Saturday, July 30, 2011

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

☆☆☆1/2

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“Crazy, Stupid, Love” is the comical…and at times moving…story of Cal Weaver (solid performance by Steve Carell), who after finding out his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) cheated on him and wants a divorce, meets Jacob (Ryan Gosling “nails” this character) a ladies’ man who coaches Cal in the art of dating.

Great (and surprising) climax...shades of Robert Altman...where an event brings all the characters together.

Marisa Tomei gives a terrific supporting performance.
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The babysitter’s love interest story was a little “awkward.”

Rated PG-13 (sexual content and language)
1 hr. 58 min.

Visit the "Crazy, Stupid, Love" website and see the trailer.




Friday, July 29, 2011

Captain America: The First Avenger

☆☆☆

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If you liked the Marvel comic…you’ll like "Captain America: The First Avenger.”
This enjoyable summer popcorn movie tells the story of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), who in spite of being frail and asthmatic, enlists in the army and volunteers to be part of an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
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Missing a little of the tension, drama, and dynamics that make a movie like this great.

Don’t leave too early…a quick scene after the credits roll.


Rated PG-13
2 hr. 1 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer!




Saturday, July 23, 2011

Friends with Benefits

☆☆☆1/2

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“Friends…” is a fun…and very funny…romantic comedy starring Mila Kunis as Jamie, a high profile New York City headhunter, who connects Dylan (Justin Timberlake), a recruit from San Francisco, with a top job at GQ Magazine.

Jamie and Dylan decide they're going to try and turn their friendship into one with “benefits”…but without the emotional ties.

Woody Harrelson and Richard Jenkins offer great supporting performances.
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Predictable

Patricia Clarkson’s character (Jamie’s mother) is “over-written"...but she gives a solid performance.

Don't leave early...a few out-takes after the credits.

Rated R
1 hr. 49 min.

Visit the "Friends with Benefits" website and see the trailer!




Friday, July 22, 2011

Beginners

☆☆1/2

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At times touching…with bits of joy…“Beginners” starring Ewan McGregor as Oliver…a man who meets and falls for Anna (Melanie Laurent of Inglourious Basterds) a few months after the death of his father Hal (Christopher Plummer).

Fine performances by McGregor and Laurent…along with early Oscar buzz for Plummer.
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The film mopes along…slow and sad…without much comedy or drama.

If you enjoy mostly melancholy…this one’s for you.

1 hr. 44 min.

Rated: R (language and some sexual content)

Visit the website and see the trailer.




Friday, July 15, 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II

☆☆☆☆1/2

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 is the exciting and very satisfying final chapter of the most successful film franchise in history.
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue to search for and destroy the three remaining Horcruxes, Voldemort finds out about their mission and Harry faces the Dark Lord one last time.

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have grown tremendously as actors, and the visual effects have greatly improved since the “… The Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Fans of the series will be sad to see it end.
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The romance between Ron and Hermione seems forced and unconvincing.

The 3D version was a complete waste of money…another blurry 3-D film. Is it poor quality glasses or film?

Rated PG-13
2 hrs. 10 min.



Visit the official Harry Potter...Hallows II website and watch the trailer!




Saturday, July 9, 2011

Horrible Bosses

☆☆☆1/2

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“Horrible Bosses” is the laugh-out-loud comedy starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis (“Saturday Night Live”) and Charlie Day as three friends whose lives are miserable due to their obnoxious bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston).
The friends come-up with a crazy plan to “off” their bosses with the help of “murder consultant” Jamie Foxx.

Jason Bateman delivers the laughs.
His dry hilarious delivery makes him one of the best comedic actors today.


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May be a little too close to “The Hangover” for some.

Adults Only…Crude Sexual Humor

Rated R
1 hr. 38 min.


Visit the website and watch the "Horrible Bosses" trailer!




Thursday, July 7, 2011

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

☆☆☆1/2

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In this action-packed third Transformers installment Shia LaBeouf is back and better than ever as Sam Witwicky…a recent college graduate struggling to find a job while trying to help Optimus Prime and the Autobots defeat the Decepticons who have invaded the Earth.

All-Star cast including: Francis McDormand, John Malkovich, Josh Duhamel
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“…Dark of the Moon” is better than “Revenge of the Fallen,” but not as good as “Transformers.”

Tough to tell the good robots from the bad robots in battle scenes.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 34 min.

Visit the "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" website and see the trailer!




Saturday, July 2, 2011

Larry Crowne

☆☆☆

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In this fun summer-lite comedy (that doesn’t take itself too seriously), Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) loses his job at UMart and enrolls in college...where he makes some new and unexpected friends…including a female professor played by Julia Roberts.
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The screenplay by Tom Hanks and Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) suffers from some plot pitfalls (Larry’s involvement in the motorbike gang) and some jokes that fall flat.

Rated PG-13 (brief strong language and some sexual content)
1 hr. 39 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer!