February 4th, 2010 — Comedy
IMDB: Yes Man
Basic Plot: After a motivational seminar, a pessimistic banker decides to say yes to every suggestion.
Outburst: For the record, I can’t stand Jim Carrey movies. I haven’t like one since Mask. So when this popped on the television I was surprised to find myself running late for an appointment because my attention had been strangely drawn to the screen. It’s a compellingly good story and it is authentically funny, as well.
/DVD (3 of 3 stars) — A laugh factory and great movie. Does anyone know if that’s was Jim Carrey’s behind or a stunt butt? This blogger wants to know.
Official Yes Man Website
December 29th, 2009 — Action, Adventure, Mystery
IMDB: Sherlock Holmes
Basic Plot: The game’s afoot, and Holmes is on the chase!
Outburst: Entertaining wit, engaging fights, and a clever Sherlock concept make this a fun movie. I had a few small quibbles with minor details, but overall was vastly pleased.
/DVD (3 of 3 stars) — It’s just a fun sort of movie. While not technically steampunk, I think fans of steampunk and/or Holmes will want to add this to their DVD collections as well.
Official Sherlock Holmes Website
December 12th, 2009 — Comedy, Martial Arts
IMDB: The Forbidden Kingdom
Basic Plot: Scrawny kid who watches too many kung-fu movies is magically transported to another realm in which he must return a mystical staff to the Monkey God.
Outburst: I’ve seen more logical plots on pornos. This is just a thinly veiled attempt to string together intense martial arts scenes between Jet Li and Jackie Chan, with some hot fighting Asian girls thrown into the mix. It’s pretty awesome.
/CULT (2 of 3 stars) — If you love comedic kung-fu movies, you’ll find this movie a fun classic.
Official Website: The Forbidden Kingdom
Wikipedia: The Forbidden Kingdom
November 25th, 2009 — Slasher
IMDB: Shocker
Basic Plot: Crazed maniac killer, uh, kills people.
Outburst:The only thing shocking about this movie is how many people like it (who ARE you folks). Even worse, Wes Craven is talking about doing a remake. The only good acting was from Mitch Pileggi, but then he had the least horrible lines to work with.
0 stars/CULT – I think the movie has no redeeming features, and I like B-slashers. However, so many masses are drooling over the wonders of this film I felt obligated to award it cult status. In reality, it is Wes Craven himself who has cult status. He should start a religion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shocker_(film)
November 16th, 2009 — Comedy, Drama, Romantic
IMDB: The Preacher’s Wife
Basic Plot: Dramady about an angel sent to help a troubled preacher. His presence, however, seems to cause more problems than it solves.
Outburst: Nothing like a feel good Christmas movie to get you into the holiday spirit.
(2 of 3 stars) — This is not a family movie so much as a story for ladies who watch romances.
Wikipedia: The Preacher’s Wife
November 15th, 2009 — Horror
IMDB: Skinwalkers
Basic Plot: Werewolves battle each other over a child fated to bring about an end to lycanthropy.
Outburst: It wasn’t a terrible movie, because it would have been funnier. Not very good, weak premise and mediocre acting.
— Only if you are truly bored and really like werewolves.
Official Skinwalkers Website
September 7th, 2009 — Drama
IMDB: Black Irish
Basic Plot: The inner workings and actions of a truly dysfunctional family in South Boston.
Outburst: This movie made me think there must be a better way to structure families in general. The traditional nuclear family with two parents and a horde of kids only works for the Brady Bunch (and see how they really turned out offscreen). It just seems to crack under stress when you add in outside influences, illness, disaster, financial difficulties, volatile tempers, or alcohol abuse, let alone any combination of those things.
— A good film, it might make you cry.
http://blackirishmovie.com/
September 5th, 2009 — Drama, Horror, Musical
IMDB: Sweeney Todd
Basic Plot: Based on a hit Broadway musical, the story of Sweeney Todd, a murderous barber, and his devious accomplice Ms. Lovett, a seller of suspicious meat-pies.
Outburst: Everything we love about Tim Burton wrapped into a wickedly sinister horror film. It’s always fun to see a film for the first time and know it to be an instant cult classic.
/CULT DVD — Unless you are adamantely opposed to horror films or musicals (in which case you win a pass) you must see this film. Go ask your cult-film-loving friends to borrow a copy of their DVD.
Official Website: Sweeney Todd, The Movie
Wikipedia: Sweeney Todd, original musical
Wikipedia: the character of Sweeney Todd, who originally appeared as the main protagonist in a penny dreadful serial titled The String of Pearls.
September 3rd, 2009 — Documentary
IMDB: The September Issue
Basic Plot: Documentary taking you inside the world of Vogue magazine. It focuses on editor Anna Wintour, whose inscrutable demeanor inspired the movie The Devil Wears Prada.
Outburst: She really is like her fictional movie namesake. While I am not a fashionista, the artist in me caught the visual message in the prints portrayed. The cynic in me was able to laugh along at the ridiculousness of it all. If you like fashion, you will love this documentary; it casts a surprisingly deep glimpse into the world of a woman not known to be kind to the press. If you don’t like fashion, you will still love this documentary. It is one of the best pieces of non-fiction work I’ve seen in some time.
— Highly recommended, but go see The Devil Wears Prada first if you haven’t already.
Official Website: The September Issue
August 29th, 2009 — Drama, Foreign with Subtitles
IMDB: Yesterday
Basic Plot: A young African mother discovers she is HIV positive.
Outburst: This is a powerful, simple tale. It will not leave you puzzled or guessing at motivations; it may make you cry. The landscapes and visual imagery are stunning.
(2 of 3 stars) — The movie as a whole is worth two stars. The artistry of the filmmaking, however, is exemplary. If you are drawn to visual masterpieces this is a must-see.
Yesterday the movie