The Incredible Hulk
Director: Lousie Leterrier
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt and more.
Plot outline: Same old story
Well not exactly the same story, we don't have to be led through the process of his becoming the Hulk, just his struggle to get back to normal and the usual prosecution. Even though the Hulk isn't exactly my favourite super hero, I think this new version of the story is better than the previous (I haven't seen the older versions) and it's actually among the top movies of my list. That ows a lot to Norton and Tyler's acting skills; the story in itself isn't enough to earn that place. But sure, you should see it. If nothing else, it definitely beats the Spiderman movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800080/
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt and more.
Plot outline: Same old story
Well not exactly the same story, we don't have to be led through the process of his becoming the Hulk, just his struggle to get back to normal and the usual prosecution. Even though the Hulk isn't exactly my favourite super hero, I think this new version of the story is better than the previous (I haven't seen the older versions) and it's actually among the top movies of my list. That ows a lot to Norton and Tyler's acting skills; the story in itself isn't enough to earn that place. But sure, you should see it. If nothing else, it definitely beats the Spiderman movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800080/
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall and more
Plot outline: A barber is framed for a crime he didn't commit by a judge who is after his wife. After many years in labour camp, Benjamin Barker returns as Sweeney Todd to take his revenge.
Everything about this movie screams Tim Burton, from the cast to the lighting to the make up and the story itself. This alone would be enough for me to adore it, but it is even more than just a Burton-Depp movie. I had never seen the musical prior to seeing the movie, and I was enthused by the music and lyrics, not to mention the acting accompanying that! I am completely taken from the first note in the opening credits, and the scene where Sweeney first enters Mrs Lovett's shop made fall instantly in love with the characters. After that , it's an almost two hours long fest of colourful characters and wonderful music. Another favourite added to my list!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall and more
Plot outline: A barber is framed for a crime he didn't commit by a judge who is after his wife. After many years in labour camp, Benjamin Barker returns as Sweeney Todd to take his revenge.
Everything about this movie screams Tim Burton, from the cast to the lighting to the make up and the story itself. This alone would be enough for me to adore it, but it is even more than just a Burton-Depp movie. I had never seen the musical prior to seeing the movie, and I was enthused by the music and lyrics, not to mention the acting accompanying that! I am completely taken from the first note in the opening credits, and the scene where Sweeney first enters Mrs Lovett's shop made fall instantly in love with the characters. After that , it's an almost two hours long fest of colourful characters and wonderful music. Another favourite added to my list!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/
Morgan Pålsson - Världsreporter
Director: Fredrik Boklund
Cast: Anders Jansson, Johan Wester, Camilla Frey, Karim Rashed med flera
Plot outline: After an embarassing incident, reporter Morgan Pålsson and his cameraman are sent to a backwater African country called Matobo. A sudden coup d'état by an assumed-dead terrorist suddenly puts Matobo in the center of attention, and Morgan and Robert have to compete with the other reporters for the ultimate scoop.
Hilariously funny at times, and painfully embarassing at others, Morgan Pålsson - Världsreporter still remains one of the few enjoyable Swedish movies I have seen. Perhaps I would have liked it even more if my expectations hadn't been so high from his performances in "HippHipp!". On the other hand I wouldn't have known the character then, and he is half the reason this is funny. The other half is the (not so subtle) parody of corresponding reporters, and more specifically Åsne Seierstad (or Åse Seierland). I do think this is worth seeing, even though Morgan's characterisation is a bit over the top at times.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135941/
Cast: Anders Jansson, Johan Wester, Camilla Frey, Karim Rashed med flera
Plot outline: After an embarassing incident, reporter Morgan Pålsson and his cameraman are sent to a backwater African country called Matobo. A sudden coup d'état by an assumed-dead terrorist suddenly puts Matobo in the center of attention, and Morgan and Robert have to compete with the other reporters for the ultimate scoop.
Hilariously funny at times, and painfully embarassing at others, Morgan Pålsson - Världsreporter still remains one of the few enjoyable Swedish movies I have seen. Perhaps I would have liked it even more if my expectations hadn't been so high from his performances in "HippHipp!". On the other hand I wouldn't have known the character then, and he is half the reason this is funny. The other half is the (not so subtle) parody of corresponding reporters, and more specifically Åsne Seierstad (or Åse Seierland). I do think this is worth seeing, even though Morgan's characterisation is a bit over the top at times.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135941/
Arn - Tempelriddaren
Director: Peter Flinth
Cast: Joakim Nätterqvist, Sofia Helin, Morgan Alling and more
Plot outline: When Arn becomes ill after an accident as a child, his parents promise to let him serve God as a monk if He spares his life. He is thus raised in a monastery, where he meets his love, Cecilia. Arn eventually becomes a Templar Knight.
Well, now, I found this half finished review in my archive, apparently forgotten, and my pedantic tendencies compelled me to finish it. But seeing as I saw the movie a few months ago, I apologize for any errors in the plot and whatnot.
I felt pretty neutral about it all when I exited the theatre. I had planned on reading Guillou's books, but more because it's a part of our culture than out of any particular interest. Seeing the movie didn't make me interested, but it didn't persuade me not to read them either. It was an interesting story with adequate actors and appropriate effects. Although I must give it some credit - this is a Swedish movie after all, and I think it outdid many of the movies produced in Hollywood quality-wise.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0837106/
Cast: Joakim Nätterqvist, Sofia Helin, Morgan Alling and more
Plot outline: When Arn becomes ill after an accident as a child, his parents promise to let him serve God as a monk if He spares his life. He is thus raised in a monastery, where he meets his love, Cecilia. Arn eventually becomes a Templar Knight.
Well, now, I found this half finished review in my archive, apparently forgotten, and my pedantic tendencies compelled me to finish it. But seeing as I saw the movie a few months ago, I apologize for any errors in the plot and whatnot.
I felt pretty neutral about it all when I exited the theatre. I had planned on reading Guillou's books, but more because it's a part of our culture than out of any particular interest. Seeing the movie didn't make me interested, but it didn't persuade me not to read them either. It was an interesting story with adequate actors and appropriate effects. Although I must give it some credit - this is a Swedish movie after all, and I think it outdid many of the movies produced in Hollywood quality-wise.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0837106/
Eastern Promises
Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Casell and more
Plot outline: Anna, a midwife, stumbles upon evidence against the Russian maffia in London. She gets ensnared in the dealings of Semyon, the boss, Kirill, his son, and Nikolai, the driver/body disposer.
I remember reading some harsh criticism on Mortensen's performance in the papers, and I can't for the life of me understand why. Mortensen excels in his interpretation, and the subtle variations that his dual character requires; and me, being something of a language nerd, is amazed by the fact that almost half or more of his lines are in Russian, and the rest in broken English, all of which he delivers (in my non-Russian ears) perfectly. This from a man who is originally Danish. The plot has an unexpected twist, which I won't reveal now because I want you to see it for yourselves, that makes the already intriguing story tickle my imagination even more. This is a concept they could easily develop into at least two more films. I hope they don't, though; that leaves us viewers free to speculate about the destinies of these complex characters ourselves.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765443/
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Casell and more
Plot outline: Anna, a midwife, stumbles upon evidence against the Russian maffia in London. She gets ensnared in the dealings of Semyon, the boss, Kirill, his son, and Nikolai, the driver/body disposer.
I remember reading some harsh criticism on Mortensen's performance in the papers, and I can't for the life of me understand why. Mortensen excels in his interpretation, and the subtle variations that his dual character requires; and me, being something of a language nerd, is amazed by the fact that almost half or more of his lines are in Russian, and the rest in broken English, all of which he delivers (in my non-Russian ears) perfectly. This from a man who is originally Danish. The plot has an unexpected twist, which I won't reveal now because I want you to see it for yourselves, that makes the already intriguing story tickle my imagination even more. This is a concept they could easily develop into at least two more films. I hope they don't, though; that leaves us viewers free to speculate about the destinies of these complex characters ourselves.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765443/
Saw IV
SPOILERS
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Lyriq Bent
Plut outline: Yet another police officer will have to reevaluate his life in order to survive Jigsaw.
At first I was thoroughly confused; is this before or after Saw III? It wasn't until like the last 30 minutes that I realised that the plot of Saw IV runs parallel to that of Saw III, but everything still didn't fall into place the way it usually does. I think this was mainly because it'd been a while since I'd seen the third movie, and I didn't have the plot fresh in mind. So that's a recommendation to those of you who haven't already seen it. I kind of resent the fact that they so obviously left an opening for a fifth movie; almost to the point where you got the feeling that this whole episode of the series was just meant to explain the beginning of Saw V. I still like this better than the third, though; it feels like they've gone back to the more thrilling traps of the first and second movies, with a little less gore. I don't mind the gore so much, but in the third they relied completely on disgust rather than fright, which just feels cheap. So kudos on that, fourth! All in all a highly enjoyable movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0890870/
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Lyriq Bent
Plut outline: Yet another police officer will have to reevaluate his life in order to survive Jigsaw.
At first I was thoroughly confused; is this before or after Saw III? It wasn't until like the last 30 minutes that I realised that the plot of Saw IV runs parallel to that of Saw III, but everything still didn't fall into place the way it usually does. I think this was mainly because it'd been a while since I'd seen the third movie, and I didn't have the plot fresh in mind. So that's a recommendation to those of you who haven't already seen it. I kind of resent the fact that they so obviously left an opening for a fifth movie; almost to the point where you got the feeling that this whole episode of the series was just meant to explain the beginning of Saw V. I still like this better than the third, though; it feels like they've gone back to the more thrilling traps of the first and second movies, with a little less gore. I don't mind the gore so much, but in the third they relied completely on disgust rather than fright, which just feels cheap. So kudos on that, fourth! All in all a highly enjoyable movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0890870/
I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry
Director: Dennis Dugan
Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel and more
Plot outline: Larry's wife has passed away, and in order to fix some legal matter (can't remember what) he marries his best friend, Chuck. They're both firefighters, and prejudices ensue.
Funny at times, but very inconsistent. Also, a thing that bothered me (to the point where it almost ruined the movie) was that even though this movie supposedly makes fun of the prejudices about gay people and the macho community around firefighters, police or other careers dominated by men, there are many scenes where the director doesn't seem to be aware of that he underlines the stereotyped Man with a capital M. That would have been okay if it'd been a conscious move, to make fun of it, but it isn't, or at least it doesn't come out that way. So to sum it up, some good parts, some less good parts and some really bad parts. Okay to see once, but not again.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0762107/
Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel and more
Plot outline: Larry's wife has passed away, and in order to fix some legal matter (can't remember what) he marries his best friend, Chuck. They're both firefighters, and prejudices ensue.
Funny at times, but very inconsistent. Also, a thing that bothered me (to the point where it almost ruined the movie) was that even though this movie supposedly makes fun of the prejudices about gay people and the macho community around firefighters, police or other careers dominated by men, there are many scenes where the director doesn't seem to be aware of that he underlines the stereotyped Man with a capital M. That would have been okay if it'd been a conscious move, to make fun of it, but it isn't, or at least it doesn't come out that way. So to sum it up, some good parts, some less good parts and some really bad parts. Okay to see once, but not again.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0762107/
This Is England
Director: Shane Meadows
Cast: Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Joseph Gilgun and more
Plot outline: Shaun is being bullied by everyone around him, so when Woody and his crew offer sympathy, Shaun is drawn into a new world of voilence and nationalism.
Strong acting and believable characters, music that enhances the images and a setting relatively unexplored perviously in cinema; all of this makes "This is England" a top 10 in my book. Each and every character has a depth that goes beyond the screen or the script, that each viewer is left to fill in for him- or herself, and I feel sympathy towards each and every character as the story unfolds. Rather than preaching the story about the innocent, lonely little boy who is ruined by malicious, older nationalists, this story tells us that they are all victims in different ways. Emotional, but in an authentic way, and definitely topical today, even though it is set more than 20 years ago.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480025/
Cast: Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Joseph Gilgun and more
Plot outline: Shaun is being bullied by everyone around him, so when Woody and his crew offer sympathy, Shaun is drawn into a new world of voilence and nationalism.
Strong acting and believable characters, music that enhances the images and a setting relatively unexplored perviously in cinema; all of this makes "This is England" a top 10 in my book. Each and every character has a depth that goes beyond the screen or the script, that each viewer is left to fill in for him- or herself, and I feel sympathy towards each and every character as the story unfolds. Rather than preaching the story about the innocent, lonely little boy who is ruined by malicious, older nationalists, this story tells us that they are all victims in different ways. Emotional, but in an authentic way, and definitely topical today, even though it is set more than 20 years ago.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480025/
Sicko
Director: Michael Moore
Cast: Mike and many more
Plot outline: Moore takes on the American health care system.
As cynical, ironic and provocative as ever, Michael Moore once again shows his editing skills when coupling archived footage, new scenes and music and making into stinging criticism. I'll admit I'm probably as biased as Moore himself is, because I am a fan of him and I am not particulalry fond of American politics. But as long as the viewer is aware that this is in no way an objective study of the health care system, one can enjoy the wonderful spectacle that is presented before you. At times it even felt like I was watching a comedy; Moore's feigned astonishment at the fact that a French doctor doesn't live in the slum even though he's employed by the government, or that a conservative Canadian can still believe in solidarity, makes for some very amusing scenes. I believe everyone should see this, if only to have a legitimate reason to say "I don't like Michael Moore". I like Michael Moore.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/
Cast: Mike and many more
Plot outline: Moore takes on the American health care system.
As cynical, ironic and provocative as ever, Michael Moore once again shows his editing skills when coupling archived footage, new scenes and music and making into stinging criticism. I'll admit I'm probably as biased as Moore himself is, because I am a fan of him and I am not particulalry fond of American politics. But as long as the viewer is aware that this is in no way an objective study of the health care system, one can enjoy the wonderful spectacle that is presented before you. At times it even felt like I was watching a comedy; Moore's feigned astonishment at the fact that a French doctor doesn't live in the slum even though he's employed by the government, or that a conservative Canadian can still believe in solidarity, makes for some very amusing scenes. I believe everyone should see this, if only to have a legitimate reason to say "I don't like Michael Moore". I like Michael Moore.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/
Shrek the Third
Directors: Cris Miller and Raman Hui
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Cameron Diaz
Plot otline: Shrek and Fiona are next in line to inherit the throne when King Harold dies, but Shrek doesn't feel cut out to be king. He, Donkey and Puss set out to find the only other heir, while Prince Charming plots his revenge.
A worthy sequel to its predecessors, Shrek the Third cracks a few new jokes, reuses some of the old ones in new ways, and keeps us entertained for its entirety of one and a half hours. Nothing revolutionary, but then again, that wasn't what I had expected. We are introduced to some new characters, who immediately become a part of the "Shrek spirit" (I'm talking about Merlin, Artie and the princesses among others). All in all, a very satisfying experience, whether there will be a fourth episode or not; the door is left open, but I would also be content if this was the end.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413267/
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Cameron Diaz
Plot otline: Shrek and Fiona are next in line to inherit the throne when King Harold dies, but Shrek doesn't feel cut out to be king. He, Donkey and Puss set out to find the only other heir, while Prince Charming plots his revenge.
A worthy sequel to its predecessors, Shrek the Third cracks a few new jokes, reuses some of the old ones in new ways, and keeps us entertained for its entirety of one and a half hours. Nothing revolutionary, but then again, that wasn't what I had expected. We are introduced to some new characters, who immediately become a part of the "Shrek spirit" (I'm talking about Merlin, Artie and the princesses among others). All in all, a very satisfying experience, whether there will be a fourth episode or not; the door is left open, but I would also be content if this was the end.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413267/
The Simpsons Movie
Director: David Silverman
Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and more
Plot outline: When Homer dumps his waste into the lake in Springfield, that's the last straw; Springfield becomes a dangerous polluted area, and the EPA lowers a giant, glass dome over the town. The Simpson family become fugitives. What will Homer do?
The best thing about this movie is that it's almost exactly 80 minutes long. Any longer an it might have felt overdone, over ambitious, and perhaps we would have got bored with it. As it is, standards are kept high throughout the entire movie, with skilfully placed puns and ironies. It feels like watching one long, hilarious episode of The Simpsons, and I mean that in a good way. After all, the episodes are why we love the yellow family, so why not give us what we're used to? The animations have been polished a bit, but apart from that, The Simpsons Movie stays wonderfully 2D. Just the way we want it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462538/
Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and more
Plot outline: When Homer dumps his waste into the lake in Springfield, that's the last straw; Springfield becomes a dangerous polluted area, and the EPA lowers a giant, glass dome over the town. The Simpson family become fugitives. What will Homer do?
The best thing about this movie is that it's almost exactly 80 minutes long. Any longer an it might have felt overdone, over ambitious, and perhaps we would have got bored with it. As it is, standards are kept high throughout the entire movie, with skilfully placed puns and ironies. It feels like watching one long, hilarious episode of The Simpsons, and I mean that in a good way. After all, the episodes are why we love the yellow family, so why not give us what we're used to? The animations have been polished a bit, but apart from that, The Simpsons Movie stays wonderfully 2D. Just the way we want it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462538/
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Plot outline: Harry deals with teen angst as well as the return of Voldemort and scorn from the Ministry during his fifth year at Hogwarts.
I think I should begin by saying that I have been a fan of the series since I was 10, and that I hate movies based on well known books in general. I should also warn you that every Harry Potter-movie so far have been monumentally disappointing to me, simply because they can never live up to my own perception of the books. Having said that, I hated this as much as the others. I am fully aware that this opinion isn't exactly based on a fair assessment, but in the case of these movies, I can't be bothered to care. Yes, I'm biased, so what? If I should make one objective observation, however, it would be that if I hadn't read the books, I would probably be very confused after seeing the movie; the different scenes felt isolated from each other, and I had difficulties putting them together to form a coherent story. I filled in the gaps with what I knew from the books - but what about those who haven't read it?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373889/
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Plot outline: Harry deals with teen angst as well as the return of Voldemort and scorn from the Ministry during his fifth year at Hogwarts.
I think I should begin by saying that I have been a fan of the series since I was 10, and that I hate movies based on well known books in general. I should also warn you that every Harry Potter-movie so far have been monumentally disappointing to me, simply because they can never live up to my own perception of the books. Having said that, I hated this as much as the others. I am fully aware that this opinion isn't exactly based on a fair assessment, but in the case of these movies, I can't be bothered to care. Yes, I'm biased, so what? If I should make one objective observation, however, it would be that if I hadn't read the books, I would probably be very confused after seeing the movie; the different scenes felt isolated from each other, and I had difficulties putting them together to form a coherent story. I filled in the gaps with what I knew from the books - but what about those who haven't read it?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373889/
The Reaping
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Cast: Hilary Swank, David Morressey, AnnaSophia Robb
Plot outline: Katherine and her collegue Ben, who both specialises in explaining miracles with scientific reasons, go to investigate a small town where the river has turned red after the death of a young man.
Hopkins throws us right into the scariness from the very first scene, but from there the tense moments are sparse and the tricks to make the audience "jump" are cheap. Most of them feel overused, the angles warns you beforehand what's going to happen, and the characters all feel like they've been created from a recipe for a horror movie: the priest who warns them and is killed by the dark forces, the companion to the heroine (always a heroine, never a hero) who is killed and leaves the main character to fight for themselves. Also, the Christian element in this bothers me. I know I should expect it from an American movie, but I'm always disappointed; this is another cliché: the faithful Christian who lost faith after a tragedy and vehemntly turns to science, but in the (happy) end, he/she comes around and returns to the light, to the "true" path, what you SHOULD believe. I'm still waiting for an atheist American movie hero.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444682/
Cast: Hilary Swank, David Morressey, AnnaSophia Robb
Plot outline: Katherine and her collegue Ben, who both specialises in explaining miracles with scientific reasons, go to investigate a small town where the river has turned red after the death of a young man.
Hopkins throws us right into the scariness from the very first scene, but from there the tense moments are sparse and the tricks to make the audience "jump" are cheap. Most of them feel overused, the angles warns you beforehand what's going to happen, and the characters all feel like they've been created from a recipe for a horror movie: the priest who warns them and is killed by the dark forces, the companion to the heroine (always a heroine, never a hero) who is killed and leaves the main character to fight for themselves. Also, the Christian element in this bothers me. I know I should expect it from an American movie, but I'm always disappointed; this is another cliché: the faithful Christian who lost faith after a tragedy and vehemntly turns to science, but in the (happy) end, he/she comes around and returns to the light, to the "true" path, what you SHOULD believe. I'm still waiting for an atheist American movie hero.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444682/
Freedom Writers
Director: Richard LaGravanese
Cast: Hilary Swank, April Hernandez, Imelda Staunton
Plot otline: Erin Gruwell takes on a freshman English class, trying to make them see there's something more beyond the gangs and the violence of the suburbs.
I have to admit that I actually didn't know this was based on true events until the end, and so I sat there thinking "Oh my God, this is so cliché", "As if she would really be able to turn them around" and other equally cynical thoughts. I had to take them all ack at the end. But, even when I still thought it was just another preachy movie, I still thought it was well done, and I had tears in my eyes on several occasions (which is to say something since I very rarely even get damp in my eyes). There are still some things that bother me (like Erin's ignorance to the fact that her marriage was in a crisis, or the teacher stereotypes crawling all over the place) but they are really just minor disturbances. I liked it, quite a lot actually.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463998/
Cast: Hilary Swank, April Hernandez, Imelda Staunton
Plot otline: Erin Gruwell takes on a freshman English class, trying to make them see there's something more beyond the gangs and the violence of the suburbs.
I have to admit that I actually didn't know this was based on true events until the end, and so I sat there thinking "Oh my God, this is so cliché", "As if she would really be able to turn them around" and other equally cynical thoughts. I had to take them all ack at the end. But, even when I still thought it was just another preachy movie, I still thought it was well done, and I had tears in my eyes on several occasions (which is to say something since I very rarely even get damp in my eyes). There are still some things that bother me (like Erin's ignorance to the fact that her marriage was in a crisis, or the teacher stereotypes crawling all over the place) but they are really just minor disturbances. I liked it, quite a lot actually.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463998/
Blades of glory
Directors: Josh Gordon and Will Speck
Cast: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Jenna Fischer
Plot outline: Two male skaters are banned from men's skating after a brawl in a competition. Now they team up in order to compete in the sport they love.
If I didn't skate, I would probably hate this, because it is utter silliness from start to finish. The plot is weak, the clichés are raining and the jokes aren't that funny, really. However, since I understand the hilariousness (is that a word?) of the commentators saying "Perfect execution!" after the "galloping peacock", or "So far so good" when the skaters haven't done anything but dance, everything they do and say are turned in to a giant joke that only a few will understand the full meaning of. Other, more subtle details, such as Sokolova and Plushenko being in third place in the pairs category, are probably missed entirely by the majority of the viewers. To sum it up, I can say that I actually enjoyed this very much, as a parody of everything figure skating is and stand for, but I don't know if someone not into the sport will.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445934/
Cast: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Jenna Fischer
Plot outline: Two male skaters are banned from men's skating after a brawl in a competition. Now they team up in order to compete in the sport they love.
If I didn't skate, I would probably hate this, because it is utter silliness from start to finish. The plot is weak, the clichés are raining and the jokes aren't that funny, really. However, since I understand the hilariousness (is that a word?) of the commentators saying "Perfect execution!" after the "galloping peacock", or "So far so good" when the skaters haven't done anything but dance, everything they do and say are turned in to a giant joke that only a few will understand the full meaning of. Other, more subtle details, such as Sokolova and Plushenko being in third place in the pairs category, are probably missed entirely by the majority of the viewers. To sum it up, I can say that I actually enjoyed this very much, as a parody of everything figure skating is and stand for, but I don't know if someone not into the sport will.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445934/
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Director: Gore Verbinski
Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush
Plot outline: The Black Pearl and its crew are off to save Jack from the other side. Meanwhile, Lord Becket is planning to wipe out every single pirate in the Caribbean, and something must be donoe to stop him.
I can'r recall a single of my friends who returned from the theatre after seeing this saying that it was great, or even good. That's why I was slightly surprised when I actually liked it. It is of course inferior to the first of the trilogy, but perhaps that is to expect; I still think they did a good job on this last (?) part. It's less confusing, more striking and more beautiful than the previous movie. And even though some jokes feel overused, you can't help but giggling a bit since you recall how they were used in the first place. It's not a fantastic movie, but I don't think it deserved all the bad reviews it got.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449088/
Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush
Plot outline: The Black Pearl and its crew are off to save Jack from the other side. Meanwhile, Lord Becket is planning to wipe out every single pirate in the Caribbean, and something must be donoe to stop him.
I can'r recall a single of my friends who returned from the theatre after seeing this saying that it was great, or even good. That's why I was slightly surprised when I actually liked it. It is of course inferior to the first of the trilogy, but perhaps that is to expect; I still think they did a good job on this last (?) part. It's less confusing, more striking and more beautiful than the previous movie. And even though some jokes feel overused, you can't help but giggling a bit since you recall how they were used in the first place. It's not a fantastic movie, but I don't think it deserved all the bad reviews it got.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449088/
Spider-Man 3
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church
Plot outline: The murderer of Peter's uncle escapes from prison and becomes one of Spider-Man's many enemies in this third episode. He also has to face his own dark side, and later Venom, as well as his childhood friend in the form of the New Goblin.
I felt about the same about this movie as with the other two; indifferent. Sure, it's funny and exciting, but the emotions fail to reach me, and instead of wiping my eyes with a tissue when MJ and Peter share their grief, I find myself laughing at how ridicuous Maguire's expression looks. Watching this movie, I've also filled my yearly quota of American patriotism :P All in all, it's another super-hero movie, nothing more, nothing less.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413300/
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church
Plot outline: The murderer of Peter's uncle escapes from prison and becomes one of Spider-Man's many enemies in this third episode. He also has to face his own dark side, and later Venom, as well as his childhood friend in the form of the New Goblin.
I felt about the same about this movie as with the other two; indifferent. Sure, it's funny and exciting, but the emotions fail to reach me, and instead of wiping my eyes with a tissue when MJ and Peter share their grief, I find myself laughing at how ridicuous Maguire's expression looks. Watching this movie, I've also filled my yearly quota of American patriotism :P All in all, it's another super-hero movie, nothing more, nothing less.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413300/
The Illusionist
Director: Neil Burger
Cast: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell
Plot outline: A skilled magician who calls himself Eisenheim falls in love with a woman above his class, and he uses his abilities so that they can be together.
This is a lot like "A beautiful mind" or the "Saw"-movies in that nothing is the way you think it is, and everything is revealed at the end. Smart, unpredictable and with a tension that is maintained throughout the story, this is another favourite of mine. Norton is great as the quiet and mysterious Eisenheim, and the chemistry between the different characters manages to keep the viewer's interest up even through the many quiet moments. Music is an effect used sparsely, which only enhances the importance of thise moments. I can recommend it warmly.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443543/
Cast: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell
Plot outline: A skilled magician who calls himself Eisenheim falls in love with a woman above his class, and he uses his abilities so that they can be together.
This is a lot like "A beautiful mind" or the "Saw"-movies in that nothing is the way you think it is, and everything is revealed at the end. Smart, unpredictable and with a tension that is maintained throughout the story, this is another favourite of mine. Norton is great as the quiet and mysterious Eisenheim, and the chemistry between the different characters manages to keep the viewer's interest up even through the many quiet moments. Music is an effect used sparsely, which only enhances the importance of thise moments. I can recommend it warmly.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443543/
Epic movie
Directors: Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer
Cast: Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Jayma Mays, Faune A. Chambers
Plot outline: I don't think there's any plot worth mentioning.
Despite the somewhat criticising statement above, having a plot isn't the objective with this movie at all, but rather to make fun of as many epic movies as possible, as hinted at in the title. Because of this, the various plot holes (or lack of plot at all) doesn't bother me even half as much as it would in any other movie. My parents walked out of the theatre after an hour; they couldn't take it any more. I guess that indicates that this movie is very much directed towards a younger crowd, or at least young enough to recognize the references made to "Cribs" or other recent phenomena. My parents obviously didn't. To sum it up, I think anyone who enjoys watching Scary Movie will definitely like this, and anyone who doesn't definitely won't.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0799949/
Cast: Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Jayma Mays, Faune A. Chambers
Plot outline: I don't think there's any plot worth mentioning.
Despite the somewhat criticising statement above, having a plot isn't the objective with this movie at all, but rather to make fun of as many epic movies as possible, as hinted at in the title. Because of this, the various plot holes (or lack of plot at all) doesn't bother me even half as much as it would in any other movie. My parents walked out of the theatre after an hour; they couldn't take it any more. I guess that indicates that this movie is very much directed towards a younger crowd, or at least young enough to recognize the references made to "Cribs" or other recent phenomena. My parents obviously didn't. To sum it up, I think anyone who enjoys watching Scary Movie will definitely like this, and anyone who doesn't definitely won't.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0799949/
Night at the museum
Director: Shawn Levy
Cast: Ben Stiller, Dick Van Dyke, Jake Cherry, Carla Gugino
Plot outline: Larry is in desperate need of a job, preferably one that impresses his son. After finding employment as the night guard at a museum, and spending his first night at work, he soon realises he's bit off more than he can handle.
I have an issue with Ben Stiller, don't know what it is, but I can't take the man. That probably clouded my judgement somewhat. As it is, I'm not going to say much about this, because there simply isn't much to say; it was pretty plain, kind of funny at times, a bit childish at others, not my type of movie anyway but it was okay. A superficial movie gets a superficial review.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477347/
Cast: Ben Stiller, Dick Van Dyke, Jake Cherry, Carla Gugino
Plot outline: Larry is in desperate need of a job, preferably one that impresses his son. After finding employment as the night guard at a museum, and spending his first night at work, he soon realises he's bit off more than he can handle.
I have an issue with Ben Stiller, don't know what it is, but I can't take the man. That probably clouded my judgement somewhat. As it is, I'm not going to say much about this, because there simply isn't much to say; it was pretty plain, kind of funny at times, a bit childish at others, not my type of movie anyway but it was okay. A superficial movie gets a superficial review.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477347/