Angels and Demons

Angels and Demons
Directed by: Ron Howard
Rated: PG-13
Genres: Thriller, Adaptation

So, my first movie to see in theaters since I've been back in the States. I opted to go ahead and see this one before it went out of the theaters. I'd rather not wait to see it on DVD because I never end up watching movies once they're on DVD (or so it seems). Anyways, back to the movie review.

Well, I wasn't exactly the biggest fan of The Da Vinci Code. I didn't exactly have high hopes for this movie, but I decided to give it shot based on the book reviews. Angels and Demons is supposedly the better book of the two, so I was pretty excited. Well, it did live up to being better than The Da Vinci Code as a movie--but that's not saying a lot. It was full of utterly ridiculous, time-ticking-away moments that make it hard to focus on anything but how implausible it seems. I guess it's their way of "keeping you on your feet." I was entertained, and I'm used to the unrealistic factor of movies... because they're movies.

I guess some people like this movie because it has just enough truth laced in with its fiction. I know movies like this, or National Treasure, keep you interested because in the back of your mind you wonder if some of it might, possibly, just maybe--real. Angels and Demons keeps your attention---partly because you're wondering where the sense of the title comes into play. I still think they foreign title of Illuminati makes more sense. Anyways, the movie is pretty easy to follow, less sacreligious than its movie predecessor, and pretty clean (in the sexuality/language sense).

I give the movie a B-.

Intermission

Since I don't get to go to the movies much (or at all thus far) while I am in Germany, I will be taking another 2 month hiatus from movie reviews. I will pick up in June when I go to the movies ASAP!

The Unborn

The Unborn
Directed by: David S. Goyer
Rated: PG-13
Genres: Fantasy, Horror

This has got to be one of the worst movies I have ever "scene". I can't believe this was a movie... and that Gary Oldman acted in it! I think that's what had me fooled. I love a scary movie. I expect them to be cheesy scary, hence why I can watch them. This one... well, this one isn't even cheesy scary. I felt as though I lost a few IQ points once it was finished. I wish I hadn't wasted my money to watch this. At least I did get a good laugh out of it by the end? The story doesn't make sense whatsoever. The main girl, Casey, is being haunted by her unborn twin brother. You gather that much from the previews. What does that end up having to do with all the crazy stuff going on around her? Not much of anything. This movie should be listed under the comedy drama. Or is there a crappy movie genre? Just don't watch it.

I give this movie a D.

Marley and Me

Marley and Me
Directed by: David Frankel
Rated: PG
Genres: Comedy, Drama

Cute movie. Predictable movie. Sometimes we all need one of those. I'm not much for bittersweet movies, and I knew going into this what was going to happen. Either way, it had been number 1 at the box office, so I had to check it out (of course, right?). I laughed at lot, as Owen Wilson is a pretty funny character. I got very angry because his and Jennifer Aniston's characters canNOT discipline a dog whatsoever. That made it a bit harder to watch. I'll admit that I'm not dog trainer, but when people let their dogs run all over other people, I have a problem. Marley does that THE WHOLE TIME.

Anyways, if you're like the rest of America and want a sweet movie that makes you cry at the end, check out Marley and Me.

I give this movie a C+.

Valkyrie

Valkyrie
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Rated: PG-13
Genres: Action, War

Well, well, Tom Cruise can mess up movies with the best of them! I've been very intrigued by WWII films over the past couple of months, especially once I found out I'll be living in Germany for a few months. I've been wanting to see a film from the German prospect.. or something like it. I guess it's difficult for Americans to do an up to par job on that as we have somewhat of a biased opinion (and rightly so).

This movie was pretty good in my opinion. I was a bit annoyed at the lack of any accents. I mean, since we're not speaking in German (not complaining about that at all), why not at least sound like you can speak it properly? The story line, however, was one that I was really interested in--one of the many plots to kill Hitler from WITHIN the German army. We all know from history that they won't be succeeding in this movie, so they'll be no surprise ending. I'm no history buff, but, minus Tom Cruise, this movie wasn't half bad!

I give this movie a B.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Directed by: David Fincher
Rated: PG-13
Genres: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi

Weird movie. Very weird. I like weird, though. As you can tell from the previews, Brad Pitt plays a guy who ages backwards. Okay, that's interesting. What gets me is the fact that the people around him who notice it, accept it without question. Hello!!! Why is no one else concerned that this guy is completely backwards? Ah. Oh well.

The movie is pretty decent. You know the critics loved it because it was weird (and has some very immoral story lines going). I liked it okay. It was a refreshing idea. It was entertaining. I laughed. Cate Blanchett looked beautiful. Some great cinematography. Check it out.

I give this movie a B+.

Seven Pounds

Seven Pounds
Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
Rated: PG-13
Genres: Drama, Romance

If you enjoy sad movies, then you've gotta check out Seven Pounds. I usually enjoy all of Will Smith's movies, but the last few have been quite out of his normal acting roles. He's great at all the roles, but with movies like I Am Legend and The Pursuit of Happyness, I'm seeing a side of Will Smith that's far beyond Fresh Prince.

Seven Pounds had an interesting story line. It was quite original. I enjoyed seeing the foreshadowing occurring during the movie. It was hard for me to predict much of this movie until the very end. Once I figured it out, I was hoping I was wrong. This movie would have been so much better with a happy ending. When you finish the movie, you'll probably walk away going--wait, was that a good movie? Because, if it was, I feel pretty sad right now. I didn't have closure. A very bittersweet ending. Will Smith went a little out there when he chose this role. I won't suggest seeing this on a rough day.

I give this movie a C+.