My Movie Reviews

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.

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.