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

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