Sucker Punch

I had many friends tell me not to watch this movie because it was such a waste of time. What did I do...I watched it. Why? I couldn't tell you.

I didn't like it. I felt like I was watching a video game. The best part of the whole movie was when the girl (I already forgot her name) started fighting these guys in the picture below.

Poor acting, poor screen play, poor story line. This movie was almost as bad as "Biker Boys". I kept wondering when the movie was going to start or when a haruspex would show up.

Do yourself a favor and take some time jamming needles under your fingernails...at least you would feel something besides boredom.

Please share your opinion of Sucker Punch. I'm curious to see if anyone loathes this as much as I do.

Movie Review

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

I love Kevin James, didn’t love this movie. It had a couple bits of humor but not enough to continue to write.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Cate Blanchett really brings this time piece movie to life. Benjamin Button (played by Brad Pitt) is a story of a person who physically ages backwards. The romantic aspect of this drama can be daunting and tends to play tricks on your mind when you try and remember how old Benjamin Button mentally is. I liked this movie and will watch it again.

The Tale of Despereaux

What happened to fun kids movies with lots of action that will keep even the most active 2 year old at bay? Despereaux is horribly boring. If you go to it thinking you will see tons of adventure from a cute little mouse…you thought wrong. It’s about a rat who accidentally brought on a great depression over a town. Maybe the book is better.

Taken

Liam Neeson (Batman Begins) is retired from his government job as a spy which has destroyed his family life. His only daughter wants to tour Europe with a friend for the summer. Being a protective father and with his knowledge of the creeps out there he tells her daughter no. Later he is talked into signing the documents and the fun begins. The action starts very quickly. Taken is a lot more deep than some guy hunting down a kidnapper. There are many adult situations and content. Overall I enjoyed this movie and came out of it with the skills necessary to find my non-existent daughter if she were ever taken.

Jack & I

It was just Jack and I tonight. (Sarah went to the rec center to get hit on by high school boys, and test out the treadmills). Jack is such an active little man that we have a calming routine at night. The last activity we do before the calming is reading scriptures and family prayer. Jack interprets this time as terrible-two-tantrum-time. After that we let him pick a movie, he then crawls up into his chair with his blanket and waits for his milk. He is so calm and serene when watching movies that I decided to test the new camera a little more. (New camera story for another day). Here is my favorite photo of the night. After 15 minutes of the movie, it's a kiss goodnight and off to bed he goes.

Movie Review

The Hulk: Edward Norton does an outstanding job. The choler and aggression the Hulk shows is much greater than the 2003 version. Much more action, a lot less dialog. Sarah and I loved it.

SARAH: I loved this movie. It was truly an action flick. Edward Norton is The Hulk. I was worried prior to seeing this film that he was to skinny, and as an actor to drama based. But he did an amazing job. He also had a lot to do with the script and producing of this movie. The chemistry between himself and Liv Tyler is really there and shows how good of actors there really are. Although it doesn't have the comedic edge that Iron Man has this movie is still a great one to see!!

The Great Debaters: I liked this show. It had a great story, great acting, but I don't want to watch it again. A more appropriate title would have been "A Great Segregation." This movie, though rated PG13, is not fit for anyone under 25. I have never seen a more gruesome and emotional lynching scene. I can appreciate what everyone had to and still have to go through for equal rights but there is a much more civil way to encourage this. The debate scenes were very few and outstanding.

SARAH: I completely agree with what Sean said above. There were some very graphic scenes, that showed too much. The actual debate scenes were great. They really should have focused more on the debates and the events leading up to them. As opposed to the personal lives of the individual debaters. I don't think I would watch this again. Ever.

Movie Review

Sarah and I have been saving our pennies and gift certificates to hit the movie theaters when the blockbusters come out. Here are a couple more we have recently seen.
Indiana Jones: This movie was very good. It had the great acting and wonderful script. I didn't like the move away from a religious story line to a science fiction story line. The very ending was disappointing but everything up to that point was worth every penny.

SARAH: I enjoyed this movie, which made me happy because I was extremely nervous going in. For some reason I was worried that they were going to change Indy to much and it wouldn't feel the same. I don't know why I worried with George Lucas and Speilberg behind it. Although I knew in the first 15 minutes that it was going to be about "space men" (thanks to a well planted 51 posted on a warehouse door) I didn't believe it until I saw the weird men themselves. I thought the action was fun. There was a great car fight scene, just like in the older movies. Shia LeBeouf did a great job. I am still a little sad the couldn't get Sean Connery back even for a moment, oh well. If you are looking for a fun flick this does entertain, you just have to keep an OPEN mind.
Iron Man: My favorite movie so far this year. I didn't know much about the comic Iron Man but I have a lot more respect for it now. I love to see a superhero emerge simply because they have the means to do so and not because they were bit by a spider and given superpowers (not to say that SpiderMan is a dumb movie, just different). Iron Man had the feel of Batman Begins. Robert Downey Jr. is the Johnny Depp of Iron Man; he was made for this role. I've seen it twice in theaters now and I highly suggest anybody that likes well written, well acted, great directing, and superb action sequences in a movie to watch it. Call me up and I'll go again!

SARAH: It is rare for me to enjoy a movie so much that I want to go and spend another 16 dollars on it. I loved this movie. Despite the fact that we were in a semi-crappy theater, this movie shined. Robert Downey Jr. is hilarious right off. He is a multi-millionaire that is not afraid to get his hands dirty doing what he loves. Making weapons. John Favreau (D-Bob in Rudy) directed this flick and did an excellent job, mainly because I wasn't car sick through out like some other movies. He has only directed a handful of movies (Zathura & Elf to name a few) but it doesn't show. This movie truly entertains, I don't think I have been that entertained since I watched Pirates 1 for the first time, or Lord of the Rings. Do call us if you want to go...we are there!!

Movie Review

I loved this movie. The imagination of CS Lewis and those that were able to interpret what he meant, astound me. Prince Caspian is a lot more action filled than the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
This movie was okay. I wouldn't suggest watching it. If you want to see a well written dance movie rent Stomp the Yard. How She Move felt like a much lesser version of Stomp the Yard. Plus the title is hard to say anyway.
Cut every scene in half and this movie would be great. Total chick flick. PS I Love You felt way too long all the time. I felt like the movie was about 5.5 hours long.
Martian Child is a great movie for anybody that is a parent. This drama can be a tear jerker at times. Rent this and watch it.

And You, You Complete Me

I know what everyone is thinking,"shut up, just shut up...you had me at hello." I love movies. There is only one other person that I have met that likes movies as much or more than I do...I married her. Funny thing is, we know and remember completely different things about movies. For instance if we are at a restaurant looking at the menu I would suggest something for Sarah and undoubtedly she would turn it down to stick with what she knows. Being the funny guy I am, I generally would spit out a line like,"In 50 years don't you want to say you had the guts to get in the car." (this is an obvious line) Sometimes it takes her a couple minutes to pick out the movie but from there I receive a plethora of knowledge. You see, while I remember lines in every movie I watch (even just once). She can tell me who wrote it, who directed it, and little things like who they were thinking about having for the lead role and why they didn't get it. Sarah, the love of my life, completes me. Together we know more about any movie out there (except R rated) than even the "Academy." Well, maybe not, but you get the point. We watched Juno tonight. I'm sure either Sarah or I will be writing a review on it soon but there is one point in the movie where the father is giving love advice to his 16 year old daughter who has just lost hope in humanity. *In my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person will still think the sun shines out your... That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with.* That's Sarah, plus she is one terrific mother! I definitely lucked out.

Shooter

Sarah and I LOVE movies if you didn't know. Because we don't watch R rated movies we tend to miss out on a lot of great shows. There are a couple companies out there that will let you purchase an edited movie as long as you buy the original. $25 is a hard monetary commitment to make for us when we don't even know if we will enjoy the movie. We have a couple friends that happen upon these edited R rated movies and let us borrow them. Keep in my this review is about an edited version of Shooter. Mark Wahlberg is definitely the man to be. As a trained sniper for the Marines he was sent on a mission and then left to die by his commander. Swagger (Mark W) takes care of business then goes into hiding. The military finds him again and offers another mission to help save a planned assassination of the President of the USA. Shooter is action filled and very impressive. The editors did a wonderful job...no swearing, not a who lot of blood, no promiscuity. I loved this movie! 4.5 out of 5 stars. ****. Thank you for this movie, Matt and Sarah.

SARAH: I was watching Enchanted with Sarah H. and the kiddies. I am so sad I missed a blow 'em up movie. Hahaha.

21

Sarah's uncle Peter and family are going to Las Vegas on a mission. We don't really know what it's like there so we thought we would watch this new movie to see what they are in for. Peter and family, you will definetely have your work cut out for you. I loved this film. I'm a numbers guy, so if you can show me a way to make a whole lot of money and look cool doing it using math...I'm in! If you haven't seen the trailers, Kevin Spacey is a professor at MIT. He compiled a group of sui generis students, ones that topped their class with numbers and taught them to count cards. They made their way to Vegas every weekend to beat the house. Of course the house never likes that. That is when Laurence Fishburne comes in and takes out the card counters. 21 has its funny moments. I would wait for this one to come out on video to watch again and again. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! 3 out of 5 stars - ***

SARAH: I really enjoyed this movie. I found that it was clever, exciting and pulled me into it. As Sean explained above this group if kids are taught to count cards in Vegas. I could never ever dare to do what they do, especially since I am not a numbers person, but more so because I HATE breaking rules. I freak out with things as simple as my cousin trying to get me to sneak into a hotel pool (you know who you are). Ben (Jim Sturgess) at the beginning is against it but gets caught up in the club so that he can pay for med school. He calls it a means to an end. There are a few twists and back stabs along the way and eventually things are all put together as they should be. I could of done without the strip club scene though. In the end I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Wimbledon

I have been studying for the Series 65 test all day (this is the investment advisor test) and my brain has the numb tingly feeling right now. I thought I would give myself a break and tell you about one of our favorite movies. Wimbledon is one of the better romantic comedies around. Paul Bettany is one of my favorite actors. I have loved him in everything I've seen him in. I'm not a big Kirsten Dunst fan, in fact I generally despise her acting ability but surprisingly she does well in this film. James McAvoy plays Paul Bettany's brother in this film and provides a whole lot of comic relief. Of course the movie is about tennis. The director creates a mood with the cinematography that is hard to come by. The sound is encoded with DTS for you A/V junkies. For those that don't know what that means...if you have surround sound, press the 'audio' button on your dvd player remote till it says DTS. The sound is incredible. I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars ****. Now back to studying...so exciting!

Dan In Real Life

With Dane Cook and Steve Carell who could go wrong. This romantic comedy shows Steve Carell's true acting ability as he transmutates from a comedic role to a serious role. Dan has a column in the local newspaper called Dan in Real Life. As a single parent of 3 daughters he has become a very protective, smothering person. Dan hasn't dated in 4 years. He finally meets a woman he falls in love with almost instantly. That's where the fun begins. Definetly rent this if you haven't seen it; or come over to my house and watch it on the big screen (I've seen it twice now and could go a couple more times.) I give this 4 out of 5 stars. ****

Brown Sugar

"When did you fall in love with Hip-Hop?" I've been had. The first time I watched this I thought they were referring to hip-hop the whole time and that was it. Come to find out they talk about hip-hop as a metaphor. I love the beat, the flow, and the feeling this movie has. Taye Diggs is a great actor. Mos Def is the featured hip-hop artist and funny as always. Brown Sugar is a movie of two friends in love with each other but don't know it. As a predictable romatic always is, you can guess the plot line. What really sets this apart is the ability to mainstream an indie menagerie. Dre leaves his cushy sellout record label job to start his own aberrant label. I like this movie quite a bit and would recommend it to anyone. (Except my parents, because they wouldn't understand the jive.)

physh

Physh loves music. So when a chick flick comes along with music in it that he actually appreciates, I get to watch it whenever I feel like it because he secretly enjoys it as well. This movie is fun, it is one of those movies where you wouldn't mind being the person in it. Sanaa Lathan portrays Sidney a girl who falls in love, while living in an amazing apartment in New York and having the job of her dreams. Mos Def and Queen Latifah are hilarious, they add the comic relief when things start to get a little too serious. If you haven't seen it I would recommend it, I mean how hard is it to watch Taye Diggs for a couple of hours? Exactly.

Peaches

Without A Paddle

Seth Green is one of the best supporting comedic actors I know. How does he do as a lead? Phenominal. Without A Paddle has the best lineup for the script possible. The screenplay writers Jay Leggett and Mitch Rouse combined with the music team really brought this to life. The story is deap. The acting is wonderful. There is one part where the 3 were sans raiment; cold and tired, they had to turn to each other for warmth. Hilarious, especially the music track that goes with it. Rent this or even purchase it. Money well spent. "They're fishing! Well where's their flash lights Jerry!"

physh

Father of the Bride Part II

For some unknown reason I love this movie. My husband has tried to figure it out for years. I just can't help it. One big reason is that I love the house. Everything about it, it is just enchanting. Also I love anything that has to with babies and it is fun to watch as they learn and prepare for the babies. Franck, played by Martin Short, is also my favorite character. How he can keep a straight face while playing this character is beyond me. One of my favorite lines from Franck is when he is trying to drag George out of the house (who just happens to pass out right before Annie goes into labor) and he says - "Gee, if I could change this room... THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS FRANCK!" Ohhh, anyway if you haven't seen this one in awhile get it out and stick it in the DVD player. Just ignore the fake pregnant bellies.

Peaches

The Wendell Baker Story

Scrolling through Red Box at the local Smith's, I happened upon this movie. We rented it, took it home, popped it in the player; I mean, come on, with all the great actors on the roster how bad could it be. Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Eva Mendes, and even a little Will Ferrell all do a wonderful job. The problem lies with the story. Watching the credits at the end points fingers at Luke Wilson for this less than mediocre piece of work. Don't spend your time looking for this one, it's barely worth the buck at Red Box.

physh

Chocolat

"Ban Immorality!" Chocolat is a chick flick to its fullest. No real action scenes. You have many different stories of love happening on all different levels. But what really makes this a chick flick in it's purest form is it's all about CHOCOLATE! Johnny Depp is a pirate (river rat) in this film. This movie is about a woman born into a cursed family. This family passes down the secrets of the Chocolatrie. In this small town that she (Juliette Binoche) makes her stop in chocolate is a sin. It's a story of how she stirs up the town and then has to make a choice when her ancestor tell her it's time to move on. Does she stay in the town that she has many friends in or does she move to the next town? Set in old times, I rather enjoyed this film. Beware; you will want loads of chocolate if you partake.

physh

Orange County

Mike White (writer) is a genius. Orange County the movie, not to be confused with the TV series, is on my Top Ten. This is a story about a kid (Shaun Brumder, played by Colin Hanks; son of Tom Hanks) who desperately wants to become a great writer. Shaun feels the only way to accomplish this is to study with his idol/mentor Marcus Skinner (played by Kevin Kline). There are many road block along the path out of Orange County. The list of great actors continues in this: John Lithgow, Chevy Chase, Jack Black, one of the Ghostbusters, and even Ben Stiller. This movie is chuck full of quotable lines. A must see, many times. "Mom, you know money can't buy happiness...Oh grow up, yes it can."

physh