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Salt
Grade: B-
Director: Phillip Noyce
Actors: Angelina Jolie, Live Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher
Rated: PG-13
CIA Officer Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) finds her loyalty questioned when a Russian defector names her as a double agent. Salt goes on the run and is determined to clear her name and to find out what is really going on. I like Jolie best when shes doing these high-action roles and she doesnt disappoint with Salt. There are some truly amazing stunts in the film. There are also many twists and turns in this spy thriller, and the end result is quite surprising.
Ramona and Beezus
Grade: B-
Director: Elizabeth Allen
Actors: John Corbett, Sandra Oh, Bridget Moynahan
Rated: G
This film is based on the best-selling books by Beverly Cleary, which are about Ramona Quimbys (Joey King) vivid imagination and the trouble it sometimes get her into. While shes usually trying to do good things for people, somehow her efforts turn into wild disasters. Other times shes able to create small miracles. Her big sister Beezus (Selena Gomez) is often reluctantly roped into her sisters plan. Its been a long time since Ive read the books, but this film stays true to the idea of Ramon. King is absolutely charming and perfect for the role. Its good fun for the whole family.
***Review Archive***
The Sorcerers Apprentice
Grade: B-
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Actors: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina
Rated: PG
Master sorcerer Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is trying to protect modern day Manhattan from a big-time bad guy Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Unfortunately, he needs help and thats when he recruits Dave Sutier (Jay Baruchel) who becomes his reluctant protégé. Theres more to Dave than meets the eye, but Balthazar is the only one who seems to notice. You can tell Molina and Cage are having great fun. I wish I could say the same for Baruchel. His performance is a little flat. This is a fun fantasy adventure for the whole family.
Inception
Grade: B+
Director: Christopher Nolan
Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard
Rated: PG-13
This is one of those movies that is difficult to explain. I can tell you Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight) is one wickedly fantastic filmmaker. In this one he uses dreams to tell the story of Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), who steals information from peoples dreams. He can also plant ideas in their heads. The dreams within dreams can be confusing at times, but the special effects are nothing short of spectacular. And during the final images of the film, the entire audience gasped at the screening I was at. Im still thinking about it, which is always a good sign.
***
Eclipse
Grade: B-
Director: David Slade
Actors: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Dakota Fanning
Rated: PG-13
Director David Slade has taken the boring parts out of Eclipse and made a good film with what remains. For the three people on the planet who havent read the book, in this one Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edwards (Robert Pattison) relationship is moving forward. He wants to marry her, she feels like shes too young. (She is.) They also discover a vampire army being built in Seattle, and the armys target is Bella. The Cullens, Edwards family, pull together to fight the evil coming their way. The action films are some of the best of the series. While its more violent, there isnt much gore or blood. When you kill a vampire in this series its like breaking marble (very cool special effects there). Slade doesnt let the actors takes themselves too seriously and Edward even smiles in this one. Of course what a good portion of you care about is if Jacob (Taylor Lautner) takes his shirt off. I can tell you, that youll have no shortage of a topless Jacob.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Grade: B-
Director: M. Night Shayamalan
Actors: Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Dev Patel, Jackson Rathbone
Rated: PG-13
The Avatar, Aang (Noah Ringer), has returned and now he must learn how to control all of the elements in order to restore order to the world. Friends Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka (Jackson Rathbone) help to protect him and keep him grounded. Together they search for answers on how to defeat the Fire nation. Fans of the series will find director M. Night Shayamalan stays true to the animated series. Hes set this up to be a franchise and the first book focuses on the water benders. The dialogue is a little hokey at times, and few of the actors go overboard. But for the most part its an enjoyable journey with some talented young actors. Rathbone looked so different from his Twilight series that I didnt recognize him. And Ringer who is new to the acting thing, is a little stiff at first, but quite believable as Aang. The best part of the film is the special effects. After watching the series with my youngest son, I wondered how they would handle the air, water, earth and fire bending. They do it wonderfully. Theres a bit of romance for the girls, and a lot of action for the boys.
***
Knight and Day
Grade: B
Director: James Mangold
Actors: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard
Rated: PG-13
When I go to a big blockbuster action films in the summer, I expect little more than to be entertained. Knight and Day certainly entertains, but its so much more. The quick-paced dialogue, the acting and the bizarre stunts make this one of the best action films of the summer. Tom Cruise (Roy Miller) is at his best when hes playing a charming spy, and Cameron Diaz (June Havens) is one beautiful and talented sidekick. Their chemistry isnt so much romantic as it is feisty. They play off one another well, and lets face it they arent exactly hard to look at. June is a mechanic who is trying to make a flight and when she does, her life changes forever. Thats where June first runs into Roy, who kills everyone on the plane, except for her. In his defense they tried to kill him first. His former bosses believe Roy is a rogue spy gone bad, and June must go with him on this adventure or the good guys will kill her too. Knight and Day is sexy, fun and the perfect summer action flick.
Grown Ups
Grade: C-
Director: Dennis Dugan
Actors: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider
Rated: PG-13
Call me a crazy, but I expect a comedy with the likes of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade to be really funny. Honestly, there are big laughs in Grown Ups, but the movie is so uneven its hard to enjoy them. I think part of the problem is its trying to be too many things. The friends have come together to honor their high school basketball coach who recently passed away. The coach made them a winning team when they were 12, but they are all grown now and live diverse lives. The film would have been stronger if the families had been left behind and they made it a guys weekend. A good portion of the time the supporting cast seems uneasy and uncomfortable with the script theyve been given. Im sure they all meant well, but it never really comes together. It will make you laugh at times, but its a film youll forget by the time you reach your car.
***
Toy Story 3
Grade: B+
Director: Lee Unkrich
Voice Actors: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles
Rated: G
Their owner is going to college so Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang are escape the dump but are sent to a day care center. Unfortunately, thats closer to a torture chamber. Woody cant stand the idea of being left behind and decides to find his boy. That means the toys are off on another grand adventure. I see why it took them so long to come up with the third film, because this is probably the best animated film Ive seen in years. Its beautiful to look at, a great story, wonderful characters and its funny. Great entertainment for the whole family, but there are two parts that might be a little intense for children under five.
Jonah Hex
Grade: C-
Director: Jimmy Hayward
Actors: Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox, Will Arnett
Rated: PG-13
Based on a graphic comic, Jonah Hex, mixes western themes with supernatural elements. Jonah (Josh Brolin) is a disfigured bounty hunter, who isnt afraid to get a little crazy now and then to find his quarry. Turnbull (John Malkovich) is a villain who lives for violence and killed Jonahs family. When Jonah goes after Turnbull it turns into one bloody affair. On paper this is one of those movies that looked like a winner, but the poor execution and direction make it almost comically bad. Though, Brolin definitely has his part down. But Malkovich was more like, look at me Im a scary villain again. Parents it is rated PG-13 but there is a lot of graphic violence and blood.
***
Karate Kid
Grade: B
Director: Harald Zwart
Actors: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith
Rated: PG
Dre (Jaden Smith) must move to China where his mom has been transferred for a new job. The young boy doesnt know the language and hes faced with cultural differences around every corner. When the bullies at school decide to make Dre their pet project, he must find a way to protect himself. His street-fighting techniques are no match for their martial arts. He turns the maintenance man at his apartment, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who comes to Dres rescue one day. Mr Han is the one who teaches Dre that Kung Fu isnt about throwing punches, but a way of trying to live a peaceful life. This film sticks very close to the original one, except for the setting. Visually, especially when Han and Dre go outside of the city to train, the movie is stunning. Chan is quietly reserved as Han, and it works. Smith is believable in the role, and he must have trained like crazy for this film, as he is perfection when it comes to the martial arts choreography. This is a Karate Kid for a new generation and it has a great message for kids and adults.
The A-Team
Grade: B-
Director: Joe Carnahan
Actors: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson
Rated: PG-13
Four Army Rangers come together through a series of coincidences and their leader, Hannibal (Liam Neeson) believes it is for a reason. His team, Face (Bradley Cooper), Murdock (Sharlto Copley) and B.A. (Quinton Jackson) are the ones the Army calls on for the jobs no one else can do. When they are double-crossed and framed for a crime they did not commit, they take matters into their own hands. This is a fun action film that will please fans of the old television series. It has the right mix of humor and action, and the camaraderie among the actors is what makes the film. And Bradley Cooper is very tan. (Smile.) That man is not hard to look at.
***
Get Him to the Greek
Grade: B+
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Actors: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Sean Combs, Rose Byrne
Rated: R
Aaron Greenberg (Jonah Hill) has his dream job at a record label, even if his boss (Sean Combs) is crazy. Aaron gets his big break when hes given the task of bringing rock star Aldous Snow (Russel Brand) from London to the Greek theater in Los Angeles for a concert. Aaron is a huge fan of Aldous, but he soon discovers the unpredictable life of a rock star can be hard on the body and mind and even tougher on relationships. While weve had some good comedies the last couple of years, none of them had the heart of this film. Jonah is the one constant, that everyman we latch onto as we travel this crazy world into what it means to be a rock star. Hes funny, and the perfect foil for Brands brilliant humor. These two may be one of my favorite comedy couples since Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. There are also some hilarious moments for Sean Combs, who throws himself into his crazy character with full abandon. Weve also never seen Rose Byrne, who plays Aldous ex be so funny. Most of us know her from her role as a lawyer on Damages, but theres no hint of seriousness in this new character. She too gives it all. That my friends, is why this movie works so well. Its a combination of brilliant writing combined with some incredibly talented actors who are fully commited. I cant remember a film that made me laugh as hard as Get Him to the Greek. Sure its over the top, and crass as they come, but its funny. Im still giggling over the furry wall scene. Parents, this movie is rated a hard R for a reason. Do not take anyone under 17.
Marmaduke
Grade: C-
Director: Tom Dey
Actors: Owen Wilson (voice), Lee Pace, Judy Greer William H. Macy
Rated: PG
A favorite cartoon in newspapers for years, now Marmaduke is taking over the big screen. Marm moves from Kansas to Los Angeles with his family and at first everything seems ideal. They have a huge house with an ocean view. Theres even a dog park where he can hang out with other dogs, but thats when Marms troubles begin. Theres a hierarchy at the dog park separating the pure breeds from the rest of the dogs. Its a concept Marmaduke has trouble understanding. Im a fan of the Marmaduke cartoons, but not of talking dog movies. If there had been anything fresh about the film it would have helped. Unfortunately, the script depends too much on the name Marmaduke, and they didnt take time to develop a decent story. That said, little kids will love this movie, but parents may want to take a pillow.
Splice
Grade: C+
Director: Vincenzo Natali
Actors: Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphie Chaneac
Rated: R
This sci-fi thriller is one weird movie. Scientists are upset their cloning lab is about to be shut down. They decided to make a more human-like clone before the lab is taken away, and they find success. Unfortunately, the creature has just as much animal instinct in her as human and she grows at a rapid rate. Knowing things are out of the control the scientists realize they either have to kill or her hide her. There are a few jumpy moments and the way the story plays out is interesting. Unfortunately, director Vincenzo Natali tries to make it a sexy film, and thats when things take a turn for the worse. He did a good job with the special effects, especially since he didnt have much of a budget. But he should have backed off on certain aspects of the story telling that made the film not only uncomfortable, but silly.









