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Internet Movie Database
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04 Jan

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Grade: B+

The fourth movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire follows Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione into their 4th year at Hogwarts Academy. They’re more grown up now, at age 14, and the movie certainly is, too. This is the first Potter film to be rated PG-13, and it is a rating that is well placed. It’s more dark, more serious, more heavy than the previous three films. And there’s more violence. The characters are just as rich, and there are a few humorous moments – but overall this is much more of a drama than a comedy. Great story-telling, and the actors are wonderful. It does help if you’ve seen the other films, there is a lot of back-story where it makes it much more enjoyable if you know what went on previously. Looking forward to the next one!
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04 Jan

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Grade: A-

It’s the finale! And what a finale it is. After 7 previous Harry Potter films we’ve seen these kids grow up, the action culminate and the loose ends all tie up nicely in a final story that helps it all to make sense.  You really have to be a Potter fan to enjoy this film – and if you are it is deeply satisfying.  I haven’t read the books, but I’ve seen all of the movies.  The problem for me is remembering the previous storylines in between the films because they pretty much pick up where they left off.  It would be nice to have a little re-cap or something for us “old folks!”  But other than that – it’s a worthwhile series, and a it has a cult-like following, hence the record-breaking box-office numbers!  I can see some Potter marathons coming now that they’ve wrapped it all up.
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04 Jan

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Grade: B

I have not read the Harry Potter books, but I have seen all of the Harry Potter movies.  I think it would be easier to see all of the movies on consecutive days to remember everything.  If you’re new to the Harry Potter series, you really need to start at the beginning, you can’t come jumping in with The Deathly Hallows part 1 because there’s so much back story you have to know for it all to make sense.  Since there’s at least a year in between movies, it’s understandable that only die-hard fans would be able to keep up with everything!

The movie is very well done, excellent effects, strong characters, amazing locations. And the actors have worked together, and grown up together throughout the series so they have a natural chemistry.  One standout for me is Helena Bonham Carter as the witch Bellatrix – she’s so over the top campy, scary and fun!  Highly recommended if you are a HP fan or if you want to know how the whole thing is going to finally resolve.  We’ve got a lot invested in this series and it would be nice to see how it ends.  We’ll have to stay tuned for Deathly Hallows Part 2!
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04 Jan

Hancock

Grade: B

You can’t go wrong with a Will Smith movie. Especially when it opens 4th of July weekend.  Hancock is no exception.  But in this film, Will Smith plays an entirely different character from the ones he has played before.  John Hancock is cynical, wounded, a lost soul who just happens to have super-hero powers.  He’s also an amnesiac, and although he can perform these amazing physical feats, he can’t seem to remember who he is or how he got here.

Having alienated much of Los Angeles with his antics, in comes savvy PR executive Jason Bateman to save the day, and Hancock’s reputation.  An odd, but convenient, friendship is formed as Hancock begins to frequent Jason’s home.  Charlize Theron plays Jason Bateman’s wife,  who has her own reasons for wanting Hancock to keep his distance.

A fun movie with lots of humor, tons of special effects.  Another blockbuster for Smith, another summer movie for all of us!
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04 Jan

Hairspray

Grade: A+

My absolutely FAVORITE movie of the year so far!  Wow!  I couldn’t stop smiling all through it –  I was tapping my toes, I wanted to get up in the aisles and dance!!!  This is my kind of movie.  I haven’t seen the stage version, or the 1988 original film by John Waters, so I can’t compare this new film to its predecessors, but I believe this Hairspray is destined to be a classic – I absolutely LOVE it!

I had my doubts about John Travolta in the role of Edna Turnblatt, but he is absolutely precious!  And Nikki Blonsky couldn’t be better.  Zac Efron, who made a name for himself in High School Musical, is just darling.  Michelle Pfeiffer is a hoot.  James Marsden has the moves, and a GREAT voice – who’d have known?  He’s so hot – always my favorite in the X-Men movies, this guy has talent!  And Queen Latifah – LOVE her, as always, she’s just awesome.  Everyone is just really good.  The music is wonderful, the choreography is fantastic.  I hope to see this movie have lots and lots of nominations come awards time, because it deserves it.  The best part, you leave the theatre humming and smiling – and SO glad you had the experience.  Go see Hairspray!
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04 Jan

Gravity

Grade: A-

Gravity can’t be compared to any other movie because it is truly original.  If there’s one word to describe it, it would be “intense.”  The movie is just one hour 40 minutes, but you walk out feeling like you’ve had a work-out.

And if I got that worn out just sitting through the movie, I can’t even imagine how worn out Sandra Bullock was after shooting all of these physically demanding scenes!

In Gravity, Sandra Bullock plays a rookie astronaut/scientist on her first flight, with veteran astronaut George Clooney. When trouble hits, the two of them must figure out how to save themselves and get back home.

It’s fascinating that there is so much story here, yet so little dialogue.

Visual effects are remarkable.  I’m sure there will be lots of nominations for this one, Best Actress, Best Director, Visual Effects and more.

This is one of those movies that is better seen on the big screen.  And see it in 3D if you can – really worth it!
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04 Jan

Gran Torino

Grade: A

Clint Eastwood directs and stars as Walt Kowalski in “Gran Torino.”  Walt is a crusty old Korean war veteran with two grown sons.  He’s just lost his wife and is unhappy about changes to his neighborhood, including the new Hmong family who has moved next door.  Walt’s a racist, with a lot of issues, but he’s got a solid inner compass.  The family next door ends up becoming his extended family.  This is a time of turmoil in Detroit, and gangs are running rampant.  Walt takes it upon himself to try to correct the situation.  This is a touching, funny, earnest and heart-felt movie.  Brilliantly directed, and beautifully acted.  One of this year’s best movies.  Expect many accolades come awards time.
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04 Jan

Good Night and Good Luck

Grade: A-

Good Night and Good Luck is the true story of Edward R. Murrow and all that was going on with the McCarthy hearings around that time. David Straithern is totally Edward R. Murrow – you forget he’s acting! George Clooney directs, and plays Murrow’s producer, Fred Friendly. Clooney’s character definitely takes a back seat to Murrow, who is up front and on the air during the whole controversy, but he is no less involved. The movie plays more like a documentary than a feature film. It is shot in black and white, without a soundtrack. Wonderful supporting performances from Patricia Clarkson and Robert Downey Jr. There is lots of authentic footage from news at the time. It’s really a history lesson. So although it is an amazing movie, it’s not for everyone – it’s definitely for the true film fan.
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04 Jan

Going the Distance

Grade: B

Romantic Comedy about a long distance romance.  Drew Barrymore is 31 years old and finishing up grad school and a 6 week summer internship in New York City when she meets dream boat Justin Long (Drew’s real life boyfriend!) Even though they promise nothing serious, they fall in love, and agree to try the long distance thing while she finishes school in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Time goes by, and they overcome all kinds of challenges, and characters that threaten to break them up, until too much time goes by and they’re at a cross-roads.

Christina Applegate plays Drew’s big sister and the two of them are really darling together.  Justin has two obnoxious roommates who serve as comic relief whenever things get too intense, they’re the kind of guys who just don’t grow up, the kind of guy that Justin decides he doesn’t want to be.

Sweet movie, nice take on modern day relationships. Rated R for a butt shot, sexual innuendo, language.
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04 Jan

Glory Road

Grade: A

Based on a true story, Glory Road is set in the world of college basketball. Josh Lucas stars as Don Haskins, who is hired away from a high school girl’s basketball team to coach Texas Western. Emily Deschanel, from the TV show “Bones” plays his wife. The only other name actors in the whole movie are Jon Voight, as an opposing team’s coach, and Derek Luke, as one of the players on the team. I love true stories, and underdog stories, and make-a-difference stories, and Glory Road just has it all. It’s eye-opening to see the kind of discrimination that these young men faced as they were really changing the whole game of basketball. There are lots of great game scenes, and I found myself cheering out loud, I couldn’t help it! And there are great relationships – people learn and grow and that’s always great to see in a movie. This is a take the kids (probably 10 and up they’ll understand it) movie, that everyone in the family will really enjoy. There’s a lot to talk about afterwards, too. A little bit of violence, so be prepared. This isn’t a sticky sweet Disney movie, it just has a really happy ending. Be sure to stay through the credits. At the very end there are interviews with current players and people involved in the big game, including Don Haskins and Pat Riley – yes, that Pat Riley! It’s fascinating.
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