Whiteout

I love Kate Beckinsale. (Kind of a no-brainer huh?). Her Underworld films are awesome. So I was hyped to see her latest movie, Whiteout. From the trailer it looked like a suspenseful thrill ride. Unfortunately only about thirty minutes of the hour and forty-five minute film qualify as a thriller. The first fifteen minutes and the last fifteen minutes. The other hour and fifteen minutes of the script is filled with boring character exposition and hokey flashbacks. Not even old Tom Skerrit’s doctor character can warm up this cold story. His character’s seems rather bored himself in his scenes.

In addition, the cinematography is bland and uninteresting and plain flat. Almost like looking at the storyboards of a comic book. The editing is bad as well. Choppy and scene skipping to the point you never are sure where or when the scene is taking place. (sort of like this review!)

Well I have ripped the movie to pieces without even telling you, the dear reader, what the premise of the movie is. It takes place at a science base at the South Pole in Antarctica. A U.S. Marshal (Kate Beckinsale) is posted there as she attempts to hide from her past. We learn she is about to leave for the “winter” when a body is suddenly discovered on the ice. This begins a series of investigations and close calls with the killer.


It is a typical whodoneit murder mystery which you easily figure out before the reveal at the end. As you may have guessed, I recommend you catch Whiteout on cable when you are stuck inside this winter and no one to play Monopoly with.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

More robots fighting, more Megan Fox, this super-sized sequel to Transformers is every adolescents dream! What’s not to love?

I enjoyed the film and if you liked the first one, then the sequel is must see material. But there were a couple of problems I had with the movie this go around.

First the language was a bit much. I’m no prude, but it would have been nice if Michael Bay had just made an exciting robot smashing action film and left out the bad language and sexual innuendos. There was a little of that in the first movie, but it wasn’t glaringly obvious like it is in the sequel. My ten year old is dying to see this one, and I can’t take him due to the fact that I don’t want him learning words that should not come out of a ten year olds mouth.

Nothing would have been taken away from the movie if the crassness had hit the cutting room floor. Secondly, Sam’s (I can’t spell his last name) parents were adorable in the first movie. The clueless but attentive parents added the perfect comedic balance to the seriousness (as much as a robot movie can be) of the situation.

In Revenge of the Fallen however, I thought they were way over-the-top. Almost to the point they were just annoying rather than funny. Fortunately John Turturro reprises his role and saves the day with several good laughs!

But those things aside, it was a fun ride seeing the transformers in action again. I wouldn’t be surprised if we will get a third movie. I am sure you already have, but if not, check out Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen!

Terminator Salvation

They're back!

Those pesky human killing machines have returned to the big screen. Not sure if this one could be called the best of the series, but I definitely enjoyed the movie! I am a big fan of the Terminator franchise and I am still bitter that FOX canceled Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles.

This film is of course set farther into the future than the other movies and we finally get to see a grown up version of John Conner (Christian Bale). I will say the overall look of the film was awesome! Great action and excellent CG effects as one might expect.

The story was adequate but it flitted from character to character and the two main characters, John Conner and Markus battled for attention and so that resulted in weak character development for everyone. I really wanted the whole movie to be just about John Conner and his struggle to save mankind since the premise of the war against the machines is based on him. So I was a little disappointed in that regard. But there were pletny of throwbacks to the previous movies that were great.

Bottom line though, it was a great ride and I hope they make another one. So if you want to live, go check out Terminator Salvation before you are ..... Terminated.

Angels and Demons

Tom Hanks reprises his role as symbologist (how can i get that job?) Robert Langdon. This time the supreme church of Rome, the Vatican needs his help in solving the kidnapping of four cardinals. One of which may become the new pope.

It's a thrill ride of a movie that mixes a little bit of fact with a whole lot of fiction. Because of this the movie has had some controversy in religious circles. But we all know that kind of attention just makes people want to see it all the more.

Personally, it's just a fun film to watch and it is a well written thriller with a good plot twist. I think I mentioned in the Da Vinci Code, that Hank's character was rather bland and it's the same for this movie. He just kinda runs around Rome pointing and shouting "This way!"

But I think that is just the personality of the character he is playing, and therefore he makes an excellent professor. Check out the diabolical and angelic Angels and Demons!

Star Trek

I was a huge Star Trek fan when I was a kid (and still am). So I was totally pumped up to see this new "reboot" of the franchise by J.J. Abrams. I was not disappointed! Just like they brought Spock back to life in the third movie with the original crew, Abrams has breathed new life into a favorite Sci-Fi universe.

This movie gives a fresh look at how the original Enterprise crew comes together. It is an action packed film with very little to complain about. Zarchary Quinto totally nails Spock! I was worried about having visions of Sylar from HEROES, but he does such a great job of channeling Spock, that I never even thought of his other show. His voice is not as deep as Nimoy's but that isn't really his fault.

Chris Pine does a decent job of subtly channeling Kirk, and some of his mannerisms. Unfortunately he has a couple of scenes that turn out to be a little "hokey." I'll blame the writers for that rather than the actor. For example he has an allergic reaction to some medicine that doctor McCoy gives him and is causes him to have "Fat Hands." Now I am sure the scene was meant to be funny and humorous (what's the difference?) But it just came across as silly to me and should have made the cutting floor.

I was surprised that Nimoy had such a major role in the movie. I thought perhaps just a cameo. But in the end I guess it was a good way to "pass the torch" over to the new crew. I loved the film and hope they make five or six with the new crew. All the other actors did a great job with their characters and each was given ample screen time to make their characters shine.

So if you have never been a Trekkie, now is the time to start people! Set phasers to kill, and drive at maximum warp speed to the local theater and check out the new Star Trek!!

Wolverine

I never followed the X-Men comic series, but I understand they are good. I mean I guess so since they made three, well now four films based on them.

I have followed the movies, as I like super-hero films. (I grew up watching Shazam!).

Wolverine was another great flick, and on par with the other X-Men films if not a little toned down. Was it as good as Ironman or *gasp* The Dark Knight? Pa Shaw! (Does anyone still say that?) Of course it wasn't.

But if you are an X-Men faithful, or need a super-hero fix, then you won't be disappointed with Wolverine's Origin movie. It has a cast of colorful characters, a typical comic book story line, and ties the character in nicely with the other X-Films. Hugh Jackman is perfect for the part!

So slither, teleport, fly, or use whatever mutated mode of transportation you have and check out X-MEN ORIGINS: Wolverine!

Crank 2: High Voltage

Yeah I saw it. So sue me. I love Jason Statham. And by "love" I mean a strictly platonic appreciation of his on screen presence. I first saw him in The Italian Job (2003) and thought he had potential.

So when I saw I had somehow missed Crank, in which he stars, I immediately ordered it on Netflix. It was an unusual film to say the least. Crank 2 is just as twisted and bizarre as the first one. In Crank, his character, Chev Chelios (I want to say Cheerios) is injected with some Oriental ninja poison that's going to kill him in an hour unless he keeps his adrenalin pumping.

He manages to stay alive and the sequel picks up where the first one left off. To the very second. In this continuation of the insanity, his prized heart (cause it withstands the poison) is stolen and replaced with an artificial one. But alas the battery pack only lasts for a little while and now he must keep shocking himself (see where the High Voltage comes in?) to stay alive as he tries to get his original blood pumping organ back.

This movie plays out like a video game, the main character never dies, just like a video game and this fact makes him so appealing as the invincible protagonist. Crank 2 never takes itself serious and neither should you. I only watch, like a car wreck you can't turn away from, to see what weirdness happens next.

This type of movie is not for the faint of heart (pun fully intended). I recommend Netflix, but watch Benjamin Button and Valkyrie first. In fact Netflix will probably be your only venue as I am sure it will be out of theaters by the time you read this. Cheers!

Fast and Furious 4

Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), now working for the FBI in LA, teams up with Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) to bring down a heroin importer by infiltrating his operation.

The actors reunite for yet another installment in the franchise that brings you fast cars, crime, hot girls, and car chases. Brian and Dominic are both gunning for a Mexican crime lord named Braga (John Ortiz) one wants justice and one wants revenge.

I thought this film was on par with the first one, meaning if you liked the first one then you will enjoy this one as well. It delivers on what you expect from this type of popcorn flick. There were a few contrived scenes but they were forgivable as the movie flowed well. It was a fun ride! (pun intended).

So jump in your 10 sec car, speed to the theater and check out Fast and Furious!

Knowing

Most people either like or don't like Nicolas Cage. I fall in the generally-like category. I like his voice and onscreen quirks. Lately though I have noticed that they have trouble with his hair. They are always dying it jet black and the style (if you can call it that) looks horrible. Next and Bangkok Dangerous are just a couple of examples I can think of. It looks passable in this movie.

But enough about the main actor (and his hair), what about the movie, Knowing? The story or the premise deals with determination versus chaotic randomness. Does everything that happens in our world or the universe have meaning or a purpose? Or is it all just a cosmic accident that we are even here?

A scientist's son gets a strange piece of paper from his school's 50 year old time capsule. He notices that the numbers written on the paper correspond to tragic events that take place on earth. 9/11 for example. He frantically starts trying to figure out what events will take place next and he tries to stop them. Will he succeed?

I must say the special effects for the three disasters that happen are outstanding. They were jaw dropping and I think it's worth seeing this film on the big screen just for those stunning sequences! Really well done.

The story makes you think and wonder if and when all this stuff we call life on planet Earth might end, so I give it an extra star for making you ponder long after the credits have rolled.

So if you want an exciting film, that keeps you wondering to the every end (pardon the pun), and you like contemplating the meaning of life then definitely check out Knowing!

Race to Witch Mountain

This re-imagining of the 1975 film, Escape to Witch Mountain is good clean Disney fun! It has the same flavor as the 1975 film and the 1978 follow up Return to Witch Mountain. Those films really inspired my imagination and it was nostalgic goodness to take my son to see the new film starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Jack Bruno), Anna Sophie Robb (Sarah), and Alexander Ludwig (Seth).

It's a simple story of two young aliens crashing on Earth to retrieve an experiment for their own dying planet. Our military coldly captures their space ship and hunts them down. Fortunately they hook up with a down and out taxi driver who gets caught up in their quest to save earth from invasion.

The acting was a little forced and I would liked to have seen better lines for the humorous parts but overall I enjoyed the ride! There were even cameo appearances of the original two space kids. Kim Richards (Tina the waitress) who played Tia Malone and Ike Eisenmann (Sheriff Antony) who played Tony Malone in the previous Witch Mountain movies)

So checkout Race to Witch Mountain with the kids before the real Star Trek hits the big screen in May!

Watchmen

I had no prior relationship with Alan Moore’s graphical novel on which this movie is based. I was the run of the mill super hero fanboy of Superman, Batman, and Spiderman. (OK throw in Wonder Woman just to balance it out a little).

But make no mistake, Watchmen is anything but "run of the mill." It is an adult superhero film, with adult sex scenes, graphic violence, and adult language and themes. So don't take the kiddies to this one.

It is very dark almost to the point of depressing. Overall it was a compelling story with very interesting characters. Unfortunately I thought it lacked emotional depth. That may be debateable as the character's struggle with love, morality, and humanity itself. But I didn't find myself overly connecting with the character's just basically watching the story unfold.

Speaking of the story, it differs from most superhero flicks in that they don't battle some arch enemy or super villian, rather it is a "who done it" mystery and how they deal with it in the end.

I also thought the film lacked any humor at all. Would have loved the Comedian to have lived up to his name, rather he was the opposite, everything he did was far from funny. Maybe that's the point and the jokes' on me. The scenes in the prison had a few smiles, but each one was followed by a grimace.

From what I have heard, director Zack Synder has stayed true to the famous graphic novel and fans will no doubt enjoy seeing the character's brought to life. In fact the sets and special effects are quite impressive. The blue glowing Dr. Manhatten is a pleasure to watch.

Who watches the Watchmen? I do! Check out the Watchmen on the big screen!

The International

I loved Clive Owen since I saw him play King Arthur in Arthur. However since then, he has been in some real stinkers (IMHO); Children of Men, Inside Man, and the gosh awful Shoot Em Up. However, he may have finally redeemed himself in The International. He plays a determined Interpol Agent trying to bring an International bank to justice that has killed anyone who gets in its way.

Owen’s character, Louis Salinger, is slightly over the top at times, but never got too annoying. He gets help from Naomi Watts (Eleanor Whitman). She helps balance his character out and their chemistry works fairly well.

The film’s plot doesn’t get overly convoluted but has enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. It’s kind of like a giant episode of Law and Order. There is also plenty of excitement as well. A fabulous shootout at the Guggenheim in New York! They must have recreated the museum on the set because they shoot that place literally to pieces.

This was a much better day at the movies than when I saw Taken and I recommend this film over it. So if you win the battle with your wife or girl friend on whether to see a “chick flick” (He’s Just Not That Into You) or a guy movie, then check out The International. If you lost that battle, then you have my condolences.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

I wish I had had time to go back and watch the first two films again. Seeing Kate Beckinsale in leather again would certainly be worth it.

The new movie, Rise of the Lycans is a pre-quel sans Beckinsale. (Well that's not entirely true, but you'll have to see the movie to know what I mean.) Instead we get a Kate look-a-like, Rhona Mitra.

She plays Viktor's (Bill Nighy) Daughter Sonja. She falls in love with the head Lycan and it causes a war. It was standard Underworld fare, and I liked it as good as the other films.

Check it out!

Defiance

This movie wasn't bad. But it wasn't really great either. Daniel Craig makes an excellent bond, but a Russia Jew? Not buying it. The film is about a province in Russia coming under German occupation. The Germans even enlist the Russians to help "hunt down" the Jews in the neighborhood.

Based on a true story, Tuvia Bielski (Craig) and his brothers take in Jewish refuges and hide them in the forest. There they build a camp and community to hide from the Germans and try to survive the harsh winter. There is lots of death in the beginning and lots of crying. Then they take the fight to the Germans. During all this the brothers fight with each other.

The film didn't flow very well and seemed a little disjointed. The best part of the movie was seeing all the World War II gun I use in the game Call of Duty: World at War!

It's defiantely worth renting the movie, especially if you are a WWII history buff. And it is a great story of survival and makes you wonder how you would react if you found yourself in the same situation. Would you be Defiant?

Gran Torino

Best movie of 2009! I loved this film! Clint Eastwood is hilarious! It was not what I was expecting at all. Walt Kawalski (Eastwood) has recently lost his wife, but the film isn't about him adjusting to being alone. It's about him living in a changing world and letting go of his past (as a Koren War Vet) and finding peace.

It's a very heart warming film, but make no mistake, Clint still has his outlaw, Dirty Harry presence that kicks butt and takes names. I would never mess with Mr. Eastwood!

Don't let this one pass you by! Check out Gran Torino!

The Spirit

The Spirit is, pardon the pun, shot in the same "spirit" as SIN CITY was. Meaning blood is either bright red or stark white. It has the cheesy lines, the absurd over-the-top action, that defines this rather new style, or the Frank Miller style, just as you can spot a Tim Burton movie five miles away, Miller leaves his indelible and bloody thumbprint on his movies.

Well the film definitely accomplishes whatever it was that it set out to do, and knowing what I was in for, I was able to claim that I had an hour and a half of entertainment. (That's why we go to the movies right?)

There is no Oscar winning performances here, and no heart-felt or even a tree hugger message to walk away from this movie with. Perhaps that's the point. Maybe that's the point of comic books from which this film gets it source material. We buy it, we read its gritty frames, and we escaped into someone else's world for a few hours.

So if you want to escape this color filled existence and delve into some mindless black and white ogling of hot females and big guns, then by all means check out The Spirit.

YES man

There's only one question to ask. Should you go see this movie? YES!

I usually pan comedies on the big screen, thinking that I don't need the theater to see a bunch of witty one liners. But for some reason (the smell of buttered pop corn) I decided to stroll over to the Riviera and check out Jim Carrey's latest pursuit of hilarity.(He's still got it!)

Karl (Jim Carrey) is recently divorced and down in the dumps as a result. He's clammed up and shut everyone and everything out of his life. Until an old friend invites him to a motivational seminar and he decides to give the program a try. Things immediately begin to turn around for him as he goes through life saying yes to every opportunity. He even finds a new love interest (Zooey Descchanel).

So I suppose this was really a romantic comedy hidden in the packaging of a comedy, cause I didn't pick up on that in the trailer. I know i'm going overboard here, but Carrey is really charming in this movie and the film exceeded my expectations. It does drag a little at the end but quickly rebounds for the candy coated happy ending we all know and love.

This was a fun ride and makes a great date movie! So don't be a NO man and check out YES man!

The Day The Earth Stood Still

This is a remake of a classic that started the whole Sci-Fi genre along with Forbidden Planet (which they are also remaking). I was excited for this movie, because I have enjoyed sci-fi shows and films for years.

I don't remember the message of the original film, but this one carried a big green message about mother earth and what the parasites known as humans are doing to her. Aliens are ticked off that we are destroying the earth and they have come to eradicate us and save the planet which is only one of a handful capable of sustaining life in the universe.

Overall I enjoyed the movie. It had a solid story, nice effects, good actors. But I think it could have been so much more. In the end they must convince the alien to let the humans live, and I was disappointed how that developed. It could have been much more powerful , much more compelling. I also thought they went a little soft on showing the atrocities that humans are capable of. All they presented were clips of a few riots. Heck I see that in the news, and I barely notice it. Despite that, I liked the movie. I won't give it a 'must see' but check out The Day The Earth Stood Still when it's released on DVD!

Punisher: War Zone

Fighting his one man war on the world of organized crime, ruthless vigilante-hero Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson) sets his sights on over-the-top mob boss Billy Russoti (Dominic West). After Russoti is left horribly disfigured by Castle, he sets out for vengeance under his new alias--Jigsaw. With the Police "Punisher Task Force" and the FBI unable to take Jigsaw in, Frank must stand up to the formidable army that Jigsaw has recruited before more of his evil deeds go unpunished.

This movie reminded me a little of the more campy Batman movies that came out, like the George Clooney Batman, with Arnold as Mr. Freeze. I think I liked the first Punisher Movie (Thomas Jane) a little better. This film truly was a Live Action Comic Book.

It was two hours of gratuitous and graphic violence (were talking heads exploding like melons, etc.) and over the top villians and a gun blasting, knife stabbing hero. Well if that's what turns your crank then you'll be richly rewarded. If it turns your stomach, then stay away from Punisher War Zone!

Quantum of Solace

Bond. James Bond. Quantum of Solace continues the high octane adventures of James Bond (Daniel Craig) in Casino Royale. Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M (Judi Dench) interrogate Mr White (Jesper Christensen) who reveals the organization which blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined. Forensic intelligence links an Mi6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille (Olga Kurylenko), a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a business man and major force within the mysterious organization.


On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world's most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano. Using his associates in the organization, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in a Latin American country, giving the General control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land. In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, to unravel Greene's sinister plan and stop his organization.


The critics will tell you the plot was thin, but I disagree. I thought is was as complex as every other Bond Film. This movie is action packed and won't disappoint. It's an excellent sequel to Casino Royale and I enjoyed every minute, leaving the theater wanting more!

Don't wait, get your Walther PPK, bow tie, and Aston Martin and drive unnecessarily fast to the theater to catch the latest 007 thriller, Quantum of Solace!!