The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

(2007)

Alexis says:

3.5 STARS

I grew up hearing the story of Jesse James assassination. I knew more about James' murder than what made him infamous. I didn't even know the name Robert Ford (or at least remembered it) until this movie came out. I found this movie to be very educational and well acted. Affleck has maybe never been better but then I haven't viewed Gone Baby Gone yet. Pitt was his usual impressive self. Overall this film was pretty good. The only problem I found was that it felt more like a History Channel film than a Hollywood release, which isn't bad but could explain why it didn't do well at the box office. The movie was a little slow at times which wasn't bad except the movie was a little long to begin with. The story which is based on a book about the assassination is sad. I found myself feeling bad for both James and Ford.

Despite the slow pace at times this movie is worth watching.

Todd Says:

4.5 STARS

I really liked this movie. I liked that it was based on true events. I liked that it didn't play out like a typical Hollywood movie. I liked that I wasn't sure who I was supposed to feel bad for. I liked that it was refreshingly original.

This is a movie about two motivated and deeply disturbed men whose paths intersect leading to a tragic outcome. Both main characters, Jesse James and Robert Ford, will have you despising them and pitying them mostly at different times, but sometimes simultaneously.

This isn't a movie for everyone. It does movie at a creeping pace, and last a long time. It is short on action and heavy on atmosphere. It is historical, and not fantastical at all. It is somber throughout, and deeply moody. But it is a good movie, looking for a worthy audience to appreciate it.

Stop-Loss

(2008)


Todd Says:

3 STARS

Stop Loss is a depressing look at the politics of today's military and the war in Iraq. It is well written but very dark and a little hopeless. The cast does a good job with it, giving a convincing picture of today's soldiers fighting a war that they either don't believe in, or that they believe is being mishandled.

This movie is not for everyone, as the subject matter is quite political as well as pessemistic. I think that a lot of people will have trouble with this one for one reason or another, but at the same time I think that it's worth watching.

Alexis says:

2 STARS

I saw the trailer for this movie and I must say that it was well done. It made this movie look very interesting and I really wanted to see it. The movie on the other hand was not very good. I couldn't get over Philipe's annoying Texan accent, I couldn't seem to care about Cornish's boyfriend problems and I felt that the overall theme of this movie, soldiers getting stop-lossed could have been more moving with a better writer and story. The most moving thing in the entire movie was Gordon-Levitt's subplot about a man who wants nothing more than to be a soldier and yet his poor conduct leads to an army that doesn't want him.

Overall, the movie was just a letdown for me. I was interested in the plotline. I was unaware that so many soldiers were being stop-lossed in the War on Iraq so that was educational and interesting. I didn't mind the political undertones. I just didn't care much for the story and character they put out there for you to feel bad about.

It's an interesting enough movie, I just don't think that is enough to award higher stars.

The Jane Austen Book Club

(2007)

1.5 Stars

Sue says:

The only thing that might be keeping Jane Austen from rolling over in her grave is that she had a sense of humor. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s anything funny about this movie, or that fact that I spent 2 hours watching it.

I believe that the writers were trying to make the characters seem like modern day versions of Jane’s characters. They made an effort, just not a very good one.

What can I say? The acting was poor. The stories contrived. Jimmy Smits was (is?) old. The end. Don’t waste your time. If you love Jane Austen, or you want to get to know her, read a novel.

The Bank Job

(2008)

Alexis says:

3 STARS

I have only been to the theatre once this year and we don't watch cable so other than what reviews I chose to read in Entertainment magazine I am not all that familiar with a lot of new releases, on DVD or at the Box Office. This is a good example. I had no idea what Bank Job was about, all it was was a title to me. I didn't even know that it was based on a true story until I sat down to watch it.

To be honest I was not at all thrilled when the movie began and there was a lot of nudity as I was watching the film with my younger (though adult) brother. From the beginning this left a bad taste in my mouth. Also, I am not the fan of Statham that a lot of people seem to be. Fortunately, this film has a good story and is well put together. Once the heist was introduced and a real plot started to evolve I found myself getting more and more interested.

This isn't an overly fast paced action flick or a silly comedy. It is a tride and true thriller. Reminds me of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or something in that vain. Despite the nudity and several short scenes of violence (I would not recommend this to viewers under 18) this movie wasn't half bad.

Todd Says:

3.5 STARS

The Bank Job was a good heist movie. The story (being true and all) is pretty captivating, and complicated. There was a point in the movie where is was starting to get hard to keep up with who was after who and why. There is a lot going on.

But it works, and that's a good thing in a genre that has been beaten like a dead horse. The cast and the director do good work here, though there really isn't anything that stands out as outstanding. There isn't anything that is bad either. It's an above average crime movie that is likely to entertain most people.

X-Files : I Want To Believe

(2008)



Todd Says:



2.5 STARS




I wanted to believe, I really really did. The thing is, it just wasn't that good. Understand, that I am a true, hard-core X-Files fan. I watched from Season One until after the first movie when T-2 took over. I wanted this movie to be the best X-File ever, but the case in this movie isn't even an X-File, I mean where did all the paranormal go? And Scully and Mulder aren't even FBI agents anymore.



This would have made a perfectly good crime-drama, but not an X-File. The movie isn't BAD I guess, and people who don't expect much from the X-Files brand may be perfectly happy with what they get here, I however am not one of those people. I felt let dissappointed. I want to believe that they could have done better, I believe that they should just stop and let Mulder rest.





Alexis says:



2 STARS


Let's start with what I did like. The actors did a fine job and the story wasn't half bad. But what I kept thinking throughout this movie was 'Is this really the best they could come up with?' As a crime drama involving the FBI this movie would have been alright. But wanting to see Mulder and Scully work on an X-File even without the little green people this movie just come up short in my opinion. I have seen much better stories in the first few seasons of the X-Files that also didn't neccessarily elude to alien life forms, just the unexplained. I felt that this movie leaned more on the religion side than I would have preferred for an X-Files film.

I wonder sometimes why certain films are even made. If this is the best that Chris Carter could have come up with why not just let the series remain dormant. Duchovny has Californication to tape and I am sure that Anderson has something better she could be doing other than a pitiful attempt at resurrecting a once incredibly acted and written television series.

Unfortunately, some television series are just not cut out for the big screen. I felt the same way in 2006 with the release of Serenity, the film that evolved from Joss Whedon's cancelled prematurely series Firefly. Even though fans miss there favorite television shows and characters bringing them to the cinema is not neccessarily the answer. I never really liked the first X-Files movie but compared to this I think it was better.

Here's to hoping that Mulder and Scully stay retired from the FBI. I think it's best for all of us and if nothing else good comes from the movie at least I have drawn that conclusion.

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

(2007)

Alexis says:

2 STARS

This movie was just OK. The story is interesting enough I just wasn't impressed. I am not usually impressed by Ethan Hawke or Marisa Tomei and this film was unfortunately no exception. Even Philip Seymour Hoffman was a little bit of a letdown. Albert Finney gave the most intriguing performance in the whole movie. I think with a different director and a few actor changes this film could have been a lot better.

Todd Says:

2 STARS

I wanted to like this movie more than I really could. I consider myself a fan of 'heist' movies, but this one didn't come through. It wasn't the story itself, that was full of twists and truns that could have played out quite well. It was all about the delivery here, very sub-par.

I don't think that anyone in the movie was particularly bad, I just didn't find much to be impressed about. This was simply an O.K. movie, and with all the other good movies out there (just search our archives for a list) this one isn't really worth wasting your time on.

Parenthood

(1989)









Alexis says:









4 STARS







This movie is (at the time of our most recent viewing) 19 years old and yet it hardly seems dated at all. The plotline is as relevent today as it was in 89. This movie centers around one large family and all of their struggles to be good parents and raise healthy, confident kids. The story is well woven and together with spots of drama and comedy explores the adventures and downfalls of parenting, marriage, sibling and parent relationships, and basically all other aspects of day to day life. The movie portrays that life isn't easy, but it can be rewarding as well as surprising. The actors and actresses in the film are well fitted to their roles and most everyone does an overall good job, including Martha Plimpton and Keanu Reeves. I saw this movie several times as a young whipper snapper and always enjoyed it but I think that perhaps my own recent foree into parenthood has made me appreciate the film even more so. But I think that regardless of your familial stance this movie has a lot to offer the casual moviegoer. I think that tears will just come more readily if you are already on the roller coaster.





Todd Says:





4 STARS





So I hadn't seen this movie since I was a know-it-all teenager who could care less about Parenthood, but even then I thought that it was kinda funny. Well, as a new dad I must say that this one moved me, more than I expected it to. O.K., I didn't need tissues, but I did think that it was really touching.





I think that everyone should see this movie, but especially every parent. The situation and jokes seem a lot more relevant when you are already involved in the struggle to not screw up your kids.

The Kingdom

(2007)

Todd Says:

4.5 STARS

I was just expecting this to be a typical action flick about blowing up the terrorists that hate Americans, but I was pleasantly suprised to find that there was more to it than that. The Kingdom offers a somber comentary on the state of relations between the US and the middle east. This movie is very political, but not so much that it overshadows the story itself.

The actors all do a great job, in both the action sequences and the real acting scenes. Who would have thought that Jason Bateman could ever look good getting shot at, and then shooting back. The whole thing is just well done.

This is a thought provoking film, that hopefully will leave you thinking about the way you look at the world and others in it. It's not neccessarily a hopeful movie though, and it may leave you quite disheartened. You know, one of those 'this is the way it is, and it looks like it will never change' kind of things. I think that we need more films like this, the ones that make us confront the way we look at the world.

All in all, this is a good film for lovers of action as well as political thrillers. I feel good about recomending it to everyone.

Alexis says:

3.5 STARS

I would be lying if I said I wasn't really looking forward to this movie. Todd had suggested it several times before we finally bought and viewed it. I was for the most part pleasantly surprised. As always Foxx and Cooper are superb and Bateman and Gardner showed they can do well with dramas as well as comedies and super hero let down films. The story is all too real and revealed some insight into the affairs of the middle east that I was unaware of beforehand. Overall, this movie is well written and directed, if only real life political movies such as these weren't so darn depressing.

Ordinary People

(1980)

Alexis says:

4 STARS

This movie is a tear jerker and almost a classic. The three main characters are superb and touchingly sad. Redford does a great job in his directing debut. I am always surprised that Hutton was not a more successful actor, I personally find him very good as Conrad, the guilt ridden teenage son in Ordinary People whom the story is primarily about. This film may be approaching 30 years old but it is so well done that I think it will be enjoyed and relevent for quite some time to come.

Todd Says:

3.5 STARS

If real-life depressing is your thing, then this is the movie for you. There is nothing about this movie that is not sad, except for a few scenes that made me angry. But that is all good, that is what was intended, and the cast and director did great. I'm not overly familiar with Mary Tyler Moore, but she can really be nasty.

This is probably not a movie that you'll want to watch over and over again (if you do there is probably something wrong with you), but it is a very good movie none-the-less. I highly recommend giving it a viewing.

The Dark Knight

(2008)

Sue says:

3.5 Stars

I really wanted to love this movie. I'll start with the good. The acting, which I thought was great. To be fair it's an action/comic book movie, not Out of Africa, so when I say great, I'm grading on the comic book scale. Heath Ledger's Joker was everything promised and more. He was transformed. I found myself a few times trying to see if I could see Heath at all. Christian Bale is my favorite Batman, he makes me believe that it's hard to be a hero. Aaron Ekhart, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldham, all very enjoyable. I'm not a big Maggie Gyllenhaal fan, to me she always seems to come off a little self-righteous no matter what the role, and this was no exception.

The movie is action packed and the effects were fabulous. Technically speaking it was a great movie. The bad guys were bad, the cops corrupt, and the Bat conflicted. When all is said and done of course, justice prevails, for now anyway.

The problem for me is that it was just a little too dark. A little too hopeless. I couldn't really get past the pity I felt for all of Gotham's residents, even the Joker. I wanted him to check into Markham, get some plastic surgery and be redeemed.

*One last thing, on my soapbox. If you are thinking of taking a child to see this movie, by child I mean anyone under 15, PLEASE screen it first. In our theater last night there were young children(under 5), this movie is absolutely rated PG-13 for a reason. Be responsible.

Todd Says:

4 STARS

This is the second film that we've seen in the theatre all year, and I think that it was worth it. I do very much enjoy Chirstopher Nolan's vision for the Dark Knight, and I'm glad that he and Hollywood have decided to reinvigorate the franchise. (God knows that everyone regrets that little Mr. Freeze fiasco.)

Too Dark? That depends. It depends on what you want from a story about a man driven to the brink of insanity by grievous loss, who decides to take justice into his own hands no matter what the personal cost to himself. I feel that premise gives you a little leeway to dip into the nearly macabre when you need to.

And the VILLAINS! I don't know about you but that is what has always brought me back to the Batman stories. Such wonderful, colorful, maniacal villains. Heath Ledger does a great Joker, a different Joker than I'm used to, and I've seen my fair share of Joker Incarnations, but a wonderful, twistedly insane "engine of chaos." That's all that I'd like to say on that point, I think that Ledger was a great actor, but I hate to deify a dead junkie.

Bale and Oldman are great, as usual as the conflicted good guys trying to do as much right as possible without breaking too many rules. I think that Aaron Eckhart was brilliant as the goody-goody District Attorney, Harvey Dent.

So go out and pay your $10 per person and help this monster break some more records.

Alexis says:

4.5 STARS

For my second venture into the theatre this year I chose The Dark Knight and what a dark story it was, but overwhelmingly written and acted it was. Maybe it's the fact that Nolan was so involved, maybe it was Ledger's incredible performance, maybe it was the story but the fact is that whatever went into this movie just worked.

I am not as big a fan of the comic genre or Batman even as a lot of other people I know but I thoroughly enjoyed Batman begins as well as Christian Bale's Batman. I was happy to see Bale as well as many of the other actors return in the Dark Knight. I got a little hopeful at the beginning that Scarecrow had returned but alas it wasn't so, maybe in a later sequel? But even with Scrarecrow mournful absent the villians in this movie were well written and portrayed. Ledger's perfromance as the Joker almost lives up to the hype but it was pleasing enough that I won't take anything away from it (not that I even could). My biggest worry is that all the focus gets shifted to Ledger when Oldman, Bale and Eckhart are all as equally impressive (if not more so) in thier roles.

I was a little nervous because I had read many news articles over the weekend about different records The Dark Knight had replaced, I was worried that people are just too willing to drop $10 on anything. Turns out The Dark Knight met if not exceeded all of my expectations. Here's to the sequel!

Junebug

(2005)

Todd Says:

1.5 STARS

Alright, I'm sure that some of you have been anxiously waiting for me to bare my teeth again, here I go.

Junebug is almost entirely disappointing. It comes off as an aloof artsy film with the sole purpose of lampooning modern southern life. I could live with that, I mean who doesn't think rednecks are funny right. Well, they miss the mark here by quite a bit. To me, the 'intellectual' city folk in this movie (i.e. the two main characters) come across as shallow, judgemental, explotative, jack-asses.

The only two characters in this film with any heart are the expecting married couple, which most of the film's scenes are designed to make fun of. By the end of the movie I was so sick of Madeline, an art dealer who comes south to gain a fruitcake of a new client and meets and stays with her husband's family, that I wanted to quit watching. Her character seemed to have zero growth what-so-ever, and in the middle of an emotional family crisis, she chooses to visit her racist, perverted, relgious fanatic folk painter, totaly ignoring her in-laws.

In my opinion the best thing about this movie was the fact that it ended after only 106 minutes. From the opening scene to the last, even though you keep hoping for better, the characters is this movie are very hard to connect with. Don't bother.

Alexis says:

1 STAR

We here at Cinemaphiles were recently discussing how we like most of the films we viewed. Is it because we often pick movies that we are looking forward to or get a lot of hype? Well, whatever the reason, our recent viewing of Junebug was a complete and utter letdown from scene one.

Maybe people who nominate the movies for Oscars just have a lot different taste than I do because I am still stunned that this movie could ever have been up for such high honors. The actors, the story, the camera work, all unconvincing and at times just belittling to real people and places. The characters are dysfunctional but so boring that I couldn't seem to care. The sexual undertones distracting and unimpressive to the story. That one star, that is for you Amy Adams and your performance. Adams is the only likable, digestible ingredient in the whole movie.

I was really looking forward to this movie. I really wanted to see it. I was let down, disappointed and confused. Maybe I just don't get it. It wasn't the nitty gritty camera work, some of that was appealing. It wasn't the southern middle class family so much. It was the weakly written art dealer, her confused and confusing recent spouse and her much sought after would-be art client. I couldn't seem to give a care for any of them.

Other than Adams performance (and her story for which I think the movie should have been more centered around) I liked the shots of Replacements, Ltd. Other than that I see no real redeeming qualities in this movie and really wouldn't recommend it to anyone at all. I wish we could have seen the Dark Knight like every one else on Friday night.

Boiler Room

(2000)

Alexis says:

3.5 STARS

This movie has a very interesting storyline. A young college drop out who owns a successful casino in his apartment gets hired on at a new stock brokerage firm thinking that it will make him rich and earn his father's respect. What follows is an interestlingly tangled story. Ribisi is as good as he was when I first saw him on an episode of the X-Files some ten or so years ago and Diesel continues to surprise me with his acting ability.

Overall, I really like this film, except for the music. I know most people probably don't care what music they hear in a movie and usually I don't either but this music really didn't seem to fit and just seemed annoying to me. But otherwise this crime drama is pretty enjoyable.

Todd Says:

4 STARS

I thought that this was a great movie. I agree that the soundtrack is a little too 'gangsta' for my taste, and overall they may have tried a little too hard to make this movie 'hip'. The story and the cast are excellent, and Ben Younger (writer/director) would have been better off to rely more on the talent of his cast and the strength of his story, but at times the movie plays a little bit like a hip-hop video.

I don't want to scare anyone away though, because I do think that this is a great movie. Perfect? No, but everyone should see it anyway. Really, if you've never heard of it, or just never bothered watching it, go and see it. With a little better vision from the director, I could have given this one five stars.

Less than a week...

Anyone want to volunteer to babysit?

American Gangster

(2007)

Todd Says:

3.5 STARS

This movie was about what I expected it to be, it could have been better given the cast, but it could also have been worse, given the subject. I for one have grown a little tired of the 'gangster' movie genre over the years. I used to be a big fan, two of my favorite movies are Mobsters and The Untouchables, but two of my least favorites are Casino and Good Fellas. Maybe it's Joe Peci?

Anyway, Denzel Washington was good, but we've all come to expect incredible things from him, so no suprise there. Russel Crowe was even good, and I for one have come to expect not much from him. And of course Ridley Scott did a fine job weaving it all together in an in-your-face view from the streets kind of way, but expect about 20 different director's cut releases over the next decade. I'm not kidding, I just saw another version of Blade Runner at Target: The Final Cut. Give me a break Ridley, what are you George Lucas or something.

Back to American Gangster. It was a long movie, but it was good. The subject matter was a bit harsh, and may not be for everyone. But if you like gritty cop movies then this would be a good one for you.

Alexis says:

4 STARS:

I have been wanting to see this movie for a while despite one of the leading actors being Russell Crowe, who I am not very fond of. For me the movie didn't disappoint. For over two hours this movie was fast pased. At times it did seem like you were watching two completely different stories but they were intwined fairly well at the end of the film. Having watched two films back to back that took place in the 1970's I was surprised how well the scenes were set up. From the street shots to the clothing, everything was well done.

I felt this movie lacked a little something however. I felt that it built up for a bigger climax but then let me down a little. The ending was also misleading. It makes you think that Frank Lucas did time for only that one conviction when instead he was let out early on parole and was back in three years later for possession. It was hard to feel bad for anybody in this movie, except maybe Det. Roberts' (Crowe) son.

Overall, this film was pretty good about this movie. You can't always expect a Hollywood ending when the film is based on real accounts. Be on the lookout for Chiwetel Ejiofor who plays Lucas' younger brother in the film, I expect good things from him.

Zodiac

Todd Says:

4 STARS

I thought that Zodiac was great! For a "based on true events" crime drama, I was thoroughly impressed. To me this is a story about four, not one, men who are completely obsessed with the idea of these murders. I found it to be intense and at times sad, the effect that obsession can have on different people.

Jake Gyllenhall, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr. are all excellent in this film. The rest of the cast also does a superb job. I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes crime suspense.

Alexis says:

4 STARS

There you have it folks, most of us here at cinemaphiles enjoyed this movie so I highly recommend you view it for yourself, I don't think you'll be disappointed.


Chris says:

4 Stars



We finally got around to watching this and I can't decide which was longer - the time between us purchasing it and finally watching it or the movie itself. But seriously, I did enjoy this movie on a number of levels even though it wasn't perfect. I personally find movies that are based on true events to be rather tricky. I can find them fascinating and more intense knowing that these things actually happened, but at the same time I feel that the director and those involved are simply re-telling a story that, depending on your level of knowledge or interest, you may already be familar with and knows how things will turn out. Given that this states right from the start that the movie is based on actual case files associated with the "Zodiac" killings, I think that David Fincher does a great job of piecing it together in a somewhat-jumpy timeline. By this I mean that there are a lot of times when the viewer is informed that it is now "six weeks later", "four moths later", "five years later", etc. With a running time around 2 1/2 hours, the movie can seem to drag at times even though a lot of information is being thrown at you. I do want to make it a point to mention the great cast. It's one of those movies that you seem to recognize most everyone and they all do a convincing job in my opinion. There are some issues with character development and you're left wondering what's going on with some of the main characters' familes sometimes, but as mentioned before the movie is already 2 1/2 hours long! For anyone familar with Fincher's work (Seven, Fight Club, and Panic Room to name a few), you know that he likes his movies to be dark and "gritty" from a visual perspective and Zodiac is no different, especially given the nature of the subject. Overall, whether you're familiar with the Zodiac case or not, the goods far outweigh the bads and I do highly recommend it.

Sleepers

(1996)

Alexis says:

3.5 STARS

The first time I viewed this movie, shortly after it originally came out, I thought it was so depressing I may never watch it or any other Kevin Bacon movie ever again, but I love She's Having a Baby so much that I couldn't do that so the other night I agreed to viewing this movie again.

And I am so glad that I did.

Because even though it is a rather sad tale, it is a rather well told tale. Based on Lorenzo Carcaterra's book by the same name (and supposedly based on real events) the movie is so intrigiung that I don't really care if it is true or not, but I hope that it isn't. The way a mistake can effect the rest of your life. The impact that cruel people and their actions can have on others. The way that some people are just inherently stronger than others when it comes to overcoming extremely difficult situations. The lengths one will go to for revenge. The grip of childhood friendships.

This is one of the best movies we have seen in a long time, and though it is a brutal tale, it is nonetheless good.

Todd Says:

4.5 STARS

This is one of those top notch movies that should be in everyone's top 20 list, but somehow managed to slip through the cracks. It disturbs me that so many people have never even heard of this movie.

This is a crime/revenge/coming-of-age movie about four kids growing up in New York. It is powerful and touching.

Lions for Lambs

(2007)

Alexis says:

3 STARS

This is NOT a feel good movie, but you should watch it anyways. I know this is going to seem like a cop out but I think that this movie will strike so many different opinions in all the different people's minds who view it that I think that a simple 'watch this movie' will suffice.

Todd Says:

3.5 STARS

This is definitely a powerful thought-provoking film. I think that most people could benefit from viewing this movie. It is often good to be reminded of, or introduced, to ideas that are hard to deal with comfortably. This is a controversial movie. The controversy, of course, lies with how you view the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not a political blog, so I'll refrain from kicking that hornet's nest.

If you want a movie that is going to make you think about what's going on in the world, and question your own or anyone else's ability to change the course of things, then this is a good movie choice for you. If you just want to be entertained for two hours then you should steer clear of this one. It is not a feel good movie.

Be Kind Rewind

(2008)

Todd Says:



3 STARS

This is a good original comedy, about movies. The story is so good that Jack Black can't even ruin it for me. I'm usually not a fan of his, but in a good movie (where he is not the center of everything) he can do alright.

This movie is a solid comedy that almost anyone should enjoy. It's also a story about holding on to your dreams, that Mos Def does all the work in making it believable. It's rare to find a comedy these days that isn't so formulaic that you know what every joke is going to be after the first one is delivered.

So find some time to sit back and enjoy this one, it'll have you laughing at movies you haven't seen in a long time.

Alexis says:

2.5 STARS

This movie is original, funny and even sad. It mix unbelievable, almost science fiction with sad and true life in the downtowns of old cities. This movie was laugh out loud silly and very depressing at times. Overall, it was pretty good.

My biggest problem with this movie was that the beginning didn't seem to mesh well with the end in my opinion. I feel like it changed direction at some point and at times you just had to tell yourself to just accept where it was going without any kind of explanation really. I did this and enjoyed the movie but I felt like there was just something missing or that this was a mesh between two original yet very different ideas. Had the missing piece been present I would have liked this movie a little more.

Kit Kittredge-An American Girl

(2008)

3 Stars

All things considered I thought this was a pretty good movie. Naturally it was a bit on the cheesy side. What do you expect from an American Girl movie? Some of the acting is pretty bad (mostly from the child "stars") But there are several good actors in this film (Stanley Tucci, Juliet Benoche, and Joan Cusack to name a few) who make it fairly enjoyable for the adults who happen to be watching -because little girls don't take themselves to the movies.

Kit Kittredge is a 10 year old girl living during the depression of the 1930's. Her family, like everyone else's during the time, is forced to make sacrifices and adjustments. Even though it had a pretty predictable happy ending, I thought it painted a pretty good picture for it's intended audience (10 year old girls). Pretty straight forward without being overly depressing.

If you have a 10 year old daughter there are worse ways you could spend an hour and a half.

An Officer and a Gentleman

(1982)

Todd Says:


2.5 STARS


This movie is a classic. A classic case of over-acting that is. The story is good, I'll give them that much, but come on people. Was there actually a time in American Cinema where those performances were considered great?


I'm mostly talking about Richard Gere and Mr. Iron Eagles himself - Louis Gossett Jr. I understand that several scenes were suposed to be intense, but give me a break. Were we that hard up for good drama in 1982? An Academy Award?


I'm sorry. I just had to get that off my chest. I do think that this is a good movie. I do think that most people should see it, and a lot of you will enjoy it. But something was just off with it for me. It wasn't my first time watching it, but it seemed really dated last night.


The bottom line: An Officer and a Gentleman is still worth watching.

Alexis says:

3.5 STARS

I enjoy this movie but then again, I enjoyed Urban Cowboy and Terms of Endearment, so maybe I have a thing for Debra Winger something. I think the story is good and the acting is mostly pretty decent. I think I must also have a thing for movies about boot camp or army related training. I had seen this movie several times before and I particularly enjoy the end scene as usual. I am not however, a big fan of Gere (his looks make him a little more tolerable) or Gossett, Jr. but this movie and it's honest story mostly make up for what they lack in talent.

The side story involving David Keith's Sid has always been one of the best things about this movie in my opinion. The women looking to marry a Navy pilot, the poor reasons behind going to officer training and the overall sad state of some people's lives. I think this substory alone is worth viewing the movie.

Classic over-acting an all I think this movie is just that, a classic.

Definitely, Maybe

(2008)

Alexis says:

2 STARS

Have I just outgrown romantic comedies? Are there no good love stories left to be written?

I must admit, I don't mind a romantic comedy every now and again, there are even a few I really enjoy. I was looking forward to this one. I recommended we buy it and watch it almost immediately. Is that why I feel so let down? Is that why I can only bring myself to award 2 stars after my viewing of an OK movie, definitely? Maybe? (I know, cheap shot).

So the story wasn't predictable, but at times I wish it had been and how bad is that? To pray for predictability? I found all of Reynold's hopeful options to be either annoying, whiny, promiscuis, or half a dozen other things that made this film almost hard to watch. As a fan of the romantic comedy of years gone by I found myself wishing I could just change DVD's midway and watch some tride and true Cusack film. But alas, I sat through the whole thing and was a little more than slightly disappointed in who the main character chose as his mate. Especially when they wer not together anymore after ten or fewer years. If you are a hopeless romantic I think this movie will let you down as much as it let me down.

If this is Hollywood's idea as the new happy enging, that seems rather sad.

Todd Says:

2.5 STARS

You may have figured out by now that Romantic Comedies are not really my thing. Sometimes it's hard for me to watch them, and even harder to review them. This is one of those times. I basically feel unqualified to talk about this movie. Like a dentist doing brain surgery.

Anyway, it wasn't bad. It was less predictable than it could have been. It wasn't overly moving either though. I can't imagine even the weepiest of girly-girls crying at this one. It was just your average Chick Flick, I mean Romantic Comedy.

If that is your cup of tea then you'll probably enjoy this, but then again I warned you that I'm out of my league here.