My Movie Reviews

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.

Release Date: 19 December 2008
Time: 1 hr 58 min
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson
Grade: B

Synopsis: Academy Award nominee Will Smith reunites with the director and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for this emotional drama concerning an IRS agent whose quest for redemption is unexpectedly complicated after he inadvertently falls in love. Ben Thomas is an IRS agent with a fateful secret. Assuming the identity of his younger brother, Ben sets out in search of redemption. Instead, Ben discovers true love while forever changing the lives of seven complete strangers. Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, and Barry Pepper co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: This film was too slow. It certainly was drawn out at the beginning and felt much too slow. The plot and movie idea were excellent and I enjoyed the basic flow of things a lot, but it felt like this movie went on for several hours. Will Smith does a good job, but sometimes his character made me upset because it was as if he had no emotions when someone else did. It was certainly not what I was expecting from this film, but I still enjoyed it.

Recommend: You need to be in the mood for a serious film and be ready for some pretty big shockers. This film can be an emotion drain so be ready for that as well. As long as you are then you should check out this film. Don't take the kids to this one. They will be gone fast.

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.