Poltergeist

Poltergeist

Who's in it: Craig Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke, Beatrice Straight


What's it about: When 5 year old Carol Anne(O'Rourke) begins talking to a spirit within her house, her parents Steve(Nelson) and Diane(Williams) begin to wonder what's going on. After chairs begin to move and other weird things begin to happen, they call Dr. Lesh(Straight) to come and find out what's happening. Carol Anne is taken by the spirits and Dr. Lesh is left wondering what will happen to the family. The family is only wanting to have their little girl back in their arms.


What I Think: Given that this movie is one of the older ones, I was impressed by the computer graphics. The story was great but I think that the acting lacked in some parts. The events within the story were thought out and creative. The ending was very entertaining I thought. I think that the way that they decided to end the whole thing was pretty funny. It's hard to watch an older movie like this with my generations knowledge and not critisize it alot. For it's time, I think that this movie was done very well.

Apocalypto

Apocalypto

Who's in it: Rudy Youngblood, Dalia Hernández


What's it about: Jaguar Paw(Youngblood) has had his village taken over. After saving his wife, Seven(Hernández), he is taken hostage by another tribe. The road back to the other tribes village is very hard, not to mention dangerous. They get back only to find out that they are being used as sacrifices to the sun god so that the other tribes land will get better. After a solar eclipse happens, Jaguar Paw is released, but is still being chased down because he attacked and killed the son of one of the other tribe's warriors.

What I Think: Mel Gibson did a great job with this. The setting and makeup was wonderful. Nudity usually bothers me but in this movie it was ok. In this movie it was only part of the way the characters lived. That's really how it used to be so I understood. The storyline was very well though of. Everything had a reason and it kept my attention every moment of the movie. I was impressed by the difference between each character. The subtitles bothered me a little bit since I had no idea what they were saying when I wasn't reading them.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Who's in it: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood

What's it about: Joel(Carrey) has found the girl of his dreams. Her name is Clementine(Winslet). He goes to see Clementine at her workplace, but sees her with another man. She does not remember anything about Joel and is convinced that she never knew him. Joel finds out that Clementine has had him erased from her memory by Stan(Ruffalo), who works with Patrick(Wood) for those who want to forget someone or something. Joel sets up for Clementine to be erased from his memory as well, but as the process is being done, he changes his mind and fights to save his memories of his true love.

What I Think: I've been told that this movie was bad and a waste of time, but I very much enjoyed it. As it's known, I love Carrey and I love Winslet. This was a bit hard to follow at first, but after a little bit, you began to understand what was going on. There was a lot of changing within time. There was also a lot of repetition among events that happened. Each time something was different and significant. Carrey and Winslet really stepped out of their boxes with this movie by completely switching what they usually play. Very impressive if you ask me!

Under the Tuscan Sun

Under the Tuscan Sun

Who's in it: Diane Lane, Sandra Oh


What's it about: A heartbreaking divorce leaves Frances(Lane) depressed and wondering what she did wrong to deserve such an awful husband. Frances is a writer and is trying to finish another book. Frances' sister, Patti(Oh), sends her to Tuscany in Italy in hopes of getting Frances back on her feet. While in Italy, Frances buys a house and plans to live in Italy. She begins to make a new family, but can't seem to find love. Her contractors become her family and she treats them just like she would her family.


What I Think: I love Diane Lane. Everything that she's ever been in, I've loved! This just adds on to the list of her amazing performances. I haven't been a huge fan of Sandra Oh, and she still wasn't great in this movie, but I could learn to love her. I think that the fact of her being a lesbian threw me off some. I think that the story, which was based off of a novel by Frances Mayes, was well written. The irony and the suspense was good and I enjoyed it alot! All in all, I love Diane Lane and I will continue to love her!

Mirrors

Mirrors

Who's in it: Kiefer Sutherland, Paula Patton, Mary Beth Peil


What's it about: Ben(Sutherland) has a new job. His job is to make sure that kids stay out of a dangerous burnt down building. In the building are hundreds of mirrors and Ben begins to see things inside of them. The things inside are beginning to scare his family and they killed his sister. When his wife, Amy(Patton), begins to see them as well, Ben needs to satisfy the mirrors with the one person they want. Anna Esseker(Peil) had a schizophrenic demon transferred from her to the mirrors during a treatment. Ben must find Anna and get the demons out of the mirrors before they kill his family.


What I Think: At first I thought that this movie was going to be amazing. After watching it, I'm not so sure. This really had me confused alot of the time. I was impressed by few of the effects, but one in particular I was very proud of. There was a part where there was a person burning alive, but there were no flames, but the bubbling skin was awesomely accurate. I think that the story lacked some in plot, not to mention it was hard to follow at some times. I do like Sutherland and I was glad that he starred in the movie. The fact that he was in it made it barable.

The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl

Who's in it: Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, Ana Torrent

What's it about: After Mary Boleyn(Johansson) gets married, she is seduced by Henry VIII(Bana), the King of England. Henry has been unsuccessful in his attempts to have a child. Mary has a son for Henry, but her sister, Anne(Portman), is jealous of the entire event and has Henry send Mary away to the country, never to return. Anne only has to rid the kingdom of Katherine, Henry's queen, in order to have the fame and fortune she's always dreamed of. She's willing to do whatever it takes in order to have Henry, the kingdom, and everything else a queen is able to have.

What I Think: This story really left an imprint on me. I was really surprised by my interest in this movie. I do like Johansson and I have come to enjoy Bana. Portman was really great for her role. I thought that the character of Anne Boleyn fit her very well and she played out every moment. One thing that I truly loved about this movie were the extravagent dresses. Everything about them were appealing to my eye. The setting was exactly what one would imagine the castle to look like. I was impressed by everything in this movie. 5 stars!

A Cinderella Story

A Cinderella Story

Who's in it: Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray, Jennifer Coolidge, Dan Byrd, Regina King

What's it about: Sam's(Duff) father died and was left with her stepmother, Fiona(Coolidge). Her dream is to go to Princeton, but Fiona won't have it. Her best friend, Carter(Dan), and her working partner, Rhonda(King) help her to get to her Halloween dance where she meets her secret online buddy. When her online buddy turns out to be Austin Ames(Murray), she panics and leaves. Behind her she left her cell phone and Austin finds in. He hopes to return it to her but can't seem to find her anywhere.

What I Think: Cinderella is a classic tale. This movie never ceased to fail me. The only problem about it was that everything was anticipated. The acting was good and the setup was good as well. I think that Duff and Murray were a great couple to play their parts. Coolidge performed well as the evil stepmother. I am new to Dan Byrd, but I think that I will definitely watch him again! I really do like the way he was.

Angel Eyes

Angel Eyes

Who's in it: Jennifer Lopez, James Caviezel

What's it about: A car accident left Catch(Caviezel) wondering what he did to deserve a life without his wife and son. Sharon(Lopez) was the cop that saved him on the highway, but he never got to meet her. A year later, Catch sees Sharon in a coffee shop and is determined to meet her. He saved her during a chase from a gunman and so they begin to see each other more often. As their love begins to rise, Catch learns more and more about Sharon, but she never learns about him. After learning his real name is Steven, she finds his history files and remembers the moment that she saved his life. More of their stories come into light and they are on their way to truly understanding each other.

What I Think: James Caviezel and Jennifer Lopez were a perfect duo for this movie. I thought that the contrasts betwen the two characters allowed for them to connect more than expected. The storyline was unique and something that I haven't really ever seen before. You thought that you knew the story, but you really don't until the end. The acting was great and I don't know why, but I always find myself attracted to all of Lopez's films. A great and new twist to the view of a love story. Caviezel is new to me and I think that he's now my second favourite actor... next to Gerard Butler of course.

Stir of Echoes

Stir of Echoes

Who's in it: Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Erbe, Zachary David Cope, Jennifer Morrison

What's it about: Tom(Bacon) and Maggie(Erbe) have had a great life, but after being hypnotized, Tom is seeing things and hearing things that he never did before. A ghostly girl is appearing to him inside of his house. He finds out that this girl is Samantha Kozac(Morrison), who supposedly ran away 6 months ago. His son, Jake(Cope), is also seeing this girl. When trying to reverse the hypnosis, Samantha tells him only one word and that's 'Dig'. The visions keep happening and appear to be getting worse so he does what he has to in order to make them stop.

What I Think: I love Kevin Bacon and pretty much everything that he does. This movie was interesting and I loved the dialogue that was used and the story was very intriguing and I enjoyed the acting. Everything about this movie was great and I enjoyed the excitement that came with it. The plot of the story was easy to understand yet you were still able to catch the mystery that was inside. I was impressed by the whole of the movie and the setup of everything that was put into it.

Boo

Boo

Who's in it: Trish Coren, Jilon Ghai, Josh Holt, Nicole Rayburn, Happy Mahaney, Michael Samluk, Dig Wayne, M. Steven Felty

What's it about: Five friends, Jessie(Coren), Kevin(Ghai), Freddy(Holt), Marie(Rayburn), and Emmett(Mahaney), set up in an old abandoned hospital for a Halloween scare. The place has a story behind it though. Way back when, Jacob(Felty) set the old hospital on fire. Now, inside are the ghosts of those who died inside. With the help of Allan(Samluk) and Arlo(Wayne) the teenagers are going to make sure that Jacob doesn't get loose into the world that he was forever locked away from.

What I Think: I personally thought that this was poorly made. The storyline didn't make too much sense and the all of the actors weren't very talented. The blood was completely fake looking and you could really tell. The effects were not well made and the audio wasn't at all scary. I was expecting a lot more than what I got. Usually such a simple title would have something more than this, but I guess with this movie, that's wrong. I

Me, Myself & Irene

Me, Myself, & Irene

Who's in it: Jim Carrey, Renée Zellweger


What's it about: His wife left him with three kids that weren't even his and Charlie(Carrey) just let all of those feelings bottle themselves inside him. These feelings make his counterpart, Hank(Carrey), develop inside of him and come out. Now diagnosed with "advanced delusionary schizophrenia with involuntary narcissistic rage" his job with the Rhode Island Police Force is on the fritz. He is assigned to take Irene(Zellweger), a woman who is wanted in New York, back to where she is needed. After Charlie finds out that Irene is only wanted because the police force is corrupted by a powerful group or murderers, it is up to both of him to save her.


What I Think: This is a relatively old movie, but I still loved it. Some parts were a little much because of the excessive sexual reference, but most of those were even funny. I have always loved and will always love both Carrey and Zellweger. I was really impressed by Carrey's ability to act like someone with multiple personality syndrome. I expect that it would be difficult, but I think that he pulled it off well. Lots of comic and action faces in here. Anthony Anderson, Tony Cox, Richard Jenkins, and Chris Cooper were all seen in this film!

Step Brothers

Step Brothers

Who's in it: Will Ferrell, John Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins, Adam Scott

What's it about: Nancy(Steenburgen) and Robert(Jenkins) have been single withtheir 40 year old songs for a long time. When they finally meet one another, they find that it must've been Fate to bring them together. Robert's son, Dale(Reilly), and Nancy's son, Brennan(Ferrell), are being forced to abandon their lifestyle and live under one roof with their newfound family. They start out hating the other with a passion. However, Nancy's other son, Derek(Scott), brings the two loafers together as friends that do everything together. When the parents break up, both step brothers feel as if the other is to blame, so they get their lives together to strike up the fire the two lovers found before.

What I Think: This movie wasn't what I had expected for it to be. I thought that the commercials were very misleading. It was better than I had expected! Ferrell and Reilly make an amazing comic duo. The storyline was great seeing as the two were acting like teenagers, but were actually two grown adults. Jenkins did a great job as an angry father and Steenburgen did great as the push over mother. Scott I have never seen before but he did great. There were some scenes of slight nudity, but all in all, this was, yet another, great movie for both comedians!

A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

Who's in it: Malcolm McDowell

What's it about: Alex(McDowell) has always been a troublemaker. He is the leader of a gang that runs around thieving, beating, and raping people. When he is caught after murdering an elderly woman, he is sentenced 14 years in prison. After only 2 years, he is chosen for an experimental program to rid him of all evil intentions. He is, unknowingly, given a medication to make him feel sick, and then put in front of a screen with his eyes forced to stay open and shown awful evils. When he associates pain and sickness with evil doings, he is released into the world. He comes across all of his old enemies and they are taking advantage of his disability to fight back.

What I Think: Based on a novel by Anthony Burgess, this movie was pretty good. I thought that it was well written and well played out. The only thing that I didn't like was the mass nudity shown throughout the movie. I didn't mind so much seeing as the nudity actually played a role. This is a very old movie and I liked how it was made in a time like that. The sets were very great and the confrontation that Alex found within himself was great to go along with. I am new to McDowell, but I think that I'm going to check out some of his other stuff. He had a mesmerizing voice and I loved it.

Boogeyman

Boogeyman

Who's in it: Barry Watson, Emily Deschanel, Tory Mussett, Skye Bartusiak


What's it about: After a traumatic experience in his childhood, Tim(Watson) has had a fear of the Boogeyman. It's beginning to really get into his personal life with his girlfriend Jessica(Mussett). After his mother passes away, he goes back to house where it all began. He meets Franny(Bartusiak) who also has the fear of the Boogeyman. With his childhood friend, Kate(Deschanel), Tim tries to get rid of the Boogeyman once and for all. The only question: How far is Tim willing to go to destroy almost every child's fear?

What I Think: Honestly, this movie was not as good as I had anticipated. I was expecting some awesome graphics, but I was left very disappointed. For the time that we are in now and the technology that is available to us, I was wanting an amazing Boogeyman that would continue to possibly haunt our dreams. Aside from that, the acting was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was great and I certainly don't think that any of them deserve an award, but it was alright for an alright movie. I wasn't surprised by any of the surprises. I am glad that I didn't go and see this in theatres when it was in theatres.

Gran Torino

Gran Torino

Who's in it: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her

What's it about: Walt Kowalski(Eastwood) is a war veteran that lives in a neighborhood that is slowly being taken over by gangs. His new next door neighbors are Korean and when the youngest of them, Thao(Vang), attemps to steal his Gran Torino car, he starts to hates them. He runs off the Korean gang off of his lawn with a gun and, unintentionally and unknowingly, saves Thao from them. He begins to get to know Thao's sister, Sue(Her). When she gets Thao and Walt together, they begin to connect and become friends. Walt is determined to keep him on the 'good' side and get him headed on the right path of life. The gang begins to threat the family and Walt wants it to end forever.

What I Think: I have to start this by saying that Clint Eastwood is a genius. This really is taking place in our soceity somewhere. It's amazing how the actions of the younger generation is becoming more and more disrespectful. Even with the brand new people rising from the streets, the acting was great. Being taken under Eastwood's wing was really a good thing for these beginners. I was impressed by their first performance. As for the storyline, great great great! Everything was thought out and planned perfectly. Directed by Eastwood as well as starred by him. I think that this is his best and one for the books.

The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux

Who's in it: Matthew Broderick, Emma Watson, Dustin Hoffman

What's it about: In the beginning, Roscuro(Hoffman) was a respected rat. He loved to stay with the cook of ships and make friends. When he came to a new world where soup was famed and almost worshiped, he ruined the bond between humans and rats. Rats were banned from the city forever as was soup. Despereaux(Broderick) was born and always seen as a small troublemaker. He never acted the way a real mouse should and always was curious about he world around him. He meets Princess Pea(Watson) and forms a relationship that will heal the bond that was broken by Roscuro and bring the pleasure of soup back to the city.

What I Think: Matthew Broderick amazes me. He is old, yet his voice is that of a young child. It stuns me how he can be a bumbling adult or an inspired child. Emma Watson has come a long way from being Hermione. I was impressed by her flexibility. I love Hoffman's voice most of all. It's so distinct and you can always relate to his character alot. I love that he always gets the best character and that was one of the best performances. I think that this was all in all a good movie and great for the entire family. Haven't read the book that it was based on by Kate DiCamillo, but I hear that it's good as well.

Horton Hears a Who

Horton Hear A Who

Who's in it: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell

What's it about: When Horton(Carrey), an elephant, hears a small voice upon a speck, he decides that he needs to help the owner of that voice. The voice belongs to the Mayor of Whoville(Carell) who finds it hard to believe that his huge town could possibly be a speck of another world. The jungle that Horton lives in thinks that he's crazy, as well as the world of the Mayor. Both are on a quest to save Whoville and it's all in Horton's hands to keep the speck out of danger from all of the dangers of his world. The non-believers are on the road to capture the crazy elephant that Horton is and get rid of the speck once and for all.

What I Think: I love both Carrey and Carell and I found it great that the both of them combined their talent in one movie, not to mention a family picture! The animation was great and I loved all of the detail that was put into this one movie. The comedic routine was very different and, like other movies that I love, it had the serious plot in with all of the comedy. My sister, Cassidy, enjoyed the fact that JoJo in the movie was played by her favourite singer, Jesse McCartney. JoJo only had a few small lines but she went back and played them all over and over again. Also, I thought that it was great that Seth Rogen squeezed his way into the movie.

The Benchwarmers

The Benchwarmers

Who's in it: Rob Schneider, David Spade, Jon Heder, Jon Lovitz

What's it about: After standing up for a few nerdy kids playing on a baseball field, Gus(Schneider), Richie(Spade), and Clark(Heder) get into a tournament against the athletic baseball teams around for a brand new baseball field. This field is being given to them by a billionaire, Mel(Lovitz), who's kid is one of the most picked on in his school. When Gus' childhood secret is let loose, the entire team is put into a rut and now he has to go and right the wrongs of his past. It's a race to see who's the best and most deserving.

What I Think: I thought that this movie was really funny and I loved it. I love Schneider and thought that it was great that Adam Sandler was one of the people included in the making of the movie. Three of the funniest people in comedy were the main characters, yet Schneider really showed a serious side to him and that made me like the movie even more. The movies with a comedic routine with a serious plot is the kind that any person can enjoy and relate to. Great performance from everyone. Jon Heder always plays a Momma's boy very well and needs to continue on that road!

Zoom

Zoom

Who's in it: Tim Allen, Spencer Breslin, Kevin Zegers, Kate Mara, Michael Cassidy, Ryan Newman

What's it about: Jack(Allen) used to be Captain Zoom before his brother Connor(Zegers) became the super villain Concussion. When Concussion is coming back for his revenge, four adolescents are chosen to be trained to stop him. Mega-Boy(Breslin), Houdini(Cassidy), Wonder(Mara), and Princess(Newman) are the quartet of superheroes to be trained by Jack. Jack regrets ever being the superhero that he was and doesn't want to train these newly found superheroes, but when he finds out that it's his own brother that they will be fighting he begins to truly prepare them, and himself, for the worst.

What I Think: This was a great movie for the family. I think that Allen is doing well with all of the movies he does for family time. Breslin did a great job too. I always see him in these completely selfish roles and he did a great performance with this one. The other actors and actresses I've hardly ever seen before if any. The plot was a little off and it lacked some really action. The other things that I didn't like was the effects for Breslin. Cassidy had some really good effects for his invisibility, but that was about it.