Movie Review: Little Children R-5 Strings

no, i dont buy the ending...BUT, i respect the humanity here. we grow old with a lot of loss, and this film captures that artfully, with heft. its got none of the 'high drama' of the vapid 80s films, and strives to love its characters' motives...even though those motives are flawed and self destructive. ive youve had trouble at home (as adults) watch this one.

Movie Review: Surf's Up PG-5 Strings

fantastic story, done in a documentary type of style. avoided all of the lame 'starring-the-voices-of-so and so' pitfalls, and actually delivered a pleasant film. i, too, am VERY sick of the penguin thing, but this one actually worked. it avoided all of the silly snow jokes...i can feel it in my nuggets.

Movie Review: Open Season PG-3 Strings

one string up for not using wanda sykes. one string down for using ashton kutcher AND marting lawrence. on some levels, a boorish attempt to reinforce the innate intellectual level of hunters (republicans). silly movie, pretty funny. my daughter didnt laugh once, though i did several times.

Movie Review: Pan's Labrynth R-5 Strings

amazing film from the start. unique, well-told. i couldve done with a bit less of the abusive stepfather stuff, but i was hungry for the girl to succeed. the mark of a great film is how much you care for the characters. a horrific winner in nearly all regards.

Movie Review: Hostel: Part II R-2 Strings

i liked this one more than the first, but, once again, the characters are nothing but stereotype (intelligent brunette, whore-ish blonde, nerdy geek, vacuous stud). deplorable violence. shouldve been NC17...demented violence against women?...R. something here just doesnt add up.

Movie Review: The Barnyard PG-2 Strings

too glib. seemed to really enjoy the fact that 'old people' are lame. not a lot of heart here. by the way, it WAS fascinating to see two animated movies ('hedge' and 'barnyard') where wanda sykes played the EXACT SAME character (angry, attitude-laden black woman "oh no you di'int"). she's now the benchmark of what we can and cant do.

Movie Review: Over The Hedge PG-3 Strings

of course, plenty of commentary about the sad state of the american suburbs. actually tried to be funny without being continually didactic (yeah, im looking right at YOU 'happy feet'). fine enough for the kiddies. try not to take it too seriously.

Movie Review: F-ck UR-3 Strings

a 'documentary' about THE bad word. if i have to hear janeane garofolo or kevin smith condescend to me one more fucking time, im going to kill someone. its funny to watch 1st amendment people (free speech) turn in to constitutionalists. these are the same folks, by the way, who are usually violently opposed to the 2nd amendment (guns).

hypocrites.

freedom costs a buck o' five...

Movie Review: Spiderman 3 PG13-3 Strings

spoiler alert...

yes, too many villains and womens. and, FOR THE LOVE OF CRAP... CAN WE PLEASE STOP KILLING THE VILLAINS???? never mind that venom's otherwise multi-comic/year career was started (AND ENDED!!!) within 50 minutes of itself, can we at least agree that "M.J." didn't really play that big of a role in parker's life??! allow me ALSO to say that this film was 1/2 a step away from the turdfest that was the lame 90's batman movies.

maybe this film shouldve been titled...how to ruin a great hero by aiming for middle (inept) america.

Movie Review: Smokin Aces R-3 Strings

under developed characters, though great concept and reasonable execution. alisha keys as a 'hitman'??? girl, youre trippin. i appreciated that the director walked 'stupid me' through every step of this potentially confusing film. i also like to see big stars buy it early in the film. worth the rent.

Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End PG13-4 Strings

from 'G' to NC17. you pretty much get it all here. a fun film with a ton of random pacts and promises. too much work for what i paid. when i get a movie with 5 people making bargains, and pirates from around the globe who eventually dont add a single thing to the central plot, i start to get a 'smoke and mirrors' kind of vibe. yes its fun, and yes you should see it. its not as good as it should be, though.

Movie Review: Babel R-5 Strings

a unique story told very very well. be in the mood to read, and leave your prejudices at the door, because they are pretty much all going to be brought to the front with this one. again, i think the sell on this one was poor. really heartfelt and tragic.

Movie Review: Mr. Death PG13-2 Strings

started out as a fascinating film. ended up in weird neo-nazi land. a good idea gone nowhere. i really dont have more to say about it. bit of a historical moron, or jackass, if you will.

Movie Review: Shrek The Third PG-3 Strings

im torn here...did the movie bore me because of the movie, or did i just know it was going to suck?? the graphics were there, but the writing wasnt. not terrible, just not what youre looking for in a summer film.

Movie Review: Wordplay G-4 Strings

documentary about crossword puzzles. not as lame as youd think. plenty of tension...a story well told. though it did irratate me. its always refreshing to watch a film that makes me look like an absolute moron.

Movie Review: The Queen PG13-3 Strings

a fine period piece. i realy had no idea that the crux of this film had to do with princess diana. a bit straight and stoic.