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?