Machete (2010) Starring: Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Fahey, Cheech Marin, Don Johnson, & Lindsay Lohan Plot: After being betrayed by the organization who hired him, an ex-Federale launches a brutal rampage of revenge against his former boss. Purposely over the top homage to 70's exploitation films, but I still hated it. I laughed the whole movie and not for the right reasons. Watch The Killer Inside Me instead, also an exploitation film, that still manages to take itself seriously. Rating-"Kinda Like An Inkblot Test-Might be good to some, but I just didn't see it."-maybe it's might be good for hard-core exploitation fans.
Catfish (2010) Plot: In late 2007, filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost sensed a story unfolding as they began to film the life of Ariel's brother, Nev. They had no idea that their project would lead to the most exhilarating and unsettling months of their lives. Intriquing and unsettling. Very unique documentary that left me kind of depressed by the end. Rating: "Noteworthy"- though I'll never watch it again.
Case 39 (2009) Starring Renée Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper, & Callum Keith Rennie. Plot: A social worker (Zellweger) fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she ever expected. More of the same Japanese horror remake. Zellwegger's performance was uneven & Cooper unnecessary, but that little girl creeped the hell outta me and that intro was fantastic. Rating: "Stamped Out so why bother?"
Secretariat (2010) Starring Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Walsh, Margo Martindale, Nelsan Ellis, James Cromwell, Scott Glenn, & Dylan Baker. Plot: Penny Chenery Tweedy and colleagues guide her long-shot but precocious stallion to set, in 1973, the unbeaten record for winning the Triple Crown. Underdog wins against the odds inspirational film that never had a sense of tension in the entire film. Rating: "Stamped Out so why bother?"
Takers (2010) Starring Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen, Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, Steve Harris, T.I., Jay Hernandez, Zoe Saldana, Johnathon Schaech, Paul Walker, & Marianne Jean-Baptiste Plot: A group of bank robbers find their multi-million dollar plan interrupted by a hard-boiled detective. Convoluted heist film that used all of its budget on the cast and didn't use it on anything else. Very low production value and poor editing. Rating: "Rather Stab A Pen In My Eye than ever watch this movie again"
Easy A (2010) Starring Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell, Alyson Michalka, Stanley Tucci, Fred Armisen, & Lalaine Plot: A clean-cut high school student relies on the school's rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing. Obvious rip-off of just about every 80's Hughes movie I've seen. No originality and an unlikeable lead character. Rating: "Rather Stab A Pen In My Eye than ever watch this movie again"
It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010) Starring Keir Gilchrist, Emma Roberts, Lauren Graham, Jim Gaffigan, Zach Galifianakis, Zoë Kravitz, Jeremy Davies, & Viola Davis Plot: A clinically depressed teenager gets a new start after he checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward. Quirky and sweet dramedy that I wished would've followed Galifinakis's character more. Rating: "Stamped Out but worth seeing"
Monsters (2010) Starring Scoot McNairy Plot: Six years after Earth has suffered an alien invasion a cynical journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through an infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border. Unusual indie film that knew where to put its money. Fantastic visuals, great chemistry between the leads, and very well-written. Rating: "Noteworthy"
Due Date (2010) Starring Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis, Danny McBride, Jon Cryer, & Charlie Sheen Plot: High-strung father-to-be Peter Highman is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay on a road trip in order to make it to his child's birth on time. Funny and at times annoying road trip movie that made me laugh every second at Galifinakis but cringe at Downey Jr. who played an unlikeable jerk. Rating: "Stamped Out but worth seeing"-still watch it for Zach.
The Special Relationship (2010) (TV) 5 Emmy Nominations. Starring Michael Sheen, Dennis Quaid, & Hope Davis. Plot: A dramatization that traces former U.K. prime minister Tony Blair's relationships with Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Intriguing to watch and very well-acted though not terribly interesting. Rating: "Noteworthy"
Red (2010) Starring Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, James Remar, Brian Cox, & Richard Dreyfuss Plot: When his peaceful life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive and uncover his assailants. Very funny. It was nice to see an older cast shine this way, especially Mirren who I could only hope to look like when I get her age. Rating: "Noteworthy".
Adaptation (2002) Won Oscar. Starring Nicolas Cage, Tilda Swinton, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Judy Greer, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ron Livingston, Brian Cox, John Cusack, Catherine Keener, & John Malkovich Plot: A lovelorn screenwriter turns to his less talented twin brother for help when his efforts to adapt a non-fiction book go nowhere. A bit confusing, but poignant film about the creative process Rating: "Noteworthy"
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