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Movie Reviews and Ratings

Capitalism: A Love Story
Jack Rico
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2009/10/01 at 12:00am

Reviews

Capitalism: A Love Story

10.1.2009 | By |

Rated: R for some language.
Release Date: 2009-10-02
Starring: Michael Moore
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.capitalismalovestory.com/

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Capitalism: A Love Story

‘Capitalism: A Love Story’ is like a Sylvester Stallone ‘Rocky’ film – it leaves you wanting to kick some ass, in this case, Corporate America’s ass. Documentarian and funny man Michael Moore is up to his old tricks as he combats the evil forces in the USA in an entertaining and factual manner, including revelations that might twitch your spine. Capitalism isn’t as good as ‘Sicko’, but it manages to deliver a punch right in the patriotic gut.

The premise has Mr. Moore exploring the price that America pays for its love of capitalism, but the principal appeal of the film is Moore’s quest to uncover the why’s and who’s of the economic collapse, and even though he does this with human affection and charm, he doesn’t necessarily tell us what to do with the information. Consequently, we’re left asking questions with no right or wrong answers. I almost wish he would’ve tread a little further and had someone arrested – caught on film! No such luck, but I can’t say he didn’t try. To most proletariats, Moore is their champion and so with each documentary, the expectations for him to do something about his findings become more demanding.

At the end, Moore is in the business of informing and entertaining us with his topical stories on our governments fallacies, but he wants us to do something about. He feels he started it, we should finish it. Will we? Stay tuned.

More Than A Game
Alex Florez
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2009/10/01 at 12:00am

Reviews

More Than A Game

10.1.2009 | By |

Rated: Not available.
Release Date: 2009-10-02
Starring: Kristopher Belman, Brad Hogan
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.morethanagamemovie.com/

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More Than A Game

For ‘Sportcenter’ junkies like myself, More Than a Game will feel like one of those pre-game packages leading up to the final game of a championship series.  The ones that sum up the obstacles the players have overcome to reach the summit of their sport. The ones that delve into their personal lives, recounted by their family, friends, coaches and the journalists that have tracked them.  Tragedy.  Redemption.  All so that when we next see these athletes on the field or on the floor they are human to us once again.  All done to make the ‘game’ that much more compelling.  After all, what would sports be without a narrative?

Avid basketball fans out there will certainly be quite familiar with this documentary having lived through, just a few years ago, LeBron James’ meteoric rise to NBA superstardom.  Of course, the story they got was written by the media: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and virtually every newspaper across the country.

For those that don’t follow sports at all, the story goes that five talented young high school basketball players from Akron, Ohio including future NBA star LeBron James are coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father and together embark on an improbable nine-year journey from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. 

Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested — both on and off the court — as James’ exploding worldwide celebrity threatens to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together.

What director Kristopher Belman does, is turn this documentary into a compelling coming of age film that expands on the boys’ friendship and their loyalty in the face of great adversity.  Easily, this movie could have been fictionalized and either turned into ‘Hoosiers’ (Gene Hackman) or ‘Coach Carter’ (Samuel L. Jackson) to ham up the ‘underdog’ story.  Thankfully, the risk wasn’t taken and the story is told through the players’ own words.  Nevertheless, the movie never feels quite as honest as it should be and I couldn’t help but think that more than anything, it’s a gift to LeBron’s former teammates as they finally get the recognition they deserve.

Come to think of it, my feelings on the film are a lot like the relationship I have with the athletes I follow.  I Don’t quite buy into the image they create for themselves but somehow still find myself rooting for them.  

 

Whip It (Movie Review)
Karen Posada
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2009/09/29 at 12:00am

Reviews

Whip It (Movie Review)

09.29.2009 | By |

“Whip It” has got to be one of the most enjoyable movies I’ve seen in a while. It was fun and very entertaining. It may make you want to go out and join a roller derby team or at least give yourself a cool and tough pseudo name. Read More

Coco Before Chanel (Movie Review)
Namreta Kumar
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2009/09/25 at 12:00am

Reviews

Coco Before Chanel (Movie Review)

09.25.2009 | By |

“Coco Before Chanel” is a visual treat that captures the essence of its subject, Gabriel “Coco” Chanel, in a way that is both elegant and authentic. Anne Fontaine has crafted a period piece that mirrors the timeless nature of Chanel herself.

Fontaine and Audrey Tautou seamlessly bring Coco to life on screen. As the title suggests, the film focuses on Coco before she became the legendary figure known for Chanel. It’s a story of a woman destined for greatness, but not about her ultimate success. Rather, it’s about her tragic journey—a tale of perseverance and struggle. Thanks to Fontaine’s brilliant screenplay and direction, the film offers a compelling and nuanced view of Coco’s life without resorting to excess or grandeur.

Fontaine and Tautou carefully illustrate Coco’s vision, allowing the audience to see the world through her eyes. Tautou’s portrayal captures the complexity of Coco’s emotions and aspirations, from her first spark of ambition to her final, defining gaze. The film would not be complete without the contributions of Etienne Balsan (Benoit Poelvoorde) and Boy Capel (Alessandro Nivola), as their relationships with Coco form the emotional core of the narrative. The portrayal of these key figures is as carefully executed as Tautou’s, keeping the audience emotionally engaged through the vulnerabilities and aspirations of each character, right up to the film’s bittersweet conclusion.

While the film does not attempt to cover the full span of Coco Chanel’s 87 years, it encapsulates the essence of her style and spirit. It’s a quiet, intimate experience that is driven by beautiful, still moments. If you’re unfamiliar with Coco Chanel or are outside the typical audience for this kind of film, be prepared for a different kind of cinematic journey. Like all things Coco Chanel, even if you can’t afford it, this is one experience you can’t afford to miss.

The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Jack Rico
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2009/09/22 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

09.22.2009 | By |

Rating: 2.5

Rated: PG-13 for sexual content throughout, some language and a drug reference.
Release Date: 2009-05-01
Starring: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
Director(s):
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Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.ghostsofgirlfriendspastmovie.com/

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‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’ isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Screenwriters Jon Lucas and Scott Moore somehow manage to salvage the film by developing two well written romantic moments into the overdone cornball premise. The film doesn’t work as a comedy, but it gets the job done in the romance department.

Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is a free loving bachelor  who is the ultimate ‘playa’. Unfortunately, his childhood friend Jenny (Jennifer Garner) is the one woman in his life who has always seemed immune to his considerable charm. It all comes to a climax when three ghosts, yes a la Dickens, take him on a revealing odyssey through a lifetime of failed relationships. The purpose of this exam is to get him to redeem himself in front of his one true love – Jenny.

There is no doubts about this film being targeted to female viewers, Unfortunately, they’ll have to deal with some negatives. Most of the damage of the film exists in its overused storyline – Charles Dickens’ ‘The Christmas Carol’. That on its own should scare most moviegoers away. Adding to the barrage of detriments is the myriad of lame and unamusing gags that never go over. I don’t really remember laughing once. But halfway through the film, when Michael Douglas appears as Uncle Wayne, is when we finally experience the first engaging moment. Douglas’s detailed in-depth tutorial on picking up women to a young Connor possesses a real candor absent from similar movies of the genre. I’m sure female viewers will find it amusing if not absurd. We once again are treated to another memorable moment at the film’s climax when McConaughey himself dishes out some love wisdom of his own. These scenes mixed in with a gooey score and sufficient teary close ups will debilitate even some of the most stoic of men.

 

Apart from those likable sequences, the supporting cast is simply irrelevant and insipid. Their charms and levels of interest are nonexistent. Futhermore, McConaughey’s performance matches those of his previous uninspired works (Fools Gold, Failure to Launch, The Wedding Planner). Nevertheless, if you can get past the Dickens homage, ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’ is better than most romantic fare out in theaters right now. Female viewers will enjoy a good insight into the male psyche and have a chance to see a man go from player to prince. Isn’t that what all women want?

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Jack Rico
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2009/09/19 at 12:00am

Reviews

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

09.19.2009 | By |

Rated: PG for brief mild language.
Release Date: 2009-09-18
Starring: Judi Barrett, Ron Barrett
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/cloudywithachanceofmeatballs/

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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Gluttony to the umpteenth degree is what parents should expect from this farcical 3D animation that is strictly for kids’ excessive and hyper yearnings. I’d like to say, “fun for the whole family”, but the story is too infantile for adults to be truly bothered. Watch out for Mr.T’s character throughout the film – he is hilarious for all ages.

‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’ is based on a children’s book from Judy and Ron Barrett which follows inventor Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) and brainy weathergirl Sam Sparks (voice of Anna Faris) as they attempt to discover why the rain in their small town has stopped while food is falling in its place. Meanwhile, lifelong bully Brent (voice of Adam Samberg) relishes in tormenting Flint just as he did when they were kids, and Mayor Shelbourne (voice of Bruce Campbell) schemes to use Flint’s latest invention–a device designed to improve everyone’s lives–for his own personal gain. Mr. T. voices by-the-books cop Earl Devereaux, and James Caan voices Flint’s technophobe father, Tim.

For those of you that might be going for the 3D animation experience, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” produces a sharp, crisp picture, with no visible imprecision between the matches of the images. There is clear definition between closer and further elements. In terms of technical quality, this is the best I’ve seen so far along with G-Force from Disney.

The Burning Plain (Movie Review)
Jennifer Lawrence in ‘The Burning Plain’
Jack Rico
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2009/09/19 at 12:00am

Reviews

The Burning Plain (Movie Review)

09.19.2009 | By |

‘The Burning Plain’ is a bleak film which is heavy on the visceral drama and light on substance. The script isn’t compelling nor are the characters and last I heard, the idea behind creating a movie is to entertain audiences to some degree, not make one miserable and despondent.

Three stories about three women swing back and forth in time and place, gathering apparently disconnected and twisted scenes into a monotonous tale of betrayal, love, and death. The film stars Charlize Theron, Kim Basinger and a new crop of actors.

Mexican screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga, now turned director, is a magnificent penman who creates scenes that bring the best out of actors and his director. Regrettably, as his fourth work shows, he has reached a repetitive, one-dimensional plateau where he can’t seem to free himself from. Once again, Arriaga tells a story of various characters paralleling each other. He began with this structure in ‘Amores Perros’ and continued in ‘21 Grams,’ ‘Babel’ and now ‘The Burning Plain’. When I spoke to him, Arriaga contested that he felt the composition and story of this film are completely different than anything he has done before. He needs to take a closer look at his films and pick up on the recurring patterns – multi-narratives and gut-wrenching, emotional dramas. There isn’t anything wrong with Arriaga continuing along this trademark path, but isn’t variety the spice of life? Versatility is where you prove yourself to be better than just one style and I am hoping to see something distinct and fresh for his next project.

This is a Hollywood indie intertwined with a Latino story. For Hispanics, the decision to watch this heavy film for the sake of supporting a fellow patriot is ignorant. You make your decision based on the quality of the script and the acting. In this case, the script is banal, too serious and melodramatic and the acting, though arguably strong, is not compelling and lacks believability. I recommend you wait for his arch nemesis, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s new film ‘Biutiful’ starring Javier Bardem for a more enjoyable experience at the movies in December.

 

Jennifer’s Body
Alex Florez
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2009/09/18 at 12:00am

Reviews

Jennifer’s Body

09.18.2009 | By |

Rated: R for sexuality, bloody violence, language and brief drug use.
Release Date: 2009-09-18
Starring: Diablo Cody
Director(s):
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Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.jennifersbody.com/

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Jennifer's Body

‘Jennifer’s Body’ is a failure on so many levels: as a horror film, a comedy and its acting, but it does manage to be a good teen film due to Diablo Cody’s authentic and irreverent script and dialogue. It is so sumptuous that I haven’t been this excited to HEAR just dialogue since her first work in ‘Juno.’

The premise is simple yet loses its path many a times. When small-town high school hottie Jennifer (Megan Fox) is possessed by a hungry demon, guys who never stood a chance with her, take on new luster in the light of Jennifer’s insatiable appetite.

Oscar award winning screenwriter Diablo Cody is a teenager trapped in a woman’s body. Her uncanny way to capture and tap into the teen angst of today is an onerous task that she pulls off effortlessly… once again. Nevertheless, there is no excuse for some of the tawdry moments the movie provides. Its pacing, in particular, lacks a natural rhythm, the acting is descent at best and Megan just doesn’t bring it; she’s not good enough to carry the movie. The film overall struggles with a sense of identity. It doesn’t know whether it wants to be campy or a little less flamboyant, but it never finds the right balance. It’s never truly scary or funny. If you’re going to see the film in theaters just to get off on Megan Fox, there are other ways to do it, such as waiting for it on DVD in 4 months

Watch out for the lesbo scene, it might just shock the horror from you.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Jack Rico
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2009/09/15 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

09.15.2009 | By |

Rating: 3.0

Rated: PG-13
Release Date: 2009-05-01
Starring: David Benioff
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.xmenorigins.com/

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Is the bootleg online version of ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ better than the cinematic experience? If you already saw the illegal downloaded version, should you spend your money to watch it in a real movie theater? I personally haven’t seen the unauthorized edition, but from the feedback I’ve received from those who have and with my take from the theatrical version – yes, you should see it in theaters only if you enjoyed what you saw. It would enhance the experience that director Gavin Hood intended to originally put forth, but, if you didn’t like the story to begin with, odds are you won’t like it after you see in the big screen.

‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ is set prior to the events of the original X-Men films, sometime in the 1970s. It begins principally with Wolverine and partially with a few other legends of the X-Men universe. Some highlights include characters and story lines that have been long anticipated. The movie also explores Logan’s romance with Kayla Silverfox. Kayla’s fate triggers Logan’s involvement with the ominous Weapon X program, a top secret, billion-dollar military experiment, in which Wolverine obtains his indestructible metal skeleton.

The film had several problems ranging from blatant gaps in the story, underwhelming performances by new characters, to the unacceptable, second-rate CGI effects throughout the film (in particular a cameo done by a CGI Patrick Stewart). Unfortunately, these critical factors in particular, were too distracting for me to overcome. In its defense, there were many laudable moments such as Hugh Jackman’s performance of Wolverine (I can’t see anyone else ever playing him) and Liev Schrieber as his archenemy brethren, Sabretooth. Ryan Reynolds, who has been bashed by some bloggers for being casted as Deadpool, was likable in playing the wise cracking sword killer.

Overall, you have the good and the bad making ‘Wolverine’ an average film. Brett Ratner’s “X-Men: The Last Stand” turned out to be a better films on all levels. On a separate note, watch out for two clips after the credits, one scene immediately after the credits begin and the other at the very end of all the credits. These will reveal some of what may come in the next sequel.

Monday Box Office: "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" is #1!
Pau Brunet
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2009/09/13 at 12:00am

Movies

Monday Box Office: "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" is #1!

09.13.2009 | By |

Monday Box Office: "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" is #1!

Incandescent filmmaker Tyler Perry’s latest family comedy “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” opened in the top place in North America’s ticket booths this weekend, with an estimated 24 million dollars in ticket sales during three days beginning Friday, preliminary estimates provided by North American boxoffice authorities Sunday show.

The PG-13 rated Lionsgate film was Perry’s second number one debut of the year, and the fifth among his eight movies released in just 4 1/2 years. It leads a pack of weak contenders during the traditionally one of the most sluggish weekends. Adopted from one of Perry’s plays, the film tells the story about an alcoholic singer who finds healing in church and family. Madea, a pistol-packing granny, has become a phenomenon with the screening of Perry’s latest two films, with the first being “Madea Goes to Jail,” which opened to a personal best of 41 million dollars in February. His low-budget films have been especially popular among black women moviegoers. He was rated one of Hollywood’s top ten money makers in 2009. With the debut of this hilarious flick, he is destined to continue with his golden trail.

“9 (Animated)” debuted in second place, with an estimated 10.9 million dollars in sales. The film, an animated sci-fi/action film from Focus, is a post-apocalyptic tale of some creepy-looking rag dolls. It got an early start on the competition by opening on Wednesday, and its total stands at 15.3 million dollars. Based on Shane Acker’s Academy Award-nominated short film of the same name, it is directed by Acker and produced by Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov, and stars Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly and Jennifer Connelly.

The WWII saga “Inglourious Basterds” from Weinstein Co. and featuring Hollywood’s top headliner Brad Pitt, slipped one place to third standing. It has fetched 6.5 million dollars this weekend and grossed a total revenue of 104.3 million dollars over four weeks.

Rounding out the top five films in North America over the weekend are: “All about Steve,” a comedy produced by Sandra Bullock from Fox debuting with 5.8 million dollars, and 21.8 million dollars over two week; “The Final Destination,” a horror flick from Warner Bros., with 5.5 million dollars this weekend and58.3 million dollars over three weeks after standing two weekends in a row as number one.

 

# TITULO Recaudación Descenso # Salas Prom/Salas Acmdo.
1 I Can Do All Bad by Myself $24M – 2,255 $10.654 $24M
2 9 $10,8M – 1,661 $6,530 $15,2M
3 Inglourious Basterds $6,5M -44% 3,215 $2,028 $103,2M
4 All About Steve $5,8M -49% 2,265 $2,558 $21,8M
5 The Final Destination: 3D $5,4M -56% 2,732 $1,976 $58,2M
6 Sorority Row $5,2M – 2,665 $1,951 $5,2M

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