THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (Dec 23, 2011)

Starring:  Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Stellan Skarsgard, and Robin Wright

Director:  David Fincher

Rated: R  -  Runtime:  158 min

Genre:  Drama | Thriller

One thing you will want to know.... Disregard the length of the film, once you have seen it you will ask yourself where did the time go!!!

Although I have not read the books, I have been told by someone who has that this particular portion of the trilogy is as good as reading the book.  Not often will one hear that, it seems that in the readers mind so much more is left to the imagination and with that said, we all know where the human imagination can take us.  Worlds unknown....

The movie was just short of being PERFECT!  The opening intro to the movie was fantastic in its artistic value.  

As the movie continues it leaves you questioning where is this going?  Upon taking the position of investigating the disappearance of one of the family members some 30 years earlier, Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) finds himself on an island inhabited by one extremely dysfunctional family, all living in separate estates and for the most case none of which speak to each other.  He’s provided with a cottage from which to work with nothing or no one other than the cat.

The scenes between the time Mikael takes the job on the island and requesting the use of an assistant are at the least exciting, jaw dropping, intense, and leaves the audience with a sense of wonderment as to what will happen next.

The movie progresses rapidly from there, and brings into the equation a somewhat withdrawn private investigator / computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara).  From that point forward there is no question that this is a nail biter, so keep your hats on because it’s a bumpy and exciting ride with a new twist thrown your way at nearly every turn.

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (Dec 23, 2011)

Starring:  Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, and Daniel Craig

Director:  Stephen Spielberg

Rated: PG  -  Runtime:  107 min

Genre:  Animation| Action | Adventure | Family | Mystery

Spielberg did it again, I stand in awe of the his unsurpassed capabilities to take a film, be it completely live action, combined live action and animation, or as this one totally animation and make it a Feature Film in the industry.  I believe The Adventures of Tintin is just this type, and I think we should plan on seeing more of this series from him in the future.  Though I give credit to Mr. Spielberg, the movie couldn’t or wouldn’t have been the same if it were not for the writer Steven Moffat...must give credit where credit is due!

To the film - The presentation was fantastic, the animation was state of the art, so darn realistic that one can hardly believe how far we have advanced!  In short, another 5 star presentation by a master.

It is not only an adventure for the audience but integrated the humor of the good captain Haddock and the bumbling interpol detectives Thomson and Thompson with the antics that closely matching that of the Barney Fife, being totally unaware of their present surroundings and situations.  

I can’t say I have recently been to a animated film such as this that kept my attention to detail and storyline as did this one.  Bottom line:  Great film - don’t miss it, and not to worry, all the kids will love it too! 

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (Dec 16, 2011)

Starring:  Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney

Director:  Mike Mitchell

Rated: G  -  Runtime:  87 min

Genre:  Animation | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Music

Ok - 2 out of 3 is pretty good for this weekend!

Well ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the pinnacle of the success of Alvin and the Chipmunks, and have now started the downward spiral.  This movie is only for the enjoyment of the younger crowd, 5 and under.  I looked around the theater beaming with hundreds of empty seats, and those that were taken were with parents with a gaggle of kids (yah, I know gaggle = geese), but this is what it reminded me of, a mother tending to at a minimum of 6 little ones.  The adults were bored, the youth were wiggling and dancing around in their seats.  So I guess if this was how this film was marketed, then they accomplished there goal.

With the huge improvement in animation, I think this film has been left behind.  Having a budget of 80 million dollars on a 87 minute film equating to $915.5K per minute and having major stars doing the soundtrack, only to have their voices transposed into a synthetic squeakiness, at times not fully understandable.  I believe they have gone “overboard” (pun intended)! You will never know that Christina Applegate or Anna Faris share in the voices heard in the movie.  

However none of the adults seemed to enjoy any of the content of the movie, not even the ill attempts at humor.  Sorry, for the bad news, but on a brighter note perhaps we won’t be subjected to Alvin and the Chipmunks again!!  My thoughts only, and will appreciate any rebuttal to this, as I am sure if there are any out there who enjoyed the film and were over the age of 5, please write and let us know.

My Rating: 1 Mugs of Guinness - aka; 1 Star for the younger group!

“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 - Good, Bad, or Ugly... Also, please help in getting this site greater recognition by clicking the box "Recommend this on Google" (it's the +1 box).   

AZ-Tom