Ben's Movie Reviews

**Paniolo** · 06-02-2005, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by bendogg

Next on my list are The Longest Yard & Crash (based on your reviews). --Ben Dogg

Be sure to include Cinderella Man on your list, if you haven't seen it already

**dogopoly** · 06-09-2005, 12:30 PM

This animated movie is about a young girl in a small European village who gets caught up in a magical spell that turns her into an old woman after meeting a magical stranger.

She heads of to find the stranger to help her fix the spell and goes on a magical journey with several characters who are supporting this magician.

The countryside is in a battle and the ravages of war create much conflict as the magicians on both sides try to win this war.

The girl begins to fall in love with the stranger, but his heart is nowhere to be found. She struggles to help him find it.
--
This was a long movie (almost 3 hours) and, although slow in getting to any useful storyline, had plenty of beautiful scenery to distract you, and much mystery to hold you over until things came to a climax and helped solve all the mysteries.

This movie will appeal to the romantic side of adults (especially women) but seems to be fun enough for kids from about 6 to 14.

I personally give is a B for a decent storyline and beautiful scenery, but would never see it without a love interest or a child. It would make a great video to watch on a rainy afternoon around the fireplace with that special someone.

**bricheese** · 06-09-2005, 11:05 PM

Mr and Miss Smith-- Funny, action and romance....Fred Saxon gave it 3.5 stars and said he think it will be number 1 this weekend!!
I thought it was alittle long too, but I really liked it alot! The acting was good, and it was a fun movie all around....and soo full(sorry for anyone who went to the san diego screening past 6) they probaly didnt make it in luckily my friend got there early...

**Devhux** · 06-11-2005, 05:50 PM

I also liked Mr. & Mrs. Smith -- had the audience in laughter, while keeping us on the edge of our seats.

The last line in the movie though was priceless.

**ray** · 06-11-2005, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Paniolo

Be sure to include Cinderella Man on your list, if you haven't seen it already

Though the dramatic aspect of Cinderella Man made the movie reasonably interesting, i feel like they almost made it TOO dramatic. It was slow and boring at times and could have easily cut the movie short by 15-20 minutes.

It was entertaining, but I was expecting much better from Ron Howard & Co.

**bendogg** · 06-12-2005, 01:04 AM

I was also at this screening. The movie had some great witty lines and Angelina Jolie looked smokin' hot (pun intended, as they are assassins) as usual, the movie didn't really do it for me. There was more shooting in this movie than any I have seen in a while! They didn't make it real gory, which I appreciated. So, I guess after all that I give it a B. I'm glad I saw it, but won't be buying it on DVD. --BD

**Jane83** · 06-13-2005, 12:11 AM

Mr and Mrs smith was OK. its going to do much better than Gigli, but i felt like it was sooo long.
Really seemed like the scripwriters rewrote over and over again.
just when you thought it was over, it kept going and going.
its a cute movie, would recommend others to watch it, but not excellent.
B/B-

**brainsmile** · 06-13-2005, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by bendogg

I was also at this screening. The movie had some great witty lines and Angelina Jolie looked smokin' hot (pun intended, as they are assassins) as usual, the movie didn't really do it for me. There was more shooting in this movie than any I have seen in a while! They didn't make it real gory, which I appreciated. So, I guess after all that I give it a B. I'm glad I saw it, but won't be buying it on DVD. --BD

would you say it's like True Lies?

**bendogg** · 06-13-2005, 08:14 AM

Hmm, True Lies, I think I watched that like 10 years ago! I don't remember very much of it, but I would probably rate it a little ahead of Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Speaking of the Box Office take Jane, it took in like $51 Million! That's darn impressive, but I guarantee Batman Begins will slaughter it next weekend!

**dogopoly** · 06-13-2005, 09:44 AM

Yes...Batman Begins review forthcoming...tomorrow night.

Is anyone else going to the preview in Mira Mesa?
If so, look for me in line at about 6pm.
PM me tomorrow and I'll tell u what i'm wearing...maybe my DOGOPOLY T-shirt.

**bricheese** · 06-13-2005, 10:10 PM

Went to see "The perfect Man" movie screening!!! Loved it, but definantly a chick flick......if u didnt like sis of traveling pants, u might not like this one..Fred Saxon..lol maybe not...
It was cute and entertaining not too long, had soe romance and some good comedy...it also had Hillary Duff...i believe it comes out this friday
Its about a girl who tries to set her mom up with a "man" because mom can never stay with one man long enough!

**bendogg** · 06-14-2005, 10:35 PM

Batman Begins was awesome! I'm giving it a solid A . It was a little long, but I wasn't really waiting for it to end. WB did a nice job of providing the background for the Batman story. It kinda was in line with Star Wars 3 in that regard. Like I mentioned earlier, I think Batman Begins will have a nice box office take this weekend! I wasn't digging the Batmobile Tank though! What did you think Dogopoly?

**dogopoly** · 06-14-2005, 11:02 PM

Batman Begins: also solid A

Lots of action (sometimes too much as they jumped back and forth between scenese before your could figure things out) and lots of good explanations for how and why Batman becomes what we know and love, including the super-human strength.

The story line was basically two long parts...his training, then his life cleaning up Gotham City. Like Ben, I found that I didn't mind it being long. Some parts were predictable, but in ways that helped the story line. The batmobile scenes? A bit dramatic, but okay.

I think the best part was that it had a good story line with good twists and turns, and many realistic parts about it, including some of the scenery scanning over Gotham City (that looked a lot like New York, but yet quite different.)

The worst/best part was that there were intense scenes that went on for 10-15 minutes where you could feel yourself tensing up for the entire time. It was like a workout at the gym sitting there watching...the sign of a good story with good music.

Certainly worth full price and a review on DVD later. (Oh, and although there was a love interest, it was really a minor part so it was definitely a guy-oriented action film.)

**bricheese** · 06-14-2005, 11:05 PM

Batman begins: the movie was good and ltos of action, just like 2.5 hours... I was alittle confused about story line, maybe cuz i havnt seen the other ones yet but overall a fun, good movie....walking out of the movie, there was a line for the midnight showing.........i walk to my car and a young teenager is in a "batman" costume trying to scare people.he sure did scare me.....people were stopping their car taking pictures with him it was actaully funny......what a brave man!!!

**Paniolo** · 06-18-2005, 08:35 AM

Give it a 'B'

**dogopoly** · 06-18-2005, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Paniolo

Give it a 'B'

Did you see it already, or are you predicting? I thought the preview was next Wednesday.

**bendogg** · 06-18-2005, 01:28 PM

There was another preview last Thursday I think (Bri Cheese went). The tickets came from somewhere other than Fox.

**hapoo** · 06-18-2005, 02:34 PM

Batman Begins:

I personally thought it was the best batman movie to date, however the new batman just didn't do it for me. I thought his acting at some points were really horrible. One of the reasons i liked it was because it was almost believable until they brought in the whole microwave BS.

**bricheese** · 06-18-2005, 06:33 PM

Bewitched-
did not like it very unrealistic i did walk out once to make a phone call...a few pars were funny, but the plot was confusing! DIdnt care for it i will give it a D+ lol worst movie ive seen all year!!!

**raimin** · 06-19-2005, 12:25 AM

batman begins. an a for me,

reason better than others, had a good batmobile car chase

**Trigun** · 06-19-2005, 02:41 PM

Herbie: Fully Loaded

It’s not a remake like some critics said. It’s a full new movie continuing the adventures of Herbie.
For Herbie lovers you will enjoy this movie a lot, especially when you hear Herbie’s theme song on the big screen. The movie is fun and the races are equally fun. I give it an A+

**MikeD** · 06-21-2005, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by PeachieGleem

Went to see Madagascar Really a cute movie.... the animation was done well i thought...amusing animated comedy that has something very tricky going on. I know it had alot of laughter from adults and children....we took just little kiddies with us...and they enjoyed the show....so guess that tells it was a A in my books...Because when the kids enjoy it then i am happy.....

Saw it this AM with the kids, they both enjoyed it. The adult references in the movie had the older folks laughing. Good run time too, only 1 hour 20 minutes, so the little guys don't get too fidgety.

Favorite character was the head penguin. He had some funny, funny stuff...

**dogopoly** · 06-21-2005, 09:37 PM

This movie is French sub-titled.

It's about a man, Antoine, who's a waiter in a fancy restaurant, and, while late to meet his girlfriend, heads through a park and finds a man, Louis, about to hang himself over losing his girlfriend. He saves the man and proceeds to give his entire life to help this man get back on his feet. Antoine locates Louis' ex-girlfriend, who's about to marry a cheater so he sabotages the relationship so she can get back together with Louis. In the process, he gets Louis a job at the restaurant and spends way too much time trying to get back Louis' girlfriend...so much so that he loses his own girlfriend and eventually falls for Louis' girlfriend just in time to get Louis to meet back up with her. The ending has some surprising twists as everyone finally gets to find out who did what to meet whom.

Overall, I'd give it a C+, partly because there were too many situations that were left hanging for a bit too long when there should have been people talking about why they're there. However, it got plenty of chuckles from the audience, so probably worth watching on video.

**dogopoly** · 06-22-2005, 11:14 PM

Bewitched

Story is about a witch who decides that she wants to be a normal human and starts by casting all sorts of spells to get things started. Through some series of coincidences, she is cast in the role of an updated version of the Bewitched TV series with Will Ferrell as Darin. They try to build a rapport for the show, but he's a snooty actor so she gets all the recognition, which he hates. After some exchanges of words, they fall in love and everything works out just fine.

Although the premise was good, Kidman's usually decent acting falls way short, and Ferrell's onscreeen antics simply aren't enough to help. A strong performance from Michael Caine as "Samantha"s dad helps a bit, and some decent supporting acting tries hard to make it work, but it just falls way short.

I want to be generous with this grade, but I just can't: D- -- not even worth renting.

**bendogg** · 06-26-2005, 05:27 PM

I know I'm about a month behind the rest of you, but I finally saw The Longest Yard yesterday. I enjoyed the film and give it a B+. It was a good football movie :-)

**ooBaKeep** · 06-26-2005, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by bendogg

I know I'm about a month behind the rest of you, but I finally saw The Longest Yard yesterday. I enjoyed the film and give it a B+. It was a good football movie :-)

I have a hard time watching Burt Renoylds these days. Is he tolerable in this movie?

**bendogg** · 06-28-2005, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by ooBaKeep

I have a hard time watching Burt Renoylds these days. Is he tolerable in this movie?

No, not really, but he doesn't play a major role. I was more interested in watching Adam Sandler & Chris Rock. And, BTW, there are almost no women in this whole movie! Understandable as they are in a men's prison, but that just kinda surprised me. The only T'N'A in this one beling to the male cheerleaders (which almost made me lose my lunch!).

**bricheese** · 07-06-2005, 09:16 PM

YOu and me and everyone we know:

Saw the screening of this....excellent movie haha soo funny i was busting up laughing great movie you GOTA see it. it was one hour in a half..hard to explain what its about, its definantly an adult movie!

Let me know what you think of it if you see it...Its a landmark independent film so it will be playing at a landmark theatre

**dogopoly** · 07-06-2005, 10:28 PM

This movie is about two guys who like to crash people's weddings so they can sleep with vulnerable women.

They find out that a high-powered policitian's daughter is getting married and decide to have fun and plan to crash it. Along the way, one (John) find one of the bridesmaids quite attractive while the other (Jerome) decides to make it with another bridesmaids (both sisters of the bride and daughters of the politician.)

After Jerome makes it on the beach, his conquest follows him everywhere and he wants to leave to get away from her. John hasn't succeeded yet but eventually finds that his girl has a boyfriend but decides to pursue her anyway.

Jerome's girl convinces "daddy" to take them both to their private house on the other side of the bay where John continues trying for his girl, and Jerome continues to find ways to get away from his.

After John's girl's boyfriend figures out what's happening, he reveals their lie just as John is about to do the same but never has the chance.

As luck would have it, Jerome finally finds his girl attractive and they stay in touch, which leaves John in the awkward situation of figuring out how to get his message through without getting the crap beat out of him by the boyfriend...and it just doesn't work.

--
All in all, it started off a bit slow while they explained who these guys are, but by the time the big wedding arrived, plenty of fun situations led to an interesting movie with lots of chuckles from the audience.

Probably not the best movie for a guy to go alone, but great with a date!
I'll give it a B.

**bendogg** · 07-08-2005, 12:10 AM

WOW! I was expecting a pretty good movie and was very impressed! This movie was really funny and definitely worth watching! More nudity than I expected, which is not a bad thing

I was relieved to see Will Farrell (in his very limited cameo, I hope I didn't spoil it for anyone) keep his pants on for a change... I have seen all I ever need to of his a*s in his last 5 or so movies!

The actress who played Owen Wilson's love interest was gorgeous! I must find out more about her. I agree with Dogopoly that this one is a good date movie that guys and girls can enjoy together. I'll give this one an A! I may see it again, or will certainly check it out on DVD.