Toy Story 3 (2010)

Until I became an older brother, I was an only child for the first 6 years of my life. All I had to keep me busy were my school friends, my parents (my father still remains undefeated in our career of random play fights at the very youthful age of 52) and my gi-normous box of toys which I had all to myself. I will take great pride in stating that even though I probably had every toy imaginable in my legendary “toy box”, I was never a spoiled brat. My mother refused to let me be. I think I still might have some battle bruises from the wars I also lost to her. Of course, that was back in the 80s and many kids nowadays would probably have no idea what some of those toys were. But ultimately, toys made my world go round, that and whenever my mother packed Kool-Aid instead of milk in my Knight Rider lunchbox. I also remember losing a lot of those toys but had never had any idea how that happened. It wasn’t until 1995 when a completely computer animated film called Toy Story was released and I discovered that my toys might actually be alive. I was like 13 by then so that premise never stuck but it did make me think.

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You, the Readers

As I attempt to press forward with my hopeful beginnings at a possible second career, I decided to seek the help of the single most important entity of this writing thing.  That entity would be you.  Yeah you, who are hopefully reading this post by a wishfully up-and-coming film critic who, unlike some, has realized that in order to publish a polished product you must first have a customer to publish it to.  Without you, the reader, there wouldn't anyone to pass my deep, affectionate love of movies on to. 

I ask you, the reader, what are you looking for in a review of a film you might be considering on attending this weekend or any other day for that matter.  You might even be deadlocked on a certain new release but teetering back on forth on an imaginary line trying to decide whether or not to spend the $9.50, $12.50 if it's in 3-D which everything seems to be nowadays, per person on a Hollywood production that might not even be worth it.

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Understanding Ebert

Quite possibly the single greatest and most influential film critic of this time and any other, Roger Ebert has certainly been around when it comes to movies. He knows what makes them tick, he knows what makes them go and most importantly he knows what makes them good. He, of course, also knows what makes them suck. As an aspiring critic myself, I have recently began reading some of Ebert’s more recent work. Films like The A-Team, Karate Kid, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. If you happen to actually follow my blog which is still in its newborn state, you can tell that I mostly tried to read his reviews of films that I, myself, have either seen or reviewed recently. In an attempt to compare my work and opinion with one of the greatest critical minds ever (I know, right, what was I thinking?), I found myself almost at the complete opposite end of opinions with Ebert on those films. I even re-read parts of his reviews trying to grasp his exact idea and feel for the film; sadly I simply could not agree with him on many of the same movies that I wrote about.

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The A-Team (2010)

Usually when a discussion comes up about things of the past, those who avidly remember distinct details about said topic may sometimes feel old especially around those who have no idea about it. I used to be a part of the group that had no idea about what the older people were talking about. Usually this older group consisted of my parents or aunts and uncles and their friends. Now time has elapsed and I am part of the group that remembers way back when and has to explain it to the younger generation who, like I did, have no idea what I’m talking about. The only difference being that I do not feel old recounting things of the past that remind me of my childhood, I feel delighted. Movies, commercials, toys, cartoons and television shows contain some of my most fondest memories when my age was just in the single digits.

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Sex and the Cities (2008 & 2010)

- This is dedicated to my good friend Sally-

thank you for your sometimes

harsh but honest

opinion and support

As an aspiring film critic, I realize that I can’t solely see movies that I would normally be interested in or even excited about. I also realize that I can’t be biased, positive or negative, toward a certain film based off of whether or not it’s my kind of movie. Thus far, I have also realized that I haven’t really seen any movies that I wouldn’t normally see unless I was with someone else. Namely, the ever so popular sub-genre of “chick flicks”. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve see plenty of girlie movies in my time but it was always with an actual girl. Since I don’t have that luxury at this current moment, I really haven’t taken an interest in them.

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The Karate Kid (2010)

With all of the remakes that are descending down upon us, I try to see the original versions before I see what present day Hollywood has to offer. Unfortunately I am not always able to. I am actually quite disappointed this time more than others that I was not able to see the initial film to this remake. I know, I know, just like not seeing other movies such as The Godfather franchise and Scarface, not seeing the original three or at least the very first Karate Kid is seen as a mortal sin in the world of classic movies. But I promise I will get to it and much sooner rather than later now that I’ve seen the revamp.

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Dad's Day 2010

Wishing everyone out there who is a Father or some kind of Parent in general a very Happy Fathers Day!  As I have discovered within the last two years parenting is not an easy task.  As in life, you are always learning new things about it, your child and your self.  Hat's off to my parents whom I appreciate more and more whenever I encounter a problem with my own son.  So to everyone out there with a newborn, a terrible two's toddler (myself), a college bound student and everything in between, keep fighting the good fight.  This is your day.

Saw VI (2009)

 There are some film series' that feel like they go on forever. Producers and production companies try to milk any and everything that they possibly can out of it. New plot lines and characters are created, attempts at different twists are entered, budgets are increased and even state of the art special effects are created to attract as many members of different audiences as possible. Star Wars is not one of those, but then again it is not a horror franchise. Halloween, Friday the 13^th, and Nightmare on Elm Street however are but may or may not be placed in this category depending on your own opinion. But love them or not, they did yield some timeless classics. Another horror franchise that seems to have a split decision in fans is the blood fueled Saw series. Now at a super high number of 6, it has got to be the longest running film series of present time. Whether you like it or not, it has never failed at producing some of the most stomach turning horror scenes of all time.
  

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Greatest and Worst Performances from the 2010 NBA Finals

Turning away from the world of film for an evening, I had to settle in and watch the last game of the season from my favorite sport.  Having followed almost every game this post season, my initial choice for this year's champ were the Orlando Magic.  Three reasons for this:

  1. I have a severe loathing for a certain team who I won't respect enough to call the group by name but whom I will only refer to as the band of henchman in purple and gold.  

2. Althoug I am conditioned to dislike the sports world of Boston from growing up a Yankee fan in New York City, I like and resepct Kevin Garnett and through his consistent spectacular play in the playoffs, I have come to feel the same way about Rajon Rondo and wanted to see their team win another championship.  But along with the rest of America I didn't think they would reach as far as they did.

3.  The ever great Patrick Ewing is the assistant coach and mentor for the rising superstar that is Dwight Howard and I am still yearning for the day that he acheives that elusive championship ring that he never got a chance to wear during his days with my beloved New York Knicks.

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Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

In a couple of my previous reviews, I stated that out of all comedy sub genres, I love the silly, even stupid if you might call it, crazy comedy that is usually put out by actors like Jim Carrey, Ben Stiller, Steve Carell, Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and John C. Reilly. One of the kings of this type of comedy is none other than Will Ferrell himself. Dating back to his Saturday Night Live days, he has been one of the purest comedic actors in our generation. I would say between him and a couple other actors on the historic skit show, it was kept afloat as one of the best comedy shows in history. Some of my favorite films of his are Talladega Nights, Old School, and above all else Stepbrothers. This time around he brings us a story that takes place in 1970s San Diego, California about a news station. The KVWN-TV Channel 4 Evening News and their team of newscasters.

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Trading Places (1983)

The concept of swapping places with someone else has always been a popular topic of discussion or fantasy. Typically, we all want to know what it would be like to be someone else, preferably someone rich or better looking than ourselves or someone who is famous. Perhaps someone in the role of power such as the President or ruler of a country so we could impose our own ideas and run things how we see fit. Sometimes people wonder what it would be like to switch places with someone less fortunate than themselves. The moral of that would be to realize how the little things in life that normally are taken for granted are considered to be sacred. Director John Landis took The Prince & the Pauper story we all knew as a child and turned it one of the funniest comedies of all time, Trading Places.

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Kick-Ass (2010)

I’m not really one to read comic books anymore but pretty much every super hero film that has ever graced our favorite movie houses’ screens have been adapted versions from their respected comic. Whether good wholesome family content like Archie or Care Bears to the graphic novels such as Sin City or The Spirit, comics have been the source for some very good and some quite bad film versions of themselves. I, personally, did not know that Marvel published a comic about an ordinary teenager with no said super powers or special skills of any kind who decides to become a self made super hero and call himself Kick-Ass. The graphic comic started in 2008 and was written with the intention of making it into a movie.

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The Book of Eli (2010)

Post-apocalyptic stories seem to be pretty popular. They capture the attention of the viewer, listener or reader probably due to the frightening realness that they contain. They present the major probability of something similar happening in our real world. Who would be surprised if some event caused our society to be thrown into a barren wasteland where the little things you once took for granted were now held above all else? Films like Doomsday, Terminator, I am Legend, even the Matrix trilogy and pretty much any zombie movie ever made fit into the mold that have people thinking, “wow, are we really ready for something like this?”. In the words of Whitney Houston during her husband’s short-lived reality show; “Hell to the No”. The state of our economy alone is example enough to believe that this could become a reality. The Hughes Brothers reminds us of this in The Book of Eli. No strangers to the violent movie sub-genre, they stand true to their trademark filmmaking in their latest project.

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Office Space (1999)

Every so often a movie or television series comes along that relates so well to real life and maybe even closer to your own that you wonder if the producers were watching you somehow for inspiration. Shows like Roseanne and Married with Children fit into that genre. How many situations were there on those shows that had you rolling on your couch in laughter that may have been similar to something that just had happened to you yesterday? Mike Judge (King of the Hill) must have been thinking something quite similar when he had the idea for Office Space. Based on his comic strip, Milton, he chronicles the life of an average American office worker. From that feeling of Monday morning after the weekend down to the cubicle that you’re stuck in and everything in between.

Ron Livingston plays Peter Gibbons, an employee of Initech, a pretty disgruntled employee to say the least. His job is to prepare the company’s software system for the Y2K conversion.

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Yes Man (2008)

When it comes to outright make you laugh, gut busting comedy, Jim Carrey has delivered pretty consistently for the majority of his prestigious career. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective; The Mask; Me, Myself, and Irene, even the dark comedy The Cable Guy still makes me “LOL”. Some of his more serious roles like 23, Man on the Moon, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind showed him trying to branch out and explore different roles. Even with mixed reviews for some of those films, he has showed that regardless of what you may think, the guy can act. Yes Man has Carrey in his element once again; comedy and straight up silliness.

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Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)

After five attempts to recreate the authentic sheer terror of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street by other directors and producers, the seventh and final entry in the series was powered by the master once again. Wes Craven returns to direct, write and star in this film centered around once again Nightmare veteran and pioneer, Heather Langenkamp. Craven goes a slightly different route this time taking on the realms of real life. All of the main actors in the series are playing and even credited as themselves, even Freddy Krueger.

There’s no Nancy in this one, as this film profiles Heather Langenkamp in her everyday life.

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The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)

This present-day New York City thriller remake has two of the most well known, great actors of our time revamping roles by two other well known, great actors of an earlier time. Denzel Washington and John Travolta taking over for classic actors Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw respectively. New York always seems to be the dead on target for some kind of threat or disaster. Out of towner’s wonder why we are called “the city that never sleeps”. Yes, it is because we usually don’t sleep, from round the clock jobs to hanging out or partying, there is always something going on there. But, it may also be because some of us are just downright paranoid as hell that something horrible might happen to our city again. Films such as this from the point of view of director Tony Scott remind all of us why.

Denzel Washington plays Walter Garber, a NYC transit official who is in charge of running the subways beneath the streets of the city.

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The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard (2009)

We’ve all been there at one point or another in our lives unless you are the fortunate few who are super duper rich: a used car dealership, whether a well named one or a low end struggling one. The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard is a comedy about the latter. You know that dealership down the street that’s usually losing business to the other dealerships that have inventory which contain brand new, luxury, exotic vehicles that you will hammer you in the head and heart with interest rates if you even look in their direction while driving by in your own broken down heap. That’s the one; this one is called Selleck Motors. No, not Tom Selleck but owned by Ben Selleck (James Brolin), and this dealership has run in his family for years and years and you get the idea, right?

Selleck Motors is on the way down, pretty fast and pretty hard. The sales personnel can’t make a sale to save their life and are at their wits end, literally.

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The 'not so Final' Destination (2009)...yup, there's gonna be another one

After blowing up an airplane, causing a major traffic pile up and making a usually fun and thrilling roller coaster ride not so fun and thrilling and then subsequently killing all of the remaining survivors there after from each event, the Final Destination series returns once again. This time, it’s the fourth quarter and Death is Kobe Bryant (or Michael Jordan depending on your generation or bias). Of course there’s an all new cast because Death needs fresh victims to play with, fill with paranoia and savagely pick off.

The fourth film in the blockbuster franchise, entitled The Final Destination, starts off with four friends;

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The Family that Preys (2008)

Director/Writer/Actor and, yes, even Producer Tyler Perry’s bold voyage into big screen entertainment from on-stage, live presentations has been a, for the most part decent yet shaky at times, transition. Some of his early films have all had the same concept. Good female hurt by “unbelievable a-hole” male finds hope in finding a good man again with help from family, friends and Mable Simmons (Madea). With one exception, Why Did I Get Married?, this had four sets of couples with problems instead of just one. These movies did have their positive messages with many laughs in between, most of which came from Madea, but this film was much different.

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The Crazies (1973) - Mom, where do remakes come from?

Movie making and acting done back in the 70’s, 60’s and so on to me is so much different than present day. Not just the special effects but some of the plots are for more than just entertainment; they make you think in real life aspects. However, some similar ideas and techniques which are obviously inherited by the directors and used on today’s projects are still great. Ideas such as the storylines or makeup secrets and basic special effects that can be argued to be better than some of the Computer Generated stuff used today. Although not great on the acting side, The Crazies, directed by one of the godfathers of horror, George A. Romero, has set the element for many of our more modern favorites.

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The Crazies (2010)

In the last couple of years, the horror genre has seemed to be dominated by the can’t go wrong slasher flick. Remake upon remake upon similar storylines have been the norm. From the re-imaging of classics such Halloween and Friday the 13th to less well known films being reproduced like My Bloody Valentine; in 3-D nonetheless. Others have combined the thriller and gore aspects with horror to make films like the “Saw” series and the “Collector”. I, personally, enjoy the casual break from these to take in the biological terror storyline. This is not only highly possible in real life but would affect way more than just a handful of people. Plus, we are just not prepared to defend against an antagonist of that caliber such as possibly killing or at least slowing down a killer who is trying to catch you. Unless that killer is Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees of course. The latest addition to this genre is “The Crazies”, a remake of the George A. Romero 1973 film. This one stars Timothy Olyphant and Radha Mitchell.

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The Best Man (1999)

The genre that is the romantic comedy is and has always been a very popular choice, especially when it comes to the best overall “date movie”. You can’t go wrong by taking your female love interest to see a good old fashioned “chick flick”, unless of course she is the queen or “king” of tomboys and would rather prefer a classic action or horror movie. In those rarest of cases, warranting a pretty face, you should offer her an engagement ring at the end of the date before some other guy with common sense does it the following day. Getting back on topic, the romantic comedy, although loved by many has become kind of dry with many of its films having the same old predictable plot. The romantic comedy with a black dominated cast, however, usually gives the genre a little something else to look forward to. From the sassiness of the females to the blatant and vulgar but comedic back and forth’s between the men, there’s always something to look forward to.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

For my very first review, I’m taking it back old school with one of my all time childhood favorites. Clearly a classic in its own time. The first in a three-peat of Ninja Turtle movies is a coming of age tale that includes the origin of how the Turtles came to be. It introduces all the main characters contained in the animated series that ran from 1987 into the nineties. Creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird are on the writing team for the live action version which used (at the time) state of the art puppeteering costumes from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop company to bring our “Heroes on a Half Shell” to life. Watching them again as an adult now doesnt bring the exact amazement of all the Ninjitsu choreographed stunt fighting as it did as a kid. Especially after Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Jason Statham and many Matrix films later, but it is amazing to think how the stunt doubles pull it off while in those costumes. In their first adventure, director Steve Barron kept it simple pitting the pizza craving reptiles against their arch-nemesis The Shredder, an old enemy of their sensei and teacher Master Splinter.

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Shutter Island (2010)

In 2003, author Dennis Lehane wrote a suspense novel named Shutter Island which was highly acclaimed by readers and now made into a film of the same name by legendary director Martin Scorsese. He decided to re-team yet again in this film with Leonardo DiCaprio who has all ready put out stellar performances with Scorsese at the helm in films such as The Departed and The Aviator.

We are taken back in time to the year 1954 where U.S. Marshall and
World War II vet Teddy Daniels has been assigned to find an escaped prisoner/patient, Rachel Solando (Emily Mortimer), who disappeared from Ashecliff Hospital. The hospital is an institution for

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Rescue Men: The Story of the Pea Island Life Savers (2010)

As Americans, we can proudly say that our country has a very rich history. We can go even further to also state that our country’s military has an equally lucrative past. From the current war in Afghanistan time traveling as far back as the Civil War between the Confederacy and the Union, the United States military has a very decorated and detailed story. With the more well known facets defending our country today such as the Marines, the Army, the Air Force and the Navy all leaving their imprint in U.S. history, many Americans are unaware that their military actually has a fifth branch. With its official creation coming during the year 1790 with Alexander Hamilton founding the Revenue Cutter Service, the United States Coast Guard has many stories that have taken place since then. One very important but hardly told story is that of the surfmen that manned the Pea Island rescue station off the coast of North Carolina.

The Allan Smith documentary, Rescue Men, tells this tale about Pea Island, which was the first lifesaving station that was run completely

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Public Enemies (2009)

There have many gangster movies made based on real life events. Dating back to the 50s and 60s, this genre has something for everyone. Living vicariously through the cool characters for guys; wanting to be their leading lady for the gals and feeling like you’ve gotten away with something for watching a gangster movie for the kids. Arguably one of the master templates for making gangster movies would be that of The Untouchables. Violence, cops versus the mob and in color to say the least. In this gangster based on real life results, Michal Mann teams with acting vet Johnny Depp to produce Public Enemies.

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Paranormal Activity (2009)

This seemingly “homemade” haunting of a thriller takes place in San Diego in director Oren Peli’s actual home. He also did the casting for the film, choosing two main characters, Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat, to play none other than “Katie” and “Micah”. Peli’s home serves as the main stage and hub for Paranormal Activity. Except for a brief outside shot, it is the only setting we are shown.

Katie and Micah have been dating for three years and have recently moved into this suburban home. If I do say so myself, it’s a rather nice home, lovely decorated and well kept. Peli actually repainted some of the walls, added furniture, and added the staircase to his

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Ong-Bak 2 (2009)

Ever got in a fight, thought you could take the guy and then wake up 20 minutes later because he hit you in the top of your head with his elbow? Felt your chest burning from both his knees being buried in it? Or have your Adams’ apple manipulated with such force, you felt like you would never savor pizza and wings during the big game again? Neither have I, luckily, but the bad guys and anyone else who stands in Tony Jaa’s way can’t say the same. International thai martial artist, Tony Jaa, follows up his debut break out hit, Ong-Bak: Thai Warrior, with a bone crucifying second installment. Inspired by greats such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, Jaa takes martial arts stunt fighting to a new level with every movie.

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Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)

In 2008’s “visual CD album”, Michael Cera (Superbad, Youth in Rebellion) and Kat Jennings (40yr Old Virgin) are two high school seniors who come in contact with each other through a chance meeting in “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”. Norah (Kat) asks Nick (Michael) out of depseration to pretend to be her boyfriend for five minutes in order to impress a rival. Only problem is, unknowingly to Norah, that same rival happens to be Nick’s very recent ex-girlfriend, Tris (Alexis Dziena). That kicks off a night to remember that showcases late night NewYork City in all its glory which gives visual definition to why it’s called “the city that never sleeps”.

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Land of the Lost (2009)

Yes, the remakes are well upon us and won’t stop coming. I have lost count of how many of them I have seen rather recently with many more to come. So it is pretty safe to say that this will not be my last review about a remake. This remake in particular is not a retelling of a past film but of a television series. Director Brad Silberling brings us back into the Land of the Lost. The original project aired from 1974 -1976 with it being remade into yet another series that ran from 1991-1992 on Saturday mornings that targeted a child audience.

Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) is a scientist/inventor type who has a theory that an alternate universe exists somewhere out there in the

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Iron Man 2 (2010)

To be quite honest, Marvel comics is losing the war of super hero/comic book movies. Sure, they have put out more films than DC comics has, but the term “quality over quantity” has never been more true in films made today. Especially for those die hard comic book fans who are expecting the best effort possible in bringing their favorite hobby to the big screen. No matter how many attempts Marvel has made, they are yet to come close to the masterpiece that is The Dark Knight brought to us by Christopher Nolan who admits himself he has no idea how he is going to top that movie. Other than probably one X-men movie and two Spiderman entries, Marvel is currently in second place in the movie department. Thank the comic book stars that they decided to not let Hollywood make any more of their films. But one franchise may keep them afloat; Iron Man.

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Illegal Tender (2007)

To be quite honest, I don’t speak fluent Spanish despite growing up in a Hispanic neighborhood called Sunset Park in Brooklyn, NY. It consisted predominantly of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban and Mexican families, some of whom became my best friends to this day. I understand and appreciate a lot of the culture, food and oh yeah the women. Although Illegal Tender has all of this, judging from the trailer I saw for it, I was expecting a lot more.

The story written and directed by Franc Reyes starts off in none other than the borough of the Bronx in New York City which wasn’t surprising at all due to this is a Puerto Rican driven film. The Bronx is basically little Puerto Rico so it was quite fitting. Wilson DeLeon (Manny Perez) is a drug dealer who works for mob boss Javier Cordero (Gary Perez) and is also trying to support a family consisting of his pregnant girlfriend. During a deal in which he was set-up, he gets

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Funny People (2009)

One can probably define an illustrious career of comedy by using Adam Sandler as an example. He has been is some of the most hilarious comedic roles in film history. From spot on roles that deal with real life situations to just plain stupid comedy, which is my favorite, he has done it. He tackles another kind of role in Funny People, which chronicles what actors and comedians go through from just starting out writing jokes to making it to the big time.

Sandler plays George Simmons, an established comedian/movie star who although is very successful seems to also be very lonely in his life. Very early in the movie, like at the start of it, the audience gets to see some of Sandler’s early amateur work prank calling a number of unsuspecting businesses “Jerky Boy” style with his friends. This not only sets up a look into the character, George, but more so shows us Sandler at the very beginning of his tenure in comedy. After a visit with his doctor, George learns he has contracted a form of leukemia

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Friday Night Lights (2004)

Sports based movies have been not only entertaining but very inspiring to say the least. They can motivate the audience, capture the feel of the sport along with the passion, intensity, and heavy emotion that comes with fierce competition. From comedy based films like The Mighty Ducks and Bad News Bears to drama filmed versions such as Varsity Blues and one of my all time favorites Remember the Titans, sports films and documentaries can be a nice change from the normal genres and perhaps get you off the couch and into the gym or out onto the field. Friday Night Lights, co-directed by Peter Berg and Josh Pate, is based on a book written by Buzz Bissinger released in 1990 which chronicles the 1988 Permian High School Panthers football team which is located in Odessa, Texas.

Like many sports films, this one revolves around the coach and the teams major players. Billy Bob Thorton plays Coach Gary Gaines who is under a lot of pressure to lead a team of mixed high school personalities which consist of mainly seniors who have one last

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Death Race (2008)

Remake number 9 million and counting brings us a combination of prison life and literally racing to the death. The original race of death titled Death Race 2000 which debuted in 1975 starred David Carradine and Sly Stallone and did not feature the prison element but did contain running over innocent pedestrians to earn extra points. Director Paul W.S. Anderson’s version retains the gruesome disposition that the original portrayed with blood, gore and of course people dying. But it doesn’t overshadow the primary aspect of this film which remained to be the racing. Throw in some eye candy, which every action film needs, and you got yourself an authentic over the top keeper.

Expert martial artist Jason Statham plays Jensen Ames, an ex-gang member with a decent rap sheet who has turned his life around and settled down to raise a family. A loving wife, brand new baby girl, house, job which he hates, the whole nine and a half yards of every working class man’s life. Joan Allen plays Hennessey, yeah like the cognac, who is the antagonist warden at this correctional facility.

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Couples Retreat (2009)

Having trouble communicating with your significant other? Trying to rekindle that romance and fire you once had? Trying to keep up with your younger mate after a bad divorce? Want to prevent each other from splitting up? Or maybe you were just sweet talked into accompanying a couple friends trying to fix their own relationship even though you are convinced there is absolutely nothing wrong with yours… If so, then may I recommend to you six days and five nights of unrelenting paradise, fun in the sun, maybe some jet skiing and oh yeah, some good old fashioned and very unorthodox couple’s therapy; Vince Vaughn style.

That is where Couples Retreat comes in. Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, and Faizon Love take a trip to a couples resort with their better halves, Malin Ackerman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis and Kali Hawk. Filmed in paradise heaven, Bora Bora, this film gives some insight on how far some couples will go to save their relationship and sometimes therapy can cause more damage than good. With already seasoned comedic actors in this film, it kind of

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Collateral Damage (2002)

2002 brings us another “in between Terminators” period, as I like to call it, film from one of the greatest action superstars off all time, Mr. Schwarzenegger. Collateral Damage, a movie that has Arnold past his prime as I see it but still looking in pretty good condition. This movie was originally supposed to be released in early October of 2001, but due to the very tragic events of September 11th it was pushed back because of its terrorist movie plot and explosion sequences. It was actually tested on an audience first before finally being released in early 2002.

In this film, Arnold is joined by Elias Koteas (Zodiac, Shutter Island) who plays an FBI agent who is hell bent on destroying terrorism against the United States at all costs, Cliff Curtis (10,000 BC, Live Free or Die Hard) as Claudio Perrini aka “The Wolf” along with John Leguizamo (Gamer, Ice Age trilogy). Arnold plays Gordy Brewer, a Los Angeles firefighter, who loses his wife and son to the terrorist attack of The Wolf which was meant for a different target. In acts of war, as Brewer is told in the film, deaths of the innocent are known

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Clash of the Titans Ω Then and Now

So far I have lost count on just how many remakes the last couple of years has brought us and the several more on the way will only add to my number keeping dilemma. I can, however, keep track of how many good remakes there have been this year. Thus far I have seen two: The Crazies and the visual epic Clash of the Titans. I made it my duty as a serious movie goer to go back and watch the original before I ventured to the theater to see the made over installment. An undertaking I haven’t done since I was a child when I watched it with my father and really didn’t understand what was going on except that some guy was battling some very wild and “not real” creatures.

The original released back in 1981, a good year if I do say myself because I was also born that year, stars Laurence Olivier as Zeus, Maggie Smith as Thetis (better known as Professor McGonagall from Harry Potter) and Harry Hamlin as our hero Perseus.

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Brooklyn's Finest (2010)

Having already brought us action thrillers like The Replacement Killers and Shooter along with classic stories like Tears of the Sun and the highly acclaimed Training Day, director Antoine Fuqua reloads his chamber for another police drama with Brooklyn’s Finest. What caught my attention immediately from the advertisements was that this film, which Fuqua also helped produce, took place completely within the borough of Brooklyn where as the norm has been to use the island of Manhattan as the backdrop whenever it came to portraying New York City. The well written story by Michael C. Martin revolves around three New York City Police officers, each with their own role in the film and in the department.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

I didn’t see all the Nightmare movies in order. I didn’t see the original until I was about 20 so it didn’t really scare me but I still found it spooky and understood why it was a classic. I did, however see the third and fourth parts around 6 or 7 years old. Sleepless nights became my unwanted best friends. I, to this day, place the blame on my parents for those nights. They knew better, no matter how much I begged them to see these movies, to not let me see those movies. They should have placed me in another room with something like Transformers or G.I. Joe to keep me busy and guarantee a good night sleep. Another option would have been to at least let me sleep in their bed with them. They did a couple times, but more times than not I was alone in bed struggling to convince myself that I would not die in my sleep. To make matters that much worse, we were staying in a friend’s basement at the time. No, it wasn’t one of those modern, finished basements with carpet and windows and central air. To me, it was exactly like the warehouse that Freddy Krueger offed his victims in; so the dark, subterranean creepiness certainly did not assist me in my mission of not being scared. Thanks ma; really appreciate it dad.

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100 Feet (2008)

When you think horror, you think frightening situations, you think being scared, you think about whatever you can do to remove yourself from that situation so you, eventually, won’t be afraid anymore. Imagine not being able to remove yourself, not being to run away. Imagine having to go to sleep and wake up in the same nightmare everyday and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it; unless of course you want to go to prison.

This is Famke Janssen’s dilemma as Marnie Watson in the 2008 horror film 100 Feet. Marnie has just been allowed to return home after serving part of her jail sentence for murdering her abusive husband, Mike (Michael Pare), who was a NYC police officer. She’s not completely free however; she has to finish out her sentence under house arrest. She’s escorted back to her home and kept under a very close

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9 Dead (2010)

As a pre teen, I will put it out there that I watched a rather good number of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. I will also put it out there that before that, as a kid I watched a decent number of episodes of Clarissa Explains it All. I only checked out the latter because I thought Clarissa was pretty. I only checked out the witch series quite frankly because there was nothing else on television and I kind of felt like it was dishonoring ABC’s then famed TGIF lineup if I didn’t watch every show within the two hours. Now that I look back at them, I really don’t think I ever laughed once at either show. Maybe a couple of times at Salem the cat in Sabrina but that was it. Besides some big screen projects, I actually don’t know why anyone ever thought Melissa Joan Hart could actually play anything but a teenager. To her credit, she did play those roles really well and was a famed child star and has been a writer/director/producer/singer and owns a candy shop. She will probably never go broke. But I can’t say I’ve ever seen her in anything memorable. I haven’t caught many of her adult roles, and I eventually will, but her film, Nine Dead, falls a little short.

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Prince of Persia (2010)

I have not played any of the original Prince of Persia video games with the first one having been released in November of 2003 by Ubisoft but I am a little familiar with them. Combining state of the art graphics, great action, the ability to turn back time and a pretty good story line, the original games released on Playstation 2, Xbox and Gamecube at the time were met with rave reviews. Now Disney has chosen to bring us the big screen adaptation of one of the best selling games in this generation. With Jerry Bruckheimer producing, you have to expect this project to be quite exciting, especially after the success of Pirates of the Caribbean which he also had his producing hand in.

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