Review: despicable me

Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

Release date: 5 August 2010

Genre: Animation , comedy

Casting: (voices) Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand

Memorable quote:
Gru: We are going to pull of the TRUE crime of the century... we are going to steal the MOON!
and
Edith: Are these beds made from bombs?
Gru: Yes, but they are very old and are not likely to explode. But don't toss and turn.

Yes?
Usually I’m not a big fan of animation movies, but once in a while you have one thats just better than the others, original, fresh, funny and in our case beautifully weird. The idea and the script were great. The super evil bad guy, who becomes kind of a loving father figure, is great. But the best thing of all this were the characters, Gru, the kids and the yellow minions. Gru reminded me of an eviler version of Dr evil, but in a funny way. Steven carrel who gave his voice for this was just amazing; he gave Gru this evil and scary but still adorable character. The orphans where evil but in a childish way, not on purpose and oops! Loved it. Now the best were the minions, you can’t understand them, but every time you see them they just make you laugh.

No?
I didn't like the character of Victor, the real evil guy; he wasn’t really evil he just tried to be. He was just a kid in a yellow jumpsuit, not to convincing. But I loved his guns and weapons they had a lot of cool imagination.

Well
The movie made me laugh and that’s the most important thing here. The beautiful thing in such an animation is that’s it’s suitable for kids and for adults, everyone gets something to do. Definitely watch this at home when it comes on DVD or something else, just relax and enjoy. Because of all the above I grade this one…

Grade: 7,5

mammoth

Review: the other guys

Director: Adam McKay

Release date: 6 August 2010

Genre: Action, Comedy

Casting: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson and Eva Mendes

Memorable quote:
Terry Hoitz: The sound of your piss hitting the urinal, it sounds feminine. If we were in the wild, I would attack you. Even if you weren't in my food chain, I would go out of my way to attack you. If I were a lion and you were a tuna, I would swim out in the middle of the ocean and freaking eat you!

What?
In every police station you got them, the awesome-strong-macho-all knowing detectives, and then you have the other guys who represent the opposite! Well this story talks about the other guys, obviously! Following a stupid lead they stumble in one of the biggest cases of fraud in the history of men. Of course considering they are the other guys they don't get all the back up they would and should want, will they crack the case?

Yes?
Will Ferrell is the sort comedian that I like a lot. He fitted this character perfectly, the weak, feminine, paper – pushing-cop with a crazy pimp history. His outbursts of rage during the movie were hilarious, in short I love this guy, he made a lot of lazy comedies but at the end they always crack me up, even if the script sucked.

I think Wahlberg was the perfect opposite of Ferrell; his role was funny and refreshing. The script was quite good, couple of ups and downs but overall good.

No?
Not too much of negative stuff. I think the whole swindle was a bit far fetched, a business guy, who loses money that belongs to another guy who steals from another guy, bla bla bla. Make it short it’s a freaking comedy; bad guy who wants to become rich is enough most of the time.

Well
I liked the movie, fun and I even laughed a couple of times, not perfect but that’s enough for an action comedy. The comedy was good, the action not always, but good enough. I liked all the Prius action, cracked me up! Because of all the above I grade this one…

Grade: 7,5

mammoth

Forgotten Hero: Independence Day

Director: Roland Emmerich

Release date: 9 august 1996

Genre: action, adventure and science fiction( alien style)

Casting: Will Smith, Bill Pullman , Jeff Goldblum

Memorable quote:

Albert Nimzicki: I'm not Jewish.
Julius Levinson: Well, nobody's perfect.

And

Russel Casse: All right, you alien assholes! In the words of my generation: Up Yours!

What? The question, if we are alone in the universe got answered! The problem is ET got a gun, and lots of them. They don't like us and they don't want us here. But we will not go down without a fight!

Yes? The year is 1996, I am 11 years old, my cousin decided we should go watch a movie, and he chooses the one with the scary aliens. I don't need to mention that I was awake that night fighting my imagination, but what is for sure this movie has raised the level of alien movies to a whole new level. The special effects were beautiful for this time. Action scenes where amazing. The story keeps you guessing till the end. The cast was perfectly assembled. And the gentle comedy makes you even laugh in the eyes of annihilation of the human race. I loved this film, I saw him at the movies, bought the VHS and later the DVD, that's how you should make an alien action movie.

No? Actually it’s quite difficult to find anything bad to say about this great movie, but since it’s not perfect we have some small things. The movie was quite long, not that I dislike long movies, but the moments that make the movie longer should be filled with needed material, for example, the presidents wife or the secretary of defense their roles where not needed. Another point, needed to add wasn't this movies fault but the circumstances around it, during this time great and awesome action movies came out like the rock( by the way another forgotten hero I might add) which made this action a bit less. But even so I think that's all.

Well? I can say that I love this movie. The story and actors made it became a hero, which again is important not to forget this one. Another interesting fact: this movie made an astonishing 800 million$ in gross income and stood at the top till Titanic swept the title away. Hero is a well deserved title for this one. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: 8.5

Review: life as we know it

Director: Greg Berlanti

Release Date: 8 October 2010

Genre : comedy, drama

Casting: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, Josh Lucas

Memorable quote: Josh Duhamel: Are you happy to get rid of your life? because your old life sucked?

What it’s all about: A tragedy evolves into a love story. A couple dies in a car accident and a small baby is left behind. That's the tragic part, the funny part. The baby girl and their house are inherited by their best 2 friends. The sad fact is that those two individuals can't stand each other. Each one is living his life, habits and dreams, till they are pushed into this delicate situation.

Why yes? The first part of the movie is funny, and then it becomes really sad. Especially for parents, I need to say that I really felt something there. Then the movie becomes again funny and even hilarious during a couple of scenes. Then it continues and everything happens as we believe it will. We are not the same, we try, we try a bit harder we have a small fight, we hate each other and then we can't live without each other and bam you have a romantic movie.

Why not? The story is the same but in a different package. You get two adults who have nothing in common, find a reason to fall in love, to get married children, bla, bla. Etc. I think its lame that we cannot come up with better ideas.
Katherine Heigl plays always the same role, neat, business woman and single, get something new. Josh Duhamel was quite good for the part, none of them really excelled here.

Well...

Really nothing special here, lame romantic chick/ housewife movie, which isn't worth watching at the movies. Chicks don’t do this to your men, take another chick and cry together on a nice, big bowl of Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream bowl. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: (6 out of 10)

Mammoth

Forgotten Heroes : the 51st state

What is a forgotten hero?

As the name says it, it’s a hero that’s forgotten. He sits their full of dust on the shelve next to other heroes that don’t get their well deserved attention nowadays. As movie lovers we aren’t allowed to forget from where we came, it’s a statement of honour and respect towards big figures in the past. I know this sounds cheesy, but what do you want, it is as it is. I’ll try to post a forgotten hero now and then, but remember even a forgotten hero is still a hero!! (super cheesy, but who cares)

Director: Ronny Yu

Release Date: 18 October 2002

Genre : Action, comedy and a twist of crime

Casting: Samuel L. Jackson, Emily Mortimer, Meat Loaf, Robert Carlyle

Memorable quote:

Elmo: [explaining his new drug to Durant] MDMA utilizes Serotonin. Opiates, like heroin, utilize dopamine. Sort of like the same sensation you get after sex. Amphetamines increase adrenaline. And cocaine gets those synapses in the brains firing really fast. My product is 51 times stronger than cocaine, 51 times more hallucinogenic than acid, and 51 times more explosive than ecstasy. It's like getting a personal visit... from God!

Elmo: You're gonna kiss the sun and taste the motherfuckin' rainbow.

What it’s all about:

A Yankee master chemist comes up with a new super drug, that everybody wants. He decides to become a freelancer and to sell the drug to the highest bidder overseas. This is the start of a crazy journey of sightseeing through the low and mindless culture of England, which of course includes, football, hooligans , fish and chips.

Why yes?

The script is crazy as hell. We find everything from Nazis to golf clubs, everyone get’s something. The cast isn’t the most talented bunch of people, excluding of course our dear friend Mr Jackson. A black guy in an unexplained kilt, that’s just something you want to see. We didn’t have here huge special effects or huge explosions, but enough to satisfy the action junky in all of us. The comedy comes to life in a couple of scenes which give a little extra. The real amazing thing in this movie, is the mess. Action, comedy and crime together just make this fun to watch. If you are into those movies, this one will give you the little fun that you want. Of course the cherry on top of this whole fish and chips strawberry ice cream is the beautiful British accent.

Why not?

I’ll say it like this. The movie got bad critics when first revealed. Not everybody can watch this so called mess, and still enjoy it. I on the other hand loved it. A couple of surrealistic scenes, with an ending that wouldn’t satisfy everybody, with unanswered questions and guesses. That’s what I’m going to say about the negative sides.

Well...

Who likes fast food, well not everyone. I love fast food, but still it needs to be in the right amount. Too much isn’t good either. This movie is fast food, it’s a huge mess, fries, hamburger-sauce, a coke and ketchup. Mix those up and you’ll get a nice presentable mess, 51^st state. Because of all the above I grade this...

Grade: 7,5 on 10

Mammoth

Review : RED

Director: Robert Schwentke

Release Date: 14 October 2010

Genre : action-comedy

Casting: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker, Karl Urban

Memorable quote:

Marvin Boggs: Why are you trying to kill me?
Frank Moses: Look, why would I be trying to kill you?
Marvin Boggs: Because last time we met, I tried to kill you.
Frank Moses: That was a long time ago.
Marvin Boggs: Some people hold on to things like that.

What it’s all about: When a retired super black ops CIA agent with no life is wanted in a body bag, he recruits his old also retired cool freaky CIA friends to show the kids how it's done old school style. I know not very complicated but that resumes it in a few words. Oh, the super agent drags a pathetic woman with him in this nice mess. The old and restless are back!!

Why yes? The cast made me curious, without this special blend of old and talented I wouldn't pay a ticket at the movies for this. The action scenes were nice, the director invested in some big boom booms, and effects. Fight scenes were good and refreshing here and there you would even say : that's nice, but don't expect too much of this one. Willis and Urban have a nice old school fight scene with some nice punches. The cast, pure old school professionals, you can count on them to deliver their part, but of course if the script isn't the best thing even the best actors, which we had here can’t make the movie something special. All this with the big exception of our good and crazy friend John malkovich, this guy was just in the right time in the right place in this movie, he definitely saved this one, he is hilarious as he is fun to watch. Every scene where he was present, he puts a smile on your face.

Why not? It’s obvious that the script isn’t genius. When you make an action comedy it’s not even necessary. You don't need a good script to make it work, you need a couple of good jokes and some pretty faces and big guns. Of course this is quite an easy way to make a movie, but what do you want sometimes those make the big bucks at the end of the month. This one wasn't made in order to reinvent something just to fill the seats at the movies, which is exactly what it did, but in a cheap way. Another thing that starts bothering me, doesn't Hollywood has fresh actors to make new movies? Lately we get old and retired people who want to feel young again, I'm not sure the movie theatre is the stage for comebacks and high school reunions. But who cares I guess we don't have to wait too long till those movies will rest in peace . Morgan freeman, what can I say, I like him and I like him a lot, but here he was just in the background, I think you could used him much more.

Well...

The script was boring and cheap, the cast was expensive and exiting, I think this movie lacks originality and depth. I wouldn't watch it at the movies but wait till it comes home. Because of all this I grade this one, based a lot on respect for the cast...

Grade: (6,5 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : The Town

Director: Ben Affleck

Release Date: 4^th of October 2010

Genre : Action and drama?

Casting: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner

Memorable quote:

Doug MacRay: [narrating] Driver's name is Arthur Shea. Former Metro Police officer, fifty-seven years old. Soon as his partner leaves with the coal bag, Artie cracks a Herald, and he don't look up 'til the guy gets back. Marty Maguire. Cummins Armored courier. Five-ten, two-twenty, fifty-two years old. Picks up every Wednesday and Friday at exactly 8:12, makes a hundred and ten dollars a day, carries a Sig nine. And he's about to get robbed.

What it’s all about: In the quite city called Charlestown it is said that bank robbers feel at home. The city holds the title ,” most bank robberies per capita” ( I think that's bullshit, but who knows). A local crew pulls of a job, but when things go south they take a woman hostage. After the job is done its decided not to " take care" of her since she didn't see anything that could incriminate the crew. During her surveillance things get delicate between the crew leader and the hostage, not knowing he is the criminal that threatened her life in the past!

Why yes? I like action movies, and I love good action movies. In this one we had all the ingredients for a good one, Details, good script, suspense and great rhythm. You have two sorts of action movies. One were you have one huge action scene during the whole movie, and others have some peeks with adrenaline crushing scenes. This one without a doubt has the peeks. But don't understand me wrong , between the peeks, the movie goes on with a great story and great flow. Not everybody loves Affleck, but here he proved to everyone that he can act and direct at the same time. Jeremy Renner as the badass- bad-boy as usual was really great, liked his character and especially his ending. Hall and Hamm are main characters that actually fall in the background , not too much of them. The florist was great ,loved him, he had this Irish old school mob face, perfect for his character. The last thing and one of the most important things, the costumes were great, so original and perfect, prepare yourself for some Halloween options.

Why not? When you will see this movie you will probably understand this better, but even so, you find a lot of loose ends in the movie that could have been used to make it even better. For example, the other police agent who hates the robbers, the tattoo on the back of the neck, his father, all of those could give the film another edge. Not too much negativity here, since I liked it pretty much. You find a couple of scenes that are maybe not necessary, you could cut them out in the editing.

Well...

Great action film, great directing and acting by Affleck. The not screwing around crew was awesome, everyone had his place and was perfect in it. I liked the professionalism in the criminal acts, loved the accent and personality given to the different actors. Watch it, not necessarily in the movies, but you could, wouldn't be a waste. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: (8 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : Going to Distance

Director: Nanette Burstein

Release Date: 3 September 2010

Genre : romantic comedy

Casting: Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Christina Applegate

What it’s all about:

Sometimes life brings two people together that are so f*cked up that is just works for them. They are perfect for each other , the only problem is they live on different coasts and in different states, solution, long distance relationship?

Why yes?

The story was refreshing, ok still you have the fell- in- love- kinda -thingy but this time with some weird birds that give this one a funky fun feeling. I have to admit there are a couple of scenes where I literally couldn't breathe because they were so funny, which give a huge push for this medium movie. The actors are good especially long, Drew on the other hand I just don't like. The cast, which includes the weird friends, the sister ( Christina Applegate) and her husband add another level to the movie, they are funny as they are necessary to give this movie the important extra so this movie won’t suck too much.

Why not?

Personally I don't stand Drew Barrymore, a lot of people do like her but since I saw her years ago in Charlie’s angels, I just don't like to see her in movies.
So that's one reason, then ( and its important to say that I was tired during this movie, even so, I never fall asleep in the movies) you had a couple of moments where I felt my eyes closing, which means that there were some dry and boring moments in the movie. I think that a movie needs to hold you until the credits come on screen if it doesn't the movie has flaws, so this one had some serious ones.

Well...

Good for home, not good enough for the movies, guys you can watch this you’ll have a good enough time so you won’t need to kill yourself. Girls , this movie is made for you so you will probably enjoy it. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: (6 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : grownups

Director: Dennis Dugan

Release Date: 25 June 2010

Genre : Comedy

Casting: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi

memorbale quote:

Bean Lamonsoff: Mommy, I want some milk.

Sally Lamonsoff: Come here. I'll give you a little something.
[starts breastfeeding Bean]
Roxanne Chase-Feder: Your son is so cute. How old is he?
Eric Lamonsoff: 48 months.
Kurt McKenzie: [pause] That's 4.
Eric Lamonsoff: [pause] Yeah.

What it’s all about:

5 aged men in their midlife’s hear about the death of their school basketball coach which unites them together for and unforgettable weekend. Every single one of them has some issues, serious issues!!!

Why yes?

You would believe that this talented crew of comedians would deliver some amazing comedy, which isn’t totally true. Above I wrote that this is a comedy, a family comedy is more like it, it’s not in the same category as for example American pie, which is a teen comedy, but whatever, was it good and funny ? Yes it was. Was it hilarious? No, not really, and this is what I actually expected. But now some facts. The actors are good, the story is ok and the jokes are medium, all in all this makes this movie, medium well. You get some jokes where you can see that Adam Sandler was one of the writers, I love this guy ( not in a gay way, I just think he’s hilarious) , and that’s definitely a positive point, beyond that nothing too special to say about this. Like always even though he had only a small part, Steve Buscemi I just think this guy is amazing, he cracks me up in every scene.

Why not?

Again, as I said before it depends what you want to see, teen comedy ,definitely not, nice popcorn- evening-home movie, yeah of course. The story was a bit lame for my taste, but you needed something to get those weird guys all in one place. The jokes except from a couple were medium, and that’s it I think, you have nothing that makes this movie unique in any way, and that in my opinion is very bad.

Well...

All in all, fun to watch with friends at home, definitely not for the movies, or with a girlfriend. I just didn’t feel that this was something that jumps out from all the other lame comedies that exist already. Because of all that I grade this one...

Grade: (5 out of 10)

Sorry Adam Sandler...

Mammoth

Review : Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan

Release Date: 22 July 2010

Genre : Action, mystery, science fiction, thriller, drama...

Casting: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy

What it’s all about:

This part is actually the most difficult of all, but I’ll try to say as much as possible without giving anything away. So we have Cobb who is a master thief. The weird thing is he doesn’t steals money, jewellery or expensive paintings, he steals something much valuable. He steals secrets, kept by adversaries, opponents and enemies, he steals them when the victim is as his most vulnerable point, his sleep. The problem that Cobb faces is, this time he is hired to plant an idea in his victims head and not extract one. He agrees to do so in order to erase his own nightmares created by his own profession, will he succeed the impossible?

Why yes?

“You ever have that feeling where you're not sure if you're awake or still dreaming?”(the matrix). I think this sentence can explain the essence of this movie. It’s exactly what’s going on true the whole time, and I loved it. You don’t feel that you are in a movie, you just follow the story as if you were part of it, so curious for the next thing to happen, no moment to lose focus, simply a masterpiece. This movie gives you everything that you want in a perfect movie, the questions, the beautiful answers, spectacular special effects, action scenes, I can continue this list, and still this movie has it all and lots of it. The way the movie was build, the rules, the story and the ideas are just overwhelming. I expected a lot from it and I got even more. The actors were top of the art and you couldn’t miss nobody, they worked together as a well built machine. This is the kind of movies that make you rethink and rethink again the theories in the movie, with friends and look it up in forums, so eager to fully understand the beauty of the maze and still to come out guessing what actually happened there.

Why not?

I actually don’t have anything to say here, but I will say this. If you don’t like deep movies with theories, ideas and uncertainty, don’t watch this one, since this one is going to mess with your mind till you are going to jump in front of a car just to make yourself stop rethinking the whole thing. ( Maybe not so much, but you get the point) The beauty in this movie is exactly what you as a simple movie loving person, despise.

Well...

Let’s see this one was amazing, will probably watch it again and I will probably add it to one of my lists, the good lists, with the perfect movies. If you didn’t watch it yet, go shoot yourself, you are not worthy to carry on with your life, of course if you are going to watch it now based on this, the jury will put the execution on standby. Watch this one, preferably in the movies, just to enjoy it as much as possible. Oh and go peeing before the movie, since it’s long and you don’t want to miss anything. Because of all the above I grade this masterpiece...

Grade: (9,75 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : Robin hood

Director: Ridley Scott

Release Date: 13 May 2010

Genre : Action, adventure & Drama

Casting: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong

Memorable quote:

Prince John: [sarcastically] Would every man have a castle?
Robin Longstride: In England, every man's home *is* his castle.

What it’s all about:

Robin Longstride is an archer in the army of King Richard the Lion hearth. After the unexpected death of the king in the last battle of the Crusades, Robin Deserts the army accompanied by his fellow comrades, to start his own life after the war. During his journey home, he comes across a fallen soldier, who before his death makes robin take an oath to return his sword to his rightful owner , his father in Nottingham.

Why yes?

It’s not men in tights, I think that's a good start. I'm a big fan of the Kevin Costner version so I wasn't sure if a new version was necessary, what could it add to the almost perfect movie? The answer is simple, Ridley Scott is a awesome, Russell crow is awesome, so that's what we need to know. In fact I liked the story very much, it was refreshing to see history in another light. I liked the action scenes although a bit limited in number and intensity, or just longer, besides that great. Loved the beautiful landscapes If they are England at all , and his brothers in arms, were really awesome, sometimes even better than Robin itself.

Why not?

I don't know if you heard about it but there is another movie with Russel Crowe that received an Oscar many years ago, ah yes it’s called gladiator. I know there were many different things, but there were hell of a lot similarities, I just felt, same guy different war and cause. There was also a lot of time wasting which is a bummer since he could invest the wasted time in longer battles. The most important thing that was missing, was all the “take from the rich give to the poor” idea, I guess this part is for the sequel.

Well...

The actors rocked , ok not the evil guy but besides him. the story was good and refreshing, but a bit more action was needed on my part. I would watch it if you didn't have yet, it’s not more in the movies but rent it when it comes to DVD. Because of all that I grade this...

Grade: (7 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : the expendables

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Release Date: 12 August 2010

Genre : Action, Action and Action

Casting: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Mickey Rourke, Terry Crews

memorable quote:

Barney Ross: What the hell's he doing?
Lee Christmas: Hanging a pirate.
Barney Ross: Don't be ridiculous. Gunnar! What are you doing?
Gunnar Jensen: Hanging a pirate.
Toll Road: That's seriously demented.

What it’s all about:

A bunch of ruthless mercenaries equipped with the newest weapons, backed up by brutal talent in martial arts, get on a mission to eliminate the general of a small army that led a coup d’état in order to make money in the drug business. The mission is pure suicide , will they come out of it with bags or in bags?

Why yes?

When you make a shake and you put a your favourite stuff in it, most of the times you get a decent shake. You take a decent script, put most of the action heroes on the planet in it and start shaking, you get some good “old school” milkshake, with, blood cloths, bullets, knives and guns. The whole movie, except for maybe 10 minutes was pure action, and not so stupid ass aerobic classes, we saw knuckles, fists and amazing explosions. I must admit I didn’t know what to expect, but this was more than expected. We had three or four major action scenes where you just get everything that is needed to make action scenes. Well placed brutality, beautiful stunts and well executed use of force. None of the above listed actors is perfect in any way, but as action heroes, they do just fine. I just spoke about the action cause this is what you get.

Why not?

Difficult to say, maybe the script wasn’t so good. We could say that Stallone filmed the action scenes and then wrote a story behind it in order to make a movie out of it. We get some touchy scenes , maybe to give the movie some moments of peace, I believe that you could minimize those, or even cut them out. Eric Roberts should start to find other roles and not always be the villain, you would believe that he and a couple of other older dudes are the only ones who can be evil.

Well...

What can I say I love those hardcore action movies, with gallons of blood and C4. Of course the script wasn't Shakespeare but in a movie like this we don’t need such a script. Stallone delivered a nice and exiting film, so yes we will extend his pass to be an action hero for at least one more movie. I would recommend to watch this at the movies considering all the action and explosions are nicer on a big screen, so enjoy. Last thing, I loved it that even Arnold got his minute of fame, considering this movie is a tribute to action heroes , respect Sly. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: (7,5 out of 10)

Mammoth