My Movie Reviews

Release Date: 25 December 2008
Time: 1 hr 44 min
Distributor: Miramax Films
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams
Grade: D

Synopsis: It’s 1964, St. Nicholas in the Bronx. A vibrant, charismatic priest, Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is trying to upend the schools’ strict customs, which have long been fiercely guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep), the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. The winds of political change are sweeping through the community, and indeed, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller. But when Sister James (Amy Adams), a hopeful innocent, shares with Sister Aloysius her guilt-inducing suspicion that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald, Sister Aloysius sets off on a personal crusade to unearth the truth and to expunge Flynn from the school. Now, without a shard of proof besides her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn which threatens to tear apart the community with irrevocable consequence.

My Review: Doubt was pretty good for most of the movie but the ending just destroyed any good things that were in the movie. The film felt like it went on too long and the ending felt "unfinished" in a way. The only reason that the film didn't get an F was because the acting in the film was pretty good and like I said, I was engaged and enjoying the movie until close to the end.

Recommend: No. Don't waste your time with this movie. You will feel cheated.

Release Date: July 2, 2008
Time: 1 hr 41 min
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Rating: G
My Rating: G
Starring: Abigail Breslin, Chris O'Donnell, Julia Ormond
Grade: A-

Synopsis: Producer Julia Roberts brings the American Girl brand to the big screen for the very first time with this inspirational tale concerning a nine-year-old girl named Kit Kittredge (Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin) growing up during the Great Depression. Though the American Girls have previously appeared on the small screen in Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, and Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front, Kit's adventure marks the very first major theatrical endeavor for the characters created by author Valerie Tripp. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: Abigail Breslin did an excellent job and she really made this film move a long. She did a good job of playing the little reporter and had some funny moments when she was trying to get her stories published. The story in general made you really think and be grateful for what you do have even in this time of economic downturn. The other character that was really adorable was Countee. Excellent job by the writers with that character (I don't want to give anything away). Also, the mystery side of things made this film very good at the end and it was very enjoyable.

Recommend: This film is a must for the family, and it would be a good film to add to the family collection. It is a lot of fun to watch and the story moves a long very well. The kids will enjoy it because it is understandable enough for them, and parents will enjoy it as well, because it is also a lot of fun for them. Check this movie out.