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

You Don't Mess With the Zohan

Title: You Don't Mess With the Zohan

Directed by: Dennis Dugan

Starring: Adam Sandler, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Lainie Kazan, John Turturro, Nick Swardson, Ido Mosseri

Genres: Comedy

Running Time: 1 hour. 53 minutes

Release Date: June 6th 2008

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: After having been dragged, against my better judgement, by a group of friends who all voted for us to see this one, I will say this:

1. I told you so - a very important point that needs to be dealt with upfront.

2. I want a full refund & my 2 hours back! - Seriously.

3. Please punch me in the ear, so I may develop selective amnesia, and forget I ever saw this one.

'You Don't Mess With the Zohan' is dumb, literary, as in "subpar IQ". Scary dumb. Not-even-funny dumb. I didn't crack the faintest shadow of a smile the entire movie, so cheap were the "humor". Don't get me wrong, the theater was full with thigh-slapping laughers, so I know for a fact that it is possible to enjoy this film. If you belong to the empty-headed, donkey-braying, sweater-sleeve-snot-wipers who find 'Beavis & Butthead' too high brow, you might find this humorous. If you're a normal person, do something better than this with your time.

I cannot believe that Judd Apatow, a favorite writer/director of mine, wrote this turd of a film. Awful. Awful. Awful. Save yourselves & skip this one!

Grade: 2

Iron Man

Title: Iron Man

Directed by: Jon Favreau

Starring: Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Jeff Bridges, Robert Downey Jr.,

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantay, Superhero

Running Time: 2 hour. 6 minutes

Release Date: May 2nd, 2008

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: Robert Downey Jr. is great as Tony Star, and his charm and humor really adds massive likability to the billionaire industrialist/genius inventor. As the movie begins, Stark is kidnapped by terrorists, and forced to build them a weapon. Instead, he builds a high-tech suit of armor, and manages to escape. And so Iron Man is born.

The film is highly entertaining action flick, with a great cast, and a good villain and story line. All in all, not a bad way to spend a couple of hours, and a well-above -average Superhero/comic film. I bet 'Iron Man' will return with at least one sequel.

Grade: 8

Dan in Real Life

Title: Dan in Real Life

Directed by: Peter Hedges

Starring: Steve Carell, Dane Cook, Juliette Binoche, Norbert Leo Butz, John Mahoney, Dianne Wiest

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Running Time: 1 hour. 38 minutes

Release Date: October 26th, 2007

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Dan in Real Life' is a total "feel good"movie, with lots of laughs, awkwardness, and charming family drama. It's one of those films that will make your heart smile.

The entire cast put in strong performances, but it is definitely Carrell who carries this film. There is something about Steve Carell and his brilliant ability to be awkward, vulnerable, honest, and messed up that resonates with the audience.

'Dan in Real Life' is a great family film, that should not be missed.

Grade: 8

Superbad

Title: Superbad

Directed by: Greg Mottola

Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Emma Stone, Bill Hader, Kevin Corrigan,

Genres: Comedy

Running Time: 1 hour. 52 minutes

Release Date: August 17th, 2007

MPAA Rating: R

Review: Most people who have said they don't like 'Superbad', have claimed it is because the presence of strong language, crude jokes and teenage drinking. I understand that these things can be upsetting for some. However, please keep in mind, this film has a MPAA rating of R, a rating that comes with a full list of the component that earned that rating, for a reason. Look it up, and pass on films outside of your level of tolerance.

I am glad I did not pass on 'Superbad', because it is thoroughly hilarious! And since I enjoy strong language, crude jokes, and don't mind teenage drinking (just kidding) (pretty much... I am from Sweden, after all), I had no problems with the components that warranted that R rating. In fact, I loved this film!

Grade: 8

Knocked Up

Title: Knocked Up

Directed by: Judd Apatow

Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow, Kristen Wiig

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Running Time: 2 hour. 12 minutes

Release Date: June 1st, 2007

MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'Knocked Up' is the perfect storm of comedies, where all the perfect components, (Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Judd Apatow, Iris & Maude Apatow, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, and Charlyne Yi, to name a few) have come together, to make one awesome and thoroughly hilarious film of epic proportions.

The story is centered on Ben Stone (Seth Rogen), and Allison Scott (Katherine Heigl), who meet on a night of drunken debauchery, and end up having a one night stand. Little do they know the consequences of this night...

The movie takes off as we see these two, oddly matched, unlikely lovers navigate the treacherous ground that is pregnancy, often with hysterically funny results. It is not only Rogen and Heigl who make this film. The entire supporting cast is just as great, and their side stories really add to the likability of this film. The soundtrack is also noteworthy. Bravo, to all involved parties! I can only hope that more films with this crew are to follow.

Pretty please.

Grade: 9.5

Disturbia

Title: Disturbia

Directed by: D.J. Caruso

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Carrie-Ann Moss, David Morse, Sarah Roemer

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Drama

Running Time: 1 hour. 44 minutes

Release Date: April 13th, 2007

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Distrubia' is a derivative of the "psycho next door" premise, which just so happens to be one of my favorite type of suspense thrillers. While it is not a unique concept, 'Disturbia' is well executed, and the result is a great, suspenseful thriller, with some truly scary moments.

I much prefer this type of suspense thriller, to the bloody, gory, 'Saw'-type spatter fests that are so popular nowadays. Give me a freaky psycho creeping around a backyard that looks just like mine, over a blood-soaked hostel filled with murder machines, any day.

So, 'Disturbia'. Shia LaBoeuf plays the lead, a teenager who is on house arrest after a traffic accident. While being stuck at home 24/7, bored to tears, he starts to spy on his neighbors. He quickly realized that something strange is going on next door... Que the menacing suspense music.

I was literary on the edge of my seat from start to finish while watching this. Well done, to everyone involved!

Grade: 8