I am a big movie buff, particularly in the horror and science-fiction genre's. I haven't seen as many movies as I have in the past, but I'd say I see an average of at least one hundred movies a year (not including cable and DVDs). The following movies are, for the most part well worth seeing.
Best horror movie I have seen since May or earlier:
"Drag Me To Hell" starring Christina Lohman as a pretty young junior loan officer who has a Gypsy curse put on her after denying the wrong person a loan extension. This movie directed by Sam Raimi of the "Spider Man" franchise and "Evil Dead" trilogy fame. It had excellent suspense and special effects and it was also quite funny at times. It may be on home video by now.
Best kids movie I have seen this year: "Up" in 3-D
The newest animated Pixar film features Ed Asner as a crotchety retired balloon salesman who opts to attach thousands of balloons to his house and fly south rather than to go to an old-age home. He reluctantly takes along a stowaway, an enthusiastic but lonely Boy Scout.
Good and Some not-so-good Science Fiction.
J.J. Abram's "Star Trek"
The creator of such television hits as "Heroes", "Lost", "Fringe", and "Alias", among others, presents a big-screen reimagining of Gene Roddenbury's "Star Trek". In this one, a mix of familiar and not-so-familiar faces are up against a Romulan menace from the future who is in possession of a weapon which can quickly destroy entire planets. Just like in the original, cocky, young Starfleet cadet James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine) bends the rules to beat an unbeatable test and after being snuck on board the starship U.S.S. Enterprise by a doctor friend (Bones McCoy[Karl Urban]) Kirk soon becomes captain. At first, Kirk and a not-so-in emotional control Commander Spock (Zacchary Quinto of "Heroes" fame) do not get along, but eventually they learn to respect and even like each other. Simon Pegg ( "Sean of the Dead") as a young Montgomery Scott ("Scotty") is underused and is mostly presented for comic relief. Zoe Saldana was also excellent as linguist Uhura, and you would never guess who she is involved with. Winona Ryder also has a cameo as Mr. Spock's ill-fated human mom. The crew from the original series, played by younger and different actors (except Leonard Nimoy as an older Spock from the future) help Kirk defeat the vengeful and ruthless Romulan (an unrecognizable Eric Bana of "Troy" and "The Incredible Hulk" fame). I'm a big fan of the "Star Trek " franchise and I had a ball at the IMax showing, but I can imagine most non-fans can have a good time as well. Hopefully, this cast will make many successful sequels. Star Trek, as Mr. Spock often says: may it "Live long and prosper."
"Terminator: Salvation": I can't recall who directed this sequel to the original "Terminator", the fourth movie in the series. In this one, John Connor is played by Christian Bale ("Batman Begins", "American Psycho", "The Machinist", etc.) His character is important, but not as important as you'd expect him to be. Also, Arnold Schwarzennegger has only a very short cameo, because it arguably wouldn't be "The Terminator" without him. I am a big fan of the "Sarah Connor Chronicles" though.
The short review of "Terminator: Salvation": In 2003, Death Row inmate Marcus Wright agrees to donate his body to science. Fifteen years later, "Judgment Day" has happened. After scientists at Cyberdine Industries create the Skynet computer, the machine becomes "Self-aware" and with an army of robots it strives to destroy the vestiges of mankind following a nuclear war. An adult John Connor leads the "resistance" of man against the machines. Fifteen years after supposedly being executed, Marcus Wright wakes up in the future unaware that he is now part cybernetic organism (cyborg). The big question is is he a good guy or is he malevolent? Helena Bonham Carter was also good as a terminally ill scientist who somehow becomes Skynet. Overall I liked this movie, but it was nowhere as good as the first three movies in the series by director James Cameron.
"Transformers II" In this summer blockbuster the Transformers robots who can transform into cars, trucks and household appliances come back to earth to combat the evil Decepticons, who are intent on destroying the human race. Shia Laboef's character goes off to college without the Transformers or his hot girlfriend, played by Megan Fox. While away at school, Shia's character has what he calls a "meltdown" in class and he starts writing strange hieroglyphs. This movie was ok, but it had more action than its nearly nonexistent plot. There was one scene I didn't see coming involving a girl who may be much more than what she seems.
Fantasy: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
In this sequel in the Harry Potter franchise Harry and his classmates must not only contend with the evil Voldemort and his henchmen at Hogwarts, but the raging teenage hormones which Harry, Ron Weasely, Hermione and many other of his cohorts feel. I really enjoyed this film and perhaps I'll gain a new perspective on it when I see it again in IMax 3-D.
Best independent film I've seen lately:
"Sunshine Cleaners" Amy Adams plays a maid having an unfulfilling life and an affair with a cop played by Steve Zahn (?) After she loses her job and her troubled young son needs tuition at a private school she finds out from the cop that cleaning up after violent crimes and suicides is a very lucrative business. With her semi-irresponsible sister she goes into business cleaning crime scenes. Amy Adams was great in this movie.
No comments:
Post a Comment