Semi-Pro (2008)

Better than I thought it would be. The film draws from a deep bench of supporting comedians to deliver the laughs. My favorite is the un-jealous husband, played by Rob Corddry. Will Arnett and Andy Daly as the sports commentators were excellent too. Farrell is consistently funny. 

Rating: C

Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Somewhat intriguing to see what tricks Robert Rodriguez came up with technologically, but the rest of the film left a lot to be desired. Mildly entertaining.

Rating: C

All The King’s Men (2006)

Sean Penn returns as the mighty orator, delivering Oscar inspired speeches from stone steps. Nobody can deny he's a fantastic actor, as is the rest of the all-star cast. But isn't anyone else growing tired of seeing Penn in grandiose dramatic roles? The movie is dark, slow moving, and a bit dry.

Rating: C-

London Has Fallen (2016)

As preposterous as the previous “Has Fallen” movies. Rather than hide out in some random London resident’s flat where it would be impossible to be found, they wander around out in the open miraculously avoiding getting shot.

And seriously, the entire London security force and police department has been infiltrated by hundreds of terrorists? So many plot holes I lost count. This movie will make you hate America.

Rating: F

Robocop (2014)

A fairly entertaining remake, which I have vague memories of seeing it as a kid. Nice job casting the guy from The Killing in a lead role.

Rating: C

Shutter Island (2010)

The film is finely crafted by Martin. Acting is excellent. Story? Eh. I was certainly on edge and intrigued. I liked the ending. But overall, I wouldn't say it's a very satisfying film.

Rating: C

Breaking Away (1979)

Fun to see Dennis Quaid, Jackie Earle Haley, and others at the beginning of their careers. The film does a nice job of displaying a piece of Americana, as well as a difficult period in an adolescent’s life. Better than most movies I’ve seen from that time period.

Rating: C+

Lincoln (2012)

Filled with old timey political debate and closed door meetings. Chalk full of ridiculous hairstyles, walking canes, hearth fires, longwinded speeches, and the corpse of Tommy Lee Jones. (Someone needs to inform him he died 7 years ago and it’s safe to walk into the light.) If those are things you enjoy seeing on screen, this is a must see for you.

The film features an endless slate of A and B list actors. It may be simpler to list the actors not starring in Lincoln. The production value is very high, however it felt more like a stage production. I was particularly annoyed by Sally Field’s overly dramatic portrayal of Lincoln’s wife. Lifetime movie obnoxious. The movie is somewhat entertaining, but comes off more as a heavy handed history lesson.

Rating: C

Watchmen (2009)

I wasn't sure what kind of movie to expect going in, and now, having seen it, I'm not quite sure what kind of movie I saw. I thought of "Sin City", but in full color, including the requisite Bloody Red. However, Watchmen aspires to be much more than Sin City. It's a thinking man's movie in addition to being a "bones popping out of skin" man's movie. There are plenty of shout-outs to Snyder's previous film "300" as well.

I liked the back and forth storytelling style we've grown accustomed to from shows such as LOST. There's a lot happening onscreen, but I never felt confused. Zack Snyder's signature touch is transfused in the celluloid. Characters are rich and obscene. Long dramatic stretches will abruptly be interrupted with extreme bouts of violence. The kind of brutality that is so over-the-top that it makes you giggle with immoral delight.

Visually, it's a great film, but conceptually, the story is not as compelling as it would like to be.

Rating: B