Ben's Movie Reviews

[bendogg]

Hey everybody,

I figured I'd start this new thread for us to share movie reviews. The primary focus of this thread will be the movies that we see sneak previews of (Through Fox 6 Couch Potato, Star Freeloader, KGB, etc.). Feel free to chime in!

I will also be posting what Fred Saxon thought of the film. He is my favorite film critic, and I trust his opinion and agree most of the time. Fred is the movie reviewer for Fox 6. His segments air Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday at 7:50 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. on Fox 6 in San Diego. He uses a star rating system that goes like this:

The Saxon Star System

1 Star=Don't even think of buying a ticket or the video
2 Stars=Wait for the Video
3 Stars=OK if you love the actors, otherwise wait for the video
3.5 Stars=Can't lose your money. An entertaining movie-well worth the price of a ticket
4 Stars=A "Must See"
5. Stars=Outstanding! Oscar quality, see it twice!

He almost never gives out 5s, and most movies get 3.5 stars as long as they are worthy. I use the grading system (like in school). Most films I like get a B+. Anything I give an "A" to is one that I will probably buy on DVD. I hope I put this thread in the right area. Here Goes!

[bendogg]

Spanglish - I really liked this film. I thought it did a great job of showing a real life journey of a Mexican mother trying to adjust to America and not let her daughter lose all of her culture.

Adam Sandler & Paz Vega did an outstanding job acting in the film, and it was a film I saw twice in theaters. I gave this film an A+. It had everything I need to send me out of the theater feeling good. Here's Fred's take on the film:

"A good romantic comedy with a strong dramatic element. Cloris Leachman is terrific as Tea Leoni’s mother. PG-13 4 Stars"

What did you think of it?

The Wedding Date - This one was okay. Definitely a chick flick (I'm pretty sure the fact that I saw it alone makes me a loser, but too bad!). Pretty good story with a predictable ending. I gave it a B. Saxon gave it 2.5 Stars and said women would enjoy it more than men. I agree. --Ben Dogg

[dogopoly]

Thanks, Bendogg.
I think it would be interesting to see the Siskel & Ropert thumbs, too, just for additional comparison, although it seems that their reviews often come after our free ones.

[brainsmile]

interesting

[GreatScott]

I liked Spanglish a lot, too. I highly recommend it, and that's unusual for me if it's not a Sci-Fi or Action movie.

[LunchMeat]

I normally don't watch too many PG movies, but I saw this Saturday and it was pretty good. It is definately a family movie, but I still liked it. As my wife puts it, the movie is a "heartwarming".

I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

[bendogg]

Thanks for posting that review Lunch Meat! That is not a movie I would see, so it helps when others post a review so the word gets out about a movie like that. Let's keep this thread going, I think it is a good outlet for our opinions on films. --Ben Dogg

[eSDee]

I have a free ticket to Spanglish if anyone wants it. It's not showing around here anymore and I already saw it anyways, so if it's playing close by to anyone still let me know and I'll send it to you. It's a pretty good movie.

[hapoo]

I wouldnt mind taking those off your hands esdee. haven't seen it yet.

[eSDee]

It's yours happs although it's only one ticket. PM me your addy ok?

[dogopoly]

Thanks to 95.7 for sponsoring a showing of "Because of Winn-Dixie"

I felt that it was a good movie, but slow in getting to the plot.
It was also kind of a "kid-and-her-dog" show where they both got into unlikely situations just to create a plot.

Finally, Dave Matthews' guitar was nice background music, but his acting needs a bit of enthusiasm!

[PeachieGleem]

It was not a bad show to see, better then some i have been to lately.

John Constantine(Keanu Reeves) was between evil/good. The show is into
the super natual, spirits, demons/angels. All to do with the super natural mysteries. Lots of violence images.

They really had high security at the complex Edwards Theaters at this movie.....Ushers had special binoculars that continually searched the audience with the new cell phones that can record movies..... the one usher went up a few times to check on ppl....

No matter how many times you went in and out of the show and came back in, you were checked with the wand each time....

They handed out $10.00 Gift Certificate to ppl coming into the show....can be used at anytime on whatever, movie, food. Not bad to go to a movie for free and the food is free at the same time.....

If you are into Medievals then this is the show for you...... I myself would rate it as a 2 out of 5 stars

[bendogg]

Sounds Good Peachie. This is another flick I will be skipping. I don't do horror & I don't do Hell-related stuff.

Anyone have a review of Hitch yet? I've heard good things and hope to get to it this week. --Ben Dogg

[Jane83]

i heard a Hitch review today, and its supposed to be really good...

[navyones]

Has anyone seen "Saw". I want to rent it, but I am not sure how good it would be.

[PeachieGleem]

I heard through the grapevine, someone just saw Hitch on Saturday night... they really liked it and told us it was worth going to see.... so just might think about doing that...

Has anyone seen "Saw". I want to rent it, but I am not sure how good it would be.

Yes saw the movie Saw it was a movie every once in awhile i would peek through my fingers to see something....

Lots of strong language and grisly violence.

I know some different ppl had gotten up during the movie when the sights got a little bloody and they didn't come back in....

You just do lots of wondering how, what, why.........

I would give it a 4 out of a 5 star

[ski]

Has anyone seen "Saw". I want to rent it, but I am not sure how good it would be.

It is a very disturbing an somewhat satisfying movie. I give it 3.5 stars. I had high expecations for it, but it still delivered a worthwhile story. "Saw" will go in my collection with Identity, the Silence of the Lambs trio, and SEVEN.

[BUGEYE]

HITCH was a really great & entertaining!Will Smith at his best!

[navyones]

Okay, I finally rented "Saw". Overall, I would have to say that it was a decent movie. It definitely warranted watching it twice. The ending left me hanging a little though.

[johnnymk]

I haven't seen "Saw", but when I see "Saw" at the AMSee, I will see if I like it.

[bendogg]

And I finally saw Hitch. I was really glad I did! I have always liked Will Smith from Enemy of the State to lesser known films like The Legend of Bagger Vance.

The movie was very entertaining and funny as well. Eva Mendes is smokin hot! I won't take up a whole page re-hashing what went on in the film, but suffice it to say that it is worth the price of admission! I gave it a solid "A" and the ending was nice, unlike some other films like Closer and Pay it Forward. I think Saxon liked it & gave it 3.5 Stars.

I saw it at Mann Hazard Center 7 cause I had a (free) re-admit pass. It wasn't sold out, but the print had been scratched so there were 2 black lines going down the center for about 45 minutes. I complained during and after the film and got another free re-admit pass. --Ben Dogg

[navyones]

I haven't seen "Saw", but when I see "Saw" at the AMSee, I will see if I like it.

LOL

[nickel]

rented it over the weekend. i liked it. i think if you like baseball, and Bernie Mac that you'll enjoy this one.

[bendogg]

I thought it was pretty good as well. I gave it a B.

**Thanks GAM, you're the best!**

[nickel]

i was going to post it in your thread, but then it looked like it was for in-the-theater movies.

maybe GAM can merge this thread with it?

[bendogg]

Now that we have opened this thread up to DVDs, I must post that one of my favorite movies in the last few years is The Italian Job. It is a re-make of the older one, but was done great. I gave it an A+ and believe it would be worth the rental price or purchase price. --Ben Dogg

[PeachieGleem]

Cursed



An estranged brother and sister living in Los Angeles (thats all i will say)

I thought this was going to be a scarey movie...i think right in the beginning i jumped.... but don't know if that was from the movie or the person sitting next to me.....LOLOL

It was a funny movie, heard lots of laughs in the audience. I still have not really seen a good thriller yet.....

I would rate this movie as a B- or C+

[bricheese]

I saw cursed last night..it scared me at the begging , bu ti got bored after awhile it was ok..i relaly wanna see diary of a mad black women...on monday and man of the house, anyone seen that one??? well i would give that movie a C, cuz it wasnt as scary as I though, alttile cheesy but hey a free movie u cant go wrong, and i screamed some and people were laughign at me

[panache]

Hey Ben,
Great idea starting this thread!

This last month I did the Blockbuster all you can rent for $14.99. So I've been watching alot of DVD's.

The Notebook = 4 stars
Ceullar = 3.5 stars

most everything else recently I have either not liked or totally hated.

I give Troy 3 stars only for Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom. Otherwise really I wouldn't even watch it. Same for Wicker Park. 3 stars for Josh Hartnet otherwise it's kind of a weird movie.

But for LOR-Return of the King Extended version = 5 stars. And yup I prefer to watch it at home so you can hit pause, take a break and return.

Now that we have opened this thread up to DVDs, I must post that one of my favorite movies in the last few years is The Italian Job. It is a re-make of the older one, but was done great. I gave it an A+ and believe it would be worth the rental price or purchase price. --Ben Dogg

Yes the Italian job was excellent.

[oblongmelon]

i heard a Hitch review today, and its supposed to be really good...

Ugh..Hitch sucked..highly overrated. The only time I laughed is when kevin james did a split at the end.

Two stars