"RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES" (Aug 2011)

Starring:  James Franco (Will Rodman), John Lithgow (Charles Rodman), and Freida Pinto (Caroline Aranha) +++

Director:  Rupert Wyatt

Rated: PG-13   Runtime: 105 minutes

This was an excellent story line to bring back the planet of the Apes.  The writers were able to take a the disease, Alzheimer’s and fuse it into the increasing the intelligence of primates through the use of a drug being developed by Will Rodman (Franco).  As the story grows so does the action, drama and suspense.   Did the drug have effects on the chimpanzee’s? 

 Just remember "humans don’t like smart monkeys”.... 

I found this to be fast moving, constantly keeping the audience’s attention, and very well done in the effects department.  The reality of the primates and how they interacted with the cast was simply put “fantastic”. Watch the ending closely, here we see a lead in for another Planet of the Apes.

I Rate it:  4 mugs of Guinness

"Let's Talk Movies"... Please tell us what you thought of the movie!

COWBOYS AND ALIENS (Jul 2011)

Starring:  Daniel Craig (Jake Lonergan), Harrison Ford (Woodrow Dolarhyde), and Olivia Wilde (Ella Swenson) +++

Director:  Jon Favreau

Rated: PG-13    Runtime: 118 minutes

As unbelievable as this may seem, could it actually have been a real event?  Ask yourself that as you watch the movie...., but enough with that....and on with the movie... 

The opening scenes lead the audience into a action packed movie from the beginning to the end, with great film work.  As expected from the top three, (Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde) their performances were outstanding.  Looking back, I can’t remember a film in which Harrison Ford starred where there was anything but a great performance, (maybe a bit one sided, but he has to be in the top 5 male performers of my time). Daniel Craig, even though I’ve never been a big fan of his work as 007, (but after Sean Connery, everything else is second rate), brought to the screen a great performance, I can only hope that he gets casted in more films of this genre.  Now for Olivia Wilde, the I like how she was cast in this movie, I can’t go to far with this as I don’t want to spoil it, but the scene where she ...... Oh, there I go, I almost gave it away.  I wasn’t disappointed whatsoever and I don’t think you were or will be either.

I Rate it:    4 mugs of Guinness 

“Let’s Talk Movies”... Please, tell us what you thought of the movie!

"FINAL DESTINATION 5" (Aug 2011)

Starring: Nicholas D’Agosto (Sam Lawton), Emma Bell (Molly Harper), and Arien Escarpeta (Nathan)+++

Director: Steven Quale

Rated: R   Runtime: 92 minutes

Oh Great, another film in the "Final Destination" series, and still we are seeing the same format each and every time.  "someone has a vision/premonition precursory of events to come".  Should the movie goer really expect more from the movie than what takes place during the first 5 minutes of these  films?  This writer thinks we should expect more!  In Final Destination 4, the producers decided that they would tell the outcome of events of the entire movie within the opening credits, leaving the rest of the movie time a repeat thereof. 

Fortunately, Final Destination 5 was not remade in the same format, however.........The trailer pretty much takes in the out come of events, this coupled with the first 5 minutes of the film, well, let me put it this way.......

Don't pay the expense at the box office, simply watch the trailer and you have it. 

In my estimation, with the budget (according to IMDB) of an estimated $47,000,000 they could have come up with something that had a bit more of a twist, spinning it off in perhaps a different direction, and giving the series a new life. 

Now, if you choose to see it don't waste your money on the 3D version, as I have seen it now in both formats and the 3D version does not make it worth the extra $.

I Rate it:   1 1/2 mugs of Guinness (just for the enjoyment of the Irish ale, not the movie).

"Let's Talk Movies" ... Please tell us what you thought of the movie!

THE HELP (Aug 10, 2011)

Starring:  Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer

Director:  Tate Taylor

Rated: PG-13  -  Runtime:  146 min

Genre:  Drama

The top three stars in the movie (in my opinion), Skeeter (Emma Stone), Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis), and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) made the film enjoyable throughout.  One does not leave the theater without wondering what a black woman in the south must have gone through during that time in history.

The humor seeded throughout the movie is simply a plus!  Greatly portrayed by these actors/actresses, the events that took place and the final outcome of the women known as “The Help”, with the writing ambition of Skeeter have brought to the screen a wonderful but tragic story.  One worthy of nominations for awards this year!

My Rating: 5 Mugs of Guinness - aka; 5 Stars for those not enjoying the better life with Irish Ale.

Don’t miss this one!  And watch to see the Oscar possibilities, I think it’s got a chance...  How about you?

“Let’s Talk Movies” All input is appreciated, and I hope you come back here after every movie and let us know how you rate it.  Don’t forget to become a fan, and use the boxes below to give your reaction to it - Good, Bad, or Ugly....  Also, please help in getting this site greater recognition by clicking on the box “Recommend this on Google” (it’s the +1 box) 

AZ-Tom

"FRIGHT NIGHT" (Aug 2011)

Starring: Anton Yelchin (Charley Brewster), Colin Farrell (Jerry), and David Tennant (Peter Vincent)+++

Director: Craig Gillespie

Rated:  R    Runtime:  106 minutes

Maybe we should call this the Colin Farrell's try at "B" rated movies.  Thinking that with a simple storyline like this one they could have gone a little more with the sets.  Simply boring, action left something to be desired (just wait for the basement scene). Come on now, hidden area in the closet, and a basement in Las Vegas?  Who builds homes in Las Vegas with basements?

I rate it:  1 mug of Guinness at best!, and that would be to get the taste of the movie off your pallet.

"Lets Talk Movies"...... Please tell us what you thought of the movie !