Rated:

Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Release Date: 16 October 2009

Runtime: 101 min

Director: Spike Jonze

Cast: Max Records, Catherine Keener, Pepita Emmerichs, Mark Ruffalo, Steve Mouzakis, James Gandolfini, Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, Forest Whitaker, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Dano, Michael Berry Jr.

Max (Max Records) is a lonely boy with an active fantasy life. When his sister Claire’s (Pepita Emmerichs) friends carelessly crush his snow fort in a snowball fight, and she doesn’t do anything about it, he goes into a rage and makes a mess of her bedroom. When his mother Connie (Catherine Keener) invites her boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo) to dinner, Max throws a tantrum in which he bites her, and runs out of the house, still in the wolf costume he likes to wear. At the nearby seashore, he finds an abandoned sailboat, and sets out in it.

He eventually reaches an island, where he finds several large talking wild things, vaguely humanoid in shape such as watery off-white colored eyes and snotty noses left un-wiped, with features resembling those of various animals . Carol (James Gandolfini), Ira and Judith (Forest Whitaker and Catherine O’Hara), Alexander (Paul Dano), Douglas (Chris Cooper), The Bull (Michael Berry, Jr.). Max convinces the wild things that he is a King with magical powers and claims he can ‘fix things’ within the group which begins with a ‘wild rumpus’. Like all things in life, the good things come to an end resulting in an increase in tension between Carol and the others in the group.

Eventually, Max admits to Alexander that he is neither a king nor does he have magical powers. Alexander warns Max to never let Carol know. But Max’s secret is exposed to the whole group, and Carol goes wild. Max is saved by K.W., who hides him from Carol in her stomach, then explains to him that their lives are already difficult, with Carol’s tantrums only making it worse. Hearing this, Max finally understands what his mother is going through, and decides that it is time to leave the island.

My initial reaction to the movie was “wow this is slow”, however once Max enters his imagination you see the story about being a child begin to unfold, from random tantrums, jealousy, anger, attention seeking…all emotions playing a role in the film. The personalities of the characters soon begin to clearly portray true life characters in Max’s life, even though we had only a moment to meet them at the beginning of the story. The audience is able to see how individuals become exaggerated in the mind of a child especially individuals who play an important role in that child’s life. As an observer you cannot help but feel the sadness of the characters in the film, and in some cases you cannot help but recall moments in your life that you felt the same way some of these wild things felt. The tagline of the movie really is as true as it gets, There’s one in all of us.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Horror

Release Date: 2 October 2009

Runtime: 88 min

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Bill Murray

In the horror comedy Zombieland focuses on two men who run into one another, who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus is a big wuss — but when you’re afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Moreover having a list or rules helps: Rule 1: Cardio, Rule 2: Beware of Bathrooms, Rule 3: Seatbelts, Rule 4: Doubletap (check out the 32 RULES) . Tallahassee is an AK-toting, zombie-slaying’ bad ass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth. As they join forces with Wichita and Little Rock, who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies.

A hilarious film, clearly a hit for 2009. Zombieland is one of those movies people love because it does not require thinking, simply watching and laughing with the occasional OOHHH when a good hit is made. The movie is built around a road-trip concept loaded with stylish zombie kills and a blossoming relationship between possibly the only people left alive in Zombieland. The script itself is phenomenal, loaded with one-liners even Rodney Dangerfield would be proud of. The film includes horrific gore and is true to the genre of horror providing the audience with a reason to jump  a couple inches off their seats.

If you like zombie movies, horror comedies, or the joyously inventive massacre of the undead, I cannot recommend Zombieland enough. See it. Take a friend. Take your domesticated zombie. Just go. And 20 years from now, when you’re kids are experiencing Zombieland for the first time at a midnight showing on their college campus, you can tell them you saw it the first time around. And if the world is obliterated by a zombie apocalypse between now and then, at least you’ll have a few rules to live by.

Rated:

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Release Date: 16 October 2009

Runtime: 109 min

Director: F. Gary Gray

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler, Colm Meaney, Bruce McGill, Leslie Bibb, Michael Irby, Gregory Itzin, Regina Hall, Annie Corley, Reno Laquintano, Josh Stewart

Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) is a genius planner and inventor. One night two robbers, Ames (Josh Stewart) Dixon (Reno Laquintano) and  invade his home in Philadelphia and gruesomely kill his wife and daughter, leaving him to die on the floor. The killers are caught, and Assistant DA Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) is assigned the case. Nick is ordered by the DA to make a deal with Dixon to testify against his partner Ames for a 10 year plea bargain prison sentence. Clyde does not want Nick to make the deal, but Nick says it was too late and the deal is done, the other option may have resulted in both men walking away. Ames was given the death penalty. After 10 years, the Dixon is released from prison, and he soon ends up dead. Clyde is arrested under suspicion and subtly admits to Nick that he did it, although not really confessing. Clyde is put in jail, and he warns Nick that he must fix the broken justice system that failed him and his family or else anyone connected to his case will soon die. Even from jail, Clyde’s threats become a reality, and Nick must stop Clyde before his family is next.

The best part of this film is watching Clyde’s plans unfold. The anticipation builds up in you until something goes BOOM on the screen. This is one of those films where you cannot help but root for the “evil” side. I enjoyed every killing on screen, and yes this may mean I am sadistic but you ought to watch the movie and see for yourself if your support switches from Clyde’s side to Rice’s. Overall the message of ‘Justice needs a lesson’ is a little extreme and the way that they are taught a lesson is a little silly, however some of the points brought up did stir up a little something in me. The fact that the justice system is not really as blind as they claim to be, and that sometimes (often times) they slip up. Fair enough. No system works at 100% efficiency.

Rated:

Genre: Comedy

Release Date: 9 October 2009

Runtime: 107mins

Director: Peter Billingsley

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Faizon Love, Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Kali Hawk, Tasha Smith, Peter Serafinowicz, Carlos Ponce, Jean Reno

Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) are dangerously close to getting a divorce. In a last ditch effort to save their marriage, they decide to take a vacation to a tropical resort meant to help ailing couples through therapy. Short on cash, they enlist help from their friends to offset the cost through a group rate: the kid-raising Dave (Vince Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman), the lovelessly married Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy (Kristen Davis), and the recently divorced Shane (Faizon Love) and his much younger girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk). The three other couples think they are just going to have fun and help their friends, but they realize they are in for having their relationships examined as well.

The main problem I had with Couples Retreat is it really was not that funny, at least not as funny as the trailers made it out to be. I probably laughed at the beginning of the movie two or three times, chuckled a few times in the middle and by the end, I just wanted it to be over. The movie just became a jumbled mess of unfunny attempts at humour, with quite the odd editing, especially during the Guitar Hero scene. It jumped from couple to couple to the point that I’m not even sure I knew what was going on anymore and nor did I care. I knew that happily ever after was to come and the sooner it came the better.

I have not read very many good reviews about this film and I do not disagree with anything that I have read. The most positive thing to come out of this movie was the pairing of Vaughn and Favreau, our favorite bachelors from Swingers (1986).

Rated

Genre:animation, family

Release Date:18 September 2009

Runtime:90 min

Director:Phil Lord, Chris Miller

Cast:Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg, Bruce Campbell, Mr. T, Bobb’e J. Thompson, Benjamin Bratt, Neil Patrick Harris, Al Roker, Lauren Graham

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS follows inventor Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) and brainy weathergirl Sam… Inspired by Ron and Judi Barrett’s beloved children’s book of the same name, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS follows inventor Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) and brainy weathergirl Sam Sparks (voice of Anna Faris) as they attempt to discover why the rain in their small town has stopped while food is falling in its place. Meanwhile, lifelong bully Brent (voice of Adam Samberg) relishes in tormenting Flint just as he did when they were kids, and Mayor Shelbourne (voice of Bruce Campbell) schemes to use Flint’s latest invention–a device designed to improve everyone’s lives–for his own personal gain. Mr. T. voices by-the-books cop Earl Devereaux, and James Caan voices Flint’s technophobe father, Tim.

The movie was not only good as a kids movies but was a great comedy in general. A light-hearted film suitable for children teaching a lesson about sticking with your dreams and passions. Moreover it works as a great comedy for adults with subtly mature humor, and a perfectly chosen cast.

Rated

Genre:Comedy, Music

Release Date:22 May 2009

Runtime:83 min

Director:Damien Dante Wayans

Cast:Shoshana Bush, Damon Wayans Jr., Essence Atkins, Affion Crockett, Christina Murphy, David Alan Grier, Kim Wayans

The worlds of dancing and spoof step up and throw down in DANCE FLICK, the latest melange of movie parody from the Wayans clan. As the film opens, we meet Thomas Uncles (Damon Wayans Jr.), a hip-hop hopeful whose dance-competition loss puts him in debt to gargantuan gang leader Sugar Bear (David Alan Grier). But his luck begins to change when he meets the new girl at his performing-arts high school, Megan White (Shoshana Bush), an aspiring ballerina whose Juilliard dreams are shattered when her mother dies a heroically protracted death on her way to Megan’s audition.

Though they start as prickly competitors, it isn’t long before Thomas and Megan’s mutual love of dance enables them to overcome the social and racial barriers between them. But will their unlikely love story be enough to inspire all of the school’s students, rekindle Megan’s dreams, and save Thomas as he returns to the hip-hop battlefield of his earlier defeat? In true family style, star Wayans Jr. and director Damien Wayans were assisted by the talents of fellow Wayans Keenen Ivory, Shawn, Marlon, Craig, and Kim to bring the film to life. Poking fun at everything from FAME to HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL to TWILIGHT, DANCE FLICK is a raucous send-up that keeps its scatological beat grooving from start to finish.

Dance Flick scores a few laughs thanks to the Wayans brothers’ exuberance, but it’s ultimately a scattershot collection of gags without much direction. (RottenTomatoes)

Rated

Genre:Biography, Romance, Music

Release Date:5 December 2008

Runtime:109 min

Director:Darnell Martin

Cast:Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union, Columbus Short, Cedric the Entertainer, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Eamonn Walker, Mos Def, Beyoncé Knowles

Cadilac Records chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists. In this tale of sex, violence, race and rock and roll in Chicago of the 1950s and 60s, the film follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America’s greatest musical legends.

The story of how the blues became popular and gave birth to rock and roll begins at a dingy bar on the rough South Side of Chicago in 1947, where an ambitious young Polish emigre, bar owner Leonard Chess (ADRIEN BRODY), hires a talented but undisciplined blues combo that includes quiet and thoughtful guitar prodigy Muddy Waters (JEFFREY WRIGHT) and impulsive and colorful harmonica player Little Walter (COLUMBUS SHORT). Fascinated by the sound of the music and eager to cash in on the record burgeoning record business - Chess arranges a recording session for Waters. Waters’ early recordings start moving up the R&B charts and receiving heavy play.

Chess treats his musicians like family. He buys them a Cadillac when they record their first hit record — although the line between business and personal sometimes causes conflict with his increasingly talented and successful stable of artists. After backing up Muddy on his early recordings, Little Walter becomes a star in his own right, but his quick temper and loud manner often run him afoul of friends and the law. He also finds that the only woman he can talk to is Muddy’s girl, Geneva (GABRIELLE UNION), who struggles to remain loyal despite Muddy’s poorly concealed affairs. Big Willie Dixon (CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER), a songwriter and bandleader, also is a key member of the Chess Records family, as is Howlin’ Wolf (EAMONN WALKER), an intense and proud blues singer who develops a musical rivalry with Muddy.

But it’s not until 1955 when a Chess artist finally “crosses over” into the realm of mainstream (”white”) America - a skinny guy from St. Louis named Chuck Berry (MOS DEF), whose dynamic “duck walk” and catchy, country-tinged tunes mark the birth of rock-and-roll. When Berry is arrested and jailed at the height of his career, Chess finds another talented performer to cross over singer Etta James (BEYONCE KNOWLES), an emotionally scarred young woman whose vulnerability tempts Chess’ loyalty and concern in unexpected ways.

As rock-and-roll grows more popular, the Chess artists find themselves revered by a new generation of musicians, but they have also each earned and lost a small fortune on booze, women and the high life, and their addictions begin to take their toll. Even as tragedy befalls, their music and their spirit remain strong: as the sixties wind down and Leonard Chess gets out of the record business, the blues live on. –© Sony Pictures

Truly a great film depicting the root of true music. A must see for music fans.

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Romance

Release Date: 18 September 2009

Runtime: 109 min

Director: Brandon Camp

Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler, John Carroll Lynch, Martin Sheen, Judy Greer

Aaron Eckhart (Burke) and Jennifer Aniston (Eloise) star in the romantic drama Love Happens. When a self-help author arrives in Seattle to teach a sold-out seminar, he unexpectedly meets the one person who might finally be able to help him help himself.

Dr. Burke Ryan (Eckhart) is on the precipice of a major multimedia deal, but the therapist who asks his patients to openly confront their pain is secretly unable to take his own advice.

Eloise Chandler (Aniston) has sworn off men and decided to focus on her floral business. However, when she meets Burke at the hotel where he’s speaking, there is an instant attraction. But will two people who have met the right person at exactly the wrong time be able to give love another chance?

As each struggles with the hurt of love and loss, they realize that in order to move forward, they need to let go of the past. And if they can, they’ll find that, sometimes, love happens when you least expect it. –© Universal

I am not one to go to a “chick-flick” however when it is your friends turn to pick a movie you cannot really argue. I cannot begin to describe how uninterested I was with the ‘character development’ and the blossoming romance between the main characters in the film. I felt it was a wearisome romance between two one-dimensional characters. Once introduced to both characters, if I was asked, I would have been able to write the rest of the movie and get it on the nose as to what would happen, who would be involved, etc.

I truly do not recommend this movie to those movie goers tired of the same old: boy meets girl; girl does not want boy; girl wants but cant have boy; finally they fall in love; and they lived happily ever after tales. I insist on refering readers of this blog to RottenTomatoes.

Rated

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Fantasy

Release Date: 9 September 2009

Runtime: 79mins

Director: Shane Acker

Cast: Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, Jennifer Connelly, Fred Tatasciore, Elijah Wood, Alan Oppenheimer

When 9 first comes to life, he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world where all humans are gone, and it is only by chance that he discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from fearsome machines that roam the earth intent on their extinction. Despite being the neophyte of the group, 9 convinces the others that hiding will do them no good. They must take the offensive if they are to survive, and they must discover why the machines want to destroy them in the first place. As they’ll soon come to learn, the very future of civilization may depend on them.

A truly gripping film that includes personalities that are familiar to us. #1 (Plummer) the elder leader, stubborn and stuck in his ways.  #2 (Landau) an older individual who inspires and has been around a long time, however younger in his mindset and in search of new things. #5 (Reilly) a younger male stuck between wanting to follow the rules and wanting to rebel, knowing that he can guide the others in the right direction. #6 (Glover) slightly off the ball, however is able to lead the others to the source of their problems. #7 (Connelly) macho woman, the savior and most skilled at combat there to defend. #8 (Tatasciore) the bodyguard and ‘pet’ of #1, does as is told. Last but not least #9 (Wood) the youngest of the group, the rebel looking for a better life, refusing to accept things as they are, insisting he can save the group from extinction.

The film is rated 13 for a reason, it was definitely not made with children in mind, it was genuinely scary at parts. Truly another winner in the animation world. Acker, with the help of animation superstar and creative genius Tim Burton, have managed to create a film (initially a animation short) that will appeal to mass audiences, including the not-so-into-animation movie watchers out there.

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Runtime: 162 mins

Released: March 6, 2009

Director: Zach Snyder

Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino

I finally saw Watchmen this weekend directed by Zach Snyder (300, Dawn on the Dead), which was originally a really graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. The Movie is set In 1985, Richard Nixon is about to serve his third term as president of the United States and the world stands on the edge of destruction as the world’s two superpowers vie for nuclear supremacy. The only thing stopping the USSR from launching a doomsday attack is America’s Dr. Manhattan (played by Billy Crudup) a being with enough power to destroy planets and much else.

I never read the novel Watchmen nor am I familiar with the characters because I’ve never even heard of Watchmen before, that might be why this movie was “just ok” to me. I think there were too many characters to get familiar with; usually the audience is introduced to 1 or 2 main characters, but when you are trying to get them to care about 5 or 6 characters it starts to get fuzzy and boring. Not to mention the acting was just average.

The movie is also way to long, with flashback after flashback in the first 2 hours, by the time we hit the climax there is only 30 minutes left. With too many subplots (which come from out of nowhere) I think the only people who will enjoy this movie are fans of the novel, people who are already familiar with the characters.