Jonathan Sullivan's Movie Reviews

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

2008-08-29T08:26:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
Devastated Peter takes a Hawaii vacation in order to deal with recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah. Little does he know Sarah's traveling to the same resort as her ex ... and she's bringing along her new boyfriend.

My Review:
Jason Segel's penis probably would not sell a lot of tickets all by itself. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but most of us don't think of the co-star of "Freaks and Geeks," "Knocked Up" and "How I Met Your Mother" in that way. As wise men (and women) always point out, it's not the thing itself that matters, it's what you do with it. And what Segel does with it as star and writer of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is magnificent. Between his brief nude scene at the very beginning, and his even briefer final one, he discovers quite a lot about himself through his genitalia.

When Sarah dumps goofy nice-guy Peter for a ridiculous, slithery, pop singer named Aldous Snow, he tries everything to get over her: drinking to excess, reckless rebound sex, television reality shows. None of it makes him feel better. So he escapes to a Hawaiian island resort where, as nightmares would have it, Sarah and Aldous have also come to get away from it all. Hotel hospitality clerk Rachel Jenson takes pity on Peter's pain, but where will it lead?

Like most Apatow-influenced movies, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is, at heart, about forgiveness. We all do stupid, destructive and self-destructive things for which we're probably not going to forgive ourselves, so the best thing in the world is when somebody else forgives us. In the movie's moral universe, there are no irredeemably bad people -- just those afflicted to various degrees with shallowness, immaturity, selfishness, obliviousness, ambition.

For some critics and audiences -- who've made these kinds of complaints before -- the chief difficulty will be finding a way to forgive lumpish, doughy Peter for not being pretty enough to attract women as knockout beautiful as Sarah or Rachel. Fine, but that's the point at which the movie's geek-fantasy begins. Trying to actually maintain these relationships involves hard work, diligence, introspection, empathy and more than a little disappointment.

I gave this movie 2.5/5 stars.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) on IMDB

This Film is Not Yet Rated (2006)

2008-08-28T17:25:00.002-04:00

Movie Info:
This documentary investigates Hollywood's best-kept secret: the MPAA film ratings system and its profound impact on American culture.

My Review:
This movie is a must see for anyone that's interested in the MPAA or the movie rating system in general.

Kirby Dick's indispensable guerrilla attack on the film-ratings system gives Hollywood a swift, smart and hilarious kick in its institutional, hypocritical ass. Since the Motion Picture Association of America, which operates the ratings board in conjunction with the National Association of Theater Owners, is more secretive than the CIA, Dick used unorthodox methods to get his story. He hired two female detectives to spy on -- some would say stalk -- execs of this private club and reveal their identities. He interviews filmmakers, from Boys Don't Cry's Kimberly Peirce to South Park's Matt Stone, to show how the ratings gurus come down hard on indie films with graphic sexual content, especially if it's gay, and ease up on costlier movies from major studios, which basically pay their salaries. Though the rotating raters are not supposed to offer advice on what scenes to cut to dodge the box-office-killing NC-17 rating, Dick finds them doing just that. Violence gets off easy. From the evidence here, it's OK to show a guy hack up a babe, but not OK to show him go down on her. The sham goes on with illustrative samples from censored scenes that will prove eye-opening in more ways than one.

I gave this movie 3.5/5 stars.

This Film is Not Yet Rated (2006) on IMDB

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

2008-08-14T07:52:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
After being forced to leave Marshall College under dubious circumstances, Indy joins forces with rebellious, young Mutt, who believes he knows the whereabouts of one of the most spectacular archeological finds in history--the Crystal Skull of Akator, a legendary object of fascination, superstition and fear. But, as Indy and Mutt set out for the most remote corners of Peru--a land of ancient tombs, forgotten explorers and a rumored city of gold--they quickly realize they are not alone in their search. Soviet agents are also hot on the trail of the Crystal Skull. Chief among them is icy cold, devastatingly beautiful Irina Spalko, whose elite military unit is scouring the globe for the eerie Crystal Skull, which they believe can help the Soviets dominate the world--if they can unlock its secrets. Indy and Mutt must find a way to evade the ruthless Soviets, follow an impenetrable trail of mystery, grapple with enemies and friends of questionable motives, and, above all, stop the powerful Crystal Skull from falling into the deadliest of hands.

My Review:
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Say it aloud. The very title causes the pulse to quicken, if you, like me, are a lover of pulp fiction. What I want is goofy action--lots of it. I want man-eating ants, swordfights between two people balanced on the backs of speeding jeeps, subterranean caverns of gold, vicious femme fatales, plunges down three waterfalls in a row, and the explanation for flying saucers. And throw in lots of monkeys.

The Indiana Jones movies were directed by Steven Spielberg and written
by George Lucas and a small army of screenwriters, but they exist in a
universe of their own. Hell, they created it. All you can do is compare one to the other three. And even then, what will it get you? If you eat four pounds of sausage, how do you choose which pound tasted the best? Well, the first one, of course, and then there's a steady drop-off of interest. That's why no Indy adventure can match "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981). But if "Crystal Skull" (or "Temple of Doom" from 1984 or "Last Crusade" from, 1989) had come first in the series, who knows how much fresher it might have seemed? True, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" stands alone as an action masterpiece, but after that the series is compelled to be, in the words of Indiana himself, "same old same old." Yes, but that's what I want it to be.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" does not come close to reaching the plateau that was created by "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

Now what else can I tell you, apart from mentioning the blinking red digital countdown, and the moving red line tracing a journey on a map? I can say that if you liked the other Indiana Jones movies, you will like this one, and that if you did not, there is no talking to you. And I can also say that a critic trying to place it into a hierarchy with the others would probably keep a straight face while recommending the second pound of sausage.

I gave this movie 3.5/5 stars.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) on IMDB

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

2008-08-13T15:56:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
The characters of C.S. Lewis' timeless fantasy come to life once again in this newest installment of the "Chronicles of Narnia" series, in which the Pevensie siblings are magically transported back from England to the world of Narnia, where a thrilling, perilous new adventure and an even greater test of their faith and courage awaits them.

One year after the incredible events of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct, Narnia has been conquered by the Telmarines and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy.

The four children will soon meet an intriguing new character: Narnia's rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. With the help of the kindly dwarf, a courageous talking mouse named Reepicheep, a badger named Trufflehunter and a Black Dwarf, Nikabrik, the Narnians, led by the mighty knights Peter and Caspian, embark on a remarkable journey to find Aslan, rescue Narnia from Miraz's tyrannical hold, and restore magic and glory to the land.

Directed once again by veteran director Andrew Adamson, screenplay by Andrew Adamson and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely and produced by Mark Johnson, Andrew Adamson and Philip Steuer, the film reunites the original cast and creative team behind the blockbuster first film in the series.

My Review:
C.S. Lewis wrote the novels in the post-war United Kingdom, between 1949 and 1954. And the pictures themselves are the products of a globalized 21st-century economy dominated by multinational conglomerates like the Walt Disney Company. All of these influences can be felt in the first two "Narnia" films, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (2005) and the latest, "Prince Caspian" (2008).

With bigger battles and scarier monsters than its predecessor, the new movie flaunts grander visual effects, and, with one notable exception, a dash more individuality than the initial installment. Thanks are due to supporting appearances by a diminutive Narnian named Trumpkin and a fearless feather-sporting mouse named Reepicheep.

If you've read the novels, you already know that your favorite characters from the first movie, like Mr. Tumnus the Faun and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, will not be returning. "Prince Caspian" takes place centuries after the vanquishing of the titular witch in part one. As part two begins, the persecuted Narnian diaspora has been driven deep into the woods, and allegedly to the brink of extinction, by usurper Telmarine King Miraz.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" was a very enjoyable movie. I wouldn't say that it was as good as the first one, but it still made for a pretty good time. I've been waiting for this movie to come out ever since I saw the first "Narnia" movie in theaters. This one has stayed fairly true to the original novels, and I can't wait for the third installment to be released.

I gave this movie 4/5 stars.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) on IMDB

Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)

2008-07-21T11:08:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
Suicide is not the end, but only the beginning of a fascinating journey through the afterlife for souls in search of what they could not find in their previous lives.

My Review:
"Wristcutters: A Love Story" stars Patrick Fugit as Zia, who has evolved from "Almost Famous" to almost dead. He has been forsaken by his girlfriend, Desiree (Leslie Bibb), and has slashed his wrists. Apparently fate has designed a macabre punishment for those who commit the sin of suicide: You don't die, but linger forever in a life like the one you had before, but worse, and surrounded by suicidal people.

This idea of an afterlife for suicides is intriguing. They thought they were ending their misery, and it was just beginning. Zia gets a job at a place called Kamikaze Pizza, which only scratches the surface of the possible jokes. But don't get the wrong idea: The movie isn't laugh out loud funny, under the circumstances, but it is bittersweet and wistfully amusing. Could we be witnessing the birth of a new genre, the Post-Slasher Movie?

I gave this movie 3/5 stars.

Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006) on IMDB

The Brothers Solomon (2007)

2008-06-20T06:30:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
"The Brothers Solomon" tells the hilarious story of Dean and John Solomon (Forte and Arnett), two good-hearted but romantically-challenged brothers. When they find out their dying father's last wish is for a grandchild, the brothers set out to find someone to have a baby with. But after spending their formative years being home schooled by their father in a remote arctic location, their social skills prove to be somewhat lacking and their attempts at fatherhood go hysterically and disastrously wrong.

My Review:
Who here liked "Dumb & Dumber" starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels? You did?......and you too? Then you will like this movie.

"The Brothers Solomon" is pretty much a cross between "Dumb & Dumber" and "Knocked Up". What could be funnier than two brothers with no women skills trying to convince a woman to have their child? Will Arnett and Will Forte are extremely hilarious in this film. But then again....you have to be into this kind of comedy.

This movie is NOT for everyone. You have to have a very good sense of humor in order to enjoy this. I myself found it very funny. I think I laughed through all of the opening credits. I only gave this movie 3/5 stars for the fact that it was lacking in the storyline department.

However, it did have a pretty good soundtrack and it was full of laughs. If you're looking for a movie to just sit back with and let loose, then this is for you. If not, well..........this isn't for you.

I gave this movie 3/5 stars.

The Brothers Solomon (2007) on IMDB

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007)

2008-06-13T07:12:00.003-04:00

Movie Info:
A man named Farmer sets out to rescue his kidnapped wife and avenge the death of his son -- two acts committed by the Krugs, a race of animal-warriors who are controlled by the evil Gallian.

My Review:
I've only seen one other Uwe Boll movie; "House of the Dead (2003). After seeing "In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale", I'm pretty sure I don't want to waste my time watching anymore of his films either. Keep in mind that I only have two movies to judge my opinion on, but I think it's a safe bet.

"In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale" has some pretty big names in it. Let's see... you've got Burt Reynolds, Jason Statham, Ray Liotta and Ron Perlman. Even the most inept movie-goer knows at least one of these names. That still wasn't enough to save Uwe Boll's attempt at a LOTR rip-off.

This movie probably would have been better directed by a monkey with a hat and sunglasses. It had a lot of loose ends and unanswered questions. The one question that was constantly running through my head the whole 2+ hours: Why?

Why was Jason Statham's character a turnip farmer that knew martial arts? Why did the Krug set themselves on fire when there was still plenty of ammo to use? Why did the ninjas shoot an arrow with bells into the tree?

If you're thinking of watching this film, forget that thought ever ran through your mind and slap yourself in the face. This was the biggest waste of 2 hours I've had to experience in sometime. My time would've been better spent running around in circles in my front yard with a stick pointed in the sky.

By far the WORST movie of 2007. Hands down. 'Nuff Said!

I gave this movie .5/5 stars.

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007) on IMDB

27 Dresses (2008)

2008-05-23T12:37:00.003-04:00

Movie Info:
A single woman is tired of always being the bridesmaid at her friends' weddings. This time, she sets off to find her own Mr. Right.

My Review:
This movie was the best movie EVER!!! Ok....Ok...just kidding. I wouldn't say that I was forced to watch this movie. My girlfriend wanted to see it and I said that I would watch it with her. This isn't the normal type of movie that I watch. But then again.....I'll watch just about anything.

I'm not going to compare this to other romantic movies such as "Never Been Kissed" and "My Best Friend's Wedding". Mainly because I've never seen the aforementioned films. However, I will judge this movie as a whole.

"27 Dresses" was a pretty decent movie. It had some funny parts in it and it kept my attention through most of the 1hr. 47min. runtime. My only beef with this movie is that it was too predictable for me. I found myself sitting there knowing that something was going to happen. The only thing I didn't know was when it was going to happen.

I gave this movie 2.5/5 stars.

27 Dresses (2008) on IMDB

Iron Man (2008)

2008-05-11T15:15:00.004-04:00

Movie Info:
Tony Stark is a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man.

My Review:
O....M....G! Where do I start with this movie? This is EASILY the best "Marvel" movie that's come out in quite awhile. Robert Downey Jr. made an excellent Tony Stark/Iron Man and Jeff Bridges was pretty good as Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger.

This movie had pretty much everything you could ask for. It was full of excitement, suspense, and laughs. You hardly even noticed that it lasted more than 2 hours. It sucks you in and doesn't let go. Good movie from beginning to end.

And don't forget to stay 'till the very end of the credits. You'll be sorry if you don't.

I gave this movie 4/5 stars.

Iron Man (2008) on IMDB

Hercules (1997)

2008-05-08T16:39:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
The son of the Greek Gods Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero in order to reclaim it.

My Review:
There's really not much I can say about this one. It's just your classic Walt Disney movie. Filled with lots of good songs and good times.

I gave this movie 3/5 stars.

Hercules (1997) on IMDB

Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)

2008-05-06T21:25:00.002-04:00

Movie Info:
In a tree farm, three musically inclined chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore, find their tree cut down and sent to Los Angeles. Once there, they meet the frustrated songwriter David Seville, and despite a poor house wrecking first impression, they impress him with their singing talent. Seeing the opportunity for success, both human and chipmunks make a pact for them to sing his songs. While that ambition proves a frustrating struggle with the difficult trio, the dream does come true after all. However, that success presents its own trials as their unscrupulous record executive, Ian Hawke, plans to break up this family to exploit the boys. Can Dave and the Chipmunks discover what they really value amid the superficial glamor around them?

My Review:
Contrary to what I've heard about "Alvin and the Chipmunks", I didn't think that this was a very bad movie. The voices of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore were done fairly well. Jason Lee did a pretty decent job, considering this isn't the type of movie you usually see him in. Also has a nice soundtrack. I remember growing up watching "Alvin and the Chipmunks" on TV all the time. That was one of the main reasons I decided to give this movie a go. It turned out to be worth my time and it brought back a lot of old memories. I would definitely watch this one again. It was well worth it.

I gave this movie 3/5 stars.

Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) on IMDB

The Messengers (2007)

2008-04-29T20:33:00.000-04:00

Movie Info:
A family moves into a run-down sunflower farm. As the farm begins to revive after years of disrepair, the family begins to notice uncomfortable and alarming changes in their father's behavior.

My Review:
Ok....Ok! I'm 0 for 2 on horror movies here lately. "The Abandoned" wasn't very good and neither was this. I really can't even explain why I gave it 2 1/2 stars for. I don't have anything decent to say about this movie. It suffered on so many levels. I mean... it has two kids for the stars of the movie and one of them doesn't even talk. And I don't care how bad/hard I had it in a city, there is NO way that I would give everything up to move to a decrepit house in the middle of nowhere........Now I remember why I at least gave it 2.5 stars, it has William B. Davis in it (TV's Cigarette Smoking Man from "The X-Files"). Other than that, don't really waste your time with this one. Not worth it.

I gave this movie 2.5/5 stars.

The Messengers (2007) on IMDB

Juno (2007)

2008-04-29T19:57:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual and bizarre decision regarding her unborn child.

My Review:
This movie tries to tackle a very touchy subject. It's a problem that many American teenage women face. I thought that this movie was very well written and it had a great soundtrack.

I gave this movie 3.5/5 stars.

Juno (2007) on IMDB

Resident Evil (2002)

2008-04-29T19:53:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident.

My Review:
Because of all the bad reviews I've been hearing from my friends, I've been wanting to watch the newest Resident Evil movie; "Resident Evil: Extinction". I decided to go back and watch the previous two Resident Evil movies: "Resident Evil" and Resident Evil: Apocalypse". Of course you have to start at the beginning, so I gave "Resident Evil" another shot. I didn't think that this movie was as bad as everyone seems to let on. You have to remember that it's based on a video game. And can you remember the last "video game" movie that was actually good? It was pretty good as a stand-alone movie, but it definitely leaves you knowing that there's going to be a sequel. It has almost everyone you could ask for in a movie; blood, guts, pointless violence, zombie-esque creatures, and nudity. What more could you ask for? At least give this one a shot. It's decent for what it is.

I gave this movie 3/5 stars.

Resident Evil (2002) on IMDB

The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)

2008-04-29T19:45:00.000-04:00

Movie Info:
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself traveling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.

My Review:
This movie starts out just like "The Neverending Story" with a kung-fu twist. It also takes some of its martial arts scenes from such movies as "Wo hu cang long" (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and "Ying xiong' (Hero). If you are a fan of either martial arts movies, Jet Li, or Jackie Chan then this is a movie for you. "The Forbidden Kingdom" also marks the first time that Jet Li and Jackie Chan have apeared in the same movie together.

I gave this movie 3.5/5 stars.

The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) on IMDB

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

2008-04-29T19:36:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
THE DARJEELING LIMITED, starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman, is an emotional comedy about three brothers re-forging family bonds. The eldest, played by Wilson, hopes to reconnect with his two younger siblings by taking them on a train trip across the vibrant and sensual landscape of India.

My Review:
"Bottle Rocket", "Rushmore", "The Royal Tenenbaums", "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou", and "The Darjeeling Limited". These are the current movies of writer/director Wes Anderson. If you haven't seen any Wes Anderson movies yet, what are you waiting for? All of his movies are great in their own way. They aren't for everyone, however. If you give them a chance they will grow on you and you will keep coming back for more.

I gave this movie 3.5/5 stars.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) on IMDB

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005)

2008-04-29T19:30:00.001-04:00

Movie Info:
C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings -- Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter -- in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide-and-seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis' icy spell forever.

My Review:
Just like the C.S. Lewis books that are the basis for this film, this movie is GREAT!!! Out of all the different versions of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", this is by far the greatest of them all. Andrew Adamson did an excellent job of staying true to C.S. Lewis' original vision. If you haven't seen this yet, you should really take the time to check it out. It's worth your time. Now would be the best time to give it a watch. "The Chronicles of Naria: Prince Caspian" will be coming out just around the corner. It looks like it's going to be just as good, if not better, as "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe".

I gave this movie 4.5/5 stars.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005) on IMDB

Sicko (2007)

2008-04-29T19:26:00.002-04:00

Movie Info:
If you want to stay healthy in America, don't get sick. Following on the heels of his award winning hit "Fahrenheit 9/11" and his Oscar® winning film "Bowling for Columbine," acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore's new documentary sets out to investigate the American healthcare system. Sticking to his tried-and-true one-man approach, Moore sheds light on the complicated medical affairs of individuals and local communities.

My Review:
If you think that we/you have great health care coverage in America, think again. Truth is, America has some of the worst health care coverage in the world. This movie is one that everybody should see and it'll make you think twice about living in America.

I gave this movie 4/5 stars.

Sicko (2007) on IMDB

Starsky & Hutch (2004)

2008-04-29T18:53:00.002-04:00

Movie Info:
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson--dark, wiry, and tense meets blond, lanky, and loose--make a solid comic team (and previously appeared together in Zoolander), but the funniest man in Starsky & Hutch is Vince Vaughn. Vaughn dives into his role as a sleazy drug dealer (who nonetheless buys a pony for his daughter's bat mitzvah) with the offhand zest that he brings to almost every role (from Swingers to Old School) and effortlessly steals every scene he's in. Vaughn has concocted a new and undetectable kind of cocaine, and only two cops who aren't afraid to break the rules--our titular pair--can catch him. But the plot isn't the point; mocking-yet-loving jabs at the '70s, including the homoerotic overtones of Starsky and Hutch's partnership, are what this movie is about. The satire is surprisingly mild but entertaining nonetheless, particularly when Vaughn or Snoop Dogg (as informant Huggy Bear) hold the screen.

My Review:
Can't really say too much about this movie. It does have quite a few stars in it, but just seems to be lacking anything else. It just seems that they really didn't have a strong story so they were banking on the actors to hold it all together. That wasn't even enough to save this movie.

I gave this movie 2/5 stars.

Starsky & Hutch (2004) on IMDB

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

2008-04-29T18:49:00.003-04:00

Movie Info:
In 1982, LIFE Magazine assembled the world's greatest gamers for a photo shoot that would become the center spread of their 1982 Year-In-Photos edition. Billy Mitchell, who would later be named the "Gamer of the Century", was one of the invitees.

Mitchell, the World Record holder on Centipede, had been tracking the score on Donkey Kong, and knew he could take that title as well. In front of the 20 best gamers in the world, Billy scored 874,300 points, a record many thought would never be broken.

In 2003, 35 year old family man Steve Wiebe, after losing his job at Boeing, found solace in Donkey Kong. Steve stumbled upon Billy Mitchell's record online, and set out to break it. He began perfecting his game every night after his wife and kids went to bed, and not only surpassed Billy's record, but ended up with a thought-to-be-impossible 1,000,000 points.

A tidal wave of media coverage followed, and Steve Wiebe quickly became a celebrity in his hometown of Seattle.

In the months that followed, Steve and Billy engaged in a cross-country duel to see who could set the high score that would be included in the 2007 Guinness World Records' book and become the King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. Along the way, both men learned valuable lessons about what it means to be a father, a husband, and a true champion...discovering that you don't always need to be a winner.

My Review:
Excellent documentary about one man's quest/obsession to beat a video game high score that hasn't been tested for years. If you have any interest in old school video games, you should give this one a go. It was put together very well and the DVD has some very nice extras.

I gave this movie 3.5/5 stars.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007) on IMDB

Surf's Up (2007)

2008-04-29T18:41:00.003-04:00

Movie Info:
A "mockumentary" on how penguins were actually the inventors of surfing, including behind-the-scenes footage from the Penguin World Surfing Championship.

My Review:
This is a pretty good family movie. I watched it two times back to back with my son and it kept my attention both times.

I gave this movie 3/5 stars.

Surf's Up (2007) on IMDB

The Ladies Man (2000)

2008-04-29T18:35:00.003-04:00

Movie Info:
Over the years, Tim Meadows has proven himself to be a very funny supporting player on Saturday Night Live, but he never really had a breakout character that he and Lorne Micheals could spin off into a movie--until now. Based on his lisping "Ladies Man" character, Meadows plays Leon Phelps, a late-night sex advice host of a radio show who gets fired for racking up one too many FCC fines. His producer (Karyn Parsons) gets fired with him, and she combs the Chicago stations looking for another gig while he tries to find the one old flame who would be willing to support him for the rest of his life. You see, Phelps is a sexaholic who tends to sleep with frustrated wives, much to the chagrin of the husbands who inevitably catch them in bed together. A mob of husbands have formed a group, under the leadership of Will Ferrell (playing a tired stereotype of the closeted homosexual), dedicated to hunting down Phelps and killing him. The embodiment of the '70s swinger, Phelps personifies both the good (sexual skills) and the bad (the wardrobe and fashion sense) of that icon, though the movie ends with your standard pro-family propaganda when he inevitably finds love and stability with his producer. The laughs do not come fast and furiously, sidetracked as they are by the so-called plot, but one thing must be said and said out loud: Billy Dee Williams is fantastic as the bartender-narrator.

My Review:
I gave this movie two stars simply for the fact that it had Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) in it. This movie is supposed to be a comedy but I didn't find very many laughs in it.

I gave this movie 2/5 stars.

The Ladies Man (2000) on IMDB

Death Sentence (2007)

2008-04-29T18:28:00.005-04:00

Movie Info:
Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.

My Review:
*slowly shakes head* I was really excited about seeing this movie. I mean.... it's got some pretty decent actors in it; Kevin Bacon, Kelly Preston, and John Goodman. As the movie was playing, I was getting more excited thinking that the movie was getting ready to end soon. This movie had some HUGE holes in the story. I just can't believe that an executive for a major company can take out a whole gang. The gang robs and kills everyday. Nick Hume acts as though he's never seen a gun in his life. He even had trouble loading the guns and figuring out what to do with them. How do you expect me to believe that he can take out a whole gang? I mean.....COME ON!!! If it wasn't for the blood and violence in this movie, I probably would've shut it off halfway through the movie.

I gave this movie 2.5/5 stars.

Death Sentence (2007) on IMDB

The Abandoned (2007)

2008-04-29T18:10:00.006-04:00

Movie Info:
An American film producer named Marie returns to her homeland, Russia, where her Mother's dead body has been found under bizarre circumstances. She never knew her, having been adopted and brought to America as a baby. The only clue to what might have happened is an isolated, abandoned farm in the mountains that supposedly belonged to her natural parents. Being the only next of kin, she inherits the place, but no one will take her there as local superstitions state that the area is... damned. Only one man will embark on such a dangerous and long journey... A stranger that oddly seems to know quite a bit about her history... But once arrived, the guide mysteriously disappears, forcing Marie to explore the derelict location alone. She discovers someone else on the property... A man named Nikolai, who claims to have been lured there exactly in the same manner, so he could discover the truth behind his unknown past as well. They become stranded in the immense compound, plagued by terrifying, ghostly visions. The problem is that the ghosts that wander around are their own. Dead versions of themselves marauder between the buildings in the night Time begins to move in reverse as history re-lives itself in front of their very eyes. A cycle of horror comes to fruition, as they are revealed the reason they have been summoned for this perverse reunion and the brutal secret behind their family.

My Review:
This was an alright horror film. It became a little too predictable towards the ending of the film though.

I gave this movie 2/5 stars.

The Abandoned (2007) on IMDB

Movie Review Blog

2008-04-28T21:35:00.001-04:00

This blog will be used solely for the purpose of posting my movie reviews. I have a few that I will post right after I figure out what's going on. I will then post different reviews after I check a movie out. I will be doing reviews for new and old movies alike. My first postings will be coming soon.