Oscars

Haven't written in awhile just been thinking about Oscars and have enjoyed some films this year. Current assumptions for Oscar Nods would be The Fighter, Black Swan, Social Network, and possibly True Grit. Now I would say my desire for Best pic would be a tie between Social Network and The Fighter. Best Actress- Natalie Portman, Best Actor- Tie between Jesse Eisenberg and Jeff Bridges, Supporting Actress- Amy Adams, Supporting Actor- Christian Bale. Now I haven't seen all the movies I would like to see like a King's Speech and 127 Hours but I enjoyed these performances and this would be the route I go. But I don't know if True Grit will get the recognition it deserved because it felt different then your normal Western. What are some of your possible pics for the Oscars?

Eclipse

My wife has attended 2 of the 3 Midnight Showings of Star Wars the least I could do is go see Eclipse with her. Now that sounds like something I could say and get away with the fact that I have actually read all 4 Twilight books, but the truth is my wife asked me to read them I said I would and in between my text books over the past two years I've read all 4 books. I've enjoyed the story. I get that girls are wanting to be sought after it all makes sense to me. But I also know that with all this hype no man will ever match up to the man each girl so desires whether this be Team Edward or Team Jacob.
Now the vampire and werewolf stuff aside there is actually a pretty good love story of choice which is the right person for me and even a lesson on some good old traditional values about abstinence. Yeah finally a movie that encourages Abstinence but don't get me wrong there is a lot of kissing before Edward puts the breaks on his physically inclined lady friend. To be perfectly honest my wife and I had a discussion that consisted of whether or not we would allow our teen to watch Eclipse and the truth is it depends. First on who they are as a person. I can see the fantasizing that young boys have for some model can be a detriment to their future relationships the same way that a girl can fantasize about the emotional connection with a man. Both although different can have a significant effect on how we look at our relationships. Now don't miss out what I'm saying. It was a good movie but I think if I had a teen I would watch this film with them. Then after all the hype I would ask them questions. Like why do you think Edward has values about sex after marriage? Now some parents would shy from this but I see this as a great moment to open some discussion. Most shows on tv are worse any ways.
There also seemed to be a lot of violence now I am usually comfortable with violence but there were more than one decapitations. What ever that's worth to you. Overall I really enjoyed this film. I still enjoyed New Moon a little more due to the directors choices, but it was still very enjoyable. Side Note, My favorite book was Eclipse which I don't know why it wasn't my favorite film but it was still worth seeing it with all the fans. You have to enjoy a movie when the audience is in to it too. They laugh louder and even clap at times that really are fun and exciting. So far my reviews have been given a lot of praises this summer but I am easily pleased 4.5 out of 5.

If I ever approach a movie that may be questionable in its content I go to http://www.pluggedin.com/movies.aspx which does an excellent job at letting me know why it got the rating it received.

Toy Story 3

So I want to preface my review with this, prior to seeing this film I dropped off my son with my mom. As she pulled out a box of toys I use to play with (Ninja Turtles so Terminator figures) she suggested I let my son play with them I was all for this as I could easily see my legacy of action figures have a chance to be enjoyed by my spawn. Now the whole premise of this film is Andy the owner of Woody and Buzz Lightyear to name a few, prepares to go to college. Now the problem the toys feel forgotten. So the film had a strong emotional tug at my heart due to the thought of my son playing with my toys I haven't touched in easily 15 years. So I can honestly say if you have a heart this movie will move you. As more and more cartoons make an attempt to reach adults as well as children they step up their game in allowing the story to have multiple levels whether emotionally or even psychologically. This movie dealt with themes of death, revenge, justice, and abandonment issues. I enjoyed every moment of it.
Now last summer Up was easily my favorite movie of the summer. I don't think Toy Story 3 has that title yet (hoping Predators pans out) I am still intrigued at the quality of films Pixar has put out Incredible's, Wall-E, and the rest to come. I would say Toy Story 3 can wait as a rental but it is a Must See. 4 out of 5.

Knight & Day

When I first saw this trailer I knew immediately I wanted to see this film. The Story is all about a woman's world colliding with a CIA operative. Let the hilarity ensue. I felt this movie had some laugh out loud moments where I could keep laughing if I didn't restrain myself due to wanting others to enjoy the film. It was just fun through and through. I saw an interview that claimed Tom Cruise does most of his stunts which always adds something to me in a film. I even enjoyed Cameron Diaz performance where sometimes she misses the mark, in my book she did fairly good going up with Cruise himself. Chemistry was pretty good between the two when ever it didn't feel like it connected I would justify it by the two characters have really only known each other for a couple of days. All and all a pretty good film that will get you laughing out loud for one moment where Cruise constantly drugs Diaz for her own protection. 4 out of 5, this would have received an extra .5 but there was a little cheesiness.

Karate Kid

If we had any doubts that Jaden Smith was the product of Will Smith all your doubts would be set aside from this film. Jaden does an excellent job in this classic remake. I thought the pacing was a little slow but thought to myself well the pay off will just have to be bigger and it was. Through the well choreographed fighting to the emotional character choices by Jackie Chan it all came together. I easily can say this is Jackie Chan's best acting in any film he's done to date. We know Chan can fight but he also proves his depth to his acting. I believe this heartfelt movie should be seen by the whole family.
Now if you're trying to save some money you can also rent it as I don't think much will be lost to the small screen, as it is so story driven. But it is a must see even if it's only to compare it to the orignal, p.s. it matches up to the original really closely. 4.5 out of 5.

A-Team

This is one of those films that could have gone either way, been really well done or a sad knock off of the original. I completely loved this movie. This movie let me know that Summer of 2010 had finally arrived. The action wasn't to overwhelming they made sure to move the story along and kept you guessing the whole time. I felt like it was a perfect blend of action, story, and comedy.
The only lacking thing was perhaps Quinton Rampage's performance. He turned Mr. T's iconic character "B.A." into a whinny little punk. Although my take could be effected do to his loss from Rashad Evans. Now Rampage's performance wasn't the worse it just seemed to not be as strong as Mr. T's. I will point out an excellent performance by Sharlto Copley as Murdock. Copley is one of those actor's you don't even recognize from one film to the next. He had the leading role in District 9 and in A-Team it was neat to see him as someone completely different, I believed him the whole time. I would easily say 4.5 out of 5. A Must See Summer Blockbuster now you must like Action and plenty of Green Screen!

Killers

Now My wife and I had our first outing in town without the boy child and naturally we went to the movies. This summer seems to have a couple movies that seem a little reminiscent of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. This film and Knight and Day being the two that stand out.
I was actually pleasantly surprised with this film. I loved the chemistry between Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl. When it comes to any two people on screen you want there to be this believability between the couple. They have just that. There seems to also be a couple other stand out characters from Tom Selleck and Catherine O'Hara mainly known from Home Alone as Kevin's mom. But I prefer her from her Mockumentary fame with Christopher Guest and the slew of other comedians. Although small characters there are a few that are pretty funny people. Now as much as I liked it I usually save romantic comedies for rentals but this film did have some stuff blow up so I felt compelled to watch it on the big screen. Overall it wouldn't Kill you to wait for this at Red Box. I give it a 3 and 1/2 out of 5.