Reviews by Flash

I went to see this on a Saturday afternoon when my family was out of town. I didn't really know too much about the movie and wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. This was an entertaining movie. The acting was strong and it was fun to watch all the cameos that kept popping up. (Sharon Stone, Alan Thicke to name a couple)

The story is about a kidnapping gone wrong. You have a group of young men that are selling drugs and trying to be really macho. They don't want any of their customers thinking that they can get their product and not pay for it. On the spur of the moment they kidnap the kid brother of one of their customers as payback for not paying his bill. After they realize what they've done, they know that they are going to do some serious prison time if they get caught.

This is based on a true story. It kind of shows how sad this kind of life style can end up for those who participate. Not that you feel sorry for them. I don't know if I would want to pay $10.00 to see this one, but it was worthy of an afternoon bargain price.

Flash

I watched the first Iwo Jima film by Clint and was very moved by the movie. I heard about the second and couln't wait for it to open up in my town. I'm glad the wait is over. This was an extremely powerful movie and was done in a way that will leave a lasting impression on your memory. I heard that the second film was better and I think I would have to agree. I was left drained and mad after watching Flags of our Fathers, but in this one I just felt drained.

Speilberg's Amblin division coproduced this movie and it kind of had a Saving Private Ryan feel to it. You still get the message that war is hell, but now you get to see that the enemy also feels this way. You see the courage and loyalty to one's country that the soldiers have even when the battle is hopelessly lost.

The story revolves around a few soldiers and follows letters that they are writing home to their loved ones. You see them as they prepare for the on coming US forces digging trenches and caves. You get to see their planning and strategies. You follow them through the battles as the leaders vow to fight until the last man. In the end you will go wow that was quite a ride.

This movie is subtitled so you will have to read. Clint has really aged like a fine wine. It seems like he just gets better and better with each film that he makes. You won't feel cheated out of your money after watching this one. It will be one to watch at Oscar time.

Flash

I really enjoyed watching this movie. If you've heard about this movie, you've probably heard that it is a fairy tale. It is in a sense, but it isn't one that you will want to bring your kids to watch. The movie is rated are for a reason; it is very graphic at times. If your stomach turns at watching graphic violence, you may want to skip this movie.

After saying that, I will say that this has a great story that grabs you and won't let you go until it ends. It ebbs and flows in and out of the fantasy world and the horror of war. The main character is a girl who is trying to make sense of her new stepfather and the life that has been thrust upon her. The fairy tale shows you a way in which she tries to cope with this situation that she doesn't want.

This movie is subtitled so you will have to read as you watch the movie. The film has very well done special effects that really add to the dark tone to the movie. Don't go into this movie thinking that this is a Disney movie where everyone lives happily ever after. This movie is powerful and is full of emotions. You won't feel you've wasted your hard earned money when you leave the theater after watching this one.

Flash

I went into this movie not too sure what to expect. Most of the reviews for the movie have been fair to poor. I wanted to go because the trailer for this movie looked pretty cool. My kids have been asking to see it also. So we packed up the family and made a day of it. I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. It was very fun to watch. I heard some criticism on the animation, but I thought the world that was created in the animation was fresh and very eye appealing. The action scenes were quick paced and exciting to watch. The story line is very predictable which I think is a good thing for this type of movie. Its target audience is kids. They don't go for the plot twists and turns that we adults like to see. My ten year old son came out of the movie and said he would rate the movie an "A". My daughters responded with the request, "Can we buy that on DVD when it comes out?" That is pretty high praise from my kids. If you have a family that likes to watch movies, I think that you might be pleasantly surprised by this movie. It won't win any awards, but thats OK because your kids will have a blast and if you're like me, that stands for a lot.

Flash

This movie is what I call a "Rocky" film. The main character has to overcome unbelievable odds to reach a goal. This movie is supposed to be based on a real story and it is hard to believe that anyone could covercome the obstacles presented by Will's character. This makes the film that much more dramatic as we watch him get stepped upon time and time again.

Will Smith is excellent in this role. He has already started to get acting award nominations and they are well deserved. His low key somber approach to the character is just what is needed.

The movie is well made and the pacing is just right for this type of movie. You will definantely feel empathy for Will and his son while you watch the movie.

My only let down with this movie is how I felt when I left the movie. I didn't feel like I just had the wind knocked out of me or like I just finished an emotional roller coaster. I watched Charlotte's Web last week and I felt like that leaving it. Something didn't click with me on that emotional level and I was expecting it. Other than that, I think this is a movie that most people will enjoy watching.

Flash

I watched this one with my family and we all had a good time. The animation was excellent and fun to watch. The setting of the movie was very well designed and believable. We all laughed and cheered on Mumble as he went after the girl and tried to figure out why their food supply was disappearing. The music was well performed and very upbeat. You'll be singing along or tapping your feet during many of the scenes.

My only let down of the film was the way that politics entered into the movie. When I watch a movie with my family I don't really want politics to enter into the moment. I could tell when Mumbles goes off on his own that we were in for a political moment. I was right and the film ends with one final statement from the filmmakers. Except for the end, this was a film that I would recommend for the whole famlily.
Flash

I am in awe of what I saw in this movie. By now everyone has probably seen the cartoon version of Charlotte's Web a few times. I read a couple of reviews that rated this movie very highly. I went into it with high expectations and wasn't let down. This movie is destined to be a timeless classic.

The CGI technology has advanced so far and it continues to amaze me with what I see on the big screen. While watching this movie you will believe that the animals have come alive and are living creatures that we can communicate with. The voice actors were excellent and made the characters that much more real. Another gem in this movie is Dakota Fanning. I swear the girl is really about 30 years old and her body never grew up. She is the perfect actor for Fern and really carries the movie for the human side of the movie.

This version of Charlotte's Web follows the story in the book very closely. From the saving of Wilbur to the hatching of Charlotte's children you won't miss a thing. It will make you laugh at Wilbur's adventures and want to cry when Charlotte is at the fair. I was in a theater with some young children around me and they all had a blast giggling away at the movie. My kids of course said, "Dad can we buy this when it comes out on DVD?" My answer was, "Of course!"

Even if you have seen the cartoon version and are skeptical of seeing this remake, don't be. This movie should be seen by every family member. It will be a movie that you will want to add to your collection and watch more than once.

Flash

This is what I call a "Rocky" movie. It is one where the underdog tries to over comes huge odds against a giant. In this case the arena is a golf course. The movie is set in the 10's and looked like that time period. Bill Paxton did a good job recreating the era. Even if you don't like golf, the characters are well set up and you still want to root for them even if you aren't a sports fan. This one is worth a couple of hours in front of your big screen.

Flash

I enjoyed watching this movie. It moved at a good pace and had very good acting. The special effects were excellent by today's standards. I admit I haven't read the book, but the story seemed to flow very well. My daughter said they left out some events from the book that may have made the story better. I don't think this movie is in the same league as LOTR or Narnia, but it was worth spending an afternoon at the theater with my kids. They really enjoyed the movie like me. Worth the price of admission for the whole family.

This was a dark comedy that was pretty well made. Sean William Scott has put together a crew that is going to rob a bank. The bank is next to a club where he is promoting a rave. They try to go through the wall of the club and into the bank. Along the way a series of misfortunes occur as they attempt the robbery. It is a dark comedy with some funny scenes. Worth a night of watching cable movies.

Flash