Flixter Redux 2008 (so far)
For the past few months, I have kept my Facebook account updated with my thoughts on the Summer’s movie releases. While many of you who regularly read this blog are receiving updates from me via e-mail with thoughts on upcoming features from each of the major studios (as well as a few Indies), I haven’t shared my reviews here – until NOW.
Below are my latest Flixter reviews for your enjoyment here in “Outer Space.”
With this, I am hoping to start a new area of the blog dedicated to film reviews and my association with the SoCal Movie Fanatics Meetup club.
Enjoy! (Note that star (*) ratings are based on a 5 (* * * * *) star scale!)
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IRON MAN – May 2, 2008
* * * * 1/2
Marvel rocked it right out of the gate. AWESOME! Fantastic cast, great director and the hottest new production team on the block.
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL – May 22, 2008
* * *
Great special effects – but this was NOT the script. Despite what many other critics have written, I thought the inter-dimensional beings schtick was very cool. I have to say that it was completely cool right up until (SPOILER ALERT!!) the wedding crap at the end. What the ****?? Was that really necessary?? This one sits at the “okay” level for me this Summer along with Sex and the City. Wanted, Iron Man and even Hulk just kicked Indy’s retired butt.
SEX AND THE CITY – May 30, 2008
* * *
I really wanted to love this movie because I loved the series…but it just didn’t float my boat. Many of the gags don’t work and it is too long. SJP looks like she is shrivelling into a skeleton and mostly looks frightful in her loud, avante garde fashion choices. Chris Noth makes the move watchable…but some of the newbies – like Jennifer Hudson – could have been eliminated altogether and the movie would have been just as mediocre. Giving this one an “okay.” Totally rentable.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK – June 13, 2008
* * * 1/2
Not quite equal to the power of IRON MAN, HULK is a great ride and I loved the references to the original series. Ed Norton is brilliantly cast and the CG Hulk didn’t bug me as much as I thought it would. Very good script and great set up for linka ge to the Marvel Universe. Well worth shelling out the bucks to see this on the big screen.
WANTED – June 19, 2008
* * * * 1/2
Explosive energy and non-stop action, this is the first film I’ve seen that rivals IRON MAN in awesomeness. Not for those who can’t handle lots of artful gore, Timur Bekmambetov delivers delightful effects and 1,683 different ways to injure, mame, s lash, bash and wack someone. McAvoy is AMAZING in this film. See it in the theatre NOW.
HANCOCK – July 2, 2008
* * *
HANCOCK is an enjoyable, fast paced movie with lots of action, some very funny gags, in-your-face language and a unique concept…however, the story muddles somewhere in the middle with a “star crossed lovers” element that could have been completely eliminated.
I give it an extra star for effort and solid performances by Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman… but it really doesn’t measure up – story-wise – to the muscle of this summer’s Marvel/DC/Lucas lineup.
Perhaps the fact that this was not a comic book first – prior to the film – is the culprit. If Spidey made his debut on film versus the pages of a Marvel comic book, would we have embraced him right away? Who knows?
I don’t care what the critics are saying…just like in the movie, I think that HANCOCK will just have to show that he can come back in future films (if they decide to make this into a franchise). If Sony is able to build up more depth with future films and fans embrace the new series of comic books – HANCOCK has the potential to become a full fledged Super Hero with staying power.
We’ll see…
One more note: I have heard lots of speculation that HANCOCK is a metaphoric reference to America in the world. If that is the case, I’d consider giving this another 1/2 star for a deeper message. Just the fact that people are talking that way elevates this flick above “popcorn fluff” so that is a good thing.
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COMING SOON!
I am waiting for DVD/Cable to see most of the Romantic Comedy and Kids movies (i.e. MADE OF HONOR, KUNG FU PANDA, GET SMART, MAMA MIA, etc…)
Next on my list to see this month are:
- WALL*E
- X-FILES
- HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY
- JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 3-D
- THE DARK KNIGHT
Calliope in Outer Space 
Hi Jenny,
I like your new movie review section!
Did you see the original Hellboy and is it worth renting?
I actually loved the first HELLBOY movie! It is a Superhero film – but it is also an action comedy! There is a lot of humor that surrounds the fact that Hellboy is a big red demon with horns (sanded down, of course) that fights for good instead of evil…
Plus, Ron Perlman (best known for playing the Beast (Vincent) on the TV show BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) plays Hellboy and he is one of my favorite actors. People call him the Lon Chaney of this generation.
Kind of like Buffy the Vampire Slayer…if you like funny, off-the-wall action movies with freaky, Star Wars looking characters, you will like this…and the new movie is getting rave reviews already: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hellboy_2_the_golden_army/
Let me know what you think!
I’m on the same page as you in regard to SATC. Lots of fashion eye candy, light on the story.
I took the boys to see Kung Fu Panda and really enjoyed it. It’s not a laugh a minute, but it was a fun movie for kids.
Wall*E on the other hand, was beautiful, but more for adults. I’m looking forward to your review on this one.
Great Post!
Thanks for the great reviews. I am really anxious to see what you think of WallE. It got a great review in the Pittsburgh Catholic, and that surprised me. Hancock did too, but it was for adults. WallE was designated for kids. It would really fit with this year’s school theme.
mom