movie_reviews2008

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Editor: RachelParker@dfwlive.org

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Hancock - Rated PG-13
Grade ( A )

In Hancock, Will Smith plays a drunken superhero. While the previews suggest its an action movie, I thought there were also several comedic moments. About midway through the movie takes a bit of a twist, and unfortunately I’ve seen so many movies that it was slightly predictable. Either way it was still an amusing twist none the less. I enjoyed this movie though so it gets an A from me!

-Rachel Parker

The Dark Knight - Rated PG-13
Grade ( B+ )

Overall, The Dark Knight is a great comic book adaptation with powerful action scenes, but couldn't we all have done without Bale's annoying Bat-voice and the really bad casting choice of Maggie Gyllenhaal for Rachel Dawson?

Of course, Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker more than makes up for a confusingly bloated plot, so why not check yourself in for 2 hours and 32 minutes of blockbuster chaos, tragedy, paranoia, selfishness, hopelessness, and really cool Bat toys.

-Lynell McLaughlin

Pineapple Express - Rated R
Grade ( B+ )

Seth Rogan does it again! The guy just gets comedy. Yeah sure it’s stupid comedy but it’s laugh out loud funny. It was also good to get to see James Franco in a funnier role, over the more serious ones he tends to play. This movie is worth seeing for the hilarious and ridiculous fight scenes alone.

Lastly and Importantly! I dont condone drug use, but this movie is just hilarious.

-Rachel Parker

Wall-E - Rated G
Grade ( A )

Disney Pixars latest release came to theaters and I have to say this is probably my favorite since Finding Nemo.

Does it top Nemo.. no because it’s hard to top nemo. But it is still a good one. I much prefer this over the past few films such as The Incredibles and Meet the Robinsons.

I feel like I should say something incredibly cheesy like it was warm hearted and touching. But the bottom line is kids and parents will love it.

-Rachel Parker

Babylon A.D. - Rated PG-13
Grade ( B )

So this is the first movie I’ve seen in a while with Vin in it. But I found myself having a hard time following the plot at first. Later on in the movie of course you find out more.

It held my interest pretty well. But the whole concept confused me. In the end I was left with questions about the intentions of the plot. Because things still weren’t completely clear. You know what happened but you don’t quite understand it all.

-Rachel Parker

Burn After Reading - Rated R
Grade ( C )

Burn After Reading is a poorly edited dark comedy with great actors portraying one-dimensional characters. Pitt and Clooney provided some great laughs, but there just wasn’t enough of it to block out the random violence.

I also felt bored with the excessive use of the F-word. Honestly, it only shows that the Coen brothers’ must have a very limited vocabulary and no originality when it comes to creating dialogue. Trust me, if you’ve seen the previews then you’ve already seen the best parts of the movie.

-Lynell McLaughlin

Eagle Eye - Rated PG-13
Grade ( A+ )

Eagle Eye has got to be the fastest paced film I’ve ever seen. It felt like I was on the edge of my seat and holding my breath the whole time. As if we weren’t already freaking out over the thought of how easy it is for someone to steal our identity through electronic means, now that I’ve seen this film I’m wondering if someone might be able to steal my freedom too! It was a ride worth taking even if I had to squeeze into a packed theatre with a million and a half teenies chatting nonstop, because Nick Jonas happened to be sitting about 6 seats away from me. I felt bad for the guy. He obviously was enjoying the film as much as I was, but I could easily slip out the side door unnoticed while he had to endure thousands of camera flashes and the squealing of admiring adolescents. I’ve decided to go back and see this film again so that I can experience the Jonas Brother free version.

-Lynell McLaughlin

Madagascar Escape 2 Africa - Rated PG
Grade ( A )

So the New York Zoo bunch are at it again. This time taking flight and crash landing in Africa.

Dare I say it.. this sequel is better than the original. I enjoyed the first movie.. it had its funny points. But this new one is even funnier.

While the mafia penguins try to fix the plane. Alex struggles to fit in with the pride, while Marty struggles to stand out from all the other zebras.

If you liked the first movie, you’ll absolutely love this one.

-Rachel Parker

Max Payne - Rated R
Grade ( C )

So I went into this movie having high hopes for it and was severely let down. Having played the video game I knew the premise, but to the common viewer that never played the game. They would have been incredibly lost for the first 45 minutes. Heck I was lost during a good deal of it.

The biggest disappoint me for me was the lack of real action. Not to mention minimal use of Bullet Time when it was such a defining feature of the video game. It wasn’t all bad, but I’d say wait for it to come out on dvd to rent and save your 10 bucks.

-Rachel Parker

Twilight - Rated PG -13
Grade ( B- )

The film version of the best selling novel “Twilight” came out this week, if you were wondering about the mile long lines of teen girls wrapping around every movie theater in the country.

The story seemed interesting enough, I thought it was ok. They stuck close to the book which will be appreciated by the fans. Something about sparkling vampires just didn’t sit right with me though. (Shouldn’t they be bursting into flames in the sun?) Oh and everyone deserves a fair warning about the excessive use of close ups. Dont sit close to the screen.

Most should leave this to the young adults and fans of the book. I don’t think many adults will have the same feelings about this film as the young crowd

-Rachel Parker

Seven Pounds - Rated PG -13
Grade ( A )

The new film Seven Pounds starring Will Smith and Rosario Dawson, a story about an man who’s out to change the life of seven strangers.

The movie was intriguing enough to hold my attention, even after halfway into the movie when you finally get sense of what he is actually doing. There’s still pieces of the puzzle missing that keep you interested.

This one’s definitely heavy and a tear jerker, but it’s that shouldn’t be missed, so be sure to bring your tissues when you go to see it.

-Rachel Parker

Yes Man - Rated PG -13
Grade ( B )

Yes Man is story about a man named Carl Allen who goes to a Yes! seminar, encouraging him to say Yes to everything instead of No. In doing so he finds that his life opens up to several new opportunities and pulls him out of his slump.

Yes Man is probably one of Jim Careys better recent movies, the aid of co star Zooey Deschanel doesn’t hurt either. It has its funny moments of both physical and subtle comedy, and yes it’s a good moral story. It’s worth going to see at least once.

-Rachel Parker

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Rated PG -13
Grade ( A )

Brad Pitt’s latest movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a tale of a man who grows younger as he ages.

This flick had a pretty strong story, not to mention one heck of a leading man. It’s difficult to not like Brad’s movies, he has made a few duds in the past, this however is not one of them.

It was amazing to watch a character age backwards, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it could ever actually happen.

There were however two points that drew the movie down. The mumbling of the old dying version of Daisy.. I think we all get that it was trying to be realistic, but it was hard to understand anything being said. And the way they ended the movie, through factual, seemed unfitting and almost inappropriate.

However those two points shouldn’t keep you from going. It’s no doubt a good one.

-Rachel Parker