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Harry Potter flies again

Posted : 4 months, 2 weeks ago on 16 July 2009 03:14 (A review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)

When I go to watch a movie I want to be entertained. I'm not one of those people that nitpicks through a movie criticizing the minute details of what was on the screen. I was thoroughly entertained while watching this movie. It was funny, sad, adventurous, action packed, suspenseful, and great fun to watch. I loved that fact that so many families had come together to watch the movie and from what I could tell were also greatly entertained.

Even though Harry is always the main focus of these stories, Dumbledore plays a very prominent role in this movie. He enlists Harry on a mission that will have a major consequences if he is successful. Hence the famous qoute, "Once again Harry, I ask too much of you." The other major subplot in the movie has to do with Draco and what his mission seems to be in the movie. He is always worried and preoccupied with his task. His task is a mystery and leads to suspense in the movie. He still has a few run ins with Harry and this provides for some great action scenes.

One aspect of the movie that I loved was how the characters have moved into adolescence. They are all going through the stage in life when the opposite sex seems appealing now, but they are all awkward and not to sure how to handle it. This leads to a lot of tension between Hermione and Ron as well as some very funny moments. Harry also has his struggles dealing with who he will take to a dinner event.

The one character that I loved this time was Luna Lovegood. The actress playing her was wonderful. She is a flower child in a world of magic. She doesn't quite fit in and yet she is perfect for the world. She and Harry have a couple of wonderful scenes together. I loved the clothes and accessories that she wore. (What until you see what she wears to the quiditch match.)

Will you be entertained by this movie? I think the answer to the question is a resounding, "Yes." Bring your whole family and enjoy in a another stage in the Harry Potter adventure.

Flash

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Downfall rises to the challenge

Posted : 5 months, 4 weeks ago on 6 June 2009 03:31 (A review of Downfall)

I saw this movie on the shelf in my local library and thought it looked interesting. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. This is one of the best movies I have watched that deal with WWII. It takes you into the last days of Hitler's reign and lets you experience his downfall.

I watched the behind the scenes and interviews with the actors on the DVD after watching the movie. I wanted to see how they made this movie and what they were thinking. The extra feature was almost as interesting as the movie. Some of the actors had concerns because of the subject matter and others took on the challenge of such a controversial subject. I think all of them took it on as a personal project that they wanted to get right and make sure the story was told well. They described making the sets as authentic as possible. They wanted us to get a peek into the private lives of Hitler and his closest conferderates.

If you like war movies or historical films, this is one that you really want to watch. The movie is extremely well made and dramatic. It will amaze you with what was going on behind the scenes in the last few days of WWII. Rent it at your local video store or library if you can find it. You won't be disappointed.

Flash

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Zack and Miri make a funny movie

Posted : 7 months, 3 weeks ago on 11 April 2009 11:28 (A review of Zack and Miri Make a Porno)

If your looking for a way to tickle your funny bone and don't mind crude humor, this may be the movie for you. The language is pretty strong and the comedy is mostly sexual in nature but it is funny. Just make sure the kids are in another room when you watch this one.

The plot revolves around Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Bank's characters. The two roommates are having trouble keeping up with the bills and keep falling behind. The last straw is when the power and water get turned off in their apartment. After going to their high school reunion, they get the idea that they can make a porno by themselves.

With the help from a few friends and real porn stars, the two set out the make the movie. Of course things don't go according to plan and the fun begins. Katie Morgan and Traci Lords have key parts and really support the movie and the porno. Blowing bubbles will never be the same after watching this one. Mewes also lets it all hang out for his role (literally). Looking for a funny movie without putting too much thinking into it, this movie should fit the bill.

Flash



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Marley and Me- one for dog lovers

Posted : 9 months, 1 week ago on 22 February 2009 12:58 (A review of Marley & Me)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie. The trailers made it out to be a comedy, but then someone told me to bring tissue. Now knowing that this is a movie that revolved around a dog, I knew I was probably in trouble since I am a big dog lover.

To be honest the owners of this dog put up with a lot more than I would have with my dog. This dog was very costly when you add up all the property damage that it caused. I sorry but if it would have been my dog, the pound would have had a new guest. Of course it wasn't my dog, so I got to laugh my head off at all the misfortunes put upon these people. I'm sure Wilson and Anniston were probably happy this was just a movie also.

Of course as anyone that has raised dogs knows, eventually your dog becomes more than a pet and a member of the family. When this occurs you put up with a lot more than you think you can. Marley started out as a serrogate kid in this story and ended up as a loving family member.


Even though Marley is a major character and part of the movie, the story between Wilson and Anniston is the real movie. Their love is shown through their years of owning Marley. Even though Marley is a handful with all his antics, they also have to endure lifes up and downs. Sometimes life is great and other times it is full of drama.

This movie is funny and full of drama. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. It is appropriate for the whole family and would make a great addition to your DVD collection.

Flash

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Not worth the hype

Posted : 9 months, 1 week ago on 22 February 2009 12:36 (A review of Seven Pounds)

After following the hype for this movie, I was a little disappointed at the end product. I heard that they had a closed set and were carefully guarding the story line so that no one would let the cat out of the bag. Don't get me wrong the acting was very well done. Smith does another excellent job portraying his character. Dawson was also great in her role.

I just felt for all the suspense they were trying to build up, it didn't live up to a very suspenseful movie. I kind of figured out what he was going to do in the movie in about the first ten minutes. Then I just had to wait around and figure out how he was going to put all the pieces together. To be honest, I thought the pacing of the movie was pretty slow.

If you are a fan of Will Smith, you probably won't be disappointed in this movie. But if you are watching it because of the hype, you may not enjoy yourself as much as you had hoped.

Flash

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Bolt- Great family film

Posted : 9 months, 1 week ago on 22 February 2009 12:24 (A review of Bolt)

I think this is the best CGI animation Disney has done without Pixar at the helm. In previous attempts I think the story lines were on the weak side. This movie has enough of a story to keep the adults and the kids entertained. Some of the action scenes would rival the stunts done in the Matrix movies. I was impressed with the quality of the work.

The plot in this movie revolves around Bolt being taken from LA to New York and away from his person. Bolt is the star of a TV show in which he has super powers and always protects his person. He obviously wants to get back to her. Along the way he enlists a cat and hampster to help him on his quest. He figures out that he doesn't really have these powers and this leads to some very funny scenes.

If you are a fan of Disney animation, you won't be disappointed with this effort. The movie is fast paced and very entertaining. The adults won't be disappointed taking the family to this movie or adding it to your DVD collection.

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2008's must see indie film

Posted : 10 months, 3 weeks ago on 14 January 2009 08:25 (A review of Slumdog Millionaire)

Every year it seems that a small independent or foreign film rises to the top and grabs our attention. It cries for you to see it and share it with your friends. Slumdog Millionaire is this film for 2008/9. Danny Boyle has directed a film that you won't soon forget and will be talking about around the water cooler for the next few days at work.

If you want to get a lot of specifics about the movie, read Alexander's review. This movie is really a love story about two people that seemed destined to be together. The story starts with Jamal being taken off the show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and taken to be interrogated for cheating on the show.

As the interrogation unfolds, we learn how Jamal knows the answer to the questions and why he is there in the first place. You get to see things that I'm sure the Indian tourist bureau would rather not share with us during this film. Jamal isn't really a genious, but we find out that he knows the answers because of events that have happened to him while living in the slums. A lot of these flashbacks are disturbing and some are funny.

After you get into the movie and see what Jamal has been through, you can't help but root for him. This is one of the best "Rocky" films that I have seen in a long time. You can't help but cheer for the underdog and hope that he wins. As the story nears it ending, it seems like all of Indian has joined us. You see people in bars, at home, in front of television stores all waiting to see if Jamal wins and gets out of the slums. Don't forget we also get to see if he wins the girl.

If you want to find out what happens, go and check this one out. You will laugh, cheer, get mad, but hopefully have a great evening out at the movies.

Flash

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This one makes you think

Posted : 10 months, 3 weeks ago on 13 January 2009 01:54 (A review of In the Valley of Elah)

As I was watching this movie, I thought they couldn't have picked a better person for the lead with Tommy Lee Jones. He plays the tough SOB really well and makes you really not want to be on his bad side. His character leads us through the story and Jones carries the movie all the way.

On the surface this movie is a murder mystery with the backdrop of soldiers returning from Iraq to give it a lot of spice. The military side of the story shows the red tape and politics that goes on with the military not wanting to lose face. It also gives you a brief glimpse at some of the horrible things that take place in a war zone such as Iraq. Anyone that has been in the military can empathize here.

When you look at this movie on a deeper level you see a father finding out things about a child that he probably was never meant to see or hear about. I kept thinking about some of the things I did when I was in the Marine Corps and let me tell you I hope my parents never find about them. The more Jones digs into finding out about what happened to his son, he sees a side of him that he never would dream could have taken place.

The emotions run very high in this movie. It is very powerful and shocking at times. This movie is on cable in my area right now but is worth the price of a rental. Be prepared to ride an emotional roller coaster when watching this one.

Flash

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Not for surf fans

Posted : 10 months, 4 weeks ago on 8 January 2009 03:48 (A review of Surfer, Dude)

If your looking for a movie that captures the essence of the surf scene, don't buy or watch this movie. I was hoping that I might get to watch some good surf footage with a funny storyline as a backdrop. Wrong, this is not another Blue Crush. I think Surfs Up captures the feel of surfing better than this movie.

Now if you like to watch dudes getting stoned all day and night, than this might be your kind of movie. It also has more than one cute young lady in skimpy bikinis sometimes without the tops. I would say this is not a movie geared towards the female audience.

Most of the movie we get to watch Matthew's charater mope around being depressed (and stoned) because there isn't any waves to be found. (Hence my comment about no surf footage!) He also has a reality TV program wanting him to live in their house with others surfing so that we can vicariously live the life of a surfer. (This is where we get to see the skimpy bikinis without tops.) Between waiting for waves, getting stoned, and trying not to sell out to the man (reality TV), not much else happens in the movie. There are a few funny scenes, but overall I don't think this movie delivered what I was expecting.

Flash

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Wonderful love story

Posted : 11 months, 3 weeks ago on 14 December 2008 12:28 (A review of P.S. I Love You)

This is a movie for fans of movies. I went to Rotten Tomatoes and only 21% of the critics gave this movie a positive rating. I wish these guys would quit rating movies critically and rate them according to their entertainment value. I've talked with a few people about this movie and have heard nothing but positive glowing comments. Is it perfect, no, but it is a great movie to watch with someone special.

This love story is told in a unique way. You get to see the story after the husband dies. Through a series of letters, you get to see the couples love for one another through flashbacks by Swank's character. Sometimes you will laugh and other times you will need a tissue. The supporting cast does a great job as Swank goes through this emotional roller coaster ride. (The footage of Ireland is worth looking at by itself.)

Rent the DVD or watch this one on cable. Be prepared to get teary eyed, but enjoy a wonderful love story.

Flash

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