Get back to blogging

It's been a while since my last post, but now I'm back and ready to go.

This is a brief summary of all the movies that came out over the summer that I was able to see. There are still a couple that I would like to catch, but I won't include them here. After this I think I'd like to go back to focusing on upcoming movies only. This is the "future" film forum after all.

So, here's my summer movie roundup (rated on a scale of 10) with some comments:

Spiderman 3 - (7 stars) - I found this movie entertaining and well made overall. However, there were some flaws of course. There was too much crammed in this movie, and as much as I like the Venom character, he was just too much. He belonged in a different movie. Not that I think they should make another Spiderman movie. These three are enough. I felt like there was closure and that the story had come to its end. Any more movies in this franchise will be overkill. It will only be for money and won't serve the story in any way.

Shrek the Third - (4 stars) - This movie was already overkill. I was never much of a fan of these movies in the first place. They have their funny moments and are worth a watch, but I couldn't go back to them over and over. This new one wasn't even all that funny. Please, please, please do not make any more of these films!!

Pirates of the Carrabean: At World's End - (6 stars) - I'm very sad that these movies got so bogged down in the story. They got very confusing and a little too full of themselves. The first one was brilliant, the last two were fun but disappointing. While watching the third film I remember thinking it was very slow at times. When we got to the finale, I was hoping for an epic showdown between the pirates and the British, but it never really happened. What a bummer.

Ocean's 13 - (9 stars) - This film redeemed the franchise from the less than spectacular second film. The best decision they made was to bring it back to Las Vegas. The city itself is a character in the movie and belongs there. This film brought back the smart, the funny and the surprising. Bravo!

Ratatouille - (9 stars) - When you mix Pixar and director Brad Bird what do you get? You get genius, that's what you get. This is not as good as The Incredibles, but is brilliant in its own right. Go see it, go buy it, watch it over and over!

Transformers - (5 stars) - What a completely shallow and vapid movie. Shia Lebouf's character annoyed me, the girl could have been played by a cardboard cut out, the story was predictable and lacked any semblance of a heart or soul. I wish we would have been able to get to know the robots better too, but that would have taken up the time given to the explosions and make out scenes. The only thing that gives it 5 stars is that I didn't have my expectations very high. It was a Micheal Bay film for crying out loud. It makes sense then that the movie only excels in explosions, special effects and sex obsessed teens.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - (9 stars) - It is amazing that these films keep getting better with age. As the kids grow up, their acting skills are honed. The film did feel a little rushed and there was no closure at the end, but that is not the fault of the film or its director. This story, after all, is really just a prelude to the final events of the 6th and 7th book.




Live Free or Die Hard - (7 stars) - This was an absolutely ridiculous action movie. You really have to suspend your disbelief. But it also accomplishes what it sets out to do. It is a rock'em sock'em roller coaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was definitely worth it.

The Bourne Ultamatum - (7 stars) - This was a good solid action movie. I like the Bourne movies, but I'm not as fanatical as some. I don't think I could go back and watch this movie again and again like I can with really incredible movies. But I'm glad to see the story come full circle and get wrapped up nicely. But please, don't ruin three good movies by trying to make another one when there is no need.



The Simpsons - (8 stars) - This was everything that a Simpsons movie should be. It was consistently funny and very satisfying. Did it feel like an overly long episode? Well, yes, but if its a good episode is it really all that bad a thing?


Come back soon for some projections on films that will come out in the not too distant future.