A Quick Overview of the Films I Never Reviewed

Mamma Mia!
Starring Meryl Streep and a bunch of lunatics

It's enjoyable, fun, and addicting, yet corny, unadaptable, and had the WORST choreography I have ever seen. But then, there's Meryl.

Grade: C+


Step Brothers
Starring Will Ferrel & John C. Reilly

Hilarious, ridiculous, and tried a bit too hard to accomplish both.

Grade: C-


Pineapple Express
Starring Seth Rogen & James Franco

Rogen and Franco are to die for in this film. They are sincere in their acting, so funny, and make getting stoned seem like a great idea and the worst idea of your life.

Grade: B+


Tropic Thunder
Starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black & Robert Downey, Jr.

Whether or not you've seen this movie, we all must campaign Downey for a Best Supporting Actor nod. I do not want him to win (Heath), but I will pee my pants if he's on the ballot.

Grade: B


Hamlet 2
Starrnig Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener & Elizabeth Shue

Yes, Keener is in the sequel to Shakespeare's masterpiece. No, it's not really a sequel, more like a demented attempt at a sequel but turns out to be a completely different idea but we're gonna keep the original title anyways. Plus Elizabeth Shue plays herself.

Grade: B

Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Starring Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem & Penelope Cruz

Woody Allen sets this delicious treat in the heart of Europe. It's sensual, seductive, and Cruz gives a performance of a lifetime. Hall surpasses Johansson in my book, and Bardem steps away from the crazy haircut but not stepping into the Oscar circle of bad movies after winning an award. I think I'm particular to Woody movies that don't involve Woody. His voice is much more poignant when someone else's mouth is moving.

Grade: A-


Eagle Eye
Starring Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson & Billy Bob Thorton

Great action, nice punch to the government, but some parts were kind of crazy and the ending was cliched. Too bad.

Grade: B-


Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Starring Michael Cera, Kat Dennings & Ari Graynor

Right from the trailers on TV, I knew they were trying to sell this film like "Juno." And, in a way, it felt like a "Juno" wannabe, but it still had its ups - like the beligerant Graynor who stole the show.

Grade: C+


Appaloosa
Starring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons & Renee Zellweger

Harris' take on the classic Western proves to be a hole in one that pops out of the hole and you have to shoot it again. It's a great movie appearing in the fall, and the performances were superb.

Grade: B+


Saw V
Starring who cares

Alright, we get it. You're trying to teach people to be good little boys and girls by nearly killing them - well, mostly just killing them. Here's my Saw List:
1. Saw III
2. Saw
3. Saw V
4. Saw IV
5. Saw II

Grade: C


Changeling
Starring Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jason Butler Harner & Amy Ryan

Eastwood did what he could with a screwy script that shed light on many problems with the LAPD in the 20s. Jolie took hold of this role and gave her character a determination and heart that no other actress could do. Time ran short - well, long - and the film served as a pleasing story of a great performance rather than a great movie.

Grade: B


Rachel Getting Married
Starring Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt & Debra Winger

I honestly enjoyed this movie. Not for it's cinematic qualities, but for it's nakedness as a film. It shed light on what we expect when we go to the theater and gave us the opposite, in a way. Hathaway really broke out of her Princess Diaries shell and DeWitt emerges as an upcoming star. I think I liked this movie more than I think I do. Huh.

Grade: A-


Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Starring a bunch of stupid stars voicing stupid animals

Thank God for penguins.

Grade: C-


Quantum of Solace
Starring Daniel Craig & Judi Dench

Title is cool, but I had to dicionary-dot-com it. The plotline sucked, but Craig is excellent as Bond and Olga was hot. Strawberry Fields? Not so much. "Quantum" lacked all the vital organs that "Casino" portrayed. It fell apart within the first half-hour.

Grade: C+


Bolt
Voiced by John Travolta & Miley Cyrus

I love dog movies, so "Bolt" is my kind of family flick, and the whole awakening/bildungsroman thing really got to me, however, the climax was totally predictable. I'm going to take a stand and demand that family films bring back the tragic and let go of unrealistic events. Mufasa died and everyone LOVES "The Lion King"! Come on now!

Grade: C+


Australia
Starring Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman

Baz Luhrman presents a beautiful take on war, love and death in a world fit for Bogart or Hepburn. It's a remarkable film with breath-taking scenes (like the stampede) and also very honest, genuine ones (i.e. Kidman trying to remember the words to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"). Yet, it's a bit narcissistic - like Luhrman was screaming out, "Hey, Hollywood! Look what I can do!" Settle down, Baz, we get it.

Grade: B