THE THING (Oct 14, 2011)

Starring:  Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, and Ulrich Thomsen 

Director:  Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Rated: R  - Runtime: 103 min 
Genre: Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Horror, Thriller Junkies get your fix on this action packed flick!

It is packed with the stuff you Sci-Fi-ers are in search of, extreme interaction with alien life form and human beings.  And when I say “extreme” I mean just that.  

Remember the first time you saw the 1979 release of “Alien” starring Sigourney Weaver and how you basically sat glued to the edge of your seat?  Well this one comes close, it may not have Weaver in it but Winstead plays her part very nicely.

If it’s action and suspense you’re looking for, don’t pass this one up.  The acting was ok, the writers did what they could to make it as realistic as possible,

THE BIG YEAR (Oct 14, 2011)

Starring:  Owen Wilson, Jack Black, and Steve Martin 

Director:  David Frankel

Rated: PG  -  Runtime: 100 min 
Genre: Comedy

In my estimation, no one could see the three stars listed above and not think this is gonna be a funny movie.  Bottom line, they met my expectations.  I heard it said prior to the release that they thought “it’s a movie about birds, what could be funny about that?”.  Oh you of little faith, Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson?  Really, one is funny, all three of these actors together just raised the “funny-factor” by 3!

Setting the stars aside, we are given a movie directed by the same person bringing us “The Devil Wears Prada”, and “Marley and Me”.  You gotta know something good is in hand.

Humor, comedy, mishaps, and even elation is evident throughout the film.  This is one I think you will want to see!, (and No, the trailers don’t spoil it for you).

The film begins with 3 avid bird watchers, one of which already holds the world record, setting out on a 365 day adventure to locate the most species of birds in North America. 

FOOTLOOSE (Oct 14, 2011)

Starring:  Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, and Denis Quaid

Director:  Craig Brewer

Rated: PG-13  -  Runtime: 113 min
Genre: Comedy | Drama | Music

The production of this movie followed the original with only a few deviations, but as for the content it is worth seeing if you remember the original.  For those of you who don’t remember seeing the original or weren’t around when it released back in 1984 it is well worth your dime to see it!

Giving my oversight, well let’s just put it this way, it isn’t Kevin Bacon, and I believe that his performance in the 1984 original version set a bar that will be hard to duplicate or exceed.  However, with that said Kenny Wormald (Ren), Julianne Hough (Ariel), and Denis Quaid (Ariel’s father, Rev. Shaw) did a great job in the reproduction of Footloose.

As I see it, Kenny(Ren) played the part out excellently, maybe not to the expectations of the movie goers looking for the Kevin Bacon performance, but his counterpart Julianne (Ariel) set the bar far exceeding that of her reproduction counterpart, Lori Singer in the original.  This girl can dance!  Not to mention, her looks and the knock out eyes.  Her eyes grab your attention in every close-up scene.  

For those of you not familiar with the film let me give you a short synopsis.  In this version of the film, Ren’s mother has passed away leaving him to move to his uncle’s place in Texas to live and finish school.  

The town where he relocated had a event 3 yrs prior which sent the town into a turmoil, passing laws which set restrictions on the children of the town.  

From there, you can kinda get the picture, along comes a boy with a free spirit looking to make a change in the life of the town.... And so the story continues,  can’t give you anymore or else I’ll ruin it for you who have not seen the original.  

Go see the movie and come back an let us know what you think.

I Rate it:  2 1/2 mugs of Guinness 

Good content, great dancing, and again as with the 1984 version great soundtrack!

“Let’s Talk Movies” ... Please let us know what you thought of the movie....

I appreciate all input, and hope you come back here after every movie and let us know how you rate it.  

AZ-Tom