Vertigo (1958)

I recently watched "Vertigo" again with my husband.  "Vertigo" is the first Hitchcock film I ever saw, and it still remains one of my favorites.  James Stewart plays a detective who has been afraid of heights since one of his police colleagues fell to his death.  He retired from duty and was hired by a friend to follow his wife.  The friend is convinced that the wife is possessed by a dead woman.  As the detective follows the wife around San Francisco, the plot thickens and the details get weirder.  The film has a lot of plot twists and deals with tricks of the mind.  This psychological thriller always leaves you guessing until the very end.  I recommend this film for anyone, especially Hitchcock fans.

It gets 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

Tower Heist (2011)

"Tower Heist" is an action comedy that stars Ben Stiller as the manager of a luxury high-rise and Eddie Murphy as his criminal neighbor.  In this film, a wealthy investor accused of a Ponzi scheme lives in a luxury complex and is put under house arrest by the Feds, led by Tea Leoni.  The employees of this building had their retirement savings swindled by him and are looking to get even instead of continuing to cater to his luxurious ways.  The cast of crooks includes Stiller, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, and Gabourey Sidibe.  Sidibe was one of the funniest characters in the film, playing a Jamaican maid in the tower.  Murphy was funny as the hired "real criminal" to lead the team, and his training methods were funny.
The film was funny and entertaining.  The action scenes were a lot of fun.  However, I felt like the comedic talents of Broderick and Stiller were underutilized throughout this film.  I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Footloose (2011)

The original "Footloose" was released in 1984 and starred Kevin Bacon as the new kid in town going up against the pastor, played by John Lithgow.  "Footloose" was remade with Dennis Quaid as the small town pastor and two young stars as Ren and Ariel.  The updated version followed pretty much the same storyline, and even featured the same speech to city council.  The update was a little more light-hearted due to Willard's comedic relief.  The update also featured different music, including some hip-hop.  Incorporation of the football team into the new plot and having lots of other teenagers dance at a drive-in made for a better story.  However, the film dragged at times and I didn't find the new stars as captivating as Bacon and Singer in the original film.
The remake gets 3 out of 5 stars.

The original gets 3 ½ out of 5 stars.

Puss in Boots (2011)

"Puss in Boots" is a spin-off starring the cat character voiced by Antonio Banderas in the Shrek series.  If you are a cat person, you will enjoy a lot of the jokes.  If you a are a dog person, you probably won't watch the film.  The story follows Puss as he tries to steal magic beans from the legendary Jack and the Beanstalk and Golden Goose tales.  Overall, the storyline was interesting, but the film got slow during a long flashback scene involving Humpty Dumpty, Puss's childhood friend from his troubled past.  The female cat character voiced by Salma Hayek added a little romantic interest to the tale.  The film was very funny at times when it had cat jokes, was pretty entertaining, but could be slow.
The film gets 3 out of 5 stars.  It was fun to watch, but probably not necessary to see in 3D.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

"Eat Pray Love" was so hyped up when it came out last year.  Even the star power of Julia Roberts couldn't save this film.  It was dull and boring and way too long.  The supporting cast was underutilized (Javier Bardem, James Franco) so you spent two hours watching Julia play a selfish woman.   The main character travels around the world to find herself after she decides to divorce her husband one day without warning.  I was really taken aback by the premise of the film when I discovered that this woman never really had a fight with her husband, never tried therapy, and just asked for a divorce out of the blue one day to "find herself."  She immediately starts cohabitating with a young actor played by Franco.  She then decides she needs to abandon her loyal friends in NYC to go travel to Italy to eat, India to pray, and Bali to love.  Italy was interesting to watch for a while, and the segment in India was way too long and it didn't seem like she found religion or peace while there.  She did find herself and love in Bali, and that part of the film was cute to watch.  However, the film was too long and too self-absorbed to really keep your interest.
It gets 3 out of 5 stars.

Horrible Bosses (2011)

My family went to see "Horrible Bosses" and loved the movie.  My parents, my husband, and I were laughing out loud at several points throughout the film.  The film follows three buddies who each hate their bosses.  Jason Bateman works at an investment company run by Kevin Spacey.  He works overtime and gets in at 6 AM because he has been promised a promotion.  Jason Sudeikis works at a chemical company and his boss, played by Colin Farrel, is a cokehead.  Charlie Day is a dental hygienist whose boss, played by Jennifer Aniston, keeps sexually harassing him at work.  These guys decide to hire a thug, played by Jamie Foxx, to kill their bosses.  Things go hilariously awry while they scheme.  There were so many funny moments.  Jason Bateman has become one of my favorite leading men lately.
This film gets 4 out of 5 stars.  Go see it.

Marie Antoinette (2006)

"Marie Antoinette" was a strange film that didn't seem to be completely historically accurate.  Kirsten Dunst played the namesake while Jason Schwartzman played the king of France.  Sofia Coppola's film mixed modern music in with this period piece, which was interesting, but probably not the best choice.  If I could use one word to describe this film, it would be "indulgent."  I suppose that was what they were going for, but the film felt like such a fluff piece.  There were so many images of Dunst prancing around in various gowns and eating various desserts.  There wasn't much substance to the film except the constant story about sex and the lack thereof between the various couples.  The film did include the "let them eat cake" quote, but didn't include the famous ending to the story.
Overall, it was a disappointment.  It gets 3 out of 5 stars.

Friends with Benefits (2011)

I went and watched "Friends with Benefits" with my husband at the theatre today.  Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake star in a film about two friends who decide they can have sex without romantic involvement.  The movie is much more crude than you would expect, even with that title.  Both friends come from broken families and have personal issues that keep them from lasting romantic relationships with other people.  As expected, the two cannot have sex without it getting messy emotionally, and the ending you would expect eventually happens.  The movie is very cliche, has some cute moments, but overall was just okay.  For a romantic comedy, it is average.  Save your money and watch it on DVD.
This film gets 3 out of 5 stars.

Conviction (2010)

"Conviction" is based on a true story about a woman who didn't graduate from high school but then works her way through law school in order to get her brother out of prison.  She believes that her brother was wrongly accused and ultimately convicted of the brutal murder of an elderly woman in a small town in Massachusetts.  This woman devotes her entire life to her brother's cause, which causes her marriage to fail and causes her kids to leave her.  However, you are truly inspired by her conviction to finish law school just so she can become her brother's lawyer and work on getting him out of jail where he is serving a life sentence without parole.  The movie was gritty and touching, and sometimes depressing.  The corruption in the legal system was appalling and the destruction of lives shown in the film was sad.
The movie was well done and you really connect with the main character, played by Oscar winner Hilary Swank.  This film gets 4 out of 5 stars.

 

The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

"The Importance of Being Earnest" is an odd movie adapted from an Oscar Wilde play with a cast that includes Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon, and Judi Dench.  In this film, Firth and Everett both use the pseudonym Ernest while trying to court separate ladies.  However, their lies catch up with them and their mistaken identities cause several hangups in their engagements.  The beginning of the film is hard to follow, the middle can be slow at times, but the ending is spectacular.  There were lots of clever twists and manipulations toward the end of the film.  The movie was comical bordering on silly even though it took place at the turn of the 20th century.  Overall, the movie was pleasant, but not my favorite.
It gets 3 out of 5 stars.

 

The Romantics (2010)

"The Romantics" looked like it could have been a light-hearted chick flick full of laughs.  Instead, it was a disturbing drama about a bunch of spoiled Yale grads who feel they can sleep around, do drugs, and ignore the meaning of marriage.  The movie stars Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, Elijah Wood, Candice Bergen, and Anna Paquin, but all their performances were duds.  The whole premise of the story is that Duhamel is going to marry Paquin, and Paquin has asked Holmes to be her maid of honor even though she stole her fiance from Holmes.  Throughout the film, I am appalled that Paquin's character would steal her college roommate's boyfriend, ask her to be the maid of honor at the wedding, and ignore the fact that her fiance is cheating on her with her roommate. In the film, other married couples decide to hook up with friends like it is no big deal.  This film might explain why the divorce rate is so high.  I found the film to be overly indulgent and depressing.  Don't watch it.  You will be disappointed.
It gets 2 ½ out of 5 stars.

 

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Entertainment Weekly had a feature article on the cult classic "Wet Hot American Summer" so I finally gave it a shot.  The movie had definite potential with a cast that includes Elizabeth Banks, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Christopher Meloni, David Hyde Pierce, Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler, and Janeane Garofalo.  However, the film didn't live up to its potential.  Paul Rudd had one of the best characters in the film as an irresponsible camp counselor who let campers drown because he was making out rather than acting as lifeguard.  Whenever he got caught, he'd take kids "out for pizza" and would toss them on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere so they couldn't tell.  I get that the film was supposed to be a spoof of 1980s camp films, but it fell flat many times.  I did laugh at loud at a couple scenes, but most of it was rather corny instead of funny.
It gets 2 ½ out of 5 stars.

Black Swan (2010)

Black Swan is the psychological thriller by Darren Aronofsky that scored Natalie Portman an Oscar for her portrayal of Nina, an obsessive ballerina.  The film follows Nina as she tries out for the lead role in Swan Lake and starts to become the characters she will portray in the ballet.  Mila Kunis has a surprising role as a company member who might be trying to sabotage Nina's breakout role.  Winona Ryder made an appearance as an older ballerina being forced into retirement while Barbara Hershey played Nina's controlling and overly concerned mother.  Several strange things happen throughout the film, and you are often wondering whether these things are really happening or if they are just figments of Nina's deranged mind.  The film does show just how hard ballerinas work and how the struggle for perfection can take a real toll on the mind.
This film is a bit twisted and leaves you feeling disturbed, but it has a great story, great acting, and fabulous dancing and music.  I am really impressed by Portman's role in the film.  She definitely deserved the Academy Award.  This film gets 4 out of 5 stars.

There's Something About Mary (1998)

There's Something About Mary was a groundbreaking comedy when it came out in 1998.  I remember seeing it in the theatre when I was in high school and laughing through most of the movie.  I recently watched this comedy classic again, and I enjoyed the film so much.  Ben Stiller plays a guy who wonders what happened to his high school crush, Mary, played by Cameron Diaz.  He hires Matt Dillon to spy on her, and Dillon instantly falls in love with Mary and pursues her himself.  The film is full of raunchy humor, like the scenes from prom, the old woman who rooms with Mary, and the crazy dog on various meds.  I forgot all about the famous scene where Mary borrows some "hair gel."  There were so many comedic gems throughout the film.  It is a classic that stays funny with time.
It gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Ghostbusters (1984)

I recently watched the classic Ghostbusters for the first time in years.  I forgot what an enjoyable and groundbreaking film this was!  It stars Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Sigourney Weaver, to name a few.  A group of unconventional scientists led by the quirky Murray get kicked out of their university and open their own business for exterminating ghosts in NYC.  The film had great effects for the 1980s, lots of silly banter, and a fun plot.  I found myself laughing at many little jokes that I would have missed as a kid.  I highly recommend watching this film again as an adult and seeing all the great details.
This film gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Green Lantern (2011)

Green Lantern is based on the comic books and stars Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.  Blake Lively surprised me with her more serious role as a business woman and pilot.  Reynolds played an immature pilot who was chosen by a dying alien to take over his role as a Green Lantern, or a protector of the universe.  Tim Robbins also made an appearance as a senator in the film.  The world was threatened by fear, the most powerful enemy in the universe, but the Green Lantern fought fear with his imagination.  The film was fun and I enjoyed seeing Ryan Reynolds play a superhero, but the film wasn't as good as it could have been.  It was a slight let down, but it held my attention through most of the story.
This film gets 3 ½ out of 5 stars.  It was entertaining, but after all the hype, it was a bit of a letdown.

Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)

Mr. Popper's Penguins was a delightful comedy starring Jim Carrey and five cute penguins.  The premise of this children's story revolves around a busy business man who doesn't have time for his family.  His father sends him penguins in the mail, and they quickly take over his NYC apartment.  The penguins cause mayhem and lots of laughs.  Along the way, the children want to spend more time with their father because of the penguins and his new outlook on life.  I enjoyed the film and thought the penguins were the true stars.  They were so cute and made me laugh.
This gets 3 ½ out of 5 stars.  It is a great film for children and adults.

The King's Speech (2010)

I finally got around to watching "The King's Speech" tonight.  I loved this movie!  Colin Firth rightfully earned an Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI in this film.  This film is based on the true story of the King of England, and father of Queen Elizabeth.  The king always lived in the shadow of his older brother, especially since he suffered from stuttering.  With the invention of the radio and microphones, the British royalty are now required to make more public speeches.  Geoffrey Rush did a tremendous job as the speech therapist who helped the king overcome his stutter with his very unconventional methods.  Despite the serious content matter of the film, it was heartwarming and had many funny moments.  I would recommend this film to anyone, even those who are hesitant about historical dramas or British films.
The film was practically perfect.  The story flowed well, the characters were well-developed, the cinematography was great, and the acting was superb.  It gets 5 out of 5 stars.  Go watch it today!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

I thoroughly enjoyed the first three installments in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.  I went and saw "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in 3D.  This film was definitely worth seeing in 3D unlike several of the others I have paid more to see recently.  It had all the classic elements of the first three films with Johnny Depp's great flair as Captain Jack Sparrow.  This installment had less elements of the supernatural, but told the story of Blackbeard.  Penelope Cruz played Blackbeard's daughter and Jack's former flame.  The story involves the search for the Fountain of Youth and Ponce de Leon's ship.  Along the way, they encounter mermaids and other adventures.  I very much enjoyed the film, even more so than most of the sequels, but nothing compares to the original.

I give it 3 ½ out of 5 stars.

Opa! (2005)

"Opa!" is a romantic comedy set in Greece that stars Matthew Modine, a star from 80s rom coms.  The film is about an archaeologist who travels to Greece to look for St. John's cup.  While there he falls for the owner of a local taverna.  The two develop a courtship while the town is threatened to be torn apart by the archaeologist's dig.  He has to choose between love and his lifelong dreams through his career.  It is an interesting story that is slow at times, but has a refreshing ending.  I enjoyed the film, but probably won't watch it again.

It gets 3 out of 5 stars.

The Social Network (2010

I just watched the Oscar nominated movie, "The Social Network."  While I didn't find the film itself Oscar-worthy, it was definitely a great biography.  Jesse Eisenberg did a terrific job playing the socially inept founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg.  The movie tells the story of the founding of Facebook from the view of the founder as well as the plaintiffs in his two lawsuits.  The story was very intricate, and you really got wrapped up in the excitement behind the technology and innovation that went into the design of Facebook.  At the end of the film, you still don't know what actually happened, but that's how it is in reality as well.  The film was produced very well and had great music from Trent Reznor.  
It gets 4 out of 5 stars.  I could definitely watch the film again.

Mansfield Park (1999)

I just finished watching "Mansfield Park," which is based on Jane Austen's work.  I am a huge fan of Austen and the new version of "Pride & Prejudice" is one of my favorite movies.  The story in "Mansfield Park" was so intriguing and drew me in right from the beginning.  I really enjoyed the fast-paced drama and the romantic twists and turns in this film.  It was very well done.  The story might even be one of my new favorite Austen stories.  The strength of the female heroine was overwhelming and I respected her throughout the film.  The film starts by following a poor young girl with a fantastic imagination who is sent to live with a wealthy aunt.  She is not treated as an equal at the estate, but she grows intelligent and beautiful, and she develops her own opinions.  I really did enjoy this film.
It gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Like Water for Chocolate (Como Agua para Chocolate) (1993)

I had heard about the foreign film "Like Water for Chocolate" for many years.  I finally got around to watching this film produced in Mexico just this week.  The entire movie is in Spanish, but I had to watch the subtitles because I took French in high school.  Even though I had to watch the subtitles throughout the film, I was always engaged and interested in the story.  The story is about forbidden love between Tita and Pedro in the early 20th century.  The story has many twists and turns and follows a mother and her three daughters throughout their lives.  I enjoyed the plot, but there are several references to the supernatural and ghost appearances.
The movie was very good, very passionate, and quite heartbreaking.  This movie gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Bridesmaids (2011)

I was really looking forward to seeing "Bridesmaids."  It looked like it was going to be a hillarious comedy.  It had some funny moments, but overall it wasn't as great as it could have been.  I enjoyed Melissa McCarthy in the film, but the parts played by Rudolph and Wiig fell flat at times.  The movie had an interesting premise, several funny scenes, and some funny girl fights.  All the wedding drama was there, along with the cattiness between a snobby new BFF and the childhood friend who can't get her life in order.  If you're going to watch this film, wait for it to go to video.  It gets 3 out of 5 stars.