The Best Movies for This Month

For the Month of November:

National: Quantum of Solace
Indies: Milk
Comedy: NA
Family: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Oscar Buzz:
Australia
Milk

Reminder for December: Movies I Recommend To See In 2008

National: Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Indies: Defiance
Comedy: Yes Man
Family: Tale of Despereaux
Oscar Buzz:
Brothers Bloom
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Revolutionary Road

REVIEW: Twilight

The Synopsis

IMDb: Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) has always been a bit different, never caring about or fitting in with the trendy girls at her Phoenix, Arizona high school. When her mother Renee (Sarah Clarke) remarries and decides to move with her new husband to Florida, and Bella decides to go live with her father, Charlie (Billy Burke), in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she doesn't expect anything to change. Then she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a boy unlike any she's ever met. Intelligent and witty, his piercing eyes see straight into her soul. Soon, Bella and Edward are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance. Edward can run faster than any cheetah, he can stop a moving car with his bare hands, and he hasn't aged since 1918. Most importantly, he's a vampire. Like all vampires, he's immortal. He doesn't drink human blood (they're vampire "vegetarians"), which is rare among the vampire population. Instead, they go on regular "hiking" trips, where they feed on prey such as grizzly bears and mountain lions. For Edward, Bella is the thing he has waited ninety years for - a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. And what will they do when James (Cam Gigandet), Laurent (Edi Gathegi), and Victoria (Rachel Lefevre) come into town and James sets his sights on Bella? Will true love prevail when Edward is forced to save her life and conquer his thirst? The true question is, When you can live forever, what do you live for?

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert: 2 1/2 Stars
Michael Phillips: 2 1/2 Stars
EW: Owan Gleiberman: B
A. O. Scott: NA

Other Sites:

At The Movies: Ben Mankiewicz: Skip It, Ben Lyons: Skip It
Fandango: 614 Oh No, 471 No, 1574 So-So,4342 Go, 10638 Must Go
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 44% (Rotten), Top Critics: 58% (Rotten), RT Community: 53% (Rotten)
Metacritic: Critics: 57 out of 100, Users: 6.2 out of 10
Yahoo Movies: Critics: C+ Users: B+

My Review

Source Material: Based on book with same title written by Stephenie Meyer screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg

Action: Defective: There were two or three scene that could have been awesome if a full fledged vampire fight had broken out.

Acting and Dialogue: Common: The acting was par and the dialogue was horrible. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson put up a good fight but there were a lot of scenes that just fell short.

Cinematography: Brilliant: I only reasoning for giving this film high remakes is its usage of old school film making style, which had to be used because of budget restraints.

Direction: Common: Pace was decent, but there was some major story flaws that left me empty inside.

Sound: Common: Okay at best, like the classical music though.

Special and Visual FX: Brilliant: I say the same thing I did for the cinematography, "you get what you pay for" mean it good for the amont of money they had to spend on FX may next time they will have enough to use CGI.

Overall: C, very low persentage for ciematic value but a very high percntage for fandom. I liked but I am not a hunred percent sure I would recomend it.

REVIEW: Quantum of Solace

The Synopsis

IMDb: 'Quantum of Solace' continues the high octane adventures of James Bond from 'Casino Royale'. Picking up literally hours after the previous film left off, after being betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Having captured Mr. White, and in pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and 'M' interrogate Mr. White who reveals the organization which blackmailed Vesper to steal Bond's casino winnings is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined. Forensic intelligence links an MI6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille, a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, a ruthless businessman and major force within the mysterious criminal organization known only as 'Quantum'. On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world's most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano. Using his associates in the organization, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in Bolivia, giving General Medrano control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land which is, however, a main source of the South American water supply. In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists, and even 'M' herself, to unravel Greene's sinister plan and stop Quantum from getting its way

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert: 2 Stars
Michael Phillips: 2 1/2 Stars
EW: Lisa Schwarzbaum: B
A. O. Scott: 2.5/5

Other Sites:

At The Movies: Ben Mankiewicz: See It, Ben Lyons: See It
Fandango: 166 Oh No, 204 No, 762 So-So,1487 Go, 1445 Must Go
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 66% (Fresh), Top Critics: 35% (Rotten), RT Community: 73% (Fresh)
Metacritic: Critics: 58 out of 100, Users: 6.5 out of 10
Yahoo Movies: Critics: B Users: B-

My Review

Source Material: Direct sequel to the 2006 film Casino Royale

Action: Amazing: The only negative thing was the shaky camera.

Acting and Dialogue: Brilliant: Daniel Craig puts in a decent performance as Bond.

Cinematography: Brilliant: It was decent but like I said before shaky camera.

Direction: Brilliant: Pace was good, also a decent story.

Sound: Brilliant: The sound track and score were both good

Special and Visual FX: Amazing: Complements the action sequences.

Overall: B, It's a Bond film, why not.

The Filmmakers

GEORGE LUCAS

14 May 1944, Modesto, California, USA

George Lucas is the man behind one of the greatest Sci-Fi/ Fantasy ever. American Graffiti might have put him on the filmmaker map but it was Star Wars that made him a house hold name. George Lucas is a writing genius and maybe even a producing genius but not quite a directing genius. I am not say he can’t direct it’s just he dose a better job writing and producing. Lucas needs something NEW. His filmography consist of six and half (the Clone Wars was only character/ universe) Star Wars movies, four Indiana Jones movies, and some odd jobs project to fill the gaps. He either just needs to quit while he still kind of ahead or reinvent himself as a filmmaker. Even with this down word spiral of movies, George Lucas will always be in my top ten all because of Star Wars.

Biography

Filmography

They Shoot Pictures, Don’t They?
.

REVIEW: Role Models

The Synopsis

IMDb: Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott star in Role Models as Danny and Wheeler, two salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender. Upon their arrest, the court gives them a choice: do hard time or spend 150 hours with a mentorship program. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn't look half bad. Once the center's ex-con director (Jane Lynch) gives them an ultimatum, Danny and Wheeler are forced to tailor their brand of immature wisdom to their charges, Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson). And if they can just make it through probation without getting thrown in jail, the world's worst role models will prove that, sometimes, it takes a village idiot to raise a child.

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert: 3 Stars
Michael Phillips: 2 1/2 Stars
EW: Owan Gleiberman: B+
A. O. Scott: NA

Other Sites:

At The Movies: Ben Mankiewicz: See It, Ben Lyons: See It
Fandango: 21 Oh No, 17 No, 51 So-So, 144 Go, 199 Must Go
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 75% (Fresh), Top Critics: 67% (Fresh), RT Community: 90% (Fresh)
Metacritic: Critics: 59 out of 100, Users: 7.6 out of 10
Yahoo Movies: Critics: B- Users: A-

My Review

Source Material: Original Comedy Written by Timothy Dowling, Paul Rudd, Ken Marino, and David Wain

Action: Common: Dramatic/ Comic driven.

Acting and Dialogue: Brilliant: I loved most if not all jokes Bobb'e J. Thompson is one of funniest characters, if not the funniest, in the film.

Cinematography: Common: Comedies usually don't bring achievements in cinematography.

Direction: Brilliant: Pace was good, also a decent story.

Sound: Common: Sound track wasn't half bad

Special and Visual FX: Common: none/ very little

Overall: B, good movie for a laugh...bring a buddy and have a laugh.

REVIEW: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

The Synopsis

IMDb: The sequel to 2005's "Madagascar", in which New York Zoo animals, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, still stranded on Madagascar, start to leave the island. All of a sudden, they land in the wilderness of Africa, where Alex meets the rest of his family, but has trouble communicating with them after spending so much time at the Central Park Zoo.

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert: 3 Stars
Michael Phillips: 3 Stars
EW: Lisa Schwarzbaum: B
A. O. Scott: NA

Other Sites:

At The Movies: Ben Mankiewicz: See It, Ben Lyons: See It
Fandango: 36 Oh No, 47 No, 223 So-So, 823 Go, 1046 Must Go
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 58% (Rotten), Top Critics: 62% (Fresh), RT Community: 75% (Fresh)
Metacritic: Critics: 61 out of 100, Users: 7.5 out of 10
Yahoo Movies: Critics: B- Users: B+

My Review

Source Material: Sequel to the 2005 film, Madagascar, written by Etan Cohen

Action: Brilliant: Enough to keep both adults and kids

Acting and Dialogue: Brilliant: To test the dialogue to family film is there adult laughs...joke make only for adult ears that kids don't get but laugh because you are laughing...Yes

Cinematography: Brilliant: The animation wasn't horrible but wan't spectacular either.

Direction: Brilliant: Pace was good and just long enough NOT to bore the kids

Sound: Common: "I like to move it, move it...I like to move it, move it...I like to move IT!"

Special and Visual FX: Common: animation, none

Overall: B, great movie for the family but will Bolt destroy this movie next week...most likely...If you can't get into Bolt then watch this movie again.

Dreamworks News

One of the blogs I follow The Movie Blog has share with us Film Fan news from Dreamworks. The news cover primarily what Dreamworks will be putting out in the next couple years. Read the complete article at The Movie Blog.

STUDIOS: Comic Book Movies

Marvel Studios

Location:

Beverly Hills California USA

Founder: Avi Arad (Wiki) Stan Lee (Wiki)

Parent Company: Marvel Entertainment (Wiki)

History (Wiki)

Filmography

D.C. Comics

Location:

New York City, New York

Founder: Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson (Wiki)

Parent Company: Warner Bros. Entertainment (Wiki)

History (Wiki)

Filmography

STUDIOS: Others

Lucasfilm Limited

Location:

Presidio of San Francisco,
California, USA

Founder: George Lucas (Wiki)

Subsidiary: Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) (Wiki), Skywalker Sound (Wiki), THX (Wiki)
Animation Studio: Lucasfilm Animation (Wiki), Pixar Animation Studios (Wiki)

History (Wiki)

Filmography

Lionsgate

Location:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Santa Monica, California, USA

Founder: Frank Giustra (Wiki)

Subsidiary: Artisan Entertainment (Wiki)

History (Wiki)

Filmography

The Filmmakers

STANLEY KUBRICK

26 July 1928, New York, New York, USA

Stanley Kubrick only fits into my quest to find one director/ filmmaker per letter of the alphabet. I not saying I hate Stanley Kubrick’s work it just I haven’t even seen the half of it. I mean out of his whole filmography I have only seen The Shining and 2001: A Space Odyssey. I been meaning to see A Clockwork Orange but it just hasn’t happened. I just going to say he made a great run while he was still alive. He may be known as one of the greatest filmmakers to live but he doesn’t fit into my top ten. The people who know me know that I am a Fantasy/ Sci-Fi type of guy. With that being said, 2001: A Space Odyssey is the only film of his I respect, except for A.I.: Artificial Intelligence which was more of a Steven Spielberg film but Stanley Kubrick was given a posthumous producing credit. Like I said before it not that I don’t like Stanley Kubrick is that I haven’t gotten to know his work.

Biography

Filmography

They Shoot Pictures, Don’t They?

REVIEW: The Haunting of Molly Hartley

The Synopsis

IMDb: Molly (Haley Bennett) is a 17 year old girl who has physically recovered from a stab wound inflicted by her mother, but the psychological scars that remain run deep. To help her begin a new life after her trauma, her father has moved her into a new school. With her eighteenth birthday approaching, Molly is haunted by nightmares of her mother's attack upon her while dealing with the stress of being the new girl in school. Symptoms of psychosis that seem to be affecting her seem to foreshadow an onset of the mental illness that took control of her mother's life, but of several different explanations for her distress, the most unforeseen and terrifying is revealed as the truth. Ultimately, Molly discovers that her mother and others who share her mother's concerns want her killed in order to save her from a preordained life as a servant of the Devil.

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert: NA
Michael Phillips: NA
EW: Adam Markovitz: C-
A. O. Scott: NA

Other Sites:

At The Movies: Ben Mankiewicz: NA, Ben Lyons: NA
Fandango: 67 Oh No, 32 No, 57 So-So, 39 Go, 50 Must Go
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 03% (Rotten), Top Critics: 14% (Rotten), RT Community: 23% (Rotton)
Metacritic: Critics: 32 out of 100, Users: 4.5 out of 10
Yahoo Movies: Critics: NA Users: C

My Review

Source Material: Written by John Travis and Rebecca Sonnenshine. Its plot has similarities to that of the 1976 horror film To the Devil a Daughter.

Action: Defective: No worth it

Acting and Dialogue: Defective: Were they acting?

Cinematography: Failed: Pointless

Direction: Defective: It looked good but is was really not at all.

Sound: Defective: No soundtrack or score

Special and Visual FX: Defective: None

Overall: D- There was nothing good that came out of this film.

REVIEW: Changeling

The Synopsis

IMDb: Inspired by actual events that occurred in 1920s-era Los Angeles, Clint Eastwood's The Changeling tells the story of a woman driven to confront a corrupted LAPD after her abducted son is retrieved and she begins to suspect that the boy returned to her is not the same boy she gave birth to. The year was 1928, and the setting a working-class suburb of Los Angeles. As Christine (Angelina Jolie) said goodbye to her son, Walter, and departed for work, she never anticipated that this was the day her life would be forever changed. Upon returning home, Christine was distressed to discover that Walter was nowhere to be found. Over the course of the following months, the desperate mother would launch a search that would ultimately prove fruitless. Yet just when it seemed that all hope was lost, a nine-year-old boy claiming to be Christine's son seemed to appear out of thin air. Overcome with emotions and uncertain how to face the authorities or the press, Christine invites the child to stay in her home despite knowing without a doubt that he is not her son. As much as Christine would like to accept the fact that her son has been returned to her, she cannot accept the injustice being pushed upon her and continues to challenge the Prohibition-era Los Angeles police force at every turn. As a result, Christine is slandered by the powers that be, and painted as an unfit mother. In this town, a woman who challenges the system is putting her life on the line, and as the situation grows desperate, the only person willing to aid her in her search is benevolent local activist Reverend Briegleb (John Malkovich).

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert: 31/2 Stars
Michael Phillips: 3 stars
EW: Owen Gleiberman: B
A. O. Scott: NA

Other Sites:

At The Movies: Ben Mankiewicz: See It, Ben Lyons: See It
Fandango: 10 Oh No, 6 No, 28 So-So, 69 Go, 135 Must Go
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 54% (Rotten), Top Critics: 46% (Rotten), RT Community: 86% (Fresh)
Metacritic: Critics: 63 out of 100, Users: 8.5 out of 10
Yahoo Movies: Critics: B Users: A-

My Review

Source Material: Based on A True Story, Screenplay written by J. Michael Straczynski

Action: Brilliant: Even thought this film is dramatically driven the action keeps the audience.

Acting and Dialogue:Oscar Worthy: Angelina Jolie showcase great acting all round.

Cinematography: Amazing: Period Film like this bring out the best cinematography

Direction: Amazing: Clint Eastwood in last past five years or so has put out some really good movies, this one matches the greatness of his other films.

Sound: Brilliant: Good Score.

Special and Visual FX: Common: None

Overall: A- I recommend this film for film fans and people who love Oscar buzz film.

The Filmmakers

PETER JACKSON

31 October 1961, Pukerua Bay, North Island, New Zealand

Peter Jackson the kiwi director with a vision of detail. Most of you remember the small trilogy called Lord of the Rings; well Peter Jackson helmed that projected, on the set he was described as a hobbit because of his fashion since. After LOTR he moved on to a classic monster film King Knog, he remade producing another epic film with an emphasis on detail. He now is brewing a couple of film one with be a joint effort with Steven Spielberg called Tintin, while the other is the prequel to LOTR, called The Hobbit, on this film he is only producing but another great genius, the king of fantasy, Guillermo del Toro will be helming the movie. Peter Jackson may always have that enter hobbit in him but I believe he will become a filmmaking god.

Biography

Filmography

They Shoot Pictures, Don’t They?

STUDIOS: Universal

General Electric

Location:

Hollywood, Los Angeles,
California, USA

Founder: Carl Laemmle (Wiki)

Major Film Studio (Parent Division): NBC Universal(Wiki)
Major Studio Subsidiary: Universal Pictures (Wiki)
Animation Studio: NONE
Independent Film Companies: Working Title Films (Wiki)
Arthouse/"Indie" Subsidiaries: Focus Features (Wiki), Rogue Pictures (Wiki)

History (Wiki)

Filmography