Body of Lies (R) — 2 1/2 stars — Opens October 10, 2008
October 8, 2008 on 10:20 am | In Uncategorized | No CommentsCIA thriller with Leo DiCaprio as Mid-East operative who comes up with a plan to draw a terrorist leader out into the open. Russell Crowe plays Leo’s American boss/consultant shown barking order on a cell phone as he takes his children to school and pads around his house in suburban D.C. The movie boils down to the classic conflict between the guy on the scene and the guy far away managing and mis-managing him. Best moments in the movie go to Mark Strong, as head of the Jordanian secret police and Leo’s fearful ally. ”Body of Lies” starts slow, has a nice pay off, feels like lot of other movies, and never quite catches fire. Another good but not quite great spy thriller. Continue reading Body of Lies (R) — 2 1/2 stars — Opens October 10, 2008…
City of Ember (PG) — 2 stars — Opens October 10, 2008
October 7, 2008 on 8:41 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsChildlike science fiction story of a new world build underground in response to the end of the world as we know it. Tim Robbins plays the father of a curious lad who discovers his father’s plot to excape. Bill Murray adds interest as the town’s mayor. And Martin Landau plays a longtime worker in the city pipe works who knows more then he’s letting on. Two hundred years have passed and the town’s generator is starting to break down and maybe the founding fathers planned for a return to the land above—but can a couple of curious kids find it in time. City of Ember feels like a lot of other movies without doing anything really new and exciting. In other works, ok but not great. Continue reading City of Ember (PG) — 2 stars — Opens October 10, 2008…
The Express (PG) — 3 stars — Opens October 10, 2008
October 6, 2008 on 2:53 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsRob Brown plays Ernie Davis recruited by Syracuse University fifty years ago because of his amazing speed on a football field. Brown went into the history books as the first Black awarded the Heisman trophy. Most sports movies follow predictable patterns—the big game, the touch coach—the stirring locker room speech. The Express has these but goes beyond to comment on prejudice and the times and challenges beyond football. The movie takes a turn nobody expects that let this story rise above the usual sports movie, and it tells a true story many haven’t heard. Continue reading The Express (PG) — 3 stars — Opens October 10, 2008…
Flash of Genius — 3 1/2 stars — Opens October 3, 2008
October 1, 2008 on 4:03 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsTrue story of inventor Bob Kearns who came up with the variable windshield wiper, took his deisgn to Ford, thought he had a deal and then they backed out. When Ford’s design looked like his, Kearns began a legal battle that went on for years, strained his marriage, overpowered his family, and ultimately turned into one of the great little guy versus the giant stories. Greg Kinnear plays the wronged inventor and turns in another really good performance. With Lauren Graham as his wife, and a cameo by Alan Alda, as a high powered attorney who offers to help. “Flash of Genius” has a touch of the same thing that made “Erin Brockovich” great.
Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist — 3 stars — Opens Oct. 3, 2008
October 1, 2008 on 3:37 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsDate movies don’t get much more charming than “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist”—a night in the life of a group of New Jersey high school kids cruising the Manhattan music scene. The cast makes this story live, starting with Michael Cera, the kid from “Juno”, who kicks things off by getting dumped by his girlfriend. The pain seems even more hilarious as he desperately tries to claw his way back into his blonde goddess’ heart. Out on the town only because his band has a gig, he meets Nora, played by Kat Dennings. We know they belong together and that’s why “Nick and Nora” is so much fun to watch because we know they’ll ultimately find each other and when they do, we all get a little reminder of “When Harry met Sally” and all the other romances that make movies fun. Also worth noting, Ari Graynor as Nora’s gal pal who drinks too much and gets the movie’s big gross out scene invovling a public restroom and some chewing gum. By the way, it’s music and mix tapes and shared tastes that make this romance zing. Continue reading Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist — 3 stars — Opens Oct. 3, 2008…
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (R) - 2 1/2 - Opens 10/3
October 1, 2008 on 3:31 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsSurprisingly funny memoir/nerdy guy comedy. Simon Pegg stars as an edgy Brit hired by a slick New YOrk magazine to cover the celebrity beat. He meets and gains the interest of rising star Megan Fox, but really finds, loses, and reconnects with a fellow writer played by Kirsten Dundst. With Danny Huston as the office cad, and Jeff Bridges as the big boss. How to Lose Friends has some surprisingly funny moments, some so good that you can overlook the inside baseball story and the little know lead actor. My favorite involves a twist on the dog chasing a ball in a high rise office building. Kinda reminds me of a variation on Ricky Gervais’ funnier “Ghost Town”. Continue reading How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (R) - 2 1/2 - Opens 10/3…
Beverly Hills Chihuahua — 2 stars — Opens October 3, 2008
October 1, 2008 on 12:21 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsIt’s a talking dog movie—in more ways than one—but kids won’t mind. Drew Barrymore voices a pampered chihuahua lost in Mexico trying to make her way home to Beverly Hills. With Jamie Lee Curtis and Piper Perabo in live action roles—and voice work by a lot of good actors including Andy Garcia. Continue reading Beverly Hills Chihuahua — 2 stars — Opens October 3, 2008…
Appaloosa — 1 star — Opens October 3, 2008
October 1, 2008 on 11:00 am | In Uncategorized | No Comments19th century western in which Ed Harris and his sidekick Viggo Mortensen ride into Appaloosa where the town fathers have asked them to bring law and order and bring down bad guy Jeremy Irons. Seems some of Irons’ men have been terrorizing the town, and when the sheriff and his deputies arrives to arrest them, Irons shoots them dead. Harris enforces the law and starts his clean up, but things get complicated when Renee Zellweger moves to town and catches Harris’ eye. There’s a nice subplot surrounding her unfaithfulness. The movie looks good, but moves slow—as in a snail’s pace slow. And the ending left me flat. Sorry pard, but I’m moseying on far far away from this one. Continue reading Appaloosa — 1 star — Opens October 3, 2008…
Blindness (R) - Zero - Opens October 3, 2008
October 1, 2008 on 9:24 am | In Uncategorized | No CommentsAn epidemic of blindness breaks out in a big city. The first victim goes to his eye doctor. Soon the people who helped him and his eye doctor go blind. Quarrantined in an abandoned mental hospital, society breaks down and blah blah blah. With Julianne Moore as wife of blinded doctor Mark Ruffalo, who fakes blindness so she can go with him into quaranteen. Beautifully shot but painful to watch and really says nothing new. I can think of a dozen movies that have already gone over this idea. Continue reading Blindness (R) - Zero - Opens October 3, 2008…
Eagle Eye — 3 stars — Opens September 26, 2008
September 26, 2008 on 12:07 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsCyber thriller with Shia LaBeouf as the average guy thrown into dizzying circumstances when a mysterious female voice gets on his cell phone with frightening instructions. Framed as a spy when he returns from his twin brother’s funeral, Shia feels like an update of Cary Grant in “North by Northwest.” Fortunately the mysterious voice recruits cute Michelle Monaghan to help him, both motivated by fear—she that her son will die and he after being framed as a terrorist. ”Eagle Eye” throws in a little “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “WarGames” and in spite of the lifts turns out an entertaining thriller. Continue reading Eagle Eye — 3 stars — Opens September 26, 2008…
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