My Movie Reviews

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.

Release Date: 18 July 2008
Time: 2 hr 32 min
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart
Grade: A

Synopsis: With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as the Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces the Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.

My Review: This film was excellent. I absolutely loved it. This film is the continuation of "Batman Begins" and it definitely lived up to all of the hype. The Joker (Heath Ledger) is absolutely twisted. He does an excellent job of playing his character and making the film move along. Also, I love Michael Caine as Alfred and he also was a lot of fun. The film was long, but it kept moving the entire time, and I was hoping there would be more. The joker makes you think about where you stand on issues and if you trust others. The film really made me think about my morals and what I plan to believe in. The action is great as well.

Recommend: Don't take the kids to this one. This is probably a guys night movie. Unless your wife is in to these types of movies, she will probably not enjoy it and likely be quite disgusted. If you like "Batman Begins" then you should definitely check this film out.

Release Date: 6 June 2008
Time: 1 hr 32 min
Distributor: DreamWorks Animation, Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around, which doesn't exactly come in handy while working every day in his family's noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five--Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey--under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it's up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart - and his girth - into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.

My Review: Good story about being able to fulfill your dreams if you believe in yourself, work hard, and have a little bit of luck. It was a good theme, and the animation was well done. Po is a great panda character and I like how he is always trying to eat. It is pretty funny. I went into this film with higher expectations than what it delivered. The story was pretty slow and not as funny as I thought. Also, it was lacking a love story which I think would have made it a little better, and could have added some great jokes. All in all though, a decent film.

Recommend: Especially for the kids. They love films like this. Parents will also enjoy it, but as I stated above, it is a little slower than I was hoping and not as funny as I was hoping for. It was still a great animated film. If you have to choose between this and Shrek, choose Shrek hands down.

Trailer at: http://www.bigmoviezone.com/filmsearch/clips/clip.html?uniq=430

Release Date: 1 November 2002
Time: 32 min
Distributor: Universal Studios
Rating: G
My Rating: G
Grade: B

Synopsis: It's a new holiday classic: a lonely snowman comes across Santa Claus' bustling village one Christmas Eve. Jealous of Santa's good fortune, he makes a desperate attempt to capture the spirit of Christmas and win the children's affection for himself. A heartwarming story for all ages.

My Review: The film is a great one for 3D. There are a lot of flying objects and fun things coming at you. They did a great job with Santa and he is a lot of fun to watch. There are a lot of references to other films throughout and also there are all kinds of different impressions and stereotypes that the elves do, and they are pretty funny. The graphics could have been better, and the storyline was a little cheesy as well.

Recommend: This one is definitely for the kids. The theater where we were at was packed with little ones and they loved it. My wife and I also enjoyed it, but it was just cute more than anything. The kids will get a kick out of it. Although, I must say that some elf flying right at me is always a great effect.

Release Date: 10 June 2005
Time: 1 hr 59 min
Distributor: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Christian Bale, Jean Simmons
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Hayao Miyazaki, the Japanese animation director who wowed audiences worldwide with his award-winning film Spirited Away, brings another visually spectacular tale of imagination to the screen. Sophie is an 18-year-old girl who toils in the hat shop opened years ago by her late father. Often harassed by local boys, one day Sophie is unexpectedly befriended by Howl, a strange but flamboyant wizard whose large home can travel under its own power. However, the Witch of the Waste is displeased with Sophie and Howl's budding friendship, and turns the pretty young woman into an ugly and aged hag. Sophie takes shelter in Howl's castle, and attempts to find a way to reverse the witch's spell with the help of Calcifer, a subdued but powerful demon who exists in the form of fire, and Markl, who protects the four-way door which can instantly take visitors to other lands and dimensions. Howl's Moving Castle was released in North America by Walt Disney Pictures, who distributed the film both in its original Japanese and in a dubbed English version;

My Review: This film is something very different from what I normally would watch. My wife brought this animated anime film to me and we watched it. I was pleasantly surprised by the story. The preview definitely shows that this film has a weird storyline, but it is actually drives the story along very well. This is a classic anime story of love and revenge. I really like the moving castle and the job that they did with it. It is a lot of fun to see and it was pretty believable for this tale. The old Sophie is pretty funny too and I really liked her character.

Recommend: I would recommend this film for the whole family. The kids will enjoy the animation of the film and the moving castle is a lot of fun, and the parents will enjoy the underlying themes that are in the film.

Release Date: 28 March 2008
Time: 1 hr 48 min
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG
Starring: Demi Moore, Michael Caine
Grade: A

Synopsis: Michael Radford (Il Postino and The Merchant of Venice) directs screenwriter Edward Anderson's script about an aging janitor and an American executive who form an unlikely alliance in order to carry out an elaborate jewel heist. Set in 1960s-era London, the tense crime thriller stars Michael Caine as the scheming maintenance man who longs to relieve his employers at the London Diamond Corporation of their valuable inventory, and Demi Moore as the savvy executive who is completely perplexed by the wealthy diamond magnates. - Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: WOW! This film was great. The film is based around the crime of the stolen diamonds, and why it was done and how it was done. Even though I know who did it, I loved trying to guess why or how. The film is based in the 1960s and Michael Caine does an excellent job. He plays his role perfectly as the old janitor who is very smart. Obviously the theme of the film is not the best about getting back at your enemies, but regardless the film is very intense, and Demi Moore always keeps you guessing as to whether or not she is going to break. The film ends with a positive uplifting end.

Recommend: Yes! The kids will not enjoy this, but this film is very excellent. If you like a detective film then you will love this film. The movie is clean for the kids, but like I said they will lose interest fast. Don't let this movie pass by as it is a must see.

Release Date: 14 February 2008
Time: 1 hr 28 min
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, Regency
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. Jackson
Grade: B

Synopsis: A genetic anomaly allows a young man (Hayden Christensen) to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them.

My Review: I enjoyed this film quite a bit the first time I watched it. The second time, I watched it, it had lost some of its flare. The power to "jump" is very interesting. It would be cool to be able to have this power I think and they make it look very real. One thing that really bothered me is that there didn't seem to be a good reason for the hunting down of the jumpers. Rachel and Hayden have a good on screen chemistry and the film ended well...I guess I won't say here.

Recommend: I would recommend this film for a date night. You should enjoy the film with the one you love. I certainly enjoy the trip to Rome that is taken and wish I could go there too.