Tag: movie

District 9 – Review

…this will become a SciFi classic. Like Blade Runner, it is not the kind of movie that depends of special effects even though the major effect is almost constantly visible.

Well, I saw the movie District 9 yesterday.

This may be the summer movie of the year. And it may be the best scifi movie of the year, including the wonderful release called Moon, which I saw earlier this summer (I can’t decide).

It’s amazing to me that two real science fiction movies got released in one year. For so many years, I thought we would be left to the drivel being pandered to us on what has now been renamed The SyFy Channel. (rumor is that this is the new name because it’s how teens text it).

I won’t give you a synopsis of the movie, because you can find that anywhere. I’ll tell you though, the way the characters morph and your sympathies change is truly adult fair. No simple answers here. Just as the Rotten Tomatoes short review says, this will become a SciFi classic. Like Blade Runner, it is not the kind of movie that depends of special effects even though the major effect is almost constantly visible.

The special effect is always there.
District 9: One of the special effect is always there.

It looms there in changing light and does nothing, yet you know it will eventually play a part in this astonishing drama.

If you haven’t guessed by now, I loved this film. See it, see it, see it.

Of course it is not a perfect film and has a few faults. You might even pick up on them as you think about and review the film, but none of the flaws interferes with its brilliance.

District 9

I’m going to see the above named movie today. When watching the previews, it looked like it might be a Transformers knockoff (which I had NO interest in seeing). But the reviews are raves. Like this joint rating of 88% from Rotten Tomatoes:

88%
TOMATOMETER

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Reviews Counted: 140

Fresh: 123

Rotten:17

Average Rating: 7.7/10

Consensus: Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic.

I’ll give you my opinion/review later today.

Ghost Town

The perfect entertainment for these troubling times if you want a laugh.

I saw Ghost Town yesterday. What a fun movie. It starts out smooth and picks up speed as the movie goes on because we start to actually care about the characters. It’s premise is that a dentist (Ricky Gervais) goes into the hospital for a colonoscopy and finds out later that during the procedure, he died for seven minutes (“a bit less”) and can now see dead people. Greg Kinnear, whose demise opens up the movie, becomes his antagonist/guide/side kick/friend and tries to convince Gervais to break up the relationship his widowed wife (Téa Leoni) is in… But, never mind, I’m telling too much… Go see it. The perfect entertainment for these troubling times if you want a laugh.

Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, and Rick Kinnear in Ghost Town
Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, and Greg Kinnear in Ghost Town

Hancock: 4 stars

If you can only see one movie, make it Hancock.

It was with a half heart that I went to see Hancock today. My wife and I couldn’t decide whether to see that or Wall-e. We both figured that Wall-e would at least be entertaining, and Hancock had gotten mixed reviews. We decided on Hancock and From movie Hancockam I glad we did.

If you’re expecting something like The Hulk or Iron Man (I really loved Iron Man and thought it was head and shoulders over The Hulk), yes, you will be disappointed. Hancock is a little more cerebral. Imagine a super hero who does time in jail and drinks too much and basically has a bad attitude… that’s Hancock. Even though I thought I had figured out “the twist“, I was still surprised by the end. If you can only see two movies this summer (and that’s totally understandable considering the price of everything – especially gas), then see Hancock if you want something different, and Iron Man if you want more fun, but both are excellent choices. If you can only see one movie, make it Hancock.

iron man

I could have done without the Transformers fight toward the end, but I’m sure that will be what draws a lot of younger people. Without that, I’d say the movie pretty smart and fun. Decent acting all around.

I saw a really fun movie today… Iron Man. I expected some super hero mess, but it turned out to be fairly hip, cool and entertaining. I could have done without the Transformers-like fight toward the end, but I’m sure that will be what draws a lot of younger people. Without that, I’d say the movie is pretty smart and fun. Decent acting all around.

Here’s the YouTube trailer. (Once again, don’t judge the movie by the trailer – the trailer gives you little idea of the story line).

American Gangster

I’d say it’s a good way to spend an evening.

Russell CroweI watched American Gangster (Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe) last night on video onDenzel Washington demand. I had wanted to see it when it was in the movies, but never got around to it. It was one of those films that I would have liked to see but was not in a big hurry to see. I have to admit, it was a lot better than I thought it would be.

I’d say it’s a good way to spend an evening.

the bank job

Lots of suspense, twists and turns, and a love triangle just to add some spice.

I saw a thoroughly enjoyable movie today. The Bank Job.

If you get a chance to see it, then do see it. Lots of suspense, twists and turns, and a love triangle just to add some spice. These days of inflated movie prices, it’s rare that a movie matches or exceeds the money I have spent to see it. 😉

I couldn’t find the website, but here’s the movie trailer from YouTube. The trailer doesn’t do the movie justice.