The Dark Knight - A Movie Review

This is not your father's Batman by any means. No POW or BAM, and no boyish naive Robin to serve as the dumb foil for Batman. Christian Bale does a fine job portraying the caped hero (or caped revenger?), but I have to give it to Heath Ledger on this one.

I had heard the hype before we saw the flick, and thought much of the hero worship for Ledger was just sappy sympathy for the guy who accidentally killed himself. But Heath clearly had a good time playing this role to the comic and tragi-comic hilt. He is dark, and scary, and believable as a mentally deranged man with no moral insides. There are killings galore, and even of those who you cringe at, like lots of cops and relative innocents. The film is so fast paced it does not allow time to ponder what one is seeing before being thrown into the next crash and tumble scene. I definitely recommend this film for anyone over 14 (no little kids), but it won't leave you feeling quite the same.

In fact, Batman may take a hit in this film, not quite up to saving Gotham, but still required to do so, at least this one last time. Of course we know it won't be one last time, but it's certainly not the sappy, syrupy stuff that those of us born in the '50s loved as well as endured. My bath towel cape could change from being Superman's one day, to Batman's the next. And it did.

Hancock - A Movie Review

I will go to almost anything Will Smith has done after "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". Well, except maybe a rap concert but I'd even consider that. So when Hancock was released and the previews were prevalent, we decided it might be worth seeing. It was worth matinee prices maybe, but a little steep at evening prices.

Don't get me wrong, Will does a fine job with the script he has, but the story makes little sense. He is sort of the "Accidental Superhero", who rather than revel in his powers to do good, he muddles through taking liberal gulps of whiskey (I think it was whiskey anyway), and with some sense of morality does good works (but at a price). The good thing was that his drinking and swearing didn't come off as something most kids would want to emulate so that message was nearly harmless. But hey, I wanted some entertaining dialogue and maybe a little plot. Not that little, however. It was a comedy but I found myself laughing at the inanity rather than the clever lines.

Jason Bateman and a beautiful, slim Charlize Theron did their jobs fairly well, but both stars should have protested at some of the lame story line. Will should have protested as well and he should, by now, have executive producer status on any new film he does.

The writers, Vince and Vince, probably had a good time writing this. But I am not sure the movie goers could say the same thing. Will, we will look for better from you in the future. Take Control.

"The Happening" Isn't - A Movie Review

I should have believed the few critics that panned this M. Night Shyamalan production but I convinced my wife to see it before we overheard the plot and any "secrets" before we actually saw it. Most films that we "may" want to see simply go on our Netflix list, but there are some with serious plot twists that if revealed would render the film impotent.

I am not exaggerating much when I say that this movie was the worst I have seen in a long time. Not only was the story lame from the very beginning, the acting was incredibly wooden from even the known stars. Mark Wahlberg would do better modeling more underwear for a career even at his advanced age (for a model, that is). As I watched I began to think that this might be a tongue-in-cheek send-up of M. Night genre movies rather than one to take seriously. Seriously.

I won't spoil the show for those who will "just have to see it" hoping, as I was, that M. Night might again hit his mark as he did with "The Sixth Sense". I still shudder thinking of that excellent movie and its chilling ending.

So my advice to my friends will be to skip this one. Don't even waste a Netflix spot. I'd rather rent "Gigli" or "Ishtar" and that isn't saying much. The critics panned this flick, and noted (which I disregarded) that M. Night's movies have been sliding further with each new production. It seems he peaked on his first one and is now making money on his (former) good name while he can. Shyamalan on you, M.

The Bank Job - A Decent Film

I am usually a sucker for films "based" or "inspired by a true story". That's probably why I enjoy historical novels - the basic truth with a little flesh on the bones, so to speak.

My wife, Diana, left the movie with me and as I about to say that I really liked it, she spoke first.

"I didn't like it" she said quietly. I was surprised because she loves most action thrillers.

"Well, I did", I responded and asked further, "What's not to like?" Without giving away too much, I will say she did not like the seamy side of English life portrayed in 1970s London.

Well, I found it to be interesting, and I defended the porn references by saying it was a true story. Diana was not convinced so we left it at that.

The Bank Job, with mostly unknown actors save Jason Statham who is slightly more known, was executed really well. The story was exciting, the filmography did the job without the latest camera jerkiness seen too often these days, and the story line was able to be followed.

I wish Jason would shave at least once in a blue moon; I got tired of seeing his double 5 o'clock shadow in every scene. I guess it is de rigeur for leading men in action films these days.

Overall, the film came through with all the best and left the viewer satisfied at the end with a complete story. I know there are some who like to have a little mystery when the credits roll, but I like closure. Those mystery seekers should buy No Country for Old Men and watch it over and over and over.

Speaking of Pregnancy - Juno - a Review

In the previews of Juno, we decided that it looked like an entertaining enough premise to warranted our $13 tickets. So off we went to the multi-plex.

We agreed that the story was a good one, and one that could happen in real life. Yet we were slightly dismayed at the cavalier attitude of Juno toward having a baby and then decided that her true feelings were, at first, disguised in her bravado personality. She was scared, and was concerned about who might raise this child. She wanted to see something real in relationships, not just based on having children.

Some will be put off with the premise of an unmarried teen girl, but here it was less of a choice than many movie types make when they procreate. Juno certainly had sex, obviously without protection, but young people have less internal control than adults, and too often this leads to these consequences.

So after some thought, we decided that this was a good movie that did not proclaim that having babies, either so young or out-of-wedlock, was a great thing. I am just not sure that it was Academy Award material and doubt it will win in the end.

Bucket List is...cute

Despite some panning, we decided to see this movie about two old guys with terminal illnesses. Even though the plot was contrived and mostly predictable, it was a "cute" film especially for older folk. I suspect the younger crowd (the critics no doubt) will not see the film for what it is. Nicholson and Freeman got together for a fun film about dying, but with the punch line of "going out with a bang".

It is rentable, but if nothing else tickles your fancy at the multiplex and you want that good popcorn, then this is a fun flick.

I Am Legend Review

Well, why not a movie review? Diana and I see a lot of movies now that we are in Arizona for the winter. We saw Will Smith's I Am Legend af few weeks ago and left disappointed.

Now, Will Smith is great, the fx were great and the story had lots of potential. Left to contemplate the story line, one could really become scared. Well, mildly wary.

It was the ending that left us a little short. We felt that many other endings could have been better. Rather, it seemed the screenwriter had to "wrap it up" quickly (It IS a long film), and we kind of wanted more. I am open to other opinions, as always.