Hancock (2008) PG13 - 3½ Stars

I was a bit disappointed in the concept of this movie. Not like "Superman" or "Spiderman" seems like reality to me, however this idea was borderline silly. I just loved Will Smith, in his powerful performance in "I Am Legend" but to me this was plain silly. To me, it's more of a comedy than a believable drama but still a decent rental.

Hancock (Will Smith), is not your average superhero. He wants to do good, but the fact that he is an alcoholic, clouds his judgement when it comes to properly addressing a problem. He's sarcastic, crude and doesn't really care much what the public thinks of him. As he saves the life of Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), from being hit by an oncoming train, it costs the tax payers of Los Angeles plenty from all the damage he causes, trying to protect. The people have finally had enough of his shenanigans and Ray, feeling indebted to the Superhero, takes on the mission of giving Hancock a new public image.

Public Realtions is Ray's job and he is sure he can change Hancock's perception by the public. On the other hand, Ray's wife Mary (Charlize Theron) is not pleased when Ray is brought home and literally dropped off, with his car, in the front yard. But there's a close bond between them all that put's Hancock back on track, to becoming the greatest Superhero the world has ever seen.

Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Director: Peter Berg
Writers: Vy Vincent Ngo, Vince Gilligan
Producers: Will Smith, James Lassiter, Akiva Goldsman

I viewed 11/08

1408 (2007) PG13 - 3½ Stars

Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is writing a book "Ten Nights in Haunted Hotel Rooms." He mostly writes about disproving paranormal events. If he can't see it for himself, he'll let his audience know. Room 1408 at the Dolphin hotel is he next challenge to take on. The hotel manager, Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson), insists the room is not available but Mike finds a convincing argument to allow him to stay in 1408. Things just keep getting stranger till Mike is actually getting scared. He thinks to himself if he can last the night, he will finally have something to write about sending his book to the top of the best seller list.

In the room he can no longer escape from he's being driven mad from and angry crowd of "dead" beats. Even when he finally thinks he has survived the night and escaped the room, he wakes up finding himself still there.

Dimension Films/MGM
Director: Mikael Håfström
Writers: Larry Karaszewski, Scott Alexander, Matt Greenberg
Producer: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura

I viewed 11/07