Archive for December, 2013

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), New Line Cinema, WingNut Films,

Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Evangeline Lilly, Orlando Bloom, Luke Evans, Manu Bennett, Hugo Weaving, Lee Pace, Andy Serkis, Aidan Turner, Christopher Lee, Billy Connolly


Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) are accompanied by an odd collection of characters in the continuation of their journey to defeat the horrible dragon Smaug and return the kingdom of Erebor for Thorin (Richard Armitage) the rightful King. In the first part of the trilogy, “The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey”, Bilbo tricked Gollum out of his ring, a powerful ring that gives the wearer the ability to be invisible. Bilbo uses this to help the crew as the make their journey toward the mountain to face Smaug.

Another marvelous piece of “The Hobbit” a book by J.R.R. Tolkien which was written after, but is a prequel to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The “Lord of the Rings” was three books, and a true trilogy, whereas “The Hobbit” was a single book. “The Hobbit” is much easier to read and must simpler to understand what is going on. Many people were angry that Peter Jackson chose to break this book up into 3 movies, but this segment is over 3 hours long, and I don’t see where there is much to cut out of it. There’s no way they could have fit all the richness of this story in a single movie, and previous attempts to do it have been ok, but lack the depth and dimension of this series. I am sorry to have to wait another year to see the final one. Tolkien always suggested that new readers of his books start with this one to put things in chronological order, but there’s more to it than that. By reviewing this story first, you are well aware of the different races, peoples, and lands of the major trilogy, and you get to know many of the same characters. Though very violent, with lots of battle scenes complete with graphic beheadings and stabbings, this would be ideal for the older kids who might have trouble following the main trilogy. I agree with many people that “The Hobbit” is Tolkien’s best work.

The scenery in New Zealand where this is filmed provided a beautiful and pristine landscape for a background and it’s unbelievable beautiful. It also allowed him to keep his cast captive, and limit the problems with cast defections. There wasn’t much to do there but make the movie! The scenery is not only breathtaking, but the story is one of the richest known to man, so it’s hard to go wrong. The special effects are stunning, and though very involved and complicated, do not overshadow the story or the adventure and action. The animation of Smaug alone is well worth the time spent watching this film. It is truly spectacular. I had the privilege of watching this in IMAX 3D which was technically marvelous. All in all there is nothing really to find wrong with this film, and it’s a solid 5 star blockbuster well worthy of all the praise and $$$ being heaped upon it. This is group theater experience too good to miss out on. Wonderful film.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently No Comments »on this post.

Prettybird, Post Empire Films, Sodium Fox,

Lindsay Lohan, James Deen, Gus Van Sant, Nolan Gerard Funk, Amanda Brooks, Tenille Houston, Victor of Aquitaine, Jarod Einsohn, Lauren Schacher, Philip Pavel, Alex Ashbaugh

Tara (Lindsey Lohan) is married to Christian (James Deen) in a rather screwed up marriage. Christian has a trust fund, so he dabbles in making films as a condition of keeping his income. Tara has an affair with the lead in Christians newest movie, as Christian’s behavior just gets more and more bizarre, mean and violent until in the end it comes to an extremely bloody climax in one act of extreme violence.

This film is advertised as an erotic thriller, but it’s not much of either. This is kind of a disaster more than anything. In fact, it was rejected by the Sundance Film Festival. The budget was $250 thousand, and the opening weekend this film raked in a whopping $13,000. All in all, the US run brought in less than 50K. Many critics credit Lindsay Lohan as the only bright point in this film. In fact, in several scenes with a lot of emotion, Lindsey does do a pretty good job. But through the rest of the film, they just talk and talk and talk and this could put just about anyone to sleep. Lindsay’s assets are on display throughout the movie, but that’s not a plus. She’s in pretty bad shape, and for the most part it’s rather depressing to see where this poor girl has gone. She’s definitely had some hard years recently. Basically this movie if a big disappointment, and doesn’t really have much going for it. Granted it’s a tiny budget with a tiny return, but still, throwing money after such a bad script, and worthless characters, this movie is about as bad as whatever the character Christian would have turned out. This is a good movie to pass right by.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently No Comments »on this post.

Universal Pictures, Original Film, Dark Horse Entertainment,

Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker, Stephanie Szostak, James Hong, Marisa Miller, Robert Knepper, Mike O’Malley, Devin Ratray, Larry Joe Campbell

Recently deceased cop Nick finds himself at a crossroads. His only valid choice is to agree to join the Rest In Peace Department, an after death police squad and return to earth to help find and convict his murderer. But he’s obviously not allowed to look like himself, because it might scare anyone who knew him, so he appears as an old Asian guy and is partnered with rough veteran dead policeman Roy (Jeff Bridges) who’s been dead a long time, but knows the ropes. What follows is a buddy cop action adventure comedy.

I had visions of Men in Black and Beetlejuice in my mind as I watched the previews of this movie, but when I watched it I was kind of disappointed. It’s definitely a knock of of those two movies, but not as good as either one of them. There are a few chuckles here and there, but it did not capture my attention at all. Having been anxious to watch this, perhaps that’s why I was let down, because my expectations were too high. Perhaps if you set out with low expectations and expect a little time burning comedy action flick with the twist that the main characters are already dead, you can enjoy it better, but I did expect more bang for the buck. Jeff Bridges is adequate as the old veteran burned out cop having a lot of tricks under his sleeve based upon his long existence and experience. Ryan Reynolds did not hit the mark with his performance. Given the fact that he came from the police force in life, he should have had the skills to be an R.I.P.D. cop, but he struggles to keep up throughout the film. Basically, unless you’re willing to accept the lack of a script and the bad performances and bad jokes that come this it, this is a good film to skip and keep looking for something a bit better for your time.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently No Comments »on this post.

Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Santino Fontana, Josh Gad, Alan Tudyk, Fred Tatasciore, Chris Williams, CiarĂ¡n Hinds, Stephen J. Anderson, Maia Wilson, Edie McClurg, Robert Pine, Maurice LaMarche, Livvy Stubenrauch, Eva Bella, Spencer Lacy Ganus, Jesse Corti, Jeff Marcus, Tucker Gilmore

Two daughters, Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) are left alone in the castle when their parents are suddenly taken. Anna, the eldest has powers that can freeze anything at a touch, and has been hidden away to keep the subjects from knowing her secret because Elsa is set to become the queen now that her father and mother are gone. But Anna can’t understand why Elsa stays locked up and won’t associate with her. When her subjects find out a tragedy happens and Elsa runs away to the top of the mountain. It’s up to Anna and her new found friends to search for Elsa and let her know everything will be OK.

Wow, Disney Animation Studios have been killing it lately. This is an excellent film. Prior to the feature film, there is a Mickey Mouse cartoon. This cartoon has been made for 3D! There’s no doubt about it that this short film has to be seen in 3D. Additionally the beauty of Frozen is also very much enhanced by 3D. This film is probably the best 3D production I’ve seen, and I was blown away by the wonderful story, great music, and the 3D effects. So get yourself to a theater right away before it’s too late to catch this movie on the big screen in full 3D! This is one of the best animated films I have seen in a long time. I think this one is destined for tons of awards. The animation is excellent, and as I already stated, everything else is great as well. Some wonderful songs, and great new characters. Kids will love Olaf, the snowman who was created to sell toys. Olaf is a character, and a great addition to the film. If I could fault anything, and I really can’t, but if I could, it would be that Disney has now gone way overboard in response to the criticism of the old sexist ways. Princesses waiting for their Prince to rescue them, and the fact that basically none of the Princesses had a mother, and if they did, she was evil and a bad person. Well, now we have Princesses with “Girl Power” who won’t wait for anyone to rescue them. In fact, the guys now are idiots, incompetent at the least, and sometimes downright helpless, and the gals run right into the fray and fight their way through and rescue the poor princes who are quite helpless. It’s a new age, and I think we have to learn to live with that. I’m sure there are girls out there who still are into the Princess thing, but these are young beautiful girls with a kick like a mule. Anna doesn’t wait for any guy to rescue her! That being said, it’s a wonderful new age kind of movie, and I highly recommend this one in the theater with 3D glasses in place!

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently 1 Comment »on this post.

ARO Entertainment,

Dean Cain, Elisa Donovan, Gary Valentine, Jack Scalia, Joey Diaz, Joey Lawrence, Michael Gross, Peyton List, Shelley Long



Zeus (Joey Lawrence) is back with his family who are off on vacation to sunny California to spend Christmas with Aunt Barbara (Shelly Long). The Bannister family has a new addition this year when Aunt Barbara gives them a puppy named Eve (Peyton List) who manages to make life miserable for Zeus and get him banned to a kennel in the garage. But when two bumbling thieves show up Zeus and Eve have to work together to save the family Christmas.

This is one of a series of movies (the third Christmas one) starring the Bannisters and their dog Zeus, so the characters are pretty well developed. It’s not a horrible film, but it’s very, very predictable. (Why are there always two bumbling thieves, not one or three?). This is taken straight from the 101 Dalmations, passed on to Home Alone, and then used by dozens of other films, mostly Christmas films. Kids will probably enjoy it, but it’s just not that good, I’m afraid. The dogs that think out loud….they seem to hear and respond to each other, but the talk via some kind of telepathy I guess, is getting annoying. It comes over as a doggie narrator telling us what the actors(?) are thinking. But Zeus is a cutie, and Eve is mischievous enough to steal your heart while she driving Zeus nuts. This is classic Disney where the Pluto is trying to do right, and the new animal is constantly framing him for all the bad things that happen. Not the most fabulous Christmas film, but it’s on par with the first two and with others like the Beethoven and Air Bud movies, I suspect.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 4.0/5 (2 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently No Comments »on this post.