Review - Cloverfield

"Cloverfield" is a most unusual and heavily hyped sci-fi movie. It takes place over a couple of days in New York City. We begin the movie with a going-away party for a young man who is moving to Japan for a new job. Suddenly, all hell breaks loose. Things begin to explode, people begin to panic...and the characters find themselves in a race against time...and something else.
This movie had been previewed for months...with very little information given about the movie itself. In the back of my mind, I started wondering, "Am I witnessing another "Snakes On A Plane"...or will this movie actually live up to the hype?" The short answer...kind of. Imagine if the people who shot "The Blair Witch Project" made "Godzilla". You now have a pretty decent idea on what "Cloverfield" was like.
I liked the idea of the first-person perspective on the movie...and how there was still interaction between the characters and the surroundings. However...there were times where another characters perspective would have been appreciated. And it leaves the movie-goer with many questions about what actually happened.
All in all...not a great movie...but a good one. The characters were likeable and well played, the story moved along well, and unlike "I Am Legend", the special effects were a lot better.

Review - National Treasure: Book Of Secrets

I was a big fan of the first National Treasure movie, and thus I was quite enthused when word of a sequel reached my ears. And I'm glad to say, that the sophomore jinx didn't hit Book Of Secrets.
The movie is enough that you didn't have to see the original to follow this story...as a matter of fact, this movie barely makes any reference to the original (quite an unusual turn of events). Ben Gates' great-great grandfather has been presented as a possible co-conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. With the assistance of his father, his sidekick Riley, his estranged girlfriend Abigail, and his mother Emily...Ben goes off on another incredible search to protect his family name.
There are some excellent performances in the movie...and with a cast that includes Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Ed Harris, and Helen Mirren, that is pretty much a foregone conclusion. The story is entertaining, and carries on at a good pace. The ending of the story almost guaranteed a sequel.
All in all, an excellent movie!

Review - I Am Legend

I'll admit it...when I first saw the trailers...I was intrigued. I had already rented an earlier version of this movie off Netflix (The Omega Man, with Charlton Heston in the title role). Still, I put off seeing this movie.
It wasn't terrible. Granted...we've come to expect so much better from Will Smith...but it wasn't entirely Will's fault this time around. The special effects for such a big-budget film were not very impressive. In fact, they were quite underwhelming. The story is about the same as Omega Man - a military scientist is the last man alive in New York City after a man-made disease wipes out the majority of the human race. Most of those unaffected by the disease are now more animal than human...unable to tolerate sunlight (or any bright light for that matter). It is interesting to see how a person would stand being the only person left on Earth...and what it might do to their psychological state.
Decent characters...decent story...bad special effects. I Am Legend isn't the best movie you could spend money to go see...but it isn't the worst, either.

My Two Cents - Summer '07 In Review

Well...I can finally say...it was a good summer for movies. Thankfully...considering what a dud 2006 turned out to be. I will say...there were some disappointments (the most notable of which was "Spider-Man 3"), but I would have to say that the movie as a whole was a good one. There were more hits than misses. And now, to quickly review my earlier post of my most anticipated releases of the summer...and update how I felt about them.
First and foremost, I must say that I did not get a chance to see "1408" or "28 Weeks Later". I do plan to rent "1408" on Netflix...and I will let you know what I thought after that. That being said, let's continue.
"Spider-Man 3"...I already reviewed it...but here it is again. VERY disappointing. Easily the biggest let-down of the entire summer. Should have been WAY better than it actually was.
"Live Free Or Die Hard"...I was expecting it to be good. I was amazed at how awesome it really was!!! Bruce Willis just keeps getting better every time he plays John McClane...and this time out was great! Excellent supporting cast, good story...and loads of action and witty one-liners. In other words, everything we come to expect from a "Die Hard" movie.
"Transformers"...what can I say besides..."When does the sequel come out!!!!!!!!!" Hands down, no contest, the best movie of the summer!!! Everything I anticipated and then some!!!
"Pirates Of The Carribean - At World's End"...I am of the opinion that "Pirates Of The Carribean - Dead Man's Chest" was not a very good movie. So...I went into this one not expecting much. Thankfully...they redeemed themselves. "At World's End" was a perfect third chapter. It tied up all the loose ends from the first two movies...but left the door just wide open enough for the possibility of a fourth movie.
"The Bourne Ultimatum"...Easily as good as the first movie. Robert Ludlum needs to write more Bourne books!!!
"Fantastic Four - Rise Of The Silver Surfer"...I was a little underwhelmed with Galactus...but a small nit to pick. Otherwise, a strong sequel for an under-rated film.
"Ocean's Thirteen"...Like "At World's End", I was disappointed with the second movie of the "Ocean" series. And again...they managed to redeem themselves somewhat. It still wasn't as good as the first one...but this one was better than the second one.
"Resident Evil - Extinction"...Not as good as the first two, but still an entertaining movie.
Of course...that's just my opinion...

My Two Cents - Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Hey, all y'all!!!

OK...I know I haven't posted in quite some time. I may never grow tired of movies...but I'm afraid I did hit a dry spell for posting to the blog. However...have no fear, for I have returned! And I've got a ton of stuff to talk about, too!!!

My Two Cents - You Might Be A Movie Fanatic If...

Unless you've lived under a rock for the last several years, odds are you know who Jeff Foxworthy is. A stand-up comedian of some dubious talent...Foxworthy is best known for his jokes about whether or not you qualify as a redneck. Well...that's all well and good. But, this blog does not wish to know such things. What concerns me is whether or not you might be a movie fanatic. So...without further adieu...a little test to determine whether or not you are, indeed...a movie fanatic.
If you ever got a job at a movie theater for the free tickets...you might be a movie fanatic.
If your home theater system cost more than the car you are driving...you might be a movie fanatic.
If a friend, family member, or co-worker wonders aloud if a movie is any good, and the first thing anybody says is, "Ask so-and-so"...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you compare movies with other movies...you might be a movie fanatic.
If upon returning from the restroom or concession stand, you have asked a total stranger what happened during the movie...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you have ever planned an entire day around a movie...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you quote movies that nobody else has ever heard of...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you don't go to Blockbuster Video because you've seen everything they have...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you go missing, and the first place anybody looks for you is a movie theater...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you have lost count how many movies you have seen...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you can tell the difference between movie theater popcorn by blindfolded taste...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you've ever spent an entire day inside a movie theater...and don't work there...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you've been nodding for the majority of this list...sorry, you're a movie fanatic.
But that's just my opinion...

My Two Cents - Good Movie VS Great Movie

It could be the age old question - what separates a good movie from a great movie? What's the difference between three stars and four to five stars? How do you bring a movie from "so-so" to having people rave about it to anybody who can stand to listen to them? I'm sure almost everyone has their own opinions on the what and the how. So...in my humble opinion...here are the top five things that I think take a good movie and make it a great one.
1) Character development. It sounds pretty simple. But it can make all the difference in the world. Every movie has characters in it. And granted, you can't learn everything about every single character...you just don't have enough time. But at least take the time to develop SOME of the characters. Character development works in two ways. One...it makes the characters more interesting...and it connects the audience to them more. It's easier to care about somebody you actually know something about. Two...it gives insight into some of their actions. One of the most powerful moments of "Saving Private Ryan" is where Tom Hanks' character tells the squad that he is an English teacher from Pennsylvania. It has absolutely nothing to do with the story...but it makes Hanks' character a little bit more human. You connect with him a little more. And yet so few movies take the time to do this.
2) Special effects in moderation. You've heard it your entire life. Everything in moderation. A little of something can be a wonderful thing. Too much can be horrible. The same goes for making movies. Special effects in the movies have come unbelievably far just in my lifetime. Compare the special effects from "Star Wars" to "Revenge Of The Sith". As I said in an earlier post, it's like comparing a Model T Ford to a Prius. They can do things in movies now that they wouldn't even have imagined doing twenty years ago...simply because there was no way on Earth that they could have done it. BUT...to paraphrase the immortal words of Ian Malcolm from "Jurassic Park"...moviemakers get so preoccupied with whether or not they can do something, they never stop to ask if they should. Special effects can add so much to a story. But too many just distract from the story itself. Good special effects are like sprinkles on a sundae. They shouldn't be the main attraction...they should make the end result that much more amazing.
3) Trying to do too much. Another point of moderation. I've said it before...and I'll say it again. Nothing drops a movie from great to good faster than trying to do too much. Whether it is too many new characters, too many sub-plots, too many twists...too much is NEVER a good thing. Especially in a medium where you only have two hours to tell your story, give or take. The two greatest examples on this point are "Spider-Man 3" and "X-Men: The Last Stand". Both are fine movies. But they could have been great movies...except for one minor detail: They tried to do too much.
4) Waiting for something good. I remember quite well when I went to see "The Hulk." I was so psyched about it. I had bought my ticket a week in advance. I went at eleven o'clock at night. And then...I waited an hour before I actually got to see the title character. I know...I timed it. I know that sometimes, patience is a virtue. When you have to wait sixty minutes out of a two hour and eighteen minute movie to see the main character...that's pushing it.
5) A flat ending. This has happened many times before. You have a great movie. It is astounding. It is incredible. And then...it ends. And the ending just ruins it. Suddenly, what should have been a great movie drops to an OK movie. Classic example - "Lord Of The Rings - Return Of The King." It was a great movie...and then the ending took half an hour. By the time the movie actually ended...I was glad that it had ended! I have seen movie endings where the audience stands and applauds. That is how you want a movie to end.
But, that's just my opinion...