Real Movie Review-Movie Reviews, Movie Quotes, Movie Trivia

Director: Peter Berg

Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head, Eddie Marsan

What if a super-hero was also a hard drinker with anger management issues and nonexistent social skills whose crime-fighting choices often lead to heavy property damage and courtroom subpoenas? Director Peter Berg answers this original question in an action/drama/comedy starring box office hero, Will Smith who flexes his money-making muscles in an entertaining story with several laughs and a couple of innovative twists.

Will Smith is Hancock, a sullen alcoholic nursing hidden pain who would have been ignored as he slipped through the cracks like all too many of our unfortunate fellow citizens, except Mr. Hancock also happens to have Superman-like abilities and a reluctant but consistent habit of fighting crime and rescuing people, on his terms. This leads to an image problem that Ray Embry, played by a well-cast Jason Bateman, offers to help him with, as a thank you for saving his life. As he helps Hancock to try to get control of his life, he also invites the socially awkward Things may sound funny, simple and fun and they are, but the plot takes a couple sharp turns that while catching the viewers unawares, they are also a little hard to buy, but the whole thing is still fun.

Hancock is an interesting twist on the recent popular genre of comic book hero movies. Smith and Bateman show their considerable acting skill, as well as good chemistry, and do a commendable job with a creative script that packs one of the few real cinematic surprises of 2008.

Director: Peter Seagal

Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terence Stamp, Terry Crews, David Koechner

As a kid, I loved the old re-runs of Get Smart with its repetitive jokes and situations as we watched agent 86 bumble his way into battle with the forces of Kaos. Steve Carell looks the part, and deadpans (Don Adams style) his way through this action comedy as a smarter, but no less bumbling update of Maxwell Smart. There are several old jokes from the series like ‘Would you believe…’ and the Cone of Silence. There are some laughs, some entertaining characters, cool cameos and better action than I expected, but not as many laughs as I had hoped for.

In this film, Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is an ace analyst for the spy agency, Control, but Max really dreams of being an agent and the Chief (Alan Arkin) gives him his chance when almost all of Control’s agents have their ID revealed. Soon Max, encouraged by Control’s sidelined superstar, Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson), is paired with the beautiful, experienced and very reluctant Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) to foil the nefarious plans of Kaos general, Seigfried. Seigfried is played by Terence Stamp, but look for series original Bernie Kopell in a cameo.

It seems like every action movie Hollywood puts out these days, is made with an eye to becoming a multi-movie franchise and Get Smart is no exception. Hopefully future installments will more upon past gags, go a little more slapstick and tone down the action a bit, but all in all, this isn’t a bad film and will get probably get the world’s worst secret agent a few more fans.

Director: Martin McDonagh

Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleason, Clemence Poesy, Ralph Fiennes, Jordan Prentice,

First time feature film writer/director, Martin McDonagh gives viewers a bit of everything with this fresh, genre-bending, small-scale, character-driven action/comedy/drama. McDonagh showcases his writing skills here as well, with a smooth, entertaining script that also allows the performers to shine, and shine they do. Gleason and Farrell (where has this guy been the last few years?) are remarkable, and get plenty of help from an outstanding, supporting cast.

Ray and Ken (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleason) are a couple of likable mob hitmen, who are mysteriously ordered, by their boss, Harry, (Ralph Fiennes) to go hide out in the historical, but small, Dutch town of Bruges following a job. While Ken relaxes and enjoys the slow-paced sight-seeing vacation, Ray is bored and uneasy, both because of the small town isolation and his own issues. He passes time by finding a movie set where is mesmerized by a dwarf actor (Jordan Prentice), and enchanted by a pretty Dutch girl (Clemence Poesy), before being enraged by a couple in a restaurant. It’s safe to say that things in the demographically small, but historically huge, town of Bruges, don’t stay boring for long.

In Bruges is an unconventional film, that has something for everyone, from laugh out loud humor, to moving drama, to original action scenes. The acting is strong and the characters are interesting. It is still a small film, and could have used a little more originality in the story and some edgier dialog, but these are only minor observations about a motion picture film that will appeal to fans of light, European crime dramas. Check it out.

Director: Andy Tennant

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland, Alexis Dziena, Ray Winstone, Ewen Bremner, Kevin Hart, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Brian Hooks

Co-writer/director, Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama, Hitch), is back in the rom-com business again with this romantic/comedy adventure film that is blessed with some beautiful, Caribbean scenery, and saddled with a variable speed formula story that roars forward with exhilaration at times, and falls back into a putt-putt, check-your-watch, pace at others. Matthew McConaughey is at home as a charming underachiever, but Kate Hudson doesn’t always seem to know how to play his frustrated soon-to-be ex-wife. The direction is similarly erratic with some nice shots while others seem rushed, and the action often falls flat.

Matthew McConaughey is an irresponsible, but charming, treasure hunter, named Finn, who starts out pretty down on his luck when he accidentally sinks his own boat. This puts him in deadly debt to a silly gangsta rap crew lead by Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart). As if this isn’t enough, his estranged wife, and former treasure hunting companion, Tess (Kate Hudson), is divorcing him. Fate (and coincidental cinema at its best) intervenes, however, to land Finn on Tess’ employer’s boat, and soon his passion and charm has won over her bored billionaire boss, Nigel (Donald Sutherland) and his dippy, socialite daughter, Gemma, and the well-appointed yacht is turned around to go on a treasure hunt. There are, of course, others after the treasure as well, including partner-turned rival, Moe (the voice of Beowulf).

I rather enjoyed Fool’s Gold, probably for the same reasons that I like Overboard (coincidentally starring Kate’s Mom, Goldie Hawn) and, to a lesser extent, Cocktail. There are obscenely expensive boats and a lavish lifestyle that I can’t even afford to buy a magazine about, beautiful paradise settings and attractive women in bathing suits. If the preview leads you to believe that you won’t like it, then you won’t. It is exactly what it appears to be. If, however, you just want some light, fluffy fare that will make you wish for a hot holiday in some island country with steel drums, overpriced girly drinks and under priced beer, then you can probably look past the flaws here, (and there are many), enough to enjoy a two hour Caribbean getaway.

Director: Michael Davis

Starring: Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Stephen McHattie

I don’t usually like these balls-to-the-wall full speed action features, but writer/director Michael Davis manages to trump the genre in the same way that Planet Terror trumped the zombie zone. He overdoes everything, and uses zippy dialog, subtle humor, and exaggerated action direction, that drips with style, and is choreographed to a hot soundtrack to make it all work. The story is a bit tricky, but the dialog between Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti, (who plays one of the best villains of the year) is priceless.

Smith (Clive Owen), an angry, anti-establishment, anti-hero, is minding his own business, enjoying a cup of coffee and a carrot at a bus stop, when a pregnant woman staggers past him, soon followed by a big, rude a-hole with a gun and a bad attitude. Soon, the carrot is shoved through the bad guy’s head (Smith has more uses for carrots than DeBeers), and Smith is shooting it out with bad guys with one hand, and delivering a baby with the other. And all of this is in the first 7 minutes of the film. Smith ends up on the run with the baby and a heart-of-gold hooker (yup, another one of those), played by Monica Bellucci. On his tail, is Hertz, played with personality and humor by Paul Giamatti, and a battalion of thugs, who couldn’t hit the ground with water from a hose, in the true action tradition. They might as well as have just been dressed in body bags, but at least in this movie, an explanation (albeit lame), is offered for their incompetence – no matter, we are all about the exaggeration, here.

Michael Davis pulls out all of the stereotypes of the action genre, acknowledges them, and then takes them further than anyone else. This, and the delivery of great dialog by Owen and Giamatti, is what makes this movie entertaining. It won’t appeal to the anti-action crowd, but fans of junk like The Transporter, will love it, of course, but so will those who are normally bored by the monotonous repetition of poorly written action flicks. This one is fresh and has enough tongue in cheek humor to entertain many action bashers, as well.

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Al Pacino, Elliot Gould, Ellen Barkin, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan

Well, the 13-part formula is mixed here, once again, and I have to say I’m getting a little tired of the taste. Most of the group is back for an even more outrageous scam that really stretches credibility past the breaking point. Soderbergh seems to know this and plows full speed ahead, whizzing the viewer through with a dizzying pace, and a script that has so much going on that most viewers don’t have time to give any one part too much thought. The movie is better if you don’t.

Al Pacino is an unscrupulous casino owner named Willie Bank (come on! Bank???) who ruthlessly rips off Reuben, causing him to have a medical crisis. This affront brings the cavalry, led by Danny Ocean (Clooney) to get revenge by wrecking Bank’s spectacular new casino. The plan to do this involves giving a travel writer a nightmare stay (it really seemed pretty silly to put in all this effort put in just to ruin somebody’s meal). As well, they plan to rig a bunch of casino games to lose, so that Bank’s baby drops a fortune on its first day. The third part of this ridiculous scheme is to steal Bank’s precious diamond collection. Doesn’t sound all that hard. What are you guys going to do after lunch? Ellen Barkin’s character is ridiculous and offensive and is the weakest part of an already weak script. The scams are wildly far-fetched and even Clooney and Pitt’s banter seems plastic and forced which is hard to accept from actors of this caliber. Despite the many shortcomings, the movie is still really slick with some clever ideas, wonderful visuals and a pace that keeps the viewer engaged.

If you don’t expect too much, or think too much, this could be a good movie. It follows the formula of the first two, so if you liked those films, without reservations, then this one will probably suit you just fine. There are weak points, though, and they are not difficult to spot, affecting the enjoyment of even slightly discriminating viewers. The first two features had the same plot holes as, well, but they are more prominent here and the premise is getting tired. These Oceans are getting tougher to cross, let’s just hope they stop before they sink in a crossing attempt. I did like the Sinatra ending, though.

Director: Kevin Munroe

Starring: Mikey Kelley, Sarah Micelle Gellar, Mako, Patrick Stewart,
Mitchell Whitfield, James Arnold Taylor, Nolan North, Laurence Fishburne,

The rental box for this piece of crap should be stamped with a large warning label: ‘For Children Only. May cause vomiting and suicidal thoughts for adults’. Except, of course, that the film’s violence has earned it a PG rating, so I’m not sure if parents would choose this for their kids, either. Well, the Turtles are back in a movie that looks so much like a video game that all it needs is the Sony PS3 logo. The acting is fine with such names as Patrick Stewart as villain, Max Winters and Laurence Fishburne as the narrator. The story is kindergarten simple and the dialog is on a par with the most mediocre Saturday morning efforts. There is less action that you would expect to find and the jokes don’t work. So what’s left?

The film starts with a 3,000-year-old back-story that ends with 13 monsters being released into the world. Meanwhile, old turtle friend April O’Neil sets out to find Leonardo who has been training alone in Central America. She convinces him to return to his family, which has been floundering in his absence. Isn’t the profound wisdom of Master Splinter enough to keep these guys on track? Anyways, he does return and after a bunch of squabbling, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles get back down to the business of making money- I mean fighting evil.

I can only guess that this mass marketing machine that lead off with a movie is aimed at youngsters and maybe at those who enjoyed the cartoons, movies and games from the last time these four were set upon the wallets of impressionable children and their helpless parents. There is nothing new to offer, here and what is re-hashed wasn’t interesting the first twenty times we saw it in movies exactly like this one.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Starring: John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, James Gandolfini, Dennis Farina, David Paymer

This action/comedy, based on an Elmore Leonard novel, is a very un-Hollywood script about Hollywood. It has the stars, the glitz and the top talent quality, but it is subtle. Hollywood rarely does subtle and it is rarer still to find an action/comedy with the patience and confidence that its viewers will get under-the-top jokes, but this is just such a movie. It has a wonderful story and great performances starting with John Travolta, whose understated lead performance sets the tone for the picture, which also amuses us with a tongue-in-cheek, in-the-know, Hollywood mood. Look for the rest of the cast to slip into their roles with the grace of the polished professionals they are.

John Travolta is Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark, oozing cool and courage. A movie buff, Palmer turns a west coast business trip to find a missing dry cleaner, into a foray into showbiz. Once there, he meets a beautiful B-movie actress (Rene Russo) and a low-budget movie producer (Gene Hackman) who needs help with both a cheap hood, played by Delroy Lindo, and a high-rent movie star played by Danny DeVito. Chili glides his way through his time in Tinsel Town like an ice cube sliding slowly into a glass of mineral water. The story has the Elmore Leonard signature depth, great dialogue and well-developed characters.

This is one of my favorite flicks and I’ve probably seen it more times than is necessary for any non-addicted movie fan. Is admitting I have a problem the first step? So be it. I love the gentle humour, Chili’s character and the clever story. For those who haven’t seen it, imagine Oceans 11 where Billy Ocean is alone and his goal is to make a movie instead of rob a casino. There was an unfortunate sequel, but I will say no more of that here.

Director: Tim Story

Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon, Kerry Washington, Andre Braugher

It’s clobbering time! Or is it? I thought I was watching Dr. Richard’s Fun with Physics! Where is the action? Where is The Thing busting stuff? Well, in all fairness, I often complain that action movies do not have enough story. This one does, but goes a bit overboard with all the wedding drama and the comic book science. Maybe four heroes are too many to try to do the Spider-man soap opera thing. Still, it isn’t a bad movie. The effects are great, the story is okay and the Surfer has potential as a tragic villain and these things make the sequel a little better than the original, which only had the great effects and the endless action scenes.

Well, the fab four are back. Rex (Ioan Gruffudd) and Susan (Jessica Alba) are still trying to get married, and Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) is still trying to meet chicks and celebrating the joys of being a celebrity. A threat to destroy the planet starts to interfere with the wedding plans (can anything EVER interfere with ANY all-important wedding plans?) and only the Fantastic Four can step up. There is lots of silly science and logic gaps big enough for the Earth to escape through, but why quibble? It already has one guy that engulf himself in flames and another who can stretch his body to seemingly limitless lengths. Science reality, this is not. Stan Lee has a great cameo and the effects alone are worth the price of admission.

Hard to call! Those who love super-hero action flicks will probably find it a suitable, but less entertaining sequel, as they squirm and wonder where the rest of the action is. Those who are less enthralled with the Marvel movie universe should pass on this one. As for me, it wasn’t painful or unpleasant, but it won’t be added to my movie library or my 2007 Top Ten List.

Director: James Fargo

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis, Beverly D’Angelo, Walter Barnes

Every actor has their niche where they find most of their success. A precious few find considerable success in more than one niche. Clint Eastwood is not one of that precious few. This is one of Clint’s attempts at the Action/Comedy genre. It’s a little weak on the action part and very weak on the comedy part, with a combination of silly slapstick and gags revolving around an orangutan named Clyde. Still, I guess I still like it. Clint’s character is cool (of course) and the street fighting stuff is pretty good.

Clint Eastwood is Philo Beddoe, an underground pro street fighter who is better with his fists than with his women. He falls for a really cute country singer named Lynn Halsy-Taylor (Sondra Locke in a honky tonk singing role), gets on the wrong side of the most pathetic motorcycle gang to ever apply for social security, while trying to get a fight with a bare-knuckle legend named Tank Murdock. Geoffrey Lewis and Ruth Gordon manage to squeeze a few laughs out.

If you are looking for a way to prove your loyalty to the man with no name, seeing this movie is a pretty good start. It has a certain pathetic charm to it, that makes me like to see it from time to time, but you have to be able to handle some 70s style country music, too. I like it, but rent this one at your own risk.