When In Rome

When in Rome is a fun, romantic comedy that serves up some laughs and in terms of a chick flick movie is very serviceable and enjoyable to watch. While the storyline is not as strong as other romantic comedies it did try to be different and unique. With the great cast of rising stars it was great to see them make die with the at times cheesy plot and dialogue. Although this movie would never win any awards it was defintiely enjoyable.

Both Bell and Duhamel shine in their roles. I was greatly impressed to see Duhamel conitnue to show his great acting abilities. He plays the flawed charmer role perfectly that makes the audience not only believe his portrayal but totally endears himself to the audience. Bell works alright in character although she does seem awkward in her role at times. Yet even with herself being awkward she has some great chemistry with Duhamel and they both seem to work well off one another.

The supporting cast does a great job. I really enjoyed the roles of the other male suitors whose coins Bell takes out of the fountain. DeVito and Heder are definitely great in playing the different unique suitors. Heder's brand of street magic is hilarious and when he breaks in to Bell's apartment to perform the "Mummy Escape" got a great laugh out of me. Devito you simply enjoy with him being the sausage king, and he gives a great creepy feeling in his chasing after Bell.

While I did like the way that they came about the story in a new way and even took the usual way that the guy loses the girl, the dialogue was very lackluster. I think they had a great story especiall about the "fontana de amore" but unfortunately do not give the story of the fountain its due. I think part of this may be that a good portion of it was left on the cutting room floor. They had a tendency to take some of the for laugh moments and string them too long. One such example was that of the vase breaking in the wedding.

This movie was decent and I did enjoy it. It was a good entertainment and a movie that is easy to allow you to cuddle up with a loved one. I am giving this movie three buckets of popcorn out of five. This is definitely one worth renting.

-The Movie Man-

The A-Team

I absolutely enjoyed every moment of this movie. The A-Team is a summer blockbuster that knows precisely what it is and does not try to be anything that it is not. With this being an adaptation of the 80's show it follows suit of the original and is a very over the top and cheesy action flick. Yet from ninety seconds in this movie does not let up.

The reincarnation by the hands of Carnahan however, avoids many of the pitfalls that the outdated format has to offer. For one, the director has brought the well known premise of the series to the present. Vietnam has been replaced by Iraq and the bad attitude of Bosco Baracus is not the only thing that makes the foursome dangerous: the happy-go-lucky stance of a team that rarely asked for enemy casualties has been replaced by an attitude that better suits a group of elite soldiers. What is especially striking is how well the cast handle their roles, and how much fun they have doing so.

While Neeson and Cooper are great in their roles, Copley as Murdock stole the show with his antics. He occupies the crazy pilot with both a zest for life and an absolute fearlessness of death – cue the suicidal midair antics. His inimitable flying skills, Murdockian features (sock puppets and his interaction with BA for example) and especially his imitation of Mel Gibson in 'Braveheart' - including stick horse - make him the movies' main asset. Cooper continues to show his great abilities to act and for me I am really interested to see him in a movie where he is the main star alone and it is not a group of stars, that will be the real test in my book to know how much of a star he can be. The A-Team was his first step toward that as the focus on the movie was him and his character. He shines and really gives a great performance in that with his character there is a part of you that hates him and a part that loves him.

Of course one of the biggest surprises for me about the acting was the fact that Quentin "Rampage" Jackson was serviceable in his acting and that Jessica Biel's character actually brought nothing to the screen. The addition of her character seemed almost an afterthought as if they decided hey we should put in a pretty face for the guys to look at. If you do anything other then just look at her then you are doing more then was intended with her character. Other then her the supporting cast does a great job, you can truly despise the villain characters and just like in the real world you have a general hatred for bureaucracy and politicians.

The only disappointment for me with this film at times was that of the CGI. With the advancements in CGI I expect that if it is used in a film then it should be seamless and should not make you go wow that is totally CGI because it sticks out like a sore thumb. For me the climax action sequence fell short with the CGI and looked like they ran out of time on the CGI to meet the premiere of the movie. I am sure there are those out there that will say that the CGI is not the only problem in that there are many sequences that are so out there and unrealistic that they may scoff at the movie because of it. To those types I say ummm it is a movie.... the sole purpose of a movie is to take a person out of the real world for two hours and give them great entertainment.

Alan Silvestri delivers a great action movie score. The score for the film really works and helps to keep the film moving. He does a great job though of taking the TV theme song and updating it and giving it a movie feel without taking away the nostalgia that many feel toward this great 80's show.

This was a great action flick that will not leave you disappointed. I am giving this movie three and a half buckets of popcorn out of five. This is definitely a movie that will be added to the collection when it comes out and it is one that I highly recommend you go and see in the theater.

-The Movie Man-

American Outlaws

American Outlaws is a fun look back and attempt to go back to the great westerns of old. While I would guess that this is a definite glamorization of the life of Jesse James. As a viewing audience we like the outlaws to be more Robin Hood in nature rather then terrorist. This ends up being an action packed movie that provides fun explosions, and great one liners. I was impressed that this movie was enjoyable and unlike other westerns in todays day and age they did this movie on a relatively small budget. American Outlaws though is very successful to give an epic movie feel on the small budget.

The cast for this movie for the most part are a bunch of younger rising stars from the time. With some great veteran actors to handle some of the heavier roles. Timothy Dalton plays the role of chasing Jesse James perfectly. You get the feeling that he understands why the James/Younger gang is doing what they are doing, and while he has to do his job of tracking them down, he seems to have a great respect for the gang and longs not to have to chase them down. Farrell does a great job as Jesse James, and gives a feel that he truly got into character and was natural in his role, but really for me Scott Caan stole the show. This is really one of his first major type roles that has led to a lot of other more major type roles.

For me I really enjoyed the music throughout the film. Trevor Rabin gives a great score throughout the film that really helps to set the mood. And while there are those out there that would complain that the music of Moby being in a western set in post civil war Missouri is inaccurate, I just have to say folks it is JUST a movie, meant to entertain and the music helps give a fun feel. The stuntwork was pretty amazing and there is one scene that is a lot of fun to see, just because it is one of those mouth dropping "wow" moments in a film. While this film did not have the strongest scrupt out there it was serviceable and because of that it makes a lot of sense that this movie only won some awards for the stunts.

This is a fun movie that does not try to do anything more other then to just give you great entertainment. It has some great action, some awesome old west guns, and some great one liners to give you some fun comic relief. While this is not a must have it is a definite fun movie and that is why I am giving it three buckets of popcorn out of five. Even with this movie not being a must have I would definitely consider adding this one to your movie collection if you can find a great deal on it.

-The Movie Man- 

Leap Year

Last night we used a free Redbox code and decided a chick flick is what we would rent. This is a really hard review to write because simply it bored me out of my mind. I don't know it if was because neither of us really wanted to watch it or what but it was just not me that was bored. The story was very predictable. While most romantic comedies are predictable this one due to the pacing of the whole movie made it even more unbearably painful to watch.

The chemistry between Matthew Goode and Amy Adams is not there. Really there is nothing believable between the two of them. I was most disappointed with Adams performance, while she usually brings something vibrant and comedic to roles, she looked very lost. I t may have been cheesy line after cheesy line but she did not make the character come alive but seem flat and completely uninteresting. Goode is servicable in his role, but brings nothing new to the role of the man interested in the unattainable.

The pacing for the movie is very slow. The movie is a simple case of nothing going right as Amy Adams character tries to make it to Dublin. While the imagery of Dublin is great and the countryside is so green, it does not really do much to transport the viewer to the place.

I think my running feeling about this whole movie was that it was just boring. It brought nothing and made it so that the specifics of the movie were very forgettable. I am giving this movie one bucket of popcorn out of five.

-The Movie Man-

Toy Story

When it comes to animated movies Disney has always been a powerful force. Pixar Studios  in 1995 showed that they were ready to take animation to "infinity and beyond" and become the part of Disney Studios that has given us nothing but great movie after movie. What Pixar does is not just absorb the younger demographic and keep the older ones mildly entertained. It completely absorbs everyone watching no matter the age or the level of maturity, films of Pixar, starting from Toy Story, have kept a certain magical touch around it with an unexpected amount of depth. While animation has continued to improve since Toy Story came out due to all the great technological advances, Toy Story was very cutting edge in 1995 and was actually the first movie to be a complete computer created animated film.

The plot is simple but effective and actually has genuine drama and excitement to it. The main story is fun but the degree of character development is what really shores it up. The conflict between Buzz and Woody is taken deeper than this and, when confronted by the truth of his status as a toy, Buzz's turmoil is very real as opposed to him being a cartoon character and nothing more. Despite the two strong leads there is a real depth in the support cast. They may not actually have that many lines, but they have all the funniest lines. Most of the `adult' wit comes from the Potato Head, dinosaur, the pig and slinky dog. They are funny and are very well used. In fact the majority of this humor and plot will go right over kids heads.

And of course, who could forget the revolutionary animation! The computer animation used for this movie not only made it startlingly realistic but also opened up tons of possibilities, and thankfully the filmmakers chose to explore these possibilities. There are dozens of things that are hidden in the woodwork throughout the film, as well as in the songs – note, for example, the subtle playing of the Indiana Jones theme song in the scene where Woody knocks Buzz out the window with the desk lamp. Every time I watch Toy Story something new comes out in the pop culture hidden things.

The thought of the story is really brilliant. I can't count how many times growing up as part of imagining you imagine your toys to be real with an actual voice. That is precisely what Pixar gives us is a fantasy world where toys are not just toys but are actually more like us. They have actual emotions and when no one is around they have their own little world.

The visuals and animation are so great that it is amazing but there are actual subtle moments where the facial expressions and gestures of Woody gave me a feeling that I was actually looking at Tom Hanks dressed in a cowboy outfit and not a computer generated image.

With a clever story and a great gang of characters that keep the movie enjoyable for even adults. Toy Story is a movie that never seems to get old no matter how many times you have seen it. I am giving this movie three and a half buckets of popcorn. This is a great family film, and one of the best parts is that it is using the Disney marketing strategy currently of the DVD/Blu-ray combo pack.

-The Movie Man-

The 'Burbs

In life sometimes a bizarre comedy hits just the right notes with me and can hit the sport no matter the time of day or the mood I am in. I remember though as a little kid, we were over at my great grandma's and it was being watched. I can only remember from that viewing of The Burbs was that it gave me nightmares. After growing older I came to truly appreciate the magnificence of this bizarre comedy. Too many of Hollywood's more recent offerings feature truly tasteless gags that poke fun at subjects that should simply be left well enough alone. Well I have to say that Hollywood could learn a thing or two from its own past in this department

An interesting aspect of this film is that it is not so much about the plot. The plot which is pretty thin, and while this is a major things critics look for, it is about the characters who become entangled within it. The chemistry between everyone of the characters is simply impressive, and much of the humor of the film can be found in the often ludicrous way the director portrays their interactions.

While this movie has quite the all star cast of well known 80's stars. While Tom Hanks, really showed that he can be goofy and have fun with a role, Rick Ducommun really outshone everyone else. His wackiness and his portrayal of the annoying neighbor are spot on. While the Lopek's are cast brilliantly once we finally get to see them. They give a great creepy feeling that only helps with the dark, bizarre aspect. That makes you question over and over again if the movie is really a horror movie disguised with the comedic one liners.

While The 'Burbs may not be for everyone this is definitely one of my favorites. Because of the great way to entangle the characters I am giving this movie three buckets of popcorn out of five. Make sure to do all that you can to see this movie if you have not seen it.

-The Movie Man-

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The first time I saw the preview for this I thought Tim Burton and Johnny Depp pairing again, this will definitely not be my parents retelling of the story by Roald Dahl. Of course, I was not sure how I would feel about it and did not want it hurting the original movie version because it is a definite classic. I was definitely intrigued though to see how Depp's portrayal of Wonka would compare to the iconic portrayal that Gene Wilder gave to the role. After seeing the movie it was nice to see that the two movies are so vastly different that comparing the two would be like comparing apples and oranges.

While Depp gives once again a great wackiness in a dark way his acting does not overpower. The role of Wonka comes off many ways as a paranoid eccentric business owner. Depp gives some great one liners and works well with the cast. With Depp not overpowering in his role it gave room for Freddie Highmore to show off his talent as Charlie. Highmore shows that his great acting abilities he showed in Finding Neverland was not just a fluke. He gives a great lovable feeling to Charlie and really does a great job at giving you the anti child to the other golden ticket winners.

Tim Burton and his vision are crystal clear throughout the movie. Burton uses a a very effective contrasting of colors between the world that Charlie lives in, with it being full of grays and gives the viewer a feeling of the dismal conditions. He then contrasts that with the interior of the factory, which is full of vibrant colors. The vibrant colors really give the cinematography a great view and transports the reader into the world, in a way that you are immersed completely in the film.

They were successful with the toughest job, in the not making the viewer feel like this was a remake of the original but took it in a way that it is impossible to compare the two since they both go about telling the story in completely different ways. It was especially great to see Burton not only re imagine the Oompa Loompas but also to create different and unique songs.

This retelling of the story while darker then the other version is still an enjoyable family movie. Highmore and Depp work together well and give an odd chemistry. I am giving Charlie and the Chocolate Factory three and a half buckets of popcorn out of five. If you have not seen it, I would recommend it next time you are tyring to figure out which movie you would like to watch.

-The Movie Man-

Back to the Future

Here is a great classic movie that never gets old no matter how many times I have seen it. Back to the Future is one of those rare, almost forgotten, pieces of pop culture that, surprisingly, draws little attention to itself. Unlike such notable gimmicks as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, and Independence Day, there aren't any low-budget leeches trying to imitate off this work and cash-in on its success. This is due to the near flawless script. Plus I think any movie that uses a Delorean as the time machine probably gets an extra half a bucket of popcorn just for the sheer awesomeness of the car itself.

Back to the Future pulled together a great cast with strong chemistry. The character of Marty McFly ended up being the role that launched Michael J. Fox. Fox plays the role perfectly from the bumbling high schooler searching for love, a guitar gig and his existence which he himself threatens to erase. Christopher Lloyd is brilliant and brings such an absent mindedness to the role of Doc Brown. It is interesting to note that of the main characters only the role of Marty's girlfriend changed in the trilogy.

It is a rarity to see a sci-fi movie that brings a good amount of humor, simple dialogue and action. Back to the Future pulls a lot of old punches, uses a lot of traditional storytelling gags and devices that feel quite familiar, but its unabashed sense of fun, larger-than-life tone and ripsnorter premise make it the kind of movie you treasure. While the entire trilogy has given us some pretty great one liners, to me it is the first movie that gives two of the greatest. If anyone has not heard this first one I seriously question if they have been living underneath a rock. "1.21 gigawatts? 1.21 gigawatts? Great Scott!" Second is George McFly comes running into Marty and states, "Last night, Darth Vader came down from planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn't take Lorraine out that he'd melt my brain." Nothing beats the great pop culture references that get splashed throughout the entire trilogy.

Not only are the special effects good for the era, but when someone watches the film today the special effects are not cheesy like they are in some other 80's movies. The score by Alan Silvestri is very memorable and fits into the movie perfectly and seamlessly in a way that you almost feel like it is completely natural and not put into the film. Personally though I love the fact that Robert Zemeckis successfully infiltrates into each movie within the trilogy a known rock star(s) into each film.

Back to the Future is a movie that transcends time and is one that every generation should watch and enjoy. This is a great movie that is probably by far one of the best time travel movies. For the fact that Back to the Future continues to be watchable time for time I have given it four buckets of popcorn out of five. This is a must have movie for anyone that is a fan of great movies.

-The Movie Man-

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia I was pretty exctied to see from the moment when I saw the first trailer for it. I went in to seeing this movie with pretty high expectations. I think part of this expectation comes from the success and particularly good movies that Disney made with the Pirates of the Carribean franchise. I have been back and forth over the past day or so trying to figure out exactly how this movie compared to the expectation that I had for it. While it did not rise to the level of Pirates of the Carribean it was a good movie and was better then the Pirates sequels.

I think one of the biggest strenghts in this film was that of bringing in the series creator Jordan Mechner. While at times including the creator can stifle the process, as many will fight changes to the source material that may need to be altered to work better with a director's vision; but I feel that Mechner's involvement showed his desire to see his brain-child develop into a success on the big screen. At the same time Disney and Bruckheimer set out to make a successful movie like they did with Pirates and change the stigma that has accompanied movies that are based on video games, a la Doom (need I say more).

Their strategy was the same, they wrote their own story that borrowed elements from the game, but did not strictly follow it. The film stands alone, and does not require it's audience to be intimately familiar with the source material. While it had nods to the video game, for me not having played many of the Prince of Persia games I did not feel lost in trying to understand things. While it give its proper nods to the games, I am sure those intimately familiar with the game felt that they could enjoy the game and not worry about where the deviations from the game occur.

The visuals are stunning. the cinematography from the deseret landscapes to the beautiful city of Alamut catch your eye and leave you wanting to go find the city specifically. I felt as though I was transported from teh theater to the ancient times of Persia. The way the sets are constructed especially the Persian markets are spot on and make you feel like at any moment a vendor will shove some sort of buyable good in front of you.  

Of course the action in a movie like this needs to be there and bruckheimer and company do not disappoint as we are treated to swordfights, chases through busy markets and even some explosions. In the video game the parkour style of running is used prominently by the Prince of Persia in fights and while some of the diehards may have felt that it was not prominent enough in the movie, for me it was just perfect so as not to inundate us to the point that it feels more cheesy and just put in to show see we are following the video game.

Gyllenhaal and Arterton have great chemistry throughout the film. The emotions that they portray for one another throughout the film are believable. I was really surprised by Gyllenhaal, going into this movie with the high expectation I felt that he may be the weaklink because I was not sure if he had the ability to be the action hero type. He does a great job in the action sequences and fights like you would expect your action hero to fight. Arterton also stepped up and showed a vast improvement in herself as an actress since Quantum of Solace. Arterton manages to inject wit, charm and emotion into her character, not to mention looking gorgeous at the same time. However I was slightly disappointed by Ben Kingsley's performance - a two dimensional villain. Granted, Kingsley acted great in the role but I felt like it just didn't match to his standards.

The reason Prince of Persia was successful in my mind when compared to other video games turned into movies was that it successfully combined action and story. While the dialogue was nothing overpowering and did have its cheesy moments, they were able to make it successful in telling the story by keeping it simple. And while it had a couple more slow motion shots then necessary, but that is a staple of a Bruckheimer film, it never really seemed to drag and kept you engaged as the story progressed.

For the fact that it is in my mind a truly successful video game turned movie and was able to give us not only action but a unique story I am giving this movie three and a half buckets of popcorn. While it may not appealas much to the fairer sex this is definitely a guy movie that most will enjoy. They have also been able to set it up as a franchise of films.

-The Movie Man-