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For Families
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Mature Teens & adults
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FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES
For
Mature Teens & adults
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FOR FAMILIES
Pirates of the Caribbean:
At World's End
with Johnny Depp, Orlando
Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Chow Yun-Fat and cameo with Keith
Richards.
Treachery, betrayal,
evening scores, egos out of control, swash buckling scenes, incredible
visuals and make up all come together in the third Pirates installment. This
long, long flick lacks much of the humor and zaniness of the Black Pearl.
The visuals are superb, there is some fun and if you like Captain Jack,
you’ll hang in there. Ms. Elizabeth takes on the leadership role and Keith
Richards stands in as Captain Jack’s pop. As the gang seeks out Captain Jack
in the depths of Davy Jones Locker—remember, he died at the end of the last
movie—their goal is to resurrect him as only the movies and a storyline can
do. We find the good Captain in a delusional state, chatting it up with
several other Captain Jack’s...summary …it's long and dark (visually);
photography excellent; a bit slow in the beginning with a whirlwind finish.
Who Should See It?
Fans of
previous Pirates films and those who like adventure…8 and up. Gramma
probably won’t love this one unless she’s already a fan.
3 Golden Eggs
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Spider-man
3
with Tobey Mcguire,
Kersten Durst, James Franco and Thomas Church are all part of the “bigger
picture”. Is the third time a charm? For most Spidey fans, indeed it is.
With a mix from the dark side and a complex script Spiderman delivers to old
fans and develops more along the way. Excellent special effects, complex
stories woven throughout.
Who Should See It?
Fans
of previous Spiderman films and those who like adventure…10 and up,
including Gramma
3
Golden Eggs
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Shrek the Third
with the voices of many—Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers,
Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas—the gang is back. All the humor is there,
much of it for the adults, but the little kids have a good time as well.
Who Should See It?
Fans
of previous Shrek films and those who like animation, humor, some of the
story line is silly—which is certainly what Spiderman and Pirates bring to
the party as well …
4 and up, including Gramma
3
Golden Eggs
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Ratatouille
with the voices of Patton Oswalt, Brian Dennehy,
Brad Garrett, Janeane Garofalo, Ian Holm, and Peter O’Toole. The folks
of Pixar are back with what’s to be destined as another Pixar/Disney
classic. Our star, Remy who just happens to be a rich food loving rat in
Paris, is a hoot in his quest to be a gourmet chef. Befriended by
Linguini, the garbage boy who stumbles across Remy’s cooking talent, the
two create heaven and chaos as each learns about overcoming obstacles,
using one’s talents and the real values of friendships and family. It’s
a wonderful movie and a keeper for your personal libraries when
available on DVD.
Who Should See It?
Everyone.
4
Golden Eggs
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Harry Potter - Order of the
Phoenix
with Daniel Radcliffe,
Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
Harry Potter has grown up and I like it. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes)
is all over the movie, from beginning to end. Harry witnesses Voldemort
kill a fellow student and can no longer respond as the boy wizard—it’s
time to move from super boy to super teen and this episode does it.
The opening takes him from his summer “vacation” with the Dursleys to a
hearing regarding expulsion from Hogwarts because of his use of magic in
the Muggle world—a definite no-no. Natch, Harry wins, but picks up a few
enemies in the process, including the Minister of Magic who refuses to
believe that Voldemort has reappeared. The ever changing wizard
newspaper, the daily Prophet, proclaims that Harry is the “boy who
lies.”
There is less of Albus Dumbledorf in this one (which is explained in the
end, Godfather Sirius Black steps up to the plate and as in all the
Harry Potter flicks, a deliciously nasty character takes central stage.
This time, its teacher Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) who is cruel,
vindictive but oh so nice and pretty in the process. Most the key
Hogwarts staff (ie Maggie Smith) are back, but with lesser roles—this
one is really about Harry. You don’t even see a quidditch game.
By the end, Harry emerges as a true leader, still with vulnerability,
but the, the sixth film will round out the teen anxiety that this one
opened with.
Who Should See It?
Everyone. Its been a great ride with this series.
4
Golden Eggs
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Hairspray
with John Travolta,
Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden,
Queen Latifah, Allison Janney and a cameo with Jerry Stiller as Mr.
Pinky is a downright hoot. It’s a rare pleasure, and surprise, that a
movie is better than it’s Tony award winning musical counterpart. You
can’t see Hairspray without some toe-tapping and a grin on your face.
Based in Baltimore, teenager Tracy Turnblad wants only to dance on the
Corny Collins Show, Baltimore’s answer to American Bank Stand. Pfeiffer
has the role of the bigoted, bitchy and nasty station manger; Travolta
is Tracy’s shy and dancing Mom, Walker her prankster Dad and a perfect
foil for Travolta (his scenes with Pfeiffer in the gag shop are a kick),
Queen Latifah is the host for the monthly Negro Day—you know where you
are going when teen Tracy says that when it comes to dancing, she wishes
every day was Negro Day. Hello big hair, black and whites as friends …
oh my!
Who Should See It?
Everyone. Get ye to the theater.
4
Golden Eggs
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FOR MATURE TEENS AND ADULTS
Fractured
with Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling and Billy
Burke makes you miss the craftiness of Hopkins. Hopkins is the cuckolded
wealthy hubby whose wife is having an affair with detective Burke. Coming
home, he confronts her, then shoots her. Servants call 911 and the cat and
mouse game begins. Teaming him with Gosling is smart. Watching their dance
to determine who will outfox the other and how is fun; you know that Hopkins
character will eventually get nailed…but how?
Who Should See It?
Teens
and up, OK for Gramma
3
Golden Eggs
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Mr. Brooks
with Kevin Kostner, William Hurt, Demi Moore, Marg
Helgenberger, Dane Cook, Danielle Panabaker
A very different role for Kosner, as a serial
killer who is goaded on by his alter ego, played by William Hurt. Demi
Moore is the millionaire detective in the middle of a divorce seeking
the “thumb print” Kostner, who just happens to be the Man of the Year in
his home town. Some of the side stories can be tossed, but over all,
there’s lots of twists and turns with an ending that caught me off
guard.
Who Should See It?
Mature
audiences, no kids under 16 and not Gramma if she likes Kostner in his
wolves and baseball roles.
3
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La Vie en Rose
with Marion Cotillard
in a remarkable performance that's sure to gather an Oscar nomination.
The life story of
French songstress Edith Piaf unfolds. It’s painful, memorable and has
some beautiful scenes. One of the most magical voices of our time, she
conquered both sides of the Atlantic. Talk about dysfunctional
families—she grew up surrounded by hookers and pimps; people discovered
she had voice when singing at street corners and carnivals with her
father—soon eclipsing him in popularity…her music brought in the coins
where his magic tricks floundered…she was soon singing on street
corners, turning moneys back to the local pimp to keep him at bay. She’s
portrayed as a tough person to like, with softness surfacing when she
fell in love with boxing champion Marcel Cerdan. Unfortunately, he was
married. Made me want to go out and buy a CD of her classics. Subtitles.
Who Should See It?
Mature
audiences, no kids under 16. Gramma will remember this dazzling voice
and talent.
3½
Golden Eggs
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Rescue Dawn
with Christian Bale
is the latest of the overcoming incredible odds/adversity movies. Set
during the Viet Nam era, Bale plays Dieter Dengler, the only American to
ever escape and be rescued from the Laotian jungle. That is itself is an
amazing fete and should not be discounted.
Shot down within a short time after he takes off, he’s captured, asked
to sign a “formal” letter berating the US, etc. Dengler is the eternal
optimist, whipping out is passport that he had sewn into his shoe and
tells the very cleanly dressed Laos rep that he loves American.
There’s what was felt as token scenes of torture—dragging at the back of
a running steer/oxen on a rope, dumping in a water hole, hanging upside
down with some bug infested nest attached to his chest—yet somehow,
there wasn’t the really oozing/festering of sores that you would expect,
especially in the God-awful heat and climate when he was first captured.
Or even major tearing of clothes and gashes after being dragged would be
expected to generate.
In the POW camp, Dengler is, something that none of his mates who have
already been captured display—total of 6—, and comes up with the making
of gadgets to pick locks and plan the escape. It’s the cleanest of POW
camps that has been presented in my movie history, prisoners are able to
gather outside their hut and “hang” during the day without much hassle
from the guards—of course, maybe these guards hadn’t the cruelty
training that their brethren in the adjoining country excelled in. I
think so much more could have been done with this movie, so I’m a tad
disappointed.
Who Should See It?
Teens and up - maybe Gramma.
2½
Golden Eggs
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Talk To Me
with Don Cheadle is the
story of Petey Greene, the Washington DC talk show kind in the late
60s. Petey is a funny ex-con, who cons his way out of prison. While
there, he honed his skills as the on-air prison radio voice that
inmates and guards alike looked forward to … whatever came out over
the air when Petey was at the mic would make their day. Soul music
opened the door to “tell it like it is/was” for the black community.
Martin Sheen is WOL-AM station owner EG Sonderling and Chiwetel
Ejiofor is Dewey, mentor, partner and manager.
Petey gets Dewey to put him on the air unbeknownst to WOL’s
management team/approval. He connects with the radio audience,
adding a much needed humor and in your face commentary to the
station’s format. It’s controversial, but a huge hit with the DC
market. When Martin Luther King is assassinated, it’s Petey who is a
key factor in getting riots, looting, burning of DC under control.
Who Should See It?—Mature
teens and up, Gramma too if the swearing won’t get to her—there is
profanity, drinking, etc. Cheadle will get an Oscar nomination for
best actor.
4 Golden Eggs
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El Cantante
is the first movie
that brings husband/wife team Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez to the
big screen. Based on the story of Salsa pioneer Hector Lavoe’s rise
to success from his Puerto Rican roots. Lopez is Puchi, Hector’s
wife, partner and enabler. The chemistry between the two is real
(versus the awful chemistry between Lopez and Ben Affleck in Gigli)—would
have rather seen more of the man and the music and a little less of
Lopez…but this is one of those flicks that if you hang in there, you
will fall in. Profanity, drugs and drinking abound—Hector picks up
AIDS with his love of the needle and dies an early death. It’s a bio
with humor, love, and tragedy, with similarities to the recent movie
on Edith Piaf’s life. These gifted, gifted men and women either lose
it with the bottle and/or drugs … a loss for all.
Who Should See It—Mature
teens…best to leave Gramma at home.
3 Golden Eggs
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Rush Hour 3
with Jackie Chan,
Chris Tucker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Youki Kudoh and Max Von Sydow will
hopefully end the franchise. Jackie Chan as Chinese Chief Inspector
Lee wowed everyone when the first Rush Hour hit the big screen in
the late 90s—he’s older and looks it. He’s still good at what he
does… there aren’t the number of outrageous stunts that we all grew
up with –he needs another avenue to display his remarkable
talents—the opening is as good as it will get. Tucker’s banter gets
old fast. Lame is probably what best describes him. Von Sydow’s role
as head of the World Crime Court is transparent early on. The real
star was probably the Eiffel Tower. If you want real a chase scene,
after chase scene, see Bourne Ultimatum.
Who Should See It?—Don’t
rush, unless you are a true Chan fan.
1 Golden Egg
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DVDs
For Kids and Families
PETER PAN
Platinum Edition
brings the original classic to your family. Peter, Tinker Bell, the Lost
Boys, Captain Hook, Tic Toc Croc, the Darling children and Nana the dog
all are here in upgraded color and digital restoration. Deleted songs
found in the Disney vaults have been added; bonus games included.
Who Should See It?
Kids of all
ages, Gramma too.
4 Golden Eggs.
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BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA
is a fantasy film for the
entire family. Jess, played by Josh Hutcherson is the star runner in the
school is shown up by the new girl Leslie, played by AnnaSopia Robb.
Getting through the spots of jealousy, the two end up forming a
friendship that leads them to a make-believe enchanted forest. If your
kids liked The Chronicles of Narnia, they’ll enjoy this one.
Who Should See It?
Kids of all
ages, Gramma too.
3 Golden Eggs.
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THE MANY ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH: The Friendship Edition
by Disney takes
viewers of all ages back to the beginning to the Pooh movies—Honey tree,
The Blustery Day and Winnie the Pooh with Tigger Too. If you’ve
forgotten, you learn how Pooh and Tigger meet; and get a kick out of
Pooh gorging himself on Rabbits “hunny” and getting so fat that he can’t
get out of the front door. Lots of bonus material. A must have for
your family DVD library.
Who Should See It?
Kids of all
ages, Gramma too.
4 Golden Eggs.
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Roving Mars
is a
documentary of the creation of the two ambulatory robots (named
Opportunity and Spirit) that landed on the Red Planet. The
movie ends there. It begins with the involvement of 4000 plus
scientists.
Most of the
film is set on Earth (tis only 40 plus minutes) centering around
the two main labs, Pasadena’s California Institute of Technology
and Kennedy Space Center. Where Mars was the final birthing
site, these two were the embryo, creating the robots and the
mechanisms to get them into Space.
It’s an amazing story of ideas,
dreams, hinges and gears and just what the creative mindset can
do. The visuals are incredible. After landing, when Spirit
unfolds her solar panels, you want to cheer. I did, then teared
up.
Who Should See It?
Mature kids and up.
4 Golden Eggs.
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For
Mature Teens & Adults
THE QUEEN
with Dame Helen
Mirren as Queen Elizabeth and Michael Sheen as newly elected Tony Blair
is the primo movie from last year, deserving every award earned by the
actors and film. Focusing on a brief period of time beginning with the
death of Princess Diana—a real glimpse into the relationships of the
royal family—both the insiders and outsiders. Belongs in your DVD
library.
Who
Should See It?
Teens and up,
definitely Gramma.
4 Golden Eggs.
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VENUS
with Peter O’Toole as
Maurice, an aging actor and Jodie Whittaker as Jessie, the pain in the
butt grand-niece of his best friend. O’Toole was nominated for a best
actor award … I think it’s more of a swan song nomination. Maurice
drools over the arrival of Jessie who is supposed to be looking for a
job and quasi caring for his aging best friend. She can’t cook—although
she can open a bag of chips and talk cheeky to the “adults”. For
whatever reason, Maurice is attracted to her (maybe the young,
unwrinkled body), taking her under his wing to the theater and art
galleries. I got tired of it.
Who Should See It?
Teens won’t
like it; maybe O’Toole fans.
1 ½ Golden Eggs.
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THE PRESTIGE
with Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale (competitive magicians former friends
and colleagues), Michael Caine as mentor and designer of new tricks and
Scarlett Johansson as the beautiful assistant. Most likely, professional
magicians aren’t going to like the way Jackman’s character goes all out
to revenge his wife’s drowning in a stage accident, coupled with going
all out to be the “best” in the circa of turn-of-the-century London.
With a little history about electricity thrown in, I have to admit that
I didn’t see how it would end, although looking back, there were a few
hints.
Who
Should See It?
Teens
and up; Gramma might like it as well.
3 Golden Eggs
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APOCALYPTO
is probably the most
gruesome film to carry the Touchstone/Walt Disney Picture label.
Directed and co-written by Mel Gibson, it makes
Braveheart look like a tea party. All the critics are abuzz about it.
Set in the 16th
century, the viewer is introduced to a group of peaceful forest dwellers
who are ribbing one of the members of the tribe who seems to be
infertile into eating the testicles of a tapir that they have just
killed—this is the comedy part.
Within a short time,
the tribe is viciously attacked and slain and women raped by Mayans on
the prowl for sacrifices to the Gods—only a few escape…a handful of kids
and the very pregnant wife and small son of Jaguar Paw played by Rudy
Youngblood.
As the men, and some
women, are herded up and taken to the Mayans, the blood spilling
continues. History tells us that the Mayan civilization was brutal and
decadent—Gibson pulls no punches, the viewer experiences with
relentlessness that brutality and gore. History also tells us that the
Mayans were smart in math and the sciences, although you would never
pick that up watching Apocalypto. Jaguar Paw does escape the head
cutting/heart ripping out fate of many of his tribesmen and he does
finally make it back to save his wife, son and infant.
This is without a
doubt one of the most brutal, bloody and assaulting films I’ve ever
experienced.
Who Should See It?
Not kids, not
anyone looking for entertainment, some fun or a little relaxation, and
definitely not your Gramma. The cinematography is excellent, Mel Gibson
knows how to tell a story and is quite inventive in his display of
graphic barbaric acts and the acting is not bad …. But, I hated being in
the theater and experiencing it.
1
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CASINO ROYALE
with Daniel Craig as
the newest Bond along with returning Dame Judi Dench as M. Craig goes
back to the beginning of the Bond time, releasing an incredible series
of physical feats that none of the past several Bonds could have blinked
at. Craig is terrific in the role—you will be disappointed if you were
expecting a well-coifed Pierce Brosnan type—Craig doesn’t do coif.
Opening with finally
earning his double 0, the newest Bond sets out to snag a terrorist
banker Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). All bad guys in a Bond adventure
have some quirk…his is bloody tears when he gets stressed out. Lots of
card scenes—the title fits—it all works. Craig should be around for
awhile. Try the flick, it’s a keeper.
Who Should See It?
All Bond fans,
those like decisive action, including Gramma—she saw the original ones.
4
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DÉJÀ VU
with Denzel
Washington is one part thriller, one part sci-fi, and one part action.
Washington is ATF agent Doug Carlin who’s called to the seen of a ferry
bombing in New Orleans. When the FBI is called in, they join ranks with
Agent Carlin and let him on their super secret—a nifty machine that can
see through everything, roll time back to pre-present and all kids of
other goodies.
Agent Carlin’s
assignment is to figure who the bad guy is … and when he sees what the
nifty machine can do, he sets out to try and save one of the victims
that washed up on the river … natch, she’s a beautiful woman.
It’s pure fiction and
you are probably based serve in just letting it go. Kind of like the
replicator machine on the good ship Enterprise or the ability to beam
everywhere—sounds great, but we are not there yet in the true sense of
things—one can dream though.
Who Should See It?
Not kids, not
sure if Gramma will like it, but she may like Denzel, so why not?
3 Golden Eggs
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PRIMEVAL
is based on the true story of an African
killer crocodile that killed over 300 people. Dominic Purcell plays a
disgraced TV reported who is going to try and rebuild his career by
snagging the 20 foot croc that has terrorized the locals. Not for the
light of heart, you’ve got to like the spook and scary parts that these
“grab” you movies offer. It’s brutal, some violence.
Who Should See It?
No young kids,
teens and up. Definitely not Gramma.
1 ½ Golden Eggs.
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You Kill Me
YOU KILL ME
with Ben Kingsley and Téa Leoni as Frank and Laura, one of the
most unlikely movie couple pairings in a long time. Frank is a
hit man with a booze problem in Buffalo. His uncle sends him
West to dry out after he bungles a key job. There he gets a job
in a mortuary as a prepper for bodies to be displayed to the
family/friends (actually, a good fit for a hit man, death isn’t
an issue!). He joins, reluctantly, AA, meets Ms. Laura, is
befriended by his AA sponsor played by Luke Wilson. There’s a
great scene where he says, Hi, I’m Frank and I’m a killer….” Oh
well, the AA group accepts him as he is. He’s called back to
Buffalo and ….
Who Should See It?
It’s a dark comedy, I liked it. Mature Teens and Up.
Gramma will get a kick out of Kingsley.
3 ½
Golden Eggs
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WILD HOGS
with John
Travolta, William Macy, Tim Allen and Martin Lawrence is a
stretch. Four pals decide that they need a guy’s week out. Their
normal routine is to suit up each week in their leathers, hit
their bikes and head into town for a beer. Travolta thinks they
need more…not telling them that he’s basically out of luck,
marriage is falling apart, etc., and he needs to escape from his
problems. He ropes his pals into his venture and true to form,
they run into a series of mishaps, including the nasty Del Fuego
gang that has been terrorizing a coastal town for years. Not to
worry, our boys to the rescue.
Here’s a flick, loaded with incredible talent and it just is
limp in too many areas. There are some genuinely funny scenes—I
love William Macy, but with this talent bank, I wanted to laugh
myself silly and have a great time… it was just OK. This film
could have been so much more.
Who Should See It?—Teens
and up, Gramma might get a kick out of it.
2 ½ Golden Eggs
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