X Men Origins: Wolverine

Who: Kerri, Scott & Mitchel
What: X Men Origins: Wolverine
Where: Showplace 14, Rockford IL
Why: Because it's Hugh Jackman!!

Now I preface this entire review on the fact that I am not into the comic books, I do NOT know the back stories as written in the comics, nor am I aware of how the comics and movies differ. This review is entirely based on what I do know, the XMen trilogy that came before this one. (And the fact I really like Hugh Jackman) There may also be some light spoilers, I will try not to give too much away, if you've read the comics I'm sure nothing will be new here.

This movie takes place prior to the trilogy - and you learn the story of Wolverine. We pick up with him as a child in 1845, he's ill and his father is taking care of him, a friend of his is also at his bedside. We learn that he's ill a lot, and his friend had been to, then one day just got better. Basically the mutation is starting to mature. Through accident, a young Logan realizes he has bones that can protrude and retract and his skin heals. He's also discovered a half brother. We watch as the two go through time as seen through them fighting in wars, from the Civil war through Viet Nam.

His brother has the ability to heal as well, and each appears as though they are only in their early 30's and are discovered by Gen Stryker (who you will remember in the XMen Trilogy). They join this elite team, but ultimately his brother grows darker and meaner, and Logan wants nothing to do with it. He leaves and finds a quiet life, and love.

Through loss and ultimately betrayal Logan agrees to undergo the antimantium procedure voluntarily. We do put some pieces together, where he got the name Wolverine, why he doesn't remember what happened to him, even where he got his leather jacket. I really liked Liev Shreiber as his brother, who eventually becomes Sabertooth. This is the one point I don't like Liev was a great Sabretooth, but differs so greatly from the same Character we saw in the first Xmen movie. I'm thinking they are taking great creative license here, or maybe there is something in this character's history that changes him over this time period as well and even made him forget his own brother?

It was an enjoyable movie a lot of great action, and if you like the character you should enjoy this movie. If you are a die hard comic guru, I'm sure there will be plenty that will make your skin itch, as there usually is in book to movie translations.

Blade Trinity

Who:  Amber
What:  Blade Trinity
Where:  @ home on cable
Why:  I like background noise

Seriously, the budget for this movie must have been unbelievable!  Everywhere you turn there is a famous person!  Wesley Snipes, Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds, Spence (from King of Queens), and Triple X (from WWE wrestling) is one of the vampire henchmen.  Awesome!

After killing human/vampires for 2 movies, Blade finds himself a wanted man by the cops and FBI. He's also still fighting an up hill battle with more vampires and their "humans".

But there are still some good guys around, the Nightstalkers (Biel and Reynolds). Blade joins forces with them to hunt the king of the vampires himself - Dracula. The vampire nation has awakened Dracula in order to use his blood to help them become hybrids, or daywalkers, like Blade. Man, those other vampires are so jealous of Blade!

Thankfully, Blade and a scientist have come up with a permanent solution. Some super drug that will kill all vampires (yeah, I didn't really understand how it would work). You know how you always hear that you should "kill the head vampire and all other ones would die". Well, injecting Dracula should kill all the other ones.

One huge vampire blood-kicking fight later and they are saved! Or are they ...

Honestly, if you've seen Blade 1 (great movie!) and Blade 2 (meh ...), then finish up the trilogy with Blade 3.  If you haven't bothered with the 2nd movie, then don't bother with this one.  Unless you enjoy seeing Ryan Reynolds shirtless, then by all means, check this out!!!

Spiderman 3

Who:  Amber
What:  Spiderman 3
Where:  @ home - free Starz weekend
Why:  Something to watch while I clean the house

If you forgot Spiderman 2, here's a quick recap:  MJ finds out that Peter really is Spiderman, and they realize they love each other.  Peter still lives in his crappy apartment, but Mary Jane has made it to Broadway!

This movie is fun, but there is almost too much stuff going on.  First Harry (Peter's ex-friend) attacks him and winds up with a bump on the head.  Some criminal guy escapes from jail, winds up in some sand thing, and magically turns into the Sandman.  And then, some weird black stuff crawl out of the river, attaches itself to Spiderman's suit and turns him into 'bad spiderman' (otherwise known as Venom).

Of course, there are fights and fights and fights.  Will Spiderman actually lose one this time?  Riiiiiight.

A lot of people mocked this movie because Peter Parker cries after MJ 'fake' breaks up with him (a bad guy makes her do it).  Let me tell you, when you get broken up with (and you were about to propose!), you cry.  You cry like a little girl.  It's embarrasing, but you can't stop.  Kudos to the director and Tobey Maguire for crying like a little girl.

I also have a crush on Eric from That '70s Show, who plays a rival photographer, and who turns into 'bad spiderman' (Venom).  I forgot his name in real life (Topher Grace - that's it!), but I think he's super hot for some reason.

If you've seen Spiderman 1 & 2, then I recommend checking this movie out.  If you missed Spiderman 1 or 2, then don't bother.  Although, I'm guessing Spiderman 4 will be out eventually ...

Dudley DoRight

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Dudley DoRight
Where:  @ home - free HBO weekend
Why:  Jonathan picked

Man, this movie was pretty bad.  And it wasn't bad b/c all the actors were acting like cartoon characters (very fake-ish), the plot line was just pretty slim.

We meet Dudley DoRight (Brenden Fraiser), a Canadian Mountie.  We don't get much of his background.  All we know is he has wanted to be a Mountie his entire life, and he's some kind-of moron.  Then there is Nell (Sarah Jessica Parker).  She's the sweetest gal in town.  And our villian is Snidley Whiplash (Doc Oc from Spiderman 2).  He's got a kick butt name, and he lives for causing trouble.

The problem is, I'm kind-of confused about Snidley's plan.  He buys some gold, plants it all over town, and tells the media that there is "free gold here in Canada!".  All the Americans sprint up to Canada to pan for the gold.  They are getting rich, and spending money in their town.  That doesn't seem so bad.  Oh yeah, Snidley has pretty much bought everything IN town, renamed it "Whiplash City" ... so he is making a huge profit off this.

Snidley and Dudley duel over Nell.  They have a final showdown with the help of some local Indians, and of course Dudley wins.  It was all just ... over.  Not much plot happening.  Even some random Eric Idol and Regis and Kathie Lee (yes, this was in the Kathie Lee days) can't save this movie.

Batman and Robin

Who:  Amber
What:  Batman and Robin
Where:  @ home - recorded it off cable
Why:  Batman is all the hype this summer

Man, this movie is CHEESY

With all the hype over the new Batman (George Clooney) movie, I figured it would cool to go back and watch all the old Batman movies.  I was never a big fan of the old movies.  I really wanted to see the one with Two Face, to see how he compared to the new, super gross Two Face.  But all I could find on cable was Batman and Robin.  Seriously, what is the deal with Robin?  He seems so lame.

Ar-nuld as Mr. Freeze is the cheesiest of them all.  "The ice man cometh!"  "Let's kick some ice!"  I guess his character is kind-of cool.  He falls in a vat of liquid nitrogen (or something).  He survives, but can only live when he body temp. is 0F.  He wears a sweet suit powered by diamonds of all things, and had an ice gun.  The bummer about his ice gun, is that while it freezes people, then can be unfrozen and still live.  So basically it's a giant stun gun.

Poison Ivy - what's her deal?  She kisses people and they die.  I guess she's some eye candy, but her character basically has no purpose in this movie.

Speaking of eye candy, we're introduced to Bat Girl (Alicia Silverstone).  She comes out of nowhere, and wears a suit with plastic pointy boobs.

There's a nice little side story of Albert (Batman's butler) being sick.  The only person who save him is Mr. Freeze - the old, normal scientist Mr. Freeze.  Will he turn from bad into good and help save Albert?!?  As Jonathan says, "yes he will ... and Albert will turn into a younger British man."

The Dark Knight

Who: Kerri Scott Emily & Mitchel
What: The Dark Knight
Where: At the crappy little theatre in Beloit, because the good theatres sell out
Why: It's Batman - and we had to say goodbye to Heath Ledger

Could be slight spoilers if you don't know the basic characters of the series, but I tried to remain vague...


I am a fan of 'comic book' movies, I am not however a HUGE fan of the first round of Batman movies. I liked them, yes, but they were rather 'cheesey.' Not to say I don't like cheesey, I'm a fan of cheesey (except in football). But I never became 'attached' to them like other movie series.

What I loved most about this movie is that Gotham was filmed in Chicago and it had a 'real world' feeling. You felt that these people, characters, and places were real. It was not some stylized green screened 'fantasy world.' That, along with Heath Ledgers brilliant and creepy Joker made the danger, and the fear seem real.

Ok, I realize there's also a guy running around in a batsuit, but it is the movies.

This was also not some over the top Tommy Lee Jones Two Face - Aaron Eckart's character was very sympathetic - even after he changed. And I liked how they created him - and the effects for his face.

Back to Heath... if you didn't know it was him, you may not have figured out who the actor was. He became the Joker, the voice, the mannerisms, Very creepy - they never really fleshed out why or who he was - but I think that was a brilliant choice. It's scarier when you don't know the villian, you don't know what's motivating him and there's no 'magic movie scenario' which will turn him back good. He is bad for the sake of bad. He is motivated by nothing more than just 'enjoying his job.' A villian with nothing to lose is one you can hardly beat.

Michael Caine and Morgan Freemen were back - both excellent actors adding nice weight, and even some comediac lines. Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel. She did a good job, but there's something about that actress that doesn't always smack for me, but I think she fell into the story nicely and it wasn't so "hey that's a different actress" through the whole movie.

I thought the first one with Christian Bale was a good film, this sequel - Tops it. I don't often say that. It could be Batman's "empire" if you know what I mean.

Go See this movie. Now. Don't wait for the DVD.

Batman Begins

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Batman Begins
Where:  at home on cable
Why:  Everybody else has seen it

I'm not really into the Batman Movies at all, but I was really enjoying this movie.  Maybe it is my yearning to always know the back story when I meet a movie character I like.  Or maybe it is because Christian Bale is super hot.  Either way, I liked it, and it makes me want to see Dark Knight (I had no desire to see it previously).

This movie shows how Christian Bale learns his arse-kicking movies.  It shows where the bat suit comes, and even why he is called "Bat" man in the first place.  Morgan Freeman makes him all kind of crazy stuff in his lab.

The villian Scarecrow was pretty creepy too.  I have no clue about the backstory about Batman, Scarecrow, or even the girl (she was unforgettable - I don't even remember her name), but that didn't really matter.

The ending 'battle' was a little far fetched, but it was exciting non the less.  On to the Dark Knight!

Iron Man

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Iron Man
Where:  AMC Pleasure Island
Why:  everybody else saw it opening weekend!

I had no inkling to see Iron Man.  It's not like I was totally opposed to it, but I could've lived with out seeing it.

Now that I have seen it, I feel the same way.  I did enjoy myself.  I laughed out loud a couple times.  Iron Man is a pretty cool guy.  But my life would've still been complete with out seeing this movie.

It was really ingenius (sp?) how and why he made the Iron Man suit in the first place.  I liked how this movie REALLY gave you a lot of back story.

I still have a lot of questions.  How could he walk around in the original suit?  How is the bad guy walking around in a suit 4x as big?  Why did the bad guys have him build a weapon, when they could just buy a weapon?

Make sure you stay for the ending of the credits!!!

Hellboy

Who: Ambe r& Jonathan
What: Hellboy
Where: @ home - free HBO weekend!
Why: Jonathan picked it out

During my free HBO weekend, I recorded every single movie I could find. Hellboy was one of them. I've never read a Hellboy comic book, so I don't know how badly they butchered the story (knowing other comic book movies, people always complain about that).

This movie was BIG TIME cheesy. Hellboy (Ron Pearlman - that guy from the Beauty and the Beast TV show) said 1/2 his lines are regular dialoge, and the other 1/2 as lame action movie quips. For example, if somebody was on fire, he's say, "looks like someone likes it hot!". Super groan!

And Hellboy has a love interest? And she's hot (Selma Blair)? Sure, she's got super powers like him, but come on! No offense Hellboy, but you're red, have horns, you have one giant hand and one normal hand and you're like 400lbs (of pure muscle, but still).

There was some sort of plot, which I didn't really follow very well. Something about Nazis and WWII. Don't get me wrong, it was kind-of a fun movie. I'm just glad I saw it for free on TV.