(By release date)

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                                                                                                                 (**** = excellent) 

Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009)
Release Date: October 28th, 2009 (wide)
Genres: Documentary and Musical/Performing Arts
Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
MPAA Rating: PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing, Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI)

Starring: Michael Jackson, Daniel Celebre, Shannon Holtzapffel, Charles Klapow
Directed by: Kenny Ortega
Produced by: John Branca, Kenny Ortega, John Meglen

This is it is a film that can be described as a compilation of rehearsal footage that was collected in preparation for Michael Jackson’s 2009 concert Tour. I must begin by stating that a Michael Jackson rehearsal on a “bad” day can rival any artists’ performance on a “good” day. The film reveals Michael Jackson’s work ethic, his dedication to his craft and his generous nature towards his fellow performers

The film begins with young dancers who recount the thrill of just having the opportunity to audition for Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. You do not have to be an artist to understand the level of excitement and sense of awe that these young people apparently felt for this living legend. It can be compared to a young MBA graduate who gets the opportunity to apprentice with Bill Gates. The sheer magnitude of the stage and the extreme extravagance of the production’s set design justifies any anticipation of what a grandiose concert this was going to be.

As the film progresses, Michael Jackson’s music will play and remind us that there is great music that has no profanity. The film also reminds us that this is only a glimpse into Michael Jackson’s musical career that spans over forty years and much of his portfolio contains music that is considered classic. Michael Jackson’s music is a staple at dances and events all over the world (every working musician knows Wanna Be Startin Something). The audience members that were at the screening that I attended was fully engaged in the music and the visual effects as evidenced by the spontaneous applause scattered throughout the film.

There was no controversial or revealing moments in this nearly hour and fifty one minute movie. The film focused exclusively on Michael Jackson’s talent and his ability to micromanage or multi-task almost every aspect of the tour’s production. Michael had his creative hand in the instrumental and vocal arrangements, the dance sequences and in pre-production of the video clips that were going to be green screened into the performances.

While you will certainly enjoy Michael Jackson’s songwriting prowess, his trademark dance moves and his genius vocals, there is a disturbing moment or two when your mind will wander into the tabloid zone (notably when Michael dons the scary-obviously-too- small-wingtip-shoulder-padded-crystal-jeweled-on-the-right-side-of-the-collar black jacket). It is during these moments that you will wonder what was on the other 118 hours of footage that allegedly ended up on the cutting room floor.

Anyway, after that thriller of a scene, the film settles into a professional format that any musician or filmmaker must admire. The film was shot for the purposes of private use as opposed to commercial public use. Therefore, there are some shaky camera scenes and some scenes include subtitles in order to compensate for the audio inadequacies. The film also demonstrates the use of “green screening” as an valuable enhancement to the concert going experience. This technique transports Michael Jackson into 1940s and 50s film noir in order to immortalized Jackson along side screen legends Humphrey Bogart and Rita Haywood. This film clearly demonstrates that This Is It was going to be spectacular concert and that we are missing Michael Jackson.

Jay R Ell recommends Michael Jackson’s This Is It for its insightful glimpse into what was to be an unforgettable spectacular musical event.

Jay R Ell Rating
*** 

Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)

Genres: Comedy, Drama and Adaptation
Release Date: September 11th, 2009 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving a sexual assault on a minor, violence, drug references and smoking.
Distributors: Lionsgate
Running Time: 1 hr. 53 min

Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Brian J. White, Hope Olaide Wilson , Mary J. Blige

Directed by: Tyler Perry
Produced by: Michael Paseornek, Tyler Perry, Reuben Cannon

April, played by Taraji P. Henson, is an unmarried and childless nightclub singer who suddenly has her young niece and two nephews enter her life. The recurring Tyler Perry alter ego, Madea, delivers the youngsters to April after they are caught burglarizing her home. April reluctantly takes the children in and must adjust to her new life as a surrogate mother to the three young children.

April’s life is already quite complicated. April is also an alcoholic who moved an abusive married man (who has a pregnant wife and four children waiting for him at home) into her house. Additionally, April agrees to take in a handsome handy man who will make repairs on her home in exchange for room and board.

Here’s the thing about this movie. As with most Tyler Perry movies, there are long sequences of R&B and contemporary gospel music. The performances of Mary J. Blige, Marvin Winans, Gladys Knight and Taraji P. Henson (Henson’s close-ups showcase her stunning beauty) are worth the price of the ticket if you enjoy that type of music. As with most Tyler Perry movies, his characters are one dimensional. Brian J. White is a brilliant actor but he plays the vile married villain with such a high level of venom that you are perplexed as to why April is with him. As with most Tyler Perry movies, there are peaks of preachy high drama interwoven into the dark fabric of child molestation and insult comedy throughout the film. A sweat drenched preacher and a character breaking out in song has a level of sacred symbolism to Perry’s demographic and, therefore, appears uniquely plausible in the Perry universe. Perry knows what his base audience likes and his cult fans treat Perry’s films as an event (as they should).

Jay R Ell recommends Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself for its great music and for the Madea sequences (don’t be afraid of the in-need-of-Rick-Baker make-up and Tyler Perry’s big scary hands).

Jay R Ell Rating
***

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Release Date: August 21st, 2009 (wide)
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Adaptation, Politics/Religion and War
Running Time: 2 hrs. 32 min
MPAA Rating: R for strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality

Starring: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth, Melanie Laurent
Directed by:Quentin Tarantino
Produced by:Lawrence Bender

Inglourious Basterds explores the art of revenge as separate groups plot to kill Hilter and the Nazi regime in 1940s German-occupied France.

The opening scene of Inglourious Basterds is beautiful. The wide shot of a 1940s quaint French farm house in a lush green country meadow with cows grazing in the background set in motion a presumption of tranquility and peace - until you considered that this is a Quentin Tarantino film. A small motorcade is soon spotted moving up the pathway toward the farmhouse and interrupts the serenity of this dairy farm which is also the home of a handsome dairy farmer and his three lovely daughters. As the motorcade approaches the farmhouse, the German Swastikas and Nazi paraphernalia become visible and it is apparent that an official visit by the Gestapo is not going to be pleasant.

The polite and superficial greeting of the Nazi officer, played brilliantly by Christopher Waltz, is initially disarming. The officer appears compassionate but as the dialogue continues and his treachery is revealed, the emotional scene escalates to a climatic finish that will thoroughly satisfy the most discerning cinema junkie. Waltz dominates every scene that he is in and his character sets a chilling tone for the entirety of the film.

The film is riddled with subtitles as it linguistically navigates from French to German to Italian and to English but stay with it. The ride is worth it. There is also a massive amount of imagination that one must utilize in order to digest the possibility that Hitler could be disposed of using such a primitive manner but-again stay with it. There is an enormous amount of satisfaction that is achieved when you visit Tarantino’s alternate universe.

The casting is excellent. Diane Kruger is gorgeous and charismatic but Melanie Laurent will steal your heart. Brad Pitt (very funny) could have been in more scenes.  Christoph Waltz is an easy Academy Award pick.

Jay R Ell recommends Inglourious Basterds for its off beat humor, hear beating action, fantastic script and direction of Quentin Tarantino.

Jay R Ell Rating
*** 

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Release Date: June 24th, 2009 (wide)
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Sequel and War
Running Time: 2 hr. 24 min
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, language, some crude and sexual material, and brief drug material.

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, and
             Ramon Rodriguez
Directed by: Michael Bay
Produced by: Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner, Mark Vahradian

College bound Sam Witwicky is compelled by his Transformer’s comrade, the Autobots, to save the human race from the evil Decepticons in this sequel to the 2007 megahit- Transformers.

The movie opens in the year 17,000 BC and it is revealed that the savagery of the Decepticons was evident as the hunters and gatherers are hopelessly trying to defend themselves again the tyranny of the massive steel villains.  Then the scene swiftly shifts to the present day U.S. military who have partnered with Optimus Prime and the Autobots in order to “even the playing field” in their ongoing war against the Decepticons.

In the meantime, our hero, Sam Witwicky played by the returning Shia LaBeouf, is preparing for college and leaving his sexy girlfriend Mikaela, played by Megan Fox, behind with her rehabilitated father.  Sam's adorable but rambunctious parents are preparing to vacation in Europe as their only son exits the nest. The parents accompany Sam to the university and humor ensues.  Sam’s mother energetically, played by Julie White, steals the every scene that she is in as she runs the gamut of emotions from jubilant proud mother to somber and nurturing care taker.  Julie White is great!

Michael Bay is having a ball with his trade mark wrap around camera angles. Many of the scenes in the movie are enhanced by this featured methodology which tends to elevate the suspense level of certain scenes. The unique camera angles of each character also enhanced the CGI effects that are superbly woven into the fabric of the film. The visual effects are so great that you can literally turn off the audio and still be impressed with the vivid and brilliant colors that span the movie screen.

Jay R Ell recommends Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen for its visual effects, big action sequences and the prolific direction of Michael Bay.

Jay R Ell Rating
*** 

The Hangover (2009)

Genres: Comedy
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min
MPAA Rating:R for pervasive language, sexual content including nudity, and some drug material.

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Produced by: Scott Budnick, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni

On the eve of the wedding, three groomsmen try to locate the groom after a wild night
in Las Vegas.

Now, there is actually no real plot with regard to this movie. It’s just very, very funny movie (in a “Knocked Up” sort of way). The Groomsmen meet comical characters in Las Vegas as they try to solve the mystery of the missing groom. Mike Tyson is surprising funny.

Jay R Ell recommends The Hangover for its mindless humor.

Jay R Ell Rating
*** 

Star Trek (2009)

Release Date: May 7th, 2009 (wide)
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and Sequel
Running Time: 2 hr. 7 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence and brief sexual content.

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Produced by: Bryan Burk, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman

The Star Trek franchise is revitalized in this remake of the 1966 television classic which chronicles a star ship and its crew as they  explore space in the not so distant future.

Star Trek begins with the emergence and development of the two major Star Trek icons. Captain Kirk and Commander Spock are quickly observed as children in an attempt to bond them with their adult personas.

This version of Star Trek provides some level of insight into the characters that the science fiction baby boomer generation found most appealing. Captain Kirk was always a renegade. His adolescent mischief was evident from the time his was a very young boy and would continue to surface throughout much of his illustrious and prestigious career. Commander Spock is known as an emotionless half human genius whose analytical and brilliant pragmatic thinking complemented Captain Kirk‘s intuitive prowess perfectly. The portrayal of these two central characters surprised no one until the film writers attached a love interest to the story line.

There is a point in the film Star Trek that bridges the gap between an original cast member and the new cast member. However, the scene appears forced and almost self serving. The film would have been fine without it.  While casting original actors in remakes of an extremely popular series is common, the placement of such actors works more effectively when the placement  does not appears staged or imposed.

The film Star Trek is sufficiently populated with special effects and the resulting cinematography is beautiful. The vibrant colors and the glowing space objects renders the perfect combination of space traveling and star gazing that perfectly transports the viewer into the world of the Enterprise, the Starfleet Academy and the Kobayashi Maru. The film Star Trek is a cinema feast for the die hard Star Trek fan

Jay R Ell recommends Star Trek for its exciting screenplay and its provocative character development.

Jay R Ell Rating
*** 

The Watchmen 2009

Release Date: March 6th, 2009 (wide)
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Crime/Gangster and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr. 63 min.
MPAA Rating: R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language


Starring: Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Malin Akerman, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goode, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Produced by: Legendary Pictures, Inc., Lawrence Gordon Productions


The murder of a superhero is set against an array mysterious events.

The Watchmen has a tremendously loyal fan base who will probably enjoy this film to a greater extent than I did. The Watchmen film can be described as Dark Knight meets Sin City. It is great fun but, as the rating suggests, there is a significant amount of violence, gore and sex. The Watchmen is not for the kiddies.

The Watchmen opens with the Comedian relaxing in his Manhattan high rise apartment.  Suddenly, an intruder breaks the Comedian’s door down and the Comedian is violently murdered.  His murder initiates a chain of events that culminate into a global catastrophe.

It is soon discovered that all of the superheroes are being targeted for assassination and the movie then introduces each heroes with a short cinematic synopsis of their background. The history of each hero is colorful in his or her own right but the complexity of each hero is not clearly illustrated, therefore any one who is not familiar with Watchmen may get lost way before the film has concluded.

The cinematography is beautiful. The colors set each mood in each scene perfectly. The violent scenes are dark and pensive. The historical scenes are vibrant and are as colorful as the era that each characters represents. Andy Warhol, Richard Nixon and Lee Iacocca are cinematically reincarnated to set the mood and establish the timeline on the historical American landscape as the scenes alternate from decade to decade.

Jay R Ell recommends The Watchmen for it’s graphic beauty and quirky characters.

Jay R Ell Rating

**

Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail

Release Date: February 20th, 2009 (wide)
Genres: Comedy and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr. 43 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, drug content, some violence and sexual situations.

Starring: Tyler Perry, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke, Tamela J. Mann, Vanessa Ferlito

Directed by: Tyler Perry
Produced by: Michael Paseornek, Tyler Perry, Reuben Cannon
 

Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail is the dark story of a prostitute trying to redeem herself is set against comedic Madea’s hilarious antics.

I certainly am used to Tyler Perry’s mixture of narcissistic tragedy combined with slapstick comedy but I would welcome a film that is 100% Madea.  No comedic story line  should involve gang rape. The disconnected and contrasting parallel story lines became annoying and marginalized the star attraction (Madea). I found myself unable to focus on the dark melodrama in anticipation of the hilarious Madea one liners.

Perry’s villains are extremely predictable. The “Linda” character has no redeeming features. You are never sure as to why or how the hero fell in love with her. The best villains are those whose venomous flaws are obscured by some level of compassion or innocence.

The beautiful Keshia Knight Pulliam does a fine job as a prostitute but the extremely superfluous dental work reminds us the Rudy Huxtable can not be suppressed. There appears to an overly concerted effort to “uglitize” this gorgeous actress (a la Charlize Theron in Monster). This is not necessary. Keshia Knight Pulliam has got skills.

If you are a Madea fan, then this one is for you. Enjoy!

 

TAKEN 2009

Release Date: January 30th, 2009 (wide)
Genres: Action/Adventure, Art/Foreign, Drama and Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr. 31 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing thematic material, sexual content, some drug references and language.                                   

Distributors: 20th Century Fox Distribution

Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Anjul Nigam, Goran Kostic, Holly Valance
Directed by: Pierre Morel
Produced by: Didier Hoarau, Luc Besson, Pierre-Ange Le Pogam

A former government operative travels to Paris to retrieve his daughter who has been kidnapped.

The opening scenes of Taken go to great lengths to reveal an estranged but loving relationship between Bryan (Liam Neeson) and his young daughter Kim (Maggie Grace).  He buys her a karaoke machine in order to nurture her dreams of becoming a singer and quits a job that required him to be away from her.  The opening scenes also reveals that Bryan’s former wife, Lenore, has remarried and Kim’s very wealthy step father lavishes her with expensive gifts.  In contrast, Bryan lives in a modest apartment and must buy her daughter’s gift from the local pawn shop.

One day, Lenore and Kim (now 17 years old) meet Bryan at a local restaurant and asks for his permission to allow Kim to vacation in Paris, France. Bryan does not like this idea since Kim will be accompanied by a 19 year old woman named Amanda who appears to be somewhat immature.  Bryan offers to chaperone the two young ladies.  But like many young people, Kim does not want her daddy tagging along after her.  Bryan reluctantly agrees to let her go on the condition that he can take her to the airport and she will call him on a cell phone that he has bought for her as soon as she arrives in Paris.

When Kim and Amanda arrive in Paris, it does not take long before they are abducted and the mortal combat skills of Bryan are overtly demonstrated. The body count incurred from Bryan’s mission to find his daughter rivals any Arnold Schwarzenegger movie with regards to violence and carnage.

Liam Neeson is a machine. The notion that you can believe  that a tall gawky middle-aged man can is capable of morphing into the Terminator (a killer without emotion or remorse) can be directly attributed to Liam Neeson's superb acting skills.  You believe that he is a father hopelessly devoted to his naive inexperienced teenager.  You believe that he is a dangerously desperate father who will kill, maim or cripple in order to save his daughter.  Bryan is a father who will kill the innocent and/or the guilty if you are standing between his failure or success.

Jay R Ell recommends Taken for its action sequences and Liam Neeson's  heartfelt and passionate performance.

DEFIANCE (2008)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Adaptation and War

Running Time: 2 hrs. 17 min.
Release Date: December 31st, 2008 (limited)
MPAA Rating: R for violence and language.
Distributors: Paramount Vantage

Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Tomas Arana
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Produced by: Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, Pieter Jan Brugge

Defiance is the true story of the Bielski Brothers. During the days of the Jewish resistance,

 the Bielski Brothers rescued and sheltered over 1200 Jews from certain death.

“Everyday is an act of faith…Our revenge is to live.”

Defiance begins in 1941 Eastern Europe, a time in history that denotes the violence and horrific surge of Hitler and the Third Reich. The Jews were being persecuted and hunted. As they struggled to survive, the number allies that would hide them began to dwindle and many trusted sympathizers began to betray them. It was a low point in humanity that can never be truly depicted in film. Defiance comes close.

In an effort to escape impending death, the Bielski Brothers took in any Jews who wanted to live regardless of gender, age or physical health. They lived during the heavy snow storms, the rain and frigid temperatures of the eastern European winters. They lived. They lived in the forest. They lived!

The four Bielski Brothers, Tuvia, Zusi, Asael and Ahron are said to have avenged their parent deaths after their mother and father were executed on orders from German officers. Then, the four brothers proceeded to snatch their lives back from an imminent demise. They set up a community of survivors, in the forest, where they lived side by side with wolves and other habitant that were indigenous to the region. In addition, the community were constantly challenged and out gunned by Nazis and Russian insurgents.

Everyone in the community had to work and learn to convert their vocational training into life survival skills. For example, there is no need for a jeweler in the forest, so the former jeweler became a gun smith, an accountant became a sniper, a nurse became a doctor and so on. Each person lent their talent to the community in return for food rations and protection.

The oldest Bielski brother, Tuvia, played brilliantly by Daniel Craig (Where is Daniel Craig’s Academy Award?) was the leader of the community. He made crucial decisions concerning weapons strategy, civil law and food rations. He sacrificed for the benefit of the community. At one point, after seeing that the community had exhausted their food supply and people were starving to death, Tuvia shot his beloved horse so that the community could have food to eat. Tuvia, regrettable banned pregnancy because he felt that the community did not have the means to care for a baby.

While viewing this film, resist the urge to fact check this movie for historical accuracy. Every Hollywood production worth its salt takes creative liberties. Relax and enjoy the celebration of the Jews who survived the brutality of the holocaust and smile when you think about the 12,000 descendants of the Bielski camp who owe their existence to the Bielski Brothers. I loved Defiance.

Jay R Ell Rating
*** 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2008


Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Running Time: 2 hrs. 47 min.
Release Date: December 25th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond
Directed by: David Fincher
Produced by: Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Cean Chaffin

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button depicts the life of a man who ages in reverse.

The movie begins in the bedroom of a wealthy young couple in 1918 New Orleans. A wealthy woman appears to be bleeding to death during a turbulent night of child birth. The new father takes one look at his son and is repulsed at the newborn‘s physical appearance. He scoops up the baby and runs to the nearest body of water in order to drown the baby but a policeman spots the distraught father before he can complete the evil deed.

Eventually, the new father deposits the enfant on the door step of a nursing home where he is informally adopted by one of the workers who lives on the premises. The worker, Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) names the enfant Benjamin and the two form a happy and mutually loving mother-son bond that lasts a lifetime.

The dynamic between Queenie and Benjamin (Brad Pitt ) is poignant since Queenie is an African American, in 1918 oppression laded New Orleans, who feels that she is barren because the Lord has not seen fit for her to have her own babies.  Queenie knows what it is like to not be wanted. Queenie’s determination and commitment to raise a white special needs baby that no one else wants reveals an innate need in her character to love and  to be loved.  Benjamin receives Queenie’s love with unconditional gratitude.  He knows no other mother.  Since he is raised in a nursing home (with people that no one else wants), Benjamin is rooted in this community of people who share the stories of their life’s past experiences-experiences that Benjamin has yet to live.

Benjamin meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett) at the nursing home.  She is there visiting her grandmother and is intrigued by the little old man named Benjamin who says he’s seven years old and looks so old buts acts so young.  The two remain friends and eventually become lovers as the film progresses. That is the easy and predictable part of the film. The quagmire is how do plan a life with some one who is growing younger when you are growing older?

The film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on a 1921 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and is vastly difference from the short story in terms of its chronological events and unique characters.  The scenes in the movie shift from location to location in order to reflect a larger global perspective.  The brilliant colors of each location becomes a integral part of the film and forces the viewer to travel along on Benjamin’s journey which makes the obviously fictional story more plausible.

Jay R Ell recommends The Curious Case of Benjamin Button for the beautiful cinematography and the fine performances by Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Taraji P. Henson.

Jay R Ell Rating
 *** 

Hancock (2008)

Release Date: July 2nd, 2008

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama and Romance
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence and language
Distributors: Sony Pictures

Starring: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Eddie Marsan and Charlize Theron
Directed by: Peter Berg
Producers: Richard Saperstein, Jonathan Mostow, Ian Bryce, Michael Mann, Akiva Goldsman, Will Smith, James Lassiter

The movie Hancock introduces the audience to an alcoholic hero making

an attempt to rehabilitate his private life and his public image.

The movie Hancock opens with a crime-in-progress scene that is televised live on a Los Angeles street. A young boy views the telecast and awakens what appears to be a vagrant sleeping on a nearby bench. The vagrant is none other than our superhero Hancock (played by Smith) who manages to fly away leaving patches of destruction and debris in his path before reaching the destination of the crime in progress. Hancock confronts the criminals with some comedic banter and some serious threats of violence. Of course, Hancock defeats the criminals.  However, the manner in which he does so leaves a litany of civil lawsuits and complaints of property damage from bystanders and potential victims. Hancock is not a beloved super hero.

On one heroic occasion, Hancock saves the life of Public Relations Expert, Ray Embrey (played by Bateman). Ray convinces Hancock that he can help him revamp his image and make him a likable hero. Hanover is invited to Ray’s home for dinner and meets Ray’s wife, Mary (played by Theron) and his son. There are several camera shots that focus on Mary staring at Hancock so there is suspicion (early in the movie) that there may be a back story concerning the two characters in the works.

There is plenty of chemistry between Smith and Theron. The two actors play the comedic scenes just as effectively as they play the romantic scenes. The Smith and Theron characters both display an obvious level of sadness that is captured in Hancock’s alcoholism and arrogance and in Mary’s covert hostility and impatience. The secret of just how the pair is connected and how they were created is not clear. But what the movies lacks in logic, it  makes up in “heart“. There are some tender moments in the movies that offset the crude implied violence.

The movie Hancock has beautiful graphics with loads of vibrant color and has loads of comic relief, shakey camera shots and action scenes. The graphics are not as seamless as Spiderman and Superman Returns but I assume the rustic nature of the cinematography was executed intentionally in order to empathize with Hancock’s human condition. As with most Superhero movies, the plots are full of holes but who cares. The movie is fun.

Jay R Ell recommends Hancock for the great performances by Will Smith and Charlize Theron.

Peace,

Jay R Ell
Jay R Ell Rating
**½

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Release Date: May 22, 2008

Genres: Action/Adventure and Sequel
Running Time: 2 hrs. 3 min
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

STARRING: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent, and Shia LaBeouf
DIRECTED: Steven Spielberg
PRODUCED: Frank Marshall ,EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy

Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull is the third sequel in the Indiana Jones film franchise.

Set in 1957 Nevada (USA), Indiana Jones is kidnapped by the Russians and forced to obtain a Crystal Skull that is said to have unearthly powers. This task eventually takes him to the jungles of South America where Indy is faced with the usually challenges.

The opening scenes boast all of the sights and sounds of the 1950s cold war era. The vintage cars, Elvis Presley music and a mushroom cloud. The cinematography is beautiful as images of the colorful Arizona sun dominate the horizon and the camera appears to scan the desert. This vision transports the audience to a very innocent time in American history. The open Arizona road displays “Happy Days”-isque teenagers with poodle skirts and “pony tail” hair dos driving along side a convoy of military vehicles on a Arizona highway. The teens try to entice the military soldiers into drag racing with them. The dichotomy of the presence of the innocent youth and the enigmatic presence of military soldiers become apparent within moments.

I must say that the idea of our loved and cherished Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) continuing his adventures during his later years is wonderful. However, I do cringe when I see an old man getting the crap kicked out of him. Maybe, if there is going to be additional Indy films, Ford could take the elder states men role that Sean Connery played so masterfully in The last Crusade. Henry Jones, Sr. was wise, charming and very strong but the level of violence directed toward him was never so extreme that you felt badly for him. I was very disappointed when I learned that Connery was not returning.

It is natural that a fan would compare Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to the previous Indiana Jones movies. Each of these films had very memorable scenes. Raiders of the Los Ark began in the jungle and migrated to the snowbound Himalayas,
then moved to desert scenes (the Raven bar scene was one of many treasured suspenseful action segments) that took the viewer to diverse locations which serviced brilliantly to build anticipation toward the climax. The Temple of Doom had a great opening scene that paid homage to the big Busby Berkeley musicals as well as the elegant night club 1930ish gumshoe era (the poison vial scene is priceless). The Last Crusade had many climatic and memorable scenes like the “ He had no ticket“ scene, Hitler’s autograph scene and the brief “mourning Indiana Jones” scene in which the presumed dead Indiana Jones himself joins his father and his crew as they looking over the cliff for his “fallen” body.


Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a good movie but I do not have a most memorable or favorite scene as I did with the other Indiana Jones movies. It is good entertainment. But honestly, I will see anything that has George Lucas or Steven Spielberg attached to it (I admit to some degree of bias). Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a good movie is my fourth favorite movie of the series.

Jay R Ell recommends Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for its great production value, popular cast and its homage to adventure serial genre.

Peace,

Jay R Ell
 

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
 

Release Date: May 16th, 2008 (wide)
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
MPAA Rating: PG for epic battle action and violence.
Running Time: 2 hr. 20 min.

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Anna Popplewell, Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes
Directed by: Andrew Adamson
Produced by: Perry Moore, Andrew Adamson, Mark Johnson

The sequel to the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe address the further adventure of Narnia.  The Kings and Queens save a handsome prince and Narnia.

Yes, I saw it! In short, this movie is good. The higher film budget allowed for more CGI effects and more semi-spectacular fight scenes than its lower budgeted predecessor. Yet, some of the charm that was so pervasive in the first film has eluded the second film.

I liked the first film. It was innocent and heart felt. Like the grade school stage production that you look back on with profound affection, you must return and revisit the Narnia themed movies-especially if you’ve seen the first one or if you are a fan of C.S. Lewis (or his friend, J.J.R. Tolkien).

The Kings and Queens return to Narnia in order to help Prince Caspian who has been exiled from his throne by a devious uncle. The youngsters are glad to return to Narnia as their respective lives back home are quite mundane in contrast to the excitement of fighting evil kings and abiding with hideous-but congenial creatures.

The children are progressing vey well. Little Lucy is still as cute as a button as she communes with the remnants of Narnia and seeks the company and the counsel of Aslan, the Great Lion in order to save Narnia. Susan has evolved into a tough and beautiful warrior that rivals the likes of Sarah Connors (Terminator) and Ridley Scott (Alien). Peter takes command of his role with attitude and authority while younger brother Edmond is an admirable protégé to big bro.

The cinematography is beautiful as it spans the English country side and presents brilliantly colored sets on which the good verses evil story unfolds. However, there is a lot of stabbing (dagger, swords and such), so warn the little kiddies.

Peace,

 J.R.
 

Iron Man (2008)

Release Date: May 2nd, 2008 (wide)
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Produced By: Avi Arad, Kevin Feige
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges

Marvel comic book hero Iron Man must fights forces domestic and foreign

in order to protect his legacy and the world from weapons of mass destruction.
 

When the film Iron Man opens, the brilliant multi-billionaire genius Tony Stark

(Robert Downey, Jr) is skipping an awards presentation dinner that is being given

in his honor. He would evidently prefer to be drinking, gambling or womanizing as

this opening scene suggests. Stark quickly reveals and develops his character into

a fun loving and highly intelligent Casanova.

Starks’ Industries has made Tony Stark extremely wealthy and a potential target

for kidnapping. In addition to inheriting Stark industries from his late father, Tony

Stark inherited a fleet of luxury cars and real estate, private jets, loads of money,

high tech defense weapons and deadly enemies. Stark is kidnapped by one of his enemies, mutilated and forced to construct one of his signature weapons of mass destruction. Instead, Stark creates the Iron Man and after a deadly confrontation, he manages to escape.

After three months of captivity, Starks’ the first request is an American cheeseburger and a declaration that he has had an epiphany and he no longer wants to make weapons since the weapons that he creates lead to death and destruction of people. Starks’ decision to discontinue the weapons division of his company sends Star Industries executives into corporate damage control overdrive. As the Stark industries stocks plummet, the stage is deceitfully set to get rid of Tony Stark and preserve the lucrative Stark Industry weapons empire.

Gwenth Paltrow plays Pepper Potts, Starks’ smart and beautiful assistant who does just about everything for him (including staying good bye to Stark‘s one night stands). While both Paltrow and Downey are brilliant actors, I was not convinced that there was the sexual tension between them that is so pervasive in super heroes-damsel in distress movies.

The supporting players are the esteemed Jeff Bridges, who plays a villain with great fervor, and the great Terrance Howard who plays Stark’s warm hearted friend and secret military comrade. A traditionally brief cameo by Iron Man creator Stan Lee is always a fun trademark segment of marvel movies.

The cinematography for the film Iron Man is very good. The colors are vibrant although the editing may be questionable since some of the scenes appeared intentionally filtered (blur). The liberal editing of superheroes film will always a get creative licensing pass . These film are fun and not to be taken too seriously.

The bulky stoic Iron Man (Terminator-like) seems a bit out of place in the agile CGI world of Spiderman, X-man, Fantastic Four and Superman. But, since this film is comic book based, the producers had to find ways to modify the hero without compromising its fan base. This Iron Man movie appears to have made a successful transition from book to film.

Don’t leave the theatre until the end credits finish rolling or you will miss Samuel L. Jackson’s one second cameo.

Jay R Ell commends the film Iron Man for its frequent scenes of comic relief and the fun Robert Downey, Jr. performance.

Peace

JR
Jay R Ell Rating
***

Street Kings (2008)

Release Date: April 11, 2008

Genres: Drama, Thriller and Crime/Gangster
Running Time: 1 hr. 47 min
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence and pervasive language.
Distributors: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans, Jay Mohr
Directed by: David Ayer
Produced by: Avi Lerner, Michele Weisler, Bob Yari

An alcoholic corrupt cop gets an attack of conscious and discovers a sea of corruption as he attempts to take revenge for his partner’s murder.

The film opens with LAPD officer Ludlow (Reeves) insulting and murdering criminals. Afterwards he systematically plants evidence and conspires with his department supervisor Wander (Whitaker) in order to develop an air tight story that will stand up to the scrutiny of Internal Affairs.

As Ludlow tries to locate the two perpetrators, his co workers are strongly advising him to “let it go” in hopes that he will not seek revenge and unwittingly uncover the extended list of corrupt officers involved in his partner’s murder.

The balance of the film has Ludlow playing cat and mouse with a host of criminals who were once his comrades and respected colleges. His journey to redemption is paved with remorse, deception and plot twists that keep the film suspenseful and interesting.

Street Kings is extremely violent and is not for the faint of heart. Appearing in an array of blood baths are stars like Cedric the Entertainer, Common, Jay Mohr, Terry Crews and Hugh Laurie who all are playing against type (which adds to the fun of the film) but are disturbing none the less. The ending leaves the audience somber, even sad as many of the characters perpetuate a stereotype of the hero-less LAPD that is so vividly described in real life new headlines.


Street Kings can easily be described as an ensemble cast effort because of the litany of familiar faces that grace the screen richly project the conviction of their roles. Reeves, Whitaker and Laurie have notable performances but the beautiful and talented Naomie Harris is great though she is severely underutilized. Chris Evans was stellar (you never knew whose side he was on). You will not be bored.

Peace,
J. R .
Jay R Ell Rating
**½

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? (2007)

Genres: Comedy, Drama and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr. 58 min
Release Date: October 12th, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual references and language
Distributors: Lionsgate

Starring: Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, Sharon Leal, Jill Scott, Denise Boutte
Directed by: Tyler Perry
Produced by: Michael Paseornek, Tyler Perry, Reuben Cannon

The ‘Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married’ Upset

‘Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married’ movie upset many a Hollywood Studios. No major critics or popular film reviewers predicted that Tyler Perry would capture the number one spot at the movie box office. But he did.

The movie ‘Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married’ contains no CGI affects, no traditionally A list actors and no “Madea” (Tyler Perry‘s screen alter ego). The movie ‘Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married’ just contains loads of poetic vision, professional determination and down home heart.

Tyler Perry, an actor, writer, director and songwriter, has often recounted his story that led to fame. Perry spent much of the 1990s traveling from town to town promoting his series of plays based on people he knew throughout his childhood. Initially, the audiences attending his stage plays were often sparse and Perry fell on lean times. However, Perry persevered, he invested all of his personal resources (financial and artistic) into his stage productions and eventually Perry built a substantial following. Perry’s stage plays could be described as comedies infused with dark serious social issues. His demographic was certainly described as niche and appeared to be the black church oriented folks who share a kindred spirit with dysfunctional family members. Currently, his niche audience has evolved into the cross over internet savvy fan base that is needed for commercial success.

Madea is probably Perry’s most popular and beloved character. Perry would often don a housedress, heels and makeup and transform himself into the pistol packing matriarch , Madea, who knows how to resolve every problem and was often the comic relief of every Tyler Perry theatrical endeavor. Madea made appearances in Perry’s first two major box office successes: Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) and Tyler Perry’s Madea Family Reunion (2006). Some critics feel as if Perry needed the Madea character in order to be successful. But it has always been clear to Tyler Perry fans that Perry is multi-talented as well as multi faceted and he has just tapped the surface of what he will accomplish in addition to his already impressive resume.

The movie ‘Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married’ was green lighted by Tyler Perry. Every independent filmmaker would love to be in such a powerful position. But few filmmakers possess the professional insight required to achieve Tyler Perry status. However, every independent filmmaker should celebrate his success!


 

The Kingdom (2007)

Release Date: September 28th, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Drama and Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr 50 min
MPAA Rating: R for intense sequences of graphic brutal violence, and for language. Distributors: Universal Pictures Distribution

Starring:  Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper, Jason Bateman, Jeremy Piven
Directors:  Peter Berg
Producers:  Mary Parent, John Cameron, Sarah Aubrey, Steven P. Saeta, Dylan Clark , Michael Mann, Scott Stuber

Four FBI Agents travel to Saudi Arabia to investigate a terrorist bombing in which civilians and agents were killed.

The opening credits of the film offer a brief historical overview of the United States’ involvement with the middle east and quickly shift to a violent attack on middle east soil in which women, children and civilians are killed in along with FBI investigators. The opening scene depicts the middle east domestic landscape as being divided between the law biding citizens who enjoy the peaceful tranquility of their leisure time and the plotting terrorists who are breeding generations of youngsters who regard the violence and death as a necessary methodology.

Ronald Fluery portrayed by Jamie Foxx, leads a team of American FBI agents sent to the middle east to investigate the murders. The team of FBI Agents are Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx), Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner), Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman), Grant (Chris Cooper).

Upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia, the FBI Agents are introduced to a Saudi police captain who appears to present himself with an ominous demeanor in the midst of international incident that has tragically gripped the international community with renewed fear. The agents view all of the Saudi officer as enigmatic figures who can not readily be identified as friend or foe.  However, they are able to conduct an investigation which appear to link the terrorists to Saudi Arabian citizens which the agents we told would be high improbable.

During the investigation, the FBI agents and the Saudi Arabian characters (both fictional) denotes the current dichotomy that is present in every nation that is fighting against terrorism:  How does one discern a terrorist in the midst of civilians? How does one rescue a civilian when the civilian is or could be the terrorist?

The film's cinematography is beautiful as it reflects the beauty of the middle eastern family.  There are many handsome men, gorgeous women and adorable children throughout the The Kingdom.  However, there are scenes that reflect the horrific nature of car bombings and suicide bombers with equal conviction.

The film climaxes at a great rescue scene in which Adam (Justin Bateman) is fighting for his life against terrorists and you, the audience, can actually feel the blade against Adam’s his neck.  You can sense Adam’s determination to live; the kicking, the dragging, the grabbing at any thing that will hinder his enemy’s task. You can feel the result his resistance as well as Adam absorbs a painful beating at the hand of his enemies. As an initially emotional and tearful Janet charges to aid her comrade Adam, you will cheer when she enters combat mode and transforms into a “pit bull attack” mentally in order to save Adam from sure death. Great fun!

Jay R Ell recommends The Kingdom for its outstanding action sequences and great ensemble cast.

Jay R Ell Rating
***
 

The Brave One (2007)

Release Date: September 14th, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Thriller and Crime/Gangster
Running Time: 2 hrs. 2 min.
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, language and some sexuality.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

Starring: Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Mary Steenburgen, Jane Adams
Directed by: Neil Jordan
Produced by: Herb Gains, Bruce Berman, Jodie Foster

A New York City radio show host transforms from a timid woman into a vigilante killing machine after she and her fiancé are attacked.

Erica Bane (Jodie Forster) is a happy New York radio talk show host who enjoys the city life and who is engaged to a handsome doctor.  Her life is seemingly perfect until the couple become the victims of a brutal crime. She is left in a coma and her fiancé is murdered. She becomes depressed, lonely and angry.

The city, which was such a comfort to Erica, now becomes a scary nerve racking environment that leaves her traumatized when ever she ventures outside her apartment door.  She believes that possessing a gun will calm her fears and immediately commences shooting killers and thugs. It doesn’t take long before a handsome policeman, Detective Mercer (Terrence Howard) become suspicious and begins to link Erica with the string of “vigilante style” murders.

Bane and Mercer form a friendship as they grieve the loss of their respective mates; Bane to a vicious murder and Mercer to divorce. A romance appears to be imminent as there is an apparent chemistry between the two characters

It’s not in my nature to reveal spoilers, however, Foster reminds us why she is a two time academy award winning actress in a scene where she is in the elevator with her intended victim. She doesn’t say a word but her eyes pierce right thru the movie screen. She is no longer the nervous, mousey girl with a “trainer gun“. She is a cold blooded assassin (kudos to Jordan and the cameraman as well) and who is anticipating killing her prey.

The corrupt police ending is true to the “Death Wish” tradition but not enduring to the New York City Police force.

Jay R Ell recommends The Brave One for its outstanding performances by Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard and the supporting cast.

Jay R Ell Rating
**½

 

Shoot 'Em Up (2007)

Release Date: September 7th, 2007 (wide
Genres: Action/Adventure and Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr. 33 min
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive strong bloody violence, sexuality and some language.

Starring: Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Greg Bryk, Jane McLean
Directed by: Michael Davis
Produced by: Michael Davis, Douglas Curtis, Toby Emmerich

A highly proficient sharp shooter helps a pregnant woman and unwittingly get involved with conspirators who want to kill the woman’s baby as well.

The movie Shoot’ Em Up begins innocently enough with Smith, played by Clive Owen, sitting at a bus stop when he is confronted  by a pregnant woman who is being chased by a gun man. Smith reluctantly tries to protect the woman from the gun man.  The lone gunman soon has several accomplices who come to his aid while Smith single handedly returns fire to the gunmen.  The woman goes into labor during the gun fire.  Smith is briefly burdened with having to assist in the woman’s delivery as well as defending both mother and child from rapid gun fire.  The woman dies before she can tell Smith why people are trying to kill her and her baby.

After escaping safely with the baby, Smith now has to find a safe haven for the baby. His attempts to abandon the baby are futile. Smith has bonded on some level with the baby and balance of the movie involves (as the title suggests) several guns fights and great chase scenes as Smith tries to protect the baby and find out why the baby is targeted.

Smith enlists the help of a local lactating prostitute, played by Monica Bellucci, who later becomes his love interests as well as a reluctant heroine.  Bellucci is fantastic as she displays fear and vulnerability with out comprising her courage and commitment to the baby’s safety and well being.

Paul Giamatti plays a villain with a campy viciousness that is devilishly fun.  His character is often vile and quirky but the entire film is emerged in a over-the-top fantasy crudeness.  It’s a guilty pleasure and  quite fun.

Jay R Ell recommends Shoot’ Em Up for its exhilarating action sequence, quirky characters and great screenplay.

Jay R Ell rating

***

Balls of Fury (2007)

Release Date: August 29th,
Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sex-related humor, and for language
Distributors: Rogue Pictures (Focus)

Starring: Dan Fogler, Christopher Walken, George Lopez, Maggie Q, Thomas Lennon
Directed by: Robert Ben Garant
Produced by: Derek Evans, Ron Schmidt, Roger Birnbaum

Balls of Fury is the story of the resurrection of a fallen ping pong champion set against the spoof of martial arts movies such as Bruce Lee’s “Return of the Dragon“.

The movie begins with a young phenomenon Randy Daytona, played by Dan Fogler, losing a ping pong matches that results in the death of his father.  He is never able to overcome this tragedy and consequently grows up and performs ping pong at dinner theater as his only means of gainful employment.

One day, a FBI Agent Rodriquez (George Lopez) recruits Randy in order to gain access to the notorious Feng (Christopher Walken).  Feng runs a sinister ring of underground ping pong tournaments that often leave the losing contestants dead.  Randy and Agent Rodriquez work together to foil Feng and his dark ping pong empire!

The movie is funny and has the advantage of star casting. The beautiful Maggie Q displays brilliant comic timing as Randy’s love interest. Another beauty, Aisha Tyler plays a femme fatale.  Terry Crews hilariously plays a ping pong game contestant.

Jay R Ell rating

**

Resurrecting the Champ (2007)

Release Date: August 24th, 2007 (wide)
Genres: Drama, Adaptation and Sports
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence and brief language
Distributors: Yari Film Group

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett, Teri Hatcher, Alan Alda, Kathryn Morris
Directed by: Rod Lurie
Produced by: Arnold Messer, Bradley Fischer, Louis M. Phillips

Resurrecting the Champ tells the story of a over zealous journalist who is conned into
interviewing a champion boxer who harbors a secret that will impact the journalist’s human condition.

Bob Satterfield is a homeless down and out boxer whom journalist Erik feels inclined to gave a helping hand-as long as he can get a interview with Bob. Bob plays along feeding Erik antidotes and boxing stories in exchange for the free booze, food and money.

Erik has been living in his famous father’s shadow and has not been able to make his mark as a professional journalist.  On a personally level, Erik is having some domestic difficulties as he is estranged from his wife and young son.

Based on a true event, Erik does not follow due diligence and is conned as the actually Bob Satterfield died about 20 years ago. The mistake is not as significant as the impact that the embarrassing incident has on his family.  Erik’s son becomes a casualty of classmate cruelty and the son’s sense of integrity is confused.  Erik has got a lot of explaining to do.  Harnett plays Erik with passion and grace

Samuel L. Jackson is a fantastic actor.  He does not need the overindulgence of excessive make up-that was more of a distraction than an asset.  He convinces us that he is a boxer and, then, convinces us that he is a con man.

Resurrecting the Champ is well made and will tug at your heart strings.  Jackson and Harnett deserve Oscars.

Jay R Ell rating

**½

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Release Date: August 3rd, 2007 (wide)
Genres: Action/Adventure, Thriller, Adaptation and Sequel
Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence and intense sequences of action.
Distributors: Universal Pictures

Starring: Matt Damon, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Paddy Considine
Directed by: Paul Greengrass, Peter MacDonald
Produced by: Doug Liman, Jeffrey M. Weiner , Henry Morrison

Legendary assassin Jason Bourne in hunted, yet-again, in the third installment of the Bourne franchise.

People are still trying kill Jason. Jason is still trying to find out his true identity. There are a lot of chase sequences and fight scene.

The Bourne films are exciting because of their trademark fight scenes, stunt work
shaky camera cinematography. The movie is good if you enjoy the Bourne movie formulas. This is more of the same.

Jay R Ell rating

**½

El Cantante (2007)

Release Date: August 3rd, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Drama, Musical/Performing Arts and Biopic
Running Time: 1 hr. 56 min.
MPAA Rating: R for drug use, pervasive language and some sexuality.
Distributors: Picturehouse

Starring: Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Federico Castelluccio, Romi Dias, Vincent Laresca
Directed by: Leon Ichaso
Produced by: Jennifer Lopez, Julio Caro, Simon Fields

The dramatic biography of Puerto Rican salsa pioneer Hector Lavoe, one of the biggest spanish-language singers in the 1970s, is told from his wife’s point of view.

The film opens with a black and white filmed interview of Lavoe’s widow Puchi (played by Jennifer Lopez) reminiscing about their tumultuous romance and marriage. She speaks about
Lavoe as if she never understood his self-destructive behavior and as if she has many regrets that she would never admit to. Lopez is wonderful as she portrays the young Puchi who meets Lavoe’s sister and stands up to his family when they may have felt that she would make an inappropriate wife for him.

Mark Anthony is fabulous as the tormented and talented singer Lavoe. He has great comic timing as well as the ability to embrace the frequently somber facets of the Lavoe character.

It would have been exhilarating to see how Mark would have portrayed a frustrated Lavoe as he pioneered his Salsa music in the trendy 1960s-70s American pop scene. There were probably many professional obstacles to overcome since many Americans were not familiar with the salsa style of music.

Jennifer Lopez is a great talent but the constant gratuitous glamour shots of her in each scene was intrusive in terms of the plot and disturbed the continuity of the film, thus, eroded the story line. If the story is about Lavoe, then, we would love to see how his character developed (his parents, childhood. etc). Let’s explore the reason why this great talent was so self destructive. That’s were the story becomes interesting. We already know that Lavoe was a superb musician and entertainer who died too soon. What life events impacted his behavior and influenced his music? Never the less, the film is enjoyable.

Jay R Ell recommends El Cantante for its great soundtrack and rich latino style.

Jay R Ell rating

**

Hairspray (2007)

Release Date: July 20th, 2007 (wide)
Genres: Musical/Performing Arts, Adaptation and Remake
MPAA Rating: PG for language, some suggestive content and momentarily teen smoking
Running Time: 1 hr. 55 min
Distributors: New Line Cinema

Starring: John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Nicole Blonsky, Zac Efron
Directed by: Adam Shankman
Produced by: Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Jennifer Gibgot


Hairspray is a jubilant celebration of 1960s USA set against a Baltimore high school love story and racial unrest. Hairspray is a remake of a 1988 movie and was also produced as a Broadway show.

Tracy Turnblad played by Nicole Blonsky is an over weight teenager who loves to dance and is enamored with dancing star and high school mate Link Larkin (Zac Efron). Tracy has auditioned for her favorite dance show but has been rejected because she is not the traditional svelte dancer usually cast on this particular show.

One day, Tracy spends time in the “negroes” detention room and discovers that she shares the love of dancing with several “negroes“.  Link spots her in the detention room dancing with the “negroes” and decides to pull strings in order to book the formerly rejected Tracy on her favorite dance show.  Tracy’s appearance on the show makes her an immediate star.  Later, she uses her new found fame to help integrate the popular television dance show that has made her an overnight sensation.

Hairspay is filled with movie stars and celebrities but Nicole Blonsky is the shining star of this movie. Very few actresses can hold their own against veterans like Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, John Travolta, Christopher Walken,etc. Nicole Blondsky gives an awesome performance.

The part of Tracy’ mom, Edna, is played by the legendary Travolta is a brilliant actor and dancer but due to the make-up and/or something, you never quite believe he is a woman. Maybe he needed a manicure or because there was a lack of physical interaction (like kissing) between he and Walken (who played the Travolta character’s husband) beyond the musical dance numbers, Travolta looked like a Halloween character. But in all fairness to Travolta, this part is usually played in drag.

The choreography and the cinematography are exceptional.  This film is so extremely well made and cast that it is sure to garner a load of Academy Awards nominations.  It’s great fun.

Jay R Ell rating

***

Talk to Me (2007)

Release Date: July 13th, 2007 (limited)

Genres: Drama and Biopic
Running Time: 1 hr. 58 min.
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language and some sexual content.
Distributors: Focus Features

Directed by: Kasi Lemmons
Produced by: Miles Dale, William Horberg, Bruce Toll
Starring: Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji Henson, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps

Talk to Me takes a brief look at the life of legendary R&B DJ Petey Greene through the eyes of his friend, former boss and business partner, Dewey Hughes.

The film begins in 1966 and takes the viewers inside a prison where the Washington, D.C. successful radio station executive Hughes, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is visiting his brother, Milo Hughes played by Mike Epps, who is serving a life sentence. During the visits with his brother, Milo talks voraciously about a fellow inmate, Petey Greene. Greene, portrayed brilliantly by Don Cheadle, is the fowl mouthed prison DJ whose voice in heard throughout the prison’s public announcement system. The inmates as well as the prison staff appear to enjoy Green ranting and his “keeping it real” brand of humor. Petey cons the warden of the prison in order to facilitate an early release. Then runs a equally effective con on Hughes in order to get the job at the radio station.

Hughes and Petey become good friends as Petey wins over the radio station personnel. Hughes eventually make a valiant effort to try to managing Petey career but soon realizes the Petey is unmanageable and extremely self destructive.

It would have been interesting to see what made Petey self destruct. Why did he feel his history of family troubles justified the troubles in his own life? Why did we get to met Aunt Pig? At one point Hughes said to him, “You could have everything- the world…. But you threw it away.” It becomes clear that Hughes harbors a certain amount of envy towards Petey and projects that frustration and takes a violent turn.

The film is well made with great cinematography that clearly reflects the troubled and turbulent 1960s America. Every character is well cast and exudes a unique chemistry that rarely is perfected to this degree in any movie. Each actor, regardless of how small the part, makes a important contribution to this film.
 

Jay R Ell rating

**½

Transformers (2007)


Release Date: July 3rd, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor and language.
Distributors: di Bonaventura Pictures, Inc., Paramount Pictures

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Bernie Mac, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson
Directed by: Michael Bay
Produced by: Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, Michael Bay

Two cultures of Transforming robots wage war using earth as a battleground.

The film’s opening sequence is riveting as it is set in the desert where soldiers are anticipating their return to their respective homes. A military aircraft, identified as having crashed and  then destroyed appears on the military’s radar. The aircraft transforms into a huge monster robot that attacks the base and the soldiers soon find that they must defend the earth from a league of monster robots before they can make their final journey home.

The movie then shift scenes in order to  set up the hero.  Shia LaBeouf plays Sam Witwicky a warm hearted teenager whose only desire is to be accepted by his peers, make the high school football team, buy a hot sports car and get the pretty girl.  Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox) plays the pretty girl, who has a dark and mysterious past which elevates her appeal level through the roof. The two become acquainted soon after Sam’s father buys him an old beat up sports car.

It is quickly revealed that the car drives on its own and is able to transform into a character dubbed Bumble Bee.

Agent Simmons, played by the brilliant John Turturro chases the teenager once he discovers the connection between Sam and the transforming sports car and the fun begins. John Turturro steals every scene he is in as he doubles as antagonist and comic relief. He is both, a menacing figure and a comic delight as he portrays Agent Simmons with an over-the-top exhilarating presence.

Anthony Anderson also steals scenes as he plays the underachieving computer nerd, Glen Whitmann, who lives with his grandmother and obviously spends most of his time in front of his computer console downloading music and hacking information system programs.  Glen inadvertently becomes involved in the robot battle when he is asked to analyze a classified computer memory disk that is smuggled out of a high security facility.

Naturally with DreamWorks in the mix, the CGI effects are fantastic. Michael Bay is fun and exciting as a director. The script is well written and extremely entertaining.

JR

Jay R Ell rating

***½

LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (2007)

Release Date: June 27, 2007

Genres: Action/Adventure, Thriller and Sequel
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, language and a brief sexual situation.
Distributors: 20th Century Fox Distribution
 

Starring: Bruce Willis, Timothy Olyphant, Maggie Q, Jeffrey Wright, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Justin Long
Directed by: Len Wiseman
Produced by: Arnold Rifkin, William Wisher, Michael Fottrell

Live Free or Die Hard is the third sequel in the Die Hard franchise and has our hero John McClane escorting a computer hacker to FBI official headquarters.

Bruce Willis reprises his role as New York City Detective John McClane and is told that he is to transport a computer hacker (Justin Long) from New York to FBI headquarters in Washington. Initially, McClane assumes that this is an easy task. He quickly discovers that the hacker has a price on his head as bullets destroy the hacker's apartment upon McClane’s arrival at the hacker’s home.

Several action packed sequences later, McClane and the hacker realize that the attack that had originally appeared to be personal is actually part of a larger conspiracy to destroy the country’s infrastructure and bring all computerized systems to an abrupt halt.

The leader of the conspirators, Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant), is effective but not particularly memorable as the evil villain. In all fairness, very few actors can equal the intensity and cruel viciousness that evil villain Hans (Alan Rickman) displayed in the original 1988 Die Hard.  Rickman set the standard.

Gabriel’s side kick, Mai ( Maggie Q) , steals every scene that she is in and is a bona fide threat to the success of McClane’s mission. She kicks and claws her way through each fight scene with such conviction that you truly believe she is a threat to public safety. She’s great!

It would have been nice to see some interaction between John McClane and his ex-wife instead of the side plot of a kidnapped daughter.

JR

Jay R Ell rating

***

1408 (2007)

Release Date: June 22nd, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Suspense/Horror, Thriller and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr. 34 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material including disturbing sequences of violence and terror, frightening images and language.
Distributors: Dimension Films, MGM Distribution Company

Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack, Jasmine Jessica Anthony, Christopher Carey
Directed by: Mikael Hafstrom
Produced by: Jake Myers, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein


The movie 1408, based on a short story by Stephen King, chronicles a one night episode of a brokenhearted novelist as he dares to stay in a haunted hotel room.

The story starts with a novelist named Mike Enslin (played by John Cusack), who generally criticizes and dismisses stories of ghosts and haunted hotel as fantasies, actively seeking haunted hotels. One day Mike receives a mysterious post card warning him to stay away from room 1408 at the New York‘s Dolphin Hotel. This warning intrigues and compels Mike to the point that he hires legal counsel to assure that he can stay in this room.

When Mike arrives there, he is met by the hotel manager Gerald Olin (played by Samuel L. Jackson). Gerald attempts to talk Mike out of staying in room 1408. Gerald gives Mike a folder with gruesome pictures and reports of the victims who died in room 1408. But the relentless Mike insists.

Mike's experiences in room 1408 began immediately with an alarm clocks that signals the beginning of terrifying images, sad and somber memories of his deceased young daughter, severe weather conditions and a potential threat concerning his wife.

There is a lot of suspense since the writer of this film took the time to explore the background of Mike and developed his character (unlike the typical thriller film). The motivation that drives Mike to chase ghosts and question his faith become so clear that you emphasize with Mike and his estranged wife. You feel Mike’s pain and his fear.

I enjoyed this film because it had great comic relief and  big thrills.

Jayrell rating:***

Peace,

JR
 

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Release Date: June 15th, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Sequel
MPAA Rating: PG for sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo.

Distributors: 20th Century Fox Distribution

Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon
Directed by: Tim Story
Produced by: Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Kevin Feige

The Fantastic Four saves the world from the villainous Silver surfer. The film is a sequel to the 2005 release.

This film is entertaining and loads of fun.  Caution: Do not try to over analyze it.

Who is the silver surfer and why did he pick earth to destroy? Sue Storm reminds him of who? These questions are never fully answered. But who cares? There is plenty of action.  There is the enduring love story that continues between Sue Storm (Alba) and Richards (Gruffudd). There great comic relief between Johnny Storm (Evans) and Ben Grimm (Chiklis).  There is a cameo with Stan Lee.  There are great action sequences and CGI effects.  Who can ask for anything more?

JR

Jay R Ell rating

**½

Knocked Up (2007)

Release Date: June 1st, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Comedy
Running Time: 2 hrs. 9 min.

MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, drug use and language.
Distributors: Universal Pictures Distribution


Starring: Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Katherine Heigl, Jason Segel
Directed by: Judd Apatow
Produced by: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Shauna Robertson

The movie “Knocked Up” is about a slacker bachelor and a demanding talk show host that have a hard time coping with the fact they’re having a child after a one night stand.

The film begins when Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) and his friends deciding to go to a club. Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) and her perceptive but argumentative sister (played brilliantly by Leslie Mann) happen to be there also. Ben buys Alison a drink and is attracted but is afraid to talk to her. Ben’s friend helps break the ice between them by walking over to their table and trying to flatter Alison and her sister. Suddenly, Alison’s sister has to leave and Ben and Alison are left by themselves. They dance and drink, then they go home and have sex.

A couple of months go by and she finds out she is pregnant. An extremely upset Alison tells Ben the baby news. Ben, who is initially shocked by the news evolves into a fiercely supportive partner despite his trifling life style. Months go by now, and they try to make things work and come to find out that they’re totally different people. Alison decides to formally declare an end to any potential romantic relationship that she and Ben could attain. Instead, she feels that they should focus on being good parents and, perhaps, keeping the relationship at a platonic level. Later, Ben turns his life style around and tries to get Alison back into his life.

The movie has a great moral to it and explores the harsh realities of having children with a partner you do not know well. I would recommend this movie because of it’s excellent story and adult humor.

ELL

Jay R Ell rating

***

Mr. Brooks 2007

Release Date: June 1st, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Drama, Thriller and Crime/Gangster
Running Time: 2 hrs.
Release Date: June 1st, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, nudity and language

Starring: Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Demi Moore, Dane Cook, Matt Schulze
Directed by: Bruce Evans
Produced by: Thomas Augsberger, Marc Schaberg, Adam Rosenfelt

Mr. Brooks is the story of a successful businessman who lives a double life as a serial killer.

Mr. Brooks (Costner) is the perfect businessman, husband and father. Handsome and congenial, Brooks has no trouble hiding his identity, namely, the thumbprint killer. Brooks has the same domestic problems that has plagued many wealthy businessman. There is the daughter that wants to drop out of college and needs dad to bail her out of trouble. There is the stranger who suddenly appears at his office with a blackmail offer. What’s a psychopath to do?

Mr. Brooks’ alter-ego is Marshall (Hurt) and the on screen personalities of the two characters are slightly disconcerting initially. But after a few scenes, the rhythm of the good vs. evil batter follow a natural pattern and appear to be fun (in a cynical way).

Costner is good as the psychopath. And Moore is great as the heroic butt-kicking policewoman, Detective Atwood, who is trailing the thumbprint killer. The two great actors never share a frame together. That would have been a climatic point in the movie. However , the film is quite entertaining and peaks your interest as each character is carefully developed and evolves into a deeper transition to the dark side of the human condition.

Danielle Panabaker who plays Mr. Brooks’ daughter, Jane, is the only character that needed more screen time.  There are many unanswered question with regard to Jane Brooks.  Did she inherit her father sinister behavior and his relentless capacity to commit brutal killings? Is she a rich manipulative kid who would lie about being pregnant in order to leave school or escape from the justice of the campus police. Will she carry on her father’s gruesome legacy.

Jay R Ell rating

***

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Release Date: May 4th, 2007 (wide)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and Sequel
Running Time: 2 hr. 20 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence

Starring: Tobey Maguire Kirsten Dunst, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, James Franco
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Produced by: Stan Lee, Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr, Kevin Feige

When the film opens, things are going great for Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire).  His alter-ego, Spider-Man, is a beloved icon. Peter has decided to marry his girlfriend, Mary-Jane (Kirsten Dunst), who appears to be thriving on Broadway.  And Peter seems to have mastered his studies in college. The downside is that his former best friend, Harry Osborn (James Franco), continues to hold a grudge and sticks it to Peter every chance that he gets.

The movie reveals that Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), is the “actually” con who killed Uncle Ben.  Marko has escaped from prison and fled into a forbidden testing zone where radiation turns him into a creature made from living sand.

A parasitic creature from outer space called Venom has infected Spidey's suit, enhancing his powers, aggression and eye liner any time Peter wears it. Venom eventually makes its way into the body of Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), a photographer with a grudge against Peter.

Thomas Haden Church who plays Flint Marko to perfection. He is brilliant as he passionately displays every facet of the Marko character. The remorse of killing Uncle Ben, the hunger for money, the sympathy and regret that continues to be an issue with reference to his daughter make Marko or character that is not hated. He is pitied.

Mary Jane gets to re-play the damsel in distress role. It may have been more interesting to have her play a role in saving spider-man instead of repeating (for the third time) the ‘Perils of Penelope’.

Jay R Ell recommends Spider-man 3 for its great CGI effects and action sequences.

Jay R Ell rating

***

Zodiac (2007)

Genres: Thriller and Crime/Gangster
Running Time: 2 hrs. 40 min.
Release Date: March 2nd, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for some strong killings, language, drug material and brief sexual images
 

 Starring:  Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, Brian Cox

 Director: David Fincher

 Produced by:  Louis M. Phillips, Jamie Vanderbilt, Mike Medavoy

A cartoonist becomes obsessed with the “Zodiac” killer who murders several people during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The movie begins in the 1960s and is set in San Francisco. Robert Graysmith, played by Gyllenhaal, is a cartoonist who works for the San Francisco Chronicle. He become increasing curious about the Zodiac murders when the Zodiac killer begins to send letters to the San Francisco Chronicle headquarters and Graysmith just happens to be seated near the news reporter Paul Avery (played by Downey) to whom the Zodiac murders case has been assigned.

Graysmith becomes so interested in the case that he puts his family at peril and delegates his wife and family to the lowest priority in his life. His wife Melanie, played to perfection by Chloe Sevigny, finally feel neglected and frightened enough to leave him and seek shelter ( kids in tow) with her mother.

The movie is long, however, it is extremely well made and because the story line is based on historical facts, it will hold your interest. The length of the movie only demonstrates the film’s conviction to depict mood and atmosphere of the times. The scenes appropriately transport the audience to the period in which the San Francisco streets were full of fear and confusion. The scenes appropriately transport the audience to the climate of paranoia that surrounded each citizen of San Francisco as the Zodiac killer sends anonymous letters and could easily be anyone walking the streets of the city. The movie also displays the brutal and callous way in which the Zodiac murders were carried out.

RMS

Jay R Ell rating

**½

Black Snake Moan (2007)

Genres: Drama
Running Time: 1 hr. 55 min.
Release Date: March 2nd, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, language, some violence and drug use

Starring:  Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, Justin Timberlake, John Cothran Jr, Michael Raymond-James
Director:  Craig Brewer

Produced by:  Ron Schmidt, John Singleton, Stephanie Allain

A elder blues musician takes in a sexually promiscuous young woman in order to cure her of her sex addiction.

Set in Memphis, Tennessee, this film featuring Samuel L. Jackson (Lazarus) and Christina Ricci (Rae) is superb as the two characters meet during a point in their lives where they are at an emotion low. They help each other heal and move on with their respective lives.

The brilliant actress S. Epatha Merkerson plays a pharmacist named Angela. The character, Angela, has limited screen time and it is a shame that her role was not expanded and developed to a greater degree. A love scene (not necessarily physical) is required in order to clearly define the relationship between and Angela and Lazarus. Jackson would only enhance his illustrious career by demonstrating his sensitive side and diversifying the film’s potential audience.

RMS

Jay R Ell rating

**½
 

Wild Hogs (2007)
 

Genres: Comedy
Release Date: March 2nd, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and some violence

Starring:John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Tichina Arnold
Directed by: Walt Becker
Produced by:  Sharla Sumpter Bridgett, Amy Sayres, Michael Tollin

Four man form a motorcycle group named “Wild Hogs” and take a motorcycle trip during which they encounter a “real” biker gang.

The “Wild Hogs” are nice guys who take off on a road that appears to be very uneventful initially. However, a gay policeman and a scene stealing performance by Ray Liotta make the road trip worth the price of the ticket admission to see this film.

Wild Hogs has a great cast and the plot is almost nonexistent but you may not care. This film is so much fun and the cast appears to be enjoying themselves so much that you too will be amused.

RMS

Jay R Ell rating

**½

The Astronaut Farmer (2007)

Genres: Comedy
Running Time: 1 hr. 42 min.
Release Date: February 23rd, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material, peril and language

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen, Bruce Willis, Bruce Dern, Tim Blake Nelson

Directed by: Michael Polish
Produced by: Geyer Kosinski, Robert Benjamin, Paula Weinstein

A farmer fulfills his life long dream of space travel as a astronaut.

The film begins with Charles Farmer (Thornton) wooing all of his rural Texas neighbors and towns people with his space suit and his vast knowledge of aero dynamics. People appear to genuinely like him and ultimately-tolerate him. However, they tend to think he is insane.

Farmer is a married middle aged man with a beautiful wife and gorgeous children, who obsesses about jumping into his space ship (conveniently parked in his barn) and going into space. His family supports him and gets involved with his dream to the point at which they are in danger on losing their farm to foreclosure. Farmer evidently spends most of his financial resources buying parts for his space craft instead of paying his mortgage. His wife can not afford to buy groceries, yet, Farmer is out shopping for 10,000 pounds of rocket fuel on the black market.

Initially, his family and friends support him and he draws an immense amount of media attention. He is the toast of the town, a media darling and people greatly admire his bravery and his depth of conviction with regard to following his dream of space travel. But after a failed attempt at launching his space craft, the discouraged and severely injured Farmer becomes disillusioned and depressed. His family revives his broken bones and his broken spirit. The Farmers eventually triumphs as a family.

The cast is perfected and the cinematography is splendid. With the addition of some spectacular special effects and a little more comic relief, this film could have easily become a blockbuster and an outstanding film. However, as is, the film closely resembles an after-school special. It is warm hearted and I am a sucker for the feel good movies. It is worth seeing.

RMS

Jay R Ell rating

**½

 

Hannibal Rising (2007)

Genres: Suspense/Horror, Thriller, Adaptation and Sequel
Running Time: 117 min.
Release Date: February 9th, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for strong grisly violent content and some language/sexual references

Starring: Gaspard Ulliel, Gong Li, Rhys Ifans, Ivan Marevich, Dominic West
Directed by: Peter Webber
Produced by: Tarak Ben Ammar, Dino de Laurentiis, Martha de Laurentiis

The Hannibal Rising is about a young boy named Hannibal who wants to avenge his murdered family. The murder is the turning point in his life and creates the villain that we all love to hate since “The Silence of the Lamb” movie.

The movie “Hannibal Rising” begins during the World War II era and is set in Europe at the Lecter Castle. Hannibal’s parents are violently murdered by war criminals. After his parents are killed, young Hannibal is present when his only surviving sibling, a sister named Mischa, becomes a victim of cannibalism.

Young Hannibal grows up in an orphanage and displays a propensity for science which leads him to a medical education and degree. Dr. Lecter uses his technical savvy and his emotional rage to exact vengeance on war criminals that tormented him during his childhood. The creation of “Hannibal, the Cannibal” is complete.

This movie contains a lot of gore and the murder scenes are quite grisly. But what else would you expect from a Hannibal film?
 

Jay R Ell Rating

**

Freedom Writers  2007

Genres: Drama, Adaptation, Biopic and Teen
Running Time: 2 hrs. 3 min.
Release Date: January 5th, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violent content, some thematic material and language.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Starring: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Imelda Staunton, Scott Glenn

The film “Freedom Writers” is about a teacher who motivates her English class to settle their racial and cultural differences with the power of words and not with guns, violence and racism.

The story starts at Wilson High School in California. There is a high degree of racial tension and strife. A new teacher named Erin Gruwell (Swank) has the pleasure and the challenge of having to discipline and teach these young people. She begins by trying to bond with the kids on some basic levels. She listen to their music and the horrific stories that consume their lives.

Erin, or Ms. G., as the students call her, gives each student a blank notebook. She requires that they write in it every day -- no matter if it's prose, poetry, songs or drawings. And she lets them decide whether to allow her to read them. Her writing project changes the lives of these students and she becomes a legend in the world of educators. The story is fascinating because it is based on true events.

I recommend this film for its gritty depiction of street life and the
positive portrayal of the teacher who changed the path of the lives of these troubled children.


Jay R Ell rating:***

Later,

JR
 

Dreamgirls  2006

Genres: Drama, Musical/Performing Arts and Adaptation
Release Date: December 15th, 2006 (limited); December 25th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, some sexuality and drug content.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG

Starring: Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson
Directed by: Bill Condon
Produced by: Patricia Whitcher, Laurence Mark


Dreamgirls is a movie about three women looking for a career as a singing group but the delicate balance of the group is interrupted when the lead singer is replaced by a thinner but less talented member of the group. The movie is loosely based on the Motown sensational girl group, the Supremes.

The movie begins with three women named Deena, Effie and Melba who grew up in poverty and are bonded by motivation and an extreme thirst for fame. Enter Curtis Taylor, Jr (Jamie Fox), a man who promises to take the girls to stardom. He is a manager who is initially romantically linked to lead singer Effie and then shifts to Deena-when Deena is given lead singer duties. Effie begins feeling jealous because of Curtis’s attention to Deena and the lost of her man and her position of leading singer. Subsequently, Effie begins an emotional downward spiral that leads to her professional and emotional demise.

Jennifer Hudson play the role of Effie with such zeal and conviction that the audience member in the theater gave her two standing ovations.  The role of Effie is the "money" role since her journey if filled with many peaks and valleys.

Eddie Murphy plays the supporting role of James “Early” Thunder to perfection.

I especially enjoyed this film for its extreme drama and splendid musical selections.

Jay R Ell rating:***

See you soon,

JR
 

The Descent (2006)

Genres: Art/Foreign and Suspense/Horror
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Release Date: August 4th, 2006
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence/gore and language.
Distributors: Lionsgate

Starring Shauna MacDonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder, Nora-Jane Noone
Produced by Paul Smith (XVI), Christian Colson, Paul Ritchie

The movie The Descent is about a group of female friends that explore a cave. The cave has not been historically explored by anyone, but something is dangerous in there.

The story begins with Sarah, Juno, Beth, Rebecca, Holly, and Jessica on a cave dwelling expedition. This adventure is supposed to be a source of therapy for Sarah who has survived a traumatic experience.

The balance of the film has Sarah and the others fighting for their lives as they discover that there are monsters in the cave. The ladies are challenged by the beasts and are faced with the horror of their impending death.

What is most interesting about this film is that the ladies become as primal as their fleshing eating predators. The audience becomes captivated as we cheer for the women to make it out alive.

I recommend this film for the suspense and the extreme horror sequences.

Jay R Ell rating:**

See you soon,

JR
 

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy and Sports
Release Date: August 4th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and brief comic violence.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing

Starring: Will Ferrell, David Koechner, Sacha Baron
John C. Reilly, Michael Clarke Duncan
Produced by: Sarah Nettinga, Richard Glover, Ryan Kavanaugh

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is the story of the rise and fall of a NASCAR star.

NASCAR is the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Each racing car and the costume of its respective driver are riddled with so many product placements that the diverse colors in each scene are reminiscent of confetti at a parade.

The movie begins with a brief sequence that displays a meek and inarticulate Ricky Bobby (played by Will Ferrell) who has not been influenced by the trappings of fame and fortune. He then marries a stereotypically shallow trophy wife and falls prey to the “ my-best-friend-falls-for-my-wife” syndrome. When his best friend (John C. Reilly) moves in with Ricky Bobby’s wife and when Ricky Bobby loses his celebrity status, he finds that he and his two children must move in with his mother and try to rebuild his life and regain his winning edge confidence.

Regaining his winning edge includes becoming reacquainted with his estranged
Father (Gary Cole) who is a loser with ferocious attitude. Cole plays the role of Ricky Bobby perfectly and bitter sweetly as he shocks Ricky Bobby into submission and succeeds in winning over Ricky Bobby’s affections.

Bobby’s mother is played superbly by Jane Lynch and is great as she tries to straighten out her spoiled foul-mouthed grandchildren once they moved into her house. The grandchildren are priceless as they spew pure venom at everything and everyone that they come into contact with.

You must be a Will Ferrell fan to thoroughly enjoy this movie. Ferrell is playing the same clueless, obnoxious and immature character in movie that he plays in most of his movies and in most of his television work. However, he is funny.

Jay R Ell recommends this movie for its tart humor and colorful characters.

Jay R Ell rating **½

RMS

Miami Vice (2006)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Crime/Gangster and Adaptation
Running Time: 135 min.
Release Date: July 28th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, language and some sexual content.
Distributors: Universal Pictures Distribution

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Gong Li, Naomie Harris, Ciaràn Hinds
Directed by: Michael Mann
Produced by: Anthony Yerkovich, Michael Mann, Pieter Jan Brugge


The movie Miami Vice is based on the 1984 television series and follows two Miami police detectives through major drug busts and romantic interludes.

The movie begins in a dance club with Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) and Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) investigating the identity of a mole within an undercover operation.

As Tubbs and Crockett try to flush out the mole, they stay in character with the original TV series as they enjoy passionate affairs with suspects and informers alike.

This movie displays the drug raids and shoot outs that you might expect in undercover cop movies. There are also beautiful women who make the Miami Club scene very memorable.



I enjoyed this movie for both the action sequences.

Jay R Ell rating***

Farewell,

JR

 

Clerks II (2006)

Genres: Comedy and Sequel
Running Time: 98 min
Release Date: July 21st, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive sexual and crude content, strong language and some drug material.
Distributors: MGM Distribution Company, The Weinstein Company

Starring: Brian Christopher O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith
Directed by: Kevin Smith
Produced by: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Carla Gardini

Clerks II is a sequel to the Kevin Smith cult favorite Clerks and updates the audience as to what the characters have been up to- which is basically nothing more than what is expected of these slackers.

Dante and Randall are still slackers. However, Dante wants a change his life as he agrees to marry a beautiful but obviously shallow woman and move to Florida where his future father-in-law has a job waiting for him.

Jay and Silent Bob make their appearance as one of the great comedy teams to hit the silver screen. Their crude humor is simultaneously warm and shocking which always makes great comic relief and their presence in each scene is eagerly anticipated.

Rosario Dawson plays a character with a secret that will change the course of one of the main characters. Her presence and her role in this film brings a fresh edge to a film that would otherwise be somewhat predictable (as most sequels are).

Jay R Ell recommends Clerks II for its crude humor, mindless sense of fun and for the talent of Kevin Smith who always writes and directs with a brave conviction and fervor .

Jay R Ell rating ***

RMS

My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Romance and Science Fiction/Fantasy
Running Time: 1 hr. 50 min.
Release Date: July 21st, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, crude humor, language and brief nudity.
Distributors: 20th Century Fox Distribution


Starring: Luke Wilson, Uma Thurman, Anna Faris, Eddie Izzard, Wanda Sykes
Directed by: Ivan Reitman
Produced by: Bill Carraro, Gavin Polone, Arnon Milchan

My Super Ex-girlfriend is the story of how the wrath of an ex-girlfriend can be brutal when the ex happens to be a superhero.

The movie begins with Uma Thurman, portraying G-girl, a female superhero complete with designer cape and boots who flies all over New York City fighting crime and protecting the city. She has a alter ego (ala Superman/ Clark Kent), Jenny is her name and she wears a dark wig and works on a regular 9 to 6 job as a curator. Jenny is riding the subway when she meets Matt ( Luke Wilson) and is smitten with him and agrees to go out with him.

Jenny and Matt’s relationship becomes serious and Jenny immediately shares her secret identity with Matt. Shortly afterwards, Matt discover an unsettling and frightening facet of Jenny’s personality: She is psycho! Jenny is violent, jealous and compulsive-in a deadly manner. As Matt tries to break up with her, he discovers that the break up could end his life. Matt spends the bulk of the movie trying to gingerly separate himself from Jenny and trying to pursue another female of interest.

The movie is funny and enjoyable. It would have been nice to see Jenny as a likable character early in the film so that the audience could feel some empathy towards her when Matt tries to dump her but Jenny was unlikable from the start and while the movie does a great job flashing back to Jenny’s adolescence years and informing us of the origin of Jenny powers, we (the audience) wanted to see exactly what attributes did Jenny have that made Matt so attracted to her that he didn’t notice his soul mate who was seated next to him during every working hour.

Jay R Ell recommends My Super Ex-Girlfriend for its comic flair.

Jay R Ell rating **
 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)


Genres: Action/Adventure, Adaptation and Sequel
Running Time: 145 min.
Release Date: July 7th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of adventure violence, including frightening images.
Distributors: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport, Bill Nighy
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Produced by: Bruce Hendricks, Mike Stenson, Chad Oman
The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is 2004’s Pirates of the Carribbean. The sequel brings back all of the main characters and to leave the audience with somewhat of a cliffhanger ending.

The movie starts with the wedding day arrest of William and Elizabeth. They are exiled to a prison on an island where Captain Jack happens to appears to be the leader of a primitive tribe . Because of a lack communication, Captain Jack unwittingly becomes the leader of the tribe that will eventually attempt to sacrifice him. Jack, along with some other prisoners (including William), manage a narrow escape that is packed with action and intrigue.

After escaping the island, William discovers that he needs a dead man’s chest to release his father from the curse of the wicked sea captain. Jack also discovers that he owes a blood debt to Davey Jones and he needs the dead man’s chest in order to save his own life. Jack negotiates a bargain with the wicked captain for the dead man’s chest. The corrupt General who arrested William is also after the dead man’s chest.

The remainder of the movie involves the race of each interested party to get the dead man’s chest.

I enjoyed this movie for the great graphics, creative make-up and really good swordsmanship.

Jay R Ell rating:***

See ya,

JR
 

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Sequel
Running Time: 1 hr. 43 min.
Release Date: May 26th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some sexual content and language.
Distributors: 20th Century Fox

Cast and Credits
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Produced by: Kevin Feige, John Palermo, Stan Lee

The film X-Men: The Last Stand is the third film in the X-Men series and tell the story of a war between mutants who want to be cured and those who see their mutation as their only protection in a world that has been less than kind to them.

The movie is packed with popular mutants from the original comic book. Jean Grey turns into Dark Phoenix, the Beast makes
an appearance juggernaut and many other mutants make the movie fun and fast paced.

There is a fatal battle for Professor Xavier and an awakening for Wolverine. However, all questions are not fully answered which leads us to the conclusion that another X-Men installment is on the way.

At the heart of the movie is the invention of a vaccine that can “cure” the mutants. Many of the mutants are fighting for the right is be different and want to keep their powers and not confirm to their human counterparts.

Another matter of issue is Magneto and his alliance has a goal.
It is to destroy the mutant vaccine, so their won’t transform them into humans. Now, the X-men must rescue Jean Grey before she does harm.
I recommend this movie for incredible graphics or awesome fighting

Jay R Ell rating:****

Sincerely,
JR

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Genres: Drama, Thriller and Adaptation
Running Time: 149 min.
Release Date: May 19th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for disturbing images, violence, some nudity, thematic material, brief drug references and sexual content

Starring: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina, Jurgen Prochnow
Directed by: Ron Howard
Produced by: Dan Brown, Todd Hallowell, Brian Grazer

The Da Vinci Code is a movie based on the best selling novel of the same title. The Da Vinci Code introduces a controversial theory surrounding the life of Jesus Christ.

The secret is that Christ is theorized to have been married to Mary Magdalene and she is to have bored his child after his death. The birth was kept secret along with the identity of the descendants that followed. Presumably to preserve the “secret”, several murders occur. The Catholic Church and several faith-based cults are implicated.

Tom Hanks plays, Robert Langdon, a symbols expert who is suspected of murdering a museum curator. The police are after Langdon because of the mutilated condition of the corpse and the fact that Langdon had a scheduled appointment with the murder victim hours earlier. Langdon encounters the murder victim’s granddaughter and the two bond together (and are assumed to be fugitives) in order to solve the murder before the police arrest them for the murder.

Jean Reno is fabulous as the police chief that assigned to solve the murder. His serious demeanor infused with his crude comic relief is very intriguing as the audience tries to discern whether he has hidden motives and/or what is his extent of involvement in the conspiracy.

The most interesting character in the film is Sir Liegh played by the brilliant actor Ian McKellen. He literally steals every scene that he is in regardless of who the other actors are in the screen. He plays an eccentric Templar who has his own agenda with regards to the Da Vinci code.

This movie is extremely well done. The movie has many plot twists and interesting villains. The characters are perfectly cast and the cinematography is absolutely stunning as it showcases the European landscape and historic landmarks that lend a certain level of authenticity to the film.

Ron Howard’s direction is fantastic as the movies oscillates between flashbacks and present day scenes. He holds the audience in the suspense throughout the movie and the length of the movie never becomes a issue. It is great entertainment.

To those with an unbreakable faith and a love for Ron Howard’s “Beautiful Mind”, Jay R Ell recommends The Da Vinci Code.

RMS

Jay R Ell Rating:***

Mission:  Impossible 3 (2006)

Genres: Action/Adventure and Sequel
Release Date: May 5th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of frenetic violence & menace, disturbing images & some sensuality.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan

Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Produced by: Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner, Stratton Leopold

MI:3 is the third installment in the Mission Impossible movie franchise based on the 1960s television series. This film has a retired Ethan Hunt returning to his role as a field agent in order to find a missing in action female agent that that was once his protégé. His mission to find her places his wife in danger and introduces Hunt to a extended mission to recover a coded secret weapon.

Cruise is great in reprising the role of Ethan Hunt for (the third time). But one has to wonder if a secret military operative needs or can manage marriage. The romantic sub plot certainly robs some of the sex appeal from the Hunt character. A married superhero is rather novel if not untraditional ( i.e., True Lies).

While a love story is always an asset to any film, the Hunt character, who was so secure and cocky in the first two films, never convincingly states why in his line of work (that requires so much danger and secrecy) he seeks to retire and takes a wife. In the first two films, Hunt appears to be driven by uncertainty, danger and intrigue (not exactly domestic qualities).  In this film, Hunt is driven by love.

Hoffman is a fantastic actor. He certainly is extremely deserving of his Academy Award. But seeing Hoffman playing the villain in this film made me think that he was miscast. At no time did Hoffman frighten me or make me feel that he would hurt a fly. A great villain maintains a menacing presence though out a film. And I am not sure that Hoffman was given enough dialogue and/or screen time to properly establish the depth of the character’s viciousness.

Early on in  MI:2 the villain cuts off one of his evil colleague's finger and murders another.  He is cruel to his mistress.  The audience felt he was ruthless and threatening, therefore his presence on screen was truly menacing.

MI:3 is a non stop action film with great stunt work and plenty of explosions. There are the traditional MI:3 character twists and double crosses. There is a complicated kidnapping scene that is over the top implausible but that is the fun of being a fantasy film- liberties can be taken.

Jay R Ell recommends MI:3 for its adrenaline rush and great stunt sequences and yes- for the Tom Cruise performance.

RMS

Jay R Ell Rating:**+
 

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Genres: Drama and Kids/Family
Running Time: 112 min.
Release Date: April 28th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for some language.
Distributors: Lions Gate Releasing

Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer, Curtis Armstrong, J.R. Villarreal Directed by: Doug Atchison
Produced by: Todd Wagner, Mark Cuban, Marc Butan

In the movie “Akeelah and the Bee”, a family & a community support a young girl in her endeavor to win the highly competitive National Spelling Bee. “Akeelah and the Bee” is about a young girl finding inner strength and inspiration in other people to reach her goal.

The movie begins with Akeelah Anderson being told that she must attend class more often more regularly. Afterwards, her teacher asks her if she would like to enter the school spelling bee. Akeelah appear to has little desire or motivation to compete in the contest and doesn’t think anything of it. Then the principal gives her an ultimatum. She must study for the spelling bee or be punished for all the absences. During the preliminary spelling bee, Akeelah meets Dr. Larabee, who is impressed with her spelling skills and agrees to coach Akeelah for the National Spelling Bee.

Akeelah and Dr. Larabee (played by Fishburne) do not bond immediately and the friction between them initially seems to hinder her progress as she studies for the competition. But soon Akeelah feels a mutual admiration and compassion for Dr. Larabee as the film’s sub plot reveals a sad and tragic family history that haunts the good doctor.

Akeelah’s mother is not an encouraging force in a life. The mother, played by Bassett, is overwhelmed by the antics of Akeelah’s siblings and is often depressed by the tragic loss of her husband (Akeelah’s father). Mom comes around eventually.

During the regional finals, Akeelah meets new friends and her other friend begins to become jealous. Suddenly, Akeelah must deal with the pressures of fame and family. Once Akeelah made it to the Nationals with two other kids to represent California, the whole community helps her study and gives her inspiration.

“Akeelah and the Bee” is a great feel good movie for the family. Jay R Ell would recommend that you see this movie because it has great story and cast.

Peace , Ell

Jay R Ell Rating:**+
 

United 93 (2006)

Genres: Drama
Release Date: April 28th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for some intense sequences of terror and violence.

Starring: Opal Alladin, Erich Redman, Ben Sliney, Susan Blommaert, Peter Hermann
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Produced by: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lloyd Levin

The movie United 93 is about the airplane that rescues the White House from demise. The film reveals that many passengers tried to stop the hijackers during the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.


The movie begins with the terrorists gathering at a hotel to strategize their mission to invade the airplane without being caught by security. They were saying prayers for the good luck of the lord. They put cutting knifes under their pants, so it won’t be obvious that they were smuggling weapons aboard.


The terrorist dressed like ordinary young citizens did not appear to immediately be suspicious. The flight destination was  Los Angeles. Once the flight was underway, the pilots reported that the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon were under attack by airplanes crashing into the building.


The balance if the film depicts the courage of the passengers and crew who knew that death was imminent but wanted to save others.

Jay R Ell recommends this movie for the emotional drama and in fond memory of the passengers and crew of

Flight 93.

Peace, J. R.

Jay R Ell Rating:**+
 

Madea’s Family Reunion (2006)

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: February 24th, 2006 (limited)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, domestic violence, sex and drug references
Distributors: Lions Gate

Starring: Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield, Boris Kodjoe, Henry Simmons
Directed by: Tyler Perry
Produced by: Michael Paseornek, Peter Block, Tyler Perry

Madea’s Family Reunion is another installment in the Tyler Perry franchise and expands on the family drama of 60ish matriarch Madea.

Tyler Perry is superb as Madea and out shines himself in every scene because of the complex nature of the Madea character. Madea is loving yet she is tough. Perry also plays an uncle and an attorney but the audience applauds wildly whenever Madea appears on screen.

The film’s plot is filled with high drama and soap opera dialogue but it does not matter. The beauty of a Tyler Perry film is that he combines dark subject matter and tragic circumstance with over the top humor and ridiculous characters (with bad make up). Perry’s bold and unique writing style is extremely effective with his target audience and while some may be offended and disturbed by Madea’s child rearing methods other viewers are amused and empathize with Madea’s predicament.

There is a smart scene that shows Madea and the Uncle watching an old rerun of “Good Times” television show in which the show’s topic of child abuse is raised. As the television show continues, Madea administers her own brand of “discipline” to a foster child who has been assigned to her as part of a court judgment.  Perry knows that his audience can discern the difference between child abuse and discipline.

There is a surprise wedding that looks campy in its eccentricities and excessive decor. There are preachy and poignant scenes that focus on self respect and spiritual restoration. But this is just writer/director Perry’s way of giving the audience some sugar to help the medicine go down.

The cast is beautiful and talented as Perry casts many of the characters with award winning veteran actors like Tyson, Whitfied and Underwood.

Jay R Ell recommends Madea’s Family Reunion for its strong sense of redemption and forgiveness, good music and its edgy humor and subject matter.

Jay R Ell Rating: ***

RMS

Something New (2006)

Release Date: February 3rd, 2006 (wide)
Genres: Comedy, Drama and Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual references
Distributors: Focus Features

Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker, Blair Underwood, Alfre Woodard, Mike Epps
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri
Produced by: Preston L. Holmes (II), Dwight Williams, Stephanie Allain

Something New is a multi-faceted film about an interracial relationship between a professional white collar black woman and a blue collar white man.

The most interesting theme is this movie deals not with the “jungle fever” stereotypical aspect of the subject matter. But the fact that dating outside of your race presents more challenges other than the external and obvious ones. There are social and economical challenges that face a well to do black women regardless of the race of her suitors.

The film begins with a quick profile of Kenya (played by Sanaa Lathan) who is a successful professional black woman who is perplexed by the fact that she can not find her soul mate. Kenya is surprised when she is set up with a blind date who happens to be white. She is less than thrilled when she discovers that he is also a landscaper and is considered “the help” by her attorney brother. Kenya’s parents who are also financially and academically successful have another, more eligible, suitor in mind for her. But to her parent’s chagrin, Kenya is falling for the landscaper regardless of the fact that both suitors (the landscaper and the attorney) are drop dead gorgeous.  Is this plausible?

The complications that arise in a biracial relationship are addressed with an enlightened sense of humor that makes an audience laugh even through the uncomfortable scenes. The cast is attractive and vibrant as each character takes on prolific point of view with regard to their respective opinions on Kenya’s biracial courtship. The film is viewed from Kenya’s point of view. It would be equally interesting to see how the landscaper’s family and friends react to the relationship that developed in this movie.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its grandeur in romantic and comedic flair. This film is well made and extremely optimistic.

RMS

Jay R Ell Rating: **+

Annapolis (2006)


Genres: Drama
Release Date: January 27th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence, sexual content and language.
Distributors: Touchstone Pictures

Starring: James Franco, Jordana Brewster, Vicellous Reon Shannon, Donnie Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson
Directed by: Justin Lin
Produced by: Steven Nicolaides, Mark Vahradian (II), Gym Hinderer


The movie is about an young man named Jake (played by James Franco) who is building ships for his job. He loves boxing and becomes a contender at the Naval Academy.

Jakes faces many challenges as his enters the Naval Academy's stringent training program.  Jake wants to complete his military training, but he has to complete a very intense training in order to avoid getting cut from the training program. Jake’s has three roommates that has their own problems with meeting the military tough requirements.  His room mates (very culturally diverse) are considered his team and they are taught to work together. Jake’s father never believed that he could complete the training program but Jake is determined to prove him incorrect.

The camp gets more difficult everyday though little by little Jake earns more respect. The trainees are educated around the clock-even at dinner. Each trainee may be tested at any time and a incorrect answer is weighed against the team that the trainee is assigned to. So the team turns against Jake rather quickly with Jake is revealed to be unprepared on several occasions.

Lieutenant Cole (played brilliantly by Tyrese Gibson) pushes Jake a lot-to the degree, that Cole shows off his boxing skills. Jake and Cole square off in more ways then one . The ending is bitter sweet.

I recommend this movie for its boxing scenes and its inspirational portrait of a underdog fighting for his dignity by using potential you have when others don’t believe in you.

Jay R Ell Rating: ***

JR

Glory Road (2006)

Release Date: January 13th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for racial issues including violence and epithets, and mild language.
Distributors: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Starring: Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, Austin Nichols, Evan Jones, Emily Deschanel
Directed by: James Gartner
Produced by: Chad Oman, Mike Stenson, Andrew Given


The movie Glory Road takes place in 1966 at Texas Western University and is about an underdog NCAA basketball team who started all African American players for the 1966 college competition. 

In today's sports market, it is not unusual to view a sporting event and see that all of the starting players are African American.  But years ago, things were quite different.  The team was led by Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) who changed history forever.

During the beginning of the film, Don was looking for African American players in different cities. After he found the players, he gave them a scholarship to Texas Western. He was hard on his players and wanted them to play his style of basketball. One day he realized that the team played better when they utilized their own style of play. They went undefeated after a while. Soon after, they met prejudice and were tormented throughout the season. Regardless of the obstacles, Texas Western still made it to the 1966 NCAA Finals game against Kansas. Texas Western beat the long reigning Kansas and coach Haskins went down in history.

So, with coach Haskins risky choice of starting all African American players he led the way for other schools to recruit African American players. I felt this movie was very well made because the scenes looked very authentic and the close attention to the period detail put the audience in racially charged 1960 America.

Jay R Ell Rating: **+

Ell
 

Last Holiday (2006)

Release Date: January 13th, 2006 (wide)
Genres: Comedy and Drama
Running Time: 112 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexual references

Starring: Queen Latifah, Alicia Witt, LL Cool J , Giancarlo Esposito, Gerard Depardieu
Directed by: Wayne Wang
Produced by: Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey, Richard Vane


The film Last Holiday is the story of a department store sales associates who transforms herself into high powered socialite after learning that she has only a few weeks to live.

Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) is a retail sales associates who lives a very disciplined life. She goes to work. She comes home to watch Emeril’s TV Show and will cook the fabulous dishes that Emeril demonstrates on his show but she will not eat any of the those dishes. Georgia will instead eat a “lean cuisine” meal and give her culinary masterpiece to the neighborhood young man who also doubles as her teenage confidant. After dinner, Georgia will fantasize about a marriage to a handsome coworker named (played by LL Cool J) and assemble a scrapbook that symbolizes all of the “possibilities” that may occur in her life if she chooses to aggressively pursue them.

The first segment of film makes it clear that Georgia is not a “chance taker”. Her systemically boring life style tends to limit her chances to explore any professional or personal possibilities that may come her way. But an accidental bump on the head and the events following the bump on the head forces Georgia to take an inventory of her life and face each day with a zeal to make possibilities into realities.

The climax of every great romantic comedy is the moment where the major characters profess their undying love to one another or (at the very least) say the “L (love)” word. It is the moment of a film that raises the quality of the film to a higher emotional level. LL and Queen did not cross the vital line that invokes that magically level of passion in the audience and allow the viewer to feel the chemistry of the two stars. LL’s character flew across the globe and risked his life by walking to Georgia’s hotel, in the middle of a snow avalanche, to say “I got feelings for ya” -does not suffice. A wedding scene executed with conviction may have satisfied the afore mention quality.

Jay R Ell recommends Last Holiday for Queen Latifah who is creating a diverse and fun resume of films. We look forward to her projects.

Jay R Ell rating: **+

RMS

Wolf Creek (2005)

Genres: Suspense/Horror
Running Time: 95 min.
Release Date: December 25th, 2005 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for strong gruesome violence, and for language.
Distributors: The Weinstein Company

Starring: Cassandra Magrath, John Jarret, Kestie Morassi, Nathan Phillips, Andy McPhee Directed by: Greg McLean
Produced by: Greg McLean, David Lightfoot

The movie Wolf Creek is about 3 teenagers who travel to Western Australia in 1999.

Ben, Ann, and Christy are 3 teenagers who drive out to explore National Wolf Creek Park. The Park had a forest with unusual plants and trees and  after they were finish exploring the fascinating forestthey head to their car. The car was out of gas and they were stranded in the wilderness.

Later, a man in a truck came out and offered to help them by taking them to his place to repair their car. Initially, the teens felt very comfortable around the stranger. But soon their tranquility turns into fear as they discover that the man is a homicide killer. The trio gets separated as the teens try to flee from killer and the chase scenes begin.

This movie gets more interesting as it progressed. I enjoyed some of the chase scenes.

Jay R Ell Rating:*+

See you later, JR
 

Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005)

Distributor: Paramount Pictures
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, pervasive language, drug content, sexuality and nudity.
Release Date: November 9th, 2005 (wide)
Running Time: 2 hrs. 14 min.
Genres: Drama and Musical/Performing Arts

Starring: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson,  Joy Bryant, Terrence Dashon Howard, Bill Duke, Omar Benson Miller
Directed by:Jim Sheridan
Produced by:Van Toffler, David Gale, Jimmy Iovine

The movie “Get Rich or Die tryin” is a semi-biography about Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

The film begins with Marcus, played by Curtis “50 cent” Jackson, getting gunned down in the street. He then narrates a series flashbacks of his childhood. As a child, Marcus is always tape recording his song lyrics on his recorder. Curtis and his mother lived in a dangerous situation. She is a local drug dealer and the drug business is highly popular in Marcus’ Bronx neighborhood.

When Marcus is 13 years old, his mother is found burned to death. His grandparents struggle to raise him in a overcrowded house and a poverty stricken neighborhood. His grandparents are frustrated when  a high schooled aged Marcus is charged with carrying illegal drugs and put in jail.

Marcus spends the next few years in and out of prison but he never forgets about his dream to be a rapper. During one of his prison stands, he was almost stabbed to death in the shower until a prisoner name is Bama saved him. Bama and Marcus become good friends and Bama later becomes Marcus’s music manager.

The drug lords pursue Marcus and want him killed because he left the gang. Marcus has to choose between rapping about the drug boss or work for him again.

I recommend this movie because of the music and drama:***
Peace, JR
 

Two For The Money (2005)

Release Date: October 7th, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, a scene of sexuality and a violent act.
Distributor: Universal Pictures Distribution

Starring: Al Pacino , Matthew McConaughey, Rene Russo
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Produced by: Jay Cohen, James G. Robinson, Dan Gilroy

When the film begins, Brandon is a young kid happily playing baseball with his father. His father abandons the family when Brandon is 10 years old. Years later, in high school, Brandon became a football star until an injury sidelined him and dashed his hopes of being a professional football player. Instead, Brandon is working at a 900 company giving out sports betting odds to gambling junkies.

One day while at work, Brandon gets a job offer of a lifetime. Walter Abrams, played by Al Pacino, offers Brandon a job setting the odds for a large wealthy firm. Walter charms Brandon in a paternal way while providing Brandon with a beautiful apartment, beautiful woman, a fancy sports car and all of the trappings of success that tend to be desired by a young rising executive. Walter renames Brandon “John Anthony” decides to make Brandon his protégé and jumpstarts his career by making him the star in an odd maker sports television show and promoting him in a full page newspaper ads. Brandon quickly rises to the top of the company amid the jealousy of those who have seniority over him.

Brandon soon realizes that Walter has a secret that is driving him and his company in a destructive direction. Walter has old demons that revisit him and drive his family and his company to the brink of destruction.

Brandon experiences a rags to riches life until his odd making prowess runs out and the large benefactors of Brandon’s winning streak now become the large losers of Brandon’s losing streak. The hostile losers now become predatory as they set out to hurt Brandon and his family because of Brandon’s erroneous betting odds. At this point, Brandon realizes that no amount of material possessions are worth endangering your life or the life of your loved ones. Brandon also realizes that peace of mind is priceless.

The cast is great and the film takes you on a roller coaster of emotions that culminate into a perfect ending.

Jay R Ell rating: **+

RMS

The Gospel (2005)

Running Time: 1 hr. 43 min.
Release Date: October 7th, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements including suggestive material and mild language.
Distributor: Screen Gems


Starring: Boris Kodjoe, Idris Elba, Nona Gaye, Clifton Powell, Aloma Wright
Directed by: Rob Hardy
Produced by: Will Packer, William Packer, Holly Davis-Carter

The Gospel is the story of the a R & B singer who returns to his gospel roots after his father" who is a church Bishop takes ill.

The cast is wonderful and attractive.  The music is good. The characters do not incite the passion that the music evokes and, therefore, you are never emotionally attached to any one character in this film.

It should be said that when a charismatic gospel singer like Donnie McClurkin is in your cast, it is a sure bet that his audience would rather hear a "We Fall Down" ish gospel selection instead of "Ooo Ooo Child".  It would have been the icing on the cake.

The script does not develop an in-depth relationship with any of the characters and never gives the audience a reason to believe any of these characters:

What makes the Bishop so beloved that the community or congregation supports him and desires to keep the church open while preserving his legacy?

Was the good Bishop out with a woman doing "church business" or was his business legitimate ?

Where is the passion and the fire between the son and his love interest?  What is it about her character that made her so "special" that he would select her from among throngs of women chasing him (especially in a church setting) ?  A great film can display passion without a sexual encounter. 

Many questions go answered but the film's heart felt purpose is prominent and the film deserves credit for the well deserved intention of promoting music.

Jay R Ell rating: **+

(Add  a star if you love gospel music)

RMS

In Her Shoes 2005

Release Date: October 7th, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, language and some sexual content.
Distributor: 20th Century Fox Distribution
 

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Feuerstein, Brooke Smith
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Produced by: Curtis Hanson, Lisa Ellzey, Carol Fenelon

 In Her Shoes is the story of two sisters who fight and reconcile when they are reunited with their absentee grandmother.

The film begins with a look at the way in which each sister approaches her sex/love life.  The older sister, Rose played by Collette, is in her apartment having an affair with her boss while the younger sister, Maggie played by Diaz, is having sex in a bathroom stall at her high school reunion.  One sister is immediately considered more responsible, conservation, or at the least subtle, than the other.  We, the audience, see within the first few minutes of the film why Maggie is so hated.

Rose is an attorney and lives on her own while Maggie is looking for a job and is living with their father and stepmother.  When Maggie and her stepmom have a falling out, she  finds herself homeless, so, Rose takes her in.  Maggie immediately begins stealing Rose's money, jewelry and anything else that is not nailed down.  Maggie is most intrigued by Rose's collection of  expensive designer shoes which Rose keeps meticulously catalogued.  Maggie demands to know why Rose has all those glamorous shoes and does not wear them.

Maggie needs to find a job but refuses to apply for job as a waitress (as Rose suggests) instead she puts on her sister's forbidden pair of shoes and heads out to another MTV audition.  The MTV crew knows her by name and Maggie fails another  MTV audition because she can not read the teleprompter (a hint concerning the level of Maggie's literacy).

Maggie return to Rose's apartment, rejected and  depressed, and creates a situation that is so intolerable that Rose asks her to leave.   With nowhere else to go, Maggie travels to Florida to meet her estranged grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) and the "party" begins.  Family secrets are told and family wounds are healed.

Jay R Ell rating: **+

RMS

Flight Plan (2005)

Release Date: September 23rd, 2005 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence and some intense plot material.
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures

Starring: Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard, Erika Christensen, Sean Bean, Haley Ramm
Directed by: Robert Schwentke
Produced by: Brian Grazer,Robert DiNozzi, Charles J. D. Schlissel

The movie Flight Plan is about a widow and her daughter who fly a hi- tech airplane to New York and her daughter disappears during the flight.

Flight Plan opens up with Kyle Pratt (Jodie Foster) sitting in the subway station waiting for at train. A man joins her on the train and accompanies her to the place were her husband’s casket is being stored. Later, Kyle goes inside to her (Julia) daughter’s room to help her go to sleep and get ready to go the airport the next morning. These scenes appear to be dream like so the audience does not immediately know whether the daughter or the husband is real.

Kyle tells Julia she should go to sleep so that the time goes by faster.  Kyle also falls asleep and when she wakes up Julia is gone. She asks people sitting closest to her if they have seen Julia. Everybody said no. She wants to speak to the captain who tells her the girl never boarded the plane. Kyle wanted the flight attendants to search the whole plane. When she finds out that the entire plane she was not searched, she takes matters into her own hands.

Kyle becomes a one woman wrecking machine as she reeks havoc on the passengers and crew members in order to find her daughter. Foster is great as a desperate mother pushed to her emotional limit. She certainly carried this film which could have been better if the villain were more interesting.

I enjoyed this movie because of Foster’s performance and the suspense.

Jay R Ell rating: **+

Peace,
Ell
 

Roll Bounce (2005)

Genres: Comedy, Drama and Romance
Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min.
Release Date: September 23rd, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and some crude humor.
Distributor: Fox Searchlight

Cast and Credits
Starring: Bow Wow, Chi McBride, Mike Epps, Wesley Jonathan, Meagan Good
Directed by:Malcolm D. Lee
Produced by:Robert Teitel, George Tillman Jr, Adam Robinson

The story begins with a widowed father who is raising a  roller skating obsessed son and daughter by himself during the afro and bellbottom wearing 1970s.

The son, Xavier (played by Bow Wow), roller skates while delivering newspapers in the neighborhood. Afterwards, Xavier meets the next door neighbor’s daughter. His friends tease the girl because of her braces on her teeth.

Xavier and his friends go to a local skating rink called Sweetwater to enter roller skating competition. Xavier has a issue with Sweetness and his crew who are the current champs at Sweetwater. Xavier and his friends skate against Sweetness’ crew. Xavier and his friends were outclassed by Sweetness’ crew and Xavier roller skates break afterwards putting Xavier in a depressed state.  After all, his deceased mother gave him those skates.

Now, Xavier and his friends must practice in order to win the roller skating trophy. The father gives Xavier a brand new pair of roller skates, so he can compete against Sweetness and his crew.  The new pair of skates represents a new  start for father and son.

I recommend this movie because of its great roller skating  scenes and its vintage 70s music.

Jay R Ell Rating:**

See you later, JR
 

A History of Violence (2005)

Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Release Date: September 23th, 2005 (limited).
MPAA Rating: R for brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language, and some drug use..
Distributor: New Line Cinema


Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, William Hurt, Ashton Holmes
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Produced by: Kent Alterman, David Cronenberg, Cale Boyter
 

A History of Violence is the story of Tom Stall. Is he a local restaurateur or is he a mobster? Or is he both?

The story begins in a quaint town, where everyone knows each and the local high schools raise homophobic bullies, like any town in the USA. One night, as  Stall's diner is closing for the night, two killers enter the diner and threaten the patrons and employees.  The diner's owner, Tom Stall played by Viggo Mortensen, steps in to kill the intruders and save everyone from a violent death at the hands of the intruders.  The incident attracts the local media and Tom Stall becomes a local celebrity.  The press is most impressed by the fact  that Stall was able to disarm and kill the intruders with  the skill of a professional hit man.

Soon, many strangers begin to visit Stall's Diner.  One particular trio of visitors become a menacing presence at the diner since they insist that Tom's real name is  Joey and that Tom's former acquaintances are looking for him.  Tom's wife and family become frightened as the sinister trio visit his home and kidnap him in lieu of murdering his family.

Viggo Mortensen transforms himself from a mild mannered local entrepreneur  to a cold blooded killer with a strong conviction that keeps the audience guessing as to his true identity. He is great and should get a Academy award nomination for his portrayal of a man who is conflicted with his role as father and husband and his contrasting role as mobster and executioner.

Yes, the movie has some graphic sex and violence but, believe me, the film would be just as good if these scenes were deleted.

Jay R Ell Rating:**+

RMS

Proof  (2005)

Release Date: September 16th, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexual content, language and drug references.
Distributor: Miramax Films
 

Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gyllenhaal, Hope Davis, Colin Stinton Directed by: John Madden, James D. Stern
Produced by: John N Hart, Jeffrey Sharp, Alison Owen

Gwenth Paltrow  portrays a young woman named Catherine  who is sad and troubled her when her genius father, Robert  played by Anthony Hopkins, has passed away and she feels that she may have inherited  the dementia that he appears to have suffered during the last few years of his life.

Catherine becomes so obsessed with her suspicions regarding her mental health that she is stagnate with fear of starting a relationship.  She neglects herself and her sister does not help ease the pain and loneliness that is apparent to all who come in contact with Catherine.  She doubts herself on the most important single element of her life when her honesty is called into question.  Is she intelligent enough to have written an award winning proof or did she just imagine that she write it?

Jake Glyllenhaal plays her would be boyfriend but gives off some suspicion vibes as he is a math student who would love to be credited with the landmark proof that Catherine is alleging that she has written.  He tries to redeem himself but he may be too late as Catherine's controlling sister tries to "handle her".

Young people should see this film because  they will identify with the uncertainty and insecurity that face the children of brilliant and/or successful parents.

This movie is a must see for Gwyneth fans.  Great performances all around.

Jay R Ell Rating:**+

RMS

The Transporter 2   (2005)

Release Date: September 2nd, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, sexual content, partial nudity and brief language..
Distributor: 20th Century Fox Distribution

Starring: Jason Statham, Alessandro Gassman, Amber Valletta, Kate Nauta, Matthew Modine Directed by: Louis Leterrier
Produced by: Luc Besson, Steven Chasman, Terry Miller

This time around the Transporter has the task of being a chauffeur to the young son of a wealthy and prominent doctor.

The boy is kidnapped and, of course, this is where the fun begins.  The great car chases, the great stunts and fight.

The editing could be better but the fight choreography is good and is only thwarted by the great villain. Yes, the villain makes a movie great.  The freaky blonde is a fantastic villain.  She steals every scene that she is in.

See this film for the action sequences and the great villain!

Jay R Ell Rating:**+

RMS

War of the Worlds (2005)

Genres: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Running Time: 117 min.
Release Date: June 29th, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for frightening sequences of sci-fi violence and disturbing images.
Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Starring: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Produced by: Colin Wilson, Kathleen Kennedy, Paula Wagner

The movie ‘War of the Worlds’ is remake H.G. Wells’ 1953 of the same name. It tells the story about aliens invading the earth.

The movie begins with a blue collar working father named Ray (played by Tom Cruise) eagerly anticipating a visit from his teenage son and young daughter. When his ex-wife drops off the children, there is obvious tension between Ray and his son. Ray also appears to be emotionally detached from his daughter.

At this point in the movie, a lightening storm marks the beginning of panic . All the neighbors gather in the streets and observe the dark clouds in the skies and destruction of the city. People are killed as the earth opens up beneath them and alien destroyers attack the population. In the mayhem, Ray’s son leaves him and his daughter.

Ray quickly gathers up his family to attempt to leave town. He soon discovers that the aliens are everywhere. A stranger invites Ray and his daughter to take refuge in a storm cellar. At first, Ray is relieved to find what he thinks is safe shelter. Soon Ray learns that the aliens aren’t his only concern.

The film has suspenseful scenes and scary moments. The special effects were great because the aliens and the explosions looked real. But it would be nice to know about why the aliens invaded the earth in the first place. But the Wells’ book didn’t reveal this detail either.

I recommend this movie for its intense surprises and special effects.

See you later, JR

Jay R Ell Rating: **+
 

Batman Begins (2005)   
 

Release Date: June 15th, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.
Distributor: Warner Bros.

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Produced by: Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Larry J. Franco

The movie Batman Begins starts with a boy named Bruce Wayne whose parents were murdered by a the mob, ends up living with his butler and becomes a superhero.

In the beginning of the movie, Bruce Wayne is emerged in fighting and weapons training with his teacher. When he completed his training and proved himself to black ninja group, he was asked to complete a final task of murder. He refused to do so and ends up killing almost every ninja member except his teacher who Bruce lets live. During fight scene, Bruce has flash backs of his parents being murdered which occurred when he was a child.

When Bruce return to Gothem city, he learns that he has been declared dead due to his seven year absence. He discovered that Wayne Enterprises (Bruce’s family business) has been taken over by major executive who replaced him and Bruce is no longer the owner of his family’s company. Bruce also discover his parent’s killer his not been brought to justice.

Bruce decides to get a gun and avenge his parents murder. But before he can get his revenge, the murderer was assassinated by the mob. Bruce realizes he has to fight crime at a higher level and dedicates his life to fighting all crimes. In order to do this, Bruce gets protective gear and weapons from a military equipment provider.

Batman is a good movie because it has a good plot and good special effects. It also has a great villain named scarecrow who is truly scary.

I recommend this movie for its action packed scenes and its drama.

Peace, JR

Jay R Ell Rating: ***

Mr. & Mrs. Smith 2005

Release Date: June 10th, 2005 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of violence, intense action, sexual content and brief strong language
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Adam Brody, Vince Vaughn, Angela Bassett
Directed by: Doug Liman
Produced by: Arnon Milchan, Lucas Foster, Akiva Goldsman

This movie begins with the couple (Mr. & Mrs. Smith-Pitt & Jolie) seated at what appears to be a marriage counseling session. The screenplay that compliments this opening scene is excellent as the couple’s body language and discussion reveal many problems that the couple has experienced during the last 5 or 6 years.  These problems cut to the emotional core of their passion for each other.

The Smith house reflects the success of a couple that is financially secure- as does the entire neighborhood. The homes are large and the lawns are perfectly manicured. The appliances are new and rigged with “James Bond”-ish gadgetry complete with ovens that can hide an arsenal of weapons and hidden storage binds that hold machine guns.

Flashbacks reveal how the couple met and the whirlwind courtship that resulted in a marriage that is ultimately full of secrets and lies. The marriage begins to come apart when the couple discover that both of them have lied to each other and that they both are contract killers who unwittingly have been contracted to kill each other.

The movie have a lot of action sequences and elaborate explosions. The car chase scene is fun but not exceptional. The fight scenes between Jolie and Pitt are well choreographed.

How can anyone resist this couple?

I recommend this movie for Pitt and Jolie.

Jay R Ell Rating: **+
 

Sin City (2005)

Release Date: April 1st, 2005
MPAA Rating: R for sustained strong stylized violence, nudity and sexual content including dialogue.
Distributor: Dimension Films

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro, Clive Owen, Elijah Wood, Rosario Dawson, Jessica Alba
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller
Produced by: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, Elizabeth Avellan

Sin City, based on the comic book, is a collection of characters and events that represent the fictional, violent and gothic world that is the underbelly of the lowest lower class. It could be classified as pure horror.

Sin City is very violent.  There is a great deal of comic relief.  But the film's saving grace is the speed at which the movie rolls along and the exceptional ensemble cast who work together like a well oiled machine. Bruce Willis plays what he plays best:  The hero that is inevitably going to triumph when faced with insurmountable odds.  He even throws in some "Die Hard" catch phrases.  He was great!

The rest of the cast is fantastic as well with Rosario Dawson playing a femme fatale with a lust for violence, Jessica Alba plays a stripper with secret past and a secret passion for her hero and Mickey Rourke plays a disfigured social path who is obsessively looking for vengeance after his "one night stand" call girl is murdered in his bed.  Elijah Wood is truly playing against his "Lord of the Ring"  type as he portrays a carnivorous supernatural killer who stalks his prey, keeps the heads as trophies and feeds the "leftovers" to his dog.

The gallons and gallons of fake blood that flow throughout this movie can not mask the fact that this as a great work of art.  The movie was shot against a blue screen which means that the "stunts" were seamless.  The use of black and white as the film's color brought back the use of shadows as a visual tool when enhancing dramatic effects.  The early "black and white" film directors were masters at using this technique.  Director Rodriguez is just as shrewd and is right on the money. I can't wait for the sequel.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its unique and creative artistry and casting.

Jay R Ell Rating: ***

Guess Who (2005)

Starring: Bernie Mac, Ashton Kutcher, Zoe Saldana, Judith Scott, Hal Williams
Directed by: Kevin Rodney, Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Produced by: Jenno Topping, Erwin Stoff, Jason Goldberg

Release Date: March 25th, 2005 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sex-related humor.
Distributor: Columbia Pictures

The movie Guess Who is about a young black women who brings her fiancé home to meet her father and family without telling them he’s white.

When the movie begins, Simon Green played by (Ashton Kutcher) just quit his job. He then leaves his office to join his fiancé (Theresa) in order to travel with her to his future in-law’s house. Upon arriving there, the father named Percy Jones was astonished to learn Simon Green is white.

Theresa’s father “Percy” hates the idea that she is marring a white man because of the way society is going to treat couples that marry outside of their race. Percy makes many attempts to foil her marriage.

In one scene, everyone was eating dinner and Percy said a joke and Simon replied with a racist joke that he heard from his Uncle a long time ago. Theresa’s Grandfather and Percy was insulted by Simon’s jokes. Percy’s wife changes the subject. At bedtime, Percy insists Simon go to bed with him so he can’t do anything with his daughter.

As all of these events occur, Percy and his wife are celebrating their anniversary. Percy and his wife had an argument. Simon and Theresa also had an argument. Percy and Simon help each other and come to a mutual respect.

I recommend this movie for its comedy and Bernie Mac.

 Later, JR
 

Jay R Ell Rating: ***

Diary Of a Mad Black Woman (2005)

Release Date: February 25th, 2005 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for drug content, thematic elements, crude sexual references and some violence

Starring: Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, Tyler Perry, Shemar Moore, Lisa Marcos
Directed by: Darren Grant
Produced by: Tyler Perry, Reuben Cannon

Diary Of A Mad Black Woman is film about a woman who is abused by her husband and as a result she descends into a dangerous level of hate. The movie is based on the successful Tyler Perry play.

Kimberly Elise plays the mad black woman named Helen McCarter and Shemar Moore plays the knight in shining armor who rescues her from the darkness of revengeful anger and renews her faith in love. The two beautiful actors make a handsome couple and, as the movie unfolds, their “Officer and a Gentleman” moment becomes inevitable.

The “heavy” Charles McCarter, played by Steve Harris, depicts a cruel and abusive husband who operates without a conscience or remorse and is destined to meet the wrath of the mad black woman.

This movie was well anticipated for one reason: Tyler Perry. The multi-talented Perry has faced the “trial by fire” that most independent film makers have experienced. Trying to find financing, distribution and marketing becomes a daunting task in the current movie making climate. Very few Hollywood studios will take the chance on investing millions of dollars on a project that does not have a prequel, video game or another source of cross marketing that would spawn a ready made mainstream audience.

The movie is very funny. The make up could be better. Perry plays several characters in the movie and the close ups are scary but even poor make up could not mask the talent of Perry. However, Perry, who also co-wrote some of the songs, showcases too much of his talent in this one movie. The movie’s theme and focus seems to be comprised or sacrificed so that he can fit in an additional song in the movie or give additional screen time to his fantastic array of characters.

Amongst Perry’s multiple roles is the role of an attorney who has a crack addicted wife. Now, the insertion of this character would be fine if, Helen, the main character had narrated the segment just as she had narrated major portions of the film. But without such a narration, Perry’s attorney character becomes an advertisement for him to be taken seriously as a dramatic actor. It’s too bad that Perry had to push the envelope that far. He is so talented that there probably is no role that he can not play. He is an amazing talent and should have made a separate vehicle for the attorney character.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for Tyler Perry’s display of comedy and the film’s over the top soap opera drama.
 

Jay R Ell Rating: **

Hitch (2005)

Release Date: February 11, 2005 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and some strong sexual references.
Distributor: Columbia Pictures

Starring: Will Smith,Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Michael Rapaport, Ato Essandoh
Directed by:Andy Tennant
Produced by:Will Smith, James Lassiter, Teddy Zee

The movie “Hitch” is about a professional matchmaker (Will Smith) who tries to help guys that have problems getting with women.

When the movie opens up, Alex Hitchins or the “love doctor” acts as a narrator while showing and explaining how he helps people. Then the movie flashes back to his days when he was in college and explains that he wasn’t always the guy he is now. He feels that his method is the best way to get a woman. Soon after that a clumsy, non-talented, unattractive man named Albert (Kevin James) asks Alex for his services. Albert wants Hitch to hook him up with Alegra Cole, who is a women that owns the company that he works at.

After finding out what Albert’s problem was, Hitch goes to a bar and tries to pick up a journalist named, Sara Meales (Eva Mendes). She tries to fiend off Hitch but persists to not give up and finally flatters her. After the night in the bar, Hitch FedExes Sara a box with a walkie talkie in it and tells her to meet him at the dock. When she gets to the dock, Hitch is setting up a couple of water bike and they start racing each other. While racing, Hitch’s water bike breaks down and he has to get a ride on Sara’s bike and he asks her to ride to Ellis Island. Later, they talk to a security guard that Hitch knows and shows a book of signatures to Sara. She notices her great grandfather’s signature and starts to cry and leaves the building.

This incident backfires on Hitch in the worst way.


I think this is a great love story and if you like Will Smith this the right movie to see. Check ya’ll later peace out.

Ell

Jay R Ell Rating: **+

Coach Carter (2005)

Release Date: January 8th, 2005 (sneak preview); January 14th, 2005 (nationwide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, sexual content, language, teen partying and some drug material.
Distributor: Paramount Pictures


Starring: Samuel L Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rick Gonzalez, Ashanti, Adrienne Bailon
Directed by: Thomas Carter
Produced by: David Gale, Brian Robbins, Michael Tollin

Coach Carter is a true story about a high school coach who challenges his high school players to honor their contract of academic achievement or face losing their sports program.

The significant beginning point in the movie is marked when a successful business man, Ken Carter played by Samuel L. Jackson, returns to the high school that he graduated from to take a job as coach. Upon starting his job as coach, Carter finds the current players are disrespectful, academically lazy and irresponsible. The players put sports ahead of their grades and Coach Carter sees this type of thinking as a sure road to failure.

Coach Carter requires his players to sign a contract that commits each player to carry a required academic average (an average higher than the high school required). Carter expects each student to live up to the academic requirement or the sports program will be ceased. But the ball players have issues of their own that fall outside of school and practice, subsequently, many of the students fall short of the required academic required.

Coach Carter cancelled the basketball games and eventually shut down the gym causing the parents and the students to become out raged. The basketball players unrealistically feel that shutting down the sports program will jeopardize their future livelihood.

It is fairly common knowledge that very few high school students go on to join the NBA (National Basketball Association). The ratio of high students entering the NBA is well into the millions. And Coach Carter, having been a record setting star athlete in high school, knows that nothing will serve these high students better than a solid education.

I recommend this movie for its dramatic content and its basketball action sequences.

Jay R Ell rating ***

Peace, JR
 

Million Dollar Baby (2005)

Release Date: December 15th, 2004 (NY/LA/Chicago/Toronto). January 28, 2005 (Wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, some disturbing images, thematic material and language.
Distributor: Warner Brothers

Starring: Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Christina Cox
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Produced by: Tom Rosenberg, Albert S. Ruddy, Clint Eastwood, Paul Haggis

Million Dollar Baby is the story of a veteran fight trainer who reluctantly trains a woman fighter and how the journey with her changes his life.

The film as narrated by Scrap ( Morgan Freeman), who is a an injured ex-fighter who shares a professional boxing history with Frank Dunn. Scrap tells the story of Frank, played by Clint Eastwood, who is a fight trainer who has trained many fighters, some of whom have been injured and, as a result of his experiences with injured fighters, he hesitates when asked to place his fighter in the championship arena. Frank doesn’t want to take chances. He wants to play it safe, much to his fighter’s chagrin, he potentially passes on opportunities that may be vital to the fighter’s livelihood.

One day a woman fighter Maggie (Hillary Swank) come into his gym and persuades him to take her own as a protégé. Frank brutally suggests several reasons why she will never become a successful fighter at a professional level. Undaunted, Maggie continues to come to the gym and to train. Eventually, Scrap takes pity on her and gives her some fundamental training until Franks finally breaks down and decides to train Maggie his self.

The mentor/protégé relationship between Frank and Maggie is very complex because they both are carrying such tremendous burdens from their past. Frank tries to lay down his burden as he attends church religiously but his soul is spiritually bankrupt. His internal misery and his ultimate salvation hinges on a hopeful response to his mailed letters that are repetitively returned marked “return to sender”. A mystery within the story line.

In contrast, Maggie puts it right out there. She knows that she has been spawned from a dysfunctional family and, therefore, she fights (in more ways than one) to defeat her past, rise above her circumstance, and to improve her station in life. We admire this quality in Maggie.

The fight scenes are not too long, so, don’t be afraid of this film if you are not a fight fan. The more interesting fights occur within the mind of the individual characters. Each character is multi-faceted and we see this as the story develops. We bond with the characters of this film as the film proceeds and we care about their outcomes. Very few films can achieve this level of quality connection between the audience and the characters.

Clint Eastwood is like fine wine. He improves with age and we can’t wait for the release of his next film. Eastwood’s films have the entertainment value of the big budget feature films with all of the heart and emotion of independent films.

Jay R Ell recommends Million Dollar Baby for Clint Eastwood’s stellar direction and the film’s gritty depiction of the human condition.

Jay R Ell Rating: ***+

Meet the Fockers (2004)

Release Date: December 22nd, 2004 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language and a brief drug reference.
Distributor: Universal Pictures

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner
Directed by: Jay Roach
Produced by: Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, Jay Roach

Meet the Fockers is the sequel to 2001’s Meet the Parents. The franchise deals with the anxiety of meeting future in-laws.
.
This movie is very funny. It features an all star cast who master the wit of each character and reaches each sub culture and sub audience. Everyone can relate to this comedy on some level, Just don’t take this comedy seriously. Just ride with the silly plot and the over the top humor. You will enjoy it.

The film begins with the future newlyweds arriving at Greg Focker’s future in-laws, the Byrnes, whom we met in the last movie. Mr. Byrnes is still obnoxious and mean even though he is now the side kick on his infant grandson. Naturally, the infant grandson does the familiar “baby talk” jokes (baby make cute faces and say funny things).

The Byrnes and the future newlyweds decide to ride in the Byrnes’ RV to Miami in order to meet the parents of Greg Focker played by Streisand (Barbra looks great-we missed you Babs) and Hoffman.  Each hour that the group spends getting acquainted with each other become more and more hilarious as we are presented with one comedic situation after another. The visit reveals that Greg’s mom is a sex therapist, his dad is a dysfunctional attorney and his former baby sitter may have kept a secret from him that could impact his impending nuptials.

Mr. Byrne is still up to his old tricks as he is always in the “pursuit” of truth. His CIA tactics
makes him, both, the heavy of this movie and the catalyst of the humor. However, the cast of Meet the Fockers functions brilliantly as an ensemble piece.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its spirit of fun and its veteran cast who never stop
spinning the characters. We look forward to the next installment.

Jay R Ell rating ***

A Beyond The Sea (2004)

Release Date: December 17th (limited); December 29th (select cities).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some strong language and a scene of sensuality.
Distributor: Lions Gate Films

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman, Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn
Directed by: Kevin Spacey
Produced by: Kevin Spacey, Jan Fantl, Arthur Friedman, Andy Paterson, Andrew Paterson

Beyond the Sea is the story of American 1950s pop idol Bobby Darin.

The film begins with a grown up Bobby Darin giving out orders on the set of a film about himself. Ten, he has a series of flashbacks that transports him back to his childhood in New York.

The young Bobby Darin is cute but does not lend any depth into Darin’s persona. His repetitive appearances throughout the film disturbed the flow of the film. The connection between Darin’s childhood trauma and illness is overstated. The complex relation between his sister/mother was understated.

Kevin Spacey is fabulous as a singer of Bobby Darin’s hit songs but he appears too old to play this part as did most of the actors involved in this production (Where was the make up artist?). His acting and direction is superb. His scenes with Kate Bosworth (who played Sandra Dee, Darin’s wife) were touching as he comforted a virginal Dee on their wedding night.

There appeared to be too much dancing. The dance numbers were probably the low point in the movie. The dance number at the very end was especially disconcerting as we do not remember Bobby Darin for his dancing. The beautiful song that Spacey sang prior to the finally would have made a great ending. The lyrics and music for that selection were performed to perfection. The film probably would make a great Broadway musical.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its great Kevin Spacey performance, great music and its historical context.       

Jay R Ell Rating: **+

The Flight of the Phoenix (2004)

Release Date: December 17th, 2004 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language, action and violence.
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Giovanni Ribisi, Miranda Otto, Hugh Laurie, Jared Padalecki
Directed by: John Moore
Produced by: William Aldrich, Alex Blum, Wyck Godfrey, John Davis

The Flight of the Phoenix Aviator is a film about airplane crash survivors who work together despite their differences in order to escape sure death. The original film was released in 1965.

The film begins with an arrogant pilot, Captain Frank Town (Dennis Quaid) who has been asked to fly his airplane to the site of an closed oil drill operation and bring the workers of that site home. He flies his plane to the site and boards his crew and the workers.Then, he takes off. A sandstorm develops during the flight home and the airplane crashes into the desert. The fight for survival begins as time is not on the side of the survivors.

The survivors, who initially were emotionally separated by social class, are forced to bond with each other. They must ration the food and water. They must learn to live together in peace and protect one another regardless of their dislike of one another. They must overcome many obstacles together. They must face the ultimate fear: that there may be a greater danger in the idea of "waiting for help".  The group of survivors soon learn that they are not alone.

This film is fun because you do not know who is friend or foe. As each character reveals who they are, the viewer becomes intrigued with how the character will impact the story. The characters appear dark in some instances and, in other instances, there are flashes of hope and euphoria.

The graphic art is beautiful as it illustrates the desert's vastness and the desolate nature of the stranded group of survivors. The crash scenes are skillfully done as you can experience each stage of the desperate situation.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its spirit of fun and human triumph.

Jay R Ell Rating: **+

The Aviator (2004)

Release Date: December 17th, 2004 (NY/LA/SF), expands to wide release December 25th.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, nudity, language and crash sequence
Distributor: Miramax Films

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale, Cate Blanchett
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Produced by: Charles Evans, Michael Mann, Sandy Climan, Charles Evans Jr, Graham King

The Aviator is a film about the life of millionaire tycoon Howard Hughes.

The film begins with Hughes mom’s giving him a bath and simultaneously warning him about the dangers of quarantines as it relates to the colored people. The next scene abruptly cuts to the Hell’s Angel movie set. It would have been nice to take a closer look at his early years in the hope of learning something about the inner fibers of Howard Hughes (Dicaprio) before we dive into his great accomplishments.

The majority of the film demonstrates that Hughes was the “mother” of multi-tasking as he simultaneously makes movies, supervises his finances, designs airplanes and romances women (a true playa). The film also explores Hughes infamous emotional and psychological problems such as his obsessions with washing his hand and compulsive ticks.

The film shows the excesses of Hughes life by catapulting the viewer into the bright lights of the Hell’s Angels Premiere. With each flash of the camera and each crunch of the expelled light bulbs that land on the red carpet,, we are there. The Coconut Grove, the hot spot night club at the time, beautifully illustrates the happy care free attitude and the music of the era as movie stars reign over high society.

The minute Cate Blanchett appeared on the screen, the magic of this movie was in jeopardy. Blanchett is a modern day beauty. The movie stars of the 30s and 40s did not look like Blanchett. A review of the black and white films of this time period reveal that the movie stars had a traditional almost cookie cutter type beauty and Blanchett never makes the viewer believe that she was Kate Hepburn. Instead, she appeared to be doing an impression of Hepburn. It’s too bad that Hepburn appeared (in Hughes’ life and on screen) before Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale).

When Gardener appears on the screen, the film seems to pick up some credibility as far as leading ladies of that era go. The costumes and Beckinsale’s attitude makes the legend of Ava Gardner come alive.

The movie’s ending does not provide sufficient closure for such a long movie and for a man like Hughes who lived such a complicated and prolific life. But a cinematic genius like Martin Scorsese must have wanted to focus on the airplanes- thus the title.

The airplane sequences with not disappoint you. They are exhilarating, exciting and fun as the flying planes barely miss another. The airplane crashes are nothing short of spectacular.

Jay R Ell recommend this film for its great action sequences, brilliant costumes and sets, historical content and Martin Scorsese’s direction.

Jay R Ell rating ***

Fat Albert (2004)

Release Date: December 25th, 2004 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG for momentary language.
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox

Starring: Kenan Thompson, Dania Ramirez, Shedrack Anderson III, Aaron Frazier, Omari Grandberry
Directed by: Joel Zwick
Produced by: John Davis


Fat Albert is based on the 1970s cartoon show. It’s centered around a group of teenagers in an urban Philadelphia. The story is also based on Bill Cosby’s childhood monologues.

The movie starts when Doris (Kayla Pratt) is at home on the couch crying. She turns on the TV. while Fat Albert cartoon show is on. Her tear falls on the remote control and suddenly Fat Albert (Kenan Thompson) is able to hear her cry. Then, Fat Albert decides to help her and jumps out of the television. The rest of the Fat Albert gang reluctantly follows him along.

While Fat Albert is trying to help Doris he’s attracted to her foster sister Laurie (Dania Ramirez). The gang usually goes every where Doris goes. During the movie, some Fat Albert gang discovers new things about life and their themselves. Before they’re finished helping Doris resolve her problem they notice there color is fading off their clothes, so they have to get back to their TV. show.

I recommend Fat Albert  because it is a great family movie and a great story.

See you next time, peace!

Ell

Jay R Ell Rating: **+

Blade: Trinity (2004)


Release Date: December 8th, 2004 (wide).
MPAA Rating: R for strong pervasive violence and language, and some sexual content.
Distributor: New Line Cinema

Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Biel, Parker Posey
Directed by: David S. Goyer
Produced by: David S. Goyer, Wesley Snipes, Lynn Harris, Peter Frankfurt, Avi Arad

Blade: Trinity is the third installment in the Blade franchise.

The film begins in 1973. In the desert, they are three researchers looking for ancient materials. They are surprised when a demonic vampire ascends from the sand and attacks them.

Later, Blade is fighting off vampires and inadvertently kills a non- vampire. Blade leaves the scene unaware that he is under video surveillance. FBI soon locates Blade’s hideout, forces him to surrender and FBI confiscate his sword. At this point, he’s in FBI custody before being rescue by Abigail and Hannibal. Blade retrieve his sword and they escape to a new hideout.

Abigail and Hannibal become Blade’s last alliance as he attempts to destroy the worldwide network of vampires and devils. Blade must locate the king of vampires to get the purest blood in order make the formula that will kill all the vampires.

I recommend this movie for its fantastic special effects, graphics and martial arts scenes.

Peace,
JR

Jay R Ell Rating: ***

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)


Release Date: December 17th, 2004 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, scary situations and brief language.
Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Starring: Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Emily Browning, Kara Hoffman, Liam Aiken
Directed by: Brad Silberling
Produced by: Albie Hecht, Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes, Julia Pistor

Lemony snicker’s is a story about three orphans who endure a series of unfortunate events that strengthen them as a family.

The film begins with a narration by Lemony Snicket’s as he tells the audience about three orphans who lost their parents in a mysterious fire. The three children assigned by government to have a guardian. The guardian, Count Olaf played by Jim Carrey, plots the children’s demise through a series of accidents in order to gain their inheritance.

The children are very smart and foiled all of Count Olaf ’s, plans to assassinate them. Each assassination attempt presents the children with a opportunity to use the knowledge that they have gained from books in their family’s library. The books prove to be an invaluable legacy left to the children by their parents. The film promotes the benefits of reading and reading becomes a repetitive theme throughout the movie

This movie has it laughs and, in contrast, it has its dark moments. The characters are colorful and are interesting but, with the exception of the children, are not very likable. The graphics and special effects are good. The editing is great as a snake appears to snap at the audience from the screen.

I recommend this film primarily for its cool editing  and its smart plot regarding the books.

Jay R Ell Rating: **
If you are a Jim Carrey fan:***


Peace,
J.R.

Ocean’s Twelve (2004)

Release Date: December 10th, 2004 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language
Distributor: Warner Bros.


Starring: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Produced by: Jerry Weintraub, Bruce Berman, John Hardy

Ocean’s Twelve is a film about eleven thieves who reunite under a threat of murder and must steal an item in order to save their own lives.

The 11 thieves are going about there lives until a scorned Terry Bendict played by Andy Garcia, and his two henchmen visit each of the conspirators to inform them that each of them will die unless he receives the millions of dollars that the Ocean’s 11 thieves stole from him (in the last movie). The thieves plan to steal an expensive artifact but a competing thief challenges the Ocean’s 11 thieves that he can steal it before they can. The plot then goes into overdrive as each character laments over the difficulty of pulling off the task and adds several sub plot twists that occur during the “Ocean’s 11” effort to steal the item introduce new characters to the franchise.

There is a sequence in this film that involves Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis that reduces the film to TV sketch comedy or a DVD out take. The film’s plot, while implausible and convoluted, was interesting and entertaining until this point.

Ocean’s Twelve is the sequel to the 2001 film entitled Ocean’s Eleven. The cast is basically the same as the 2001 film with a few exceptions. The locations and the sets are interesting and vibrant. The editing and direction pays some homage to Tarantino.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its star studded ensemble cast and beautiful European landscape.
 

Jay R Ell Rating: **

After The Sunset (2004)

Release Date: November 12th, 2004 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexuality, violence and language.
Distributor: New Line Cinemas

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Woody Harrelson, Don Cheadle, Naomie Harris
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Produced by: Beau Flynn, Jay Stern, Neil A. Machlis

After The Sunset is a film about two retired jewel thieves who decide to retire from the trade and live a straight life in Paradise Island until the temptation of a priceless diamond and a revenge seeking FBI man threatens their relationship and their freedom.

The film begins with the two thieves, Max (Bronsnan) and Lola (Hayek), stealing a diamond “007” style a'la remote control car, high tech scanner technology and a gaudy disguise. The successful heist leaves the diamond’s security man, Stan (Harrelson) unconscious and humiliated. Afterwards Stan becomes obsessed with the thieves and goes so far as to follow the two thieves to their retirement home in Paradise Island. Stan puts the couple on notice that he will be watching them as a priceless diamond will be put on display for 7 days aboard a docking cruise ship. Will the thieves yield to temptation or remain “retired”?

The reminder of the film reveals an ensemble cast of great veteran actors who appear to be as comfortable during comic relief segments as they are doing action segments. The cinematography is beautiful as each scene scans over the tropical paradise’ white sands and clear waters. The women are drop dead gorgeous and the beach settings makes the bikini clad bodies are added bonus.

Jay R Ell recommends After the Sunset for its beach views and comic segments.

Jay R Ell Rating: **
 

The Polar Express (2004)

Release Date: November 10th, 2004 (wide)
MPAA Rating: G.
Distributor: Warner Bros

Starring: Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Michael Jeter
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Produced by: Gary Goetzman, William Teitler, Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey


The Polar Express chronicles Christmas Eve in the life of a young boy who has lost his zeal for Santa Clause. The movie is based on a book of the same name. The film has spectacular CPI technology and bears the same bold colors as the book.

The film opens as the young boy and his family are preparing for bed on a snowy Christmas eve night. Before the boy can drift into deep sleep, he is awakened by the sound of a train. He gets out of bed and goes to his front door and is amazed to see a train marked Polar Express in front of his house. He reluctantly boards the train and the adventure begins.

The train’s conductor is played by the great Tom Hanks. Hanks also plays several other characters. However, I must say that the film may have been better served if Hanks would have used another popular celebrity voice. Characters with different voices lend an additional level of excitement to a film’s persona especially when a film has no “live” actors.

The graphics are great but very dark colors are used (night-North Pole). Although, I would have liked to see a longer celebration segment that would have included bolder and more vibrant colors.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its great music and graphics.
 

Jay R Ell Rating: **

National Treasure (2004)

Release Date: November 19th, 2004 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG for action violence and some scary images
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Harvey Keitel, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Produced by: Jerry Bruckheimer, Jon Turteltaub, Christina Steinberg

National Treasure is a action adventure film that follows the race of two adversaries to obtain a legendary treasure linked to the USA's Founding fathers.

The movies opens with a narrative. Grandfather Gates is eager to tell his young grandson Benjamin Franklin Gates (Cage) that there is the existence of a vast treasure that has direct ties to history of the all civilized man. The story has been passed from Gates generation to generation. And each generation has failed to find the treasure.

The scene then changes to an older Ben Gates as he is in route chasing down the treasure with a precarious cohort. Of course, the cohort betrays Gates and a fight for his survival will ensue. The entire movie revolves around the search for the treasure and who will find the treasure first. The FBI becomes a third party factor in the race for the treasure and an ally for Gates, his father (Jon Voight), is kidnapped by the cohorts in an attempt secure Gates cooperation.

Cates has a love interest (Kruger) that does not seem believable since the characters do not show much affection and electricity until an awkward kiss occurs toward the end of the movie.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its cat and mouse suspense and action sequences.
 

Jay R Ell Rating: **

The Incredibles (2004)

Release Date: November 5th, 2004 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for action violence
Distributor: Disney/Pixar

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L Jackson, Jason Lee, Elizabeth Peña
Directed by: Brad Bird
Produced by: John Walker (II)

The Incredibles is an animated film about a super hero family that sticks together when the father is kidnapped and family is threatened.

The film opens with scenes of the superhero, Bob Parr, saving lives and going about the business of being a hero. He saves lives, foils bank robbers and helps little old ladies. He works with other superheroes but refuses the help of a seemingly innocent young boy who wants to be the superhero's sidekick. The way in which he handles the refusal of the young boy’s help will come back to haunt him.

After one the Bob‘s heroic events, the superhero is sued by some of the injured survivors and is told that he can no longer practice superhero-ing. The displaced superhero than tries to fit into the structured life of an insurance agent. The results are comical and the frustration of the former superhero becomes one of the comical high points on the movie. Eventually, he is fired and now must tell his wife that he is unemployed.

Instead of confessing to his wife Helen that he has been fired. Bob takes a mysterious job out of town job working for an anonymous employer while telling Helen the insurance company has sent him on a business trip. Ultimately, the “business trip” will reveal dangers for Bob and his family. And the family will have to work together in order to save themselves.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its INCREDIBLE fun!

Jay R Ell Rating: ***

Ray  2004

Release Date: October 29th, 2004 (wide).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality and some thematic elements.
Distributor: Universal Pictures

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Richard Schiff, Aunjanue Ellis
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Produced by: Taylor Hackford, Stuart Benjamin , Howard Baldwin, Karen Baldwin, Howard L. Baldwin

Ray is the story of the legendary musical icon Ray Charles played by Jamie Foxx.  The movie blends the professional struggles of the musician with his troubled personal life.

The film begins with Ray trying to board a bus in the segregated south as he begins his professionally music career.  During his bus ride we are taken on the journey of Ray's life which is told in a series of flash backs.  We get a front row seat into the complex world of Ray Charles.

In 1930s Georgia, Ray is a 5 year old living with his single mom and younger brother.  The family is living in poverty as the opening scenes beautifully illustrates.  In the background we see a town of small shacks, plush green rows of crops and red clay roads. His younger brother will die tragically, in a way that Ray will never forget, and the event will haunt him throughout his life. Shortly after the death of his brother, Ray gradually loses his eye sight and his mom vehemently challenges him to deal with his impending disability and  to disown pity and self doubt.  Ray's mother wisely sends him to a school for the death and blind. His mom will remain a strong motivating force in his life even though she dies while Ray is still in school.

When Ray leaves his home and embarks on his musical career, his is praised and sometimes criticized for sounding like his successful peers of his day like Nat King Cole.  However, like any pioneer, regardless of the field, Ray begins to take chances by combining styles and diverse influences.   One of Ray Charles greatest attributes was his exceptional ability to assimilate music and to fuse rhythms which results eventually became the origins of rock and roll and the landscape of modern American music.

The film also exposes Ray's poor personal choices. Ray chooses to take drug in order to mask his nightmares and fears that he fiercely attempts to hide from the world.  Ray is a constantly cheating on his wife and fathers children outside the marriage.  The film boldly displays his love for one of his vocal arrangers and creative partners who is also one of his back up singers, Marge Hendrix, played by Regina  "scene stealing" King.  Their relationship is ultimately tragic and its demise marks another obstacle that Ray must overcome in Ray's already complicated life.

Ray is one of the best films of the year.  It will be an Oscar favorite.  Foxx and King should get no less than nominations. Very few films have audiences that are so culturally diverse and incite the tears and emotions that the audience displayed at the screening that we attended.

Ray is highly recommended by Jay R Ell. Add a star if you love great music!

.

Jay R Ell Rating: ***+

The Forgotten  2004

Release Date: September 24th, 2004 (wide).

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense thematic material, some violence and brief language.

Starring: Julianne Moore, Dominic West, Gary Sinise, Alfre Woodard, Anthony Edwards Directed by: Joseph Ruben

 Produced by: Joe Roth, Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks

The Forgotten is a movie about a grieving mother who wakes up one morning to find that her late son's memories, photo and news articles have been erased.  Her friends, husband and her therapist all tell her that she never had a son.  The mother is told that her mind manufactured the son after she suffered a miscarriage some years ago.

 As the movie begins, a grieving mother Telly played by Julianne Moore is in therapy and is trying desperately to deal with the death of her son. Her son died in a airplane accident 14 months earlier along with other children on the plane. 

One day Telly's world is thrown into further turmoil when she is informed that she never had a son. Her surroundings all appear to be the same with exception that her son is not in any of the photographs that she fondly remembers taking with him and the newspaper clippings and articles are absent of any trace of her son's existence.

The balance of the film is about Telly proving to the world that her son existed and about Telly relentless investigation as to why anybody would want to cover up her son's accidental death unless -it wasn't a accidental death.

Telly's investigation leads her past the police and the "National Security" agency and into the "Encounters of the Third Kind"  zone but without the climatic payoff.

The Forgotten is a good film but it could have been a great film.

Jay R Ell Rating: **+
 

 Mr. 3000  2004

Release Date: September 17th, 2004 (wide).

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and language. Distributor: Touchstone Pictures

Starring: Bernie Mac, Angela Bassett, Evan Jones, Amaury Nolasco, Christopher Noth Directed by: Charles Stone III

Produced by: Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Maggie Wilde

 In the movie Mr.3000, Stan Ross (Mac) had 3000 hits but an error happens and the last three hits don’t count. So Stan has to hit three more before he can get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Stan has been retired for 9 years and with younger and better hitters on his team he seems close to impossible of getting 3000 hits.

After retiring from the Milwaukee Brewers, Stan is asked to come back to finish his career in baseball. When he first goes back to the club house there is a young great hitter who’s pretty arrogant and feels that Stan isn’t the same as he used to be. During the time that they play together Stan teaches him about the meaning of playing baseball. Meantime, Stan tries to get back with an old flame.

Mr.3000 is an excellent movie to see especially for the baseball fans. Anybody that likes Bernie Mac will most likely enjoy this movie.

I’m out from, Ell
 

Jay R Ell Rating: ***

Cellular 2004

Release Date: September 10th, 2004 (wide).

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, terror situations, language and some sexual references. Distributor: New Line Cinema

Starring: Chris Evans, Kim Basinger, Jason Statham, Jessica Biel, Noah Emmerich Directed by: David R. Ellis

Produced by: Lauren Lloyd, Dean Devlin

Cellular is about a housewife who is kidnapped and telephones a young beach bum to save her and her family. The film is full of suspense and chase scenes.  The director does a great job in developing each of the characters and showing the viewing audience the vulnerabilities and the strengths of each of these characters. Of course, for the movie to work you have to buy into the idea that the housewife and the beach bum bond deeply enough during a telephone call for the beach bum to risk his life in order to save the housewife and her family. 

It worked for me.

As the movies begins,  Jessica Martin (Basinger) is science teacher who is going about her daily routine.  She drops her son off at school and returns home to plan the family's meals with the housekeeper.  Suddenly, a home invasion occurs and Jessica is abducted and the housekeeper is killed.  Jessica is taken to an undisclosed location where she  finds herself alone with a dismantled telephone. She toys with the dismantled telephone's wires until she reaches a random cellular telephone number that belongs to a beach bum named Ryan played  by Statham.

Ryan drives the movie as he is given information from Jessica concerning her family and Ryan has to devise a way to protect them. Of course, Ryan's first course of action is to contact the police and his first police contact is officer played  by Bill Macy who steals every scene that he is in.  However, plot twists will cause Ryan to detour the police and become a reluctant hero. As the movie progresses Ryan not only has to save Jessica, he also has to save himself.

Jay R Ell recommends this film for its diverse plot twists and its colorful characters.

Jay R Ell Rating: ***+
 

Alien vs. Predator 2004

Release Date: August 13th, 2004 (wide).

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, language, horror images, slime and gore..

Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, Ewen Bremner, Colin Salmon Directed by: Paul W.S.

Anderson Produced by: Walter Halsey Davis, Gordon Carroll, John Davis


Alien vs. Predator is about a battle between two breeds of science fiction monsters. Both monsters are top money making horror film icons. The Alien vs. Predator idea was first previewed in video games and in comic books but the individual movie franchises have been around for decades.

The movie begins in Antarctica October, 2004. Famous explorers are being assembled for a search within an ancient underground pyramid. When they enter the pyramid, they realize they are not by themselves and they’re in the middle of a battlefield.

The explorers are being attacked one by one in  true “slasher” style. The explorers must chose a side (Alien or Predator) in order to stay alive.


I recommend this movie for its special effects and action

Peace,
J.R.

Jay R Ell Rating: **+
 

8/7/04
Collateral
Action/suspense

MPAA Rating: R for violence and language

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg
Directed by: Michael Mann
Produced by: Michael Mann, Walter F. Parkes

Collateral is about taxi driver who unwittingly picks up a hit man and is force to drive him to the location of each scheduled murder on his hit list.

The movie begins with an assassin (played by Tom Cruise) picks up a strange suitcase at a Los Angeles airport. The scene quickly shifts to a Los Angeles cab driver named Max who picks up a beautiful D.A. named Annie, played by Jada Pinkett-Smith. Annie and Max have a conversation and quickly form a strong bond. As she leaves the cab, she gives Max her business card.

The hit man Vincent is Max’s next fare. Vincent offers him seven-hundred dollars to make five stops and then return him to the airport. This is where the drama commences. Which each of the five stops Max becomes more deeply involved with Vincent’s murderous occupation. Max imminently realize that he is over his head and in extreme danger. Max reluctantly cooperates because Vincent threatens to kill him as well as his hospital bound mother. The story climaxes as Max races against time to protect the fifth victim from Vincent’s assassin bullet.

I recommend this picture because it’s exhilarating and action-packed.

Peace,
J.R.

Jay R Ell Rating: ***
 

Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)
MPAA Rating: R for strong language, sexual content, drug use and some crude humor

Starring: John Cho
Kal Penn
Neil Patrick Harris
Ethan Embry
Steve Braun
Directed by: Danny Leiner
Produced by: Greg Shapiro


Harold & Kumar is about two underdogs trying to satisfy their craving  food from a White Castle (an american fast food restaurant) and end up on a unwanted road trip.

Harold is a “play it safe” kind of guy as compared to Kumar who is a care free slacker. While watching TV the two catch a White Castle commercial that gives them the idea to take the road trip. On the way, their run into the funniest problems that cause their trip to be longer.

I recommend it because it’s extremely funny.

Peace,
Ell

Jay R Ell Rating: **+
 

7/30/04
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
Suspense
MPAA Rating: R for violence and some language.

Starring: Denzel Washington
Liev Schreiber
Meryl Streep
Kimberly Elise
Jon Voight
Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Produced by: Jonathan Demme, Ilona Herzberg, Scott Rudin, Tina Sinatra

The Manchurian Candidate is a remake about a war veteran who suspects his former
unit member, now a vice president candidate, of being controlled by a computer chip embedded in the candidate’s brain.

The films opens with a Gulf War scene that depicts Major Marco (Denzel Washington) as the respected leader of a platoon that is ambushed. The platoon’s captors hold them for three days and afterwards no one from the platoon can remember exactly what occurred during their capture. Over the course of years, however, the platoon members are all experiencing horrible dreams and flashbacks that indicates they may have been tortured, brainwashed or even committed murder during their captivity for unknown reasons.

The film then moves its setting to the modern day Washington political scene and the suspense builds around the link to what actual happened during those three days in captivity and what it has to do with the current election. All of the platoon’s member give the same programmed almost robotic verbatim account of their capture. Their account emphasizes that the vice president candidate, Senator Shaw played by Liev Schreiber, was the congenial hero with great integrity that would be the perfect candidate to vote for during the present day election.

Major Marco verses Senator(s) Shaw as the movies races towards its climax and the ending is quite different from the 1954 version of the movie.

Jay R Ell Rating: **

 

7/30/04
The Village (2004)
Thriller/suspense

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Adrien Brody
William Hurt
Sigourney Weaver
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Produced by: Sam Mercer, Scott Rudin, M. Night Shyamalan

The Village is a thriller seemingly set in the 1890s about a community of families that is afraid to leave the borders of their village.

The movie begins with several shots of the beautiful Pennsylvania landscape that depicts the simplicity and innocence of the village. The land is unspoiled by the toils of a progressive city or modern industry and machines. A funeral is in progress. The small size of the coffin indicates that a child has died and reminds the audience that there are dangerous issues that still exist even though the village is “innocent” environment.

The story then revolves around the legendary creatures that will attack the villagers if they leave the borders of the village and enter the surrounding woods. The characters within this movie lead soap opera filled lives such a sisters falling for the same guy and a “elder lady” lust for the “elder man”.

The climax may surprising to some and disappointing to others as the creature is revealed.
It felt a little “Twilight Zone”-ish. However, a “M Night Shyamalan” film is always an adventurous event in film making as the director’s cult following will always try to guess where the director has placed his traditional appearance.

I recommend this movie because of the suspense elements and the period setting which is unique among this year’s summer films.

Jay R Ell Rating: **
 

7/23/04
The Bourne Supremacy 2004
Action/suspense

MPAA Rating: P-13 for violence and language

Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Produced by: Pat Crowley, Paul Sandberg, Frank Marshall, Paul L Sandberg
Patrick Crowley


The Bourne Supremacy is the sequel to 2002’s Bourne Identity. The story centers around Jason Bourne the rouge secret agent who is trying to settle into a “normal life’ and his ex-CIA comrades who are trying to pursue him because they feel his has murdered two of their agents.

As the movie begins, Bourne (Matt Damon) is still having memory flashbacks and nightmares concerning his past and his now live-in girlfriend (played by Franka Potente) is his only comforting friend. One constant nightmare shows him murdering a middle aged couple who were the parents of a young daughter.

When Bourne’s girlfriend is inadvertently murdered in a failed attempt to murder him, Bourne assumes his former CIA comrades have come to “settle old debts” and realizes that he can not live his life hoping that everyone will leave him alone and no one will come looking for him. With his girlfriend dead, Bourne initiates his own investigation as he wonders why the CIA is chasing him.

The plots is thickened when Bourne realizes he has been framed for murders that he did not commit and begins to feel severe remorse for the murders that he may have committed while a “legitimate” agent. By the end of the movie, Bourne reconciles and finds peace with both tragedies.

I recommend this film because of it’s great plot and suspenseful car chases.



Jay R Ell Rating: ***
 

7/16/04
I, Robot (2004)
Action/Adventure

Starring: Will Smith
Bridget Moynahan
James Cromwell
Bruce Greenwood
Alan Tudyk
Directed by: Alex Proyas
Produced by: Topher Dow John Davis, Laurence Mark, Will Smith

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
--Isaac Asimov's I, Robot


I, Robot is a science fiction movie base on the Isaac Asimov's I, Robot short stories. Asimov’s wrote the three laws so that it would be impossible and illogical for a robot to attack a human being and this is where the mystery begins.

It’s Chicago and the year is 2035. Det. Spooner (Will Smith) is a police officer who is investigating a homicide of an innovative robot designer and creator Dr. Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell). Det. Spooner arrives at the crime scene, which is the robot maker’s headquarters.

The robot headquarters is U.R. Robotics. U.R. Robotics represents the largest robot company in the U.S.A. The U.R. Robotics building overlooks a city where robots are a household items. While Det. Spooner is at U.R. Robotics he meets Dr. Lanning’s assist Dr. Susan Calvin, (Bridget Moynahan). Det. Spooner’s only suspect that he encounters is a robot named Sonny. Sonny is captured after a long chase and is held for questioning. An emotional Sonny denies that he murdered his creator (Dr. Lanning).

As Det. Spooner is investigates the murder, he uncovers a mystery that indicates Dr. Lanning’s murder was the beginning to a chain of events that leads to a climatic revolutionary war between humans and Robots.

I recommend this movie because of its action filled story and great graphics.

Peace ,
J.R.
Jay R Ell Rating: ***

 

7/9/04
Anchorman (2004)
Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual humor, language and comic violence.

Starring: Will Ferrell,
Christina Applegate,
Steve Carell
Kevin Corrigan,
Directed by: Adam McKay
Produced by: Judd Apatow


The Anchorman is about a fictional 1970 TV anchorman that is obnoxious, chauvinistic
and egotistical. That is the plot and that is the joke.

Will Ferrell is the anchorman named Ron Burgundy and he could not be funnier. He is faces stiff competition when his female coworker (Applegate) expresses her desire to become the first female anchorwoman. Burgundy along with the office boys club harass and torment the female co-worker in a attempt to make her quit or at the very least make a her less ambitious.

The side story includes an anchorman gang war between the rival anchormen on TV and Cable channels. During these battles there are mock blood stabbings and limb detaching which are very reminiscent of the “Saturday Night” sketches.

There is crude humor but it is funny, funny, funny. I recommend this movie because of its mindless humor and great sense of fun.


Jay R Ell Rating: **
 

6/30/04
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Action/Adventure


Starring: Tobey Maguire
Kirsten Dunst
J.K. Simmons
Alfred Molina
Rosemary Harris
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Produced by: Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad

Spider-Man 2 is the sequel to the 2002 blockbuster hit Spider-Man. It continues the story of Peter Parker a.k.a. Spider-Man as he juggles with his relationship, life, job, and being Spider-Man. Parker has an interview arranged by his friend Harry Osborn with Dr. Otto Octavious. This chance encounter allows Parker to fully understand the potential power and danger of the Dr. Octavious’ fusion experiment.

In the meantime, Spider-Man (Parker) has problems with his powers and how much commitment he wants to put into being a hero. Parker is conflicted and struggles with his choices. Should he be a superhero crime fighter who sacrifices his personal life for the good of all people or should he relinquish his superhero powers and live the life of an everyday college student?

Parker doesn’t have much time to decide his future when D. Octavious’ experiment goes awry at a opening demonstration. Now Parker is forced to face his fears and vulnerabilities in front of the entire city of Manhattan, New York as he chooses to battle the transformed Doctor and resolve his issues in his personal life. His dilemma is ultimately the strongest and the most intriguing part of the movie. A similar dilemma is felt by everyone at some point in their life and each movie viewer can identify very strongly with Peter Parker during the film.

Spider-Man 2 is probably the best action movie of the year because it combines adventure, action, and love story with great special effects. Jay R Ell highly recommends this film.

Peace,
Ell

Jay R Ell Rating: ***+