Sid & Nancy (1986)

A testament to how one can appreciate a band’s music, but think the musicians are a bunch of morons. Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb manage to capture what I imagine to be the disgusting nature of the real life relationship this film is about. Could there be two more obnoxious, ignorant, and useless people on the planet? Come to think of it, I didn’t like any of the characters in this movie. It’s a shame punk music is made by a bunch of a-holes.

Rating: D-

Ender’s Game (2013)

I read this series when I was a kid, but forgot almost everything. Consequently, I was able to enjoy the movie on its own merits, rather than comparing it to the book. These children-in-charge movies are all the rage lately, what with the Harry Potter, Twilight, and Hunger Games franchises leading the way. Ender’s Game follows a similar path, however I think it will appeal to adults a bit more than the others.

The actor playing Ender did a great job. Perfect casting. I could do without Han Solo, but whatever. Some good scenes about how to deal with bullies and be a leader in difficult situations. The action sequences are mostly simulated, so this is something you could take the entire family to. I was engaged the whole film and enjoyed it.

Rating: C+

Greenberg (2010)

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't whatever transpired on screen. I've seen a lot of indie films like this—kind of pointless dramadies that don't really go anywhere, yet are mildly entertaining. Greenberg was one of the better examples in this category.

Rating: C

National Treasure (2004)

You know right away that the plot is going to be fast and loose with reality when they are searching for an old ship buried under the snow in the artic, and Nicolas Cage shovels a few times only to uncover the very spot where the ship's name appears on the stern. The rest of the movie is a series of incredible coincidences, perfect plans, and impossible luck.

 It's not unwatchable. In fact, they did a decent job with comedic relief and mixing historic facts and cleavor clues. However, the "love" story was beyond lame and completely unbelievable. 

Rating: C

Bully (2011)

This was a difficult but necessary documentary to watch. The footage they capture with the cameras rolling is unreal. Makes you wonder how bad it gets when they aren’t. Most of the school employees they showed were worthless, interested more in either looking the other way or shifting blame.

I was bullied a bit in grade school, and I’ve held a deep seeded hatred for bullies ever since. Hard to believe it’s taken 30 years since then for the topic to receive national attention. Is it that Americans are dumb and slow to react? Maybe. I’m open to alternative theories.

Rating: C+

Shoot ‘Em Up (2007)

A title that lives up to its name. Gratuitous violence in all of its forms. Death abounds as bodies fall like dominoes. Plot is a mere afterthought. Plausibility an ugly step child you refuse to look in the eye. What matters here are bullets, and the speed at which they can be delivered to the assorted parts of our bodies. Carrots play a major role as well, but I'll let you discover that for yourself. Admit it. We all have night's when all we're in the mood for is a high body count and non stop action.

Rating: C+

Big Miracle (2012)

A feel-good eco-friendly whale-hugging family film based on a true story. An amicable John Krasinski helped to keep things more entertaining than they should have been.

Rating: C

Capturing The Friedmans (2003)

Interesting documentary that was well received at Sundance. Enjoyed.

Rating: C+

Need For Speed (2014)

Cliché on top of cliché on top of cliché. Characters that are impossible to root for since at any moment they might thoughtlessly massacre a crowd of pedestrian children. The ramshackle plot existed solely to sell Ford Mustangs. For a movie that takes place in the real world, the entire series of events was completely science fiction with a dash of fairy dust. I’m willing to suspend belief a little for the sake of fast cars and slick sound effects, but nobody said anything about undergoing a brain-lectomy.

Rating: D-

The Boondock Saints II: All Saint Day (2009)

Having just viewed the first film, I was fully up to speed on who everyone was and where the story left off. I'd recommend a second viewing to anyone interested in checking All Saints Day out.

Thankfully, all the things that made the original fun were back, plus a few more. I also appreciated the efforts made to recast the same actors. It makes a difference. The story was surprisingly solid. Pacing was good. It's not a perfect film by any means, but certainly better than the first and a fun rental.

Rating: B-

Monsters Inc. (2001)

Lots of fun, witty, and very creative. Pixar in its prime.

Rated: B+

The Longest Yard (2005)

The original was ok, but I enjoyed this remake more. They chose to focus more on the comedy, rather than  trying to make a hardcore prison movie. Sandler and supporting cast do a decent job.

Rating: C

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+

The Garden (2008)

One of those documentaries that starts off about one thing, and then the story takes on a life of its own and spreads to a host of other issues. The Garden is about the largest community garden in the US, located in South Central Los Angeles. It’s about the fight of those working the land to prevent the government from selling it out from under them. It’s about political corruption (I’m talking about you Jan Perry, you corrupt blowhard). It’s about farming, green space, minority rights, activism, and a host of other things. Full of interesting and educational lessons. Loved it. A must see.

Rating: B

The Giant Mechanical Man (2012)

A bland romantic comedy that felt like it was trying too hard to be indie. It was neither hip nor cool. Mostly slow, boring, and uneventful. Too many overly coincidental encounters. I couldn’t get past that.

Rating: D

The Boondock Saints (1999)

I had to watch this one again before seeing the sequel, since I had completely forgotten what happened. It was better than I remember. Maybe I appreciated that bizarre humor a little more, or the flashback sequences that follow a grisly crime scene. At any rate, it made watching the follow-up more enjoyable.

Rating: C+

School For Scoundrels (2006)

Billy Bob taking a very small step up from his Bad Santa character. The few laughs come from talented minor roles, like Sarah Silverman, Ben Stiller, and David Cross. The films writer needs to go back to school.

Rating: C-

Elysium (2013)

Really enjoyed the first half. A lot of creative ideas in this dystopian vision of the future. All special effects and manufactured environments were on point. Excellent camera and sound work. The second half relied more on Hollywood clichés, following a familiar path to a semi-sweet ending.

Rating: C+

I, Robot (2004)

I, Robot was part Matrix, part Men in Black, and part A.I. Alex Proyas, who directed the cult classic The Crow, did a decent job with the material he was given. Better than I thought it was going to be.

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