Movie Review Update

Figured I might as well give some quick ratings to movies I’ve seen recently. No full reviews.
Name | Rating (out of 5)
Bangkok Dangerous ***
Raising Arizona ***
The Road *****
Up *****
Date Night ***
The Informant **
Smart People ****
Up In The Air *****
Slumdog Millionaire *****
Taken *****
Kick Ass *****
Inception *****
Repo Men ***
1984 ****
Code 46 **
Reservoir Dogs *****
The Blind Side ***

Busy Weeks

Up ahead I'm going to have several busy weeks, so here is what you can expect: An ass load of movie reviews including Hurt Locker, Avatar and Youth in Revolt. My 2nd blog day is coming up in 10 days as is my Video game awards.

Movie Review: Public Enemies

Public Enemies stars Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands) as John Dillinger, a bank robber. The movie starts off with John breaking his friends out of prison. Marion Cotillard (La Vie en rose) plays Billie Frechette, John's wife.

While John robs banks, Christian Bale (Dark Knight) plays the man whose hunting him down, Melvin Purvis. With Billy Crudup (Watchmen) playing J. Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI.


The movie follows John as he goes through his life. There is a couple really good action scenes. The camera work is superb. A problem with the movie is that there's no one to really latch on too. Both sides have their faults. The 30s feel is amazingly done.

Acting: 9/10
Story: 8/10
Atmosphere: 10/10
Overall: 9/10
Rated 14A (ONT) R (USA) I liked it

P.S. There was a scene with a singer and I thought I recognized her. I nailed it. (Cameo was Diana Krall)

Movie Review: Defiance

Defiance stars Daniel Craig (Casino Royale) as Tuvia Bielski who along with his brothers Zus Bielski (played by Liev Schreiber, The Manchurian Candidate), Aron Bielski (George Mackay, and Asael Bielski (played by Jamie Bell, King Kong) are hiding from Nazi German oppression in the forests of Poland.

Soon their story spread and they are joined by many other Jewish people. The movie follows the struggles of their camp and the differences between the brothers.

Overall it's an entertaining movie.

Acting: 7.5/10
Story: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
Rated 14A (ONT) R (USA) I liked it more than Pyjamas

Movie Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still

Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) stars as Klaatu an alien representative. Co-Starring is Jennifer Connelly as microbiologist Helen Benson. Kathy Bates (Revolutionary Road) plays the Secretary of State, who's a constant pain. Jaden Smith (Pursuit of Happyness) plays Jacob Benson, Helen's step-son. John Cleese (Monty Python) plays a professor and friend of Helen.

Helen eventually finds out Klaatu's here because they are going to destroy the Earth, or rather, protect the Earth by destroying us. Yeah it's sort of environmentalist propaganda but let's keep going. So the majority of the movie is Helen trying to convince Klaatu not to end humanity.

While this is happening the American Army (led by Robert Knepper of Prison Break) is doing various attacks on the ship/sphere and Gort, a giant robot.

The movie is interesting but doesn't have the pizaz of Independence Day or Day After Tomorrow and the story is too shallow. So it fails as a disaster movie and an action drama.

Acting: 7/10
Story: 6.5/10
Atmosphere: 6/10
Overall: 6.5/10
Rated PG (ONT) PG-13 (USA) Okay movie

Movie Review: Frost/Nixon

Frank Langella (Goodnight, and Goodluck) plays a post Presidential office Richard Nixon. Looking to rebuild his political career (and a little bit of money) he agrees to an interview with journalist David Frost (played by Michael Sheen, The Queen). Frost is trying to rebuild his career and is taking a huge risk by spending a ton of money for the interview.

The supporting cast includes a rock solid Kevin Bacon as Nixon's advisor Jack Brennan. Sam Rockwell (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) as James Reston, Jr. who along with Bob Zelnick (Oliver Platt, Year One) and John Birt (Matthew Macfadyen, Pride & Prejudice) study up on the former President for Frost.

The dialogue is well done and humourous at times and is actually quite tense at moments (which is surprising for an interview)

Great camera work, acting and writing make this movie amazing.

Acting: 9.5/10
Story: 8.5/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
Rated: PG (ONT) R (USA) Overall really well done

Movie Review: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Newcomer Asa Butterfield stars as the young Bruno, son of an SS Officer (palyed by David Thewlis, Harry Potter) who is stationed at a Nazi concentration camp. Bruno's family includes his mother (Vera Farmiga, Nothing But The Truth) and his sister Grettel (played by Amber Beattie who's also in her first major role).
From his window Bruno notices a "farm" with people wearing "striped pyjamas". There he meets a boy named Shmuel (played by Jack Scanlon who again is new) and they become friends. Another key character is Lt. Kotler, a young SS officer played by Rupert Friend (The Libertine).

The movie has an interesting story, and is well done.

Acting: 7/10
Story: 7.5/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Rated 14-A (ONT)* PG-13 (USA) Overall a good movie

P.S. Spoilers: I was left wondering if the father really did get the point? That what they were doing was evil? Or was he just sad because his son died?

*I couldn't find this so that is my best guess, though it could be PG

Movie Review: Year One

Year One stars Jack Black as Zed and Michael Cera, his sidekick, as Oh. They start off as small time hunterer/gatherers at a tribe and dream of going over the mountains, which Oh believes is the end of the world. After eating the forbidden fruit and being banished they are exiled from the tribe and begin their journey.

David Cross (Kung Fu Panda) plays Cain (of the famous Cain and Abel brothers). Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad) plays Issac and Hank Azaria (Godzilla) plays Abraham, his father. Juno Temple (Atonement) and June Raphael (Bride Wars) play Eema and Maya, Oh and Zeds love interests from the tribe. Oliver Wilde (House M.D.) plays the Princess of Sodom and there are several other small parts and cameos throughout the movie.

The one who steals the show is Cera with his Eore like attitude, which make every line he says pretty funny. I'll admit the movie is far from perfect. There's a couple of gross moments. But overall I thought it was pretty good.

Acting: 7.5/10
Story: 7.5/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Rated: 14-A (ONT) PG-13 (USA) If you like Jack Black or Michael Cera you'll probably like this movie

Movie Review: The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 revolves around Ryder (like train rider) played by John Travolta (Hairspray, Wildhogs) who takes over a train, full of hostages, and demands a ransom. The man he talks to over the radio is Walter Garber, a man who's worked on the subway system for years, played by Denzel Washington (Deja Vu, American Gangster).

Ryder's motive is unclear, but what is clear is that he has a beef with the Mayor of New York City (played by James Gandolfini, the Sopranos) and the "man" in general. The main problem with the movie is that there's only a few "tense" moments. And even they seem contrived, and some don't even involve the characters in the movie. The movie doesn't really go anywhere until the end as well.

The second big problem is that this has already been done. And done better. The Italian Job, Phone Booth, Die Hard and many others have tread these grounds before. Heck, Inside Man was released in 2006, so even Denzel has been here before. Denzel and John both do well but there isn't much to work with.


Acting: 7/10
Story: 4/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Overall: 5.5/10
Rated: 14-A (ONT) R (USA) Exciting at parts but not enough

P.S. A lot of the "twists" could be seen from miles away

Movie Review: Terminator Salvation

The movie stars Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) as John Connor, leader of the resistance against the robot overlords (i.e. Skynet). Sam Worthington (The Great Raid) plays Marcus Wright, a man who was on deathrow in the past but doesn't remember anything now.

He finds a young Kyle Reece (played by Anton Yelchin) and they, along with Star (played by Jadagrace). Michael Ironside seems wasted as a leader of the resistance. Moon Bloodgood plays a pilot who also plays a key part in the story. The rest of the characters play minor parts.

Overall the movie had some great cinematics. The gas station scene was epic in my opinion. Also if your going to compare to the previous movies, keep in mind that this one had to play a different tune and couldn't just go with the "single terminator going after Connor" theme.

Acting: 7/10
Story: 7.5/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Overall: 8/10
Rated 14A (ONT) PG-13 (USA) I thought it was definitely worth seeing

P.S. I thought I saw a seen where there were people watching them go to the death areas. If true, what could it mean?

Movie Review: Bottle Shock

Bottle Shock is a movie about the taste testing contest between French and Californian wines in 1976. The movie stars Chris Pine (Star Trek) as Bo Barrett the son of Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman, Independence Day) who is following his dream of owning a successful winery. Rachel Taylor plays Sam (fitting perfectly as a California girl) an intern at the winery. Freddy Rodríguez play a young man who has a passion for wine and is friends with Bo. Eliza Dushku plays a small part as a local bartender.

Finally the one who steals the show is Alan Rickman (Harry Potter) as an English "wine snob" trying to run a wine store in France. He comes up with the idea to do the blind taste contest and begins searching California for the best wines. Every scene he's in is excellent

However most of the movie revolves around the troubles of the Barrett winery and the relationship between Bo and his father. There's also a small love story but it seems kind of uneccessary.

Overall the movie is great.

Acting: 8/10
Story: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
Rated 14A (ONT) PG-13 (USA) Very interesting movie

P.S. Alan Rickman is also in one of my favourite movies Galaxy Quest

Movie Review: Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road starts off with the Wheelers, Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio, Titanic) and April (Kate Winslet, Titanic also), having a fight, and you immediately know that the gloves are off for this movie. The movie for the most part revolves around them. The other standout performer was Kathy Bates. The rest play more minor roles but do well none the less.

April has dreams of going places, not staying in your standard 50s suburban neighbourhood. Frank, also had these dreams but that part of seems has given in to the pessimism of working at his job (the same company that his father did too).

Both Leo and Kate do exceptional here. Director Sam Mendes (Jarhead, Road to Peredition) does a great job with the camera. The fifties clothing and settings were also done very well.

Acting: 9/10
Story: 7/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Overall: 8/10
Rated: 14-A (ONT) R (USA) Well done movie

P.S. Didn't realize this was based off a book

Movie Review: Crossing Over

Crossing Over is several stories about immigrants in the United States. The first is Harrison Ford as Max Brogan, a immigration officer who tries to get an illegal immigrant her young boy back.

The second is Claire Shepard (played by Alice Eve) an Australian actress who wants to make it big in the U.S. and meets Cole Frankel (played by Ray Liotta) an immigration official.

Another story is Gavin Kossef (played by Jim Sturgess, Across The Universe) a friend of Claire, also seeking citizenship, and is using his Jewish faith to get in.

Taslima Jahangir (played by Summer Bishil) is a member of a family who is partly illegal and ends up being arrested for a school report she did. She is taken care of by Denise Frankel (Ashley Judd, Double Jeopardy) who is an immigration lawyer and takes care of another immigrant child.

Finally Cliff Curtis plays Hamid Baraheri who is involved with a death in a family. And the last story is an Asian family, who's eldest son is getting involved with gangs, only weeks before he's to become a citizen.


Overall they're all kind of enjoyable, but it doesn't really stand out on it's own.


Acting: 8/10
Story: 7.5/10
Atmosphere: 7.5/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Rated: 14-A (ONT) R (USA) Good stories

P.S. I was annoyed with the opening speech by Taslima. Also I didn't realize that Austrailia was such a hell hole.

Movie Review: Fanboys

Eric Bottler (played by Sam Huntington, Superman Returns) reunites with his old high school buddies Linus (Christopher Marquette, The Girl Next Door), Hutch (Dan Fogler, Balls Of Fury) and Windows (Canadian Jay Baruchel, Tropic Thunder) and refire their dream to go to Skywalker Ranch and see the Phantom Menace before anyone else.
Zoe (Kristen Bell, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) is a co-worker and friend of Hutch. The gang heads west in their van and get involved with a ton of hijinks.

I loved the movie for it's various cameos, Star Wars related humour and humour. I definitely reccomend seeing it.

Acting: 8/10
Story: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
Rated: 14-A (ONT) PG-13 (USA) Hilarious movie

Movie Review: Nothing But The Truth

Allison (played by Kate Beckinsale, Click) is a journalist on the verge of releasing a huge news story: the wife of a government official is a CIA agent. backed by her editor (Angela Bassett, ER). She goes ahead with the story, knowing it will cause controversy. Immediately the government wants the source from her, getting a special prosecutor for the matter (played by Matt Dillon, Crash). Things go downhill from there.

Noah Wyle (ER) plays the lawyer defending her for the newspaper. While Alan Alda (Aviator) plays a lawyer defending her and does a really great job. I thought Kate did a really good job too. David Schwimmer (Friends) plays her Allison's husband and one of the stand outs was Vera Farmiga who plays the ousted CIA agent.

Nothing but the Truth suffered the same problem that Stop Loss had I felt. The movie is good but it doesn't really provide answers.

Acting: 8/10
Story: 6/10
Atmosphere: 7.5/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Rated: 14-A (ONT) R (USA) Overall an okay movie

Movie Review: Adventureland

Adventureland is a good mix of teen comedy and drama. Set in 1987 James Brennan (played by Jesse Eisenberg) is just leaving high school, looking forward to college. But his parents are short on money, so he picks up a job at the local theme park. There he meets a unique cast of characters including Bobby the manager (played by Bill Hader, Superbad), co-worker Joel (Martin Starr, also in Superbad) and Mike Conell (a shady guy played by Ryan Reynolds, Waiting...).

But James sets his eyes on Emily Lewin (played by Kristen Stewart, Twilight) and they begin a relationship.

The acting is fine, mostly because of a good supporting cast. I think Kristen did well for one of her first movies and Jesse also did well for one of his first big movies as well. The story moved at a good pace and it wasn't raunchy like most teen comedies are. A little moreso than Juno.

Acting: 7/10

Story: 7/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Overall: 7.5/10

Rated 14A (ONT) R (USA) I liked it

P.S. Why do I always mix Ryan Reynolds with Dane Cook?

Movie Review: Watchmen

I loved the Watchmen. No I've never read the comic novel and probably won't, I'm kind of lazy, I've got 5 other books I still need to read. Also I think watching the movie gave me a clean slate. I don't like dabbing into different medias with the same subject. I haven't seen the Harry Potter movies, but loved the books, for example. Where do I start?

The Watchmen is sort of like Lost, there's the now time line, and there's a bunch of flashbacks. Basically there's an alternate history where during the 1930s a few people put on masks to fight crime. This eventually became outlawed and now most of the people live in hiding.

Patrick Wilson stars as the Nite Owl, a character who misses the old days, but mostly keeps to himself. Jackie Haley plays Rorschach, an angry guy who only wants to keep justice. He's probably the most entertaining of them all. Billie Crudup plays Dr. Manhattan, a person who works for the U.S. government as both a weapons and scientist, he is the only character with true powers. Malin Akerman (A Swedish-Canadian hottie!) plays Silk Spectre, who is romantically involved with Dr. Manhattan but feels them pulling apart. Adrian Veidt is played by Matthew Goode, he is the "smartest" man in the world. Finally Jeffery Dean Morgan plays the Comedian, who dies early on.

The movie revolves around who killed the Comedian and why? While most of the group don't care, Rorschach is trying to figure it out. The movie is very stylish, in almost a noir kind of way, but not. I really don't want to explain anymore, just know that there is nudity/sex and gore/violence. Definitly see this in theatres, there's no way a T.V. screen, no matter what size, can do this movie justice. Just don't bring the kiddies.

Acting: 10/10
Story: 10/10
Atmosphere: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
Rated: 18-A (ONT) R (USA)

P.S. Try and notice the staged/false flag terror plot in the movie!

Movie Review: Traitor

Traitor stars Don Cheadle as Samir, a Islamic man who has ties to the C.I.A. His handler, or boss, is Carter played by Jeff Daniels. Guy Pearce plays an F.B.I. agent who doesn't know this and is hunting Samir.

The tension is that Samir's father was killed by a car bomb as a child and it isn't known which side he's really on. Does he help the terrorists or save lives?

Just like in the last review I did, Body of Lies, there's a false flag terror attack committed by the good guys.

To me the movie was bland, again like Body of Lies, it just didn't drum up enough excitement. I liked Jeff Daniels in it but he doesn't play a role long enough. The story just seems boring, it's a lot like the Siege but without any of the material that made the Siege so interesting.

Acting: 8/10
Story: 7/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Rated: 18-A (ONT) R (USA)

P.S. The movie was written and produced by Steve Martin, which I thought was kind of strange

Movie Review: Body of Lies

Body of Lies stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a CIA agent Roger Ferris working in the Middle East. Russel Crowe is Ferris' boss Ed Hoffman. They're hunting a terrorist who might as well be Osama, Saddam, whatever.

Roger's plan to catch him gets screwed up and Roger becomes involved with a Jordanian women in the process. There's a lot of trickery between the terrorists, Jordanian intelligence and the C.I.A.

There's a lot of play, almost manipulative on the movies part. There are scenes where Hoffman is talking on a headset to Ferris, while dropping his daughter off at school. It gave a feel like "This is what we do to protect our children".

Not only that, but there's a false flag attack by the United States, posing as terrorists and blowing up a base in Turkey!

The movie comes of kind of bland but still kind of exciting, Leonardo is great but Crowe doesn't really have much character.

Acting: 8/10
Story: 7/10
Atmosphere: 7.5/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Rated: 14-A (ONT) R (USA)

P.S. Ridley Scott does a wonderful job directing.

Movie Review: Zack and Miri Make a Porno

First let me say that this movie does have a lot of nudity and sex. Okay moving on, Zack and Miri stars Seth Rogen (Knocked Up) and Elizabeth Banks (40-Year Old Virgin and Role Models). Who play basically a common-law couple who live together but don't actually admit to liking each other, or wanting to be a couple, only friends who've known each other since elementary school.

Zack and Miri are coming upon hard times, losing their utilities and working at low paying jobs. They get inspiration at a high school reunion to make a porno film. Using money from their friend played by Craig Robinson (Daryl on The Office). They begin to reach out and make sets, gather other actors and actually make their "dream" become a reality.

Now the movie actually does have a good moral and has something to say about relationships and love. That said, the movie features Seth Rogen's Knocked Up style, down to Earth humour. He's the every-man if you will. Overall Kevin Smith does a great job on direction and the movie is quite funny. Definetly worth it if you give it a chance.

Acting: 8.5/10
Story: 8.5/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Rated: 18-A (ONT) R (USA)

P.S. Go Canada for using the original movie poster, none of that U.S. B.S.