Serenity

"This landing is gonna get pretty interesting."

"Define "interesting"."

[deadpan] "Oh God, oh God, we're all going to die?"

In 2002 Joss Whedon, the genius behind popular television shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", created a 'western in space' with his televsion show "Firefly". Sadly the show was cancelled after only 12 episodes aired (2 never aired) when FOX showed the episodes out of order and people did not catch onto the plot...but Whedon fans are a loyal bunch and the show became popular through it's DVD sales, and studios 'could not stop the signal' (one tagline for the film) and allowed Whedon to revisit the show as a film...thus Serenity was created.

Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Fillion) is at his wits end. His ship is falling apart (as usual) and his personal life isn't much better. Their latest efforts at thievery (they are smugglers) ended with them running for their lives, and while they got the goods the whole crew was shook-up. Besides their occupation the crew is being pursued by The Operative (Ejiofor), a government assassin. He is after fugitives Simon (Maher) and River (Glau) Tam. River is the one he truly wants. She is a genius, psychic, and has incredible athletic powers (meaning: she is an amazing fighter). She had been a test subject for the government (it's complicated) but was saved by her brother, Simon. They now are on Mal's ship, Serenity. Simon is the doctor on the ship. Zoe (Torres) is the first mate, she served in the war with Mal, and her husband Wash (Tudyk) is the pilot. Jayne (Baldwin) is the muscle, and has a fondness for grenades. Kaylee (Staite) is the mechanic, and Inara (Baccarin) is a Companion (also complicated).

Mal and crew seek help from Mr. Universe (Krumholtz) who sees everything, or as he says "from here to the eyes and the ears of the 'Verse, that's my motto, or it might be if I start having a motto." They also seek assylum from an former crew member Shepherd Book (Glass) who offers them spiritual guidance and information about their foe.

According to Hollywood Jesus.com

"At its heart, Serenity is a story about belief. Malcolm Reynolds is captain of the Firefly class vessel known as Serenity, and he’s man who’s had everything he ever believed in fail him. He became a man who decided the only thing worth believing in was himself and getting the job done, whatever the job may be. But during the course of events that make up the film Serenity, Malcolm finds something new to believe, something that gives his life purpose beyond just going from day to day, job to job; which is something that we’re all searching for."

And that is the essence of the film. I loved "Firefly" and I am one of those Whedon fans who was upset the show got cancelled. It is hard to explain the plot and the characters to someone who has not seen the show, because a large part of the impact of this film comes from knowing the show. I love the show, and I love the movie as well (see my Top 20 Films), but the movie is much darker than the show. And I must disclose, Joss Whedon likes to kill off characters in the finales...and this film is no exception.

Dude, it's quotable: the dialogue is incredible!

Rent it: if you love Joss Whedon, and enjoyed the show then check out this film...however if sci-fi isn't your thing this might not be the best film for you to see.

Serenity (2005) 119 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense violence and action, and some sexual references

Director: Joss Whedon

Starring: Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds

Gina Torres as Zoe

Alan Tudyk as Wash

Morena Baccarin as Inara

Adam Baldwin as Jayne

Jewel Staite as Kaylee

Sean Maher as Simon

Summer Glau as River

Ron Glass as Shepherd Book

Chiwetel Ejiofor as The Operative

David Krumholtz as Mr. Universe

The Fantastic Four

"Four words, Sue. Four words that will change our lives forever..."

"[interrupting] The cloud is accelerating!"

Countless comic book heros have made the leap to the silver screen...some successfully: Batman, Spiderman, Superman, etc., and some have royally flopped: Ghost Rider, Hellboy, The Punisher, etc. I am sorry to say this film falls into the latter category.

Scientist Reed Richards (Gruffudd) has made an important discovery: a mysterious starfield. He leads a team into space to do some testing. The group includes his best friend Ben Grimm (Chiklis), an old flame Sue Storm (Alba), her brother Johnny Storm (Evans), and the business man funding their trip Victor von Doom (McMahon). Of course things don't go quite as Reed planned and they get caught in the cloud surrounding the starfield.

After returning to earth the team discovers they possess new talents. Reed can stretch his body like a rubberband, and is named Mr. Fantastic. Sue can become invisible and throw force fields, and becomes the Invisible Woman. Johnny has the ability to burn at supernova temperatures and generate fire, thus he is the Human Torch. And Ben (who was outside the ship when the cloud hit them) has undergone the largest transformation, turning orange with a body of stone and superhuman strength, he is The Thing. Victor discovers takes longer to demonstrate his power, but he has the ability to control metal and becomes Dr. Doom.

The rest of the film is the team learning to accept and control their powers. Ben is hit the hardest and has the most difficulty adjusting to his new look. And of course Victor emerges as the villain much later in the film.

I loved the comic/cartoon "The Fantastic Four", but this was just a big disappointment. There is no dramatic arc, the characters discover their powers but then go nowhere. Other superhero films have the character learn about their powers and then the villain emerges, they battle multiple times and then the hero emerges victoriously. But that doesn't happen here...and while it is nice to break out of the mold, this film just coasts until the ending, but by that point you don't care. And they have stupid "reasons" to let the male viewers gawk at Jessica Alba's body...it's just sad and pathetic.

Eh...: there are some funny lines, but overall the characters and dialogue are mediocre

Don't waste your time: it just isn't worth it...if it's on television and your only other option is crappy tv shows, then go for it, but don't expect too much.

The Fantastic Four (2005) 106 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some suggestive content

Director: Tim Story

Starring: Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards

Jessica Alba as Sue Storm

Chris Evans as Johnny Storm

Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm

Julian McMahon as Victor von Doom

Hamish Linklater as Leonard

Kerry Washington as Alicia

Laurie Holden as Debbie

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

"So let's recap: We've broken into Buckingham Palace, and the Oval Office, stolen a page from the President's super-secret book, and actually kidnapped the President of the United States. What are we gonna do next, short-sheet the Pope's bed?"

"Well, you never know."

Time has passed since the amazing discovery of the first film (the treasures of the Templar Knights). Ben (Cage) is still passionate about history. He gives a lecture about the assassination of President Lincoln, where his ancestor, Thomas Gates was a hero. During his lecture Mitch Wilkinson (Harris) offers new information: a page from John Wilkes Booth's diary. This page implicates Thomas Gates in the Lincoln assassination. Ben and his father Patrick (Voight) set out to prove this claim false. Using Booth's diary, they discover a cipher (puzzle) which they believe will lead them to "The City of Gold". They enlist computer whiz Riley (Bartha) who is having some financial difficulties, and Ben's ex Abigail (Kruger) who is able to get them to high security places. They also pull out a hidden aid, Prof. Emily Appleton (Mirren), Ben's mother who is an expert in ancient languages. But they are not the only ones looking for the city: Wilkinson also seeks the treasure.

Packed with more historical goodies, "Book of Secrets" does quite a bit of traveling. They travel around the US and even visit Europe on their search for clues. Once again they must watch their steps as FBI Agent Sadusky (Keitel) is watching them and they even have a run-in with the President (Greenwood)!

Wow! The trailers don't do this film justice!! As I have previously state, I am NOT a Nicolas Cage fans...but for these films I will make an exception. The characters are funny...nerdy, but funny. Ed Harris is convincing as the villain, Helen Mirren is awesome (when is she not?), and the returning characters continue to engage the audience. I don't know how history buffs would feel about this film...but I think it works. The story is fast paced, but as long as you pay attention everything falls into place...and they leave the ending open for a sequel. Now if only they would focus on the Revolutionary War...

Dude, it's quotable: Just listen to Riley and you will be entertained. The rest of cast have their moments, but come on, the man is adorable!

SEE IT NOW!: I paid $8 and I would see it again in a heartbeat (which is saying something because I don't like paying over $5 for a movie...and even that seems like a lot)

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) 124 minutes

Rating: PG for some violence and action

Director: John Turtletaub

Starring: Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates

Justin Bartha as Riley Poole

Diane Kruger as Abigail Chase

Jon Voight as Patrick Gates

Helen Mirren as Prof. Emily Appleton

Ed Harris as Mitch Wilkinson

Harvey Keitel as Agent Sadusky

Bruce Greenwood as The President

Running with Scissors

"Where would we be without our painful childhoods?"

Disfunction just got wackier in "Running with Scissors" based on the memoirs, by the same name, from the main character Augusten Burroughs.

Augusten (Cross) never had a chance to have a normal/supportive family. His mother Deirdre (Bening) is a wannabe writer with many neurosies. His father Norman (Baldwin) is an alcoholic who treats his family with indifference. Deirdre confides in Augusten often and the two are very close. But then Deirdre begins therapy with Dr. Finch (Cox). Dr. Finch has unusual methods and eventually causes Deirdre to end her marriage and have her son live with the Finch family. The Finches live in a run-down, hideous pink mansion where anything goes. His wife, Agnes (Clayburgh) watches a horro-soap opera and eats dog kibble. His older daughter Hope (Paltrow) worships her fathers work and communes with her cat, Freud. And his younger daughter Natalie (Wood) tries to break free from the madness by being rebellious. Their Christmas tree has been up for the last two years, and their kitchen table is covered in stuff... While living with the Finches Augusten begins a relationship with a much older (about 15 years older) man, Neil Bookman (Fiennes). Neil is a schizophrenic patient of Dr. Finch, who has violent tendencies.

Everyone is searching for meaning and happiness in life. His father stays away and his mother sinks into drug addiction. And while the Finches are a unique family, they allow Augusten to have a place to belong. He develops close relations with Agnes, who encourages his dreams, and Natalie, who teaches him how to live.

Based on the reviews I had read about this film, it sounded horrible. But curiousity got the better of me... This is not the typical family film. All of the characters are horribly flawed. They make mistakes. And in the end things aren't wrapped up neatly...but there is a beauty in the way the story is told. And after you adjust to the crazy, there are some tender moments between characters. Augusten wrote memoirs which this film is based on and apparently he wrote other highly personal books, which I am now interested in reading. It is hard to explain this film, but I think it is worthwhile...it leaves an impression with you, so that hours later you are still trying to work out this film. It isn't glamourized and it isn't trying to show any character in an uber positive or uber negative light...it is just showing what Augusten saw and felt, and in that way it is very moving. The relationship between Augusten and Neil is weird, but it seems to work...I think the more frightening relationships are the ones Deirdre has post-Norman (her husband).

--: It will have you laughing out loud, cringing, and near tears...I don't know where to classify it, but I think this is the type of film that you have to WANT to see...and it isn't for the faint-of-heart

Running with Scissors (2006) 116 minutes
Rating: R for strong language and elements of sexuality, violence and substance abuse

Director: Ryan Murphy

Starring: Annette Bening as Deirdre Burroughs

Brian Cox as Dr. Finch

Joseph Fiennes as Neil Bookman

Evan Rachel Wood as Natalie Finch

Alec Baldwin as Norman Burroughs

Joseph Cross as Augusten Burroughs

Jill Clayburgh as Agnes Finch
Gwyneth Paltrow as Hope Finch

Gabrielle Union as Dorothy

Ocean's 13

"This town might have changed, but not me. I know people highly invested in my survival, and they are people who really know how to hurt in ways you can't even imagine."
"Well, I know all the guys that you'd hire to come after me, and they like me better than you."

They may be thieves, but they have a code of ethics...the same cannot be said of Willie Banks (Pacino). Banks is the most ruthless casino owner. He screws over his partners, and this time his partner is Reuben (Gould), but he doesn't just screw him over...he has him near death. When the gang learns about Reuben they only have one thought...what are we going to do to Banks? In the end they decide the best way to get back, is to attack his casino. Danny (Clooney) and Rusty (Pitt) do recon work to find out the inner workings of the casino...and they hold the reins to the high-rollers. Yen (Qin) is a high roller and Linus (Damon) is his assistant (in disguise). Livingston (Jemison) is a Blackjack Dealer. Saul (Reiner) is their faux critic. Virgil (Affleck) is in the dice factory, leading a revolution. Turk (Caan) has multiple rolls. Basher (Cheadle) is handling the drill. Frank (Mac) is a gamer with the next big casino game. Reuben is incapacitated. They also bring in Roman (Izzard) for some concept ideas, and Benedict (Garcia) as a backer.

Making life difficult for them is Banks assistant, Abigail (Barkin) who knows and notices everything. And the Feds are on their trail and watching the opening of the casino. With Benedict on their team they also have to pay attention to him, and his spy, Toulour (Cassel). Will they pull it off, or will they get caught in the act? And what about Reuben, will he ever recover? And will the women show up (Catherine Zeta-Jones and Julia Roberts)?

Dude, it's quotable: all the Ocean's films are quotable.
Rent it: This film recaptures the spirit of 11, and brings in some new characters who add some fun. I wish there were some old characters involved...Isabel and Tess...but maybe it's better that they aren't

Ocean's Thirteen (2007) 122 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Director: Steven Sonderbergh
Starring: George Clooney as Danny Ocean
Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan
Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell
Andy Garcia as Terry Benedict
Don Cheadle as Basher Tarr
Al Pacino as Willie Bank
Ellen Barkin as Abigail Sponder
Elliott Gould as Reuben Tishkoff
Eddie Jemison as Livingston Dell
Shaobo Qin as Yen
Casey Affleck as Virgil Malloy
Scott Caan as Turk Malloy
Bernie Mac as Frank Catton
Carl Reiner as Saul Bloom
Eddie Izzard as Roman Nagel
Vincent Cassel as Francois Toulour

Ocean's 12

"Um, all right, let's go over the list again. Ah, Swinging Priest?"
"Not enough people."
"Crazy Larry?"
"Not enough people."
"Soft shoulder?"
"Not enough people."
"Baker's dozen?"
"No woman...and not enough people."
"Hell in a Handbasket?"
"[sigh] We can't train a cat that quickly"
"and..."
"Not enough people."

Three years have passed and the Ocean's gang is living comfortably. They all have normal lives (or are trying to have normal lives) when Benedict (Garcia) finds them. He knows who they all are, he's mad, and he wants his money back...plus interest...in two weeks. With no other option, they realize they must pull another large heist to break even. With Benedict on their trail they have no choice but to leave the country, so they head to Amsterdam.

They are only offered one job, but when they pull the job they learn that someone else got their first: the notorious Night Fox. The Night Fox is a wealthy Frenchman named Francois Toulour (Cassel), and he told Benedict who they were. Toulour offers them a new challenge, to steal a Faberge egg. If they can beat him to it, then he will settle their debt with Benedict, BUT if he wins then they must admit that he is the greater thief. Also adding to their problems is Isabel Lahiri (Zeta-Jones), an old flame of Rusty's who is a cop. Her father was a thief, so she knows how to think like a thief, plus she knows Rusty...


I think this is a funny film... Yes, it is different from Ocean's 11 but you want a sequel to be different. The cast is obviously still enjoying themselves, and they still manage to surprise you, what more can you ask for? There were a few more plot lines to follow, but it added to the story. Eddie Izzard (amazing!!) was awesome as Roman Nagel, I know it was only a small part, but he is incredibly funny and meshes well with the rest of the group. And I liked the whole Tess subplot, which I will not go into detail about, but it is great! There are more actor cameos (as themselves), but you have to pay attention to these more. Overall, there were strong performances and you still don't know how it will end. Who cares if they are in a different country, they are still doing what they do best: thievery!

Dude, it's quotable: The names they have for different heists (listed above) is funny and you don't know what they are talking about. Also, their conversation with Matsui (Coltrane) is equally classic.
Rent it: I saw it in theaters and loved it, but it may take more than one viewing for you to appreciate this film...especially since it doesn't follow the first one.

Ocean's Twelve (2004) 125 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for language
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney as Danny Ocean
Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan
Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell
Catherine Zeta-Jones as Isabel Lahiri
Julia Roberts as Tess Ocean
Andy Garcia as Terry Benedict
Casey Affleck as Virgil Malloy
Scott Caan as Turk Malloy
Shaobo Qin as Yen
Bernie Mac as Frank Catton
Don Cheadle as Basher Tarr
Carl Reiner as Saul Bloom
Eddie Jemison as Livingston Dell
Elliott Gould as Reuben Tishkoff
Vincent Cassel as Francois Toulour
Eddie Izzard as Roman Nagel
Robbie Coltrane as Matsui

Ocean's 11 (2001)

"You're a thief and a liar."
"I only lied about being a thief, I don't do that anymore."
"Steal?"
"Lie."

Back in the 60s the Rat Pack (Sinatra, Martin, Davis Jr., Bishop, Lawford) made a film about robbing 4 casinos...forty years later we have this version. As a fan of the Rat Pack version, I admit I was a little vary of this film, however they won me over.

Eleven men are planning to rob the three biggest casinos in Vegas. Not only do these casinos have state-of-the-art security systems, they are all owned by a man who doesn't like to be crossed ("he'll kill ya, and then he'll go to work on ya"). The brains of the operation are Danny Ocean (Clooney) and Rusty (Pitt), two good friends with a language all their own. Danny was just released from jail and wants to get even with the guy his wife Tess (Roberts) is now seeing, Terry Benedict (Garcia). Danny has enlisted the help of the best-of-the-best. Financing the operation is Reuben (Gould) who hates Benedict for ruining his casino. Their inside man is Frank (Mac) who deals Blackjack. The bickering Malloy brothers, Virgil (Affleck) and Turk (Caan) are along for distraction and mechanics. Livingston (Jemison) is their nervous computer guy. Basher (Cheadle) is their demolition expert. The Amazing Yen (Qin) is their "stunt" man (he is an acrobat and is able to do lots of fascinating things with his body). And rounding out the pack is Saul (Reiner), the master of disguise. Saul wants to get out of the business and retire, but he's willing to help out some old friends.


The cast is obviously enjoying this film and working together. It is a star studded cast, and yet this isn't a big budget film. If you have seen the Rat Pack version, don't worry, they story and characters are different. Much of the dialogue is improvised, and Rusty's job is funny and very current (he's teaching recent movie stars how to play poker). I own this movie and have seen it countless times, but I still laugh throughout the film. And you definitely won't see the ending coming! 10 out of 10. 100 points!

Dude, it's quotable: I like the line under the quote, but I think my favorite exchanges happen between the Malloy brothers "I'm gonna get out of the car and drop you like third period French", but the rest of the cast also does an excellent job
Rent it multiple times: You can appreciate the ending more after you've seen the film a few times, and you pick up more of the cameos and subtle humor

Ocean's Eleven (2001) 116 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some language and sexual content
Director: Steven Sonderbergh
Starring: George Clooney as Danny Ocean
Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan
Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell
Andy Garcia as Terry Benedict
Julia Roberts as Tess Ocean
Elliott Gould as Reuben Tishkoff
Bernie Mac as Frank Catton
Casey Affleck as Virgil Malloy
Scott Caan as Turk Malloy
Eddie Jemison as Livingston Dell
Shaobo Qin as Yen
Carl Reiner as Saul Bloom
Don Cheadle as Basher Tarr

High School Musical 2

"How's your show going?"
"How's it going? This show makes the captain of the Titanic look like he won the lottery."

It's the end of the school year. Troy (Efron) and Gabriella (Hudgens) were the stars of the school musical and are now looking forward to summer vacation. They decide, along with the rest of the school, to get jobs at a local country club. They were all hired at the club because of Sharpay (Tisdale). Her family belongs to the club and she wanted Troy to be hired, whatever it takes...well, to get Troy they needed to hire the rest of the crew. Sharpay, Ryan (Grabeel), and friends enjoy their time at the pool, while their classmates work. Gabriella is a lifeguard. Kelsi (Rulin) is the concert pianist. Troy and Chad (Bleu) have various jobs, such as waiter and golf caddy. Taylor (Coleman) works with kids, and the rest work with Zeke (Warren) in the kitchen.

Every summer the club has a show that both members and staff can participate in. Sharpay and Ryan win every year, but their title is on the line when they learn that the rest of the Wildcats are planning a BIG number. So Sharpay takes matters into her own hands.


Once again the songs and dances are fabulous, but the rest of the story...not so much. The Troy-Gabriella relationship is sickening. Ashley Tisdale steals the show, although the song between Chad and Ryan is also memorable. I like the music in general, I just wish the story had been better written. I know tweens will still love it (I even bought it for my cousins), but it just didn't work for me. I can only hope that the 3rd one (which has started pre-production) will manage to rise above the ashes of this film and ignite the way the first one did. I did like that more of the cast has a voice, like the minor characters from the first film. And it was cool that Ryan and Chad had a little more to do in this film.

Dude, it's quotable: good songs, some memorable lines
--: get the soundtrack and watch videos for the songs, but don't waste too much time with the rest of the film

High School Musical 2 (2007) 104 minutes
Director: Kenny Ortega
Starring: Zac Efron as Troy Bolton
Vanessa Anne Hudgens as Gabriella Montez
Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans
Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans
Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth
Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie
Mark L. Taylor as Mr. Fulton
Robert Curtis Brown as Vance Evans
Jessica Tuck as Mrs. Evans
Chris Warren Jr. as Zeke Baylor
Ryne Sanborn as Jason Cross
Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielsen
Kaycee Stroh as Martha Cox

High School Musical

"Well, you sound like you've done a lot of singing, too."

"Yeah, my showerhead is very impressed."

O Disney Channel. Whenever I think of Disney I think of cartoon features, like the "Little Mermaid"...but then the Disney Channel started focusing on the tween/teen crowd with shows like "Hannah Montana" and movies like "High School Musical"... HSM is the type of movie that makes young girls swoon over the newest young hottie.

At a New Year's Eve Party basketball star Troy (Efron) meets brainy Gabriella (Hudgens) and they make beautiful music (seriously, they sing karaoke together) . When school starts again Troy discovers that Gabriella now attends his school (no way!). Singing brought them together, so they consider trying out for the high school musical. However, that is not going to be easy.

Troy is the Captain of the basketball team, and being in the musical will interrupt his playing, so he is discouraged by his best friend Chad (Bleu) and the coah, his dad (Johnson). Gabriella is incredibly smart and the brainiacs of the school, led by Taylor (Coleman) want her to join them. But the biggest obstacle in Troy and Gabriellas path are the Evans' siblings: Sharpay (Tisdale) and Ryan (Grabeel). Sharpay is always the star of the drama productions with Ryan at her side and they aren't used to competition. And Sharpay is interested in Troy. Will the school accept these two stepping out of their cliques? Will they get the part? Will they end up together?

I think these answers are obvious, but I still enjoyed it. Director, Kenny Ortega directed "Newsies" which was also a catchy musical with entertaining choreography. Yes, some parts of this film are cheesy, BUT it has a good heart. It is nice to see a musical that the whole family can watch (my relatives don't like musicals like "Chicago" and "Rent" and other recent musicals which I enjoy). Also, the girls look good, but are also fully clothed, which sends good messages to impressionable kids. Plus, they sing and dance, how does it get better?

Dude, it's quotable: no, the lines aren't necessarily memorable, BUT the music makes up for that
Rent it: I think it's worth the hype

High School Musical (2006) 98 minutes
Director: Kenny Ortega
Starring: Zac Efron as Troy Bolton
Vanessa Anne Hudgens as Gabriella Montez
Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans
Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans
Alyson Reed as Ms. Darbus
Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth
Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie
Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielsen
Chris Warren Jr. as Zeke Baylor
Bart Johnson as Coach Jack Bolton
Ryne Sanborn as Jason Cross

Fun with Dick and Jane (2005)

"We followed the rules, and we got screwed."

We all know the story...bosses screw over their employees in order to stay wealthy. Many fictional stories have had that premise, along with numerous comic strips (such as Dilbert)...and then there was reality, like Enron a few years ago. And now it has returned to the big screen...

Dick Harper (Carrey) has a good life. He just received a promotion, Vice President of Communications for Globodyne and has recently bought a house for his lovely family. In fact he encouraged his wife Jane (Leoni) to quit her job and spend more time with their son Billy (Drozin). Of course, this is all too good to last. Dick learns, during a press conference, that the company is going down. Everyone loses their jobs, and he hits rock bottom. He cannot find a job and they are losing everything...the gardener even comes back to take their fake lawn and they have a hole in the backyard where the pool was going to go.

With nowhere else to turn, Dick and Jane turn to thievery to make ends meet. Dick also learns that his boss Jack (Baldwin) had been getting rid of his stock and finding other people to take the fall for the company. With the help of another disgruntled employee, Dick's immediate boss Frank (Jenkins), they want to get back at Jack.


The first time I saw this film I only watched the first 20 or so minutes and I can't say I was impressed. Recently I finally watched the entire film and I have to admit it was funny. I love Jim Carrey in comedy roles (although I do enjoy the "Truman Show"), and he certainly delivers. I'm sure the 1977 version with George Segal and Jane Fonda is better, but this wasn't too bad. Alec Baldwin is great as the slimy Jack McCalister and I found myself thinking about his role of Jack Donaghy on TV's 30 Rock (which is AMAZING!). He does that kind of character so well. Some parts were over the top and it was far from my favorite Carrey film, but it was mindless entertainment.

Watch while doing homework: if you try to watch it without doing anything else, it will fry your brain
--: I don't necessarily want to endorse this film, but it was enjoyable...you be the judge

Fun with Dick and Jane (2005) 90 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for brief language, some sexual humor and occasional humorous drug references
Director: Dean Parisot
Starring: Jim Carrey as Dick Harper
Tea Leoni as Jane Harper
Alec Baldwin as Jack McCallister
Richard Jenkins as Frank Bascombe
John Michael Higgins as Garth
Carlos Jacott as Oz Peterson
Aaron Michael Drozin as Billy Harper
Gloria Garayua as Blanca

Hairspray (2007)

"This is America, babe, you gotta think big to be big."
"Big ain't the problem in this family, Wilbur."

I love musicals! Love doesn't even cover it...my yahoo music account is set to only play musical soundtracks..yes, it is sad.

It's a time when hair was big and race was a major issue (well, a different issue than now). Tracy Turnblad (Blonsky) is a big girl with big dreams, she wants to be a dancer, specifically on her favorite show The Corny Collins Show. When she tries out for the show, she is turned away by the head of the station Velma (Pfeiffer) and her snooty daughter Amber (Snow). But Tracy has a secret weapon. After being sent to detention, multiple times she becomes friends with the best dancer there, Seaweed (Kelley). Borrowing his moves she lands a spot on the show impressing Corny Collins (Marsden) and the shows heart-throb Link Larkin (Efron). With her best friend Penny (Bynes) at her side there is only one thing in her way, her mother Edna (Travolta) and her friendship with the local black population, led by Seaweed's mom Motormouth Maybelle (Latifah). Will Tracy's dreams come true? Will her mother lighten up (not physically)? Will Link notice her?


This is such a fun movie. The songs are upbeat and catchy...they make you want to get up and dance! The characters are entertaining, I especially like the relationship between Wilbur (Walken) and Tracy. I read a review where the critic was unable to enjoy the film because he was distracted by John Travolta as a woman. The only reason I thought about the fact that it was John Travolta playing Tracy's mom, was because my mom kept bringing it up (she was giggle everytime Edna appeared on the screen). He did a good job. I wasn't sure how some of the actors would work in these roles, but they all did a great job.

Dude, it's quotable: The songs are great and the spoken lines are also entertaining.
But it!: It is completely worthwhile...

Hairspray (2007) 117 min
Rating: PG for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking.
Director: Adam Shankman
Starring: John Travolta as Edna Turnblad
Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma von Tussle
Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad
Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton
James Marsden as Corny Collins
Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle
Brittany Snow as Amber von Tussle
Zac Efron as Link Larkin
Elijah Kelley as Seaweed
Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad
Taylor Parks as Little Inez

This is Spinal Tap

"Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported."

A rockumentary of the career of a fictional 1980s heavy metal band, Spinal Tap...
Filmmaker Marti DiBergi (Reiner) followed around the "loudest band", Spinal Tap during their 1982 American comeback tour, asking many questions and at times just sitting back and watching the crazy spill out.

Singing lead vocals, with a mass of blonde hair is David St. Hubbins (McKean) named for "the patron saint of quality footwear." His best friend, and the only other original member of the band is guitar player Nigel Tufnel (Guest), who isn't very bright, but is an exceptional musician "It's part of a trilogy, a musical trilogy I'm working on in D minor which is the saddest of all keys, I find. People weep instantly when they hear it, and I don't know why." The third member of the group is Derek Smalls (Shearer), the bass player who keeps the band together "We're very lucky in the band in that we have two visionaries, David and Nigel, they're like poets, like Shelley and Byron. They're two distinct types of visionaries, it's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water. " They are joined by keyboardist Viv Savage (Kaff) and current drummer Mick Shrimpton (Parnell). All of their drummers die in unexpected ways...vomit (not his own), spontaneous combustion, gardening accident, etc.

The band is dying out...they used to sell out theaters, but now their manager Ian (Hendra) is having a hard time keeping their concert dates. Their popular hits are "provocative"with titles like "Sex Farm", which leads their label to have some doubts about the band (including the cover of their new album, "Smell the Glove"). Also causing problems for the band is the presence of David's girlfriend Jeanine (Chadwick) who has her own ideas about the band. Will they find an audience? Will they stick together? And more importantly, will their shows ever work out?


If I didn't know this was about a fictional band, I would assume this was a regular VH1 or MTV documentary about a rock band. The films is hysterical...the characters are over-the-top and yet, that seems normal for a rock band. I love the amp that goes to 11 and the Stonehenge fiasco...plus their are tons of cameos, most of which are unexpected (and I didn't realize who some of the actors were until I looked at IMDb.com). So in the immortal words of Mick (the drummer), "As long as there's, you know, sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll", but I'll take Spinal Tap anyday!

Dude, it's quotable: I wouldn't suggest it for small children. I think it is rated R, and if it isn't, well it should be. They drop the F-bomb frequently, along with other swear words.
Rent it multiple times: It's extremely funny...and the music is excellent (the actors were musicians, so they can actually play the instruments...and they sound good)

This is Spinal Tap (1984) 82 minutes
Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins
Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel
Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls
Rob Reiner as Marty DiBergi
Tony Hendra as Ian Faith
R.J. Parnell as Mick Shrimpton
David Kaff as Viv Savage
June Chadwick as Jeanine Pettibone