Hancock

Obviously this was not your typical superhero movie. It comes with a couple of nice twists. One you already know, Hancock is an uncouth, rude, and belligerent superguy with anger issues. The other twist, is you'll have to see the movie to find out.

The film was not without it's problems, in my always correct opinion. The dialogue or really the fact that everyone in the movie happens to use the same curse word when referring to Hancock (that would be A-Hole), which also happens to be the word that triggers his anger, was annoying and distracted from the story I thought.

The other problem was the villains in the film. While I think they were mainly used as background to the true story, it was still weak. There is no super villain to fight against or even a natural suspenseful disaster that Hancock has to overcome as is typical in most super movies. But again this was not the typical "Save the Earth" film anyway. So I guess we couldn't expect that. But the few bad guys in it were pretty lame.

Despite those minor issues you couldn't help but like Hancock, just like his friend played by Jason Bateman, and even his wife (Charlize Theron) ends up liking him. but with Will Smith playing Hancock how could you not like his character?

So if you are looking for something a little different and a break from the typical super-hero movies that are rolling out this summer (Ironman, Hulk, Batdood, and Hellboy Deuce), then take a wobbly flight over to the theater and check out HANCOCK!

Wanted

I did not have high expectations for this movie, even with the star power of Morgan Freeman (Sloan) and Angelina Jolie (Fox). It looked like it could really be silly and ridiculously over the top. And at times it certainly was, but it kept me along for the ride anyways. I was on board, and ready for a popcorn flick with plenty of stunts and cgi.

James McAvoy (Wesley Gibson) did a decent job and overall I enjoyed the film up until the big finish. That's where it went off the rails, literally. The end was so silly and over-the-top that I was sad for it. If they had just carried through and not gotten so crazy, it would have been a fun flick all the way, but this was a case where I hope the DVD has an alternate ending!

By the way, kudos to Trojan for their product placement, I am sure sales will sore, especially watermelon flavor. With Blockbusters still rolling out like WALL"E and THE DARK KNIGHT, I would catch Wanted on NetFlix or Cable!

Get Smart

I watched this show religiously when I was a kid. As Star Trek was the beginning of my love for all things Sci-Fi, Get Smart was the beginning of my love for all things spy. From The Saint, to James Bond, to Bourne. I love a good spy flick. Of course Get Smart is all in it for laughs and you really can't compare him to Bond. (Or can you?) He gets cool cars, cool gadgets, and Agent 99.

I was afraid they would get "Will Farrell" stupid and over the top with Get Smart, but they did an excellent job of keeping everything on an even keel and things were funny enough to have your rolling in the floor and not rolling your eyes at the ceiling! Steve Carell does a great job with his role in The Office and he is no less superb here. And Anne Hathaway makes a feisty Agent 99. They surprisingly give the characters amazing depth for a comedy.

This re-make of the series was a fun ride and I can highly recommend it! Find the nearest phone booth and check out Get Smart!

The Incredible HULK

Two Liv Tyler movies back to back. WooT! Well I am a week late with this review!! Sorry, been busy. Kid broke his arm and stuff :(

Let's just cut to the chase on this one shall we? THIS HULK was better than the last Hulk or the First hulk movie. (Even though I didn't think the first one was too bad.)

But having said that, it was still not as good as IRONMAN. So if you haven't seen Ironman, see it first! But if you are a marvel fan then you have already seen Ironman and by now Hulk. It is a must see for the superhero movie fan.

Norton did a good Bruce Banner. It was nice to see them give a nod to Bill Bixby at the start of the movie, and of course Stan Lee makes a customary appearance. (Maybe that Hulk Juice finally did him in!) And the surprise cameo at the end was cool, like the one at the end of Ironman. At least they didn't make you sit through the credits this time.

Hey go see this movie or .... HULK SMASH!!!!!

The Strangers

The trailer seemed very intriguing and I was excited to see Liv Tyler (Kristen McKay) as the leading lady. The premise of the film was very similar to the 2007 film, Vacancy, that starred Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson. In both films the couple has relationship issues and they are trapped in a secluded area, and attacked by sadistic psychopaths.

However, The Strangers is just another slasher movie and brings nothing new to the genre. I hated the way the movie ended. I thought is was uncreative, unimaginative and disgusting. The movie uses old tricks to illicit the few scares and thrills that is does have.

There are several better movies out right now and more summer blockbusters coming, so save your movie bucks for those and pass on The Strangers!

Indiana Jones: KOTCS

Spielberg and Lucas just couldn't leave those extraterrestrials out of it could they? Indy is back along with his old flame, Marrion (Karen Allen), and newcomer Henry Jones III (Shia Leboeuf).
Hey it's an Indy movie--It's got creepy tombs, crawling bugs, natives with blow darts, and long fight scenes with evil foreign powers. (And boy are the russkies pissed about it).

Cate Blanchett (Irina Spalko) plays the evil villian. She was more amusing than evil. But I loved seeing Indy in action one more time! Go check out Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!

Speed Racer

Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized-the legendary Rex Racer - whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company's maniacal owner but uncovers a terrible secret-some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won't drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line. The only way for Speed to save his family's business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed teams with his one-time rival-the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox) - to win the race that had taken his brother's life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible. Written by Warner Bros. Pictures

WHEW, that was a mouthful and that's why I didn't write it! I grew up watching Speed Racer, loved it. The live action film nearly mimics that anime cartoon, maybe they should have just done an animated feature film?

I was excited to take my kids to see this, and they were excited to see it. After all McDonald's was shoving Speed Racers cars down our throats through the Happy Meals and the boys begged for cereal boxes containing them. I was very disappointed while watching the movie that there were "Simpson-Like" jokes in the dialogue, along with adult words that you would never have heard on Saturday morning cartoons.

There's no way the kids could even begin to follow the convoluted plot lines, heck I had trouble myself. But maybe they didn't have to, as with the cartoon, we just wanted to see the races and cool cars. Overall the film matches the over the top style of the cartoon, and it was fun to see them brought to life, so if you are nostalgic about having the hots for Trixie, check out Speed Racer!

Narnia: Prince Caspian

The four kings of Narnia are summoned back to the magical land after being home for a year. (Or 1000 years in Narnia) I thought this sequel was much less magical that the first. The characters, new and old were not as interesting as in the first one. Once again Narnia is threatened with a massive battle and the war drums beat, and armies are assembled and marched. Not nearly as dramatic as the first film, this second take had something missing.

The lion, Aslan (Liam Neeson) was not in the movie till the end and only played a small role which was disappointing. And Prince Caspian, the film's namesake did not do or say anything very interesting. He was just sort of there. I mean the film wasn't horrible, but definitely lacked the magic needed to bring it up to the level of the first film. It was almost like the film makers and actors made the movie as if is was a chore, something they just had to do and get it done. Rather than a labor of love, like Lord of the Rings.

I still recommend checking this out at the theater, just do a matinee. It's good to see a return to that magical place that is Narnia and I believe a third film is in the works, let's hope they do a better job next time!

Street Kings

My friend asked me if I had seen this movie. I told him I had not even heard of it. Until recently, I finally saw a "First Look" on G4TV. So having nothing better to do one afternoon, I popped into the theater for a view. It was the middle of the week, but still I was the only one in the theater. If fact, I had to tell the manager to start the film, otherwise I'd still be sitting there. That shoulda told me something.

Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves) is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.

The movie was a little flat over all, just like Reeves character. They tried to build a little depth, with a tiny back story, you get snippets of later in the film. Even Forest Whitaker (Capt. Jack Wander) couldn't lift this Training Day wannabe. There is a scene where Tom Ludlow is assigned to the complaint department. I think the movie studio needs to open one!

Wait until this film has Departed the theaters and check out Street Kings along with Point Break during a future Keanu Reeves double feature weekend on cable!

Ironman

If your reading this, you probably have already seen Ironman. It's the first summer blockbuster and I don't know anyone that is not rushing to the movies this opening weekend to see it. And if you're not then you probably don't care what I think about the film. (But I'll tell ya anyway)

I was a hugh Batman and Spiderman fan growing up. I collected everyone of those comics I could get my hands on. So I never really followed Ironman. Sure I'd see the comics on the stands. I was like, "Big Deal, a man in a robot suit! Who cares?" After seeing the movie, I wish I had at least picked up a few of the comics to see what he was all about.

I loved the movie! It's a must see at the theater! I am now an Ironman fan. At first I was a little leery of Robert Downy Jr. (Tony Stark/Ironman) playing the lead role. (Not as freaked out as I was when I learned Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice) was going to play my hero Batman) but Keaton did a great job and Robert Downy nailed the Tony Stark role. (At least in my superior opinion).

The movie follows a super rich and super smart inventor of the highest tech weapons on the planet. A bad guy even tells Tony Stark that once he has enough stark weapons, he will rule the world. Tony revels in selling his shock and awe weapons to the military and living a playboy life-style with the proceeds. Until one day his eyes are opened when his convoy is attacked and people are killed with his own weapons, plus he learns his company is selling weapons to both sides of the conflicts in the world.

So to fight this injustice, he literally has a change of heart and builds his greatest weapon ever; Ironman.

The film had a lot of humor mixed in with it, which was just the right amount, no over the top love stories aka Spiderman. (Hey I'm not knocking Mary Jane!), and plenty of robot action.

I liked that they took the time to show the testing and development process Tony went through to create Ironman in this formative first film. That's right folks, stay tuned to the end after the credits to see a peek of what's coming in Ironman 2. Plus maybe catch a cameo appearance of Tony Stark in the upcoming Incredible Hulk sequel.

Jeff Bridges (Obadiah Stane) plays Tony Stark's mentor, and father figure. He had a very different look! I liked it. And Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts) is his assistant/love interest. So if you like the super hero movies, heck if you don't like super hero movies, go check out Ironman!

The Forbidden Kingdom

Jackie Chan (Lu Yan) and Jet Li (Monkey King/Silent Monk) team up for this exciting Kung-Fu movie. (now Fu doesn't stand for that). Hey who doesn't like a good Kung-Fu movie?? I was a little worried at first. The Story and premise was starting out like the Karate Kid Movies. At least Michael Angarano (Jason Tripitikas) wasn't played by Shia LaBeouf. Although Angarano reminded me of Shia, but thankfully a "toned down" version.

The movie is about an American teenager who gets to live his dream and become a great Kung-Fu warrior. He is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics, he finds a magical staff in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost weapon in hand, the teenager finds himself traveling back to ancient China to join a crew of Kung-Fu warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.

If you love Kung-Fu fight scenes like I do, then hop over to your local theater and check out The Forbidden Kingdom!

21

This was a fun movie! The characters were interesting, although the main character, Jim Sturgess who plays Ben Campbell, the card counting genius tended to nearly mumble and stumble through his lines. I mean I get that he is this shy, nerdy, MIT geek and his social skills are somewhat lacking, but I was sitting there saying to my self; "Self...I could play this role better than him!"

Not that he did a bad job, in fact it was outstanding, I just wish that I could have been there. You definitely get caught up in the excitement, the glitz, and the thrill that is Vegas. Of course Kevin Spacey was excellent as usual in his role as the ring leader of the card counting posse. Kate Bosworth plays the love interest, Jill.

So cash your chips in for a chicken dinner and check out 21.

The Bank Job

In September 1971, thieves tunneled into the vault of a bank in London's Baker Street and looted safe deposit boxes of cash and jewelry worth over three million pounds. None of it was recovered. Nobody was ever arrested. The robbery made headlines for a few days and then disappeared - the government ordered a press gag. This film reveals what was hidden for the first time. The story involves murder, corruption and a sex scandal with links to the Royal Family - a story in which the thieves were the most innocent people involved.

Martine (Saffron Burrows) offers Terry (Jason Statham), owner of a local chop-shop, a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street. She targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. But Terry and his crew don't realize the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets - secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal.

I thought the premise of this film would be rather simple, but it soon became hard to follow who was who. Who were the good cops? Who were the corrupt cops? Who were the M5 or M6? It's a twisted tale with many blokes involved, but none the less I really enjoyed the film! It's a great bank heist flick and best of all based on a true story. Check out The Bank Job!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Doomsday

Maybe it was my low expectations, but this movie turned out to be...not so bad! I had fun watching it. The acting wasn't so bad, and it had a post-apocalyptic theme much like the Mel Gibson's Mad Max and Road Warrior films. There was also a splash of Escape from New York.

In fact, I wonder if the main protagonist Katherine Sinclair's (Emma Cleasby), loss of her eye was a nod to Kurt Russell's Snake Pliskin. At least everyone in the movie didn't keep saying, "I heard you were dead!" Sinclair's only tick was that she regularly bummed a cigarette.

The movie starts out with a super "Reaper" virus killing thousands of people around Glasgow. So they build a steel wall and separate Great Britain in half, leaving everyone north of the wall to die. But several survive the virus and create their own societies. One of them led by Kane (Malcolm McDowell).

Several years later the virus breaks out again and they send in Sinclair to find a survivor in the original containment zone. She leads a team of commandos and they battle with the cannibalistic warriors that live there. They only have 48 hours. Emma Cleasby reminds me a lot of Kate Beckinsale and her Underworld character, Selene.

So if you are a fan of the Road Warrior movies, post-apocalyptic films, or human barbeque, then by all means dye your hair purple and check out Doomsday!

10,000 B.C.

Well it has Mammoth's, Sabre Tooth Tigers, and a sloth for a script, but it's not Ice Age III, it's 10k BC. I thought the costumes were fabulous and the sets were epic. The story and plot were a little weak but over all it was a fun film. There were some intense scenes.

Director Roland Emmerich ("Independence Day," "The Day After Tomorrow") brings us an tall tale about an age old story. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy chases girl, boy get girl!

In a remote mountain tribe, a young hunter named D'Leh (Steven Strait) has found his heart's passion - the beautiful Evolet (Camilla Belle). But when a band of slavers raid his village and kidnap Evolet. D'Leh leads a small group of hunters to pursue the evil men through jungles and across deserts. As they venture out to strange lands for the first time, the group finds there are other tribes that have suffered a similar fate as their own. So they join forces.

They brave the elements and man eating dodo birds (this was so stolen from Ice Age!) to follow Evolet to the end of the Earth by following a star in the sky. At their heroic journey's end, they uncover a massive civilization that worships a god. Here they make a stand against the tyrannical god who has brutally enslaved their own.

The film was fun, but I'd try and catch a matinee. Check out 10,000 BC!

Vantage Point

For an hour and a half we see the same scene replayed over and over but each time from a different...Vantage Point. About the second to last time they rewind the scene to play it again I was thinking to myself--"If they rewind this one more time, I will be over it." I was ready for the film to move forward. With each replay, we get more and more pieces of the puzzle till it all comes together in the end.

Was this gimmicky style interesting enough to hold my attention? To get me involved in the story and the characters? Well Like I said, about one more time and I would have been frustrated. But as it was, the story was easy to follow. It was a simple plot and unfolded nicely so that you didn't have to think to hard. In fact the script was almost too tidy. They throw in a little twist here and there but again, easy to keep up with.

The film stars, Dennis Quiad as secret service agent, Thomas Barnes, Matthew Fox as agent Kent Taylor, Sigourney Weaver as a news producer, Forrest Whitaker as a tourist, and William Hurt as the president. The President is in Spain for a summit against global terror. (And surprise, the terrorists are there too!) But before he can say a word, he is shot on stage. That event is replayed over and over based on about seven or eight different people's perspective.

I thought it was an interesting idea, but some people will find the "rewind" annoying while others will be teased and engrossed while waiting to see where it will all lead. The actors did a good job, although there was no room for getting to deep. They each had their single motivation and followed it to the end. They try to add a little depth, the tourist has family issues, the secret service guy has taken a bullet for the president before and is just coming back on the job, the Spanish cop (Eduardo Noriega) is worried about his brother, and the news producer is dealing with ornery reporters and camera men.

Overall it was a good story, with a very intense ending! If you don't mind the replaying of the opening scene and find it alluring, then you will enjoy this movie. So check the batteries in your cam corder and check out Vantage Point!

Lindsay Lohan

"Are you not entertained?!?"

-Maximus (Russell Crowe, Gladiator) speaking to the

crowd watching the gladiator spectacle.

Jumper

I liked everything about this movie, I liked the concept, the story, the characters, the special effects and the cinematography. I liked everything...everything except the dialog. It was very weak.

The film stars Hayden Christensen (David Rice) Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars, Rachel Bilson (Millie), and Samuel Jackson (Roland). The story involves a boy learning that he has a special power to "teleport" himself anywhere that he has seen before. (Cool huh? I wish I could teleport to Baskin Robbins for a chocolate shake and then back to the TV room in time to catch the next episode of LOST.)

But unfortunately, his fun and games come to an end when he learns that there is a religious sect that calls themselves Paladins. They hunt down and kill Jumpers, because they feel they are an abomination and all turn into bad people. (What? Come on, would Hayden Christensen turn into someone evil? No way!)


David Rice gets his girl friend, Millie involved in the battle and he also finds another Jumper to reluctantly help him fight the Paladins. There is also a small sub-plot involving his mother who left him when he was five.


As I mentioned, this was a pretty good story, and didn't have many problems with it other than the character dialog was sub-par.

So if you're looking for a night of light entertainment, Jump over to the theater and check out Jumper!

Fool's Gold

A fool and his money are soon parted. Was that the case when I purchased a ticket to Fool's Gold? My honest answer is...Maybe. I mean on one hand it's Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, the cute and funny couple from How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days. Could they recapture the chemistry for this movie? They try and succeed mostly, but overall the film never really takes off. At first I was onboard, hoping McConaughey would channel his character from Sahara and it would be an entertaining and exciting adventure. But at several points in the movie, I lose interest. Even with a supporting powerhouse actor like Donald Sutherland (Nigel Honeycutt), he didn't bring his "A" game as a dottering old rich man.

Benjamin (McConaughey) and Tess (Hudson) Finnegan are married treasure hunters on the brink of divorce, but they can stay together if they find one last famous treasure that they have been searching for the past few years.

They are out of money, but find an friend in Nigel Honeycutt and his pop tart daughter. The film tries to build a backstory with Nigel and his daughter's tenuous relationship. Meanwhile a rapper/gangster (Kevin Hart) provides the suspense and comic relief as he races to find or take the hidden treasure from the Finnegan's.

The movie had it's fun moment's but I have to recommend you check out Fool's Gold on cable some lazy Sunday or Saturday afternoon!