Up in the Air
Released 2009. Not a bad movie, but ultimately the typical Hollywood statement that all that really matters in this world is the people in your life, friends, family, marriage. I think Jimmy Stewart did it better in "It's A Wonderful Life" but George Clooney is fine for this kind of role, too. And I'm pretty sure that Cary Grant learned the same lesson in "The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss". I can't imagine why George was nominated for an Oscar for this, to me it looked just like they said, "Be George Clooney". But maybe they said the same thing about Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant, and they were fine actors, too.
Would NOT watch again
Ice Age 3 - Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Released 2009. I like the "Ice Age" series. Neither 2 nor 3 holds a candle to the original Ice Age, but they really don't try. And because of that, I am willing to accept them on their own terms. I've watched Ice Age 2 and really don't remember much about it, other than it was funny and the animation was great. it's the same with Ice Age 3. I've always like ice age animals and dinosaurs even more so. But my favorite part of this movie were the backgrounds in the dinosaur world. I like tropical flora and this some of the best I've ever seen, comparable to "Madagascar". In fact, I keep my eyes on the backgrounds in this movie more than on the main characters. More about Ice Age 3
Would watch again
Troy
Released 2004. I don't usually post a review of a movie until I have watched it all, but for "Troy", that may not happen. Sorry, Brad Pitt, I'm glad you tried, but you ain't makin' it. Admittedly, Brad has star power, but not for this role. The rest of the cast, however, deserves mention. Orlando Bloom plays an excellent Paris, young, naive and innocent enough to steal Helen away and start a major war. Peter O'Toole is amazing - his star quality is still magnificent. And Diane Kruger's face could indeed launch a thousand ships. But Brad Pitt is not correctly cast as Achilles. It needed to be an Arnold Schwarzenegger in his glory days, or a Steve Reeves in the 50s. And I actually can't think of anyone today who could play the role. Can you? More about Troy
Would NOT watch again
The Legend of Bagger Vance
Released 2000. Directed by Robert Redford, this movie is epic and sweeping, looking at the human condition. This movie is not about golf any more then "The Natural" was about baseball. More about The Legend of Baggar Vance
Would watch again
Once Upon a Time in the West
Released 1968. Absolutely astonishing. I had never seen this movie before and what I had read about it had my expectations very high. I was not disappointed. This is not a good movie for those with short attention spans, it is epic. The digitally-restored picture is incredible. Watch it in 1080p widescreen.
Would watch again
Fantastic Four
Released 2005. I was pleasantly surprised by this. Those of you who are regular readers of bradflix may remember my disappointment in 4 - Rise of the Silver Surfer. By the way, I have no objection to watching movies "out of order" - a sequel should stand on its own, in my opinion. Obviously the second Fantastic Four movie didn't. Looking back, there were too many expectations (and I knew the story from the original comic book - it must have been irritating to people who didn't). Anyway, I did like this first movie. As comic book fans would say, it was an "origin issue", which is usually pretty interesting as you already know the characters and just want to know how they got their super-powers. This movie delivered on that. To me, Susan Storm (played by Jessica Alba) was marvelous. In Rise, she was just sleepwalking. I don't even remember Johnny Storm from Rise, but he was great in this one - there was even the playful joking around between him and The Thing. And there were some genuinely poignant moments delivered by The Thing, much like the original comic books. Kudos to Stan Lee!
Get Smart
Released 2008. More "James Bond" than James Bond! I hate to admit this, but Steve Carell makes a better "James Bond" than Daniel Craig! I hesitated to see this movie as I was a great fan of the original "Get Smart". This movie stands on its own as a classic movie story of an underdog who gets the opportunity to shine. Sure, it's formula, but what a great formula! And it reminded me of everything that has been lost in the current James Bond films - the fun, the villains, the beautiful women. And the current Bond franchise could only dream of someone as gorgeous as Anne Hathaway, who plays agent 99. But my favorite character in the movie was the big guy played by Mahabali-Khali! How did the Bond movies miss him? But I haven't even raved about the cool cars (including the classic Sunbeam Tiger), the great locations (Russia and LA never looked so good), and the choice of doing the big final scene at the LA Music Center. This is what an espionage spy fantasy is all about. Well done! Buck Henry and Mel Brooks can be proud.
Into the Wild
Released 2007. Somehow I knew this wasn't gonna be "Jeremiah Johnson". I enjoyed watching this movie, but wouldn't watch it again. Although everyone in this movie liked the main character (or, if you were a 16-year old girl, fell in love with him), I thought that he was an annoying little dweeb with just enough knowledge to make him dangerous. I've met people like this and their superficial view of the world is only interesting to listen to if they're buying the drinks. This character was a typical "paperback scholar". If you've ever wondered what kind of idiot writes "Oh, yes, very true" in the margins of books, watch this movie.
If it was director Sean Penn's intention to portray him this way, it was masterful. If he didn't mean it, it was a mistake.
No Country for Old Men
Released 2007. What interests me most about this movie is that it is a transition from the "old west" movies to the modern-day. Other movies that are westerns at heart but not set in the 19th century are "Bad Day at Black Rock" and "Coogan's Bluff". The transition from the "Old West" to "The New West" is seamless, as explained in this movie with the passing generations of lawmen. There is much lamenting about the "old days" but also acceptance that fighting to "win the west" continues. Life in the west is brutal and hard, where only the strong survive. More about No Country for Old Men
Much Ado About Nothing
Releasd 1993. Delightfully light and simple. Hey, nonny, nonny! I have to admit that I spent most of my time watching the backgrounds - the gardens and the buildings. Reminds me of California! Denzel is way cool as the prince.
The comic version of Much Ado About Nothing
Wallace and Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Released 2003. Highly recommended. I have watched this movie probably about 37 times. Every time I see it, I see more detail. I've always like miniatures and this miniature world is the best I've ever seen. I don't understand why Aardman hasn't done another Wallace and Gromit movie!
Meet the Robinsons
Released 2007. This beautiful piece of animation is also a well-crafted time travel science fiction story. It took me three times watching it to figure it all out and it stands up to close inspection. In fact, it invites it! After you figure out who is who in the past and the future it's fun to look for them. In my opinion, much of the zany antics of the family are there to distract you from figuring out the story too quickly. Excellent! More about Meet the Robinsons
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Released 2009. Yes! This is how a computer animation movie should be. Gorgeous-beyond-belief computer animation AND an ingenious story and engaging characters that you care about. Well done! More about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Thunderball
Released 1965. If, like me, the last time you saw the James Bond movie "Thunderball" was on network TV years ago, you will be surprised at how much more of it there is on the DVD than was shown on television. The entire beginning sequence, including Sean Connery flying away from the mansion on a jet-pack, was "edited for television". And I really don't remember seeing quite so much of the girl at the health club (literally). If the story seems familiar, it's because it was parodied in Austin Powers - "You know, let's do the same old thing, steal some nuclear weapons and hold the world for hostage." Kevin McClory owned the rights to the story and because of a contractual agreement, he was allowed to remake it, which he did, in "Never Say Never Again" in 1983. Is it time for another remake? I think so! Bring Sean Connery back! More about Thunderball
9
Released 2009. This movie represents everything that is done wrong with a computer animated movie. It's all visual effects, all eye candy and it gets dull after an hour or so of that. As a short animation this would have been brilliant (and I've read that it was). As a movie, it was like listening to a little kid tell a story: "And then, and then, there were some puppets, see, and then, uh, things blew up because it was the end of the world, like, you know, people couldn't get along, and then, uh, there were some scary monsters and then more things blew up and then some of the puppets died and then a Judy Garland song played and then there were more monsters... "
Would NOT watch again
Oceans 11
Released 2001. This movie is NOT a story of a robbery of some Las Vegas casinos - it is a love story. The heist is incidental to that. If you missed the point of this story the first time that you watched it, I suggest that go watch it again. this is not a remake of the old Oceans 11 movie at all. Well worth seeing. Danny Ocean is very, very cool and George Clooney plays it well.
Would watch again
Oceans 13
Released 2007. I saw this DVD at the Glendale public library and thought I would give it a try. I will admit to being a huge fan of the original Oceans 11 with the "Rat Pack" - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc. but I figured that Oceans 13 would have to be completely new. I was looking for a good, sophisticated, modern, movie that stood on its own and this one is. Like the original "Rat Pack" movies, this movie has only one thing going for it, the actors are fun to watch. George Clooney is very cool. His "chemistry" with Brad Pitt is fun and you get the feeling that these actors genuinely like each other. Al Pacino was wonderfully ridiculous as the "over the top" crooked hood and Matt Damon got a chance to not take himself too seriously, which is fun to see, too. But I never felt for a moment that there was a story, or that these actors were playing characters. It was George Clooney and Brad Pitt. I'm surprised that Brad didn't accidentally call the character of Danny Ocean "George". So, if you like these actors, this is a movie worth watching. For me, I enjoyed it, but once is enough.
The Three Stooges Collection
Released 1934 to 1936. Some people don't care for The Three Stooges. I like them. I was especially pleased to find this collection of these remastered shorts. I'm a fan of old movies and it's only been in the last few years that I've seen these without all of the scratches that I've been used to seeing when watching them on TV. I'm also fascinated by the history of Los Angeles so I keep my eyes peeled for locations. The Three Stooges location on Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California "then and now". The Three Stooges location at Echo Park, Los Angeles, California "then and now".
Horton Hears a Who
Released 2008. On the plus side is the animated world of the Whos. On the negative side is the rest of this movie. I liked the story and was glad to hear "A person's a person no matter how small" and "I said what I meant and I meant what I said and an elephant's faithful one hundred percent". I'm sure that kids will get a lot more entertainment out of this movie than I did. I'm glad that I am only paying $1.09 to rent this movie from Redbox.
Tropic Thunder
Released 2008. This is a stupid, nasty useless movie filled with childishly crude humor, which would be destined to be in the Walmart $5 DVD pile very soon except for one thing: Robert Downey, Jr. His performance is nothing short of astonishing. This movie is worth watching just for his performance.
I, Robot
Release date 2004. This movie is based on the short stories by Isaac Asimov. I had read these stories when I was a kid and was overjoyed to see the "Three Laws of Robotics" at the beginning of the movie. They are:
- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
- A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Quantum of Solace
Released 2008. "Casino Royale" was a very hard act to follow, and I still feel that Daniel Craig is a great James Bond, but something seemed to be missing from this movie. I think that I know what it is - the new "Bond Girl" seems to not be having any fun. I hadn't realized until now how dependent these movies are on the reaction of the women to James Bond. What is supposed to be a fantasy appears to be just a very long bad date for her. Even the classic fantasy of "walking on the beach" in "correct evening wear" (as shown in this picture) seems more like two people who seem to be walking along a dirt road looking for a gas station. In spite of this I will watch this movie again. I'll try to focus on the action sequences. More about Quantum of Solace
Iron Man
Released 2008. Very well done! I was never a big Iron Man fan when I read Marvel comics as a kid, but since I plunked down my twelve cents for "Tales of Suspense" to read about Captain America, I read the Iron Man section, too, to get my money's worth. As I recall Iron Man wasn't an "A-list" Marvel superhero, but he wasn't really a B, either. I'd have given him an A- or a B+. But this movie definitely makes Iron Man an A-list superhero. Aside from all the CGI and the hype what really makes this movie work is Robert Downey, Jr. and Jeff Bridges.
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Released 2008. Absolute genius! I rarely watch something and then go back right away and watch it again but I'm doing that right now now with Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. You can watch Dr. Horrible free at Hulu and at drhorrible.com
Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes)
Release date 1997. I'm told that "Vanilla Sky" was a remake of this movie. I never saw that movie and based on what I've heard about it, I won't. "Abre Los Ojos" is in Spanish with English subtitles but it is well worth it. I was literally holding onto the edge of my chair watching this and I already knew how it would end. If you were puzzled about what the other movie was about, you won't be puzzled with this one. If you have had no bizarre life experiences this movie will lose you. If you have, it will fascinate you. It's that amazing place that only movies (and dreams) can take you.
4 - Rise of the Silver Surfer
Release date 2007. The Silver Surfer is cool and seeing him in CGI animation is worth watching this movie (for me) once. I read Fantastic Four comics a little when I was a kid, but mainly for the Jack Kirby art. The characters of the Fantastic Four and their bad guys (like Dr. Doom) left me less than interested. The Silver Surfer, the herald of Galactus, was an exception. Although Stan Lee signed his name all over everything, and still takes all of the credit, this was definitely a Jack Kirby concept, foreshadowing his "Third World" series (Mister Miracle, The Forever People and the new Gods). The original story line from the Fantastic Four comic books that dealt with the Silver Surfer touched on issues of a cosmic scale, asking whether mankind deserved to live or die, even making references to an almighty power (although God wasn't mentioned, there was a mention of the one who has the power of love). More about 4 - Rise of the Silver Surfer
Nacho Libre
Release date 2006. I love this movie. This is a true classic "super hero" story, comic book style. This has nothing to do with the actors who played the roles, although they did a fine job. It is such a simple story and told through the eyes of the children (which includes the main character, Ignacio). The use of the song, Religious Man (I am, I am) is masterfully woven into the score in a haunting and inspirational way. More about Nacho Libre
Dr. No
Release date: 1962. The very first James Bond movie and I still love it. I've been watching these movies on TV (seems to me it was always the "ABC Monday Night Movie") since my teens. To see them unedited and in this beautifully digitized widescreen format is a treat. The first time I saw Sean as James Bond was in "Diamonds Are Forever", and he was ridiculous. Too old for the role and too fat. Here he is 32 - the right age for the role - and unlike "Diamonds", his toupee is perfect in this movie. After I saw this Bond, and "Goldfinger", I became a Sean Connery fan. And a fan of Ursula Andress, too! Although I don't recall seeing her in any other movie. More about Dr. No
Ratatouille
Release date: 2007. Marvelous! Another triumph for Pixar. There are so many strong points in this movie it's hard to know where to start, but what I keep thinking about is the visual and musical interpreation of taste that Remy, the main character, does when eating the cheese and the strawberry, and then both together. This harkens back to "Fantasia". More about Ratatoulle
The Terminator
Release date 1984. Another time-travel science fiction story. Time traveling stories generally don't hold up to much inspection, but this one does. I've been working out the math - if John Conner was conceived in 1984 and sent Kyle back in 2029, John would have been 45 years old. It's 2010 now so John is 26. I guess the nuclear war hasn't happened yet.