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Good
Luck Chuck
Good Luck Chuck was a let-down for this reviewer. Dane Cook has been receiving a lot of attention lately (including being the on-air promoter for Major League Baseball's playoffs) but really did not live up to the hype in this film. Jessica Alba actually generated more amusement with her clutzy penguin loving Cam. Adding to the comedic timing is Fogler as Stu, the completely breast obsessed plastic surgeon. Sophomoric to the extreme at times, Good Luck Chuck just isn't that funny. Additionally, the previews that we saw over the past few months were misleading as to what the plot of this film is. Perhaps the studio realized that the best parts of the film surrounded Alba and Fogler and focused less on Cook's character. Of course, for all those testosterone driven males out there, the film includes plenty of nudity, especially with Chuck bedding every female in town and Stu being a plastic surgeon. Good Luck Chuck is definitely a rental. And, for the testosterone driven males out there, then you can pause the video or DVD. Think about it. Just don't expect a lot of belly laughs during this one. |
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3:10
to Yuma
As other critics have pointed out, 3:10 to Yuma is probably the best western since Unforgiven and follows on the heels of another recent modern western, Open Range, in being true to the genre but with a level of action that will keep the interest of today's movie-going audience. The pairing of Crowe and Bale is at the heart of the story and drives the film from start to finish. The remaining cast filters in and out of the action as needed, providing the perfect ensemble around our two stars. The gritty Peter Fonda is effective as the grizzly Pinkerton guard, Ben Foster plays the psychotic Charlie Prince to great effect, and Logan Lerman brings Evans' teenage son William to life. As with most westerns, tons of gunfire leave the audience in doubt as to who will live and die, right up to the final scene. And, as with the most successful movies of the genre, 3:10 to Yuma does not disappoint as the action comes to a fitting and profound end when the train whistle blows and the 3:10 train to Yuma lurches forward down the tracks. |
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The
Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Ultimatum picks up where The Bourne Supremacy left off, sort of. The action in this installment is as energetic and frenetic as that of the first two, if not slightly higher in its octane level. The camera moves fast and Damon once again seems to actually be in the thick of things as he beats the living you-know-what of the other agents and smashes just about every vehicle into which he steps foot. Joan Allen reprises her role of Pamela Landy with the same amount of compassion as before and still shines as a determined and focused intelligence operative. The additions to this cast, obviously, cannot be overlooked. It says a great deal about a film (from script to director to lead actors) when actors the caliber of Strathairn, Glenn and Albert Finney (as the doctor who psychologically broke Bourne in the first place) agree to be part of the cast. While the back story, the acting and the action are sound, this movie is driven a little too much by the fight scenes and car chases, a couple of which seem to be longer than necessary. The search for his past also seems a bit tired and a retread of the previous two films but it is that search that is at the heart of the novels written by Robert Ludlum. This is well worth the ticket price and those car chases need to be seen on the big screen. Just promise us that, if you wait to see it until you can only view it on the small screen, you at least get the Widescreen version so you can see ALL the action. |
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The
Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons have been named the best television show of the twentieth century but it took 18 years to get them to the big screen and it was worth the wait. The Simpsons Movie is hilarious, not losing a step from its small screen version. The humor is biting and often times off center. The first thirty minutes will have you rolling in the aisles, if you have any affinity for this dysfunctional family. And, the big screen allows the creative team behind the series to let their hair down, so to speak, and take some risks with language and, yes, even animated nudity. The story is true to The Simpsons credo with Homer as the central figure in a disastrous situation. After the first thirty minutes, there are some slow moments but a slow moment in The Simpsons Movie is like a speedy moment in most other comedies. Of course, any review of this movie would be remiss without mentioning SpiderPig. There, it was mentioned. Take our word for it, you'll be talking about SpiderPig (or laughing about it) for days to come. |
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Harry
Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
In the fifth film in the series, Harry Potter has grown up and Daniel Radcliffe has grown up with him. The Order of the Phoenix is not as light-hearted and upbeat as the first film and more closely resembles the much darker third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Still, there is plenty of humor and some bright moments when Harry is interacting with his two closest friends and the other students. With the maturing of Harry, Ron and Hermoine, the atmosphere and mood has necessarily shifted. They are approaching adulthood and dealing with different issues than they were in their first year. This is also driven by the fact that the film makers no longer need to establish these characters. They can now focus more on the story and the action, of which there is quite a bit in this outing. Unfortunately, that means that some characters (and the quality actors portraying them) get little opportunity to really have a strong screen presence. Of course, as with the other Harry Potter movies, the film cannot fully live up to the book upon which it is based. The time constraints of a major motion picture force the storytellers to shorten important sequences, leave out what could be important information and not include some of the visuals that may not be able to be replicated on screen. According to those in our group who had read the book awhile back, the film is pretty faithful to the overall story and they were forgiving of the omissions. Radcliffe, Grint and Watson are definitely growing up and word that Radcliffe has signed on for the final two films gives us all hope that the remaining two installments will bring this series full circle and give us a fitting climax. We at 365 cannot wait for the seventh and final book to be released later this month. It will certainly be tough not to skip to the end to see how our time with Harry will come to a close. |
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Ratatouille -
A Film by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Iron Giant)
Ratatouille is a delightful outing from the creative geniuses at Pixar Animation Studios. Despite their acquisition by Disney, Pixar has not lost any of its steam as Ratatouille combines spectacular animation with clever dialogue and witty humor that appeals to kids and parents alike, much like the vast majority of their other offerings to date. Thankfully, the Pixar miscues have been few since they burst on the scene several years ago and this story of a rat who wants to be a chef keeps that steam rolling. Participation from the likes of Peter O'Toole, Ian Holm, Brian Dennehy (as Django), Brad Garrett and Janeane Garofalo show the appeal of working with this studio and their voices lend a certain pinach to the entire movie, especially O'Toole as the pompous food critic. And, once more, the payoff in a Pixar film makes the ride all the more worthwhile. Ratatouille is definitely worth the price of admission and really only suffers from a few slow moments. Probably the biggest plus is that we do not recall one moment in the film where we were unnecessarily subjected to the ubiquitous musical interlude. If that were not enough, the theater is air conditioned, the popcorn is freshly popped and the beverages are ice cold. What more can you ask for on a Sunday night. |
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Transformers
Transformers is a pure joy ride from start to finish. Michael Bay leaves nothing in his bag of tricks as he creates believable robots that transform from cars, semis, planes, helicopters, you name it. He even uses colors other than orange and blue this time around. The action dominates the film and at times seems like it will never cease. The only negative is that the action is so intense sometimes that it's hard for the audience to keep up. But this film is a crowd pleaser. One only needs to sit in a packed theater and here the crowd react with laughter at the humor and gasps at the action to know that Bay has succeeded in drawing the audience in and giving them exactly what they want. Transformers will undoubtedly be one of the most successful films of the year and it deserves to be. It is the quintessential summer, popcorn movie. Just be sure to stay for the first few minutes of the credits so you can catch a few snip-its that provide you with a last laugh and a little something more. Transformers is the most entertaining movie of the summer…so far... |
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Live Free or Die Hard - A Film by Len Wiseman (Underworld, Underworld II: Evolution)
The fourth in the Die Hard series that launched Willis into superstardom and spawned the global box office champion of 1995 (Die Hard with a Vengeance), Live Free or Die Hard has all the same elements as the previous three films: gritty Detective McClane, some really nasty bad guys, lots of explosions, lots of guns and plenty of humor. Much like its predecessors, Live Free or Die Hard is a roller coaster thrill ride as cars, helicopters, semis, roads, planes and buildings are laid waste all in the name of stopping the aforementioned bad guys. Of course, the thing that initially set Die Hard apart from other films in the same genre and continues in Live Free or Die Hard is the personality and humor that Willis brings to the role of Detective McClane. Many have copied or tried to copy the formula of the Die Hard films but few have succeeded. Thankfully, Live Free or Die Hard does. McClane is older and slower but his determination and stubbornness has not subsided. Long is excellent as the geeky computer hacker and adds plays off Willis well. The action is often intense and the film is quite enjoyable. Live Free or Die Hard is a good follow-up to the other three films. |
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Evan
Almighty - A Film by Tom Shadyac
A sequel that pales in comparison to the original, Evan Almighty has a few good laughs to it but generally misses the comedic mark. Carell is obviously a comedian with a future but Evan Almighty is not likely to advance his career a great deal, no matter how much money it makes, and it will make some good money as it is a family friendly film with tons (or at least pairs) of animals. The special effects in Evan Almighty led to it being the most expensive comedy ever produced but the money could have been better spent. You can tell when watching the film where the money went since it is obvious that all of those animals were not really there and the flood (including the ark floating through it) were mostly digital. There would be no other way to do it and you'll understand why when you see that scene. While Carell has showed that he can carry a major motion picture (see The 40 Year Old Virgin for proof), his comedic talents are not enough to carry Evan Almighty in the way that Jim Carrey carried Bruce Almighty. |
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Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer: A Film by Tim Story (Barbershop, Fantastic 4)
Yet another comic book film hits the big screen in Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, the first sequel to the successful first adaptation of the Marvel comic started by Stan Lee. Our four heroes are once again portrayed by the same four actors, all of which pick up where they left off last time. Chiklis is by far the best placed character actor in the series. Alba and Evans have the looks, obviously, but they are not the greatest actors in the world. And, for some reason, Gruffudd and McMahon are just there. Hearing Fishburne's voice coming out of a shiny silver guy seemed a bit out of place at first but somehow worked throughout the film. Some great special effects, some nifty gadgets (with amazing product placement which someone paid through the nose for, we're sure) and the interactions between The Thing and the Human Torch, though, cannot elevate Fantastic 4: The Rise of the Silver Surfer above the rating we are giving it. It was enjoyable but not a "must see". It is worth seeing on the big screen but we cannot recommend rushing to the theater, much like we didn't rush to write this review. |
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Ocean's
Thirteen
For this, the third film in the series, Clooney is once again joined by the same all-star cast from the previous two films (i.e. Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Gould, Andy Garcia, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan and Carl Reiner among others.) Besides Pacino, Ellen Barkin also joins the cast this time around as Bank's casino manager. Missing from the list in Ocean's Thirteen are Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The story is not all that different than the first two films though it is a twist on the same theme. The rapport between the characters is well played and one gets the sense that these high priced stars get along just as swimmingly in real life as well. You can visualize Clooney, Pitt, Damon, et al hanging out in a bar, taking turns buying each other drinks. Ocean's Thirteen recreates the same swagger that the first two films did and as long as they can continue to come up with unique twists on the same basic story, this is one fan that will continue to pay the admission price. Ocean's Thirteen, like the others, never seems to slow. That may actually be the movie's biggest flaw, consistent with the other outings. The terminology of the world of gamblers and thieves and the speed with which the information is offered may escape some audience members as the dialogue and pace are necessarily frenetic. The ride may be fast and bumpy, it is a fun joy ride none-the-less. Ocean's Thirteen is a good follow up to its predecessors and avoids the jinx of the number thirteen. Just what will Ocean and his partners in crime be up against next time? We'll just have to wait and see but our guess is they'll find a way to get themselves into trouble once again in Ocean's Fourteen and beyond. |
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Pirates
of the Caribbean: At World's End
Following on the heels of two hugely successful predecessors, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End had a lot to live up to. We went into the theater the other night, not knowing if it would succeed or not, especially after some of the poor reviews we read prior to paying our admission fees. Still, and perhaps somewhat as a result of those poor reviews, we left the theater pleasantly surprised. Yes, At World's End is longer than it needs to be. Some of the fight sequences do drag on. But all in all, At World's End is an enjoyable ride, a fitting payoff for the 4-year journey we've all taken with Captain Jack and his merry band of pirate misfits. Depp reprises his role as Captain Jack without blinking. Bloom, Knightley and the remainder of the returning cast also keep their characters going strong. The addition of Chow Yun-Fat and cameos by the likes of Depp's inspiration for Captain Jack, Keith Richards, only add to the fun. The length of the film and the complicated nature of the storyline (which may be difficult for many to follow) are the only two real strikes against the film but they are enough to keep At World's End from being a Five Kernel film. Still, it is the best of the summer blockbusters so far, besting Spider-Man 3 and Shrek the Third so far. |
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Shrek
the Third
As with other mediocre reviews we have written, the synopsis above makes the movie sound better than it actually is. This Shrek is no where near as funny or entertaining as the previous two in the series. While there are a few good belly-laughs, they are Far Far and Away too few and far between. Myers, Murphy and Banderas, even though you never see them, seem to be just going through the motions on this one. The story is weak compared to the other two films, each of which introduced some really great characters (like Puss-in-Boots). In Shrek the Third, the additions of Artie and Merlin (Eric Idle) just aren't as significant or funny. And, as has been the norm with animated films over the past several years, Shrek the Third has a lot of humor that will go right over the heads of the children in the audience. Considering that a good portion of the audience for this movie is under the age of 10, being more obtuse in the jokes does not serve the movie well. Even the adults in the audience seemed to be bored at various points during the movie, I know I was. |
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Spiderman
3
Anticipation for Spiderman 3 has been high for months. The appeal of this film was the conflicted nature of the main character and the potential emergence of Harry Osborn as the New Goblin. Perhaps the most disappointing thing about the film was that these two main plot points and storylines are overshadowed by too many other storylines and villains. Sometimes less is more and this is one of those cases. The love story with Mary Jane, the conflict with Harry, the realization that Uncle Ben's killer is still at large, the competition at work, etc. create a jumbled mess. Then throw in the competing genres of comedy, drama, action, etc. and the film never seems to find a niche. The funny moments are funny, the action is exhilarating (if not difficult to follow or focus on at times) and the drama is dramatic. Is this installment as good as the other two Spiderman films? Probably not for the reasons cited above. Is it an entertaining film? Sure. The script could have been tighter and some of the comedic moments could have been less hokey but it is a movie based on a comic book. Spiderman fans will enjoy the film but probably not as much as they would like.
Spiderman 3 (Review # 2) Well True-Believers, let me preface this review with one simple statement: I am the Spyderfreek. I’ve watched everything Spidey for as long as I can remember. I’ve been to all three movies on opening day, and at a midnight showing for the last one to boot. I waited in quiet anticipation for this movie, avoiding as much of the hype and advertising as possible. I went into this movie with as open a mind as any can have in this day of instant information. I truly wanted to enjoy this movie as much as I did the last two, but I was disappointed. Sam & the gang did a fine job of story telling, it’s just that the story feels contrived and clunky. Sam is an old school Spidey fan, so that is where main villain number one comes from. Avi Arad & the rest of Marvel demanded a more mainstream villain, which gives you villain number two. Villain number three has been building since the first movie, and was by far the most wonderfully executed part of the movie. I don’t want to spoil the “surprises”, but suffice it to say this movie is decidedly different in tone and flavour than the other two. Trying to cobble together a continuing coming of age story, love story, and revenge story all into one along with the typical villain/enemy dynamic makes for a mind twisting stretch that even the most avid fan is hard pressed to follow. Spider-man 3 is somewhat entertaining, but I would put it far below the other two movies in the trilogy in the likeability category. 2.5 kernals, maybe 3. - Ryan “Spyderfreek” Winkelman
Spiderman 3 (Review # 3) WARNING - BIG SPOILERS - HUGE!!! Okay, so, the butler waited for a couple of years to randomly tell Harry that his old man was the Goblin, and did so conveniently right as Peter was getting the crap kicked out of him? And the oh-so-convenient amnesia? Emo
Spidey? HELLS NO! That was ridiculous. I can't believe actual
screen time was devoted to watching Peter COMB HIS BANGS.
Seriously, the entire sequence reminded me of Superman 3.
This is NOT a good thing. One of the fundamental aspects of Spider-Man's character through over 40 years of comics, television and movies is his guilt over his part in Uncle Ben's death. With great power comes great responsibility, and all that. By making Uncle Ben's murder an accident, you mess with something that you should not mess with. It essentially destroys the only real motivation that Peter has. Hey! Here's this gooey black stuff that falls from the sky, and just happens to land right near Peter's moped. As we find out from Professor Cameo, it's a symbiotic gooey stuff that amplifies whatever the host is feeling, and becomes part of the host. I have a genuine dislike for the Venom character, I have never been a fan whatsoever and I cringe everytime he appears in the comics, but I was pleasantly surprised with how Venom was handled in the movie. That may have to do with Sam Raimi, though, as Raimi has gone on record since Spider-Man 1 as saying that he hates Venom, and he said during the cycle for this movie that originally the only villain was Sandman, but producer Avi Arad convinced him to include Venom, as Venom is somehow a fan favorite. I really, really, really hated the stupid news-cast in the end, with the on-the-scene reporting of the climactic fight. The whole breakup thing was horribly written. Ugh. And whoever thought it was a good idea to have Kirsten Dunst sing needs to be shot... It's not nearly as big a drop in quality from X2: X-Men United to X-Men: The Last Stand, but definitely one of the most disappointing comic-book films in recent memory. Really, the only thing I can say I genuinely and truly loved about it (outside of the brilliant Bruce Campbell cameo) was that the central villain (the alien symbiote) has the last laugh, in a manner of speaking: Peter's probably totally alienated Gwen Stacy from his life forever due to the way he used her; Peter and MJ need serious relationship damage control from everything he did to her; and Peter has to live with everything he did during the time he wore the black suit. And he can't say it was all the symbiote, because, deep down, he has to know that the symbiote was merely taking the dark side of him that was already there and amplified it. It's a downbeat ending, with a little sliver of hope. Harry was the best part of the entire movie. In a Spider-Man movie, this is not a good thing.
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NEXT - A Film by Lee Tamahori (XXX: State of the Union, Die Another Day)
We at 365 have typically given reasonable reviews to recent big screen versions of Philip K. Dick stories (see our reviews for Imposter, Minority Report and Paycheck), and obviously Blade Runner came out before we began reviewing movies but it is a classic sci-fi movie. NEXT appeared to be heading down that same road. In fact, the concept was intriguing: A man can see two minutes into the future but only if the events involve him personally. And, of course, the cast is a quality cast so they carry that story well. The action is fast-paced and trying to figure out where the film is going, how it is going to get there and what will happen along the way kept our interest. And it keeps steaming along until the end, which comes abruptly. Just when we thought we were witnessing one of the best-played twists in recent movie history, the movie ends and we were left wanting more. NEXT went from a four kernel rating to a two in about ten seconds. And, as the credits rolled, that's where it stayed. Rent it and when the big twist happens, turn off the television before they ruin the movie for you. |
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Shooter
Fuqua brings the look and feel of Training Day to this 2007 suspense thriller. Wahlberg seems well cast as the ex-Marine who, when asked to do his patriotic duty, reluctantly agrees to help uncover an assassin. The tension is well played, creating a fast-paced and exciting ride for the audience. Watching Wahlberg as Swagger using his knowledge as a Marine to not only unravel the mystery but also survive is enjoyable. Some good car chases, shoot outs and explosions never hurt as well. The story is somewhat tired (the old conspiracy theory that reaches to the highest levels of government and involves some sort of desperate need to protect a cover-up) but it is always nice when it comes with some new twists. In the end, Shooter is not exceptional but it is edge-of-your-seat entertainment. Is there anything really wrong with that? Grab a bucket of popcorn and a jumbo Pepsi, relax for awhile and let Markie Mark have the really bad day tonight. |
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300
300
is a visually stunning movie, there is no doubt. The combination
of live action set against a backdrop of virtual backgrounds
is interesting and visually appealing. The story is larger
than life, perhaps enhanced much as the story of this epic
battle was at the time to incite the rest of Greece to take
up arms against the invading Persians. The script carries that
theme throughout the film, generating heroic lines for the
pumped up Spartans to utter. At times, the movie seems like
a cheap knock-off of Gladiator, taking everything to another
level of cheese but, in hindsight, that's what the film is
all about. The Spartan warriors have barrel chests and six-pack
abs just like all of the classic paintings and sculptures.
They are tough and unflinching in the face of certain death,
just like the stories always tell us. And they are fiercely
loyal to the concept of democracy and freedom. After all, the
Greeks invented democracy, right? So, though I walked out of
the theater not really sure whether or not I truly liked the
film, it has grown on me as I have thought more about it. Additionally,
I did some research on the actual events and discovered that
the script is pretty accurate, though everything in it is larger
than life. A movie worth seeing just for the way it depicts
the ancient Greeks and presents their world in the way we all
picture it growing up. |
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Wild
Hogs
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