I'll Be Back....

During my Christmas break I watched all four films in the Terminator series. I was actually quite impressed. Here are my reviews:

The Terminator (1984)
This film was noticeably made in the '80s. The music, the special effects, the styles...all '80s. That being said, this movie was not overly cheesy. The film is about a Terminator (Schwarzenegger) sent back in time to kill Sarah Conner (Linda Hamilton) to prevent her son (John Conner) from being born and becoming a threat to Skynet's existence. Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) is sent to protect her. Arnold was a nearly unstoppable force and the acting overall was sufficient, not great. There was a bit of language, otherwise I generally liked this film.

The Terminator runs 108 minutes and is rated R. Don't show this to kids, there is a lot of language and a sex scene (with unnecessary nudity). I give this first film of the series 6 ramheads out of 10.Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
Arnold's back (as promised), but this time as a reprogrammed (by future John Conner) older model Terminator sent from the future to protect young John Conner (Edward Furlong) from the newer (unrealistic) shape-shifting Terminator (Robert Patrick). The good Terminator and young Conner end up bonding and this film is much more complex and deep than its predecessor. There is still a lot of language--mostly from Sarah Conner (Linda Hamilton).

This film runs 137 minutes and is rated R. Again, there is a lot of language and some violence, so I wouldn't show this film to children. I give it 9 ramheads out of 10, because it has a heart.Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)Terminator 3 follows John Conner (Nick Stahl), in his 20s and living off the grid. He was sent another older reprogrammed Terminator (Schwarzenegger) from the future for his protection. This time, for whatever reason, the new Terminator--a female Terminatrix (Kristanna Loken)--does not have the shape-shifting abilities of the terminator in the previous installation, but she can control other machines. This third installment of the series is probably the weakest in terms of acting performances. Stahl doesn't capture the character of John Conner as well as Furlong did in T2, his character doesn't have as much fire, he isn't as memorable. Arnold's Terminator is also a lot weaker than in T2.

I liked this movie, despite some acting issues. Terminator 3 runs 109 minutes and is rated R, but I would be ok with showing this to my younger brother, it is mostly for the action/violence. I give this film 7 ramheads out of 10.Terminator Salvation (2009)I was first introduced to Sam Worthington in Avatar, but I didn't realize he was in Terminator Salvation first. His character, Marcus Wright, is a surprisingly deep character: a rebuilt victim of the death penalty, who meets Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin) and is determined to save him after he is captured by the machines. The film takes place in 2018, featuring the Resistance and John Conner (Christian Bale) fighting Skynet and the machines. They are determined to find Kyle Reese, because if he is killed Conner will cease to exist (Reese in Conner's father). The plot is interesting, the acting is good, and the action is awesome.

Terminator Salvation runs 115 minutes and is rated PG-13. This is more tame that T3, kids would be ok watching this. I give it 8 ramheads out of 10.

P.S. I heard there is a fifth Terminator installment in the works, starring Christian Bale.

Remember Even Stevens?

I got Disturbia (2007) from the library last week because I've heard good things about it (and I like to watch movies)....also, because it always makes me think of the song Disturbia by Rihanna...

The film focuses on Kale (Shia LaBeouf) and his punching-his-Spanish-teacher-in-the-face invoked house arrest. Upon the realization that his mom canceled his X-Box Live and iTunes and cuts the cord to his TV, he takes to sleeping, making Twinkie towers, and watching his neighbors with binoculars. He ends up learning a lot about his neighbors: some are boring, some are hot (and end up dating you), and some are serial killers.

The story is intriguing, but not complex. There were moments that I was having a hard time watching, because I knew something bad was going to happen. For that, I commend this film. It really made my heart pound. There are some things that I (and most others) would not do that some of the characters in this movie did. For example, I would never sneak into someone's home--who I suspect to be a crazed killer--and poke around trying to figure out if he is one.....especially not at night. And, if I was unable, I would definitely not convince my best friend to do so, putting him in harms way, possibly awaiting his death. For these moments of shear stupidity, I take away ramheads.

The filmography is well done, the music is great, the acting was solid. Disturbia runs 105 minutes and is rated PG-13. This would probably scare kids, so use discretion. I give this film 7 ramheads out of 10.

Quick intro to the next few reviews...

Ok, so I just watched a quite a few movies, but I haven't reviewed them yet. I'm working on it...

I'm breaking the first rule of Fight Club...

Everyone I've talked to whose seen Fight Club (1999)raves about it, so I figured I'd watch it...

I was pleasantly surprised with the complexity and the story, but unimpressed with the language: this film has a lot of strong language.

In brief, Fight Club is an excellent film, one that you can watch more than once, but there is a lot of language. The violence, which is also prevalent, doesn't really bother me, but the language does. I know it is necessary for the story, but still. I've discovered that I like the movies that have limited strong language better than those with it a lot of language. I think it is because of the way I was raised.

The acting is flawless: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter are all great. The filmography is excellent and the music is perfect. 'nuff said.

I acknowledge this films awesomeness, and wouldn't mind seeing it again. Fight Club runs 139 minutes and is rated R. DO NOT show this to kids. Not even close. I give it 9 ramheads out of 10 (one ramhead taken for the language).

Citizen Kane....my first REAL classic movie review...

While browsing the DVDs at my local library, I came across Citizen Kane, the 1941 Academy Award winning classic, starring Orson Welles. I had heard of it, and knew it was considered a classic. I figured I'd culture myself and watch it.

While this film does not have amazing action scenes, dazzling special effects, or even an exciting story, it does capture the essence of man. Man who was given away for money. Man who could get almost anything he wanted. We journeyed with that man. We saw that man at his best, though he never achieved what he could, and we saw him at his worst.

Charles Foster Kane didn't have God, he never really loved, and he strove for the love of others, to win the hearts of the people. His people.

I thought the film was brilliantly written, with the perfect ending. I would recommend anyone who is mature enough to watch it. It earned the title classic.

Citizen Kane was made before ratings, but I wouldn't show it to kids, they wouldn't get it and would probably be bored. I give it 9 ramheads out of 10.