The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1

Directed By: Bill Condon

Written By: Melissa Rosenberg (screenplay), Stephenie Meyer (novel)

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner

Rated: PG-13

MY RATING:  B+

Romantically wild and over the top fun for fans of the series!

Breaking Dawn Part 1 begins with Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) marriage to Edward (Robert Pattinson). Of course Jacob (Taylor Lautner) is not happy about the event and noticeably missing from the festivities. Later on their honeymoon Bella and Edward finally consummate their marriage. Defying what is known, Bella becomes pregnant which puts her life in danger and the lives of everyone around her. With the impending birth all bets are off, including the treaty, and it’s werewolves versus vampires. Everyone has choices to make in this film and you’ll have to check it out to see the paths they take.

Now I must admit that I am a fan of the series so my opinion is not completely unbiased. To be a fan of the Twilight series you have to put aside reality, good dialogue and sometimes good acting and just go on the romantic journey with Bella, Edward and Jacob. We know it’s silly but we don’t care and this time around I was not disappointed.

I wasn’t overly impressed with the wedding scene, visually or otherwise. Also there were moments when Bella looked as if she was terrified but yet she went through with it and we’re supposed to believe it was romantic. Um not so much. The honeymoon even got off to a shaky start for Bella (Stewart) but the scenery made up for it. Beautiful location! Then I was disappointed again when it came to the love making scenes. Not much was shown so they leave a lot to the imagination. But when Bella (Stewart) reflects on some of the moments with Edward (Pattinson) I thought it was beautifully done.  

The story really begins to take off however when Bella realizes she’s pregnant, 2 weeks into their honeymoon. From that point on I enjoyed the story and got a lot of what I was waiting for in some of the other Twilight films. The tension between Edward and Jacob (Lautner) was great as always. And I loved the werewolves! I think they do a great job capturing their essence!  The last 15 minutes of the film were the best and of course I won’t ruin them for you.

All in all it was one of my favorites of the series, maybe my favorite but I’m still trying to decide. Can’t wait for Breaking Dawn Part 2!

(Note to Parents: The scenes are very sexual and in my opinion more for children 16 and older.) 

I'd say if you’re a fan of the series then definitely see this one!

Puss in Boots

Directed By: Chris Miller

Written By: Charles Perrault (characters), Brian Lynch, Will Davies, David H. Steinberg, Tom Wheeler and John Zack

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis and Billy Bob Thornton

Rated: PG

MY RATING: B

A cute kitty cat comedy for the whole family!

In “Puss in Boots,” we learn how Puss (Antonio Banderas) grew up to be an outlaw. We also learn of his former bond with childhood pal Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis). Joined by Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) the trio sets out on a journey to find the magic beans which will lead them to the goose who lays the golden eggs. They each believe the golden eggs will solve all of their problems but of course it’s never that easy.

Antonio Banderas brings this cartoon kitty to life like no other. When Puss in Boots was first introduced in Shrek 2 he quickly became my favorite character. Now I wasn’t sure if he had enough weight to hold up his own movie but the writers certainly did a good job with this one.

Puss in Boots offers lots of comedy, action-adventure and of course a little heart. You can’t help but love this kitty!

Kitty Softpaws, voiced by Selma Hayek, proved to be a match indeed for playboy, Puss in Boots.

I enjoyed the story and thought the script was well done. I mean it wasn’t the most heartfelt story like classics, The Lion King and Finding Nemo but it was good enough. Definitely funny so it doesn’t disappoint with that either. There is a “dance fight” scene in the movie that did go too far on the silliness meter for my taste but I’m sure the kids will get a kick out of it. All in all it was a cute little movie. Still love Puss in Boots!

So I'd say if you have kids then it’s definitely worth seeing!

If you don’t have kids but are a fan of animated movies then check it out but there’s no rush.

The Rite

Directed By: Mikael Hafstrom
Written By: Michael Petroni
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Collin O'Donoghue, Ciaran Hinds & Alice Braga
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C+

It's Anthony Hopkins in a creepy role, what else needs to be said?

Based on actual events.  In The Rite, Michael Kovak (Collin O'Donoghue) is an American seminary student who has lost all faith.  He is about to give up on being a priest when his mentor sends him to Italy to take a course in exorcisms.  Once in Italy, Father Xavier (Ciaran Hinds) who is teaching the course, learns of Michael's lack of faith and sends him to work with exorcist Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins).  Through working with Father Lucas, Michael witnesses things that shake him a little but nothing he can't explain.  As his journey continues however he can no longer deny the presence of the devil and resurrecting his faith in God is the only thing that can pull him through.

I enjoyed this film but it wasn't that memorable for me.  It's difficult to critique the storyline since it's based on actual events. However I thought there were holes missing in Michael Kovak's backstory or maybe a clear enough picture wasn't painted.  There were many flashback scenes that in the end had no impact on the story.  Other than that I enjoyed the rest of the script. The exorcism scenes were quite disturbing as they should be.  Now I know they were trying to give Anthony Hopkins a Hannibal Lector type of role but this one didn't quite hit the mark.  Don't get me wrong, Mr. Hopkins did a great job but it wasn't as memorable as his Hannibal Lector character.  I did however love the arch that Michael (O'Donoghue) went through.  This story I believe is relatable to many people.  I even shed a tear towards the end of the movie.  Job well done on the makeup effects, special effects and use of locations.  Visually perfect.  As a drama this would be great, but did it scare me? Not so much.  However this is still a good exorcism movie to put on the list.


So I'd say see it but there's no rush.

The Haunting in Connecticut

Directed By: Peter Cornwell
Written By: Adam Simon & Tim Metcalfe
Starring: Virginia Madsen, Martin Donovan, Elia Koteas & Kyle Gallner
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C +

Well told story but not haunting enough for me. 

The Haunting in Connecticut is based on a true story.  It follows the Campbell family who relocates to Connecticut in order to get their very sick son, Matt (Kyle Gallner), the Cancer treatment he needs.  They find the perfect home but not soon after they move in, Matt starts witnessing strange events.  It is quickly discovered that their new house used to be a funeral home.  Desperate to get her son the help he needs, Sara Campbell (Virginia Madsen) is willing to overlook that simple fact.  However Matt is no so lucky when he starts having visions of the dark past locked inside the house.  As things escalate more and more the question becomes will the Campbells all escape the house before it's too late?

This one is pretty hard to critique because it is painted with the brush of being "based on a true story." Of course I had many moments where I wanted to yell at the screen, get out of the house! I never understand why the family doesn't leave as soon as strange things start happening. However, being that these are supposed to be actual events I had to let that be.  Although I must say they did a good job of making the audience relate to the mom's perserverance and anguish in wanting to help her dying son.   
Now on to the horror elements. The ghosts were visually somewhat disturbing. I grimaced a little here and there.  Nothing made me want to turn away so it wasn't terribly gory. With a PG-13 rating I guess that's to be expected.  Not much suspense for me either. I felt the "jump" scenes were pretty predictable so nothing really got me.  My main issue was the unrealistic looking special effects used in a climactic scene at the end.  If I'm spending all of my time focused on how divorced the actor is from the special effect he's supposed to be physically connected to then that's not good.  Luckily that was a small fraction of the film because the rest held up fairly well.  At the end of the night I was not disturbed by this film at all, which is what I like after watching a horror film.  But I was entertained.  It was nowhere near one of the scariest movies I've seen but it was a little creepy and kept me intrigued throughout.  The actors were good. The story was good. The make-up effects were great!  All in all, not bad.    

I'd say check this out but there's no rush.

Whistling in the Dark

Directed By: S. Sylvan Simon
Written By: Robert MacGunigle, Harry Clork and Albert Mannheimer
Starring: Red Skelton, Conrad Veidt and Ann Rutherford

MY RATING: B +

A great way to mix comedy with mystery!

Whistling in the Dark begins by introducing us to members of the Silver Haven cult group.  Their mission is to con rich people out of their money.  One woman in particular has left her inheritance to the Silver Haven but they can only receive it once her living heir dies.  Leader Joseph Jones (Conrad Veidt) decides to have the woman's heir murdered to speed up the process.  Who better to enlist  than a popular radio crime solver named Wally Benton a.k.a. "The Fox" (Red Skelton)?  Jones kidnaps him to have him devise a murder plot and for extra insurance he also kidnaps The Fox's fiance and friend.  Now Wally (Skelton) has to figure out how to escape and save everyone involved. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this classic!  It certainly was more of a comedy but I can see why Red Skelton was one of the comedic geniuses of his time.  I laughed out loud many times and it's hard for jokes to grow with the times.  Red Skelton delivered some hilarious lines though!  Also Conrad Veidt was perfect as the creepy, vindictive cult leader.  There's a line in the movie where Joseph Jones tells "The Fox," "Remember you only have to kill one person to save three." Perfect!  That sums up the stress thrust upon Red Skelton's character and the tension that builds throughout the movie.  Not to worry, there's plenty of comic relief. 
I also loved the integration of the radio programming with the story.  I'm always fascinated with how radio shows were the only form of entertainment back then and this film definitely gave a window into that world.
The set for the Silver Haven mansion wrapped the story up in the cold, haunting background it needed. 
As a classic this one definitely holds up!  I thought it was resolved a little too easily but that tends to be the case for a lot of films of it's time.  They only had an hour and 18 minutes to tell a story, not the 2 plus hours used today. 
But overall less can be more.  Whistling in the Dark ... very entertaining!

I'd say definitely check this one out!

Bridesmaids

Directed By: Paul Feig
Written By: Kristen Wiig & Annie Mumolo
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellen Kemper
Rated: R

MY RATING: B +

A hysterical new comedy from the female perspective that can rumble with the big boys!

Bridesmaids is about two childhood best friends, Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph) who have been through everything together.  However, Annie is struggling with her love life and life in general while things seem to be running smoothly for Lillian.  Just as Annie relies on the fact that she'll always have her best friend, Lillian breaks the news that her boyfriend has proposed and they're now going to be planning her wedding.  Naturally Annie is asked to be the Maid of Honor and she's then introduced to an interesting bunch of ladies who will serve as the bridesmaids.  One in particular - the beautiful, well-off Helen (Rose Byrne), is trying to steal the spotlight and make Annie's life miserable.  Though way out of her league, Annie is determined to show Lillian just how much her friendship and wedding mean to her. 

Let me say I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard during a movie.  At one point I was in tears thanks to the talented Melissa McCarthy who did a splendid job as the rough around the edges, brash, soon-to-be sister-in-law, Megan.  I know this was supposed to be Kristen Wiig's film, serving as writer, co-producer and main character but I'm sorry Melissa McCarthy stole the show.  Every time she was on screen she dominated but that is also a credit to the script.  She could not have accomplished the humor without the lines on the page.  For the most part I thought the script was pretty darn good.  Loved the dialogue!  What grabbed me the most was the realism.  When you wished a character would say something in a scene, they actually did.  That was gratifying.  They also tackled vulgar humor in a tasteful way.  Of course there were things added in for comic value that I felt could've been eliminated and the story got off to a slow start.  This is one of those films where you know the premise ahead of time so you're ready to just get to it and it takes a tick to get there.  I also wasn't quite in love with the pacing.  Scenes of absolute hilarity are followed by more serious, heartfelt moments and it didn't always make for a smooth ride.  The jokes outweigh anything else though and if laughter is what you're looking for then this is the film to see.  All in all I was pleased and it lived up to the hype. 

So I say this one is definitely worth seeing for some good laughs!

Faster

Directed By: George Tillman Jr.
Written By: Tony Gayton and Joe Gayton
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Carla Gugino and Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Rated: R

MY RATING: C+

Vengeance was good but could've been kicked up a notch.

Faster follows an ex-con (Dwayne Johnson) who's newly released from prison and on a mission to avenge his brother's murder.  He receives a list of all of the people responsible and he plans to take them out one by one.  After finding and killing the first person on his list he leaves a trail for police to follow.  At the same time a crazy hit man (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) is out to kill him.  So who will be "faster" and reach their goal first? 

I loved seeing Dwayne Johnson in a R rated film and he's good as a bad ass!  In this film it was more about his body language and the intensity in his eyes because he barely had any lines.  Throughout the
majority of the film he was alone in his car and when he did come across other people he didn't have much to say.  Job well done as a menacing figure.  The story that was given to his character was very interesting.  I thought it was nicely developed but I needed more from his dramatic scene when we finally learned how his brother was killed.  For me his reaction wasn't big enough for the moment but it also didn't ruin the film either.  This leads me to my only other issue - for what Dwayne Johnson's character had been through I felt like his victims got off too easily.  I wanted more!  Nevertheless I was entertained and into the whole story.  Billy Bob Thornton brought a nice element to the table as the washed up detective hoping to redeem his reputation before retirement.  I'm not sure the hit man character (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) was necessary for the development of the story but he added suspense so why not.  Faster had plenty of action, lots of blood and even a little twist which all made for a pretty good action movie.  Overall I was pretty pleased but there was nothing super impressive either ... besides Dwayne Johnson of course. 

So I'd say see it but there's no rush. 

Devil

Directed By: John Erick Dowdle
Written By: Brian Nelson (screenplay) and M. Night Shyamalan (story)
Starring: Chris Messina, Logan Marshall-Green, Jenny O'Hara, Bokeem Woodbine and Jacob Vargas
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C

Pretty good as a thriller but definitely not a horror.

Devil begins with Detective Bowden (Chris Messina) arriving on the scene to investigate the death of someone who allegedly jumped
from a high rise building.  Inside the building five strangers get onto an elevator which breaks down in between floors.  Tempers rise leading to strange events and even murders.  A security guard (Jacon Vargas) watching it all unfold on camera tells the story his mother told him about the Devil whom he believes is inside the elevator disguised as a passenger.  Now it is up to Detective Bowden to figure out who the murderer is before they all lose their lives.  The question then becomes, is the Devil real and if so how do you defeat him?

This one is pretty tricky because I liked it but had some minor issues.  Number one I was disappointed that it wasn't scary at all.  I wouldn't classify it as a horror movie.  The Devil is mentioned and in question but it's more like a murder mystery/thriller.  I'll even say it was suspenseful.  I jumped a couple of times, but it was missing some things.  I just felt like the story could've been developed more.  There was one flashback sequence involving one of the five elevator passengers but I would've preferred to have learned about more of them.  The story just felt rushed.  I mean it was only an hour and twenty minutes long!  They definitely could've added more.  But I liked the premise and it actually will make you take a look at your own life. 
At the end it was just okay.  Pretty entertaining but also a little disappointing. 

I'd say this is worth checking out but there's definitely no rush.

Eclipse

Directed By: David Slade
Written By: Melissa Rosenberg
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke and Xavier Samuel
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: B

Finally, werewolves and vampires together, oh my!

Eclipse picks up with Bella (Kristen Stewart) finishing her senior year of high school with plans to marry Edward (Robert Pattinson) and become a vampire soon after.  She's also walking a fine line trying to maintain her friendship with Jacob (Taylor Lautner), Edward's natural enemy.  At the same time mysterious killings begin happening in Forks causing the werewolves and vampires to team up against this new threat.  With Edward and Jacob both willing to fight for and protect Bella, her final decision could do more harm than good.  But for now they must all get along to take down a common enemy then the saga shall continue.

Much better!  This third film in the saga was a culmination of what the first two were building on and I enjoyed the payoff.  This one offered lots more tension within the love triangle between Bella (Kristen Stewart), Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner).  The gloves came off and all cards on the table, leaving Bella with a choice to make.  It's getting good!  The action was brought back to the story too!  This time there was a nice battle amongst werewolves and vampires.  I never get enough of the effects used to create the hulking, menacing werewolves either!  It was also helpful to learn the backstories of Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) and Angela (Christian Serratos), they added more depth to the story. 
Then of course there was the addition of the "newborns," humans newly transformed into vampires, and they proved to be great adversaries in this third film.  I pretty much enjoyed this one all the way through.  I did feel like the love triangle was a bit over the top but I guess that's to be expected from a vampire romance.  I just feel like not too many people would put up with the things that Jacob did but I understand Edward (Pattinson) at the same time. 
Overall I really enjoyed this one and Twilight redeemed itself after New Moon.  Still Team Jacob!

So I'd say definitely check this one out!

New Moon

Directed By: Chris Weitz
Written By: Melissa Rosenberg
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Billy Burke
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C-

Second time around, disappointing.

New Moon picks up with Bella (Kristen Stewart) preparing to celebrate her 18th birthday.  So the Cullens throw Bella a small birthday party at their house.  This proves to be a bad idea.  During the party Bella accidentally cuts herself throwing Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) into a blood thirsty rage that threatens her life.  Of course Edward (Robert Pattinson) is there to protect her but the event is cause for concern for the Cullens.  Bella is assured it was a one time incident but Edward takes precautions and he and his family decide to leave town ... and Bella.  With Edward gone, Bella falls into a deep depression that only the companionship of Jacob (Taylor Lautner) can break.  Just as she and Jacob get closer he begins to act strange and disappears on her too.  Later Bella learns that his secret is a family lineage of werewolves which is passed down to him.  She decides to stick by her friend, whom she's now come to depend on.  Then Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) returns for revenge leading Edward to take drastic measures for his true love, Bella.  This begins the infamous love triangle.  Whose side are you on? 

Sad to say but I was let down by this one.  I mean it wasn't a total bust, the werewolves were definitely worth seeing but there wasn't much else.  I'm sorry but the entire middle section of the film just dragged.  Maybe it reads better in the novel but on screen I didn't want to watch Bella's (Kristen Stewart) depression drag on and on.  It just wasn't the same without the vampires, especially Edward (Robert Pattinson).  Also the dialogue was even more ridiculous this time around.  I laughed a lot at the sheer silliness of the things that were said.  I actually felt too old to be watching this movie.  However I certainly peeked at Taylor Lautner's abs.  Other than the eye candy and the werewolves, things did not pick back up until the end of the film.  I know the relationship between Bella and Jacob had to be established but it just wasn't as fascinating as the one that bloomed with Edward. 
All in all it's worth seeing to stay on top of the growing Twilight story but the first one was definitely better. 

So I'd say see it so you keep up with the story but there's no rush.

Twilight

Directed By: Catherine Hardwicke
Written By: Melissa Rosenberg (screenplay) and Stephanie Meyer (novel)
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Taylor Lautner and Cam Gigandet
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: B

I'm sure the book is way better but this first film is sure to please as well.

In this first Twilight movie Bella (Kristen Stewart) moves to the town of Forks, Washington to live with her dad, Charlie.  She starts high school and learns about a strange group of pale faced foster siblings known as the Cullens.  One in particular, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) is mysterious and sexy and catches Bella's eye.  She's told not to waste her breath however because the Cullens pretty much keep to themselves.  Fate takes over putting Edward and Bella side by side in biology class and it becomes apparent that Edward has a reaction to Bella too.  An event draws them closer until they cannot deny their chemistry for one another.  But Bella (Stewart) notices things about Edward (Pattinson) that lead her to question his existence.  She digs deeper, does some research and realizes she's not dealing with a mortal man but instead a vampire.  The two become entangled and fall head over heels in love which puts everyone at risk.  The question then becomes, can a human and a vampire have a relationship without anyone getting hurt?

Now when I saw this film I was not trying to become a Twihard and only wanted to see what all the hype was about.  I got roped in by the publicity but this first film actually kept me interested.  I got drawn into the character of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and wanted to see how her life would change in the town of Forks.  So by the time the weird Cullens were introduced I was just as intrigued as Bella.  When Edward (Robert Pattinson) walked in I was mesmerized by him as well.  Sure things get weird for awhile but you're along for the ride, waiting to see what's going to happen next.  The music takes you away as well and keeps you on the journey.  Then there's action too!  A trio of nomadic vampires enter the town and they are not there to play nice.  They definitely gave me what I was looking for!  But of course Twilight is mainly known for the romance between Bella and Edward and this film was a great introduction to that.  Yes it's hard to relate to their whirlwind romance but we're not dealing with ordinary circumstance. 
I mean this is just the type of film that you either fall in love with or you hate it.  Nothing about it is realistic so you can't be too critical.  Also all of the human characters are supposed to be teenagers so don't expect the best dialogue.  Leave that to the ancient vampires.  I think this is a nice, youthful, romantic, vampire love story set against beautiful scenery with some pretty good effects added in. 
At the end of the day after seeing this film I hate to admit it but I'm now a Twilight fan.  Team Jacob!


So I say if you're into romance and vampires then definitely check this out!

Race to Witch Mountain

Directed By: Andy Fickman
Written By: Matt Lopez and Mark Bomback
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig
Rated: PG

MY RATING: B -

Action-packed race?  Yes.  Nothing else super impressive though.

In Race to Witch Mountain Dwayne Johnson plays Jack Bruno, an ex-convict cab driver.  While on route one day two young passengers suddenly appear in his cab and pay for a very interesting ride.  Of course Jack (Johnson) learns that these are no ordinary kids but in fact beings from another planet (disguised in human form) who now need his help to save their planet and ours.  Along the way they elicit the help of a scientist and UFO expert, Dr. Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino) and together they head to Witch Mountain to find the aliens' lost spaceship and help them return home. 

A very nice little thrill ride for kids, I must say.  It's definitely non-stop action and I can't say I've seen this many special effects in a rated PG movie.  Everyone was effective at their job.  Dwayne Johnson was protective, rough around the edges and funny.  The kids (AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig) were innocent, intelligent and analytical, the way any good alien would be.  It's kind of hard to balance being newly human and a super intelligent being from another planet at the same time.  They did a decent job though.  Its also difficult to make things in an alien movie seem realistic.  You kind of just have to go along for the ride not expecting too much, especially from a kid's film. 
This one was entertaining for sure but felt a little rushed at the end and too smooth throughout.  There weren't enough conflicts and everyone seemed to go along with this excursion a little too easily.  It was more like, yeah sure aliens show up in Las Vegas everyday ... well maybe they do. 
Bottom line, this is a Disney film so just keep an open mind and see it for the action and you'll have a good time.

I say see it with the kids, you'll all enjoy it!

Jumping the Broom

Directed By: Salim Akil   
Written By: Elizabeth Hunter and Arlene Gibbs
Starring: Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: B +

Surprisingly good!

Jumping the Broom begins with Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) at the end of a relationship with a no-good man.  She vows not to give up her goodies again until she meets the man she's going to marry.  So she prays to God to send her a clear sign when she meets the next man who's "the one." Enter Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso), a handsome, successful, great guy who sweeps Sabrina off of her feet.  After six months of dating, Sabrina accepts a job offer that will relocate her to China.  Jason doesn't want to lose her so he proposes and she says yes.  Now it's time to prepare for their wedding and bring the Taylors and the Watsons together for the first time on Martha's Vineyard.  Sabrina's family comes from wealth and her mom, Mrs. Watson (Angela Bassett) is very pretentious and snooty and dead set on having their wedding go perfectly.  But she's up against Mrs. Taylor (Loretta Devine), the blue collar worker who's overprotective of her only son Jason (Alonso) and not happy about the rushed nuptials.  Bringing the two families together proves to be very interesting and even unlocks a family secret that could jeopardize the big day. 

Let me say I was pleasantly surprised by this one!  It got off to a little bit of a shaky start for me when we were introduced to Sabrina (Paula Patton) and Jason's (Laz Alonso) relationship.  We were just thrown into one of their date nights and the next thing you know he's proposing.  I would have liked a little more background on their relationship but once the wedding weekend begins all is forgiven.  Also Paula Patton's acting started off too fairy tale princess-y for me.  All she needed in the beginning was a ball gown and a wand.  But like the plot, she smoothed out once the initial setup was done.
Angela Bassett was great as the bougie mother, Mrs. Watson and just perfect for the part!  Of course Lorette Devine was not to be messed with either as Mrs. Taylor!  The best scene between the two of them occurred during the wedding rehearsal dinner.  Great dialogue and verbal sparring between the two of them!  But I will say I was surprised by how funny this movie was!  I was cracking up!  Of course Mike Epps who played Willie Earl, was responsible for the majority of my laugh out loud moments.  But I also thought he did a good job as the wise uncle who could put Mrs. Taylor (Devine) in her place. 
Overall this was a sweet story with morals and values.  I loved that Sabrina (Patton) and Jason (Alonso) were abstaining from sex until they were man and wife, a great example needed these days.  Also Jason was a true gentleman which we don't always see but I'd love to see more of ... especially sexy ones like Laz Alonso. 

I was very entertained by Jumping the Broom and would actually watch this one again!         
 
So I'd say see it!

Mars Needs Moms

Directed By: Simon Wells   
Written By: Simon Wells & Wendy Wells
Starring: Seth Green, Joan Cusack, Dan Fogler, Elisabeth Harnois and Mindy Sterling
Rated: PG

MY RATING: B

Extraterrestrial family entertainment!

Mars Needs Moms is about a boy named Milo (Seth Green) who misbehaves and doesn't show enough appreciation for his mother.  One night his mother is abducted by Martians and he gets caught up in the ship and taken with her.  Once aboard their spacecraft he learns that a Martian called Supervisor (Mindy Sterling) controls everything and is responsible for his mom's captivity.  Luckily he meets another human named Gribble (Dan Fogler) who knows how the Martians operate and may be the key to helping Milo save his mom.

Surprisingly I quite enjoyed this one!  It does start off a little slow and was losing my attention here and there within the first 15-20 minutes but after that I was thoroughly entertained.  This was a very nice, original story, but that tends to happen when it's developed as a book first.  Even so, the writers did a good job of transferring a children's picture book to the big screen. 
The entire movie was done using motion capture technology which I initially thought was unnecessary.  I thought it would've been better as a "regular" cartoon or a live action movie but as I got further into it I realized it was perfect.  They were able to create a limitless, believable world in space that wouldn't have been possible any other way. 
Actor Dan Fogler was great as Gribble.  He was funny and lovable, just what the character needed.  Elisabeth Harnois did a good job voicing the Martian "Ki."  She was the refreshing element their planet needed.  Then there's Mindy Sterling from the Austin Powers films, she was great as the controlling old "Supervisor." I found it amusing that she was speaking a Martian language but was easily recognizable.  She had the same yell as in Austin Powers, "bring out the Fembots!" 
At the heart of this movie though is a message about appreciating our loved ones every single day that they're in our lives.  Now who wouldn't appreciate a story like that?  Very sweet.  Another one the whole family can enjoy!

I say this one's worth checking out!

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Directed By: Rupert Wyatt
Written By: Pierre Boulle and Rick Jaffa
Starring: James Franco, Andy Serkis, John Lithgow and Freida Pinto
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: A

This is the much needed resurrection of the Planet of the Apes films.   After the 2001 version with Mark Walhberg and Helena Bonham Carter we so needed this one.

In this modern day version of Planet of the Apes James Franco plays Will Rodman, a scientist working at a company called Gen Sys (pronounced genesis).  Gen Sys is a genetic therapy pharmaceutical company doing tests to try come up with new drugs to help with some of humanities illnesses.  One of the experiments involves ALZ 112 and a chimpanzee nicknamed "Bright Eyes."  The ALZ 112 increases the ape's intelligence and could be a cure to Alzheimer's, among other brain disorders.  But just as the scientists are ready to introduce the new drug "Bright Eyes" breaks loose at Gen Sys and seems to go crazy, killing employees and destroying things, until she is taken down herself.  Later Will Rodman (Franco) learns that "Bright Eyes" had a baby that no one knew about and her mistaken rage was really motherly instinct.  The ALZ 112 project is shut down and the orphaned chimp now needs a home.  Will (Franco) steps in as a temporary solution and takes the baby chimp home to meet his father Charles (John Lithgow) who is suffering from Alzheimer's.  Will and Charles get attached to the baby ape and name him Caesar (Andy Serkis) and so the journey begins and leads to the Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Man oh man this movie was great!  First off let me say that Andy Serkis is BRILLIANT at what he does!  He has to be THE BEST motion capture performer there is!  Also hats off to the special effects team that pulled this off!  I mean wow!  I am very critical when it comes to special effects.  I feel like special effects should seamlessly fit into a film, adding to it, not distracting the audience from the story and Rise of the Planet of the Apes accomplishes this and then some.
I was not looking forward to this film actually because I'm getting tired of the remakes but thank god this movie revived the classic tale.  The story was great!  I love how the writers intertwined the traditional story with our modern day struggles with issues like Alzheimer's which effects so many people today.  They also brought heart to the apes of the film.  I cried three times during this movie and held back tears in a lot of other scenes.  But don't mistake this for a sad tale.  It has humor, lots of action, drama and of course great special effects.  Anyone would enjoy this movie.  I saw a man sitting a few seats down from me, on the edge of his seat through the entire film and that summed up how I felt while watching this movie.  There was not a dull moment.  Also it was great to see John Lithgow and he was wonderful in his role as the dad suffering with Alzheimer's.  This movie was near perfect to me.  They better win some awards for the special effects. 
Now my only issue was with the script towards the end.  I don't want to give anything away but I felt a piece was missing with Will (Franco) when he had to deal with some issues with Caesar (Serkis), who by that point was like a son to him.  I just felt like they could've added an extra couple of minutes to show him "dealing" with things and it would've made the film that much better for me.  But aside from that this was a great movie! 

So of course I say this is definitely worth seeing!  Skip Cowboys and Aliens (sorry) and go see this!

Soul Surfer

Directed By: Sean McNamara
Written By: Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz & Michael Berk
Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt and Carrie Underwood
Rated: PG

MY RATING: C

Surfer? Yes.  Soul?  Could've used a little more.

This film is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who lost an arm in a freak shark attack accident.  The film begins by showing Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) as a little girl growing up on the beaches of Hawaii with her family of surfers.  Her mom (Helen Hunt) and dad (Dennis Quaid) were both surfers so it was natural that she would be born with the ability and passion for the sport also.  Fast forward to Bethany (Robb) as a teenager living a carefree life surfing and spending time with her friends and family.  With the help of her mom (Hunt) and dad (Quaid) she trains for an upcoming surf competition, a competition that her childhood bestfriend Alana (Lorraine Nicholson) is also training for.  While out training one day she is bitten by a shark and loses an arm.  Bethany perseveres and learns to live her daily life with this missing limb and also finds the will to continue surfing.

This was a sweet, cute movie, nothing more, nothing less.  The surfing scenes were about the most action you'll get in the film.  The most impressive things were that the surfing was real with the real Bethany Hamilton doing the stunt surfing for AnnaSophia Robb. Also the great special effects job they did to make AnnaSophia Robb appear to have a missing arm. 
It took a little while for the shark attack to happen while they set up Bethany's (Robb) life and relationships.  For me it took a little too long and when the moment happened it was pretty predictable.  I was looking for more of a surprise.  Also everyone was so calm during and after the shark attack which didn't fit.  But it turns out that the real Bethany Hamilton actually remained calm so I guess I can't critique that too much.  I'm just used to things being exaggerated for entertainment sake and in this film the Hamiltons were very much involved and wanted the film to be as close to real life as possible which I think takes away from the film a little. 
Also this was our introduction to Carrie Underwood as an actress and I think she did an okay job.  She wasn't great and she wasn't bad.  She played Sarah Hill, Bethany's Christian youth leader but her spiritual role wasn't enough for me.  Maybe they didn't want the movie to be too preachy but for the real life Hamiltons to hold their Christianity so dear to them I don't think Soul Surfer painted a clear enough picture of that aspect of their lives. 

But overall it was a cute movie for the whole family.  I mean it's worth making the kids watch it for the inspirational message.  There were good scenes where Bethany (Robb) realizes her purpose in life and comes to terms with why the accident happened to her.  I even teared up a couple of times.  It was more like a good Hallmark movie but not one of the best "based on a true story" films I've seen.  I'll say I pretty much got what I expected from this movie: a cutsie, family film that's pretty entertaining and not too complicated. 

So my recommendation is if you have kids then definitely see it, but there's no rush.  If you don't have kids you can check it out on cable.  I wouldn't say skip it because it's worth knowing Bethany Hamilton's story. 

Cowboys & Aliens

Directed By: Jon Favreau
Written By: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof, Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby
Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: B -

This film takes place in 1873 in Arizona Territory.  Daniel Craig plays a man who finds himself in a strange town with no memory of how he got there or who he is.  To add to his confusion he has a strange contraption strapped to his wrist that is a clue to his mysterious past.  While in the town of Absolution Jake (Daniel Craig) and the townspeople experience terror when they're attacked by an object from the sky.  People go missing and Jake's strange bracelet seems to be a clue.  So a group led by Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) sets off into the dessert to find their people before it's too late.

This was a solid movie for me.  I was definitely entertained!  They focused more on the western aspects of the film rather than the sci-fi and that held it's weight for the story.  I found myself involved in the characters and emotionally attached to a few which means a pretty good script.  There also was plenty of action and good ole western brawls.  Then of course there's payoff when we finally get to see those aliens.  I won't say much but if you're a fan of alien movies then you'll enjoy what Jon Favreau did with these.  The special effects were great!  I was not disappointed in this area and that's big for me.  There were some holes in the Ella Swenson character played by Olivia Wilde.  From her first appearance on screen she seems out of place.  As you go further into the film you learn more about her but you're still left with questions.  I also wasn't feeling the chemistry between her and Jake (Daniel Craig), it was just okay. 
Looking for Harrison Ford to be some kind of Indian Jones character?  Not this time around.  His job was to be mean throughout most of the film intimidating other characters yet he hardly did anything but talk so towards the end of the film I was a little annoyed by him.  There's also a point where a tribe of Native Americans enter the story and at first it's a little weird but later their presence is justified and adds to the story.  The film felt a tad bit long with a running time of 1 hour and 58 minutes, but only by a little bit.   

Bottom line you don't go to see this type of film for top-notch acting and writing.  There were a couple of over-the-top moments but that's what you expect in a film like this.  Cowboys & Aliens delivered exactly what it was supposed to - a clear, easy to follow storyline, great action, some suspense and great special effects.  The costumes and set design were great too!   
So because these characters had weight and there actually was a real story I'd say this was one of the better action movies I've seen this summer. 

I'd say you should definitely see it but there's no rush.

How Do You Know

Directed By: James L. Brooks
Written By: James L. Brooks
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson
Rated: R

MY RATING: C-

How do you know when you're in love?  Not by watching this film.

In this newest James L. Brooks film Reese Witherspoon plays Lisa, a softball player on the USA olympic womens softball team.  After helping her team win a gold metal she is cut from the team because of her age.  She also starts dating Matty (Owen Wilson), a cocky, womanizing star baseball player.  Meanwhile businessman George (Paul Rudd) is dealing with legal problems at his father's (Jack Nicholson) company and a recent breakup.  One of Lisa's teammates had given George (Rudd) Lisa's number so he decides to give her a call and she finds herself in a love triangle.  Now she must figure out "How Do You Know."

I was so looking forward to this film because it's written and directed by James L. Brooks who also did As Good As It Gets, one of my all time favorite films.  But it was no where near on that level, even with Jack Nicholson.  The dialogue was great!  Brooks has a way with the english language but as a romantic comedy the romance fell very short for me.  I don't know what it was but something was missing for me.  There was no chemistry between Reese Witherspoon and her two leading men (Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson).  The guys were great!  Paul Rudd's character reminded me of his role in Clueless, I just loved him.  He was adorable and his usual funny self.  Owen Wilson was no surprise either and stole the show delivering some of the funniest moments.  But I wasn't a fan of the Lisa character Reese Witherspoon played.  She was emotionless throughout the entire film.  By the end I didn't think she needed to be with anyone and actually could use some therapy.  George (Rudd) was too good for her and Matty (Wilson) was too much of a jerk.  So what did I enjoy about this film?  Again, the dialogue, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson.  But as far as romantic comedies go, this would be towards the bottom of my list.  I can't say that I would watch it again but it held my attention enough the first time around.

So I'd say eh this is one you can wait for t.v. to see if nothing else is on.

The Smurfs

Directed By: Raja Gosnell
Written By: J. David Stem (screenplay) and Peyo (characters)
Starring: Hank Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, George Lopez & Katy Perry
Rated: PG

MY RATING: C+

Silly, adorable, little blue fun.

This movie begins with the Smurfs in their happy little village living merrily.  Enter Gargamel (Hank Azaria) who is after them for their Smurf essence and ends up chasing them into a portal that transports them to our world, New York City to be exact.  Now trapped in the big city the Smurfs must find a way back before Gargamel hunts them down.  Along the way they stumble upon Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and his wife Grace (Jayma Mays) who wind up taking care of them while they try to get back home.  Pretty simple and sweet and that about sums up this movie.

I found The Smurfs to be an adorable interpretation for the next generation.  I am one of those kids who grew up watching the cartoon so I was a little skeptical about this new version but I was entertained.  The highlight of this movie is the animation.  I mean they made these new Smurfs the cutest things I've ever seen!  They also had great personalities too!  I wasn't a huge fan of George Lopez as Grouchy Smurf but his character took more of a backseat so that was good.  Surprisingly Katy Perry was great as Smurfette and unrecognizable which is always a good thing when you're doing voice acting in an animated films.  Alan Cumming was hilarious as Gutsy Smurf and Jonathan Winters was sweet and protective as the lovable Papa Smurf.  Now of course Hank Azaria as Gargamel and his sidekick cat Azrael were the funniest things in the whole movie.  I'm also biased because I love cats so I got a kick out of everything that damn cat did.  Thank goodness they didn't give the cat a voice but he was animated to give him expressions which cracked me up.  I would have to watch it again to catch all of Hank Azaria's lines because I was too busy laughing to hear them all.  He's just a comedic genius. 
The humor is definitely more for kids but parents will enjoy this too.  This is the type of movie you watch just to be a kid again and laugh and not take things too seriously.  You have to ignore the ad agency storyline they added in with Sofia Vergara and Tim Gunn.  Didn't quite fit or add anything to this movie.  You also have to ignore a terribly long scene where Neil Patrick Harris has a jam session with the Smurfs playing Guitar Hero.  It was funny at first and then it went on way too long.  You must ignore the visual disconnect when the Smurfs are supposed to be interacting with Patrick (Harris) and Grace (Mays).  You can tell the actors didn't fully know where the Smurfs were going to be.  Finally, ignore your confusion when an overly clumsy Gargamel suddenly becomes all powerful towards the end of the film.  Huh?  Shhssh it's good enough for the kids.  At the end of the day I was entertained enough.  It was cute, funny and heartwarming but not one to add to a list of classic family films.  

So I'd say if you don't have kids to drag you to this movie then you can wait for DVD or cable. 

Captain America: The First Avenger

Directed By: Joe Johnston
Written By: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones & Stanley Tucci
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C

This movie follows Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) who starts off as a thin, frail man with ambitions to join the military and fight for his country during World War II.  Steve Rogers is turned down over and over because of his size and health limitations until he meets Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) who sees past his physical appearance and puts faith in his character.  Dr. Erskine uses Rogers for a top secret research experiment that turns him into a Super Soldier.  With his newfound abilities Captain America must save the world from Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) and his followers.

Now for me I'm sorry but this film was just okay.  I believe it did the comic book justice for fans of Captain America (so I'm told) but for a novice looking for great action, a sexy hero and impressive special effects, I was disappointed.
I will say that I'm not a fan of war movies and being that this movie takes place during World War II and is a large focus, that could have something to do with it.
But aside from that I wasn't that impressed with Captain America's abilities.  I kept waiting for his shield to do more or for him to have some sort of fancy impressive vehicle but that didn't happen.  Also surprisingly Chris Evans didn't have that sex appeal that I usually look for in a super hero.  I don't know what was missing but it wasn't there for me.  He's no Thor (Chris Hemsworth) or Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.).
I think if this weren't a super hero movie it would've been better, meaning if it was just a drama about a man who suddenly gains strength and fights for his country  This movie had too much story and dealt with too serious of a topic for it to be lighthearted and fun the way comic book movies should be.  Also Red Skull (Weaving) wasn't that great of a villain either.  I hope there are better ones in the comic books.  I enjoyed the budding relationship between Rogers (Evans) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) but as usual it was rushed and not developed enough for me to feel for them.  I loved the beginning of the film and there's definitely a lot of humor but the action sequences were too cartoony for my taste.  I was still entertained but left wanting more and feeling like some things were missing. 
The Avengers movie is due out next summer which I'm definitely looking forward to and hope Captain America is more impressive next time around. 

So I'd say see it but there's no rush.

Insidious

Directed By: James Wan
Written By: Leigh Whannell
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shayne, Barbara Hershey & Ty Simpkins
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C-

This is the story of a family of five who move into a new house where mysterious things start happening.  Wife and mom Renai (Rose Byrne) starts to hear strange noises and notice things being moved around in the house.  But the strangest event happens to the family's son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) when he falls into a coma that no doctors can explain or understand.  After this horrible event the family's luck gets worse.  Renai (Byrne) sees people in their house and her husband Josh (Patrick Wilson) starts to stray from their home and all of the turmoil inside it.  They decide to seek help and uncover more than they ever bargained for.  Secrets are unlocked along with the key to saving their son.

Now this film had a strong start for me.  I was definitely in suspense when the mom (Byrne) would hear strange sounds and go to investigate dark, quiet rooms.  I was intrigued by what happened to the oldest child Dalton (Simpkins) and drawn into the dad's (Wilson) internal conflict.  Sometimes what you don't see is truly scarier than what is actually there.  Once we get to the second half of the movie and the plot is revealed more that's when the film started going downhill for me.  It turned into a poor, poor knockoff of Poltergeist.  The old paranormal expert Elise Reiner (Lin Shaye) who comes to save the family was disappointing and just weird.  I did not enjoy her character at all.  But the most disappointing things for me were the ghosts.  When I see a movie like this I want to be scared or at least haunted and I felt nothing.  I actually found all of the spirits to be silly and ridiculous and the script really fell apart for me at the end.  The father (Wilson) travels to an alternate realm called The Further to rescue his son Dalton (Simpkins).  Elise (Shaye) paints a picture of The Further as a place to be feared but I found it to just be strange and disappointing.  There was too much build-up and a lot of let down.  This part of the film didn't even hold my interest all the way through.  I figured out the resolution so I was just anticipating the end already.  Also there's supposed to be this big surprise element that you'll never guess and leave the film talking about ... I was talking about it all right, talking about how silly it was. 

The only reason this film wasn't all bad for me is because of the first half of it, that was really good but the rest was not scary at all. 

So I'd say you can check this out on t.v. around Halloween time if it's in the middle of some kind of marathon.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son

Directed By: John Whitesell
Written By: Matthew Fogel
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Brandon T. Jackson, Jessica Lucas & Portia Doubleday
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: D-

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son ... why oh why?!  Sometimes leave well enough alone. 
We don't always need a sequel, let alone sequelsss!  I love Martin Lawrence and enjoyed the first Big Momma's House but that's where the story could've ended for me.

In this third installment of the Big Momma's House films Martin Lawrence returns as FBI agent Malcolm Turner.  This time his stepson Trent is a senior in high school and played by a new actor, Brandon T. Jackson.  Trent ends up witnessing a murder so he and Malcolm go undercover at an all-girls performing arts school where evidence is hidden that could put away the bad guys and save Trent's life.
Sound ridiculous?  Well it is.
I mean don't get me wrong, I chuckled here and there at some of the scenes with Big Momma but overall this movie is definitely more for kids.  The humor was just way too ridiculous for me and the all-girls performing arts school element was a poor version of FAME.  Faizon Love plays Kurtis Kool and thank goodness he was there for some additional humor.  There were some funny scenes between Kurtis Kool (Love) and Big Momma (Lawrence).  But I didn't enjoy Brandon T. Jackson's acting at all as Trent.  Sadly he was better dressed in drag as his undercover character Charmaine, but not by much.  There were a couple of funny scenes involving Charmaine trying to hide Trent's masculinity.  Also there was a little bit of heart in the best character in the movie, Haley, played by Jessica Lucas.  Of course Trent (Jackson) ends up falling in love with her while he's dressed as Charmaine.  What a surprise.  From the beginning this movie was predictable and not that funny.  All in all I hope they're done making Big Momma's House movies for good. 

I say this is not worth your time at all. 

RED

Directed By: Robert Schwentke
Written By: Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, Karl Urban, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren & Morgan Freeman
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C

Retired and mostly dangerous.

This film opens with Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) living a retired extremely boring life.  He's in the suburbs of Ohio with no wife, girlfriend, pets or friends.  His only excitement comes from calling the customer service agent Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) who works at his pension office in Kansas City.  They obviously like each other and Frank even tells Sarah that he plans to visit her in a week.  But Frank is caught off guard one night when assassins are sent to his house to kill him.  Now instead of the romantic first meeting he had hoped for, Frank is forced to kidnap Sarah for her safety and they go on the run in the hopes of finding out who's trying to kill them.  Along the way Frank rounds up his old friends who are also marked RED and together they look for the person responsible for the hit on Frank (Willis).  But of course it can't be that simple.  CIA agent William Cooper (Karl Urban) is after Frank Moses too so the hunts are on.

This movie was pretty fun to watch, nothing extraordinary though.  John Malkovich steals the show (as always) as Marvin, a paranoid conspiracy theorist and he is hilarious.  I wouldn't necessarily consider him dangerous though.  Bruce Willis as Frank Moses however is a bad ass and I'd say the only "Extremely Dangerous" one of the group.  Karl Urban ("William Cooper") is definitely a match for him as he relentlessly stays hot on his trail.  There's even a great fight scene when Cooper (Urban) and Moses (Willis) finally collide.  I also love that Helen Mirren shows that women can kick butt too!   
There's lots of action and plenty of comedy but I wasn't in love with the storyline.  It was pretty simple to follow but just a little boring.  There comes a point where the plot is fully revealed and they start working towards a resolution and I was ready to speed things up a little.  I guess I was just a little disappointed.  You have all these big name actors but it was really a Bruce Willis and John Malkovich movie.  Morgan Freeman barely had a part so I'm not even sure why they added him.  With all that said I was still pretty entertained for most of the film.  I wouldn't say I'd rush to watch it again but it was worth watching once.  Bottom-line if you're into action movies then this is worth putting on your list but not necessarily at the top. 

I'd say see it but there's no rush. 

Beastly

Directed By: Daniel Barnz
Written By: Daniel Barnz
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, Neil Patrick Harris, Lisa Gay Hamilton & Mary-Kate Olsen
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C+

This is a modern day take on Beauty and the Beast for the teenagers of the 21st century.
In this version high school student Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) is very arrogant and egotistical and believes looks are everything.  He's the most popular in his school and treats everyone as a means to an end.  Despite rumors that one student named Kendra is a witch (Mary-Kate Olsen) he treats her like dirt anyway and she gets revenge.  At a school dance she puts a curse on Kyle (Pettyfer) that makes him "beastly" looking.  She tells him that he has one year to get someone to fall in love with him and tell him they love him or he'll be stuck with his new gruesome looks forever.  As a result Kyle goes into hiding.  He wanders the streets at night and one night spots a girl from school named Lindy (Hudgens) who he's suddenly taken with.  He follows Lindy home where she gets involved in an altercation between her father and two muggers.  Her father shoots and kills one guy and the other promises to have his revenge.  Kyle steps in and offers to hide and protect Lindy and her father agrees.  So Lindy (Hudgens) stays with Kyle (Pettyfer) believing he's a friend of her father's along with Kyle's maid (Lisa Gay Hamilton) and blind tutor (Neil Patrick Harris).  Now the clock is ticking for Kyle to get Lindy to fall in love with him before it's too late.     

This movie was predictable of course but it was also sweet, sappy and romantic.  I wasn't crazy about the beginning but luckily that didn't last more than 10 minutes into the film.  Director and Writer Daniel Barnz did a good job of quickly getting to the meat and potatoes of the story.  Beastly is like a watered down version of Twilight sans the vampires and werewolves of course.  Yes the reason for Lindy (Hudgens) to be trapped in the house with Kyle (Pettyfer) is pretty ridiculous but once you get past that you can enjoy this movie.   
Neil Patrick Harris brings humor and wit to the film as Will, Kyle's tutor but his blindness wasn't a hundred percent believable.  Sorry but he's no Al Pacino.  Same goes for Lisa Gay Hamilton, hit and miss.  She definitely delivers the heart and maternal guidance as Zola but her island accent went in and out.
Beastly was a little sluggish in the middle but other than that it was pretty good.  I loved the make-up job they did on Alex Pettyfer and I surprisingly liked a lot of the dialogue in the script. 

Overall I think tweens and teens will like this film and it has a good message.  Women who love romance novels and other sappy love stories will also enjoy this one.  Men if you're forced to watch this with your girlfriend or wife ... I'm sorry. 

This is one to catch on t.v.

Transformers: Dark of Moon

Directed By: Michael Bay
Written By: Ehren Kruger
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Frances McDormand, Patrick Dempsey,Tyrese Gibson and John Malkovich
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: D+

Okay so Transformers: Dark of Moon, a third sequel ... why oh why?  I must say I was disappointed with this one.

I will try to simplify this overly complicated story as best as I can.  In this third film, the Decepticons and Autobots are at odds again.  This time the Decepticons hope to use pillars, which have the power of teleportation, to bring planet Cybertron to Earth and build a new home where humans are the slaves.  Of course Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is back, this time he's fresh out of college and (true to our economic climate) having a hard time finding a job despite his accomplishments as a "hero."  His former girlfriend (Megan Fox) is out and he's met someone new named Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley).  He ends up landing a job at a company led by tyrannical boss, Bruce Brazos (John Malkovich).  While on the job he meets the over-the-top Jerry Wang (Ken Jeong) who ends up having secrets that could help Sam save the world.  So once again the Decepticons and Autobots battle it out and we're all caught in the middle.   

For me this film had an overly complicated script.  They spent too much time explaining the whole, pillars, The Ark spacecraft, planet Cybertron, moon, NASA, blah, blah, blah and not enough time on a tangible story with Sam Witwicky.  The first two films were all about Sam (Shia) which got us to care about him and in this third one not much time was spent on his character.  His parents return for no necessary reason and are nowhere near as funny as they were before.  Jerry Wang (Jeong) and Bruce Brazos (Malkovich) also weren't that funny and seemed out of place.  Then there's the new relationship between Witwicky and Carly which was not developed enough to create a connection to them.  I enjoyed them but I can't say that I was rooting for them throughout the film.  The focus was mainly on the transformers in this one so the human characters took a hit in their development.  I mean they tried to make Patrick Dempsey a bad guy.  Come on now!  Not McDreamy!  Sorry didn't work for me.   
Add in Michael Bay's over usage of the slow motion shot and you just have a big budget let down.  The best part of this film was the last ten minutes.  Great action there!

So I'd say if you're a man's man and love military, government conspiracy type films and you're a huge fan of the Transformers cartoons then this is the film for you.
Everyone else ... the first one was the best and you could actually skip this one altogether. 

(Note to Parents: A good deal of profanity so this is definitely for children 13 and up.) 

Super 8

Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Written By: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard, Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney and Riley Griffiths
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: A-

It was refreshing to see an original, creative story.

Super 8 follows a group of kids who are using their summer vacation to make a zombie movie to enter into a film festival.  Each child has their role behind the super 8 movie camera and in front of it.  While shooting a scene for their film they witness a train crash and start to question what's going on in their town.  Soon after, strange things start happening and it becomes clear that they are dealing with something out of this world. 

This film has a lot, suspense, drama, comedy, action and even a little romance.  It does not disappoint.  I could not believe that for the majority of the child actors this was their first film.  These kids were great!  J.J. Abrams was able to pull such natural, authentic performances out of them.  He also did a great job creating childhood nostalgia.  You find yourself back at a youthful time and can't help but to feel what these kids feel.  J.J. Abrams is brilliant! 
I was a little disappointed by the alien but just a tiny bit.  It was pretty good but not vicious enough for me.  Then again how scary can it be in a PG-13 movie?
Super 8 is like a cross between "The Goonies," "E.T." and "Signs."  The beginning is "The Goonies," the middle is "Signs" and the end is "E.T."
So if you're looking for a great alien film that will make you laugh, hold your breath, gasp, jump out of your seat and even cry then this is the movie to see. 

(Note to Parents: This film is not for children under 13, there is a lot of profanity.) 

I definitely say see it, see it!

Gnomeo & Juliet

Directed By: Kelly Asbury
Written By: Rob Sprackling, John R. Smith, Andy Riley, Kevin Cecil, Kelly Asbury and Steven Hamilton Shaw
Starring: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Maggie Smith, Ashley Jensen, Michael Caine & Jason Statham
Rated: G

MY RATING: C+

A cute new way to teach kids about Romeo and Juliet. 
 
This film takes place in England and picks up with two neighbors who are feuding, the Montagues and the Capulets, naturally.  What they don't know however is that when they're away their yards come to life and their garden gnomes are also feuding.  They happily stick to their side of the fence, either the blue or the red side but one night Gnomeo (James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) decide to sneak into each other's yards which is when they meet and there's love at first sight.  Once they fall in love they can't bare to be apart and decide to try to be together despite their feuding families.  It's the classic Shakespeare tale told in a clever entertaining way for a new generation of kids.  There's humor, romance, adventure and some beautiful new Elton John (Executive Producer) songs.  

Now I wouldn't say it was one of the best animated films I've ever seen but it was pretty darn clever.  I'm a sucker for an original idea and I was quite amused by the thought of garden gnomes coming to life.  The beginning didn't fully hold my attention but once Gnomeo (McAvoy) and Juliet (Blunt) met the story began to pick up.  Their little love story was adorable.  But don't worry there was some action too.  Of course it had a predictable ending, not because of Romeo and Juliet, they had to change that, but because you know kid's movies have to have happy endings.   Nonetheless your child may be left in suspense which means they did a good job.  Ashley Jensen was funny as Nanette the frog sprinkler and so was Jim Cummings as Featherstone the love struck flamingo.  I was pleasantly surprised by this little film because I was not interested in it at all but figured why not check it out and I'm glad I did.  Gnomeo and Juliet is better than a lot of the ridiculously silly animated movies I've seen lately but it's also not up there with the likes of Toy Story and Shrek.  It held it's own right in the middle though.  So if you're looking for a cute, funny little animated film with a predictable, simple story then definitely check this out.  You and your kids will enjoy it. 

I say check it out but there's definitely no rush.

Green Lantern

Directed By: Martin Campbell
Written By: Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard and Mark Strong,
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C+

After much anticipation Green Lantern the movie is finally released.  Could Ryan Reynolds fill the green suit?  Hmmm possibly.

I'll try to break this complicated story down as best as I can.  Basically the Green Lantern Corps are comprised of different races from the universe who are to protect our galaxy.  Think of it as the United Nations but on an intergalactic scale.  Enter in the villain Parallax (voiced by Clancy Brown) who threatens to destroy the Universe with the power of fear, the opposite of will (Green Lantern Corps' power).  At the same time a well respected Green Lantern dies and a hole needs to be filled to help save the universe.  Enter Hal Jordan your typical egotistical, successful, flying by the seat of his pants kind of guy who doesn't take life seriously.  He also happens to be a test pilot (not sure how this helps the story) and out of every human on the planet "the ring" chooses him to join the Green Lantern Corps.  So then we watch Hal Jordan learn to master his new power of willpower while learning to fly and maneuver between his old life on earth and his new superhero life.  Of course he needs a leading lady, childhood friend Carol Ferris played by Blake Lively.  While Hal deals with his new identity Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), also a childhood friend of Hal's, is going through his own transformation as Parallax tries to use him in his attempt to destroy the universe with fear.  Can the Green Lantern Corps stop Parallax and save the world before it's too late?  Dun dun dun ... what do you think?

Okay so I was entertained by the special effects and vibrant colors.  Seeing it in 3D and IMAX was a nice touch but not worth the extra money.  Where is the 3D in these new 3D movies?  Anyhow, I loved how Ryan Reynolds played the role.  He definitely brought a strength, humor and sensitive side to Hal Jordan.  However the story was just too much for me.  Trust me I simplified it as much as I could.  I mean I found it easy to follow but it just had too much going on for me.  I also found many things so unbelievable, not counting all of the superhero factors (flying, super powers, a costume that doesn't cover much of the face but somehow no one knows who it is).  The script just felt rushed and could've used more editing.  Some things could have been taken out while others could have been developed more.

But let's face it, you don't go to this kind of movie for a strong storyline or Academy Award winning directing or acting.  You go for some good old fashioned action, comedy and special effects and this movie pretty much delivers all of that.  I still prefer Iron Man but this wasn't half bad either.

I say see it but don't rush.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Directed By: Jennifer Yuh
Written By: Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger
Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Seth Rogen and Lucy Liu
Rated: PG

MY RATING: B-

So here we are with yet another sequel. 
This time around we learned a little more about where Po (Jack Black) came from, how he ended up with his dad Mr. Ping (James Hong) and what happened to his parents.  In the first Kung Fu Panda Po was just learning to become The Dragon Warrior but this film picked up with him being a legend.  Alongside the Furious Five Po helps to keep his land safe.  But there is a new threat, a white peacock named Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman).  Shen wants to end Kung Fu with a powerful new weapon and prove that you don't need fighting when you can destroy things with a machine instead.  So Po (Black) and the Furious Five set out to stop him.  While on their journey Po starts to remember his past which unlocks some surprising secrets and lead him to wonder what his future will be.

Kung Fu Panda 2 has a good message and a nice story.  They kept the movie funny, action-packed, adventurous and full of heart.  It was very enjoyable!  This one hit the ground running with Kung Fu.  The kids will definitely enjoy that!  They also added some more stars to the cast, though I'm not sure why since they didn't have a lot of dialogue.  But the best new character has to be Baby Po!  So stinkin' adorable!  Some of the best moments were between Mr.Ping (James Hong) and Baby Po.
I liked the ending, very inspiring.  All in all it was a charming little animated film.
I wouldn't rate it as one of my favorites but it's definitely worth seeing if you liked the original.

I say see it but there's no rush.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Directed By: Rob Marshall
Written By: Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane & Geoffrey Rush
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C+

On Stranger Tides sets sail with Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) on a mission to find the fountain of youth.  They're not the only ones looking for it however.  In this film they introduced Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and his daughter Angelica (Penelope Cruz) and they too are after the fountain.  Along with Blackbeard comes his crew, new shipmates which include zombies and a kidnapped missionary (played by Sam Claflin).  On their voyage they encounter mermaids, one of which is held prisoner for her tears (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), an element needed to access the full power of the fountain of youth.  Jack (Depp) learns that the water must be drunk from two goblets, one extending life while the other ends a person's life.  The question then becomes who will reach the fountain of youth first and take the lucky sip?

Now this latest installment of Pirates of the Caribbean had a lot to prove.  After seeing At World's End I was left so disappointed.  However I'm usually a loyal fan so I was still excited to see this one.  After all, 2 out of the 3 were good.
On Stranger Tides started off a little slow for me while it was setting up the story and Jack Sparrow's (Depp) whereabouts.  Naturally he's gotten himself into trouble again but I feel the first 20 minutes could have been cut in half.  The beginning was building up to the introduction of Angelica (Cruz) and when the story started to take off.  It had it's ups and downs though.  There were good solid story points that were really interesting and then there were scenes that dragged a little and needed some trimming.
I loved that this one returned to the dark side like Dead Man's Chest.  At World's End was a little too out there for me.  I was disappointed in the zombies of "On Stranger Tide" but the mermaids delivered the real thrill ride!  No singing Ariel here! 
Ian McShane did a great job as Blackbeard, the new villain.  But of course Johnny Depp was his usual brilliant self as Jack Sparrow.  I mean after all why else go to see these movies?

Overall it was a little long but fell in line with the other two films, they're all pretty lengthy.  Still, it had a pretty good story that was easy to follow with smart, witty dialogue.  I liked the new characters and the effects were great, especially those mermaids.  Dead Man's Chest is still my favorite and I think they can wrap up this series but it wasn't a wasted trip to the movies.
So if you enjoyed all of the other Pirates of the Caribbean movies then you'll enjoy this one.  If you didn't like At World's End then rest assured, this one's better.

(Note to Parents: The mermaids may be a little too scary for children under age 7.) 

I say see it but there's no rush.