Drumline

  For fans of America?s show-style marching bands, halftime is game time. A squad of players, some 300 strong and armed with musical instruments, takes over the field, commanding attention with their stirring, spectacular display of choreography and musicianship. The football contest?s controlled mayhem makes way for the blaring sound of trumpets and the heart-thumping rhythm of drums. Into this... See Full Description
Comedy, Drama and Musical/Performing ArtsPG-13 for innuendo and language.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Melinda Ennis
"...it can't be beat for its dazzling theatrics and foot-stomping fun." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...entertaining for what it does, and admirable for what it doesn't do." more... Chicago Tribune, Mark Caro
"...vastly entertaining..." more... Cincinnati Enquirer, Margaret A. McGurk
"The final battle of the bands is as kinetic, dramatic and electrifying as a car chase, and a lot more fun to watch."

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

  In mythic pre-historic times, a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins inherits a magic ring from his elderly cousin Bilbo. Wise to the powers that the magic ring holds, the dark Lord Sauron wants it, knowing it will enable him to enslave the people of Middle Earth. In his effort to thwart Sauron, Frodo recruits the fellowship of a wizard, an elf, a dwarf and others, on a mission to destroy the ring by casting... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and AdaptationPG 13 for epic battle sequences and some scary images.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"One of the best - if not THE best - movies of the year." more... BBC, Jackie Finlay
"...a powerful, intense and beautifully realised movie that interprets the novel...almost to perfection." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...some may regret that the Hobbits have been pushed out of the foreground and reduced to supporting characters." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...everything you might want it to be - and more." more...

View the original article here

A Walk to Remember

  Each spring in the little port town of Beaufort, North Carolina, when the wind smells of pine and salt and the sea, Landon Carter remembers his senior year at Beaufort High and Jamie Sullivan, the girl who changed his life... Serious and conservative, Jamie is the daughter of the town's Baptist minister and not afraid of letting people know that her faith is the most important part of her life,... See Full Description
Drama, Romance, Adaptation and TeenPG for thematic elements, language and some sensual material.Chicago Tribune, Robert K. Elder
"...scrapes the bottom of the melodramatic barrel." more... E! Online,
"A Walk to Remember? Forget it." more... Hollywood Reporter, Michael Rechtshaffen
"...sickeningly saccharine..." more... Reelviews, James Berardinelli
"...uninspired..."

Fight Club

  The mundane existence of a product liability evaluator and insomniac, who is addicted to self-help groups, is turned upside down when he meets a sado-masochistic anarchist who is secretly plotting to overthrow civilization. As their friendship grows, they become increasingly involved in a secret society of "fight clubs" where men act out their aggressions and violently beat one another to... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller and AdaptationR for disturbing and graphic depiction of violent anti-social behavior, sexuality and language.Christian Science Monitor, Tom Regan
"Occasionally I see a film that demands a response or an action. 'Fight Club' is such a film." more... culturevulture.net, Tom Block
"David Fincher’s 'Fight Club' (from a novel by Chuck Palahniuk) is about a special kind of male anger." more... Flick Filosopher,
"There is a dissatisfaction that American men are coming to realize afflicts them." more... Harvey's Movie Reviews, Harvey O'Brien
"There are some good moments in David Fincher's bombastic, hyperkinetic adaptation of Jim Uhls' novel."

Meet Joe Black

  The story of a media tycoon William Parrish, whose charmed life and orderly household are suddenly disrupted by the arrival of an enigmatic young man named Joe Black who suddenly insinuates his way into Parrish's life--both in his business and private affairs. Determinedly attached to Parrish's side, Joe attends family dinners, accompanies him to board meetings, and settles comfortably in the... See Full Description
Drama, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy and AdaptationPG-13 for an accident scene, some sexuality and brief strong language.Austin Chronicle, Marc Savlov
"It's an elegiac love story from beyond the grave, as appealingly simple as it is emotionally complex." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...there's so much that's fine in this movie..." more... Cincinnati Enquirer, Margaret A. McGurk
"...could have been a terrific romance. Instead, it’s just way too much of a good thing." more... E! Online,
"Not even Brad Pitt's hunkiness can save this one from arriving DOA." more...

View the original article here

Nine Lives

  Nine everyday women meet the travails and disappointments of life with resilience. Sandra is locked-up in prison and wants desperately to connect with her visiting child. Diana confronts the sudden flash of a past relationship, long after she has moved on to a new life. Holly can't seem to move forward until her stepfather acknowledges the pain he has caused her. Sonia reels from her boyfriend's... See Full Description
R for language, brief sexual content, and some disturbing images.Entertainment Weekly, Lisa Schwarzbaum
"...a surprisingly rich sketchbook, boosted by the work of fine actors..." Full Review... filmcritic.com, Chris Barsanti
"A well-cast compilation film suffocating on its own self-importance..." Full Review... New York Times, Stephen Holden
"...extraordinarily rich and satisfying..."

Cheaper by the Dozen 2

  Tom Baker and wife Kate, hoping to bring their family together for a memorable summer vacation, take their 12 offspring to the rustic Lake Winnetka. But their retreat soon becomes cutthroat when they enter into a competition with the over-achieving members of a large family headed by Tom's long-time rival, Jimmy Murtaugh.
Comedy, Kids/Family and SequelPG for some crude humor and mild language.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bob Longino
"Loud, unamusing, inane, shameless family-style antics. They laugh, they cry; you'll wince." more... Boston Globe, Ty Burr
"It's the sort of movie to send small children and grandparents out of the theater hugging each other and strong men in search of bourbon." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...as I watched this sequel, a certain good feeling began to make itself known." more... Chicago Tribune, Robert K. Elder
"...a harmless, inoffensive bit of family programming..."

The Notebook

  An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to an older, invalid woman whom he regularly visits. From a faded notebook, the old man's words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths. Though her memory has faded, his words give her the chance to relive her... See Full Description
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"As weepies go, this is a perfectly good one." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...it is a tearjerker, it's just that it's a good one." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"It's a film about falling in love and looking back on it, and it avoids many of the genre's syrupy dangers." more... Cincinnati Enquirer, Margaret A. McGurk
"(Rachel) McAdams shows great personality, and (Ryan) Gosling - best known for much darker roles - makes a credible romantic hero."

Saving Private Ryan

James Ryan, who has parachuted into France during the Allied invasion of Europe, has just lost three brothers in combat. Government policy dictates that he should return home lest his family be deprived of all its male offspring. A team of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller and fresh from the beaches of Normandy, is assembled to find and save Private Ryan.
Action/Adventure, Drama and WarR for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence, and for language.BBC, Almar Haflidason
"What is abundantly clear is that in the massive body of films that deal with World War II, this is one that pulls no punches." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"Saving Private Ryan is a powerful experience." more... Reel.com, Tor Thorsen
"Hailed as the greatest war movie of all time, Saving Private Ryan is one of those few movies that lives up to its hype." more... Salon, Gary Kamiya
"After Saving Private Ryan, the myth of World War II will never be the same."

Girl With a Pearl Earring

  A speculative account of the life of Griet, a 16-year-old girl who appears in Johannes Vermeer's painting of the same title. Set in 17th century Holland, Griet is employed by Vermeer as a housemaid to care for his six children, his jealous pregnant wife and his uncommunicative mother-in-law. Tensions arise when Vermeer's wife suspects intimacy between her husband and the girl--and then climax,... See Full Description
PG-13 for some sexual content.Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"It is about things not said, opportunities not taken, potentials not realized, lips unkissed." more... E! Online,
"Color us intrigued if not entirely sold." more... filmcritic.com, Christopher Null
"Barely 90 minutes long, the movie’s only real failing is that it never develops a terribly compelling story." more... Hollywood Reporter, Kirk Honeycutt
"A film that beautifully dramatizes how life influences art."

The Aristocats

  The Aristocats was the first Disney Studios animated feature to be produced after Walt Disney's death. A wealthy woman leaves her vast fortune to her four cats: the well-bred Duchess and her kittens Berlioz, Toulouse, and Marie. Jealous butler Edgar, eager to get his mitts on the cats' legacy, abandons the felines in the French countryside. The four lost kitties are aided in their efforts to return... See Full Description
Comedy, Kids/Family, Musical/Performing Arts and Animation

View the original article here

Braveheart

  In the late 13th century, William Wallace returns to Scotland after living away from his homeland for many years. The king of Scotland has died without an heir and the king of England, a ruthless pagan known as Edward the Longshanks, has seized the throne. Wallace becomes the leader of a ramshackle yet courageous army determined to vanquish the greater English forces. At the historic battle of Stirling,... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Drama, Romance, Biopic and WarBBC, Ali Barclay
"A simplistic tale of good versus evil with large quantities of heroism thrown in for good measure..." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...a fullthroated, red-blooded battle epic..." more... filmcritic.com, Christopher Null
"...a vastly entertaining and powerful film." more... Flick Filosopher, MaryAnn Johanson
"...an extraordinary film..."

Batman Begins

 

  How does one man change the world? It's a question that haunts Bruce Wayne like the specter of his parents, gunned down before his eyes in the streets of Gotham on a night that changed his life forever. Tormented by guilt and anger, battling the demons that feed his desire for revenge and his need to honor his parents' altruistic legacy, the disillusioned industrial heir vanished from Gotham and secretly... See Full Description
PG 13 for intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"This is the story of the Dark Knight, not the Caped Crusader." more... Boston Globe, Ty Burr
"In Batman Begins, Christian Bale gives us the best Bruce Wayne that has ever graced the screen." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"The movie works dramatically in addition to being an entertainment." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...one of the artier, more noir-drenched, psychologically tortured and memorable of all the recent big comic-book hero movies."

Coyote Ugly

 

  Graced with a velvet voice, 21-year-old Violet Sanforn heads to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a songwriter only to find her aspirations sidelined by the accolades and notoriety she receives at her "day" job as a barmaid at Coyote Ugly. A new nightclub with a twist, Coyote Ugly is the hottest spot in town, featuring a team of sexy, enterprising young women. Lil is the savvy and... See Full Description
Comedy, Drama, Musical/Performing Arts, Romance and AdaptationNZone,
(2.5 out of 5 stars) "...a 'Flashdance' redux..." Full Review... Deseret News (Salt Lake City),
(1.5 stars) "...ludicrously entertaining..." Full Review... E! Online,
(grade: C+) "...something called a plot gets in the way..." Full Review... filmcritic.com,
(2 out of 5 stars) "...just plain bad."

Moulin Rouge

  Christian, a young Bohemian poet living in 1899 Paris, defies his father by joining the colorfully diverse clique inhabiting the dark, fantastical underworld of Paris' now legendary Moulin Rouge. In this seedy but glamorous haven of sex, drugs and newly-discovered electricity, the poet-innocent finds himself plunged into a passionate but ultimately tragic love affair with Satine, the club's... See Full Description
Drama, Musical/Performing Arts and RomanceMay 18, 2001 NY/LA; June 1, 2001 WideBBC, Neil Smith
"...a feast for the senses..." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"It's like being trapped on an elevator with the circus." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...a rare picture that gets you intoxicated on the possibilities of movies." more... CNN.com, Paul Clinton
"...quite simply, a spectacular reinvention of the movie musical." more...

View the original article here

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

  A tale of adventure set during the 17th Century in the Caribbean Sea. For the roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow, the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, like the high seas the world over, present a vast playground where adventure and mystery abound. But Jack's idyllic life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa, steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of... See Full Description
Action/Adventure and Kids/FamilyPG-13 for action/adventure violence.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bob Longino
"...a consistently rousing, funny and thoroughly entertaining summer action movie." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...a movie that charms the audience and then outstays its welcome." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...Pirates of the Caribbean is fun - but only as long as you don't expect much." more... E! Online,
"...this flick may just be the buried treasure of the summer-blockbuster season."

Mean Girls

  Cady Heron is a cultural blank slate when she first sets foot on the grounds of North Shore High School in a small town outside of Chicago, Illinois. After living in Africa, Cady, now a junior, has no idea how "wild" things can be in civilization until she crosses paths with one of the meanest species of all, the "Queen Bee," who at this particular high school is the cool and calculating... See Full Description
PG-13 for sexual content, language and some teen partying.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"Reasonably mean and certainly funny, but eventually wimps out." more... Boston Globe, Wesley Morris
"Mean Girls is a pitcher of Kool-Aid with a drop of acid..." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"In a wasteland of dumb movies about teenagers, Mean Girls is a smart and funny one." more... Chicago Tribune, Robert K. Elder
"Though not a perfect comedy, it manages to be quite often laugh-out-loud funny." more...

View the original article here

Thirteen

  At the edge of adolescence, Tracy is a smart straight-A student--if not a little naive. When she befriends Evie, the most popular and beautiful girl in school, Evie leads Tracy down a path of sex, drugs and self-mutilation. As Tracy transforms herself and her identity, her world becomes a boiling, emotional cauldron fueled by new tensions between her and her mother--as well as, teachers and old f... See Full Description
R for drug use, self destructive violence, language and sexuality.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"...piercingly strong..." more... Boston Globe, Ty Burr
"It's the movie's relentlessness...that will make it a success de scandale at upscale suburban movie theaters." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"That the horrors in this movie are worse than those found in the lives of most 13-year-olds, I believe and hope." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"It's an excellent, unforgettable film, one of the prize American indies of the year."

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

  There's trouble brewing in Bikini Bottom. Someone has stolen King Neptune's crown, and it looks like Mr. Krab, SpongeBob's boss, is the culprit. Though he's just been passed over for the promotion of his dreams, SpongeBob stands by his boss, and along with his best pal Patrick, sets out on a treacherous mission to Shell City to reclaim the crown and save Mr. Krab's life.
Comedy, Kids/Family, Animation and AdaptationAtlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"SpongeBob rules!" more... Boston Globe, Wesley Morris
"...ambles from adventure to adventure, taking nothing seriously, not even itself." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...so much more entertaining than you are probably imagining." more... Chicago Tribune, Scott L. Powers
"...too much message, not enough nonsense."

Charlie's Angels

  Three beautiful private detectives who work for a suave playboy boss are called in to rescue soon-to-be billionaire software mogul Eric Knox, when he is kidnapped from his office at Knox Technologies. While rough-and-tumble Alex, wild-child Dylan, and nerdy Natalie use an impressive array of high-tech gadgetry and martial arts moves to retrieve Knox from the clutches of rival Roger Corwin and his goons,... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Thriller, Crime/Gangster and AdaptationPG 13 for action violence, innuendo and some sensuality/nudity.Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...eye candy for the blind." more... culturevulture.net, Scott Von Doviak
"The latest proof that summer in Hollywood now lasts all year round, 'Charlie's Angels' is yet another update of a 70's television artifact, in this case, the crown jewel of ABC's renowned jiggle era." more... Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jeff Vice
"...may be the year's most pleasant surprise." more... E! Online,
"...smart enough not to take itself too seriously."

Gangs of New York

  In 1860's lower Manhattan, the Five Points section is a dark, teeming corner of the city known for vice and chaos. Into this frontier of lawlessness arrives the young Irish American, Amsterdam Vallon. Amsterdam is the orphaned son of the slain Priest Vallon--once chief warrior of the Dead Rabbits gang that rallied the Irish immigrants of the Five Points. After 16 years in a "House of Refuge,"... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Drama, Crime/Gangster and AdaptationDecember 20th, 2002 (1,500 theaters)R for intense strong violence, sexuality/nudity and language.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"...a fever-sprawl of a movie, a melting-pot panorama, brought to full boil." more... BBC, Nev Pierce
"...both astounds and enthrals..." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"It is very good but not great." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...definitely the work of a master."

Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour

  Captures 14-year-old singing sensation, Miley Cyrus, in concert at several venues on her 2007 54-city tour. She performs as both a solo artist and as her popular television character, Hannah Montana.
Boston Globe, Joseph P. Kahn
"She sings and dances ably enough, and her tunes (she writes, too, including one song poignantly dedicated to her late grandfather) surpass much of what's heard on Radio Disney." more... Entertainment Weekly, Owen Gleiberman
"As a soundtrack for empowerment, not to mention tween shopping (is there a difference now?), one could do worse." more... New York Post, Lou Lumenick
"Parents of tweens, you've been warned." more... New York Times, Andy Webster
"...it appears that she can sing."

Titanic

  After winning a trip on the RMS Titanic during a dockside card game, American Jack Dawson spots the society girl Rose DeWitt Bukater who is on her way to Philadelphia to marry her rich snob fiance Cal Hockley. Rose feels helplessly trapped by her situation and makes her way to the aft deck and thinks of suicide until she is rescued by Jack. Cal is therefore obliged to invite Jack to dine at their first-class... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Drama and RomancePG-13 for disaster related peril and violence, nudity, sensuality and brief language.BBC, Almar Haflidason
". . .a truly impressive feat of entertainment achieved by Cameron." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"Like a great iron Sphinx on the ocean floor, the Titanic faces still toward the West, interrupted forever on its only voyage." more... E! Online,
"Who'd have thought that the most expensive film ever made could also be good cinema?" more... Reel.com, Rod Armstrong
"To my mind, Titanic is really two films — a trite romantic drama about young love and a spellbinding disaster flick which spares no expense." more...

View the original article here

Fantastic Four

  Investor, astronaut and scientist Dr. Reed Richards' lifelong dream is close to being realized. He is spearheading a trip to outer space, to the center of a cosmic storm. There he hopes to unlock the secrets of the human genetic codes for the benefit of all humanity. Extensive government grant cutbacks nearly dashed the visionary's hopes of the historic flight, until Reed accepted a financing deal... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Crime/Gangster and AdaptationPG 13 for sequences of intense action, and some suggestive content.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"...chances are, you'll be taken in." more... Boston Globe, Wesley Morris
"...you might assume its source was the cartoons of Hanna-Barbera." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...in short, underwhelming." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...missing something vital by the end."

Original Sin

  In turn of the century Cuba, Luis, a wealthy coffee tycoon, arranges to marry an American woman named Julia. When he takes Julia as his wife, he thinks his life is complete. But people aren't always who they seem and Luis's life begins to unravel. When Julia disappears with his money, Luis is forced to look into Julia's past - a past that doesn't seem to exist - and finds that the woman... See Full Description
Drama, Romance, Thriller, Adaptation and RemakeR for strong sexual content and some violence.Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
(grade: C) "...both overheated and tepid." Full Review... Deseret News (Salt Lake City),
(1.5 stars) "...how desperate were Banderas and Jolie to take a project as clearly awful as this one is?" Full Review... E! Online,
(grade: C-) "The real sin here? Paying full price for this flick."

Remember the Titans

  Based on the true story of the explosive events that took place in Alexandria, Virginia in 1971 when African-American football coach Herman Boone was hired to guide an integrated but racially polarized high school team--the T.C. Williams Titans. Angry, stubborn and a rigid taskmaster, Boone faces a cool reception from the team's players as well as an awkward relationship with assistant coach Bill... See Full Description
PG for thematic elements and some language.NZone,
(3 out of 5 stars) "...another 'Denzel against the world' film." Full Review... Cinema Sense,
"Gem" "A wonderfully stitched movie about a community overcoming racial prejudice via the crucible of its high school gridiron." Full Review... Deseret News (Salt Lake City),
(3 out of 4 stars) "...has real heart..."

What a Girl Wants

  Daphne Reynolds has what every girl wants--or so it seems. This spirited young American girl has a unique style all her own, an unconventional but loving relationship with her bohemian mother Libby and a future full of possibilities--but despite her remarkable promise, Daphne feels incomplete. She dreams of one day meeting the father she’s never known, the man Libby shared a whirlwind romance with... See Full Description
Comedy, Drama, Musical/Performing Arts, Romance and RemakeAtlanta Journal-Constitution, Christy Lemire
"The shoe doesn't fit for this charm-free Cinderella tale." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"The movie is clearly intended for girls between the ages of 9 and 15, and for the more civilized of their brothers, and isn't of much use to anyone else." more... Chicago Tribune, Robert K. Elder
"It's all transparent, absurd posturing that makes everyone look culturally ignorant, if not a bit daft." more... Cincinnati Enquirer, Margaret A. McGurk
"Despite its superficial ways, the movie does have charm." more...

View the original article here

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

 

  Set in a time of uncertainty in the land of Middle-earth, a tale which charts a heroic quest which centers around an intrepid hobbit. The future of civilization rests in the fate of the One Ring, which has been lost for centuries. Powerful forces are unrelenting in their search for it. But fate has placed it in the hands of a young Hobbit named Frodo Baggins, who inherits the Ring and steps into legend.... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and SequelPG 13 for epic battle sequences and scary images.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"...a terrific movie." more... BBC, Nev Pierce
"...surpasses The Fellowship of the Ring in terms of wit, action and narrative drive." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...stands on its own as a visionary thriller." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...a stupendous visual achievement, a great movie fantasy."

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

  Sauron's forces have laid siege to Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, in their efforts to eliminate the race of men. The once-great kingdom, watched over by a fading steward, has never been in more desperate need of its king. But can Aragorn answer the call of his heritage and become what he was born to be? In no small measure, the fate of Middle-earth rests on his broad shoulders. With the final... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and SequelPG 13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
"...Peter Jackson brings his epic series to a glorious finish." more... Boston Globe, Ty Burr
"King has pageantry, purpose, but it's not quite the greatest show on Middle-earth." more... Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"That it falls a little shy of greatness is perhaps inevitable." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"This is a movie that, purely and simply, has visions and excitement to blow us away once again." more...

View the original article here

The Other Side of Heaven

  John Groberg, a farm kid from Idaho, crosses an ocean to become a missionary in the remote and exotic Kingdom of Tonga during the 1950's, leaving behind a loving family and the true love of his life, Jean Sabin. Through letters and musings across the sky, John shares his adventures with "the girl back home," and her letters buoy up his spirits in difficult times. John must struggle to... See Full Description
Action/Adventure, Drama, Kids/Family, Adaptation, Biopic and Politics/ReligionDecember 14, 2001 (limited), April 12, 2002 (limited)PG for thematic elements and brief disturbing images.Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sheila Norman-Culp
"...wry, gentle comedy." more... Chicago Tribune, Robert K. Elder
"... a breathtaking exotic landscape cluttered only by the smugness of its characters." more... Deseret News, Jeff Vice
"...a disappointment." more... E! Online,
"...takes drama and drains it of friction." more...

American Pie

  Jim is your average healthy re-blooded virgin -- he's desperate to "make it" with a woman. The stakes are raised when his parents catch him with his pants down watching porno films in his bedroom, his one experience with a beautiful exchange student turns into an online disaster and his friends make a pact that by the day of their high school graduation, none of them will be virgins.... See Full Description
R for strong sexuality, crude sexual dialogue, language and drinking, all involving teens.Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...not inspired, but it's cheerful and hard-working and sometimes funny..." more... filmcritic.com, Christopher Null
"... can’t help but feel drained (from laughter) after leaving this pic." more... Orlando Weekly, Steve Schneider
"...a washout..." more... ReelViews, James Berardinelli
"It takes risks; they don't always work, but, when they do, there's a payoff."

Saving Grace (Fine Line Features)

  Grace Trevethan's idyllic life on the Cornish coast is turning upside down. Faced with her husband's untimely death, a mountain of debt, a former mistress and the prospect of losing her beautiful manor house, Grace decides to put her green fingers to work. Desperate times call for desperate measures and with a little prompting from her now underemployed gardener, Matthew, Grace swaps her prize-winning... See Full Description
R for drug content and language.NZone,
(3.5 out of 5 stars) "Following along on the footsteps of 'The Full Monty,' 'The Big Tease' and 'Waking Ned Devine,' 'Saving Grace' brings us back into the world of yet another quaint little British town." Full Review... culturevulture.net,
"The movie staggers where it should skip lightly, its scenes elastic and unshaped." Full Review... Empire (UK),
(3 out of 5 stars) "For all its niceties, there's nothing new here." Full Review... Film Journal International,
"...blithe, snappily paced..."

Beauty and the Beast

 

 An arrogant nobleman is turned into a beast and, in order to break the spell, he tries to win the love of a village girl.
Comedy, Kids/Family, Musical/Performing Arts, Romance and AnimationNovember 13th, 1991; January 1st, 2002 (IMAX Re-release)Walt Disney Studios DistributionChicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"...great entertainment..." more... Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...this is a film of astonishments." more... E! Online,
"...this beaut's worth it just to revisit a time when Disney knew how to make good animated films without its Pixar crutch." more... filmcritic.com, Christopher Null
"...on a return viewing ten years later, Beauty and the Beast doesn't seem to be quite the masterpiece we once thought."

100 Girls

  A college freshman has sex with a girl during a power outage and never sees her face. When he goes in search of the mystery girl, he realizes there are about one hundred suspects to consider.

View the original article here

Robin Hood - Movie Review

Cover via Amazon

"Robin Hood" is an action movie that was released in May of 2010. It is rated PG-13.
I probably read "Robin Hood" for the first time when I was around 10 years old. I then re-read it a number of times over the next few years. The release of "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" was a red letter day for me and I enjoyed that film a lot. The latest version, the "Robin Hood" we are discussing today, has a number of twists that made it even more interesting as I tried to guess what would happen.
Robin Longstride (Russel Crowe) has been fighting for years in the Crusades with King Richard's army. During the last siege before returning to England, King Richard is killed with a crossbow bolt in the neck (first big surprise). His right hand man Robert Locksley is tasked with bringing the crown back to London in order to have it presented to the next king, Richard's brother John. John's boyhood friend and trusted companion Sir Godfrey turns out to be a traitor and is actively helping King Philip of France to take advantage of England's weakness. He and a number of French soldiers ambush Robert Locksley and his escort before they can leave France. He wants to capture the crown but is thwarted by Robin Longstride and his friends who have left the army and are trying to find their own way home ahead of the army. They discover the ambush and in turn surprise the French soldiers, killing most of them and wounding Godfrey who escapes.
Locksley manages to live long enough to give Robin his sword and asks him to return it to his father, the Lord of Nottingham. Robin and his friends pretend to be knights in order to get back to England. He presents the crown in London and then rides off to Nottingham. When he gets there the Lord Locksley asks him to impersonate his returned son in order to protect the inheritance of dead son's wife, the Lady Marian (Cate Blanchett). He agrees and with the reluctant help of Marian he soon proves that he can be of great help to them all.
Godfrey is commissioned by John to go the the northern Baronies to collect back taxes. These areas have already been impoverished by taxes to pay for the Crusades and they don't have the money to pay what is owed. Godfrey leads his English men into another ambush where they are all killed and replaced with French soldiers. They then proceed to attack cities and towns to not only collect money but to rouse the anger of the barons against John in the hope that they will commit to civil war.
Godfrey learns that Robin is in Nottingham and leads his men to attack the town. Godfrey kills the old lord and has his men put many of the townspeople, including Marian into a building and set it on fire. Robin, who had been out of town getting the support of the barons, returns with an army that kills the French invaders and learns that the French fleet will be landing soon. The army of the barons and the king join forces to meet the fleet and repel the invading army. While John actually joins the fighting, when the French surrender the English soldiers cheer for Robin. John becomes jealous and breaks his promise to provide greater freedoms to his people and naming Robin an outlaw. Robin and Marian then make their way into Sherwood Forest.
My Recommendation
I liked the movie and the unexpected twists that were written into the script. Seeing Robin start out as a regular guy and then becoming Robin of Locksley through deception was a neat rewrite from the book and made the entire film more interesting. The action scenes were great with Robin actually using a sword almost as much as he use his bow. The final battle on the beach was not historically correct but who cares? It was well done and we did get to see Robin pull off a spectacular bow shot to finally put an end to Godfrey.
I've admired Cate Blanchett ever since her portrayal of Katherine Hepburn in "The Aviator". She was definitely the best Maid Marian I've seen although technically she was no longer a "Maid" but a married woman. Her character did not mind jumping in to plow a field, shoe a horse, or pull livestock from the mud. I didn't really feel any chemistry between Cate Blanchett and Russel Crowe but then again, it wasn't a romantic comedy so I don't really mind that. In fact, I never mind that as much as my lovely wife does.
Overall I have no problem recommending the movie to the guys or ladies. The ladies get to see Mr. Crowe with his shirt off and the guys get to see him shoot arrows into the bad guys. That's a good trade-off, right?

Howard Ralston is an avid movie-goer and writer. He finally realized that he could combine these two passions and now writes movie reviews on Movie Crasher. Look for more reviews of action movies on his site.

Tips for Picking a Good Movie

Okay, so maybe it’s not that bad, but essentially you have to choose something that’s going to make everyone happy. So lucky you have this wonderful guide with you.
Your Mood, Your Movie
If you’ve been given the “responsibility” of selecting a movie, then there is a bright side – you’ve got control. Your mood can ultimately dictate what genre of film.
• Happy – Go for a comedy, adventure, action or musical
• Thoughtful – If you’re in the mood to be challenged try a thriller, action, crime & gangster, drama, science fiction, or epic historical feature
• Indifferent – Sometimes you just don’t know what you’re feeling, so the best bet is to go for something that has a bit of everything like a comedy, detective & mystery, fantasy, biopics, animations, or chick flick.
• Sad or Distracted – When you’re feeling blue or have your mind on other things, it’s best to keep things light with a positive movie that offers a few laughs or a feel-good theme.
Movie Choice Etiquette
‘Movie Choice What?’ I hear you say. Well, maybe we just made something up and maybe it’s the way of the future. If people can make a blog about car shotgun rules, who’s to say there’s no room for movie choice etiquette?
Your mood will decide the genre of the movie you watch, so being wary of the rest of the people who have to watch the film is always good “movie choice etiquette”.
Choosing For Kids
Everyone loves being the cool parent, the one that lets the little ones slightly get away with things, so if there are kids in the group, choose films that are appropriate for their age, especially if they belong to someone else. That will just come back and bite you ten-fold when they go home and tell their folks that they’ve seen ‘Aliens Director’s Cut’.
Check the Reviews and Starring Actors
If you’re really concerned about the quality of the film, jump online to check the opinions of others who have seen the movie. While critic reviews are sometimes helpful, it is usually the “real people” ratings that offer a fair appraisal of the film. In some cases, a good movie will often generate a good “buzz” anyway – so if you feel like you’ve heard about the movie and can’t quite remember where it’s from, it’s probably been in the media for all the right reasons...sometimes, though, it could be for all the wrong reasons (remember ‘Waterworld’? Neither do I, but it’s a name etched into the Stone of Bad – another thing I maybe just made up like ‘Movie Choice Etiquette’).
Finally, look at the stars – it's a good way of measuring whether it is going to be a quality film, as the big-league actors are very selective as to which projects they sign onto, except Robert DeNiro, he’s really sold himself out these days. Maybe Samuel L. Jackson, too, but it’s a no-brainer he sold out...why else would you be in a movie with Hayden Christiansen, or Christian Haydensen, I can never remember.
If all else fails and you’re just not confident with selecting a good film, turn to the Disney section. After all, everyone will have seen these classics and undoubtedly enjoy reliving their childhood, if only for a few hours.

How to Watch Blu-Ray DVD on iPad

Image via Wikipedia

Blu-ray Disc (also known as BD or Blu-ray) is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the standard DVD format. Its main uses are for storing high-definition video, PlayStation 3 video games, and other data, with up to 25 GB per single layered, and 50 GB per dual layered disc. The disc has the same physical dimensions as standard DVDs and CDs.

The iPad is the first tablet computer developed by Apple Inc. It is part of a device category between a smartphone and a laptop computer. A beautiful 9.7-inch high-resolution display makes iPad perfect for watching any kind of video: from HD movies and TV shows to podcasts and music videos. However, if you want to watch Blu-Ray DVD movies on your iPad, you need to rip Blu-Ray disc to iPad compatible video file and then transfer the output video to iPad with the sync of iTunes. The following tutorial is going to show you how to rip Blu-Ray DVD to iPad compatible video files, helping you watch Blu-Ray movies on the go.

To watch the Blu-Ray movies, what you need to do is simply rip the Blu-Ray DVD into a video format supported by iPad. After you have the files in a compatible format upload them into your iPad through the sync of iTunes Library.

To rip Blu-Ray DVD to iPad video you need to download DVD to iPad Converter Suite.

Step 1. Launch Blu-Ray to iPad Ripper and add Blu-Ray Files

Click the “BD/DVD ROM” button to extract Blu-Ray movie from disc. Or click the “BD/DVD Folder” if you would like to add Blu-Ray files from your PC. The video information of the loaded Blu-Ray movie will be shown in the file list. You can rename the output videos in the file list, select the chapters/titles to convert, choose DVD subtitle and audio track, etc. Double click a selected file, and you will be able to preview it.

Step 2. Choose Output Format

Extend the “Format” drop-down list and choose “iPad” from the category. From the subcategory, you may choose “iPad HD Video (*.mp4)”, “iPad Video H.264 (*.mp4)” or “iPad Video MPEG-4 (*.mp4)” as the output format.

If you want to customize a profile for the output video, you can click the “Settings” button next to the Format field to open the “Profile” window and set video resolution, frame rate, bit rate, encoder, etc. See the figure below:

Step 3. Click “Start” to Rip Blu-Ray DVD to iPad

Check the file list and make sure all the required files are selected. Then click the “Convert” button to start ripping Blu-Ray DVD to iPad.

Step 4. Transfer Output Video to iPad

Connect your iPad to the computer and sync it with iTunes.

To play the movie on your iPad, select Videos then Movies from the iPad Main Menu. You will see an alphabetical list of the available movies. Click on the desired movie to play it.

Note: There are a few tips and tricks you won’t let slip while using this Blu-Ray to iPad Ripper to rip Blu-Ray disc for viewing on iPad, such as trimming DVD length, cropping video edges, adding text/image watermaters, capturing pictures from the movie, applying a video effect, etc.

Ten Best Films of The Past 10 Years

What makes a good animated movie? While beautiful art is certainly important, it takes an engaging story and memorable characters to help an animated film truly stand out. Here’s our list of the 10 best animated films since 2000. What do you think? Did we leave anyone out?

10. Monsters, Inc (2001)
No animation studio has more consistently produced great movies this decade like Pixar. In their first film of the new millennium, Pixar uses computer animation to create an alternate world where the monsters are scared of children. With jokes and sight gags packed into almost every frame, the team at Pixar makes the monster world seem almost more fun than our own.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaLhEVzlndg

9. Shrek (2001)
DreamWorks Animation used Shrek to poke fun at traditional fairy tales in a way no animated movie had up to that point. Pinocchio, the three little pigs and Prince Charming are all fair game for the big green ogre and his talking donkey sidekick. “Shrek” went on to win the first-ever Academy Award for an Animated Feature, and has spawned two sequels (with another on the way) that have made almost $2.2 billion to date.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxqQPrUomTc

8. Persepolis (2007)
This French film follows a young girl’s struggles through the social culture in Iran. “Persepolis” is based on the graphic novel of the same name and uses flat black-and-white animation to communicate its message more poignantly than a traditionally acted movie could. Its PG-13 rating and serious themes go against the traditional notion that animated films should just be for children. It made many critics’ Top 10 lists in 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PXHeKuBzPY

7. The Incredibles (2004)
Families looking for just another fun superhero movie got more than they bargained for when they went to see “The Incredibles.” This movie deals with serious themes like society’s emphasis on self-esteem and the difficulties that come with middle age. Of course, it also has plenty of fireballs, giant robots and exploding ships to keep even the most hyperactive kid happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE_-pwRnLh4

6. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
After their three popular shorts in the 1990s, this clay duo was ready to finally make their feature film debut in 2005. Because the crew at Aardman Studios used claymation to animate the entire movie, they were able to film only three seconds per day and needed five years to finish the full movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrqRv0s5McU

5. Chicken Run (2000)
Another fantastic claymation film from Aardman Studios. This one’s about hundreds of chickens trying to make their escape from a POW-style chicken coop. Through all the action, the filmmakers also manage to sprinkle in references to movies like “Stalag 17,” “The Great Escape” and “Indiana Jones.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOnmZuqN7HE

4. Ratatouille (2007)
This film gives us one of the great animated duos since Buzz and Woody hit the screen when Remy the rat teams up with Linguini, an aspiring chef. “Ratatouille’s” message is that great art can come from anywhere, and its animators seem to have found it in beautiful shots of Paris through a rat’s perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALUmKa_mpik

3. Spirited Away (2001)
This anime movie by famed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history and is currently the only foreign language film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Film. This coming of age story follows a young girl who gets trapped in a world of animals and monsters and must find her way out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6az9wGfeSgM

2. Finding Nemo (2004)
While “Finding Nemo” is filled with breathtaking coral reefs, its most memorable moments come from its colorful characters. This film about a clown fish trying to find his son is populated by hippie sea turtles, sharks that don’t eat fish and one very forgetful Blue Tang. “Finding Nemo” became the highest-grossing Pixar movie ever and helped put thousands of clown fish into the fishbowls of children around the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfgeIZyrIM0

1. WALL-E (2008)
Pixar shows once again why they are the masters of animation through the beautiful “WALL-E.” Using little more than a series of beeps and bloops, they are able to communicate a touching love story between two robots. And with almost no dialogue through the first 40 minutes of the movie, “WALL-E” almost has more in common with Charlie Chaplin’s silent comedies of the 1910s than the hyperkinetic computer-animated films of today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alIq_wG9FNk

Black Swan The Movie

Image via Wikipedia

Black Swan is the newest movie coming out from Darren Aronofsky. The plot was a closely held secret, and there were a lot of rumors swirling around, especially about what form the relationship between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, the movies 2 big stars, would take. When the Black Swan movie trailer came out, instead of clearing up any mysteries, it just spawned more and whetted the appetite of the Internet viewers.
Since the Black Swan movie premiere at movie festivals takes place on September first at the Venice Film Festival, it was inevitable that a trailer would come out. This trailer is just a teaser, just enough that everyone sees a little bit and wants more. There is a clip that seems to answer whether or not Natalie Portman's character Nina and Mila Kunis's character Lily have a very personal relationship, but it is just a flash on the screen and only raises more questions.
The Black Swan plot centers around the ballet world. Natalie Portman's character is an experienced, technically brilliant ballerina who is practicing for her lead part in the ballet Swan Lake. Her mother, played by Barbara Hershey, pushes her towards success, and her dance master keeps telling her to put more feeling into her dancing. Mila Kunis's character Lily enters. Lily dances with all the passion and emotion that Nina is missing out on. The movie focuses Nina's fixation on Lily and on their relationship.
Regarded as one of the year's most mysterious films, the less that is said about Black Swan, the more tension and excitement mounts about the movie. Some movie trailers give you a good idea of what the movie is about and what to expect. You have a pretty good idea of what is happening in the movie from what you see in the trailer. The Black Swan movie trailer is not that kind of trailer. Instead, it just helped to draw a further veil of mystery over the movie, leaving everyone confused as to exactly what is going to happen in the movie. There are a lot of people who can't wait to see Black Swan and see if it lives up to the mystery. Watch your favorite movies here.

Best Movies to Watch This Season

Cover of Bruce Willis

Some of the best movies to watch are none other than the Expendables, Salt, Inception and Nightmare on Elm Street if you prefer action-packed films for the purpose of entertainment. Take the time to read the reviews about these films before attempting to view. Unless you love surprises, then you could jolly well go ahead with the viewing of these films. Check for the earliest show that you can watch so that you are able to catch them as they first hit the shores in your city.
The cast of the best movies to watch are indispensible as they all have their own individual flavors which are added to the flow of the film. For instance, in the Expendables, the line-up of stars is monstrous in terms of popularity. Sylvester Stallone is the main hero of the film, together with the musky team of the Transporter star, Jason Statham. Other than that, funnyman Terry Crews joins in the boisterous crowd as an explosives and weapons expert. The main spoiler alert is the scene in a church where Sly and his former real-life action hero rival, Arnold Schwarzenegger stand side by side, mocking each other in front of another former action star, Bruce Willis.
Freddie Kruger strikes back in Nightmare on Elm Street and this time he kills the grown-ups in their sleep. In the film, the teenagers that were once in the same kindergarten which is haunted by the murder of a gardener are forced to face with the consequences of their actions. Freddie does a wonderful job in making the audience lose sleep with his terrifying appearance in the film; however the plot revolves around the escape plan of the teenagers which is ultimately avoidance of sleep. It is just a matter of time until one of them drifts off and meets Freddie in their nightmares.
Other than the list above, film junkies can look forward to an hour and a half of romantic scenes between Bella and Edward in the Twilight trilogy, Eclipse. This long awaited last piece of the saga can be found in Stephanie Meyer's paperback release but as what film junkies prefer, it is always better to view it on the big screen. Bella who waits for her love, Edward, is now taking a curious second look at her other love interest, Jacob. The chemistry between the stars is felt by the audience as the plot thickens for the last time.

Outland (1981)

Cover of Outland

Sen Connery. What a man. A man's man. A ladies' man. A Sci-Fi man.

Oh yes, indeed. The bold Sen has made the several forays into the world of Science-Fiction, some good ('The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' for all its faults is still hugely enjoyable), some not so good (1974's 'Zardoz' - Connery is a big red nappy - and it's Irish!).

But one of his better ventures was Peter Hyams' forgotten Sci-Fi actioner, 'Outland', released to critical approval in 1981. Aptly summed up as 'High Noon' in space, it deals with a police officer (Connery) being dispatched to a large mining colony on Io, one of the moons of Jupiter. There he encounters corruption, organized crime, drug smuggling, unscrupulous corporate politics and a shootout finale. All this takes place in a maze of low-light tunnels, futuristic corridors and metal-wrapped rooms that look like they came straight out of Ridley Scott's 'Alien'.

Indeed the marked similarities in layout and design between both movies has often been remarked upon, usually to the disparagement of 'Outland', but in fact both movies merely extrapolate a future based upon the ideas and concepts of the late 1970s and early '80s in a realistic manner and come up unsurprisingly with much the same results. The mining colony of Io looks remarkably lifelike, with a worn, industrial lived-in look. It is a dark, grimy place reflecting its purpose and much of the technology still looks remarkably believable today.

Though liked by critics the audience reaction upon release was mixed and today the movie enjoys a greater reputation than it did then as a primer of what a realistic Science-Fiction movie should look like - and feel. Thirty years on it can still be enjoyed as a western set in space, and any film with Sen Connery is always going to be good.

Biography of James Bond Creator Ian Fleming

Image via Wikipedia

Born in Mayfair, London, 1908, Ian Lancaster Fleming was a British author, journalist, and World War II Navy Commander. Though, in popular culture, Fleming is best known for creating the James Bond character, chronicling his adventures in twelve novels and nine short stories.

Also accredited to Fleming are the children's story, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and two other non-fiction books. Fleming died in 1964, but his timeless character James Bond continues to live on with numerous movies, the more recent movies being throwbacks to the first book, Casino Royale, and its sequel, Quantum of Solace.

Fleming was born to Valentine Fleming, a Member of Parliament, and his wife Evelyn Ste Croix Fleming. He was the younger brother of travel writer Peter Fleming and the older brother of Michael and Richard Fleming. Fleming was educated at Sunningdale School in Berkshire, Eton College, and at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

He was honored Victor Ludorum at Eton, two years in a row - something that had been achieved only once before. Fleming would attend school in Austria, attempting to improve his German and prepare for Foreign Office exams. Finally, he ended up at the University of Geneva, where he failed to join the Foreign Office, ultimately working as sub-editor and journalist for the Reuters news service.

In 1939, on the eve of World War II, Fleming was recruited as Rear Admiral John Godfrey's personal assistant. Fleming was eventually promoted to Commander with the codename 17F.

In 1942, Fleming formed an Auxiliary Unit known as 30AU, or 30 Assault Unit that he nicknamed "Red Indians", the unit was specifically trained in lock-picking, safe-cracking, hand-to-hand combat, and other techniques and skills involving collecting intelligence. Fleming's group collected key intelligence for many missions during the war, especially with successful missions such as Operation Overlord.

Fleming's time in the service of the Navy proved to be inspiration for his writing career. The intelligence work provided him with a solid background for spy novels.

In 1953, he published his first novel, Casino Royale. It was with this classic novel that Fleming introduced the world to the character, James Bond, famously known by his code number, 007. Rumors of Fleming's involvement with Camp X, a specialized training program during WWII, supplied Fleming with character details for Bond.

Bond's actual name came from famed ornithologist James Bond, son of the Bond family who befriended Fleming, allowing him to use their Jamaican estate to write. The Bonds were wealthy manufacturers whose estate outside of Philadelphia, Pa. eventually became Gwynedd Mercy College.

The Bond novels realized little to no success with the American audience until then President John F. Kennedy cited From Russia With Love on a list of his favorite books. After that, sales quickly increased. Fleming would go on to write a total of 14 Bond books.

After the financial success of the Bond series, Fleming was able to retire. Along with the Bond series, Fleming has also written a children's novel and two guide books: Thrilling Cities, and a study of The Diamond Smugglers.

John Travolta - A True Icon

Image via Wikipedia

John Travolta is a living legend in Hollywood today. It was in the 70's that he shot to fame with a mesmerizing performance in "Saturday Night Fever", and the fact that he is till around acting speaks volumes about the abilities of the man and his acting talent. He started his career on American Television, and soon graduated to movies. It was the lucky break in Saturday Night Fever that was the turning pointy in his career, and he has never looked back since then.

There have been more than 50 John Travolta pictures till date and many have been major hits at the box office. SNF, which had 17 audio tracks, caught the imagination of the youth and there are people who say that there has not been a better movie in the genre of music till date. Another of John Travolta pictures which was a musical and also proved to be a success was Grease which was released in 1978. It created record of sorts with 5 Golden Globe nominations and is considered to be a great musical hit.

Since then he has worked in many hit movies like Urban Cowboy, Pulp Fiction, Get Shorty and Face off in which he played the role of an FBI agent who disguises as a terrorist to bring another terrorist out of hiding to gun him down. This movie has been critically acclaimed and catapulted Travolta as a serious actor. He followed this up with A Civil Action and The General's daughter. Travolta is a man with a mission. He was seen in From Paris with Love which was a comeback of sorts for this legend. He says that movies and Hollywood run as blood in his body and he will continue forever. There are many more John Travolta 2010 in the pipeline which his fans can see at the theaters soon.

My Top Five Favorite Movies Starring Tommy Lee Jones

Image via Wikipedia

One actor who has been in so many great films, it is hard to keep track, is Tommy Lee Jones. Jones started acting in the early 1970s, and has not slowed down since. He has been in all sorts of films, from action and adventure, to Westerns, and even comedy. He is a truly amazing actor and the accolades he has collected over the years help show that.
But which Tommy Lee Jones movies are the best? Here are some of my favorites.
The first movie that I will mention on this list is The Fugitive. If you have not yet seen The Fugitive, you are depriving yourself of one of the best movies of the 1990s. Tommy Lee Jones won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this film. This movie also stars Harrison Ford as a wrongfully accused doctor who is being charged with the murder of his wife. He must track down the killer while avoiding getting arrested in the process.
Another great film starring Tommy Lee Jones was No Country For Old Men. This movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and with good reason. Jones plays the part of an aging cop in a small desert town to perfection. Joel and Ethan Coen directed this movie and it is one of my favorite films that these brothers have put out.
I would be remiss to make a list of Tommy Lee Jones' best movies without including Under Siege. I have not heard anyone talk about this movie in years, but when it came out, this was easily one of my favorite action movies. This is probably Steven Segal's best movie and he plays the part of a cook to perfection.
While they are not my personal favorite films, I do think you have to give credit to the Men In Black movies. These movies have grossed so much money that it cannot be ignored. A third installment is on the way as well.
One other great movie from Tommy Lee Jones that I will include on this list is Natural Born Killers. This is probably my favorite film directed by Oliver Stone and in addition to Jones, stars Woody Harrelson and Julliette Lewis.
Hopefully there are one or more films from Tommy Lee Jones' catalog that you have not yet seen. If you need a good place to get started, I highly recommend the above mentioned films.

A List Of My Favorite Steven Spielberg Movies To Date

Image via Wikipedia

According to practically every list of best directors ever written, Steven Spielberg is considered one of the greatest. Sure, this is my opinion, but it is also the opinion of many others. Maybe this is why he has been nominated for so many Academy Awards or why his movies tend to do very well at the box office.
It is tough to comprise a list of Spielberg's top five movies of all time, but I will give it a try.
The first film I would like to discuss is probably the most kid friendly on this list. E.T: The Extraterrestrial came out in 1982 and has been considered a classic ever since. People of all ages tend to love this movie. The ride at Universal Studios is incredibly fun as well.
Another fantastic movie directed by Spielberg was Saving Private Ryan. Few people do World War II films as good as Spielberg does and this film is the perfect depiction. No wonder he managed to snag an Oscar for Best Director.
It's definitely tough to make a list of Spielberg movies and not give praise to The Color Purple. This film picked up a ton of nominations at the 1986 Academy Awards, including a Best Director nod for Spielberg and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Oprah Winfrey.
One movie that must be included on any list of Steven Spielberg films is Schindler's List. If you have yet to see this movie, do yourself a favor and dedicate four hours (it is very long) on a rainy Saturday to watch it.
When it comes to Spielberg's top rated movies of all time, Raiders Of The Lost Ark chimes in at number 22 on the iMDB.com greatest films of all time. This is my personal favorite Indiana Jones movie and was the predecessor for many action/adventure movies that we see today.
As it stands, this is my Spielberg list. Supposedly he has an Abraham Lincoln biopic in the works, which I have no doubt will be incredible.

Death Note - Foreign Film Review

Cover of Death Note (Live Action)

Synopsis: Based on the Japanese manga (comic book series) of the same title by Tsugumi Oba and Takeshi Obata, the plot involves a university student named Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara). Light hopes to become a police detective one day, and studies diligently to achieve his goal.

He hates crime and corruption, and while walking home one night, finds a supernatural notebook owned by Ryuk, the God of Death (voiced by Shido Nakamura). Light learns that the name of any human written in the notebook will die, and soon goes to work trying to rid the world of killers and thieves.

He takes on an alias known as Kira, and soon becomes a controversial underground celebrity. Light wields his power mercilessly, and discovers that the act of writing in the notebook also gives him the God-like ability to control an individual's actions and alter the course of a person's destiny.

With the companionship of Ryuk, Light uses his brilliant intellect to exact his personal form of justice while staying one step ahead of the law.

But the law is trying to track him down, and Light finds himself hunted by a mysterious detective known only as "L" (Kenichi Matsuyama). "L" is every bit as brilliant as Light, and the game of cat-and-mouse escalates as both are tested to the limits of their intellect.

The Good: Death Note is an ingeniously developed story with a very cool plot. The supernatural element is very complex, but is clearly explained and contained within the context of the story. Any possible plot holes are expertly plugged, which is impressive because this movie could have easily fallen apart.

The story twists are very well thought-out, and this is ultimately an unpredictable movie that will keep you engaged until the very end. Light is a fascinating protagonist, and his God-complex reveals a number of jaw-dropping philosophical/ethical points of discussion.

Although I've never read the original comic book series or watched the anime version, Death Note appears to be a highly successful adaptation. Much of the story/character nuances common in comic-book series are preserved, making it an experience that is as enjoyable as it is complicated.

The Bad: Some of the digital effects involving Ryuk are kind of hokey. And because of the ending, the full impact of this movie will only be completely enjoyed upon the first viewing.

Who would like this movie: I'd recommend Death Note mainly for the 18-35 demographic. It's a very smart movie, and not necessarily just for fans of foreign films.

You'll enjoy it if you're a fan of comic books (especially Japanese manga), thrillers, and imaginative storylines. It's a comic-book adaptation that visually opts for elegance and subtlety over colorful garishness.

(3 and 1/2 stars out of 4)

Director: Shusuke Kaneko

Starring: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Shido Nakamura, Takeshi Kaga, Yu Kashii, Asaka Seto, Kenichi Matsuyama

Year: 2006

Review written by: Joe Yang

Movie Review - Jerry and Tom

A film is such an organic entity. It could have great actors, great script, and a creative director, but yet it still might not click the way it's supposed to.

One important factor is the "background" of similar works that we can't help but compare it with. "Citizen Kane" is fine as a classic but can you watch "Citizen Bob - The Sequel"?

That's the problem with "Jerry and Tom." It watches like a film that Quentin Tarantino wrote with David Mamet from a Coen Brothers idea. "Pulp Fiction" was fresh and electrifying. But "Jerry and Tom," the n-th iteration of a similar concept, feels as tired and old as the used cars that the main characters trade in.

To compensate for that, director Saul Rubinek resorted to some very creative scene transitions which are okay the first few times you experience it. But since EVERY scene segues to the other in the same fashion, you soon come to expect it as if expecting a scene change in a stage play. At that point directing starts to call so much attention to itself that it begins to overpower everything else. And that's the problem with Rubinek's brilliant but in-your-face directing. It make it difficult to suspend our disbelief in the whole enterprise.

J&T are two contract killers who pretend to be used car salesmen during daytime. The film is a collection (not even a "chain") of episodes in which they invariably kill someone, but only after a long and witty give and take a la Tarantino. Throughout the film we have no idea why the victims are killed or who they are since the focus is relentlessly on our narcissistic anti-heros.

In that way, the film raises an ethical question that it does not intend to answer in any form - the morality of homicide (duh!). The director asks us "just to enjoy" one scene of butchery and bloodshed after another for the sake of all that "witty conversation" between two psychopaths who should really be locked up somewhere for good.

The forced ending does not resolve this core problem either. In that sense, this movie, packed with linguistic pyrotechnics and directorial gunpowder, is at its core a vacuous exercise in "entertainment for entertainment's sake" because it lacks a human heart.

Acting by the whole crew, starting with Joe Mantegna (Tom) and Sam Rockwell (Jerry) and including Maury Chaykin (Billy), Ted Danson (The Guy Who Loved Vicki), Charles Durning (Vic), and William H. Macy (Karl) is pretty good. Rockwell in particular is amazing as the slow-witted protege of the old-timer Tom. He is almost as good as he was in the "Matchstick Man." But all that acting cannot help save this sinking project.

5 stars out of 10 for all the smart talk around corpses. But if you've seen "Pulp Fiction" or "Blood Simple" you've seen this one already with one exception - the director tried to make this a "sweeter" picture, if you can imagine that. You like your castor oil with one sugar or two?

A Movie Review on Despicable Me

Image via Wikipedia

Are you looking for a summer blockbuster to go see at the theaters? If you are looking for an animated and quirky movie, consider seeing Despicable Me. Many famous actors, such as Steve Carrell and Jason Segal, have lent their voices to the movie.
Despicable Me is an animated film set in a world that only consists of villains. The world's greatest super villain is Gru, played by Steve Carrell. He is a bald, barrel chested, eastern European villain that has lost his greatest super villain status because someone has stolen the great pyramid of Egypt.
To prove his worthiness and get the greatest super villain title back, Gru decides to pull off the ultimate heist. He is going to steal the moon! In order to steal the moon, he must first steal the top secret shrink ray.
One thing stands in the way of Gru's greatness, Vector (Jason Segal). He is a nerdy villain that develops many seemingly useless weapons that are of little use to anyone. Who needs a gun that fires piranhas?
Another thing that stands in Gru's way is the fact that he cannot get financing for the caper from the Bank of Evil. They are only investing money in young, up and coming villains like Vector. The only way that they will reconsider is if he steals the shrink ray.
Gru steals the shrink ray only to have it stolen by Vector. In order to get it back, Gru focuses on Vector's weakness, cookies. The movie finishes up with us thinking that maybe Gru isn't the evil villain after all! This is a great and quirky movie that is enjoyable for the entire family.

The Last Exorcism

 I love a good horror flick. My wife and I went to see The Last Exorcism and found that it was neither a horror flick, or a good flick. Where to begin? How about at the beginning.

We start out learning about the exorcist in this movie, named Reverend Cotton Marcus. He's a former believer who has lost his faith and now makes his living by charging people for fake exorcisms. Sound flimsy? Like an overcooked noodle.

So Cotton gets this letter pleading for him to come and take a demon out of a teenage girl in Louisiana. If you enjoy a Southern like I do, you only get a few despite a large cast- most of the actors sound like they're from Westchester County in New York. Reminds me of calling a Japanese steakhouse for reservations one time and dealing with a woman who sounded like she was from South Jersey. Not very authentic.

Cotton pulls a few parlor tricks to make the father of the girl think the demon has been expelled. He goes on his way with a fist full of cash, and this is where the Exorcism Express goes off the tracks.

The possessed girl winds up in Cotton's hotel room and the story circles the drain for a while before concluding with some sort of ritual sacrifice. It's unclear whether the possession is real or a trick by a demented cult and no explanation is given before the credits roll.

Mine was one of quite a few that expressed a sort of "You gotta be kidding me" at the film's abrupt ending.

If you're still reading, the real icing on the cake is the overdone shaky camera movements, a la Blair Witch Project. Some of the effects were pretty convincing and some were predictable and look like they needed a bit more time in post before being considered "in the can".

I'd name someone from the cast, but I'm not sure there's a recognizable name in the lot. As my wife and I discussed on the way home from the movies, the actors were all people who fit the definition of character actors. Basically, a "Hey, I know that guy from a commercial or something" kind of cast. And it showed in some of the acting, particularly with What's His Name that played the good Reverend Cotton.

A Twilight Movie Review

Twilight movie is one of the latest movies which have its theme based on the book that was written by Stephanie Meyer who is also featured in the same movie. It was actually released in the Philippines way back in November of 2009 and it stars such movie stars as Robert Pattison as Edward and Kristen steward who is featured as Bella. Since its production it has been doing quite well as its casting is cool enough that one can easily derive the theme and meaning of the movie.
Different from the Edward(main vampire character) presented in the book who appears to be confident, perfect and cool at all the times, Edward in the movie is quite anxious and appears uncomfortable at all times. But as the movie continues, he seems to be moved closer to Bella simply because of her behavior through the film. Based on the fact that Edward is handsome, this gives him the advantage of moving even closer to meeting the woman he has always been dreaming of.
Despite the point that Edward is a vampire, this did not actually stop Bella from falling in love with him, something that most people will be intrigued with when watching the movie. In a normal situation, you will realize that once an individual come to learn about the evil deeds practiced by the person you love, their relationship will come to an abrupt end, but the producer of this film/ tackles this differently. Bella still dreams of Edward every night despite having learned about his impureness and so many other evil deeds.
The producer of the twilight movie also uses the music throughout the movie very well. The provision of lullaby songs for Bella is absolutely amazing as it adds to the uniqueness in the film production from other common movie making. The producer of this great movie uses two very important aspect of styles; suspense and romance which eventually bring out the quality production which makes one great movie that you will never want to miss. Therefore in case you really want to enhance all that you have been reading in the twilight book, then you should actually watch this great movie produced by a renowned producer from the Philippine movie style. Watching the Twilight movie will always make you want to watch more from this great producer as it pushes you to the edge of your seat. New Moon(Twilight 2) has also released and promises to continue where this original film leaves off.

At SeekingMovies.com, you can enjoy thousands of movies with HD trailers and detailed movie-specific information. You are also able to take a look at the latest news in the movie entertainment world as well as comment and share reviews on our Movies Forum. SeekingMovies.com [http://seekingmovies.com/movie-categories/] also has all the free trailers and movie screenings updated automatically on a weekly basis for your convenience.