Larry H's Movie Reviews for 2007
Index of Movies:
I Am Legend | Juno | The Kite Runner | Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Stor | The Great Debaters | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | National Treasure: Book of Secrets | Atonement" | Charlie Wilson's War | two movies "Dan in Real Life" and "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" | Awake | No Country for Old Men | Lions and Lambs | Bella | Bee Movie | American Gangster | Rendition | Michael Clayton | Across the Universe | In the Valley of Elah | Into the Wild | The Brave One | 3:10 to Yuma | Hairspray | Ladron Que Roba A Ladron | El Cantante | Bourne Ultimatum | The Simpsons - the Movie NOT | Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix | Evening | License to Wed | Transformers | Live Free or Die Hard | Evan Almighty | Ocean's Thirteen | Mr. Brooks | Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End | Shrek the Third | Spider-Man 3 | Fracture | Perfect Strangers | Shooter | Blades of Glory | Wild Hogs | Reno 911: Miami | Music and Lyrics | Catch and Release | Notes on a Scandal | The Last King of Scotland | The Queen | Letters From Iwo Jima | Freedom Writers | Night at the Museum
I Am LegendNow I know why this movie has already grossed more than $100 million. It's scary, fast-paced, and thought provoking. Will Smith has become a pretty darn good actor and a huge star. Monique H. and I enjoyed this movie even though she did not approve of the ending. Happy New Year! Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
JunoJuno (Ellen Page) is a junior in high school who decides to have sex with her best friend Paulie Bleeker, a nerd on the track team. They have sex only once and Juno becomes pregnant and makes the decision to have the baby but put it up for adoption. She and her best friend Leah look in the local Pennysaver and find an ad from an apparent rich, happpy couple in a nearby town that are desparate for a baby. Juno and her father meet with the parents-to-be (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner) and their lawyer to finalize the deal. And then things get complicated.
One of the reasons I chose this movie was the buzz about the performance by Ellen Page who is actually 20 and from Canada. I couldn't afford for her to get a Academy Award nomination for Best Actress unless I had previewed her performance before January 22, 2007, so I could pass immdiate judgement on the accuracy of the academy's wisdom as it is announced at 5:30 am PST. Is young Page worth of a nomination? Larry H. says "yes."
Page's Juno was funny, believable, sympathetic, conflicted, witty, vulnerable, scared, sad, and loveable. And all that from a confused pregnant teenager. I wonder if Ellen Page is now going big-time, or has she peaked and we shall never see her starring again? I think we'll see her again soon.
This movie is very funny and edgy and the teenagers in the crowd were laughing at every joke, sexual innuendo, and societal mocking. Screenwriter Diablo Cody has a shot at a nomination as well. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 92. Larry H.
The Kite RunnerThis is a touching movie about the lives of two young Afghan boys who grew up in Kabul. We first meet them in 1979 as the Soviets are about to invade Afghanistan. The boys are Amir and Hassan. It's the old story of rich and poor as Hassan's father works for Amir's father and while they are best pals, the difference in their ethnicity and wealth creep into their childhood innocence.
Hassan is the strong, courageous boy while Amir is the nonviolent storyteller that gets pushed around by the neighborhood bullies. Hassan stands up to the bullies in defense of Amir but when push comes to shove, Amir abondons Hassan and turns on him out of shame and jealousy. Amir's father repeatedly tells him that he is weak and brings shame to the family. Meanwhile, Hassan is sexually and physically abused by older boys while Amir hides. Amir and Hassan are separted and grow into adulthood with enough emotional baggage to make anyone crazy.
Amir and his father flee the Soviet invasion and end up in America where Amir marries the daughter of a former Afghan general. Amir goes to college in the states and becomes a successful author and just as his first book is published, he is summoned back to Afghanistan to help the son of his childhood friend Hassan.
I've devoted three paragraphs telling the story of this movie because the movie is all about the story primarily though the eyes of Amir played by Khalid Adalla. I was thoroughly engaged and focused on these characters with many emotions that changed as the movie unfolded. This is a very special movie because of the raw human emotions of love, shame, loyalty, guilt, and fear brillantly developed in these univeral characters. I did not like all of the characters but I understood them and was cheering for the boys and their families and despised the bad guys. This movie is not fun, but it is an example of movie-making at its best. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 90. Larry H.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox StoryThe word on the street is that this is a funny movie starring John C. Reilly as Dewey Cox the troubled singer. We take a trip with Dewey down memory lane from the 1940's through present day. Dewey's life begins with a setback becaue he accidentally cuts his brother in half with a machete while they were sword fighting as young boys. Dewey's father blamed Dewey for the killing of his brother Nate and repeatedly told young Dewey that the "wrong kid died." And folks that was funny. Don't let the thought of young Nate getting cut in half sadden you becaue even that seemingly gruesome act was farcical. As a result of halving his brother, Dewey lost his sense of smell which was an onging problem most of his life. His loving mother explained to Dewey that he had gone "smell blind." And I'm howling with laughter.
The problem with my very loud outbursts of laughter was complicated: there was only one other person in theatre #3 with me and he was not laughing at all while I was screaming with laughter 30-40 times. I kept hoping the guy (who had less hair than I did) would at least let out a gleeful whimper; but nothing the entire movie. If I see this flick again, I'll take Monique H. becaue she has a good belly laugh and we can have some fun, but this dude was a dud.
The movie is a cross between "The Jerk" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (which co-starred John C. Reilly) and a touch of "Forest Gump." During his singing career, Dewey runs into The Big Bopper, Elvis, The Beatles, The Temptations, and others while he goes in and out of re-hab, marriages and fathers over 30 kids.
John C. Reilly is a huge talent and usually plays second banana, but this time he's the center of the action much like a crazy Will Ferrell and has already received a nomination from the Golden Globes for his Dewey Cox even though he will not receive a nominaton from the big boys. Dewey's main love interest was aptly played by "The Office" receptionist Jenna Fischer; other "Office" characters that are in this movie are Craig "Daryl" Robinson and Ed "Andy" Helms. This was a full employment movie for comedians: Tim Meadows, Chris Parnell, Jack Black as Paul McCartney, and Harold Ramis as L'Chai'm...to name a few.
There is nothing sacred in this movie and there is much profanity, sex, nudity, and drug reference but it's funny. For example, Dewey abandons all of his kids and wives due to drug addition and philandering; two of his boys are even his namesake: Dewey aka Dewdrop and Dewey Rahim. What do you expect from a guy from Springberry, Arkansas? Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 86. Larry H.
The Great DebatersWe were at a Christmas Day late lunch and Eleanor B. startd a movement to go to the movies to see the new release of "The Great Debaters." Before you knew it, the whole fam damily (12) was jumping in cars and headed to AMC.
We usually don't go to the movies on Christmas Day (not that there's anything wrong with that) so I was thrilled with the idea. There was some discussion that we would need to spread out at the theatre because "...no one can sit by Larry H." I nodded my approval and off we went.
Even though I was already stuffed, I could not resist getting my usual popcorn and Mr. Pibb. Finding seats for us all was somewhat tricky since the theatre was packed, but we managed to find seats even for Mabel H. who is a very young 85. I sat on the end of a row and Monique H. sat next to me so I was good to go without offending any of the clan.
The movie is based on a true story about Professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) who led a debate team from a very small black Methodist college in 1935 East Texas. The debate team was very successful and culminated its season against Harvard. The historic debate was broadcast nationwide live via radio from Harvard's Boston campus - a long way from Marshall, Texas.
This movie is as much about the racial struggles of 1930's America as it is about the young college students who gallantly debated much larger white colleges. Director Denzel created a believable yet intense balance between "lynchings of Negroes" and the tenderness and vulnerablities of the three Wiley College debaters which consited of a rebellous handsome young man (Nate Parker) a beautiful female (Jurnee Smollett) and a fourteen year old James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker). Trivia: Denzel Whitaker is not related to Denzel Washington or Forest Whitaker who was awesome as his father James Farmer Sr.
I was entralled with this movie from start to finish and this Christmas Day crowd enthusiastically applauded and yelped on cue; it was an amazing display and I am not sure how much of this crowd reaction was a result of the movie or the festivities of the day, but it was genuine and emotional. Ms Oprah is involved in the making/financiing of this movie so I guess she'll make another kazillion dollars because this will be a huge hit with many nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director.
Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 94. Larry H.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetWe now have a frontrunner for Best Actor - Johnny Depp as the anti-hero Ben Barker aka Sweeney Todd who seeks revenge by skillfully applying his straight razor to the necks of his enemies and others that just happen to sit in his barber's chair.
This is the film version of the Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim. The basic story of the villainous barber on London's Fleet Street has been around for over a century, but this version is the product of two of the most creative minds in the movie industry: Tim Burton as director and Johnny Depp as the intensely angry "hero."
I do not recommend seeing this movie on Christmas Eve unless the slitting of throats with blood flowing like a geyser is not a downer for you. After the first slicing, I got use to it; I'm lying. Director Burton makes each of the melodramatic murders for meat pies unique. Helena Bonham Carter as the amorous Mrs. Lovett makes her character a worthy partner of Depp's demonic barber and his razor-like (pun intended) goal of killing the local Judge who done him wrong by sending him off to prison on trumped-up charges.
Most of you should not see this movie unless accompanied by an adult. I, however, being the borderline professional moviegoer that I am, went alone. I probably will not have nightmares or need additional counseling due to my advanced spiritual training. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 85. Larry H.
National Treasure: Book of SecretsWe just got home from the movies and "Baby, it's cold outside" so we lit a fire and cut on the TV only to find that "The Wizard of Oz" was showing - "...lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" Monique claims she's going to bake cookies for my in-laws; hey, wait a minute, that's her family.
"National Treasure" has the same reality factor as "The Wizard of Oz" and that's ok with me. I have enough reality in my life; I have no problem taking a lark down the yellow brick road while looking for lost treasure of the golden city and solving the mystery of the assisination of President Lincoln in 124 minutes. Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates returns as the wacky treasure hunter with his adorable sidekicks Riley and Abigail.
This ia a fun movie and if you liked the first National Treasure, then you will like this one. Jon Voight returns as his father and we meet Ben's mother Emily played by Helen "Queen Elizabeth" Mirren; throw in Ed Harris as a rival treasure hunter and Harvey Keitel as the quirky FBI agent and you've got a pretty darn good cast. The audience laughed heartily 15+ times and the action is fast-paced. Sure the story is corny but the audience can play along with Ben and his posse as they accomplish the impossible in a matter of minutes not to mention kidnapping the president of the US, sneaking in Buckingham Palace, and climbing Mount Rushmore a la "North By Northwest." Monique H. and I ate a box of Milk Duds and had a good time. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 88. Larry H.
Atonement"I cooked breakfast this morning for Monique H.: fried eggs, bacon and biscuits. I needed a good meal to get my day started as I knew I was going to the movies before noon. I chose "Atonement" because it started at 10:10 am and has received numerous accolades. I also knew I was taking a chance since this was clearly a chick flick. But I am a borderline professional moviegoer and I can handle these things.
I was so bored through most of this movie and proud that I was able to fight off sleep and the strong urge to walk. I kept telling myself that this has got to have a payoff at the end or it would not have garnered such great reviews. And I was right; the "atonement" of the final scenes was worthwhile and memorable, but it was a painful trip.
This is a British love story set in 1935. That's enough of the plot. You're either in or you're out. I'm out, but I give it high marks for costume design, cinematography, and set design. I have many more movies to see this long weekend, so I will not let this one dampen my spirits. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 72. Larry H.
Charlie Wilson's WarMonique H. and I saw this one at AMC First Colony at 4:40 pm on opening day December 21, 2007. It was not crowded but large enough to denote a hit for the holidays. I was feeling particularly gracious so I let Monique H. hold the popcorn and in the spirit of Christmas sharing, I ate less than half of our bag. And you wonder why we've been married for over 26 years; well, it's just that spirit of giving that I try to bring to the table everyday. And let's not forget Monique H's contribution to this partnership: she has been behaving admirably at movies lately and been off probation for months - I love her to death!
Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) was a liberal congressman from East Texas in the 80's who had a flair for good whiskey, fast women and an occassional toot of the white powder, but he was a good ole boy that saw an opportunity to help the people of Afghanistan fight against our enemy - the evil empire of the USSR. The problem was that few in America cared a wit about this lopsided struggle and the budget to assist the Afghans was a mere $5 million when Good Time Charlie decided to use his influence to increase the US financial and covert effort to "...shoot down Russian helicopters."
In this screenplay, Aaron "West Wing" Sorkin has a daunting task of explaining a complicated politcal mystery while fully developing the characters of Wilson and his partner at the CIA (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and the Houston socialite Joanne Herring (Juia Roberts) who play major roles in getting the US to commit enough resources to help in the Afghan war. This task was too daunting. The editing and flow of this movie cut into my entertainment factor and kept this movie from being great.
It could have been great because the story is intriguing and the acting of Hanks, Roberts and Hoffman was superb, but director Mike Nichols couldn't harness the many facets and talents of this package to make it work for me. I think you should see this movie, but if it gets a nomination for Best Picture, it will happen because the producers were able to lure three Oscar- winning actors into a movie that will be remembered for their performances.
This is a wonderful time for moviegoers. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
two movies "Dan in Real Life" and "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"My day started peacefully on this beautiful Saturday. By noon, I'd finished reading a book by my boy Steve Martin about comedy and being a comedian and immediately started the latest Grisham book while intermittently watching Monique H. decorate our Christmas tree. All that activity caused fatigue and I had to take a two hour nap. Later in the afternoon when I had awakened and eaten a snack to restore my blood sugar, the lovely Monique H. could be seen researching movie times on the laptop for our Saturday night date when she surprised us all by suggesting that we could "...leave now and catch the 5:25 Steve Carell movie and then slide over to "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" at 7:05." Such a plan brought tears to my eyes; I think it will result in the purchase of some special Christmas presents but that seems fair to me. I don't understand these things; I just know that I'm much easier to get along with when I get my way and back-to-back movies is good for a marriage.
When we got home from our movie excursion I had to watch the end of the Oklahoma/Missouri football game and now it's 10:55 PM and all this fun has caused me to become fatigue yet again so my comments about the two movies will be limited.
If you want to spend an emotional four and half hours, then go see these two movies. Oh no! I just clicked over to "Saturday Night Live" and Steve Martin is hosting with guests Paul McCartney, Martin Short Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and others. I'm overwhelmed and becoming very sleepy.
"Dan in Real Life" is very good and "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" is better. Go see 'em. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade for "Dan" - 89. "Before the Devil" - 93. Larry H.
AwakeThis movie is billed as a psycho thriller and that's a white lie; it's a freakin' psycho thriller. It made me psycho and it was a thriller and it kept me wide "awake" the entire movie. I apologize for that pun but I tried to stop myself but couldn't.
The opening scenes include a text on the screen about 21,000,000 patients going under anesthesia annually and about 30,000 of them are actually "Awake" during the procedure and perceive what's being done to them on the operating table also known as "anesthetic awareness." And that includes realizing pain and the sensation of the surgeon's scalpel sliding along the patient's chest during heart surgery as happened to our rich, handsome, young and sweet hero Clay Beresford (Hayden Christensen). Clay is twenty-something and secretly in love with his helicopter mom's personal assistant, Sam (Jessica Alba), who happens to be a genuine fox and appears to be a perfect match for him so they get married only hours before the fateful surgery performed by his new friend the heart surgeon Dr. Jack Harper (Terence Howard).
Clay's daddy has been dead for years so he and his mother Lilith (Lena Olin) are very close and she "hovers" over him; hence the term "helicopter." That's my term; it is not used in the movie. Lena Olin's performance was sensational and my current lead for Best Supporting Actress; she's the anchor of this ensemble and the straw that stirs the plot. She has a face that makes me think "I know her" but I'm not sure I do, but it will be awhile before I forget her. Director/writer Joby Harold has made his mark. What kind of a name is "Joby." British; what else?
I was traumatized by this movie, but not as bad as one of the patrons that walked down the stairs near me at Loews. Without prompting from me, he said "...what did you think of that movie?" in such a way that I needed to respond as he appeared to be distraught. Being the quick wit that I am, I replied "...quite a movie...what did you think of it." I think I broke some kind of cardinal rule by asking the uninitiated such a question while still in the theatre but I could not pass up the chance to hear what caused his pain. He looked like a professional and spoke the King's English eloquently when he said "...I'm in the medical profession and I don't believe that some of that would have happened...letting her in the operating room without scrubs on; somebody would have noticed." Now see, that's the problem with folks going to the movies and letting reality get in the way. Let it go and let it happen; let the fantasy evolve; enjoy it and then go back to your little life in the 'burbs. But don't over analyze it; it's just a movie.
Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 92. Larry H.
No Country for Old MenThis country is West Texas Del Rio and it ain't for old men or sissies.
This movie is a product of the Coen Brothers - Ethan and Joel who also are responsible for "Fargo" "The Big Lebowski" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" to name a few. Their genius or dementia depending on your take of the highly creative brothers is imprinted all over this film so their fans will not be disapointed.
The setting is circa 1980 when Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) a local trailer park resident is hunting and discovers a drug deal gone bad and lots of dead bodies and a suitcase full of cash - $2 million. And that's enough money to cause lots of folks to look for you if you took the money which Llewelyn did. The local sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), tries to solve the mystery of who took the money and how to save the lad from the sure death if the bad guys catch up with him. And the race is on. The main bad guy, Anton Chigurh, is superbly played by Jarvier Bardem. Chigurh is a psycho killer that leaves a trail of murders and blood as he chases Llewelyn who has some grit of his own.
I was on the edge of my seat literally and emotionally during this two-hour flick and I enjoyed every minute of it. However, if you can't stand blood, guts and a few corpses, then you should pass on this one. The Coen Brothers have taken the original novel by Cormac McCarthy and fine tuned his exploration of the hunter and the hunted intertwined with the ever-present motive of greed. I had not read the book so the story was new to me and the Coen Brothers kept things lively and moving along even when the dialogue was quiet and the action was methodical. It's a Thanksgiving miracle; not really, I just wnanted to say that. But it is an example of great movie-making. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 93. Larry H.
Lions and LambsI saw this movie last Friday which was a week ago and the name of the movie could have been "Lambs and Lions" for all I know. I should not wait a week to write these comments because my pea brain can not retain stuff for seven days. I think the movie was "ok" but I'm not sure.
Here's what I remember: it's a Robert Redford movie about the pros and cons of the US fight against terrorism as revealed through three storylines that are loosely connected. My least favorite vignette was Tom Cruise as a US Senator and Meryl Streep as a veteran news reporter exchanging little witticisms about a new secretive military excursion in Afghanistan. This lengthy exchange between Streep and Cruise took place in the senator's office with the camera going back and forth as each made their pithy comments. Bore me. But the ending made me cry so that's worth some style points. Rock 'n Roll
Grade 84. Larry H.
BellaThis movie cost me $36; first time I saw it was Saturday night but some suspect food (not popcorn) caused some personal consternation during the movie and I had to "walk" for the first time due to illness. Monique H. was with me so the entry fee was 18 bucks. I was feeling better Sunday afternoon so we tried it again and that cost me another 18 bucks. But it was worth it.
If you want to see a movie full of love and family, then this is the movie for you. The setting is New York City and our heroes are Nina, a young unmarried pregnant waitress, and Jose the international soccer star that has fallen from grace and is now the chef is his brother Manny's restraunt. Nina misses work due to "illness" and Manny fires her. Jose the handsome savior storms out of Manny's restraunt in support of Nina and Manny is not happy. Manny is so unhappy that he calls his parents to tell on Jose. But Jose doesn't care and wraps his arm around his very sad and disheartened pregnant friend and they are off to spend a glorious and tortured day together on a trip of spiritual healing and love.
Nina seems intent on "taking care of" her problem because she is not in love with the father and realizes that she can never have the wonderful support and love like the family of Jose and Manny who might fight and disagree, but loyalty comes first. After a memorable dinner with Jose's parents and brother Eduardo and his girlfriend, Jose and Nina take a walk on the beach....
Director and co-writer Aljandro Gomez Monteverde could give lessons in movie-making; this was a simple story on a low budget but the script, editing, and acting were splendid. I loved all the characters and only cried once. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 90. Larry H.
Bee MovieYou might be a movie loser if: 1. You return to the theatres and the chump is still parked in your assigned parking spot and you park in the dumb section.
2. You buy your second AMC ticket of the day and hope the sales clerk does not recognize you.
3. You go into theatre #5 without food or drink because you still have a little indigestion from popcorn eaten earlier that morning
4. You realize that half of the crowd of ten in your theatre is pre-schoolers and they are very excited about the trailers and the upcoming movie.
5. Your best friend for over 15 years is a TV character named Jerry.
6. Your best friend's movie is about to start and you realize that he has not fully explained the movie plot to you.
7. You ask your wife of over 26 years to go to the movies with you and she mocks.
8. Within five minutes of the beginning of "Bee Movie" you realize that you are very hungry and this movie is 90 minutes long and that seems an eternity.
9. You promise yourself that you will not walk out of your second movie of the day (before 2:30 pm) until at least you hear/see the animation of Renee Zellweger and you know how to spell Zellweger.
10. You actually go to sleep during your best friend's movie without giving it a chance (25 minutes) but you really think you've seen enough and you're mad at your best make-believe friend because he's made a poor make-believe bee movie that's not funny even though the pre-schoolers are giggling and you think the theatre is too cold and it's 78 and sunny outside.
Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 69W. Larry H.
American GangsterI got up before breadfast today and was pumped to see two movies so I needed to start my day early. Shortly before noon, I had finished all of my assigned tasks (nice boss) and headed to my first targeted movie.
I was shocked when I walked in Theatre #18 at AMC Lowe's because there were over 100 folks already nestled into their seats ready to see Danzel Washington as the "American Gangster" and Russell Crowe as the New Jersey cop that is supposedly honest and willing to be the team leader of a big-time narcotics squad. Director Ridley Scott spent the first hour or so developing the characters and background of each of the two main characters with the obvious showdown to occur sometime before the 157 minutes of this movie's end. I, however, do not know how it ends because I was so bored I "walked." And I was not happy that this big budget, big-star movie was so diappointing. I didn't care or like either character. I could see them working but it wasn't working for me. Note: somebody parked in my parking spot and that ticked me off, too!
I have to go now because I'm late for Jerry's "Bee Movie." Wish me luck. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 69W. Larry H.
RenditionMonique H. and I are in Austin to see the UT-Nebraska game, but on Friday night we noticed that the Hill Country Galleria at Bee Cave was having a grand opening for a new Cinemark mulit-plex and the "The Doobie Brothers" were playing across the highway at The Back Yard which is an outside venue. The lure was great. We swung by Eric H's apartment and threw him a few winter clothes out the car window and headed west.
While we were at about the thirty minute mark of "Rendition" starring Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, Alan Arkin, and others, we heard a loud, sustained distinctive sound of fireworks that was obviously a part of the new Galleria celebration. Even though the smell of new seats was wafting through the theatre, I much preferred to be outside taking in the glory of the fireworks display. But, nooooooooo, we were stuck inside watching this dull, huge waste of star talent about a whacked American policy of torturing people if they were even slightly suspected of terroist involement. We finished the movie but it was painful for me. Monique H. on the other hand actually liked the movie a little, but she is not trained or authorized to pass along such opinions.
Now the movie was over and it was time to find tickets and get over to see The Doobie Brothers. We were "Takin' it to the Streets" and could hear "Rocking Down the Highway" as we circled the Back Yard looking for a parking spot. Since the Doobies were outside and sound could be clearly heard from a long way off, we decided to find some "...old black water" and just sit under the "...Mississippi moon" and "Listen to the Music." We were not too close to the staege, but just being there "It Keeps You Runnin'". Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 69. Larry H. The Doobie Brothers 95
Michael ClaytonWords matter. Monique H. and I saw this profoundly disappointing movie early Friday evening before our weekly dinner date at Ninfa's. The screenplay/dialogue killed this worn-out plot that was late for its own burial.
Here's the story and you tell me if you've heard it before: a big bad corporation is being sued by hundreds of injured people poisoned by toxic chemicals; the corporation had covered up the danger of their products for years but someone found a smoking-gun memo that blew the lid off the case and oh by the way the corporation was represented by a huge law firm that made millions over a period of years of representation. Michael Clayton (George Clooney) was one of those big-firm attorneys whose sole purpose for the firm was to clean up the messes of others and was repeatedly referred to as the "janitor." Gee, I got bored just typing that story.
George "Pretty Boy" Clooney is still one of the great actors of our time but I did not like his character, the injured people, the other lawyers, the shady investigators, mobsters, etc. The movie took us on a plot plunge at a time when the audience had not had sufficient time to relate to the characters and we never caught up. Long live the Beatles! Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 74. Larry H.
Across the Universe"All You Need Is Love." This is the long-anticipated movie set in the 60's and presented in large part through the characters singing songs by the Beatles. Sounds simple enough but the power of this movie is phenomenal.
Director Julie Taymor is my new hero for creating a film that will be a classic and successfully captures the spirit of the Sixties and the soul of the Beatles. Or did the Beatles capture the soul of the sixties and the spirit and essence of an entire generation and now this movie is merely riding "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds?"
The Lucy in this movie is a young innocent privileged teenager who falls in love with Jude from Liverpool and then gets caught up in the anti-war movement of the time. Her brother Max is drafted into the US Army and goes to Vietnam. The primary setting is New York City; Sadie, JoJo, Prudence, Max and Jude share an apartment. Dear Prudence came in through the bathroom window. JoJo is a black guitarist; Sadie is a Janis Joplin lookalike. I loved all these characters.
Here is the cast that you've never heard of before now but you will see them again because Hollywood execs are going to hire these young talents so they can say "...you can be in my new movie if you will just tell me all about making 'Across the Univers.'": Evan Rachel Wood (Lucy), Jim Sturgess (Jude), Joe Anderson (Max), Dana Fuchs (Sadie), Martin Luther McCoy (JoJo) T.V. Carpio (Prudence). Being in this movie is that cool. I've always wanted to be known as Rocky Raccoon.
I was mesmermized during most of this glorious experience and had these recurring thoughts: surely the Beatles weren't that good; John and Paul could not have written so many perfect songs; what a beautiful movie; yeah, that really happened and the Beatles were trying to tell me but I was 19 and had my own issues....
I had repeated goose-bumps and only became teary-eyed twice. This flick is not for everyone, but it is for me. There were only three of us in the theatre at Loew's today. This movie will be rewarded with many awards and will influence the way movies are made. You need to see this movie because it is important; if you don't like it, so be it, but you gotta experience it.
I know Love is Old, Love is New and there was a Revolution going on but with a Little Help From My Friends I made it through the Sixties and I'm glad I did so I could see this movie. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 95. Larry H.
In the Valley of ElahOn the way home after seeing "Into the Wild," Monique H. and I stopped off at First Colony AMC to see Tommy Lee Jones starring in "In the Valley of Elah." What a waste of good talent; Tommy Lee Jones' performance was magnificent but not even TLJ can save a weak script. Speaking of the screenplay, we now know that Paul Haggis is human. The genius of "Crash", "Million Dollar Baby" and "Letters from Iowa Jima" also wrote the words for this movie. Welcome to the real world Paul.
Tommy Lee's son has just returned from service in Iraq when he is brutally murdered. The local and military police are not putting in a big effort to find the murderers so Tommy Lee drives to Fort Rudd in his 20 year-old Ford pickup and takes the lead in the investigation. He and his wife Susan Sarandon are horribly grief-stricken and some of the most memorable scenes depict their tortured emotions. Those two can act. And Haggis the director can make a good movie but Haggis the writer needs to sharpen his pen.
We had wonderful seats; I had a pole rail in front of me so I propped my 'ole legs up and almost went to sleep. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 75. Larry H.
Into the WildMonique H. and I made the trek to Landmark's River Oaks Theatre for this 11:30 am showtime in the heart of Houston because it is the only theatre in this neck of the woods showing Sean Penn's "Into the Wild." This movie has received rave reviews so I had to see it before you people so I could tell you all about it. We were in theatre #2 upstairs which is small, intimate, and about 60 years old. Long live the River Oaks!
The main character, Christopher Johnson McCandless, graduated from Emory University in May 1990 and "...had the grades to get into Harvard Law" but decided to donate all of his savings to charity, cut up his ID's and Social Security card, and without even telling his parents or beloved sister where he was going, sets off for Alaska via hitchhiking to find "truth."
Along the way he runs into many interesting people: Catherine Keener as a hippie chick, Vince Vaughn as a wheat farmer, and Hal Holbrook as a kindly grandfather type who was all alone and had been widowed for many years. I liked every one of these characters in Penn's based-on-a-true-story screenplay that Alex (Chris did not use his given name) ran into and befreinded as he wandered on his adventure to Alaska.
I was not familiar with this story so the plot was new to me. The camera angles and perspective and the cinematography were highlights of the movie, but here's the problem: I did not like young Chris/Alex at all. He was selfish, stupid, inconsiderate, possessed poor camping skills, was a bad shot, and was as much of a hypocrite as the parents and politicians that he criticized. I kept pulling for him to snap out of it and show some stones but he just kept sinking lower. He was more like Ted Kaczynski than Robert Redord's Jeremiah Johnson.
I started getting a little antsy at the one hour and fifteen minute mark of this flick as I realized that there was another hour to go. And I completely lost touch with this guy who wanted to get away from civlization and experience the "freedom and simple beauty" of Alaska's ancient wilderness yet he could not successfully shoot game and when he did he wasted the meat because he was inexpeirenced as a hunter and outdoorsman. He should've stayed in the Lower Forty Eight and sought theray like the rest of us or hired my boy Brian G. who is an Eagle Scout, Medical Doctor, and veteran of the Alaskan wilderness. Penn has made a masterful movie and Hal Holbrook deserves a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, but for me, this movie went "Into the Dumper." Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 79. Larry H.
The Brave OneThis is an outstanding movie if you can get over the bloody killings and brutality. Jodie Foster (Erica Bain) and her finacee are working their dog in Central Park when three thugs beat them unmercifully while killing the finacee and severely injuring Jodie physically and emotionally.
When Erica recovers physcially, shes is completely lost and disconnected to her old life of comfort and love. The system does not help her and leaves little hope to find the three murderers. Erica in a feeling of desparation buys a pistol - Kahr K9 which is a small semi-automatic 9mm with polymer grips and a satin finish with excellent balance and good concealabilty...not that there's anything wrong with any of us owning such a weapon.
Jodie's character then goes deeper into a vigilante funk with seemingly no remorse in killing in the name of good over evil. We love and empathize with Jodie but she's very conflicted and doing some stuff that is normally left up to God and the cops. And the cop is Terrence Howard (Detective Mercer) who is one of the premier actors in Hollywood and he proves it again as he tries to figure out what's really going on with Erica Bain.
This story and the superb character development kept my interest start to finish. Kudos to all involved. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 91. Larry H.
3:10 to YumaAs I rolled into my assigned parking spot at AMC Loew's Theatre, I was feeling confident that I was about to see a good movie and a Western at that. The crowds are small at 11:00 am on a Friday morning even for a big budget flick. And danged if I didn't "accidentally" sit near a person (not sure if it was man or woman - sounded like a man) when there were plenty of room in the theatre for each of us to stake a large claim of seats. I don't mind too much sitting "near" someone so long as I can't hear them. This human was eating popcorn rather loudly in my opinion; I was also eating popcorn with both hands but as you know, my sounds don't stink. Eventually we both finished our refreshments and things settled down to the drama of the movie, but I intend to be more vigilant next time.
The two opening scenes of this very well-directed movie were intense and exciting which set the tone for the rest of the movie. And I wanted to stand up and shout "yes" on behalf of all moviegoers that love Westerns. You might recall that the original "3:10 to Yuma" starred Glen Ford as the outlaw Ben Wade, but this time we have Russell Crowe. Love or hate RC, but the boy can act. The "good guy" in this very complicated and deeply developed character film was Dan Evans played by Christian Bale. These guys fed off each other superbly in the up and down and around action with all levels of emotions.
Here's the story: Ben Wade and his gang have been routingely robbing the Southern Pacific so the company and the Pinkerton boys have had enough and are intent on stopping Wade and his band of cutthroats. They catch 'ole Ben and the plan is to get him transported to the train that is headed to Yuma, Arizona. The train leaves for Yuma in a couple of days at 3:10 PM.
Here's the problem: Ben's boys are not happy about the "boss" being apprehended so they set out to free him. So who will escort Ben to the train and keep the gang at bay so Ben can be sent to prison for his robbing and killing? Answer: some rag knots, one of whom is a bounty hunter (Peter Fonda) and our boy Dan Evans (Bale) that is missing part of one leg due to his service in the Civil War.
During these two treachous days of trying to get Ben Wade to the train for Yuma, we are treated to a classic picture of good and evil; but wait - who is really the good guy? Ben Wade has the soul of an artist, the charm of a ladies' man, and the heart of a cold-blooded murderer. Dan Evans is scared and seemingly a loser, but is offered the chance to dig deep to find the courage to stand toe to toe with Ben Wade and earn the promised $200 and the respect of his 14 year old son William. Let the conflict begin!
Other than a few minor slow parts in the middle, this is an outstanding movie. The last 25 minutes are gripping; I was deeply moved. The acting, story, and direction were worthy of Eastwood. The set desigin, costumes and sounds of the guns were genuine and much needed for a film like this to work. This is a must-see movie. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 93. Larry H.
HairsprayI'm a sucker for a musical and I was mildly embarrassed that I had not seen John Boy Travolta and the cast of "Hairspray." But I had no idea how great this movie was. I absolutely loved this movie from start to finish.
Here's what I liked about it: writing, acting, music, lyrics, costumes, make-up, screenplay, themes, singing, dancing, directing, and the mere fact that Christopher Walken (Wilbur Turnblad) was married to the very heavily made up John Travolta's Edna Turnblad. Did you hear me? Walken married to Travolta and they do a song and dance routine that you will see the night of the Oscars because it will be a classic.
I liked all the charaters and even the antagonists were charming thanks to Michelle Pfeiffer and Brittany Snow. The only other actors that turned in winning performances were: Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney, and the true star of the movie Nikki Blonsky as the "short and stocky" Tracy Trunblad.
This movie was originally written for the stage by John Waters in 1988, but it's theme of prejudice against people that are different set in the tough times of 1962 intergration was pure fun and a memorable ride through Baltimore, America.
I realize that many of you have already seen this movie since its debut on July 20th, but I was busy that day so I've been struggling to get back to "Hairspray" and this Labor Day Sunday afternoon seemed like an opportunity. When I walked in the theatre at Loew's, I was shocked at the size of the crowd of around 100 so the word is getting out about this jewel. So far, it gets my vote for Best Picture of 2007! Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 94. Larry H.
Ladron Que Roba A LadronThink "Ocean's Eleven" meets "Mission Impossible" with a Latino flavor and Spanish subtitles, and then throw in "Robin Hood" for good measure. This is a fun, feel-good movie about good thieves stealing from a very bad thief. The title means "Thieves Who Rob Thieves."
The bad thief is Moctesuma Valdez whose real name is Claudio but he changed it so he could more effectively hawk his fake wonder products on TV to unsuspecting Latino immigrants that were looking for a quick cure for anything from baldness to cancer. Mocte made millions so he deserved to be robbed by our hero thieves Alejandro and Emilio. Alejandro portrayed by pretty-boy Fernando Colunga was the George Clooney character that wooed the women and led the goofy untrained day laborers that signed up for the big heist of the cash-laden vault in the patron's mansion. Emilio had the cool ponytail and was a little mysterious and wound tight a la Brad Pitt.
I liked all the good guys and laughed often. There were only six of us in Theatre #15 at Loew's so my laughter cause some feeling of self consiousness but I soon got over it. Don't let the subtitles inhibit you; I think it adds a nice change to one's moviegoing experience. The acting, screenplay, and editing are very straightforward so you will not get lost even though at times I did not finish reading the entire subtitle, but that should not affect you fast readers. If you are willing to take a chance on a movie on a hot Labor Day weekend, then give this flick a shot. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
El Cantante"Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe. Plot Outline: The life story of Hector Lavoe who started the salsa movement in 1975 and brought it to the United States." And I call it "El Perro goes to New York" because it's a dog! Note: please roll your r's when you say "perro."
I would have walked out sooner but Jennifer Lopez (Puchi) is so cute and does all that fancy dancin' and swishin'. Then there's her husband in the film and in real life Marc Anthony (Hector Lavoe) who can sing and was perfect for the part of drugged-out Hector, but I didn't care if he lived or died. As a matter of fact, I left Loew's theatre #13 immediately after Hector and Puchi got married because Puchi was pregnant. Oh sure, Puchi asked for a cigarette while at the alter of the marriage ceremoney but nobody's perfect. And I was getting the vibe that ole Hector was gonna die a tragic death and I wanted to leave during his wedding so I would have only fond memories of Hector. Long live Hector! Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 69W. Larry H.
Bourne UltimatumI like Matt Damon but I did not like his "Bourne" this time. It's the same old tired story even though they make you think he's up to something new. The CIA has made him a killing machine and now they want to hit the kill switch. Damon's Jason Bourne kills with ease: he's a combination of a Kung-Fu Fighter, Dirty Harry, and Spider-Man. For an actor, he had a pretty good grip on his various pistols though at times his hands were not properly placed to engage in proper mortal combat, but let's not be picky.
Here are some of my favorite lines: "...let me know when the asset's in the nest... shut down all the exits and take 'em both out...you have full authority to shoot to kill..." And my absolute favorite: "...let's bring down one of our assets from Casablanca..." It better not be Ricky Blaine!
For a two o'clock showing, it was a big crowd so I suspect that "Bourne Ultimatum" will be the Ultimate box-office hit and make a cajillion dollars but I think Damon has gone to the international-secret-agent well one too many times. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 79. Larry H.
"The Simpsons - the Movie" NOTD'oh. I got up before breakfast; drank some coffee and took a walk in the local woods before sunrise - I ain't scared of no 'skeeters. They don't like my blood; can you blame 'em?
I've been working sort of hard lately and missed going to the movies the last two Fridays so on this fine, muggy Saturday morning I say to Monique H. "hey, I think I'm going to see Homer at Loews at 10:00 am; she never batted an eye - what a loving woman!
I arrived uncharacteristically early and took my aisle seat with about 75 other hearty souls from little kids to grandma. Around 10:05 I noticed that the trailers had not even started and the there was no light in the little projection room at the top of the theatre. By 10:11 a father and his two teenage sons sitting near me started openly discussing the late start of the movie; they had been energetically talking trash to each other and taking turns picking on the younger "Daniel" the fifteen year old. Conversations were popping up all over the theatre by 10:15 and still no movie.
Folks were getting restless and leaving to check on the status of the movie; the dad and sons are trying to coax each other into going to complain to Loew's manager. After being badgered by the his seventeen year old brother, Daniel finally gives in and walks down the aisle to gather information. Dad then congratulates older brother on getting Daniel to take an unwanted leap of faith and declares him to be a "jedi" for getting his little brother to do something he didn't want to do.
It's now 10:22 and we are getting various reports that are verbally shared with the entire crowd that: "...they said there are technical difficulties...no way, man, that just means that nobody knows how to fix it...I got the right info - the projectionist has not shown up yet - look, there's still no light on up there behind the glass windows." And now I'm thinking the projectionist got liquored up last night and we might have a long wait. The crowd is becoming unruly; cell phones come out; folks are standing up looking around and everyone is talking...except me. I was the only one in the theatre that did not have someone with them. Kids, do not sit near someone like me. 10:26 and no movie: The seventeen year old is now hollering to a couple of fifteen year old knuckleheads sitting directly beneath the windows: "hey, why don't you knock on the window to see if you can get somebody's attention." Being the mental giants that they were, they started beatinng on the window with vigor.
10:29 - over half the crowd has left or is unaccounted for; 10:30 - folks are talking to each other all over the theatre and some are re-urging the kncukleheads to beat on the window and report to the rest of us if they can see anyone in the projectionist's room. We've got a low-grade mutiny developoing and I'm laughing so hard at the teenagers that I now hope the movie doesn't start for a while so I can see where this is going.
10:31 - a two year old is now running from side to side banging on chairs and squealing with glee; his mother can not keep up with him. As his mother gets closer and about to snatch him, the seventeen year old hollows to the two year old "...run, Little Dude, she's coming."
10:33 - the trailers begin...but the picture is so out of focus that we can not read words or distinguish characters. The hard cores are still hoping for the best and/or discussing leaving to see "Harry Potter" that starts at 10:45...allegedly. I'm still having a good time at the "movies" but the fuzzy picture finally runs us all out of the theatre. 10:46 - the few that are left have given up. There is chaos throughout Loew's complex and a long line at the ticket counter for refunds. I decide the line is too long and I'll just get my money some other day. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade: ??? Larry H.
Harry Potter and The Order of the PhoenixAnd it was Wednesday late morning when I started edging toward the outer office door and while looking over my left shoulder, I mumbled "...uh, I've got something I need to do and I've got to eat lunch...see you around two." You didn't think I was going to miss opening day of the Boy Wizard's return, did ya? I've read all of the Harry Potter books and Eric H. is devoted; he's one of those freaks that studies books about HP and has re-read at least once the more than four thousand pages by the glorious J.K. Rowling.
This movie is the big screen version of Book #5. Harry and Professor Dumbledore are telling the wizard world that Lord Voldermort, The Dark Lord, has returned. The Ministry of Magic (bureaucrats) does not want to believe that He Who Must Not Be Named has re-appeared so they set out to discredit Harry and Albus by sending Dolores Umbridge to spy on Hogwarts. The cruel and unfair Umbridge ultimately is appointed to takeover the post of Headmaster from Professor Dumbledore and then all hell breaks loose.
In this chapter of Harry's life, he is more mature and even has a passionate kiss with the lovely Cho, but Voldermort has made strides by infiltrating Harry's mind causing Harry to doubt his own motives. This is an angry Harry that is ready to do battle with Voldermort with the help of Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Ginny, his godfather Sirius Black, and of course the magnificent Professor Dumbledore.
I think this is the best Harry Potter movie. Director David Yates and Screenwriter Michael Goldenberg have done a skillful job in wittling down over 850 pages of Rowling's masterpiece by hitting the highlights and keeping the action moving. Those of you that are hard-core Harry Potter fans will be a little disappointed with small changes and parts omitted, but Rowling's story is sanctified and preserved. The closing scenes are scary and a work of art. I plan to see this movie again when Monique H. is ready. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 90. Larry H.
EveningI saw this movie Friday night with Monique H. but I'm typing these comments Saturday afternoon after my nap and I'm still groggy and testy. But I can still remember that this movie was boring and I didn't like any of the characters and actually hated a few. I know that a nice boy is not suppose to "hate" but I'm wound a little tight right now and my blood sugar is low; I need some Milk Duds.
Here's the story: old lady dying in bed tells two daughters about her tawdry, shallow life with her silly, rich friends in the 1950's. Flashbacks and forwards about 30 times revealed this simple, sad tale. And I didn't give a rat's foot. But the acting was shockingly good. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 72. Larry H.
License to WedI went to see this movie because of Robin Williams and John "Jim of The Office" Krasinski. This was a big break for the loveable Krasinski and I wanted to support him. His portrayal of the newly engaged Ben Murphy was one of the bright spots of this movie, but that's about it. I deserve bonus points for not walking out.
The screenplay is a classic example of what can go wrong from the time the writers pitch a script to the studio and actually showing it to a audience in Gulf Coast America and charging us for the privilege of seeing this wannabe movie about love and marriage. It was not funny; it was not charming; it was not interesting; it was a dud with a capital "D." Robin Williams should be whipped with a wet noodle for misleading us to believe that he would participate in such folly. Williams' portrayal of Reverend Frank stank. The popcorn was good! Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 69. Larry H.
TransformersI'm working at half speed during the holidays which means I'm going to the movies about half the time. I didn't know much about "Transformers"; never saw them on TV. I remember that Eric H. had a Transformer toy that was a really cool Advanced Robot monster-machine that "transformed" into other stuff like cars and such. The first Transformer we see in this movie is an old yellow Camaro with black racing stripes.
Here's the back ground: some bad alien Transformers attack a US Military base in present day Qatar and kill everyone except a few survivors. Meanwhile, back in the states, the US Government led by Secretary of Defense played by Jon Voight try to figure out what's going on. But they don't have a clue, until our 16 year old hero Sam connects with the Camaro that is really a good Transformer and before you know it there is a war between Good and Evil giant explosive robots and the US is in the middle and there is a Cube that is the key that is over 10,000 years old ....and on and on.
And this flick is big-time funny and entertaining. I laughed so much I was looking around me to see if I was causing a scene. Director Michael Bay, who also was an Executive Producer with Steven Spielberg, has got a winner and there will be many sequels. The CG is spectacular. This movie is Spider-Man meets Star Wars with just a hint of John Hughes' "Sixteen Candles." Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 89. Larry H.
Live Free or Die HardMy movie got bumped Friday afternoon so I had to resort to going to the picture show on a very rainy Sunday afternoon. I couldn't go Saturday as I was involved in a 3-gun competitive match which I handily won and was carried off the range triumphantly on the shoulders of the losers; that's a big fat lie but its sounds cool.
Bruce Willis has resurrected his action character in Detective John McClane who can shoot almost as well as I can. Ok, I admit that I might not be able to kill five bad guys with fully automatic rifles with only my semi-auto pistol. But I'd like to take a shot at it. And isn't that why we go to these action shoot-'em-up movies? This John McClane is as tough as Cool Hand Luke and as deadly as Dirty Harry with the suave of a James Bond (you choose your favorite Bond.) Detective McClane has aged a little and is now in his early 50's...not that there's anything wrong with that. And he listens to Credence Clearwater Revival so at least he has good taste in music.
In this story, the bad guys are computer terrorist that can shut down the country with their tech savvy and baffle the Cyber Security Division of the FBI. Meanwhile, there is only one person that can save the day: that's right...Super Hero John McClane who is forced to take out a helicopter with a car because as he explains "...I was out of bullets." I love that guy. And then the bad guys mess with his daughter; bad idea.
This is a fast nonstop action flick that is well edited with powerful special effects. I laughed and sat on the edge of my seat the whole movie. This movie is just fun. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 90. Larry H.
Evan AlmightyI had to see my boy Steve "The Office" Carell in his new Noah movie. Carell plays Evan Baxter, a freshman congressman from Buffalo, who is told (repeatedly) by God (Morgan Freeman) that he needs to build an ark. Evan rebels so God has to give him some "signs" to convince him that building the ark is the right thing to do even if Evan's prayer life is a little weak.
The plot is simple and sweet...and boring. But the ending is exciting and worth the trip, but dang it was painful getting to the climax. Not even Carell can carry a poorly written script. I would give it a lower grade, but I fear the Wrath of God. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 85. Larry H.
Ocean's ThirteenThis is the third installment of Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and the gang ripping off the bad guys in Las Vegas. They only steal from the unsrupulous hotel owner because Mr. Big (Al Pacino) is arrogant and has offended one of Danny's boy. In this case, the offended one is Rueben Tishkoff (Elliot Gould). Danny's main lieutenants are once again Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) and Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon) which translates into a can't-miss movie - NOT.
I was so bored I almost walked out numerous times, but gave director Steven Soderbergh the benefit of the doubt because he's a big-time director and the cast is huge. Let me try to crytallize my thoughts so you will better understand my true feelings about this "Ocean's": Spit in the Ocean...er Spit ON the Ocean; My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean; Ocean's Half Dozen; and my number one - Go jump in the Ocean! Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 69. Larry H.
Mr. BrooksThis Mr. Brooks (Kevin Costner) is a serial killer and his alter ego, who appears on camera and whispers murderous advice in the background, is played by William Hurt. That combo alone made me want to buy a ticket. Throw in Demi Moore as the detective cop that is hot on Mr. Brooks' trail and this plot sounds like a must-see movie. Slight problem. Let me try to explain it by the numbers:
20 - number of times this movie gave me the creeps
100 - minutes of this 120 minute movie that I was sweating
??? - number of people who got whacked
0 - number of times I ever want to see this movie again
4 - number of outstanding acting performances (add Danielle Panabaker)
3 - number of times I was downright frightened
Color me a sissy on this one. I did not like nor could I relate to anyone in this flick, but I don't think the writers, director, or producers cared. It was all about the story and intrigue of this twisted murderer that went to AA meetings and said the serenity prayer often because he was "addicted" to murder. And now you know why I got the creeps. I give this movie high marks for altering my emotions which is a primary goal of a good movie, but dang. I'm in it for a good time and now I think I need counseling. Some of you people will love this movie and rave about the deep thought-provoking aspect of modern-day reality, but most of you should keep that Memorial Day party atmosphere alive for another weekend and "...change the things you can." Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 86. Larry H.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndAlso known as "Pirates 3." I've been trying to see this movie for three days; I've been busy shopping with She Who Must Not Be Named and going to high school graduation parties: congratulations to Brandon S., Steve J., and April F. and college grad Laura M.
This movie is over 2 1/2 hours so get ready for a long haul, Mate. The old gang of Orlando Bloom (Will Turner) and Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Swan) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) form an unlikely team to find and free Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). It took them almost 45 minutes to find Captain Jack and I was getting impatient because Jackie is my favorite pirate and my interest is high when Depp's Captain Jack is on the screen.
I've decided this Captain Jack is a cross between Spider-Man and Eddie Haskell with a touch of The Scarecrow except this character's got a brain. If you liked the first two "Pirates" then you'll like this one; it's just simple fantasy and fun. Is that so wrong?
Plenty of dueling Pirate Lords, the dead, the un-dead, the soon to be un-un-dead, and the soon to be dead probably. You will need a program to keep up with the players, but then again I knew I was missing the nuances of the story but I didn't care and don't think it mattered. Just set sail for the voyage. The closing battle lasted about an hour.
These pirates had decidedly bad teeth; must have inherited their dental hygiene from the British; all of the pirates except Ms. Knightley who has pretty white teeth. I figured Director Gore Verbinski just couldn't allow make-up to mess up the good looks of the only fox in a den of uglies...aarrrrggghhh. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 87. Larry H.
Shrek the ThirdShrek the Third is one too many for me. I liked Shrek the First a lot and was ok with the Second, but this one had it's moments but overall was weak.
Now if you are under five, there is great hope for you. I sneaked off to the 11 o'clock show Friday morning and there were lots of small children in Loew's Theatre 17 with me. Theatre #17 is one of those giant theatres (capacity 681) so I sat about half up on my usual aisle seat. I was fortunate to sit mid-level because it afforded me the opportunity to listen to kids laugh and squeal in stereo. There must have been a Mother's Day Out group behind me that seemed quite pleased to be at the movies on this gorgeous Friday.
The moms had things under control for the first hour and then must have just said "oh to heck with it...let 'em rip and roar." I actually enjoyed the kids using their outside voices in the theatre; reminded me of the old days when Eric H. was a crazy kid.
This DreamWorks production is done with class and the music is wonderful, but the story was tired and lacked passion. Shrek the Third will be a box-office bonanza because the stars' voices and the animation are legendary, but as the cashier told Jerry Seinfeld "...I've seen your act and it just doesn't do it for me." Rock 'n Roll.
Grade: NR Larry H.
Spider-Man 3It's been a struggle to get in the theatre to see S-M 3. Today is Cinco de Mayo but the trek started on Cuatro de Mayo. Friday evening Monique H. and I were rejected at AMC and Loew's because of sellouts. I told the ticket clerk that I was Larry H. and the young woman said "...oh, hi, Jerry, sorry we're sold out."
I must write this quickly as the seventh game of the Rockets v. Utah Jazz is beginning and it's important that I focus my energy on supporting the Rockets as I'm afraid they need me. And Spider-Man director Sam Raimi needed me about a year ago when he was making his final editing cuts. I could have pointed out a few scenes that should have been whacked; this Spidey flick was too long. I felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions. Great beginning faded into near boredom and then back to intense action and character development and then back to a lull.
I enjoyed most of the movie, but a good movie should not have gaps of interest. If you are a Spidey, then go see Tobey and Kirsten. The music by Danny Elfman is wonderful and the special effects are spectacular. The Rockets are down by seven points in the first quarter; I'm worried. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 87. Larry H. Note: I couldn't save the Rockets...
FractureI let Monique H. pick the movie for our date. I'd hoped that she would choose "Next" starring Nicholas Cage, but after reading blurbs about movies on the net she chose "Fracture." She's a good movie picker.
This is an excellent well-written/directed film. The script is fast-paced and the editing is right on the mark. I usually don't comment on the lighting but this movie was intriguing and at times the shadows and light emphasis dominated the scenes so I'm giving all-around credit to Cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau. This paragraph is boring me so I will now tell you about my Mr. Pibb, popcorn, and Butterfingers; I ate and drank a lot and developed that full feeling.
This is a crime thriller/mystery. Anthony Hopkins is a brilliant rich guy who thinks his much younger wife is having an affair so he shoots her in the head with a Glock pistol: allegedly. Ryan Gosling is the young deputy DA who is assigned the case as he's "on his way out the door" to become a junior associate in a Corporate Law Firm with a beautiful blond boss. But he must prosecute the supposedly slam dunk case before he goes into the private sector to make the big bucks because we know that the Lord wants all private attorneys to make a large pile of money. Amen.
Monique H. and I admitted to each other after the movie that we were totally entranced with the plot and didn't want to miss a single word; it's clever and thought-provoking. And I liked all the characters! Spider Man rules! Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 92. Larry H.
Perfect Strangers"Perfect Strangers" is a perfect bust and I'm not talking about Halle Berry. Pretty Girl goes undercover to nail Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis) as the probable rich murderer of her childhood girl friend Grace. And I wished they would've killed each other as I didn't care a wit about any of them. They could all go jump in the Hudson River for all I care. They were all a bunch of Ho's. No wait a minute; I take that back. My bad.
I like Bruce Willis movies, and Halle Berry is one the prettiest humans on earth so I blame it on the screenwriter. Off with his head! I deserved a good movie today because I've been working hard this week and barely made Monique H. mad at me this entire week. The crowd of about 40 seemed a little subdued, too. I was downright groggy.
This movie is designed for You People that think you're soooo smart that you can solve murder mysteries. I'm not very good at it so I just sit back and let it develop and then claim I knew it all along, but don't tell Monique H. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 71. Larry H.
ShooterI had planned to shoot a multi-gun match (AR-15, 12 gauge, and .38 Super) today but we got rained out. A clap of thunder awakened me at 6:37 am; it was a nice rain. So what's a boy to do? I put Monique H. in the truck and carried her to the theatre. She's a nice girl; on Tuesday it will be 26 years!
"Shooter" starring Mark Wahlberg is a little bit better shooter than I am. I'm good out to about 300+ yards. Ex-Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bob Lee Swagger (Wahlberg) is good out to about 1500 yards when shooting his US Marine issue M40A3 Sniper Rifle that is fully tricked out with high powered scope etc. And Sgt Swagger can put one in the bullseye at over 1720 yards, but that is rare even for snipers. So rare that he is recruited out of "retirement" from his peaceful life in Wyoming where he shares a picturesque cabin with only his dog Sam. Bob Lee's mission is to assist in preventing an assisnation attempt on the President at a distance of over a mile. Being the good American that he is, he participates in what he thinks is a legitimate government operation, but he is acutally set up as the fall guy and must go underground to save himself and expose the bad guys.
This movie is an action thriller because it has a lot of action and a lot of thrilling suspenseful scenes. The film editing is brilliant and the script is tight. It has a great beginning, middle, and ending. More than once I had to reach over to hold Monique H's hand because I was scared. At least that's what I told her; she always holds my right hand with her two-hand clasp if she thinks I'm "scared." This flick is definitely worth a trip to the theatre on a rainy Saturday morning. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 90. Larry H.
Blades of GloryI have two things to say about this movie:
1) I ate too much for lunch and couldn't eat as much popcorn as required for a well-rounded diet.
2) This movie is dumb as a board and I laughed inappropriately and often.
Will "Ricky Bobby" Ferrell and Jon "Napoleon Dynamite" Heder are teamed together as Olympic ice skaters that were stripped of their gold medals and permanently banned from men's single competition. However, they found a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pairs team. Ferrell is a throw back to Jim Morrison and Heder is a weird creation to an effeminate Napoleon Dynamite. This movie does not pretend to be normal or appeal to mainstream. If you have the sense of humor of a 12 year old middle school drop-out, then you will be good to go for this flick.
It is a combination of: Austin Powers, Monty Python, Anchorman Ron Burgandy/Legend of Ricky Bobby, Napoleon Dynamite, and Rocky Horror Picture Show. There were about 17 of us in one of Loew's giant theatres so each of us could hear the other laugh; I noticed folks looking at me over their shoulders. I know I belted out some embarrassing belly laughs, but Will Ferrell kills me and Jon Heder was the perfect mate. Tagline: Kick Some Ice!
Jenna Fischer, Pam from "The Office," had a break-through performance and will be the big winner. I can not recommend this movie, but if you're down and out and need a few laughs at others expense, then buy a ticket and take a chance. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 79. Larry H.
Wild HogsIf you are looking for a light-hearted-middle-aged-men-go-on-a-road-trip movie, then this is for you. The four "Wild Hogs" are John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy. Each of them has reached various levels of unhappiness and dysfunction in their mundane and meaningless lives so Woody (Travolta) convinces them to take off on their Harleys and "...head to the Pacific without any plans...and no cell phones."
They were not even particularly skilled bikers but they have leather jackets and boots and off they go. I started laughing early and continued with snickers and an occasional belly laugh. This ain't Oscar material but it doesn't pretend to be anything other than a silly, feel-good movie with some likeable characters acting stupid, brave, heroic, and more stupider. (I know you can't say "more stupider" but it felt right.)
I only went to this movie because of two reasons: 1. I was in a mellow spring mood and wanted silly and stupid and 2. Monique H. was not with me. Mission accomplished. Now I can go home having successfully completed my week. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 84. Larry H.
Reno 911: MiamiI'm in a hurry because Monique H. just called my office and told me to get home so I gotta go. Good thing I walked out of this movie so I was here to take her call. But being the trooper that I am, I intend to share my thoughts with you about this movie before I go home and begin my weekend tasks.
Don't go see this piece of trash! It's not a movie; it's an extended episode of "Reno 911" from Comedy Central gone bad. I did not doze off more than a few minutes. Why you bother to see such trash, Larry H., you ask. To protect and serve, Sir, so that others do not have to go where I've been. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 69W. Larry H.
Music and LyricsHugh Grant is the "Music" and Drew Barrymore is the "Lyrics." Grant plays a washed-up singer from the 80's that now plays State Fairs and amusement parks if he's lucky. Barrymore plays a perky, cute, ditzy intellectual (big stretch) that is the substitute plant lady who comes to Grant's apartment to adminster plant care and within minutes endures herself to him as a potential lyricist. Never mind that she's never written a song because this is magic time and we need some quick love. And quick music; Grant has two days to write a song for a sexy teen idol that is more provcative than Madonna. He's desperate for a lyriscist and money and since he's only a piano man, the match is made in heaven... or is it.
Did I really care if these two got together? Yes! And that's the simple formula for a successful fluff movie or any movie for that matter. The script is clever and quick while the acting was above average. Monique H. and I had been partying all afternoon with Italian dinner and shopping (am I a sap or what?) and we topped it off with this Valentine's Day movie at 4:45 pm at Loew's.
If you need to take your chick to a flick and not get caught napping, then this is the date movie for you. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 88. Larry H.
Catch and Release"Catch and Release" is a chick flick that I saw with Monique H. last Saturday night February 3rd. I didn't want to see this movie but Monique H. did so we compromised and saw "Catch and Release."
And I liked it more than she did; go figure. The complicated emotional character development was very well done. The big winners of the movie: Jennifer Garner, Timothy "Pretty Boy" Olyphant, and Kevin "Clerks" Smith. Since the weather will be cold and rainy this coming weekend, you might consider this one. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 86. Larry H.
Notes on a ScandalMonique H. and I saw this movie Saturday night after we ate a lovely meal at Ninfa's. Nothing like dinner and a movie.
This movie is very weird. As starters, it's set in England with an all-British cast and I'm not that fond of the Brits. And the plot is so British: a young pretty, married high school art teacher (Kate Blanchett) has an affair with one of her 15 year old male students and they are caught in the act by an old "battle-axe" spinster teacher (Judi Dench) who then attempts to emotionally blackmail the art teacher into having an affair with her.
As bizarre as that sounds, the story was surprisingly interesting and suspenseful and the acting was outstanding. I saw this movie as a compromise with Monique H. which is a poor way to choose a movie but sometimes necessary for a successful dinner and date. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 86. Larry H.
The Last King of ScotlandI've been trying to see this movie for days so I could check out the Best Actor nomination of Forest Whitaker who according to Oscar "buzz" had the inside track to win. Now I know why. Whitaker becomes Idi Amin the strong-man dictator that took power in a coup in Uganda. I knew from the first appearance of Whitaker's General/President Amin that we had a winner.
The movie begins through the eyes of a young Scotish physcian (James McAvoy) that arrives in Uganda as a do-gooder on the day that Amin takes over from the current regime. From a chance meeting, the young Scot becomes Amin's personal doctor so we are kept close to the action through this fictional doctor and get an up-close charactarization of the much publicized peculiar habits of Amin that run anywhere from cannabalism to mass murder depending on the source.
Whitaker is intimdating to all around him and I felt it, too. When Whitaker was on the screen, his presence was overwhelming. The movie was only so-so and at times slow moving and overly attempted to delve into the psyche of Amin, but Whitaker will long be remembered for his performance and it will be a surprise if he does not win. The movie is rated R for lots of reasons not the least of which is gruesome scenes. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 84. Larry H.
The QueenI went to this movie because I didn't want Helen Mirren to get a nomination for playing Queen Elizabeth without seeing it before the nominations are announced Tuesday morning. I didn't know much about the movie. I was surprised how good it turned out and how much Monique H. and I enjoyed it this cold and rainy Saturday afternoon.
I typically don't pay much attention to the Royals much less the queen, but I was riveted to the "action" and conflict forced onto the staid and resentful Queen when Lady Diana Spenser died in 1997 in the fateful car crash in Paris. The reaction or lack thereof by the Royal Family and the queen's torment in the week after Di's death is the main setting of this story. Queen Elizabeth was shocked and caught off guard at the world's adulation and deep mourning for Princess Diana at a time when she was suppose to be out of their lives, but ironically she was thrust back into Buckingham Palace in her death.
I will be surprise if Helen Mirren is not nominated; her performance was memorable and dynamic. The audience is treated to the behind-the-scenes lives of the queen and the Royal Family so I hope it was an accurate portray. I felt like I was sneaking a peek into forbidden territory which included their forty thousand acre country estate. Michael Sheen ably co-stars as Prime Minister Tony Blair who is credited with helping the Royals finally understand the deep emotional reaction at the death of the "People's Princess."
This movie had a skillfully timed ending and left the audience wanting more; over half of them remained seated during the rolling of the credits which is a sure sign of approval. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 90. Larry H.
Letters From Iwo JimaThis movie is from the Japanese perspective which is primarily from caves and tunnels dug by them on the Island of Iwo Jima as they readied for the ensuing battle with the Americans - the Good Guys. This is Clint "Hang 'Em High" Eastwood's attempt at showing all sides of a battle and that war is hell and that soldiers who die for their country are brave and admirable no matter the county. I get that, but I do not think Clint did a good job at making the Japanese experience interesting or compelling.
The movie was way too long (141 minutes) and made the same point over and over: the Japanese are people, too, with feelings and families. God bless 'em; now let's move on with some entertaining character development, suspense, and action. Sorry, but this is no 1970 "Tora! Tora! Tora!" Clint bumped up against "entertaining" but couldn't close the deal as far as I was concerned.
And I don't care how much a story or director humanizes the "enemy;" they are still the enemy and I was pulling for the Americans and when I saw our overwhelming fleet about to invade the outmanned and scared Japanese troops, I had a thought: "hey, should of thought of that before you bombed Pearl Harbor you sneak-attack piece of .... I did not jump up and start cheering for the Americans as they hit the beaches because I decided that it would be rude to cause a disruption in the theatre. If I see this movie again in a theatre I will. I'm getting worked up again just thinking about it.
My take is that most in the audience did not share my emotional disconnect with the Japanese. I don't care. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 74. Larry H.
Freedom WritersI quickly parked in my spot at AMC's Loews at the Fountains. I'd noticed that there were only a few cars in the parking lot which is unusual for a holiday. It was raining and 37 degrees so I ran as fast I could toward the entry doors. As I was approaching the theatre, a young man hollered "Sir! Sir!" That's never a good sign. "We do not have any power...would you like to have a movie list of later times?" Dang! Now, I'm out in the freezing cold and nowhere to go on this fine MLK holiday. But wait; there's another showing of "Freedom Writers" at First Colony AMC in 35 minutes. And that was the highlight of my movie experience.
This movie is dull and predictable about a white teacher who finally gets the "warring teenagers" of Long Beach CA circa 1994 to stop fighting the world long enough to learn something. I was not interested in any of the characters and didn't care what happened. I did not walk out because it was too cold and rainy and I didn't want anybody to think I was insensitive to the plight of downtrodden teenagers that live in a violent world that solves problems with bullets. Hillary Swank was acceptable as the high school English teacher but her husband (Dr. McDreamy) was a dud. The screenplay was weak and editing unimaginative. I am now sitting at home warm and cozy waiting on Jack Bauer to save the world at seven tonight. Jack Bauer for President! Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 72. Larry H.
Night at the MuseumIt's a cloudy, dreary Saturday afternoon. Good weather for an inside sport and it just so happens that I excel at one inside sport: movie going. I could have gone to "Freedom Writers" starring Hilary Skank, but I needed some laughter in my life so I went to this movie starring Ben Stiller and directed by one of the new Spielberg might-bees Shawn Levy. Levy is one of those that graduated from Yale at age 20 and became an accomplished actor, writer, director, and producer which means he has the brains and the bucks to make it happen. I plan to pay attention to his career.
Stiller plays Larry Daley who takes a job as a night shift security guard at a New York museum. I don't know why the name "Larry" was chosen as the name of this hapless, unemployed divorcee as there is nothing funny about the name "Larry." Just kidding; we all know that folks named Larry are funny and good looking.
This museum has a slight twist. Each night all of the historical characters on display from Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams) to a cowboy named Jedidiah (Owen Wilson) to Attila the Hun and a variety of animals come alive. And I mean "alive" as in-character: flinging arrows, building fires, shootin' and riding horses. And two of the great actors of all time co-star: Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney who has been dead for 20 years.
If you want a light-hearted feel-good movie, then this is the one for you. The crowd ranged from the old to infants sitting in momma's lap. Levy should make a ton of money. I went to this movie immediately after eating a big lunch with Monique and Eric H. so I was not hungry upon arrival. But not to be short changed, I bought my popcorn, Mr. Pibb, and milk duds "to go" and ate them on the way home. Rock 'n Roll.
Grade 85. Larry H.
Return to Larry H's Movie Reviews Page | Return to Homepage