Movie Review - "Strange Relatives"

... comedy about a writer who discovers he is adopted weeks before his marriage. He finds his parents but they are not what he expected. Things get bad, then worse, and then hit bottom. Expectedly all ends well. Fine rental for a rainy day. - JM

Movie Review - "Meet the Robinsons"

… animated movie for the family.  A baby is left on the door step of an orphanage by his mother.  As the baby becomes a boy, he struggles to find out what happened and why.  Somehow he creates a memory machine that allows him to remember what he saw as a baby.  The rest of the story takes viewers back in forth from the present to the future and the past.  In the end, things turn out well.  What do you expect, it is a Disney cartoon. 

Wait to see this movie, preferably when your first-date evolves to married with children.  - JM

Movie Review - "Fly Boys"

… aerial action-movie with old school flyboys pitting Allies against the Axis in World War I.  Enjoyed the flying scenes but a little on the "hooky-side" when it came to the story.  No matter, you feel like jumping in a Sopwith Camel and taking on the Red Baron.  Hang On Snoopy, Hang On! - JM

Movie Review - "Blood Diamond"

… drama with Leonardo Decaprio as a diamond smuggler and Djimin Dijaou as a father searching for his family in war torn Sierra Leone.  A lot of action with an underlying political statement against the diamond industry. Regardless, it is an entertaining movie.  Watch it when you can. - JM

Movie Review - "Goal"

... movie about a kid from the barrio and his struggle to be a proefessional soccer player.  It has an expected ending that speaks of success and dreams coming true.  Regardless it is a good movie that leaves you satisfied.  Watch this one!

- JM

Movie Review - "Shooter"

... action-drama based on the book "Point Of Impact" by Stephen Hunter. A modernized version of the story about a Marine sniper that is duped into planning an assassination. There are differences between the book and the movie, but it is still worth a look.
-JM

Movie Review - "Stranger Than Fiction"

… comedy with Will Farrell as an IRS auditor who keeps hearing a voice tell a story about him.  The voice is narrating his life as it happens and it is driving him crazy.

Great story-line with a happy ending.  Another first-date movie that leaves you unscathed in your relationship.

- JM

Movie Review - "Departed"

… cops and robbers movie worth watching.  Great performances all around for Jack Nicholson, Leonardo Decaprio, and Matt Damon.  And, kudos to Mark Wahlberg playing the "Southie" street-wise cop.  Watch this one you get a chance.

- JM

Movie Review - "Casino Royale"

The Bond franchise continues with Casino Royale.  I expected the standard spy-movie stuff and am not a big Bond fan.  Luckily I did not see that. 

The new Bond did a great job of being a James Bond.  Not the playboy Bond but a military special forces type ready to strike at a moments notice.

Don't miss this one.

Movie Review - "Breach"

… drama based on true events about an FBI Agent turned spy.  Long movie but enough intrigue to keep you watching.

- JM

Movie Review - "The Prestige"

… a movie about magic and illusion.  Two magicians compete for the ultimate performance. Who will win the audience's attention.

Enjoyed the movie with great acting from Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, and Scarlett Johansson.  Check it out some time.

- JM

Movie Review - "The Gridiron Gang"

… story based on true events about a Juvenile Detention Center Counselor and his efforts to start a football team in order to motivate kids to leave a life of drugs, crime, and gangs.

Motivational to watch.  A harmless first-date movie that shows you can care.

- JM

Movie Review - "300"

… the story about Leonidus, the King of Sparta, and his small group of warriors battling two million Persians led by the God-King Circes.

Blood, gore, and guts abound.  Great fighting scenes but may be too brutal for a first-date movie.  Skip it for the first-date but get away and watch this one when you can.

I am Spartacus!

- JM

Movie Review - "Music and Lyrics"

… a first-date movie with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore.  Singer and recording artist from the 80's meets aspiring writer.  They team up to write a hit song and grow to become more than co-workers.

Ending is expected, events to get there are expected, and everything is expected to go well.  But, who cares….  It is a first-date movie that is harmless to any new relationship.

- JM

Movie Review - "Babel"

… a movie with some big name actors/actresses.  However, I could not provide a recommendation.  Too slow a beginning that I opted to watch something else.

- JM

Movie Review - "Lake House"

… a drama with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.  Keanu is a construction contractor and architect.  Sandra is career-minded business woman.  Somehow they meet at a lake house and start a relationship.  That is, a relationship separated by time.  He is in the past; she is in the future.  Through a mailbox at the lake house they communicate with each other across time.

Interesting story-line that keeps the audience wondering.  Consider it a first-date movie for DVD.

JM

Movie Review - "Scoop"

… a mystery-comedy with Woody Allen, Scarlett Johannsen, and Hugh Jackman.  Woody is a magician.  Scarlett is an aspiring news reporter.  Together they team up as pretend Father-Daughter to catch suspected murderer Hugh Jackman. 

Although Woody Allen directed the movie, it is not the typical Woody Allen type movie.  Funny remarks from Woody make it humorous.  Scarlett still looks curvaceous and sexy.  For the women, Hugh is the hunk.

Consider it another Independent Film Channel movie to watch on DVD and a first-date movie.

JM

Movie Review - "Nacho Libre"

… a comedy with Jack Black playing a Catholic Brother at a Church-Orphanage.  To help the orphanage, Jack signs up for a wrestling contest.  If he wins, the orphans eat better.

Funny moving for Jack Black fans.  If you are not a fan, then give it a try. You may find yourself laughing by the movie's end.

Another first-date movie.

JM

Movie Review - "A Good Woman"

… a drama with some twist and turns.  Helen Hunt plays a spinster.  Scarlett Johanssen is a newly wed whose husband appears to have a wavering eye.

A slow beginning that ends on a good note.  Consider it an Independent Film Channel movie to watch on DVD.

Another first-date movie.

JM

Movie Review - "Talladegha Nights - The Legend of Ricky Bobby"

... a comedy with Will Farrell and a great supporting cast.

Will Farrell is NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby.  Born to be first, always fast, he is the best in NASCAR.

 

I could not stop laughing at this one - a first-date, first-rate movie to make you laugh!