Week 16 Film Review

Week 16 was a very average week having only three films above the 7.0 mark, and none above 7.6. I was impressed with Stuck On You and Taking Lives, while Shaun of the Dead was a solid zombie film. The Van Wilder first and third parts were below the average 6.0 line, with the latter being a bad film at best.

Munich

Release Date: 2005

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Eric Bana (as Avner Kaufman) Daniel Craig (as Steve) Ciarán Hinds (as Carl) Mathieu Kassovitz (as Robert) and Hanns Zischler (as Hans)

Based On: the Israeli government's secret retaliation attacks after the massacre of Israeli athletes by the Black September terrorist group during the 1972 Summer Olympics.

IMDB Rating: 7.7

My Rating: 6.5

Length: 163 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $77 million/$130 million

I attempted viewing this film a few years ago around the time it came out, but didn't grasp the concept and quit early (something I would never do today). My second time around I actually came to respect the film some (hard not to respect a Spielberg film), though I had issues with the closure and getting a meaning out of it (besides don't perform acts of terrorism or repay them by hiring untrained hitmen). Some solid roles played, and a somewhat strict plot due to the historical relevance involved, it contained too much drama for a hitman/wanna be badass Jewish film. Again I have more respect than appeal for its quality. 

The Wrestler

Release Date: 2008

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Mickey Rourke (as Robin Ramzinski/Randy "The Ram" Robinson) Marisa Tomei (as Pam / Cassidy) and Evan Rachel Wood (as Stephanie)

IMDB Rating: 8.1

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 109 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $6 million/$45 million

Another mid-level quality drama, The Wrestler's concept did not help it's boding in my book as I have never had much interest in the world of professional wrestling (yes, I was a deprived child). However, Mickey Rourke is close to the level of Pitt, Smith, Hanks, and Freeman, guys who just flat-out act, no matter what their role or character. Rourke really really sold out his impoverished, out-of-his prime, and lonely fighter who's only friend and supporter that stayed with him through the end was the very thing that ended his life. A really deep and emotional film that explores the rise and fall of popularity and life, The Wrestler and Mickey don't disappoint.

Stuck On You

Release Date: 2003

Director: Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Matt Damon (as Bob Tenor) Greg Kinnear (as Walt Tenor) Eva Mendes (as April Mercedes) and Wen Yann Shih (as May Fong)

IMDB Rating: 5.9

My Rating: 7.6

Length: 118 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $55 million/$66 million

Stuck on You had been a romantic/brotherhood comedy that I had been avoiding for a while, due to my perception of it being a cheesy and lackluster form of laughs (and the fact that Damon doesn't due much in the comedy section as a norm). In contrast, Stuck actually was more-or-less funny and entertaining throughout, with a great moral and decent enough resolution in the finale. It also did a good job of inserting performers playing themselves that kept the film realistic. Goes to show me that my predetermined biased opinions don't always pan out. 

Taking Lives

Release Date: 2004

Director: D.J. Caruso

Genre: Thriller

Main Cast: Angelina Jolie (as Illeana Scott) Ethan Hawke (as James Costa/Martin Asher) and Kiefer Sutherland (as Christopher Hart)

Based On: the novel of the same title by Michael Pye.

IMDB Rating: 5.9

My Rating: 7.4

Length: 103 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $45 million/$65 million

The second pleasant surprise of the week, Taking Lives added another quality film to Jolie's resume, and gave the audience a solid murder mystery. I personally didn't like Ethan Hawke's role as the antagonist, however, it did aid in the mystery by causing the audience to think the identity was someone else. A great ending twist and a good overall plot contributed to this film's success in my ratings and opinion of its quality.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

Release Date: 2009

Director: Grant Heslov

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: George Clooney (as Lyn Cassady) Ewan McGregor (as Bob Wilton) Jeff Bridges (as Bill Django) and Kevin Spacey (as Larry Hooper)

Based On: the book of the same title by author Jon Ronson.

IMDB Rating: 6.4

My Rating: 6.4

Length: 94 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $24 million/$69 million

This comedy (questionable genre, as its comedy was sparse) was a really weirdly developed and contained sketchy plot that lacked motivation and a purpose. The integration of the army and psychiatric experimentation didn't interest me overall (jumping through walls? killing goats with brain waves?) It was saved from being average by solid acting by Clooney (again) Bridges, and Spacey, but it still had issues gaining my full attention. The film would have been better suited had it displayed signs of a consistent plot and more believable main theme. 

Van Wilder

Release Date: 2002

Director: Walt Becker

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast:  Ryan Reynolds (as Vance "Van" Wilder, Jr.) Tara Reid (as Gwen Elizabeth Pearson) and Kal Penn (as Taj Mahal Badalandabad)

Based On: Bert Kreischer

IMDB Rating: 6.1

My Rating: 5.8

Length: 92 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $5 million/$38 million

A slightly better than usual raunchy college flick, Van Wilder did better than most by using a solid protagonist (Reynolds) coupled with a theme that most can relate to (not wanting to leave the fun of college). Though not terribly deep and well-acted other than Reynolds and Penn, Wilder sticks with a good simple plot that doesn't try to do much more than save Wilder and his followers while allowing them to enjoy their time at Coolidge College. An unusually decent attempt at laughter intended for young adults.

Van Wilder: Freshman Year

Release Date: 2009

Director: Harvey Glazer

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Jonathan Bennett (as Van Wilder) Kurt Fuller (as Dean Reardon) and Kristin Cavallari (as  Kaitlin Hayes)

Based On: Bert Kreischer

IMDB Rating: 4.9

My Rating: 4.1

Length: 98 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: Unknown/Unknown

One point I want to start emphasizing when it comes to sequels and prequels is that films use as many of the same characters as possible, age-contingent of course, especially the main 3 or 4 characters. Thus, when a film does not use one of the same characters (this film) I lose a lot of respect and trust in the film's quality of budget. The acting in this prequel was horrendous by almost all involved, as well as a plot that was so uncontrolled that I had the beginnings of a headache. Don't bother.

Planet of the Apes

Release Date: 2001

Director: Tim Burton

Genre: Science Fiction

Main Cast: Mark Wahlberg (as Capt. Leo Davidson) Tim Roth (as Gen. Thade) and Helena Bonham Carter (as Ari)

Based On: based on Pierre Boulle's novel

IMDB Rating: 5.5

My Rating: 6.6

Length: 119 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $100 million/$362 million

Overall I thought this film presented a sweet idea of the alternative universe and a different species of rulers on that planet, however, the costume design and the overall portrayal of the apes by the performers was what made the film corny and less than desired. Wahlberg did a solid role as the main protagonist, but the fact that the apes looked and acted exactly as the humans did plus some hair didn't make their dominance as a separate species believeable. I liked the concepts presented by this science fiction remake, but I hope they do a better job in the prequel that comes out late this year.

Shaun of the Dead

Release Date: 2004

Director: Edgar Wright

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Simon Pegg (as Shaun) Nick Frost (as Ed) and Kate Ashfield (as Liz)

IMDB Rating: 8.0

My Rating: 7.0

Length: 99 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $3 million/$30 million

I was expecting a good zombie film from Edgar Wright after the 8.0 I gave his previous similar genre film in Hot Fuzz. The greatness of Zombieland has really somewhat biased my opinions towards other film of similar themes, as Zombieland was exceptionally done and accomplished much more than Shaun did in similar time limits. I felt like Shaun didn't leave a 15 mile radius and that it resolved all to easily. Still an above average action comedy zombie flick from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

A big group of slightly above average films this week that resulted in some decent watches and only one major film to steer away from. Stay tuned for more reviews as I attempt to catch up to the current week.
-Jarid Holliday

5 Best Potential Films Still To Be Released This Summer

One of my early posts this year, Upcoming Film Premiers, elaborated on the big names being released this spring and summer. My few trips to the local theatres have resulted in a few crossed off the list, including: The Fighter, Unknown, Battle: Los Angeles, Your Highness, Thor, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Unknown and Your Highness were mostly disappointing, while The Fighter, Battle: LA, Thor, and Pirates were all great to excellent. The following 5 films are my Top 5 that are still left to release this summer:


5. Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon (June 29)

The third installment of the ever popular robot-action series, Transformers 3 should be another heart-pounder that will be best viewed in the theatre setting. Minus Megan Fox and following the worst of the two parts will be two slight negatives that move it down on the list. 

4. Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22)

Following in the line of The Incredible Hulk, The Iron Mans, and recent release Thor, the Marvel team completes its pre-Avengers films with this superhero/world war hero action flick. I am a pretty big fan of all the aforementioned films minus Hulk, and was impressed with Thor's quality recently. Should be another solid addition to the building comic series.

3. X-Men: First Class (June 3)

By far the most excited I have been for new part in a series (More than Pirates, as I didn't think the series could get better, and it didn't. Also, most excited until Batman 3 in 2012) The Wolverine Origins was a solid addition to the series, but this should answer many questions about the overall origins of the other key characters, and how the wars of the mutants and humans came about. This is a must see sci-fi.

2. Mr. Popper's Penguins (June 17)

I generally stay away from hyping comedies for the most part, as they usually have the tendency of disappointing or not being overly better than I predict. However, a Jim Carrey-led classic book (which I used to read) story is sure to be hilarious, deep, and meaningful all in one. A must see, eventually, but not a have-to in theatres. Save your dough for the actions, as comedies look the same on all screens. 

1. Cowboys and Aliens

A modern action western. Aliens. Alien Technology. Daniel Craig. Olivia Wilde. Harrison Ford. Jon Favreau (Iron Mans and Elf director). All of those ridiculous factors combine to make a film that I have been psyched to see since November. Another factor that is the best of them all? July 29th is the day before my 21st. Happy Birthday to me from myself. Movie of the summer. 

Mark your calenders folks. If you have the smallest bit of a sense of humor and action/sci-fi taste, you know where you will be on the aforementioned dates. And if you have 4 hrs open on a night, heck, why not see two?

-Jarid Holliday

Week 15 Film Review

Now 4 weeks and many potential blogs behind due to school and finals, I am finally getting to Week 15. which turned out to be another average week with one major positive. I thoroughly enjoyed Zombieland, which I'll get to later, but didn't get much out of Babel and Grandma's Boy. The remainder of the films during the week were all in the 6-7 range, giving the overall average of the 9 films a 6.7 value.

Zombieland

Release Date: 2009

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Jesse Eisenberg (as Columbus) Woody Harrelson (as Tallahassee) Emma Stone (as Wichita) and Abigail Breslin (as Little Rock)

Based On:

IMDB Rating: 7.8

My Rating: 8.9

Length: 88 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $24 million/$102 million

Since viewing this film, I have really sort of gotten into a zombie film fix, although none that I have seen (The Crazies, 28 Days Later..., Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead) have not come close in both comedy and action, two attributes I expect in similar movies. Zombieland did an excellent job adding text graphics, while keeping the apocalyptic theme of survival and big guns. Acting all-around was solid, a given with Harrelson, but the film was really sold by its action comedy that did not cease throughout. The concept of being some of the last people on earth attempting to survive (the I am Legend theme as I call it) was more than enough to keep me entranced and cover up the films shortened time (88 minutes). I anxiously await a sequel for this gem. 

Hulk

Release Date: 2003

Director: Ang Lee

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Eric Bana (as Dr. Bruce Banner / The Hulk) Jennifer Connelly (as Betty Ross) Sam Elliott (as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross) and Nick Nolte (as David Banner / The Absorbing Man)

IMDB Rating: 5.7

My Rating: 7.2

Length: 138 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $137 million/$245 million

Having been moderately disappointed in the newest Hulk issue of the comic series, 2007's The Incredible Hulk, I didn't have a whole lot of faith in this older, more-animated version. However, despite it's animation-heavy graphics, I felt that this version, unlike the new one, actually had a glimpse of a plot and gave a decent representation of the origin of the superhero, per say. Acting was similar to the 2007 version, with Bana and Norton and Connelly and Liv Tyler all playing similar roles. An all around decent film, but I expect a lot more from the superhero/comic book genre.


Michael Clayton

Release Date: 2007

Director: Tony Gilroy

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: George Clooney (as Michael Clayton) Tom Wilkinson (as Arthur Edens) Tilda Swinton (as Karen Crowder)

IMDB Rating: 7.4

My Rating: 6.6

Length: 119 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $25 million/$93 million

Another pattern I have been into in previous weeks has been seeing a lot of George Clooney films, which really hasn't been on purpose. I am not a huge fan of him in general, but I do feel he does a solid job overall, and I give him respect for that. He plays quite a few different roles in films, which a lot of performers don't do these days, but he always retains his common deviant attitude throughout all of them, essentially he rarely plays by the book. Michael Clayton is exactly that. Clayton is the fixer who takes care of problems within his company's departments, however, when Clooney is sick of the corruption that surrounds him, he stops putting up with it and causes changes to happen. A decent political film with a good flashback/tie-in that kept me interested, though not entranced.


Jackass 3

Release Date: 2010

Director: Jeff Tremaine

Genre: Documentary

Main Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O and Ryan Dunn (as themselves)

IMDB Rating: 7.1

My Rating: 6.4

Length: 94 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $20 million/$170 million

This movie is pretty self-explanatory since it is nearly identical to it's 2 (and a half) predecessors. Numerous men of low common sense and high pain tolerance perform stunts, often extremely perverted, for the entirety of 94 minutes. While this can be extremely comical at times (and make the male gender feel sick to their stomach due to specific injuries), I get tired of it after a limited amount of them eating dirt. Some of their stunts are actually interesting in the Myth-Buster sort of away (namely the small-engine airplane air force), but are best suited, in my opinion, in the television series it was initially designed for. 

The American

Release Date: 2010

Director: Anton Corbijn

Genre: Action

Main Cast: George Clooney (as Jack/Edward) Violante Placido (as Clara) and Thekla Reuten (as Mathilde)

Based On: 1990 novel A Very Private Gentleman by Martin Booth

IMDB Rating: 6.5

My Rating: 6.3

Length: 105 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $20 million/$68 million

The gunsmithing/hitman theme of this film proved to be about the only interesting part of the film to me, as it resulted in beeing an extremely slow and unproductive romance drama lacking the necessary action. By unproductive I mean that literally nothing of value within the plot took place throughout the entire film. In fact, the conclusion doesn't even make a conclusive decision as to whether or not Clooney survived to change his murderous ways to escape with his newest girlfriend. I was not impressed with this film in the least.

Babel

Release Date: 2006

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: An ensemble cast

IMDB Rating: 7.6

My Rating: 5.1

Length: 143 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $25 million/$135 million

Babel is the only Brad Pitt and/or Cate Blanchett film that I have thoroughly disliked. This murder mystery-type film did a decent job of tying in the plot throughout the multiple storylines, other than that there was really no positives that I could take from the 2+ hours of filming. I really despised the immensely insecure Japanese girl sideplot, as it really disgusted me and caused the film to go from bad to much worse. Also the depressing themes of death, depression, being stranded, and losing loved ones really didn't get me into the film whatsoever. I would not suggest this film to anyone.

Blow

Release Date: 2001

Director: Ted Demme

Genre: Biography

Main Cast: Johnny Depp (as George Jung) Jordi Mollà (as Diego Delgado) Penélope Cruz (as Mirtha Jung) and Ray Liotta (as Fred Jung)

Based On: real life stories of George Jung, Pablo Escobar, Carlos Lehder, and the Medellín Cartel.

IMDB Rating: 7.4

My Rating: 7.5

Length: 124 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $53 million/$83 million

I was really impressed with the overall themes and plotline that this American Gangster twin presented. Depp was absolutely superb throughout, the norm for any of his roles. The story of drugs, money, greed, love, and fall from grace hits its low when the true account of Jung getting caught for the last time and losing his relationship with his daughter in the finale. The whole plot of the drug mogul elevating from being a simple pot dealer to prominent cocaine lord keeps the audience riveted while still understanding the inevitable end.

Grandma's Boy

Release Date: 2006

Director: Nicholaus Goossen

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Allen Covert (as Alex) Linda Cardellini (as Samantha) Peter Dante (as Dante) and Doris Roberts (as Grandma Lilly)

IMDB Rating: 6.9

My Rating: 5.6

Length: 96 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $5 million/$38 million

Grandma's Boy was the usual cheap stoner comedy that provided some laughs and had a heavy video-game emphasis. There was really no true meaning or moral throughout, accept that Alex needed to grow up. The usual type of film provider of quick laughs, not a film that I will need nor want to be seeing for a second time in the near future.

Big Daddy

Release Date: 1999

Director: Dennis Dugan

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Adam Sandler (as Sonny Kaufax) Dylan and Cole Sprouse (as Julian) and Joey Lauren Adams (as Layla)

IMDB Rating: 6.1

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 93 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $34 million/$235 million

I really thought Big Daddy proved to be a solid watch for my first time viewing it in its entirety, the plot easily followed by those of all ages. Sandler did an above-average role as an irresponsible man living on pension from a automobile accident that falls into being the caretaker of a young boy. The two's bonding throughout the film seems realistic and heartfelt, as does the father-son bonding between Sandler and his father in the court scene finale. The Sprouse twins (all over the Disney channel today) also do an excellent job combining their talents to make a funny orphaned youngster. This is a very good comedy that both serves a purpose and contains meaning.

A decent week of films that had it positives and negatives, while a host of average films that aren't anything to go out of your way to watch. Here's to getting caught back up on my reviews...
-Jarid Holliday

Week 14 Film Reviews

Week 14 was a rather disappointing week of 9 films, as I finished some 2 series's and some random films that proved to be not that great. Within the low average of 5.7, Youth in Revolt and The first and third installments of the Transporter series were the better films of the week, though they didn'te eclipse 7.0. Of the  5 bad films below the 6.0 rating, Syriana, The Ex,  and the American Psycho series received the lowest ratings of 5.1, 5.3, 5.3, and 3.8 respectively.

Youth in Revolt

Release Date: 2009

Director: Miguel Arteta

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Michael Cera (as Nick Twisp / François Dillinger) and Portia Doubleday (as Sheeni Saunders)

Based On: C.D. Payne's epistolary novel of the same name.

IMDB Rating: 6.7

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 89 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $18 million/$19 million

Youth was kind of a weird and awkward comedy that actually turned out to be a decent show. Michael Cera is one of the few people who can pull off such awkward characters with awkward lines that can be that comical. That coupled with a decent supporting cast resulted in a decent comedy within a decent storyline of a deviant alter ego. I also evidently felt the same as 23,000 odd other IMDB voters as we both gave it a mid to hi 6, a mid-quality film.

American Psycho

Release Date: 2000

Director: Mary Harron

Genre: Thriller

Main Cast: Christian Bale (as Patrick Bateman) Willem Dafoe (as Donald Kimball) and Reese Witherspoon (as Evelyn Williams)

Based On:  Bret Easton Ellis's novel of the same name.

IMDB Rating: 7.5

My Rating: 5.3

Length: 101 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $7 million/$34 million

I really didn't enjoy this film much at all, as it was rather confusing and really creepy. I had kind of hoped it would share some similarities to another alter-ego thriller, The Number 23. However, the film differed greatly from the solid presentation The Number 23 put forth. This week's films contained 3 alter-ego films in a row, this one and it's even worse sequel being the worse of the three. I just really couldn't get into the film with the character that Bale played, granted it was a very good performance, I am not moved by ultra-creepy sex-driven psychopaths that are delusional. That aspect is something I also dislike in films when they lead the audience to believe one thing for a 95% of the film, before changing the entire plot in the film's closing moments. I don't like being deceived, and neither should any other audience.

American Psycho 2: All-American Girl

Release Date: 2002

Director: Morgan J. Freeman

Genre: Thriller

Main Cast: Mila Kunis (as Rachael Newman) William Shatner (as Prof. Robert Starkman) and Geraint Wyn Davies (as Dr. Eric Daniels)

IMDB Rating: 3.9 

My Rating: 3.8

Length: 88 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $10 million/Unknown

A straight-to-DVD, very poorly IMDB-rated, and sequel to a poorly-constructed initial film in my opinion, Psycho II had the probability of being a very poor film as well. Per my projections, this film was really bad, possibly worse than bad. Kunis had absolutely no purpose for her killing's in the film besides getting into the FBI to solve murder cases, highly hypocritical. Horrendous acting, horrendous '90's pop soundtrack and audio effects, and a mostly scattered plotline. The only positive of the film came in a decent twist towards the end of the film in that it explained Kunis's extravagant plot to get into the FBI. Beyond that minor bright spot, stay away from this awful psycho-thriller.

Requiem for a Dream

Release Date: 2000

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Ellen Burstyn (as Sara Goldfarb) Jared Leto (as Harry Goldfarb) Jennifer Connelly (as Marion Silver) and Marlon Wayans (as Tyrone C. Love)

Based On: Hubert Selby, Jr.'s novel of the same name.

IMDB Rating: 8.5

My Rating: 5.4

Length: 101 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $5 million/$7 million

Requiem's extremely different camera splits and extreme drug use really creeped me out throughout the film, as its dark and sadistic themes made it hard to find a positive moral. The hole that the main characters dug themselves in with their addictions was insurmountable in the end, and the realism and negativity really gave the film a sad sense of truth, falsified happiness. As real and moving this film was, and even with its quality acting by most involved, I could not bring myself to like that depressing of a film.
 

Black Sheep

Release Date: 1996

Director: Penelope Spheeris

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Chris Farley (as Mike Donnelly) David Spade (as Steve Dodds) and Tim Matheson (as Al Donnelly)

IMDB Rating: 5.6

My Rating: 6.1

Length: 87 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: Unknown/$32 million

Extremely similar to Tommy Boy and many other cheaper 1990's comedies, Black Sheep was a clean and comical at times comedy in which Farley and Spade attempted to reconcile their screw-ups and save the situation, in this case Farley's brother's governor campaign. Not much in depth or character development, Black Sheep did manage, however, to stay consistent throughout it time limit, and remained a good comical piece, typical of Farley's usual solid works.

The Ex

Release Date: 2006

Director: Jesse Peretz

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Zach Braff (as Tom Reilly) Amanda Peet (as Sofia Kowalski-Reilly) and Jason Bateman (as Chip Sanders)

IMDB Rating: 5.6

My Rating: 5.3

Length: 92 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: Unknown/$5 million

The Ex proved to be a really subpar romantic comedy that had an unrealistic and inconsistent plotline, as well as lackluster acting and hardly a resolution. The cast was especially bland, and I really didn't have much good to say about the film, beyond that nothing was absolutely awful, just boringly simple. Really not a good, even decent film, suggested only if you need something to fall asleep to, or to feel better about your own life.

Transporter

Release Date: 2002

Director: Louis Leterrier and Corey Yuen

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Jason Statham (as Frank Martin/The Transporter) Shu Qi (as Lai Kwai) and François Berléand (as Inspector Tarconi)

Based On:  BMW Films' The Hire series

IMDB Rating: 6.6

My Rating: 6.6

Length: 94 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $21 million/$44 million

I had seen and currently own the second installment of the Transporter series, thus I had some prior knowledge of the series. Transporter 2, which I again had already seen, was the worst in the series, as it occurs in the States is about transporting and securing a boy. This first film in the series gave decent background on the origins of Frank Martin, as well as a better storyline in delivering a girl while racing throughout the streets and alleys of Europe. The action and car control of Martin made it a thrilling watch. There were really no major flaws, just the lack of a telling plot that most action/car chase films do not incorporate.

Transporter 3

Release Date: 2008

Director: Olivier Megaton

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Jason Statham (as Frank Martin) François Berléand (as Inspector Tarconi) and Natalya Rudakova (as Valentina)

IMDB Rating: 5.9

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 104 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $30 million/$109 million

The 3rd film in the Transporter series had almost an identical plot, Frank Martin transporting a woman to a destination for pay, though the plot shifts when obstacles arise and situations change. I felt like this installment had slightly better car escape scenes than the first did, including a scene in which Martin drives his trusty Mercedes out of a lake he escaped into. Overall a solid action series, with not much plot depth or character development. But, as far as action films go, you could do much worse.

Syriana

Release Date: 2005

Director: Stephen Gaghan

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: George Clooney (as Bob Barnes) Matt Damon (as Bryan Woodman) Amanda Peet (as Julie Woodman) and Jeffrey Wright (as Bennett Holiday)

Based Loosely On: Robert Baer's memoir See No Evil.

IMDB Rating: 7.1

My Rating: 5.1

Length: 128 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $50 million/$94 million

Syriana proved to be an extremely confusing and politically-heavy drama that didn't overall impress me. The entire plot hinged around oil-drilling, terrorism, corruption, and politics, 4 topics that really don't interest me much at all. It also reminded me of the average-drama also starring George Clooney, Michael Clayton, minus the oil-drilling and terrorism. I have somewhat been in a Clooney fix lately, though I am not a huge fan of him, he does provide some comedy within his dramas (Men Who Stare at Goats, Michael Clayton, and The American). Overall the film was saved from disaster by the always-respectible acting of Damon and Clooney, but not anything that I would recomend to most.

This week's film list was mostly rated high by IMDB with multiple in the post-7 range, as well as award-winning with multiple awards and nominations. However, I didn't feel that most of those high ranked films were anything amazing, as most are popular for aspects that don't interest me in the film industry. Not my favorite week of watching by any means.

Stay informed,
Jarid Holliday

Week 13 Film Reviews

Another solid week of films with a high of 15 in the 7-day span as well as no major disappointments. Reign Over Me was an astounding drama that moved up with two of my favorites, Forrest Gump and Shawshank Redemption. Battle: Los Angeles was also an excellent war science fiction that I saw in its final week of main theatre runs. On the low side, The Spirit, Beerfest, and Mr. Woodcock all failed to impressive, thus failing to break 6.0, but they weren't awful films as the all stayed about 5.7 and kept the average solid at 6.8.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan

Release Date: 2008

Director: Dennis Dugan

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Adam Sandler (as Zohan Dvir) Emmanuelle Chriqui (as Dalia Hakbarah) and John Turturro (as Fatoush "Phantom" Hakbarah)

IMDB Rating: 5.6

My Rating: 6.2

Length: 117 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $90 million/$203 million

Zohan proved to be a slightly comical but mostly gross and heavily inappropriate film. Sandler was decently funny throughout, but the heavy Jewish/terrorist emphasis got really old, as did the mediocre Middle-Eastern accents. Overall a not terribly impressing comedy, but enough to get a few laughs.

Couples Retreat

Release Date: 2009

Director: Peter Billingsley

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Vince Vaughn and Malin Åkerman (as Dave and Ronnie) Jon Favreau and Kristin Davis
(as Joey and Lucy Tippaglio) Jason Bateman and Kristen Bell
(as Jason and Cynthia) and Faizon Love and Kali Hawk (as Shane and Trudy)

IMDB Rating: 5.4

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 113 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $60 million/$169 million

I actually didn't mind this romantic comedy, as its marriage issues and problems were well acted and gave slight indications of meaningfulness, as well as comical towards the finale. The entire cast did a respectable job through their characters. It got a little too relationship-based and too much drama, I-am-sick-of-my-significant-other type. But again, I give credit to the films that make the effort to produce meaningfulness and moving material.

King Kong

Release Date: 2005

Director: Peter Jackson

Genre: Adventure

Main Cast: Naomi Watts (as Ann Darrow) Jack Black (as Carl Denham) and Adrien Brody (as Jack Driscoll)

Based On: the 1933 film of the same name

IMDB Rating: 7.6

My Rating: 7.7

Length: 187 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $207 million/$551 million

King Kong was a very well reproduced storyline that had a sweet theme and CGI graphics, namely on the secretive island with the creatures and indigenous people. The theme and plotline was one of the better of each that I have seen in recent weeks. The Computer-Generated Imagery was ridiculous in this film as well, namely within the T-Rex and Gorilla fighting sequences as well as the creepy giant insect sections. The major flaw within the film occurred when King Kong was brought back to the states as the storyline heavily tailed off and lost its quality. I did slightly like Jack Black's ending quote, but the last quarter of the film was enough to drop its rating below 8 for me. Still a great film based on a classic story.

Sin City

Release Date: 2005

Director: Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez

Genre: Action

Main Cast: A multitude of A-listers in an ensemble cast

Based On: Miller's graphic novel series of the same name

IMDB Rating: 8.3

My Rating: 7.5

Length: 124 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $40 million/$159 million

One of the few neo-noir (Mostly Computer-Generated backdrops) films I have seen and own (Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and the next film on this week's list being the other two) Sin City did a great job of incorporating multiple storylines and action plots from popular graphic novels. Having a huge ensemble cast caused the film lack some character development, but the acting was superb on all levels, with very good performances by Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and Clive Owen. My only major beef with the film is the slight creepiness presented by the neo-noir format, something that couldn't really be changed about the film.

The Spirit

Release Date: 2008

Director: Frank Miller

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Gabriel Macht (as Denny Colt/The Spirit) Samuel L. Jackson (as The Octopus) Scarlett Johansson (as Silken Floss) and Eva Mendes (as Sand Saref)

Based On: he newspaper comic strip The Spirit by Will Eisner

IMDB Rating: 4.9

My Rating: 5.7

Length: 103 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: Unknown/$39 million

The second neo-noir film of the week, I had originally thought The Spirit was Sin City's sequel, however, it quickly became apparent that it wasn't due to the bad acting, pathetic plotline, and poor use of the neo-noir format. While Sin City used the neo-noir format to aid in the creepiness and evil of the film, The Spirit only cloudied the already bad direction of the film more. Macht was really pretty bad throughout, I have never been impressed with his acting previously. Jackson, Johansson, and Mendes did little to help the quality of acting and/or the character development. What good respect Sin City gained for neo-noir format for me was almost rescinded by The Spirit's lackluster quality.

Reign Over Me

Release Date: 2007

Director: Mike Binder

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Adam Sandler (as Charlie Fineman) Don Cheadle (as Dr. Alan Johnson) Jada Pinkett Smith (as Janeane Johnson) and Liv Tyler (as Dr. Angela Oakhurst)

IMDB Rating: 7.7

My Rating: 8.8

Length: 124 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $20 million/$21 million

Amazingly moving. Those two words well describe my overall feeling of the film after finishing it, as I was very very much impressed and apt to rating it in the Top 3 of my favorite all-time dramas. Sandler and Cheadle were absolutely superb throughout and were aided by solid supporting roles. The plot didn't shy from greatness at any point, keeping the audience attentive and feeling with the slightly sad and meaningful storyline. This film just really astonished me at its quality all-around, with no flaws whatsoever and even some slight comedy thrown in to keep the mood moderate. One of the most moving and heartfelt films I have seen to date, I suggest this great drama for any audience at any time, no question.

The Contract

Release Date: 2006

Director: Bruce Beresford

Genre: Thiller

Main Cast: John Cusack (as Ray Keene) Jamie Anderson (as Chris Keene) and Morgan Freeman (as Frank Carden)

IMDB Rating: 5.6

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 96 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $25 million/$6 million

Always being a Morgan Freeman fan, this film lacked some depth and concrete storyline but still proved to be a decent thriller watch. Kind of a stumble-upon-problem and escape film, Cusack and Freemen presented solid characters and acting, but the movie just didn't have a whole lot that happened or was accomplished. Closing well added to its above average quality, The Contract is a decent mid-level watch with a 2 A-listers to add interest.

Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Release Date: 2008

Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: John Cho (as Harold Lee) Kal Penn (as Kumar Patela) Danneel Harris (as Vanessa Fanning) and Rob Corddry (as Ron Fox)

IMDB Rating: 6.7

My Rating: 5.8

Length: 107 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $12 million/$68 million

Slightly better than its first part in the series, Harold and Kumar Part 2 follows the adventures of 2 smokers who get into trouble mostly due to their stereotypes and race. The film brought some laughs here and there, but it majorly lacked the depth of the comedy. A cheaply made film that thus brings cheap laughs.

Thin Red Line

Release Date: 1998

Director: Terrence Malick

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Sean Penn (as 1st Sgt. Edward Welsh) Adrien Brody (as Cpl. Geoffrey Fife) Jim Caviezel (as Pvt. Robert Witt) Ben Chaplin (as Pvt. John Bell) as well as a large ensemble cast

Based On: James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel of the same name

IMDB Rating: 7.5

My Rating: 6.1

Length: 170 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $52 million/$98 million

Another anti-war type war film, Thin Red Line did a decent job of presenting war battle scenes in the middle of its 2 1/2 hours of filming. The rediculously huge big-name cast was actually cut short from the original 5 hours of filming that included even more of a huge cast. It really got slow and too sentimental, however, at the beginning and finale when the fighting scenes were not occuring. The solid acting and decent fighting scenes were neutralized too much by the length and drama-type slowness that took place throughout the film.

Cold Mountain

Release Date: 2003

Director: Anthony Minghella

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Jude Law (as W. P. Inman) Nicole Kidman (as Ada Monroe) and Renée Zellweger (as Ruby Thewes)

Based On: the bestselling novel of the same name by Charles Frazier

IMDB Rating: 7.3

My Rating: 6.9

Length: 154 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $79 million/$173 million

A solid drama film that emphasized too much on the romance that barely took place due to the Civil War-theme. I did like the redemption theme of Kidman and Zellweger fixing up their farm, similar to Ryan Gosling in The Notebook, as well as the adventure-type themes of Law's return home. It also gave an excellent portrayal of some of the happenings of the Civil War and the fallout of it as well. I didn't mind the conclusion of film, as Kidman and the families moved on after Law's death. Despite the heavy romance-wishing concentration, Cold Mountain is still a solid watch and well put-together film.

Fool's Gold

Release Date: 2008

Director: Andy Tennant

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Matthew McConaughey (as Ben Finnegan) and Kate Hudson (as Tess Finnegan)

IMDB Rating: 5.4

My Rating: 6.8

Length: 113 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $70 million/$111 million

Fool's Gold turned out to be a fun treasure-hunting romantic comedy adventure that reminded me immensely of 2005 adventure Into the Blue. I liked the treasure-heavy emphasis of the film, as well as the free-spirited acting of McConahuhey and Hudson. The film lacked an amount of depth and didn't stay too realistic, but was still a good watch and kept the audience interested with the findings of riches and gold, a story always popular since the ancient tales of Treasure Island.

Battle: Los Angeles

Release Date: 2011

Director: Jonathan Liebesman

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Aaron Eckhart (as SSgt Michael Nantz) Ramón Rodríguez (as 2ndLt William Martinez) and Michelle Rodriguez (as TSgt Elena Santos)

Based On: the Battle of Los Angeles, a supposed World War II air raid of the city which turned out to be a false alarm caused by several unidentified objects.

IMDB Rating: 6.1

My Rating: 8.3

Length: 116 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $70 million/$193 million

I was really impressed with this War of the Worlds-esque film that was heads above any alien invasion film that I have seen to date. This was mostly due to the heavy-military emphasis that allowed for much more shooting action than a film without the emphasis would have had. I also really liked the leadership and sacrifice qualities that Eckhart presented and that his men under him fed on. A really well put together film overall, with very good Computer-Generated Imagery that produced the quality alien and spaceship scenes.

Your Highness

Release Date: 2011

Director: David Gordon Green

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Danny McBride (as Thadeous) James Franco (as Fabious) Rasmus Hardiker (as Courtney)

and Natalie Portman (as Isabel)

IMDB Rating: 6.2

My Rating: 7.1

Length: 102 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $50 million/$12 million

I was expecting a lot from this films as I entered the theatres, however, its awkwardness and weird medieval-heavy emphasis caused the film to be not as good as its similar casted Pineapple Express. There were some comical parts within, but most of the comedy ended up being either gross or fantasy-oriented. Franco was majorly over exaggerated, not one of my favorites of his performances. McBride and Portman were above average, but the film just gave off a weird and awkward feel that made it hard to enjoy. Not anything amazing, but still enough to bring a good amount of laughs.

Beerfest

Release Date: 2006

Director: Jay Chandrasekhar

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Jay Chandrasekhar (as Barry/Blind Sikh) Kevin Heffernan (as Landfill/Gil/Sausage Lady)Steve Lemme (as Fink/Emcee) and Paul Soter (as Jan Wolfhouse)

IMDB Rating: 6.1

My Rating: 5.7

Length: 110 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $18 million/$20 million

Beerfest proved to be an outrageously unrealistic beer-drinking comedy that really had very little meaningfulness and/or moral. It was somewhat comical throughout, with the Broken Lizard comedy group producing their usual above-average humor. But the non-existent plot and overall sub par performance didn't make it anything special from a quality standpoint.

Mr. Woodcock

Release Date: 2007

Director: Craig Gillespie

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Billy Bob Thornton (as Jasper Woodcock) Seann William Scott (as John Farley) and Susan Sarandon (as Beverly Farley)

IMDB Rating: 5.1

My Rating: 5.9

Length: 87 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $22 million/$33 million

Similar to the previous film, I had issues finding something positive out of Mr. Woodcock as a whole. The rudeness of Thornton and the misfortune of William Scott were about the only forms of comedy within, as Thornton played an abusive PE teacher who dates Scott's mother years later. It had decent resolution in the end, but I just didn't find the family staying together meaningful and or the best choice. Again, films under 6.0 are sub par for a reason, thus this film was not great.

A good average of viewed films this week due to some excellent overall films and minimal bad ones, as well as a high number reviewed for better insight into the film world today. Pay special attention to the upcoming theatre reviews as some excellent films are sure to be released in your area in the following weeks.

Until next week, stay informed...
-Jarid Holliday