in the key of :: T: August 2009

Here are my reviews of the summer movie blockbuster season. It was quite an eventful season starting with the leaked work-print of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which I think boosted ticket sales...to a remake of Star Trek, a sequel to Transformers and ending off with another 80's cartoon/toy movie: GI Joe. Now since I have a deal with my wife that I pick a movie, and she picks a movie...we've seen quite a number of movies. I'll try not spoil any movies...

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

The origin story of one of the most popular X-Men was much much better that the 3rd installment of the X-Men trilogy. By bringing back Hugh Jackman to play Wolverine made this movie. To think that they had cast Dougray Scott (the baddie from MI:II) originally for the X-Men movies as Wolvie, but had to drop out due to scheduling was a blessing in disguise. Jackman was born to play Wolverine. The story was loosely based on the comic origin, but they brought in elements that really had nothing to do with Wolverine. What they did to Ryan Reynolds Deadpool was ridiculous. Reynolds did well for what it was. He's the perfect guy to play the "Merc with the mouth", but what they did to the character was stupid. This movie was a good way to start the summer.

3 1/2 stars out of 5

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

The first chick flick of the summer. Another Matthew McConaughey chick flick, and I believe Jennifer Garner's first film in a long long time. Story is based on "A Christmas Carol" with McConaughey playing the "Scrooge" type character. The twist is that he is a womanizer who gets "haunted" by his girlfriends past during the weekend of his brother's wedding. Pretty typical chick flick with some funny parts.

2 stars out of 5

Star Trek

Probably one of the most anticipated movie of the year. JJ Abram's knocks this one out of the park. A re-imagining of the original Star Trek, it tells story of the USS Enterprise's first mission. The casting of the original characters was very well done. It's hard to imagine anyone other that William Shatner playing Kirk, but Chris Pine does a pretty good job. "Hero's" Zachary Quinto does an amazing job as the new Spock. The lens-flare effect was a little over done...but this was THE best Star Trek movie yet.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Terminator Salvation

Terminator #4...better than #3. They cast another John Connor in Christian Bale. This movie happens after Judgment Day with John Connor leading the Resistance against Skynet and all the Terminators. It was a good popcorn flick, but nothing that memorable. They did have a "cameo" of Arnold as the newest model of Terminator. I guess they had scans of his face when he was younger and they put that over the body double that was actually on screen. I heard that they are planning on doing a 5th Terminator...

2 1/2 stars out of 5

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Ben Stiller and his gang from the NYC Museum of Natural History return, but this time they are wrecking havoc at Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian Institute. Hank Azaria is added to the cast an evil Pharaoh with a lisp, and Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart. This movie actually makes me want to take a trip down to DC to check out the Smithsonian. This movie is not as good as the first...but still fun at times.

1 1/2 stars out of 5

Up

Wow...Pixar has done it again. Every movie they put out is simply amazing, and they get better and better. Although this one dealt with a lot more human emotion than the others. They story has 78-year old Carl, a retired balloon salesman taking his house to South America...by air. Joining him is 8-year old Russell, making for some great comedy. I think this movie by far has to be one of my favourites this year. The short film attached to the beginning was very good as well.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

The Hangover

By far, the best comedy of the year. 4 friends take Vegas by storm during a bachelor party, but can't remember anything in the morning. To make things worse, they lose the groom in the process. The on-screen chemistry of Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis was great, and a cameo from Mike Tyson was just simply hilarious. It reminded me a lot of Dude, Where's My Car?

4 stars out of 5

Year One

Jack Black and Michael Cera are a couple of hunter/gathers at the beginnings of human civilization and through stupid events, they make it out of their village into a bustling metropolis. It's a pretty stupid movie and at times sacrilegious. Cera's mellow approach to everything compliments Black's way over the top humour. There are some funny parts, but not enough to want to watch a second time. If you've seen the trailer...you've seen the movie.

2 starts out of 5

The Proposal

What happens when you don't pay attention to your work visa? You get deported. Oh wait...I have an assistant that will do anything I want...so I'm going to marry him to stay in the country. Then we'll divorce after a couple years. To sell this we need to go to his family's estate in...Alaska. Uh oh...his family is so great...I can't do this to them. I'll face the music and be deported. Oh ya...I've fallen in love with my assistant too...opps.

3 stars out of 5...only cuz Ryan Reynolds is hilarious. He gets 2 stars.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

I was pretty hyped for this movie. That being said, I'm a huge Transformers fan so I'm a little biased. This is a typical Michael Bay movie. Awesome action, explosions, and camera angles. Bay may never win an Oscar, but his style is fast and fun. But as a movie...its not so great. I think it ran about 40 minutes too long. 90% action, 10% story, 100% Michael Bay.

3 stars out of 5

Funny People

By having Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen in a movie, you'd think that it would be a hilarious comedy. Also having the title of the movie as "Funny People", you'd think it would be an amazing comedy. Not so much. This movie was more a drama with some funny moments. I'm not saying its a bad movie, I really enjoyed it. It was pretty heavy at times...and a little long too. If you see it, go in thinking drama.

3 1/2 stars out of 5

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Yo Joe! If you were going to make a movie based on a toy line and an 80's cartoon...this is how you do it. Complete with the cheesey plot, lines, and special effects. The casting in this movie was very very good. Paramount didn't allow any press to screen the movie because they didn't want negative reviews. I went into with zero expectations and I was pleasantly surprised at it. It really brought me back to my childhood. The couple catch phrases like "Yo Joe!" and "Knowing is half the battle" were stuck in for good measure.

3 stars out of 5