Mamma Mia!

Having seen the play it is hard to keep them separate, however for the purpose of this review that is when I'm going to attempt to do. This is a film that has all the great music of ABBA (yes I'm an ABBA fan), with the picturesque backdrop of Greece, and the fun of a musical. While this is an overall fun film it is also a film that really only had a few people that could sing, dance, and act. The women of Mamma Mia! really seem to have that down great, the men however were really good in one maybe 2 areas but would just not be able to do everything. I would have to say that the whole films looks like the cast and crew had a great time making this movie and that does help to make it fun for the people watching. Still because enough of the cast didn't really have the ability to pull off everything that needed to be done I give this film a B.

http://www.mammamiamovie.com/
U.S. site

http://www.mamma-mia-themovie.co.uk/
U.K. site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795421/
imdb

Burn After Reading

Dark comedies are really either a hit or a miss on an individual level. I personally loved this film, and yet I have had to tell a few friends that they might want to save their money because it just wasn't their kind of humour. It really comes down to so many things in this film a ridiculous yet plausible if seen from only one point of view. Misunderstandings, assumptions, and stupidity are often constants in comedy, while in this we also have someone with complete lack of self confidence, another person that just can't seem to get enough sex, and one that is just wanting to do the right thing for someone they care about. There were moments in this that I was laughing so hard I started to tear up, and others that I was just so shocked that they would show certain things. For a few days I was stuck on what grade to give this because dark comedies hard to gage for other people just went back to my standards, (acting, writing, pace, continuity) so because there are small moments in this film that it does drag a bit I'm going to give this film an A-. Acting is par for the course for everyone that is in it, and for the writing well it's the Coen brothers if you have seen their stuff you know what you are in for. Again this film gets an A-.

http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/burn_after_reading
U.S. site

http://www.burnafterreading.co.uk/
U.K. site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887883/
IMDB

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

A little bit of animated Star Wars for children can go a long way. I was neither impressed or disappointed in this film. I went in to it with the knowledge that this was a Star Wars for children with the occasional moment for their parents. The animation for this film was done really well (no big surprise there), and the storyline was not too complicated for children yet not too boring for adults. This film did however have its lulls and there were times that I looked at my watch to see how much was left but over all I would say if you are looking for a good matinee to take the kids to and get out of the heat this would be a good bet. I give this film a B.
I'm not going to argue the gay Hut point that is not what this page is about but if you want to know my opinion on it feel free to email me and ask me.

http://www.starwars.com/clonewars/site/index.html
US site

http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/clonewars/
Japan site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185834/
IMDB

Iron Man

Fantastic doesn't begin to say it. There was no moment in this entire film that I was bored, looking at the time, or even slightly thinking of anything but what on the screen in front of me. The acting in this film was better then most people would expect for an action film, the special effects were outstanding and still not overdone, and the story moved and a pace that let you take it all in and never let down. There are few films that really give you the whole package but this was really one of them.
While as much as I love this film I will say I don't think it's a film to bring small children to. There are some graphic war scenes that may be disturbing.
I give this film an A+. If you haven't seen this film please get your self to a theatre that is still showing it before it's too late.

http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
US site

http://www.homemdeferro.com.br/
Brazil's site

http://www.sonypictures.jp/movies/ironman/
Japan's site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/
IMDB site

Tank Girl

Have to start this off with saying there is no way that anyone other then Lori Petty would have ever been able to play this. It's almost as if this part was written for her (even thought it was written years before she became an actress). The way she mouths off at the enemy, and has a very playful attitude in the face of everything is really just all her. Problem was that constant talk like that kind of got on my nerves after about 45min and it really never stops. This film has parts when you are really in to what is going on like her escaping from her captures, building up her arsenal, and or fighting someone. However there are also moments when you are looking at your watch thinking "how much more of this is there"? There is a lot of comic book work in this as well. I personally like that but my friends didn't. This is not a film for young children but I would think anyone 10 or older would be fine. Personally I give this a B but I can see where people would rate this one all over the place. This is really one of those that you just have to see for your self.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114614/

Friends with Money

Wow not really sure what to say about this one. There is the married couple with the wife that just stops washing her hair because she is really depressed, and her husband who is in some big time denial about being gay. Another couple where the wife is really kind of submissive and lets her husband do all different kinds of things that are kind of degrading to her while he shows he really doesn't care about her or anyone else. And then there is the couple that from the outside look like everything is just perfect but you know there is something wrong, and then the outside friend to them all who is a maid because she couldn't take being a teacher anymore. This film was really very busy but really interesting. Also there is a bit of a surprise ending to it with the single maid. Personally I think I might have gone in expecting too much considering it had Joan Cusack, Frances McDormand, and Jennifer Aniston in it but it was still good enough to watch. I give this film a B.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436331/

Sweeney Todd

Really good film. Before seeing this film I had heard that it was much darker and bloodier than what most people thought it was going to be. I don't agree. Yes there is a lot of what is suppose to be blood but I think it is obvious that it is suppose to be fake blood too. When you have the slitting of throats and blood that looks like paint spraying every time it looks just like what it is (a show). The darkness of the film is really just an added side effect of the moods from the characters. When everything is loving and peaceful in the flashbacks the scene is bright and cheery, years later when depression, hate, and loneliness have set in everything is much darker. The music in this film is quite good with some new comers that I hope to see more of. Toby played by Edward Sanders, Anthony played by Jamie Campbell Bower. Both actors will hopefully be in many things to come. As for the rest of the cast they were all par for the course. Alan Rickman is a fantastic villain, Helena Bonham Carter is always a fantastic mad woman, and Johnny Depp is always a great loner, there were short moments I was reminded of Edward Scissorhands with a slightly darker side. If you are a person that likes musicals I highly recommend this movie. I give this film an A.

http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/ US site

http://wwws.warnerbros.fr/sweeneytodd/ French Site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/ IMDB

Cloverfield

Not able to grade this film.
I'm a person that doesn't like to read synopsis of films before I go to see them. Honestly the only thing I knew about this film was it was a monster movie based in New York city. I had no knowledge about the whole thing is in point of view format and I am a person that gets really sick with that motion. Since seeing all of 20 min of this film I have heard many people say if you can handle the Blair Witch Project you will be fine with this. Personally I'm not agreeing with this. Although Blair Witch bothered me some and there was movement it was suppose to be 3 film makers doing a documentary, as opposed to this film where you have a guy that says he doesn't even know how to use the camera all holding it and moving it. So there is large swaying movements that were just personally too much for me. I know I'm not the only person bothered by this because there was a line to get refunds when I went to go get mine.
I will say what I saw of the acting, lighting, editing, and set it all looked pretty good.

http://www.cloverfieldmovie.com/ US site

http://www.cloverfield.fr/ French site

http://www.cloverfield.co.ua/ Russian site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1060277/ IMDB

The Golden Compass

I was not impressed. With all the previews, the actors, the special effects it all just came down to it was ok. The great moments of this film reminded me of The NeverEnding Story but there weren't that many great moments. There are some movies that just flow from one part to another. This film felt very divided between home, journey, discovery, and war. The imagination in this is wonderful, and the acting was really quite good I left the movie feeling disappointed, and missing something. Children will love it, the war isn't bloody when someone dies they disappear in to a wind of what looks like star dust, and they will get to see things that make the imagination stretch. I did hear other adults complain of the same problem I had at the end though. I give this film a B.


http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/ site links to other languages

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/ IMDB

Murder by Death

It's been a long time since I laughed this hard. This has to do with mystery writers all getting called to solve a murder that is still going to happen hours after they get there. This film has an amazing cast of Alec Guinness, David Nivien, Peter Falk, and Maggie Smith just to name a few. There are scenes so funny you will have to pause and dry your eyes to keep watching. I would really love to give you specifics but this being a mystery-comedy that would really ruin it. This film gets an A. See it see it see it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074937/

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (1999)

For a film that was made in the 90's it definitely didn't feel like it. While the story is cute and the acting is somewhat decent for an small film with an even smaller budget. At least that is what I'm guessing with the size of the cast and other things. The best and the worst part of this film would have to be the physical comedy in it. On of the characters is tall and very clumsy. In the start it was kind of the thing that got me wanting to see more but it does get old after a while. There are no large names in this except for Deborah Gibson (yes the 80's teen pop idol Debbie Gibson), and maybe Chris Bruno which you might recognize depending on what TV you watch.
I give this film a B-.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119740/

Juno

Best movie I have seen in over a year. The acting is wonderful, story is endearing always keeping interested. There is truly something for everyone in this film, this is not a comedy, drama, or teen bop flick, it is a story about life. There is even a small scene for horror fans (not the birth) . Ellen Page does a fantastic job of being the 16 year old pregnant, punk, smart, sarcastic girl. Michael Cera (most will know him as Evan in Superbad) is a great clueless but loving biological father of the baby. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner as the couple looking to adopt the baby are wonderful. She is an uptight yuppie while he still has the heart of a rocker, and the parents of Juno played by Allison Janney and J.K Simmons are realistic keep it interesting. The dialog in this film is witty and fast, while giving no chance for breaks so go to the bathroom first. I give this film an A+.

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/juno/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/

Serenity

Don't see this until you have seen all of the Firefly episodes!!!! Many people will tell you that you don't have to see Firefly first but personally I think it 's essential in getting to know the characters. They don't backtrack about anyone in this film, and although I can see where you would still like the film if you didn't know some of the characters from before I personally you will never feel a true sense of why it is you like them so much if you don't go through some of the earlier adventures with them. Joss Whedon is an amazing writer/director that truly brings other worlds, dimensions, and creatures to life making them very much real. The acting in this film is top notch, the special effects weren't overdone which would have been easy to do, and so there is also that sense of realism. This film gets an A. If you are any kind of a Wheadon fan this is a must see all the way.

http://www.serenitymovie.com/ US

http://www.uipfrance.com/sites/serenity/ French

http://java.europe.yahoo.com/uk/uip/serenity/index.html UK

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/ IMDB

Atonement

The acting in this film is everything you have heard and more, the scenery and cinematography were amazing. You truly feel like you are in 1930's England ( or what I would imagine it to be anyway ), and the base storyline to this film is really very good. All that said to be honest I really didn't love this film. The film is 130 minutes long and feels like so much more, the dialog is written in such a way that out of everyone there is only one character that I cared about. I'm not sure if it was direction, or editing, or just that it was possibly a really good book that didn't transfer over to film well. I looked at the time twice while watching this film, waiting to leave but not willing to because I paid for it. I am giving this film a B-. I so wanted to give this a higher grade with the wonderful acting, and all but I just can't. If you see this film I would love to know your thoughts on this.

http://www.atonementthemovie.co.uk/site/site.html English site

http://movies.universal-pictures-international-germany.de/abbitte/site/site.html German site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0783233/ IMDB

27 Dresses

Predictable chick flick. After the first 10 minutes I was always ahead of the film knowing what was coming. While I was watching it I also heard the elderly women in front of me, and the teenagers to the right of me mention things that changed during the scenes that weren't suppose to. Yes one of my biggest pet peeves and the ones in this were bad enough that most people looking at the screen could see them. It just comes down to there was nothing new in this movie. What can I say but it's all been done before. The acting in this film is really good though, and the songs are great. This is movie I doubt I'll watch again unless I have it in the background as I clean house. I give this film a B-.

http://www.27dressesthemovie.com/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988595/

Beyond the Sea

Soundtrack was really good, and the over all acting was pretty good too. However during the first half it might have been nice to have more story and a little less singing. I was expecting some songs as it is a film about Bobby Darin however the first part of this film was really more of a musical with the amount singing and dancing. As much as I love Kevin Spacey it felt more like his singing and dancing film more then it did a biographical film about Bobby Darin. . I give this film a C+.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363473/ imdb

Charlie Wilson's War

If you are a person that is interested in political films this should definitely be on your to see list. The writing is smart, occasionally witty, and except for a small part near the middle keeps at a constant pace. Tom Hanks acting in this is pretty much par for the course however the loss of the Texan accent in the middle of sentences did bother me some. I think this was the best acting from Julia Roberts since Erin Brockovich. Amy Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman were outstanding supporting actors that deserve every bit of acclaim people have been talking about. There are some scenes with children missing limbs, and talking about the killing that was going on in front of them. Some of the battle scenes in this film are also quite gruesome and should not be viewed by young children. Over all I would give this film an B+. I would grade it higher but with the small drag of storyline in the middle and the loss of the accent through out the movie I really can't.
I'll say right now that this is a film that for many will have them talking about the politics behind it, and while I am a person that is always up for a good political discussion that is not what this page is about so I will not be talking government politics here.

http://www.charliewilsonswar.net/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472062/

Enchanted

So here we have the classic fish out of water story with a completely different twist. Cinderella meets New York city. Honestly when said like that it sounds like a disaster, however what you really have here is one of the best family films of the year. This is a film that has the fun of the Disney animation, the charm of the old fashion live action Disney films, with a nice big pinch of New York city. Now I do have two small gripes about this film, although very minor. First would have to be the little singing thing Giselle does to call all different kinds of animals to her aide, there was just something annoying about it. I've talked with a few others on this some like it others hate it. It only happens 3 or 4 times through out the movie so it's not too big of a deal. Second is about half way though the movie you know how it's going to end. You don't know how you are going to get there but it is obvious how it will be in the end. I give this film a solid A, and because of the last 30 min I also suggest seeing it in the theatre, it is well worth it.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/enchanted/ US site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461770/ IMDB

http://www.disney.fr/FilmsDisney/iletaitunefois/ French site

No Country for Old Men

This film is interesting and different but doesn't really have a new story line. We have drug money found by a sort of good guy, drug runners looking for the money, and a bad cop with absolutely no problem killing someone just because also looking for the money. What sets this apart from other movies that had the same basic storyline would have to be the characters. I don't know how to describe it other then the characters in this somehow feel less extreme then characters in many movies. If you have a weak stomach this is not the film for you. Although there isn't extra blood and guts you do see things like bodies days after a gun fight, and an injured person giving them selves stitches. I give this film a B. I would give it a higher grade but the storyline has been used many times it would have been nice to see something a little fresher with these kinds of characters.

http://www.nocountryforoldmen.com/

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Heart warming tale of a magical toy store and what your belief in things can do. There were a lot of sappy overly sweet moments that almost made you feel like there should have been a warning for diabetics on the movie poster, still for some reason I have to say I liked this movie. The acting, editing, and over all storyline of this film is well done. The primary actors in this film are Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, and Zach Mills a boy I'm sure we will see more of if he chooses to go in to the acting world as an adult. I give this film a B. It's a good family film that wont bore the parents and isn't too much for the children.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457419/ link off of IMDB currently isn't working but will more then likely be working later I was on there earlier.

http://www.rtl.de/film/specials/mr_magorium/ (german website for this film )