Movie Reviews

Having seen (and loved) Knocked Up, I knew Seth Rogen was one of the most hilariously talented young actors in the business. I was also very familiar with James Franco’s talent.  He’s been one of my favorite actors since his remarkable performance as  James Dean in the movie James Dean.  He was also  amazing in Tristan + Isolde.

What I didn’t know was how at home with comedy James Franco is.  He’s freaking hilarious!  He was every bit as funny in Pineapple Express as Seth Rogen was and that’s saying a lot.

Pineapple Express is being billed  most places as a “drug movie” - fair enough, I guess, given the title and storyline.  Pineapple Express is the name of the drug that Saul (James Franco) sells to Dale (Seth Rogen).  When Dale witnesses a murder, the killers set out to kill Dale.  When he and Saul go on the run, the laughs come fast and furious. 

The movie strikes me as more of a stroy about friendship than anything else.  I liked it a lot and loved the performances of the two lead actors.

The chemistry between Seth Rogen and James Franco reminds me of the special chemistry between George Clooney and Brad Pitt.  I can only hope that these two guys team up for a lot more movies in the future.  My popcorn, M&M’s, Diet Coke and I will be ready, willing, and laughing.

Lots and lots of the type of humor and language you’d expect. 

After waiting anxiously (for what seemed like years) and after reading all of the glowing, amazing reviews of The Dark Knight, a part of me was nervous about seeing it.  I was afraid that it might not live up to the hype, hope, and hysteria. 

I can’t recall a movie ever getting this much attention or creating this much of a stir.  Everyone’s talking about it and you can’t pass by a newspaper stand without seeing the Joker or Batman staring you down.

Like so many theaters, ours was sold out - so it was a large, excited crowd we saw the movie with.  Before the trailers began, the excitement was causing an endless string of talking, laughing, popcorn crunching, and looking around.  But when the lights went down and the trailers began, you could only hear a precious few whispers.

As soon as the trailers ended and it was obvious that The Dark Knight was upon us, you couldn’t hear a single sound.  No popcorn being fondled, no drinks being returned to their holders, no wiggling around in the seats - just perfect silence.  I’m pretty sure we all held our breaths for the first few minutes. Everyone in the theater embraced the movie from beginning to end. 

The Dark Knight has actually become more of an event than just a movie. 

With gas prices, a war that seems (also) to be taking years, and an economy in the nastiest of moods - I think we were in as much need of Batman as Gotham has ever been.  And what a glorious distraction he has proven to be!

When we left the theater, after we ran out of adjectives, adverbs, and superlatives - we just rode home in silence, soaking in what we’d seen.  The movie is a masterpiece, make no mistake about it.  The action, the effects, the acting, the toys (!)… everything is stunningly flawless and flawlessly stunning.  Christian Bale is an incredible actor and he just became my all-time favorite Batman (just edging out Michael Keaton).  Batman has always been my favorite of the Justice Leaguers, so I’m always more than a little interested in who brings him to life.

The casting was amazing in The Dark Knight. Aaron Eckhart was perfect as Harvey Dent - a great performance.  Gary Oldham as Jim Gordon was also fantastic, as was the adorable Maggie Gyllenhaal.  As for Michael Caine, he defines “scene stealer.”  Morgan Freeman was a very pleasant surprise - he’s a favorite actor of mine, yet I didn’t even realize he was in this film. 

The directing was also spectacular - this movie’s giving the word “flawless” a workout like it’s never had… but the directing was flawless.

However, the thing that leaves you grasping for words is Heath Ledger’s performance.  It was something otherworldly and phenomenal.  You know me - I’ve seen countless movies and performances.  I could sit down for 3 days and not count all of the movies I’ve seen.  From all the performances I’ve ever witnessed, I put Heath Ledger and his delectable Joker in my top favorite performances of all time - performances that left you breathless, waiting to see what the character would do next.  Performances that the star disappeared before your eyes until only the character remained.

Some of my personal all-time favorite performances:

• Johnny Depp in The Secret  Window
• Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates movies
• Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd
• Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted
• Hattie McDaniel in Gone With the Wind
• James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause
• Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs
• George Clooney in Michael Clayton
• Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby
• Helena Bonham Carter
• Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady
• Adrien Brody in The Jacket
• Tom Cruise in Rainman
• Dustin Hoffman in Rainman
• Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice
• Clint Eastwood in Million Dollar Baby
• Denzel Washington in Malcolm X
• Jack Nicholson in Batman
• Robert Downey, Jr. in Ironman
• Tom Hanks in Cast Away
• Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line
• Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line
• James McAvoy in Wanted
• Jimmy Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life

….and now, most certainly, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. 

Some theaters apparently are showing a tribute to Heath Ledger after the final credits roll.  Unfortunately, ours didn’t.  About half of us stayed and were pretty disappointed.  I can’t wait to see The Dark Knight a second time.  It’s the kind of larger than life movie (like Wanted, Iron Man…) that you want to see as many times as possible.

If you haven’t seen this film yet, go as soon as possible and, whatever you do, hang onto every word the Joker says and watch every move he makes.  Heath Ledger has created film magic and you won’t want to blink.

The movie-loving part of me sincerely hopes that another movie will come along one day that’ll rival The Dark Knight for the excitement, anticipation, and enjoyment it has given us (before, during, and after the movie, itself), but I have as many doubts as Thomas did.  

I think it’d have to be another Batman movie.  This would be me crossing my fingers.

One of the best compliments I can ever give to a movie is to see it more than once. For the first time since Iron Man (one of the best movies EVER!), I’ve paid this compliment to a movie.

Truth be told, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to go see Wanted a third time. I loved it that much.

It’s obvious, right from the first, that this is a very unique movie. The way the scenes are shot is pretty much unlike anything I’ve ever seen. To be honest, at one point when the effects first slowed everything down… waaaaay down… I was kind of taken off guard. I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it. But by the second or third time it happened, I was already buying into whatever the movie wanted to sell me.

James McAvoy was nothing short of perfect in this movie. He’s an amazing actor and is one of the main reasons this movie is as great as it is. After Atonement I was about as excited about James McAvoy as I am toast. Sure, I realized he was talented, but I never saw that something special - the wow factor.

Apparently he was saving it all for Wanted - because he was sitting on WOW from his first scene to his last.

Another WOW factor the film had going on was one of my two favorite modern-day actresses: Miss Angelina Jolie. Ironically, James McAvoy starred with my other favorite actress, Keira Knightley, in Atonement.

Angelina was amazing in this movie. The fact that someone so incredibly beautiful and tiny can make such a believable bad ass is a real tribute to their acting skills. She has never gotten enough attention, in my opinion, for her talent. I guess it’s a curse she has to bear for not being born fugly.

The action, the dialogue, the humor, the music (AMAZING soundtrack), the acting, the casting - I give absolutely everything about this movie an A plus. I can’t wait for the DVD and viewing number 3.

I love movies with every ounce of my being - so when a new movie comes out, chances are, I’m going to see it.  I’ve got it down to an art.  At the concession stand, I get my Diet Coke, buttered popcorn, and a bag of M&M’s.  When we get to our seats, I pour the M&M’s into the popcorn, sit back and chit the chat with whomever is with me (either my husband and/or daughters or any combination of the above). 

As soon as the trailers begin, we enter a whole new world of fun.  That brings me to a mini rant, though.  Theaters have got to STOP showing commercials…we can see those at home.  Show more trailers and less commercials.  If I have to see the Democrat/Republican Coke commercial one more time, I may throw my Coke.

Nah, it costs too much.  Scratch the threat.

One of the most enjoyable, funnest comedies I’ve seen in a very long time… well, ever… is Get Smart with Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, and Alan Arkin.

I knew it would be good, but I had no idea it would be as good as it is.  Everything about the movie was completely perfect.  It’d be impossible to count the “laugh out loud” moments.  You couldn’t, if you wanted to -  you’d be too busy laughing.  In fact, there were more than a few scenes that left me with tears in my eyes thanks to fits of laughter.

Now that’s what I want from a comedy - make me cry!  So few seem capable of doing it, it just makes it all the more special when one comes along that’s more than you could have ever hoped for.

The casting was dead on in Get Smart, with a surprising chemistry between the leads. Dwayne Johnson and Alan Arkin were fantastic in the film, as well.  If you haven’t seen this one, you’ll want to take care of that asap.  This one will have you rolling in the aisles - if it doesn’t, you’ll want to start searching for your missing sense of humor.

I’m starting a Movie Reviews Section on the site, and I’m thrilled that Get Smart is kicking things off.  I’m going to rate the movies I review on a scale of 1 to 10.  For me, an example of a 1 would be Beowolf.  (I LOATHED that movie!).  10 movies would be those that are absolutely perfect - like the Ocean’s movies (11 and 13), the Bourne movies (all 3), Iron Man (an all-time favorite), etc. 

I give Get Smart a 10 without a moment’s hesitation.  Loved it!