Movie Reviews

Ok today I have two in theater and two DVD reviews.

First I went to Sherlock Holmes yesterday not expecting much. That was just from the previews, not even realizing that it is a Guy Ritchie film. It was, as the previews suggested a bit over the top on the action. Despite that it did work well with the story even if the action was only put in to up box office receipts. I liked this film. If you set aside the Holmes mystery angle, it all works on the strength of the main actors selling you on the story. Though I don't believe Robert Downey, Jr is particularly smart, I know him to be a brilliant actor and he played the part as it needed to be played to look smarter and translate well to the target audience.

All in all it is an action Holmes that is a fun ride as long as you are not looking for a hardcore thought provoking Doyle/Holmes mystery.

Avatar however... humans go to Pandora trying to take the unobtainable. The world is pretty, the female aliens are sensual and all their willowy assets are well displayed, but don't look for the story to be any deeper or smarter than that. Also don't expect the human or CG characters to be particularly expressive actors.

Rented Worlds Greatest Dad. Bobcat is as weird as he ever has been. It is an interesting film. You really have to be in the mood for a truely raw film experience to watch this one.

The Hurt Locker doesn't seem to flinch. However if you remotely human, you will. It is a good movie, however it is a bit dry. You follow a bomb disposal unit in Iraq as they count down the days to their rotation out. If you keep yourself well informed about the world around you, this will not surprise you, if not then it might open your eyes to a small segment of what is going on over there.

We also rented Observe and Report thinking it was a Paul Blart with a harder edge. Nothing could be further from the truth. Seth Rogen takes us on a bizarre (and often painful) journey of a mall security guard... er head of mall security. It is a dark and sometimes brutal comedy that makes Pineapple Express look somewhat tame by comparison. If you are a big Rogen fan, see it.

Quick Review

Ok so after getting back home from the seemingly endless task of Christmas shopping around 1 am last night I had rented movies in hand and was determined to fall asleep to a movie. Despite rave fan appeal I figured wouldn't care to much for The Hangover and promptly rented it anyway. Upon viewing it started pretty decent but something nagged at me. It didn't take me long to figure it out. It was constantly winking at me. The entire movie was one continuous wink-a-thon about the "Tales of Vegas" or to drag out what they dragged out all the times they used it to often... "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". It is already a tired degenerating line and it is positively geriatric in The Hangover.

That said I can understand the appeal. It is an easy film that doesn't pretend to be even the remotely intelligent, or strangely even stupid. It aspires to average and nails it. I would like to tell you that it makes average look good, but it only manages average. Average cast, average mentality, average jokes, average cast, average movie. It is just to bad that I was so wired I actually watched it all. However it wasn't until the end that I felt I wasted my time, so it was a good relaxing movie that maybe helped me get a little more emotionally centered.

Not so traditional Holiday Movies

I know there are old favorites that get dusted off every year. We all know them so no reason to reiterate them. So I would like my first subject to be a light one. Even though, or because, politics and the world is driving me crazy, plus my Saturday shopping plans might be put on hold.

First is one that I would like everyone to see. Love Actually is a brilliant ensemble cast, with great storytelling, fantastic pace, and interesting characters. It takes place in the modern world so it becomes easy to get wrapped up in. One of my favorite movies of all time.

Less obvious would be The Lion in Winter. Great play as well if it is in your area. Additionally the made for tv 2003 version is very good along the 1968 movie. You can't beat Christmas Court in 1183!

The Holiday is a cute Christmas romantic comedy. Heart warming with a good over all feel to it. Even if it is a little quaint, who cares? Quaint and Christmas go together.


Serendipity is a movie that might not immediately come to mind as a Christmas movie. Let us just say it has John Cusack, Kate Beckensale, and Christmas undertones.

My last recommendation is The Family Stone. I don't like Sarah Jessica Parker, and am not a huge Dermont Mulroney fan either. But the it is well told, if a little heart breaking, and sort of reminds me what this time of year is really about. Family and being with those you love whether you are celebrating the birth of the son, or the return of the sun. It is a good movie about what is important in life.

I would however be remiss if i failed to mention two other odd movies with a seasonal theme. There is of course Die Hard in the action genre. Second I think more obtuse is 30 Days of Night. Though I do not remember if it is implicitly implied in the film, it would happen over the Christmas season. Just a bone to the action and horror fans out there ;)

What are some of your favorite holiday movies?