BANGKOK DANGEROUS

They chose to make a remake of this film? That baffles me. Oh, Nic Cage where have you gone? This movie really has no redeeming qualities about it. It's got no point, but even if it did, I don't think anyone would care. Cage plays an assasin that while in Bangkok has a change of heart. I know you think you've seen this story before and you sort of have. The main difference is that those other movies all that happened early and spent the rest of the movie escaping the life. This whole movie is one slow moving moment to get to his change and then it's pretty much over. I beg of you, don't watch this film. Watch "The Dark Knight" again! I know I did. I try and defend some of Nic Cage's choices, but his last couple are too hard for me to defend.

YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN

Adam Sandler hasn't made a funny movie since "Happy Gilmore", but this is almost back to those early glory days. This movie is on par with "A Night at the Roxbury". A movie that is so dumb at times, but I still couldn't resist laughing. Sandler and Apatow along with Robert Smigel wrote the story and it shows. Much funnier and less cliche than his last half dozen of films. Still has terrible moments and needs some work, but at least I laughed at one of Sandler's comedies again. The ending falls into the same old smuck of the last films, but this is full of over the top comedy leading up to it. Give this one a shot if you lost faith in Sandler. If you never liked him, then you still won't. Stupid but I actually enjoyed this film a little.

RIGHTEOUS KILL

This had the billing of a great movie. Fall release date and two academy award winning actors with a cop drama all built into one. Unfortunately the two actors are both declining and the drama really turns into a serial killer mystery. Instead of telling a straight forward gritty story of these two partners it gets turned into them trying to solve a killer who is killing the scum of the city. The two leads give solid performances, but the story and screenplay is mumbled together and tries too hard. It's one of those films that when first hearing about it, makes you want to see it and then after watching the film it fades away. Not memorable for good or bad reasons, so it's worth a view on dvd.

88 MINUTES

I can't remember tha last time Al Pacino had a good movie? Probably "Heat", but that's besides the point. This movie intrigued me because it takes place in real time until the end. It starts off with promise when Pacino gets a call saying he has 88 minutes to live. From there it gets in way over it's head trying to fake the crowd out and keep them lost, so the audience can't figure out the ending. Once you get to the ending it's the classic too twisty for it's own good story that doesn't totally make sense. If you just go with the ending and allow yourself to be force fed the plot then it passes as a mildly entertaining film, but that's about it. Not bad, but not good. Very average.

THE STRANGERS

I watch a lot of horror movies that are complete dog shit and I was ready for another one. I liked the simple premise and so I was prepared for the worst, but surprisngly I got the most scared I've been from a movie in a long time. It's all steady cam and not too shaky like the "Blair Witch Project" or anything like that. It's a character driven story that doesn't need blood and gore to try and scare you. I thought the lack of a music score helped too, since you can always tell by music when danger is near. It's loosely based on true events that happened only three years ago. It's creepy and real enough to scare your brain more than your body. It's only 80 minutes long and about 70 of those minutes has you on the edge of your seat. I'd watch this for sure if you want to actually see a good horror/suspense film.

The Latest movies I've seen

COLLEGE- A mix between "Road Trip" and "Superbad" in story only. This doesn't even come close to "Road Trip", so you know it's no "Superbad". Worse than a straight to DVD teen sex movie and that's bad, not Superbad. Grade: D

THE MUMMY:TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR- The first one had it's Indaina jones moments and some good times. The second one had some ridiculous, but good times. Over the top, but some good fun. This one is just plain stupid! If you didn't like anything about the first two, then don't even bother with this one, because those are top notch action films to this pile of crap. Grade: C-

STEP BROTHERS- When I reviewed "Semi-Pro" I mentioned to look for this film, because it teams Farrel up with the same team from "Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights". This film is crude and has some good times, but it's not a great comedy by any means. It get's kinda lame towards the end when they are friends. A rental for sure. Grade: C+

HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTAMO BAY- This is a total rehash of the first movie which has become a cult classic. Same formula and even Doogie Howser is in this one. It has some good sterotypical jokes and that's really it. If you liked the first one then you'll tolerate this episode. Grade: C

X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE- I've never been into the series or the first movie. It was all kinda way too sci-fi for me. I like the unknown or supernatural up until it just twists and turns until you have no idea what just happened or what you're watching. That was the first movies problem. This movies problem is that it's too normal and not enough sci-fi. I did like this one slightly better though. This plot is pretty straight ahead with a missing FBI agent that Mulder get's called into investigate with a man that claims that he has visions of the crime. It turns into more of do you believe and mystery than the unknown crazy stuff. It's not bad, but not that much of a story either. Rent it. Grade: C

TROPIC THUNDER

Incredible cast and some good comedic performances by Robert Downey Jr and Ben Stiller if you like Stiller's delivery. He does the same routine in every movie, which is why I fill it's wierd that some are funny and other suck? Go figure. Anyways, this movie is at it's best when it's not over the top crazy. I like the fine line of action/comedy, but it takes some pretty stupid sequences, but not enough for me to dislike the film overall. Not a classic comedy, but Robert Downey is worth the viewing in itself. Jack Black and Stiller do the same act as usual, so that might make it a must see for some of you and it might scare some of you away. I myself enjoyed the film with it's ups and downs. I'd recommend it on DVD atleast. Most will enjoy this comedy.

KUNG FU PANDA AND MADAGASCAR

I've never seen Madagascar, so give me a break! I'm reviewing them together, since they are both computer animated films and both box office hits.

I had to watch "Madagascar", since the sequel is coming out in a couple of months and I'm glad I did. Not fantastic or hilarious, but it was a solid family film. I wasn't too impressed with the story or voices, but it satisfied me enough times. I'm a huge Chris Rock fan and it's a shame his movies suck, but he did alright in this one. I'll watch the sequel, but probably not until DVD. If you haven't seen this one then I'd watch it if you like computer animation films.

"Kung Fu Panda" on the other hand totally suprised me at how much I liked this film. Not quite a Pixar, but as close as the Dreamworks and the others are going to get. Panda actually had a story and morale to it, like Pixar films do. Much funnier than I thought it would be, but not in the same way as Pixars'. I really enjoyed the animation to the voices of the characters. I'd highly recommend this film to anyone and especially people with kids or family night.

I'm back and ready to go.

I first would like to apologize to all my fans out there for putting up with my hiatus. As many of you know, I have recently become a doggfather, just like Snoop. She is a pain in the ass, but totally worth it! Since she is only 3 months old as of this message, she definately needs lots of attention and potty breaks. I can no longer go the the theater at will now, since I have to babysit as soon as I get off of work and I just can't let Sarah take care of Nala. She alos cost a pretty penny and movies,popcorn, and soda aren't cheap.

Since a couple of my fans have pointed out that I hadn't updated my blog in sometime, I thought it was time to make some time to write some new posts.

I have watched many movies, but only in the past couple of weeks have I started back and all of them from home. The internet is a great tool for skipping the cinemas. I wish I could go, but hopefully in the near future I'll make it back to the multiplexes for the Oscar season, even though we all know the best film of the year has already been out for almost nine weeks! I too have watched it at home two more times. Taking my total viewing of "The Dark Knight" up to 5.

My next posts will be brief for the duds and a grade as usual, but if there are any worth writing about, they will get the full attention they deserve. In the words of the Joker, "Here we go".


Enjoy and I hope to be updated weekly if possible, but we all know good things come to those who wait..................................................That is intedned for Edwards and mom. Thanks and have a good Oscar season at the movies.

Sincerely,

Rocket the reviewer