Silver City (2004)

What a waste of good talent. The movie is very slow to arrive at nowhere in particular. I've enjoyed John Sayles movies before, but this one is a stinker.

Rating: D-

Jarhead (2005)

If I wasn't interested in joining the armed forces before, I certainly am not interested now. Sadly, I believe this film gives a fairly accurate portrayal of the crappy life a soldier endures. It's like a frat house with high powered weapons. No thanks Uncle Sam. 

Rating: C

The Muppets (2011)

I didn’t realize until 5 minutes in when Jason Segel broke out in song that this was a musical. From there it only took me 5 nanoseconds to hit the FF button. Show tunes make me physically ill. Redemption could have been had if the film was actually funny, but that would only be the case if your age or IQ are under 12.

Rating: F

Adaptation. (2002)

Charlie Kauffman is the genius behind Being John Malkovich and this film follows his odd genre of twisting reality with fiction. So nice to see Nic Cage in a non dumbass role for a change. Mix that with a great supporting cast and Spike Jonze behind the camera, and you have a must see movie.

Rating: B+

Where The Wild Things Are (2009)

My expectations were very high considering the collaborators on this project. Turns out the Wild Things costumes were the best thing about the film. It's pretty amazing what Spike was able to do with them. The story, however, left me bored and disinterested.

The interactions between characters was childlike—which didn't appeal to me as an adult. Ironically, this movie would bore actual children to tears; when it wasn't scaring the crap out of them. Essentially, this means the movie has no audience.

Rating: D-

Syrianna (2005)

An intense look into the ruthless world of oil. Although the story and characters can be a bit confusing at times, the film is very well made. Reminded me a lot of Traffic in style. Clooney is at the top of his game.

Rating: B-

The Bourne Identity (2002)

Bourne Identity moves fast, keeping the action right in your face. Exactly what you want in an action movie. Acting and plot were solid too. The fight scenes were not only violent by PG-13 standards, but original.Doug Liman did a great job setting up this spy series.

Another plus for me was the return of "Lola" from Run Lola Run, the
German indie film sensation, to the screen. I was pleasantly surprised at how good her English was too. Fantastic? no. A really good action movie? Yes.

Rating: B

Breach (2007)

This was one of those real life spy stories that Hollywood has to jazz up for it to be even a little exciting. When they write-in a shooting range scene just to get in some gun play, you know the actual story was mainly by the books, literally. Journal entries, emails, memos, text messages, and documents. Not the stuff action movies are made of.

With that said, it's still an interesting film based on true events with solid performances all around.

Rating: C

New York, I Love You (2008)

More cohesive than expected with so many different writers, directors, and actors involved. Some stories are much better than others. I felt a little embarrassed when I learned that one of the shorts I liked best was the one from Brett Ratner. What can I say? I’m a sucker for hot crippled chicks.

Rating: C

The Company Men (2010)

Having been laid off twice in the last two years, this film really resonated with me. I thought it was well told, for the most part. Great cast too. It could have been better if one of the 3 main characters had made less than $160K when they were let go. Perhaps a bit more relatable to the average movie watcher.

Rating: C+

The Town (2010)

It's a dramatic heist film with above average acting. I'm surprised this is being considered for awards.

Rating: C+