REVIEW: The Blind Side

MOVIE
The Blind Side

CAST
Sandra Bullock,
Quinton Aaron

RELEASE
November 20, 2009

RATING
PG-13

DIRECTOR
John Lee Hancock

STUDIO
Warner Bros. Pictures

RUNNING TIME
2 hours 6 minutes

GRADE
A+




STARS
***3/4





REVIEW:

If you enjoy sports dramas filled with action and light hearted comedy, The Blind Side is the perfect film for you. The Blind Side tells the extraordinary true story about a homeless black boy named Michael Oher, who is taken in by Leigh Anne Tuohy and her husband, Sean, who change his life forever. With help from his new family, his coach, and his teachers, Michael realizes his potential to become an educated student and a football star. This movie was even better than I expected it to be. Director John Lee Hancock, who directed The Rookie and the 2004 flop The Alamo really makes on of the best films of the year. It is also somewhat hard to believe that this is a true story. Sandra Bullock makes one of the best performances of her career as Mike's adoptive mother. Also, Quinton Aaron, who plays Michael Oher is the perfect choice for the role he played. This movie also is the feel good film of the holiday season. It keeps a smile stapled onto your face for the duration of the movie. Anyway, this isn't a movie that has to be seen in theaters and can be better as a rental than seeing it on the big screen. Either way, just see The Blind Side in any format possible. Trust me, you won't regret seeing it. Hut, Hut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PREVIEWS YOU MAY SEE:



Brothers


Invictus


It's Complicated





Grown Ups





Valentine's Day





Up In The Air

REVIEW: The Twilight Saga: New Moon

MOVIE
The Twilight Saga:
New Moon

CAST
Kristen Stewart,
Robert Pattinson

RELEASE
November 20, 2009

RATING
PG-13

DIRECTOR
Chris Weitz

STUDIO
Summit Entertainment

RUNNING TIME
2 hours 25 minutes







GRADE
A+







STARS
***3/4

REVIEW:


If you enjoyed the first Twilight film, you will enjoy this much much much better. New Moon is about Bella, the girl who is madly in love with the gorgeous Edward Cullen, a vampire. But after the abrupt departure of her lover, Bella falls into a close and bonding relationship with her friend Jacob Black, who is actually not what he seems to be. Now, Bella is caught in a giant love triangle and must choose to be with either Edward or Jacob. This movie is by far one of the most entertaining films of the year. What made it so unique was that director Chris Weitz (director of The Golden Compass) stepped up the notch on this movie that the director of "Twilight" didn't do at all. He added more humor, better special effects, and better action sequences that looked more realistic than in the first film. Girls will appreciate this movie very very much once they get glimpses of Jacob and Edward's tight abs (AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!) and how fit and muscular they are. Thank goodness that they didn't replace Taylor Lautner as Jacob, who had to gain 30 pounds of muscle to return from the first movie. I am very positive that fans won't be disappointed when they see this. But be warned, the ending (which I won't give away to you) will leave you wanting more, which is why Eclipse is coming out in June. Anyway, just go see New Moon and I can guarantee you that if you're a Twilight fan, then this is the movie of the year for you. But for everyone else, rent Twilight and if you like that, see New Moon in theaters, otherwise just wait for it to come out on dvd or blu ray and for rental. Otherwise, just see or watch The Twilight Saga: New Moon.







PREVIEWS YOU MAY SEE:


Percy Jackson And The Olympians:
The Lightning Theif



Remember Me



The Lovely Bones



Sherlock Holmes



Dear John



Letters To Juliet

REVIEW: 2012

MOVIE
2012

CAST
John Cusack, Amanda Peet

RELEASE
November 13, 2009

RATING
PG-13

DIRECTOR
Roland Emmerich

STUDIO
Columbia Pictures

RUNNING TIME
2 hours 38 minutes

GRADE

A+

STARS

****

REVIEW:

With great special effects, great casting, and the mother of all disaster stories, this movie makes it the best apocalyptic movie I've ever seen. 2012 is about a science fiction writer who finds out that the world will end on December 21, 2012 and the government is selling secret tickets for humans who are to be saved and kept on ships built secretly by the U.S. governments. Now, this writer must find a way to get to the ships with his family and save them in what could be the last year for humanity before they all die: 2012. This movie was very entertaining and full of suspence, action, and with a dash of comedy thrown into the pot. Plus, this is one of those movies that can only be enjoyed on the big screen or on a home theater system. I do want to warn you that this movie can be very loud and awsome all at the same time, so be prepared when going to see this movie. This movie's also scary because it's hard to think that the world could end someday, especially if that someday could be in 3 years from now. What also made the movie teriffic were the special effects. They looked as if they really happened all over the world. Unlike some other movie where the special effects were cheesey and lame, like Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen. Plus, the movie had some great casting, like John Cusack, Danny Glover, and Woody Harrelson, whom I won't mention whothe last two actors play since I think that if I say their roles, it might spoil the movie for all of my readers out there. So, anyone who really wants to see this movie, they should see what I think is Roland Emmerich's masterpiece. Either way, check out what could be the best and mother of all disaster flicks that is known as 2012.

PREVIEWS YOU MAY SEE:

Kick-Ass

Salt

Invictus

Avatar

The Wolfman

Did You Hear About The Morgans?

REVIEW: A Christmas Carol (IN 2D)

MOVIE
A Christmas Carol

CAST
Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman

RELEASE
November 6, 2009

RATING
PG

DIRECTOR
Robert Zemekis

STUDIO(S)
Walt Disney Pictures,

Image Movers Digital

RUNNING TIME
1 hour 36 minutes





GRADE
A-



STARS
***1/4





REVIEW:

This movie is not the most perfect Robert Zemekis movie like Back To The Future or Forrest Gump, but it's still a good movie to see at least. A Christmas Carol tells the story of a bitter old man named Ebenezer Scrooge, who gets a second chance at life when 3 ghosts visit him to give him the lesson that needs to be taught. This movie was great on visuals, but not good on the story. Like, it was good, but missed the Robert Zemekis charm, like what he had in Back To The Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Forrest Gump. But this was better than The Polar Express, which I didn't like at all. This was an interesting movie to see, but you don't have to see it in 3D, though. There are a few pop out moments, but it wasn't necessary. Either way, this movie would scare the pants off anyone under the age of 10, as the story is indeed haunting. So, if you want to see A Christmas Carol you should, but I'd prefer it as a rental more than a 3D or IMAX 3D experience. But still, see it, you might like it if you're a die hard Zemekis fan.

PREVIEWS YOU MAY SEE (In 2D):

Planet 51

Old Dogs

The Princess And The Frog

Despicable Me

How To Train Your Dragon

Sherlock Holmes

Alice In Wonderland

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

Toy Story 3

REVIEW: Imagine That

MOVIE
Imagine That

CAST
Eddie Murphy,
Thomas Haden Church

RATING
PG

RELEASE
June 12, 2009

DIRECTOR
Karey Kirkpatrick

STUDIO(S)
Paramount Pictures,
Nickelodeon Movies

RUNNING TIME
1 hour 47 minutes

GRADE
A



STARS
***1/2

REVIEW:


When I started watching this movie, I thought it was going to be another Hotel For Dogs since Nickelodeon Movies released that movie back in January. I am still amazed of how much I liked watching this. Imagine That is about a father who pays more attention to work than his daughter. His daughter has a blanket that she calls the Goo-Ga that she always keeps with her and does nothing but listen to her imaginary friends under her blanket. Then one day, the father's work life gets turned upside down when his daughter's imaginary friends have information for companies that can help save his job. This movie is a delight to watch with the whole family. Eddie Murphy is a treat to watch in this as he has finally succeded in making a family movie (aside from the Shrek series). Even though this was rated PG, this could've been passed off as G, like how Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs could've been G. Either way, you and your family should watch this movie. You will have a splendid time with your family. I'm very surprised this was a box office flop. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REVIEW: Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

MOVIE
The Vampire's Assistant

CAST
John C. Reilly, Chris Massoglia

RATING
PG-13

RELEASE
October 23, 2009

DIRECTOR
Paul Weitz

STUDIO
Universal Pictures

RUNNING TIME
1 hour 49 minutes





GRADE
A-

STARS
***1/4

REVIEW:




I half expected The Vampire's Assistant to be a bad movie when I first entered the theater, but when I came out I was surpried yet not surprised of how much I enjoyed it. The Vampire's Assistant tells the story about a sixteen year old boy named Darren Shan. One night he and his best friend Steve stumble upon a traveling freak show filled with wonderous and disturbing creatures unlike anything you've ever seen or heard of. Steve then realizes that the leader of the show, played by John C. Reilly is a vampire. Now, Darren and the vampires that a war will soon begin between the Vampires and the Vampeneze, who I will not describe since I think it could spoil some of the movie. Now, Darren chooses to become a half vampire to save a beloved person from death. Now, Darren must train a master his new found powers to harness the power of a vampire and prevent this predicted war from ever happening. This film was good on special effects and casting, but I think they could've added a few more scenes to make it a solid 2 hour movie. Though you probably read reviews from newspapers like The Philadelphia Inquirer or critics like Roger Ebert that this was a bad movie, I can see why they wouldn't have enjoyed this movie since this is mainly targeted at 12-15 year olds. So, if you're a 12-15 year old who wants to see this movie, rent it when it comes out on DVD and give your parents a break so they won't have to sit through 2 hours of what they'd probably consider boredom. But still, watch this movie with a couple of friends at either a party or a sleepover, or watch it by yourself, on a widescreen TV somewhere in your house in the dark. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!









PREVIEWS YOU MAY SEE:


The Box


The Twilight Saga: New Moon


Avatar


The Spy Next Door


Despicable Me

REVIEW: Astro Boy

MOVIE
Astro Boy

CAST
Freddie Highmore,
Kristen Bell

RATING
PG

RELEASE
October 23, 2009

DIRECTOR
David Bowers

STUDIO(S)
Summit Entertainment,
Imagi Animation Studios

RUNNING TIME
1 hour 35 minutes




GRADE
A



STARS
***1/2





REVIEW:


I was very surprised of how much I enjoyed Astro Boy. With its storyline, cast, and great animation Astro Boy is the perfect family film of the 2009 fall season. Astro Boy is about a robot boy who is built for love by a mad scientist. But, as the president of Metro City wants to capture and take the robot's power, Astro must stop the president and the negative supply awaiting to destroy anything, including Astro. This movie was spellbinding as it was distributed by rookie studio Summit Entertainment, the studio that has brought us the Twilight series. Despite being a family film, it's also a dark and sad film. Not as dark and sad as Where The Wild Things Are, but is sad for reasons I can't explain. Young children might also get scared by the evil robots that try to destroy Metro City and Astro Boy, so kids over the age of 6 may enjoy this film as much as I did. This film also features A list stars such as Nicolas Cage, Bill Nighy, and Nathan Lane. Furthermore, this movie should be seen at any cost with the family, or if you're just a fan of the original Japanese manga from the 50's. Either way, just see or rent Astro Boy and enjoy it with yourself, your friends, or your family. I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy it alot.



PREVIEWS YOU MAY SEE:


Old Dogs


The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus


The Spy Next Door

REVIEW: Apollo 13

MOVIE
Apollo 13

CAST
Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon

RATING
PG

RELEASE
June 30, 1995

DIRECTOR
Ron Howard

STUDIO
Universal Pictures

RUNNING TIME
2 hours 20 minutes

GRADE
A-

STARS

***1/4

REVIEW:

If you like suspenseful films that were nominated for Oscars? Then this is the film for you. Apollo 13 tells the story of astronauts who go onto the Apollo 13 misson to the moon. But what they didn't expect was to be saying "Houston, we have a problem." Now this crew must get back to Earth before they die and float in the coldness of space for the rest of eternity. This film has a brilliant cast and a brilliant story. But what made me iffy about this film were the special effects of the ship taking off and the ship in space. But anyway, this was a great movie that did deserve Oscars for Tom Hanks and the film itself, which must've been scary for the incident to actually happen in real life. So, if it's a rainy day and everyone's busy, rent this movie for the afternoon's entertainment. I'm pretty sure you'll like it. I wonder how this would've looked on an IMAX screen?