Sunshine Cleaning - A- (Gotta Own)
Sunshine Cleaning is a funny yet touching movie about 2 sisters that start a crime scene cleanup business just to make ends meat. The sisters are played by the ever amusing Amy Adams and Emily Blunt. Adams shines once again as a single mother who can’t catch a break. The chemistry and interactions of Adams and Blunt couldn’t be closer to 2 real sisters. Alan Arkin costars as their father who is trying to come up with any scheme he can to not necessarily get rich, but to just get by with doing as little work as possible. My only gripe about the movie would be a subplot between Blunt and Mary Lynn Rajskub’s character (Chloe from 24) which was greatly underdeveloped and could have used a lot more screen time. Overall a great film with plenty of laughs and well worth a rent.
Duplicity - B- (Wait for It)
Starring Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson, and written and directed by Tony Gilroy (writer of the Bourne Trilogy and writer/director of critically acclaimed Michael Clayton) Duplicity had all the promise in the world, yet quickly lost its way. The trailer promises that it will be a corporate espionage with a thriller of a heist involved, yet fails to live up to its own expectations as it is boring, fairly uneventful and incredibly confusing throughout. I stuck with the movie hoping the ending would either be satisfying or surprising, however was greatly disappointed. I don’t generally get confused during movies, however this left me thinking about what I just watched, and not in a good way. My recommendation is to just wait for it to come on cable and watch it for free.
Adventureland - B+ (Gotta Rent)
In the ever-growing genre of Indie romantic comedies, Adventureland is its next installment. This “dramady” set in the 80’s isn’t as laugh out loud as recent comedy gems such as Superbad, but still provides many laughs, as well as very interesting characters. Its laughs are mainly supplied by the hilarious Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig (Superbad, Knocked Up, SNL, etc.) whereas the 2 main characters played by Kristen Stewart and newcomer Jesse Eisenberg provide all the drama of complicated relationships, very reminiscent to some of the classics of the 80s. Fans of the wave of indie films hitting the market will love this (as well as its great soundtrack) as well as most people who just like romantic comedies. If you’re expecting a Superbad type of movie you’ll be disappointed, but this is definitely worth a watch.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
DVD Releases August 18th ON REVIEW
Last House on the Left - B- (Wait for It)
This remake of the 1972 horror flick puts a nice twist on the typical horror movie storyline. Whereas most are about innocent people being terrorized and killed by psychopaths, this one veers towards the innocent family taking revenge on the crazed killers. It is still full of your gruesome deaths and dumb teenagers; it just also adds in a couple of really pissed off parents who will stop at nothing to avenge what has happened to their daughter. There is one scene that is particularly hard to watch, that being a very disturbing rape scene, however aside from that it is a suspenseful and fairly thrilling horror movie. As far as horror movies go it’s above average and worth a rent.
This remake of the 1972 horror flick puts a nice twist on the typical horror movie storyline. Whereas most are about innocent people being terrorized and killed by psychopaths, this one veers towards the innocent family taking revenge on the crazed killers. It is still full of your gruesome deaths and dumb teenagers; it just also adds in a couple of really pissed off parents who will stop at nothing to avenge what has happened to their daughter. There is one scene that is particularly hard to watch, that being a very disturbing rape scene, however aside from that it is a suspenseful and fairly thrilling horror movie. As far as horror movies go it’s above average and worth a rent.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
DVD Releases August 11th ON REVIEW
I Love You, Man – A (Gotta Own)
Paul Rudd and Jason Segel strike comedy gold again, as funny as both Forgetting Sarah Marshal and Role Models. Paul Rudd, who’s newly engaged, realizes that he has no male friends that he could use to be his best man. To solve this he goes on a search for a new best friend. That friend is found in Segel, a go-with-the-flow type of guy who knows how to have fun. The film is full with the awkwardness of Rudd and the crudeness of Segel. I found myself laughing from start to finish. All of the supporting characters are hilarious, including his father, brother and Lou Ferrigno, the original Incredible Hulk. If you’ve been a fan of all the great comedies of the last few years then I not only recommend this to be rented, but to be purchased as well.
17 Again – B (Gotta Rent)
17 Again was a surprisingly good comedy starring Matthew Perry and Zac Efron. The storyline is anything but original, as it’s just like Big, Vice Versa, and 13 Going on 30 just to name a few, where something happens to change an adult back into a child to get a second chance. Although Matthew Perry looks nothing like an older Zac Efron, whom he’s supposed to be as a child, they both play their roles well and provide a decent amount of laughs. Leslie Mann (Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin, Funny People) is the best part of the movie, playing Matthew Perry’s wife who is seeking a divorce. I’m definitely not a fan of Zac Efron, however this is still worth a watch despite him being cast in the main role. The movie isn’t going to win any awards, and probably not something you’ll want to buy, but it is worth a rent as it provides quite a few laughs.
Paul Rudd and Jason Segel strike comedy gold again, as funny as both Forgetting Sarah Marshal and Role Models. Paul Rudd, who’s newly engaged, realizes that he has no male friends that he could use to be his best man. To solve this he goes on a search for a new best friend. That friend is found in Segel, a go-with-the-flow type of guy who knows how to have fun. The film is full with the awkwardness of Rudd and the crudeness of Segel. I found myself laughing from start to finish. All of the supporting characters are hilarious, including his father, brother and Lou Ferrigno, the original Incredible Hulk. If you’ve been a fan of all the great comedies of the last few years then I not only recommend this to be rented, but to be purchased as well.
17 Again – B (Gotta Rent)
17 Again was a surprisingly good comedy starring Matthew Perry and Zac Efron. The storyline is anything but original, as it’s just like Big, Vice Versa, and 13 Going on 30 just to name a few, where something happens to change an adult back into a child to get a second chance. Although Matthew Perry looks nothing like an older Zac Efron, whom he’s supposed to be as a child, they both play their roles well and provide a decent amount of laughs. Leslie Mann (Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin, Funny People) is the best part of the movie, playing Matthew Perry’s wife who is seeking a divorce. I’m definitely not a fan of Zac Efron, however this is still worth a watch despite him being cast in the main role. The movie isn’t going to win any awards, and probably not something you’ll want to buy, but it is worth a rent as it provides quite a few laughs.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
DVD Releases August 4th ON REVIEW
Race to Witch Mountain – B (Gotta Rent)
Race is a fun, action-packed, family movie starring The Rock. It is very similar to movies such as Journey to the Center of the Earth and Spy Kids. Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock) plays a taxi driver that is unknowingly driving 2 aliens around. The Rock is quickly turning into a perennial Teen Choice Award nominee with his family friendly films in which he combines action and humor into a pretty decent film. Alongside Johnson both of the children’s roles are well casted, along with Carla Gugino (Spy Kids) as a scientist. Most adults will probably find the story dumb, but if you’re with your family then it is definitely worth a rent.
Obsessed – C (Don’t Bother)
This movie is about as un-suspenseful and predictable as one can get. It’s about Ali Larter stalking her boss, even though he is married to Beyonce. All of the “twists and turns” are incredibly unrealistic and boring. Both the acting and dialogue is very sub par. Looking back there is only about 10 total scenes, and that’s a few too many. If you’re looking to watch one of these stalker style movies, then just watch The Hand that Rocked the Cradle, or Single White Female as they are far superior films with essentially the same storyline. Overall I would say don’t bother watching it unless it’s free (and even then I may skip it.)
The Soloist - A- (Gotta Rent)
The Soloist is a great film with 2 of the best performances of the year from Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. It is emotional and thought provoking as it shows how a deeply troubled man still tries to realize his musical dreams. Downey plays a reporter, whom at first seems as if he’s trying to exploit the schizophrenic Foxx for an article, however slowly begins to be won over by his grace and heart. Not only does the film give you insight into the broken mind of Foxx’s character, but also the hardships that the homeless community must endure. The film does move at a slower pace than most movies, so make sure you’re in the right mood to watch it. However, it is an exceptional film and definitely worth a rent.
Race is a fun, action-packed, family movie starring The Rock. It is very similar to movies such as Journey to the Center of the Earth and Spy Kids. Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock) plays a taxi driver that is unknowingly driving 2 aliens around. The Rock is quickly turning into a perennial Teen Choice Award nominee with his family friendly films in which he combines action and humor into a pretty decent film. Alongside Johnson both of the children’s roles are well casted, along with Carla Gugino (Spy Kids) as a scientist. Most adults will probably find the story dumb, but if you’re with your family then it is definitely worth a rent.
Obsessed – C (Don’t Bother)
This movie is about as un-suspenseful and predictable as one can get. It’s about Ali Larter stalking her boss, even though he is married to Beyonce. All of the “twists and turns” are incredibly unrealistic and boring. Both the acting and dialogue is very sub par. Looking back there is only about 10 total scenes, and that’s a few too many. If you’re looking to watch one of these stalker style movies, then just watch The Hand that Rocked the Cradle, or Single White Female as they are far superior films with essentially the same storyline. Overall I would say don’t bother watching it unless it’s free (and even then I may skip it.)
The Soloist - A- (Gotta Rent)
The Soloist is a great film with 2 of the best performances of the year from Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. It is emotional and thought provoking as it shows how a deeply troubled man still tries to realize his musical dreams. Downey plays a reporter, whom at first seems as if he’s trying to exploit the schizophrenic Foxx for an article, however slowly begins to be won over by his grace and heart. Not only does the film give you insight into the broken mind of Foxx’s character, but also the hardships that the homeless community must endure. The film does move at a slower pace than most movies, so make sure you’re in the right mood to watch it. However, it is an exceptional film and definitely worth a rent.
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