True Grit

Who: Bill
What: True Grit
Where: Turner Classic Movies
Why: A classic John Wayne movie

No performer defined the western film genre better than John Wayne. One of his most defining performances is the character Rooster Cogburn in 1969's True Grit, which earned Wayne his only Oscar.

When her father Frank Ross is murdered, young Mattie (Kim Darby) embarks on a search to find his killer. She is smart, tough and emboldened with, well, "true grit". On her quest, she learns of the aging, tough and gritty U.S. Marshall named Cogburn. Mattie seeks his assistance, but Cogburn has doubts. Nonetheless, Mattie's determination and stubbornness impresses Cogburn who finds that Mattie reminds him a lot about himself. Also looking for Ross's killer is a Texas Ranger named Le Boeuf (Glen Campbell), who joins Cogburn and Mattie. He also hopes to collect a reward for capturing the outlaw named Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey), who had earlier killed a Texas Senator.

John Wayne excels as Rooster Cogburn in all the character's irritable, hard-drinking, unclean, patch-wearing, anti-hero glory. You simply DON'T MESS with Cogburn. He is one tough SOB. Period. This was a tailor-made role for Wayne, then at the pinnacle of an extremely successful career. Adding credibility to their roles are Kim Darby and Glen Campbell. Darby continues to occasionally appear in movies and on television as well as teach acting classes. Campbell of course is a popular Grammy-winning country singer and its been said that Wayne personally selected him for the part of La Boeuf. He also sings the film's title song. Other performers of note include Robert Duvall as Lucky Ned Pepper, Dennis Hopper as Moon, and John Fiedler as a lawyer named Daggett, whom Mattie references throughout the story.

Wayne would return to play Cogburn in 1975's aptly titled Rooster Cogburn with Katharine Hepburn. A TV movie with Warren Oates as Cogburn titled True Grit: A Further Adventure would follow in 1978, and in 2009 it was announced that Joel and Ethan Cohen are planning a remake of the original movie which would more closely follow the novel upon which it was based.

Blue Streak

Who:  Amber
What:  Blue Streak
Where:  cable
Why: I can watch this movie over and over

I've seen this movie 100 times, and I'll probably watch it 100 more.  It's one of those movies where I can just have it on in the background, and it's still hilarious.

Martin Lawrence (in his hey day) is a bank robber.  A heist goes wrong when his partner turns on him.  Martin escapes by entering a building that's under construction.  He hides a giant diamond he was stealing, then the cops find him.

Fast forward 2 years, and Martin is out of jail.  First stop - go back to that building that was under construction and get that diamond.  Unfortunately that once under construction building has been completed … into a police station.  He can't just stroll in there and head up to the 3rd floor.  He tried to fake deliver a pizza, and that doesn't work.  So he turns to another con-man who makes a bunch of fake IDs for him, and a phony police career as a new transfer.

Since Martin is a criminal, he knows how criminals work.  The minute he walks into the police station, they get a robbery call.  He just wants to get his diamond and get out of there before they realize his police record is 100% fake.  Instead he gets thrown with a partner (Luke Wilson), who's a quiet, nerdy guy, but he's smart.  With Martin's genius criminal mind, he is solving crimes left and right.  With in the hour, he's promoted!

He tries to weasel out of police work, so he has time to search the air ducts for his diamond.  Of course he eventually finds it, and drops it in a huge pile of drug evidence.

Queue the action car chase scene with the FBI as Martin works 'undercover' to recover his diamond.  Everything is for this diamond!

Will Luke Wilson figure out that Martin is a bogus cop?  He's pretty smart, but he's also pretty gullible.  How about the double crossing partner of his ... where is he after the bank robbing gone bad?  I'm sure he's after the diamond as well (hint, hint). 

Find this '90s movie on cable.  I guarantee you'll laugh.

The Fast and the Furious

Who:  Amber
What:  The Fast and the Furious
Where:  on cable
Why:  Why the heck not!

This movie is a classic. Don't laugh or try to deny it.

Brian (Paul Walker) is an undercover police officer, and he's super cute.  There has been a car racing gang robbing big rig trucks.  The gang drives up in their super cool racing cars, boards the truck, and takes the merchandise somehow.  Brian has a short window of time to figure out what's going on.

Undercover Brian dives right into to the world of illegal street racing.  He's got a sweet car, which he immediately loses to Vin Diesel (Dom) in a street race.  After the race, the police stop by, and Brian helps Dom get away, so Dom assumes he's a good guy.  Dom's family/gang are questionable about Brian (they think he might be a cop), but Dom is the leader, and he approves.

Dom's younger sister also approves. *Me-ow!*

As Brian hangs out with Dom, his sister, his computer wiz friend, and stupid nerdy friend he realizes that they are all really great people, just trying to live their lives, and racing cars.  Brian reeeeally hopes that they are not involved with the robberies.  There is a rival, evil car racing gang.  Hopefully they are involved.

Lots of car racing, gang shoot outs, and truck robberies later, we find out who really is behind the robberies.  Is it Dom and his crew, or the rival car racing gang?  Will Brian be sucked into this uber-cool life style, or will he arrest the real thieves?   This movie is always on cable somewhere … if you haven't already seen it, I highly recommend it.

Also, laugh at Paul Walker's acting skills. He's a pretty face, but the acting struggles at times.

G Force

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  G Force
Where:  AMC Pleasure Island
Why:  Jonathan picked it b/c it was his b-day

Welcome to the world of talking guinea pigs!

Fat Jesus from The Hangover (Zach somebody … you know, the guy with the beard) is in charge of a crazy animal experiment with the FBI.  He's trained guinea pigs, moles, roaches and flys to be full fledged agents.  They can even talk!

The FBI is tired of wasting money on training animals, so in the morning they are going to shut them down.   So the guinea pig and mole set out on their very first mission. If they are successful, then maybe they can prove that this section of the FBI is worthy, and they can all keep their jobs.  Otherwise, it's back to the pet store.

Well, thanks to a computer genius mole and 3 super charged guinea pigs, they break into Bill Niegy's (the bad guy) house during a huge party, download a file from his computer and escape. Success!

Unfortunately, the file they downloaded from the computer doesn't show the "world domination" that the guinea pigs thought, it just shows how to make a coffee maker.  Not a success.  They are shut down and shipped off to the pet store.

Silly pet owners and realistic (ha!) escape plans later, the 3 guinea pigs (plus 1 stray guinea pig they found at the pet store) are back together, and ready to prove that they didn't screw up their mission.  They know they downloaded the correct file.  Why couldn't the computer genius mole find it to show the head FBI guy?   Could it be because he's a "mole"!?!  Get my drift …

This movie was ok, but I don't need to see it again.  The guinea pigs were cute (and not super CGI looking), but the circumstances were way ridiculous.  The bad guy was trying to make all his home appliances come to life like transformers and take over the world. Riiiiiiight.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix

Who:  Amber
What:  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (HP5)
Where:  borrowed it from my friend Dawnita
Why:  I'm getting ready for the next Harry Potter movie

Hi, I'm 33 years old and I love the Harry Potter movies and books.

This movie was great, as they all are, but extremely long. It seems like it would never end!

This movie starts where the 4th movie ended. Cedric has been killed by Voldemort, who is 100% back. Unfortunately, only Harry has seen Voldemort, so nobody really believes that he's back for good. Everybody is pretty much in denial. Harry is annoyed and ticked off at everybody who fails to believe him.

Thankfully, the Order of the Phoenix believes Harry. The Order of the Phoenix is a group of all the 'good guys' who plan to fight Voldemort. Ron's Parents, Sirius Black, Lupin, Tonks, etc. They are all living and planning things together at Sirius's boyhood home. Harry, Ron, Hermione are all staying there for the summer as well. As usual, the adults don't really tell Harry much of anything, which also really annoys him.

Since Harry knows Voldemort is back, and most of his friends believe him, they decide to take action. They need to learn how to defend themselves, and fast. Harry creates the "D.A." (Dumbledore's Army), and they sneak around after classes, practicing spells and jinxes.

The big finale is a huge showdown at the Ministry of Magic. There is a random prophecy that Voldemort needs (for some reason …). Since the prophecy is about Harry, he is the only one who can retrieve it. I can't remember why Harry thinks it's a good idea to retrieve the prophecy, but he does. In a "we're friends till the very end!" moment, Ron, Hermione and 3 other friends go with Harry to help him. Voldemort shows up, along with his powerful Death Eaters, and the showdown begins! Spells, jinxes, broken prophecies and the death of a major character later … (should I tell you the ending … I think not!)

Duel

Who: Bill
What: Duel
Where: Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Why: One of the first movies directed by Steven Spielberg

Mild-mannered salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) is on his way to meet a client. Traveling on a remote two-lane California highway he gets behind a slow-moving, exhaust-spewing old tanker truck. He bypasses the truck, but very quickly the truck bypasses him. Soon, Mann finds himself in a high-speed, life-threatening "duel" between his four-door sedan and the menacing tanker truck, whose driver's face is unseen. Call it an extreme case of road rage.

Duel was first seen Saturday, November 13, 1971 on ABC's "Movie of the Weekend", which along with that network's Tuesday night "Movie of the Week", consisted entirely of made-for-TV feature films. Each movie was budgeted at no more than $450,000 and just long enough to fit into a 90-minute time slot. "The Movie of the Week" was a huge hit upon its debut in 1969, as viewers enjoyed the World Premiere of a new motion picture presented for free each week. When Steven Spielberg was assigned to helm Duel, he had already established himself as an ambitious young director for Universal Television, working on episodes for popular shows such as Rod Serling's Night Gallery, Marcus Welby M.D. and Columbo. What could have been an average TV movie thriller, Duel is made unique by Spielberg's direction with minimal dialog and effective camera angles which add to the overall suspense of the story. These are especially effective in the chase scenes between the plain red early-70's Plymouth Valiant and the dirty, sinister tanker truck squaring off in a fight to the death. Of equal merit is Dennis Weaver's performance as the stalked driver, who can't understand why he is being terrorized for simply passing another vehicle on a lonely road.

Duel is one of the most famous films presented as part of ABC's "Movie of the Week" franchise. A few weeks after its airing, another acclaimed TV movie had its premiere: Brian's Song. Both movies were so well received by critics and viewers that they were even given theatrical releases. In the case of Duel, this involved the addition of several scenes and some mild profanity. This is the version that has aired on TCM, and seen on a special edition DVD. Duel is recommend not just to observe some of the best early career work of Steven Spielberg, but as an effective suspense thriller.

By the way, if you want to see how Duel was first presented to viewers, check out its preview clip on You Tube by typing "ABC Movie of the Weekend" in the search box. You can also see openings from "The Movie of the Week" and other network movie programs from the 1960's through the 1990's.

Star Trek

Who: Scott & Kerri
What: STAR TREK
Where: Showplace 14, Machesney Park, IL
Why: Cause we were kidless and wanted to see a movie

I must preface this - I am NOT a Trekkie. I repeat I am not a Trekkie. I'm totally a Star Wars Girl. Although had this movie come out when I was a kid instead of that first piece of crap Trek movie, I would have been all in. This movie Rocked!

Even though I'm not a Trekkie, I know a "little" about the Star Trek Universe, but I don't know the ins and outs. Like I cracked up at "Dammit Jim I'm a Doctor not a Physicist." But was like "Spock's half human, did I know this?"

Just so you know where I'm coming from on this.

Again, This movie flippin Rocked!

It was fun, the effects were great, it had a lot of humor without being a parody of itself. It had action without making you feel worn out. There was really great character development, it let those of us who weren't born Klingon feel that we got a chance to know the characters and didn't feel left out of the film.

It starts off with James T Kirk being born, following him and Spock both through their childhoods with some quick scenes, where they meet at an Academy, and are suddenly thrust into action on the USS Enterprise. Did I mention the effects were great?? Did I mention it also made me laugh?

I don't want to really say too much more as to give the plot away, although everyone else in the world has probably already scene it, but for you three that haven't, GO WATCH NOW! We'll wait for you.

Are you back? Wasn't it great?

(Am I the only Star Wars Geek that was waiting for Han to show up on the snowy planet? That was HOTH wasn't it? ;) sorry, I digress)

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.

The Running Man

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  The Running Man
Where:  @ home off cable
Why:  Jonathan has never seen it, and it's a classic in my book

In the far future ... 2017 ... the world economy has collapsed. Sounds familiar huh? Well, in the late '80s, the year 2017 was far away.

The US has become totally controlled by the government, even TV. The most popular TV show is called The Running Man. It shows a couple criminals running away from "the stalkers" whose job is to kill them. Literally - kill them. People love seeing criminals killed by the stalkers!

Ben Richards (Schwarzenegger) used to be an Army military pilot. On a routine mission, the Army asks Ben to fire on some innocent people. He refuses and his Army captain knocks him out, and fires on the innocent people. Then he frames Ben, and he goes to jail for 2 years ... until he escapes!

Unfortunately, he doesn't get very far. Next thing he knows he's on The Running Man, along with 3 of his good buddies.

Richards is a tough dude. Unstead of being killed by the stalkers, he takes them out one by one.

This movie is a cheesy ball of goodness! Although, I highly recommend the short story by Richard Bachman (aka: Steven King). It's a fantastic read! Way better than the movie!

Live Free or Die Hard

Who:  Amber
What:  Live Free or Die Hard
Where:  @ home, I own it on DVD
Why:  It's a classic!

NYPD Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) randomly receives a phone call from the FBI to drive NY hacker named Matt Farrell (Justin Long) down to Washington. Turns out there was a hack in an FBI computer system, so they would like to question all hackers who are on the "list".

Right when John gets to Matt's apartment, a group of men show up and try to kill John and Matt. Of course, McClane manages to get them both out, and kill a bunch of the bad guys in the process.

As it turns out, a group of terrorists have hacked into EVERYTHING - shutting down airports, traffic lights, social security, everything!

Thankfully, Matt knows enough about hacking and can help McClane shut them down. But not with out some crazy adventures! Since the hackers can see everything (there are cameras everywhere you know), they are making it extremely hard for our 2 heros. McClane kills more bad guys and gets him self out of unbelievable situations (seriously - they were a tad unbelievable).

The final straw is when the hackers kidnap Lucy, McClane's college age daughter. Yippe-ki-aye - let's go rescue her!!!

If you love action movies, then this is a MUST SEE. There are some great action and fight scenes. Did you know you can blow up a helicopter with a car? And Justin Long and Bruce Willis work really well together. Bruce Willis is an old school dude, and Justin Long is a young whipper snapper. But their banter back and forth is hilarious!

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!!!

Sleath

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Slealth
Where:  @ home off cable
Why:  It looked decent

In the not-so-distant future, the Navy has teamed the 3 best fighter pilots together. Ironically, they are the 3 most gorgeous people in the world (Josh Lucas - man, he's got some great eyes, Jessica Biel and Jamie Foxx). At first, my thought was "Jessica Biel as a fight pilot, this is so lame!" But I've got to give her a hand, she was really believable. She was covered up the entire time. Even at a nightclub scene she has on the standard white navy uniform. Kudos Jessica Biel!

But, alas, the Navy is introducing a 4th member to the close knit team, a fighter jet piloted by a computer. Josh Lucas, the leader of the team, is leary of the new jet. He thinks you need emotions and moral judgement to fight in wars.

Of course, he's correct. As the jet "learns" combat manuevers from the super attractive human pilots, he learns some bad mannars as well. It also doesn't help that 'he' got struck by lightning!

Ok, seriously, this sounds like a horrible movie huh? Computer controlled jet, struck by lighting ... but this all happens with in the first hour. Then the movie gets really good. Jessica Biel has to parachute out of her plane into North Korea, and Josh Lucas has to crash land in Alaska, then attempt to save Jessica Biel.

Honestly, this movie is pretty good - if you enjoy action/adventure type stuff.

Cliffhanger

Who:  Amber
What:  Cliffhanger
Where:  @ home off cable
Why:  I wanted some background noise

Who hasn't seen Cliffhanger? It was all the rage in the early '90s.

Movies like this amaze me. No, not the stellar acting (Sly Stallone), but the awesome scenery. Granted, I never know what backgrounds are real and not real (like a matte painting) in the movies, but the mountain ranges are so vast! It's pretty incredible.

While mountain climbing with some buddies, Gabe's (Stallone) friend's equiptment breaks. While trying to save her from falling, she slips out of his hands. Man, falling to your death would really be a horrible way to die.

A year later, Gabe finally goes back to the ranger station. Unfortunately, at the same time they get a distress call from some 'stranded' people. Actually, it's a group of bad guys led by Qualen (John Lithgow). They were attempting to steal some money from an airplane, but the suitcases (of money) fell out of the plane, and landed somewhere in the mountains. The suitcases have tracking devises, but only an experiences team could climb the mountains and retrieve the money.

Will Gabe find and keep the money? Or will he kill all the bad guys and save the day? Search for this movie on your DVR and find out!

CHiPs 99

Who: Bill
What: CHiPs 99
Where: Old tape recorded when it first aired
Why: One of my favorite childhood shows was "CHiPs"

CHiPs--an acronym for California Highway Patrol-- originally aired from 1977 to 1983 on NBC. The show followed the adventures of motorcycle officers Jon Baker (Larry Wilcox) and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Erik Estrada) as they patrolled the vast Southern California freeway system and surrounding streets. High-speed chases, spectacular slow-motion car crashes and plenty of light humor along with John Parker’s memorable theme song and a disco soundtrack by film composer Alan Silvestri (starting in the second season) made CHiPs a very popular show with young viewers for most of its six years. In October 1998, 15 years after the last episode, cable network TNT brought back most of the original stars for a reunion movie clearly designed for those who watched the show either in its first-run era or during the years of reruns that followed. The movie was called CHiPs 99, even though it premiered in the fall of 1998.


In the movie, Ponch has returned to the CHP, teaming up with Jon (now a Captain) to investigate the theft of high-end automobiles. The story is reminiscent of the first episode’s main plot back in 1977, right down to a similar opening chase sequence. Helping out Jon and Ponch are their former Sergeant-- now Commissioner-- Joe Getraer (Robert Pine), former Officer and now Detective Grossman (Paul Linke), Officer Baricza (Brodie Greer) and just-promoted Sergeant Bruce Nelson (Bruce Penhall). Along for the ride are newer recruits Officer Roulette (Paul Korver), Office McFall (David Ramsey), helicopter pilot Stormy (Sean Holland) and Jon’s wife Officer Sandy Baker (Stacy Randall). Special cameo appearances are made by Garry Marshall, Stephen J. Cannell, Judge Judy Sheindlin, CHiPs creator Rick Rosner, and infamous celebrity lawyer Johnnie Cochran.

It is great to see Ponch and Jon back together again, albeit a little older, a little wiser and a little heavier… or in Ponch’s case, “paunchier”. It’s actually a testament to the excellent on-screen chemistry of Estrada and Wilcox which makes this movie and the original series fun to watch. Although CHiPs appealed especially to kids and teens, CHiPs 99 acknowledges that audience is now grown-up. That maturity level is reflected in scenes involving serious danger and the use of mild profanity in a few scenes. Additionally, the movie provides appropriate closure that was missed when the series ended.

When Wilcox left CHiPs in 1982, it was thought that Estrada’s higher popularity would be enough to sustain the show. But viewers quickly missed Jon and CHiPs reached the end of the freeway a year later. For that last year, Ponch was given new partners, first Bobby Nelson and then brother Bruce. It is noteworthy that Tom Reilly, who played Bobby, proved to be a difficult person on the set and his arrest for drunk driving and drug possession led to his role being significantly reduced. The well-liked Penhall effectively became the new co-star. For fans of the series, a rescue scene in the movie involving Jon and Bruce takes on added significance as the two never appeared together in the series.


While no further CHiPs reunion movies were produced, a feature film starring Wilmer Valderrama as Ponch is being planned for later in 2009. In the meantime, CHiPs 99 may occasionally air on TNT. It's worth catching if you find it and a definite "thumbs up".

Pineapple Express

Who: Liz and Robert
What: Pineapple Express
Where: home
Why: we wanted to
Well, I have to be in the mood for movies like this and I sort of enjoyed it. The whole premise of this movie is this stoner, is about to serve a asubpoena to this guy and he watches the guy murder someone! This is after he has just picked up some new type of pot from his dealer. Well, it is all about trying to not be found by the guy who murdered the person and what happens to the stoner guy, ( I forget the names of the characters) and his drug dealer and the drug dealer’s drug dealer. It was such a farce because with all the shooting going on, people should actually be dead, but similar to a cartoon, these folks live and actually walk around! Without medical intervention- I mean this doesn’t happen in real life.
The funniest part of the whole movie was dinner with the stoner’s girlfriends’ parents. I really laughed out loud at that part, but the rest of it was just kind of stupid.
If you are in the mood to just laugh and put aside all normal ideas about the way things happen, then this movie is for you.

Paul Blart Mall Cop

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Paul Blart Mall Cop
Where:  some random theater in Tampa
Why:  We had 4 hours to kill before a hockey game

I've seen this trailer 100 times.  I laughed every single time Kevin James slid behind that mall location finder, and he misses, so he does a bunch of little *squeak squeak squeak* slides.  But I was afraid all the funny scenes were in the trailer, leaving nothing for the movie.

Let me start out with, I was in a pretty bad mood, and I wasn't excited to see a movie.  This movie totally cheered me up.  I was laughing a lot!

This wasn't just a stupid movie about a stupid fat mall cop.  We really get to know Paul Blart (Kevin James), his daughter, his mom, his work situation, his medial issues, and I really felt for the guy.  Also, even though he is just a mall cop, he really enjoys his job, and he's really good at it.

What was weird was all the funny scenes from the trailer WEREN'T funny anymore.  But there was plenty of other funny parts.  I really like comedies, so I loved this movie!  It wasn't a stupid comedy, it had a lot of heart to it.  I highly recommend checking it out!

S.W.A.T

Who:  Amber
What:  S.W.A.T.
Where:  @ home - recorded off cable
Why:  I like action stuff

This movie has Samuel L. Jackson.  He's so cool.

This movie was really LONG.  It took a while for the action to get going.  It was about 1 hour of character development, which I guess isn't such a bad thing.  Still, let's get to the action!

This movie followed 6 new S.W.A.T. team members thru their training.  Of course it's a rag tag group of guys (and 1 girl).  There's no way they'll complete their training and pass the imposible test!!!  (of course they do).

Then a European guy, who's wanted all over the world, ends up in their lap.  As he's being hauled off to some LA jail yells, "I'll give $100 million dollars to anybody who helps me get out of jail!"  So of course all the bad guys in LA are out to ambush the S.W.A.T. guys and help out this guy.  It was a pretty interesting twist on the typical action flick.

Did some of the S.W.A.T. guys take the $100 million dollar bait?  Stay tuned ...

Bedtime Stories

Who:  Amber, Jonathan, MIL & FIL
What:  Bedtime Stories
Where:  Sullivan 6 - the only movie theater near Jonathan's home town (it's only about 30 miles away)
Why:  It looked cute (plus, there wasn't much choice)

This movie was really cute!  The previews kind-of give away the basic premise.  Adam Sandler (Skeeter) is babysitting his niece and nephew for 5 days.  His dad used to tell him awesome bedtime stories, so he decides to keep the tradition alive.

He tells them one story, and the next day it comes to life!  I'm sure we've all seen the 'raining gumballs' scene.  I figured all the stories would come to life unrealistically (like - it was actually raining gumballs), but it was actually 100% realistic, which I really appreciated.  I like a good old fashioned relatively realistic movie.  It actually wasn't raining gumballs, but a gumball truck has crashed (on an overhang bridge), so gum was falling out of the truck onto Adam Sandler below (although he thought it was some kind of magic).

When he realizes his stories are coming to life, he tries to tell stories that will help out him with his dead end job, and help out his niece and nephew.  Unfortunately, the kids just want a funny story, so they always end up with Skeeter not getting 100 million dollars, but he gets stuck in the rain instead.

In true Adam Sandler form, you'll see a cameo from Nick Swardsen, Rob Schneider, the QB from Water Boy, and more of his buddies.

I highly recommend this movie!  It works for adults and kids alike.

Judge Dredd

Who:  Amber
What:  Judge Dredd
Where:  @ home - off cable
Why:  Why not?

Diane Lane in an action cop movie?  Who knew!

This movie is set in the future.  Cops are now called "Judges".  They catch you committing a crime, they try you on the spot and sentence you.  The future is not a fun place to be.  There is crime everywhere, and the Judges are pretty cool people.

The coolest judge of all is Sly Stalone, or Judge Joseph Dredd.  He's a spandex wearing bad boy!  And by "bad", I mean really good.  He loves the law (almost a little too much), and loves upholding it.

Too bad his clone of a brother (seriously!) is a bad boy.  And by "bad", I mean really evil!  He commits a crime, and convinces everybody that Dredd is guilty.  Dredd and Rob Schnider (seriously!) are sent to jail.  Jail involved flying on a plane to some awful place.  A pack of crazy religious brothers shoot the plane down.  Dredd kicks some butt, and he and Rob Scheider escape.

Meantime, in the horrible future city, Diane Lane and the other Judges are being attacked by the clone brother.  The clone brother is trying to make more evil clones ...  Dredd comes in to save the day!

Did I mention the horrible graphics?

This movie wasn't all bad.  It was a bunch of cheesy lines and random action, but I enjoy random action!

Quantum of Solace

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Quantum of Solace - James Bond
Where:  AMC Pleasure Island
Why:  Jonathan likes James Bond

I might classify "action" as my favorite movie genre.  Although I don't like movies where I have to think really, really hard.

This movie was a little confusing, but I was able to follow it, which is kind-of a big deal.  I'm not a James Bond super fan, so I went to see this movie for a the action, no the James Bond-y stuff.

This movie starts where Casino Royal leaves off.  If you didn't see Casino Royal (the last James Bond movie), just know that James Bond is mad and wants revenge for something that happened in that movie.  I won't ruin the ending for you.

If you like car chases - check this out.  If you like boat chases - check this out.  If you like airplane chases - check this out.  If you like running chases - check this out!  We just needed a train chase of some kind, then this would've been the perfect storm.

Basically James Bond (Daniel Craig) jet sets around the globe (Russia, Italy, South America, etc...) trying to catch some bad guys.  There is a Bond girl (of course), but she's pretty tough too.  Both Bond and this girl are out for revenge.  Ironically, their revenges are different, but the involve the same group of bad guys.

There is a cheesy named other Bond girl as well.  Her last name in the movie is "Fields".  I'll let you guess what her fruity first name is.