Mid-Winter New Release Round-up

UP IN THE AIR

Boy, were those trailers misleading!!! The movie is about Ryan Bringham (George Clooney) who makes a living laying off people!!! In these economic times, it is really difficult to watch but he is very charming, but he’s a dog! He does acquire human qualities during the movie and audiences might enjoy that he does get his in the end. The female co-stars Vera Farmiga (his bedroom buddy) and Anna Kendrick (an ambitious, overachiever employee) are very good and at times it is like a romantic comedy. It has good elements going for it. Should you see it? Yes, if you like George Clooney and the non-Hollywood plot. The director Jason Reitman has a track record for making odd subjects likable (such as Juno, Thank You For Not Smoking). At least he is original.

EDGE OF DARKNESS --- MEL GIBSON RETURNS TO THE BIG SCREEN

It has been seven years since actor Mel Gibson been the star of a movie. He probably could have done Lethal Weapon 5 but he chose this picture. It is not a fun action movie, but very serious stuff for his daughter is killed by a shot gun blast in front of him. He thinks they wanted to kill him but he finds out more, that leads to people in power. You feel sorry for him for he truly loved and misses his daughter. There is action, but it is not for action hounds. Should you see it? If you like Mel Gibson, yes---if not, wait for video.

THE WOLFMAN --- GORY GOOD!!

This is the remake of the 1941 classic that made Lon Chaney Jr. famous. It is creepy with lots of bloodshed, and a plot twist at the end. Benicio Del Toro as the hairy beast is good but when he transforms into the monster he is even better!! Anthony Hopkins plays his distant father and you can see why he left him. Should you see it? It is great they made a film about this supernatural creature rather than another vampire movie. It’s bloody, short and sweet. If you do not like werewolves---wait until video.

CRAZY HEART

Jeff Bridges (the villain in Iron Man) proves he is a great actor as Otis “Bad” Blake in Crazy Heart. He plays a very lovable loser-drinking, screwing and smoking country singer. He is like this for most of the movie until he meets a woman with a young child and tries to change his life. In the movies you have seen this a thousand times, but it is Jeff Bridges who gives life to this person you should hate. His supporting cast isn’t bad either, as Maggie Gynenhaal as the woman acts like a real working woman and the problems she faces. Colin Ferrell as Tommy Sweet (a country singer) is actually even good. The cinematography is excellent by Barry Markowitz. Should you see it? If you like good acting: YES!! If you don’t like country---wait.

DVD Roundup: Michael, Hulk and Willis

MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT
THE GREATEST CONCERT THAT WASN’T

I just saw ‘This is it,’ and I must say it is so good!!! If Michael Jackson had lived I think it would the most successful, spectacular concert of 2009. The rehearsal footage is fantastic. You see him practice his old songs with special effects, and it is great! My favorite is ‘Billie Jean’ were it’s just him on stage and drums--nothing else is needed. It shows the talent this man had!!! He is the King of Pop!!! I honestly wish I had seen it in the theater, for it is wonderful. In the extras it shows how hi-tech even his designer costumes were, and how they picked the dancers. It is a treat for people who are fans of Michael Jackson--if you’re not a fan rent it to see what a great performer we have lost. The only reason you shouldn’t see if you don’t like Michael Jackson at all!!

PLANET HULK
ANIMATED
BLU RAY/DVD

Marvel has done it again!!! If you love 2D animation, action and the Hulk-–where he never turns into Bruce Banner--you will like this movie!!! It is based on the comics. The story is about the other superheroes trick Hulk into a spaceship to rid Earth of him. He lands on a planet that makes him a slave but you can’t keep the green man down! It is very action packed and violent for an animated feature, but very good.

SURROGATES
SCI-FI/FANTASY
BLU RAY/DVD

If you could be perfect but your mind has to live through a robot, would you? That is the question in the film Surrogates. It is a little confusing because you don’t know whether is Bruce Willis a robot or the real person. After a slow start, all of the sudden it becomes action packed. The movie is only 90 minutes. The premise is interesting and the special effects are not bad but it could have been better, and Bruce Willis did the best he could. It is a better as a DVD movie to me.

Jolly Good, Grim But Interesting

SHERLOCK HOLMES:
JOLLY GOOD!!!

Let me say I am used to the old school Sherlock Holmes in the 40’s with Basil Rathbone, but this re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes is just as entertaining. This Holmes is played by Ironman himself, Robert Downey Jr. He is intelligent, good at deduction but he likes to get in fights, look a mess and be an action hero in the 1880s!!! Jude Law is very good as Dr. John Watson. He is more than a side kick; he’s more like his nanny!!! Both of the stars seem to enjoy themselves. The villain is Lord Blackwood, played menacingly by Mark Strong (soon to be in Green Lantern). He is very creepy, but where is Moriarty? In the sequel I heard. If you like Indiana Jones, Wild, Wild West and MacGyver, you will enjoy this movie.

THE BOOK OF ELI:
GRIM BUT INTERESTING

The end of the world movies are always depressing this movie is not different because it has religious implications. Eli (Denzel Washington) is excellent as the protector of the only Bible in existence after doomsday. He walks west killing people who want his prize possession. Gary Oldman (Dark Knight) is very evil and very good at it as he and his henchmen do anything to get the book. A lot of people didn’t like the ending, for it is not the slam-bang finish people are accustomed to. There is action in the movie and the music by Atticus Ross is either amazing or annoying.

Should You See It? If you are an action hound-–wait for video. If you are religious, it is hard to sit through the violence, but it is a sad yet satisfying ending.

Chipmunks, Messengers and Frogs

Here are some flicks I just got around to:

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS 2: THE SQUEAKQUEL
This movie is so sweet you could get a cavity!!! The movie makes NO SENSE but it is fun to watch. Dave (Jason Lee) wants the chipmunks to live a normal life and that means go to high school!!! He is injured from Alvin’s antics and charges his brother, Tom (Zachary Levi, the guy from NBC series Chuck) to take care of the boys (chipmunks)!! Then there are the Chipettes!! Highlight: ‘Single Ladies’!! It is a kid’s movie but it is a delightful kid’s movie.

THE MESSENGER: DISTURBING JOB
If you decide to see this film, prepare to cry. The Messenger is about soldiers that tell loved ones that they have died in war. The touching moments are in the reactions that the families have. It is just tragic!! The two men are Ben Foster (X-Men 3 and Punisher 2004) and Woody Harrelson (Zombieland). It is hard for them as well, and they let it out in drinking, crying, screwing and telling their stories about their war experiences. Samantha Morton is the love interest in the film. She is not a hot chick, but average women dealing with the death of her husband. This movie is not easy to sit through---that’s why it is not a hit with audiences. All the actors are very good. If there was a sequel to Hurt Locker, this would be it.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG: BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL
Disney went back to doing 2D animation with this movie and it is wonderful. It also introduces their first black princess, who is voiced by Anika Noni Rose (of Dreamgirls--the Movie). She is a hard working woman who longs to open her own restaurant. She does turn into a princess. The cast is great, but for Disney I love the supporting cast like Ray, a Cajun firefly and Louis and alligator that plays the trumpet and Mama Odie, who is 197 year voodoo witch. It is an excellent movie for kids--especially girls, or for adults who want to feel like a kid again.

Avatar is Amazing

AVATAR---AMAZING!!!
Let me say I heard about this movie then I saw the trailer and I wasn’t impressed then I saw the movie! You have to enjoy three things--Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Action. This film is a MOVIE EXPERIENCE!!! You have to see it on IMAX and 3D glasses. The MOVIE EXPERIENCE is costly. IMAX (where I live) is $18.50 +3D Glasses = EXPENSIVE!! Even if you can’t do IMAX, see it on the big screen for if you don’t you're doing your eyes and ears an injustice!!!

Plot is not really important, but the themes are: Mankind always dominating another species. The acting is good. Sam Worthington (T4, soon to be in Clash of Titans) as Jake is an action hero!! Rugged, tough and compassionate. Zoe Salanda (Uhura in Star Trek) as Neytiri is great. She is a talented actress. I hope she gets a lot of work. Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch is the villain but he should be called Colonel Bad-Ass!! He is your stereotypical military person--take charge, take down, and take over!!! If he was in charge of the Iraq war we would win!!

James Cameron is a wonderful director. It took him twelve years to make this movie and it was well worth the wait!!! It is the best Christmas gift a director can give to his audience--hi-tech and humanity!!

BOTTOM LINE: This is a beautiful film to see but if you’re not interested in 12-feet blue people don’t bother but if you are you won’t be disappointed.