Movie Review--Red Riding Hood

Movie Review—Red Riding Hood

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, & Billy Burke

Rating:

Left Before it Finished (1 popcorn box out of 5, bordering on 0)

This month’s review belongs to the recently released Red Riding Hood.

A fantasy-thriller based on a children’s fairy tale.

In a small forest town, a wolf rules the livelihood of those living there. The town pays monthly homage to the wolf and to keep the villagers safe they provide animal sacrifices. Amanda Seyfried plays Valerie, a young girl in love with her childhood hero, however her family has made other arrangements. Her grandmother provides her with a red riding cape for her wedding, hence the title. The movie begins with her sister murdered by the wolf, and this sets a new terror for the town that believed they were safe. As more of locals are fodder for the wolf, the town calls in a renowned werewolf hunter, Father Solomon, played by Gary Oldman, who soon determines that the werewolf may very well be one of the very citizens who called for him. Valerie’s family is torn apart by the loss, secrets are uncovered, and she soon finds that she has ties to the wolf. Those ties may very well lead to more deaths.

This movie was a Snooze... The action was very limited and the costumes poor quality, especially if anyone has seen Eclipse or True Blood, now those animals can shape-shift. The movie was also very dark. I heard once, that the X-Files used the dark lighting because they had a very small budget and this movie seems to be using a similar technique or it was to hide the poor costumes and sets. The movie revolves around one very small town and a small forest, in which the families are almost too familiar and intertwined. The acting was also subpar. Gary Oldman’s Father Solomon was theatrical at best and over the top at worst, and the character travels with his children on Werewolf hunts, hardly a hero. Amanda Seyfried was insipid and uninspiring, her character seemed more in a daze the majority of the film with very little focus, and she was certainly no heroine. The wolf was the most interesting character of them all, when he showed up; he was quick and had a strong bite. The other actors are forgettable and not worthy of mention. After seeing it once, I will not be looking for a sequel.

Movie Review—Limitless

Movie Review—Limitless

Directed by: Neil Burger

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, and Abbie Cornish

Rating:

Great Movie, May See It Again (5 popcorn boxes out of 5)

This month’s review belongs to the recently released Limitless.

An Action and Suspense film, packed with both.

The movie begins with Eddie Morra, played by Bradley Cooper, in a forever period of writer’s block and down-on-his-luck behavior. He resembles a homeless man or drug addict at times in the beginning of this film, when a blast from the past, his former brother-in-law literally runs into him and gives him the means to change his life. An experimental drug, NZT, is handed to him, and the possibilities of this drug initially seem to be Limitless. In one day this drug shows he can accomplish many things, including beating writer’s block and changing his means of living. To do that he will need more NZT and getting more proves dangerous and perhaps hazardous to his health. In changing his life, to degrees many hope for when they plan to be a part of the American Dream, he learns his brain is very math capable and starts finding new ways to make money. He comes under the scrutiny of Mega-Mogul Carl Van Loon, portrayed by Robert De Niro, and has a meteoric rise into the world of finance. Along the way, he falls in love with Lindy, played by Abbie Cornish, who is brought into a world she never dreamed of. Danger and threats abound when those who know of the drug, are attempting to trace down any remaining samples. In addition, while on his rise to fame and fortune, Eddie turns to some unscrupulous characters and learns some of the more unpleasant side effects of NZT.

The film opens in a sequence that almost makes you believe you have tried the drug, leading to the beginning of just how uninspired Eddie’s life has been. Bradley Cooper plays his part to perfection and his changes are just as riveting, as well as the potential this experimental drug displays. However, those from his past that have tried NZT, tend to resemble meth addicts, and that is just one of its danger. One down side is that there were too many dangers from the drug that had little follow through. Robert De Niro is perfect as the self-made man of millions, so the movie could have definitely used more De Niro, who proved to be almost unbeatable and a bit sinister. All-in-all, a movie with twists and turns that keep you guessing what will happen next.

Movie Review—Just Go With It

Movie Review—Just Go With It

Directed by: Dennis Dugan

Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Anniston, and Nicole Kidman

Rating:

Good Movie, Glad to Have Seen It (4 popcorn boxes out of 5)

This month’s review belongs to the recently released Just Go With It.

This movie was almost 5 out of 5 popcorn boxes.

Dr. Danny, portrayed by Adam Sandler, lives his life in relation to an emotional event in his past. With a vow never to marry, he lives by the wedding ring and the compassion his stories inspire in the opposite sex. Until one day, he meets Palmer, performed by model Brooklyn Decker; a woman he wants for much longer. Unfortunately, one story too many is going to make his life much more interesting. His assistant Katherine, played by Jennifer Anniston, is his face of reality and the one who keeps his life in balance. Danny coerces Katherine to play his soon-to-be ex-wife, and now the fun begins, as well as the payouts in laughs and money, for all of those that get involved. Because, before long, Danny has two kids and his ex is involved with someone else. The fairy tale only explodes from there and involves a beautiful trip to Hawaii for all of his new family and new woman. During the picturesque escape to the Islands, Katherine runs into her college nemesis, played by Nicole Kidman, and new lies are needed to complete the circle and show Danny this new side to his long-time confidant. The reality is he may just be after the wrong love of his life. Who knows?

Not being a huge Adam Sandler fan, and not expecting a lot from this movie, I was very pleasantly surprised. I have enjoyed Jennifer Anniston and her form of comedy for years and this was no exception. Nicole Kidman was a surprise as a comedian and hula dancer, as well as newcomer Brooklyn Decker; both were enjoyable in their roles. The two kids were mercenary, cute, and very funny throughout, maintaining lies and developing a relationship with their new dad. In addition, Nick Swardson, was unexpected, slap-stick, and humanitarian, saving the sheep is a scene not to be missed. There were laugh out-loud moments throughout this film and the Hawaiian Islands were fabulous, as always.

Movie Review—I am Number Four

Directed by D.J. Caruso

Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, and Teresa Palmer

Rating:

Good Movie, Glad to Have Seen it (4 popcorn boxes out of 5)

This month’s review belongs to the just released I am Number Four.

John Smith could be just any athletic teenager on the run but he’s not. He has special abilities he is just discovering and comes from somewhere else. A deadly group known as the Mogadorians is chasing John, portrayed by Alex Pettyfer, across the country. They have already killed three others like him and will search for any who survive. When he left his home planet, he was sent with a guardian, played by Timothy Olyphant, who knows the tricks of the trade to change identities as needed and throw in bits of training and advice along the way. Now they have landed in Paradise, Ohio. Here he falls for a local girl, Sarah, portrayed by Dianna Agron, and soon ends up in teen triangle angst that leads to more self-discoveries and the need to learn even more if he is going to save himself and any others. The local football hero becomes his nemesis and the local nerd becomes his friend and helper. As the trouble finds him, so does Number Six, played by Teresa Palmer; she has cool skills that they both will need just to stay alive.

The movie is based on young adult science fiction novels by Pittacus Lore and starts with action and the death of Number Three. One main complaint with this film is that there is little basic history of John’s Planet and the reasons the Mogadorians are chasing and killing those who are numbered. The acting is enjoyable and simple to watch. The action, while not of 2012 or Independence Day caliber is interesting as John learns what he is capable of and seriously improves as he gains more control and new abilities. Throw in Number Six and the menacing behavior of the Mogadorians, and buildings and things start to explode and danger erupts. Along the way and between moves from city to city is a dog for John’s, who just so happens to help in the fact that it is a chimera, and a very cute pup. The movie ends as almost every movie seems to these days, with no real ending except to say good-bye and promote the fact that there will be a sequel and maybe five more. If they keep up the entertainment, I’ll go see the next one.