Good (or bad) Movies

[SonofMojo40]

Hi to all,

The teen camp that I run for the summer went to see Ratatouille on Friday, and was a pretty good flick. I wouldn't rank it up there with Shrek or anything, but it was pretty good, and all of the teens seemed to enjoy it as well.

[nygsem]

On a recent flight out west they showed The Astronaut Farmer.  It looked like it might be decent but honestly I slept most of the way out.  On the way back I stayed awake and watched "In the Land of Women" (kind of a chick flick), which reminded me a bit of "Garden State" though not nearly as good.  After that they showed "Blades of Glory."  I tried but just couldn't watch it.  Possibly one of the worst movies I've seen in a very long time.

This weekend I rented "Breach"   "Night at the Museum"  "Hannibal Rising"  and "The Illusionist"  I was all set last night for an evening of surround sound movie watching when my 19 year old tv died - sound but no picture.  I guess it's finally time to look for something new.

[MightyGiants]

nygsmen,

TV's are much much better today, than 19 years ago.  I would suggest you get wide screen HD, that can process digital signals and has component and HDMI inputs.  It will be good for much longer than any other type.

[LennG]

 I took the evening off (too damn hot) and we went to see the 'Rat' movie.

It WAS cute. As some have already said, not in the Shrek class, but it was enjoyable. My take with some of these animation movies is that most ARE over childrens heads, story line and dialogue, that is. They enjoy seeing the characters, but more and more, these story lines are made for teens and adults. It was good summer fun and the theather was icy cool, the best part.

[jimmyz]

I just rented Casino Royal for the first time last night.  I shyed away from it for the longest time because in my mind Connery was the only 007 but I have to admit it was a really good movie and is, from what I hear, truer to Ian Fleming's depiction of James Bond.

[bamagiantfan]

Anyone see the new Harry Potter flick yet. Order of the Phoenix is argueable the best book in the series to date. Movies always fall short when compared to the book. I'm curious as to how far.

[Jim143]

Havent seen harry pothead. . .opps Potter yet, but my son and I saw Deja Vu the other day.  Not bad - although very predicable.

[SonofMojo40]

Hi to all,

I stayed home from work the other day because my son turned 6years old, so I took him to go see Transformers. I tell you what, from what I've heard, it was to be a very good movie, and for once, I agree. Both my son and I really enjoyed it, although my son kept on asking me which ones were good guys, and which were the bad guys. I know it must have been hard for my son to keep them straight with all of the action packed scenes that went on throughout the movie. I completely enjoyed the movie a lot. From start to finish, the movie was filled with action, and I only noticed like 2 swear words, and I usually find myself counting them. I would recommend anyone to see this movie.

[LennG]

 I am a fan of the Bourne series, The Bourne Identity and then the Bourne Supremacy. Now in a couple of weeks, the new movie the Bourne Ultimatum is due out. I am spending the weekend catching up on the series and re watching the fist two movies. Both are great movies, full of action and great story lines. You really have to pay attention, something many movies today have eradicated from their venue.
 Anyone who is a fan of the series, here is a trailer:

  http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/thebourneultimatum/

It is another movie sequel that I have high hopes for. Hope it doesn't disappoint.

[terrymeisner]

i went and saw "1408" yesterday with my son and his fiance....everyone liked it

it stars john cusack and samuel jackson and is a remake of a stephen king short story about a guy that writes books debunking haunted myths and ends up going to a hotel in new york .....pretty decent movie that has a few scary spots but according to my son , it didnt follow the book completely.....go Giants!!!!!

[Jim143]

Just saw the lastest Harry Potter.  Found one section scarily funny - has to do with the actual quality of the "education" they are getting (That is all I will say, dont want to spoil anything).

But - I did not like the editing.  It was very "choppy"  One minute they are standing by a door way, the next they are sitting in the room having a conversation.  And the story line, for me personally as one who did not read any books, just did not flow as I thought it should or likew the way the first one did.

[MightyGiants]

From what I understand, the director that did the one before this one, turned down the project.  So this was a new director and their second choice.

[T200]

Crash is an excellent movie.  Very thought-provoking and emotionally-stirring.  You may even get pissed watching parts of it - but it was all by design.

[LennG]

 We just saw the new Die Hard movie. It got about 2 1/2 stars and I cannot argue with that. If you were a fan of the other two, and of other movies of this genre, then add another star.

 It was good, with plenty of action, (Did I say that already, PLENTY OF ACTION). Unlike Stallone, who continues to try and look young in his character, Willis is still perfect as John McClain, and never, for one instant do you think he is too old to play that part.

 Obviously, if you look for all the right moves in all the right places, you will find plenty of mistakes and flaws, but to just sit back and watch what is happening in front of you, it's a good movies to get out of the summer heat. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I AM a Die Hard fanatic. We should send Bruce to Iraq, he will never get killed.

I do wonder if terrorists watch these movies, and say, HEY that's a good idea, why don't WE try that. You never know.

[Sam56]

We saw Harry Potter the other day (and yes, this 65-year old has read all the books and enjoyed each one - the last comes out at midnight tonight I do believe).

Longest book made into a movie, yet I believe it had the shortest running time of any of the movies so far. I could quibble here and there, but why should I. I enjoyed the movie and my wife who never read any of the books, also enjoyed it. The kids are growing up and the actor who plays Harry's acting chops are also growing up with him.

We gave it a strong 3 stars.

Today we had the pleasure of seeing the new movie musical of Hairspray. I am a large devotee of the original John Water's movie (he has a cameo in this one) and had my doubts of seeing it brought to life from Broadway (it won the Tony as a musical) with songs, dances and a 400 pound John Travolta dressed in drag (I loved Divine).

However, we loved it. Will buy both the CD and the DVD when it is released. Audience (almost sold out) was diverse with children as young as 5/6 and very elderly people with walkers and canes. When it was over the audience applauded it.

Christopher Walken (who started out in chorus lines) plays Travolta's husband and you could almost feel the "affection". Travolta does so well, that shortly after you stop laughing at his initial appearance you begin to forget that that is John Travolta in drag. Well done. Queen Latifah almost steals the movie with her two numbers. The 4-10, chubby Nikki Blonsky (from Long Island) as Tracy Turnblad is absolutely delightful and she is so good that she opens the movie and immediately starts stealing it with her talent and verve singing a song called "Good Morning Baltimore". Michelle Pfieffer is a no-good person and there are many, many others who contribute to making this easily the best musical I have seen in a couple of years.

After seeing the movie, I got curious. so I started looking up the reviews and after reading or skimming about ten of the major reviews (NY Times, NY Post, Ebert & Roeper, Hollywood Reporter, LA Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, TV Guide, etc) the overall rating would be an A- to A and a 3 1/2 to 4 stars by the reviewers - almost unaminous affection and approval.

Sam56 and his BW gave it major "thumbs up" 4 stars. So go enjoy!