This could be my last movie review for a while. I will be going to med school next week and will probably transition this to a blog about my medical school experience in the Caribbean! So, with that...
Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) is a single woman who is tired of trying to find "the one" that she is looking for to start a family with. She decides to put all of her dreams and plans behind her and jump to her back-up plan. Zoe goes to a doctor is artificially inseminated. As she is leaving the office after the procedure, she runs into Stan (Alex O'Loughlin) who changes her back-up plan altogether. Will Stan and Zoe get together and stay together, or will the new circumstances change everything?
Ok, I'm going to put this out there at the start... If you are a guy and are considering going to see this movie (without a reason that probably has a higher voice and long hair), stop reading this, walk to the kitchen and pick up a wooden spoon. Now, begin hitting yourself in the head until you change your mind... trust me, you will thank me later.
Now, with that said. The Back-up Plan had very few positive things for me. It was supposed to be a romantic comedy, but I feel like the comedy was lacking--a lot! Yes, I laughed, but it was few and far between. There was a lot of dialogue and time that was used to set up the funny lines. I really felt like they were fishing for things to make this movie funny. And several times they resorted to crude and unnecessary lines to make you laugh. There is no need to cuss to draw a laugh... seriously, its unnecessary!
I was very disappointed with the chemistry between the two lead roles. JLo and Alex did not work well together. I felt awkward watching them interact in the movie. They just didn't click. I feel like this fell on O'Loughlin's shoulders. JLo has done some decent movies and worked well with other actors, but the awkwardness was very apparent from Alex and less from Lopez.
I found myself trying to keep from falling asleep in this movies. The plot was about as predictable as it is to predict whether the sun will rise in the morning... Girl hates guys, girl falls for guy, guy falls for girl, girl pushes guy away, guy comes back, girl is happy, and they live happily ever after.
There was also the traditional Hollywood view of marriage. They mocked the idea of one spouse for life. They applauded single mothers and put all focus on children conceived out of wedlock.
There isn't a whole lot of good to say about this movie. Most of the funny parts were in the previews, while leaving a small amount that I had not heard already. I have never been in the room where childbirth occurred, but I can tell you that the 2 scenes (one of which was somewhat traumatizing) were not even close to a normal childbirth. So, if you watch this movie and it freaks you out... get a grip and don't look to Hollywood for real life situations.
I could keep going, but I will spare you the terror that was The Back-up Plan. I will prolly hear about this, but I give The Back-up Plan a 1.5 out of 5 stars. I was being generous for the somewhat funny lines and I will submit that the only reason it got an extra 0.5 was because of Anthony Anderson who played a dad at the playground and was full of laughs.
All this to say... Don't go see The Back-up Plan; its not even a good back-up plan if the movie you were going to see is sold out.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Date Night
Well, it's been a while since I have reviewed a movie, so tonight is a good night to start back.
In Date Night, Phil and Claire Foster (Steve Carell and Tiny Fey) are just an ordinary couple who come into contact with extraordinary circumstances. While on a nice date in New York City, the Foster's take someone else's reservations at an upscale restaurant and that decision dictates the rest of their evening. With mobsters and cops chasing after them, their only hope is to find what they are all looking for and return it to them before they catch up and take their lives. Will they put all the puzzle pieces together in time?
I enjoyed this movie. The acting was pretty good. Steve Carell usually can't let you down as far as his comedy and he definitely did a good job with this movie. It kept you laughing almost non-stop. I liked how the writers put together a good combination of funny and serious scenes, while allowing the plot to continue.
There was a good number of recognizable faces in this movie, which I liked. Mark Wahlberg (Shooter), James Franco (Spiderman), William Fichtner (Prison Break and The Longest Yard), Will.i.am even made a short cameo appearance.
There was quite a long scene that took place in what was supposed to be an adult club or a stripper club, however, you never saw any nudity. Because of this scene tho, it definitely isn't for the kids. There is also a few scenes where the characters are exchanging insults and the insults become pretty crude, but it was done for the comedic effect.
The ending was a little odd and difficult to completely figure out how it got to that point, but my guess is that there was a deleted scene that explains this and it was deleted by the director post-production in an effort to shorten or keep the film running smoothly. I always hate it when you get the DVD and watch the deleted scenes and feel like soo much of the plot was left out because of the removal of the scene ro partial scene!
Overall, I liked the movie! It's not a "thinking" movie, just there for a good laugh. I think it is worth a 4 out of 5 star rating and a solid movie to go see sometime. Don't buy it though (will be a while for the DVD, bc it was just released to theaters in the US on 4/10), just go see it; it will make for a good Date Night! (Pun Intended)
In Date Night, Phil and Claire Foster (Steve Carell and Tiny Fey) are just an ordinary couple who come into contact with extraordinary circumstances. While on a nice date in New York City, the Foster's take someone else's reservations at an upscale restaurant and that decision dictates the rest of their evening. With mobsters and cops chasing after them, their only hope is to find what they are all looking for and return it to them before they catch up and take their lives. Will they put all the puzzle pieces together in time?
I enjoyed this movie. The acting was pretty good. Steve Carell usually can't let you down as far as his comedy and he definitely did a good job with this movie. It kept you laughing almost non-stop. I liked how the writers put together a good combination of funny and serious scenes, while allowing the plot to continue.
There was a good number of recognizable faces in this movie, which I liked. Mark Wahlberg (Shooter), James Franco (Spiderman), William Fichtner (Prison Break and The Longest Yard), Will.i.am even made a short cameo appearance.
There was quite a long scene that took place in what was supposed to be an adult club or a stripper club, however, you never saw any nudity. Because of this scene tho, it definitely isn't for the kids. There is also a few scenes where the characters are exchanging insults and the insults become pretty crude, but it was done for the comedic effect.
The ending was a little odd and difficult to completely figure out how it got to that point, but my guess is that there was a deleted scene that explains this and it was deleted by the director post-production in an effort to shorten or keep the film running smoothly. I always hate it when you get the DVD and watch the deleted scenes and feel like soo much of the plot was left out because of the removal of the scene ro partial scene!
Overall, I liked the movie! It's not a "thinking" movie, just there for a good laugh. I think it is worth a 4 out of 5 star rating and a solid movie to go see sometime. Don't buy it though (will be a while for the DVD, bc it was just released to theaters in the US on 4/10), just go see it; it will make for a good Date Night! (Pun Intended)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Up In The Air
Up In The Air is a drama focused around a man named Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who travels around the country, living out of a suitcase and being held down by nothing or no one. When his company wants to begin utilizing new technology, Bingham's job is in jeopardy. As he pleads to keep his job, he takes a new employee, Natalie (Anna Kendrick) on one of his business trips and learns more than he could have ever imagined in the mean time.
My impression of this movie teetered throughout the movie. I initially was kinda mixed, then the story slowed down and I was becoming bored, then the end came around and I moved into a category where I loved it. I can definitely see why this movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture; if fact, I think this movie was better than the movie that won the Oscar.
The movie conveys some mixed signals in regards to marriage. On one hand it completely bashes the idea of being tied down and in a committed marriage, including promoting affairs, but then it turns around and pushes a character to commit to marriage because the alternative does not sound like a positive scenario.
One message the movie pushed was that you should always follow your dreams. Don't just do something because it is convenient and easy. I liked how they tied this into the story.
I noticed the product placement in this movie like no other movie I have seen. It was ALL over! Hilton Hotels, American Airlines and Hertz rental car must have paid some big bucks to this movie because I don't think you went 5 minutes without seeing one or more of these products displayed.
Overall, I rate this movie a 4 out of 5. It wasn't flawless, and had a few times that I was quite bored with the constant dialogue. There is some good comedy lines that get you laughing, but I can't recommend this to the young ones. There is some language and adult scenes and situations that make it an adults only movie. It's on DVD... go rent it! (I personally prefer RedBox!)
My impression of this movie teetered throughout the movie. I initially was kinda mixed, then the story slowed down and I was becoming bored, then the end came around and I moved into a category where I loved it. I can definitely see why this movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture; if fact, I think this movie was better than the movie that won the Oscar.
The movie conveys some mixed signals in regards to marriage. On one hand it completely bashes the idea of being tied down and in a committed marriage, including promoting affairs, but then it turns around and pushes a character to commit to marriage because the alternative does not sound like a positive scenario.
One message the movie pushed was that you should always follow your dreams. Don't just do something because it is convenient and easy. I liked how they tied this into the story.
I noticed the product placement in this movie like no other movie I have seen. It was ALL over! Hilton Hotels, American Airlines and Hertz rental car must have paid some big bucks to this movie because I don't think you went 5 minutes without seeing one or more of these products displayed.
Overall, I rate this movie a 4 out of 5. It wasn't flawless, and had a few times that I was quite bored with the constant dialogue. There is some good comedy lines that get you laughing, but I can't recommend this to the young ones. There is some language and adult scenes and situations that make it an adults only movie. It's on DVD... go rent it! (I personally prefer RedBox!)
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
Theres two kinds of people in this world when you boil it all down. You got your talkers and you got your doers. most people are just talkers, all they do is talk. but when it is all said and done, it's the doers that change this world. and when they do that, they change us, and that's why we never forget them. so which one are you? do you just talk about it, or do you stand up and do something about it? because believe you me, all the rest of it is just coffee house and bullshit.
All Saints Day is the sequel to The Boondock Saints that debuted in 1999. The saints (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) are living a quiet life in Ireland when back in Boston, a man tries to replicate one of their trademark murders except this time it is of a priest. The brothers cannot let this happen to tarnish their good name in Boston, so they return to find the man who set them up and to kill him. Little did they know that they were not dealing with your average mob boss. As tension escalates, there is only one person who can stop the bloodshed, but will they step in?
I loved the first Boondock Saints movie, and this one did not disappoint. It was full of flashbacks to the first movie, but was definitely a movie in itself. There were many parts of the movie that required you to have seen the first movie to understand, so I would definitely recommend seeing it before you see All Saints Day.
The movie although full of action and violence does have a plot which requires you to sit back and think a little bit. Of course, you probably would not catch on to this if you did not see the first movie.
There was a TON of violence and language in this movie, so it is definitely not a "watch with the young ones" movie. The F-word is used multiple times in this movie, much like the first movie, so if you could not stand it then, this one won't be any different. There is also some scenes where you see a little too much of some of the guys body, which was kinda disturbing. I could have done without that.
I give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars. I love that they were able to bring back the original cast after so many years. AND they definitely left the end open for another sequel. If you have seen and liked the first movie, odds are that you will like All Saints Day.
"And shepard's we shall be, for thee my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand, that we may swiftly carry out Thy command. We shall flow a river forth to Thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti."
All Saints Day is the sequel to The Boondock Saints that debuted in 1999. The saints (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) are living a quiet life in Ireland when back in Boston, a man tries to replicate one of their trademark murders except this time it is of a priest. The brothers cannot let this happen to tarnish their good name in Boston, so they return to find the man who set them up and to kill him. Little did they know that they were not dealing with your average mob boss. As tension escalates, there is only one person who can stop the bloodshed, but will they step in?
I loved the first Boondock Saints movie, and this one did not disappoint. It was full of flashbacks to the first movie, but was definitely a movie in itself. There were many parts of the movie that required you to have seen the first movie to understand, so I would definitely recommend seeing it before you see All Saints Day.
The movie although full of action and violence does have a plot which requires you to sit back and think a little bit. Of course, you probably would not catch on to this if you did not see the first movie.
There was a TON of violence and language in this movie, so it is definitely not a "watch with the young ones" movie. The F-word is used multiple times in this movie, much like the first movie, so if you could not stand it then, this one won't be any different. There is also some scenes where you see a little too much of some of the guys body, which was kinda disturbing. I could have done without that.
I give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars. I love that they were able to bring back the original cast after so many years. AND they definitely left the end open for another sequel. If you have seen and liked the first movie, odds are that you will like All Saints Day.
"And shepard's we shall be, for thee my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand, that we may swiftly carry out Thy command. We shall flow a river forth to Thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti."
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Hurt Locker
I probably would not have seen this movie if it were not for the fact that it won the Academy Award for Best Picture and 5 other categories including Best Director. Several times in the past, I have not agreed with the Academy in their choice foe Best Picture, so I wanted to see for myself if they chose the best.
The Hurt Locker follows the deployment of Bravo Company during their deployment in Iraq in 2004. When Sgt. Thompson (Guy Pierce) is Killed In Action, Staff Sergeant James (Jeremy Renner) joins Bravo Company for the final leg of their tour of duty. James is a bomb tech who specializes in disarming IED (Improvised Explosive Devices). His presence in the Bravo Company and his manner in which he does his job pushes some of his fellow soldiers to the edge. Will James and his men survive to return home or will their last resting place be on a street in a city in Iraq?
This movie is an intense drama that makes you feel like you are in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. There are multiple scenes where you are sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering if they are going to deactivate the bomb or will someone trigger the arming device before they can get away.
The problem I had with this movie are that it was somewhat slow. I understand that you can't have a movie that is all action and fast paced content, but to me, it seemed like it drew on too long.
The movie had a few subtle hints at some political propaganda, but I was actually surprised that Hollywood produced a movie that was not a bash a former President and the war movie. I was happy to see at the end of the movie that they made a point to put an emphasis on the fact that these men are serving our country in Iraq so that we can continue to have our freedom in America.
Overall, I rate this movie a 4 stars out of 5. It was put together really well, but did it deserve Best Picture when comparing it to the other movies that were nominated? No. I liked the movie, but it wasn't a movie that I would have watched and said, "Hey! That movie is gonna win Best Picture for sure!"
*edit - Also, for a movie that won Best Director, you think they would get some of the goofs right. For example, the movie was based in 2004, but during the movie, one character has a iPod touch that was released in 2006 (or 2007), and is playing Gears of War on an Xbox 360, which wasn't released until 2005.
The Hurt Locker follows the deployment of Bravo Company during their deployment in Iraq in 2004. When Sgt. Thompson (Guy Pierce) is Killed In Action, Staff Sergeant James (Jeremy Renner) joins Bravo Company for the final leg of their tour of duty. James is a bomb tech who specializes in disarming IED (Improvised Explosive Devices). His presence in the Bravo Company and his manner in which he does his job pushes some of his fellow soldiers to the edge. Will James and his men survive to return home or will their last resting place be on a street in a city in Iraq?
This movie is an intense drama that makes you feel like you are in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. There are multiple scenes where you are sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering if they are going to deactivate the bomb or will someone trigger the arming device before they can get away.
The problem I had with this movie are that it was somewhat slow. I understand that you can't have a movie that is all action and fast paced content, but to me, it seemed like it drew on too long.
The movie had a few subtle hints at some political propaganda, but I was actually surprised that Hollywood produced a movie that was not a bash a former President and the war movie. I was happy to see at the end of the movie that they made a point to put an emphasis on the fact that these men are serving our country in Iraq so that we can continue to have our freedom in America.
Overall, I rate this movie a 4 stars out of 5. It was put together really well, but did it deserve Best Picture when comparing it to the other movies that were nominated? No. I liked the movie, but it wasn't a movie that I would have watched and said, "Hey! That movie is gonna win Best Picture for sure!"
*edit - Also, for a movie that won Best Director, you think they would get some of the goofs right. For example, the movie was based in 2004, but during the movie, one character has a iPod touch that was released in 2006 (or 2007), and is playing Gears of War on an Xbox 360, which wasn't released until 2005.
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