My Movie Reviews

Release Date: 16 February 2007
Time: 1 hr 50 min
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe
Grade: C+

Synopsis: Shattered Glass director Billy Ray directs Chris Cooper and Ryan Philippe in this fact-based drama concerning the FBI traitor who carried out what many historians refer to as the most notable national security breach in U.S. history. A key member of the FBI's elite Soviet Analytical Unit, Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper) would, for 15 years beginning in 1985, sell thousands of pages of classified documents to the Soviets. After making roughly 600,000 dollars on his clandestine endeavor and compromising everything from the identities of KGB spies working for the American government to nuclear war contingency plans, Hanssen was eventually transferred to a newly created position at the FBI's Washington headquarters and assigned the task of guarding his country's most sensitive secrets. It was while working in this capacity that a young agent named Eric O'Neill (Phillipe) was assigned the task of keeping tabs on Hanssen by suspicious higher-ups. Later, after being arrested while delivering a cache of secret documents to a "dead drop" spot in a Virginia park, the notorious traitor was arrested and sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole. - Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Review: This film was way too long. It wasn't even 2 hours and it felt like I had been watching it for 4. It was an interesting story and the facts that they showed at the end of the film were quite fascinating (it's based on a true story) but other than that the stuff in between felt too long. The film was pretty slow and there wasn't any really great plot twists or anything.

Recommend: Only watch this film if you care about the history involved. If you are looking for a thriller or who did it type of film then you should look elsewhere because this film just won't do it for you.

Release Date: 28 January 2005
Time: 2 hr 12 min
Distributor:
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
Grade: B+

Synopsis: Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran boxing trainer who has devoted his life to the ring and has precious little to show for it; his daughter never answers his letters, and a fighter he's groomed into contender status has paid him back by signing with another manager, leaving Frankie high and dry. His best friend and faithful employee Eddie Dupris is a former fighter who Frankie trained. In his last fight, Eddie suffered a severe injury, a fact that brings Frankie great guilt. One day, Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) enters Frankie's life, as well as his gym, and announces she needs a trainer. Frankie regards her as a dubious prospect, and isn't afraid to tell her why: he doesn't think much of women boxing, she's too old at 31, she lacks experience, and has no technique. However, Maggie sees boxing as the one part of her life that gives her meaning and won't give up easily. Finally won over by her determination, Frankie takes on Maggie, and as she slowly grows into a viable fighter, an emotional bond develops between them. When a tragedy befalls one of the three characters, each comes to a decision that shows how the relationships in the film have changed them. Adapted from a short story by F.X. Toole, a former corner man with years of experience in the fight game, Million Dollar Baby also stars Morgan Freeman, Anthony Mackie, and Mike Colter. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Review: This movie was good but I felt like it was too long. By the end I was ready for it to be over. The film was depressing as well so that didn't help. I am not a big fan of boxing but this was a pretty inspirational story and I thought that Clint Eastwood gave an excellent performance. He made his character pretty believable and I really felt bad for him for never winning a championship.

Recommend: Kids won't enjoy it and you should only watch this if you are pretty awake and ready for the depressing story. The film is good.

Release Date: 1 September 2006
Time: 1 hr 50 min
Distributor:
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel
Grade: A

Synopsis: 'The Illusionist' stars Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti as two men pitted against each other in a battle of wits: Norton as mysterious stage magician Eisenheim, and Giamatti as Vienna's shrewd Chief Inspector Uhl, with Jessica Biel sharing the screen as the beautiful Sophie von Teschen. When word of Eisenheim's astounding illusions reaches the powerful and pragmatic Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), the ruler attends one of the magician's shows in order to debunk Eisenheim during the performance. But when the Prince's intended, Sophie von Teschen, assists the magician onstage, Eisenheim and Sophie recognize each other from their childhoods and a dormant love affair is rekindled. As the clandestine romance continues, Uhl is charged by Leopold to intensify his efforts to expose Eisenheim, even while the magician gains a devoted and vocal public following. With Uhl doggedly searching for the reasons and the man behind the trickery, Eisenheim prepares to execute his greatest illusion yet.

My Review: This movie was great. It kept my interest from the very beginning with the excitement of the magic tricks and carried all the way through to the surprise ending. Ed Norton does a superb job and the storyline is very good. Too be honest, it was quite different from what I was expecting but that didn't mean it was bad. I actually really enjoyed the basic plot and storyline.

Recommend: This is a fun film for everyone. The kids may lose interest mid-way through because it does turn a little more to the story than magic, but they should still enjoy it.

Release Date: 15 May 2009
Time: 2 hr 18 min
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13
My Rating: PG-13
Starring: Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer
Grade: B

Synopsis: Angels and Demons re-teams director Ron Howard and star Tom Hanks for the sequel to their international blockbuster adaptation of Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code. Although the book Angels and Demons was written before the novel The Da Vinci Code, the movie transpires after the events of the earlier movie. Hanks stars as professor Robert Langdon, the most respected symbologist in the United States, who uses his knowledge in order to decode a symbol on the skin of a murder victim. The clues put him on the trail of an international conspiracy involving the Catholic Church. Ewan McGregor and Ayelet Zurer also star in the Sony Pictures production. - Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

My Review: They did a pretty decent job of taking the book to film. The film was completely action packed and there was no slow parts. My biggest problem with the film was the lack of explanation as to what was going on. I understood what was going on because I have read the book but otherwise I would have been pretty lost. Acting was alright but nothing spectacular. I did think the Carmelengo was well cast. The other issue that I had with the film is that I wish they would have shown the symbols better (Earth, Air, Wind, and Fire). When I read the book, they absolutely captivated me.

Recommend: If you've read the book, then you likely be disappointed. Otherwise, check this film out for a date night.

Release Date: 13 February 2009
Time: 1 hr 44 min
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: PG
My Rating: PG
Starring: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy
Grade: B

Synopsis: In the glamorous world of New York City, Rebecca Bloomwood (ISLA FISHER) is a fun-loving girl who is really good at shopping-a little too good, perhaps. She dreams of working for her favorite fashion magazine. but can't quite get her foot in the door-until ironically, she snags a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine published by the same company. As her dreams are finally coming true, she goes to ever more hilarious and extreme efforts to keep her past from ruining her future.

My Review: This film is a typical chick flick. I enjoyed the film for what it was worth and I thought Isla did a good job as the primary role (I confused her with Amy Adams). There wasn't anything that put this film in great company but it was another fun chic flick.

Recommend: Good date night movie. The kids won't last long in it.

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: 23 January 2009
Time: 2 hr 3 min
Distributor: Universal Studios
Rating: R
My Rating: PG-13 (I saw the airplane edited version)
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen
Grade: A

Synopsis: For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans.

Likewise, Frost's team harbored doubts about their boss' ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted. Would Nixon evade questions of his role in one of the nation's greatest disgraces? Or would Frost confound critics and bravely demand accountability from the man who'd built a career out of stonewalling? Over the course of their encounter, each man would reveal his own insecurities, ego and reserves of dignity -- ultimately setting aside posturing in a stunning display of unvarnished truth.

My Review: This film was excellent. The acting was very good. Both Frost and Nixon were very believable characters and the history that was portrayed was extremely interesting. The only reason that I didn't give an A+ to this film is because there were a couple of parts that were a bit slow in the film. However, the film moves along pretty well and the Nixon confession is great.

Recommend: This is a great film to learn some history. Not for children as they will lose interest fast. Definitely recommend this film.