 

Awesome, well planned movie. Didn't do as well in the box office, but hey, those are the best flicks rite? Anyway, its about a team of con artists consisting of an older seductress (Angela) and her young, independent daughter (Page). Together, they scam men into marriages and affairs and eventually divorce, for the result of a share of the men's wealth. However, in their most recent con, Page wants to break away from her mother and the man Angela had recently left is begging for reconilliation, leaving a terrible mess. Soon, in Palm Beach, Gene Hackman plays the newest (and oldest) and possibly last target for Page and Angela who will go seperate ways after conning him. But its not as easy as it used to be, for Page falls in love with a young, trustworthy man who is oblivious to her background. Angela's latest ex-husband also wants Angela back and goes the distance in finding her. Their 2 stories clash and the Angela/Page con history is in the hands of the men they believed they had control over. Will love ultimately win over, or will the price of the stakes be too high? In an extremely well-crafted and witty film, Heartbreakers finds the perfect mix of romance, mystery and laughs. Jennifer Love Hewitt is bitchy but a fun character; Gene Hackman is kinda disgusting as a smoking old fart but played well; and Sigourney Weaver is terrific as the protective mother. Great movie, great stuff, great performances. Not notable amongst heist movies or anything, but enjoyable none the less. I guess its about an 8/10. Well done.

FIGHT CLUB Starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton Rated R Made around like 2001

                      

REVIEWED WED. 9/29/04

WOW...I came home today feeling iffy. Turned on TV and there it was on FX (not a bad channel anymore)...FIGHT CLUB. With a R-rated movie title slapped onto it, expect violence and language. But since it was on TV, it was MUCH more durable...not to mention enjoyable. I kinda tuned in pretty late but knew what was pretty much going on b/c of the stuff I read about it. It is a movie about a geeky, not-going-anywhere-in-life kind of guy (Norton). He dreams to be a tough, edgy guy and soon, he actually meets one (Pitt). Pitt, named Tyler, introduces Norton (forget his movie name) to the underground fighting scene. Like the dangerous clubs/mafias that meet in shut-down mills to fight. It's everything Norton has wanted and feared...and now he's a part of something great. Pitt gives him the patience and elements he needs to be know to be tough. But as the fights in the club get more dangerous, dares get more risky, Norton realizes that Tyler is pushing him too hard...and one day, he does. In this great, "indie" film that caused a phenonmenon about 3 years ago, I can agree why it's so great. Yeah, blood and soundeffects of punches are abundant, but don't let that take away from the film as a whole. Norton is great, as a man fighting actually with himself to find out what he wants personally. Pitt is just a tough, rowdy guy but portrays it well. Dark, yet provacative, Fight Club achieves a powerful message of personal will and how much you can take physically and mentally. The ending is amazing and really freakish and scared the shit out of me!!!! 9/10

Royal Tenembaums (not going chronologically in order of movies i saw...plus, this movie was like old but it was playing on tbs so it still is a movie to review)

                  

Wow, this movie is soooo funny. It's not like laugh-out-loud funny but its just hilarious in its own dark comedy way. The Royal Tenembaums brings together a great, all-star ensemble cast: Gwenyth Paltrow, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Gene Hackman, Angelica Houston, Danny Glover, etc. Its all about this dysfunctional, wealthy  family who comes together for a "family reunion." Hackman and Houston play divorced father and mother to Paltrow, L. Wilson, and Stiller. All 3 kids were geniuses and incredibly famous during their teens, or even before. Paltrow became a best-selling author at the age of 10; Wilson became a pro tennis player by like 11; and Stiller was this scientific genius who discovered something about mice. But soon their fame died and the family went their seperate ways. Hackman, who is kinda going bankrupt, thinks he's dying so he calls upon his family to stay by his side...and then the fun begins. Set in like the 1920's, this movie is just really well put together. Kinda mystery, kinda history, kinda romance, kinda drama, kinda just really real. I can prob. relate to the whole crazy family thing so it was a really good movie for me. Its rated R b/c of Wilson cutting himself because he's in love with Paltrow...and some language. WATCH IT!! great, awesome movie. Def 8/10 or up

Spider-Man 2 (seen on July 1st and July 31st)

 

There was a lot of hype surrounding this movie and I kinda think it didn't really live up to it. The first time I saw it, I was blown away by the visual effects and thought the plot was great. However, the dialogue (Nate and Eric know what I'm talking about...lol) was really corny and long and didn't help the movie push forward. I think Doc Oc was a passable villian but I liked the Green Goblin better from the 1st film. Tobey Maguire does do a fantastic job of reprising his role as the hero Peter Parker. In this film, he is struggling to mantain his duty as Spider-Man, saving New York City from crime, and his personal life that is taxing on him from his hidden love for friend Mary Jane and school work. When his role model, Doctor Octavius, goes overboard with a fussion science experiement and tranforms himself into a dangerous creature with 8 mechanical arms, Doc Oc soon becomes his worst enemy. My favorite scene was when Spider-Man and Doc Oc faced off on a moving train. In all, I think there were some scenes that could've definitely been cut out because they didn't help the movie at all. For example, a pointless scene where he shares milk and cookies with the landlord's daughter or that overlong scene where his grandma talks about being a "hero." I think Doc Oc could've had more potential to be an even greater villian and Mary Jane could've have more to do than mope around and wonder if she really did love Peter or not. I think James Franco, who plays Peter's best friend trying to avenge his father's death (Green Goblin) from Spider-Man, was great but could've had more screen time. All in all, I was impressed by the movie but not by its performance and characters. 6/10

The Village (August 1st)

                   

This is a haunting depiction of the fears humans have. Set in the 19th century, a close-knit village has close encounters with the forest they have worked hard to protect themselves against. This villagem, over the years, has developed an equal understanding with the vicious creatures lurking amongst the woods: Villagers do not cross their borderse into the forest and the creatures will not harm them. Joanquin Pheonix stars as Lucius Hunt, a young man who stirs up these creatures to enter the village. Markings soon appear on doors, of the forbidden color red, and pigs are skinned to death as warnings to the villagers. Bryce Dallas Howard also stars as the blind, but witty young woman Ivy who falls in love with Lucius and befriends mentally challenged Adrien Brody (Noah). But Noah does not understand the love Ivy and Lucius share, so in spite, stabs Lucius. Ivy, heartbroken, is intent on finding Lucius medicine to heal his wounds, but that means traveling to "the towns" which is through the woods. Reluctantly let go, Ivy travels alone, blind, through the forest and soon senses a creature following her..... In a climatic ending, the audience realizes the innocence this village has kept upon its people and how one creature can change everything. Director M Night Shymalawn (no idea how to spell) really captures the essence of a true thriller while retaining some bits of human emotion. Howard is superb as a frustrated, opiniated woman dying to be accepted as indifferent. Brody, I think, steals the movie as an unaware simpleton who does not know the danger he is to the town. Well-acted and well-thoughtout despite the early bad reviews. Some scenes did run long and I feel the "surprising" conclusion could have been built a bit better. 8/10

HERO (seen in 6th grade and then like...yesterday on August 30th)

         

Despite all the amazing, raving reviews, I tried to put that aside when I saw it with my family...and I tried to put aside the fact that I saw it in 6th grade and partially at Jen's house, cause it was already owned by Ericaloo. Anyhow, I saw it...I liked it....I thought special effects were good. The plot would kinda confuse anyone who hasn't seen it as many times as moi. I have to go eat dinner...but I'll finish this review sooon