Reviews about movies, and other stuff.

Rated:
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Year: 2006
Boobs: Zero
One Sentence: It's like Doc Hollywood, but with cars, instead of Michael J Fox.

You might or might not know that I own all the pixar films, I find them to be excellent movies and over all they have all gotten 5 star ratings from me, except for last year's incredibles, which only got a 4 from me. Coming into cars, I was a little so-so on the concept, and the art itself. It looks weird. Weird for even pixar. The cars looked too rounded, and the smiling faces and big teeth, led me to think that this movie was going to let me down, maybe even worse that The Incredibles, which wasn't a let down, just not a 5 star movie.

The opening race sequence for this movie put all that worry aside. The attention to detail I have always loved with Pixar, but even those little pieces of rubber on the track, like in a real nascar race where there, and they moved as the cars moved when they drove by. It really was amazing. Getting past the opening, the detail, art, and scenes were amazing. Beautiful landscapes, scenes, where if you cut out the scene, and played it on TV, or where you would not know it was from a Pixar movie, you would not say that this was not a real filmed scene. There was no way to tell it was not real. If the story completely sucked, it would still be worth it to go just to see the detail and ideas applied to the film. It is really amazing seeing these ideas applied in ways they needed to be for them to be in a world of cars.

Luckily the story didn't suck either. It wasn't a brand new story, I know, but I so didn't care, the repackaging in the cars world, and the solid humor of the characters, and moral developing ideas, worked perfectly. Larry the Cable guy, was not annoying in any way, and I really expected him to be, he was funny, and made me laugh a lot. They mixed in all these real people from the car world, Michael Schumacher, Andretti, Junior, Richard Petty, and many others. Along with an amazing cast, good story, funny, amazing art, and fun little details, this movie delivered in a big Pixar way. Well worth the 8 bucks and the purchase on DVD. I might go see it in the theater again.

Rated: R
Running Time: 132 Minutes
Year: 2006
Boobs: Zero
One Sentence: Remember, remember the fifth of November.

If you are not a comic book nerd, and you saw the preview for this movie, you might be much like my girlfriend or myself when you first saw this preview. I had never heard of the graphic novel. I knew nothing of this story, all I saw was a weird guy, in a mask, throwing knives. If you are like me, you would have thought to maybe even completely skip this movie, or perhaps are thinking that you could wait to rent it. I would say that you should not wait until it comes out on DVD. I would think almost anyone that is reading this would want to see it.

Sometimes fiction might become a reality, can it be that one day, we watch a movie, or read a graphic novel, and we laugh, or think to ourselves, this can't happen. We read however, and are pulled into the story, and when it is over, we look out at our world, and smile and know it isn't like that. Or it used to not be like that, but now, you aren't too sure. The Matrix brothers, have spun another winner, with V. A look at a world of the future, that some would say, is looking a lot like our's today, in Bush's America. A tale of a corrupt government, that sounds very similar to changes that are happening today right here. We are protecting you. It is for your own good. You need us to keep you safe.

The story alone is enough to keep you pulled into the story completely. However on top of this amazing tale, you have Natalie, which is truly amazing and strong throughout. Along with the masked V, they play the story out in a truly exceptional manner that makes you believe in this world and the pain that it is causing on them. The rest of the cast rounding out the police, and the corrupt government, keep the story believable in every way.

I say story, but when we left the theater, we didn't feel like it was a story, but more of a picture of a skewed reality that we are seeing come this way. That if things keep going the way they are going we will be kept in our homes at night, that we will not have the choices we have now, and that it is all in the name of safety. Protection. For our own good. Whatever side of the coin you fall on, I think that you will enjoy the movie. A wonderful movie, and my first 5 star of 2006. V for Vendetta.

Format: DVD
One Sentence: I think I am gonna have to say the best season of a television series I have ever seen in my life.

I never watched it, when it was on. It was on the WB, it was the late 90's(TV sucked) and it was based off of a movie, called Buffy The Vampire slayer, staring Luke Perry, and my friends were not into it. I heard rumors of some good show, but I just was not interested, this was the same shit as Dawson's Creek to me, and I just wasn't having any of it. So fuck off, I don't watch it.

Fast Forward to 2005, I am 27, I have a gf who is a devout buffy fan, and I am starting to learn she might know a few things. One of the things she asked me to do is start to watch Buffy. (she owns all the seasons on DVD) We started with season 1, I am not writing a review for that, it was good, I give it a 3. That is about all you are gonna hear about season 1. But I saw enough to give it a second season.

About a month ago, we started season 2, and well we tore through it, mainly becuase of me. It was as I said above, the best season of television I have ever seen. Period. Better than survivor season 2, better than the Amazing Race season 1, better than Seinfield season 4, and even better than the first season of Lost. This was it, the pinacle of TV viewing and if you have not seen it, well I think it is time to add them to the queue.

It was scary, sexy, funny, interesting, a good long story line, a love story line, a season long conflict, and episodes conflicts. It was creative, and out of the box, ever changing and filled with a lot of lore, and nerdy fun for you to totally geek out on. It had buffy in shorter skirts, and lower cut shirts, and cute little Willow starting to learn about love. It began my love of Cordelia, who is purly wonderful in her role. It had everything I think should be in a movie, or this type of show, and it fulfilled every question, statment, or anything I wanted to be done. It really hit all my buttons and knocked the ball out of the park.

I can't say enough good things about this season, if you were thinking about renting a TV series then this would be it, start with 1, you need the background, but 2 is truly where it is at!

This will have been my third different cirque show, and my forth show total. I saw La Nouba twice. I love Cirque since I saw the first based on a reccomendation of a friend. I have never experienced another show like it and must tell everyone reading this, that they are truly wonderful mirages of music, sounds, stage, dance, and performance. If you ever have the oppurnity, I would go if you can.



Varekai, is a traveling show, compared to residencies. These shows actually travel the world and are performed under The Grand Chapiteau (Big Top Tent) so they are a bit limited compared to the residencies, who have the features, of a solid non-moving structure, with a whole lot more room and area to do things that can not be done with a traveling show. However that does not mean the show is any less good, it just changes it up compared to a solid stage show.



The stage setting for this show was the best I have seen yet, with a world of a bamboo jungle and creatures, running about it truly portrayed the image it intended and was just a great looking stage. The idea that this all is built in a few days, taken down and moved to the next city, is also just amazing.



The performances were nothing short of perfect as usual. It is truly a wonderful mix of music and dance, and acts. The costumes are truly stellar, and everything is so timed and great. It comes together to tell the story, so well, and even though not in english it is everything you understand.



You laugh, and are amazed, you gasp, and smile, you clap your hands and dance, and are there watching the journey and the story as it unfolds before you in this magical place, away from the world for a few hours. It is nothing like the others, and yet so true to the spirit of Cirque Du Soleil, truly something everyone should see.

Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 96 minutes (American release)
Year: 2002
Boobs: Zero
One Sentence: Simply Beautiful

You have to love kung fu, first of all, if you do not, then you prolly will not like this movie, you do not really have to love it, but you do have to appreciate it in film. However if you do, then go see this movie.

Perfection on film is prolly what would best describe this movie. Nothing more, nothing less. A superior quality film, in every way to anything made this year from an American studio. Not lacking anywhere, this movie unfolds as a fable or story, and is as real as it is sureal, and displays it flawlessly.

I can write so little becuase I have nothing to say, only that you should see it, and that it really is beautiful. Color usage was stellar, and the story was awesome.

Rated: R
Running Time:
Year: 2004
Boobs: 3 Pairs
One Sentence: Well, it's a movie about a guy named Harold and another named Kumar and they go to White Castle...no really.

We are going to start with "Dude Where's My Car." I thought Dude Where's My Car was ok, not great, not hilarious, and not worthy of a purchase on DVD, it was just a little too stupid, and not funny enough for my personal tastes. I wanted to start with that becuase the Director of Dude, is also the Director of H&K. So when I heard the Alamo was doing another New Line World Premeire for this movie, I was excited and a bit worried. I love the World Premeires that the Alamo does, I mean fuck it's a World Premerie, but I was not so excited about the movie...

Jump to satruday. At 3 PM team Yo Mama (Un-officially "The Knights of the White Castle") jumped into a Ford F-150 and rolled around Austin in a 3 hour Road Rage looking for the White Castle! We did badly, but the rage was fun, we went all around austin looking for the slider den in all it's glory. We came out 63rd out of 107 so not last, and that was that. While we drove around our hunger grew, we wanted to make it to the end for what some say are the best burgers ever created, and most agree are one of the best when looking for food after a night of parting...

White Castle is the first and oldest fast food chain in the world, thier signiture burger is called a slider, and can fit in the palm of your hand. They are tiny, and cost about 35 cents each, you can get 6 sliders, a drink and fries for $2.99 and those who grew up with WC defend it's tastiness. The burgers to me are disgusting, greasy, covered with onions and 1 pickle and nothing else. But I never grew up with them and have been told I do not understand. So we are starving, finishing up the road rage and there it is, the White Castle in Texas, The Alamo had White Caslt come to texas and grill up 10,000 burgers to munch down. I had 3 sliders before I was done, but I think 6000 or so were eaten throughout the night...we sat down in our chairs munching burgers to view the World Premeire, and view we did!

I think perhaps the journey helped my understand the need for White Castle, we were H&K on the road rage and so I do forwarn that my review might be tainted...

On July 30th, 2004 when this movie comes out, everyone should go see it. I shit you not. This movie was about as solid as it could have been. From great simple plot and script with perfect humor, to great acting, insaine characters, excellent situations, and a gammut of great cameos, this movie gets my reccomendation for seeing in the theater before all other movies (On July 30th)

What can I say, I was blown away at the whole thing. Kal and John were great as Harold and Kumar, stoners, but not stupid stoners, more like the ones I know, the ones that can function, and thier burning need for White Castle. The story was great, and something I totally understand that need for one kind of food, and you will not be satisfied until you get it, it's someting that has happend to all of us and what helped make it so great and real.

Characters, in a movie like this you are going to have totally off the wall characters, and I think that this movie fit them into the movie very well, and had a great wide spectrum of them. Most of them were also filled by comedy cameos which as you all know makes me very happy, as I love camoes very very much. I would like to give major A++ to Neil, and Jamie who were awesome, but all the cameos were great.

Girls, this is where I could flaw the movie, there was not THAT many hot girls, I think I could have used maybe 2 more hotties, but they had one great hot girl get naked, and some extra boobs on the side. So it was not devoid boobs, and so that does not get points taken away more like a suggestion.

Was it funny? This I think could very well be the funniest movie of 2004, actually I think it is, funnier that Anchorman and I thought was just great all around. Very funny, very good. Go See It. I will be buying it on DVD

Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 128 Minutes
Year: 2004
Boobs: Zero
One Sentence: Jazz and a peanut can can make a simple story something really worth telling.

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielburg a couple that have made some solid movies together, with the last 2 being outside of the norm for at least one of them if not both. Usually I am for one person or group not changing thier sound or vision, for example, bands, I hate it when they go a completly different direction with thier music. If I liked you as a certain band, I am not going to be able to adjust to you playing a completly different type of music. I didn't like "Minority Report" so much, so I was fine to see Spielburg try something else with "Catch me if you can." To my surprise I liked it very much and that movie and another, called "Holes" made me realize something, that I like a simple story. But not a common story. That is worth telling. Holes and Catch me both had this feel, a story that did not involve guns, or nuculear bombs, or presidents of some company, or other people I never met or knew or cared about, or anything over the top and unbelievable, but touched on the world of real fiction and characters that you cared about and wanted to see what happened with them next. Just a good solid story.

I was hoping that when I saw the preview for The Terminal that it would also be this type of movie, and it was. It was truly a great story. I have read many reviews for this movie, and I have read a lot about it being too cute to be real, or that it is nothing great, or worth nothing but a glance or maybe a rental viewing, I would have to disagree completly. This movie was great. Completly perfect in almost every way. Characters that were real people, living real lives and doing things that real people do. There was no evil overlord conflict that no person could possibly overcome. There was no overly witty female that was independant and sexy all at once that in the end would walk away until the prince of Romania rushed to her on her boat leaving for her Antartic student expedition. Nothing so overdone as that, and with the story it gave me, I was more than satisfied and left really glad I had gone.

The camera work is really a touching addition to this movie, where we use real elements to acheive the images we want to see, I am mostly sure that there was not one CG shot in the whole movie. It used real things all of the time. Sweeping crane shots, and spot lights added to the mood and feel of the movie and not a green screen. Terrific angles, and sets so beautiful but still within the confines of an Airport made it all so simple and real and just added to the great story.

Tom could have been better than he ever was, truly great, as just a man, from another country, with a peanut can. With a great supporting cast, Catherina, Chi, and many others, it just melted together, into as I said, just a great simple story. I am NOT going to reccomend this movie for all in the theater however, as there are plenty of other movies you should see in the theater for sound and vision, such as HP. So I would knock this to rental if you have to pick only one movie to see in the theater for a while. But you have to rent it for sure. Go see it before Dodgeball if you are caught up.

Rated: R
Running Time: 144 Minutes
Boobs: Zero
One Sentence: A civil war hero goes to japan to fight the Samurai, the last tradition in the old world of Japan.

Going into this movie I was a bit skeptical, I didn't expect a lot from it and I really did not expect a lot from Tom Cruise, however there had been quite the buzz about it, and becuase Big Fish was not out yet we went to go see this instead.

The story unfolded quickly and nicley, with very clear details and scenes passing exactly what was to be shown. It started off quite simply but came open so much. It really reached into some places I had no idea it would dare venture and was quite welcome. The whole story was wonderfully put together and a pleasent surprise.

Tom Cruise surprised me quite a bit, he seemed composed, professional and in his element, not cocky, not annoying, not silly or over the top, not chewing gum, and not small in stature in anyway. He played his part very well and perhaps is growing and learning from his past and moving toward something far more meaningful than what he seems to have become.

The cinematography was wonderful, the late 19th centruy Japan, The Samurai, The Changing Season throughout Japan it was all quite lovley and very well done. Amazing work with the weather and seasons to portray growth, coldness, negitivity, and many other things. This was my favorite part of the movie, and I think the DP really did a good job bringing this part of the movie together and where I think it shines the best.

The story was one as I said that I did not expect, but was quite better than what I thought this movie would be. The loss of tradition story, really made me more interested in what I was watching compared to a Japenese War movie, which is what I thought I was going to see. I found the story very touching and I became immersed in it. I very much liked the movie all around and I would recommend it to almost everyone. Go see it, or rent it as soon as it becomes available.

Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 201 Minutes
Boobs: Zero
One Sentence: How did this movie get a PG-13 rating?

The rings, ends, the last of the three expected to be the best and most fulfilling of the movies, has a buzz about it so much greater than the two towers even, and the box office numbers already destroying The Matrix Reloaded. Is it worth it, did it hold up to what was expected, was it everything that people were looking for? I can not speak for everyone else, but I found it to be quite good, there were a couple things I have issues with but overall prolly the best movie I have seen this year.

The battle scenes were perfection, they really brought out the movie and stood tall as the best scenes in the trilogy. The attnetion to detail, and every move perfectly set to create the grandest battle motion picture has ever seen was really quite amazing. The showed the swing of the battle and the fear of both sides, the hope faling and the tides turning. It really was quite amazing. I especially loved the rocks flying and the elefonts (sp). I was a little disappointed with the ghost fighters, they seemed to just sweep over everything like a blanket and did not show much with it, it took away from the whole battle near the end, but the time issues I am sure left some of this out.

The scenes with the Elefonts reminded me of Empire strikes back however, Small men going between the feet of gaint 4 legged walkers. It was quite amusing to see how similar some of the shots were, while george did it with models, jackson did it with CG.

The movie is long, really long, and it will be even longer with the extended edition, this could put some people off. Near the end with so much ending story, I felt tired and that it was a bit overexcessive to show so much, but it was an epic and the story must be told completly, I appreciate the artists attempt to bring the whole story to life as much as possible, but damn my ass was starting to fall asleep. This would be one of my very few complaints and is not really something to take away from the movie, becuase I love movies and the more I get from the story the better I think it is, usually. It just was 201 minutes long. ;)

Rated R? How in the fuck did this movie get a PG-13 rating is something that I would like to bring up for those with 8 year olds or around that age. This movie is VIOLENT, way more violent than Two Towers. I am still trying to figure out how much money was passed under the table to the MPAA to get that rating becuae it had to be a lot. Now some might argue that there was very little blood, and that it was mosly fantasy creaters that died, but there were human heads being thrown over a wall, and that plus all the other violence should have givin this movie an R rating. I do not mind, I just felt that I should point that out. Just an interesting aside to me.

Anyway. Great movie, very good story and shots, amazing scenes, best battle sequence to ever grace the movie screen, a bit long, and rated R even though it says PG-13 on the marquee. I would go see it in the theater, as I assume most have or are.

Rated: R
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Boobs: Pics on a wall
One Sentence: A mining ship in space answers a disress signal to find an alien life form.

I would expect responces like, you have never seen Alien? How can you have never seen Alien? I would expect this, becuase until yesterday I had never seen Alien. I had seen the other 3, and I believe I saw alien when I was young but have very little recolection of it. However I do know that Aliens scared the shit out of me and that is why I avoided Alien for a very long time I think.

However how can I resist a re-release on Halloween. I mean come on. So we went. I am very very glad I did. I now understand what the hype was about. With a low budget and a great idea, Ridley Scott, in his second film, made one of the scariest and best put together movies I have ever seen. The kubrick inspired space scenes and shots with quietness pull together the unknown that was going to happen to these people. It put together elements from deep dark space with a feeling of trimuph and happiness in the beginning, which is shown in many horror movies of this time. Poltergiest and The Ammietyville Horror are others to mention. (The Happiness not the dark space) It really allows you to get to know the group outside of thier fear and panic. The real person and how they work together.

As the story grows the sets grow as well and these blow me away. The alien ship especially, but all sets were amazing, well put together and some of the best movie sets I have ever seen in movies. They felt large and well built, they showed function and scariness all together, they did not look dated, but advance and possibly from a future not too far off. As the story grew the panic and the sets came alive, with smoke, and vents, chains and water, fire and alarms and lights. It brought the movie together so much these sets induced a panic just as much as the alien did. Adding to the fear and tenseness of the movie. You just were not allowed to relax. You never were let down once it started.

The story was left open for many questions, but not about the resolution of the coflict, I dislike the open ended ending but I love an open ended beginning. How did this ship crash, where did it come from, was it the aliens, or some other aliens, what was the blue mist, what planet was it, how did earth know of these aliens and so many many questions that really made me want to watch the rest of these movies or maybe buy the Alien DVD set. I am dying to know the rest of this story and anything else I can learn about these aliens, and as I was shown before this movie, Alien vs Preadator will be out in 2004, with I am sure some more answers to these questions.

The movie was quite scary, dark space, evil killing machine alien, trapped in a ship, no where to run, no one to hear you scream. I say if you are looking to get scared at home, rent the DVD or go see this in the theater for your last chance.