Gangster-turned-movie producer Chili has grown tired of the screen trade, especially after his latest project turned out to be a box-office flop. Chili is looking for new horizons and thinks he may have found his niche when his close friend Tommy Athens, a fellow mobster who runs an independent record label, is murdered by Russian gangsters. Chili takes over Athens' record company, Nothing to Lose Records, and begins courting Tommy's girlfriend, Edie. Edie is an experienced hand in record production, and together she and Chili spot what would seem to be the ideal act for their label - Linda Moon, a beautiful young woman with a powerhouse voice. Linda is stuck, however, in a going-nowhere R&B trio managed by the monumentally sleazy Raji. Chili isn't much concerned about Linda's contract with Raji, but Raji certainly is, and the manager soon takes out a contract on Chili with the same Russian hoods who killed Tommy. Soon Chili is facing all the action he can handle between the Russian gunmen, a music mogul named Nick Carr who wants Chili to stay out of the business, and Sin LaSalle, a successful hip-hop producer who wants Chili to pay him the 300,000 dollars he is owed by Tommy.
There were a ton of stars in this film and it might have just been too much. Everything about this movie was over the top, but I think the worst part (and most over the top) was Vince Vaughn's portrayal of a hardcore band manager. It really detracted and distracted from the rest of the film. Other goofy roles were The Rock as a gay Samoan bodyguard and Andre 3000 (from Outkast) as a clumsy, gun-toting rapper. As a whole, the film was more silly than good and was essentially a remake of Get Shorty using the music business instead of the film business as the main storyline. John Travolta plays the same character and some of the scenes from the first film are re-created verbatim for this one. Overall, I was disappointed with this movie and felt it was a complete waste of the amount of talent that was available. There was no reason to remake a 10 year old film that wasn't a classic to begin with.
Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, Cedric the Entertainer, Andre Benjamin, Steven Tyler, Christina Milian, Harvey Keitel, The Rock, James Woods, Danny DeVito
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Get Shorty - Movie Review
Chili Palmer is a Miami-based loan collector for the mob trying to collect a gambling debt. His assignment takes him to Hollywood to collect money from Harry Zimm, a mildly sleazy producer of low-budget horror movies. Although Chili intends to hurt Harry if necessary, he takes a certain liking to him and an even keener interest in Karen, Harry's girlfriend, whom Chili recognizes from Harry's grade-B monster epics. It seems Harry has a script that he feels is Academy Award material, and he could get the project off the ground if he could get the right actor for the lead - say, the well-respected but egocentric (and diminutive) Martin Weir. Chili thinks he has a feel for the movie business and decides to see what he can do to persuade Weir to get behind the project. Chili soon finds himself hip deep in the film industry, which at least puts him in contact with a higher grade of scumbags than he's used to. But Chili isn't the only criminal Harry's been dealing with; he's been obtaining financing from Bo Catlett, a drug dealer with a highly uncertain temperament.
Yes, I'm probably the last person to have seen this movie (it was released 11 years ago), but I wanted to see Be Cool which was the sequel released 10 years after the original, so I watched this one first. John Travolta was made for this part - he's super cool and never gets frazzled under pressure. He was able to make a ruthless gangster seem likeable and you end up rooting for him. The supporting cast was top notch and created a tense, yet comical, atmosphere throughout the film. Of course, Danny DeVito is funny just looking at him, so it was pretty easy to laugh at him playing a high and mighty, arrogant actor. The plot was original, dramatic and funny, but not very captivating. Overall, I enjoyed it but didn't think it was the classic some people do.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Yes, I'm probably the last person to have seen this movie (it was released 11 years ago), but I wanted to see Be Cool which was the sequel released 10 years after the original, so I watched this one first. John Travolta was made for this part - he's super cool and never gets frazzled under pressure. He was able to make a ruthless gangster seem likeable and you end up rooting for him. The supporting cast was top notch and created a tense, yet comical, atmosphere throughout the film. Of course, Danny DeVito is funny just looking at him, so it was pretty easy to laugh at him playing a high and mighty, arrogant actor. The plot was original, dramatic and funny, but not very captivating. Overall, I enjoyed it but didn't think it was the classic some people do.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Dave Piloted an Airplane - July 30, 2006
On July 30th, I was fortunate enough to receive a free flying lesson from Bill Komanetsky with Shawnna as the passenger/photographer. Bill is the neighbor of a friend we met on the ACE Train (Mike Seymour) and just so happens to be a flight instructor. We were at Mike's house for a get together a few weeks ago and I started to talk to Bill about flying and he generously offered to take Shawnna and I up in his plane for a tour of the San Francisco Bay - and try to reel me in as a student :-) When he said that he would let me fly, I figured he meant that he would give me the wheel for a few minutes as a token gesture. Boy, was I wrong...
At 9:45am, we met Bill at the Livermore Airport and drove out to the hangar where his plane is stored. We pulled the plane out and that's when Bill opened the left cockpit door, showing me all of the instruments on the panel in front of the pilot's seat and told me that's where I would be sitting to pilot the plane. My first thought was that he was kidding, but he wasn't, so Shawnna got in the back, I sat in the pilot's seat and Bill sat in the co-pilot's seat. I looked at the instrument panel completely baffled, but Bill walked through each gauge and explained its purpose. After an initial safety check, we taxied to the runway, performed a further safety check and got ready for takeoff.
Oh, did I mention that I was going to be the one taking off? That's right, Bill gave me the instructions on what to do and we went full throttle down the runway, I pulled back on the yoke and we lifted off - what a rush. Not only did I take off, but I also flew the entire time we were up in the air. I ascended to 3,000 feet and we headed toward Benicia to see all the battleships in the water. Then, we headed south toward San Francisco to get some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the air. After circling the bridge and checking out Alcatraz, we headed east to Point Reyes, checked out the lighthouse on the point and flew up the coast directly over the beach. Then, I ascended to 5,500 feet and we headed back to Livermore.
Of course, that was a very quick synopsys of what we did, but the time really seemed to go by fast. The weather was perfect - just a few clouds, but mostly sunny even over San Francisco. While in the air, I had to pay attention to the instrument panel to make sure everything was OK, but I was able to look out the windows quite a bit and take in the sights. Since landing the plane is probably the most challenging part flying, I handed control back over to Bill so he could get us safely on the ground - which he did very smoothly. Finally, we taxied back to the hangar, put the plane away and drove home (not as fun as flying).
When all was said and done, the flight took about 2 hours and I had control of the plane the entire time except for the landing. We flew at various altitudes, but never went higher than 5,500 feet and cruised at about 120 Knots (138 MPH). The airplane was a 2002 Cessna 182T in great condition and most importantly, it was a complete blast to fly. Thanks again Bill! It was awesome and if anyone is interested, here is Bill's website with lots of info about flying: www.komanetskyaviation.com
Click on any picture to enlarge. The map below highlights the general area where I flew.
At 9:45am, we met Bill at the Livermore Airport and drove out to the hangar where his plane is stored. We pulled the plane out and that's when Bill opened the left cockpit door, showing me all of the instruments on the panel in front of the pilot's seat and told me that's where I would be sitting to pilot the plane. My first thought was that he was kidding, but he wasn't, so Shawnna got in the back, I sat in the pilot's seat and Bill sat in the co-pilot's seat. I looked at the instrument panel completely baffled, but Bill walked through each gauge and explained its purpose. After an initial safety check, we taxied to the runway, performed a further safety check and got ready for takeoff.
Oh, did I mention that I was going to be the one taking off? That's right, Bill gave me the instructions on what to do and we went full throttle down the runway, I pulled back on the yoke and we lifted off - what a rush. Not only did I take off, but I also flew the entire time we were up in the air. I ascended to 3,000 feet and we headed toward Benicia to see all the battleships in the water. Then, we headed south toward San Francisco to get some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the air. After circling the bridge and checking out Alcatraz, we headed east to Point Reyes, checked out the lighthouse on the point and flew up the coast directly over the beach. Then, I ascended to 5,500 feet and we headed back to Livermore.
Of course, that was a very quick synopsys of what we did, but the time really seemed to go by fast. The weather was perfect - just a few clouds, but mostly sunny even over San Francisco. While in the air, I had to pay attention to the instrument panel to make sure everything was OK, but I was able to look out the windows quite a bit and take in the sights. Since landing the plane is probably the most challenging part flying, I handed control back over to Bill so he could get us safely on the ground - which he did very smoothly. Finally, we taxied back to the hangar, put the plane away and drove home (not as fun as flying).
When all was said and done, the flight took about 2 hours and I had control of the plane the entire time except for the landing. We flew at various altitudes, but never went higher than 5,500 feet and cruised at about 120 Knots (138 MPH). The airplane was a 2002 Cessna 182T in great condition and most importantly, it was a complete blast to fly. Thanks again Bill! It was awesome and if anyone is interested, here is Bill's website with lots of info about flying: www.komanetskyaviation.com
Click on any picture to enlarge. The map below highlights the general area where I flew.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Final Destination 3 - ACE Train Movie Review
Wendy is a high school student hanging out with her friends at an amusement park one night when they decide to ride on the roller coaster. Wendy, however, has a premonition that something horrible will happen, and finds a way to save herself shortly before the ride goes off the rails, killing most of its passengers, including her boyfriend, Jason, and best friend, Carrie. However, while Wendy may have survived the night at the park, she soon discovers that a malevolent spirit is following her and her classmates as they begin dying in strange and horrible ways. Wendy learns that a series of snapshots taken that evening give clues to the mayhem that followed her pals, and she teams up with Kevin, Carrie's sweetheart, to try to warn the potential victims about the fates soon to befall them.
If you liked Final Destination, you'll like the third installment of the series as well. Unlike Final Destination 2, this film starts with an entire new cast of characters and completes the story arc entirely during this film - hopefully not leaving room for a fourth film. After watching the first two films, I'm amazed that the writers can still come up with very creative ways to kill people. Although this was basically just a remake of the first film, I was still hooked and was entertained throughout. Not recommended for the faint of heart, this movie is guaranteed to make you squirm during several scenes and will leave you thinking a little differently about fate. Have you had a brush with death? You can't dodge the Grim Reaper forever... (insert evil laugh here)
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ryan Merriman
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
If you liked Final Destination, you'll like the third installment of the series as well. Unlike Final Destination 2, this film starts with an entire new cast of characters and completes the story arc entirely during this film - hopefully not leaving room for a fourth film. After watching the first two films, I'm amazed that the writers can still come up with very creative ways to kill people. Although this was basically just a remake of the first film, I was still hooked and was entertained throughout. Not recommended for the faint of heart, this movie is guaranteed to make you squirm during several scenes and will leave you thinking a little differently about fate. Have you had a brush with death? You can't dodge the Grim Reaper forever... (insert evil laugh here)
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ryan Merriman
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Suspect Zero - ACE Train Movie Review
Suspect Zero follows disgraced FBI Agent Thomas Mackleway, who was transferred to the most desolate area in Oklahoma as punishment for botching a procedure which ultimately led to the release of one of the most notorious criminals on the FBI's list. Mackleway is given an opportunity to redeem himself, however, when he is called in to investigate the strange murder of a traveling salesman. Mysteriously, the mark of a circle with a line through it is the only clue that the killer left behind. Before long, the prime suspect is identified as former agent Benjamin O'Ryan, who is seemingly obsessed with hunting down serial killers and murdering them rather than turning them in to the proper authorities. Though Mackleway believes he knows the area where O'Ryan is living, he has no idea what he looks like - a problem that the rogue agent exploits with great success. Despite his brilliance, Mackleway finds himself caught in a psychological labyrinth of sorts, and is faced with an even greater quandary after learning that O'Ryan is looking for none other than Suspect Zero, a murderer of hundreds and the FBI's most wanted man.
This was a strange and twisted movie that kept my attention until the end. The problem is that the end wasn't good, which hurt the rating. Overall though, I was sucked into the intense hunt for a serial killer of serial killers. The technique used to track down the killers is unorthodox to say the least, but actually a real technique that has been used by the government in the past - Remote Viewing. The action starts very quickly and continues throughout - I never felt bored. Ben Kingsley played a great creepy guy and really added to the intensity of the film. I would recommend watching this if you don't mind a little gore, but don't expect a great ending.
Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Carrie-Anne Moss
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
This was a strange and twisted movie that kept my attention until the end. The problem is that the end wasn't good, which hurt the rating. Overall though, I was sucked into the intense hunt for a serial killer of serial killers. The technique used to track down the killers is unorthodox to say the least, but actually a real technique that has been used by the government in the past - Remote Viewing. The action starts very quickly and continues throughout - I never felt bored. Ben Kingsley played a great creepy guy and really added to the intensity of the film. I would recommend watching this if you don't mind a little gore, but don't expect a great ending.
Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Carrie-Anne Moss
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Find Me Guilty - Movie Review
In 1987, an extensive investigation into the activities of the Lucchese crime family led to charges being filed against most of the key members of the gang, leading to the prosecution of 20 different men, each represented by their own council. That is, except for Giacomo "Jackie Dee" DiNorscio, a longtime Lucchese family "mechanic" implicated in everything from kidnapping to drug dealing. While Jackie Dee is obviously a common criminal and guilty of all he's charged with, he also has a fierce sense of loyalty to his colleagues, despite the fact his cousin Tony Companga previously tried to kill him out of fear he might talk. Sean Kierney, the prosecutor tackling the Lucchese Family case, tries repeatedly to persuade Jackie Dee to testify against his partners in exchange for leniency, but he stubbornly refuses. Tired of the way things are being handled, Jackie Dee informs family attorney Ben Klandis that he intends to represent himself in court; this seemingly suicidal move turns into an unexpected success as Jackie Dee's sense of humor and streetwise charm has a remarkable impact on the judge and jury.
The "true story" part of this film was very intriguing, especially since it stated that most of the testimony was lifted directly from the original transcripts. If that's true, it must have been one heck of an entertaining, yet long, trial. That pretty much sums up the movie as well - entertaining, but long. If you're looking for action, you won't get it here since it takes place almost entirely inside of a courtroom, but there's plenty of drama and even some comedy. However, it shouldn't have lasted 2 hours - I feel sorry for the people involved with the real trial since it took over 600 days. Vin Diesel did a good job playing a goon turned lawyer, but it was weird seeing him with hair. The entire cast was very convincing and created a real courtroom drama.
Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Vin Diesel, Peter Dinklage, Linus Roache, Ron Silver
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
The "true story" part of this film was very intriguing, especially since it stated that most of the testimony was lifted directly from the original transcripts. If that's true, it must have been one heck of an entertaining, yet long, trial. That pretty much sums up the movie as well - entertaining, but long. If you're looking for action, you won't get it here since it takes place almost entirely inside of a courtroom, but there's plenty of drama and even some comedy. However, it shouldn't have lasted 2 hours - I feel sorry for the people involved with the real trial since it took over 600 days. Vin Diesel did a good job playing a goon turned lawyer, but it was weird seeing him with hair. The entire cast was very convincing and created a real courtroom drama.
Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Vin Diesel, Peter Dinklage, Linus Roache, Ron Silver
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Overview of My First 200 Movie Reviews
Below is a collected list of my first 200 movie reviews (from best to worst). The first column is my rating (out of 5). The second column is my answer to "Would I watch it again?" The third column is the name of the movie with a link to my original post.
4.5 - Yes - Hotel Rwanda
4.5 - Yes - Sin City
4.5 - Yes - The Aviator
4.5 - Yes - Saving Private Ryan
4.5 - Yes - Capote
4.5 - Yes - March of the Penguins
4.5 - Yes - Million Dollar Baby
4.5 - Yes - Cinderella Man
4 - Yes - The Jacket
4 - Yes - Saw II
4 - Yes - Oldboy
4 - Yes - Coach Carter
4 - Yes - Crash
4 - Yes - 11:14
4 - Yes - Walk the Line
4 - Yes - Stephen Hawking's Universe
4 - Yes - Murderball
4 - Yes - Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
4 - Yes - Murder on a Sunday Morning
4 - Yes - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
4 - Yes - Hoop Dreams
4 - Yes - Hide and Seek
4 - Yes - Miracle
4 - Yes - South Park: The Passion of the Jew
4 - No - The Constant Gardener
4 - No - King Kong
4 - No - The Island
4 - No - Ladder 49
4 - No - Stevie
3.5 - Yes - The Machinist
3.5 - Yes - Eternal Sunshine of the spotless Mind
3.5 - Yes - Rent
3.5 - Yes - Taking Lives
3.5 - Yes - Stay
3.5 - Yes - A Lot Like Love
3.5 - Yes - Matchstick Men
3.5 - Yes - Syriana
3.5 - No - Kinsey
3.5 - No - Born Into Brothels
3.5 - No - Guess Who
3.5 - No - Madagascar
3.5 - No - Batman Begins
3.5 - No - Lords of Dogtown
3.5 - No - Memoirs of a Geisha
3.5 - No - Munich
3.5 - No - North Country
3.5 - No - Domino
3.5 - No - Bridget Jones Diary
3.5 - No - Cold Mountain
3.5 - No - Glory Road
3.5 - No - Assault on Precinct 13
3.5 - No - 16 Blocks
3.5 - No - Troy
3.5 - No - Hostage
3.5 - No - Cellular
3.5 - No - Match Point
3.5 - No - The Chronicles of Narnia
3 - Yes - Constantine
3 - Yes - The Ring Two
3 - Yes - The Motorcycle Diaries
3 - No - Ocean's Twelve
3 - No - Friday Night Lights
3 - No - Seabiscuit
3 - No - Mr. & Mrs. Smith
3 - No - Grizzly Man
3 - No - Melinda and Melinda
3 - No - Without a Paddle
3 - No - War of the Worlds
3 - No - Final Destination
3 - No - Wedding Crashers
3 - No - Hustle & Flow
3 - No - The Interpreter
3 - No - Four Brothers
3 - No - Good Night, and Good Luck
3 - No - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
3 - No - Mrs. Henderson Presents
3 - No - What the "Bleep" Do We Know?
3 - No - Two For The Money
3 - No - The Transporter
3 - No - The Horse Whisperer
3 - No - Failure to Launch
3 - No - Fantastic Four
3 - No - Pirates of Silicon Valley
3 - No - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
3 - No - Firewall
3 - No - The Matador
3 - No - Snatch
3 - No - Malena
3 - No - After the Sunset
3 - No - Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator
3 - No - The Polar Express
3 - No - Beyond the Sea
3 - No - Brokeback Mountain
3 - No - Close Your Eyes
3 - No - Pride & Prejudice
3 - No - The Squid and the Whale
3 - No - Flightplan
3 - No - Prime
3 - No - Just Like Heaven
3 - No - King Arthur
3 - No - Chocolat
3 - No - Grosse Pointe Blank
3 - No - Derailed
3 - No - Team America: World Police
3 - No - The Haunted Mansion
3 - No - School of Rock
3 - No - Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
2.5 - No - Finding Neverland
2.5 - No - In Good Company
2.5 - No - Shall We Dance?
2.5 - No - Last Holiday
2.5 - No - The Transporter 2
2.5 - No - The Producers
2.5 - No - Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
2.5 - No - Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
2.5 - No - Aeon Flux
2.5 - No - The Final Cut
2.5 - No - Monster-In-Law
2.5 - No - The Skeleton Key
2.5 - No - Fun With Dick and Jane
2.5 - No - Just Friends
2.5 - No - Corpse Bride
2.5 - No - Lord of War
2.5 - No - Devil's Playground
2.5 - No - Jarhead
2.5 - No - Undiscovered
2.5 - No - A History of Violence
2.5 - No - Cheaper By the Dozen 2
2.5 - No - Half Light
2.5 - No - The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
2.5 - No - Downfall
2.5 - No - The Longest Yard
2.5 - No - Spanglish
2.5 - No - Elizabethtown
2.5 - No - The Ringer
2.5 - No - Born Rich
2.5 - No - London
2.5 - No - The Family Stone
2.5 - No - House of Sand and Fog
2.5 - No - The 40-Year-Old Virgin
2.5 - No - Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
2.5 - No - Black Cloud
2.5 - No - Twisted
2.5 - No - Home on the Range
2.5 - No - The Upside of Anger
2.5 - No - The Passion of the Christ
2.5 - No - Chicken Little
2.5 - No - Wimbledon
2 - No - Dukes of Hazzard
2 - No - Sahara
2 - No - National Treasure
2 - No - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2 - No - Transamerica
2 - No - The Ice Harvest
2 - No - Must Love Dogs
2 - No - Freedomland
2 - No - Dark Water
2 - No - In Her Shoes
2 - No - Rumor Has It
2 - No - Raising Helen
2 - No - Trauma
2 - No - Fever Pitch
2 - No - Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic
2 - No - Monster's Ball
2 - No - Final Destination 2
2 - No - Havoc
2 - No - Cache (Hidden)
2 - No - Hostel
2 - No - Wolf Creek
2 - No - Win a Date With Tad Hamilton
2 - No - Yours, Mine & Ours
2 - No - Hoodwinked
2 - No - Proof
2 - No - Christmas with the Kranks
2 - No - Alfie
2 - No - The Hills Have Eyes
2 - No - The Wedding Date
2 - No - Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
2 - No - Alexander
2 - No - The Brother's Grimm
2 - No - Date Movie
2 - No - The River King
2 - No - Open Water
2 - No - Imaginary Heroes
2 - No - Waiting
2 - No - A Very Long Engagement
1.5 - No - Bewitched
1.5 - No - Annapolis
1.5 - No - Mr. 3000
1.5 - No - The Weather Man
1.5 - No - The Ladykillers
1.5 - No - White Noise
1.5 - No - The Pacifier
1.5 - No - The Cat in the Hat
1 - No - Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
1 - No - Napoleon Dynamite
1 - No - When a Stranger Calls
1 - No - The New World
1 - No - Criminal
1 - No - The Cave
4.5 - Yes - Hotel Rwanda
4.5 - Yes - Sin City
4.5 - Yes - The Aviator
4.5 - Yes - Saving Private Ryan
4.5 - Yes - Capote
4.5 - Yes - March of the Penguins
4.5 - Yes - Million Dollar Baby
4.5 - Yes - Cinderella Man
4 - Yes - The Jacket
4 - Yes - Saw II
4 - Yes - Oldboy
4 - Yes - Coach Carter
4 - Yes - Crash
4 - Yes - 11:14
4 - Yes - Walk the Line
4 - Yes - Stephen Hawking's Universe
4 - Yes - Murderball
4 - Yes - Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
4 - Yes - Murder on a Sunday Morning
4 - Yes - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
4 - Yes - Hoop Dreams
4 - Yes - Hide and Seek
4 - Yes - Miracle
4 - Yes - South Park: The Passion of the Jew
4 - No - The Constant Gardener
4 - No - King Kong
4 - No - The Island
4 - No - Ladder 49
4 - No - Stevie
3.5 - Yes - The Machinist
3.5 - Yes - Eternal Sunshine of the spotless Mind
3.5 - Yes - Rent
3.5 - Yes - Taking Lives
3.5 - Yes - Stay
3.5 - Yes - A Lot Like Love
3.5 - Yes - Matchstick Men
3.5 - Yes - Syriana
3.5 - No - Kinsey
3.5 - No - Born Into Brothels
3.5 - No - Guess Who
3.5 - No - Madagascar
3.5 - No - Batman Begins
3.5 - No - Lords of Dogtown
3.5 - No - Memoirs of a Geisha
3.5 - No - Munich
3.5 - No - North Country
3.5 - No - Domino
3.5 - No - Bridget Jones Diary
3.5 - No - Cold Mountain
3.5 - No - Glory Road
3.5 - No - Assault on Precinct 13
3.5 - No - 16 Blocks
3.5 - No - Troy
3.5 - No - Hostage
3.5 - No - Cellular
3.5 - No - Match Point
3.5 - No - The Chronicles of Narnia
3 - Yes - Constantine
3 - Yes - The Ring Two
3 - Yes - The Motorcycle Diaries
3 - No - Ocean's Twelve
3 - No - Friday Night Lights
3 - No - Seabiscuit
3 - No - Mr. & Mrs. Smith
3 - No - Grizzly Man
3 - No - Melinda and Melinda
3 - No - Without a Paddle
3 - No - War of the Worlds
3 - No - Final Destination
3 - No - Wedding Crashers
3 - No - Hustle & Flow
3 - No - The Interpreter
3 - No - Four Brothers
3 - No - Good Night, and Good Luck
3 - No - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
3 - No - Mrs. Henderson Presents
3 - No - What the "Bleep" Do We Know?
3 - No - Two For The Money
3 - No - The Transporter
3 - No - The Horse Whisperer
3 - No - Failure to Launch
3 - No - Fantastic Four
3 - No - Pirates of Silicon Valley
3 - No - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
3 - No - Firewall
3 - No - The Matador
3 - No - Snatch
3 - No - Malena
3 - No - After the Sunset
3 - No - Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator
3 - No - The Polar Express
3 - No - Beyond the Sea
3 - No - Brokeback Mountain
3 - No - Close Your Eyes
3 - No - Pride & Prejudice
3 - No - The Squid and the Whale
3 - No - Flightplan
3 - No - Prime
3 - No - Just Like Heaven
3 - No - King Arthur
3 - No - Chocolat
3 - No - Grosse Pointe Blank
3 - No - Derailed
3 - No - Team America: World Police
3 - No - The Haunted Mansion
3 - No - School of Rock
3 - No - Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
2.5 - No - Finding Neverland
2.5 - No - In Good Company
2.5 - No - Shall We Dance?
2.5 - No - Last Holiday
2.5 - No - The Transporter 2
2.5 - No - The Producers
2.5 - No - Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
2.5 - No - Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
2.5 - No - Aeon Flux
2.5 - No - The Final Cut
2.5 - No - Monster-In-Law
2.5 - No - The Skeleton Key
2.5 - No - Fun With Dick and Jane
2.5 - No - Just Friends
2.5 - No - Corpse Bride
2.5 - No - Lord of War
2.5 - No - Devil's Playground
2.5 - No - Jarhead
2.5 - No - Undiscovered
2.5 - No - A History of Violence
2.5 - No - Cheaper By the Dozen 2
2.5 - No - Half Light
2.5 - No - The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
2.5 - No - Downfall
2.5 - No - The Longest Yard
2.5 - No - Spanglish
2.5 - No - Elizabethtown
2.5 - No - The Ringer
2.5 - No - Born Rich
2.5 - No - London
2.5 - No - The Family Stone
2.5 - No - House of Sand and Fog
2.5 - No - The 40-Year-Old Virgin
2.5 - No - Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
2.5 - No - Black Cloud
2.5 - No - Twisted
2.5 - No - Home on the Range
2.5 - No - The Upside of Anger
2.5 - No - The Passion of the Christ
2.5 - No - Chicken Little
2.5 - No - Wimbledon
2 - No - Dukes of Hazzard
2 - No - Sahara
2 - No - National Treasure
2 - No - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2 - No - Transamerica
2 - No - The Ice Harvest
2 - No - Must Love Dogs
2 - No - Freedomland
2 - No - Dark Water
2 - No - In Her Shoes
2 - No - Rumor Has It
2 - No - Raising Helen
2 - No - Trauma
2 - No - Fever Pitch
2 - No - Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic
2 - No - Monster's Ball
2 - No - Final Destination 2
2 - No - Havoc
2 - No - Cache (Hidden)
2 - No - Hostel
2 - No - Wolf Creek
2 - No - Win a Date With Tad Hamilton
2 - No - Yours, Mine & Ours
2 - No - Hoodwinked
2 - No - Proof
2 - No - Christmas with the Kranks
2 - No - Alfie
2 - No - The Hills Have Eyes
2 - No - The Wedding Date
2 - No - Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
2 - No - Alexander
2 - No - The Brother's Grimm
2 - No - Date Movie
2 - No - The River King
2 - No - Open Water
2 - No - Imaginary Heroes
2 - No - Waiting
2 - No - A Very Long Engagement
1.5 - No - Bewitched
1.5 - No - Annapolis
1.5 - No - Mr. 3000
1.5 - No - The Weather Man
1.5 - No - The Ladykillers
1.5 - No - White Noise
1.5 - No - The Pacifier
1.5 - No - The Cat in the Hat
1 - No - Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
1 - No - Napoleon Dynamite
1 - No - When a Stranger Calls
1 - No - The New World
1 - No - Criminal
1 - No - The Cave
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Movie Review
Carmen, Bridget, Lena, and Tibby are four teenage girls who have been close friends since they were babies. However, fate has dictated that for the first time ever the young women will be spending their summer apart - Carmen will be visiting her father, whom she hasn't seen in years, Lena will be visiting her grandparents in Greece, Bridget is attending a soccer camp in Mexico, while Tibby is stuck working at a discount store. A few days before Carmen, Lena, and Bridget leave, the four go shopping, and while at a thrift shop they discover an unusual pair of blue jeans that, despite the fact they're all of different height and weight, fits all four women perfectly. The girls buy the jeans and pledge to each look after them for a week at a time, hoping they'll bring one another good luck as the girls deal with a variety of new life experiences, both good and bad.
This film was surprisingly good and I say that knowing my brother will definitely call me a pansy :-) Seriously, it is a chick flick, but really has a good message that even guys should appreciate. Sure, the idea of magic pants is pretty lame, but it's what they represent that is the take away. I liked the fact that each girl had their own fairly developed personality and used the pants in their own unique way. The actresses looked natural and had great chemistry with each other and the characters in their different journeys. It all came together in the end for a feel good, after school special moment. It's not all "feel good" as there are some tough situations that the girls have to deal with as well. So, it's a pretty well rounded movie that most people should enjoy - as long as you can get past the lame title.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Jenna Boyd
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
This film was surprisingly good and I say that knowing my brother will definitely call me a pansy :-) Seriously, it is a chick flick, but really has a good message that even guys should appreciate. Sure, the idea of magic pants is pretty lame, but it's what they represent that is the take away. I liked the fact that each girl had their own fairly developed personality and used the pants in their own unique way. The actresses looked natural and had great chemistry with each other and the characters in their different journeys. It all came together in the end for a feel good, after school special moment. It's not all "feel good" as there are some tough situations that the girls have to deal with as well. So, it's a pretty well rounded movie that most people should enjoy - as long as you can get past the lame title.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Jenna Boyd
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Bewitched - ACE Train Movie Review
Jack Wyatt is a movie star whose career has been going into a slow and steady decline. Desperate for a project that will give his reputation a jump start, Jack agrees to star in a film version of the once-popular television series Bewitched as hapless hubby Darrin Stephens, under the condition that an unknown actress be cast as the female lead so he won't be upstaged. After auditioning dozens of women who fail to make the grade, Jack meets lovely and charming Isabel Bigelow, and is immediately certain she's the perfect choice to play witch-turned-housewife Samantha. However, there's one thing neither Jack nor the producers of the film know - Isabel really is a witch, and while she's been trying to get along without her powers to better fit in among mortals, she will use her special talents when need be.
Cheesy... I never watched the original TV show and maybe I would have been more impressed if I was able to catch some of the subtleties I'm sure I missed. From what I saw, Will Ferrell had a few funny parts and Nicole Kidman was ditzy throughout, but that was about it. No real substance and not a great comedy. Unless you're a huge Bewitched fan, I'd skip it.
Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Cheesy... I never watched the original TV show and maybe I would have been more impressed if I was able to catch some of the subtleties I'm sure I missed. From what I saw, Will Ferrell had a few funny parts and Nicole Kidman was ditzy throughout, but that was about it. No real substance and not a great comedy. Unless you're a huge Bewitched fan, I'd skip it.
Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Slayer & Lamb of God in Concert - July 19, 2006
On July 19th, Mike and I went to the "Unholy Alliance" tour which consisted of Slayer, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Children of Bodom and Thine Eyes Bleed. The show was at the HP Pavilion in San Jose and started at 6pm. After a days work, Mike picked me up and we ate at In-N-Out Burger before the show.
Once at the arena, we picked our spots to stand on the floor about 30 feet from the stage on the right side next to the "moshing barrier." Thine Eyes Bleed was first up and they were what you would expect from an opening band - nothing too special, but provided 30 minutes of warmup metal. Children of Bodom was next and I was very impressed with what I saw and heard. They had some nice, heavy tunes and the keyboard player kicked ass. He had what amounted to a whammy bar on his keyboard and played some solos that you wouldn't be able to differentiate from guitar solos if you weren't watching him smoke that keyboard - awesome. Next, Mastodon took the stage and were a bit of a let down after watching of Children of Bodom. They had a lot of energy on stage, but their material wasn't up to par.
At about 9:00pm, Lamb of God took the stage. It was obvious that this is what the fans were waiting for. The mosh pits were huge and the band was feeding off the energy of the crowd (and vise versa). For the entire 1 hour set, they held the crowd captive with their complex guitar riffs, deep, screaming vocals and bass heavy drum beats. Here's their set list:
Ruin
Hourglass
Laid To Rest
Now You've Got Something To Die For
11th Hour
Purified
As The Palaces Burn
The Faded Line
Vigil
Redneck
Black Label
Finally, at 10:15pm, Slayer was on stage and ready to rock the audience. While the crowd was rockin', it wasn't quite the same energy I felt when Lamb of God was on the stage. Maybe everyone was getting tired at that point, but it was still a great show. I was standing if front of Kerry King the whole time and was able to watch him rip some great solos on his guitar. It was nice to see that Slayer can still thrash with the best of 'em and their 1 hour 15 minute set contained some of the best, early, influential metal that paved the way for all the bands that opened for them. Here's their set list:
South of Heaven
Silent Scream
War Ensemble
Blood Red
Cult
Disciple
Mandatory Suicide
Seasons in the Abyss
Chemical Warfare
Dead Skin Mask
Hell Awaits
Raining Blood
Antichrist
Angel of Death
Overall, I had a great time and am glad I was able to see a combination of established metal bands as well as up and coming bands in the same show. My only regret is that I didn't get one of the signs in front of the stage that said, in big black letters, "BEWARE, moshing may occur."
Once at the arena, we picked our spots to stand on the floor about 30 feet from the stage on the right side next to the "moshing barrier." Thine Eyes Bleed was first up and they were what you would expect from an opening band - nothing too special, but provided 30 minutes of warmup metal. Children of Bodom was next and I was very impressed with what I saw and heard. They had some nice, heavy tunes and the keyboard player kicked ass. He had what amounted to a whammy bar on his keyboard and played some solos that you wouldn't be able to differentiate from guitar solos if you weren't watching him smoke that keyboard - awesome. Next, Mastodon took the stage and were a bit of a let down after watching of Children of Bodom. They had a lot of energy on stage, but their material wasn't up to par.
At about 9:00pm, Lamb of God took the stage. It was obvious that this is what the fans were waiting for. The mosh pits were huge and the band was feeding off the energy of the crowd (and vise versa). For the entire 1 hour set, they held the crowd captive with their complex guitar riffs, deep, screaming vocals and bass heavy drum beats. Here's their set list:
Ruin
Hourglass
Laid To Rest
Now You've Got Something To Die For
11th Hour
Purified
As The Palaces Burn
The Faded Line
Vigil
Redneck
Black Label
Finally, at 10:15pm, Slayer was on stage and ready to rock the audience. While the crowd was rockin', it wasn't quite the same energy I felt when Lamb of God was on the stage. Maybe everyone was getting tired at that point, but it was still a great show. I was standing if front of Kerry King the whole time and was able to watch him rip some great solos on his guitar. It was nice to see that Slayer can still thrash with the best of 'em and their 1 hour 15 minute set contained some of the best, early, influential metal that paved the way for all the bands that opened for them. Here's their set list:
South of Heaven
Silent Scream
War Ensemble
Blood Red
Cult
Disciple
Mandatory Suicide
Seasons in the Abyss
Chemical Warfare
Dead Skin Mask
Hell Awaits
Raining Blood
Antichrist
Angel of Death
Overall, I had a great time and am glad I was able to see a combination of established metal bands as well as up and coming bands in the same show. My only regret is that I didn't get one of the signs in front of the stage that said, in big black letters, "BEWARE, moshing may occur."
Sunday, July 16, 2006
The Hills Have Eyes - Movie Review
A family is taking a cross-country road trip when their trailer breaks down, leaving them stranded in the desert of New Mexico. There, they find themselves under attack by the savage "hill people," who were deformed by radiation during nuclear testing.
If you can get through the first 45 minutes without falling asleep, the last hour is pretty intense. After a slow start, the real "horror" part of the movie begins as the hill people move in for the kill while the family tries to figure out how to survive. The special effects weren't that great, but there were some pretty horrific and disturbing scenes. Of course, there was plenty of blood and dismemberment, but nothing that hasn't been done before. The ending left a little to be desired as did the fact they never really explained why the hill people had a thirst for innocent tourists. It could have been shortened quite a bit without losing anything because there was a lot of "dead" time that seemed to be just filler.
Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Aaron Stanford, Kathleen Quinlan, Vinessa Shaw, Emilie de Ravin
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
If you can get through the first 45 minutes without falling asleep, the last hour is pretty intense. After a slow start, the real "horror" part of the movie begins as the hill people move in for the kill while the family tries to figure out how to survive. The special effects weren't that great, but there were some pretty horrific and disturbing scenes. Of course, there was plenty of blood and dismemberment, but nothing that hasn't been done before. The ending left a little to be desired as did the fact they never really explained why the hill people had a thirst for innocent tourists. It could have been shortened quite a bit without losing anything because there was a lot of "dead" time that seemed to be just filler.
Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Aaron Stanford, Kathleen Quinlan, Vinessa Shaw, Emilie de Ravin
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Annapolis - Movie Review
Jake Huard is a young man from a small Maryland town who grew up in a blue-collar family with few opportunities. Wanting to make something of himself after completing high school, Jake set his sights on attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he narrowly makes the cut and becomes one of the 1,200 applicants selected for the freshman class. Jake finds that life as a "plebe" is intellectually challenging and physically punishing, and he soon develops a powerful adversary in Midshipman Lt. Cole, his training commander, who pushes Jake to the limit to see if he has what it takes. Standing on the razor's edge of failing as both a student and a soldier, Jake makes a brave but dangerous gesture toward proving himself by entering the Brigade Championships, a Naval boxing competition where he'll go into the ring against the best fighters in the Navy - including Lt. Cole. Jake soon has one person on his side when he strikes up a friendship with Ali, a pretty young officer who believes Jake has what it takes to go the distance.
This was a very cheesy movie. There were absolutely no surprises during the entire film as it was clear from the beginning what the ending would entail. The overall acting was mediocre at best and the female love interest in the film (who played an officer at the Naval Academy) was horrible. It's a good thing she was hot because she sure as hell didn't get that part based on her acting - I cringed several times when she was trying to be tough and lay down the law. The whole Naval Academy experience didn't seem believable as I'm sure a "plebe" wouldn't get away with half of the things the main character did (i.e. be late for drills, not know any of the answers when tested, talk back to a superior, attack a superior). Anyway, I was less than impressed, not to mention the fact that it was a rip-off of other military movies (i.e. Top Gun) yet not nearly as solid.
Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: James Franco, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Donnie Wahlberg
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
This was a very cheesy movie. There were absolutely no surprises during the entire film as it was clear from the beginning what the ending would entail. The overall acting was mediocre at best and the female love interest in the film (who played an officer at the Naval Academy) was horrible. It's a good thing she was hot because she sure as hell didn't get that part based on her acting - I cringed several times when she was trying to be tough and lay down the law. The whole Naval Academy experience didn't seem believable as I'm sure a "plebe" wouldn't get away with half of the things the main character did (i.e. be late for drills, not know any of the answers when tested, talk back to a superior, attack a superior). Anyway, I was less than impressed, not to mention the fact that it was a rip-off of other military movies (i.e. Top Gun) yet not nearly as solid.
Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: James Franco, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Donnie Wahlberg
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
The Matador - ACE Train Movie Review
Danny Wright is an American businessman whose life has been going through a sour patch after he and his wife, Carolyn, lost their young son. During a business trip to Mexico City, Danny strikes up a conversation in a hotel bar with fellow out-of-towner Julian Noble, and while Julian's loud and brassy manner initially puts Danny off, in time the two become friends, and Julian feels comfortable enough with Danny to tell him what he does for a living. It seems Julian is a hired killer working under the auspices of underworld kingpins Lovell and Mr. Randy, and Julian tries to persuade Danny to help him with his latest assignment. Danny refuses, but a few months later a distraught Julian appears unannounced on Danny's doorstep. It seems Julian has blown his two most recent assignments due to a variety of psychosomatic illnesses, and now Lovell and Mr. Randy want him dead. Julian has also done something to put Danny in his debt, and the previously non-criminal businessman is forced to help his friend stage a hit, with Julian's presence in his home upsetting the precarious balance of Danny and Carolyn's marriage.
I liked this film and was thoroughly entertained throughout. The relationship between Brosnan's character and Kinnear's character was tense at times and funny at times. They played well off each other and really made the movie enjoyable. The plot was a little hard to believe and Brosnan's character made everything look so easy that there were a few "give me a break" moments. Overall, it was amusing in a dark and offbeat sort of way, but not for people who can't see the humor in a middle-aged assassin starting to slip at the end of his career.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Hope Davis
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
I liked this film and was thoroughly entertained throughout. The relationship between Brosnan's character and Kinnear's character was tense at times and funny at times. They played well off each other and really made the movie enjoyable. The plot was a little hard to believe and Brosnan's character made everything look so easy that there were a few "give me a break" moments. Overall, it was amusing in a dark and offbeat sort of way, but not for people who can't see the humor in a middle-aged assassin starting to slip at the end of his career.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Hope Davis
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Monday, July 10, 2006
The Final Cut - ACE Train Movie Review
Set in the near future, the story concerns a microchip that is capable of recording a person's entire life. Robin Williams plays Alan Hakman, an editor who cuts together the footage to make pleasant movies for funerals. Tormented by his job and his own memories, Alan also has a troubled romantic relationship with bookseller Delilah. While looking through footage for his next project, Alan discovers a man whom he believes is from his own past. Meanwhile, former editor Fletcher wants the footage for his own purposes.
The main concept of this film is pretty cool - the ability to record your entire life on a hard drive attached to your brain. Of course, that brings up a slew of legal and moral dilemmas that must be dealt with before it becomes reality. Unfortunately, this film didn't fully explore any of the interesting drama this could create. Instead, it focused on a particular job (a cutter, who splices parts of a persons recorded life together for viewing at their funeral) and really only scratched the surface of what could have been a really mind-blowing epic - I guess Steven Spielberg can't make every movie. Anyway, it's not a bad movie, but it just didn't take full advantage of the great underlying concept. Robin Williams put on a good dramatic performance and if you've seen One Hour Photo, then you'll know what to expect as he plays pretty much the same character.
Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Robin Williams, Mira Sorvino
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
The main concept of this film is pretty cool - the ability to record your entire life on a hard drive attached to your brain. Of course, that brings up a slew of legal and moral dilemmas that must be dealt with before it becomes reality. Unfortunately, this film didn't fully explore any of the interesting drama this could create. Instead, it focused on a particular job (a cutter, who splices parts of a persons recorded life together for viewing at their funeral) and really only scratched the surface of what could have been a really mind-blowing epic - I guess Steven Spielberg can't make every movie. Anyway, it's not a bad movie, but it just didn't take full advantage of the great underlying concept. Robin Williams put on a good dramatic performance and if you've seen One Hour Photo, then you'll know what to expect as he plays pretty much the same character.
Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Robin Williams, Mira Sorvino
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Born Rich - Movie Review
Armed with economic power and the celebrity access of his own social privilege, Jamie Johnson (heir to the Johnson & Johnson company empire) is able to gather together ten wealthy friends to talk about money. Some of the richest young people in America discuss the realities of growing up with huge financial assets, ideas for what to do with it, and feelings about losing it. The son of a gaming industry giant, Luke Weil reveals his feelings about going to boarding school, while Ivanka Trump talks about her experiences as the daughter of Donald and Ivana. Also features discussions with the young heirs to the Bloomberg, Newhouse, and Whitney fortunes.
This documentary provides a voyeuristic view into the private lives and thoughts of rich kids (college age) who didn't work for their money, but instead inherited it. I thought it might be interesting to see what types of problems (if any) the rich kids encountered growing up due to the fact there were born with silver spoons in their mouths. I was also curious to see how they spoke and acted. What I got was a range of personalities (smug, aloof, well-spoken, driven, laid back, dour) and a bunch of kids that weren't entirely sure what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. In other words, they weren't unlike regular kids figuring out who they are and deciding which path to take in life. The main difference is that they really don't have to worry about money, however it was quite clear that just having money was not the recipe for happiness. Overall, it was interesting, but not very insightful as it just scratched the surface of what it could have been (I'm sure lawyers were involved).
Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Georgina Bloomberg, Ivanka Trump, Si Newhouse IV, Juliet Hartford, Carlo von Zeitschel, Stephanie Ercklentz, Christina Floyd, Josiah Hornblower, Cody Franchetti, Luke Weil
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
This documentary provides a voyeuristic view into the private lives and thoughts of rich kids (college age) who didn't work for their money, but instead inherited it. I thought it might be interesting to see what types of problems (if any) the rich kids encountered growing up due to the fact there were born with silver spoons in their mouths. I was also curious to see how they spoke and acted. What I got was a range of personalities (smug, aloof, well-spoken, driven, laid back, dour) and a bunch of kids that weren't entirely sure what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. In other words, they weren't unlike regular kids figuring out who they are and deciding which path to take in life. The main difference is that they really don't have to worry about money, however it was quite clear that just having money was not the recipe for happiness. Overall, it was interesting, but not very insightful as it just scratched the surface of what it could have been (I'm sure lawyers were involved).
Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Georgina Bloomberg, Ivanka Trump, Si Newhouse IV, Juliet Hartford, Carlo von Zeitschel, Stephanie Ercklentz, Christina Floyd, Josiah Hornblower, Cody Franchetti, Luke Weil
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Failure to Launch - Movie Review
Tripp may have hit 30, but that doesn't mean that he's ready to give up the many benefits of living at home with mom and dad. His desperate parents have had enough, though, and after years of gentle nudging they soon realize that it's going to take a concerted effort to get Tripp out and enjoy their twilight years in peace. Realizing that their only hope for ridding themselves of their reluctant-to-leave offspring rides on the off-chance of his meeting the ideal female companion, mom and dad enlist the help of a beautiful and talented woman in providing the romantic incentive needed to finally get their son out of the family home.
This was a funny movie with a clever premise. Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker had great chemistry and made this film fun to watch. The peripheral characters were a little less proficient but were quirky enough to be amusing. The plot was a little light and the ending was no surprise, but I suppose that's what you get for a romantic comedy. Overall, this is a good date movie or if you just want something fun to watch without thinking too much. Viewer beware - you'll see a side of Terry Bradshaw that should never have been revealed.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Terry Bradshaw, Kathy Bates
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
This was a funny movie with a clever premise. Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker had great chemistry and made this film fun to watch. The peripheral characters were a little less proficient but were quirky enough to be amusing. The plot was a little light and the ending was no surprise, but I suppose that's what you get for a romantic comedy. Overall, this is a good date movie or if you just want something fun to watch without thinking too much. Viewer beware - you'll see a side of Terry Bradshaw that should never have been revealed.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Terry Bradshaw, Kathy Bates
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Cache (Hidden) - Movie Review
From the outside, Georges, Anne, and son Pierrot are the typical middle-class European family, but when a series of mysterious videotapes accompanied by morbid drawings reveal that someone has been monitoring their house, Georges begins to suspect that his past has come back to haunt him. It was during France's occupation of Algeria that Georges wronged a young Algerian boy named Majid, and as the enraged father and husband begins tracking down his former friend, the line between victim and predator becomes increasingly blurred.
Be forewarned - this is a French film with English subtitles. It started off oddly and just kept getting more strange as it went along. A few of my questions were answered along the way, but the film ended without the biggest question being addressed. I logged onto the internet to see if there was an explanation somewhere, but the theories were all over the board. Basically, it seems the filmmaker intentionally left the ending unresolved so the viewer could reach their own conclusions. To me, that's a lazy way to make a film especially since all the theories I ran across can have holes poked in them which leads me to believe the filmmaker didn't really have a good way to end it, so he chose to leave it "open." This film should have stayed (hidden).
Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche, Maurice Benichou
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Be forewarned - this is a French film with English subtitles. It started off oddly and just kept getting more strange as it went along. A few of my questions were answered along the way, but the film ended without the biggest question being addressed. I logged onto the internet to see if there was an explanation somewhere, but the theories were all over the board. Basically, it seems the filmmaker intentionally left the ending unresolved so the viewer could reach their own conclusions. To me, that's a lazy way to make a film especially since all the theories I ran across can have holes poked in them which leads me to believe the filmmaker didn't really have a good way to end it, so he chose to leave it "open." This film should have stayed (hidden).
Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche, Maurice Benichou
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Saving Private Ryan - Movie Review
The story opens with a prologue in which a veteran brings his family to the American cemetery at Normandy, and a flashback then joins Capt. John Miller and GIs in a landing craft making the June 6, 1944, approach to Omaha Beach to face devastating German artillery fire. Miller's men slowly move forward to finally take a concrete pillbox. On the beach littered with bodies is one with the name "Ryan" stenciled on his backpack. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall, learning that three Ryan brothers from the same family have all been killed in a single week, requests that the surviving brother, Pvt. James Ryan, be located and brought back to the United States. Capt. Miller gets the assignment, and he chooses a translator, Cpl. Upham, skilled in language but not in combat, to join his squad. Having previously experienced action in Italy and North Africa, the close-knit squad sets out through areas still thick with Nazis. After they lose one man in a skirmish at a bombed village, some in the group begin to question the logic of losing more lives to save a single soldier.
This was a great, powerful film. The first 30 minutes which depicts the Omaha Beach invasion is the most action-packed, intense and disturbing part of the film, but also the most historically accurate according to what I have read. I certainly have a whole new respect for the mental and physical obstacles that soldiers must overcome in order to enter the battlefield. The plotline of the mission to save Pvt. Ryan is mostly fictional, but based on a kernel of truth. None the less, it was a gripping story that kept my attention for the entire 2hr 45min film. All of the actors were excellent, believable, had good chemistry and provided just the right amount of machismo, anger, sadness and fear. I recommend this film for anyone who likes action movies, war movies, realistic special effects, suspense, blood & guts and even history buffs. Basically, it's a must see - I'm just sorry it took me this long to watch it.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Vin Diesel, Matt Damon
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
This was a great, powerful film. The first 30 minutes which depicts the Omaha Beach invasion is the most action-packed, intense and disturbing part of the film, but also the most historically accurate according to what I have read. I certainly have a whole new respect for the mental and physical obstacles that soldiers must overcome in order to enter the battlefield. The plotline of the mission to save Pvt. Ryan is mostly fictional, but based on a kernel of truth. None the less, it was a gripping story that kept my attention for the entire 2hr 45min film. All of the actors were excellent, believable, had good chemistry and provided just the right amount of machismo, anger, sadness and fear. I recommend this film for anyone who likes action movies, war movies, realistic special effects, suspense, blood & guts and even history buffs. Basically, it's a must see - I'm just sorry it took me this long to watch it.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Vin Diesel, Matt Damon
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
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