FILM REVIEWS: Summer Quickies

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (June 12th) –Denzel Washington and John Travolta are quite funny in this somewhat suspenseful movie. The characters are compelling, and the writers developed an interesting plot. I enjoyed the movie, though I expected more action. Maybe the actors are just getting too old to keep up with the adrenaline rush. I heard the original, Joseph Sargent’s “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (1974) was better. But, I have yet to see it for myself.

Rating: 2 ½ gasps out of 5

The Proposal (June 19th) – Besides the obvious markers of Sandra Bullock’s age, her acting has neither improved nor worsened. I suppose that is a good thing. The movie is an entertaining summer romance, adding flame to the cougar trend (older successful women dating younger men. Think Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate”). Expect a few good chuckles, but not too many memorable lines. At least Ryan Reynolds can serve as eye candy during the movie.

Rating: 3 kisses out of 5


Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (June 24th) - OMG, this movie is as expected, awesome. And of course Shia LaBeouf is hilarious, with some added help from Julie White, Ramon Rodriguez and John Turturro. Michael Bay did not skim on the action either. The fight scenes left audiences’ hearts pounding, and begging for more. Too bad with all the attention placed on the action and comedic lines, the story line felt a blow. The plot could have been a bit stronger. Oh, and did I happen to mention all the hot people in this movie? Well, there are quite a few to keep ogling eyes busy.

Rating: 5 Whoas-that-was-cool out of 5


Brüno (July 10th) – Is there a movie that can make an audience feel more uncomfortable than “Brüno?” Granted, “Borat” (2006) was a bit off putting, but at least it was hilarious. “Brüno” hits new levels of distaste. It is shocking in a bad way. A few people from the audience actually walked out. Sacha Baron Cohen tried too hard with this screenplay. Comedy should be effortless. Better luck next time Cohen.

Rating: 1 ½ uncomfortable-laughs out of 5


Orphan (July 24th) – “Orphan” is an interesting horror flick. It lacked in stimulating fear, but it did keep the audience on their toes. There was probably more anger in the theater directed toward the audacity of the little girl, Esther, on the screen. Actually, the acting is pretty believable, especially child actors Isabelle Fuhrman (Esther), Jimmy Bennett (Daniel) and Aryana Engineer (Max). The kids carried the movie. Oh, and I think you may really enjoy the ending. It is a shocking surprise you may or may not figure out before it ends.

Rating: 4 shrieks out of 5


G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (August 7th) – “G.I. Joe” is a non-stop and fast paced (including some slow motion stunts to emphasize how gravity is suspended) action flick with great fight scenes and a nice compelling plot. Oh, and let us not forget the numerous hot shirtless guys and chicks with killer bods. The movie leaves audience panting for more action and more glimpses at Victoria’s Secret model Karolina Kurkova, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Byung-hun Lee, Marlon Wayans and Rachel Nichols.

Rating: 5 Yesss! out of 5

FILM REVIEWS: Summer Quickies

BLUE FAIRY WISH LIST

You heard the news and the rumors. You’ve even seen the trailers and teaser posters. But, are you dying to see the movie? I know I am. In fact, I am wishing nightly to the Blue Fairy (in reference to Pinocchio and Steven Spielberg’s A.I.) for the movies to be as good as it looks and sounds! I’m sure we have all suffered from a movie that did not live up to the hype. smh

Take a peak below at my Blue Fairy wish list. It is a list of upcoming movies with amazing trailers, alluring teaser posters, or countless rumors and news updates.

2009

• Rob Zombie’s “Halloween 2” – August 28^th
• Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” – September 11^th
• Naturi Naughton and Kherington Payne in “Fame” – September 25^th
• Spike Jonze's “Where the Wild Things Are” – October 16^th
• Leonardo DiCaprio in “Shutter Island” – October 2^nd
• Stephenie Meyers’ “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” – November 20^th
• John Travolta and Robin Williams in “Old Dogs” – November 25^th
• Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones” – December 11^th
• James Cameron’s “Avatar” – December 18^th

2010

• Denzel Washington in “The Book of Eli” – January 15, 2010
• Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” – March 5, 2010
• Robert Downey Jr. in “Iron Man 2” – May 7, 2010
• Megan Fox in “Jonah Hex” – June 18, 2010
• Pixar’s “Toy Story 3” – June 18, 2010
• M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Last Airbender” – July 2, 1010
• “TR2N” (Tron Legacy) - 2010

2011

• Ridley Scott’s Untitled Alien Prequel - 2011
• Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” – December 2011

Comment with the movies you are looking forward to watching.

BLUE FAIRY WISH LIST

IN REMEMBRANCE: John Hughes (1950 – 2009)

Mrs. Robinson You’re Trying to Seduce Me remembers the iconic contributions John Hughes has made to film and some of our childhood/adolescent years (80s). He has written and directed some of the most memorable movies. Movies that are often quoted or referenced in pop culture.

Hughes is well known for working with the Brat Pack (Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy) in “Sixteen Candles” (1984), “The Breakfast Club” (1985), and “Pretty in Pink” (1986). He also brought us “Weird Science” (1985) starring Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith, “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” (1986) starring Matthew Broderick and Alan Ruck, and “Home Alone” (1990) starring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci.

Of course the list is not limited to the movies above. We have probably all seen at least one of his coming-of-age or comedic family movies. And we have all probably related to one of his characters, “fallen in love” with one of his characters, and emulated one of his characters. For me, I saw myself in Claire (“The Breakfast Club”), simply adored Ferris (“Ferris Bueller's Day Off”), and mimicked Kevin (“Home Alone”).

Remember the movie legend, John Hughes.

RIP

(1950 - 2009)

“You see us as you want to see us - in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at 7 this morning. We were brainwashed.”

“The Breakfast Club” (1985) – written and directed by J.H.

IN REMEMBRANCE: John Hughes (1950 – 2009)

LIMELIGHT: Seth Rogen

Stop me once you figured out the connection: “Freaks and Geeks” … “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” … “Knocked Up” … “Superbad” … “Pineapple Express” … “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” … ok, ok I think you figured out the connection is Seth Rogen.

Rogen is appearing left and right in some of the most hilarious comedies to emerge in the past four years. It is almost a given that if Seth Rogen plays a role, then the movie is sure to keep you entertained. His humor comes to life in the geeky, everyday man situations and absurdities his characters find themselves experiencing. The audience can relate, but at the same time, not feel ashamed or foolish.

Seth Rogen is one of “us,” the common man. And he may have started off on a teen drama with a better following after it was syndicated, but now he is an A-lister working with some of the leading actors in comedy. His new movie, “Funny People” (2009) released this weekend, and is sitting comfortably at the number one spot in the box office. Rogen stars alongside veteran Adam Sandler, and new-comers Jonah Hill (“Superbad”) and Jason Schwartzman (“I Heart Huckabees”).

Rogen is also involved with “The Green Hornet” film, expected to release in 2010. He is a contributing writer for the screenplay, and he is set to play Britt Reid aka The Green Hornet. Nicolas Cage and Cameron Diaz are also signed on to the project.

Look out for more details on “The Green Hornet” as the release date gets closer. Until then, check out some of Seth Rogen’s other movies including “Funny People.”

LIMELIGHT: Seth Rogen