Be Cool (2005) PG13 - 2½ Stars

This is definitely not one of Travolta's best. Though performances are solid from Travolta and Thurman, I just didn't feel connected with them or that they were trying to do the right thing. I connected with Linda Moon the most as she was the innocent victim and really all that mattered.

When close mobster friend Tommy Athens (James Woods), is murdered by the Russian mafia, Chili Palmer (John Travolta) takes over his business at a record label company. Edie Athens (Uma Thurman), was Tommy's girlfriend and the quickly warms up to Chili. Edie knows the business and between the two, the take a serious look at Linda Moon (Christina Milian). This young pretty singer has a voice and even though she is under contract with another record company, Chili wants to have her. Raji (Vince Vaughn), the owner of the other label is not willing to let her go. That doesn't stop Chili and she starts to preform for his company. But now Chili has everyone after him trying to keep him out of the business.

MGM Distribution
Director: F. Gary Gray
Writer: Peter Steinfeld
Producers: Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Danny DeVito

Jam (2006) NR - 2½ Stars

Jam is a movie that without all the special effects and props, tries to paint a simple portrait about what in life, really matters. Like the movie "Crash", Jam brings together the lives of 10 plus innocent victims who will become entwined, when they meet one Father's Day on a forest road high upon a mountain side. Jam is a decent movie to see if you're for a "let's get along" message and you don't need any special effects. A little tiny movie that opens up every one's eyes.

When a collision causes a mountain road to be cut off, many different people come in contact with each other for good or for worse. A cellist, Lorraine (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) brakes to avoid hitting a dog in the road. Ted (William Forsythe) and his son Josh (Dan Byrd), who's driving, rear end her car. A power line is brought down and too risky to try and move the cars with live wires all around and with no cell phone reception in the mountains, they have no choice but to sit it out and wait.

As the cars start piling up behind them, three girlfriends are on their way to catch a ferry to make it to her wedding on time. Many secrets are spilled and the wedding cake ruined which gives Amy (Amanda Detmer) the bride, and her friends Stephanie (Amanda Foreman) and Jen (Elizabeth Bogush) a chance to see if this if marriage is the really the right thing. Lilac (Gina Torres) and her lesbian girlfriend Rose (Mariah O'Brien), are stuck on the road while Rose is about to give birth. The seek shelter in a RV where (David DeLuise) and Curt (Christopher Amitrano) are inside frantically trying to break into a stolen ATM machine. Dale (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is divorced and spending Fathers Day with his kids Robert (Skyler Gisondo) and Brianna (Marissa Blanchard), which he must tell them he's moving out of state. One wall street couple Gary (Jonathan Silverman) and Judy (Julie Claire), snub the rest of the world, as they must actually deal with life beyond cell phone service, nannies and lack of A/C. A nice old couple married of 30 years, Mick (Alex Rocco) and his wife Ruby (Tess Harper), breathe new life into a failing father Dale (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) who is on his special Fathers Day visitation trip with his children.

Thanksgiving Films
Director: Craig Serling
Writiers: Craig Serling, Nicole Lonner
Producer: Dianne Burnett, Craig Serling

Vacancy (2007) R - 2½ Stars

I guess the conecpt of the movie idea was okay, just not well executed. It seemed like the whole town is a bunch of dummies that don't pay attention. It just wasn't very believable.

David (Luke Wilson) and Amy Fox (Kate Beckinsale) are driving along when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. There is only one motel near by so they settle in for the night to make the best of it. There is a VCR in the room with a bunch of tapes so they decide to put one in and see what's on it. The tapes consist of low budget slasher type movies that seem strangely familiar. As they are viewing, they notice the films were shot in their room. The setting is exactly the same and now they realize they are being video taped for some sickos next movie. David and Amy must now find a way to get out of the room before they become the killers next fright flick.

Sony Pictures
Director: Nimród Antal
Writer: Mark L. Smith
Producer: Hal Lieberman

I viewed 9/19

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) R - 2½ Stars

BTW the high school shown was filmed at my Alma Mater, John Marshall High School in Silverlake, CA. But even though, the movie didn't entertain me that much.

Martin Blank (John Cusack) returns to Grosse Pointe, Michigan for a job assignment and to attend his high school reunion. But what does he tell the people he's been doing these past 10 years? He's a hired assassin but he is growing tired of his job. His psychiatrist, Dr. Oatman (Alan Arkin), thinks it's a good idea for him to move back to Grosse Pointe as he is not thrilled having an assassin for a patient. At the reunion he meets his high school sweetheart, Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver), who still holds a grudge against him for standing her up.

Mr. Grocer (Dan Aykroyd), is a fellow hit man that wants to join forces with Martin and won't take no for an answer. Martin has to pull off one final hit.

Buena Vista Pictures
Director: George Armitage
Writers: Tom Jankiewicz, D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink
Producers: Roger Birnbaum, Susan Arnold, Donna Arkoff Roth

I viewed 1/19

Captivity (2007) R - 2½ Stars

This movie had the potential, maybe, of being better. I sort of liked the end result of the plot but it just didn't have it going on. It also has a lot of gross parts which don't turn me on.

A psycho stalks and captures model Jennifer Tree (Elisha Cuthbert), but instead of killing her, he physically and emotionally tortures her. As she's beginning to think there's no way out, she hears someone in the room next to her. It ends up being a man Gary (Daniel Gillies) who seems to be in the same predicament as she is. When the two are able to communicate, and eventually put together, she no longer feels so alone. Little does she know he is in on the game.

Freestyle Releasing, After Dark Films
Director: Roland Joffé
Writers: Larry Cohen, Joseph Tura
Producers: Mark Damon, Gary Mehlman, Sergei Konov

I viewed 11/18

Capturing the Friedmans (2002) NR - 2½ Stars

I'm sure the true life story of the Friedman's was more interesting then the documentary. The way the film is put together, I didn't find that it really made everything clear. Did they or did they not abuse the children? Dad looks like he could have for sure but mom doesn't look the type.

In 1987, the prominent family of Arnold and Elaine Friedman and their three sons , Jesse, Seth, and David turns dysfunctional when it's found out that Arnold and Jesse are abusing and sodomizing the children in Arnolds class. Through their home videos this is the true story of the Friedmans struggle to keep their family together after being accused of molestation. The cameras are given to the family to record and document life at home.

Awards include:

2003 - Capturing the Friedmans - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best New Filmmaker
2003 - Capturing the Friedmans - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Documentary (Runner-up)
2003 - Capturing the Friedmans - Sundance Film Festival - Documentary Grand Jury Prize.

Magnolia Pictures
Director: Andrew Jarecki
Producers: Andrew Jarecki, Mark Smerling

I viewed 11/17

28 Weeks Later (2007) R - 2½ Stars

The rage virus in London destroys the entire town but there are survivors. Don Harris (Robert Carlyle) and his wife survive the zombie like creatures only later to become one and the outbreak begins again. Will the entire town be nuked to put an end to the virus once and for all.

Not very scary and not real exciting to me.

20th Century Fox Distribution
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Writers: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Alex Garland, E.L. Lavigne
Producers: Alex Garland, Allon Reich, Andrew Macdonald

I viewed 10/17

Catfish (2010) PG13 - 2½ Stars

Social networking can be a positive experience for those unable to communicate properly or in a normal fashion. But stuff like this goes on all the time. Who are you really chatting with and think you know? Some people live in a virtual world built solely on fantasy and this story is about one woman who paints a portrait of Nev Sculman, mails it to him and concocts a fantasy world around it. This film documents what he thinks may be the beginning of a love affair. Myself, I didn't feel the documentary was totally true. It gives me the impression that it's made up though I wouldn't accuse anyone of that. But it does go to show you, the influence of social networking has on today's society.

Nev Schulman is a photographer in New York City. He receives an email from Abby, an eight year old girl in Michigan, that wants to paint a portrait of him after she has seen him in the newspaper. Nev develops an on going conversation with this young girl until his painting arrives in the mail. The art work is amazing and he is very intrigued how such a young girl can paint so masterfully. In future conversations, Nev is introduced to more members of the family including Abby's sister, Megan whom Nev finds attractive. They speak on the phone and develop a romantic bond. But as his friends Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, begin to document this love story, things don't add up. The three young men decide to pay a surprise visit to the family to get behind the mystery of who is who.

Rogue Pictures, Focus Features
Directors: Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost
Producers: Andrew Jarecki, Henry Joost, Marc Smerling

I viewed 1/11

Manufacturing Dissent (2007) R - 2½ Stars

I believe we are spoon fed so much B.S. watching T.V., listening to the news, reading the newspaper, listening to the radio and now even the Internet, that it's hard to make an intelligent choice without getting all the facts. I feel most people, including myself at times, just go along with the flow and allow the media to dictate what we eat and buy, how we vote, feel, live our lives and even react to situations. And heck, if we get out of hand, there's always some new pharmaceutical drug we can take to comply with society.

Michael Moore is one of those controversial film makers you either love or hate. I didn't use to think too much of him until I started watching some of his documentaries. The one thing I ABSOLUTELY LOVE about Michael Moore is he gets under your skin causing a twitching reaction. Even though you can see his dramatics in his films, I still think they make a point and cause awarness. Too often we sit back and just allow someone else to solve the problems instead of wanting to be involved. Michael Moore makes me what to have a voice and has done a great job of getting people motivated to stand up for what the believe.

Now having said that, a Canadian team of film makers, Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine, made this documentary to show that you can't believe everything you see - read - hear, even if it's from Michael Moore - the supposed truth speaker. It gives you an in dept look on how Michael has used a lot of footage for his documentaries, manipulating the context to his advantage. He's claimed, on more than one film, he can't get interviews with people he's going after. Here, with the tables turned, the film makers can't get Michael Moore to speak with them for more than 4 minutes. They're banned from plugging into the audio feed, they're cameras are not allowed at certain events and just lots of off limit areas for someone wanting to make a documentary of one of the master of documentaries.

The film shows another side to Moore. It implies he's making films just for his own ego and the money he can bring in. But after viewing the film, I still feel sparking controversy and reaction into people is the only way to bring about change. Remember, the first part of solving a problem, is admitting there is one.

Liberation Entertainment
Directors: Debbie Melnyk, Rick Caine
Writers: Debbie Melnyk, Rick Caine
Producers: Rick Caine, Debbie Melnyk

I viewed 5/08

American Me (1992) R - 2½ Stars

Santana Montoya (Edward James Olmos) is a gangster from East L.A. in the 50's. A big player in the Mexican Mafia, he spends 18 years of his life running the drugs scene from behind bars at Folsom Prison. When he finally gets out, he chooses to lead a clean life but his old buddies drag him back into bad habits which finds him up back in jail, eventually being killed.

Universal Pictures
Director: Edward James Olmos
Writers: Desmond Nakano, Floyd Mutrux
Producers:Irwin W. Young, Robert M. Young, Floyd Mutrux

I viewed 9/17

The Dog Problem (2007) R - 2½ Stars

The movie seems to have many mixed reviews online with some viewers getting more out of it than I did. Labeled a comedy, it's hard for me to call it that because other than one time I don't remember smiling often. I couldn't even find a credit given for Don Cheadle's role on the rental box or in the final rolling credits. Maybe I just got a bad copy.

I feel the director is trying to bring across the similarities between this odd mix of dysfunctional people stumbling through their lives with people that surround all of our lives daily but for me, I couldn't connect with anyone. The story is of a man who under the advise of his therapist, buys a dog hoping to give his life some purpose.

Solo Harrington (Giovanni Ribisi), is a depressed novelist who can't get in touch with his creative side. Even though he's been successful in the past, he's spent all his lives savings on women, drugs and his expensive psychiatrist, Dr. Nourmand (Don Cheadle). When nothing seems to help Solo break out of his mood, the doctor suggest he get a dog to help with his lonesomeness. Casper (Scott Caan), Solo's friend, introduces him to a rich girl Jules (Mena Suvari), who Solo tries to convince to take the dog when he suddenly notices he's becoming attached. But with Benny (Kevin Corrigan) is breathing down his back to pay his loan, and the dog gets bit at a dog park needing expensive medical treatment, he meets a feisty stripper named Lola (Lynn Collins), who he tries to convince to take the dog and pay his veterinarian bill. Now he has to sort out his feelings of letting go of the dog?

A Thousand Words
Director: Scott Caan
Writer: Scott Caan
Producers: Jonah Smith, Palmer West

I viewed 3/13

I Love Your Work (2004) R - 2½ Stars

I didn't care too much for this movie. I felt it is pretty twisted and the story line is all over the place making you totally clueless as to what the movie is trying to get across. Maybe it's just me but then the movie becomes nothing but predictable.

Gray Evans (Giovanni Ribisi) is a celebrity at the young age of 20 having a slow meltdown. He's married to a beautiful successful actress Mia Lang (Franka Potente). Gary drinks up the attention of the spot light making most think his life should be perfect but Gary's obsessed. He's obsessed thinking he has a fan that is stalking him.

While he is at a video store, he meets a guy named John (Joshua Jackson). John tells Gary he's one of his biggest fans. This makes Gary extremely nervous that his belief is true and that it is John who is the one that has been stalking him. Gary decides to turn the tables and starts to follow John to keep tabs on him. When he returns to the video store he meets John's wife, Jane (Marisa Coughlan). The two seem to have a perfect caring marriage so Gary feels sort of silly thinking John could have been involved in actually stalking him. But now that he's met Jane, he's driven to stalk her as he'd like to be in her life. Confused? Yeah me too.

THINKFilm
Director: Adam Goldberg
Writers: Adam Butchart, Adam Goldberg, Adrian Butchart
Producers: Adrienne Gruben, Terry Spazek, David Hillary

I viewed 5/15

Lake City (2008) R - 2½ Stars

This could have been such a better movie. Sissy Spacek is perfect in this type of a rural setting, playing a troubled mom out in a remote location. She's great as usual, however, she can't hold it up on her own and should have saved her talent for movies worthy of her. It's not that I thought the acting was horrible starring Troy Garity but the movie is slow and leaves unanswered questions and takes so long to make any connection to the characters. I understand why Billy is having problems relating to his newly discovered son but why do you wait till almost the end before you know why? If Billy had been doing so well cleaning up his act, what the hell is he doing with the drug infested Hope? What happened to Spacek's husband? What's the band at the gas station all about, you never even hear them play? And why is Billy leaving now? Is he together with Jenny and why is he leaving his son with grandma? Characters just pop in and out of this movie without any substance to them? I guess my favorite part is when Spacek and Garity make amends, and maybe the corn field chase scene but other than that, it just wasn't there.

Maggie (Sissy Spacek), is a single aging mom taking care of the land she raised her kids on. Even though the developers of a new highway want her to sell her property, Maggie has memories of her children there and doesn't want to leave.

Meanwhile, Billy (Troy Garity), is on the run from a drug dealer wanting his money. He's on the road with a young boy Clayton (Colin Ford), as Clayton's mom has suddenly abandoned them both along with the dealers drugs. Billy seeks refuge at his mothers house deciding what to do next. But Maggie and Billy have many issues to work out from their past before anyone can start the future new.

Screen Media Films
Directors: Perry Moore, Hunter Hill
Writers: Perry Moore, Hunter Hill
Producers: Donna Bascom, Sally Pope, Mike Ryan

I viewed 2/10

Iraq in Fragments (2005) Part 2 NR - 2½ Stars

This is a 2 part documentary of what you are not going to see on CNN or the local news. Part 2 is a more personal look at how the war has effected the Iraqi people. I watch every documentary I can about the war because it is the only way to see all sides of the story. It's subtitled and broken down into chapters. Part 2 drug on a little for me but was still educational and comes with Part 1 automatically.

Chapter one - Sari's Mother:

Sari Zehum is a 10 year old boy who has contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion. This chapter shows the mother point of view in trying to get care for her boy who's had the disease for 4 years now. She becomes lost in the health care system that really has no idea how to treat the infliction. The children play war games with their clay toys putting bombs under the wheels of cars.

Chapter two - Jim McDermott visit to Baghdad:

Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott and the James Longley travel to Baghdad to see what condition the country is in after the Gulf War. Their speeches are of trying to disarm Iraq. The film shows the sewage treatment plants not operational and causing diseases to the Iraqi children. Also birth defects are up do to the large degree of radiation poison from uranium plus debris and tanks left all over the country side.

The last section is made up of the Independent Film & Television Center (IFTC) and the artist community before and after the war strikes. 4 short films by students are included in this section as well as Director commentary.

2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Excellence in Cinematography - Documentary Competition.

To read more about the filming of this documentary, click here.

Typecast Releasing
Driector: James Longley
Producers: James Longley, John Sinno

I viewed 5/08

Boot Camp (2008) R - 2½ Stars

Aka Straight Edge, this movie tells a decent tale of romance while revealing the story of terror at some teenage boot camps. Based on a true story, this tough love camp goes way overboard when it comes to teen rehabilitation. Though I jokingly say I know a few "at-risk" teens who could benefit from a trip to this island, places like this really exist and troubled teens are sent to these environments every year. Mostly from rich parents who don't care or can't be bothered and involved in their child's life. If and when they do eventually return, most are worse off then when they left. Mila Kunis does a good job in her role as Sophia making you feel her contempt and pain. The story is about a teen boy who sacrifices his own well being to be sent away to rehabilitation camp in order to find his girlfriend, who's already a member. At this camp, the punishments can be as rough as doing jail time. These young inmates have less rights than prisoners on death row.

When drug addicted Sophia (Mila Kunis), gets sent away by her parents to rehabilitation camp on a tiny island in Fiji, she has no idea what's in store for. Camp Serenity, run by Dr. Arthur Hail (Peter Stormare), runs his island more like a penitentiary than a rehab and young teens are treated as if they were in jail. Dr. Hail's prison like setting operates by a strict set of rules filed with brainwashing and ultimately breaking down these teens spirits.
Sophia's straight laced boyfriend Ben (Gregory Smith), finds a way to get himself into trouble sending him straight to the island. His goal is to find his girlfriend and get her out of there. They both soon learn that Logan (Tygh Runyan), enforces the laws Dr. Hail sets forth and Ben and Sophia though determined to escape realize they are surrounded by water.

Metro Goldyn Mayor, Nomadic Pictures, Edgey Productions
Director: Christian Duguay
Writers: John Cox, Agatha Dominik
Producers: Christian Duguay, Michael Frislev, Chad Oakes

I viewed 1/12

25th Hour (2002) R - 2½ Stars

Edward Norton is pretty good in this movie that really takes a long time to get going. A few different scenarios happen right away but you'll be damn if you know what they mean. Even after you do know what's going on, it makes no sense. I mean truly if the FBI comes into your house and finds kilos of drugs in your couch, bottom line is you're going to jail immediately. I don't think the movie explains well why he gets another 25 hours of freedom before they send him to jail. It's a decent film about relationships and since Spike Lee directed it, he manages to get in a few racial messages of his contempt.

Montgomery "Monty" Brogan (Edward Norton), Jakob Elinsky (Philip Seymour Hoffman), and Francis Xavier Slaughtery (Barry Pepper), have all been best friends for ever. After school, Jakob went off to become a well respected high school teacher and Frank headed off to Wall Street. Monty makes plenty of money too but his craft took him in a different direction as he makes his living selling drugs. His life is thrown out of balance when the FBI barges into his house and discovers a large about of drugs. Now, he has just 25 hours to enjoy this last day of freedom before going away on a seven year jail sentence. In an effort for redemption, he tries to make amends with his father James (Brian Cox), who put his Queens bar up against Monty's bond. He then goes out for a night on the town with his best friends where they drink to happier times. As he thinks about where he went wrong he suspects his girlfriend Kostya Novotny (Tony Siragusa), might be the one who turned him in. He comes up with a plan that brings a shocking ending to this tragic story.

40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks, Industry Entertainment, Gamut Films
Director: Spike Lee
Writer: David Benioff
Producers: Edward Norton, Jon Kilik, Tobey Maguire

I viewed 5/11

Dead In the Water (2001) R - 2½ Stars

Due to the lack of action and direction with this movie you might find yourself feeling almost "dead in the water" not understanding where the movie is going. I remember mumbling to myself "alright already, let's get on with it," but after hanging in there, the ending did bring that warm cozy feeling of justice. The right idea for a movie just could have been executed better.

Gloria (Dominique Swain), is a spoiled rich girl, living in Rio de Janeiro and seems to have it all going on. A smoking hot body, money and a life style of luxury. When her on again-off again boyfriend Danny (Scott Bairstow), and his best friend Jeff (Henry Thomas), want to go out on her fathers motorboat, her father requests Gloria also take a business associates son, Marcos (Sebastian DeVicente), out with them. Her father confides to Gloria that he is in major financial trouble and this boys father is the only reason he's still afloat. Gloria agrees and they pick this Brazilian looking stud up to take him for the ride. Marcos can't help but notice how attractive Gloria is but keeps his distance, knowing she is spoken for.

The four spend a fun day in the water, swimming, rafting and soaking up the rays. Danny and Jeff take a long swim off towards a close island while Marcos stays behind on the boat. As Gloria ponders over her 4 year relationship with Danny, Jeff has made it known he also desires to be with her. Before she knows it, Marcos too is putting on his moves. As Gloria is enjoying this 3rd eligible man, the boys return and Jeff catches the two involved in a passionate kiss and embrace. Danny runs to her side and throws Marcos overboard then taking off with out him. But when he returns to pluck Marcos out of the water, Marcos is gone. Thinking he has drowned, the three now must come up with a story that will keep them free of trouble from this influential family. Instead, the begin to unravel and as their true personalities appear.

Awards: 2002 - Feature Film Award - New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.

Nuts and Lloyd Films, E.H. Filmes
Director: Gustavo Lipsztein
Writer: Gustavo Lipsztein
Producer: Gustavo Lipsztein, Georg Lipsztein, Evan Astrowsky

I viewed 7/12

The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia (2009) NR - 2½ Stars

This documentary is about one of the worst dysfunctional families I've ever seen. Even though it's not the most exciting documentary, you somehow can't stop watching it. The story allows a peek inside the lives of the "White family" of West Virginia. Trying not to judge will be real hard for the viewer as this entire family is one gigantic wreck. No one seems to have their act together,except maybe the father of the whole clan, D R White. D R was famous for his tapping shuffle style of dance and all he wanted to do was to make people smile with his clapping feet. D R forced this dance style upon his young son Jesco. For punishment after Jesco was caught sniffing paint, gas and lighter fluid his father would force him to learn how to mimic his fathers dance moves. Jesco grew up with brain damage but it didn't stop him from preforming like his father did. Unfortunately he also had the devil bred into him who could snap at slightest sign of trouble.

Becoming a product of their environment, the Whites are uneducated, living in the back hills, and no real enthusiasm of working their way out. Even the smallest of family members curse, hold up their middle finger and have already learned to hate and rebel against most everything as the mock their environment. Their lifestyle, attitudes, struggle with drugs make them the most reviled family in West Virginia. When you hear the words, "white trailer trash," you just might find them on page one.

Dickhouse Productions, MTV Studios, Tribeca Film
Director: Julien Nitzberg
Producer: Storm Taylor

I viewed 4/12

Dazed and Confused (1993) R - 2½ Stars

The movies sort of brings back a few crazy memories from high school days and the troublesome behavior of growing up. Reckless joy riding, not so hip these days, were things we did in our mavericks filled full of current 8-track tapes. Along with hormones running rampant, parties and drugs, it's a wonder any of us survived. Though I don't remember the rituals of going into high school being this bad; young boys hunted down and paddled by male seniors and girls drenched in ketchup, mustard and whip creme squirts, we were called just "scrubs.". A simple coming of age story that us class of 74'ers can relate a bit too, gosh we really did dress like that. It's no American Graffiti but it does get a few laughs. What is up with that hair Matthew McConaughey.

School has just ended for the summer, class of 76', and new sophomores must bare harassment from the high school seniors. In the last day of junior high, some of the new graduates are lucky enough to be sought out by the high school seniors for their official initiations into high school. Mitch Kramer (Wiley Wiggins), Slater (Rory Cochrane), Randy "Pink" Floyd (Jason London), Michelle (Milla Jovovich), Simone (Joey Lauren Adams),  Wooderson (Matthew McConaughey), and a bunch of others are seeing how much fun they can have while surviving their first night of summer vacation.

Gramercy Pictures (I), Alphaville Films, Detour Filmproduction
Director: Richard Linklater
Writer: Richard Linklater
Producers: James Jacks, Richard Linklater, Sean Daniel

I viewed 3/11

Apollo 18 (2011) PG13 - 2½ Stars

I have mixed emotions about this film. On one hand, I love thrillers that involve monsters and for that fact alone, the movie intrigued me to pay close attention. On the other hand, even though some of the shots are re-created of the moon fairly well, you have to say WTF to the tease on the box that the movie was made from actual footage. Though the movie did give me the heebee jeebees a few times, I was disappointed when the "evil" appeared as I had envisioned it a whole lot differently. This film could have been so much more as the story line is an interesting topic but I feel the creators blew it by trying to promote it as actual footage rather than focus on special effects. The effort should have been made jazzing it to more of a "War of the Worlds" epic. It's a decent attempt at capturing the era, just not executed very well. Anymore said would be a spoiler to those who want to see it. I guess I have to put it in my based on a true story category as that's what the box says.

Found old footage from NASA's 1974 top secret Apollo 18 mission, is exposed to show why the United States has never made another trip to the moon. Astronauts Ben Anderson (Warren Christie), John Grey (Ryan Robbins) and Nate (Lloyd Owen) set out for what they are told is a top secret mission back to the moon. Instead, they find out just why we have never been back.

Dimension Films, Bekmambetov Projects Ltd. (BPL), Apollo 18 Productions
Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego
Writer: Brian Miller
Producers: Michele Wolkoff, Timur Bekmambetov, Cody Zwieg

I viewed 1/12