Ed's Review Dot Com

Movie Rentals Releasing Tuesday May 15, 2012

• Chronicle
• The Devil Inside [For Ed’s Review, click here]
• The Grey [For Ed’s Review, click here]
• One for the Money
• Albert Nobbs
• Rampart

Zentropa Entertainments, Memfis Film, Zentropa International Sweden,

Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård, Kiefer Sutherland, Brady Corbet, Cameron Spurr, Charlotte Rampling, Jesper Christensen, John Hurt, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier

This is the tale of two sisters. To say their relationship is strained is the understatement of the year. The younger, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) is about to get married. The older, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is married and has a beautiful home and little boy. They live in the country and the wedding is planned by Claire in their home, and she is completely controlling and wants everything to happen according to plan and on-time. Justine is a free spirit. But it happens a large mysterious new planet is passing very close to the earth in what just may be a collision with the Earth. So they all must face the fact that this may be the end.

This is not nearly as much of a science fiction movie as it is a dramatic view of people and the meaning in their life. It’s very surreal and slow developing, and there are many underlying themes. This is a very unusual film, and one that is sure to keep you thinking. It’s full of allegory, and hidden meanings. The director, Lars, von Trier has a history of films like this, and many people hated this as they expected a giant space / science fiction explosive story, and this is not about this. It’s about the problems people suffer, and two sisters who are very opposite, but perhaps share similar maladies. So I really enjoyed it, but I have to admit, it would probably be a lot better without the first 10 minutes or so which is really, really, REALLY WEIRD!!! I think that was the director trying to please himself and it doesn’t really fit with the film in any way. But once you get past that, the film is divided into two parts. Part one is Justine’s point of view, and Part Two is Claire’s point of view. But the story seems to be chronological from beginning to end. All in all, I enjoyed it, and I have reflected back on the film for quite a while now. Excellent film.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Marvel Studios, Paramount Pictures, Albuquerque Studios,

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Bettany

Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is head of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a collection of the greatest Marvel superheroes, most of which have been put out to pasture due the danger they bring. There’s Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow Scarlett Johansson), for starters. Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) has been turned by evil demigod Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his brother Thor (Chris Hemsworth) shows up to help defeat the evil Loki. Loki has stolen the device that allows him to open a portal and bring in his army of alien warriors, and only The Avengers with a little help from their friends have a chance to defeat them.

Let me first say, that I am not general a comic book hero fan in the least. But I truly think this is the best of this genre ever. It helps a lot if you have seen the previous movies, as this one ties it all together. From Thor to Hulk to Captain America, the First Avenger, to the Iron Man movies. These all tie the characters together and a pretty good at getting the facts straight, which is important to the true fans. It’s a real treat to see all these wonderful characters together. Rather than one hero which saves the world, each of these guys have to use their special talents together to survive. Plus they need a little help from the outside, and a lot of luck to get by. It could have been easy to feature the most popular and strongest heroes the most, but this film does a great job of giving every Avenger his time in the spotlight. Truly no one is really more important than the others. (That, of course, is open to a lot of debate I’m sure.) Dealing with these big ego’s gives Nick Fury fits.

One weird thing was using Robin Sherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) from How I Met Your Mother, as one of the key officers on Nick’s team. Every time I saw her, all I could think of is Robin. 🙂

But seriously, this is a great adventure movie that goes strong from the opening through the credits, and never gives you a chance to sit back and relax. At the same time it has a lot of heart, a great deal of humor, especially with the interactions of the Avengers themselves, and some epic battles, special effects, and some of the best damn explosions I have ever seen. Despite the fact that the box office is SO huge for this film, (It made back it budget in the first weekend), this is a film that you ought not miss in the theater. The shock and awe from the rest of the audience and the big screen and wonderful sound systems make it well worth the money. I saw it in 3D, and though it really didn’t add a great deal to the film itself, I’m glad I paid the extra $3.50 for 3D. It was a beautiful and breathtaking film. I loved it, and highly recommend it whether or not you’ve seen the prior films. It’s a great story within itself.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Fox 2000 Pictures, Regency Enterprises, Bagdasarian Productions,

Justin Long, Jesse McCartney, Matthew Gray Gubler, Christina Applegate, Anna Faris, Jason Lee, Alyssa Milano, David Cross, Andy Buckley, Tucker Albrizzi

The Chipmunks and the Chipettes are on a cruise vacation when accidentally they are carried overboard and end up on a desert island. But is it really deserted? Things get really weird as the Chipmunks try their best to get along and survive being castaways.

This is the 3rd in the recent Chipmunk movies. The first one felt really nostalgic and it was fun to see the boys again. The second was a bit tedious, and this one is nearly awful. But the kids, especially really little kids are probably going to love it. But it’s not one of those films that work well with adults and kids alike, so now that it’s out on DVD you can bring this home, and let the kids go at it while you pay bills or cook dinner! It’s really a good kids film. It doesn’t have anything bad in it, and the kids will really like it. But I gave it a middle rating, but actually I’d say that’s an average of 4 or 4.5 for those under 12 and definitely about a 2 for those over 12!

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Movie Rentals Releasing Tuesday May 8, 2012

• The Vow [Click here for Ed’s Review]
• Underworld: Awakening [Click here for Eds Review]
• Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie