Sherlock Holmes

This is what I mean when I say that newer movies are consistently better than older movies. I think if this came out five years ago it just wouldn't have been as good. There were a few bad things though that I'll get out of the way.

I blame Snatch's Guy Ritchie for making this movie a little odd to watch. To me it felt a little disconnected at more than one time, and you had to be careful to not ask questions like, "What is this guy doing here? ...and what about him, and why was that necessary?"; aka: Smallville Syndrome. I guess I didn't see a real flow to the movie and in part because you don't REALLY know the whole plot/people involved until an hour through the movie.

Another small problem is the fashion of the little flashforward/flashback's they have to explain things that happened or to give you a glimpse of Holmes' logic he's about to use. For one they don't pick one, forward or back; and two they make things almost so tricky and neat that in they end they don't keep you guessing, but rather keep you second guessing and assuming somone who's being tricked...isn't being tricked at all...maybe. Confusing, I know.

Another funny part for me was "the professor" that the lovely Rachel McAdams. I didn't know who it was, but if you know the least bit about the whole Sherlock Holmes deal then it's painfully obvious. I had to Google the guy right after and laughed when I found out who he was in Holmes stories. A good add for enthusiasts though because he's someone operating behind the scenes in this movie and opens it all up for many...many more movies to come (one in production for 2011).

*segue*

Enthutiasts will also remember action packed trailers with explosions, bullets wizzing around, and maybe one too many smal quips. However right away this story shows that it will stay very to to the main tool that Holmes uses: deduction. There's a fine show case of it too amognst the great story that they tell. So fine in fact that I can't really get into it, you just have to see it for yourself.

Really enjoyed it, but hope they next one is more coherent.

4.1/5

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Typically I absolutely hate Wes Anderson movies, just loathe them. This was a great change of pace, and I was shocked when I found out at the end he directed it...though I did think to myself that it explained the weird song/break into dance parts.

Either way it's a great movie, one I loved and it has a crazy good cast too, like a typical great animated film.

Not sure how much of the story stays true to the book or how much credit goes to Roald Dahl for the story in the movie, but it is well put together. The general theme is about people (or animals I guess) being different and definitely about staying true to yourself as well. These things are repeated often throughout the movie, so there's no overbearing theme a child wouldn't understand (i.e. some day our planet is going to be overrun by trash and we should do something about it now). Likewise, the themes are taken seriously enough so that an adult can still...well, take them seriously.

Then there's the hilarity. Big LOL's just randomly popped out in so many scenes and I love them because they aren't jokes you have to "get". Just little random acts and make you "WTF!" and spit out your drink.

The animation is sweet too; it's a little puppety I guess. Not typical all out computer feel.

4.79/5

New York, I Love You

Ten different love (or something close) stories by ten different directors (and a director of transistions), not a new concept, but just one that naturally had to adapted for New York of all places.

First reason to love this movie is that even if you hate love stories you can't really look past the insane cast; I mean, they pulled Blake Lively for about a ten second scene. I'd sit through any movie for ten seconds of her, I may or may not have at some point been known to watch a tv show starring her.

Next, every story is quite different, and they have a nice range of sadness to funiness to ackwardness, you get the idea.

Since there each story is relatively short, it's hard to say a lot about the movie as a whole, but I think everyone will enjoy the change of pace as a new director introduces two or more new rich characters. They really do a nice job of indivualizing so many in people in that big mess of a city.

I'd like to add points because of another Rachel Bilson/Hayden Christensen pairing, even though I guess I'd rather see another Mischa Barton/Hayden Christensen movie pairing instead. Oh well. Also for including (the new) "Navigation, Chekov here!"...

4.1/5

(500) Days of Summer

I'm awfully biased going into most movies, like I know I'm going to hate Avatar for example...and likewise I really didn't think I could sit through a whole movie with Zooey Deschanel (did you know she sings too?) and was prepared for the worse. I mean I already thought she had ruined a few Weeds episodes when it was on its last breath...then I realized Weeds was already past saving and just dragging the poor girl down with her.

...but once the opening credits were over and the day counter scrolled to day #290 I was surprisingly interested in the little spin on the timeline. That proved to be a great thing for this movie and the rest of it was sealed by being outright funny. I mean, sure Joseph Gordon-Levitt cries at times like a little girl, but that just adds to the comedy of it all.

I liked how everything in the movie was straightforward and believable, right down to the end when he sees her one last time and moves on (had to see this coming, it's not that kind of happy happy movie).

Fun movie, goes through every little phase of a seeing a girl, getting a crush, being crushed, etc...his friends and unique for a movie job serve the supporting roles real well...as well. Doesn't really count as a love story, because only one person's in love. So it definitely doesn't count as a chick flick either. I could watch it with the guys I think. I loved the movie, and now like Zoey Deschanel too.

Bonus points for having Han Solo in it; so if a guy watches it with a girl he can ask if she knows who "that guy" is and know right away if he has to dump her or not.

4.76/5

The Informant!

About 95% hilarity and the other 5% is quality serious material about a very confused man; confused about what he wants, and very unsure about what he wants to do. Mark Whitacre goes to the FBI and all looks good as he's doing the right thing, but by the end of the movie one doesn't really have a clear picture of his motives.

A poster I saw for this movie sums it up very well, it just reads, "Unbelievalbe". That says a lot about Mark and thats part of what makes it so funny to watch. It's sort of the Micheal Scott, "Did he really just do/say that?" kind of thing, but the movie is written in a different way so it's definitely original humor and doesn't have quite the level of ackwardness The Office does.

I think the best part about this movie is that it even though it follows Matt Damon's character so closely, the audience is not all knowing and you find things out for the first time along with Joel McHale and Captain Archer.

Bonus points for the aforementioned "Captain Archer" and because I just read Damon put on thirty pounds for this role (nuts!)...

4.4/5

Ca$h

I know what you're thinking; you're just glad like I was tht Ke$ha doesn't have the money sign for an S somehow copyrighted or locked down.

Next would be the confusing part about when this movie actually came out, or if it had a U.S. release yet...I'm definitely not sure. Also don't get this confused with the movie "Cash" that came out in 2008 with Jean Reno. This one stars Sean Bean and actually has a 2010 release date.

The story is nice, you could say it's all about consequences; as that word comes up a lot from the lead role of bad/tough guy. Besides that, the interaction with the criminal minded and more simple blue collar Chicago folk is pretty interesting and definitely funny at first. The movie turns a little bit darker towards the end as a nice couple go from being forced to do bad things to crossing lines under their own will.

This type of movie kept me on the edge of my seat, even though there were no real surprises at all. The sheer intensity of serious situation constantly getting escalated was enough to keep the story interesting on its own.

Let's see...more points for it being filmed in Chicago of course, and then for the same actor playing two people (very small part of the movie)...

3.7/5

Post Grad

In case you couldn't guess, this movie is fun for the whole family. However if you don't come from a traditional dysfunctional family, you might just not get some of the humor. The over ambitious dad, mom that loves to much, little brother that is...well perfect, because all little brothers are perfect.

The family, no doubt, is what makes this movie great and adds to the little journey of Sin City's angel Alexis Bledel, as she realizes that life isn't about a set of dreamt up standards she created too early in her life, but it's about more important things than a job (...people, if you couldn't guess). The whole job searching thing is all too easy to relate to as well...

Again, it's funny, but family funny; also throw in love interests and an old fashion arch nemisis to make this movie all the better.

Fun fact: they tried to cast me as dreamy neighbor David Santiago, but i was unavailable at the time.

Bonus points for having Friday Night Light's Zach Gilford, because who doesn't love being reminded of football; and soapbox derby racing, because who doesn't love being reminded of The Simpsons...these bring it up to a respectable:

3.9/5

Up In the Air

(this picture is from the second to last shot of the movie *spoiler* oops did i do that backwards)

Wow. What a great movie; took over for the best one I've seen in the past six months or so (over Law Abiding Citizen). Just gonna outline some awesome non-spoiler points in case you wanted to know some random good things I didn't going into it:

1. Jason Bateman

2. Zack Galifianakis

3. J.K. Simmons

4. One of many pivitol moments takes place in Detroit

5. One of many pivitol moments takes place in Chicago

6. At one point I thought, "What are they going to do for another hour?", but didn't really care because I knew it'd be great

7. It's HILARIOUS

8. Kenny Powers

Enough random things. The main thing is that I truely had no clue what this movie was about going into it (aside from the fact that some guy flys a lot). What it's "about" is simply people that don't understand each other, but do make an effort to and are better for it. Then there's the whole thing about purpose in life, blah blah blah.

Aside from the moral tales and what not, it really is just an enjoyable, easy story to watch. Reccomend it no matter what you feel like watching 'cause it's just that great.

4.8/5

Whiteout

...meh.

2.5/5

Pandorum

Love this, imagine Charlie from lost waking up on a strange space ship and saying, "Guys...where are we?"

It's not Charlie, just some guy that looks like him a little (Ben Foster); great actor.

But come on! Waking up from stasis! So it's like Riddick or Kaaaaahhh! only he doesn't have anyone to actually tell him where his ship is in its journey or how long he's been asleep. Just part of the mystery that unfolds as he explores the ship, meets people, and discovers that something horribley wrong has been going on while he's been asleep.

This movie goes straight for the "jumpy" factor. Ugly people pop out of dark places accompnied by dark/frightful music at the moments you expect them to...but you still jump out of your skin. Thankfully the movie doesn't try to do too much either and goes for a straightforward plot while adding key details to the backstory that make you appreciate how dire of a situation the ship is in.

Run down: if you like to be startled, watch it. If you like sci fi, watch it. If you like a little bit of mystery, watch it. Add points to this one for "a twist!" at the end...

4.0/5

The Time Traveler's Wife

The first and maybe only thing wrong with this movie is the title. Of course I didn't read the book and can't compare it to that in that (or any) sense, but the focus just really isn't on the wife. Perfect world title: "The Time Traveler's Marraige". *shrugs*

This movie has chick flick/tear jerker written all over and throughout it and definitely does its job well. Will even make the nerdiest mmo playing, Star Trek watching, Battlestar Galactica following person [this person may or may not be based on a real life blogger] forget about the "rules" or intricacies of time travel because it's all about the man and the joys and stresses of him dissapearing at random times, not knowing where or when he'll show up and how long he'll be there. If you're already on the emotional side of things then you'll love it even more and be sobbing by the culmination of the last scene where the two meet for a last time thanks to the curse/gift of the time traveler.

I honestly wouldn't want to watch this movie on a date becuase I'd be too scared of crying myself (yes, even though I'd already seen it), but I reccomend it as the best kind of date movie - all about two people coming together despite tension and frustration of a very unique kind.

Lastly, there's the issue of it possibly comparing to Benjamin Button; with time having the great impact of love and all. BB is more or a straightforward spin on a very typical story because at some point everything is very normal between the two, and it focuses more on just the character Ben Button as well. This movie from the opening credits involves the two main characters deeply and their journy is already underway.

Add points for it being based in Chicago and having Ron Livingston play a great role as well.

Give it a specific 4.3/5