Movie Review: Inception

Christopher Nolan both wrote and directed this film, and coming off the heels of The Dark Knight, he had a lot to live up to. Leonardo DiCaprio heads up a cast that includes names like Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy (both of which have been in the pair of Nolan's Batman films), Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Ken Watanabe. When I first saw the trailers, I figured it would be very centered on DiCaprio, but I was pleased to find out that, even though he was a main focal point, it was very much an ensemble cast. It follows a task force of mercenaries that go into people's dreams and con them into giving up some kind of sensitive information. It's a very complicated process and it involves a lot of training, skill, and patience. As this crew embarks on what could potentially be one of their most difficult and dangerous missions, they also have to face some inner demons that they may not be prepared for. This movie is like The Matrix, but not as big and flashy. It's more espionage, and less balls-out craziness. It runs for two and a half hours, but it's solid from beginning to end. This is THE big summer blockbuster that everyone's been looking forward to, and it does not disappoint! Check it out!

I give Inception a 10 outta 10.

Movie Review: Kick-Ass

Kick-Ass! When I used to work at a comic shop (Treasure Island Comics in Fremont, CA... Check 'em out!) I loved it when people would come in and ask how the book was. The answer was always the same after every issue that came out: Kick-Ass! Punny? Most definitely. Wrong? No. This movie was in the works even before the first story arc was completed, and with the creative team working closely with the production, I had a feeling the movie would be just as Kick-Ass as the book, and I was right. Matthew Vaughn did it again, proving why he is one of my favorite directors right now. I'm not even a big fan of Nick Cage's recent stuff, but I liked him in this movie a lot. There was a lot of controversy about the young character of Hit-Girl (Chloe Moretz) and the "adult content" that the character takes part in, and I understand the concern, but let's be honest... she kicked major ass! The movie was shot really well, the soundtrack was awesome, and the cast was perfect. I loved every second of it. Is that just the fanboy in me geeking out? Maybe, but if you want to see a shit-ton of action and violence, this movie delivers!

I give Kick-Ass a 9 outta 10.

Movie Review: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

When director, Chris Columbus left the Harry Potter franchise, I figured it was to do something different, but I guess I was wrong. The big difference here though is that Columbus traded in his broom for a pair of winged shoes. This story is full of mythology and adventure, and is full of recognizable faces. From Catherine Keener to Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman to Rosario Dawson (who looked INCREDIBLY hot) there were stars around every corner. As a kid, I was really into Greek mythology, so I liked the story a lot (though I have never read the book it was based on). It told of the son of Poseidon, the God of the Sea, and the human woman he fell in love with (Keener). When Zues' lightning bolt is stolen from Olympus, all fingers point to Percy, who is unaware of his Godly heritage. Once he finds out about his past, it's up to him to find out who really took the lightning bolt and return it in order to save his mother and stop a war between the Gods. If you like these kinds of movies, you'll dig this one, but if the Harry Potter or Narnia movies don't do it for you, then steer clear. It's a fun ride though and the I enjoyed it.

I give Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief a 6 outta 10.

Movie Review: Green Zone

Political drama, hidden in an action movie. That pretty much sums up this film. It wasn't bad at all, but after a while, it was pretty evident that you could see where things were headed. Matt Damon plays an officer who is torn between his duty as a soldier and what he knows is the right thing to do. Greg Kinnear plays the douche that spreads lies about WMDs in Iraq, and when the intel doesn't check out, others start to question the validity of his claims. Brenden Gleeson (In Bruges) doesn't buy it and hatches a plan with Damon to get the truth out. When the stakes are this high though, the truth can be a dangerous thing. It's not quite the next 'Bourne' movie I was expecting, but still had plenty going on to keep the war-time action on par with the conspiracy side of the story. It's worth a watch, but just be prepared for the heavy political agenda that comes along with it.

I give Green Zone a 7 outta 10.

Movie Review: Grown Ups

If you like Adam Sandler movies, then this is a must-see for you. The big difference between this movie and his other movies is that this one shows a more grown up side (pun actually not intended) that doesn't have him talking in weird voices and screaming at people throughout the film. Then you add Kevin James, and fellow SNL alums: David Spade, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph and even guest spots for Colin Quinn (who I really enjoy) and Tim Meadows. On top of that, Selma Hayek, Steve Buscemi also supply a good deal of humor. With such a large cast, it is fairly easy to follow the story and keep track of all of the relationships while you get to know this diverse and hearty group. The only thing that bugged me was that some of the jokes came across as cheap gags, and were just put in for laughs, but did not add anything to the story. Some of them were just one timers, and others were recurring jokes throughout the film that would have been better off if they did not repeat. All together though, the movie was really enjoyable and a good choice for a summer flick for the whole family to enjoy.

I give Grown Ups a 7 outta 10.

Movie Review: The Book of Eli

Denzel! Gary Oldman! Mila Kunis! All playing in a kind of Max Maxish future where books are hard to come by, but Eli has a very special and rare book in his possession. When Carnegie (Gary Oldman) finds out, he will stop at nothing to get it. Hell, he's even willing to whore out his step-daughter, Solara (Kunis) if it gets him what he wants. In this movie, Denzel is a total bad-ass, and Oldman goes back to playing a nasty SOB like in the good ole days. Add a helping of a dirty, desolate future and a bunch of people running around looking for hidden treasures from the past, such as soap... Yeah, I know, classy. If our future is anything like this movie, then we are pretty much screwed. It's a fun movie, but not too stimulating.

I give The Book of Eli a 5 outta 10.

Movie Review: Quatantine

I waited quite a while before seeing this movie, and after sitting down and watching it the other night, I realize that I could have waited longer. The story follows a TV show host as she hangs out at a fire house one night and when they go out on a routine call, things start to get weird. When it first came out, I was under the impression that they would be up against zombies, or some kind of exorcism type of situation. To my surprise, they were instead up against a strain of super-rabies that one of the tenants was developing. Exciting, right? Not so much, even with the added bonus of the shaky cam from beginning to end... The tenants, TV host, camera man, firefighters and a couple cops are all trapped inside while people continue to get infected and things get worse. Honestly, if you're really looking for something to watch, it's not the worst choice you could make, but don't go looking for this one.

I give Quarantine a 4 outta 10.

(I give a point or two for senseless violence)

Movie Review: Legion

The end of the world! The Rapture! For a small group of people trapped in a rundown diner on a remote road, it's going to be a Hell of an experience. The young waitress is pregnant and if her child is born, God is gonna be pissed! The Archangel, Michael thinks that is lame and decides to take matters into his own hands and goes against the greater good to protect mother and expected child, while Gabriel, his fellow angel, has decided to stay true to the cause and send a shit-ton of weird zombie-goblin people raining down on the diner like the plague. Can Michael, the pregnant chick, Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Kate Walsh, Charles S. Dutton (with a hook-hand, no less), and the rest of their ragtag band of yokels and tourists stave off the apocalypse and see that this kid gets born and screws up God's plan? To find out, watch the movie. I'm not just going to tell you.

I give Legion a 6 outta 10.

Movie Review: She's Out Of My League

This movie, in my opinion, was in and out of theaters with little notice at all, but now that I've sat down and watched it, I can say that it's actually not too bad. Jay Baruchel was fully able to carry the film as Kirk, a mind-mannered airport security guard with low self-esteem. Then Molly, played by Alice Eve, shows up and she is, as they point out a thousand times, a perfect ten. The supporting cast is pretty entertaining, including Nate Torrence (Get Smart), T.J. Miller & Mike Vogel (Cloverfield), and Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad) as well as Debra Jo Rupp (That 70's Show). Self-esteem and image concerns aside, there are some really funny moments (most courtesy of Vogel, Torrence, and Ritter) mixed with a little physical comedy and some crude humor really make it a good mix of funny from all angles. It's worth it if you're interested in seeing it.

I give She's Out Of My League a 7 outta 10.

Movie Review: Hot Tub Time Machine

And the good times keep on 'a rolling! I was interested in this movie, but was really scared that it was gonna suck. Too bad I didn't have anything to worry about. Four friends got away for the weekend when their lives are almost too shitty to bear, when they are given a chance to go back to the 80's and live one of their most epic weekends all over again. Are there consequences to going back in time? Will things work out better the second time around? Only "time" will tell (wow, that was punny, I'm sorry... but really I'm not). John Cusack was awesome... as usual (duh!) Craig Robinson was effin hilarious, proving once again that he has what it takes to be part of the comedic A-List of the new millennium. Clark Duke, who I truly enjoyed in Sex Drive (watch it if you haven't!!!) delivered another great performance here as he traveled back to the weekend of his conception. And Rob Corddry was perfect as the downer in the group with a lot to prove, or not. All this, and a supporting cast that includes Chevy Chase, Lizzy Caplan, and Crispin Glover makes this movie a great watch, and a whole lot of time-traveling fun!

I give Hot Tub Time Machine an 8 outta 10.

Movie Review: Alice In Wonderland

I love Tim Burton. I love Johnny Depp. I did not love Alice In Wonderland. Some things were good, but others were just odd and confounding. Sure, it's supposed to be Wonderland, and things there are supposed to be insane, but that should not be used as an excuse for flawed storytelling. Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter was just awkward, and his role was way more important than the character needs to be (but if you're gonna pay Johnny Depp to be in a movie, you're sure as hell gonna use him!) I was entertained my Helena Bonham Carter's shenanigans, as usual, but again, it was just not enough to redeem it for me. The Cheshire cat was good, but Alice was dry and emotionless in my opinion. Eh, I could keep going, but why waste my breath on a movie that came out six months ago... At least it was pretty to look at.

I give Alice In Wonderland a 5 outta 10.

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes

I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, most notably the old Universal serials from the 40’s with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. There have been many incarnations of the character over the years and even though each has it’s own flavor, the core of the character remains the same. Solving mysteries by exploiting the most basic of observations that most people look right past. The master sleuth’s adventures, accompanied by is loyal companion Dr. Watson and with the aid of Inspector LeStrade and Scotland Yard are always full of twists and turns and entertaining. This new incarnation with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law does not disappoint. Their version of the duo is much more action oriented and it does make sense in our current day and age that they would need to be in order to draw more people into the theater. Though Downey’s version of Holmes took a little getting used to, Law’s Watson was fantastic from start to finish. Rachel McAdams was a fitting addition as well playing Irene Adler, a savvy femme fatale whose intentions are unclear for the duration of the film. With Lord Blackwood as the main villain and a very occult feel to the film, the tone was dark and dreary, matching the look of London in Guy Ritchie’s take. I enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to seeing more in the future.

I give Sherlock Holmes an 8 outta 10.

Movie Review: Avatar

Okay, this review is a little overdue, but better late than never. No one can dispute that James Cameron is one of the greatest directors of our time. His movies are legendary; including Aliens, Titanic, Terminator and more. Avatar was visually captivating. The CG was immaculate. The story was entertaining and full. The cast was top-notch as well. As much praise as this film has gotten however, I still saw a few flaws in my opinion. My first issue was with the mechs. Not actually with the mech suits themselves, but with their weapons. Firstly, why aren’t their weapons built in? That is very inconvenient. And even more that that, shy do the operators have to mime holding the weapons? Again, not really the most productive way to do things if you ask me. I don’t know about you, but if I was miming holding a gun whilst controlling a big-ass mech armor, I might be a little hindered. Just an observation. The other thing that bothered me, and I feel that most people just glanced over it without any thought… The story was nothing I haven’t seen a thousand times! I even heard someone reference Fern Gully a couple weeks back. Hahaha. If that doesn’t explain where I’m coming from, nothing will. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was entertaining and colorful and a great piece of film.

I give Avatar an 8 outta 10.

Movie Review: Paranormal Activity

This is not the first movie of its kind. Over ten years ago, audiences were shocked and horrified by The Blaire Witch Project. When the film first debuted, there was even a lot of controversy over the realism of the film. Though I had read many articles about this film before I saw it, people in the theater with me were still unsure if we were watching actual events unfold before us. The style of filming is unique, in that even if we know it’s fake, you still get caught in the “home video” aspect of the movie and you find yourself peaking into these people’s lives. This is a fun way to get the audience involved and scare them in a way they are not used to. Cloverfield also did this very well, but of course on a much grander scale. I was entertained by this movie, and I did jump in my seat a few times, but I was also a bit bored at times as well. The spirit effects were cool and the setting really made you feel immersed in this couple’s battle with the thing haunting them. Of course the ending was a bit lame, and the commercials gave away a lot of the bigger moments, but it’s still a fun watch, but you might just want to wait a while and rent it.

I give Paranormal Activity a 6 outta 10.

Movie Review: Zombieland

Zombieland! I really don’t need to say anything more. If you know me, then you know I’m a sucker for zombie flicks. Add comedy and lots of violence in the mix and I’m a happy camper. Woody Harrelson is unbelievably cool. Jesse Eisenberg, who also starred in Adventureland (which I still need to see) was great as the slightly awkward, and very paranoid survivor of the zombie apocalypse. Emma Stone (from Superbad) was pretty cute and she did a great job as a girl doing what she has to for her and her sister (played by Little Miss Sunshine’s Abigail Breslin). The four of them made a great team, and their journey was both fun and interesting. If the movie wasn’t good enough, there is also THE BEST CAMEO EVER to solidify the fact that this was the funniest movie I’ve seen in a long time. If you have not seen it yet, WHY?! It’s awesome, plain and simple. Go see Zombieland , you’ll love it!

I give Zombieland a 10 outta 10.

Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarantino can do no wrong in my opinion. I may be a huge fanboy, but this guys just continues to deliver with each and every film. To be honest, this was not my favorite of all of him movies, but I still enjoyed the hell out of it! Brad Pitt was great, though not in it as much as I thought he would be. Christoph Waltz, who played Nazi Col. Hans Landa was amazing!!!! That guy made this movie what it was! Diane Kruger was terrific and movie star, Bridget Von Hammersmark, and Eli Roth and the rest of the supporting cast were also really good. Cameo voiceovers were an added bonus for fans of Tarantino’s other flicks. Great camera work and music accompanied by insightful dialogue and one hell of a journey through Nazi occupied France leaves you with your fill of entertainment from start to finish. The use of subtitles throughout the film, though a pain in the ass to keep up with at times, still played a very important role. If you like movies, and/or hate Nazi’s, then you NEED to see this movie! If you don’t, then The Bear Jew might just come after you… Yeah, that’s right, The Bear Jew. So go see it!

I give Inglourious Basterds a 9 outta 10!

(which translates to 100 Nazi scalps for those of you keeping score)

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Just like the books, the Harry Potter films get longer and more impressive every time. Though this installment didn’t have as much action as I had hoped, I was still impressed, and was thoroughly entertained. The cast, as usual was amazing and the visual effects were great, especially Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent as Professor Slughorn. There were a few comedic moments that really made it a lot of fun and kept my attention while the plot of the main storyline was more serious, and for some people, maybe a bit too dry. I know it’s nearly impossible to adapt an entire novel into an hour and a half movie, but with all things considered, they still did a good job. With one more book to adapt (into two movies) left to be released, there is just that much more to look forward to as well. If you haven’t seen it yet, go check it out, it’s a fun ride!

I give Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince an 8 outta 10.

Movie Review: Star Trek

I was never a big Star trek fan, but I was actually really excited about seeing the new film. Of course, I knew the basics, but I never really got into the whole Star Trek thing. The movie totally lived up to the hype, and I left feeling satisfied. The film was a lot of fun and the cast meshed really well. It didn’t hurt that Simon Pegg was in it either, seeing as how I am a huge fan (as anyone that knows me could tell you). The time travel stuff wasn’t too wacky, and the back story and set up was not boring. The action was well balanced with plot and character development. In my opinion, I think they nailed it! I have no complaints, and hope to see more in the future! Hell, I've seen it twice so far, so I don't see why they wouldn't.

I give Star Trek a 10 outta 10!

Movie Review: Observe & Report

Okay, going into this movie, I didn’t really know what to expect. I had seen about ten minutes of Paul Blart: Mall Cop and was dreading something like that. The commercials didn’t give too much away and the only well known members of the cast were Seth Rogen and Anna Ferris. It turned out to be at least entertaining, and very dark. Some points it was even a little uncomfortable. It was a comedy, but definitely a more complex role for Rogen to pull off. Some parts were really funny, and there were a couple moments when I actually got caught off guard. It was decent, but not worth the $15 it costs to see a movie now-a-days. Wait for it to come out on DVD and it you come across it, give it a shot, but it’s really not worth searching for or getting excited over.

I give Observe and Report a 5 outta 10.

Movie Review: Fanboys

After years of trials and tribulations, FANBOYS has finally hit theaters! It's been popping around the counrty for over a year now in different festivals and even showed at Comic-Con 2008, but now it's finally here! A movie set around the relase of Star Wars: Episode One, it's about a group of kids from the wid-west who try to break into the Skywalker Ranch, the home base of George Lucas and Lucasfilm. I really wasn't expecting it to be all that great, and after the first few minutes, I still wasn't all that convinced. It picked up quite a bit though, and got really good. There are a lot of funny cameos from stars like; William Shattner, Carrie Fisher, Danny Trejo, Kevin Smith, and Seth Rogen among others. The movie covers a bunch of different topics, and each of the main characters grow throughout the film. It had really serious moments and it also had really funny, slapstick moments as well. A great movie for any Star Wars fan, or anybody who might really be a fanboy at heart.

I give Fanboys a 9 outta 10.

P.S. Kristen Bell, I love you.