I am continuing to discuss the movies I saw over the summer of 2010 briefly. This post will cover the movies that were released in June.
Killers is a bit different from what I expected, but I managed to enjoy it overall. I was hesitant about seeing it because of Katherine Heigl - I just don’t like her that much. I decided to see it anyway. I was entertained overall, but the movie does have issues with the plot and characters. Fans of Heigl or Ashton Kutcher may find something to like about it.
The A-Team is based on the popular television show that aired in the 1980s. I watched the show all the time. The show was over the top, but it worked was entertaining. I was a little surprised that this movie didn’t do better. I loved it. It was a fun action comedy type of movie. The cast is great in their parts and the plot is entertaining while also serving as basically a origin story, telling how the group came to do what they were doing. I would definitely go see another movie, though I don’t know that one will be made.
Toy Story 3 is one of the rare sequels that Pixar has made. It is also a third movie that is just as good as the first - something that is incredibly rare. It was one of the most anticipated movies of the summer and ended up being one of the biggest. The plot continues the story that began in the first movie and the characters have new adventures. I think the movie stays true to the first movies and what has been established about the characters really well. The animation is absolutely amazing and the 3D effects work to enhance things in a subtle way. The movie is fun, touching, and highly emotional. Animated plastic toys have more heart and produce more emotion than most human characters. Yes, the movie made me cry. The movie is absolutely wonderful and definitely one of the best of the year. The animated short, Day & Night, that plays before the movie is one of the most creative that Pixar has done.
Marmaduke is another of the movies featuring real animals made to look like they are talking. This one really wasn’t one I was that interested in seeing, but I saw it anyway. There are a few cute moments, but it isn’t that great and I don’t think I would have missed much if I had skipped the movie. There is some humor, but most of it didn’t work for me. Children will probably enjoy the movie more than I did.
The Karate Kid is sort of a remake, though several things about the story are different from the earlier version. The name doesn’t exactly fit since kung fu is used instead of karate. The story, while not overly original, is very entertaining. There is a decent amount of action to what is happening. Jaden Smith does a really good job in the movie and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he has a long acting career. I haven’t seen all of Jackie Chan’s movies, but this is probably the best acting I’ve seen from him. The movie is definitely worth seeing.
Knight and Day looked better from the previews than it ultimately ended up being. It is an entertaining movie, but it could have been a lot better. The plot is interesting and mostly fun, though it didn’t seem to be as developed as it could have been. The action scenes are entertaining, though some of them go way over the top. This one was only ok for me.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Summer Movies 2010 - May
Summer tends to be packed with a lot of movie releases, including several that the studios hope will make buckets of money. At times, there are too many movies being released at the same time to have any chance of keeping up with, and summer seems to be the worst for this. The summer of 2010 wasn’t any different. There were a lot of big movies released. Some of them lived up to expectations or even passed them while others didn’t do as well.
At any given time there are usually a few movies out that I’m interested in seeing. The summer has had more movies that I’ve been interested in the last few years. I managed to see several of the summer movies I was interested in, though there are some that I’ll have to wait for DVD to see.
I have decided to share a little bit about the movies of summer 2010, starting with May, that I was able to see in the theater. I have posted longer reviews for these movies at Epinions and I will include the links.
Iron Man 2 came out the first Friday in May and it was expected to be one of the big movies. I loved Iron Man and had been looking forward to the sequel for a while. This one isn’t quite as good as the first movie, but it is still very entertaining and definitely worth seeing. The movie also continues to add to the foundation that Marvel is laying for future movies.
The Losers is based on a graphic novel series that I had never heard of. I was interested when I first saw a trailer and ended up going to see it. The movie is very entertaining and I think I will probably add it to my movie collection at some point. The plot and character development could have been a bit better, but it is still very entertaining and worth watching for a fun action movie. I do think it is sort of like The A-Team, so it isn’t the most original.
The Backup Plan is a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez, which is probably enough to turn a lot of people off. The plot is a little different, with a woman falling in love after deciding to have a baby through artificial insemination. The movie is very predictable and silly overall, though it is fairly funny at times. Some of what happens is gross and didn’t need to be included. The movie is entertaining, though not a must see.
Shrek Forever After is the fourth movie in the Shrek series. While I have enjoyed the previous movies, I didn’t think they were as great as a lot of other people. I do think this one was better than the third one, though the plot was far from original. Several things were very much like what happened in the earlier movies. I did see this one in 3D. An early image was really well done, and one of the best uses of 3D I’ve seen. The movie is cute and entertaining overall and I’ll probably add it to my movie collection.
Robin Hood (2010) is very different from every other version of the story I’ve seen, including the animated Disney version. A few elements are still the same, but a lot is different. The movie is entertaining, but with all the differences, it seems odd to call it Robin Hood.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is another movie based on a video game. I’ve never played any of the Prince of Persia game. I’m not even sure how many there are, though I have heard of them. I think the movie works as a fun, entertaining action movie. The plot works well and helps to make things entertaining. I could have done without the snakes that kept popping up though.
At any given time there are usually a few movies out that I’m interested in seeing. The summer has had more movies that I’ve been interested in the last few years. I managed to see several of the summer movies I was interested in, though there are some that I’ll have to wait for DVD to see.
I have decided to share a little bit about the movies of summer 2010, starting with May, that I was able to see in the theater. I have posted longer reviews for these movies at Epinions and I will include the links.
Iron Man 2 came out the first Friday in May and it was expected to be one of the big movies. I loved Iron Man and had been looking forward to the sequel for a while. This one isn’t quite as good as the first movie, but it is still very entertaining and definitely worth seeing. The movie also continues to add to the foundation that Marvel is laying for future movies.
The Losers is based on a graphic novel series that I had never heard of. I was interested when I first saw a trailer and ended up going to see it. The movie is very entertaining and I think I will probably add it to my movie collection at some point. The plot and character development could have been a bit better, but it is still very entertaining and worth watching for a fun action movie. I do think it is sort of like The A-Team, so it isn’t the most original.
The Backup Plan is a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez, which is probably enough to turn a lot of people off. The plot is a little different, with a woman falling in love after deciding to have a baby through artificial insemination. The movie is very predictable and silly overall, though it is fairly funny at times. Some of what happens is gross and didn’t need to be included. The movie is entertaining, though not a must see.
Shrek Forever After is the fourth movie in the Shrek series. While I have enjoyed the previous movies, I didn’t think they were as great as a lot of other people. I do think this one was better than the third one, though the plot was far from original. Several things were very much like what happened in the earlier movies. I did see this one in 3D. An early image was really well done, and one of the best uses of 3D I’ve seen. The movie is cute and entertaining overall and I’ll probably add it to my movie collection.
Robin Hood (2010) is very different from every other version of the story I’ve seen, including the animated Disney version. A few elements are still the same, but a lot is different. The movie is entertaining, but with all the differences, it seems odd to call it Robin Hood.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is another movie based on a video game. I’ve never played any of the Prince of Persia game. I’m not even sure how many there are, though I have heard of them. I think the movie works as a fun, entertaining action movie. The plot works well and helps to make things entertaining. I could have done without the snakes that kept popping up though.
I've Gone High Def
I watch a lot of stuff on television and also watch a lot of movies on DVD. I don’t know a lot about the newer televisions, but I did know that I eventually wanted one, especially after my mother and step-father got an LCD television a few years ago and I had the chance to watch things on it.
I started looking at the televisions more in the spring of this year. Even though I didn’t know - and still don’t know - a lot about the televisions, I knew that I wanted to get a 1080p one if I was going to spend the money on one. I kept looking and I ended up getting a Vizio 32 inch LCD television. I didn’t need a new television, but since I had the extra money at the time, I decided to splurge. I also decided to get a Blu-ray player, something else I didn’t really need, but I had been wanting.
I’ve had the new television and Blu-ray player for several months and I’m very happy with them. Everything looks wonderful on the television. I’m still amazed at times how good things look. I do watch DVDs with the Blu-ray player, but I have started getting some Blu-rays. Some older DVDs that I’ve watched look better played on the Blu-ray player. I have picked up a few movies on Blu-ray that I already had on DVD, and so far, I’ve been happy with the ones I’ve doubled dipped on. North by Northwest is absolutely amazing on Blu-ray. That is a must own Blu-ray for fans of the movie.
I do think getting a high definition television and Blu-ray player is well worth it for people who love movies.
I started looking at the televisions more in the spring of this year. Even though I didn’t know - and still don’t know - a lot about the televisions, I knew that I wanted to get a 1080p one if I was going to spend the money on one. I kept looking and I ended up getting a Vizio 32 inch LCD television. I didn’t need a new television, but since I had the extra money at the time, I decided to splurge. I also decided to get a Blu-ray player, something else I didn’t really need, but I had been wanting.
I’ve had the new television and Blu-ray player for several months and I’m very happy with them. Everything looks wonderful on the television. I’m still amazed at times how good things look. I do watch DVDs with the Blu-ray player, but I have started getting some Blu-rays. Some older DVDs that I’ve watched look better played on the Blu-ray player. I have picked up a few movies on Blu-ray that I already had on DVD, and so far, I’ve been happy with the ones I’ve doubled dipped on. North by Northwest is absolutely amazing on Blu-ray. That is a must own Blu-ray for fans of the movie.
I do think getting a high definition television and Blu-ray player is well worth it for people who love movies.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sherlock Holmes - DVD Release
I first saw Sherlock Holmes in the theater. I loved the movie so I decided to pick up the movie on DVD when it came out. I picked up the Blu-ray that also has a DVD copy of the movie.
I think I've seen some other movies featuring Sherlock Holmes, but I can't remember much of anything from them. I think the story for this version is original, though I don't know for sure that it wasn't in one of the short stories or books. I think the story works very well and is interesting and entertaining. There is a decent amount of action throughout the movie without things getting too violent. There is some comedy too, usually in how Sherlock and Watson interact or react to certain things. The cast, especially Robert Downey Jr. is wonderful.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Sherlock Holmes
I think I've seen some other movies featuring Sherlock Holmes, but I can't remember much of anything from them. I think the story for this version is original, though I don't know for sure that it wasn't in one of the short stories or books. I think the story works very well and is interesting and entertaining. There is a decent amount of action throughout the movie without things getting too violent. There is some comedy too, usually in how Sherlock and Watson interact or react to certain things. The cast, especially Robert Downey Jr. is wonderful.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Sherlock Holmes
Maverick
Maverick is based on the television show. I'm not sure I saw the show, though I did know things about the characters before seeing the movie version. Anyway, the movie version is really good and has a great cast.
The plot seems fairly simple at first, dealing with Maverick trying to get to a big poker game and get the last of the entry fee he ends. He keeps ending up in complicated situations though, something because of Annabelle, sometimes because of marshal Zane Cooper and other times by his own fault. Maverick is a con man, though he does have his own sense of honor about what he will and will not do. As the movie progresses, more things happen, making it more complicated. There is some action and a good amount of comedy. It is a fun, entertaining movie that is definitely worth watching. The cast of Mel Gibson, Jodi Foster, and James Garner are wonderful in their parts.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions recently.
Maverick
The plot seems fairly simple at first, dealing with Maverick trying to get to a big poker game and get the last of the entry fee he ends. He keeps ending up in complicated situations though, something because of Annabelle, sometimes because of marshal Zane Cooper and other times by his own fault. Maverick is a con man, though he does have his own sense of honor about what he will and will not do. As the movie progresses, more things happen, making it more complicated. There is some action and a good amount of comedy. It is a fun, entertaining movie that is definitely worth watching. The cast of Mel Gibson, Jodi Foster, and James Garner are wonderful in their parts.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions recently.
Maverick
Facts of Life - The Complete Third Season
I loved The Facts of Life when it originally aired. Unfortunately, the reruns haven't aired that much over the years. I've found it on a few different stations over the years, but it was never on that long. I picked up the DVD sets that were out last year. One DVD set has the first two seasons and the second set has the third set.
The main group of characters is firmly established in the third season. The girls have issues dealing with each other, but the dynamic works better than when there were more girls during the first season I think. Some things tied to school are brought up, though the girls usually aren't shown in class. They each have to deal with different things over the course of the season, and their friendship is tested a few times. The plots are mostly self contained and resolved by the end of the episodes, though there are a few two part episodes.
I'm glad that I have the third season on DVD even though there are no extras for the set. That is disappointing.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Facts of Life - The Complete Third Season
The main group of characters is firmly established in the third season. The girls have issues dealing with each other, but the dynamic works better than when there were more girls during the first season I think. Some things tied to school are brought up, though the girls usually aren't shown in class. They each have to deal with different things over the course of the season, and their friendship is tested a few times. The plots are mostly self contained and resolved by the end of the episodes, though there are a few two part episodes.
I'm glad that I have the third season on DVD even though there are no extras for the set. That is disappointing.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Facts of Life - The Complete Third Season
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season
Veronica Mars is a television show that I've heard about for years before finally watching it. I had read a few positive reviews of the seasons on Epinions. In the last few years, I've heard more about how good the show is on a movie board I joined. Earlier this year, I tracked down some episodes online. I really enjoyed them and decided that I wanted the DVD sets. I tracked down a sale and got all three seasons.
Veronica Mars is a wonderful show about a teenager, Veronica Mars, who works with her father Keith in his detective agency. Even though the main character is a teenager and much of what happens is tied to high school in some way, this show isn't just for teenagers. I actually think it is more for adults than teenagers because of the different subject matters that pop up every so often. The show is set in Neptune, a fictional southern California town.
Most of the episodes have a mystery of some sort that Veronica works on and solves by the end of the episode. The season also has a few season long mysteries that Veronica is trying to solve. The main one involves the murder of her best friend, Lilly Kane. Keith was the sheriff at the time of the murder. People in Neptune, especially the Kane family, weren't happy with how he handled the investigation and it wasn't long before he was recalled. After that, Veronica lost her popular friends at school, they had to move to a small apartment, and Keith's wife left. Someone was arrested, but Veronica doesn't believe he is the killer, so she does her own investigating. She is also trying to find her mother during the season. The mystery elements work very well to the make episodes entertaining. Time is also taken to deal with other issues Veronica has, like with her friends and love life.
The characters are all interesting, though not all likable. A few of them are jerks, but that works for what is going on. None of the characters are all good or all bad, which makes them more believable. Even Veronica has some flaws. Kristen Bell is wonderful in the part. The rest of the cast does well with their parts too.
I'm very glad that I decided to start watching Veronica Mars. I loved the first season and will probably start on the second season before long. It is too bad that such a good show was canceled after only three seasons, though it is probably lucky that the show had the chance to last that long. I have a feeling if it had been on a different network, it may not have lasted as long as it did.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season
Veronica Mars is a wonderful show about a teenager, Veronica Mars, who works with her father Keith in his detective agency. Even though the main character is a teenager and much of what happens is tied to high school in some way, this show isn't just for teenagers. I actually think it is more for adults than teenagers because of the different subject matters that pop up every so often. The show is set in Neptune, a fictional southern California town.
Most of the episodes have a mystery of some sort that Veronica works on and solves by the end of the episode. The season also has a few season long mysteries that Veronica is trying to solve. The main one involves the murder of her best friend, Lilly Kane. Keith was the sheriff at the time of the murder. People in Neptune, especially the Kane family, weren't happy with how he handled the investigation and it wasn't long before he was recalled. After that, Veronica lost her popular friends at school, they had to move to a small apartment, and Keith's wife left. Someone was arrested, but Veronica doesn't believe he is the killer, so she does her own investigating. She is also trying to find her mother during the season. The mystery elements work very well to the make episodes entertaining. Time is also taken to deal with other issues Veronica has, like with her friends and love life.
The characters are all interesting, though not all likable. A few of them are jerks, but that works for what is going on. None of the characters are all good or all bad, which makes them more believable. Even Veronica has some flaws. Kristen Bell is wonderful in the part. The rest of the cast does well with their parts too.
I'm very glad that I decided to start watching Veronica Mars. I loved the first season and will probably start on the second season before long. It is too bad that such a good show was canceled after only three seasons, though it is probably lucky that the show had the chance to last that long. I have a feeling if it had been on a different network, it may not have lasted as long as it did.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season
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