“Inside Man” Movie
Last Thursday I saw the movie “Inside Man”, which starred: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
The storyline involved the following: “Four people dressed in painters' outfits march into the busy lobby of Manhattan Trust, a cornerstone Wall Street Branch of a worldwide financial institution. Within seconds, the costumed robbers place the bank under a surgically planned siege, and the 50 patrons and staff become unwitting pawns in an airtight heist. NYPD hostage negotiators Detectives Keith Frazier and Bill Mitchell are dispatched to the scene with orders to establish contact with the heist's ringleader, Dalton Russell, and ensure safe release of the hostages. Working alongside Emergency Services Unit (ESU) Captain John Darius, all are hopeful that the situation can be peacefully diffused and that control of the bank and release of those inside can be secured in short order. But Russell proves an unexpectedly canny opponent--clever, calm and totally in command--a puppet master with a meticulous plan to disorient and confuse not only the hostages, but also the authorities. Outside, the crowd of New Yorkers grows as the situation becomes increasingly intense tense, with Frazier's superiors becoming more concerned about his ability to keep the standoff from spiraling out of control. The robbers appear to consistently be one step ahead of the police, outwitting Frazier and Mitchell at every turn. Frazier's suspicions that more is at work than anyone perceives are justified with the entry of Madeline White, a power player with shadowy objectives, who requests a private meeting with Russell. The chairman of the bank's board of directors, controlling entrepreneur Arthur Case, is also uniquely interested in the moment-to-moment happenings inside the branch. But just what are the robbers after? Why has nothing worked to alleviate the standoff, which stretches on hour after hour? Frazier is convinced that invisible strings are being pulled and secret negotiations are taking place as the powder keg situation grows more unstable by the moment.”
I give this movie a “B”, and the movie was interesting, but plot was very complicated. The movie seemed to be making a political statement about an existing political family.
“Failure To Launch” Movie
Last Wednesday I saw the movie “Failure To Launch”, which starred: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Bartha and Bradley Cooper.
The storyline involved the following: “Tripp has never been able to leave the nest. He's always had some reason or other to stay, but now, his desperate parents have finally had enough. They hire the gorgeous and talented girl of his dreams to get him to move out of the house.”
I give this movie a “C+”, and the movie was enjoyable romantic comedy. But it was too predictable, and it needed more original comedy.
“Scary Movie 4” Movie
On Monday I saw the movie “Scary Movie 4”, which starred: Molly Shannon, Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Craig Bierko and Leslie Nielsen.
The story line involved the following: “The Scary Movie gang is back with send-ups of "War of the Worlds," "The Grudge," "The Village," "Saw" and "Saw II," "Million Dollar Baby" and much more. Legendary comedy director David Zucker ("Airplane!," the "Naked Gun" franchise, "Scary Movie 3," and "Ruthless People") and producer Bob Weiss reunite to take aim at some of the best fright films, the latest box office hits, music, current events, pop culture, and your favorite celebrities. Anna Faris and Regina Hall are back as the loveable, dim-witted Cindy Campbell and her self-serving, sex-crazed pal, Brenda, respectively - joined this time around by Craig Bierko ("Cinderella Man"), as the cute-but-utterly clueless Tom Ryan. Together, they battle to save the world from a ruthless alien invasion. And the outrageous celebrity cameos include: Carmen Electra, Shaquille O'Neal, Dr. Phil, Bill Pullman, Chris Elliott, Molly Shannon, Michael Madsen, rappers Chingy and Lil' John, Leslie Nielsen returning as our fearless Commander in Chief, plus many, many more surprises.”
I give the movie a “B+”, and the movie was very funny. All actors did a good job, and the script was excellent.
“The Hills Have Eyes” Movie
Last Thursday I saw the movie “The Hills Have Eyes”, which starred: Aaron Stanford, Kathleen Quinlan, Vinessa Shaw, Emilie de Ravin, Dan Byrd, Tom Bower, Billy Drago, Ted Levine, Robert Joy, Desmond Askew, Ezra Buzzington, Michael Bailey Smith and Laura Ortiz.
The storyline involved the following: “A family road trip goes terrifyingly awry when the travelers become stranded in a government atomic zone. Miles from nowhere, the Carters soon realize the seemingly uninhabited wasteland is actually the breeding ground of a blood-thirsty mutant family...and they are the prey.”
I give this movie a “C+”, and the movie was scary and unpredictable. It was very effective horror movie, but there was too much killing and gore.
“V For Vendetta” Movie
On Wednesday I saw the movie “V For Vendetta”, which starred:: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry and John Hurt.
The storyline involved the following: “Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as "V." Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V urges his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V's mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself--and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.”
I give this movie a “C+”, and the movie was unusual but it was somewhat dark. I liked it.
“Lucky Number Slevin" Movie
On Tuesday I saw the movie “Lucky Number Slevin (2006)”, which starred: Josh Hartnett, Lucy Liu, Ben Kingsley, Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman.
The storyline involved the following: “Set in New York City, a case of mistaken identity lands Slevin (Josh Hartnett) in the middle of a war being plotted by two of the city's most rival crime bosses: The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley) and The Boss (Morgan Freeman). Slevin is under constant surveillance by relentless Detective Brikowski (Stanley Tucci) as well as the infamous assassin Goodkat (Bruce Willis) and finds himself having to hatch his own ingenious plot to get them...before they get him.”
I give this movie a “C+”, and the movie was well-acted. But it had very elaborate plot, which was confusing.
“The Shaggy Dog” Movie
Yesterday I saw the movie “The Shaggy Dog”, which starred: Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Danny Glover, Craig Kilborn and Robert Downey Jr.
The storyline involved the following: “Tim Allen transforms from family dad to family dog and back again in this update of the Disney comedy. It all begins when workaholic Deputy D.A. Dave Douglas (Allen) takes on a case involving an animal laboratory -- one that will take him away yet again from his wife (Kristin Davis) and kids (Zena Grey and Spencer Breslin), who already yearn for his all-too-distracted attention. But when Dave is accidentally infected with a top-secret, genetic-mutation serum, everything he thought he knew about being himself and his family changes. Yet with his newly perked-up ears, and his front-row seat on the household carpet, Dave is able to gain a whole new perspective into his family's secrets and dreams. Now, he wants nothing more than to stop fetching and return to fathering -- only first he'll have to stop the evil forces behind the serum.”
I give this movie a “C+”, and it was a delightful comedy, though the plot was too complicate for my taste.
“Eight Below” Movie
On Thursday I saw the movie “Eight Below”, which starred: Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Bruce Greenwood and Moon Bloodgood.
The plot involved the following: “Inspired by a true story, EIGHT BELOW is an action-adventure about loyalty and the bonds of friendship set in the extreme wilderness of Antarctica. The film tells the story of three members of a scientific expedition: Jerry Shepard, his best friend, Cooper, and a rugged American geologist, who are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions in Antarctica. During the harsh, Antarctic winter, the dogs must struggle for survival alone in the intense frozen wilderness for over 6 months.”
I give the movie a “B+”, and the movie was fun to watch and inspiring. Having dogs in a movie does not hurt its appeal.
“Basic Instinct 2” Movie
Yesterday I saw the movie “Basic Instinct 2”, which starred: Sharon Stone, David Morrissey, Charlotte Rampling, David Thewlis, Hugh Dancy, Anne Caillon, Iain Robertson, Stan Collymore, Flora Montgomery, Andre Schneider and Kata Dobóó.
The storyline involved the following: “After re-locating from San Francisco to London, best-selling crime novelist Catherine Trammell once again finds herself on the wrong side of the law. Dr. Michael Glass, a respected London criminal psychiatrist, is brought in by Scotland Yard detective Roy Washburn to perform a psychiatrist profile and evaluation of Tramell following the mysterious death of a top sports star. Physically drawn to Tramell and mentally intrigued by her, Glass, against the advice of his mentor, Dr. Milena Gardosh, is quickly sucked into her web of lies and seduction. The professional boundaries between Glass and Tramell are obliterated when she uncovers his basic instincts. A deadly battle of wits ensues, climaxing as Glass faces a choice that will change both their lives forever.”
I give the movie a “B”, and Sharon Stone stole the movie. It was a good psychological thriller.
"Ice Age: The Meltdown" Movie
Today I saw the movie “Ice Age: The Meltdown”, which featured the voices of: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Chris Wedge, Josh Peck, Jay Leno, Seann William Scott, Jason Fricchione and Denny Dillon.
The storyline involved the following: “With global warming threatening their once-icy domain with widespread flooding, Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo) and Diego (Denis Leary) set out to find a safe haven. Along the way, another mammoth (Queen Latifah), who thinks she is an opossum, joins the travelers on their perilous quest.”
I give the movie a “A”, and it is an excellent animated movie.
