Grade: B
| Sahara reminded me of “Romancing the Stone” or “Indiana Jones.” It is fun, adventurous, smart, and funny. Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn make a great “buddy” team – and Penelope Cruz comes in as the gutsy doctor out to save the world. There is some violence, and a few gross dead bodies, just so you know what to expect. But overall good for families with older kids. |
Grade: B-
| Safe Haven is based on the novel by Nicolas Sparks – so right away you know it’s going to be romantic, and sad. And it is. But luckily there’s a happy ending!
Julianne Hough, who has nicely transitioned to lead actress in her first starring role here, plays Katie, on the run and looking to start a new life for herself in a small North Carolina town. The first person she meets is Josh Duhamel’s Alex, tall, handsome, single father who has been grieving his dead wife for 3 years. The two are awkward with each other at first, but totally attracted to one another and they end up falling in love, of course. Then Katie’s past ends up catching with her, and the rest of the movie is less romantic tension and more just plain tension as havoc comes to town. Two super cute kids in the mix – lots of “awwww” factor – and a helpful BFF. This movie came out on Valentine’s Day – good timing! |
Grade: B+
| Chris Hemsworth, brother of Liam and best known currently as “Thor” stars as English Formula 1 racer James Hunt in this real-life story set in the 1970’s.
Hunt, and Austrian driver Nick Lauda (played by Daniel Brühl) were rivals on the Formula 1 circuit. Although the movie takes place in the world of racing, it’s really more about the relationship between these two polarly opposite men, and how they pushed each other to be better – both as drivers and as people. Olivia Wilde is Hunt’s love interest, a super model who understands the limelight and is attracted to Hunt until his ego gets too big for the relationship. Rush is an interesting movie that’s worth seeing. A little slice of history. |
Grade: B
| Runner Runner movie stars Justin Timberlake as a Princeton grad student who becomes an “affiliate” for an online gambling website to pay his tuition. Circumstances lead him to Costa Rica, where one internet kingpin, played by Ben Affleck, has set up shop. Smart Justin quickly becomes Ben’s right hand man, and is privy to all the behind the scenes shenanigans that go into this very dangerous business. Justin is put in a tough position when the FBI comes calling, and he has to come up with some creative ideas to save his skin from one side or the other.
Good story, some dark moments – very timely for today. |
Grade: A-
| Ruby Sparks is a fun independent movie about a writer who has basically isolated himself after a failed relationship. His loneliness causes writers block, and it is questionable about whether his career will move forward or he’ll be left to rest on his laurels. He’s in therapy, and a writing assignment from his therapist sparks the writer’s imagination, and he starts writing about a dream girl. He’s inspired. Until he finds that dream girl, living that dream life, in his very real apartment. Original, whimsical, and thought-provoking. |
Grade: B
| Wonderful voice cast includes Ewan McGregor, Amanda Bynes, Robin Williams and Halle Berry. The theme throughout is “it doesn’t matter what you’re made of, you can shine.” Not quite the sophisticated comedy of “The Incredibles” but fun for the whole family |
Grade: B+
| Russell Crowe takes on the role of Robin Hood in this new version of the classic film. It’s really the story of how Robin Hood got to be Robin Hood – it’s kind of a “prequel” to the other films. In that way, it’s interesting. Robin is an archer in the king’s service, and then ends up assuming an identity in order to help avoid a war with France. The characters are well drawn and the setting is quite cinematic. I guess the only way we have to suspend disbelief is that Robin Hood started this “robbing from the rich” career a little late in life! Cate Blanchett is a strong and determined Marian. She’s “Lady Marian” in this version, and she’s capable enough to ride right alongside the men to save the day.
This is an adventure – and a fun one at that. |
Grade: C+
| Heart-wrenching story of an unhappy marriage. Set in the 1950’s Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) Wheeler move to the suburbs to raise their two children. They had always considered themselves young and rebellious but now they feel like they’ve conformed and are frustrated with their limited lives. Kathy Bates plays their friend and real estate agent. While the couple tries to live the suburban lifestyle, they find it tedious, and try to break out. But there are internal conflicts as well, and those end up coming between the two. Sam Mendes, who is married to Winslet, directs, and does a fabulous job. The performances are first rate all around. But it’s hard to watch heartbreak and stress and disillusion and pain for two hours. There are not many happy moments. The end result is depressing. |
Grade: B+
| Religulous is hilarious, ridiculous, and very clever. It’s also a great conversation starter. Bill Maher interviews various people from various religions to try to get at some sort of truth. He is amused by many of the people, and perplexed by some, and downright shocked at what comes from others. It’s all a very interesting mix, presented to give us some food for thought. In many ways it makes us laugh at ourselves. If you’re easily offended, don’t go. If you have an open mind, you’ll love it. |
Grade: C-
| The title of the movie RED refers to “Retired Extremely Dangerous.” We first meet Bruce Willis, who seems to be a nice, sweet retired guy – maybe a little bored and restless. When he single handedly knocks out a group of armed masked men who have invaded his home, we know there’s more to him than he’s let on. Something is up, and he goes to his friends to help out. Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and other familiar faces rise to the occasion, solve a mystery, and save the world. It’s all very tongue-in-cheek – these are professionals, as actors and as characters. Entertaining, but nothing we haven’t seen before. A little long… or maybe it just seemed like it. |
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