Category Archives: movies

I was highly impressed by this Clive Owen/Naomi Watts financial thriller. Director Tom Tykwer has long been a critical favorite though I’ve only seen his Run Lola Run, which I definitely enjoyed, and this is Eric Singer’s first produced script; the two created a fast-paced, suspenseful film that smartly brings in current populist fears of the powers behind the global banking system. Armin Mueller-Stahl and Brian F. O’Byrne lead a very good supporting cast.

Despite taking Hollywood money I’m impressed that Tykwer did not cave and give us a cheesy happy ending–bad guys got theirs but the system went on without breaking stride.

Surprised by how enjoyable this technothriller turned out. Shia LeBeouf and Michelle Monaghan worked well together and happily Billy Bob Thornton put down the bong for most of this shoot. Director D.J. Caruso definitely showed a step up from past ephemera like Disturbia.

Outstanding, especially for a sequel. Big props to Bale, Ledger, Oldman, Eckhart, Caine, Freeman and pleased by Maggie Gyllenhall’s replacement of Katie Homes. Christopher Nolan just makes good movie after good movie.

Of the four X-Men flicks I’d probably put this tied for second with the second sequel. Nice jobs by Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber and Danny Huston, a bit too much reliance on the big booms and sound effects by director Gavin Hood.

James Cameron was right to question why this movie got made. Some blamed it on an attempt to beef up the John Connor role after Christian Bale took the part over Sam Worthington’s Marcus Wright. I just don’t see where the huge financial enthusiasm from the studio was justified.

Fun and showed some nice creative touches but not as surprising or entertaining as the first. How come no mention of Carla Gugino’s character at all?

My movie of the year, without a doubt. Avatar was awesome, but second. Watchmen was almost there but give me real Trek over blue penis any day. X-Men: Wolverine, Terminator Salvation and Transformers 2 were ok, sad and watch for the SFX, respectively.

JJ Abrams, Robert Orci ad Alex Kurtzman made this 40 year old franchise new again with a brilliantly creative destruction of the existing canon. Respectful of what fans loved but willing to move on, so I can’t wait for their next production to arrive in late 2011.

Much love for the cast. Chris Pine was a wonderful choice for Kirk, Quinto, Yelchin, Saldana, Cho, Urban and Pegg a terrific bridge crew that ought to be able to last a long time. Terrific new take on what starship innards would be like too.

Not bad for a movie that has to carry water towards the end of a long, involved story arc but of course you can only understand it if you’ve seen the previous five Potters. Probably makes more sense if you’ve read the books too since director David Yates and writer Steve Kloves (who wrote all the scripts except Order of the Phoenix) have thrown in many bits of Rowling’s huge oevre but still struggled to convey what’s necessary even with 150 minutes of screen time. Core cast have grown as actors before our eyes, cannot complain about them, and the SFX are better too.

Sweet, funny, smart teen romancer with Ryan Reynolds nearly stealing the show from Jesse Eisenberg.