Hot Fuzz (2007) R - 3½ Stars

If you are in need a of British comedy, try this one by the makers of Shaun of the Dead. It's an action packed cute comedy drama that stimulates a few of your senses. While it ridicules plots found in big budget action films, Hot Fuzz is a delight.

A London cop, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), is too good at what he does and he's making the other cops on the force look bad. He gets transferred to the small town of Sandford, Gloucestershire in hopes he can teach proper law technique here. His new partner Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), has fantasized about what it would be like to see action in his town. Danny has watched way too many action packed movies and would like to get in on that action. Be careful for what you wish for Danny as this quiet town starts to see way too much action that even Danny are ready.

StudioCanal Rogue Pictures Working Title Films
Director: Edgar Wright
Writers: Natascha Wharton, Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg
Producers: Tim Bevan, Nira Park, Eric Fellner

Mongol (2007) R - 4 Stars

I always grew up thinking Genghis Khan was an evil bad ruler of ancient Mongolia. Perhaps it was his name or my own lack of knowledge as to who he really was. He would go on to conquer Russia and good part of the world, in 1206. I'm not sure how much liberty the movie takes in actuality of events, but the film is visually stunning and captivating and why I am giving it such a high rating. It's also a great romantic epic. I don't think anyone can be completely accurate in recreating something from 1162, but perhaps it's changed my impression of how this ruler really was.

Filmed in China, Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan, the imagery is breathtaking. My only complaint of the movie is the way it cuts off and changes scenes and years so quickly before you realize what happened. Since the film is in Mongolian with English subtitles, at first it was hard for me to keep track of who was who. With all the horse back riding getaways, I almost wanted to label it a western. The acting is fantastic and it's based on the controversial writings of Russian historian Lev Gumilyov.

Born Chinggis Khaan in 1162, Temudgin was taken by his father to find a bride at age 9. Borte is a young girl of the village eyes Temudgin who will return to make her his bride at age 16. But life for Temudgin would be tragic when his father is killed in front of him and the Merkit's vow to return for Temudgin when he grows up. The family, now very poor, has no status in the valley and eventually they return for him.

Jamukha (Sun Hong-Lei), saves Temudgin from certain death and while he hides him, they two pledge with their blood to be brothers for ever. As the two grow older, they talk about becoming the next Khan of the people and both have different ideas of who that will be. Years later, Temudgin's (Esugei Tadanobu Asano), most important goal is to make his way back to the village to retrieve his bride Borte (Khulan Chuluun), who has been anxiously awaiting his arrival. The two return back to his village and mother, to be married.

Jamukha, now a Mongol chieftain and quickly obtaining the status of Khan will have to choose between his status, and his brother, while Temudgen quickly gains support of the Mongols who elevate him to greatness.

Picturehouse
Director: Sergei Bodrov
Writers: Sergei Bodrov, Arif Aliyev
Producers: Anton Melnik, Sergei Bodrov, Sergei Selyanov

Tropic Thunder (2008) R - 4 Stars

At first I didn't think I was really going to enjoy this movie as I thought it would turn out at yet another lamb attempt at laughter. However, the story line really took me by surprise and I thought it was not only a good comedy, but a good action / adventure film and everyone fit their roles. Great cast of names and RD Jr. is great in his role, Stiller made up for my let down of "Night at the Museum" and Cruise was funnier than I've usually seen him. Movie starts out great but fizzles out and gets a little cheesy towards the end Some pretty funny lines like RD Jr's, "I'm a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude." I recommend this funny poke at Hollywood and some of it's pompous actors.

It's been called a racist movie due to Robert Downey Jr.'s character. What about the movie, White Chicks, which I didn't think was near as funny, but I don't recall any mention of racism with that film... lighten up. I think we need to stop labeling things so precisely as it aids in keeping racial tension active. It's just a funny flick for EVERYONE, white, black and all alike.

Producer, Les Grossman (Tom Cruise), and director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan), are making a film taking place in the jungles of the Vietnam war. Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Nolte), is a self proclaimed Vietnam vet and offers advice on where the direction of the movie should head. Production has slowed way down as the actors are too busy pampering their gi-normous egos, and don't take the filming seriously. Four Leaf suggests to Cockburn, the actors be taken to the middle of the jungle and filmed fighting their way back out. Cameras could be hidden throughout the trees, to give the film a more realistic "Gorilla style" look.

Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), is just a little to full of himself. As he constantly tries to direct the film, he extends the movie way past it's budget. Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), has gone to the controversial extent of dying his skin dark, in order to play the role of an African American soldier. Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), is the overweight comedian of the group, only thinking about where he will get his next fix, out in the middle of nowhere. Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), great name btw, is the African American soldier that has to deal with Lazarus trying to think he's his "bro"and Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel) is the slower one that everyone seems to pick on or look to as the man with any military training. Along with Damien and Four Leaf, the group are dropped off in the jungles of Vietnam, not knowing a secret drug production operation is lurking right next door.

As they all start to whine over their predicament, they realise, the sooner they continue through their scenes, the sooner they can get back to the set and go home. As they move along, with exaggerated Rambo techniques, each new trail leads them to a new scene of the movie. Even when the find stumble upon a heron production plant, thinking it's part of the movie, they ad lib through their lines. Next, the group of ego baring, misfitted, irritating actors must keep themselves from being killed by the bad guys so the can bring the film to it's end.

Red Hour Films, DreamWorks
Director: Ben Stiller
Writers: Etan Cohen, Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller
Producers: Eric McLeod, Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld

Nim's Island (2008) PG - 3½ Stars

I just love Jodi Foster is just about everything she does. She's one versatile actress! While I thought the parts of this movie were on the unbelievable side, I guess it could happen? But what father in their right mind would leave his young girl on the island alone while he went on a journey to discover a new species of I'm still not even sure what? But all that aside, it is a cute movie. I watched the "special features" and it was pretty cool showing the filming of the water scenes and with the animals and it appears they worked pretty hard to make it look believable.

On a special note, I think whom ever made the animated opening screen cut outs should be designing children's story books cause I really enjoyed that. The movie starts out in this mood and ends this way through the credits. Also I loved the fact, Nim was so excited to read her novels and use her imagination by reading books. For me, this was the main point of the movie, that reading books can take you anywhere you want to go.

Nim Ruscoe (Abigail Breslin), is living on a deserted island with her scientist father. Her mother was lost at sea and as the story goes, swallowed by a whale that still watches out over the island. Nim and her father live in a rather open style hut, complete with all the luxuries like electricity, satellite computer access and running water. When Nim's father wants to go on a trip for a few days to find a glowing plankton of some sort, Nim wants to stay home and read her new adventure book by Alex Rover. It seems her hero Jack Rusoe (Gerard Butler) comes to life and always finds his way into an adventure, and with his courage, gets out of tricky situations. Nim explores new adventures, in the same manor, with her animal friends on the island.

When Alex Rover is stuck on the final chapter of the next book in the series, she turns to the Internet to seek information on what it's like living along side of an active volcano. When Rover contacts Nim's father through email, Nim jumps on the chance to answer her greatest hero's email. She even climbs the volcano to report accurate descriptions about what she finds, thinking all the time she is mimicking Jack Rusoe. When she slips and falls and puts a large gash in her knee, and all alone on the island, she becomes uneasy of what to do next.

A large storm blows in and Nim's father is late getting back and Nim feels she must defend herself on the island to what ever lands on the beach. Rover becomes anxious to read, Nim is all alone and her father's missing, and Nim's knee has become infected. But never fear, Alex Rover to the rescue as Rover knows the coordinates to the hidden away island. But, the largest problem is, Alex is really Alexandria and she has an extreme fear about going outside of her front door. With her character, Jack Ruscoe, pushing her out her front door, Alexandria sets off for the adventure of her life time. But will her phobia hinder her to get there, and will Nim's father come home? Okay from here, you'll have to rent it and see how the story goes.

Summit Entertainment
Directors: Mark Levin, Jennifer Flackett
Writers: Mark Levin, Joseph Kwong, Paula Mazur
Producer: Paula Mazur

The Golden Compass (2007) PG - 3½ Stars

A very elaborate production and visually the movie is stunning but acting wise, it lacks. The best part to me was the Polar Bear "Ice Bear" fight. Sometimes I felt there was more CGI than competent acting going on. There's a lot left unsaid that made me question the movie instead of loosing myself in it. For example, what time period are we supposed to be in? How did Lyra become to live in the dorm where she did? At first I questioned why Lyra would talk to this strange bearded man and then just leave aboard a ship with him. The ending apparently brings the lure of a sequel but a let down after a fairly good battle scene. I'm not sure why the movie had so many problems being labeled anti god or anti religious. Could it be the witches? It's just a fantasy good vs. evil story to me but I think it could have been so much better.

Our star is a young girl who befriends a bear and travels to the north to save her best friend. Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) is a 12 year old on the quest of a life time. The Magesterium is working to maintain their power within a developing society of people wanting to think for themselves. They're against people like her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), who wants to travel to a parallel world and then is almost poisoned for his non conformity.

The Golden Compass is the last of it's kind and everyone wants a look at it. But Lyra is the true owner as she is the only that can read it. The compass shows the owner, with it's hidden codes, the answers to all truths. Lyra uses it to travel north to find her best friend and the other children who are being separated from their demons. Every human has a demon, your soul in the form of a creature traveling outside of your body. Together with the Egyptians, the flying witches, the fighting Ice Bears, a crazy arrogant Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman), Lyra tries to complete her quest.

2007 - The Golden Compass - Academy - Best Visual Effects.

New Line Cinema
Directors: Anand Tucker, Chris Weitz
Writer: Chris Weitz
Producers: Deborah A. Forte, Bill Carraro

I viewed 5/08

RV (2006) PG - 3½ Stars

Bob Munro (Robin Williams) is married to Jamie (Cheryl Hines) and they have two children Cassie (Joanna 'Jojo' Levesque) 15 and Carl (Josh Hutcherson) 12. The family is scheduled to go to Hawaii for a vacation till Bob gets in his mind a road trip in an RV that will really help the family bond and spend some quality time together.

The kids are not into this trip and had their hearts set on Hawaii, but Bob convinces everyone this trip is just what the family needs. One thing Bob forgets to tell everyone is his job depends upon it. He's needed in Colorado for a business meeting he neglects to mention.

Along the way they meet the Gornicke family, a gun-ho happy camping family of well trained RVer's. But it seems everywhere they go, the keep running into the Gornicke's. The family has a high, wet and bumpy ride to their destination but find their way back to each other.

Sony Pictures
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Writer: Geoff Rodkey
Producers: Lucy Fisher, Doug Wick, Matthias Deyle

I viewed 9/06

Das Boot - The Directors Cut (1981) R - 5 Stars

I've got to say this is one looooong ass movie but also one of the best submarine war epics I've ever seen and well worth the time spent watching. The acting is outstanding and it's great to hear the German dialect, with subtitles easy to read. You really get to experience what it's like being in the tight quarters of a submarine and your mission is war. Based on the true story of a World War II photographer Lothar-Guenther Buchheim, from the images he captured during the grooling days waiting for war. "Sometimes you're the prey and sometimes you're the hunter." One of those movies you have to see at least once and go for the directors cut.

Some of the actors include:
Capt.-Lt. Henrich Lehmann-Willenbrock - Der Alte - (Jürgen Prochnow)
Lt. Werner - Correspondent (Herbert Grönemeyer)
Chief Engineer Fritz Grade - Der Leitende-Der LI (Klaus Wennemann)
1st Lieutenant - Number One-1WO (Hubertus Bengsch)

Awards include:
1982 Bavarian Film Awards - Best Director - Wolfgang Petersen
1982 Bavarian Film Awards - Best Cinematography - Jost Vocano
1982 Munich Film Festival - Best Young Actor - Heinz Hoenig

Bavaria Film, Radiant Film GmbH, Süddeutscher Rundfunk (SDR)
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Writers: Wolfgang Petersen, Dean Riesner
Producers: Edward R. Pressman, Günter Rohrbach, John W. Hyde

I viewed 4/14

Paul (2011) R - 3½ Stars

I have to say this is a movie I would probably not have rented on my own. My friend owns a copy and told me to put on my happy face, sip a little wine and keep an open mind while I watched it. I have to say Paul is an unexpectedly funny almost "cute" movie, though watching the unrated version, I doubt "cute" is the proper word. This is not a movie for children as it does contain many adult situations and strong language but if you need a good laugh it can probably find one of your funny bones.

Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen), an alien from another world, has been on planet earth now for years working solely with our government answering and sharing information. Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg), and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost), two English Sci-Fi geeks and comic book fanatics, are on their way to the Comic-Con convention in San Diego, California. They have rented an RV and vow to have their greatest adventure by visiting every site of major extraterrestrial importance along the way. While headed to New Mexico deserts of Area 51, they stop to help a car that raced passed them and crashed off the side of the road. Paul emerges from the accident he tells Graeme and Cliff the Feds will be looking for him and they must help him escape and get back to his spaceship so he can return home.

Awards: 2011 Best Comedy Award - National Movie Awards, UK

Universal Pictures
Director: Greg Mottola
Writers: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
Producers: Eric Fellner, Nira Park, Tim Bevan

I viewed 10/15

The Reef (2010) R - 3½ Stars

The suspense in this movie is pretty good. I could feel my blood pressure raise more than a few times. Based on a true story, the movie offers you a good thrill ride. Though I would have liked to have gotten more acquainted with the characters before they were thrown out to sea, you really begin to feel their fear yelling to yourself, "Swim, you fools swim!"

A brother and sister, plus their significant others, Luke (Damian Walshe-Howling), Kate (Zoe Naylor), Suzie (Adrienne Pickering), Matt (Gyton Grantley) and Warren (Kieran Darcy-Smith) head off to explore Australia's Great Barrier Reef. When the boat tears a hole in the bottom of its haul, it capsizes leaving it's five travelers in the water. Now,the group has to decide if  they stay with the boat hoping to be rescued or put themselves in shark infested waters,  to swim to a shore more than 12 miles away they can't even see?

Lightning Entertainment, Screen Australia, Image Entertainment
Director: Andrew Traucki
Writer: Andrew Traucki
Producers: Andrew Traucki, Michael Robertson

I viewed 7/12

Stranded: I've come from a Plane That Crashed (2007) NR - 4 Stars

This is a very moving documentary about the 16 survivors of Uruguay's cricket team, who's plane crashed deep in the Andes October 13, 1972. After stranded 72 days, high atop the Andes mountain range of Chili, 2 exhausted survivors did the unthinkable by trekking over 8 large mountain ranges to get back to civilization. When all other hopes of rescue exhausted, these two brave young, men with little choice but to make it or die trying, crawl to freedom from their frozen tomb. Once they were found barely alive, their only thoughts were of getting help for their 14 friends still trapped in hell on the mountain. This documentary will make the hair stand up on your arms listening as the recapture their ordeal in the Andes.

I read the book, "Survived", when I was young and it has always stuck with me how these young men were forced with the decision to eat their fellow players in order to survive. Even learning that grinding done parts of the bone would give them a source of magnesium and calcium supplements their bodies needed to survive. These 16 survivors have uniquely special bond of a lifetime. Now, 30 years later in 2006, they reunite at the crash location and tell the stories to their families, and us the viewers, of permanent memories etched in their heads of the lose of their fallen friends.

Jose Algorta - Himself (as José Pedro Algorta)
Roberto Canessa - Himself
Alfredo Delgado - Himself
Daniel Fernandez - Himself (as Daniel Fernández)
Bobby Francois - Himself (as Roberto François)
Roy Harley - Himself
Jose Luis Inciarte - Himself (as José Luis Inciarte)
Alfredo Mangino - Himself (as Álvaro Mangino)
Javier Methol - Himself
Carlitos Paez - Himself (as Carlos Páez)
Nando Parrado - Himself (as Fernando Parrado)
Ramón Sabella - Himself
Adolfo Strauch - Himself
Eduardo Strauch - Himself
Antonio Vizintín - Himself
Gustavo Zerbino - Himself
José Gilberto Bravo Castro - Himself
Laura Canessa" - Herself (as Laura Inés Canessa)
Antonio Caruso - Himself
Juan Catalan - Himself (as Juan Catalán)
Sergio Catalan - Himself (as Sergio Catalán)
Jorge Massa - Himself
Juan Pedro Nicola - Himself
Mateo Nicola - Himself
Carlos Páez Vilaró - Himself (as Carlos Páez-Vilaró)
Madelón Rodríguez - Himself
Alejandra Strauch - Herself
Lucas Zerbino Payssé - Himself
Martín Zerbino Payssé - Himself
Sebastián Zerbino Payssé - Himself
Bernardo Antonaccio - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Rafael Beltrán - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Mauro Bettega - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Mario Bianchi - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Hilario Canessa - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Rodrigo Castellanos - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Pablo Collazo - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Juan Antonio Damiani - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Alfonso Díaz Cat - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Pablo Di Leva - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Nicolás Estrada - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Nicolás Furtado - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Joaquín Jaume - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Simón López Ortega - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Romeo López Ortega -Actor in reconstructed scenes (as Romero López Ortega)
Pablo Magariños - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Silvana Magrini - Actress in reconstructed scenes
Javier Martínez - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Pedro Musto - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Pilar Pelfort - Actress in reconstructed scenes
Carlos Scure Lacoste - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Ariel Tornin - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Rafael Soliwoda - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Alejandro Zivov - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Ernesto Cantu - Narrator (noncredit)

Columbia Pictures
Directors:Gonzalo Arijon
Writers:Gonzalo Arijon, Deborah Ford
Producers:Sally Jo Fifer,Mariela Genta,Sergio Gándara,Virginia Martínez Vargas

I viewed 4/12

The Expendables (2010) R - 3 Stars

Gosh, I usually love Lionsgate movies but for having such an all star cast, the movie is not only predictable but cheesy in oh so many ways. Though, if you like a good action movie to increase your testosterone levels, you'll probably love this one. I don't get how this macho Stallone, full of void and void of emotions, lets a woman he just met, get to him. For me, the best part of the movie is the massive gun Hale Caesar uses to blow everything away. Arnold Schwarzenegger even makes a brief cameo appearance.

Barney Ross, (Sylvester Stallone), is loyal to no one except his team of modern day warriors. When Church, (Bruce Willis), offers him an profitable assignment in Vilena, he quickly pulls together his team consisting of Lee Christmas, (Jason Statham), a former SAS who prefers knives to guns, Hale Caesar, (Terry Crews), weapon specialist, Gunner Jensen, (Dolph Lundgren), a precision sniper, Toll Road (Randy Couture), expert on blowing things up and the short guy, Ying Yang, (Jet Li). Their treacherous mission is to overthrow American Vilena dictator General Gaza,(David Zayas). In doing so, they will learn who their real enemies are in James Munroe, (Eric Roberts), former CIA and his body guard Paine, (Steve Austin). As Church and Ross scout out the island, their contact Sandra, (Giselle Itie), a guerrilla fighter, refuses to leave her people behind and is captured instead. Non emotional Ross, can't seem to bare he failed getting Sandra off the island, so he returns with his merry mob determined to save this damsel in distress.

Lionsgate
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Writers: Sylvester Stallone, Dave Callaham
Producers: John Thompson, Kevin King-Templeton, Avi Lerner

I viewed 12/10

The Way Back (2010) PG13 - 4 Stars

Based loosely on the true story of three men who, in 1941, survived a 4000 mile walk across five countries in hopes of gaining their freedom. This movie is dedicated in their honor while taking it's own creative directions. What an incredible story of perseverance and courage to set forth on an impossible journey. To think a group actually made this journey shows amazing determination.

Just before WWII, and faced with eternal imprisonment in a Siberian labor camp, a group of escapees begin their walk to freedom that crosses the dehydrated Gobi Desert and the frozen mountains of the Himalayas.

A group of 4 imprisoned men of a Siberian Labor camp plan their escape. They've found a way to get out of the camp though freedom lies many miles away. First, they must cross the Gobi Desert and if they make it that far, their next challenge is climbing the snow covered Himalayas. The men are determined this is their last chance at freedom by reaching and India.

Janusz (Jim Sturgess), Valka (Colin Farrell), Khabarov (Mark Strong), and Voss (Gustaf Skarsgård), make up part of the group of 8 men. Janusz has experience with living in the forest and his leadership evades the groups recapture. As they gain distance between their captors, they finally begin to smell freedom as the head for their destination. A young teenage girl Irena (Saoirse Ronan), has been trailing the group for a while in hopes of joining them for protection. She is alone and risks capture and begs the men to accept her promising to not slow them down. They finally break and decide she can hitch a ride. As they travel across the Gobi Desert, the group is faced with death amongst them and must make the moral decisions of when to leave members of their group behind.

Awards Include:
2011 - Irish Film and Television Awards - Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Film

Point Blank Productions, On the Road
Director: Peter Weir
Writer: Peter Weir, Keith R. Clarke
Producers: Tobin Armbrust, Duncan Henderson, Peter Weir

I viewed 8/12

127 Hours (2010) - 3½ Stars

Can you imagine spending 127 hours trapped deep in a hole and no one knows where you are? This is the real life story of an adventuring risk taker named Aron Ralston who takes off on a hiking trip in Moab, Utah without telling anyone where he was going. While hiking, he slips, falling deep into a slot canyon where his forearm becomes trapped by a large boulder that falls in after him. With a limited water supplies and facing certain death, his desperate situation forces a choice between losing his arm and/or losing his life. Equipped only with an extremely dull pocket knife, Aron must do the unthinkable in order to escape this quite dark tomb.

I can't even imagine being in this predicament but then again, I would never go hiking like this on my own. Luckily, James Franco does a great acting job being he is really the only star of the movie. Most of the action is spent in a small crevasse focusing on the emotions of what one might mentally go through, faced in this predicament. At the end of the movie, they show the real Aron Ralston and from his appearance alone, he didn't strike me as the same arrogant mountain man as the movie portrays.

Aron Ralston (James Franco), is an experienced avid hiker. No rock formation is out of reach to explore. He sets out on a journey to rock climb in Moab, Utah. After parking his car, Aron jumps on his bike and rides it as far as he can until he has to hike the rest of the way. Along his trail he runs into Megan (Amber Tamblyn), and Kristi (Kate Mara), two lost travelers who he arrogantly lures them into a crevasse that empties them into a large underground pool. After swimming, he puts them on the correct path to where they are headed. The girls are extremely grateful and invite Aron to their party later in the evening. But as Aron confidently skips off, he steps on unsettled ground, sending him down a deep cavern where his arm becomes stuck under a large unmovable boulder. When his food and water supply ends, he does the unthinkable to see the sun shine one more day.

Awards Include:
2010 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Male Lead
2010 - Utah Film Critics - Best Picture
2010 - AFI Film Award - AFI Movie of the Year
2011 - Nominated Academy Awards - Best Achievement in Film Editing
2011 - Nominated Academy Awards - Best Motion Picture of the Year



Pathé, Everest Entertainment, Cloud Eight Films, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Director: Danny Boyle
Writers: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
Producers: Danny Boyle, Christian Colson, John Smithson

I viewed 4/11

Black Water (2007) R - 3 Stars

Pretty good thriller about what lurks below the surface in the black water swamps of Northern Australia. Two sisters and one boyfriend set off on an adventure exploring around the swamps very few tourists ever see. Their trip turns to tragedy as their tour guide is eaten by a hungry Kroc who haunts the trio as they try an escape. Based on true events, Black Water will put you on the edge of your seat.

Adam (Andy Rodoreda), Lee (Maeve Dermody) and Grace (Diana Glenn) find an ad in they tour book to explore and fish the swamp lands of Australia. But when they arrive to the tour place, the boat has already left. Jim (Ben Oxenbould), is in the office and offers to take the trio on their adventure in the wet lands. But a hungry crocodile capsizes their boat and takes Jim for tasty snack while making it known he plans on returning. Now stranded in a mangrove swamp, they must plan their escape which forces them back into the water.

Territorial Film Developments, ProdigyMovies, The Australian Film Commission
Directors: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich
Writers: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich
Producers: David Nerlich, Andrew Traucki, Michael Robertson

I viewed 7/12

The Canyon (2009) R - 3½ Stars

I certainly was not expecting the ending of this film and I think that alone makes this a good movie. Really a mind screwer though the acting could been better. For example, I had a hard time believing Lori's character was so strong at first. The scene where she's battling the wolf could have been done much more convincing. But after her first two battles, you start to believe she is actually getting pissed off and ready to attack back and very realistic at the end. Reminds you to think twice about invading into natures territory.

A young couple Nick (Eion Bailey), and Lori (Yvonne Strahovski), have just eloped in Las Vegas. For a quick honeymoon, before they tell their friends and families, they take a drive to the Grand Canyon for a little sun and adventure. Their goal is to take a mule ride to the bottom of the canyon but everywhere they learn it's too late to get a permit to enter the canyon. They arrive at a local bar where they meet mountain man Henry (Will Patton), who tells them he can solve all their problems. After all, he's been exploring these canyons for years and knows them like the back of his hand. He also has an Indian friend that can arrange the mules and that specially neded permit. The couple agrees and the three set forth on the trip of a lifetime to the canyon floor.

Henry really knows his stuff and Nick wants to see it all so he agrees to go to another area of the canyon where ancient explorers have discovered caves unseen by most. The trip seems like a dream come true for Nick and Lori tags along supporting her new husband. Henry tells the couple ancient tales of the wolfs and crows that inhabit the area. But just around the next bend, they encounter rattle snakes who manage to get two could bites in on Henry. The scared mules run off down the canyon with Nick in fast pursuit. Unable to regain control of them, the threesome is left without food, water, medical kits or bedding and must make due this first night below the stars.

The next morning, Henry has not done well and with out the proper medical attention he succumbs to his poisonous system and dies. One lone wolf has been following the trio and eagerly awaits a tasty meal in Henry so the couple tries to bury him as best they can. Now they are left in the canyon without a guide and unaware of the proper path to get back. They have matches, a knife, cell phone with no service, chewing gum, chap stick and sun tan lotion. It's up to them to figure out which way they came in and back track their steps before the wolves show up looking for dessert.

Middle Fork Productions, Pierce/Williams Entertainment, Zero Gravity Management
Director: Richard Harrah
Writer: Steve Allrich
Producer: Mark Williams

I viewed 7/12

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

Boys Don't Cry (1999) R - 4 Stars

This movie is based on the true life story of Teena Brandon who just wanted to find love and acceptance, living her life. In 1993, she went to the small town of Falls City where she was unknown and thought she could find happiness living her life as the man she intended to be. Instead she was met with hatred and a tragic conclusion to her young life.

Hillary Swank gives an Oscar award winning presentation in her role as Brandon Teena in this sexual discovery movie about love and hate. He meets a young girl and wants desperately to run away with his dream that finding love would make everything okay. But trying to pretend she was a boy, cost her dearly when the lies catch up to her by her lovers deadbeat friends.

Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank), is a transgender young man growing up in Lincoln Nebraska, confused by life but knowing who he wants to be. Living off and on with his good friend Lonny (Matt McGrath), he vows there's a place on earth where he can just be himself. Despite warnings from Lonny that Falls City is not the place to be accepted, he sets out to start his new life there. Brandon meets Candace, (Alicia Goranson), a single mother, who immediately accepts and opens her home to him along with sharing her friends. Lana (Chloe Sevigny), is one friend that Brandon takes an almost immediate liking to and the quickly become lovers. Even Lana's drunken mother (Jeanetta Arnette), and her two closest friends, ex-con John (Peter Sarsgaard), and his buddy Tom (Brendan Sexton), welcome Brandon into their small circle of friends. But when Brandon gets in trouble with the law, his secret is revealed causing betrayal with his close knit group and John and Tom retaliate against him tragically ending Brandon's young live.

Awards include:

1999 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Actress
1999 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Actress
1999 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama 1999 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Actress
1999 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actress
1999 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Actress

Fox Searchlight Pictures, The Independent Film Channel Productions, Killer Films
Director: Kimberly Peirce
Writers: Kimberly Peirce, Andy Bienen
Producers: John Hart, Christine Vachon, Jeff Sharp

I viewed 8/08 & 2/12

Super Troopers (2001) R - 2½ Stars

You'll either love this movie or hate it's silliness. For me, I found the humor almost predictable and bordering on stupidity. On the other hand I can visualize some audiences laughing their ass off.

These State Troopers are about to loose their jobs to the local police department as in this small town there's no budget for both law enforcement agencies. The two agencies battle off with pranks to make each other look bad in front of the governor. But the jokes on her as she reinforces the wrong guys who are team mates with the marijuana traffickers.

Superior officer Capt. O'Hagan (Brian Cox), is in charge of four half wit state troopers, Mac (Steve Lemme), Thorny (Jay Chandrasekhar), Foster (Paul Stoter), and Rabbit (Erik Stolhanske), and the one do-gooder trooper Farva (Kevin Heffernan). In a small Vermont town near the Canadian border, these state troopers, with too much time on their hands, must prove themselves to Governor Jessman (Lynda Carter), in order to keep their jobs. Governor Jessman has just announced massive budget cuts for Vermont law enforcement personnel. Only one agencies can survive to keep their jobs so the battle between the State Troopers and the Earlville police department, led by Chief Grady with (Daniel Von Bargen), with Larry Johnson (Jim Gaffigan), and Ursula (Marisa Coughlan), begins.

The troopers stumble across a group or marijuana dealers. Solving this case is just what they need to prove the troopers deserve to keep their jobs. But with no love lost between the agencies, the Earlville police try everything to foil the troopers plans.

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Jersey Shore, Cataland Films
Director: Jay Chandrasekhar
Writers: Kevin Heffernan, Broken Lizard, Erik Stolhanske
Producer: Richard Perello

I viewed 2/12

Monsters (2010) R - 3 Stars

So I just joined Netflix from my Xbox and flipped through a few movie selections and accidentally hit the icon for this movie. Okay so since it's a lazy rainy day, I decided to give in and check out what Monsters has to offer.

The movie sort of throws you right into the action with very little set up, making it take awhile to warm up to the characters. She's a semi spoiled rich girl seeking answers to her reservations against her upcoming wedding while visiting San Jose, Central America. He's an arrogant cocky yet determined photographer who's more concerned with getting his shot then the couples safety. Though the stand out like a sore thumb in the middle of another country, fear knows no boundaries and they soon fit in with the other panicked residents.

I did like the electrifying baby growths attached to the trees and the monsters were pretty good. I also liked showing two languages with sub titles easy to follow. For a low budget independent Sci-Fi's thriller, the special effects are pretty damn good. It's cheesy but does have it's moments and worth the rent if you like Sci-Fi.

When a NASA space probe crashes to earth, not far from the American border, Andrew Kaulder (Scoot McNairy), an American journalist, is on the front line in the danger zone, trying to capture the first live photos. Samantha "Sam" Wynden (Whitney Able), the daughter of a wealthy newspaper owner who happens to have hired Kaulder, has gone missing from her trip inside of Mexico. Kaulder pledges to his boss, Sam's father, that he will find her and get her safely back to the United States. But their journey will not be a easy one since it will take them directly into the Infected Zone where alien monsters run ramped, destroying anything in their way. Two strangers stuck in a nightmare will discover romance and terror as they make they way back to safety.

Awards include:

• 2010 - Austin Film Critics - Best First Film
• 2010 - National Board of Review - Best Independent Film

Vertigo Films,  Magnet Releasing
Director: Gareth Edwards
Writer: Gareth Edwards
Producers: Allan Niblo, James Richardson

I viewed 2/12