Author Archives: moviejoltz
Flash Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Check you common sense and reasoning at the door, this was strictly a sensory movie. The first 30 minutes dragged for me, not being a fan of the quick cut fighting scenes. Also, I did not like the 1st Sherlock Holmes movie and had no expectations here. With that being said, I have to tell you I enjoyed the performances of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Me thinks there was more to their bromance and the director, Guy Ritchie, wanted us to be aware of it. For me, I felt he was pandering to the audience. Since I did not have to think much; I have to say, the movie certainly went for the auditory and visual stimulation. I loved the soundtrack as it did not intrude, but helped carry the scenes in an even rhythm. There were enough explosions to make one feel they were at a demolition site–of a mid-sized town. Some of the shots (scenes I mean, not gunfire) were exciting, with a cutting edge, even though the story took place in the late 1800’s. Big, expansive outdoor scenes showed the director’s attention to detail and I appreciated it. The movie was a cat and mouse game as Sherlock Holmes was trying to prevent Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) from starting a world war. As an interesting side note; the female lead, Noomi Rapace, starred in the original movie of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It was an excellent casting call. So, for an easy on the brain, strong on the eyes movie; this would be one to see.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Driving Lessons
For me, part of the fun of this film was seeing Rupert Grint and Julie Walters together playing different characters. If you do not recognize the names, let me help you–Ron Weasley and his Mom, Molly Weasley from the Harry Potter movies! Julie Walters was wonderful in this movie as Evie Walton, an aging, over the top theatrical actress. Rupert played Ben Marshall, a sheltered 17 year old who had answered her ad for house cleaning. What ensued was a journey that went from madcap adventure, to self discovery, to a caring friendship. As a bonus, at least in my book, was having Laura Linney (Mystic River, The Savages) playing Ben’s conservative Mother. Despite having the image of Mrs Weasley and Ron in my mind, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Or should I say, to keep it in the British vein, this was simply, a jolly delightful movie to experience.
2 3/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: New Year’s Eve
As I sat watching the credits scroll by, I had to wonder if Garry Marshall directed this movie, just so his family members could get some pocket change. For example, his sister Penny Marshall had a cameo, along with a couple of other Marshall names I saw in the credits. And in regards to the actors; I simply did not get it. A much older Michelle Pfeiffer recreated her mousy character, similar to her catwoman role–prior to donning her skin tight, leather outfit. Then we have Ashton Kutcher, who must have agreed to do this film, knowing he would need a good chunck of change for his future bachelor pad. And what is going on with Lea Michele from Glee? She so desparately wants to do the remake of Funny Girl, that she will do anything to get herself noticed. And don’t get me started on Robert De Niro. This movie was for the most part visual gruel with little substance. I was bored and found the story sophomoric. For the most part we were fed small vignettes of how several people make plans or deal with the New Year’s Eve holiday. This is a movie you would want to see on DVD, playing in the background, as you were cleaning out your closets.
1 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Our Idiot Brother
Paul Rudd is such an affable man; he is someone you would want as a relative. In this movie Paul plays Ned, an innocent, pure hearted individual, who after his incarceration, goes to live with his family members. Now you may be asking yourself, “How did an innocent man wind up in jail?” I will let the movie explain it to you. The heart of this movie is watching Paul in the midst of each of his sister’s tumultuous lives. It took a bit of an adjustment to my cynicism to believe Paul with his sisters, played by Elizabeth Banks (Zack and Miri Make a Porno, The Next Three Days), Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island, Lars and the Real Girl) and Zooey Deschanel (500 Days of Summer, Almost Famous). The movie will be easier to believe if you accept Paul Rudd’s character and not expect much. An enjoyable film that may provide a few chuckles for you.
2 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Young Adult
What I admire about Charlize Theron (The Burning Plain, Monster) is how she does not let her looks interfere with her acting. Her character, Mavis Gary, is a dark, twisted role written by Diablo Cody (Juno) and Charlize does a wicked job with the words written for Mavis. Essentially, she gets the idea that what her lonely life needs is to reconnect with her old high school boyfriend; despite the fact, he is married with a new born child. But that doesn’t deter her from traveling back to her small Minnesota town, where they grew up and where he still lives, to carry out her plan with the determination of a rabid dog. As a counterweight to Charlize’s strong, out of touch character is Patton Oswalt (Big Fan) as Matt Freehauf, a broken soul who has never left the town. With this movie, Diablo recaptures some of her Juno smart, snappy dialog; however, it grows tiresome towards the latter part of the movie. Despite this, I feel the film is worth seeing, simply to marvel at Charlize’s performance. Could an Oscar nomination be kicking at her door?
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Katyn
This Polish film was nominated for best foreign picture in 2008 and rightfully so. The year was 1939 and a group of Polish military officers were captured and imprisoned by Soviet troops, on the border of Poland. Based on true events, this film delves into the lives of those officers, their family members left behind and the steps that lead up to their deaths. This was a powerful movie of an event unfamiliar to me. From the moment the movie started, I was completely caught up in the story and at times, had to remind myself to breathe as the tension of this horrific period of time was depicted before my eyes. I believe history buffs and non-history buffs would appreciate this movie. As a side note: the director was only 13 when his father was part of this captured military group. His remains were never found. Polish with English subtitles.
3 1/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Sitter
If I knew this movie was going to be as bad as it was, I would have brought a jigsaw puzzle with me. Starring Jonah Hill (Superbad, Moneyball) before his weight loss, as Noah Griffith, an unmotivated college student; this role was the same as other roles Jonah has done prior to Moneyball. There was the same straight face sarcasm, the same foul language and the same ridiculous situations. Agreeing to do a babysitting job to help friends of his Mother; Jonah is not prepared to handle the 3 children and what the night has in store for all of them. Yes, I know, a real surprise here; we never would have imagined such a clever plot line. I was bored throughout the movie and can honestly say, for what is being labeled a comedy, I chuckled at a total of three lines of dialog. In fact, even the previews were dumb. So I guess when those movies come out, I will be forced to review reality TV shows.
1/2 star
Flash Movie Review: The Help
Think about it; it was the 1960’s, the civil rights movement was in its infancy and Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone) was back from college and wanted to interview the black maids from her small Mississippi town. With any luck, Skeeter hoped to get the stories published. Can you imagine, writing a story from the black maids’ perspectives during this time? To have them utter out loud what it felt like to cook, clean, raise the children; yet, not even being allowed to use the same bathroom in the house–what maid would jeopardize her job, even her life to do it? What in the world was Skeeter thinking?! Well let me tell you: Skeeter is a character who looks beyond the surface; has a determined fire inside of her and the actress Emma Stone (Easy A, Crazy Stupid Love) nails the performance as she is unwavering to get their story out. The acting in this movie is truly wonderful: from Viola Davis (Doubt, Eat Pray Love) as Aibileen; to Octavia Spencer (Being John Malkovich, Seven Pounds) as Minny, who has a gift for comedic timing; to Bryce Dallas Howard (50/50, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) as Hilly Holbrook, the steely, snooty, better than thou housewife. I have not read the book this movie was based on; however, I have heard it closely followed the story. Whether it does or does not, I feel you will be just as enthralled as I was, when I viewed this film.
3 2/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Super 8
If you take the wonder from E.T., mix it with the excitement from Jaws, you would then get this exciting movie. What a simple, pure filmed movie that is fun to watch. For me, this film showed Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment production company coming full circle, in creating a story driven movie with innocent kids becoming involved in extraordinary events. A group of friends, making a movie by the local train station, happen to catch a horrific train crash on film and discover something is not right. Have I piqued your interest? I hope so. Another revelation was seeing Elle Fanning acting and looking the part so well. I believe she will have a long career in the movies. And I have to admit, I found it cute having her character being the female lead for the group’s film. When you want to just sit back and watch a movie for the sheer joy of it, this is one movie you certainly want to experience.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Arthur Christmas
With this movie, we finally see how Santa delivers presents to every household in one single night: a massive underground, hi-tech, quasi-military operation, headed by his eldest son, Steve. Looking the part of a military commander, Steve is tall, handsome and muscular. His younger brother, Arthur, is the exact opposite: clumsy, non-muscular and goofy in appearance. He has been placed in the mail room to answer Santa’s letters and stay out of trouble. So, we have the dynamics of the family set up with the prodigal 1st son and the disappointing 2nd son. We all are familiar with this scenario, nothing new here, except these are Santa’s children. The base story line is the dilemma of what to do when a little girl’s house is accidently passed over, during the delivery of presents. This movie had a little of everything–some slapstick, some jokes, some action, some humor. I had a bit of difficultly understanding some of the accented, rapid fire speech and found the story predictable. For children over 7 years old, maybe it would be more of a fun movie. And as an exrra bonus, before the movie, they show Justin Bieber’s holiday video of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” What more do you need for the holidays?
2 1/2 stars
moviejoltz 