The Green Hornet (2011) PG13 - 3 Stars

Actually with a touch of humor the Green Hornet becomes a fun movie with good action. I love Kato's character but Reid is good too and always a pleasure to see Cameron Dias even though she really does nothing for this movie. I didn't understand the ending though thus making room for yet another sequel. I wish Hollywood would quit trying to make movies that go on and on and instead come up with movies that can stand alone one time. With a too much violence for young children, this is not your Superman hero sort of movie and basically a comedic spoof.

James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) , has created a media empire Los Angeles' "The Daily Sentinel", with no help from his degenerate spoiled playboy son Britt (Seth Rogen). Britt doesn't take life very seriously, playing video games and drinking all day, it's not until his father passes, living his entire estate to him, that Britt has to grow up fast. Or does he? Britt doesn't know a thing about running the company and asks help from Kato (Jay Chou), one of his fathers best worker. Kato is extremely handy and the two team up to become nighttime vigilantes in a souped up bat mobile known as the Black Beauty. Their take on the names Kato and the Green Hornet. Their efforts are to clean the streets of common criminals and anyone else who threatens to take his company down. Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz), is one such criminal and with the help of Britt's secretary, Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), the duo must stop him at all costs.

Original Film, Ironhead Studios. W M Creations Inc
Directors: Stephen Chow, Michel Gondry
Writers: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen
Producer: Neal H. Moritz

I viewed 5/11

Taking Lives (2004) R - 3½ Stars

This is a decent movie though it has a lot of pauses that drag on a bit. I would have to say the story line doesn't flow as well as the acting but Angelina Jolie is pretty good as usual. There's good action in the movie and I think it rates your money on a rental.

Paquette (Olivier Martinez) and Duval (Jean-Hugues Anglade), are two Canadian police detectives that are investigating a brutal murder. The appearance of the body makes them realize this is similar to yet another killing they've seen before in Montreal. Agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie), is a special agent for the F.B.I., with a great record on criminal profiling. She's called in to join the case to see if she can get inside the head of this psychotic serial killer before he strikes again.

Scott determines the way the killer mutilates the bodies, show signs of what sexually turns him on. Scott also determines, his first kill probably involved a car accident where he faked his own death in order to take on the identity of his victim. In her opinion, the killer has been doing the same ever since, by trading his old life for a new one after each murder. Soon, Scott alienates herself from the rest of the team, with her unorthodox methods. But that's the way she prefers to work anyway; alone.

Mrs. Asher (Gena Rowlands), arrives at the police station thinking her son may be the killer, which cause Agent Scott to take notice. Only problem is, Mrs. Asher's son was killed in a car accident 19 years ago. Mrs. Asher claims that she has run into her son as she would not forget his icy stare that looks exactly the same as in the artist sketch. She is convinced her son is not dead but could be the one responsible for these killings.

James Costa (Ethan Hawke) an artist, claims he saw the killer during his last assault. He's the only witness and Agent Scott questions him and accepts his testimony unquestionably when he draws a detailed picture of the killers face. Now, they know what the killer looks like.

Agent Scott uses James as bait to help bring the murderer out in the open but also finds and an unexpected attraction to him. As their steamy love affair grows, Hart (Kiefer Sutherland) is now stalking James and Scott must come to his rescue.

Warner Bros Pictures
Director: D.J. Caruso
Writer: John Bokenkamp
Producers: Bernie Goldmann, Mark Canton, Bernie Goldman

I viewed 3/07

Knight and Day (2010) PG13 - 3 Stars

Here we have an all star cast and I scratch my head as to why this movie. Aka, a "Troubled Man", it's not a bad movie, it does have good action and of course Cruise and Cameron are great. It's just not the kind of epic movie worthy of their names. Filled with cheesy and cliche lines, I found it pretty unbelievable. But if you're looking for an action adventure with stunts equivalent to Bond movies, you might like it a lot.

June Havens (Cameron Diaz) is on her way to fly home for her sisters wedding. Roy Miller (Tom Cruise) is also ready to board a plane and they literally bump into each other twice. Is this fate, Roy thinks so as June is allowed to board a plane she is told is full to capacity. Once on the plane a puzzled June notices how empty it is and sees Roy so the two make small chat for the duration of the flight. As she gets up to use the restroom, she returns to find everyone on board, including the pilots, dead. To her astonishment, Roy has survived and is able to crash land the plane in a dark field. He explains to June that men from the government will visit her soon but she should not trust them. The next day, she is visiting by this group of governmental thugs who are under siege by Roy as he offers June an escape. Before she knows it, shes thrust into the roller coaster ride of her life as she tries to decide who she can trust.

Broken Road Productions, Tree Line Film, 20th Century Fox Distribution
Director: James Mangold
Writers: Scott Frank, James Mangold, Laeta Kalogridis
Producers: Steve Pink, Kathy Conrad, Todd Garner

I viewed 12/10

The American (2010) R - 3 Stars

Aka: A Very Private Gentleman and L' Americano. While this is an okay action adventure, I felt it just didn't tell a good story. Too many questions go unanswered for example, why did the first girl have to die? With a James Bond sort of feel, Clooney is decent playing the American assassin but sort of boring too. There is no character development with him to make a connection and the movie just adds a lot of other stuff in to burn film. First he looks like a loving husband, then he hires strippers for no commitment but asks for the same girl and he allows a priest to ask a lot of questions about him. I don't blame the bad direction on Clooney's performance it just never feels convincing to me. Reminded me too much of so many other movies and I'm generous with 3 stars. It is filmed in a cool little town.

On assignment in Sweden, Jack (George Clooney), is on the run after an assassination attempt gone wrong. Barely escaping with his life, mob associate Pavel (Johan Leysen), helps him flee to a small Italian town to hide. Jack has decided he wants out of the business and Pavel gives him one last assignment; to build a high tech long range gun that can fit in a small case for a Belgian marks woman Mathilde (Thekla Reuten). As he works on the project, he finds himself becoming more comfortable to living around people as he befriends Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli). The town is small and Father Benedetto is a wise priest with common sense. Jack also starts frequenting a local stripper named Clara (Violante Placido). He returns to her often and even sees her outside of work. This once private man finds new romance with Clara if he can pull off this last commitment.

Focus Features, This and That, Greenlit, Smokehouse Production
Director: Anton Corbijn
Writer: Rowan Joffe
Producers: Ann Wingate, Jill Green, Grant Heslov

I viewed 1/11

Date Night (2010) PG13 - 3 Stars

Though mostly unbelievable, Date Movie is a cute adventure of finding your way back to love. The chemistry between Fey and Carell is believable and even though Carell is funnier than I think he normally is, I wasn't impressed with some of his vulgar lines. The best part of the movie is putting normal everyday people, you can relate with, into extraordinary situations.

Phil (Steve Carell), and Claire Foster (Tina Fey), a couple from New Jersey, fear they are on a path to nowhere as they daily lives consist of taking care of the kids, working and going to bed. The monotony of their daily lives is draining any passion away from them. And now their friends are splitting up, making them realize they could be next. Phil decides to take their "date night" to the next level. He takes Clair to a popular upscale restaurant in Manhattan where they learn reservations are mandatory. As they hear a call for the Tripplehorn's table being ready and no one is responding, they decide to impersonate the missing couple and sit at their table. One thing they didn't know is the Tripplehorns are a couple of thieves and now their mistaken identity has two tough guys Armstrong (Jimmi Simpson), and Collins (Common), showing up at their table asking them to come with them. The Foster's think they are in trouble for impersonating the missing couple and go with them only to get frisked, have their cell phones and ID's taken and a gun pointed at them demanding the flash drive stolen from their boss, Joe Miletto (Ray Liotta). Fearing for their lives, Phil tells them he has the flash drive and it's hiding in Central Park. The four drive to the park where Clair and Phil manage to get away dodging an arsenal of bullets. The next day, the couple goes to the police. They meet with Detective Arroyo (Taraji P. Henson) and as Detective Walsh (Bill Burr), calls Arroyo away, Phil and Claire notice the two men Armstrong and Collins are police men. Now knowing these two are corrupt and want Phil and Claire dead, they decide to take matters into their own hands to save themselves. Now there on the craziest adventure of their lives which just might bring the passion back that they desperately need.

21 Laps Entertainment, Dune Entertainment, 20th Century Fox
Director: Shawn Levy
Writer: Josh Klausner
Producers: Tom McNulty, Shawn Levy

I viewed 11/10

Doubt (2008) PG13 - 4 Stars

Taking place in 1964, in St. Nicholas an area of the Bronx, this film is everything you would imagine a strict Catholic school to have been like. What I really liked so much about this movie is the great performances by all three leads. Meryl Streep fits her role playing the principle as an "old school" nun. Amy Adams is a naive school teacher struggling to keep her mind open to the good in all man and Philip Seymour Hoffman is a Priest accused of major wrong doings in the church. Perhaps it's the intent of the director to leave doubt in your mind at it's closure but I think it was a great drama up to that point and then collapses.

Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryl Streep), is the principle of St. Nicholas Catholic School. Her methods are tough as she believes you can not give the child an opportunity to screw up, as they will take it. She lives her life calculating their next move so she can stay one step ahead of them. Upon visiting the class of Sister James (Amy Adams), she hangs a photo of the Pope of the chalk board proving the wrong doings of the children when her back is turned. As Sister James realizes the children do take advantage of her behind her back, she begins to have doubts of her effectiveness as a teacher and the trust of her students.

Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), head Priest of St. Nicholas, has Sister Aloysius's strong eye watching his every move. She feels Father Flynn is becoming too chummy with most of the boys and feels his behavior inappropriate. Father Flynn has tried to become the children's friend so they have someone to turn to when their young lives have problems. He feels it is important to allow the children to be more free allowing them more happiness. But when she looks out her window and sees the Father grab the arm of a child who flinches away, she is convinced her has crossed the line of friendship. Sister Aloysius puts the word out to keep eyes on Father Flynn in order to catch him in mischievous activity.

While practicing for the upcoming Christmas pageant for the school, Sister James sees Father Flynn put something into one of the young boys lockers. After he has left the room, she opens the locker and finds a young boys undershirt. Her suspicious grow when one of her students is called away to meet Father Flynn during class hours. When the boy returns, he is sluggish, acts peculiar and puts his head down and Sister James smells alcohol on his breath. She reports her findings to Sister Aloysius who is now positive her acquisations are correct. Along with Sister James, Sister Aloysius decide to confront Father Flynn. After the conversation is finished, Sister James is convinced the Father has done nothing wrong and wants to get back to her regular activities at the school. But Sister Aloysius refuses to believe Father Flynn innocence and begins a one woman crusade to see him fall.

Awards include:

2008 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Actress
2008 - Houston Film Critics - Best Ensemble
2008 - Screen Actors Guild - Best Actress
2008 - National Board of Review - Best Ensemble Cast

Miramax Films
Director: John Patrick Shanley
Writer: John Patrick Shanley
Producers: Mark Roybal, Scott Rudin

I viewed 4/10

Salt (2010) PG13 - 4½ Stars

Angelina Jolie kicks ass and steals the show in one of her best roles. Great action scenes that get started right away. Though I doubt you would see our FBI and CIA officials shooting randomly amongst a road full of innocent civilians, there's enough action to pull you right back in before you're questioning that too much. Yeah okay there are some scenes that are pretty unbelievable however I didn't get caught up on that as the action is non stop. Bottom line is I loved the movie and I have new respect for Jolie as I hear she did a lot of her own stunts. You already know there is going to be a sequel. I just hope it will be as good as this one.

Evelyn Salt, (Angelina Jolie), is an undercover officer for the CIA with a dark secret. When she was young, her parents were killed in an accident and Evelyn was taken in and trained by a Russian man who made her swear allegiance to Russia. That's always sticks in the back of her mind. When a Russian defector Orlov, (Daniel Olbrychski), looking for immunity comes in to tell of a plot to assassinate the Russian president, Salt is the one to interrogate him. He tells Salt, CIA Agent Peabody, (Chiwetel Ejiofor), and her boss and mentor CIA Agent Winter (Liev Schreiber), that Salt is a Russian sleeper spy, and she is the one who will carry out the assassination. Now, with no one to trust she must do everything possible to prove her alliance to the right country.

Relativity Media, Sony Pictures Releasing, Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group,
Directors: Phillip Noyce, Peter Berg
Writers: Brian Helgeland, Kurt Wimmer
Producers: Sunil Perkash, Lorenzo Di Bonaventura

I viewed 12/10

Burden of Dreams (1982) R - 3 Stars

It would appear that I have rented two Werner Herzog films in a row. Though the primitive narration and shooting style of this older documentary almost bored me at times, I couldn't stop watching it. Almost in admiration of the determination of this eccentric German filmmaker, I had to hold on to see if he could achieve his goal. It's captivating to watch his dealings with the natives, the jungles of Peru, the obstacles of designing a boat to withstand the rapids of one river, and another identical boat to be drug over the mountain side to another river. Seeming like an impossible feat to produce the movie, this documentary, shot by Les Bank, features Herzog as he attempts the impossible filming his epic Fitzcarraldo.

With Jason Robards starring as Fitzcarraldo and Mick Jagger as his sidekick Wilbur, there is trouble half way through the movie when Robards becomes ill and must return home. Jagger is also forced to leave beginning concert tours to promote his upcoming album. Herzog decides to start the film entirely over doing away with Jaggers role completely as he feels no one can fill Jagger's shoes. This time casting Klaus Kinski as Fitzcarraldo, Herzog is determined to complete is goal. Despite unpredictable weather, the changing of the rivers water table, and the natives getting restless, some tribes in Peru and Ecuador try shut him down.

The story of the film Fitzcarraldo is about the struggles he has to conquer the Amazon rain forest with it's vicious inhabitants. He takes a large boat up the river and over a mountain to access a river on the other side. The natives untie his boat as it rides the rapids thrusting itself a part, with Fitzcarraldo and his operatic solo fading into the distance.

Flower Films
Director: Les Blank
Writers: Michael Goodwin, Mike Goodwin
Producer: Les Blank

I viewed 4/10

Burlesque (2010) PG13 - 3½ Stars

I always love Cher in anything she does and she still looks great and can belt out a tune after all these years. Also starring Christina Aguilera, I've never been one of her biggest fan but this movie gave me new respect for her. That girl can sing her heart out, and dos a pretty good job of acting too. Aguilera plays a girl from Iowa looking for the chance to make it big in Hollywood. She buys a one way ticket to Los Angeles and walks into a Burlesque bar, feeling completely drawn in. So much so, she grabs a tray, starts waiting tables for free, all just to be close to the experience while she dreams of her chance to get up on stage. I love the title song and gotta put this one in my musical category. It's not a musical but it has so many good songs and singing, it's gotta go there. Nicely done.

Ali, (Christina Aguilera), is a small time girl from Iowa working a dead end job in need of a change. She packs up her things and gets a one way ticket to Los Angeles in search of a venue to strut her stuff. She stumbles upon The Burlesque Lounge on the Sunset Strip. Intrigued with the show, she can visualize herself on stage if given half the chance. She feels it so bad, she grabs a tray and begins to wait tables at no charge, just to be close. Club owner Tess,(Cher), sees her persistence and eagerness, and hires her as a waitress. You never know if another girl is needed as one of Tess's best girls Nikki,(Kristen Bell), has been screwing up a lot. The burlesque club is Tess's passion and it's financially struggling to stay afloat. What Tess needs is a miracle.

When Nikki pisses Tess off for the last time, Ali comes aboard to fill her shoes. Surprisingly to all, Ali has a ginormous voice that fills the house. Even Jack, (Cam Gigandet), the engaged bartender, sits up to take notice. But it's a little too much too late and Tess and Ali are forced to put their heads together to save the club before the doors are closed for good.

Awards:
2010 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Original Song

De Line Pictures, Sony Pictures Releasing
Director: Steve Antin
Writers: Steve Antin, Susannah Grant
Producer: Donald De Line

I viewed 5/11

Lemon Tree (2008) NR - 3½ Stars

Inspired by a true event in the Palestinian West Bank, here's a human interest story with many layers to it. It's a story about division between the Palestinians and Israelis, the power struggle between the "have and the have nots", politics vs. humanity and an invisible bond that is formed between two women.

Selma, 45, has been a widow for over 10 years and her children are attending to their own lives, neglecting their mother's love. When the defense minister moves in next door, she faced with loosing everything dear to her in the name of politics. A slow paced movie, it's a good insight into the traditional living in Palestinian West Bank. Hiam Abbass is very good in her role and you embrace her way of life. Though I would have liked a better ending, it's a good little movie for those who seek compassion for the rest of the world.

Salma Zidane (Hiam Abbass), lives in a meager home within a lemon grove her great grand parents started. At a young age she lost her mother leaving Selma to be raised by her adoring father. After his death, her life's work is to tend to the grove stayed which is said to have the tastiest lemons around. But when Defense Minister Israel Navon (Doron Tavory), and his wife Mira Navon (Rona Lipaz-Michael), move in next door, Selma's treasured lemon grove now causes great conflict between the neighbors. Assumptions are the Defense Minister's home and life will be in jeopardy from anyone trying to sneak up to his property using the lemon grove for cover. His advisers decide their only recourse is to cut the grove to the ground, clearing their view.

As her children are content in their own lives and no one else to turn to, Selma hires and attorney, Ziad Daud (Ali Suliman), to help protect her lemon grove from destruction. But Selma is only a poor Palestinian woman, forced to do battle against a more powerful, male, political system she can not afford. Ziad vows his commitment to help Selma in her plight while also developing true feelings of love for her the two try to ignore. Even the Defense ministers wife, Mira, feels for Selma's situation. Already having lost two battles against the powerful judicial system, Selma's last chance is to be heard by the Supreme Court. As Mira becomes more bored over her husbands lack of attention, she joins in the cause to help support Selma salvaging her dream.

Awards Include:
2008 Awards of the Israeli Film Academy - Best Actress
2008 Berlin International Film Festival - Panorama Audience Award

Eran Riklis Productions (ERP), MACT Productions, Riva Filmproduktion GmbH
Director: Eran Riklis
Writers: Eran Riklis, Suha Arraf
Producers: Martine de Clermont-Tonnere, Michael Eckelt, Bettina Brokemper

I viewed 5/11

Conviction (2010) R - 4½ Stars

What a wonderful movie about the love and devotion shared between two siblings. How on earth did this movie get passed up on by the Academy? I had not heard of this movie until watching previews for it on another rented DVD. The previews looked excellent and the movie better than I'd hope for. Hillary Swank and Sam Rockwell are outstanding and so believable in their really heartfelt roles. I can't recommend this movie enough.

Kenny Waters received a life sentence for a murder he didn't commit. His loving sister Betty Anne, sacrificed her life and marriage to work her way through law school, becoming a lawyer for the purpose of freeing her brother from prison. It took over 18 years, but she finally obtained blood samples, previously reported destroyed due to age, that could be tested for a DNA match. She also found out the eye witnessed were bullied into lying under oath by the only female officer in the department, Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo), who was making a name for herself in a mans world.

The story...
Betty Anne (Hilary Swank) and her brother, Kenny Waters (Sam Rockwell), were the best of friends growing up despite their screwed up childhood. Raised by an incompetent mother who eventually lost them and split up through many foster homes, the children shared a tightly knit bond. They used to break into expensive homes, not to vandalise but only to lay on the beds, imagining a better life for them someday. But Kenny was a smart mouth lad which followed him through is adult years. Basically a nice guy, he faced his share of run-ins with the law thus making him an easy target to pin a murder conviction on.

The two siblings were so close that when Betty Anne got word of Kenny's arrest, she stayed exclusively by his side, vowing her complete devotion to find a way to set him free. She got her GED, went back to college, got her degree in law, enrolled in a legal college, passed the bar and became an attorney. She did this to gain information off limits to her before, helping to build a case, proving her brothers innocence. But this devotion took it's toll on her marriage and relationship with her children. She still refused to give up hope her brother would someday soon become a free man. Even when 18 years later, DNA evidence clearly stated Kenny was not the suspected criminal, it still took more than a year to clear his name. Along with the help of her only friend, Abra Rice (Minnie Driver), and a legal defense for the wrongly accused, with leader Barry Scheck (Peter Gallagher), the same as in the O.J. Simpson case, almost 19 years later, Kenny was finally acquitted and set free.

Awards:
2010 - National Board of Review - Freedom of Expression Award

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Omega Entertainment, Fox Searchlight Pictures
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: Pamela Gray
Producers: Tony Goldwyn, Andrew Sugerman, Andrew S. Karsch

I viewed 4/11