Merry Christmas - Shitter Was Full!

Wishing all of our fellow movie geeks a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Don't forget to check out some of the Christmas Day movie releases and let us know what you think!

Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Parental Guidance

Tine and Lainie at the mooooooovies! Coming soon!

Throwback Thursdays - Home Alone

This week's edition of Throwback Thursdays is a classic holiday favourite of mine. It's one of a few Christmas movies I absolutely HAVE to watch every year. It reminds me of my childhood and it's also a John Hughes film. So any way you slice it, it's one of my ultimate faves.

Home Alone
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern
Released: 1990
Box Office: $533,800,000 (Worldwide)
Throwback Release

" When Kevin's Family Left For Vacation, They Forgot One Minor Detail: Kevin. But Don't Worry... He Cooks. He Cleans. He Kicks Some Butt." Man-o-man does that tagline say it all. Classic 90s tagline.

Home Alone stars Macaulay Culkin (in his first starring role) as Kevin McCallister, an eight year old boy who is mistakenly left home alone when his family heads to Paris, France, for Christmas. After getting into the normal hi jinks of a young boy home alone, Kevin finds himself defending his family's home against two inept burglars (Pesci and Stern).

I remember seeing this film as a child, and absolutely loving it. I still do. One of a few "must watch" Christmas films for me. I still laugh at the same jokes and can't help but smile at the end when everything works out. It's a perfect blend of cheesy Christmas movie, feel good family movie and comedy. And it's this perfect blend that has made the movie one of the most well known and successful Christmas films of all time.

The film premise is simple: Kevin McCallister (Culkin) is struggling with being the youngest and therefore in his mind, the ignored son of a large family. The family, along with their cousins and aunt and uncle, are all heading on a holiday trip to Paris and mistakenly leave Kevin home alone. We then watch two sides of the storyline: Kevin having to learn to live on his own and take care of himself while also learning that his house is about to be robbed by two petty criminals, and Kate McCallister (Catherine O'Hara) trying to get back to Kevin and struggling to find a way home.

The genius of this film is the quick wit, holiday cheer and heart. It's not easy to make a decent Christmas film, let alone one that can withstand the years (this film, believe it or not is 22 years old). John Hughes (the mastermind behind films such as Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Vacation (and the entire series including Christmas Vacation), Breakfast Club and Uncle Buck), wrote this film, working his magic in creating this story and wonderful, likable characters. He has a talent for creating comedic story lines that have a lot of heart and he does it again with this film.

Final Verdict: See it. Definitely a Christmas movie but can be watched at any time of the year. It will be sure to put a smile on your face and hopefully, bring back some memories of your childhood Christmases.

Skyfall or Where the Hell Have You Been?

Skyfall
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, and Javier Bardem
New Release Review

Skyfall is the third installment in the Daniel Craig era of the Bond Franchise. There was a lot of buzz around the release of this film as not only was it said to revitalize a lackluster Bond stint by Craig, it was also set to be released during Bond's 50th anniversary (in film). 

I was a little skeptical about this film; mainly because Quantum of Solace was so bad. But once I saw the trailer, I decided I had to see no matter what. Simply because Judi Dench stated in one scene: "Where the hell have you been". For those of you who are non-Simpsons fans, check out this clip from a hilarious episode featuring U2 and you'll see why that simple line made me want to see the film.

Two other things solidified my decision to see this film: Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes (aka Voldemort). It's funny how certain actors can sway your decision with seeing their films. But if you have seen any of Bardem or Fiennes' previous work, you would be compelled to see anything they were in as well.

Skyfall pays homage to old Bond films in many ways throughout its two hour-plus length. With the opening credits, the return to the Bond character as the "pure luck" type of hero and the simplicity of the weapons used by Bond. (Especially in that final battle scene that reeked of Home Alone. I half expected Craig to whip out the blueprint plans of his house and show all the ways he would protect it). Taking the high-tech gadgets away from Bond returned him to the character that made him so likeable with fans in the first place. 

The film starts off with Bond and fellow agent Eve, chasing a mercenary, who has stolen a hard drive containing information of undercover agents who have been placed in terrorist organizations. The chase takes Bond and the mercenary onto a train, and while fighting on top of the train, Eve accidentally shoots Bond, causing him to fall into the river below, allowing the mercenary to escape. Bond is presumed dead.

M (Dench) is pressured by Gareth Mallory (Fiennes) to retire and receives a threatening message via computer taunting her past misdeeds. Shortly after, an explosion destroys MI6 headquarters, killing several employees. Bond, who used his presumed death as a means of retirement, learns of the explosion and returns to London. He fails several physical tests, but M approves his return to the field. He begins to "follow the breadcrumbs", as he does in every Bond film, until he comes face to face with the main antagonist, Raoul Silvia (Bardem).

The acting in this film is completely on-point. Craig has completely established himself as "Bond". It was hard to see him as the character, especially since the character is usually remembered as being portrayed by Sean Connery or Roger Moore. In this film, I really believed that Craig was "Bond". Dench is phenomenal (though it's hard to think of a role in which she was anything but phenomenal) and is able to convey so much emotion with just a simple look. That's true acting talent. Fiennes was a great addition as Mallory and balanced out Dench's seriousness with a little lightheartedness.

Bardem hands down stole the show in this film. He was everything you want in a villain - he was terrifying, creepy, and maniacal. He was absolutely capitvating - any time he was on screen, you couldn't help but be drawn to him. He was the perfect antagonist for this film.

Final Verdict: See it. Even if you're not a Bond fan, you will enjoy this movie. It's a perfect mix of an action, thriller and dramatic story. The acting definitely helps carry this heavy storyline and the return to the simplicity of the "Bond" character (stripped down of his many gadgets that we have seen in the past two films) creates a successful film overall.

Rotten Tomatoes 

Trailer Tuesdays - After Earth

Two weeks of sci-fi movie trailers! Seems like we are gearing up for quite the summer of movies!

By special request from Tony, check out this trailer for Will Smith's upcoming sci-fi film called After Earth.

I'm pretty amazed at movies these days. Lots of big production/CGI/special effects going into more films than usual. The bar has definitely been raised - especially from Smith's first trip to the sci-fi genre, 1996's Independence Day. 

Smith has some sci-fi-clout behind his name; he has successfully starred in the hit films, Men In Black (and its sequels 2 and 3), I Am Legend, I, Robot, and the aforementioned Independence Day. With that being said, there's a high chance that he will have another sci-fi hit on his hands with After Earth.

A quick synopsis of the film, gathered from this trailer and the tentative IMDB.com page, Smith and real life youngest son, Jaden Smith, play a father and son who crash-land on an unfamiliar and long since abandoned, planet earth. As Smith's character is unable to leave their craft (from what can only be assumed as a diabilitating injury), it's up to the younger Smith's character to find a way off the planet.

Graphics look superb. Storyline seems decent (they haven't said much which leads me to believe that there is more to this story than meets the eye). And M. Night Shyamalan is the director. Now, he is not the writer of the film, but even so, we can be guaranteed some sort of twist in this film, as that is his trademark movie-making style.

I love the fact that this film pairs the Smith father and son duo again (last and first scene together in 2006's The Pursuit of Happyness. It also serves as a way for Smith to "pass the torch" of the action hero role to his young son. Though Smith still has some action genre film role years left in him (seriously, does he ever age?) and Jaden Smith is still relatively young (he's only 13), I'm sure we can expect a few more action-packed films from Will Smith in the near future. (Check out his IMDB.com page - there are already announcements for sequels for I, Robot, Hancock, and Bad Boys).

I'm looking forward to adding this one to the summer 2013 movie list.

Check out the wikipedia page here or the official movie page here.

The Hobbit: Going on an Adventure!

In case you missed it, Peter Jackson is returning to Middle Earth with the story of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Movie Geek Christine (that's me!) had the amazingly awesome experience of visiting the set for Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand.

My husband and I rented a car and drove to Matamata from Hamilton. I'd already input the address into the GPS and things were going great. Until the GPS said "you've arrived at your destination". This is what we saw:

Sheep. And fields. And sheep. Not even a driveway or a sign or anything. Just farmland.

We assumed we'd driven past the cafe where the tour departs from so we turned around and drove back the way we came. Nope, we definitely didn't pass it.

We turned around again and decided to just go into the city of Matamata and wait for the shuttle bus that will take us to the farm. As we're driving, we see....

We made it!

For a while (early 2000s) this is what Hobbiton looked like:

An empty shell. In fact, the Lord of the Rings production company was going to remove any trace of the set from the farm but due to weather they couldn't complete the work. Promising to return in 6 months, Hobbiton sat like this. Meanwhile, the Alexander family who owned the farm started getting requests to view the set and the rest is history. And it's a good thing, too, because when it came time to start filming The Hobbit, the set was still preserved and somewhat decorated too. This time, reconstruction was done with more durable materials so the set could remain an attraction for decades. Decorations and props were left to create a truly remarkable experience for visitors and fans alike.

Without further ado,  here are some photos from my visit to Middle Earth.

Playing For Keeps

Playing For Keeps

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Starring: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quaid, and Catherine Zeta-Jones

New Release Review

Playing For Keeps is the story of retired soccer player George (Butler) who is trying to reconnect with his 10 year old son, Lewis (Noah Lomax), by coaching his soccer team. George has had a string of unsuccessful business ventures and is hoping to become a sports broadcaster. However, he keeps getting distracted by some attractive soccer moms who are pursuing him with great interest!

I want to say up front that I won tickets to see this movie. It isn't one I would have usually gone to see but I was pleasantly surprised. Playing For Keeps isn't your typical romantic comedy and I think that's why I enjoyed it so much. It's about a man trying to have a real father-son relationship and he's learning how to be a parent through learning how to be an adult. 

Unfortunately there are some laughs to be had at the soccer-mom's expense: mostly at how desperate or transparent they are in their attraction to George. I understand that the soccer moms are there to show how the younger George would have handled groupies but it's sad that there wasn't a decent part for a woman. They're all defined by their relationship to George: ex-wife, desperate mom, lonely mom, sophisticated mom...you get the idea. It took away from my enjoyment of the movie a little, but the actresses played their parts so well considering what they were given. Jessica Biel as Stacie, George's ex-wife, is a particular stand out for me because she played a regular person so well. Stacie is a mom (we don't hear about her working outside the home) and she is very down-to-earth so Biel gives her just enough emotion to be interesting and sympathetic without being overly dramatic. 

Overall I enjoyed Playing For Keeps. It's just a nice story. There is conflict without the over-the-top drama that seems to be all the rage. I was actually worried at one point that it would turn into an episode of Real Housewives of Virginia but thankfully it didn't happen. There are enough laughs to sustain the comedy classification and enough romance to fit that category too, but there is a third element: restraint. The story doesn't try to out-do itself in the third act, which ultimately gives the audience a satisfactory ending without being too on the nose. 

Trailer Tuesdays - Oblivion

A late post, but a post nonetheless. Came across this trailer on the IMDb home page. It's an upcoming sci-fi film called, Oblivion. Check out the trailer:

I have to say, I am not impressed with the casting of Tom Cruise in this role. Do the big wigs at Universal not remember War of the Worlds? Cruise can barely carry a serious movie these days let alone a sci-fi film. Unlike regular movie critics and fans, sci-fi critics/fans are very passionate and will not tolerate insolence (insert Dr. Evil voice over here). *Side note: Cruise is the Hollywood's highest paid actor. Really? REALLY? I guess there's no accounting for taste*

I could barely get through the first chunk of this trailer. I just cannot take Cruise seriously. He has become an awful actor, and hasn't put out a decent film since 2004's Collateral. He is very one dimensional and for a film like this, you have to show a little more range than that of say, Mission: Impossible 10 (okay, so there is no 10th film in the Mission: Impossible series but there has been way too many and a 5th installment in the franchise has recently been announced. Shudders). *Another side note: Cruise did have an unexpectedly funny cameo role in 2008's Tropic Thunder*

Honestly, didn't pay too much attention to the first minute of this trailer because it seemed very "been there, done that". But then something amazing happened; Morgan Freeman appeared. And with that simple appearance, he might have saved the film. Things started getting a bit more interesting; the film becomes more of a "it's not what it seems" type film which is right up Christine and I's alley. We love a good conspiracy theory or film with a twist (surprising) ending. Maybe this film will accomplish that. But for now, it's not making a movie list. Need more information before we can make an informed decision on this one.

For more information on this film, check out the Wikipedia page here.

Trailer Tuesdays - Now You See Me

It's Trailer Tuesdays! Since I haven't been to the movies in a while (just over two weeks - YEEESH) I found this trailer on IMDB.com.

It's for the upcoming 2013 film, Now You See Me. Check it out!

Okay, I'm going to be honest. I was intrigued by this film as soon as I heard Morgan Freeman's voice. The fact that it is about magic made my inner-Harry-Potter-geek jump with joy.

Now You See Me is an upcoming film with a decent cast save for Jesse Eisenberg who I just can't seem to understand as an actor. To me, he is the male equivalent of Kristen Stewart: no appeal whatsoever and a total lack of emotional range. However, the rest of the cast is pretty stellar: Isla Fisher, Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco (who just about stole the show in the 21 Jump Street reboot earlier this year), Common, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, and Freeman. I am hoping that this cast will aid in making this film successful and not be a clever disguise for a weak and messy storyline (think this year's Rock of Ages).

The film's storyline features a group of magicians who perform high-tech shows, and manage to pull off an elaborate heist of robbing a bank on another continent. An FBI agent (Ruffalo) sets off to make the magicians pay for these crimes and seeks the help of a famed magic debunker (Freeman) to help him in his quest. And so begins a battle between the magicians and the FBI where nothing is what is seems and the line between illusion and reality becomes a blur.

Now You See Me is director Louis Leterrier's sixth film and although he doesn't have the longest resume in the business, he has had some successful action films (The Transporter, Unleashed, and The Incredible Hulk - the 2008 film, not 2003 disaster). I will even forgive him for the utter mess that was The Clash of the Titans as it wasn't all his fault.

The film is set to be released on June 7, 2013 which will be a great addition to the 2013 Summer Movie List. Looking forward to it.

For more information on Now You See Me, check out the film's website and the Wikipedia page.

Throwback Thursdays - Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Robin Williams, Sally Field, and Pierce Brosnan
Released: 1993
Box Office: $423,200,000 (Worldwide)
Throwback Review

The other day, I heard my dad laughing at something on TV in the family room. He insisted that I had to see what he was watching. What I saw was a classic scene from one of my favourite movies from when I was a kid: "Broke my bag the bastard". The line still gets me laughing after nearly 20 years. Yes, to all those who remember seeing this film on the big screen, Mrs. Doubtfire will turn 20 next year.

Mrs. Doubtfire stars Robin Williams as a recently divorced father of three who is desperate to spend as much time as he can with his children. However, his ex-wife, played by Sally Fields, seeks out a part time housekeeper/nanny to help her with every day chores and looking after the children after school. Williams' character, Daniel, learns of this and decides to rig Miranda's (Fields) hiring process so that a character he has created (Mrs. Doubtfire) is hired. Dressed in drag as an older lady, Daniel gets the opportunity to spend more time with his children and in the process, learns more about them, his ex-wife and himself.

The film is directed by Chris Columbus who directed numerous great films from my childhood including, Adventures in Babysitting, Home Alone (1 and 2), and wrote the screenplay for an iconic film of the 80s, The Goonies. He has gone on to director Harry Potter (1 and 2), and Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Lightning Thief.  

I remember seeing this film in theatre when I was a kid. I really liked it then but I absolutely love it now. Mainly because now that I am older, I actually understand the majority of the jokes. It's amazing the things Williams' (and Fields) got away with saying in this PG-13 rated film. (For example Daniel says of Stu, Pierce Brosnan's character, "Well, they say a man who has to buy a big car like that is trying to compensate for smaller genitals").

Williams, in true form, manages to get big laughs with his quick wit and interesting "voice" characters. The role even landed him a Golden Globe for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy). Fields holds her own opposite Willliams who can sometimes overtake his onscreen colleagues, and even manages to earn a few laughs all her own. ("The whole time? The whole time? THE WHOLE TIME?" - on a side note, that scene might be one of my all time favourite Fields' scenes. She shows how she can switch emotions effortlessly and still have them come off genuine and not hokey).

Final Verdict: See it. Have you seriously never seen it? This film was placed 67th in the American Film Institute's "100 Years, 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies" and 40th on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies of All Time".  Plenty of laughs and plenty of heart. A great family film and and even better comedy. Prepare yourself for great one-liners such as "It was a run-by-fruiting!" and "I don't work with the males because I used to be one".

And did you know - Mrs. Doubtfire was based on a book called "Alias Madame Doubtfire" by Anne Fine?

Bryan Singer Confirms Big Names For X-Men Days of Future Past

Bryan Singer, writer and producer of X-Men: First Class, is set to return for the sequel in the newly established trilogy of the comic book-turned film series. This time, Singer will be at the helm of the film as the director.

According to numerous movie blogs and entertainment sites, Singer has confirmed, via his personal Twitter account, that Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen will be reprising their respective roles as Professor X and Magneto in the upcoming second film in the new trilogy entitled, X-Men: Days of Future Past. They will be joining their younger counterparts, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender (respectively) in portraying the two iconic comic book mutant heroes (villain). You might be asking yourself: how is that possible? Well, after further research, one would discover that Days of Future Past is also the title of a 1981 X-Men comic book storyline which alternated between two tenses: a future in which mutants are living in internment camps and a present where mutants are fighting to prevent the future from happening. An interesting attempt at merge the two great portrayals of these characters and satisfying both groups of shippers. (Wondering what a "shipper" group is? Check it out here)

Singer also confirmed via his Twitter account that Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult are returning as Mystique and Beast.

Excited for all the recent X-Men updates? Well, don't get too excited - the film isn't set to be released until July 18, 2014. But for all you fellow geeks out there - The Hobbit: There and Back Again is also being released on that date! What is a movie geek to do? And even more so, what is a McKellen fan suppose to do??? (Check out this fantastic picture of McKellen bragging about his two iconic characters).

Stay tuned to Don't Sit Next To Us for more updates on X-Men: Days of Future Past and The Hobbit: There and Back Again.

Trailer Tuesdays - Snitch

This week's edition of Trailer Tuesdays is action packed! Check out the trailer for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's latest action thriller!

Well, The Rock (though he does not go by that name as an actor) is back in the genre that made him a film star with this upcoming action thriller, Snitch.

The film looks like a mash-up of Johnson's 2004 film, Walking Tall (which was a remake of the 1973 film of the same name) and Vin Diesel's A Man Apart. Johnson has solidified himself as an action star with previous films such as The Rundown, The Scorpion King, Faster, and recently, Fast Five. However, with this upcoming film, it looks like Johnson is ready to take on the challenge of a more dramatic action role (ala Diesel's turn in A Man Apart). 

Snitch also stars Jon Bernthal, Benjamin Bratt, and Susan Sarandon. This great cast rounds out what looks like your typical action thriller - everyday guy takes on the big baddies of the city alongside the good guys, then goes rogue when he becomes aware of the conspiracy surrounding him. We've seen this story a thousand times so the only thing that can make this interesting is good acting and good action. Johnson generally delivers on the action front - here's hoping the supporting cast can carry the acting part! Or maybe Johnson will surprise us all with a great all-around performance (again, like Diesel in A Man Apart - have you taken the hint yet? Watch that movie!)

Snitch is set to be released in February 2013 - great timing as February is usually a low month in quality films and audiences will be more likely to see this film if they are desperate for something to entertain them. I won't put this on my movie list, but I will rent it.

For more information on Snitch, check out the wikipedia page.

Men In Black 3 aka Will Smith Never Ages

Men In Black 3
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin
Box Office: $621,568,042 (Worldwide)
DVD Review

Originally, Christine and I saw MIB 3 in theatre when it was first released. It was put on the movie list simply out of good faith. We loved the first film; the second was questionable. We thought the concept of having Will Smith's character "J" travel back in time was genius as it would be a true trilogy (showing the audience that something we thought was true was in fact not the truth and then having it all come full circle). We were pleased with the outcome of this third installment in the Men in Black franchise. (On a side note - can you believe it has been 15 years since the first film was released? And Smith looks like he hasn't aged a day since then!)

Men In Black 3 begins with Boris the Animal, a menacing alien criminal escaping from his prison on the Moon. He begins his revenge on Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) who had arrested him in 1969. Agent J (Smith) awakens to a world where Agent K no longer exists however, he remembers him and specific details of his life. Agent O (Emma Thompson) deduces from J's insistence that K defeated Boris (and did not die that day in 1969 like everyone now believes) that a fracture ihas occurred in the space-time continuum. J travels back in time on a mission to save K by ensuring he arrests Boris, as it was suppose to be.

It's always interesting to see how a film will carry out a time travel plot line. Generally, it is not done well (ie Timeline). However, the amount of effort that was put into developing this film indeed helped the effectiveness of the time travel plot line. The devil is in the details and the people behind Men In Black 3 clearly realized that when creating this film.

Smith is as funny as ever in this role. He certainly carries the film. But the rest of the cast manage to keep up with him, especially Josh Brolin who portrays the young version of Agent K. His voice and mannerisms are almost spot on with regards to those of Jones. Jermaine Clement as Boris the Animal might be one of the most disturbing evil characters I have ever seen. He is absolutely disgusting and I cringed every time he appeared on screen. Which to me, made a great alien-villain for this film. 

This film was far more superior than its predecessor and is everything you want in an action, sci-fi film. It revitalized the Men In Black franchise and due to its box office success, there is already talk of a fourth installment. Sometimes, movie production companies just don't know when to leave a good thing alone.

Final Verdict: See it. But definitely watch the two previous films first. You will be pleased with the final result in this film. If you love Will Smith, you will love him in this role that has become one of his most well known to date. Lots of laughs and lots of fun. Definitely enjoyable.

Rotten Tomatoes

Throwback Thursdays - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

In honour of the American Thanksgiving holiday, here's a review of the classic Thanksgiving themed film, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Director: John Hughes
Starring: Steve Martin and John Candy
Released: 1987
Box Office: $49,230,280 (USA)
Throwback Review

Let me first start off by saying that I don't know one person who has seen this movie and did not find it funny. This might be John Hughes' funniest film in his remarkable career. In classic Hughes fashion, he not only directed this film, he also wrote and produced it. The film also marked his second time working with John Candy, however this time as one of the lead actors, where their first collaboration had Candy as a bit character in the first Vacation film.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles stars Steve Martin as the high-strung advertising executive Neal Page who is trying to get home to his family in Chicago for Thanksgiving after being on a business trip in New York. After being told that he would "never make the six" (which is one of my favourite lines from the film), Neal embarks on a doomed from the get-go journey that sees him consistently run into Del Griffith (Candy) who at times hinders Page's traveling and sometimes aids him in his quest to Chicago. Along the way, the two characters use all means of transportation (hence the title) and discover that you should never judge a book by its cover.

This film is without a doubt one of my all time favourites. Already a fan of Hughes' work, this film breaks the mold of his usual "brat pack", teenage angst type films that I love, but still maintains the Hughes' charm. Unlike the majority of comedies these days, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles takes its "one trick pony - cliche (in the case of this film, the "road" comedy) and gives it more depth and variety. Add in the use of real-life, believable characters who can carry the film on their own, and you have a receipe for success. The film provides both Martin and Candy with two of their best comedic roles and some of the most memorable scenes in film history (for example Martin's tirade on the rental car agency worker and Candy and Martin waking up in eachother's arms - "those aren't pillows!)

This film is not only a very well done comedy, it also has a well thought out storyline that pulls at your heartstrings. As much as I laugh at this movie, even after watching it for the millionth time, I find myself tearing up at certain points and rooting for the characters to make it at the end. It's a brilliant mash-up of comedy, heart, and drama all told in a down to earth, realistic way, that only Hughes could do.

Final Verdict: See it. A must see. If you haven't seen this film already, I have to wonder why? It is among the greatest comedies (especially in the holiday themed comedy genre) of all time in my books right alongside the Vacation series (mainly Christmas Vacation), Anchorman, Trading Places, Wayne's World, etc. The laughs and the smiles will be there guaranteed. And don't be alarmed if you catch your heart warming to the strong compassionate scenes.

"Six bucks and my right nut says we're not landing in Chicago"- Del Griffith, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

Wreck-It Ralph or Don't Forget to Blow in the Nintendo First!

Wreck-It Ralph
Director: Rich Moore
Starring: John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, Sarah Silverman, and Jane Lynch
New Release Review

What a great idea Disney! For a company that already has the upper hand when it comes to making animated films, Disney (who owns Pixar) came up with quite the gem for their latest release.

Wreck-It Ralph takes place mainly in the world of video arcade games (with the occasional view from the outside world) and focuses on the "bad guy" who wants to be a "good guy" (or hero as he mentions quite often). He embarks on a quest to earn a hero's medal in order to be recognized as a hero among his video game colleagues (in the game called Fix it Felix Jr.). While on his journey, Ralph ends up in the candy-coated Sugar Rush racing game where he meets fellow outcast Vanellope and the two decide to team up to conquer their goals.

Not a totally original storyline but the way it is executed is fantastic. The amount of detail that is put into each and every scene (and even the backgrounds of those scenes) is remarkable. Like Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and Toy Story before it, Wreck-It Ralph utilized numerous licensed characters (for this particular film it was video game characters) including Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man and Bowser. For a kid that grew up in the 80s and 90s, it brought back a lot of memories. And laughs!

I had some high expectations for this film and I was happy to see that it lived up to them. The animation was impeccable. The specific detail of how these video game characters live and work in the arcade games was unbelievable. The background and execution of the storyline was very well thought-out and left little plot holes that go unseen by the general audience.

Like most Disney and Pixar films, Wreck-It Ralph had tons of heart and a great message behind it that was timely (bullying among today's youth). As well, Disney enlisted a great cast to voice the characters which makes the film that much more enjoyable.

Final Verdict: See it. If not for the laughs and great animation, then for the nostalgia it is sure to bring anyone who is familiar with video games in the 80s and early 90s, if not video games in general. Fun for the whole family!

Trailer Tuesdays - Parental Guidance

For this week's edition of Trailer Tuesdays, I've decided to look at an upcoming holiday film as we have now embarked on the "Most wonderful time of the year".

Parental Guidance stars Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marissa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott and looks like it should have been featured in the 90s with this ensemble cast.

From this trailer, it is easy to deduce what this film is about - crazy type-A personality parents need to leave town and leave their three kids with their grandparents. Parenting styles clash and cause some major (yet comical) issues for the grandparents while caring for the children. Pretty basic storyline but there's nothing wrong with that - sometimes you don't have to mess with the formula to have a successful and well done film.

What makes this film look decent is the cast. You can't go wrong with Bette Midler and especially Billy Crystal in a family comedy. They are sure to provide some great laughs. Team that up with the holiday release date (December 25th to be exact) and you're sure to have a decent holiday hit on your hands. Bravo, 20th Century Fox. Bravo.

On a further look into this upcoming film, I have discovered that Billy Crystal was part of the writing team behind this film. Only more reason to believe it will actually be a decent comedy.

This one won't make the Winter 2012 (2013 essentially) list but I would definitely watch it next Christmas when it is released on DVD. (Though that's not saying much as I am OBSESSED with any and all Christmas themed films - but still, it looks funny).

If you check it out this holiday season - let us know what you think!

Throwback Thursdays - The 'Burbs

A lazy weekend and little to nothing on television to pique my interest, had me pondering what movie from my extensive collection of DVDs I should watch. I was in the mood for a classic comedy and this is what I came up with:

The 'Burbs
Director: Joe Dante
Starring: Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, and Carrie Fisher
Released: 1989
Box Office: $36,602,000 (USA)
Throwback Review

The 'Burbs (slang meaning 'the suburbs' for the late person) is a film about a group of neighbours in a suburban cul-de-sac where mysterious new neighbours have recently moved in. The eccentric and at times almost psychotic neighbours, decide it is their duty to find out what these people are up to.

The film opens with Ray Petersen (Tom Hanks) trying to enjoy some much needed vacation time by being "lazy around the house" for a couple of weeks. His friend and over-the-top neighbour Art, consistently interrupts Ray's quiet time and also hints that the new mysterious neighbours are up to some strange activities, mainly at night. Deciding to take matters into their own hands, Ray, Art and another neighbour Mark Rumsfield (Bruce Dern) spy the neighbours (Klopeks) drive their car to the end of their driveway, take out a large black bag from the car, place it in the garbage can and bang it with a stick. Later that night, Ray witnesses the Klopeks digging in their backyard in the middle of a rainstorm. Believing the Klopeks to have murdered their recently missing neighbour Walter, the three men decide to do whatever it takes to prove they are in fact murderers.

Categorized as a "dark" comedy, The 'Burbs does something (and does it well) that few movies, especially at the time, could accomplish; the film focused on everyday stuff, things that would happen in real life, and portrayed it in an extreme way to bring out the laughs. Everyone can relate to the film; we all have those crazy neighbours who are constantly mowing their lawns at the same time every day, or the ones who rarely seem to leave their houses. That's what makes this film so funny - it's easy to understand and it's not forced comedy.

Hanks as the main character emphasizes the realness of the film - he comes off as an all American type of guy who's easy to relate to. The way that Hanks speaks, specifically when he gets excited or irritated, his voice becomes almost high-pitched and urgent. You can't help but laugh whenever he does this. Although this is nowhere near being the best film that Hanks has ever done (he's had some stellar ones such as Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile, etc.) it is one of his most memorable comedy. It is complete with great one-liners that I still quote to this day. And it still gets me laughing even after seeing it for the umpteenth time last weekend.

Final Verdict: See it. If you haven't seen it yet, you must not be a fan of the 80s. This is a classic 80s comedy that can still very much be enjoyed today. Great laughs, memorable acting and just the slightest bit of horror and intrigue makes this film worthwhile seeing by any movie fan, especially if you are a fan of Tom Hanks. And for those 80s fans - Corey Feldman is in it!

Flight aka Denzel's Due For Another Oscar

Flight
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Bruce Greenwood and John Goodman
New Release Review

Every once in a while, I watch a film that is the epitome of what a great film should be. And this year, that film is Flight.

Flight stars Denzel Washington (who is the best actor ever) as a pilot who has some serious addiction problems. The film begins with Captain Whip Whitaker (Washington) set to pilot a flight in the early morning after a night of binging on alcohol and drugs and little sleep. The flight is pretty routine until a jolt awakens a sleeping Whitaker and forces him to go into emergency procedures as the plane is heading into a rapid decent. Whitaker miraculously manuevers the plane so that it can stave off an immediate crash and slowly decent into a less threatening one. After being praised for his heroism, Whitaker is informed that he is facing drug and manslaughter charges (the crash results in a few deaths) resulting from the toxicology screen that was performed on him after the crash.

From the initial trailers, Flight seemed to be about a pilot who performs a stunt that no other pilot could do in order to save his plane from crashing. Although this is a key element in the plot line, it is not the entire story. The majority of the story focuses on Whitaker and his personal struggles. The film uses the "crash" as a taking off point for the Whitaker character to finally face his personal demons. Through this journey, Whitaker interacts with several characters who eventually have a hand in helping him deal with his struggles.

This film is perfectly constructed. Direction, writing, acting, everything is on point. It is rare when (or even if) Washington decides to participate in a film that isn't going to be good. Even some of his lesser known or less positive reviewed films are still fairly decent (for example, Deja Vu). However, every now and again, he is given an opportunity to really show off his acting chops. He is given so much with this particular character and he runs with it. He becomes the character and you truly believe that he is Captain Whitaker. Not many actors these days can really make you believe in what they are doing/saying. And Washington is definitely one of the few that can.

The supporting cast, although not heavily focused on in this film, are superb. Greenwood and Cheadle provide the ultimate balance to Washington's erratic character. Goodman steals each scene he is in (there are only a few) with his impeccable comedic timing and wit. This is the third film that Goodman has been in over the past few months (the other two being Trouble With the Curve and Argo - see Christine's review here) and it's been great to see him tackle these great supporting roles alongside some pretty accomplished actors.

Kelly Reilly, who is not as well known as the rest of the cast, is probably most recognized as playing Mary Watson in the Sherlock Holmes franchise. Reilly shines in the role of the heroin addict love interest for Washington. Melissa Leo (who won an Oscar for her supporting role in The Fighter) rounds out this talented cast. (It's great to see Washington surrounded by actors who can keep up with him - not like his last costar in 2012's Safe House, Ryan Reynolds).

Final Verdict: See it. This film has it all - drama, intrigue, laughs, and most importantly, heart. It's great to see Zemeckis return to live action film (his last being 2000's Cast Away and What Lies Beneath) and deliver another critically acclaimed hit. (Do you remember Forrest Gump?) Here's hoping Washington receives a much deserved Academy Award nomination (if not a third Oscar) for one of his best roles yet.

Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer Tuesdays - World War Z

Trailer Tuesdays continue with an extended teaser trailer for a film that is set to be released in June 2013.

This week, I stumbled upon an interesting trailer for a Brad Pitt film. Typically, I am not overly enthusiastic about his films, but I must say, I was pleasantly surprised and completely intrigued by the trailer. Check it out the trailer for World War Z and see what you think:

As you can see from the trailer, this is not your typical Brad Pitt film. That was the first thing that intrigued me. The second thing was the omnious depiction of end of day-like action from the general public. Nothing is shown to really tell the audience why the public is going crazy. A high level of pandemonium is created by simple cutbacks to helicopters, soldiers, and the massive hoards of people running at seemingly supernatural speeds.

This trailer does a great job of getting you hooked from the get-go. And like a true movie geek, this led me to research more on the film. Based on a novel of the same name, World War Z is about....you guessed it! Zombies! This film is strategically being released right in the thick of the world's recent craze of zombies.

I generally like end of days-type films but I am a little unsure on the zombies aspect. However, in doing further research into the film, I have discovered that screenwriter and director Drew Goddard rewrote the third and final act of the film. This is the third thing that has intrigued me greatly on this film. For those unfamiliar with his work, Goddard is best known for his numerous collaborations with Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, The Cabin in the Woods) and J.J. Abrams (Lost, Cloverfield). My inner geek is smiling from ear to ear with this fact.

As of right now, I am suggesting that this film be added to the upcoming Summer 2013 Movie List. Might have to see one more trailer and research a little more before we can make a final decision.

Argo

Argo

Director: Ben Affleck

Writer: Chris Terrio

Starring: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Victor Garber

Argo is the first movie in a long while where I have enjoyed both the directing and the performance of Ben Affleck. It's based on the true (and recently declassified) events of 1979-1980 where six Americans avoid becoming hostages during the Iranian militants storming the embassy. They're hiding at the home of the Canadian ambassador while the CIA decides on the best way to get them out of the country. Enter Tony Mendez (Affleck) and his so-crazy-it-just-might-work idea to hide the six in plain sight by posing as a Canadian film crew. 

The movie does a very good job of keeping a serious tone without resorting to the "us versus them" grandstanding that so many American movies fall into when the government is involved in the story. The pacing is brilliantly planned so the audience gets moments to rest but never fully relax, much like the six in hiding. Leading up to the ending the quiet tension built through the sideways glances, the slightly-shakey-cam camera work, and the tight close-ups all combined into a fantastic third act. 

I wasn't expecting to be impressed by Affleck's acting. I find him a little tiresome when he's in his South Boston persona. But he truly shines in the role of the quietly confident Mendez and I left the theatre with a whole new appreciation for Affleck's acting. Combine that with his directorial skills and I think he's finally made the film that makes me a true fan. And, I'll say it: Oscar buzz will grow for this movie. 

Argo is excellent. I hope you see it. I'm not sure if it's still playing in North American cinemas but here in Australia it'll be around for a few more weeks so check it out while you can. 

Throwback Thursdays - V For Vendetta

Remember, remember the 5th of November...every year on November 5th, I can't help but chant out that rhyme. And although there is more meaning behind it, for me, it's all thanks to V For Vendetta. In honour of that day just passing us by, here's a review of the film for our this edition of Throwback Thursdays.

V For Vendetta
Director: James McTeigue
Starring: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, and Rupert Graves
Released: 2006
Box Office: $132,511,035 (Worldwide)
Throwback Review

I still remember the day Christine and I went to see V For Vendetta in theatre. It was a Sunday night. A 10pm show. Which is odd for us, but at the time it would've been the only time that worked for us (with both of us in school and working). It was one of the first times we went to a movie and just before it started playing, we forgot what we were seeing. This eventually became par for the course for these movie geeks as we continued to increase the amount of movies we were seeing in the theatre, thus causing confusion each time we went. I distinctly remember just before the movie was starting, turning to Christine and saying, "What movie are we seeing? Is this Batman?". Now the reason I mentioned Batman was the opening sequence for the movie featured the Warner Bros. production promo, but it was the one that incorporates bats (ie. Batman). But I digress....

V For Vendetta is an adaptation of the comic book by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Having never seen or read the comics, I was not sure what the film would entail. The trailer enticed us due to our recent love of Hugo Weaving and of course, the conspiracy theory-type plot line.

The film is set in the early 2030s where the United Kingdom is ruled by a totalitarian government under the fascist "Norsefire" party. Political prisoners, homosexuals, etc., are thrown into concentration camps and then exterminated by the fascist party (think Nazi Germany). A young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) is rescued from an attempted rape by members of the secret police, or "Fingermen", by a Guy Fawkes-masked vigilante known simply as "V". He explains to Evey, and to the rest of Britain (via television - which he takes over from the government) that they need to rise against the government and meet him in one year on November 5th outside the House of Parliament, which he will then destroy. Evey decides to help "V" escape and goes into hiding with him in order to protect herself from the fascist government who is now looking for them both.

My first thought while watching this film was "wow. One day this could really happen". Honestly, it's not a far fetched notion, as it has happened before (again, think Nazi Germany). The story, which was brought to life by the Wachowski brothers (the masterminds behind the Matrix trilogy), deals with real political and social issues which force you to really think. This film incorporates a little bit of every movie genre: drama, thriller, action, and even comedy. And it's very pleasing on the eyes; rich colours are used in tandem with bland greys and whites to create a desperate and dire United Kingdom.

The cast is amazing. Weaving is wonderful as the title character. The amazing thing is - you never see his face! He's a faceless hero which makes him more believable. Essentially, he could be anybody. And I think that's the point of the character. Portman plays the perfect "companion" for "V". Her naivety balances his unwavering belief in a revolution. Once again, Portman completely threw herself into the role, becoming Evey, even down to really shaving her head in a climatic scene. The supporting cast, which includes: Stephen Rea, John Hurt, and Stephen Fry, contribute greatly to the film's success in portraying dystopian society.

Final Verdict: See it. Even if you're not a fan of comic book (or graphic novel) stories and characters, it is worth it to give this film a shot. It is not your typical comic book film . Realistically, the film should be seen as a separate entity from the comic book. The film gives you a lot to think about and to look at. Weaving is phenomenal, and anything he is in is worth seeing.

Rotten Tomatoes

Taken 2 aka don't piss off Liam Neeson!

Taken 2
Director: Olivier Megaton
Starring: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, and Maggie Grace
New Release Review

First off I have to say - Can Liam Neeson do no wrong? Honestly, I can't remember the last time he was in a terrible movie. Don't get me wrong - not every movie he is in is great. But you can't deny that Neeson is a fantastic actor. You know you have serious clout as an actor when you never have to hide your accent in any film you do! No matter what the character may be, Neeson always gets to portray them as an Irish man.

Now back to the film review!

Taken 2 picks up after the events of the first film (if you haven't seen the first film, don't bother seeing the second - it won't have the same effect on you if you don't know the story) and gives you little to no background on the Mills family. Some things have changed but Bryan Mills (Neeson) is still the overprotective super dad he was in the first film.

Not going to go into too much detail about the plot of this film as there really isn't much difference from the first. A little change to the basic plot in order to make it more plausible that someone from this family could be "taken" for a second time. This time, Bryan Mills is working a job in Istanbul and since Lenore's (Famke Janssen) family trip to China has been canceled (due to a crumbling marriage to her second husband), Bryan invites her and their daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) to meet up with him in Istanbul. The family of the men that Mills killed in the first film when saving Kim from being "taken", have banded together to hunt him down and make his family pay for their suffering. This time, it is not Kim who is "taken"; it's Mills and Lenore. And so the action and thrill ride begins.

The film is a typical sequel - though I don't think it was in the master plan to make a sequel of this film. This was a prime example of a sleeper action film becoming a hit and the production company trying to capitalize on its success by making an unnecessary sequel. The storyline was simple enough to make a compelling action film but at times it did feel forced. The action itself was great - car chases, fight sequences, etc. were impeccably done, save a few glitches with the filming of the car chases where you weren't quite sure what was going on (hard to follow cars zooming around a congested city).

Neeson, once again, is remarkable as a the hero. He's not your typical action star, which is what makes him, and this film series, so effective. You see an actor who can really act, step into a role that is foreign to him, and make it work really well. And what's even more remarkable about Neeson is that he was able to take a sequel that was barely put together in a decent manner and make it enjoyable for the audience.

Final Verdict: See it. But only after you have seen Taken. If you enjoy that film (which is hard not to), you will enjoy more of the same in this film. And ladies, if you, like many women in this world, love Neeson, you will definitely enjoy watching him kick butt in this action thriller.


Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer Tuesdays - The Guilt Trip

The one thing I love most about going to the movie theatre is seeing new trailers. It's a great way to see what's coming out soon and what can be put on the movie list for that time. I dared to go to the theatre on a Friday night for the opening day of Flight (a review on that movie will be posted shortly) and was hoping to see at least one new trailer. And I got my wish.

The Guilt Trip is an upcoming comedy starring Seth Rogen and Barbara Streisand. No, that was not a typo. Barbara Streisand is starring in a new movie! That's reason enough for me to see this movie!

Here's the trailer:

Road trip movies always seem to bring out the big laughs (think Plane, Trains and Automobiles or more recently, Due Date) so I am happy to see that this movie looks to do the same. The pairing of Rogen and Streisand is genius - who would have ever imagined these two actors in a film together!

The film is set to be released on December 19 - which is great marketing on Paramount's behalf seeing as it has a family-type vibe to it and the movie theatres seem to be packed with families leading up to the holidays.

I love a good comedy so I have high hopes for this film. With Streisand's last comedic adventure (Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers) and Rogen's numerous laugh out loud hits (Pineapple Express, Paul, Knocked Up, etc) I have a feeling I won't be let down.

For more information on the upcoming film, check out the Wikipedia page. 

The Intouchables

The Intouchables
Directors: Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano
Stars: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, & Anne Le Ny
New Release Review

"You know the whole thing is in French, right?"
That's what the kid said to me when I bought my ticket for The Intouchables. He went on to tell me that a lot of people didn't realize it is a French film with subtitles and were complaining they weren't warned beforehand. It's a shame that the Australian audience isn't more adventurous because The Intouchables isn't a bad way to spend 2 hours.

From my Trailer Tuesday review:
The story focuses on Philippe (Cluzet) and his attempts to be more integrated into mainstream life by hiring Driss (Sy). Driss is also an "untouchable" in the social sense because he lives in a cité which is the suburbs where those of North African nationality or heritage typically live. Through the eyes of Driss we see the distance between the rich and the poor by highlighting the luxury Philippe indulges in while Driss and his family experience a much different life.

The Intouchables stays with Philippe throughout most of the film but manages to provide a snapshot of Driss' life on the margins as a member of a poor immigrant family. In an interesting touch, the way we're introduced to the gap between the haves and have-nots in Paris is through a bathtub. In Driss' family apartment, he has an almost laughably small tub in which to bathe. However all that changes when he starts living in Philippe's home and has not only a private bathroom but a tub that allows him to stretch out. It's this simple thing, a hot bath, that reminds us how even simple daily tasks can be made that much harder.

The Intouchables provides some great laughs and some touching scenes of friendship. Don't let the subtitles put you off, this is a very enjoyable film that will leave you smiling all day.

House at the End of the Street - or did I just watch Criminal Minds?

House at the End of the Street
Director: Mark Tonderai
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Elisabeth Shue, and Max Thieriot
New Release Review

As a self-proclaimed scaredy-cat, I was hesitant to see House at the End of the Street. Especially in the movie theatre, on a Friday night, at 10:00pm. But alas, I stepped up to the plate on the hopes that this wouldn't be another ghost story that would have me running out of the theatre screaming bloody murder.

The plot starts off like your typical horror film: single mother moves with her outcast teenage daughter to a rural upscale town to start their lives over. They find the house of their dreams, which of course is super cheap because, although conveniently not advertised on the listing, it's next door to a house where a family was murdered.

Everything starts off peachy (as in all horror films) and the teenage daughter, Elissa (Lawrence) becomes involved (shocker!) with the mysterious stranger who lives in the aforementioned "murder" house. As the stranger, Ryan, who turns out to be the brother of the young girl who murdered her parents in their home (don't worry - this is not a spoiler - you find this out right away), begins to open up to Elissa, things start to get strange. And I won't delve any further into the plot because that will head into spoiler country.

The story felt like it was taken from an episode of Criminal Minds. Not a ghost story or even killer-stalking-its-victims-for-revenge type story. It was more psychological. And seeing as it was marketed as a horror film, I can see why a lot of people were disappointed with this film. It wasn't scary. Well, the actual filming was sometimes quite scary - scary bad! It was so choppy at times, I wasn't sure what was going on because I couldn't look at the screen much longer! The story dragged here and there but never quite picked up speed until closer to the end of the film. The twist was okay. Not stellar. Not horrible. Just okay. It's been done. Some say this film is to Psycho what Disturbia was to Rear Window. I would say that comment is pretty on point.

Lawrence is great in this role, considering what little she had to work with. She demonstrates characteristics of an actor well beyond her years (she's only 22) and with each role she once again solidifies her calibre as an Oscar-worthy actress. (She was nominated for an Academy Award in 2010 for Winter's Bone)

The supporting cast was dull to say the least. Without spoiling the "twist" (which you can probably see coming from the get-go) the film's antagonist was utterly non-scary. Shouldn't you be at least a little terrified of the bad guy? Especially if this is supposed to be a  "horror/thriller"?

Final Verdict: See it. Simply because anything Jennifer Lawrence is in these days is worth seeing. It might not be the most thrilling thriller (haha) out there but it's an okay episode of Criminal Minds. Oops I mean it's an okay film - as long as you know what you're in for.

Rotten Tomatoes

Throwback Thursdays - Salt aka Angelina Jolie isn't COMPLETELY Awful

Throwback Thursdays have begun!

Every Thursday, we will bring you a review of a "throwback" film - something that wasn't released within the last year. Sometimes they will be one of our all-time favourite flicks; sometimes it will be something we randomly stumble upon. And we take suggestions too of what you want us to review!

The other day I was looking for something to watch on Netflix. I needed something to watch before I went to sleep and saw that Netflix had recently added Salt. I enjoyed the movie the first time I saw it in theatre back in 2010 so I decided to give it another whirl. And so came the first Throwback Thursday review for Don't Sit Next To Us.

Salt
Director: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, and Chiwetel Ejiofor
Released: 2010
Box Office: $293,503,304 (Worldwide)
Throwback Review

The film stars Angelina Jolie as Evelyn Salt, a C.I.A. agent who is accused of being a Russian sleeper agent part of "Day-X", a plot that plans to destroy the United States by using spies trained from childhood. Salt is told that she is an agent called "KA-12" and will kill the Russian president, a reformer who has heavily invested in measures to improve relations between Russia and the United States. Salt protests her innocence, breaks free from the C.I.A., insisting on seeing her husband. After realizing he has been kidnapped, she goes on the run. And so the action ensues.

This was a surprise for our Summer Movie List 2010. The trailers peaked our interest due to it's decent action scenes and of course, conspiracy theories, which we just love. However, Jolie as the star had us reluctant to believe it could actually be a good movie. The title role was originally intended for a male actor, however Columbia Pictures (the studio behind the movie) suggested Jolie as the lead after Tom Cruise backed out. This was a great move - go with the lesser of two evils! And I must admit, she was pretty good in this role. Jolie proves that she can carry a film, especially if it is a decent action one. After years of playing strong "action hero" type characters in lackluster films, she deserves one with a little more clout.

The supporting characters, Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor, are perfectly cast. Not overly huge roles, as the majority of the film focuses on Jolie's character, Schreiber and Ejiofor deliver performances that go beyond expectations for characters who are provided little to no plot lines, save some minor twists and turns that are very much expected.

It's a bold and encompassing story - conspiracy theories, especially in American government, are very tough to carryout on the big screen. Audiences can generally nit pick and find numerous holes in the plot that could very well turn the story from serious to seriously ridiculous in a matter of minutes. However, the action and the sometimes illogical twists, keep the audience hooked until the end.

Final Verdict: See it. A spy vs. spy type thriller that keeps you entertained. It's not the smartest movie, so don't argue with its logic. It's meant to be a fun, action-packed film akin to the Mission: Impossible series. And if you're like me and can't stand Jolie, you will be presently surprised with her believable performance in this film.

Rotten Tomatoes

Looper - a simple title for a semi-complicated film

Looper
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily Blunt
New Release Review

Christine's Review
I really enjoyed Looper, but it is being advertised wrongly. It is not a high-action sci-fi thriller, as the trailers suggest, but a slow burn of a movie with a story that uses the time travel device to ask larger questions about humanity. And it isn't as complicated as you'd think. Briefly, the plot centres around young Joe (Gordon-Levitt), an assassin contracted by future mobsters who send their victims back to Joe's time (before time travel is invented, in fact) where he does his work. Problems start for young Joe when the future version of Joe (Willis) is is sent back in time and escapes before young Joe can complete the contract or "close the loop" in the film's parlance. Don't worry, all of this comes out in the first 10 minutes of the film so I'm not spoiling anything for you.

Old Joe tells young Joe about the Rainmaker, a hugely powerful mobster in the future who is taking over the city. Old Joe has come back to track down the Rainmaker and stop him from taking over the city in the future by killing him as a child. This is where the film gets interesting because now there are subtle questions raised essentially opening the determinism versus free will and nature versus nurture debates respectively. I'd go so far as to say that the time travel elements of the film are just a MacGuffin, a way to drive the plot to the real story: can we change the course of the future with a single act?

I would recommend Looper because it isn't a typical sci-fi, time travel movie because it doesn't get bogged down in the details of the science. In fact, there is no science, it's just presented as fact that there is time travel in the far future. And for a movie set in 2044 it looks remarkably like today except for the robots working the fields and the motorcycles with jet engines. I like that the movie chooses to present just a few differences to remind us that we're in 2044 and keep us feeling comfortable in this future world.

Arlaine's Review

I also really enjoyed Looper. Though it wasn't the most compelling film I have seen this year (that award still goes to The Cabin in the Woods) it was very entertaining. Christine was right; this is not an action-packed, sci-fi film as the trailers and marketing would have you believe. There is a stronger storyline than the typical action movie that brings out the heart of the characters involved. Particularly Gordon-Levitt's portrayal of Joe; a character that you get to follow on his journey (his current dilemma and his self-discovery as a man).

Perfectly cast, the film's main ensemble of Gordon-Levitt, Willis, Blunt and Jeff Daniels, provide a well-rounded story that is easy for the audience to follow. But like Christine mentioned, this story provides you with information that makes you question what is happening on a deeper level than say a movie like Iron Man. Hence, the title of this post.

Although I would normally prefer to see a little more explanation when it comes to the "why" and "how" of time travel (even something as simple as needing 1.21 gigawatts), I did appreciate the simplicity of not adding this into the film. And I think this act helped create a more neatly put together storyline. Most sci-fi films leave tons of plot holes. This film filled what little holes popped up without being hoaky, which some sci-fi films tend to become. Although critics raved it is a terrific sci-fi film, I would have to disagree with James Mottram of Total Film who stated it's "the best sci-fi movie since Moon". Please Mr. Mottram. Yes, Looper was a great film. But it was in no way comparable to the marvel that was Moon. (If you haven't seen Moon yet, DO IT! Especially if you love sci-fi films).

Final Verdict: See it. An enjoyable thrill ride that doesn't take you on the extreme highs and lows that some big budget action movies always do. A time travel plotline that doesn't solely revolve around time travel and is easy to follow. A sci-fi film for those who aren't necessarily sci-fi fans.

PS: if anything, see this film for the adorable young actor, Pierce Gagnon. He stole my heart on One Tree Hill and he does it all over again in this film.

Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer Tuesdays - The Intouchables (France)

The Intouchables is a French film (subtitled in English) about a wealthy bourgeois disabled white man (Francois Cluzet) and the lower-class black man (Omar Sy) he hires to be his carer/companion. The film is based upon a true story of a quadriplegic finding a friend in an unusual place, with each man helping the other in unexpected ways.

The story focuses on Philippe (Cluzet) and his attempts to be more integrated into mainstream life by hiring Driss (Sy). Driss is also an "untouchable" in the social sense because he lives in a cité which is the suburbs where those of North African nationality or heritage typically live. Through the eyes of Driss we see the distance between the rich and the poor by highlighting the luxury Philippe indulges in while Driss and his family experience a much different life.

The trailer kept me captivated and left me wanting to see more. Already very successful in France, I hope that The Intouchables makes it to Canada.

Trailer Tuesdays - Iron Man 3

For the first edition of what will now be known as Trailer Tuesdays, I came across this wonderful gem on the Fan Expo Canada Facebook page. Marvel has officially released the full (two minute length) trailer for Iron Man 3. Yes, there is a third installment in this franchise - but did you really expect anything less?

Without further adieu...here it is!

Iron Man 3 sees the return of Robert Downey Jr. in the title role that in all purposes, revitalized his career and made him a bonafide action star. Let's be honest, his character all but carried the entire The Avengers film. So it's great to see him in a definite starring role as his Marvel superhero. Also starring in the film are returning actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle and new big baddie Sir Ben Kingsley! Wow! What a fantastic choice for this film's villain.

This trailer sets up this film for what I hope will be the perfect end to a superhero trilogy - please, Marvel, do not make any more Iron Man movies. Downey Jr., although superb in this role, is getting old and can't be running around saving people in an iron costume forever.

The action looks incredible. The story line? Meh. All in all, looks like this film will be the perfect way to kick off the Summer 2013 Movie List.

I was just happy to see that it was "Iron Man 3" and not "Iron Man 3D". But this is Marvel, so I am not counting out 3D yet. Yikes.

*Update* After further research into this film, I have discovered that it will indeed be a 3D movie. And worse yet, it will be converted to 3D in post production. Hasn't anyone in the film production industry learned from the tragedy that was Clash of the Titans?? Oh, shudders.

For more information on the upcoming film, check out the Marvel website or the Wikipedia page. 

Expendables 2 aka These Old Guys Need To Make Some Money!

The Expendables 2 
Director: Simon West
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and Randy Couture
New Release Review

Another August, another surprise movie hit. The Expendables 2 was everything I wanted a movie like this to be. Funny, action packed and just plain fun!

The plot picks up from the first Expendables movie - a group of mercenaries come together "one last time" to save the world. What more do you expect from a movie that boasts action stars from the 80s, 90s and even today? We don't want any complicated plot lines - just give us a basic story and fill it in with humour and action - and this film delivers on both accounts.

I have to say - from the moment the movie started, I was in stitches. The actors fully embraced their "80s action hero" personae and made the audience remember why we loved them all so much. Whether it was Chuck Norris playing up the "Chuck Norris facts" phenomenon or Arnold Schwarzenegger ripping the door off of a Smart Car, there was never a dull moment in this film. Unlike the first installment in this series that seemed to take itself too seriously for the majority of the film. 

Best casting addition in this film: Jean-Claude Van Damme as the main antagonist. A-MAZ-ING. You still can't understand a word he's saying and he can still kick ass. I've got no complaints!

Another great addition (or change) was that Stallone removed himself from the director's helm and brought in Simon West, who's previous films Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and most recently The Mechanic, make him the perfect "action genre director" to steer this film towards the right direction (no pun intended). 

In true Hollywood money making fashion - there is another sequel in the works. Honestly, I would love to see another film if it is anything like this addition in the franchise. (I guess it's safe to say it is a franchise now) There are so many more actors that can be used in the next film: Steven Seagel, John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Antonio Banderas, Jackie Chan and of course - Wesley Snipes (who Stallone has been hoping he can get into one of these films but hasn't fulfilled that dream due to Snipes current incarceration). The well of 80s and 90s action stars is unending!

*Update* - I forgot to mention how conveniently released this film was - over the next few months we will see new films from Stallone, Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis!) Can you say, "Re-starting careers?" 

Final Verdict: A must see for any fan of any of these actors and their previous franchises (or films) that made them a bonafide action star (Willis - Die Hard, Schwarzenegger - Terminator, Stallone - Rocky, etc). Lots of fun and no thinking required! A great "movie" that captures its genre perfectly. A film that is "excellent crap, fine junk, an exercise in campy movie nostalgia" (Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly)

See it.

Rotten Tomatoes