My Movie Reviews

Release Date: October 24, 1997
Time: 1 hr 46 min
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law
Grade: A-

Synopsis:In the 21st century, genetic engineering makes possible the creation of biologically superior human specimens ("valids"), who then grow to positions of power and prestige. Would-be astronaut Vincent (Ethan Hawke) born the old-fashioned way, can only hope for a janitorial position at the elite Gattaca Corporation--until he buys the blood, urine, and identity of a perfect but paralyzed athlete. But a murder in the company's ranks attracts the attention of a detective who threatens to sniff Vincent out.

My Review: This film never ceases to amaze me. I have watched this movie before - the last time was about 5 years ago. When we decided to watch it, I thought it was going to be a real snoozer, but it turned out to be just the opposite. I think that my favorite character in the film is the one played by Jude Law. He does an excellent job with showing his disability, but the film as a whole is very intriguing. I am usually not a big fan of Uma Thurman, but she does an excellent job here as well. Probably the thing I like most about this film is just that it makes you think about life and what you are really like on the inside, as well as about the equality of everyone.

Recommend: I don't think this one is for the little ones. There is one scene that is a bit bloody, and another that has some strong language. Just the theme of the movie is a little darker than a lot and I think the kids will become lost fast. However, this one is perfect if you want a serious (drama) film. Check this out if you haven't, or we'll lend it to you.

Release Date: July 11, 2008
Time: 1 hr 32 min
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Grade: B+

Synopsis: JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH is based on Jules Verne's 1864 novel. A scientist heads out on a treacherous journey to the center of the earth. With him are an intrepid student, an Icelandic guide and the widow of a geologist who steals his information in an attempt to beat him to the earth's core. Along the way the group are confronted by all manner of dangerous obstacles: excessive heat and cold, gale force winds, and tremendous floods.

My Review: This film was interesting and a lot of fun. The film was pretty well done in terms of length and actors. We didn't have 3-D glasses when watching it which would have made this movie all the better. Brendan Fraser did an excellent job and the relationship between him and his nephew was very funny and made the film really move along. Special effects were pretty good, but sometimes they looked cheesy.

Recommend: Get some 3-D glasses before watching this film. The kids will absolutely love it I am sure with the glasses, and even without it is still an enjoyable one. Perhaps read the book too. I have never read the book that the film is based on, but maybe the book will be all the better now that I have seen the movie. All the same, check this movie out.

Release Date: April 4, 2008
Time: 1 hr 54 min
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG
Starring: George Clooney, John Krasinski, Renée Zellweger
Grade: B

Synopsis: Good Night, and Good Luck director George Clooney pulls double duty once again in this sports-oriented romantic comedy set against the formation of professional football in the 1920s. Dodge Connelly (Clooney) is a brash and handsome gridiron giant who is equally comfortable leading his team in a barroom brawl or charging for a touchdown in a packed stadium. But when Connelly's team loses their sponsor and the entire league appears set to collapse, the quick-thinking jock attempts a creative late-game comeback. If Connelly can convince former college football star and decorated war hero Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski) to join the team, there may be hope for the ill-fated team after all. Back in World War I, Rutherford single-handedly forced the surrender of multiple German soldiers -- a feat that firmly established the dashing young soldier as America's favorite son. Not only that, but Rutherford's unparalleled speed makes him a valuable asset to the team. To cub reporter Lexie Littleton (Renée Zellweger), Rutherford seems simply too good to be true, and she's determined to prove that her theory is correct. As Littleton digs deep into Rutherford's past, the two teammates enter into a fierce competition for her erratic affections. Now, as Connelly's plan begins to work better than he ever could have anticipated, the rowdy sport he always loved starts to take on a whole new look and feel. In the midst of holding his team together and simultaneously charming the girl of his dreams, Connelly discovers he may be able to use the same strategies he does to win on the field to win in love. Of course, there might be a few fouls as this game enters the fourth quarter, but like every good player, Connelly knows the value of always having a secret play to fall back on before the final score is called. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: A clever film about the beginnings of football. It was not as funny as I was hoping for but one of the fight scenes gave me a good laugh. Clooney does an excellent job as the old football guy and Kasinski plays his role well. I am normally not a big fan of Zellweger either but she seemed to play her part very well. There was a good chemistry between her and Clooney and they both were funny together. I cannot recall any scenes that made this film a PG-13 film. The language was clean from what I can remember and there were no bad scenes. The film did feel a bit long.

Recommend: Check this one out with the family. Especially if you are a football fan you will be surprised at how everything started. I still can't believe how unpopular football was. This film should be a good entertainer and keep most everyone interested. Maybe you'll lose the kids near the end, but it is a lot of fun either way.

Release Date: April 11, 2008
Time: 1 hr 28 min
Distributor: Alliance Films
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Brittany Snow, Scott Porter, Jonathan Schaech
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Donna's senior prom is supposed to be the best night of her life, one of magic, beauty, and love. Surrounded by her best friends, she should be safe from the horrors of her past. But when the night turns from magic to murder there is only one man who could be responsible... the man she thought was gone forever. Now, Donna and her friends must find a way to escape the sadistic rampage of an obsessed killer, and survive their Prom Night.

My Review: Classic slasher type movie. There is the standard jump scenes where they scare you with a jump. Then, there is the classic walk-by scene where someone is in the bathroom and you have a shadow walk by. The main killer was very interesting to watch, and very crazy. He did a good job making his character believable. I was on the edge of my seat, as I usually am with slasher movies, hoping that the people would stop being so stupid and think before they act. Of course, if they were then it would make for really short movies. There was one character I was sad that died at the end, but you'll have to see who that is. The one thing that I really disliked was that they didn't show anything of the main characters life at the end of the film. It left you with a sick feeling.

Recommend: This is a slasher film. If you like slasher films, then this one is for you. This is a classic slasher film not for kids!! There is quite a bit of blood, especially at the beginning of the film, but they do keep it down as the film is only rated PG-13. That is usually the one thing that really draws me back from slasher films is how much blood there is, but this one is really good compared to other ones that I have seen (Scream, Saw series). Check it out with Halloween around the corner for a scare!

Release Date: April 25, 2008
Time: 1 hr 39 min
Distributor: Universal Studios
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Greg Kinnear, Romany Malco
Grade: A-

Synopsis: Former Saturday Night Live "Weekend Update" co-anchors Tina Fey and Amy Poehler co-star in this baby-fever comedy about a single, career-oriented woman who previously put parenthood on hold, and is forced to hire a surrogate mother when she discovers there is only a one-in-a-million chance that she will be able to get pregnant. Kate Holbrook (Fey) is a 37-year-old professional who has always put her professional life before her personal life, but these days her biological clock is ticking louder than ever before. As with everything else she has accomplished in life, Kate is determined to have a child on her own terms.

My Review: This film is great but some of the humor is very mature. Obviously, with a film about child birth it is kind of expected. There were times when I was laughing I could barely breathe during this film. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey do a great job together in this film and Amy plays here part perfectly as the surrogate mother who is irresponsible. She made the part very believable. Also, I really enjoyed the doorman - Romany Malco. Probably some of the funniest scenes come in the pregnancy class where the two are together and this crazy teacher is teaching them. Finally, by the end, you realize what a blessing it is to actually have kids and be able to watch them.

Recommend: For sure, but probably for an older audience age. I have never had kids, so I am sure there are themes here that I missed or didn't understand, but it was a fun movie. One other thing is that you should definitely watch the deleted scenes. There is one scene about breastfeeding in there that I about died watching. However, there is one deleted scene when Tina Fey is talking to her sister and there is some harsh language that you probably want to skip. Enjoy the film.

Release Date: May 2, 2008
Time: 1 hr 41 min.
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd
Grade: B

Synopsis: For Tom (Patrick Dempsey), life is good: he's sexy, successful, has great luck with the ladies… and knows he can always rely on Hannah (Michelle Monaghan), his down-to-earth, charming best friend and the one constant in his life. It's the perfect setup until Hannah goes overseas to Scotland on a six-week business trip… and Tom is stunned to realize how empty his life is without her. He resolves that when she gets back, he'll ask Hannah to marry him -- but is floored when he finds that she has become engaged to a handsome and wealthy Scotsman and plans to move overseas. When Hannah asks Tom -- the one person she feels closest to -- to be her “"maid"” of honor, he reluctantly agrees to fill the role,… but only so he can attempt to woo Hannah and stop the wedding before it's too late.

My Review: This is another chick flick that has been made a hundred times before. Standard story line of a guy and a girl trying to get together, but for one reason or another they can't. So you may be wondering why I gave it a B then. Probably the main reason is because I still enjoy films like this even though they have been done before. Patrick Dempsey does a good job. One of the other characters that I liked was his black friend who was one of the only people to have a lot of sense - and good morals for that matter.

Recommend: Sure, if you are in the mood for a chic flick, then this should fill your need. It has humor and it's "cute" moments. You will lose the kids fast though, so leave this one for you and someone special to watch together.

Release Date: April 18, 2008
Time: 1 hr. 53 min.
Distributor: Lionsgate
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG
Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Liu Yifei, Michael Angarano
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Legendary martial arts stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li come together onscreen for the first time ever in director Rob Minkoff's time-traveling take on the Monkey King fable that finds an American teen transported back to ancient China after wandering into a pawn shop and discovering the king's fighting stick. Once there, the adventurous teen joins an army of fierce warriors who have sworn to free their imprisoned king at all costs. In addition to appearing as the mythical Monkey King, Li assumes the role of a silent monk, and Chan appears in the role of kung fu master Lu Yan. Famed action choreographer Yuen Woo Ping presides over the fight sequences. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: You have two of the most famous fighters from American films in Jackie Chan and Jet Li in this film together. This film has a lot of great martial arts scenes, and it is quite entertaining to watch when Chan and Li fight. I was wondering who would really win...Jackie Chan is his normal humorous self as well which brings a nice touch to the film. The only reason I didn't give this film a higher grade is because the storyline was a little cheesy, and the monkey guy really bothered me. Other then that, the film was quite interesting.

Recommend: This is a great film for a date night if you are getting tired of those chic-flicks. This is enjoyable to watch and the fight sequences are exhilarating. The kids would probably enjoy this one as well.