Jeff: ‘Simpsons’ worth a solid woo-hoo!
Plot: OK, let’s pretend the plot matters: Springfield is on the verge of being an environmental wasteland, and Homer pushes it over the edge. With that, the government decides to seal up the town in a giant dome. Now, with the town against him, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) after him, and his family having their doubts, Homer must save everyone.
Who's it for: If you have seen a handful of “The Simpsons” episodes, and laughed the majority of the time, then this film is for you. They don’t really push the envelope with language, but we do see an animated Bart naked.
Expectations: I pretty much just watch reruns, and not that often anymore. I decided to expect a solid episode and nothing more, even though they’ve had 18 years, so it should be good.
(click to read the rest)
Friday, July 27, 2007
No Reservations - Movie Review
Jeff: ‘No Reservations’ just a half-baked drama
Plot: Master Chef Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones) runs her kitchen and her life with an intense control. When a terrible car accident leaves her in charge of her niece (Abigal Breslin), Kate must try to make room in her home. And a new, free-spirited sous chef (Aaron Eckhart) joins her kitchen, which means Kate must try and make room for him in her kitchen.
Who’s it for: You have to be a big fan of Zeta-Jones and of course, be willing to hear people talking about food.
Expectations: I didn’t have any. Historically, I’m not a Zeta-Jones fan, but Eckhart is great, so I figured they would cancel each other out.
(click to read the rest)
Plot: Master Chef Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones) runs her kitchen and her life with an intense control. When a terrible car accident leaves her in charge of her niece (Abigal Breslin), Kate must try to make room in her home. And a new, free-spirited sous chef (Aaron Eckhart) joins her kitchen, which means Kate must try and make room for him in her kitchen.
Who’s it for: You have to be a big fan of Zeta-Jones and of course, be willing to hear people talking about food.
Expectations: I didn’t have any. Historically, I’m not a Zeta-Jones fan, but Eckhart is great, so I figured they would cancel each other out.
(click to read the rest)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Hairspray - Movie Review
"Hairspray"
Jeff: ‘Hairspray’ (surprisingly) enjoyable, infectious
Plot: The original “Hairspray” film inspired a Broadway musical, which in turn inspired a film, based on the musical … you still with me? At the center of it all is Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) who is obsessed with a Baltimore dance show, and attempts to teach the town about integration after landing a spot on the show. Edna Turnblad (John Travolta) attempts to reel in her daughter, but then gets caught up in the excitement of the times as well.
Who’s it for: You’ve got to love full-blown Broadway musicals to enjoy this movie. You have got to love full-blown Broadway musicals to enjoy this movie. That wasn’t an editing error; I just needed you to REALLY understand.
Expectations: The previews made me cringe. A fun musical about the racial climate in the ’60s with John Travolta in drag just wasn’t something that put a smile on my face ... until I saw the film.
(click to read the rest)
Jeff: ‘Hairspray’ (surprisingly) enjoyable, infectious
Plot: The original “Hairspray” film inspired a Broadway musical, which in turn inspired a film, based on the musical … you still with me? At the center of it all is Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) who is obsessed with a Baltimore dance show, and attempts to teach the town about integration after landing a spot on the show. Edna Turnblad (John Travolta) attempts to reel in her daughter, but then gets caught up in the excitement of the times as well.
Who’s it for: You’ve got to love full-blown Broadway musicals to enjoy this movie. You have got to love full-blown Broadway musicals to enjoy this movie. That wasn’t an editing error; I just needed you to REALLY understand.
Expectations: The previews made me cringe. A fun musical about the racial climate in the ’60s with John Travolta in drag just wasn’t something that put a smile on my face ... until I saw the film.
(click to read the rest)
I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry - Movie Review
"I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry"
Jeff: Nothing funny about ‘Chuck and Larry’
Plot: Larry (Kevin James) and Chuck (Adam Sandler) are best friends and firefighters. They would do anything for each other, so when Larry loses his insurance benefits because of civic red tape, he convinces Chuck to become his domestic partner. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy as that when a bureaucrat (Steve Buscemi) comes sniffing around, Larry and Chuck are forced to act like they are in love. This proves especially difficult when Chuck starts falling for the lawyer (Jessica Biel) hired to help them.
Who’s it for: This film is for people that still think slurs are funny but realize it’s not politically correct.
Expectations: Would this film just be a slew of bad gay jokes directed at a society that isn’t ready to deal with equality? Or would it rise above? I had two hours to find out.
(click to read the rest)
Jeff: Nothing funny about ‘Chuck and Larry’
Plot: Larry (Kevin James) and Chuck (Adam Sandler) are best friends and firefighters. They would do anything for each other, so when Larry loses his insurance benefits because of civic red tape, he convinces Chuck to become his domestic partner. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy as that when a bureaucrat (Steve Buscemi) comes sniffing around, Larry and Chuck are forced to act like they are in love. This proves especially difficult when Chuck starts falling for the lawyer (Jessica Biel) hired to help them.
Who’s it for: This film is for people that still think slurs are funny but realize it’s not politically correct.
Expectations: Would this film just be a slew of bad gay jokes directed at a society that isn’t ready to deal with equality? Or would it rise above? I had two hours to find out.
(click to read the rest)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Movie Review
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
Latest ‘Potter’ has some magic
Plot: When we last left Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory was dead and no one believed that Lord Voldemort is back. Harry’s fifth year in school brings another Defense of the Dark Arts teacher in Dolores Umbridge, who has been brought to Hogwarts by Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. Dolores attempts to take control of Hogwarts as Harry, Ron and Hermione decide to form an army to defend themselves from the coming of the Death Eaters and Voldemort.
Who’s it for: Each movie is a little darker and for a little older crowd, but luckily kids have been growing up with Harry and have probably read the books.
Expectations: Historically, I have gotten used to the fact that the movies just don’t fully capture the feelings of the books. Plus, before I see a movie I have to read refreshers since it’s very easy to confuse the timelines of the books with the movies. Remember, the seventh and final book is about to be released and this movie is the fifth.
(click to read the rest)
Latest ‘Potter’ has some magic
Plot: When we last left Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory was dead and no one believed that Lord Voldemort is back. Harry’s fifth year in school brings another Defense of the Dark Arts teacher in Dolores Umbridge, who has been brought to Hogwarts by Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. Dolores attempts to take control of Hogwarts as Harry, Ron and Hermione decide to form an army to defend themselves from the coming of the Death Eaters and Voldemort.
Who’s it for: Each movie is a little darker and for a little older crowd, but luckily kids have been growing up with Harry and have probably read the books.
Expectations: Historically, I have gotten used to the fact that the movies just don’t fully capture the feelings of the books. Plus, before I see a movie I have to read refreshers since it’s very easy to confuse the timelines of the books with the movies. Remember, the seventh and final book is about to be released and this movie is the fifth.
(click to read the rest)
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
License to Wed - Movie Review
"License to Wed"
Jeff: Revoke 'License to Wed'
Plot: Reverend Frank (Robin Williams) is a marriage counselor who puts a young couple through a series of tests before he allows them to get married.
Who's it for: No one. I’m about to get married and I didn’t find any connection. Plus, there aren’t any laughs to speak of in this “comedy.”
Expectations: The previews didn’t look good, but I thought this film would be more about the couple and less about Robin Williams. I was wrong.
(click to read the rest)
Jeff: Revoke 'License to Wed'
Plot: Reverend Frank (Robin Williams) is a marriage counselor who puts a young couple through a series of tests before he allows them to get married.
Who's it for: No one. I’m about to get married and I didn’t find any connection. Plus, there aren’t any laughs to speak of in this “comedy.”
Expectations: The previews didn’t look good, but I thought this film would be more about the couple and less about Robin Williams. I was wrong.
(click to read the rest)
Transformers - Movie Review
"Transformers"
Jeff: 'Transformers' really is more than meets the eye
Plot: Robotic aliens with the power to transform into man-made vechicles land on Earth and attempt to battle one another for an all-powerful cube. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and other humans are stuck in-between as Optimus Prime leads the Autobots against Megatron and the Decepticons.
Who’s it for: If you don’t know what Autobots and Decepticons are, you might want to avoid this summer blockbuster. Otherwise, this big-budget bonanza is for you … especially if you’re currently a teenage boy.
Expectations: “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers” were can’t-miss cartoons for me growing up, so I was pretty excited for this film. My only worry is that no blockbuster has met my expectations this summer.
SCORECARD
Actors:
Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky: Once again, LaBeouf proves to be the best young actor out there. His short, quick delivery of basic dialogue makes the first half of the film work, and for a while it looked like he would upstage the special effects of the Transformers.
Grade: A-
(click to read the rest)
Jeff: 'Transformers' really is more than meets the eye
Plot: Robotic aliens with the power to transform into man-made vechicles land on Earth and attempt to battle one another for an all-powerful cube. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and other humans are stuck in-between as Optimus Prime leads the Autobots against Megatron and the Decepticons.
Who’s it for: If you don’t know what Autobots and Decepticons are, you might want to avoid this summer blockbuster. Otherwise, this big-budget bonanza is for you … especially if you’re currently a teenage boy.
Expectations: “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers” were can’t-miss cartoons for me growing up, so I was pretty excited for this film. My only worry is that no blockbuster has met my expectations this summer.
SCORECARD
Actors:
Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky: Once again, LaBeouf proves to be the best young actor out there. His short, quick delivery of basic dialogue makes the first half of the film work, and for a while it looked like he would upstage the special effects of the Transformers.
Grade: A-
(click to read the rest)
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