50/50

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogan, & Anna Kendrick
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Mixing comedy and drama isn't an easy thing to do. Sometimes it works, but a lot of times it doesn't. It gets even more difficult when you're joking about things you're not supposed to joke about. In 50/50, Seth Rogan is the best friend/comic relief and while he's hilarious as always, it doesn't really fit with the tone of the film. For the most part, 50/50 is an inspiring story about a young man fighting for his life. While the writer tries to use comedy to lighten the mood, I felt that all it did was distract me from the story and bring the quality of the picture down. As always, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was absolutely incredible and continues to be the most talented and underrated actor in all of Hollywood, but I guess that's what happens when you get your start on an overrated sitcom. Those looking for another hysterical Rogan/Pot inspired comedy will be disappointed by this film, and those looking for a touching drama, may also be disappointed by the inappropriateness of it all. I liked the film a lot, even though it tries to blend two things into one, rather unsuccessfully. Simply put JGL makes this film, Rogan doesn't fit, and there's only about a 50/50 chance you're going to enjoy it.

Source Code

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, & Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

I love movies that make you think, and Source Code will do that, the problem is, that what you're thinking is probably what's going to happen. This film is a take on the TV show Quantum Leap, but instead of leaping until the issue is solved, the leaper only has 8 minutes to try and solve the problem. Jake Gyllenhaal stars and while I usually don't care for him much, he was excellent here. I have a feeling this character may have been written specifically for him, because he's got a strange style and seems to not fit many of his roles. Source Code is another film in a genre of endless possibilities, it tries really hard to stand out and be special, but sadly it's pretty predictable, while playing off other established material, such as Quantum Leap and The Matrix. It is an enjoyable film and one of Gyllenhaal's best performances that i've seen, but if you're into Science Fiction, the way that I am, you're not gonna have much trouble figuring this one out.

Rendition

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, & Meryl Streep
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

This is the story of the aftermath of a terrorist bombing. Rendition shows what happens behind the scenes of tragedy from six different sides and it's a pretty compelling story. I love how unique and eye opening this film is, however they really dumb it down for you. This should be the kind of movie that makes you think, but instead they kind of explain everything in detail to you from beginning to end. The film was very realistic and clear, that is until the ending. They took this intense, believable, behind the scenes film, and gave it an impossible ending which honestly wound up ruining the whole thing for me.

Black & Blue (1999)

Starring: Mary Stuart Masterson, Will Rothhaar, & Anthony LaPaglia
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Based on a novel by acclaimed writer, Anna Quindlen, Black & Blue is the story of a woman who risks everything to get her family away from her abusive husband. There's a problem though, her husband is a New York City Detective, who will stop at nothing to find them. This was originally a made for TV film, but unlike most, the producers didn't tone it down for the small screen. This movie is a terrific example of what it's like to suffer from the horrors of domestic abuse. Mary Stuart Masterson is nothing short of brilliant, in a role that should have made her career. I'd go as far to say that it is the single best performance I've ever seen in a made for TV movie. Young Will Rothhaar was also great, leading to bigger and better roles in the future. This film was more than just entertaining, but important for every person in a similar situation to see and learn from.

Monster Night

Starring: Jake Thomas, Matthew Lawrence, & Vanessa Angel
Rating: 1 1/2 out of 5 stars

Monster Night was a horror-comedy for kid produced by National Lampoon's and it looked kind of interesting. Looks are of course deceiving and this movie was a bomb. I don't think kids would even like this movie. It's cheesy, the effects are awful, and the acting is so over the top that it just destroys any credibility this film may have had. There are movies without a plot, that are hard to follow, that are boring, and so forth, but this, this was just all-around terrible!

Seven

Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, & Gweneth Paltrow
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

David Fincher is one of Hollywood's most popular directors, but it's the film Seven that got him his start. This is one of my all-time favorite movie, because it features one of the best casts ever put together, and one of the best endings you will ever see. This dark and gritty crime thriller follows the investigation into a serial killer, who kills his victims based on the seven deadly sins. It is the type of movie that can never be remade or out done, a once in a lifetime film that will shock and thrill audience for decades to come. It's on many top ten lists, including mine, and you will be hard pressed to find a better film. From beginning to end this film is a winner and it is definitely one that should be in your queue.

My Favorite Movies!

The Nutty Professor (1996)

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett, & Dave Chappelle
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Eddie Murphy has a reputation in Hollywood of being hard to work with and his track record since the late 90's hasn't been a good one. It makes it hard to remember just what a comedy genius this guy used to be, and The Nutty Professor is a prime example of that. Nobody else could have pulled off this role and made this film as good as it was. It's always been kind of a stupid story, but Murphy played into that and turned it into something that both kids and adults would find funny. No matter what you think of Eddie Murphy, it is impossible not to laugh during this movie. The Nutty Professor is two hours of fun, and on top of that, it's a refershing kind of comedy that we don't really see much of anymore.

We Bought A Zoo

Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, & Colin Ford
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Every time I go to see a non-action movie, starring Matt Damon, I'm always sure it's going to suck, but it seldom does. Once again, he shows how underrated and versatile he is in We Bought A Zoo. This true story follows a man who is always looking for an adventure, and he found one when he decided to save a rundown zoo in southern California. I don't know about the book, but this film was so well written, that it seemed like it was finished in no time! Damon was great, but in my opinion, it's his son and film narrator, Colin Ford, that steals the show. Ford starred in one of my favorite movies, Dog Days of Summer, when he was younger and I've followed his career ever since. He's mostly had bit parts, but every time I see this kid, his performance just gets better and better, and he absolutely blows everyone away in this film. I'm usually unimpressed by teens in film, in fact I want to smack most of them, but Ford is definitely the exception, and really adds an important dynamic to this film. We Bought A Zoo is heartwarming, funny, and clever, the performances are top notch, and you will hopefully be as impressed as I was.

The Punisher (2004)

Starring: Thomas Jane, John Travolta, & Rebecca Romijn
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The problem with this movie was that it couldn't make up its mind about what it wanted to be, and this ultimately led to its downfall at the box office. The beginning of the film is really intense and it seems like it's going to be one of those, 'it could happen in real life' comic book adaptations. After the first half hour though, that's gone and replaced with the typical unrealistic bull shit. This film also couldn't decide whether or not it wanted to be PG-13 or R. Ultimately it got the R rating and has the violence that goes with it, but clearly the producers were hoping for the PG-13, and have some really childish parts to it. I hate when that happens, make up your mind! If you're going to be violent and crazy, then go all out, and if not, tone it down and get the PG-13. When they mix both styles, they don't appeal to a larger audience, they appeal to a smaller one. The cast did an adequate job, the story was alright, and the action was pretty cool, but there really isn't much here.

American Pie

Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, & Eugene Levy
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

The original American Pie is certainly a classic comedy on the must see list, but it's not the best of the seven American Pie inspired films. Personally, I preferred the second one too the first, as everyone was much more relaxed and knew each other, making the movie flow better. Don't get me wrong, this one certainly had it's funny moments, but in my estimation it wasn't as good as the second one. Jason Biggs & Alyson Hannigan are hilarious, but for all they bring to the table, bad actors like Eddie Kay Thomas and Chris Klein take away, making the good performances moot. American Pie is a classic teen comedy about sex and it ushered in a new era in comedy that's still relevant today. It has the raunchy, crazy, good looking youth we see in today's comedy, but unfortunately also has some really lame jokes and bad acting, that thankful went out with the nineties.