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!)
_________________________
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 …(read more) 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…(read more) 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…(read more) 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 …(read more) 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.
_________________________________
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
Posted in marketing, movies, pop culture
Calliope in Outer Space 