That's My Boy - Movie Review

US Release  June 15, 2012

Screened on Wednesday May 30, 2012 at Edwards Mira Mesa

That’s My Boy is a return to Adam Sandler’s roots of raunchy and kick-ass laughter inducing jokes and scenes.  I’ve been a big Sandler fan since Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, with The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates as 2 of my top favorite movies of all time. 

That’s My Boy stars Adam Sandler as Donny Berger who had an affair with his teacher, Miss McGarricle, as a junior high schooler.  Their affair leads to him impregnating her and she being charged with statutory rape and sentenced to 33 years in prison.  The young Miss McGarricle is played by Eva Amurri, who bears a striking resemblance to her real life mother, Susan Sarandon.  Donny is left to care for baby Han Solo as a single parent under the guardianship of his father since he is still only 13 years old.

*Spoilers ahead*

Fast-forward 30 years and Donny has squandered his 15 minutes of fame (and the bit of fortune that came with it).  He is a babbling alcoholic that owes the IRS $45,000 and has not had any contact with his son for over 12 years.  In order to avoid jail time, he must find a means to pay off the $45,000.  He goes to see a smut television host to see if his story is still worth something.  The host only offers him a show if he can get a reunion with his son Han Solo visiting Miss McGarricle in prison.

The rest of the movie showcases Donny’s attempts to reconnect with his son, who in the stab to distance himself from his parentage has changed his name to Todd Peterson.  As with the majority of Sandler’s movies, hilarity and vulgarity ensues as the father and son rekindle their bond.  There are many uproarious scenes and dialogue between the characters throughout the movie.  A special mention to: Vanilla Ice and Milo Ventimiglia for their awesome comedic timing.

Overall, That’s My Boy may have some critics questioning the morality of statutory rape as the basis for this comedy but it is rated R so it should restrict the audience to a more mature group.  I think Adam Sandler and his wickedly awesome and hilarious cast has done a great job.  Go see it!

-Ris

21 Jump Street - Movie Review

21 Jump Street – US Release March 16, 2012

Screened on February 15, 2012 at Regal Parkway Plaza

CHANNING TATUM. I think I start my movie reviews with my thoughts (or feelings) for the lead man. I think women everywhere will agree with me when I say he is a gorgeous man. He WILL draw crowds to the movie even if its crap…just for the 2 hours of eye candy.

Luckily, that’s not the case for this movie. Based on the late 1980’s television show that starred none other than Mr. Johnny Depp himself, 21 Jump Street is a very witty, clever, and action packed film. It’s penned by Jonah Hill and Michael Bacall (who co-wrote the screenplay of one of my faves, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’ with Edgar Wright).

The story revolves around 2 newly graduated police officers, Jenko and Schmidt, played by Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. One being a nerd and the other a jock, they forge a bond that started at the police academy to help each other with their strengths; Jenko’s being physicality and Schmidt’s being academics. After a snafu during their first arrest, they are sent to work on a revamped program from the ‘80’s and are to report to 21 Jump Street. Led by Captain Dickson, played by Ice Cube, they are assigned to go undercover at a local high school to infiltrate and bust a drug ring.

21 Jump Street is filled with hilarious moments and pretty packed with action. It also includes a few surprising cameos. Overall, it’s a great movie. And it stars Channing Tatum. That may just be enough of a reason.

This Means War - Movie Review

This Means War – US Release February 14, 2012

Screened on January 26, 2012 at Regal Parkway Plaza

Reese Witherspoon. Tom Hardy. Chris Pine. Those 3 names alone should have you wanting to watch this movie. Reese is a great actress in (almost) everything she does. If you liked him in ‘Inception’ or ‘The Warrior’, then this will just add to your collection of Tom Hardy movies. I know a lot of people are just gaga over Chris Pine and his sparkling blue eyes or think he’s awesome because he was the young Captain Kirk, but personally, I just think he’s aiiight. I’m a Tom Hardy lady myself…those lips and that accent….sigh. But I digress…back to the movie review.

Tuck, played by Tom Hardy, and FDR, played by Chris Pine, are CIA operative partners and best friends. Tuck is a divorced father and FDR is a single playboy. One day Tuck decides he wants to get back into the dating world to find love. Along comes Reese Witherspoon who has managed to turn the heads of the best friends. In order to win her love, Tuck and FDR pull out all the stops (using the CIA resources).

I really enjoyed this movie. Not only did it have an ample dose of eye candy (for me, in the awesome form of Tom Hardy) but it was filled with a good amount of laughs. It also had enough action to keep that boyfriend you dragged to see a Tom Hardy Reese Witherspoon movie entertained =D

The Vow - Movie Review

The Vow – US Release Date February 10, 2012
Screened on January 25, 2012 at UA Horton Plaza

I love the 2 main actors in this movie. Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum are one of the cutest paired couples I’ve seen in a really long time. Channing is just plain HOT and Rachel has been one of my faves since ‘The Notebook.'

Channing plays Leo a husband who desperately tries to help his wife deal with her memory loss after a severe head trauma due to a car accident they were both in. Rachel is his new bride that struggles to remember him and their life together.

Without giving too much away, this is a love story. It’s a story of love found, then lost, and found again. This movie will make you at least tear up, if not bawl your eyes out. Granted, it’s not a Nicholas Sparks movie so you are spared. (If you’re a Nicholas Sparks movie fan, you’ll know what I mean =p). Funny, how both Rachel and Channing are alums of Nicholas Sparks movies.

This movie was based on true events, which makes it pull at the heartstrings even more. If you’re a sucker for sappy movies that make you cry or want to drool at a 20ft tall Channing Tatum then SEE THIS MOVIE!

Real Steel

Real Steel – Screening, Mira Mesa Edwards Cinema 9/16/2011

Release Date: Friday October 7, 2011

I must start off by saying I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. The premise of fighting robots (not even on their own) is a bit silly, yes, but it does give you 2 hours of heartwarming entertainment. It’s a great movie to bring your kids to or if you just want to stare at Hugh Jackman’s gorgeous face on the big screen.

Hugh Jackman is Charlie Kenton who is a former boxer that is a regular in the underground fighting robot world. He is a hotheaded, quick-tempered man and it shows in his fights with his robots. He learns early on in the movie that his former girlfriend had passed away, leaving behind their son Max to Charlie because he is his next of kin. Charlie’s been absent from Max’s life since birth so it makes for the tried and true, father/son broken relationship storyline.

They share a love for the fighting robots and you can see how their relationship develops. But it’s not just a story about father and son. The movie features awesome robots that FIGHT! It’s nerds that are at the controls of the robots in the World Robot Boxing league, which are big events. They are televised on ESPN and sponsored by such bigwigs such as XBox 720!

Overall, it’s a fun movie. It’s the Rock ‘em Sock ‘em version of Rocky! Go see Hugh Jackman it!!!

50/50 – Movie Review

US Release date: September 30, 2011

Once again, this movie is reviewed before the actual US release date because I was fortunate enough to score some screening passes for this movie. I actually viewed 50/50 on August 2^nd at AMC Fashion Valley but didn’t get around to writing my review for it.

This dramedy was directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Will Reiser, who loosely based this story on his life. It stars Joseph Gordon Levitt (Inception, 500 days of Summer) as Adam, a 27 year old who gets the unexpected news that he has cancer. His circle of support includes his girlfriend Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard, Eclipse and Spider-Man 3), best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen, The Green Hornet and Knocked Up), his mother (Anjelica Huston, The Addams Family and The Royal Tenebaums), and therapist (Anna Kendrick, Twilight and Up in the Air). The movie is shot throughout Seattle, WA’s beautiful rainy forest backdrop.

The story follows Adam as an otherwise healthy 20-something living with his girlfriend who works in radio editing. When a recurring back problem causes him to go see a doctor, his life gets turned upside down when he gets the news that he has a spinal cancer with a 50% chance of survival. One by one he shares the news with his girlfriend, best friend, and mother who is also dealing with her husband’s Alzheimer’s. Rachael reluctantly agrees to be his main caregiver but forgets to pick him up from the hospital and chooses to stay in the car during doctor appointments. Kyle takes on the sympathetic yet advantage-taking friend, using his cancer as a way to pick up girls. His mother is concerned and worrisome but definitely already has her hands full with Adam’s father. The hospital provides a novice therapist, Dr. McKay, whose intentions are good but her credentials precede her experience with patients.

After a series of unsympathetic scenes with girlfriend Rachael, Adam breaks up with her. Now primarily going through the chemo process alone, he reaches out to therapist Dr. McKay. The climactic ascent to his spinal surgery is filled with emotional moments that anyone who has known someone living with cancer can relate to. It also has its funny moments where you feel somewhat guilty for laughing during a movie about cancer but the writers do it just the right way where they let you know its ok.

Overall, I loved the movie. It made me tear up and laugh within minutes of each other. Joseph Gordon Levitt plays the best guy next door who you always want to root for. Seth Rogen, as always, portrays that “slacker” best friend who despite outer appearance and actions, is looking out for his buddy. Anna Kendrick is magnificent as newbie therapist Dr. McKay. Her subtle gestures and one-liners add so much to every scene she’s in.

A definite must-see!!!

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - Movie Review

US Release August 26

This is a re-make of a 1973 made-for television movie written by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins, directed by Troy Nixey. Seeing as the original was before I was even born, I cannot say I am familiar with the original movie and cannot compare the two. With that said, here is my review of the movie:

The story starts out with a panned view of a creepy historic looking house with a horse drawn carriage passing by in the dark of night, of course paired with rainy weather. We soon see that this scene is set in the past (1800’s).

A child of divorced parents, Sally (Bailee Madison) is sent from California to live with her dad in Rhode Island where he is restoring a historic house. She feels abandoned and thus acts disconnected with her father, Alex (Guy Pierce), and his new girlfriend, Kim (Katie Holmes). Upon exploration of the vast Blackwood Estate grounds, Sally comes across a window that she believes is a part of the basement, which according to the floor plans her father reviews, doesn’t exist. She is drawn to this room that houses a fireplace of sorts where she can hear voices calling out to her. The voices get the best of her curiosity so she smuggles tools to the basement and removes the screwed plates covering the fireplace opening. When she peers inside, she finds a small plate of teeth. Sally manages to grab onto one tooth when her father finds her semi-engulfed in the opening. From that point, Sally hears the voices more and more, inviting her to play and to be friends. This is the start of the emergence of these creatures.

I think this movie has Guillermo del Toro’s stamp all over it. It’s rated R for its violence and terror so it’s not your usual kid horror flick. Overall I think it was an ok movie with suspense throughout but I do wish they went into the lore of the creatures a bit earlier. It’s still a fun Friday night fright movie to watch if you want to get scared.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Movie Review

I was fortunate enough to go to a screening of Rise of the Planet of the Apes (the night before its wide release is still pretty early). It is directed by Rupert Wyatt and starring James Franco (of Freaks and Geeks, Spiderman, and Pineapple Express fame), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), John Lithgow (too many to name his credits but one of my faves is Third Rock from the Sun), and Tom Felton (the one and only Draco Malfoy!).

Working in the Alzheimers field, I found it to be an interesting story line based upon the present time research and new developments in Alzheimers therapy and medication. It’s far more believable that these amazingly intelligent apes stemmed from the result of animal lab testing vs. time traveling apes in the original story (Planet of the Apes movie, 1968).

Overall, the movie was well paced and kept me intrigued with the gradual growth of the main chimpanzee, Caesar. I remember watching the old Charlton Heston movie and thinking how scary it would be if our roles on this earth were reversed. Despite depicting the catalyst for the revolution (and evolution) of the apes, this movie definitely has a touch of sensitivity throughout. Go see it!!!