Saturday, June 30, 2012

People Like Us

☆☆☆

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Filled with excellent performances (Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Hall D’Addario) and based on true-events, “People Like Us” is the story of Sam (Chris Pine: "Star Trek"), a young salesman that must face the family drama he has been avoiding for years, when his father suddenly dies leaving him with the job of finding and giving $150K to Frankie (Elizabeth Banks)…a sister he never knew existed.
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Slow in parts...not quite enough story and emotion to grab us and make us care.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 55 min.


Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.



Sunday, June 24, 2012

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

☆☆1/2

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Writer and Director Lorene Scafaria (“Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist”) gives us a mixed-up bag of comedy and drama in a story about Dodge (Steve Carell) and Penny (Keira Knightley) who find each other and form a bond the last few days before their world ends (due to an approaching asteroid).
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Emotionally…the story is uneven and at times uncomfortable.
It’s hard to know whether to laugh, cry, or do both.

Rated R
1 hr. 40 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.




Monday, June 18, 2012

Rock of Ages

☆☆☆

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If moviegoers go to Adam Shankman’s (“Hairspray”) “Rock of Ages” with an open mind…realizing this is a Broadway musical brought to the big screen…they will enjoy the story of a small town girl (Sherrie played by Julianne Hough) who moves to the big city to pursue her dreams and meets a boy (Drew played by Diego Boneta) on the Sunset Strip.

The story is told through the music of Def Leppard, Foreigner, Journey, Poison, REO Speedwagon, Twisted Sister and more.



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Tom Cruise gives a fine performance (and sings well)…but his character is a drunken incomprehensible mess.

If you aren’t ready for a rock opera…stay home.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 3 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Moonrise Kingdom

☆☆1/2

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In another quirky Wes Anderson tale…where it’s slightly easier to connect and care about the characters…young teens Sam and Suzy (played by newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) run away together. Sam's Boy Scout troop (leader: Edward Norton), Suzy's parents (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), and a local police officer (Bruce Willis) set out to find them before the looming storm hits.
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As in several of Anderson’s other movies (“The Royal Tenenbaums” “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” and “Fantastic Mr Fox”) the characters are so peculiar that it is difficult to care about them.

Anderson’s fans will enjoy “Moonrise…”
A few people in the theater were laughing out loud.

Rated PG-13
1 hr. 33 min.

Visit the official website and see the trailer.



Monday, June 11, 2012

Prometheus

☆☆☆

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Prometheus (directed by Ridley Scott: “Alien” and “Blade Runner”) is the engaging sci-fi story of a group of explorers who are led by a star map into the universe to find the origins of mankind.

Noomi Rapace (“The Girl…Tattoo” 2010) gives an excellent performance as lead scientist…Elizabeth Shaw.
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Confusing at Times
Unanswered Questions
Terrible Make-Up (Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland)


Rated R
2 hr. 4 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer!



Monday, June 4, 2012

Snow White and the Huntsman

☆☆☆1/2

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In this dark and entertaining twist on the familiar fairy tale, Kristen Stewart gives a solid performance (much stronger than “Twilight’s” Bella) as Snow White, who with the help of the huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), battles the evil queen (Charlize Theron) to take back the crown.

Excellent Special Effects
Make-Up worthy of an Oscar nomination
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In spite of preconceived ideas about Stewart’s acting and many negative reviews…this film deserves a chance.
It is worth seeing!

It is too dark and violent for young children.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 7 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.