Frost/Nixon

Title: Frost/Nixon
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones, Matthew MacFayden
Genres: Drama, Adaptation, Politics
Running Time: 2 hour.2 minutes
Release Date: December 5th, 2008 (limited)
MPAA Rating: R

Review: I've been looking forward to seeing Frost/Nixton for months and it did not disappoint. If you are, like me, interested in American politics, and American history it is a really interesting, fact-based movie from a fascinating time in this country. The movie is a duel between the recently ousted President Nixon, and David Frost, and it is beautifully executed. The movie belongs to Frank Langella, as Nixon, who is a perfect Tricky Dick. It is not hard to see where all the buzz is coming from, and i am definately recomending this one.

Rating: 8

Quantum of Solace

Title: Quantum of Solace
Directed by: Marc Forster
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Jesper Christensen, Mathieu Amalric
Genres: Action/Adventure, Sequel
Running Time: 1 hour.45minutes
Release Date: November 14th, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13


Review: I haven't seen a movie in an unusually long time, but here is a delayed review of the "new" Bond.
I don't really like Daniel Craig as 007; he's hardcore (doing all his own stunts & getting pretty banged up in the process) enough, but he lacks the classy element that comes with the role - he is too much "wrong side of the tracks" - and he also lacks (or does not have enough of) that dry, British humor that has been a huge part of the character for such a long time. Obviously times change, and i get that, but even if he makes a great action movie start, he is no Bond. Period.
The movie it self is OK, but certainly not great. The action is spread on thick, but there is not much else in this flick, unfortunately. The story is thin and feels choppy - like some over zealous editor cut too much of the good bits out too fit the break-neck-speed action. I was not bored during the film, mainly because something was always getting blown up or killed, but i walked away feeling like i could have been watching a stunt documentary.

Rating: 6.5

Zack & Miri Make a Porno

Title: Zack & Miri Make a Porno
Directed by: Kevin Smith
Starring: Seth Rogan, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes, Katie Morgan, Craig Robinson, Justin Long
Genres: Comedy
Running Time: 1 hour.41minutes
Release Date: October 31st, 2008
MPAA Rating:R

Review: Zack and Miri make a porno is absolutely fucking hilarious! I've been wanting to see it since it came out last weekend, but i haven't had a chance until today. From start to finish i, and everyone else in the theater too for that matter, were cracking up. Save a couple of moments where my "oh-my-fucking-god-that-is-disgusting!" threshold was overstepped, the entire movie was deliciously, ridiculously laughable. Both Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks are their usual super charming selves, and they have great chemistry together, Craig Robinson is hilarious throughout, and Justin Long scores his perfect role. So, i would highly recommend seeing Zack and Miri, but do mind the R rating; it really is an R rating. I wouldn't take grandma to see this one. And, don't miss the post-credits after scenes.

Rating: 8

W.

Title: W.
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Starring: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, James Cromwell, Thandie Newton, Ellen Burstyn
Genres: Biopic, Politics, Religion
Running Time: 1 hour.50minutes
Release Date: October 17th, 2008
MPAA Rating:PG-13
Rating:
W. is long. It felt a lot longer than its 1 hour.50 minutes. It would have received a much higher grade if it would not have made me look at my watch every 2 minutes for the entire last 30 minutes. Besides that, it was not a bad movie. It might not be the most exciting movie you'll see in the theater this Fall, but it is an interesting film, and i would recommend seeing it, but you might want to wait for the DVD. The acting is good throughout; Josh Brolin makes a good W, without making the character a complete joke. The President's cabinet were all brilliantly portrayed, and i really liked Ms. Newton's spot-on, brown-nosed Condoleezza. One of the greatest surprises for me was Laura Bush, portrayed by Elizabeth Banks, defying my personal impression of the 1st Lady as a dumb, silent, token housewife. Ms. Banks portrayed Mrs. Bush as a life partner and ally to W. I liked that. There are few jokes in the film, but probably a lot less than what people expect. I have read that Mr.Stone wanted to keep it real, and i do think that he did.

Grade:
5

Body of Lies

Title: Body of Lies
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russel Crowe
Genres: Thriller
Running Time: 2 hour.8minutes
Release Date: October 10th, 2008

MPAA Rating:RReview: This is a really good movie, it has a great story, and great acting, both from a beat-up and bearded DiCaprio, and from an unusually fat Crowe, as well as from the supporting actors and actress. The filming style is very real, and i really enjoyed that. However, it is really long, clocking in at 2 hours and 8 minutes. It probably would have scored better if it would have been a bit shorter, but all things considered, a really good film, that is totally worth the ticket price.

Rating: 8

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

Title: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Directed by: Pete Sollett
Starring: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Ari Graynor, Rafi Gavron, Alexis Dziena
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Running Time: 1 hour.30minutes
Release Date: October 3rd, 2008
MPAA Rating:PG-13
Review: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is a good, funny, and pretty random movie. It is not a laugh out loud movie, but more of a chuckle movie. As always Michael Cera is adorable, and Kat Dennings was, to me at least, a nice surprise.

Rating: 6

Eagle Eye

Title: Eagle Eye
Directed by: D.J Caruso
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton
Genres: Drama, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hour.58minutes
Release Date: September 26th, 2008
MPAA Rating:PG-13
Review:
This is a summer action movie, and it is good. It comes heavy on the usual ingredients in this genre: car chases, explosions, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. However, it was not predictable or boring. This movie just worked; the director did a really good job, the acting was great, no, actually the acting was fantastic, the movie had great suspense, and was totally unpredictable throughout, all in all: one of the best, thoroughly entertaining action movies so far this summer.

I've seen some reviews out there complaining that the plot is unrealistic at times, and to that i laugh. Out loud. This is not your evening news; it is a Hollywood Blockbuster. It does not have to pass a post-film-fact-check. If that is what you are looking for, i would suggest giving up on Hollywood all together.

Rating: 7

Righteous Kill

Title: Righteous Kill
Directed by: Jon Avnet
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, 50 Cent
Genres: Action/Adventure, Crime/Gangster, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hour.40minutes
Release Date: September 12th, 2008
MPAA Rating: R

Review:
This really is one of those movies that look great on paper; De Niro & Pacino, what more do you have to say? And I saw the cinematic trailer a few weeks ago, and it looked awesome, but unfortunately that does not mean much since the trailer editors can make a turd on a stick look like the next big blockbuster hit. I've been snooked by that trick before.
As expected by this crew, the acting was great, but that was basically the only thing on the "Good" list. The "Bad" list is unfortunately about a mile long: the movie was slow, predictable, and all out ridiculous in places. Even the most dim-witted of movie-goers will have the plot pegged straight off the bat. I found myself squirming in my seat, checking the time every couple of minutes, absolutely bored to tears.

Rating: 3

Burn After Reading

Title: Burn After Reading
Directed by: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton
Genres: Comedy, Crime
Running Time: 1 hour.35minutes
Release Date: September 12th, 2008
MPAA Rating: R

Review:
I've been looking forward to this one for a while, and for the most part, I was not disappointed. Which was nice, since more often than not, when I have high expectations for a flick it falls short. I actually even liked this one. It is funny. Sometimes very. I laughed. A lot a few times. But it is not a great movie. It is good. But not great. The main reason it falls short: the short bits of guts & gore that is intertwined with the funniness. Completely out of place. Bad decision by the Coen's. Really.
Overall: A funny, bitter, quirky collection of bafoons, which equals a pretty entertaining, random storyline. Clooney is really blah overall, while Pitt is hilarious.

Rating: 7.5

The Dark Knight

Title: The Dark Knight

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart

Genres: Action/Adventure, Crime, Superhero, Sequel

Running Time: 2 hours. 32 minutes

Release Date: July 18th, 2008

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: The second installment in Christopher Nolan's trilogy, following 'Batman Begins' in 2005, and it is excellent. It's dark, violent, terrifying, explosive, and clever. It is well acted, and well directed. 'The Dark Knight' is epic, through and through.

Even if this was not Ledger's last role before his sad, and untimely death in January, his portrayal of the Joker would still go down in the annals of film as one of the most un-hinged, dark and creepy bad guys ever seen on the big screen. Heath Ledger IS the Joker, and for the first time, this character has been portrayed with debt and complexity beyond the one-dimensional comic-book villain seen in the past.

Just as in 'Batman Begins', Bale is great as the Batman, and while Bale's love interest has been upgraded from Katie Holmes to Maggie Gyllenhaal, the difference is surprisingly negligible. All in all, 'The Dark Knight' is a comic-book film that has greatly surpassed it's genre.

Bring on part three. I, for one, cannot wait!

Grade: 8.5