My Movie Reviews

Release Date: March 30, 2007
Time: 45 min.
Distributor: MacGillivray Freeman Films
Rating: G
My Rating: G
Starring: John Harlin
Grade: A-

Synopsis: In 1966, John Harlin II died while attempting Europe's most difficult climb, the North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland. 40 years later, his son John Harlin III, an expert mountaineer and the editor of the American Alpine Journal, returns to attempt the same climb.

My Review: This was a very excellent documentary about The Alps and this man's journey to climb it. I was hooked to the screen the whole movie. This is stunning on the IMAX screen and the Alps are absolutely beautiful mountains. This film was a lot of fun and was a good length for the content presented.

Recommend: Yes, and definitely see it on the IMAX screen. It would not have been as good otherwise. If you have been to Switerland or the Alps then you will enjoy this film. Be aware that you will want to move to Switzerland after watching this film :).

Release Date: December 21, 2007
Time:2 hr. 5 min.
Distributor:Walt Disney
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha
Grade: A-

Synopsis: When a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, Ben’s great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln’s death. Determined to prove his ancestor’s innocence, Ben follows an international chain of clues that takes him on a chase from Paris to London and ultimately back to America. This journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations – but to the trail of the world’s most treasured secrets.

My Review: Not quite as good as the first one, but still very entertaining. The major difference between this film and the first one was that the first one had more clues along the path and they seemed to flow better. Nicolas Cage does a great job as usual, and Justin Bartha provides the comical "side-kick". I very much enjoyed this film and hope there is a third one.

Recommend: I would highly recommend this film. You don't have to see the first one to see this, but I would recommend to.

Release Date: November 19, 2004
Time:2 hr. 11 min.
Distributor:Walt Disney
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha
Grade: A

Synopsis: A man sets out to steal a lost fortune in order to save it in this adventure drama from producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) is an archeologist who is from the eighth generation of a family who has shared an unusual quest. As Gates-family legend has it, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin hid a massive cache of gold during the waning days of the Revolutionary War and left clues as to its whereabouts in the original drafts of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. With no firm proof that it actually exists, Gates sets out to crack the code that will lead him to the fortune, which, as a member of the Gates clan, he is sworn to protect from wrongdoers. National Treasure also features Sean Bean, Harvey Keitel, Justin Bartha, and Jon Voight. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Review: This was my first time ever seeing this movie and I enjoyed it a lot. I love the adventure type movies and the detective part of this film really got to me. I felt like I was part of the story and I was playing along trying to guess what was next. There were some funny scenes as well.

Recommend: Yes. This is a great film for the entire family. This is a must see.

Release Date: May 24, 2007
Time:2 hr. 48 min.
Distributor:Walt Disney
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush
Grade: A-

Synopsis: In the follow-up to the 2006 record-breaking smash hit 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest,' we find our heroes Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) allied with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) in a desperate quest to free Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from his mind-bending trap in Davy Jones' Locker while the terrifying ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman and Davy Jones, under the control of the East India Trading Company, wreaks havoc across The Seven Seas. Navigating through treachery, betrayal and wild waters, they must forge their way to exotic Singapore and confront the cunning Chinese pirate Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat). Now headed beyond the very ends of the earth, each must ultimately choose a side in a final, titanic battle as not only their lives and fortunes, but the entire future of the freedom-loving Pirate Way, hangs in the balance.

My Review: Better than the second, but the first is my favorite. It is great watching Jack talking to himself. Also, Jack running is always classic. Good action sequences, and the love story really heats up.

Recommend: Yes. Might be kind of frightening for children. Also, turning on the subtitles makes this film even better because you can understand all of the jokes (all that pirate talk is hard to follow sometimes).

Release Date: July 7, 2006
Time:2 hr. 30 min.
Distributor:Walt Disney
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) discovers he owes a blood debt to the legendary Davey Jones, Captain of the ghostly Flying Dutchman. With time running out, Jack must find a way out of his debt or else be doomed to eternal damnation and servitude in the afterlife. Making matters worse, Sparrow's problems manage to interefere with the wedding plans of a certain Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), who are forced to join Jack on yet another one of his misadventures.

My Review: This film is good but feels a little long. Usually the second film in movies is this way. However, this is still a fun movie and Johnny Depp once again does a great job in his role here.

Recommend: For sure. Watch this right after you watched the first one. Then get ready for the third one. Once again, there are some scenes that might frighten the little ones.

Release Date: July 9, 2003
Time:2 hr. 23 min.
Distributor:Walt Disney
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush
Grade: A

Synopsis: When Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the daughter of Governor Swann (Jonathan Pryce) is kidnapped by a group of pirates led by Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and taken aboard their ship, The Black Pearl, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), the young man who loves Elizabeth despite the fact that she is promised to another, sets out to rescue her. But he can't do it alone, so he enlists the help of swashbuckling ship captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). Together the two chase after The Black Pearl, but they soon discover that the captain and crew aren't your average pirates. Cursed to remain between the living and the dead, Barbossa and his men look like skeletons when basked in the moonlight. When it is revealed that the only thing that can break the curse is Elizabeth's blood, Jack and Will are faced with a race against time and a battle against the undead to save the Governor's daughter. ~Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

My Review: This movie is great. I have seen it several times, but we watched it again yesterday. Johnny Depp is classic. He definitely earned his Oscar in this one. Without Depp I think that this film would have been a real flop. He keeps you on your toes and he is hilarious. One of my favorite films.

Recommend: Definitely. There may be a couple of scenes that are a bit scary for the little ones, but other than that, it is great fun for everyone.