Lies and Illusions (2009) R - 2½ Stars

With two of my favorite actors, Cuba Gooding Jr and Christian Slater, I thought this movie would be a huge hit. However, I was disappointed with it's outcome. Yes it has action and bad guys chasing the good, but the whole story turns out to be a sham, the special effect are cheesy at best and it just doesn't keep you caring for the characters at all. For example, after a huge scene smashing up cars and gun shots a blazing, not one cop is to be found. No one is ever around to save Slater and no matter what he does, you almost know he's going to get it in the end. Their lines don't flow and are predictable and corny. Definitely not one of either one of their best films.

Wes Wilson (Christian Slater), is a accredited writer engaged to his fiancee' Sam (Sarah Ann Schultz). When she has gone missing and presumed dead, Wes's life is turned upside down. Being a self help author unable to help himself, friends suggest he start dating again to break his depression. By chance, he meets Nicole (Christa Campbell), who just might give him something else to focus on.

Without warning, Wes is being stalked and threatened by criminal mastermind Isaac Kahn (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who wants his diamonds back. But Wes knows nothing about any diamonds and as he digs deeper into his fiancees past, he finds she's been keeping secrets as he discovers an arsenal of weapons in a secret room. Now as he realises nothing and no one are as them seem there is no one he can rely on but himself.

Nu Image/Millennium Films, Two Sticks Productions
Director: Tibor Takacs
Writer: Eric James
Producers: Johnny Martin, David Ornston, Rich Cowan

I viewed 8/09

Powder Blue (2009) R - 3 Stars

Four separate strangers, each with a terrible hole in their lives all intersect to find the courage to go on. On the same realm of a "Crash" style movie, Powder Blue brings these four lives in connection with each other however, never allows you to get a real focus on their connections. Some of the scenes are drawn out and don't tell you much. I thought with such an all star cast and after watching the trailer, it would be powerful drama but it looses too much steam.

Jack Doheny (Ray Liotta) is an ex-con who's has been locked up for the past 25 years. He knows he has a daughter he has not seen and in order to find a reason for his life, he tracks her down to learn more about her, trying to regain her confidence and participate in her life.

Rose Johnny (Jessica Biel) is a professional dancer who moved to Los Angeles in order to make it big. But now that her young son Billy (Chandler Canterbury) has been in a coma for over 3 months, she does whatever it takes to pay the bills even if it means stripping professionally at a club run by a seedy owner Velvet Larry (Patrick Swayze). Qwerty Doolittle (Eddie Redmayne), works in a morgue and has never had a girlfriend. Once he meets Rose he finally discovers feeling in himself he never had before. Randall (Kris Kristofferson), rides the bus at night giving advice to anyone who will listen to him.

Charlie Forest Whitaker was a dedicated priest and met a wonderful woman to call his wife. But when an accident takes her life, he forgets while he ever believed and feels punished by God. Sally (Lisa Kudro), is a waitress and takes a liking to Charlie and she hates to always see him in such despair at her table. Lexus (Alejandro Romero), is a transvestite that Charlie picks up in order to request he/she kill him ending his misery. In one split moment, everyone will touch each other in a way that saves or ends their lives.

Image Entertainment, Speakeasy Releasing
Director: Timothy Linh Bui
Writer: Timothy Linh Bui
Producers: Tracee Stanley, Ross M. Dinerstein, Forest Whitaker

I viewed 6/09

Killer Condom (1998) NR - 2 Stars

Why Oh Why do we have movies like this and better yet, why do I continue to watch them? Well my neighbor brought this one down and said "Add this to your reviews" and being the devoted viewer I am, all I can say is here's yet another one for my bizarre category. It's almost like a farce on the "B Movie" so for that, I'm giving it a 2. Based on Ralph Konig's German comic book the movie is also in German with subtitles.

Gay Detective Luigi Mackeroni (Udo Samel), secretly visits sleazy motels in search of pleasure. It's no secret that drag Queen Babette (Leonard Lansink), is in love with him as once the two were very close. But now Detective Luigi longs for more manly men. Meanwhile, ladies of the night have been seeing condoms come to life right before their eyes, literally cutting into their action. Luigi is committed to solving this dilemma but needs to be able to investigate one. Be careful for what you wish for as he's about to have a close encounter that might his end his manhood but more importantly redeem him on the force.

Troma Entertainment, Ascot Film and Fernsehproduction, Ecco Films Inc
Director: Martin Walz
Producers: Ralph S. Dietrich, Harald Reichebner, Michael Stricker
Writer: Ralph Honig

I viewed 10/09

Duplicity (2009) R - 3 Stars

Though Roberts and Owen make a great looking team with passionate chemistry that works well together. However, the movie becomes more about them instead of goal they are trying to achieve making it very hard for me to follow. For the longest time you don't even know what they are trying to get their hands on. Even the characters don't know what the prize is. At first, when the movie flashed back 5 years, I was interested in where their relationship stemmed from. But when it keeps flashing back to years, months, and even days before, it makes it confusing to stay focused on the point and only on the couples intimate interactions. Don't get me wrong, I got it in the end but for me, the journey getting there wasn't enjoyable trying to keep up.

Claire Stenwick (Julia Roberts), has a long trusted background as a CIA officer. She's working undercover at a company that is trying to uncover a patent that will secure their financial future. Ray Koval (Clive Owen), working at an opposing company is also secretly seeking the same patent. The two play a cat and mouse game with each other trying to hold the upper hand. However the competitors, industry tycoon Howard Tully (Tom Wilkinson), and CEO Dick Garsil (Paul Giamatti),will stop at nothing to access the information gaining the advantage.

Universal Pictures
Director: Tony Gilroy
Writer: Tony Gilroy
Producers: Kerry Orent, Jennifer Fox, Laura Bickford

I viewed 8/09

Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling (2009) PG13 - 3 Stars

Without a paddle is really without a point but none the less a "cute" pointless movie. I like the fact the main characters are no one I have really seen before, making their innocence easier to accept as they all seem like "nice guys." I doubt any name brand stars would sign up for this one anyway. But having said that, I enjoyed it enough to say rent it if there is nothing else out at the moment.

My take, basically young man has had a huge crush on a girl since high school. When he finds out that his best friend is trying to track her down, it's his opportunity to tag along hoping to re-find his true love. Now here's the kicker. The girl is living in the trees, with her best girl friend, protecting the forest from developers and they must find her before her grandmother kicks the bucket.

Zach (Kristopher Turner), is a nurse at a retirement home and an elderly women he is taking care of has just found out her heart is bad and her days are numbered. She asks Zach to help her find her granddaughter Heather (Madison Riley), before she dies. When Zach sees that the girl he has been asked to find, is the same girl his best friend Ben (Oliver James), was in love with, he forces him to leave his work-a-holic job, and to find her and rekindle his love.

The two travel to where she was last spotted to look for clues where they are told by the locals to stay out of the woods as a monster is present and anyone who goes in there, never comes back.

Nigel (Rik Young), Heathers step brother, shows up as the boys are about to leave, insisting he tag along to help. The trio throw a raft into the river, forgetting to bring anything but beer, and ride the rapids deep into the woods. But when their raft springs a leak, squirrels attack, strange men are following Nigel, and Heather could care a less about Ben, they begin to this nature adventure really bites.

Paramount
Director: Ellory Elkayem
Writers: Jay Leggett, Mitch Rouse, Stephen Mazur
Producer: Amy Goldberg

I viewed 2/10

Donnie Brasco (1997 ) R - 4½ Stars

What a great movie based on the true story of Special F.B.I. Agent Danny Brasco, who infiltrated the mafia to get over 100 convictions with evidence he collected. Johnn Depp stars as Danny Brasco and at first glance, I didn't even realize it was him. A 12-year younger Depp up against a 12 year younger Al Pacino who both do an excellent job in their roles. Pretty surprising to see how many stars of this movies, I've seen in other mafia movies even carrying into HBO's, "The Sapranos." Though it took me 12 years to see it, I think it's one of the best mafia movies I've ever seen. Donnie has a 500,000-dollar contract on his life.

Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp), an FBI agent, has been given a tough assignment to infiltrate the Mafia's Bonanno family, gaining their trust in order to collect evidence later to be used against them. His name is changed to Donnie Brasco.

Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), is a mob hit man whose spent the last 30 years of his life killing people and finding he has gained nothing to show for it in his old age. His life is falling apart before his eyes as his son is addicted to heroin, his marriage is falling apart and when he meets Donnie, he takes him under his wing seeing him as a chance to redeem himself within the mob. Lefty helps get Donnie get "in" with the family as he is quickly accepted as his importance grows. But the closer Donnie gets into the family, the more he begins acting like a mobster himself causing difficulty in his personal family life with his wife Maggie (Anne Heche).

When Donnie finds himself in too deep, leaving is not an option as he fears what they will do to himself and his family. Plus he also knows when the time comes to get out, it will surely mean the end of Lefty, a man he has grown close to and trusted as a friend.

Awards:
1997 - Donnie Brasco - National Board of Review - Best Supporting Actress


TriStar Pictures
Director: Mike Newell
Writer: Paul Attanasio
Producers: Barry Levinson, Gail Mutrux, Louis Di Giaimo

I viewed 9/09

The Orphan - 2½ Stars

Is it just me or is the concept behind this movie on the ridiculous side. I did like the cute little character of Max as she can't speak and has to keep all the secrets of her new big sister to herself. The Orphan is suppose to be a 33 year old woman posing as a small child to get adopted so she can steal the husband away. Hmmmm, did I give the plot away, well thank me for saving you the trouble of watching it. The trailer is much better then the movie is.

Kate Coleman (Vera Farmiga), has suffered through a miscarriage and it's taking it's toll on her marriage with John (Sarsgaard). The couple already have two children Danny (Jimmy Bennett), and Max (Aryana Engineer), a deaf mute, but Kate feels a new child can help her feel complete. When Kate starts having horrible nightmares, the couple visits an orphanage where Sister Abigail (CCH Pounder), introduces them to Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), a mature, seemingly proper and perfect, young girl. Kate thinks Esther is just what they need to put their broken family back together.

Esther is brought home and introduced to the other children who both sense it won't be an easy transition. The longer Ester is around, the more strange things start to happen that jeopardize the safety of her other children. Kate begins to feel something is wrong with Esther but her husband and friends only see the sweet innocent side of Ester and think Kate's still healing. Putting more of a strain on their marriage, Kate begins to investigate Esther's past where she finds out she's not who they think she is. Now she must convince her husband, the child must go before she does something to harm Kate and the other children.

Dark Castle Entertainment, Warner Brothers
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer: David Leslie Johnson
Producers: Leonardo DiCaprio, Susan Downey, Joel Silver

I viewed 12/09

Taking Woodstock (2009) R - 3 Stars

The best part of this movie for me was it allowed us to really get a visual imagination of what it might have been like to attend Woodstock. No, I was a bit too young to have traveled so far for a concert but I did see the Beatles in 1964, my walls were covered with psychedelic posters and do remember this radical change in America's future. The movie didn't spotlight on the great bands but more about the Peace, Love and Happiness era that was over taking the drugged youth of America. An interior designer inadvertently changes America and effects the world.

I wonder how much of this movie was based from the actual event and how much free license the director was able to adapt. It's a slow moving in many parts but a must see if you're of any age to remember, or care to, it's a movie you'll want to see if nothing else but nostalgia . I think the casting was perfect though the Mrs. that ran the hotel, I found quit annoying.

It's 1969 and a revolutionary change is happening in Greenwich Village. Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin), is an interior designer who, almost by accident, causes a major impact on the world. Elliot is from the small town of Catskills, NY., and works with his parents at their El Monaco motel. Elliot also heads the city council board where he's just been awarded a permit to have his concert, for the locals of his community, that he's done for the last few years.

Nearby in Wallkill, NY., Elliot hears of the "Woodstock Music and Arts Festival" and how they have just lost their permit to hold the event there. Trying to promote revenue for his city while helping his parents out, he phones Michael Lang (Jonathan Groff), the producer of the show and offers accommodations at his hotel. After Lang flies out to meet with Elliot, they persuade a local farmer to allow usage of his land for the event along with a nice little profit. He agrees and with Elliot's valid permit, the rest is history. But no one could have possibly imagined the massive turnout which will probably never ever be repeated again.

Focus Features
Director: Ang Lee
Writer: James Schamus
Producers: Ang Lee, James Schamus, Celia Costas

I viewed 1/10

The Snow Walker (2003) PG - 4 Stars

I really thought this was a beautiful movie. Shot in Canada, the scenery is breathtaking and I loved almost everything about it. The fall back that stopped me from rating it higher was I didn't like the dialog between the characters. They would have been better off not speaking to each other than trying to make us believe this secluded Eskimo knew as much English as she did. She should have kept to her native tongue and he to his and the movie would have been much more real. But I loved the fact that he was the macho man, brought back to reality when she is teaches him basic survival techniques. Why didn't anyone hear of this movie when it came out?

It's the 1950's and Charlie Halliday (Barry Pepper), has always considered himself to be one the best pilots to fly. Somewhat of a risk taker, Charlie's job has been to deliver supplies to the people of the Artic North. While on a routine delivery he lands to drop off supplies when the native people try to convince him to take one of their extremely sick along with him as she is in need of immediate medical attention for TB. He refuses until they bribe him with a gift of expensive ivory tusks they have harvested. Charlie agrees to talking the ailing Kanaalaq (Annabella Piugattuk), along with him. As the two head off, they are caught in a severe snow storm. When the plane crashes, each is forced to learn from and help the other in order to survive the variety of obstacles the harsh landscape throws in their path.

First Look Studios, Infinity Media, Inc., Walk Well/Snow Walker
Director: Charles Martin Smith
Writer: Charles Martin Smith
Producers: Rob Merilees, William Vince

I viewed 10/09

9 (2009) PG13 - 3½ Stars

You always knows when you're watching a Tim Burton production because of the outstanding animation, and 9 is no exception. Burton creates unusual animated characters but then that's one of the ways you know it's his film. Even though the characters Burton creates are a bit abnormal looking to to think they hold the answers of saving the planet, Burton manages to pump enough life into them that has you cheering for these tiny sewn rag dolls to become victorious over the evil machines. I especially like the fact one of the bravest of them all is a girl.

It's the future where machinery has started to take over many tasks of mankind. One scientist inventor has come up with the Great Machine, created with human compassion and reactions. He has literally poured his soul into creating this new wonder, but the machine takes up a mind of it's own, and turns on mankind, decimating the human population before being shut down. But before the inventor could be destroyed himself, he grabs what ever materials he has in his shop and creates and literally pumps life into a group of small creations he hopes can exist in this post-apocalypse world.

One courageous rag doll named 9 (Elijah Wood), refuses to except the fate that he and the others are banished to surviving by hiding as 1(Christopher Plummer), who's been in charge, alleges. Along with the others, 2(Martin Landau), 5(John C. Reilly), 6(Crispin Glover), 7(Jennifer Connelly), 9 will use the powers sewn into him to prove capable of salvaging what still remains of the world. Together with this pack of stitched hopes, he will lay the groundwork for a hopeful future.

Focus Features
Director: Shane Acker
Writer: Pamela Pettler
Producers: Timur Bekmambetov, Tim Burton, Jim Lemley

I viewed 1/10

Land of the Lost (2009) PG13 - 2½ Stars

While this is definitely not a movie to have on your list of must sees, if you have children and can except the movie for what it is, you might enjoy it. It does have some fun moments like the official walnut representing the T-Rex's brain and the nitrogen frozen exploding dinosaur, but mostly it is a pretty silly, unbelievable with cheesy acting at it's best. I was a big fan of the original Land of the Lost cartoon series and even if there are some parallels between it, I was expecting more along that same line. I usually love Ferrell in movies but I felt he was pushing for laughs too hard in this one instead of allowing them to flow naturally like he is so capable of.

Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell), is a quantum paleontologist who believes in time travel and that it holds the cure for mankind s inhumanity. The world seems against him but he does have one fan, scientist Holly (Anna Friel), who think his work is not only fascinating but she believes Marshall is a genius. This encourages him to finish his time traveling device. When he does, he takes Holly and pyromaniac Will (Danny McBride), with him deep in a cave to test it out.

It works and the three are quickly thrown into the dinosaur era, loosing the time traveling machine. Surrounded by dinosaurs and lizard creatures known as Sleestacks, they befriend a half monkey like beast Chaka (Jorma Taccone), whom them believe can help get their machine back so they can leave this world that is trying to eat them.

Universal
Director: Brad Silberling
Writers: Chris Henchy, Dennis McNicholas
Producers: Jimmy Miller, Marty Krofft, Sid Krofft

I viewed 12/09