The Nick with Lauren on 12/20/11
Wow, Guy Ritchie. A fan of the slow-mo? I really enjoyed the story of this movie, actually more than the first Sherlock Holmes, but the heavy-handed stylized camera work was way too much. I was glad to be rid of Rachel McAdams this time around, and I loved Noomi Rapace as Sherlock's second sidekick. Mycroft Holmes was a nice touch, too. Moriarty is the classic villain, and he was played beautifully here. I would say delightful all around, except for the overused slow-mo.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 114
Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Puss in Boots (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Lauren on 12/14/11
This is one of those spin-offs that was absolutely unnecessary and pointless. Puss in Boots was one of the most memorable characters from the Shrek movies, but if this was supposed to be the backstory, it was a huge disappointment. The plot was predictable, the new characters were uninteresting, and the structure was all over the place. Please, please, please, finally leave the Shrek franchise alone from now on. I can't imagine this actually winning Best Animated Feature now that I've seen it, but stranger things have happened. I guess.
My Netflix rating: 2 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 112
This is one of those spin-offs that was absolutely unnecessary and pointless. Puss in Boots was one of the most memorable characters from the Shrek movies, but if this was supposed to be the backstory, it was a huge disappointment. The plot was predictable, the new characters were uninteresting, and the structure was all over the place. Please, please, please, finally leave the Shrek franchise alone from now on. I can't imagine this actually winning Best Animated Feature now that I've seen it, but stranger things have happened. I guess.
My Netflix rating: 2 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 112
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)
The Nick with Lauren, Kat, Anna, and Sadie on 11/29/11
So...this is the best Twilight movie, huh? I'm not so sure I agree. I think that this movie suffers exactly what the book suffers. There are moments that are interesting, like the sex scene, the tension between Jacob and the rest of the wolf pack, and Bella's extremely SFX intense emaciation by her unborn half-vampire baby, but the rest of the time feels a lot like filler. It's very obviously not the whole story - this was not the best one to split into two films. I was very impressed by the effects to make Bella look like she was starving, though, and the birth scene was fairly intense. The sex scene was fine, but the shot of the destroyed bedroom after was way better.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 106
So...this is the best Twilight movie, huh? I'm not so sure I agree. I think that this movie suffers exactly what the book suffers. There are moments that are interesting, like the sex scene, the tension between Jacob and the rest of the wolf pack, and Bella's extremely SFX intense emaciation by her unborn half-vampire baby, but the rest of the time feels a lot like filler. It's very obviously not the whole story - this was not the best one to split into two films. I was very impressed by the effects to make Bella look like she was starving, though, and the birth scene was fairly intense. The sex scene was fine, but the shot of the destroyed bedroom after was way better.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 106
Happy Feet 2 (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic on 11/29/11
I was not a huge fan of the first Happy Feet. Something about the dancing penguins just failed to reach me. I also found the switching between CGI and live action a little jarring. However, though this one also features dancing penguins and one or two switches between CGI and live action, I found it much more amusing. The baby penguin trio is adorable. Though, interestingly, I found the story of the two krill, Will and Bill, to be far more enjoyable and engaging. Despite the fact that it had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the plot.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 105
I was not a huge fan of the first Happy Feet. Something about the dancing penguins just failed to reach me. I also found the switching between CGI and live action a little jarring. However, though this one also features dancing penguins and one or two switches between CGI and live action, I found it much more amusing. The baby penguin trio is adorable. Though, interestingly, I found the story of the two krill, Will and Bill, to be far more enjoyable and engaging. Despite the fact that it had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the plot.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 105
Friday, September 23, 2011
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Brunswick Regal on 9/22/11
Even though I've never seen a Planet of the Apes film, I was excited to see this one because, honestly, I adore James Franco. And it's pretty fun! The CG apes look really unrealistic at times, but I enjoyed the facial expressions on Caesar (the grandfather of the intelligent apes) and the giant silverback gorilla was done well. Brian Cox is once again a slimy villain, as is Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy), but that's to be expected at this point. I would be shocked if I ever saw Brian Cox play a straight up good guy - and I still probably wouldn't trust him.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 93
Even though I've never seen a Planet of the Apes film, I was excited to see this one because, honestly, I adore James Franco. And it's pretty fun! The CG apes look really unrealistic at times, but I enjoyed the facial expressions on Caesar (the grandfather of the intelligent apes) and the giant silverback gorilla was done well. Brian Cox is once again a slimy villain, as is Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy), but that's to be expected at this point. I would be shocked if I ever saw Brian Cox play a straight up good guy - and I still probably wouldn't trust him.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 93
Monday, August 8, 2011
Pitch Black (2000)
Movie Night with Kat, Anna, Adam, Justin, and Sadie on 8/7/11
I've seen The Chronicles of Riddick already and hadn't really felt the need to watch this. Except that I own it on VHS and figured someday I should watch it to decide whether to keep it or sell it back to Bull Moose for 10 cents and gain the shelf space. I'm thinking shelf space wins. It certainly wasn't a horrible movie, but it's not one I'll ever watch again. Vin Diesel takes on aliens that look like velociraptors crossed with scorpions crossed with tire irons, since he can see in the dark and it's the middle of an eclipse on this planet. Thank God most of it's in darkness, since the CGI is pretty bad.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 67
I've seen The Chronicles of Riddick already and hadn't really felt the need to watch this. Except that I own it on VHS and figured someday I should watch it to decide whether to keep it or sell it back to Bull Moose for 10 cents and gain the shelf space. I'm thinking shelf space wins. It certainly wasn't a horrible movie, but it's not one I'll ever watch again. Vin Diesel takes on aliens that look like velociraptors crossed with scorpions crossed with tire irons, since he can see in the dark and it's the middle of an eclipse on this planet. Thank God most of it's in darkness, since the CGI is pretty bad.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 67
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Captain America (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Anna, Kat and Sadie on 7/22/11
I love Marvel! Have I mentioned that lately? Their movies just keep getting better and better since they started retaining their own rights and producing the projects themselves. Captain America is one of the more boring superheroes, morally perfect and without the problems like Iron Man's alcoholism or the X-Mens' elitism (sort of like Marvel's version of Superman), but the movie is definitely not. Hugo Weaving (bless him, he will always be Elrond first to me) makes a great Red Skull. And make sure you stick through to the end of the credits!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 58
I love Marvel! Have I mentioned that lately? Their movies just keep getting better and better since they started retaining their own rights and producing the projects themselves. Captain America is one of the more boring superheroes, morally perfect and without the problems like Iron Man's alcoholism or the X-Mens' elitism (sort of like Marvel's version of Superman), but the movie is definitely not. Hugo Weaving (bless him, he will always be Elrond first to me) makes a great Red Skull. And make sure you stick through to the end of the credits!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 58
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
The Nick with Emica on 7/19/11
New Top 100 list to be coming soon! This is a beautiful, fitting end to a very moving and well-made film series. Though the Battle of Hogwarts was drastically reduced in scale (as seems to have been the case with every big battle in these films), I understand why David Yates chose to do that. You can do so much on the page that would be nearly impossible to translate realistically - it's better to take the pieces that really work and emphasize them. Neville still gets his awesome moment with the snake, Mrs. Weasley still takes on Bellatrix, and the scene in the Great Hall with all of the bodies is even more moving on screen. I may have cried for half of the film.
My Netflix rating: 5 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 56
New Top 100 list to be coming soon! This is a beautiful, fitting end to a very moving and well-made film series. Though the Battle of Hogwarts was drastically reduced in scale (as seems to have been the case with every big battle in these films), I understand why David Yates chose to do that. You can do so much on the page that would be nearly impossible to translate realistically - it's better to take the pieces that really work and emphasize them. Neville still gets his awesome moment with the snake, Mrs. Weasley still takes on Bellatrix, and the scene in the Great Hall with all of the bodies is even more moving on screen. I may have cried for half of the film.
My Netflix rating: 5 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 56
Monday, June 27, 2011
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Movie Night with Adam, Justin, Kat, Mike, Anna and Sadie on 6/26/11
The best thing, by and large, about this film is the number of cameos and bit parts. You never know who's going to show up in the next scene! The plot of the movie is totally ridiculous, but in an awesome way that leaves you laughing but not rolling your eyes (for the most part). It's smart in that it's not too long, so the gags don't get old, and there is a little thread of continuity from the other Kevin Smith movies. It's not necessary to have watched the others first, though. Good times all around.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 53
The best thing, by and large, about this film is the number of cameos and bit parts. You never know who's going to show up in the next scene! The plot of the movie is totally ridiculous, but in an awesome way that leaves you laughing but not rolling your eyes (for the most part). It's smart in that it's not too long, so the gags don't get old, and there is a little thread of continuity from the other Kevin Smith movies. It's not necessary to have watched the others first, though. Good times all around.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 53
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Hangover Part II (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic on 6/20/11
This was funny, for sure, but I'm not entirely convinced that it needed to be made. A lot of the jokes are the same as the first time around, only amplified. There is a slightly convoluted sideplot involving INTERPOL. Bangkok is a great locale and certainly has a reputation, but I didn't think it was any more or less believable as all this happening in Vegas. The structure of the story the first time around was unique and totally different - there were huge, important portions of the plot that neither the characters nor the audience knew. It doesn't have the same impact the second time around.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 50
This was funny, for sure, but I'm not entirely convinced that it needed to be made. A lot of the jokes are the same as the first time around, only amplified. There is a slightly convoluted sideplot involving INTERPOL. Bangkok is a great locale and certainly has a reputation, but I didn't think it was any more or less believable as all this happening in Vegas. The structure of the story the first time around was unique and totally different - there were huge, important portions of the plot that neither the characters nor the audience knew. It doesn't have the same impact the second time around.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 50
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Borrowed DVD on 6/14/11
First of all, I love that George A. Romero uses bright red paint for blood instead of something more realistic. It gives this whole thing an air of tongue-in-cheek suspension of disbelief that I think it needs to be successful. It's also interesting that in zombie movies, main characters take WAY more time to turn into zombies than bit characters. Roger here (the slightly dorky blond one) takes half an hour of screen time to turn into a zombie. Others seem to turn immediately. Though I think that zombie movies have come a long, long way since, this is a worthy start (or second - Night of the Living Dead is technically first) to a fun, gory genre.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 45
First of all, I love that George A. Romero uses bright red paint for blood instead of something more realistic. It gives this whole thing an air of tongue-in-cheek suspension of disbelief that I think it needs to be successful. It's also interesting that in zombie movies, main characters take WAY more time to turn into zombies than bit characters. Roger here (the slightly dorky blond one) takes half an hour of screen time to turn into a zombie. Others seem to turn immediately. Though I think that zombie movies have come a long, long way since, this is a worthy start (or second - Night of the Living Dead is technically first) to a fun, gory genre.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 45
Saturday, June 4, 2011
X-Men: First Class (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Chris, Adam, Anna, Kat, Justin and Sadie on 6/3/11
#61 on my Top 100 List
This is officially my favorite X-Men movie. They didn't mess too much with canon stuff, and what they did was okay. I think Charles Xavier and Raven Darkholme as foster brother and sister is kind of a sweet story, plus having Xavier lose his ability to walk from the Shadow King would have been way too campy for a live action film (good call, Kat). Michael Fassbender was absolutely perfect as Magneto - I think that he, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, and January Jones as White Queen were the best casting choices. White Queen is still coolest when she's evil. And look for two awesome and hysterical cameos!
My Netflix rating: 5 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 41
#61 on my Top 100 List
This is officially my favorite X-Men movie. They didn't mess too much with canon stuff, and what they did was okay. I think Charles Xavier and Raven Darkholme as foster brother and sister is kind of a sweet story, plus having Xavier lose his ability to walk from the Shadow King would have been way too campy for a live action film (good call, Kat). Michael Fassbender was absolutely perfect as Magneto - I think that he, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, and January Jones as White Queen were the best casting choices. White Queen is still coolest when she's evil. And look for two awesome and hysterical cameos!
My Netflix rating: 5 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 41
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
The Nick with Kat, Anna, Eric and Chris on 5/20/11
The first Pirates film is awesome, the second two not so much, and I was wary when I heard they were making a fourth. Turns out, it's pretty good. It's definitely fun to watch (and the special effects are just as good as ever) and the new directions that the characters each take are interesting. Is it a fantastic film? Not really. But it's good fun for a night out, and the effect at the end of the Fountain of Youth is great - makes me think that's what Raiders of the Lost Ark would have looked like if it had been made today. Forgive the Little Mermaid moment and just go with it!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 36
The first Pirates film is awesome, the second two not so much, and I was wary when I heard they were making a fourth. Turns out, it's pretty good. It's definitely fun to watch (and the special effects are just as good as ever) and the new directions that the characters each take are interesting. Is it a fantastic film? Not really. But it's good fun for a night out, and the effect at the end of the Fountain of Youth is great - makes me think that's what Raiders of the Lost Ark would have looked like if it had been made today. Forgive the Little Mermaid moment and just go with it!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 36
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thor (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Kat, Anna, Sadie and Adam on 5/6/11
Ah, Marvel - how I love thee! Here continues the epic journey toward The Avengers. At first I was disappointed that Alexander Skarsgard didn't get the titular role here, but Chris Hemsworth was pretty badass and completely hysterical. It's also worth noting that, aside from the scenes in Asgard, this entire film takes place in one tiny New Mexico town and never once feels suffocated by the restrictive location. I like Marvel films so much more than DC ones because they are just far more fun. Batman is broody whereas Iron Man and Thor are just having a good time. And Idris Elba showing up as the Gatekeeper of Asgard was a great bonus!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 31
Ah, Marvel - how I love thee! Here continues the epic journey toward The Avengers. At first I was disappointed that Alexander Skarsgard didn't get the titular role here, but Chris Hemsworth was pretty badass and completely hysterical. It's also worth noting that, aside from the scenes in Asgard, this entire film takes place in one tiny New Mexico town and never once feels suffocated by the restrictive location. I like Marvel films so much more than DC ones because they are just far more fun. Batman is broody whereas Iron Man and Thor are just having a good time. And Idris Elba showing up as the Gatekeeper of Asgard was a great bonus!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 31
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Scream 4 (2011)
Saco Cinemagic with Ben on 5/5/11
This had the potential to be really bad (much like Scream 3 was), but I found it very fun! It's self-aware (just like all three before it), and pokes fun at Hollywood's recent obsession with reboots. They rounded up a pretty good cast of young actors and a fantastic group of cameos. I've heard that they're considering making 5 and 6 in the series, but that's pushing it. This one was more of the same good and, I'll admit, I wasn't able to call the ending. But if they try to push the new generation idea any further, they will just end up with a Saved By the Bell: The New Class situation. Nobody wants that and besides, this franchise has a reputation to protect.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 30
This had the potential to be really bad (much like Scream 3 was), but I found it very fun! It's self-aware (just like all three before it), and pokes fun at Hollywood's recent obsession with reboots. They rounded up a pretty good cast of young actors and a fantastic group of cameos. I've heard that they're considering making 5 and 6 in the series, but that's pushing it. This one was more of the same good and, I'll admit, I wasn't able to call the ending. But if they try to push the new generation idea any further, they will just end up with a Saved By the Bell: The New Class situation. Nobody wants that and besides, this franchise has a reputation to protect.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 30
Monday, January 10, 2011
180. January 9, 2011 - The Chronciles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
I know that people are pretty divided on the Narnia series. And people seem even more critical of the films. Personally, I like them - I think that they are fairly well made (except the first one) and I am old enough to ignore the blatant Christian allegory if I choose. I have NOT read the books (somehow I missed them as a child), and while I do know the general idea of how the story ends, please don't say anything to spoil it. This one is the one to introduce cousin Eustace, who may be the most irritating child character I've seen in a long time, but the dragon was cool. And Caspian is still hot.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Saturday, January 1, 2011
173. December 27/28, 2010 - Lethal Weapon (1987)
Normally I like action movies. Die Hard, Indiana Jones, James Bond - bring 'em on. I like things blowing up and shootouts and characters having to escape from danger. But this one somehow just didn't do it for me. There's nothing wrong with the acting or the writing; I just could not get into it. I will say that Mel Gibson was pretty good as the suicidal cop, especially since the majority of his great roles are in historical epics. And the fact that he's sort of crazy now. He and Danny Glover have an odd sort of chemistry. Again, I can't point to any single thing that was bad - it's just not my thing.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
Saturday, December 25, 2010
170. December 25, 2010 - Die Hard (1988)
Yippee-ki-yay, motherf-er! This is such a fun, great film. Alan Rickman can't keep up the German accent all the time, but he's just so badass that I don't care. Bruce Willis gives us some truly cringe-worthy moments, especially when he walks barefoot across a room full of broken glass. The woman who plays his wife is a little lackluster, but the two leads and an excellent performance by Carl Winslow from Family Matters make up for it. Plus Argyle the limo driver is a fantastic bit part. Merry Christmas!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Friday, December 17, 2010
166. December 16, 2010 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009)
This last installment of the original Swedish version of the Millennium Trilogy feels like it's made up entirely of falling action from the second film. Lisbeth Salander recovers from the horrific injuries that she ended the second one with only to find herself in court still suspected of those murders. Plus, she's now suspected of trying to kill her father, Zalachenko. Which, of course, she did, but only because he had his freak son shoot her multiple times and bury her alive. Personally, I think she's totally justified. It's a descent story, but not nearly as exciting or attention-holding as the first two. Plus, the final scene with her and Blomkvist is nothing more than a tease.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
160. December 3/7, 2010 - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
This had the misfortune to be released just after Lord of the Rings and the technical specs are just not as good. However, if you can separate the two film series and watch this without comparing, it's not bad. Yes, the visual effects are choppy and sometimes amateur and the story is blatantly trying to sell an agenda, but there is a reason that these books have been so popular for so long. I never got into them as a child, but I do enjoy the films and I'll also be watching Prince Caspian before going to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader sometime in the near future.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
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