July 30, 2011

Movie Night: The Terminator.

Review #063: The Terminator.

Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator), Michael Biehn (Kyle Reese), Linda Hamilton (Sarah Conner), Paul Winfield (Ed Traxler), Lance Henriksen (Hal Vukovich), Earl Boen (Dr. Peter Silberman), Bess Motta (Ginger Ventura), and Rick Rossovich (Matt Buchanan) Directed by James Cameron (#001 - Terminator 2: Judgement Day)

Review
This film is in a word a classic. It has good acting for the most part, a good film noir, (which will be referred to as TechNoir) and a great plot. Good effects especially at the end. Good action and also good direction with a young Cameron at the wheel.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

July 29, 2011

Movie Night: Batman Begins.

Review #062: Batman Begins.

Cast
Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne / Batman), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Liam Neeson (Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul), Katie Holmes (Rachel Dawes), Gary Oldman (Jim Gordon), Cillian Murphy (Dr. Jonathan Crane), Tom Wilkinson (Carmine Falcone), Rutger Hauer (Earle), Ken Watanabe (decoy Ra's Al Ghul), Mark Boone Junior (Flass), Linus Roache (Thomas Wayne), and Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox) Directed by Christopher Nolan (#054 - The Dark Knight and #055 - Inception)

Review
I find that this film is pretty good, for the most part. It successfully reboots the franchise (which died after the 1997 bomb Batman and Robin) with an origin story that reintroduces people to him, and sets the ball in motion for the sequel. I felt the acting was good, but there were some little gripes. For one, I found the coveted "throat voice" of Christian Bale very, very unconvincing (what's next, Superman having the voice to disguise himself? It would be better then his glasses trick...). I also felt the action was jumbled, so you couldn't really tell what was going on. Scarecrow actually doesn't get a lot of screen time, and he's taken down so easily. And my final little gripe is how the Tumbler looks so...ugly. Is this the Batmobile, or a tank? Look I know there's a scene that says its a tank, but how is this a "mobile"? But nonetheless, the film is good, for what it's worth.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Blazing Saddles.

Review #061: Blazing Saddles.

Cast
Cleavon Little (Sheriff Bart), Gene Wilder (Jim, the "Waco Kid"), Harvey Korman (Hedley Lamarr), Madeline Kahn (Lili von Shtupp, the "Teutonic Titwillow"), Slim Pickens (Taggart), Dom DeLuise (Buddy Bizarre), Mel Brooks (Gov. William J. Le Petomane / Indian Chief), Liam Dunn (Reverend Johnson), George Furth (Van Johnson), Burton Gilliam (Lyle), John Hillerman (Howard Johnson), David Huddleston (Olson Johnson), Richard Collier (Dr. Samuel Johnson), and Alex Karras (Mongo) Directed by Mel Brooks

Review
This film is a classic comedy that satirizes the Old American West myth made by Hollywood. It's enjoyable for the most part, with a good cast and some admittedly off color lines, though this is more than just a movie with some vulgar lines. It's a clever movie, highlighted by how Brooks crafted the atmosphere in order to make a fun world to watch. Little, Wilder, and Korman are the main standouts, doing good jobs (with Wilder later doing better in another film to be reviewed here soon enough here). This film has aged well, and it is a classic.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

July 27, 2011

Movie Night: Captain America: The First Avenger.

Review #060: Captain America: The First Avenger.

Cast
Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Tommy Lee Jones (Colonel Chester Phillips), Hugo Weaving (Red Skull/Johann Schmidt), Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Dominic Cooper (Howard Stark), Neal McDonough (Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan), Derek Luke (Gabe Jones), and Stanley Tucci (Dr. Abraham Erskine) Directed by Joe Johnston.

Review
So with all the people who said good things about this film, I went with high hopes. I was not dissapointed. Evans does a great job as Rogers/Captain America, doing better then what he did playing the Human Torch. The rest of the cast, especially from Weaving do a great job. The special effects look allright, and I liked the effects for when Steve was weak (beginning part) The film's plot is straightforward and the film sets everything up for The Avengers (It being the final one before it)

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Zookeeper.

Review #059: Zookeeper.

Cast
Kevin James (Griffin Keyes), Rosario Dawson (Kate), Leslie Bibb (Stephanie), Joe Rogan (Gale), Nat Faxon (Dave Keyes), Nick Nolte (Bernie the Lowland Gorilla), Sylvester Stallone (Joe the Lion), Adam Sandler (Donald the Capuchin Monkey), Judd Apatow (Barry the Elephant), Cher (Janet the Lioness), Jon Favreau and Faizon Love (Jerome and Bruce the Grizzly Bears), and Maya Rudolph (Mollie the Giraffe) Directed by Frank Coraci.

Review
This film is actually a little funny. I didn't have much expectations for this film, but the film at least is trying with some actual good use of voice talents. James does a fine job, as he blossoming into a star. Dawson preforms fine with what she has to go with. The plot is a bit predictable, a bit like...Just Go With It, but the film isn't as lazy, it tries to do something with what it has. It's a bit funny, and enjoyable. The animals actually look good, as they don't try to be cute (probably the opposite), working okay. I swear the posting of the reviews one by one will end soon.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Review #058: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Cast
Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky), Megan Fox (Mikaela Banes), Josh Duhamel (William Lennox), Tyrese Gibson (Rob Epps), John Turturro (Seymour Simmons), Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Mark Ryan (Jetfire), Reno Wilson (Mudflap), Jess Harnell (Ironhide), Robert Foxworth (Ratchet), André Sogliuzzo as Sideswipe), Grey DeLisle (Arcee), Hugo Weaving (Megatron), Tony Todd (The Fallen), Charlie Adler (Starscream), Frank Welker (Soundwave/Devastator/Reedman), and Tom Kenny (Wheelie/Skids) Directed by Michael Bay.

Review
This film is the last of "Movies in Oregon", which lasted for 16 reviews (#043-#058), with this being the climax. Or the disappointment. Anyway, this film is actually less enjoyable then the first, as this film tries to have even more close ups of robots (and one's...balls?), explosions, and acting that still doesn't work out. The film tries with the script plagued by a strike that makes Cybertron symbols happen to our Sam, with our transportation to the desert random with robots attacking again. It's a popcorn movie where the popcorn is injected with Powerade while overflowed with Red Bull. Skids and Mudflap makes you want to watch Jar-Jar Binks and appreciate how there weren't two of him. This film tries and fails hard. Thank goodness I've never watched the third film (EDIT: Or the fourth one. EDIT: Or the fifth one).

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Transformers (2007)

Review #057: Transformers.

Cast
Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky), Josh Duhamel (Captain William Lennox), Tyrese Gibson (Robert Epps), John Turturro (Agent Reggie Simmons), Rachael Taylor (Maggie Madsen), Megan Fox (Mikaela Banes), Anthony Anderson (Glen Whitmann), Kevin Dunn (Ron Witwicky), Julie White (Julie Witwicky), and Jon Voight (John Keller) Directed by Michael Bay.

Review
Yes, this film is actually liked by people (Such as my nephew), though I can't blame him. I, however, am not one of those such. I think this film is average at best with humans that dont really matter to us who just want to see their toys be on screen. Again, anyway. Bay conveys little with the film other then showing to us youngsters (unless of course you can't stop thinking about the little things) that explosions carry the film and outrageous idea such as a giant energy cube in the Hoover Dam found by glasses. The film does not make you interested to watch the classic 80's show (I should watch it though), it makes you want more...explosions. The only thing that saves the film a bit is because the robots (who are supposed to be the focus, as they're you know, Transformers) are the best part.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.


Review #056: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Cast
Judith Hoag (April O'Neil), Elias Koteas (Casey Jones), with Corey Feldman (Donatello), Brian Tochi (Leonardo), Robbie Rist (Michelangelo), Josh Pais (Raphael), Kevin Clash (Splinter), and David McCharen (Shredder) Directed by Steve Barron.

Review
This was part of my "Movies in Oregon" series, where I reviewed movies while on vacation at my half brother's house in Beaverton, Oregon. These reviews were originally posted on a site called Star Pirates, and the reviews may have been rushed, so I've fixed this review up a little, in light of the new Turtles film. Enjoy. 

This film is admittedly fun to watch with fun action and actually follows a well balanced plot. It's mostly harmless in the sense that it doesn't really have many flaws for a flick that aims fine, and hits excellently. The acting is decent, with some good animatronics and decent voice acting. The characters are charming, and fun to watch interact with one another. The movie has a balance of action and light-hearted fun that works well for a movie like this. This is a good flick that would inspire two sequels (II: Secret of the Ooze and III) that wouldn't be as good as the first.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Inception.

Review #055: Inception.

Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio (Dom Cobb), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Arthur), Ellen Page (Ariadne), Tom Hardy (Eames), Ken Watanabe (Mr. Saito), Dileep Rao (Yusuf), Cillian Murphy (Robert Fischer), Tom Berenger (Peter Browning), Marion Cotillard (Mal Cobb), Pete Postlethwaite (Maurice Fischer), and Michael Caine (Professor Stephen Miles) Directed by Christopher Nolan (#054 - The Dark Knight)

Review
The film is...Weird. It's creative yes, but I just couldn't get into it enough. I felt the film wanted to bore me so I literally could dream. At roughly two-and-a-half hours long, it's difficult to watch all of it. I give marks for solid acting and good action though.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Dark Knight.


Review #054: The Dark Knight.

Cast
Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Heath Ledger (The Joker), Gary Oldman (James Gordon), Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Rachel Dawes), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), and Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox) Directed by Christopher Nolan.

Review
This film is the sequel to Batman Begins (which I will review later on this show), and it is better then the first one. But is it better then the 1989 version? I personally think the 1989 version wins on its plot, it's Batman (the 1989 Batman doesn't have sore throat), and just being slightly being better. This film introduces the Joker again to us, and he's...pretty creepy. Sadistic in mind, Ledger plays the role extremely well. I thought Dent was fine, but he was under shadowed by everything. He's the addition to the plot that doesn't really have much influence (as Two-Face anyway) The action is good, and the plot is fine. This film is great, as in my opinion it rivals the 1989 version for "best Batman film", which is saying quite a lot.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Role Models.

Review #053: Role Models.

Cast
Paul Rudd (Danny Donahue), Seann William Scott (Anson Wheeler), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Augie Farques), Bobb'e J. Thompson (Ronnie Shields), Elizabeth Banks (Beth Jones), Jane Lynch (Gayle Sweeney), Ken Jeong (King Argotron), and Kerri Kenney-Silver (Lynette Farcques). Directed by David Wain.

Review
This film tries to be a crude comedy that delivers laughs...and it surprisingly works. the film is actually a little funny with a little inspiration that isn't as jaded and unoriginal as it might sound. The acting is decent, with at least some memorable things happening to pass the time that makes it a decent film for the most part.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Ringer.

Review #052: The Ringer.

Cast
Johnny Knoxville (Steve Barker), Brian Cox (Gary Barker), Katherine Heigl (Lynn Sheridan), Jed Rees (Glen), Bill Chott (Thomas), Edward Barbanell (Billy), Leonard Earl Howze (Mark), Geoffrey Arend (Winston), John Taylor (Rudy), Luis Avalos (Stavi), Leonard Flowers (Jimmy) Directed by Barry W. Blaustein.

Review
The film is typically drawn out, but it does try to have some laughs, with Knoxville doing a fine job for the most part. The film has some laughs, as the film sort of works. It may be typical, but it tries to be a little more then usual, being harmless, but not too bad.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Selena.

Review #051: Selena.

Cast
Jennifer Lopez (Selena Quintanilla-Pérez), Jackie Guerra (Suzette Quintanilla), Constance Marie (Marcella Quintanilla), Alexandra Meneses (Sara), Jon Seda (Chris Pérez), Edward James Olmos (Abraham Quintanilla Jr), and Jacob Vargas (A.B. Quintanilla) Directed by Gregory Nava.

Review
This film is about Selena (obviously), the famous singer who brought Tejano music to a new high. The film introduces you to her life from when she and her family performed when she was 10, to her sucess, her secret marriage, all the way until her tragic death on March 31, 1995. The acting is good, especiallly from Lopez in her breakout role. This film is a good biopic about the singer who will always be remembered, Selena (again, obviously).

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 Stars.

Movie Night: Easy A.



Review #050: Easy A.

Cast
Emma Stone (Olive Penderghast), Penn Badgley ("Woodchuck" Todd), Amanda Bynes (Marianne Bryant), Dan Byrd (Brandon), Thomas Haden Church (Mr. Griffith), Patricia Clarkson (Rosemary Penderghast), Cam Gigandet (Micah), Lisa Kudrow (Mrs. Griffith), Malcolm McDowell (Principal Gibbons), Aly Michalka (Rhiannon Abernathy), and Stanley Tucci (Dill Penderghast) Directed by Will Gluck.

Review
Welcome to the 50th Review of Movie Night. This film tries to be the different in comedies by...Well being different. It's funny for the most part as it exploits the high school cliches that happens...All the time actually. Emma Stone does a great job, showing she is blossoming into a (eventual) top actress (as she would show even more in The Help) The script is solid, and the movie is fun to watch with alright acting from the rest of the cast, making this a good film to watch. Thank you for observing 50 reviews here on Movie Night. There is more to come.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The A-Team.


Review #049: The A-Team.

Cast
Liam Neeson (John "Hannibal" Smith), Bradley Cooper (Templeton "Face" Peck), Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (B.A. Baracus), Sharlto Copley (H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock), Jessica Biel (Charissa Sosa), Patrick Wilson (Agent Vance Burress/Agent Lynch), Brian Bloom (Brock Pike), and Gerald McRaney (Russell Morrison) Directed by Joe Carnahan.

Review
The film doesn't do much to be like the classic 80's show (which I should see) The film has loads of action, all in silly fun (especially the Tank flying through the sky). While the film isn't exactly good, it still manages to get your attention with some memorable things (that thing I just mentioned a line ago) If you want something to spend your time on that while not making you think (it's an action film), it will entertain you.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010).

Review #048: A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Cast
Jackie Earle Haley (Freddy Krueger), Kyle Gallner (Quentin Smith), Rooney Mara (Nancy Holbrook), Katie Cassidy (Kris Fowles), Thomas Dekker (Jesse Braun), Kellan Lutz (Dean Russell), Clancy Brown (Alan Smith), Connie Britton (Dr. Gwen Holbrook), and Lia D. Mortensen (Nora Fowles) Directed by Samuel Bayer.

Review
This film is...I don't know, what's the word for bad? This film tries to be scary, but it actually makes you bored. The acting is predictably standard (Except for Haley, who does try to act his best), as this film doesnot much scare factor. The makeup looks awkward on Freddy, making him look like melted cheese. With the original Freddy (From what I've seen), he actually looks like a burn victim. Here, he looks like he got into a cheese fight. It's predictable with it's attempts at scares, it has a predictable end scene, and it just bores you. It's not fun to watch, even though Haley tries his best, but in the end, it's a predictable stale horror film that makes you want to watch the original.

Overall, I give it 4 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Expendables.

Review #047: The Expendables.

Cast
Sylvester Stallone (Barney Ross), Jason Statham (Lee Christmas), Jet Li (Yin Yang), Dolph Lundgren (Gunner Jensen), Eric Roberts (James Munroe), Randy Couture (Toll Road), Steve Austin (Dan Paine), David Zayas (General Garza), Giselle Itié (Sandra), Charisma Carpenter (Lacy), Gary Daniels (Lawrence Sparks / The Brit), Terry Crews (Hale Caesar), Mickey Rourke (Tool), Bruce Willis (Mr. Church), and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Trench Mauser) Directed by Sylvester Stallone (#003 - Rocky)

Review
It's a bunch of action stars (old and new) all together to make a movie that seems to be more about action than plot. And that's okay. Anyway this film is...enjoyable to watch. Stallone wanted to reunite all of the action heroes, and he succeeds. The film isn't an award winner, but the film is enjoyable with the fun and action. It doesn't have much acting skills, but it tries to just be what it wants, an action movie. It doesn't care what happens in terms of response, it just wants to be its own film (That will get a sequel soon), and it works.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 Stars.

July 25, 2011

Movie Night: The Breakfast Club.

Review #046: The Breakfast Club.

Cast
Emilio Estevez (Andrew "Andy" Clark), Paul Gleason (Richard "Dick" Vernon), Anthony Michael Hall (Brian Ralph Johnson), Judd Nelson (John Bender), Molly Ringwald (Claire Standish), Ally Sheedy (Allison Reynolds), and John Kapelos (Carl Reed) Directed by John Hughes.

Review
This film is a classic that outlines the high school trouble that some (Okay, fine, most) people have. It's a funny film that has fine acting, and a classic tone for it. The writing is good, with fine directing by Hughes. It's a film that's fun to watch, from beginning to end, with many memorable scenes, characters, and all in all, a memorable movie.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Just Go With It.

Review #045: Just Go With It.

Cast
Adam Sandler (Daniel Maccabee), Jennifer Aniston (Katherine Murphy), Bailee Madison (Maggie Murphy), Griffin Gluck (Michael Murphy), Nicole Kidman (Devlin Adams), Nick Swardson (Eddie Simms), Brooklyn Decker (Palmer Dodge), and Dave Matthews (Ian Maxtone-Jones) Directed by Dennis Dugan.

Review
Well...The film isn't that good. I think the film tries to be funny, but it doesn't really work. According to Wikipedia, it's a loose remake of Cactus Flower (which incidentally won Goldie Hawn an Oscar, though this movie won't win anything). The film has a few flaws (one being not funny), and the main one is that this film feels like a lazy excuse to go to Hawaii. It feels lazy, the runtime even feels lazy. The acting is standard, not being a standout (an example of lazy). Ultimately, the film is...lazy. It does its job of using time, but not much else.

Overall, I give it 4 out of 10 stars.

July 22, 2011

Movie Night: Full Metal Jacket.

Review #044: Full Metal Jacket.

Cast
Matthew Modine (Private/Sergeant James T. "Joker" Davis), Vincent D'Onofrio (Private Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence), R. Lee Ermey (Gunnery Sergeant Hartman), Arliss Howard (Private/Sergeant Robert "Cowboy" Evans), Adam Baldwin (Sergeant "Animal Mother"), Dorian Harewood (Corporal "Eightball"), Kevyn Major Howard (Private First Class "Rafterman"), Ed O'Ross (Lieutenant Walter J. "Touchdown" Schinoski), and John Terry (Lieutenant Lockhart) Directed by Stanley Kubrick.

Review
This film is one of many by Stanley Kubrick, the director who made influential films in his lifetime. This is one of them. The film takes place in a military base, as we are introduced to Hartman delivering a big shout to the new recruits, which also includes Leonard. Ermey delivers a great performance, playing a role that he actually was in real life. He fits perfectly, and it shows. D'Onofrio's talents are shown as he plays the broken down Leonard. He's insanely awesome in this role. But is the film perfect? No. I think the film suffers from just losing momentum after the middle of the movie, where it had a pretty good sequence with D'Onofrio and Ermey, and it turns into a war film that doesn't grab much of your attention. But I feel the film is still a classic made by the (sadly) former director.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Fast and the Furious.

Review #043: The Fast and the Furious.

Cast
Paul Walker (Brian O'Conner), Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto), Michelle Rodriguez (Leticia "Letty" Ortiz), Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto), Rick Yune (Johnny Tran), Chad Lindberg (Jesse), Johnny Strong (Leon), Matt Schulze (Vince), and Ted Levine (Tanner) Directed by Rob Cohen.

Review
This film was the first film reviewed on "Movies in Oregon", in which I reviewed films I watched while on vacation in Oregon. Anyway, this film has alright car scenes, with some cool things to help dazzle a bit, like the fashion and music. The acting is decent, with Vin Diesel doing a stand out job, being entertaining to watch, especially his chemistry with Walker. The action is fun, especially near the end, with a riveting scene in the end with the two. Looking back, I was wrong in saying that it lacked discipline; I can't help but be more sympathetic and bump up the rating a star just because of the charisma of the actors, the cars, and the tone.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.