My Movie Reviews

A look at movies by jtenman.

1/03/2009

Ghost Town

Posted by JTENMAN



Release Date: 19 September 2008
Time: 1 hr 42 min
Distributor: DreamWorks Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Tea Leoni
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear), who pesters him into breaking up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen (Téa Leoni).

My Review: This movie was pretty funny. Dr. Pincus was great. His personality was absolutely hilarious and at times it reminded me too much of myself. I guess the big difference is that I don't act the way that he does, I just think the same things. The film was pretty funny, but some of the jokes didn't go over so well, and there were a couple of times where you wanted the movie to move along. Dr. Pincus definitely made this movie. There wasn't really anything that bad in the film at all. Fun stuff.

Recommend: This is a great date night film, or just when you want to watch something funny and lighthearted. Feel free to let the kids join in, but they probably won't be too interested.

12/28/2008

Seven Pounds

Posted by JTENMAN



Release Date: 19 December 2008
Time: 1 hr 58 min
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson
Grade: B

Synopsis: Academy Award nominee Will Smith reunites with the director and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for this emotional drama concerning an IRS agent whose quest for redemption is unexpectedly complicated after he inadvertently falls in love. Ben Thomas is an IRS agent with a fateful secret. Assuming the identity of his younger brother, Ben sets out in search of redemption. Instead, Ben discovers true love while forever changing the lives of seven complete strangers. Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, and Barry Pepper co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: This film was too slow. It certainly was drawn out at the beginning and felt much too slow. The plot and movie idea were excellent and I enjoyed the basic flow of things a lot, but it felt like this movie went on for several hours. Will Smith does a good job, but sometimes his character made me upset because it was as if he had no emotions when someone else did. It was certainly not what I was expecting from this film, but I still enjoyed it.

Recommend: You need to be in the mood for a serious film and be ready for some pretty big shockers. This film can be an emotion drain so be ready for that as well. As long as you are then you should check out this film. Don't take the kids to this one. They will be gone fast.

12/28/2008

The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Posted by JTENMAN



Release Date: 25 July 2008
Time: 1 hr 44 min
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet
Grade: B+

Synopsis: David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully with this long-delayed big-screen continuation that revives the series six years after it headed off the air in 2002. Creator Chris Carter returns to direct, co-writing the script with series veteran Frank Spotnitz for 20th Century Fox. Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet and rapper Xzibit co-star in the stand-alone sequel. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

My Review: I was in and out of this movie so I can't give it as good of a review as if I had put all of my attention into it. Regardless, the movie was interesting and it had a good plot to it. The psychic guy was really interesting, and the film had plenty of suspense and questions until the very end. I do have to say that you should know what is going on in the previous X-Files movies or you will probably be lost in some of the personal relationships (specifically of Mulder and Scully). Also, their are a lot of Russians in the film and their accents are really really bad (with exception of a few who are clearly native Russian speakers).

Recommend: If you don't have one of the other films on my list to watch, then pick this one up. Probably wouldn't be too exciting for the kids, and some of the content really isn't for them. Be ready for some good suspense with this film.