My Movie Reviews

Release Date: 16 February 2007
Time: 1 hr 50 min
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe
Grade: C+

Synopsis: Shattered Glass director Billy Ray directs Chris Cooper and Ryan Philippe in this fact-based drama concerning the FBI traitor who carried out what many historians refer to as the most notable national security breach in U.S. history. A key member of the FBI's elite Soviet Analytical Unit, Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper) would, for 15 years beginning in 1985, sell thousands of pages of classified documents to the Soviets. After making roughly 600,000 dollars on his clandestine endeavor and compromising everything from the identities of KGB spies working for the American government to nuclear war contingency plans, Hanssen was eventually transferred to a newly created position at the FBI's Washington headquarters and assigned the task of guarding his country's most sensitive secrets. It was while working in this capacity that a young agent named Eric O'Neill (Phillipe) was assigned the task of keeping tabs on Hanssen by suspicious higher-ups. Later, after being arrested while delivering a cache of secret documents to a "dead drop" spot in a Virginia park, the notorious traitor was arrested and sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole. - Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: This film was way too long. It wasn't even 2 hours and it felt like I had been watching it for 4. It was an interesting story and the facts that they showed at the end of the film were quite fascinating (it's based on a true story) but other than that the stuff in between felt too long. The film was pretty slow and there wasn't any really great plot twists or anything.

Recommend: Only watch this film if you care about the history involved. If you are looking for a thriller or who did it type of film then you should look elsewhere because this film just won't do it for you.

Release Date: 28 January 2005
Time: 2 hr 12 min
Distributor:
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran boxing trainer who has devoted his life to the ring and has precious little to show for it; his daughter never answers his letters, and a fighter he's groomed into contender status has paid him back by signing with another manager, leaving Frankie high and dry. His best friend and faithful employee Eddie Dupris is a former fighter who Frankie trained. In his last fight, Eddie suffered a severe injury, a fact that brings Frankie great guilt. One day, Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) enters Frankie's life, as well as his gym, and announces she needs a trainer. Frankie regards her as a dubious prospect, and isn't afraid to tell her why: he doesn't think much of women boxing, she's too old at 31, she lacks experience, and has no technique. However, Maggie sees boxing as the one part of her life that gives her meaning and won't give up easily. Finally won over by her determination, Frankie takes on Maggie, and as she slowly grows into a viable fighter, an emotional bond develops between them. When a tragedy befalls one of the three characters, each comes to a decision that shows how the relationships in the film have changed them. Adapted from a short story by F.X. Toole, a former corner man with years of experience in the fight game, Million Dollar Baby also stars Morgan Freeman, Anthony Mackie, and Mike Colter. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Review: This movie was good but I felt like it was too long. By the end I was ready for it to be over. The film was depressing as well so that didn't help. I am not a big fan of boxing but this was a pretty inspirational story and I thought that Clint Eastwood gave an excellent performance. He made his character pretty believable and I really felt bad for him for never winning a championship.

Recommend: Kids won't enjoy it and you should only watch this if you are pretty awake and ready for the depressing story. The film is good.

Release Date: 1 September 2006
Time: 1 hr 50 min
Distributor:
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel
Grade: A

Synopsis: 'The Illusionist' stars Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti as two men pitted against each other in a battle of wits: Norton as mysterious stage magician Eisenheim, and Giamatti as Vienna's shrewd Chief Inspector Uhl, with Jessica Biel sharing the screen as the beautiful Sophie von Teschen. When word of Eisenheim's astounding illusions reaches the powerful and pragmatic Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), the ruler attends one of the magician's shows in order to debunk Eisenheim during the performance. But when the Prince's intended, Sophie von Teschen, assists the magician onstage, Eisenheim and Sophie recognize each other from their childhoods and a dormant love affair is rekindled. As the clandestine romance continues, Uhl is charged by Leopold to intensify his efforts to expose Eisenheim, even while the magician gains a devoted and vocal public following. With Uhl doggedly searching for the reasons and the man behind the trickery, Eisenheim prepares to execute his greatest illusion yet.

My Review: This movie was great. It kept my interest from the very beginning with the excitement of the magic tricks and carried all the way through to the surprise ending. Ed Norton does a superb job and the storyline is very good. Too be honest, it was quite different from what I was expecting but that didn't mean it was bad. I actually really enjoyed the basic plot and storyline.

Recommend: This is a fun film for everyone. The kids may lose interest mid-way through because it does turn a little more to the story than magic, but they should still enjoy it.