February 2009
Coraline - 2.6
C+
January 2009
My Bloody Valentine 3-D - 1.16
D
The Reader - 1.9
B-
December 2008
Revolutionary Road - 12.26 (limited)
C+
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 12.25
B+
Doubt - 12.25
B+
Marley & Me - 12.25
B+
Valkyrie - 12.25
B+
Seven Pounds - 12.19
C-
The Wrestler - 12.17 (limited)
B+
The Day the Earth Stood Still - 12.12
B-
Frost/Nixon - 12.5 (limited)
B+
November 2008
Milk - 11.26 (limited)
B
Quantum of Solace - 11.14
C+
Slumdog Millionaire - 11.12 (limited)
A
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - 11.7
B+
Role Models - 11.7
B
October 2008
Changeling - 10.31
A-
Zach and Miri Make a Porno - 10.31
B+
Saw V - 10.24
C-
Max Payne - 10.17
C-
W. - 10.17
A-
Blindness - 10.3
C+
September 2008
Eagle Eye - 9.26
B-
Ghost Town - 9.19
I walked into the theater thinking that Ghost Town would simply be a forgettable comedy, lacking any sort of originality. The plot seemed pretty dumb - a dentist named Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) dies for a few seconds during surgery, and when he leaves the hospital, he can see dead people and they can see him. Well, luckily due to Gervais and a well-written script full of good laughs and touching moments, the movie is quite a surprise. Greg Kinnear and Tea Leoni make for a great supporting cast - the chemistry between Leoni and Gervais is a pleasant surprise as well. Despite the oddness of the plot, the movie works so well that you forget about the impossibility of it. Ghost Town is a surprise all the way through. B+
Burn After Reading - 9.12
It's hard to classify the Coen Brother's follow-up to the award-winning No Country for Old Men as a comedy, because the comedic scenes are usually followed by disturbing ones and even gruesome violence. The film has a well-written screenplay, complete with a wide array of characters. Brad Pitt's portrayal of Chad, the light-hearted gym employee, is pure genius and absolutely hilarious. Some of the best scenes in the film are due to him, especially a hilarious phone call to John Malkovich's aptly named character of Osbourne Cox. A lot happens in the film, so much, in fact, that the CIA can't even figure out what's going on. It's almost a mess, but an oddly enjoyable one. B
Surfer, Dude - 9.5 (limited)
C
August 2008
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - 8.15
C+
Tropic Thunder - 8.13
In the current era, it's a revelation when a new, fresh comedy is released. The story behind Tropic Thunder is certainly one of the most original in years. There's plenty to love in the film, especially the characters. Robert Downey Jr. hilariously portrays the white-turned-black method actor Kirk Lazarus. The cameos of Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey are quite refreshing, and without them, I don't think this movie would have worked. The plot is great and the characters are excellent. What isn't, on the other hand, is the script. It's lackluster and almost brings to shame the countless possibilties that characters such as Lazarus and Speedman (Stiller) could have encountered in the film. Sure it's funny, but it's nothing that will be remembered. And for a film as original as Tropic Thunder, it should be. B-
Pineapple Express - 8.6
The film is bloody, cruel, and violent. It's also hilarious and complete with lovable characters. Pineapple Express isn't necessarily a fun film, as it contains people dying constantly, and we're not sure whether to laugh or shift uncomfortably in our seats. It's not an entirely plausible movie, and realism doesn't play a strong force. But when has that stopped a comedy? When we do realise this is a comedy, it's hilarious. Seth Rogen and James Franco play Dale Denton and Saul Silver, respectively - both lazy guys who normally sit around smoking pot all day. James Franco is the best aspect of this film, his child-like take on a drug dealer is absolutely great and he's fun to watch every second. The script is very well written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg (writers of Superbad) and while it is over the top (especially at the end) it's funny. The one-liners and hilarious dialogue never cease. And yes, I thought most of the violence was ridiculous and unnecessary, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. And that's all it aimed to do - be a crowd pleaser. A-
July 2008
Man on Wire - 7.25 (limited)
A-
Step Brothers - 7.25
C
The Dark Knight - 7.18
A-
Hellboy II: The Golden Army - 7.11
A-
June 2008
Wall-E - 6.27
B+
Wanted - 6.27
B-
Get Smart - 6.20
B-
The Happening - 6.13
C
The Incredible Hulk - 6.13
B-
Kung Fu Panda - 6.6
B+
You Don't Mess with the Zohan - 6.6
C
May 2008
The Strangers - 5.30
D+
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - 5.22
B+
Iron Man - 5.2
A-
April 2008
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay - 4.25
B-
The Forbidden Kingdom - 4.18
B
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 4.18
A+
February 2008
Semi-Pro - 2.29
B
Vantage Point - 2.22
B+
Jumper - 2.14
C+
Fool's Gold - 2.8
C+
The Hottie & the Nottie - 2.8
B-
January 2008
Cloverfield - 1.18
B+
The Orphanage - 1.11
C+
