My Movie Reviews

Release Date: January 13, 2006
Time: 1 hr. 58 min.
Distributor: Disney
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Josh Lucas, Jon Voight, Derek Luke, Alphonso McAuley, Mehcad Brooks, Al Shearer, Damaine Radcliff, Sam Jones III, and Schin S. Kerr
Grade: B+

Synopsis: A true-life story of a basketball team who broke down barriers while racking up victories is the basis for this sports drama. Don Haskins was a high school and college basketball star who, after six years of working with high school teams, became the head coach at Texas Western University in 1962. At that time, Texas Western's basketball program was not well respected, but Haskins was determined to change that, and in 1966 Haskins assembled what he was certain was a winning team. However, Haskins' starting lineup was comprised entirely of African-American athletes at a time when racially integrated teams were still a novelty in the South and West. Despite generating a firestorm of controversy, Haskins and his players showed they could succeed where it counted -- on the court. In post-season play Haskins and the Texas Western team found themselves competing for the NCAA championship against the University of Kentucky's all-white team, lead by legendary coach Adolph Rupp. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Review: This movie is based on a true story and that makes it even greater. The storyline is very good and very interesting. The one thing I didn't like is that the film looked like it was made about 10 to 15 years ago. Other then that, the actors did a great job making you feel like this really was taking place in the 1960s.

Recommend: Definitely one for the whole family. The story is so uplifting, and it really makes you realize how badly black people were treated. There are a couple of scenes that may be disturbing for the little ones, but other then that a very great movie to make you realize how great the black people of this time really were and what they had to go through.

Release Date: December 24, 1990
Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG
Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest
Grade: D+

Synopsis:A modern day fairy tale which tells the story of Edward, the man created by an inventor, who died before finishing him and left Edward with scissors where he should have hands. One day when the local "Avon" representative calls at the historic mansion where Edward has been living alone, she takes him home to stay with her family. He has to adapt to the new life and environment that he isn't used to. Soon he shows a talent in cutting hair and hedges, and wins every body's heart. But life isn't always so sweet...

My Review: This movie is very interesting. It has been a long time since I have seen this movie. Watching it again made me realize how different Tim Burton's films really are. Johnny Depp looks completely different (he is about 15 years younger too), and the scissors on the hands look very real. The film however does not seem to flow. The beginning of the film seems very childish and sounds like the story is completely made up and unbelievable.

Recommend: Probably not. If you use to love this film when you were little, then it is better kept that way. You lose interest fast, and the story line does not keep your attention. Several of the actors are very amateur it would seem. Keep the happy memories of the scissors from when you were little, and don't ruin it by watching this movie again.

Release Date: March 7, 2008
Time: 1 hr. 32 min.
Distributor: Keylight Entertainment Group
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams
Grade: A- (B+)

Synopsis:In 1939, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand), a middle-aged London governess, finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job. An attempt to gain new employment catapults her into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams).

Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a heady high-society milieu -- and, by the end of the day, discovers her own romantic destiny.

My Review: This was an interesting show, just a little slow at times. Other then that it was very entertaining. I couldn't help but feel bad for Miss Pettigrew at many points, but in the end you leave satisfied. Miss Pettigrew is a woman of high morals and there are many great lessons taught about lies and marriage that are wonderful.

Recommend: The kids will lose interest fast in this one. You're better off to enjoy this chick flick on a date. Other then the general story line of Delysia, the film is quite clean and suitable for anyone who is interested.

Release Date: April 28, 2006
Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
My Rating: PG-13 (We were watching the TV version)
Starring: J.J. Johnson, Gary Commock, Richard Bekins, Polly Adams, Opal Alladin
Grade: A-

Synopsis: Bloody Sunday director Paul Greengrass marks the five-year anniversary on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States with this speculative meditation on the events that took place onboard the fourth hijacked plane, and the actions of the passengers who gave their lives to ensure the safety of others. Told in real time and acted out by a cast of unknowns who were provided with detailed studies of their real-life counterparts, United 93 attempts to reconstruct the airborne tragedy from the view of the ground and flight controllers, the passengers, and their nervous families awaiting word on the fate of their loved ones. As the terrified travelers and crew gradually become aware of the historical events taking place on the ground so far beneath them, the 90 minutes in which a random collection of strangers realized their fate and came together to confront an unthinkable threat are re-created. - Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: This was a very intense film and kept us intrigued the entire time. The film techniques made you feel as if you were there and you were a part of these events. I think that this brings the events of September 11 in even greater light. It certainly goes to show that even the people with power knew as much as the public. Very touching. I do wish we had more information about these events, but we may never know everything about what happened on those other planes.

Recommend: Not a movie for the emotionally weak. You must be ready to watch this film as you may experience a large range of feelings. My opinion is that every American that was old enough remembers where he was when they first heard this news.

Release Date: April 19, 2002
Time: 47 min.
Distributor: IMAX Space Ltd.
Rating: ?
My Rating: G
Starring: Tom Cruise
Grade: A-

Synopsis: Space Station is the story of this unique partnership of 16 nations building a laboratory in outer space -- a permanent facility for the study of the effects of long-duration exposure to zero gravity and the necessary first step towards the global co-operative effort needed if man is to someday set foot on Mars. It is a story of challenges, setbacks and triumphs…and ultimately, the shared international victory of men and women whose dreams exceed the limits of life on this Earth.

My Review: This was an awesome film. I loved every second of it and I was very intrigued the entire time. The only reason I didn't like the film was it was too short, and probably a bit out of date. If it had come out in the last year and been about 30 minutes longer then it would be great. The 3D effects make this even more entertaining.

Recommend: Yes! Take the kids too. IMAX definitely did an excellent job on this film and the whole family will love it. You will want to know more about space and about what life would be like to live on the space station.

Release Date: January 11, 2008
Time: 1 hr. 37 min.
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13 (Clean up Jack Nicholon's mouth and it would have been PG)
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman
Grade: B

Synopsis: Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star as two terminally ill cancer patients who decide to break out of the hospital and live their last days to the fullest in director Rob Reiner's seriocomic road movie. Edward Cole (Nicholson) is a corporate billionaire who is currently sharing a hospital room with blue-collar mechanic Carter Chambers (Freeman). Though initially the pair seems to have nothing in common, conversation gradually reveals that both men have a long list of goals they wish to accomplish before they kick the bucket, and an unrealized desire to discover what kind of men they really are. But one can't accomplish such lofty objectives from the confines of a hospital bed, so now, in order to live their lives to the absolute fullest, Edward and Carter will have to make a break for it. With a checklist that includes playing the poker tables in Monte Carlo, consuming copious amounts of caviar, racing the fastest machines on four wheels, and much more, these two terminally ill men will do their best to fit a lifetime of experience into their last remaining days while forging an unlikely, but truly remarkable, friendship. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: I enjoyed this film. Jack Nicholson is funny as always, and Morgan Freeman has his normal calming effect. The plot was a good idea, and the places they visit are great. The film felt a little slow at time, and it didn't always feel like it flowed. However, I loved one line in the film - "Find the joy in your life."

Recommend: This would be a good film for a date or if you are feeling bad about life for some reason or another. These two have a great time until the last day of their lives. It is an uplifting story even with the sad ending.

Release Date: March 30, 2007
Time: 45 min.
Distributor: MacGillivray Freeman Films
Rating: G
My Rating: G
Starring: John Harlin
Grade: A-

Synopsis: In 1966, John Harlin II died while attempting Europe's most difficult climb, the North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland. 40 years later, his son John Harlin III, an expert mountaineer and the editor of the American Alpine Journal, returns to attempt the same climb.

My Review: This was a very excellent documentary about The Alps and this man's journey to climb it. I was hooked to the screen the whole movie. This is stunning on the IMAX screen and the Alps are absolutely beautiful mountains. This film was a lot of fun and was a good length for the content presented.

Recommend: Yes, and definitely see it on the IMAX screen. It would not have been as good otherwise. If you have been to Switerland or the Alps then you will enjoy this film. Be aware that you will want to move to Switzerland after watching this film :).