Monday, August 20, 2007

The Bourne Ultimatum

So, out of the 184 reviewers at rottentomatoes.com, I'm going to go with the 173 who said it was great.

Yeah, I know you come here for more than a one word review, so here goes.....

When these movies came into being, the took a couple of the basic facts about the original books and ran with it. The first one was similar, the 2nd was different to distraction, and by the time the 3rd one had rolled around, it was so far gone that the books never even crossed my mind.

Jason Bourne has just gotten messed with too many times. At the beginning, they didn't give him the benefit of the doubt, the 2nd time around, some rogue guys framed him and tried to get him killed again, and this time, the added emotion to it, with him trying to find out his past.

The unfolding of the story, with both sides in the dark about most of the other side's involvement is amazing. And every moment that ticks by we find out more of the talents and training of Jason Bourne, aka David Webb.

Some people said the shaky camera work bothered them, but I barely noticed it, because I was so involved in the movie. I mean, fights aren't smooth!

This movie is one of those that grabs you and doesn't let go. Get ready for a fast moving, complicated movie, and you won't be let down.

Rating: 4 stars
Expectations going into the movie: They were high, but it almost exceeded my expectations.

Happy watching ya'll!

Friday, August 3, 2007

I'm back in America and seeing movies again!

So, first in line is....

Hairspray

I had never seen either of the other Hairspray productions, so I went into this movie a clean slate.

But for Adam Shankman (and writer Leslie Dixon), taking a non-musical movie and a very musical stage show, putting all of the previous ideas and songs into a Baltimore-wide musical movie looked like a pretty large feat in my eyes.

I must say, the publicist for this movie did a great job. I had the songs that I had NEVER fully heard in my head weeks before the release! Across the world in Italy!

So, we come to the cast. All the adults in the show....great. I loved Queen Latifah's boisterousness, and I loved Michelle Pfeiffer's evilness. But to the kids.......Zac Efron, he plays the perfect dreamboat, and I love his voice. Nikki Blonsky was so adorable....the only problem I had with her that maybe 2 more inches taller and she wouldn't have looked so UNBELIEVABLY short. Amanda Bynes, always love her.....and Elijah Kelly as Seaweed had just the right energy to make it work. Brittany Snow......I love her pretty much all the time.....and she keeps getting on these 60's dance shows! Yeah, I think she has that look.......ATTENTION all people who want to do ANY tv or movie set in a 60's dance show.......CAST HER!

I really was tapping my feet the whole time, and trying to sing along to the songs I only half-knew from all the commercials and such.

It was such a cheery movie! And good!

Rating (out of 4 stars): 3.5
Expectations going into the movie: They were pretty high, but they were met right where they were at when all was said and done

P.S. I saw the earlier Hairspray this past week, and compared to this one, was more cheesy and less cheery than this version. I really liked the development of Tracy and Link's relationship and how Amber and him fell apart.....

ok, so I have a handful of movies waiting to be reviewed, so hopefully with some encouragement, I can get to them :)

Happy watching ya'll!