Inkheart (Movie Review)
01.20.2009 | By Jack Rico |
*Updated 2026
In 2026, when fantasy IP still promises worlds it cannot always build, Inkheart reads like a reminder that a great premise needs more than pages on a script.
01.20.2009 | By Jack Rico |
*Updated 2026
In 2026, when fantasy IP still promises worlds it cannot always build, Inkheart reads like a reminder that a great premise needs more than pages on a script.
01.14.2009 | By Jack Rico |
Rated: R for pervasive language, some strong sexuality including dialogue, nudity, and for drug content.
Release Date: 2009-01-16
Starring: Reggie Rock Bythewood, Cheo Hodari Coker
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Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious/
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 ‘Notorious’ is an entertaining musical film that presents a crooked, yet warm life to arguably one of the greatest rappers to ever rhyme into a mic. Music fans of the old school, gangsta and pop rap will be ecstatic as they’ll be provided with 58 tracks to some head boppin’ block rocking beats.
This story takes place in the decade of 80s and 90’s as Christopher Wallace (Jamal Woolard) is seduced by the easy money being made by crack dealers in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. When his mother (Angela Bassett) finds out, she kicks him out of the house accelerating his criminal exploits. Wallace does a quick jail bid and his demo cassette finds it way into the hands of a brash record exec named Sean “Puffy” Combs (Derek Luke), and a rap phenomenon is born.
Even though it provides a cinematic diversion, Notorious is by no means Eminem’s 8 Mile. It’s the same rags to riches story, but this one lacks a director such as Curtis Hanson to give it grit with an artistic vision.
Notorious is produced by Wallaces’ mom and Sean Combs, so it isn’t fully objective. One element that wasn’t explained very well was the puzzling rivalry between Tupac and Biggie. Even after the murder scenes, we’re still left as flummoxed about what happened as we did in real life.
Nevertheless, rap fans should have fun with this movie and the great soundtrack that accompanies it.
01.3.2009 | By SBC Staff |
Rated: PG-13 for violence and brief strong language.
Release Date: 2008-12-26
Starring: Christopher McQuarrie, Nathan Alexander
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Country: USA, Germany
Official Website: http://valkyrie.unitedartists.com/
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12.26.2008 | By Mike Pierce |
What can I say about Frank Miller’s The Spirit? If you don’t know, this is the same guy who brought you Sin City and my favorite, 300. Read More
12.19.2008 | By Mike Pierce |
Rated: PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality.
Release Date: 2008-12-19
Starring: Grant Nieporte
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Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.sonypicturesreleasing.es/teaser/sietealmas/
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WOWWWWWW…Seven Pounds starring Will Smith…Mrs. HOT Rosario Dawson, Cool dudes Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper, and Michael Ealy.
I’m not going to lie – this movie rocked! I knew it was going to be good – but not THAT good. It’s about an IRS guy (Will Smith) who decides to go on this crazy, detailed plan of his. People…once everything happens – he will have changed the lives of 7 strangers.
OK…no more…that’s right…I’m not going to ruin this one for you. It’s that good! Heck…if you MUST know…check out the trailer. J All I am saying is – GO SEE THIS MOVIE. You laugh and you cry…I completely lost it. At one point I was thinking to myself, “Mike – this is going to get a 4 ½ popcorn rating…but…the last 30 minutes…turned it into a 5!!
I give Seven Pounds…5 out of 5 Popcorns! And, DON’T text while driving! (You’ll see)
Merry Christmas!
12.19.2008 | By Mike Pierce |
Rated: Not available.
Release Date: 2008-12-19
Starring: Gary Ross, Will McRobb, Chris Viscardi
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Country: UK, USA
Official Website: http://www.thetaleofdespereauxmovie.com/
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Awww…there’s nothing cuter than a little, big eared mouse with a sword. The Tale of Despereaux stars a little mouse named, Despereaux.
At an early age – his family and friends noticed he wasn’t your average mouse. He doesn’t cringe to the site of knives. He doesn’t fear cats. He laughs at the of mouse traps. He’s just one COOL mouse. The story starts in a kingdom called, Dor…and in this kingdom…they love soup…yes, I said soup. SOUP DAY that is – it’s a day of celebration!
Well, something bad happens…an accident (not going to tell you) where the king…broken hearted…decides to banish soup and KILL at rats. I know, I know – your saying to yourself, “Mike – what the heck does rats have to do with it?” – Well, go see the movie and you’ll find out. (lol)
This movie teaches you a lot of lessons – It has like 4 little stories all wrapped in 1 movie. This happens to be great family, holiday movie. There’s comedy, drama, action and adventure.
Just remember…size DOESN’T matter if you put your mind to it!
12.12.2008 | By Mike Pierce |
A holiday movie for the season, Nothing Like the Holidays stars a huge Latino cast, including Freddy Rodríguez, Luis Guzmán, Jay Hernández, Elizabeth Peña, John Leguizamo, and more. It’s about a Puerto Rican family living in the cold, windy city of Chicago—specifically Humboldt Park.
What’s it about, you may ask? Well, mix one crazy family, one fish-out-of-water outsider, a great soundtrack, and you get a pretty damn funny movie. Okay, okay, here’s the breakdown:
Does that make sense? (Lol) The movie is funny, entertaining, and features a cast I absolutely loved.
12.5.2008 | By Mike Pierce |
Rated: PG-13 for some sexual humor and language.
Release Date: 2008-11-26
Starring: Matt Allen, Caleb Wilson
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Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.fourchristmasesmovie.com/
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It’s still the #1 movie at the box office. What movie am I talking about you may ask?? Four Christmases, starring Vince Vaughn and “Sexy Cute” Reese Witherspoon. It has a great cast such as Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, John Voight, Tim McGraw, Jon Favreau, and more!
The movie starts off with a couple who are totally in love, but soon find out that they REALLY don’t KNOW each other. The Christmas holidays roll around…instead of hanging with their family, they decide to lie…once again…to plan a trip to Fiji…but the weather messes everything up so they are forced to visit their 4 seperate families…and these families are nuts.
If you happen to “family hop” during the holidays – you’ll definately can relate. (lol)
You sure laugh a lot and during these hard times – we all could use it.
12.5.2008 | By SBC Staff |
Rated: R for some language.
Release Date: 2008-12-05
Starring: Peter Morgan
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Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.frostnixon.com/
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David Frost, a british entertainment interviewer obtains a confession that no one else can from President Richard Nixon on prime-time TV in the 1970’s. That is the plot line from ‘Frost/Nixon’, a compelling retelling of that story and the consequences it had on each one of them after that historic broadcast.
The film, in essence, is a direct shot by shot remake of the London and Broadway versions of the play. The Broadway version I saw in 2007 was powerful and dramatic and showcased the acting mastery of one Frank Langella (Nixon), who went on to win a Tony award for his portrayal of the late President. Langella didn’t then, nor now, look or sound much like the late 37th President, yet, through sheer force of performance, he embodies Nixon. Logically speaking, given the theater award, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be among the candidates for an Oscar award as well. Michael Sheen (Frost) was definitely the supporting actor here playing off the instincts and skill of Langella.
In essence, the movie is a about two people who are losing their social and market value in society and their need to regain it. That plot pales in comparison to the true centerpiece mano a mano interview both men have. The stage and film version invest all their time and effort into making this, “the clash of the century”, “the dual of death”, into the definitive verbal battle in political and media history.
Even though liberties are taken with the facts to create moments of dramatic tension throughout the film, Frost/Nixon manages to capture a glimpse into the life of one of the most controversial figures in the history of American politics.
The acting performances is what director Ron Howard (The DaVinci Code, Apollo 13) bets the house on. He managed to obtain convincing and captivating performances, yet everything else was secondary for him and it showed.
If you’re not into politics nor the media industry, then Frost/Nixon won’t titillate you that much. If the contrary applies, especially after experiencing the energy and results of our recent presidential campaign, this film is just the right dose of politics you’re looking for.
