Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Bolt


An animation film thats not Pixar? Can't be good. Miley Cyrus? Has to be aweful. Alas, as little hope as I had for this fim, its a suprisingly good Disney film. The story is that of a dog who follows his person to the end of the earth, but ends up getting lost after a secret about his life gets out. "Bolt" is heartwarming, funny, and provides a good childrens story that adults can enjoy.
....................
SCORE: 7.3/10

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Star Wars

The end of the year is coming upon me quickly so its time to start doing wholesale reviews. A few weeks back, I watched all six Star Wars movies from start to end. And while it took me over 13 or 14 hours, it was a great time cause Star Wars is by far the best movie series ever made and "Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope" is one of the greatest films ever created as well. So, from Episode I all the way through Episode VI, I give you the Star Wars films:


Episode I: The Phantom Menace
SCORE: 7.1/10
........................................


Episode II: Attack of the Clones
SCORE: 6.4/10
........................................

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
SCORE: 8.6/10
........................................


Episode IV: A New Hope
SCORE: 9.5/10
........................................

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
SCORE: 8.5/10
........................................


Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
SCORE: 9.0/10
........................................

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels


See Jason Statham. You can make good movies. "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels" is a great britsh film about how taking a loan from a porn king can go horribly wrong. Entertaining all the way to the end, "Lock..." has two many twist to even try to summarize. I personally like "Snatch" better because the plot is tighter, unlike "Lock..." that has a few stretches. Yet despite this, if you're in the mood for a twisted movie with british accents, give "Lock..." a try.
....................
SCORE: 8.1/10

The Big Lebowski


The Cohen Brothers are, undoubtedly, two of the most creative and entertaining movie creators currently in the world. They don't miss the mark with the classic "The Big Lebowski." Jeff Bridges plays the dude, a loser in LA who has no job and has found himself in world of drugs, kidnapping, Nazi's, and bowling. Teamed with John Goodman, Bridges is hilarious as "The Dude" and man, he just wanted a rug. This film is both entertaining and thought provoking and while its not my favorite Cohen Bros. movie, it sure is a good one.
....................
SCORE: 7.8/10

Crank: High Voltage


I like Jason Statham. I really do. "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels." "Snatch." And Amy Smart is funny and a very attractive person. But "Crank: High Voltage" is aweful. The orginal "Crank" was a moderately enjoyable man-flick that could be watched with a good beer and a grilled piece of red meat. But "Crank: High Voltage" is just bad. Nothing else to say other than it was trying really hard to make my bottom 5 all time least favorite movies. Thank godness for Netflix free trials so I can watch terrible movies like this one without feeling financially ripped off. If only I could get the 90 minutes I wasted back...
....................
SCORE: 1.2/10

Zombieland


"Zombieland" was a bro-date for my friend Jesse and I and all I can say is that this movie rocks. A bit short length-wise (only 80+ minutes) but not short on pure fun and laughs. While the film is gruesome and frightening in some parts, it does a great job in building depth to its characters from Woody Harrelson's twinkie loving, zombie hating southerner to Wichita, played by Emma Stone, a badass chick who knows how to weild a shot gun (and is smoking hot). Not as good as my favorite Zombie flick "Shaun of the Dead" but a absolutely amazing cameo in the middle makes this one of the best movies I've seen this year.
....................
SCORE: 9.0/10

Inglourious Basterds


This was my first Quentin Taratino movie I've ever seen and I'm pretty sure it won't be my last. While uberviolent, "Inglorious Basterds" was a thrilling peice of, well, pulp ficiton, with a cast a great characters. The film has several story lines that all cross at seperate times, leading up to a grand ending to a grand film. Brad Pitt does a great job as a Nazi hating American soldier and has some of the funnier parts/lines in the movie. But the true star of this film is Austrian actor, Christoph Waltz. As the Colonel Hans Landa, "The Jew Hunter," his performance is just creepy and perfect, and it would come as no suprise if he was nominated for an Oscar.
....................
SCORE: 9.3/10