August 16, 2010 - #56/100
Rain Man (1988)
Charlie Babbit (Tom Cruise) is a self-centered Los Angeles-based automobile dealer/hustler/bookie. At a young age, Charlie used his father's 1948 Buick convertible without permission. His father reported it stolen, resulting in Charlie having to spend two days in jail. Because of this, Charlie no longer got along well with his father. Therefore, he hadn't spoken to him in years. Near the beginning of the movie, his father passes away. After reading over the will, Charlie finds out that his father had left 3 million dollars to someone else. Obviously, this news disturbs him, and he decides to further investigate. After investigating, Charlie finds out that he has a brother named Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), who is an autistic man that lives at the Walbrook Institute. Charlie then kidnaps Raymond and decides to take him on a road trip to the west coast as a threat to get the 3 million dollars all for himself. But, Charlie wasn't prepared to deal with Raymond's quirky ways. In the end, Charlie learns how to be less selfish, and learns to love and understand his brother Raymond. The acting in the movie was wonderful, especially Dustin Hoffman's performance. Overall, it is a deeply moving and heartwarming movie.
I gave this movie 8/10 stars on imdb.com.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People movie review
August 15, 2010 - #55/100
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2008)
Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) is a disillusioned intellectual who both adores and despises the world of celebrity, fame, and glamor. His alternative magazine, Post Modern Review, pokes fun at the media obsessed stars and bucks trends. Near the beginning of the movie, Sidney is offered a job at a conservative New York based Sharps magazine. Sidney is shocked at the offer, and ends up gladly taking the job. For a while, Sidney manages to mess up multiple times. It is hard for him to transition from one type of magazine to another. His colleague Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst) tries to help him out. Thus begins Sidney's attempt to climb up the corporate ladder. Personally, I didn't really think that this movie was that funny. It didn't really manage to make me laugh out loud. I had expected it to hopefully be different from most romantic comedies, but it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, it was entertaining. It managed to keep my attention, but I probably wouldn't watch it again unless if it was the only thing that was on the television at the time.
I gave this movie 6/10 stars on imdb.com.
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2008)
Sidney Young (Simon Pegg) is a disillusioned intellectual who both adores and despises the world of celebrity, fame, and glamor. His alternative magazine, Post Modern Review, pokes fun at the media obsessed stars and bucks trends. Near the beginning of the movie, Sidney is offered a job at a conservative New York based Sharps magazine. Sidney is shocked at the offer, and ends up gladly taking the job. For a while, Sidney manages to mess up multiple times. It is hard for him to transition from one type of magazine to another. His colleague Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst) tries to help him out. Thus begins Sidney's attempt to climb up the corporate ladder. Personally, I didn't really think that this movie was that funny. It didn't really manage to make me laugh out loud. I had expected it to hopefully be different from most romantic comedies, but it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, it was entertaining. It managed to keep my attention, but I probably wouldn't watch it again unless if it was the only thing that was on the television at the time.
I gave this movie 6/10 stars on imdb.com.
Eat Pray Love movie review
August 13, 2010 - #54/100
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having, which includes a husband, a house, and a successful career. But, she was unhappy with her life because she felt lost and confused. Therefore, Liz felt the need to search and figure out what exactly she wanted in her life. So, after she gets a divorce, she decides to travel around the world in hopes of finding whatever it is that she is looking for. First, she travels to Italy and goes to many various restaurants, trying out different cuisines and meeting new people along the way. Then, she travels to India and learns about the power of prayer and devotion. Finally, she travels to Indonesia, specifically Bali. In Bali, she learns to let go of all of her problems and she learns how to love again. The scenery in the movie was simply amazing, but the plot seemed to lack a bit. I've heard many people say that the book is very uplifting and wonderful. But, I don't think that the screenwriters were able to capture that uplifting kind of feeling and fit it into the movie. Also, I felt like the movie was just a bit too long. At times, I was beginning to wonder when it would end. I'm interested in reading the book to try to better understand what Liz Gilbert went through, but I don't know if I'd be able to sit through the movie again, even though I am a huge fan of Julia Roberts.
I gave this movie 5/10 stars on imdb.com.
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having, which includes a husband, a house, and a successful career. But, she was unhappy with her life because she felt lost and confused. Therefore, Liz felt the need to search and figure out what exactly she wanted in her life. So, after she gets a divorce, she decides to travel around the world in hopes of finding whatever it is that she is looking for. First, she travels to Italy and goes to many various restaurants, trying out different cuisines and meeting new people along the way. Then, she travels to India and learns about the power of prayer and devotion. Finally, she travels to Indonesia, specifically Bali. In Bali, she learns to let go of all of her problems and she learns how to love again. The scenery in the movie was simply amazing, but the plot seemed to lack a bit. I've heard many people say that the book is very uplifting and wonderful. But, I don't think that the screenwriters were able to capture that uplifting kind of feeling and fit it into the movie. Also, I felt like the movie was just a bit too long. At times, I was beginning to wonder when it would end. I'm interested in reading the book to try to better understand what Liz Gilbert went through, but I don't know if I'd be able to sit through the movie again, even though I am a huge fan of Julia Roberts.
I gave this movie 5/10 stars on imdb.com.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie review
August 12, 2010 - #53/100
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is thirty years old, and single. She works in her family's restaurant in Chicago. Her father just wants her to get married to a nice Greek guy, but Toula doesn't necessarily want to stick with tradition. Her mother convinces her father to let Toula take some computer classes at college. After she has learned a few things about computers, she ends up helping out her aunt's business, which is a travel agency. While working at the travel agency, she meets Ian Miller (John Corbett). Ian is a non-Greek guy, so of course Toula's father basically freaks out when he finds out. So, the rest of the movie is about Ian learning to accept the Greek ways and Toula's father learning to accept Ian as being a non-Greek guy. Personally, I had expected this to be a really funny movie, but I didn't think that it was that funny. It didn't really manage to make me laugh out loud that much. Overall, I still thought that it was a cute movie, and I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is thirty years old, and single. She works in her family's restaurant in Chicago. Her father just wants her to get married to a nice Greek guy, but Toula doesn't necessarily want to stick with tradition. Her mother convinces her father to let Toula take some computer classes at college. After she has learned a few things about computers, she ends up helping out her aunt's business, which is a travel agency. While working at the travel agency, she meets Ian Miller (John Corbett). Ian is a non-Greek guy, so of course Toula's father basically freaks out when he finds out. So, the rest of the movie is about Ian learning to accept the Greek ways and Toula's father learning to accept Ian as being a non-Greek guy. Personally, I had expected this to be a really funny movie, but I didn't think that it was that funny. It didn't really manage to make me laugh out loud that much. Overall, I still thought that it was a cute movie, and I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie review
August 11, 2010 - #52/100
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel), Carmen (America Ferrera), and Bridget (Blake Lively) have been best friends since childhood. Summer vacation has just started, and somehow the girls manage to find a pair of jeans that magically fits them perfectly. Since all of the girls will be separated during the summer vacation, they decide to share the pants as a symbol of their friendship because they assume that the jeans will bring good luck to those that wear them. Bridget travels to a soccer camp in Mexico and she has a crush on the coach named Eric. Lena visits her family in Greece and has a crush on the local fisherman named Kostas. Carmen travels to South Caroline to spend the vacation with her father, only to find out that he is planning on getting re-married. Tibby stays in town working in a store, and is befriended by the twelve year old girl named Bailey. Each girl has a chance to wear the pants. Towards the end of the summer vacation, their experiences help them to grow up, and their friendship remains strong. It took me a while to get over the fact that four girls managed to fit into one pair of jeans, but I finally managed to get over that huge flawed detail. I thought that this movie was cute, but it wasn't as good as what I had originally expected it to be.
I gave this movie 6/10 stars on imdb.com.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel), Carmen (America Ferrera), and Bridget (Blake Lively) have been best friends since childhood. Summer vacation has just started, and somehow the girls manage to find a pair of jeans that magically fits them perfectly. Since all of the girls will be separated during the summer vacation, they decide to share the pants as a symbol of their friendship because they assume that the jeans will bring good luck to those that wear them. Bridget travels to a soccer camp in Mexico and she has a crush on the coach named Eric. Lena visits her family in Greece and has a crush on the local fisherman named Kostas. Carmen travels to South Caroline to spend the vacation with her father, only to find out that he is planning on getting re-married. Tibby stays in town working in a store, and is befriended by the twelve year old girl named Bailey. Each girl has a chance to wear the pants. Towards the end of the summer vacation, their experiences help them to grow up, and their friendship remains strong. It took me a while to get over the fact that four girls managed to fit into one pair of jeans, but I finally managed to get over that huge flawed detail. I thought that this movie was cute, but it wasn't as good as what I had originally expected it to be.
I gave this movie 6/10 stars on imdb.com.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Anastasia movie review
August 10, 2010 - #51/100
Anastasia (1997)
When the dark shadow of revolution falls on the house of the Romanovs, the royal family's youngest daughter, Anastasia (Meg Ryan), barely escapes the siege. Ten years later the Grand Duchess knows herself only by the name Anya due to amnesia caused by hitting her head that night. But Anya holds memories of a past which was full of palaces and parties. In order to discover more about this past, she travels to Paris with two con men: Dimitri (John Cusack) and Vladimir who plan on passing her off as Anastasia to collect the reward money offered by the Dowager Empress for the return of her granddaughter. But what they don't realize is that they have the real Anastasia. And what's worse: Rapsputin (Christopher Lloyd), former confidant to the Tsar, will not rest until he sees the last Romanov dead. I've been wanting to watch this movie for a long time, and I thought that it was pretty good. I wouldn't consider it to be one of my favorite cartoon movies, but it was still really good. I don't really know much about the actual story, so I couldn't say whether or not this movie is historically accurate. But, it managed to keep me entertained, and I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 8/10 stars on imdb.com.
Anastasia (1997)
When the dark shadow of revolution falls on the house of the Romanovs, the royal family's youngest daughter, Anastasia (Meg Ryan), barely escapes the siege. Ten years later the Grand Duchess knows herself only by the name Anya due to amnesia caused by hitting her head that night. But Anya holds memories of a past which was full of palaces and parties. In order to discover more about this past, she travels to Paris with two con men: Dimitri (John Cusack) and Vladimir who plan on passing her off as Anastasia to collect the reward money offered by the Dowager Empress for the return of her granddaughter. But what they don't realize is that they have the real Anastasia. And what's worse: Rapsputin (Christopher Lloyd), former confidant to the Tsar, will not rest until he sees the last Romanov dead. I've been wanting to watch this movie for a long time, and I thought that it was pretty good. I wouldn't consider it to be one of my favorite cartoon movies, but it was still really good. I don't really know much about the actual story, so I couldn't say whether or not this movie is historically accurate. But, it managed to keep me entertained, and I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 8/10 stars on imdb.com.
Ever After movie review
August 10, 2010 - #50/100
Ever After (1998)
This story plot is pretty much like Cinderella, with a few scenes added here and there. Danielle (Drew Barrymore) has a wonderful bond with her father. But, sadly, he passes away near the beginning of the movie when she is just a little girl. Before he died, he re-married to a woman who had two daughters. So, after he passed away, Danielle basically became a servant for her stepmother and stepsisters. One day, she accidentally meets Prince Henry (Dougray Scott). At the time, she doesn't realize that he is the future king of France. Danielle ends up crossing paths with him again, and then he starts to take interest in her. Eventually, he must choose a wife, and he wants to choose her. The only problem is, he doesn't know her. Towards the end of the movie, she goes to the ball and confesses in front of him and everyone else, letting him know exactly who she is. It is then time for him to decide whether or not he wants to be with her. Personally, I thought that Drew Barrymore did a wonderful job. Overall, I thought that it was a cute movie. I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
Ever After (1998)
This story plot is pretty much like Cinderella, with a few scenes added here and there. Danielle (Drew Barrymore) has a wonderful bond with her father. But, sadly, he passes away near the beginning of the movie when she is just a little girl. Before he died, he re-married to a woman who had two daughters. So, after he passed away, Danielle basically became a servant for her stepmother and stepsisters. One day, she accidentally meets Prince Henry (Dougray Scott). At the time, she doesn't realize that he is the future king of France. Danielle ends up crossing paths with him again, and then he starts to take interest in her. Eventually, he must choose a wife, and he wants to choose her. The only problem is, he doesn't know her. Towards the end of the movie, she goes to the ball and confesses in front of him and everyone else, letting him know exactly who she is. It is then time for him to decide whether or not he wants to be with her. Personally, I thought that Drew Barrymore did a wonderful job. Overall, I thought that it was a cute movie. I wouldn't mind watching it again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
The Box movie review
August 9, 2010 - #49/100
The Box (2009)
Norma Lewis (Cameron Diaz) and Arthur Lewis (James Marsden) randomly receive a wooden box on their front door one morning. Inside the box is a red button. Norma and Arthur contemplate this for a while, but decide not to press it without knowing exactly what would happen if they did. Eventually, a mysterious stranger appears at their house, and tells them about the box. If they decide to press the button, then they will receive one million dollars. But, in pressing the button, someone somewhere will die. It will be someone that they don't know. Therefore, Norma and Arthur have a huge moral dilemma. But, what they don't know is that even if they press the button, there will be even greater consequences than just taking the life of an innocent human being. I thought that most of the movie was extremely confusing, and the ending didn't make any sense at all. I was beginning to wonder when the movie would finally end. It seemed like the plot went from somewhat believable to extremely unbelievable, and I became somewhat uninterested in the entire plot. The acting wasn't bad, but it was just weird seeing Diaz and Marsden in a movie like this. I'm still confused as to what exactly this movie was about, and I'm not sure if I'll ever figure out.
I gave this movie 3/10 stars on imdb.com.
The Box (2009)
Norma Lewis (Cameron Diaz) and Arthur Lewis (James Marsden) randomly receive a wooden box on their front door one morning. Inside the box is a red button. Norma and Arthur contemplate this for a while, but decide not to press it without knowing exactly what would happen if they did. Eventually, a mysterious stranger appears at their house, and tells them about the box. If they decide to press the button, then they will receive one million dollars. But, in pressing the button, someone somewhere will die. It will be someone that they don't know. Therefore, Norma and Arthur have a huge moral dilemma. But, what they don't know is that even if they press the button, there will be even greater consequences than just taking the life of an innocent human being. I thought that most of the movie was extremely confusing, and the ending didn't make any sense at all. I was beginning to wonder when the movie would finally end. It seemed like the plot went from somewhat believable to extremely unbelievable, and I became somewhat uninterested in the entire plot. The acting wasn't bad, but it was just weird seeing Diaz and Marsden in a movie like this. I'm still confused as to what exactly this movie was about, and I'm not sure if I'll ever figure out.
I gave this movie 3/10 stars on imdb.com.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Erin Brockovich movie review
August 8, 2010 - #48/100
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is an unemployed single mother to three children, and is desperate to find a job. In the beginning of the movie, she is involved in a car accident. A doctor ran a red light and smashed into her vehicle. Therefore, Erin attempts to file a lawsuit against the doctor. Ed Masry (Albert Finney) represents her. But, Erin doesn't end up winning her case. She then becomes even more desperate for money, and ends up convincing Ed to give her a job at his law firm. While filing, she notices something odd about one of the reports. So, she then decides to go a bit of investigating of her own. After doing some research, she learns that the Pacific Gas & Electric Company has attempted on numerous occasions to secretly buy land that was contaminated by hexavalent chromium, which is a deadly toxic waste. Apparently, the company had been improperly dumping the waste, and it had managed to infect many residents in the area. Erin eventually convinces Ed to join in on the investigation, and they soon manage to have one of the biggest class action lawsuits in American history against a multi-billion dollar corporation. I pretty much loved every single thing about this movie. It managed to keep my attention the entire time, and Julia Roberts and Albert Finney were amazing. What makes this movie seem even more interesting is that it is actually based on a true story. Obviously, I wouldn't mind watching this movie again.
I gave this movie 10/10 stars on imdb.com.
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is an unemployed single mother to three children, and is desperate to find a job. In the beginning of the movie, she is involved in a car accident. A doctor ran a red light and smashed into her vehicle. Therefore, Erin attempts to file a lawsuit against the doctor. Ed Masry (Albert Finney) represents her. But, Erin doesn't end up winning her case. She then becomes even more desperate for money, and ends up convincing Ed to give her a job at his law firm. While filing, she notices something odd about one of the reports. So, she then decides to go a bit of investigating of her own. After doing some research, she learns that the Pacific Gas & Electric Company has attempted on numerous occasions to secretly buy land that was contaminated by hexavalent chromium, which is a deadly toxic waste. Apparently, the company had been improperly dumping the waste, and it had managed to infect many residents in the area. Erin eventually convinces Ed to join in on the investigation, and they soon manage to have one of the biggest class action lawsuits in American history against a multi-billion dollar corporation. I pretty much loved every single thing about this movie. It managed to keep my attention the entire time, and Julia Roberts and Albert Finney were amazing. What makes this movie seem even more interesting is that it is actually based on a true story. Obviously, I wouldn't mind watching this movie again.
I gave this movie 10/10 stars on imdb.com.
Anywhere But Here movie review
August 3, 2010 - #47/100
Anywhere But Here (1999)
Adele August (Susan Sarandon) is tired of being stuck in a small town. Therefore, she decides to live in Beverly Hills with her daughter Ann August (Natalie Portman). It's easy to tell that Ann despises the fact that her mother is making her move away from her family and friends. Ann was perfectly content living in the small town. But, Adele forces her to move to Beverly Hills anyway. The two of them experience many issues after moving. Bills aren't being paid on time because the income is extremely low. So, there are obviously many obstacles that arise throughout the movie. Also, Adele has always wanted her daughter to be a movie star. She keeps trying to get Ann to audition for roles. But, Ann has no desire to pursue that dream at all. Instead, Ann wants to get away from her mother and attend a university. The entire movie seemed to be about the mother-daughter relationship, and the hardships that come with life. I thought that it was good, but it wasn't as good as what I was expecting.
I gave this movie 6/10 stars on imdb.com.
Anywhere But Here (1999)
Adele August (Susan Sarandon) is tired of being stuck in a small town. Therefore, she decides to live in Beverly Hills with her daughter Ann August (Natalie Portman). It's easy to tell that Ann despises the fact that her mother is making her move away from her family and friends. Ann was perfectly content living in the small town. But, Adele forces her to move to Beverly Hills anyway. The two of them experience many issues after moving. Bills aren't being paid on time because the income is extremely low. So, there are obviously many obstacles that arise throughout the movie. Also, Adele has always wanted her daughter to be a movie star. She keeps trying to get Ann to audition for roles. But, Ann has no desire to pursue that dream at all. Instead, Ann wants to get away from her mother and attend a university. The entire movie seemed to be about the mother-daughter relationship, and the hardships that come with life. I thought that it was good, but it wasn't as good as what I was expecting.
I gave this movie 6/10 stars on imdb.com.
Where The Heart Is movie review
August 2, 2010 - #46/100
Where The Heart Is (2000)
Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman) is a pregnant girl from Tennessee. In the beginning of the movie, she is heading to California with her boyfriend Willie Jack Pickens. It's obvious to tell that he isn't too thrilled at the thought of soon having to be a father, and that he feels like he is trapped in his relationship. In Sequoyah, Oklahoma, Novalee asks Willie Jack to stop at a Wal-Mart in order for her to be able to use the restroom. While she is inside, he drives off and leaves her stranded. She has no job and no money. But, Novalee secretly manages to live in the Wal-Mart until her daughter Americus is born roughly six weeks later. Her daughter is then known as the Wal-Mart baby. With a little help from two friendly strangers, Novalee attempts to rebuild her life. Overall, I thought that this was a cute movie. Natalie Portman was an excellent choice. In any movie that I've seen her in, she always manages to portray the character perfectly. Overall, it was a very emotional and moving movie. I wouldn't mind watching this movie again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
Where The Heart Is (2000)
Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman) is a pregnant girl from Tennessee. In the beginning of the movie, she is heading to California with her boyfriend Willie Jack Pickens. It's obvious to tell that he isn't too thrilled at the thought of soon having to be a father, and that he feels like he is trapped in his relationship. In Sequoyah, Oklahoma, Novalee asks Willie Jack to stop at a Wal-Mart in order for her to be able to use the restroom. While she is inside, he drives off and leaves her stranded. She has no job and no money. But, Novalee secretly manages to live in the Wal-Mart until her daughter Americus is born roughly six weeks later. Her daughter is then known as the Wal-Mart baby. With a little help from two friendly strangers, Novalee attempts to rebuild her life. Overall, I thought that this was a cute movie. Natalie Portman was an excellent choice. In any movie that I've seen her in, she always manages to portray the character perfectly. Overall, it was a very emotional and moving movie. I wouldn't mind watching this movie again.
I gave this movie 7/10 stars on imdb.com.
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