The Dark Knight

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain."

**To begin, I really wanted to see this film. I enjoyed Christopher Nolan's first Batman film ("Batman Begins") and was excited that a second was in the works. The more I learned about the film, the more I wanted to see it...however I was a little worried about all the hype it was getting, would I be satisfied?**

Bruce Wayne's Batman (Bale) wants to rid his beloved Gotham of its shady underbelly. With the help of the new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Eckhart), they take on the mob: Dent wants to clean up the city...and Wayne wants to give up the cape for the woman they both love, Rachel (Gyllenhaal replacing Kate Hudson). Their crusade is interrupted by a mysterious new threat known only as the Joker (Ledger), who is hired by the mob to take out Batman. To a smaller degree Wayne's faithful butler Alfred (Caine) and the head of his company Lucius (Freeman) keep Wayne / Batman grounded. Also aiding the Batman is the chief of police, Lieutenant Gordon (Oldman).


How far is too far? What is right? These are the questions the film brings up. The Joker is the extreme opposite of Batman (the characters even discuss this point), bringing out the best and worst in each. And while they are opposites, Harvey Dent (adequately named Two-Face) embodies a little bit of each. Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Aaron Eckhart are amazing actors, and do an incredible job with these characters. Ledger steals every scene he is in (while he is creepy, he does it well). Maggie Gyllenhaal sells the emotional side of Rachel, and is in my opinion a better Rachel. Overall this is an incredibly talented cast, and they do an excellent job.

There is a lot going on in the film, but I think it works. And despite knowing some of the surprises of the film, I was still shocked by some big events. When I left the theatre I was impressed, even though I'm a little confused about the fates a few (well one or two) characters.

Prior to seeing the film I was worried that it would disappoint since there was so much hype about it, and that Ledger's performance wouldn't be as good as people were saying. However it was worth the price of admission...and worth all the hype...AND if Ledger gets a post humorous Oscar nomination (or win) it will be well deserved.

Dude, it's quotable: there are some really funny lines
GO SEE IT NOW!: Don't wait...this is a film that cries out to be seen in theaters.

The Dark Knight (2008) 152 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne / Batman
Heath Ledger as the Joker
Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent / Two-Face
Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth
Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes
Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon
Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox

Across the Universe

"Music's the only thing that makes sense anymore, man. Play it loud enough, it keeps the demons away."

This is going to be a tough one...

It is the 1960s. Jude (Sturgess) illegally comes to America from England to look for his father. He ends up befriending the wealthy "play-boy" (which I use for lack of a better word) Max (Anderson). The two move to New York and move in with Sadie (Fuchs) a singer, her guitarist / boyfriend Jo-Jo (McCoy), and the bisexual Prudence (Carpio), and are eventually joined by Max's sister Lucy (Wood) who Jude falls for. They go through a hippie phase, and when Max is drafted they encounter the peace movement, all while finding themselves and falling in love.

That was a brief synopsis of the plot, but revealing anything else would be telling too much of the story. The film is beautiful...there is no doubt about that. Director Julie Taymor (who directed "The Lion King" on Broadway) brings an artistic vision to the film... however I haven't quite decided how I feel about the film.
There were essentially 3 acts to the film: innocence / fun, psychedelic drug use / war, the downward spiral. The film starts out well bringing in the characters and allowing the songs to feel new (who knew "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was a sad song?). I love the song choices and performances from this part of the film.... Then the group goes to a "book reading" by Dr. Robert (Bono) which starts the trippy portion of the film. It was interesting, but I'm not really sure what happened. And then they encounter Mr. Kite (Eddie Izzard)... I love Izzard (his standup routine "Dress to Kill" is amazing), but this was another section that was weird / unnecessary. The rest of the film is alright, but it is way too long, and there are too many songs used (32 in the whole film...32! wtf?).

I'm not a die hard Beatles fan, in fact I didn't even know they performed some of those songs. I think the premise was good...and overall I have positive feelings towards the film, however I am much more excited about other "jukebox" musicals (I saw "All Shook Up" recently and enjoyed it, and I look forward to seeing "Mamma Mia" in theaters) than I am about this one. The transitions are pretty awesome, and the big picture works...it is some of the execution that I have problems with. I like that the cast is relatively unknown, and that the majority of the songs are not the BIG ones that everyone knows. Ultimately I would say, give it a try, but watch it with an open mind.

Rent it: The music is good, in fact I have downloaded a few of the versions of the songs from the film. I read that people who loved the Beatles prior to seeing the film weren't impressed, but lukewarm fans enjoyed the film... Also, watch out for the cameos. I think I found most of them...didn't know who one was until after the film, but I guessed he was famous so I think that should count.
Dude, it's quotable: and by quotable I mean catchy...I'm still singing the songs (could be because I'm listening to them right now).

Across the Universe (2007) 133 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some drug content, nudity, sexuality, violence and language.
Director: Julie Taymor
Starring: Jim Sturgess as Jude
Evan Rachel Wood as Lucy Carrigan
Joe Anderson as Maxwell Carrigan
Dana Fuchs as Sadie
Martin Luther McCoy as Jo-Jo
T.V. Carpio as Prudence

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

"I've never had dreams, only nightmares."

Well you asked for it! According to the results of my poll, "What do you want to see me review next?" it's time to talk about Mr. Sweeney Todd...if you don't like the sight of blood, I'm sorry.

After many years of wrongful imprisonment, Sweeney Todd (Depp) returns to London to pick up the pieces of his life. However things are not as he remembers them...his barbershop is in ruins, his wife Lucy is dead, and his daughter Johanna (Wisener) is now the ward of the man he hates: Judge Turpin (Rickman) who is the main cause of Todd's unhappiness. He returns to his home, and the company of his landlady Mrs. Lovett (Carter) an unsuccessful baker (she makes the worst pies in London).

With Mrs. Lovett at his side, he is reunited with his razors and begins to develop a plan for revenge. Meanwhile, his a young sailor named Anthony (Bower) falls in love with Johanna from a far...and Todd meets his competition, a new barber named Pirelli (Cohen)...and a beggar woman (Kelly) seems to know the secret to Mrs. Lovett's business. This is the bloodiest musical there is...I'm sure you can imagine what happens (or you already know), regardless I won't spoil the "fun".


I have never seen this musical, nor was I familiar with the music (although I did recognize some tunes). OH MY GOD! This is incredibly bloody...and honestly I don't think I'll ever look at meat the same way. I'm not usually affected by blood, but the vast quantities made my stomach turn. Anyway, I was surprised at how well all of the actors/actresses did in their respective parts. We all know Johnny Depp can brood, but the man can also sing! Helena Bonham Carter is not my favorite actress...but she did pretty well. Alan Rickman was smarmy and Sacha Baron Cohen was good too (without being too over the top). Overall it was definitely a Tim Burton film...and super dark, but I think it worked. For Burton's first musical I'd say it was pretty good, however I don't know how it stacks up to the original. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the film...the music is good, the cast is good, but I'm still not sure.

--: the songs will stick with you.
--: if you like Sondheim, Johnny Depp, or Tim Burton you will probably enjoy the film.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) 116 minutes
Rating: R for graphic bloody violence
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd
Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett
Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin
Timothy Spall as Beadle
Sacha Baron Cohen as Pirelli
Jamie Campbell Bower as Anthony
Laura Michelle Kelly as Beggar Woman
Jayne Wisener as Johanna
Ed Sanders as Toby

Alvin and the Chipmunks

"You know, if I make a list of my worst days ever, guess what? Today would be on top of the list."
"And it's still early."

On Saturday my mother shared the Alvin & the Chipmunks soundtrack with me, and I wasn't quite sure how to take it...Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" and the original versions of "The Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmunk Song" were cute and catchy, but the rest of the album: a mix of contemporary remixed crap had the cute chipmunk voices, but otherwise I wasn't feeling it (even though I'm listening to it now...for inspiration). Needless to say, I wasn't sure what the movie would bring (even though I know lots of people who enjoyed it).

Dave Seville (Lee) is a frustrated advertiser by day, and an aspiring songwriter the rest of the time. He has the drive, but lacks the material to create a hit. Luckily for Dave after his failed meeting with the head of the local record label Ian (Cross) he accidentally brings home the 3 chipmunks. Alvin (Long) is "awesome", Simon (Gubler) is smart, Theodore (McCartney) is adorable. Dave eventually learns that the chipmunks could be the next big deal, so he offers them a deal: they can live with him, but they have to sing his songs. He is inspired to write a few big hits (Chipmunk Song and Witch Doctor...remixed, not the classic versions everyone knows), which catch Ian's eye and makes the chipmunks the next big thing and potential worldwide superstars.


Ok. I grew up watching the chipmunks on tv and their random movies with the Chipettes, and I loved them (I'm not ashamed). That being said, I thought the movie was cute and funny. The CGI is alright, but Theodore is the only chipmunk you really get to know. The other two are featured, but Simon never really makes a splash. Jason Lee is good, but he isn't in as much of the film as I thought he would be...and while I love David Cross (he was on "Arrested Development", what is there to not love?) he was pretty much wasted. He does have some funny moments, but something just didn't work for me. So ultimately, it was cute, but I don't think I'll add it to my favorite kiddie films...but I hear they will be making a sequel...not really sure how to feel about that.

Dude, it's quotable: the songs are catchy and toe-tappers. And there are some cute little lines.
--: it's funny, but I think younger kids will enjoy it a little more than I did.

Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) 92 minutes
Rating: PG for some mild rude humor
Director: Tim Hill
Starring: Jason Lee as Dave
David Cross as Ian
Cameron Richardson as Claire
Justin Long as Alvin
Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon
Jesse McCartney as Theodore

The Brothers Solomon

"What do you say we get out of here and I go put a baby in you"

John (Arnett) and Dean (Forte) don't understand women. John tries to pick up women in the grocery store by paying for their groceris...and Dean tries to make a good impression on dad by planting a big kiss on him. The are o.k. with the situation until they learn that their father Ed (Majors) is in a coma, and that his one regret is never meeting his grandchild. The brothers vow to give their father a grandchild so he can either come out of the coma, or die in peace. Their dating track records lead them to looking in unconventional methods: Craig's List.

Through Craig's List the brothers find a surrogate named Janine (Wiig) and her foul mouthed boyfriend James (McBride). While looking forward to the birth of the baby, John attempts to woo the nurse who lives across the hall, Tara (Akerman). Will the baby be born? Will either find relationship success? What will happen to dad? And will they be good fathers?


Will Arnett is amazing...he was the best part of "Arrested Development", he always makes me laugh on "30 Rock" and pretty much anything else he is a part of. And in my opinion he doesn't disappoint here. Yes, the brothers are a bit simple, but that is why this story works. They are earnest in their naive view on life, and that is what makes them funny. All of the reviews I read for this film were negative, but this isn't supposed to be high art. Arnett and Forte are excellent comedians and in their element. It is interesting to see Kristen Wiig playing the straight man, but she manages to pull it off. The characters are awkward...and so are the scenes, but it works. Best scenes: the baby drills...I won't go into detail, but hilarious! Maybe it isn't the best film either actor has been a part of, but it isn't the worst either.

--: I watched this On-Demand...and that is probably the best way to view this film: wait until you can watch it for free (maybe not on cable because they will bleep out most of the language, which in many cases is incredible)
Dude, it's quotable: maybe it's the delivery, but I was laughing throughout the film.

The Brothers Solomon (2007) 93 minutes
Rated: R for language and sexual content.
Director: Bob Odenkirk
Staring: Will Arnett as John Solomon
Will Forte as Dean Solomon
Chi McBride as James
Kristen Wiig as Janine
Malin Akerman as Tara
Lee Majors as Ed Solomon