My Movie Reviews

Release Date: November 7, 2008
Time: 1 hr 29 min
Distributor: DreamWorks
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock
Grade: B+

Synopsis: In the highly-anticipated sequel to "Madagascar," Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins and the chimps find themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. In the face of this obstacle, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so azy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old ashed plane--sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely ew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all--the vast plains of Africa, where the members of our zoo-raised ew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Africa seems like a great place...but is it better than their Central Park home?

My Review: This movie was full of laughs just like the first one. The penguins were quite hilarious and as usual these days with animated films, there are a lot of over-the-head jokes that are just for adults. The film was a little slow at times and so that is what brought down the grade. It could have been funnier, but still well done. The first film was better than this one.

Recommend: This is a great film for the whole family. Definitely check this one out with the kids and enjoy the good times. You don't need to watch the first film again to see this one.

Release Date: 29 August, 2008
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring:Vin Diesel, Melanie Thierry
Grade: C

Synopsis: Hong Kong action icon Michelle Yeoh stars alongside American muscle Vin Diesel in this science fiction thriller concerning a nun who is charged with the task of caring for a young girl who may be the carrier of a deadly virus. Based on author Maurice Dantec's Babylon Babies, this tale of genetic manipulation comes to the screen courtesy of director Mathieu Kassovitz. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: This movie was really weird. The whole storyline was strange from the very beginning and it was never quite clear what was going on and how things got the way that they were. Also, the ending of this film was really weird and didn't make a lot of sense how things all fit together. On top of that, I am not even sure where the name of this film came from. Really, it was never made clear what was going on and who was who. There was some decent action in the film, but not much of a love story to speak of. The film was still decent, but just weird.

Recommend: Probably not unless you are a big Vin Diesel fan (my wife, hence watching this show). This film could have been much better if they would have fully explained the storyline.

Release Date: 26 December 2008
Time: 2 hr
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Rating: R
My Rating: PG-13 (almost PG)
Starring:Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor
Grade: A-

Synopsis: Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions. Intrigued by Jamal’s story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show? When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out.

My Review: Excellent film and very intriguing. The film kept my attention the entire time and I loved it. The thing that bothered me the worst about this film is its rating. Why in the world did it get an R rating? They don't swear at all (at least that I recall), there is no sex or anything of the nature, and the violence that there is shows practically nothing (there is one scene with some eyes that is kind of disturbing, but if it wasn't there then it would have been a PG rated film). All the same, this film was very well done and it brought a lot of light and knowledge to my eyes about how the people in India live and what lives people in those situations live. I thought the children actors in this film did an excellent job acting. This film is truly inspiring and a great love story.

Recommend: I would recommend this film to all, especially adults. I was intrigued every minute and think everyone will enjoy the storyline here.

Release Date: 3 August 2007
Time: 1 hr 55 min
Distributor: Universal Studios
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles
Grade: A+

Synopsis: Matt Damon returns as the amnesia-stricken trained assassin Jason Bourne in this third film based on Robert Ludlum's best-selling novels. As Bourne travels from Moscow to Paris, Madrid, London, New York and Tangier, Morocco, in a quest to reconstruct his past (and thus clear the way for a future), he's joined by returning cast members Julia Stiles and Joan Allen as well as new co-stars David Strathairn and Paddy Considine.

My Review: Awesome! This film was absolutely awesome. It has been a long time since I have seen such a great film. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The plot is very well done and very suspenseful. The action is great. This film is great and Matt Damon delivers another excellent performer. Even though this is the third film of the three, it is just as good as the others.

Recommend: MUST SEE! You have to see this film. Before you do though, refresh your memory by watching The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy or else you will be lost. Drop everything you are doing and watch this film!

Release Date: 26 September 2008
Time: 1 hr 58 min
Distributor: DreamWorks Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan
Grade: A

Synopsis: 'Eagle Eye' is a race-against-time thriller starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Mackie and Billy Bob Thornton. Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) and Rachel Holloman (Monaghan) are two strangers thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situations--using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move. As the situation escalates, these two ordinary people become the country's most wanted fugitives, who must work together to discover what is really happening--and more importantly, why.

My Review: This film kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was constantly looking for what was next. This film didn't feel long at all and in fact left you wanting for more. It was very suspenseful and you didn't know what was going to happen next. The actors did a great job and I have always been a big fan of Billy Bob Thornton. I thought the plot of the film was a little unbelievable, but as long as you go into the film with that expectation, then then film should be a lot of fun.

Recommend: Definitely. Watch this film when you are ready to watch a lot of action. This film is a lot of fun and keeps you interested the whole time.

Release Date: 27 August 2008
Time: 1 hr 54 min
Distributor: Overture Films
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce
Grade: A-

Synopsis: When straight-arrow agent Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce) assumes command of a special FBI task force, he becomes entangled in a web of covert operations. All the clues in Clayton's investigation point to Samir Horn (Don Cheadle), a former Special Ops soldier who now aids terrorists. But as Clayton digs deeper and contradictory evidence begins to emerge, he begins to question Horn's motives.

My Review: This was an excellent film after the first half hour or so. The film started out slow, but really picked up. The film is full of suspense and there are lots of turns. As I watched, it really made me think about what is going on in terms of terrorism and what people are trying to do to terrorize other nations. It really makes you question what is going on that we don't know about it. The film is action packed and a real thriller.

Recommend: Be ready for some more serious themes and some good action in this film. If you are in the mood for that, then this is just the film for you. If you enjoyed the "Bourne" series, then you will enjoy this film.

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.