Movie Review - Paul - Starring Nick Frost & Simon Pegg

Movies like Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead have been heralded as geek masterpieces and have found their way to be pop culture icons in themselves. So, naturally, when a new project of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost hits theaters, it's going to cause some excitement. But, is the latest worthy of comparison to their previous movies? Sure, why not.

Paul is a movie about two nerds (Pegg and Frost) straight out of Comic-Con. They encounter a fowl-mouthed alien and attempt to help him get home, resulting in a cross-country trip, dodging and evading federal agents who want their alien back.

It's a pretty straight-forward description, isn't it? That is because the movie is very basic. The storyline uses basically an E.T. type format and modernizes it, adding two love able characters in place of the annoying little kid. The film even jokes about E.T. in several spots that are hilarious.

The execution on this film more than makes up for the simplistic script. Pegg and Frost are perfect, as always in this film. They both have a child-like wonderment upon seeing Paul for the first time, and the trip, and the characters themselves seem very authentic. It looks like all the actors were having a great time filming this movie, and seeing that just puts a smile on your face you won't be able to remove throughout the film.

This film is for movie geeks. I don't think it ruins the experience if you're not, but you will miss the many, many movie references littered throughout. I loved the Star Trek fight scene with the Gorn they reenacted, or how Paul asks for Reeses Pieces, or the brilliantly timed line from the bad guys lips towards the end, and especially the comic-con experience they showed at the beginning, which looked very authentic.

The movie was a little weird for me, in that except for the over-the-top fowl language, it was pretty much a family movie. The characters were sweet, and cute, and fun, and the language and a scene involving drug use is what pushed this to the R-rating, and it wasn't really necessary. Sure, it added some funny gags, but it could've been toned down to a PG-13 rating and lost maybe one joke, in a movie full of them.

Overall, it was a fun movie to watch. It won't be knocking off Shaun of the Dead as the top movie for Simon Pegg, but it does add to a widening collection of great movies churned out by the actor. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a simple, fun movie to go see, and it goes double if you're in to movies.

Movie Review - The Green Hornet

I am a sucker for a superhero movie. You know, a guy who overcomes trauma to risk life and limb to save the world? Well, Green Hornet is not that movie, but you probably figured that out when you saw it stars Seth Rogen. So, can a movie based on an old radio show; directed by the guy that did Be Kind, Rewind; and a 3-D January release be any good? Well, let's just say it's different.

The movie is about Rogen's Britt Reid having his father die, and inheriting a newspaper empire (sound familiar?). He meets his fathers mechanic, Kato (Jay Chao) who is a martial arts expert and a mechanical genius. After the pair stop a mugging, they decide to be superheroes. What follows is them clashing with a crime kingpin (Inglorious Basterds Christoph Waltz) and blowing a lot of stuff up. Sound cheesy? Good.

The movie, like the '60s TV show and the radio show was cheesy. The movie was less like Iron Man, and more like Rush Hour. The main hero, Rogen, was kind of a douche, making it hard to root for him. His 'sidekick' Kato was the real action star, and was really impressive, doing all the hard work, to Rogen's comedy. The pair was actually pretty good together. While the character Rogen played wasn't great, his portrayal was actually pretty entertaining, although not much of a stretch.

The movie was filmed quite differently. The action was different, where they slow down action scenes, and stretched them out to make it look more like a comic, and less like The Matrix. It was normal action, and while it was very unique in its depiction of time slowing down for Kato, it may not be an innovation in the action scene. Even though it was very entertaining, and quite fun, the 3-D took away from the action. The film occasionally tried to remind you it was in 3-D with some gimmicky shots, but overall, the 3-D was just a distraction.

The comedy was also pretty evenly spread throughout the movie. It started off introducing Waltz's villain opposite a James Franco cameo. It was extremely funny when Waltz asks why he isn't very scary. The film also had plenty of slapstick comedy as well (the gas-gun scene had me in stitches). The comedy fit in pretty nicely with the semi-serious tone of the movie.

The movie may not be for everyone, but I actually enjoyed it. It isn't quite the start of the summer action movies, but it's entertaining, a little silly and quite a lot of fun. Rogen has no problem fitting in this role, and Chao was really good as an action star. While it isn't quite what you may expect, I don't think you will be disappointed.

EDITORS NOTE: This also appeared on Creative Loafing, HERE.

Movie Review - Country Strong

I didn't think I would enjoy Country Strong when I saw the trailer. While it looked like it would have some good performances, I am not a country music fan, and I usually don't like music dramas; I think the movie is all about the performance, and not enough about the story. I like Gwyneth Paltrow, and I heard she actually sang in the movie, but I didn't think it would be enough. So, when I tell you I went home and downloaded, uhh, I mean, bought the soundtrack, you'll realize this movie is impressive to say the least.

The movie is about Paltrow's Kelly Canter, who is a famous country singer who has fallen after falling off a stage, drunk and pregnant. Now, recovered, Kelly attempts to return to her old life with a husband who can't forgive her, played by Tim McGraw, as she drags two rising stars into the light in Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester.

First off, you expect a good performance out of Paltrow, and she more than delivers with some great performances and some amazing singing. She plays the broken singer really well, and she hides the one thing you expected, her singing talent until the end, and when you hear it, you will be more than satisfied. Her characters actions make you root for her, only to be disappointed through most of the movie, but the longer she's on screen, the more you want her to get back on her feet.

The surprising part, however, is how she nearly gets out done by Tron: Legacy star Hedlund, who plays Beau, a country star in the making, and someone who has a soft spot for Kelly, and other rising star, Chiles Stanton (Meester). The performances were all absolutley outstanding, with Paltrow and Hedlund leading a good performance from McGraw, and a surprisingly sufficient performance from Meister.

While the performances were amazing, the music was the star. The stars apparently sang the songs themselves, and they made a non-country music fan smile. The songs were heartfelt and extremely well done with a mix of slow and upbeat songs, along with an intimate song or two in there.

If there is one fault, it's the pace of the story, which can wobble a bit, when you're not sure of character motivations, or whether the end will truly be the end. I can tell you the movie is a little mixed in the middle, but the end will amaze you and will make up for any shortcomings you find. The movie plays much like your average country song, with plenty of heart, a lot of love, some sadness and plenty of strength. There were a few tissues in the theater I was in.

Overall, it was a great movie whether you like country music or not, simply for the performances. There was a surprise or two, and some expected great performances. I expect some possible recognition come Oscar time. While it may not be able to dominate the awards, is should leave a mark.

Movie Review - Tron: Legacy

Tron was one of those movie that was revolutionary in the '80s. Everything having to do with computers was so new, and different, and a movie about a guy getting sucked into a computer blew everyone away. The movie is still an icon in geek pop culture, and now, Disney has come out with a sequel, starring two actors who weren't even born when the first one hit theaters. Can it be any good? The reviews haven't been nice, will I be any different? Sure, why not.

After the events of the first movie, Kevin Flynn had ambitions of building a perfect world inside the electronic "grid" he was abducted to in the first movie. After things go wrong, and he disappears, he leaves his son, Sam to inherit his empire. But when Sam is taken into his fathers world, he must figure away to get him, and his father out, before Clue, Flynn's clone uses the portal to invade the real world.

From the get-go you would be thinking the trailer shows a lot of style over substance, and you would assume the movie would be more of the same, right? Well, to a certain extent, you are correct. The movie didn't have the undertones the first movie had. This one had the undertones of a popcorn movie, so if you look at it that way, you'll see the movie like I did and you will have a blast.

The movie has some of the most amazing CG I have seen. The obvious show point is Jeff Bridges alter-ego, Clue. They used the same technology as Benjamin Button to show a young Jeff Bridges opposite the current (i.e. old) Jeff Bridges. The results are very impressive. While not perfect, there is a glimpse of amazing, with a slight flaw here and there, which really describes the entire movie. The light-cycle battle, the disc fighting, and the light planes are all a sight to see.

There were some quite amazing parts to this movie that weren't the special effects. One being the soundtrack, composed by Daft Punk, it is electric, and intoxicating and everything the grid is supposed to be. It's used to perfection, and it made me go right home and downl...uhh, buy the soundtrack right away. The other good part of the film were the performances. Of course Bridges is good as the old Flynn and the young Clue, which is impressive, but Olivia Wilde was also good. She captured the innocence of a child perfectly, while at the same time had the combat abilities of an action star. Garrett Hedlund, who played Sam was good, and consistent, but didn't quite compare to his talented co-stars.

While Tron: Legacy will be remembered for not quite living up to expectations in critics eyes, I will remember it as a dazzling, fun popcorn movie that should have appeared in the summer, but instead, warmed the winter up, if just a bit. It was a fun movie that I thoroughly enjoyed, and is a good companion to its predecessor.

Movie Review - True Grit (2010)

There is always a stigma when Hollywood remakes a classic movie. The comparison between the original, which is always far superior, compared to the new one is often cruel, with talks about the originality of Hollywood sure to ensue. Well, not here, and not with the remake of the John Wayne movie True Grit. This movie stands on its own, and is a surprise, considering Hollywood's history, or even the state of westerns in Hollywood.

True Grit starts with Hailee Steinfeld's Mattie talking about how her honest father was killed by a dishonest criminal, played by Josh Brolin. Mattie seeks justice for the murder of her father, and at 14 years old, knows she must find someone with true grit to go seek the outlaw and get justice. She comes across Rooster Cogburn, played by Jeff Bridges. Once on the trail, they bump into a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf, played by Matt Damon. The three go on the hunt for the convict, and all three discover their true grit.

Every actor had some serious shoes to fill, and even if you don't compare to the original movie starring the greatest western actor ever, you still have a huge weight on the genre of westerns. Let's face it, there haven't been too many good westerns since Tombstone. Fortunately, Bridges steps up to deliver a great performance as an aging Marshall who is as tough as they come. One scene involves Bridges in a courtroom talking about the many men he killed, which was hilarious, but the film does a great job of contrasting it with another scene later on, where the Marshall faces down several men and refuses to back down.

The other surprise is Hailee Steinfeld. I hadn't seen her before, and the strength she delivers in her character, mixed with the sadness of her deceased father is really well portrayed. It's clear we can expect more good things from Ms. Steinfeld. If there is one slightly less powerful performance, however, it comes from Damon's Texas Ranger. While he may have true grit, he comes off more as a bit silly, and more comedic than rugged west toughened. I won't even bring up the accent.

The movie truly felt like it was shot to be a real western, with beautiful landscapes, well shot action scenes that don't have the over abundance of cuts you see in other action movies, and a focus on more of the characters, than anything else. This movie seemed to capture that wild west feeling you get from those classic John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies without all the poor resolution, and as a result, it's a treat to feast your eyes on.

With all that said, if I have to give one gripe, it would be that the movie starts off fairly slow. It's a great way to build up the character of Mattie, who is really the star of the movie, but I was expecting more Jeff Bridges than anything else. While the second act clearly makes up for it, the first takes a bit to get going.

Overall, if you like westerns, you will love this movie. It isn't the light, popcorn friendly blockbuster you got during the summer, this is a cold, tough movie that has true grit (alright, that's the last time I will use that phrase) and will leaving you applauding for everyone involved.

EDITORS NOTE: This also appeared on SpoilerTV's site HERE and also on Creative Loafing's website HERE.

Movie Review - Little Fockers

After we met the parents, and we met the Fockers, we are on to the third chapter of Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) versus his father-in-law, Jack Byrnes (Robert DeNiro). The third chapter involves kids, all the parents and the coming together of a family. But, can it recreate the magic of the first movie? You should read on, but I bet you can guess what I'm going to say.

The movie picks up with Greg juggeling his family with the stress of work, and raising two kids while maintaining a relationship with his wife. Sounds funny so far, right? We finally see Jack come back into Greg's life in the only way he can, as he wants to make Greg the patriarch of the family, or the "Godfocker," as long as he can prove he can lead like Jack does. What follows is Jack and Greg dueling, DeNiro's boner, Jessica Alba being kinda annoying and plenty of "focker" jokes.

I loved the first movie; and why not? There's plenty to love with the first movie. The second movie added two fun characters to the same formula, and the third went back to the same formula, only to add some kids. The point is, it's the same formula, just watered down with extra characters, and more of the same jokes. Now, if you really liked the formula, there will be something left for you to enjoy. For me, it felt like when I hear a friend of mine say the same joke over and over again. The first couple times you laugh, but by the third time, you just grow weary.

There were some good parts to the movie. I think Greg has grown into more than a screw-up; he's a real man, with real issues; kids and a lot to juggle. I like how he's developed, and has become an equal to Jack. I also liked any scene with Greg's parents, played by Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman. While there weren't a lot of scenes, there were a few good ones. The other good scenes were visable in the trailer, like Jack's boner and the chemistry between Stiller and DeNiro. Sadly, there wasn't many other funny parts left for the film.

Sure, there was the classic duel between Stiller and DeNiro, which reached epic proportions in this film, and there were scenes making fun of poop jokes, and blood, and how the word "focker" sounds like something else, but in the end, I would've felt ripped off using my whole paycheck to pay for this movie.

Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1

The series taken from the beloved children's books and adapted into the biggest movie franchise in history is coming to a close with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. As sides clash, characters embrace their destiny and studios rake in the dough, we get the feeling something special is ending. So, where does the seventh Harry Potter movie rank in the series?

The second movie picks up some time after the events of the previous film, with the gravity of the situation in full force as the Minister of Magic (Bill Nighy) tries to convince everyone, including himself that everything is ok. As a result, Harry's relatives pack up and leave; Hermoine leaves her parents, making them forget their daughter ever existed, and Ron is left contemplating whether his family will make it out alive as they gather for a wedding.

Once we get the intro, we are treated to one of the best action scenes in franchise history as Harry's friends try to transport their most valuable cargo to a safer location. Things go terribly wrong; brooms fly, and good and evil do battle in the skies as Harry tries to get away in Hagrid's side car. This was my favorite part of the movie with some great scenes, and gorgeous action shots. We get a quick lull in the action before another death eater attack leaves Hermoine, Ron and Harry on their own, and on the run.

As someone who has never read the books, I always feel like there are stories hinted at that are never fully realized in the movies, and this one is no exception. Dumbledore's mysterious past is referenced, but left in the background. There were hints to movies past, from mention of the Basilisk in Chamber of Secrets, to the Sword of Gryffindor, and the golden snitch from the first quiddich game.

The actors only get better with age as you get the feeling Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint are as comfortable in their characters shoes as they are in their own. Radcliffe especially flexes his acting chops with several scenes of intensity in a CGI heavy scene. Ralph Fiennes has a more commanding performance than the last movie, playing the dark lord himself, and Helena Bonham Carter shows her normal crazy side in a rather brutal scene involving Watson's Hermoine.

This movie shows it's no longer for kids with torture, death, and a pretty hot scene involving Harry and Hermoine. While there are several bright spots in the series, Goblet of Fire being my favorite, this has to be lower on the list for me. The grayness in the movie, meant to enforce the weight of the world left me depressed. There were some amazing, beautiful, dramatic scenes, but at 2 hours and 36 minutes, I started to notice the length at times, specifically in the middle.

With the action packed beginning and the dramatic end, littered with just a hint of humor, like scene with multiple Harry's, or any time they change shape, the middle, with all its scenery, and emotion packed dialogue dragged. It seemed they just teleported from one beautiful location to another without any point or purpose with tidbits of swords and the origins of magic spread throughout their travels, with the radio spreading news of death in the background the whole way.

Overall, any Harry Potter fan will be flocking to see this movie no matter what I say, and the movie will set box office record after box office record, but in the end, I don't think this will be my favorite. With the grim feeling, and depressing backdrop, this movie won't beg for the repeated viewings the others will. Either way, Harry is more than worth your time. It's beautiful, wonderfully dramatic, with a hint of humor and some nicely done action. See it; if for nothing else, to see the buildup to the ending we've all waited for since meeting that young boy all those years ago.

EDITORS NOTE: This also appeared on Creative Loafing's website HERE and SpoilerTV's website HERE. Check out the comments from these great communities.

Movie Review - Faster - Starring Dwayne Johnson

There was a scene in a movie called The Rundown, where famed action star turned governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wishes upcoming action star Dwayne Johnson good luck in passing, as a sort of passing of the torch to the next great action star. No longer The Rock, Johnson took the torch and did movies like the Tooth Fairy. Faster looks to be a return to form for the great action star, but will it be everything we wanted? Well, it's not what we expected.

Faster involves three characters, all having a bit of a connection with a bank heist turned double-cross, resulting in Johnson's brothers death. As the movie begins, we see Johnson get out of jail and making a B-line to those who killed his brother. We also meet a rich boy turned hitman, only looking for a challenge in life, and finding one in his latest hit; Johnson's character, and finally, Billy Bob Thornton's cop character, trying to hunt down the murderer of several men before more are killed.

First off, this is not what I expected from the action packed trailer. The movie was not nearly as much action as it is a suspense movie with guns, and lots and lots of shots of Dwayne Johnson looking stern. The movie seemed to be a series of scenes involving either Johnson driving to his next hit, or the quick, in and out hit itself, with really very little else. The action shots seemed really off, with director George Tillman Jr. (Men of Honor) going with a shaky cam style with lots and lots of quick cuts.

The idea on whether Johnson's character should kill the people involved with his brother's death is one the movie likes to play with. Instead of some movies showing the soon-to-be victims as total D-Bags in an effort to make the audience feel better about their impending doom, the movie shows them as family men; fathers and husbands. This makes every hit more tension filled and more ethically murky. Sure, we are reminded of the events that lead to Johnson's brother's death, but then we are shown a good, reformed, apologetic guy. This movie uses this to great effect in one scene involving Lost's Mr. Ecko (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), where the murderer turned priest wants nothing but forgiveness, and the back and forth between the two is incredible, with the debate on whether he should be executed or not.

The character of the rich mogul turned hitman is terrible, and has nothing to do with the story. It involves a guy similar to Johnson's characters moral struggle on whether to pull the trigger, although with different reasons. Either way, the character does very little, and has a totally anti-climactic ending. Thornton's drug using cop is an interesting character, however, and his ties to the murder is interesting, as he plays a cop looking for retirement. He's partnered with Carla Gugino, and as such, makes a good, and very murky character in a movie filled with them.

If you were looking for a good action movie involving a great '71 Chavelle, a promising action star, some gorgeous women and Billy Bob Thornton, then you will be disappointed. If you go in with little expectations, you will get a movie with some great scenes chained together in a movie with sloppy action shots, a stern-looking Dwayne Johnson and a great scene with Mr. Ecko. Overall, it's more of a rent then a movie theater event.

Movie Review - Unstoppable

Back in 1994, there was an action movie about a bus held hostage, and was unable to stop without explosion. The movie I’m talking about is Speed, and not since then have I been on the edge of my seat for so long and so tired after my movie going experience. Unstoppable will grab you from the very beginning and won’t let go to the very end.

Unstoppable is a movie based on true events that stars Denzel Washinton (Training Day) and Chris Pine (Star Trek) as two train workers who, along with train boss Rosario Dawson must stop a runaway train that is unmanned, and heading right for a residential neighborhood before is over turns, killing hundreds.

The movie is an excellent action movie because it increases the tension at a steady rate throughout the movie, building on the basic premise of a runaway train, until the stakes are incredibly high, and the characters are at their peak, working to stop a train before it’s too late. By the time you get to the ending, the tension will leave you gripping your seat, or your girlfriend, and not letting go to the credits. Some of the events seemed over the top, not that they jumped a bus over a freeway or anything, but the events I scoffed at were ones that actually happened, and by the end it had you believing peril could come to anyone.

I really enjoyed the characters in the movie because of the authenticity presented. These characters didn’t seem like 2D characters, with one being a hero and the other being a young guy wanting to be a hero. Washinton’s Frank is an experienced train driver who is tough, but a nice guy, despite having some family issues. While Denzel is Denzel in this movie, it doesn’t come across as the over-bearing hero, more like a genuine railroad worker. Chris Pine, who became famous for his role as Captain Kirk is the even more flawed individual who has family issues, and is reluctant to be a hero. He screws up, and starts off as kind of a jerk, but is a truly genuine character just trying to put his life back together.

I also found the interpretation of the events interesting. The company in charge of the trains was portrayed as greedy and simply interested in what would be of the most profit to them without considering peoples lives. The most interesting interpretation, however, was the media and their flair for drama. At several points throughout the movie, we see news feeds of events depicted in the movie and the events are incredibly dramatized, and presented in an almost silly manner, adding a near comedic tone to the film.

The cinematography is very Tony Scott, with frantic camera movements nicely paced to increase the action when needed, and some of the shots were incredible as the two trains met in an attempt to stop the runaway train. The trains looked incredible and any train enthusiast will have a great time just with the scenery.

Even though I was hesitant when the movie started with the words “based on true events,” the genuine characters, the insane amount of tension, and the great action made this movie a must see film that kept me on the edge of my seat through the credits, and left me exhausted by the end. I recommend this to anyone.

EDITORS NOTE: This also appeared on Creative Loafing's site HERE

Movie Review - Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

With the impending huge movie review of Harry Potter coming up, I wanted to get some practice in. So, I decided to go punch a goat. When that failed, I pulled up Netflix and found a movie I haven't seen yet to review. I found Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Here's the review:

There have been tons of versions of Alice in Wonderland, and everyone has their favorite. Was it the classic animated Disney version? Was it the classic '80s made-for-TV version? How about the Whoppie Goldberg one? Are you one of those pretentious people who say the book? Either way, you are familiar with the tale, and Burton adds to the list without asking you to forget your favorite in a creative movie that I can only describe as fantastical.

The movie begins with a much older Alice, played by Mia Wasikowska. Alice is stuck in a life she doesn't want, and is set to marry a man she doesn't love, when an all too familiar rabbit pops up and Alice takes that iconic tumble down the rabbit hole to "Underland." There, she meets with some old friends in the Mad Hatter, played amazingly by Johnny Depp, the Red Queen, played by a big headed Helena Bohnam Carter, and the White Queen, played by Anne Hathaway. Alice is charged with slaying the Jabberwocky and overthrowing the Red Queens reign of terror.

I really enjoyed the inside joke of the Red Queens big head, and her fake court. I liked how Alice was able to win everyone over by being the only sane person in the bunch, while being kind to everyone. And, of course, the Mad Hatter was incredibly entertaining. I still don't know why he would occasionally turn Scottish, but it was so different, it was very enjoyable.

So few movies are fantastical simply to be fantastical, and this movie is just that. The story doesn't ask you to forget those iconic incarnations of the famous story, while building it's own story that has all the same elements we know and love, such as the tea party, the cake to make you big, or the drink to make you small, and the card soldiers serving the queen. The special effects were extremely beautiful and startlingly different from what you would expect from Burton. There was tons of CGI, with very little practical effects, but it fit wonderfully with the fantasy in the movie.

The movie has everything you could ask for in a wonderful movie; great, over the top characters; beautiful special effects; a light, very subtle soundtrack and a lesson about being yourself. It was a wonderful addition to some classic renditions of the one of the more bizarre, yet well known children's stories of all time.

Movie Review - Due Date

Due Date brags that it has two of the most popular actors in Hollywood, and it puts them together in a road trip type movie. If you have seen the trailer, you were probably thinking about the hit The Hangover, and not just because both movies star comedian Zach Galifianakis (yes, I did have to look up how to spell it). But will Due Date be the amazing comedy The Hangover is? I don't think so.

The movie is like so many of those road trip type stories, where the odd couple have a date to get across the company and the wacky shenanigans get wackier and wackier before they stop arguing and form a bond. This movie is no exception, as Robert Downey Jr.'s character is trying to fly home to be with his wife (Michelle Monagahn) for their childs birth when he bumps into Galifianakis's character. Once they are kicked off the flight together, Downey Jr.'s character reluctantly joins up with his odd new friend to drive to Los Angeles.

The good in the movie is obvious in the acting chops of Robert Downey Jr. He is amazing in nearly everything and this movie is no exception. His reactions to the increasingly bizarre events, including a conversation about what not to say on a plane, Galifianakis and his dog masturbating and the two getting high, Downey Jr. is a pleasure to watch. He is the only one that can still be a pleasure to watch, despite his character being a total d-bag. At no time is his character really endearing, or even really a nice guy, in fact, he is often a total jerk, insulting people, and spitting on dogs, but Downey's charisma shines through, and as a result, it's a pleasure to watch.

Galifianakis is his usual self, the same from The Hangover, and every other movie I've seen him in, so if you like him, or his Between Two Ferns segment, and if you were looking for the wolf pack of one, then you will enjoy him as well here as a simple, nice guy trying to make it to Hollywood, one drug house at a time.

The bad in this movie has to do with the fact that we have seen it all before, many, many times before, and the jokes were just not that funny. I admit, I chuckled quite a few times, but I never actually laughed out loud (or LOL as those wacky kids say). The plot was very predictable, and the events very obvious. The drug references and the sex references were kind of surprising, but not in the good way, and any time you see a large bearded man and his dog masturbating, you have to shake your head.

Overall, this wasn't a bad movie. The actors are enjoyable and some of the jokes were funny, but if you've seen the other road trip movies out there, or didn't like The Hangover, then you will want to skip this movie.

EDITORS NOTE: This also graced the web pages of Creative Loafing HERE.

Move Review - MegaMind

Despite my jovial manner, I'm not a kid, nor did I attend the screening of MegaMind with one. While you would've thought I would be out of place and looking a little creepy, the movie surprisingly made me feel right at home, making me realize I was seeing an adult movie cleverly disguised, much like one of MegaMinds disguises, as a child's movie.

The movie takes many very familiar elements from movies like Superman and adds in a lot of pop culture elements, the voices of Will Farrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill and David Cross and creates a fun story, albeit a slightly complicated one for the younger audience.

The idea is that Farrell's MegaMind and Pitt's MetroMan are sent to earth from a dieing world into separate places. Megamind lands in a jail and takes the part of villain to MetroMan's hero. Once MetroMan is gone, in a slightly disturbing death scene, Megamind realizes he no longer has a challenge, so he creates a new hero, from a lonely camera guy, played by Jonah Hill, only to realize his creation is a terrible villain. Now, the once great super villain must put on the cape and be a hero, with the help of a journalist and love interest, voiced by Tina Fey.

I saw the movie in 3-D and was blown away by how good it looked. Sure, there were some gimmicky shots like spiders and popcorn being dangled in front of the audience, but the movie did a really good job of keeping the effects subtle and beautiful. The little things like the hair on MetroMan's head, or the water surrounding MetroCity, or the building landscapes all looked crisp and clear and stood out with the 3-D glasses.

The soundtrack was the best part, however, with an extremely lively selection of songs by the likes of AC/DC and Michael Jackson to name a few. The songs really added to the story, and every time MegaMind made a flashy entrance, the music only added to the enjoyment.

The characters were extremely cliched, but it was part of the slightly different take on the genre the movie used. In the movie, we weren't cheering for the perfect, Superman-esque hero, or the lonley, pathetic dork-turned Superman, we were cheering for the evil super-genuise who only wanted to win one battle, and be the one to get the girl. The eventual role reversals were really interesting and quite different as we see the villain reluctantly be forced into the role of hero.

While I truly enjoyed the movie, I was left wondering if some of the more complex plot points were wasted on my tiny friends watching the movie with me. While I couldn't seem to tell if they got it, I can say the audience was completely silent for the entire hour and a half of the movie, which probably says something right there. Megamind is a very entertaining movie for the whole family, and one you shouldn't feel uncomfortable going to, no matter your age.

EDITORS NOTE: This review appeared on SpoilerTV HERE, and Creative Loafing HERE

Movie Review - Paranormal Activity 2

The first Paranormal Activity was the surprise hit of 2009. The movie shocked Hollywood execs after making crazy amounts of money with a budget of only around $12,000. I heralded the movie as one of the scariest movies I had ever seen due to the dramatic tension-filled buildup, and the philosophy of less is more, building up to a shocking ending. With as much hype as the first garnered, there is no possible way the sequel can be anything but a way to make more money, right? Wrong.

The first movie setup some rules, such as waiting for the now iconic bedroom cam signifying something terrifying is going to happen, along with most of the events happening at night. The sequel smashes those rules and amps up the terror as the film uses a clever story of security cameras being installed after an alleged break in. With the security cameras and an addition of a handheld camera, we see a family with an interesting relation to the events to the first film as something terrible unfolds before the audiences eyes.

The movie did some really clever things like interweaving the story of this movie with the first. As a result, both movies are scarier. The film also took advantage of some of the primal fears we have, such as something in the basement, fear of the dark, and afraid of being alone. The script was also more complex with more characters, like the father, who was pretty funny and quite genuine; the mother, who is also Katie's sister; the younger daughter, who was also convincing, and the maid, which was a bit silly.

While the first filmed had some jarring moments, there were probably only two or three, leaving the tension and eerie events to sit, leaving it a bit more cerebral. The second had some cerebral elements, but the jarring moments were much more frequent with three or four moments that scared the crap out of the audience, leaving the theater buzzing with an uneasy laughter that few movies can reproduce.

With all the brilliant things the movie did, I think the movie abandoned the steady incline of tension the first one had, and started off a bit slow, setting the premise and the rules, only to notch the terror up to an 11, and kept it there until the end of the movie, which left the possibility of a third movie open, without it being necessary.

Overall, I really enjoyed the movie, and thought it did a good job of amping up the terror, and being a great compliment to the first film, which is required viewing for this film. The storyline was original and fresh, and the jump scares were effective over and over. While I was blown away with the first, I really enjoyed the second as a solid scary movie. I will be telling my sister not to see this movie, because I just don't her nerves can take it.

Movie Review - Red

As you go through movie blog after movie blog you will see or hear about the summer movie season that was. Some will bring up the one or two blockbusters like Inception that did well, but for the most part, they will tell you it was pretty terrible. Well, I'm here to say the discussion isn't done yet, because Red came to the party, just a bit late. So, does that mean it was bad? Not hardly.

Red is a movie starring Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban and Mary-Louise Parker in a movie that is half Space Cowboys and half A-Team and all fun. The movie is about retired CIA operative and super-spy Frank Moses (Willis) as a guy flirting with an ordinary life, and an ordinary girl (Parker), when out of nowhere, his ex-company, the CIA decides he knows too much and tries to kill him. The kill-sqaud is lead by Karl Urban, who will stop at nothing to kill Moses, and his old team, consisting of a mental patient (Malkovich), a female James Bond (Mirren) and Morgan Freeman. Now, they must clear their name before they get dead.

The casting in this movie is right on. Sure, Willis is his normal self, but every character is so colorful, and look like they are having so much fun, it is impossible not to join in. The action is silly and over the top, but really well done, and the comedy is pretty even, just look for Malkovich; when he's on screen, it's a guaranteed laugh. Urban does a good job as a tough guy, and even Ernest Borgnine and Brian Cox add to the fun. Finally, Parker is quite adorable as the innocent girl looking for adventure, and finding it in a bunch of geriatric CIA operatives.

The movie may have been a bit long, and slowed down a bit about three quarters of the way through, but overall, it was a great time and deserves to be compared to nearly any summer movie you saw this season, and often will win the comparison. It has a great cast, and the fun is infectious. Sure, there are smarter movies like Catfish or Social Network that deserve to be praised for their greatness, but every once in awhile, you've gotta have a little fun, too, and Red will deliver that last bit of summer fun.

This also appeared on Creative Loafing's website. You can check out the Loafy goodness HERE.

Movie Review - Catfish

With a tagline of "Don't let anyone tell you what it is," it makes for an enticing movie, and a very difficult movie review. Sure, I would love to discuss what the movie is about, but clearly the tagline prohibits me from doing so, and really, I think it made for a more interesting experience going into the movie with very limited preconceptions.

The movie trailer gives certain preconceptions of my mystery, lieing and betrayal, and when you see what the movie is about, you'll see why the trailer is so brilliant. At first, I thought the trailer completely misrepresented the movie, and I was sort of angry. Then, I thought about why they would do that, and the answer fit in perfectly with the themes of the movie, and finally, I think there was a bit of things that I assumed about the trailer, and it turns out I was wrong, which is even more intriguing, considering it rarely happens anymore.

The movie is a documentary, I think. There seems to be quite a bit of debate online, but it is billed as such. The cinematography was pretty amateur at best, and terrible at worst. The music was very artsy and seemed to imitate the traditional documentary music you see in every documentary (I'm thinking about one where the guy thought his dad was a building). The characters the documentary follows feel very genuine, which leads me to believe it's real, or they are talented actors, and I'm likely to go for the real end.

Overall, the theme of the movie, which I can discuss, is about the people we are when we are online. The simple theme alone is enough to invoke thought. I mean, think about it, are you yourself when you are online? Are the people we are talking to who we think they are? It's an interesting question, and it's a bizarre answer in this movie.

I think this movie will be one of those that you either love or hate, depending on what your preconceptions of this movie are. Either way, it's an intriguing documentary, and if you're up for that sort of thing, you will love this movie.