steeped Reviews

The Good Guys (2010)

It only gets better

[8/10 · 15 June 2010]

I didn't like the first episode of The Good Guys and I wanted to give up on the show, but something about the characters and the pace made me give the show one more chance - and I'm glad I did.

I think you have to be in a certain mood to enjoy this show. After a long day at work, sitting on the couch and not wanting to think ruined the first episode for me because there is a lot to the plot (there are bad guys who then meet worst bad guys who decide to duke it out and the cops find themselves in the middle), and the comedy could be subtle - so when you listen and pay attention the show is a lot better.

If you didn't like an episode, try watching another when you have a lot less on your plate to deal with.

Avatar (2009)

Pretty good movie overall

[7/10 · 23 December 2009]

James Cameron's newest creation was a thrilling ride, but lacked in story with a few cliché scenes. There were few times I looked down at my watch in boredom.

Jake Sully, an ex-marine willingly takes over his deceased brother's Avatar to feel what it is like to walk once again (in his avatar's body). Bound to a wheelchair, Jake is soon given the opportunity to get the money for surgery if he spied on the Na'vi, a species on the moon Pandora. The Na'vi were nested around a spiritual tree which harvested valuable minerals which the humans wanted.

Of course Jake falls in love with a Na'vi, and the movie gets predictable from that point on. There were also aspects of the film... like the physical connection/network which bonds all creatures on Pandora felt very overdone.

The real amazing part of this film was the computer generated images, and of course the incredible 3D. The experience was just like looking out a window. The colours, plus this new world Cameron built was phenomenal. I feel proud to have this director come from my home city.

This movie was not as good as the Terminator films or Alien, but it definitely was worth my money and I probably will see it again.

Gran Torino (2008)

Clint Eastwood's last movie as an actor is a classic!

[9/10 · 8 January 2009]

I usually post comments when I try and tell the IMDb community about how I felt towards a movie, whether is was a good or bad feeling. This time though, I am posting a comment on Gran Torino just because it has yet been released and would love to tell the world to make sure they see this stunning classic in theaters.

Clint Eastwood finishes his acting career playing such a hateful, yet lovable character. He growls more than his own dog and he treats the disrespectful like dirt, yet everything he does we seem to learn throughout the movie is done with his heart, not his lack of sincerity.

The thrilling story can also be classified as a comedy. Although clearly not the dominating genre, I laughed more during this movie than I have throughout most comedy's in the 2008 year. There was tons of character development as we got to see Clint Eastwood's character evolve from some monstrous and hateful old jerk to a heartwarming, caring and dedicated neighbor.

The acting though did have it's obvious issues, as most of the cast never acted before this movie. The lack of talent, although annoying at times did give this movie an old classic feeling.

Absolutely amazing movie - 9/10.

Seven Pounds (2008)

Will Smith does it again!

[8/10 · 6 January 2009]

I saw the trailer to the movie and wondered what the movie was about. All I got from the trailer was the movie starred Will Smith and he was on some mission. I wondered why they couldn't just give us a quick synopsis of the movie, but once I watched Seven Pounds, I understood. No words can ever describe the message of this story. Well, let me try without giving away any spoilers: Will Smith once had everything. A life with money, an expensive car, a great job and a wife. He had a big home and dreams. This was until he suffered a great tragedy which turned his life to the worst. He lost everything that meant something to him. As a retaliation he decided to use himself, the one thing he had left to turn the lives of seven special people around for the better.

Will Smith, along with Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson showed their great acting talents once again as all kind hearted people who had something missing from their lives. I though wish we did see more of Woody Harrelson as he played in very few, but necessary and important scenes.

This movie is very much like Will Smith's 2006, The Pursuit of Happiness film. Although I wasn't aware of The Pursuit of Happiness's director, I was sure that Seven Pounds was directed by the same person as I was watching it. The director Gabriele Muccino directed both movies as a slow paced meaningful movie. Although one might get bored at times during the film, ultimately you feel like you gained something from watching it.

If you liked The Pursuit of Happiness, then you will like Seven Pounds. I was lucky enough to love and appreciate The Pursuit of Happiness, so my outlook of Seven Pounds is very positive.

8/10.

Reservation Road (2007)

A road of troubles, but overall a great story.

[7/10 · 11 October 2008]

Based on a novel I never read, this movie is about a father (played by Joaquin Phoenix) who lost his son in a freak hit-and-run accident. Obsessed with finding the killer, he seems to alienate his family and lose control of reality. As time goes on he seems to remember more of the dark dreaded night, such as the SUV which hit and killed his child.

While searching for the killer, he hired a lawyer to take control over the case and communicate with the Police. This lawyer however happened to be the driver of the SUV who hit the poor boy.

The many coincidences which occurs throughout the movie is unbelievable and ridiculous, but it doesn't necessarily ruin the overall message and thrilling story. The cast and acting were amazing and I was thoroughly entertained.

I am rating this movie based on how entertained I was, and how I am sure I will remember this movie in two years from now. There were many dialog scenes and sequences in the film which was very cliché, stupid and unbelievable, but it doesn't stop the fact that this movie was entertaining and thrilling.

7/10

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Should of stayed on stage.

[6/10 · 5 August 2008]

I went to see the stage performance of Mama Mia! a few years back and loved it. The music brings me back and the story was touching, and I left the theater in high spirits.

The movie on the other hand left me with a totally different feeling. The singing was very forced while they tried to fit the music in with the story. Some times I felt the song fit well into the scene, and other times I wondered what the production crew was thinking.

The movie started promptly, as the very cute Amanda Seyfried places three invitations to her three possible fathers in the mailbox. From this one scene, I felt the hair on my arms stand up. This whole movie was so cliché and cheesy, and definitely meant for the female crowd. This upset me because although the play had the exact same plot, I very much enjoyed it and it seemed like it was meant for both genders.

Now Pierce Brosnan. I just don't know where to start with him. Three women sitting behind me were screaming in my ear every time he appeared on screen, and every minute I hear "OMG he is sooo cute!" And that may be all he is. I don't think I have seen a person who was ever more miss-casted. He can't sing - or he can but his vocals did not fit the song, and it was very noticeable that his voice was digitally enhanced and fixed up with all the cool technology gadgets they have. I never thought I would ever see James Bong sing.

Why do I give this movie a 6 then? Meryl Streep was absolutely amazing. No, she wasn't pretty in this movie. Her hair was a mess the whole time. I don't even think they put make-up on her, and that is what I liked. Her voice is amazing and her acting was incredible (like always), but most of all, she was a mess! She put so much character into Donna, that it made me feel that this movie was just rotating around her.

In the end credits, they are all singing on a stage. WHY? If I want to see them dancing on stage then I would of went to see the actual play with was much better! Some things are better left on stage.

Oh yeah, and the film work was beautiful. I loved the cinematography. If you appreciate that kind of stuff then you may appreciate the work put into this movie.

6/10

WALL·E (2008)

Great movie and message(s).

[8/10 · 1 July 2008]

Wall-e was a 700 year old robot and the last of it's kind on Earth. Since garbage and pollution on Earth rose too fast over the 22nd century because no one was "green", the earthlings decided to leave their home planet and live on a massive, technologically advanced ship. Of course with the advancement in technology over the century, some robots can't think for themselves such as the evil "autopilot" which turned rogue. But as you can expect, Wall-e is very smart and can be considered a person as he has the basic feelings of loneliness and the need for a companion.

What makes this movie amazing is the camera-less cinematography. The computer generated images of the deserted Earth is stunning, and throughout the movie I was just magnetized to the amazing scenery. It was done so well that it really makes you feel for the poor robot and makes you want this piece of metal to succeed.

Along with the amazing artwork, this movie is loaded with different messages which can teach morals to the adult and children audiences. Being green and recycling, obesity and loneliness are all very well told, and even though we may already know that pollution is a problem and that exercising is important, this movie really opens our eyes as the story of this one robot's troubles can be related to todays modern society.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Not too bad

[8/10 · 22 May 2008]

I was very hyped up to see this movie when I heard about it's release, and I must say that I was hardly disappointed. I went to see this the first day it opened at the first showing in my theater. The first and third Indiana Jones movie was absolutely amazing, and I was hoping the last movie wouldn't be like the second Indiana Jones film. And it wasn't.

The beginning started off with a blast, but not a shocking blast as the great parts in the beginning were all seen in the trailer. Shia LaBeouf pulled off his Marlon Brando act on his motorcycle as Harrison Ford rambled on about legends that we shockingly soon find out aren't just myths. There were a few (but only a few) dull and cliché moments, but overall I stayed entertained at the most part.

There was this one memorable scene in the movie where Indiana Jones and Cate Blanchett's character Irina Spalko were chasing each other as Shia LaBeouf swung in the trees and Harrison Ford jumped cars. That one scene itself made the entire movie for me.

I was a little upset with John Willams soundtrack for this film. Usually in the past films his music gets you all hyped up, but this soundtrack just didn't seem at par.

The classic Indiana Jones movie were made 18 years ago, and with the advance in film technology the special effects really made this movie look surprisingly less realistic. Although extremely cool, I just couldn't take the second last scene of the movie seriously. With George Lucas aside Spielberg, I am sure you will be able to understand the reasoning for this film being much different special effects wise.

Throughout the theater, I heard everyone laugh, jump in shock and clap in the end. If my surroundings, along with me liked this movie so much, I feel great being able to recommend it to all.

Vantage Point (2008)

It lived up to it's promise.

[9/10 · 2 March 2008]

Before anyone watches this movie, they should be ready to see a repetitive plot which repeats an event over and over again, but the repetitiveness of it makes this movie a March hit! How? IT WORKS!

With every vantage point, you learn a new thrilling clue about the event's which occurred prior to the presidents assassination. Every person has a different story and every story has a different shocking secret to be revealed. With two huge twists (one of them ruined by the trailer), you will feel compelled to see the other vantage points until you ultimately learn the truth to the assassination.

This "A" list cast was amazing at each role they played. Dennis Quaid played a Secret Service Agent who protected the president from a previous assassination attempt years ago and ultimately ended up traumatized. On his first day back to the job, a successful attempt was made on his watch, and he felt the need to solve this case.

Although Quaid's performance was great, Forest Whitaker takes the best-actor's award as he plays a tourist who falls in the middle of the action.

This whole movie was thrilling, suspenseful and interesting which led to an action packed ending with the best cinematography I have seen in years (you will all know the mouth dropping camera work I am talking about when you see the movie).

9/10

Untraceable (2008)

Pointless and Predictable.

[4/10 · 27 January 2008]

I walked into this theater expecting a nice thrilling action movie, but nor was a thrilled or entertained. The trailer makes this movie look so much better than it is.

So this Saw meet Live Free or Die Hard movie was about a hacker who opened up a website which streamed live torcher. The more views the website gets, the higher the counter and the faster the victim dies.

A very unique idea which takes the good parts out of Saw and Die Hard, and yet manages to pull of a pointless movie.

Each kill on the website was all interesting to watch, since it was done Saw style, just with decent taste. The whole cop finding evil hacker gave this movie a very Live Free or Die Hard feel to it.

From the 20 minute mark of this film, I knew what the ending would be before even being introduced to the climax. It was so predictable that a times I thought the director did it purposely. If the movie took a totally different turn half way through then maybe I would of enjoyed it more, but knowing what was going to happen next totally took away the thrill.

The acting in the movie was very strong, and this was the first time in a while which I have seen a movie with a happy ending - but a happy predictable and pointless ending.

Maybe if this movie was scripted better (a lot of the dialog was extremely cheesy)and the plot had a nice twist, than maybe I would call this movie a good thriller, but for now it's thumbs-down. This movie had great potential.

Once you have seen the movie, you should visit www.killwithme.com - it's very funny.

4/10

The Bucket List (2007)

A brilliant piece of art.

[9/10 · 2 January 2008]

I was glad to catch this movie before it's release date here in Canada, so I know to tell all my friends and family, and anyone I can possibly reach to go see this movie.

Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman put on a terrific performance, playing two cancer patients who only have a year to live. They both decide to make a "Bucket List", a list of events they never accomplished in their lives. This list ranged from kissing the prettiest lady in the world to patching up the problems with their family.

The performances of this movie was phenomenal, but what really made this movie unique was the writing. We have all seen movies with a similar plot like in The Holiday when Queen Latifa spends all her money living like a Queen because she only has a few months to live. But instead the Bucket List is unique because it wasn't that completing this list made their last year worth living, it was the fact that the writers focused on the chemistry of these two men and how their friendship increased while completing this list.

The witty dialog, the brilliant writing and the great performance really made this movie a post-Christmas treat.

9/10

I Am Legend (2007)

Will Smith does it!

[8/10 · 16 December 2007]

Many have tried to play the role, and many have failed - but not Will Smith as he plays Robert Neville, an immune American Solder and the last person in the world.

Emma Thompson, though uncredited for her role plays a doctor who find the cure for cancer, but like every medicine it has a side affect. When affected, all humans lose their human instincts, soon acting like vicious animals who travel in colonies and kill for survival. Robert Neville, alongside his companion German Sheppard Sam have to hunt during the day to live, and hide during the nights to not die.

This movie would be nothing without Will Smith, probably one of the best actors who finds the best roles throughout the past few years. The first 3/4 of the movie is a one man show, somewhat like Tom Hanks in Cast Away, but instead of talking to a volleyball, Robert Neville sets up mannequins and talks to them to keep the little sanity he has left. Will Smith is stunning in this movie - there are about three scenes which I can recall where he put on such a miraculous performance.

I didn't think this was possible, but the last 1/4 of the movie where it wasn't all of Will Smith's show anymore actually ruined the mood of film. I did appreciate the ending though, which revealed to us the reasoning for the title of the movie and that gave me shivers down my spine.

Throughout the movie, there were stunning flashbacks of Robert Neville's life before the entire population was wiped out. It revealed his wife and daughter, who was actually Will Smith's daughter in real life. In the Pursuit of Happiness, it was his real son who starred alongside him, and now it's his daughter.

Overall, the movie lacked some CGI (you could easily tell that the infected were poorly created), and although the ending ruined the mood, Will Smith's performance made this movie a piece of artwork, and I would recommend everyone to see it. There was no swearing or blood, so the younger audience who loves a good scare would enjoy this movie.

I would definitely recommend, for those who enjoyed this movie to see the four-part mini series by Stephen King "The Stand" - http://imdb.com/title/tt0108941/ 8/10

The Golden Compass (2007)

They got rid of the good parts!!

[4/10 · 13 December 2007]

Dakota Blue Richards starts her career off as playing Lyra, a rebellious pre-teen who meets the real world after her best friend Roger was captured by the Gobblers. Lyra goes on a mission to the North to rescue him with the help of her Golden Compass, a device which will answer any question she would ever ask. Sadly, Dakota fails at adding the spice which made up the character of Lyra.

Nichole Kidman, still trying to come out of a five year movie slump does play the perfect Ms. Coulter, but in another failed attempt of a movie. Daniel Craig as well was amazing in this movie, but we just don't see enough of him to consider him to have any big role.

I wasn't expecting much from the movie after I read the book. For some reason, the writers got smart and decided to end the movie right after the big battle... what happened to golden ending of the book when Lord Asriel killed Roger? Because of the ending, the writers never really told us what happened with the floating city and the "Dust". Since there won't be a sequel, two major questions was brought up and will never be answered.

A big part of the book which I enjoyed was Iorek Byrnison and Farder Coram's characters... and the movie ruined them! Iorek was supposed to be a fierce bear who crushed heads and killed under his own demand. Course to keep this movie PG rated, it couldn't show the bear ritual of when Iorek defeated Iofur and tore open his stomach and ate his heart. Sure a morbid part of the book, but still this showed character. Farder Coram was the secondary character in the book, but the movie practically switched Farder Coram's and Lee Scoresby's role.

But sure, with every let down there could also be great parts, just like with the final battle scene. My eyes were glued to the screen because it was done very well.

Overall, this movie was a disappointment. I am sure I can find many other parts to pick about - keep your money, don't see this movie.

Beowulf (2007)

Senceless and absolutely pointless!

[6/10 · 18 November 2007]

I go to movies to see masterpieces - stunning and eye catching artwork. This is exactly the approach the director Robert Zemeckis tried to use, but he failed miserably at it.

We all love the movie 300 because every other shot was beautifully done. All the violent fight scenes were stunning to watch - every other camera angle was a piece of art. Now Beowulf on the other hand had senseless and disturbing fight scenes. The first scene consisted of an 8-9 foot monster who randomly, for no apparent reason started killing drunk towns people in a pub. There was one part where this monster ripped a body in half with his own two hands. I was hoping to enjoy this film, but instead I was not having fun. Why would you have fun when your watching senseless and pointless violent action scenes? In 300, you see heads falling off, but it's enjoyable to watch it because of the amazing style. Every kill in 300 was beautiful, and every kill in Beowulf was just sad.

I also find it important to point out that Beowulf, the main character is naked half the movie. He fights that 9 foot monster in the first scene with absolutely nothing on. Talk about awkward. Then there was Angelina Jolie who was absolutely nude the entire film. She said in an interview that she was so nude that she refused to let her husband Brad Pitt and her children to ever see this movie - although every other man will be rushing to see this movie just because of her.

The 3D Motion animation was a good idea for this film. The precision of the characters was amazing due to the electronic pegs places on the actors faces and limbs to get the movement and look accurate, along with special lights to get the perfect shape. The three main reasons they created the movie this way was so it would be easy to integrate the characters with the CGI monsters and background, (I think they learned from the Hulk movie where they used real characters and a fake CGI Hulk. Man was that unrealistic!) They also did it this because Angelina Jolie was pregnant during the production, and having her nude the whole movie with a massive stomach ruins the mood. The final reason for why they used this Motion Animation method was because of the MPAA ratings. If this was with real people, this movie would be rated NC-17... instead with it being all CGI, it was give a 14A. Allowing a larger audience to preview the film mean more money.

The acting was pretty good. Anthony Hopkins was very good, along with the guy who played as Beowulf. Every other word Beowulf said was in a really cool yelling voice. "I...AM...BEOWULF!!" "I...WANT...CHICKEN SOUP!!!" Anyways, if you were to see a movie, go rent out 300, or if you already saw 300, go watch it again. Save yourself the money.

The Invasion (I) (2007)

Not bad... just not award worthy.

[7/10 · 21 August 2007]

I didn't know much about Invasion before I walked into this movie. I heard the bad reviews from critics but hell, who listens to them? While watching this movie, I wasn't aware that The Invasion was re-filmed and rewritten. Apparently they rewrote it to add the twist in the end, as well as they added more action sequences with faster and better-angled camera work.

So the movie starts off right away with Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) scattering around the medicine cabinet in a Pharmacy whispering "stay awake, don't fall asleep" to herself. The neat fast-paced camera work kept you right into the movie from the beginning, but sadly the amazing beginning just doesn't match up to the pathetic ending. It seemed like they got tired of writing the movie so they decided to end it off with a simply and quick ending.

Some organism from a different planet crashed down to Earth and took over the citizens of the world. When the organism comes in contact with a human, they will become a different alien-ish like being obsessed with capturing people and affecting the world with their plague. When each person was affected, they would turn into these emotionless, mindless and painless zombies while they sleep. In search of her son, Carol Bennell gets affected and must stay awake so she would be able to save her boy. With help from Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig) and his team of doctors, they go on the search for a cure, to save humanity and especially, save Carol.

I find that this movie gave off the message it was trying to, but in the process it failed at almost everything else. I was expecting, before walking into this movie that it would be filled with suspense with my heart jumping ever so often... but I wasn't scared or thrilled once. The suspense scenes had great music playing, had the great camera angles, but was just missing the spice to make it really work. And in regards to the end of the movie... I can promise you the writers got tired of having to rewrite a story and just through in a quick, painless ending. Course the quick painless ending resulted in annoyance for the audience.

While I walked out of the theater, I was thinking about this movie and how I would interpret it. One thing came to my head, and it was that the new directors did what they were supposed to - make me think and remember this movie once I leave the theater. This was NOT a forgettable movie, rather quite memorable. Sure there was a bad ending, but my eyes were attached to the screen throughout the whole film. I didn't look at my watch once, and for me that gives this movie a big bonus.

Sunshine (2007)

Great beginning, but thats it!

[5/10 · 11 August 2007]

I proudly caught the trailer to this movie a few months ago, and when it finally came out to theaters, or shall I say theater (no "s"), it was almost impossible to catch it. The only theater in all of Toronto and the GTA which played this movie was some horrid, 70" <- (yes inches, NOT foot) screen. Why no half-decent theater wanted to carry this movie was beyond me. After the first hour of this film, I was thinking that Sunshine was easily the most underrated movie of the year. It seemed like they fired the director and hired a child who could not express himself for the directing job about 30 minutes towards the ending of the movie.

Sunshine starts in the future with a second group of astronauts trying to save the earth by "recharging" the dying sun. They detoured to the outskirts of Mercury to recover and save the first group of astronauts, only discovering bodies and a motionless spacecraft. On the way back to revive the sun, they discovered that not only has the detour jeopardized their mission, but an extra piece of mass has mysteriously been detected on their ship.

This movie thrills and entertains like it promises, but the end just doesn't meet up to par. It is very scattered and leaved you wondering what the hell happened. The special affects is outstanding and the cinematography is brilliant.

I did not believe this movie for a second either. For a start, the sun would not just fade away and need charging to revive it. Overtime once the sun gets old enough, it will exploded. Not fade away like a light-bulb. Second, when you look straight into the sun for a period of time on Earth, you screw up your retina and your eyes start burning. But of course when they are right next to the sun, they could look straight at it without any trouble. And if that isn't enough, they could float in space without a astronaut suit and having their heads not blow up. Sure this movie is all science fiction but they could have at least made it slightly believable.

This movie could have officially been declared underrated if not for the confusing, what he hell happened ending. I would have to give it a 5/10 because after trying so hard to find and see this movie, I was let down with the ending.

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Simpsons Movie > Family Guy Movie

[8/10 · 9 August 2007]

What a movie!!! It was outstanding! I laughed throughout the full thing! The movie was so good, it by far triumphed over the Family Guy Movie movie.

The plot begins when homer takes home a pig (named Spider-pig and later Harry Popper) and throws it's dumpings into the local Springfield lake (somehow) creating a toxic waste land. President Arnold Schwarzenegger gets persuaded to put a large dome over the now Toxic city to keep them isolated from the rest of the world.

I must say that the plot was the only downfall of this movie. The whole time when all the Springfielder's were stuck in the dome, no one even thought about getting a shovel and dig. No, instead they just decided to be sitting ducks and wait for their government to bomb the hell out of them. Of course instead of digging a hole they decided to climb through the whole in the top of the dome. Common! We all know Homer is extremely stupid but do the writers think that the audience also has a low IQ? But seriously, who goes to see the Simpsons for the plot? Sure it was bad but in the end, who cares?!?! After the brilliant slapstick humor, I got addicted to this movie. Saw it a few times already.

This movie was full of laughs and two memorable moments which I will never forget. It even had some crude humor which isn't allowed on TV. Sure I admire that I didn't hear the F-bomb at all (good job writers for keeping it PG rated. I wasn't too fond of all the swearing and black humor the Family Guy movie had) Homer did stick up his 2nd (middle) figure, Bart had a hilarious nude scene which totally shocked the whole audience and Marge said gods name in vain.

8/10

Standoff (2006–2007)

Amazing show, bad network!

[10/10 · 20 July 2007]

Standoff is absolutely one of the best TV shows on Fox. I wasn't sure how this TV show would be able to create so many hostage situations... I mean a criminal takes a bank hostage, what more is there? But I was wrong. Every episode contains a totally different hostage situation, whether it being catholic parents taking their children hostage or an ex-military man capturing a prosecutor. But it isn't the situation which makes the show interesting, it's the character development. Each character has their own unique background, and it's especially interesting hearing the backgrounds and reasoning's of the hostage taker. Every episode is intense, thrilling and emotional.

Fox on the other hand is one of the most stupid networks of all time. Last summer, Fox promoted three (and more) new television constantly. Every person who watched this network last summer new about the shows Vanished, Justice and Standoff. I don't think I have seen a network advertise so many shows. Who knew one year later, almost all the TV shows Fox has spoken so highly about has been canceled (besides Till Death). Fox hasn't given any of these shows a chance. Most amazing series took off after a few seasons. The show Full House which has one of the highest ratings in it's time had almost no viewers before the third season started.

Standoff is the wrong show to take off. I must admit that Justice was just a copy of C.S.I. even though it was directed by the same guy. Justice was just a risk. Vanished as well was way too much like 24. I'm not saying Vanished was bad... I enjoyed the show but not nearly as much as 24.

I think Fox should create a petition or something of that sort so it can bring Standoff back. Tonight (July 20th) is the last episode ever. I think it should be the last episode of the season, not series.

I've known ever since Fox moved Standoff to Friday night, just as they did to the show Vanished that it was done.

BRING STANDOFF BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

Yippie Kay Aye Mother (BANG!!)

[10/10 · 27 June 2007]

I have always been a big time Die Hard fan, but once I saw the "PG-13" rating, I felt reluctant to show up at the theater. What's Die Hard without the F-bombs and gory scenes? Apparently, a sick, action packed die hard experience.

Thomas Gabriel played by Timothy Olyphant hired a group of hackers together to pull off the ultimate cyber heist. Of course, John McClane makes their lives a living hell with the massive explosions, the sweet Stealth fighter plane blowing up a highway, and the most memorable scene ever, the car flying in the air and blowing up a helicopter.

I haven't seen such great nonstop action in a very long time but in my standers, Live Free or Die Hard wasn't as great as the original. The whole programming heist was a little too high tech for the average viewer and the plot itself wasn't too original but the action scenes definitely make up for it.

If you are looking for a good comedy, this movie is good for that as well. Every other scene contains another witty humorous comment which I enjoyed.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

An upset

[2/10 · 22 March 2007]

This movie has a great cast, plot and it automatically just caught my attention... sadly. This movie was so boring I wanted to shoot myself. The plot just dragged on and the jokes we very dull.

A rich couple split up which soon lead to their three children having screwed up, dull, mischievous and awkward lives. 22 years past and now the children are all grown up. The father, Royal Tenenbaum desires his wife back (they never split up) so he tells her about the cancer he has been diagnosed with. This incident causes all three children to move back with their parents and lead their new, boring lives. The plot may sound interesting... but trust me it isn't.

2/10 just because it was nice seeing both Wilson brothers playing in the same film... with the touch of Ben Stiller comedy.

Grilled (2006)

A real upset. Enough said.

[1/10 · 15 February 2007]

We all love Ray Romano and Kevin James in Everybody Loves Raymond and the King of Queens. I've gained respect from both of these guys, playing a very funny role in a great family TV shows. Especially Ray Romano, who I thought was very consistent with the movies he chose. Ice Age, Welcome to Mooseport... sure not the greatest films out there but at least you see a comedian stick with his funny family role. I grew up picturing Ray Romano as a role model, as a guy I would love to meet and remember my experience with him. And yes, of course there's a BUT.

This movie totally ruined my respect for them. Instead of being all funny and making you enjoy the picture, this was a dark movie with harsh language and pathetic acting. It was like when I heard Ray Romano swear for the first time a knife went through me. Sure everyone swears, but just he fact that my role model... If you love Ray Romano and/or Kevin James, DO NOT see this movie. Trust me. If you do love these two actors, it's because of the previous wicked roles they were in. This movie will lower your respect for them. Play it safe and don't watch this movie. Trust me, it's no loss. This was a bad film.

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Amazing for a subtitled movie!

[10/10 · 31 January 2007]

Pan's Labyrinth AKA Laberinto del Fauno, El is a one-of-a-kind movie. Thinking this would be a dumb child-fantasy movie and I would fall asleep during it, I was surprised by almost everything in this thriller. A girl, Ofelia played by Ivana Baquero and her pregnant mother traveled a long way to live with her new step dad, who happened to be the leader of a communist-like nation.

Ofelia's mother was days from dying. Her father, Capitán Vidal played by Sergi López wanted a new male child, who would follow his footsteps and lead their nation to victory over a group of rebels. Ofelia knew not to trust her step dad, because she knew he didn't care about them. He only cared for the unborn baby. While the day seemed dark and nights seemed darker, Ofelia's mother died giving birth, leaving Ofelia all alone.

Although the majority of the film was all about the life of Ofelia and the war of the communist-like nation vs. the good rebels, a good part of this film was also based around Ofelia's imagination. The Pan Man was a creature from another world which came to Earth to take Ofelia back home, to her real father and mother who were Kings and Queens of a perfect imaginary world. But before she could leave Earth, she would have to complete three dangerous steps, given to her by a magical book.

I would give this film a 9.5/10. The costumes and graphics were phenomenal. The plot was outstanding, and so were all the actors. This dark film is NOT for children, rather for Adults who don't mind watching bloody, gruesome scenes.

Dads (1997 TV Movie)

It was alright

[7/10 · 17 December 2006]

I am shocked to see such terrible reviews. I really didn't mind this show. I just watched this sitcom on this erasable VHS... I got some good laughs out of it. This series is about the friendship between three single fathers and each of their children, who may I add are very small and cute. I really liked the cast. The only downside was the pretty week episode plot. A man wants to impress his X-wife by setting up their child's birthday party, but of course things go the wrong way. It's one of those plots which you watch and say "hey, I've seen that before!" I do hope this returns and gets better reviews!

7/10

The Departed (2006)

The Departed

[8/10 · 22 October 2006]

One word. HUH? I have never been so shocked after walking out of a movie in my life. The different sequence of camera shots and character display confuses the audience right in the beginning of this movie. Then the slow paced confusing beginning just got more boring. I was about to walk out before the action started - which I may add took forever. This 2 and a half hour movie could of been shortened by an hour or so.

The police who were trying to locate and arrest the mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) found that they have a mole in their precinct who is tipping off Costello leaving him a few steps ahead of the police. To Costello's surprise, he too finds out he has a federal undercover agent in his mob. With plenty of questions and scenes which leave you at the tip of the seat, I would say the ending made the film! Even though the ending of this movie was outstanding, the beginning really did lower my expectations for this highly rated film. I would give this movie an 7.5/10.

World Trade Center (2006)

The World Trade Center

[7/10 · 13 August 2006]

September the 11th is now a day of remembrance, to remember the thousands who died in the two building's.

Yes, an important time but how many movies do they have to make? It seems like this terrible incident turned into a Hollywood money-maker! I first saw Flight 93 on TV. It was a very good movie yet it left out very important parts. Then I saw United 93 and I thought I was watching Flight 93 again! They might as well have taken Flight 93 off TV, put it into the theaters and change the "Flight" to "United". But then the World Trade Center movie came out...

The day started as John McLoughlin (played by Nicolas Cage) went off to work as a police officer. He is a great veteran cop who was put in-charge to direct his unit through the runes of the tower. The second plane soon hit, leaving John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno (played by Michael Peña) trapped in the rubble. A big part of this movie is about survival, and it showed how these officers had the strength to continue. I think Oliver Stone (the director) also wanted to show the audience how September the 11th didn't only effect the victim's in the towers, but also all of America.

Half the movie the camera was on Nicolas Cage and Michael Peña's character, but the other half was on their family's and how they were effected. The whole family got together and sat by the TV listening for updates. Each family had their own unique story which touched the audience. Oliver Stone did a good job.

I didn't understand why the camera didn't show the airplanes running into the towers though... you see the house shake, or a shadow of the plane on a building... but you never see it hit the World Trade Center. Were they too lazy to add more CGI? Also this movie was supposed to show how hundreds of officers went into the buildings to save all those lives even though they knew they might perish in the wreck. But when John McLoughlin asked his unit who will be joining him for the rescue, only 3 people stepped forward. If you are making a movie about the courage of the police then you should show it! Good movie overall. See it!