dogopoly

OK, hopefully you two long-timers have gotten that out of your system.

I saw National Treasure too and, in spite of finding a lot of the plot hokey, it was a fun ride with enough action to make it interesting. Certainly a good entry for a home collection.

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TofuNinja

Watched Sweeney Todd this week with the GF and her family. I am not a fan of Gore, even comedic gore, and had to turn away a few times, but I laughed, and I liked the music... solid A

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TofuNinja

Watched National Treasure Book of Secrets tonight with the GF. Where I probably won't buy the DVD as the first was better, it was a fun ride. Odd how when Nic Cage and Ed Harris are in a movie together Cage always holds a flare.... yes many plot holes and some strange change in characters form the first.... however solid B

bendogg

Saw this one last weekend with my fiancee. Great movie. Definitely a chick flick, but that didn't stop me from buying tickets or enjoying it. I was surprised to learn that it was 2.5 hours. It didn't feel slow or drawn out.

All around good story about love, loss, and moving on with one's life after the person you love passes on.

Solid A in my book. Be sure to check it out either in theaters or on DVD with someone you care for.

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TofuNinja

Just got back from Water Horse with the GF. It was her pick and it is a great family film. We both felt it was a different take on Free Willy... but hey. It was a good story. B+

sixpac shakur

Saw Juno last night. Juno is a sixteen year old high school student who finds herself accidentally sperminated. I loved Juno's personality. She's one of those students who's on the edge of being unhip and uncool. She's pretty and really mean "like Diana Ross." The story is heartwarming and the acting was superb.

Juno was a really, REALLY good movie. My husband said it was way better than he expected. I give it a solid: A

TofuNinja

Saw Sweeny Todd a second time because someone in our group had not seen it. It is just as good or BETTER the second time around.

Paniolo

Saw screening (Two terminally ill men try to fulfill a wish list known as "The Bucket List" before each kicks the bucket.) last week. I give it an A

sixpac shakur

This is one of the most anticipated movies of 2008. The brainchild of JJ Abrams (Lost) the movie follows a group of young people while a monster attacks New York City. This movie has a lot of buzz around it considering very little is revealed in the trailer.

The movie is seen through the eyes of a young man named Hud who is filming the events through a hand held camcorder. I know a lot of people will be bothered by the camera work which shakes and zooms in and out (reminiscent of Blair Witch Project). The camera didn't bother me since I've never had motion sickness in my life.

The love story was cheesy, the monster wasn't that scary, and the action was so unrealistic it was laughable. The plot really stretched at times. There was one scene where one skyscraper had "broken" and was leaning against an adjacent skyscraper. Of course it's sensible to climb up the adjacent skyscraper and jump across to the roof of the other one! But I loved it! I was thoroughly entertained and the movie was never boring. You have to love a monster movie where the last words uttered are, "I love you." I give it a solid B.

RIVERWIDOW

This movie has gotten such bad reviews and (as always) I loved it, Print & TV reviewers will obviously always be of opposite opinions from me. I was not a huge Jack fan but I have been getting to like him more. Have always liked Morgan. The theatre was like an AARP meeting ! I think it is worth seeing especially if you are over 50.

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dogopoly

On Monday, I saw "Mad Money" starring Diane Keaton, Ted Danson, Katie Holmes, Queen Latifah.

This is the story of a woman who's lived the high life off yher husband's salary. When he gets laid off, he doesn't let her know and continues to accumulate debt until he realizes he can't pay all the bills (about $250K).

The wife decides that they have to find a way and she takes a "cleaning lady" job at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank where she learns that old money is replaced with new money then shredded. She concludes that if she can somehow get the money before it's shredded, nobody will know so she schemes to find some accomplices in key positions to make it happen. They manage to get the money (about $100K split 3 ways) and decide to go for some more on subsequent days/weeks.

After they have "enough" they consider stopping and begin arguing about this and they have to decide what to do next. Meanwhile, they are being watched...

Overall, the movie was "cute" with fun moments, but the plot was a bit thin, drawn out, and predictable. Good enough for a relaxing matinee so I'll give it a "B" rating.

Devhux

I went to see Cloverfield tonight, despite being very hesitant due to the handy-cam cinematography (having free tickets helped).

The first 20 minutes or so was fairly slow -- to the point of me wondering why I bothered to show up..... but then it picked up with a bang. From there, it definitely kept the three of us who went on the edge of our seats.

As for the shaky-cam, it didn't really bother me -- and actually helped with the atmosphere. It would have been a totally different movie if they hadn't stuck with the handheld camera (King Kongzilla).

I'd give it a B+ (losing points mostly due to the drawn-out party sequence in the beginning).

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Scorpio006

I Also Went To Cloverfield On Someone Else's Dime.

I Agree With GuruX About The Beginning Being Slow.
It Could Have Been A Little Shorter But It Was Somewhat
Necessary For Character Development.

But When That Came To An Abrupt Halt It Was Time To Glue
Yourself Into Your Seat And Buckle Up, 'cause It Was Non-stop,
Edge-of-your-seat, E-ticket Attraction.

The Blair Witch-like Cinematography(but Much Better Quality)
Was Awesome, And In My Opinion Was The Only Way To Film This Fast-paced Movie.

Though Rather Short, I Much Enjoyed This Movie, And Will Give It An A-, Mostly For The Dragged-out Beginning.

It Is Also Left Open For The Possibility Of A (hopefully)
Quick To Follow Sequel.

Take A Night Out And Go For A Ride In The Theater.

I Think They Pick New York For These Kinds Of Movies Due
To The Fact That It Is A Large, Building-dense City.

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dogopoly

Hey, all...the opinions about the movies are great, but some of us have no idea what these movies are about. A quick review of the movie before adding commentary would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

TofuNinja

sorry I am always afraid of giving spoilers.....

Paniolo

Saw screening of 27 DRESSES last week.
Synopsis: Romantic comedy ('chick flick') about a perennial bridesmaid whose own happy ending is nowhere in sight. But when younger sister captures the heart of her boss--with whom she is secretly in love--she begins to reexamine her 'always-a-bridesmaid...never a bride' lifestyle.
It has some surprisingly enjoyable/entertaining moments, so overall I give it a B+.

Jontas

whatup Bendog?
Been awhile huh? just thought I'd say hi.

My wife and I saw The Golden compass recently, great movie, I look forward to the rest of the series. I'd give it an A.

Cheers.

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Scorpio006

OKAY DOGO,
"CLOVERFIELD" IS A MONSTER MOVIE, AND BOY O BOY WHAT A MONSTER.
THE USUAL DESTRUCTION, A SMALL GROUP OF "HEROES" TO
THE RESCUE OF A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS WHILE THE
MILITARY FIGHTBACK IS A LOSING CAUSE.

SECONDARY CREATURES WHO, BEING ABOUT THE SIZE
OF A PIT BULL, BUT ALL UGLY AND SPIDER-LIKE WITH
CHOMPERS LIKE THE "BUGS" IN "STARSHIP TROOPERS" AND
A BITE THAT IS AS DEADLY AS THE LARGE MONSTER
SQUASHING YOU WITH ITS FOOT, BUT A DIFFERENT RESULT.

THE REASON I THINK A SEQUEL, IS DUE TO THE
MAIN MONSTER IS DOING NOTHING BUT PICKING UP STEAM.
ALTHOUGH, THE MILITARY SAYS IT IS TO SEND IN A
"WIPE IT OUT" ATTACK.

dogopoly

Thanks, Scorp...so horror flick it is

bendogg

I fully agree with Paniolo on this one. It was definitely a "Chick Flick," but I knew that going in (I told Sarah that makes 2 of those in a row, after P.S. I Love You, so she owes me a total guy movie next!).

The movie was cute and the acting was pretty good. Sarah and I left the theatere happy that we had seen it, and that is the point, right? So, I'll again agree with our resident Got Apex Cowboy and give this one a B+.

Paniolo

Hey there Ben, also saw UNTRACEABLE.

Synopsis: A tech-savvy internet predator is displaying his graphic murders on his own website, & the fate of each of his tormented captives is left in the hands on the public. The more hits his site gets, the faster his victims die. When this game of cat and mouse becomes personal, an FBI & her team must race against the clock to track down this technical mastermind who is virtually "untraceable".

As a suspense/thriller, I give it a B/B+.

Paniolo

Went to screening of FOOL'S GOLD.

Synopsis: A couple discovers a lucrative treasure. Years later, a second attempt to find another treasure has left their marriage 'shipwrecked', & has plunged them into debt.

My rating for this silly & predictable - "action, adventure, romantic, comedy" is a B-

Paniolo

Vantage Point

Synopsis: Action/Thriller. Flashbacks from the 'vantage points' of seven strangers who witnessed an assassination attempt on the U.S. President, while on a summit in Spain.

I liked it, & give it an A-/B+

sixpac shakur

This is a British film based on a true story. The plot focuses on a gang of thieves who rob a London bank vault in 1970. The gang soon realizes that the contents of the various safety deposit boxes bring more trouble than it's worth. The Royal Family, the porn industry, and the police are in for the shock of their lives!

This movie was REALLY good. The plot moved along quickly and the performances were great. It was fascinating to think of the truth behind the story. Solid A

wung

that does sound really good, gonna check it out when i get a chance ...

sixpac shakur

Another excellent movie starring Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz). Simon Pegg plays Dennis, a self described "nearly man" who chooses to give up when the going gets tough. Dennis leaves his pregnant bride at the altar. Five years pass and his ex-fiancee is planning to wed a new suitor. Dennis commits to run the London Marathon to prove to his true love that he can finish something that he starts.

This movie did not disappoint. Shaun of the Dead is one of my all time favorite movies and Simon Pegg was a large part of what made SOTD a cult classic. His comedic timing is perfect and you learn to love his characters despite the glaring personality faults. It's David Schwimmer's directorial debut (yes, the guy from Friends) and Michael Ian Black of "Best Week Ever" fame wrote the screenplay.

The movie is predicatable but bottom line is the movie is just good fun. Simple and a bit sappy.

I give this movie a solid A. Well worth the price of a ticket.

oblongmelon

Shutter

I went to see this during the week and it was so bad that I walked out..it's predictable, boring, very drawn out, and just plain stupid. Typical Japanese Horror remake..ps..the scariest parts are what you've already seen on tv in the previews.

wung

just saw The Forbidden Kingdom with Jet Li and Jackie Chan. D- ... watch something else ...

thresher

I saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall last night. Another Apatow production. If you liked 40yr old virgin or Superbad then you gonna love this flick. It's bawdy, unpredictable and fun. Oh yeah, serious man chicken alert! like, oh, 4 times!! Yikes! LOL
Cut and paste of plot - a comic look at one guy's arduous quest to grow up and get over the heartbreak of being dumped -- if he can only make himself start Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Solid B+

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dogopoly

I saw it too. I'm gonna give it a B-.
It's basically the story of a guy from Boston who is friends with a n old Chinese thrift shop owner. When the owner gets shot in a robber, he tells the boy to take a samurai sword and return it to its owner. The magical powers of this sword transport the boy to China through a "non-portal portal". He soon gets befriended by a drunk (Jackie Chan) who saves him from an imperial army. The drunk turns out to be an amazing martial arts expert. The two begin their trek to find the owner of the sword--the Monkey King--who was turned to stone during a challenge. The sword will bring him back to life. The two meet up with a few allies to try to take down the evil warlord.

The graphics were a bit crude at times, the fight scenes were reminiscent of the old karate fight scenes of the movies from the 70s, and the story line was somewhat predictable, but the chemistry of the actors was good and there were enough chuckles to make it fun. Definitely not a top notch movie, but if you like this style, you'll probably find it fun enough. I'd call it the Karate Kid meets the Matrix.