Moneyball review

Moneyball

Opens today September 23, 2011 | Runtime:2 hr. 6 min.

PG-13      Some strong language

 

Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), general manager of the Oakland A’s, one day has an epiphany: Baseball’s conventional wisdom is all wrong. Faced with a tight budget, Beane must reinvent his team by outsmarting the richer ball clubs. Joining forces with Ivy League graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), Beane prepares to challenge old-school traditions. He recruits bargain-bin players whom the scouts have labeled as flawed, but have game-winning potential. Based on the book by Michael Lewis.

• Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt, Stephen Bishop
• Director: Bennett Miller
• Genres: Sports Drama, Comedy Drama

I love love love true stories… This was very well done… Other than the character development of Brad Pitt’s daughter’ mother in the movie, EVERYONE was cast perfectly.   The whole audience was laughing out loud in many parts and I actually cheered at one point.  It’s truly a feel good movie that was done very well.  I’d give a recommendation to see it, it’s worth it.  Sorry for the quicker than normal review, but I’m very busy today.

Straw Dogs review

Straw Dogs

Opened September 16, 2011 | Runtime:1 hr. 50 min.

R      Strong brutal violence including a sexual attack, menace, some sexual content, and pervasive language

 

L.A. screenwriter David Sumner relocates with his wife to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.

• Cast: James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård, James Woods, Dominic Purcell
• Director: Rod Lurie
• Genres: Thriller

This was a remake of the original done in 1971.  It was VERY slow in the beginning but it picked up at the end.    James Marsden could be the son of  Jeff  Goldbloom (The Fly, Jurrasic Park), he even has the same creepyness to him.  There were a lot of disturbing moments and creative ways to kill someone.  I wouldn’t waste the money to see it in a theater, wait for it to his the Redbox/DVD.  It’s the same old story of the meek and mild kid that was pushed too far.  Yawn.  Was hoping for better.  Didn’t get it.

Warrior review

Warrior

Opens today September 9, 2011 (Sneak Preview Screenings on Sunday, 09/04 – check your local theaters for showtimes) | Runtime:2 hr. 19 min.

PG-13     sequences of intense mixed martial arts fighting, some language and thematic material

Two estranged brothers and Mixed Martial Arts fighters confront the forces that tore their family apart as they prepare to do battle in the ring in this drama from director Gavin O’Connor (Pride and Glory). Tommy Riordan (Tom Hardy) is an ex-Marine from Pittsburgh who’s never quite shaken his troubled past. Upon learning that the purse in an upcoming MMA tournament is the largest in the league’s history, Tommy recruits his father (Nick Nolte), a former coach and recovering alcoholic, to whip him into shape in time for the competition. Meanwhile, as Tommy steadily ascends the ranks by defeating one powerful opponent after another, his brother Brendan struggles to provide for his family with his job as a public school teacher. A former MMA fighter with a devastating punch, Brendan begins to wonder if he, too, could have a shot at winning the coveted purse. But Tommy and Brendan’s biggest battle won’t be fought in the ring; it will be fought in their hearts and minds.

• Cast: Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, Jennifer Morrison, Frank Grillo, Nick Nolte
• Director: Gavin O’Connor
• Genres: Psychological Drama, Action, Drama, Family Drama, Sports Drama

Wow… A must see… This is a modern day Rocky.  This had edge of your seat action and is just done well.  The commentators at the final fights are the funniest part of the movie.  Nick Nolte is REALLY showing his age.  I just really enjoyed this one a lot.  Yes, it was predictable in spots, but it didn’t matter.  This one should win awards at Oscar time.  Anyone with any interest at all in MMA NEEDS to see this movie.

Apollo 18 review

Apollo 18

Opens today September 2, 2011 | Runtime:1 hr. 26 min.

PG-13     Some disturbing sequences and language

 

Officially, Apollo 17, launched December 17th, 1972 was the last manned mission to the moon. But in December of 1974, two American astronauts were sent on a secret mission to the moon funded by the US Department of Defense.

• Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego
• Genres: Science Fiction, Sci-Fi Horror

Now while Ray Yanuzzi was saying how awful this movie was, I didn’t think it was THAT bad.  Was it an Oscar winner, most definitely NOT.  BUT, I wouldn’t waste my money on a theater price either.  Wait for this to hit Redbox/DVD/Netflix instead.  I had to laugh at myself on more than one occasion because I literally jumped OUT of my seat.  It wasn’t the kind of suspense laden fear that some movies make.  This was more of the unexpected shock scenes that are usually accompanied by a loud sound.  It was painfully slow in parts, but like I said, if you like to jump, this one’s for you.

Midnight in Paris review

Midnight in Paris

Opened May 20, 2011 (Limited 5/20, Expands 6/3, Wide 6/10) | Runtime:1 hr. 34 min.

PG-13    For some sexual references and smoking

Information for parents: Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+.

A young engaged couple forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own is better.

• Cast: Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, Adrien Brody
• Director: Woody Allen
• Genres: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy Comedy, Comedy

I’m not a Woody Allen fan.  I should have known better.  BUT, I was talked into watching it and it was only the matinee price so figured what the hell.  It says this movie was only an hour and a half long.  Movies of this type ALWAYS feel longer than that to me.  I think Owen Wilson will be the next Woody Allen in film.  He fit the part perfectly.  Some of the cinematography was great.  People that have been to Paris should love it.  People that like movies like the Notebook should also love it.  I fit neither of those criteria so that should give a little insight to my feelings.  People around me were laughing and the people I went with were saying how good it was.  That’s about all I can say on it though, sorry.

Our Idiot Brother review

Our Idiot Brother

Opens today August 26, 2011 | Runtime:1 hr. 36 min.

R    Sexual content including nudity, and for language throughout

 

Following his release from jail, a well-meaning pot dealer (Paul Rudd) wreaks havoc with his three sisters’ carefully structured lives.

• Cast: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Steve Coogan, Hugh Dancy
• Director: Jesse Peretz
• Genres: Domestic Comedy, Comedy

I went into this movie thinking it would be another juvenile comedy with rude jokes and humor.  What I got (surprisingly) was a well thought out movie with a message.  Paul Rudd plays an overly naive, overly trusting man who just wants to tell the truth.  He sends a message that although the truth may initially be bad, it works out that the truth will make things all good in the end.  The movie did have it’s slow parts and because of that you may want to wait until it hits DVD.  It’s definitely not what I thought it would be.  Oh, and if you DO see it, wait for the credits, they show some pretty funny out takes.

Shaun of the Dead review

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

99 min -

Comedy | Horror -

24 September 2004 (USA)

A man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.

• Director: Edgar Wright
• Writers: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright
• Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Kate Ashfield

I wasn’t expecting much from a movie that came out in 2004 and was being shown free, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It was British humor, but it was FUNNY British humor.  It had little things that you could relate to every zombie movie ever made.  Simon Pegg’s total ignorance to what was going on around him was just hysterical.  This isn’t in theaters any more but I’d totally recommend it for a DVD rental.

Conan the Barbarian review

Conan the Barbarian

Opened August 19, 2011 | Runtime:2 hr. 9 min.

R      Strong bloody violence, some sexuality and nudity

 

Information for parents: Common Sense Media says not for kids. Read More

A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.

• Cast: Jason Momoa, Stephen Lang, Rachel Nichols, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan
• Director: Marcus Nispel
• Genres: Sword-and-Sorcery, Fantasy Adventure, Action, Fantasy

It’s SO much easier to walk out of a movie you didn’t pay for.  I see a lot of movies and I very rarely (in fact there is only 3 I can remember) walk out.  I left after about an hour into this one.  The acting (what little there was) was horrid.  The movie didn’t follow much of a script.  It was one gorey, bloody fight scene after another.  If you MUST see this, do your wallet a favor and wait for it to hit DVD.

Fright Night review

Fright Night

Opened August 19, 2011 | Runtime:1 hr. 46 min.

R   Bloody horror violence and language including some sexual references

Information for parents: Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+. Read More

Senior Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally has it all—he’s running with the popular crowd and dating the hottest girl in high school. In fact, he’s so cool he’s even dissing his best friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse).  But trouble arrives when an intriguing stranger Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. He seems like a great guy at first, but there’s something not quite right—and everyone, including Charlie’s mom (Toni Collette), doesn’t notice. After witnessing some very unusual activity, Charlie comes to an unmistakable conclusion: Jerry is a vampire preying on his neighborhood. Unable to convince anyone that he’s telling the truth, Charlie has to find a way to get rid of the monster himself in this Craig Gillespie-helmed revamp of the comedy-horror classic.

• Cast: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, David Tennant, Imogen Poots, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
• Director: Craig Gillespie
• Genres: Horror Comedy, Horror

I just saw the original the other day on TBS.  As far as remakes go, this one was a very good modernized version of the original.  I loved seeing the differences between this one and the early one.  The new and improved Peter Vincent (vampire killer) reminded me of Chris Angel.   I found the first one to be more disturbing because Chris Sarandon just came off as a creepy old guy hitting on a high school girl.  At least the vampire in this one seems a little closer to Amy’s age.  I’d recommend this one but do yourself a favor and see the original first.

30 Minutes or Less review

30 Minutes or Less

Opened August 12, 2011 | Runtime:1 hr. 23 min.

R    Crude and sexual content, pervasive language, nudit and some violence

Information for parents: Common Sense Media says not for kids.

Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) is a pizza deliverer who lives a fairly ordinary, boring life — until he crosses paths with two aspiring criminal masterminds (Danny McBride, Nick Swardson), who kidnap him, strap a bomb to his chest and force him to rob a bank for them. Nick doesn’t get much time to pull off the difficult task, so he enlists the aid of Chet (Aziz Ansari), his estranged pal. As time ticks away, Nick and Chet face many obstacles, not the least of which is their volatile relationship.

• Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari, Nick Swardson, Dilshad Vadsaria, Michael Peña
• Director: Ruben Fleischer
• Genres: Action Comedy, Crime Comedy, Comedy

I liked Jesse Eisenberg in the Social Network so I thought I’d give this movie a go.  On the upside, Jessie did as good as he could with what he had.  BUT, what he had wasn’t a whole lot.  Yes, the movie had some funny parts, actually it had some really funny parts, just not enough to warrant buying a movie ticket.  I’m not sure what actor was Danny McBride or Nick Swardson, regardless, they were both HORRIBLE actors.  The premise of the movie was funny, but do yourself a favor and wait until you’re home with a few drinks in you to see it.