Inkheart

This past weekend I took my 13 year old son to see the movie Inkheart. We both read the book Inkheart and enjoyed it. I reviewed the book here - at Teen Lit Review.
Eldest and I enjoyed the movie, it stayed pretty close to the story. It wasn't a great movie, or one I'd buy - but it made for a fun outing for us. You can see a good review here.

Movie Review Monday - Journey to the Center of the Earth

Movie Review #15
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Rated: Rated PG for intense adventure action and some scary moments
Type of Movie: 3-D, Science Fictioin, Action, Adventure
Theater or DVD: Theater
Description: Professor Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) teaches earth sciences at the university and heads the Center of Volcanic Activity. Max Anderson, Trevor's brother, built the monitoring system and placed the units around the world 10 years earlier. For some unknown reason, Max did not return, leaving behind a wife and son, Sean (Josh Hutcherson). Sean's mother leaves the teenager at Trevor's house to get some quality time with his uncle. They look at Max's copy of Journey to the Center of the Earth (Enriched Classic) by Jules Verne and find a secret code. Back at the monitoring center Trevor compares the volcanic activity numbers and finds that they are exactly the same as the ones in the book. Trevor and Sean fly to Iceland to check one of the units and to see if they can find some information about where Max went. Trevor hires a beautiful mountain guide, Hannah (Anita Briem), to take them up the volcano. During an electrical storm on the volcano, they get trapped in an abandoned mine. They search for a way out of the mine and discover a wall filled with large diamonds. Unfortunately, the floor they are standing on can't hold their weight, and they fall down a volcano tube for miles and miles until they reach the center of the earth. Once there, they encounter prehistoric glow birds, flying piranha, man-eating plants, and T-Rex dinosaurs that have been extinct for millions of years. They find that they are seeing the same things that were printed in the Jules Verne book. This gave them hope that someone was able to escape from the center of the earth and return to the surface.
OK for Kids? YES! Great Family Movie
Opinion: First off - given the choice to view this movie in 3-D or no 3-D - definetly go see it in 3-D! It was probably the best 3D movie I've seen. The 3-D effects weren't just thrown in there in a few parts as they do at the IMAX for some movies - the whole movie appears to have been made to show and enjoy in 3-D. My eldest son saw it both ways and said he enjoyed the 3-D much more!
That being said - also know the movie is very different than the Journey to the Center of the Earth book! The movie follows the son and brother of Max (aka Harry/Alex in the book) who in the book, went into the center of the earth with Professor Lindenbrock. In the movie - Max never made it out of the center of the earth. His son, Sean, and brother, Trevor find his copy of the book with lots of notes and clues in it. They follow the clues and end up taking a journey similar to the one in the book.

Differences aside - the movie was very enjoyable. No bad language, no sex, lots of action and adventure - 3-D fun - you can't ask for more out of a movie fun for the whole family!

I've seen reviews where people knock the "science" of the film (and the book for that matter) - but you must keep in mind - the book was written in the early 1900's when science didn't know a lot of what it does now. Verne was "guessing" and "making up" theories and science fiction that was as far-out to the people of that era as some of the science fiction from movies like Minority Report. Don't analyze it too much - just enjoy a night out with the kids!

(Four out of Five!)
You can go here and here for more reviews of the movie.

Visit here for a review of the book!

Monday Movie Review - August Rush

Movie Review #15 - August Rush
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams
Rated: PG for mild violence and language
Type of Movie: Drama
Theater or DVD: DVD
Description: There’s music in the wind and sky. Can you hear it? And there’s hope. Can you feel it? The boy called August Rush can. The music mysteriously draws him, penniless and alone, to New York City in a quest to find – somehow, someway – the parents separated from him years earlier. And along the way he may also find the musical genius hidden within him. Experience the magic of this rhapsodic epic of the heart starring Freddie Highmore (as August), Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard and Robin Williams. "I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales," August says. Open your heart and listen. You’ll believe, too.
OK for Kids? 16 and older perhaps
Opinion: I liked this movie, but it is a modern day fairy tale. My problem with fairy tales is that I watched so many of them as a child/teen that when I got to be an "adult" I kind of thought that was how life is really supposed to be - and I was disappointed to find out otherwise. There are a few curse words - He**, pi**, dam*, and the Lord's name in vain. All very unnecessary - and one of the adult figures gets a bit angry towards a child. The movie starts out with premarital sex - implied - not shown. It was a light, fun tale - not realistic at all - but heart-warming just the same. The music is very enjoyable and you'll be clapping at the end. Overall, I'd say OK for you and your hubby to watch - but definetly no kids under 16.
3 stars out of 5

Movie Review Monday - Vantage Point

Movie Review #14

Vantage Point

Starring: William Hurt, Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker

Rated: PG-13

Type of Movie: Thriller, Drama, Crime

Theater or DVD: Theater

Description: President Ashton (William Hurt) is attending a global war on terror summit in Spain. Thomas Barnes (Dennis Quaid) and Kent Taylor (Matthew Fox) are two of the Secret Service agents assigned to protect him. This is the first action that Agent Barnes has been in since he took a bullet for President Ashton six-month earlier. We really don't know if Agent Barnes is up to the challenge of protecting the President. Shortly after President Ashton is escorted to the stage in the plaza by the Secret Service, he is immediately shot twice by a rifle from a window and falls to the floor. The crowd is in shock and chaos breaks out all over, especially, when bombs begin to explode. Howard Lewis (Forest Whitaker) is an American video-taping the event to show to his children that he was actually there at this historic event. He believes that he has the picture of the man who shot the President. Agent Barnes sees the tape and has a clue to that person. Several different people witness the event, and only through their eyes do we see the truth behind the assassination attempt.

OK for Kids? No

Opinion: Keep in mind that Groundhog Day is one of my least favorite movies of all time. I really, really dislike the repetitive nature of that movie. Well, Vantage Point did not annoy me as much, but I can't say that I especially enjoyed it. There were some surprises that kept me guessing most of the movie. I wish I'd seen more of Matthew Fox (hum, I wonder why???), I just really prefer a movie that goes beginning to end, not beginning to beginning to beginning, well you get the picture. I would suggest that if you want to see this movie, wait until it comes out on DVD. Then, rent it at Red Box for $1.00!

The movie has quite a bit of violence, action, and some bad language (Lord's name in vain and the "f" word). I so wish they would not allow that in movies, unless they are rated "R" - it's getting harder and harder to avoid bad language.

2 out of 5 stars

Go here for another review of Vantage Point

Check out my review of Horton Hears a Who here! And another review of Horton Hears a Who here!

Movie Review Monday - Horton Hears a Who

Movie Review #13

Horton Hears a Who

Staring: Jim Carey, Steve Carell

Rated: G

Type of Movie: Animation, Kids, Adventure

Theater or Rent: Theater

Description: “One day, Horton the elephant hears a cry from help coming from a speck of dust. Even though he can't see anyone on the speck, he decides to help it. As it turns out, the speck of dust is home to the Whos, who live in their city of Whoville. Horton agrees to help protect the Whos and their home, but this gives him nothing but torment from his neighbors, who refuse to believe that anything could survive on the speck. Still, Horton stands by the motto that, ‘After all, a person is a person, no matter how small."

OK For Kids? Yes

Opinion: Of all the Dr. Seuss adaptations, Horton Hears a Who is by far my favorite. It had my kids and me laughing frequently! The theme seemed to be that a person is a person, no matter how small. (Now, if only left liberal Hollywood really felt that way! A baby is made at conception, not 9 to 12 weeks later!) Horton was a loyal friend, and gave his all to the goal he set - protecting the people living on the speck. There was a bit of potty mouth, but I don't recall it being too much for me. However, I did not care for the several uses of the word 'boob' - it was used referring to how a character was behaving (behaving like a boob). My kids I know, had never heard that word used in that way, so we had to have a discussion making it clear they could not use that word. Unfortunately, daily - at school, my kids hear many words they know they aren't allowed to use (butt, omg, freakin', etc. . . .) - so use of that word would not prohibit me from letting them see it. Overall, I really enjoyed the movie and would suggest it for the whole family.

(4.5 stars out of 5)

Movie Review Monday

Movie Review #13

Brock Gill - Hidden Agenda

Starring: Brock & Auny Gill

Rated: N/A

Type of Movie: Live footage of Brock's Show

Theater or Rent: Neither - you have to buy here

Description: Forget what you know about illusionists: no cheesy tuxedos, no rabbits to pull out of hats. Brock Gill leads a new generation of edgy, daring illusionists, amazing audiences across America with his unique live performances and mind-blowing street magic...
OK for Kids? I would say yes to the illusions. However, at the end is a short "play" that may scare/confuse kids younger than about 10.

Opinion: Our family watched this together one evening during a "family night". We all were awed by the illusions. With these creative, different shows, Brock and Auny reach people and communities with the message of Christ. Many of the shows feature "extreme sports" demos and other "cool" attractions to draw teenagers in to the shows. The Gill's are having fun and reaching thousands of teens with the message of Christ. I haven't been to one of their shows . . . . YET! Would make a great Christmas gift to a teen son!

Brock's Blog: Life With Brock Gill

Brock's Website: Brock Gill - Creative Evangelism

Auny's Blog: Life on the Road

Blockbuster.com and Netflix.com have a copy of the show Brock did for Discovery Channel - The Miracles of Jesus.

Movie Review Monday

Movie Review #12

Rush Hour 3

Starring: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan

Rated: Rated PG-13 for sequences of action violence, sexual content, nudity and language

Type of Movie: Action, Comedy, Crime, Martial Arts, Sequel

Theater or Rent: Not at the theater, have to rent. Visit RED BOX for $1.00 rentals!
Description: After an attempted assassination on Ambassador Han, Lee and Carter head to Paris to protect a French woman with knowledge of the Triads' secret leaders.

OK For Kids? No, this is an adult movie.

Opinion: More of the same. If you saw Rush Hour 1 or 2 - this film is not much different. I'd say it will be the last - but who knows. Entertaining. Predictable. And at times I really feel it was a bit forced.

A full review here.

(2 stars out of 5)

Monday Movie Review

Movie Review #9
We Are Marshall
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox
Rated: PG for emotional thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language
Type of Movie: Drama, Sport, based on True Story
Description: The story covers the events of 1970-71 in rural Huntington, West Virginia, home of Marshall University. On the fateful night of November 14, 1970, nearly the entire Marshall football program was wiped out in a plane crash that devastated the fans, the families, the University, and the town. The calamity left just 3 veteran players and 1 assistant coach, who by God’s sovereign design, were not on the flight that night.
After 75 funerals, the weary college town can’t cope with the thought of continuing the MU football program. But the remaining players, led by a well-acted team co-captain Nate Ruffin, insist that Marshall football must continue to honor the victims. Finding coaches and players proves very difficult, and leads to the hiring of a most unlikely coach named Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey). Lengyel is from small town Ohio, and has no ties to Marshall whatsoever. Jack’s personality is magnetic, if a little eccentric, and watching him pull things together is nothing short of fascinating and positively awe inspiring.
OK for Kids? Well, I let my 12 year old watch this, but if I had of know how much bad language was in here, I may have rethought it. It was the sh*t word or the da*n word like 10 times or so. Yes, it's a great story, it's inspirational, and no sex. But I don't like my 12 year old hearing swear words thrown in with regularity (even mild swear words), thinking it is ok to use in normal conversation. The Christian Reviewer here suggests it for teens. Put it this way, if my son had a friend over, I would not let them both watch it.
Opinion: I really enjoyed this movie. The story was well written, it really delt with the many emotions of the situation. I would suggest this movie to people 16 or older.

Rating (out of 5)

Monday Movie Review

Movie Review #8

3:10 to Yuma

Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale (need I say more?)

Rated: Rated R for violence and some language.

Type of Movie: Western

Description: The legendary outlaw, Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his gang have just robbed an armed stage coach carrying the Southern Pacific Railroads payroll. They kill everyone onboard except Pinkerton guard, Byron McElroy (Peter Fonda) whom Wade shoots in the belly. A poor rancher Dan Evans (Christian Bale) and his two sons find McElroy and take him to Bisbee, Arizona to find a doctor. Ben Wade is in town without his gang and the sheriff immediately surrounds the hotel. Dan distracts Ben Wade, who is captured without a shot being fired. Railroad representative Grayson Butterfield (Dallas Roberts) asks for paid volunteers to join McElroy's posse to take Wade to the train station in the town of Contention three days away. The train is due at 3:10, and they must put Wade on the train's prison car bound for Yuma. Once Wade arrives in Yuma, he will receive a quick trial in Federal Court and be hanged. Dan Evans, desperately needing money to save his farm, agrees to help transport Wade to Contention but he must be paid $200. The other paid volunteers who join the posse are Tucker (Kevin Durand) and Doc Potter (Alan Tudyk), the town's veterinarian. Unfortunately for the posse, Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), Wade's right hand man, sees what has happened to Wade, and he goes after the rest of the gang to help liberate Wade.Despite a deception to fool the gang, the odds move in their favour, and in the end it's Dan's desire to impress his sons that means getting him on the train becomes a personal battle of wills.

OK for Kids? No, not at all.

Opinion: Two excellent actors. Very violent. Some bad language. I'm going to be honest here, If you want the review of a Christian who wouldn't see this movie please click here - it is a great review. I agree with a lot of what it said. I just didn't view it all that way. Maybe I am too wordly. I just don't know. I just know I enjoyed the movie. Following is a comment on the movie from the website of the review - this person said pretty much exactly how I felt, so no need for me to write it up myself and claim it as my own: I don't believe Evans took money to kill. I believe Evans took money to escort a prisoner through hostile territory, which is a very brave and noble thing. I also believe that Evans was a Christian, but he lost his way or his faith was wavering because he lost his leg by one of his own men and didn't get much to compensate for it. I believe Evans also saw an opportunity to provide a positive role model to his son by not taking money from the outlaw and by being brave enough to escort the prisoner when others were cowards. This was important because Evans’ son thought he was a coward, and in the beginning it seemed as if Evans’ son was at risk to following in the footsteps of the outlaw.I believe Evans saw an opportunity to earn the money he needed for his family and cattle by escorting a prisoner to a prison train. Any killing he did was in self-defense and not gratuitous. Evans did not waver in his morals. Prior to seeing the movie, the previews did not provide much plot summary, so I was surprised that most of the characters were bad, though some seemed worse than others. I was going to walk out when I realized it was mostly about outlaws or oppressors (the man who wanted to keep the water from flowing to Evans' land). However, I stayed to see if Evans would fall victim to the lusts of the world like all the other characters in the movie. I was pleasantly surprised to discover he kept to his morals and accomplished his goal in spite of the price he had to pay.I disagree with the reviewer about Evans' killing so he can get the water rights for his cattle. I believe in that day and age gun slinging was the norm and shooting was either in self defense or so one could do something evil, like Ben Wade and his crew killing to steal. I believe bounty hunters in that day and age had to kill or be killed to catch their bounty and for lawmen to maintain order. They didn't have all the laws and technology to catch outlaws back then the way they do now. Also, from the westerns I've seen and not having lived during that time, outlaws didn't have a problem with shooting people to avoid capture, so it seems a necessity for lawmen or bounty hunters to follow suit. Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying killing is right, but when you're in a war and completely outnumbered and outgunned it's a matter of survival. I think we need to remember the context. They didn't have bulletproof vests, rubber bullets, or gas canisters to use against the outlaws. If the bounty hunters, lawmen, etcetera didn't use guns, they would've been killed themselves and there would've been no order.Not that I agree with Mangold's message, but his message may be that just because someone can quote the Bible, doesn't mean he's good or has a close personal relationship with God. Paul stated the same thing in Romans 3, among other books and chapters.Overall, the language wasn't that bad. (The movie “Bad Boys 2” was much, much worse). There were no sex scenes, though it's alluded to with one character doing a sketch of another, kind of like in “Titanic.” Also, I appreciated the authenticity of the sets and wardrobe.

So, after looking over all this - you can decide if seeing this is right for you. If you go - enjoy. If not, I totally understand.

Let me know if you've seen it what you thought and if you're not going to see it - why?!

Rating (out of 5)

OOOPS! I forgot Movie Review Monday!

I was just looking over my blog and realized I forgot this week's Movie Review Monday! So, since you are all sitting on the edge of your seats awaiting my opinion - here goes!

Movie Review #7

Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Starring: Michael Chiklis, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd

Rated: Rated PG for sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo.

Type of Movie: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Superhero

Description: With Von Doom back in his homeland of Latveria the fantastic four have new troubles when Galactus has decided that Earth is his next target. When his henchman, The Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd), is sent to Earth he discovers that he's getting more than he bargained for when he encounters the Fantastic Four. But that's not all when Dr. Doom decides that after two years in the homeland he is ready to return.

OK for Kids? Depends - on how much bad language you are comfortable with them hearing. There are a few uses of the "A" word and "C*AP", and maybe a few others. A few suggestive lines as well.

See it in theater or rent? Rent, if you see it. Don't think it's at the theater anymore. If you rent, definitely use RED BOX, to rent for $1 a night. I wouldn't want to pay Blockbuster's $4.5 to see it.

Opinion: I took my 12 year old son and his friend to see this movie. It wasn't as good as the first Fantastic Four. I wish the language had not been so bad, but, and this doesn't excuse him hearing it - he does hear worse at school everyday (even at Christian summer camps he hears worse - but don't get me started!). Luckily (as far as I know) my son does not use this language and knows better . . . .

The story line kept me entertained, but it was nothing special and if you don't see it you aren't missing anything!

Rating: (out of 5)

Movie Review Monday - Penguins Anyone?

Movie Review # 5

This week I am reviewing 2 older movies - both animated movies, with penguins as the main characters. Both are available on DVD.

Surf's Up
Starring: Voices of: Shia LeBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder, James Woods

Rated: PG for some mild launguage and rude humor

Type of Movie: Animated "mockumentary"

Description: "Surf's Up" is based on the groundbreaking revelation that surfing was actually invented by penguins. In the film, a documentary crew will take audiences behind the scenes and onto the waves during the most competitive, heartbreaking and dangerous display of surfing known to man, the Penguin World Surfing Championship.

OK for Kids? Yes. I let my kids see this movie and they enjoyed it. There was quite a bit of potty humor which some parents will object to. So far, my kids do not seem to have a problem repeating what they hear (at least in front of me), so I do allow them to see some movies where this is included. There were a couple of mild innuendo's that I wish weren't there. They went over the head of my younger 2, but I'm sure my 12 yr. old boy "got" them. It was milder than Shrek or Happy Feet.

See it in theater or rent? Available on DVD, so rent! Check out your local RED BOX to rent for $1 a night!

Opinion: The themes in this movie - of being loyal to your friends, persevering - even when others don't believe in you - and the importance of being a mentor/helping others - were all good themes. The movie is a "mockumentary" - done as an interview with one of the characters, and kids may find that slows down the movie. Overall, not the greatest movie, but my kids enjoyed it. I would pick it over Happy Feet anyday!

Rating: (out of 5)

Happy Feet

Starring: voices of: Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman

Rated: PG for some rude humor

Type of Movie: Animated Musical

Description: “Happy Feet” is basically a musical with a rather strong environmental message. It is also the story of a quest to find a place in this world, of love and forgiveness, of friends who hold you up and try not to let you down, of sacrifice, courage and fun.

OK for kids? OK, here, I know I will run into some controversy. My answer is "NO". I took some hits from friends when this was out in the theater for not taking my kids to see this. But, I am sticking by it, even after I have watched it.

See it in theater or rent? Old movie, out on DVD

Opinion: After having just rented and watched this movie, I am glad that I did not allow my kids to see it in the theater. We may have walked out at the beginning when they were singing the Prince song that says "You don't have to be beautiful to turn me on, I just need your body baby, from dusk to dawn", or at the song from Salt-n-Pepa "Let's talk about sex, baby." I mean, COME ON! WHY do you need to put those songs in a movie you are promoting to KIDS? Then, you have the spiritual guru guy who announces he is waiting to be "serviced" - who's gonna do it first? He is portrayed as some money seeking televangelist. The adults/grandparents are portrayed as holding them back, and fuddy-duddy's. I liked Mumble, and how he stayed true to himself, even though that was not the norm for his society. I teach my children that we all have different talents, given to us by God, and we should not compare ourselves to others. BUT, kids grow up fast enough, I try to limit the stuff I show them that pushes the envelope on what I think is appropriate. And don't even get me started on the environmentalism preached in this movie . . . . . . .

Rating: (out of 5)

Movie Review Monday

Movie Review #4

Wild Hogs

Starring: Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Ray Liotta, Marisa Tomei

Rated: PG-13 for crude and sexual content and some violence

Type of Movie: Comedy

Description: Four middle-aged men decide to take a road trip from Cincinnati to the Pacific in order to get away from their lives which are leading them nowhere. Taking their motorcycles, these "Wild Hogs" tear up the road and eventually stop in New Mexico for a drink not knowing that the bar belongs to the "Del Fuegos", a mean biker gang. When the Del Fuegos steal a bike that belongs to the Wild Hogs, the four men form a plan to steal their bike back.

OK for Kids? No. There is some bad language and though there are no sex scenes, there are some sexual references and overtones that are not appropriate for children.

See it in theater or rent? Well, this is now available at the video store, so I would rent it. If it had been in the theater, I probably would of suggested to wait and rent it. ** Have you heard of RED BOX? It is an awesome Kiosk where you can rent DVDs for $1 per 24 hours! Visit the RED BOX website for a free rental and to find locations near you! It is so easy! Many times, when I have looked at Blockbuster for a movie and they don't have any copies - I go next door to the Harris Teeter where the RED BOX kiosk is located and find it in stock.

Opinion: Wild Hogs surprised me. After seeing the trailers for this film I thought that is going to be one pitiful, stupid movie. And, perhaps it was. But, it was funny too. Funnier than I expected. So, if you want a good laugh, a movie that is not full of the "F" word, and you can tolerate a bit of stupidity, then you will enjoy this movie.

Rating: (out of 5)

Movie Review Monday

Movie Review #3

Hairspray

Starring: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron

Rated: Rated PG for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking.

Type of Movie: Comedy, Drama, Action

Description: Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), an overweight teenager with all the right moves, is obsessed with the Corny Collins Show. Every day after school, she and her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes)run home to watch the show and drool over the hot Link Larkin (Zac Efron), much to Tracy's mother Edna's (John Travolta) dismay. After one of the stars of the show leaves, Corny Collins (Jason Marsden) holds auditions to see who will be the next person on the Corny Collins show. With all of the help of her friend Seaweed (Elijah Kelly), Tracy makes it on the show, angering the evil dance queen Amber Von Tussle (Brittany Snow) and her mother Velma (Michelle Pfieffer). Tracy then decides that it's not fair that the black kids can only dance on the Corny Collins Show once a month, and with the help of Seaweed, Link, Penny, Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah), her father (Christopher Walken) and Edna, she's going to integrate the show.....without denting her 'do!

OK for Kids? Not really. I probably wouldn't let my kids watch this until they are 16 or so, if then. There is quite a bit of implied intimacy, and the dancing at some points is the bumping/grinding type. There are a few mild cuss words.

See it in theater or rent? I would suggest that if you were going to see this movie - wait and rent it. It will not lose anything on the smaller screen.

Opinion: Hairspray was a fun movie with a good theme. I took my grandmother to see this movie, she just had to see John Travolta dressed up as a woman! I had never seen the play before. The theme was double-fold but boiled down to "love others" - despite their color or their weight. The cast was great, they all did an excellent job with their parts.

Rating: (out of 5)

Upcoming Reviews: Surf's Up, Wild Hogs, Happy Feet, Fantastic Four 2

For a Professional Review of Hairspray click here.

Coming up this week: Review of the new book from Kristen Billerbeck "Split Ends".

Click here to enter this week's PASS IT ON book giveaway!

Movie Review Monday

Movie Review #2

Each Monday I am planning on posting a review of a movie I have recently seen. It may be a new release in the theater or a rental I got online/through the mail at Blockbuster. This week the review is of:

The Bourne Ultimatium

Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen

Rated: PG-13 - violence and intense sequences of action

Type of Movie: Action

Description: All he wanted was to disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly-trained killers. Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. He must travel from Moscow, Paris, Madrid and London to Tangier and New York City as he continues his quest to find the real Jason Bourne—all the while trying to outmaneuver the scores of cops, federal officers and Interpol agents with him in their crosshairs.

OK for Kids?: Not really. I probably wouldn't let my kids watch something like this until they are 16 or so. There is a lot of killing/violence and some mild profanity. Don't remember any sex - think there was a time he was kissing his girlfriend, nothing memorable.

See it in theater or rent? I would suggest to see it in a theater. It was fast paced and the filming left me dizzy sometimes. If you haven't seen the first two in the series, rent them and watch before seeing this one.

Opinion: The Bourne Ultimatium was a fast, action packed movie. I enjoyed it, but I must admit I was disappointed/surprised by the ending. I won't give anything away, but I wish what was revealed was different.

Rating: (out of 5)

Other Notes:

My favorite movie review site is Christian Spotlight on Entertainment.
To see review #1 of "No Reservations" click here.

Leave me a comment telling me the last movie you saw and what you thought of it. Or, suggest a movie for me to review!

Movie Review Monday

I am trying something new! Each Monday I am planning on posting a review of a movie I have recently seen. It may be a new release in the theater, or a rental that I got online at Blockbuster. This week the review is for No Reservations. I hope you enjoy my thoughts!

Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin

Rated: PG (sensuality and language)

Summary of plot: Master chef Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones) lives her life like she runs her kitchen at a trendy Manhattan eatery—with a no-nonsense intensity that both captivates and intimidates everyone around her. Kate’s perfectionist nature is put to the test when she ''inherits'' her 9-year-old niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin), while contending with a brash new sous-chef who joins her staff. High-spirited and freewheeling, Nick Palmer (Aaron Eckhart) couldn't’be more different from Kate, yet the chemistry between them is undeniable. Rivalry becomes romance, but Kate will have to learn to express herself beyond the realm of her kitchen if she wants to connect with Zoe and find true happiness with Nick.

OK for Kids?: No. There are some kissing scenes and implied sex, no nudity. Would bore most kids out of their mind. And because of the premarital sex I would not advise for teen girls either.
See it in theater or rent? This is a renter! I would not advise you to pay full price for this movie.

Opinion: No Reservations was a cute movie that I would definitely rent, but not worth the $8.00 plus popcorn/drink $ to see it in the theater. A fun chick movie. I found the characters enjoyable and the plot interesting - it just moved too slowly. The ending is predictable, which I liked, just not enough happened in the movie to keep it flowing enough so that my mind would not wander and think about other things.

Rating: (out of five)