The Dirty Dozen: The Worst Movies of 2010

So far this year, I've seen over 100 movies in theaters, and an additional dozen or so on DVD. Of these releases, some have been incredible, while others earn a whole other distinction. While I'm not quite ready to put together my best of list (still have about 6 or 7 left to see for 2010 releases), I feel I am in a good position to announce the worst films of 2010. I've said in the past that the worst movies of the year are those that are the biggest disappointments. Some movies that I have panned may be ranked slightly differently than those that I merely disliked due to the fact that ones I disliked I may have expected more from (if that makes any sense!).

Here are the worst dozen - from least bad (but still awful) to absolutely unwatchable:

12. The Karate Kid

This is easily one of the dumbest movies to be released in 2010. First it's a family film with an enormous 2 hour and 20 minute run time - even the most patient of kids usually can't get past 90 minutes. The makers shamelessly were cashing in on the original by calling it the same thing - which is disgusting as they were performing kung-fu in the movie, not karate. And just as a moviegoer (who was looking forward to this) it was boooorrring and full of predictable sports movie devices.

11. When In Rome

I love Veronica Mars and Las Vegas - two shows that aren't on the air anymore. Maybe that's because the leads of the shows, Kristin Bell and Josh Duhamel, respectively, wanted to pursue movie careers. They both chose this rom-com failure, a tepid, unfunny story of a girl who steals coins from a fountain which then magically earns her stalkers - those that threw in the coins in the first place. I really hated it. That's all I have to say.

10. Eat, Pray, Love

I truly felt trapped watching this movie. Julia Roberts stars in the based-on-a-true-story tale of Liz Gilbert, a woman who was bored with her privileged life and decided to leave it all behind. With all of the tragedy and disease in the world, it was hard to get invested in Gilbert's woes as she came off whiny and spoiled. This movie would have ended up even higher on the worst list if not for the excellent cinematography.

09. Love and Other Drugs

This could have been a good movie. It should have been a good movie. You get two talented actors - Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway - and tell a true story about a girl with a disease, it just seems like something everyone would be all over. Well, the problem is it didn't know what it wanted to be - it never developed as a drama, comedy, or coming-of-age tale - it just kind of died on screen in pathetic fashion.

08. The Back-Up Plan

Jennifer Lopez has always been hit or miss with me. Selena was good, Enough was horrible. The Cell was freaking awesome, Gigli earned it's awful reputation. We could go back and forth, but we'd definitely end up putting The Back-Up Plan in the loss column. It was pure rom-com torture - a chick flick for only the chick-iest of flicksters.

07. The Bounty Hunter

It's my own fault. The trailers looked terrible. Gerard Butler is only good when he's an animated character (see How to Train Your Dragon). Jennifer Aniston is awesome but needs an agent who stops getting her involved in such run-of-the-mill stupidity. I'm not going to get into describing the plot as the filmmakers didn't really either.

06. Skyline

I was really looking forward to this movie! Alien invasions are usually so much fun, but this take on one was about as boring as they come. I didn't care about a single character, and they only showed the actual aliens for about a minute in the entire movie. Very unfortunate.

05. The Little Fockers

Meet the Parents is one of my favorite comedies. I loved it. Unfortunately it has been plagued with two increasingly terrible sequels. The Little Fockers is really just a sad exercise in rich actors getting richer solely for the sake of money, as none of them are very funny here in a story that is so plain and dull a third grader could have written it.

04. Letters to Juliet

My brother and I took our mother to see this for Mother's Day. Mom liked it. We hated it. It's a very girly movie about people (led by Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave) driving all over Italy trying to find a lost lover. The thing that really bothered me was that none of the people thought to use a phone book, cell phone, or the internet, instead opting to drive everywhere in search of a man who surely would have come up on Google. I guess there wouldn't have been a movie if they had done that - but we all would have been better off. Sorry mom.

03. Chloe

Maybe I'm a prude, but this was one dirty little movie. Amanda Seyfried (yeah, I know, two horrible movies in a row) stars as a prostitute who is hired (by Julianne Moore's wife character) to lead a man (Liam Neeson) into temptation in a movie that is truly a love triangle in every sense. That being said, it's uncomfortable to watch, none of the characters have any redeeming qualities, and the story-telling is too clunky to appreciate anything about it. It's an awful movie.

02. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Oh this movie was bad bad bad. Woody Allen lost it here, squandering a talented cast that included Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, and Antonio Banderas in a tale about romantic crises at all points of married life. It's nearly unbearable to sit through and the closest I came to walking out of any movie all year.

01. After.Life

Made in 2009 but not released in the U.S. until this year, After.Life starring Liam Neeson (two horrible movies, just like Seyfried), Justin Long, and Christina Ricci in a "we want it to be trippy" thriller that is terribly predictable, terribly acted, and just all around terrible. It never opened wide, most had to catch it on DVD (like I did) and I would bet most wished they didn't.

All right, those were my worst of the year. Just missing the list were Killers, Why Did I Get Married Too? and Saw 3D. What were your worst picks for the year? Prepare to defend your answers!! Peace!

Quick Recaps

I saw three more movies, but haven't had the time to write all of the reviews. Here are my thoughts on the three briefly - but full reviews for all will come soon!

How Do You Know - Mostly boring and unbelievable, yet a couple of really really nice moments save it from a complete disaster. 4 out of 10.

Little Fockers - A complete disaster. Talented people abusing their Hollywood status. 2 out of 10. A surefire worst movie of the year contender.

True Grit - I really liked this movie - didn't love it - but liked it. Cold Mountain is better, yet this still proved compelling and mostly intriguing. The young girl is incredible. 7.5 out of 10.

All right, as I said, full reviews coming within the next few days. Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Movie Review: BLACK SWAN

photo © 2010 John Steven Fernandez | more info (via: Wylio)**Black Swan was my 100th movie seen in theaters this year - not counting ones I saw on DVD or saw twice in theaters! That's a personal bucket list goal of mine!**

Director Darren Aronofsky's last movie, The Wrestler, was a critical hit that I just didn't care for. I felt it was a knock-off of Rocky Balboa and while I didn't hate it, I didn't get all the fuss. His newest film, Black Swan, is also a critical hit. I was cautiously looking forward to it, but worried maybe Darren and I just didn't see eye to eye when it came to how a movie should be made. Well I can happily report that in my mind anyways he has fully redeemed himself with this excellent new thriller.

Black Swan is not a ballet flick, it's a movie about ballet dancers. Natalie Portman gives the performance of her life as Nina Sayers, a dedicated performer who is addicted to her craft. When this dedication turns into obsession, her world blends with an almost schizophrenic and/or parallel dream universe that is fascinating, and at times hard, to watch. Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, and Winona Ryder also give riveting supporting performances, some of which will surely earn award recognition.

I never have been to a ballet, nor do I care to. But the one thing I never stopped to think about is how hard these dancers work. How obsessed they get with being the best is just like sports, writing, or any other field. I have to ask myself "what for - it's just prancing around on stage?" but I guess that's another essay for another time. This is a movie that almost is a parable for addiction or the workaholic nature many of us have. There is so much symbolism in this movie I'm sure it will be studied in film classes for years to come. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will see it again before it leaves theaters. I would give Black Swan a 9 out of 10.

Family Take: Absolutely not! This movie is a hard R that has sexual content, violence, and swearing. It also is extremely intense and downright scary at times.

If You Like Black Swan Try: One of the things I liked most about Black Swan is that it was different from most movies that I've seen. It's hard to pick one like it, but I would suggest Identity with John Cusack as a man who is dealing with his own set of problems as he just tries to do his job.

Movie Review: TRON: LEGACY

photo © 2010 Loren Javier | more info (via: Wylio)Okay, I'll admit, I wasn't a fan of the original Tron movie that was released twenty-odd years ago. That being said, with all the technological advancements since then, this movie should have been amazing. And while the 3D effects were cool, and there were some awesome scenes, the 127 minute movie only contained the plot of a three minute Disney theme park attraction.

The film opens sort of like the far better Star Trek movie of last year. There is a rebel who is being chased by the cops while swerving and speeding on the highway. This rebel is Sam Flynn, the troubled son of the missing Kevin Flynn who first encountered the Tron computer program in the original movie. Since the disappearance, Sam has turned his back on the family company, and instead resorts to playing pranks at their annual meetings. Far fetched? Yes. But so is getting trapped in a computer - I could forgive many flaws for the sake of having fun, but this movie just wasn't very fun.

The first twenty minutes after Sam gets sucked into the same computerized laser world as his father are the best twenty minutes in the film. The 3D lasers and gladiator style challenges are awesome. The second Sam gets rescued from these games is the second the movie goes down hill. It's not terrible, but it's way too long and extremely repetitive. The villain is a computer clone of Kevin Flynn, and he just isn't scary. And in the last few minutes, one character pulls out this "power" that I was like "why didn't you just use that earlier?"

If you decide you still want to see this movie, make sure you do in 3D. I would have been even harsher had I not been impressed by the way they utilized the format here. I would give Tron: Legacy a 5 out of 10.

Family Take: This movie is only rated PG, which when I think back, makes sense. I don't remember much swearing, the violence is all computerized - meaning the "programs" that are defeated don't bleed but instead shatter like glass. There is no sexual content, although the female characters wear some pretty tight clothing. The most offensive thing would probably be the scene in a bar -it's not terrible, but it is a little creepy. A couple of young children in the screening I was in seemed to get quite fidgety - it's way too long, and they seemed to just want it to end.

If You Like Tron: Legacy Try: While it's different in many ways, the movie Galaxy Quest, also rated PG, is much more fun. Aliens think a Star-Trek style TV show is real, so come to earth looking for the "crew" to help save their world.

Movie Review: TANGLED

photo © 2010 Loren Javier | more info (via: Wylio)Tangled is a very refreshing movie. While not geared at a 27-year old male by any means, the animated fantasy flick is good for all audiences because it relies on storytelling, and storytelling alone. The PG-rated take on the Rapunzel tale is fast-paced, fun, and as one other critic put it, doesn't throw in a lot of product placement for a cheap laugh here and there, which ultimately makes this a timeless movie. Those type don't come out that often.

Flynn Ryder is a thief who accidentally stumbles upon a tower deep in the woods. Guess who's there? Yup - Rapunzel, long hair and all, who as been unknowingly convinced by her evil "mother" that the world is a dangerous place. This "mother" is actually an old woman who uses Rapunzel's magical hair to stay young. The classic story, which I always found a little ridiculous, is told as well as it could be here, and I actually enjoyed most of it. I wasn't a big fan of the lackluster musical numbers, but again, I bet for 5-10 year-old girls, they fit the bill perfectly. From a critical standpoint, this may have lacked the emotional oomph of a Pixar film, but it's still worth seeing. I would give Tangled a 7.5 out of 10.

Family Take: I would give this PG rated film my full family blessing if not for a quite violent (relatively) stabbing near the end of the movie.

If You Like Tangled Try: Shrek takes the fairy-tale world and tears it apart, and I still love it.

Movie Review: CHRONICLES OF NARNIA - VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER

photo © 2010 Walter Lim | more info (via: Wylio)Growing up, I wasn't allowed to read the Narnia books. Just about anything with magic was off-limits, despite the meaning. Since then, I haven't gone back to read the classic series. My only experience in the mythical land is through the new movie series. The third entry, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, follows a great first installment, and a good second chapter in the saga. I was looking forward to the third, hoping it would be able to keep pace with the other two. Sadly, for me, it didn't - but I didn't hate it.

Reviewing from a non-religious standpoint, the special effects and sets are really the pride of this film. The world of Narnia is brought to life so magically, I cannot imagine it done better - but again, I haven't read the books so maybe I am too easy to please. Where the problems start for me is with the characters. First, the character of Eustace, who I'm sure in the books was supposed to be a little brat, is so annoying he was almost unwatchable. The actor who played him, Will Poulter, was so stale and over-dramatic that I truly question him being cast in the role.

The story itself could have also used a lot more editing or a longer run time. They introduce so many characters but their stories are so mildly touched on - and they all had potential. They should have eliminated one or two, or just made the movie longer to fully develop them.

That being said, a "bad" day in Narnia is better than many other "good" days at the movies - it was nice to be back in this world, despite it's short comings. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

Family Take: It's a PG, but it's a strong PG. Themes of temptation and greed are explained very well, but the violence, while non-graphic, is quite intense. I would suggest this for ages 10 and up.

If You Like Voyage of the Dawn Treader Try: Try the first two in the series, or the Lord of the Rings series.

Movie Review: THE TOURIST

photo © 2010 Gage Skidmore | more info (via: Wylio)Angelina Jolie is one of my favorite actresses. While her characters are not that diverse, the action heroine she often falls back on is so well done. I'll see almost anything she's in. Despite getting critically panned, her new movie, The Tourist, also starring Johnny Depp, is not half bad. But it could have been a heck of a lot better.

Depp plays the tourist in question, a man just out for a train ride in the European countryside. When Jolie's character involves him in some risky business, instead of being mad, he finds himself in love. Some of the dialog is over-polished and hokey, and the first hour of the movie moves at a glacial pace. That being said, the last 40 minutes are excellent, fast-moving, and downright funny at times.

I would have liked Jolie and Depp to interact more - their chemistry was seemingly non-existent. They are both very good at the acting profession, but neither really seemed to want to be making this film. My guess is that their agents pitched it as a European vacation with a little side work. That's even if they went to Europe where the film is set - there are some clunky and obvious backdrops where you can practically see the green screen reflecting off of their hair. Former James Bond, Timothy Dalton, and Paul Bettany round out the underused supporting cast, but with all of that criticism, I didn't hate the movie. My guess is you won't either - you just won't love it. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

Family Take: It's too slow for most kids to want to see it, and there is some violence and profanity not suitable for those under 13.

If You Like The Tourist Try: For adults, ramp up the mystery of a train ride by watching the thriller Transsiberian which was released a couple of years ago.

It's That Time of Year

So this is the time of year where critics, film groups, and individuals start listing their top ten films of the year, as well as naming their winners for best EVERYTHING. Since these folks get to see advance screenings of every movie out there, I cannot give a final call on 2010 films until I see everything myself (some 2010 films aren't released until as late as February of 2011 - they start out in LA and NY, and just roll out.) That being said, below would be my choices as of right now - list subject to change as needed.

Best Picture: Toy Story 3

Best Director: Danny Boyle, 127 Hours

Best Actor: James Franco, 127 Hours

Best Actress: Noomi Rapace, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Best Supporting Actor: James Frencheville, Animal Kingdom

Best Supporting Actress: Jackie Weaver, Animal Kingdom

Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3

Best Documentary: Exit Through the Gift Shop

Best Original Screenplay: Christopher Nolan, Inception

Best Adapted Screenplay: Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

So that's where I'm at so far. Most of the buzzed about supporting actor roles I have yet to see, but I must say - Jackie Weaver and Noomi Rapace in the actress categories will be hard to top. They created two of the most memorable on-screen characters this year. What are your picks so far?

Movie Review: THE WARRIOR'S WAY

Not many people saw The Warrior's Way when it was released in theaters last weekend. Last night, at my evening screening, there were only two other people in the entire theater other than my brother and myself. Every so often a great movie comes out that no one goes to see (Scott Pilgrm!!) - this I can confidently tell you is not one of them. This boring, silly, disjointed east-meets-west action flick deserves the place it will earn in obscurity.

The oddly put together cast includes Academy Award Winner Geoffrey Rush, who should fire his agent for even letting him entertain the idea of playing a bit-rate drunk character. Kate Bosworth (who is know for her role in Superman Returns) plays a whiny-heroine type who gets the help from the token Asian martial arts master played by Dong-gun Jang. The overly layered plot is never fully developed, and the same can be said for most of the characters. At the heart of the movie, the message is that you should protect the ones you love, no matter who they are. That's nice and all, but the story is just not worth telling in the first place. There are too many villains, too many creeps, and too many death sequences where the music kicks in like we are supposed to care more than we do.

The only people whose hard work paid off in this movie are the set designers and the cinematographer's. Every scene looked excellent, and it's part of the reason I wanted to see the movie in the first place. Overall though, this movie would earn a 3.5 out of 10.

Family Take: The R rating is warranted for tons of blood - though most of it is over the top and powdery. There is also some sexual content discussed, but never seen on screen.

If You Like The Warrior's Way Try: If you like this, you'll love the now classic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which is the film that started the modern martial arts movie trend in America. It's exceptional.

Movie Review: LOVE & OTHER DRUGS

photo © 2008 Nicholas Bufford | more info (via: Wylio)Love & Other Drugs is a miserable, long, annoying exercise in patience. Much like Eat, Pray, Love, this film takes unlikable characters and have them say miserable things to one another and then the movie ends. Unlike EPL, this film doesn't even have the nice scenery to make it mildly diverting - unless you count quite a few segments of nudity as scenery. Why this story was even made into a movie is beyond me, and I would highly suggest avoiding it.

Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal), a pharmaceutical sales rep meets Maggie (Anne Hathaway), a cynical woman with medical issues. They begin a relationship of sorts that is anything but conventional. This movie is based on a true story, but after doing some research online, I've found that the film is very very very loosely based on actual events. That's not a surprise as so much of the story felt over-the-top and ridiculous. The acting is very good - but the two leads cannot save a script that has them both be unlikable and unrealistic. There is a plot line about a new job, Viagra, and the state of the country's healthcare system, but they don't really impact the story overall.

While the film is under two hours, it felt much longer. At about twenty minutes in, I lost interest. It's so dull it's almost a crime. There isn't a whole lot more to say, other than I highly suggest passing on this waste. It's important to know that this is not a comedy like the marketing may suggest. I would give it a 3 out of 10.

Family Take: There is enough nudity and swearing to earn the R rating - and enough boredom to make kids not want to see it anyways.

If You Like Love & Other Drugs Try: You shouldn't like this - but a much better film about coping with a loved ones disease is Away From Her.

Movie Review: 127 HOURS

photo © 2009 David Shankbone | more info (via: Wylio)Every year, hundreds of movies are released. Very few of these movies ever connect with me personally. 127 Hours is the first movie in a long time to make a special connection - I loved it - and while it is brilliant film-making, single people like myself are bound to take something more away from Danny Boyle's newest masterpiece.

Aron Ralston (portrayed brilliantly by James Franco) is a real individual, and this film is the story of 127 hours of his life - the 127 hours that changed him forever (both literally and figuratively). While hiking in Utah, a rock is wedged free and falls on his arm, pinning him in a deserted cavern far away from civilization. Without cell service, limited water, and options, Ralston must decide how much he wants to live, and how far he is willing to go to leave his fateful predicament. If you haven't heard of this story in the news, I won't spoil what happens. If you have heard, don't NOT see this movie because you think it will be too disgusting. Boyle has a way of making even the most horrid of moments emotionally moving - and you can always squint.

Overall, this is one of the best movies of the year. It's not just a movie about getting stuck and the will to survive. It's a film about how important life is, even when you live alone without many friends. Ralston lived almost in a state of auto-pilot - not caring where life took him, just wanting to get through it all. I'm not there personally, but some days - many days - I have come close. I would give this film a 9 out of 10 - see it.

Family Take: This movie is too intense for young children, but I would suggest it for older teenagers on up. There is some violence and intensity that may be too much for some, and there is some profanity.

If You Like 127 Hours Try: While the message isn't as strong, Cast Away with Tom Hanks has some of the same feelings of isolation and desperation.

Three Movie Mini-Reviews

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in posting. Between the holiday (Happy belated Thanksgiving) and being sick, it's been a while since a movie post. Here are three mini-reviews to get us back up to speed! More full reviews to come soon!

Megamind isn't a terrible movie. The problem is just this past summer we saw practically the same animated story in the film Despicable Me. Right down to having something called a 'minion', the similarities in the two films are frequent. In the age of inflated 3D ticket prices, this one really isn't worth seeing on the big screen unless you have kids who really need to get out of the house. (5 out of 10 - appropriate for families.)

Fair Game is one of the best politically themed films in quite some time - an equally riveting and well told story of the Bush administration's leak of CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity to the general public. I highly recommend this movie no matter what side of the political spectrum you are on - if for nothing more than two see the two Oscar-worthy performances of Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. (8 out of 10 - acceptable for teenagers on up.)

The Next Three Days is quite possibly one of the most absurd movies to come out in a while - yet it also happens to be very entertaining. Russell Crowe stars as a man married to a woman who has been sentenced to life in prison for a crime she didn't (?) commit. The mystery side of the story is unfortunately flawed and silly, but the action sequences are a whole lot of fun. Don't spend the full ticket price on it, but a DVD viewing wouldn't be unreasonable. (5 out of 10 - acceptable for teenagers on up.)

Movie Review: SKYLINE

photo © 2010 Sebastian Jespersen | more info (via: Wylio)In case you get called away while reading this review, let me just emphasize one thing: Skyline is easily one of the worst movies of the year, and it's an absolutely terrible film overall. This film took one of the most entertaining subject matters - an alien invasion - and made it one of the most boring exercises in film-making I've seen in quite some time. I don't understand how a group of filmmakers could make something this bad and have it released into theaters as opposed to on television.

There are no big name actors and it shows through the horrible acting displayed in one horrible scene after another. The movie starts with a pointless glimpse of the future before flashing back 15 hours and then quickly jumping back to where we began. There isn't a single memorable character, and I can only remember one character's name due to the abysmal yet comedic last scene. There is no character development and very little drama considering the fact that the world has started to be invaded by an all powerful galactic force. The aliens don't talk, are barely seen outside of their ships, and in the end, aren't explained at all. They have the depth of a bad video game villain, and only want one thing - brains. Basically if you look at the aliens odd blue light "weapon", your body is taken over and you are taken into the sky.

As I mentioned, the ending is so ridiculous that it's unintentionally one of the funniest scenes I've seen all year. It's so bad that it's worth renting when released on DVD just to fast-forward and see. Overall I warn you though - avoid this movie. I would give it a 1.5 out of 10.

Family Take: There is a lot of non-graphic violence and many instances of mild profanity. It's not terrible from a moral standpoint, and some middle to high schoolers might enjoy some of this.

If You Like Skyline Try: Well, you shouldn't like this movie. If you did, you probably haven't seen a good alien invasion movie. Try last year's District 9 - a much more serious and much better put together movie along the same lines.

Movie Review: UNSTOPPABLE

photo © 2008 Cliff | more info (via: Wylio)Unstoppable is kind of like a sports movie. If you've seen the ads, you know it's about a runaway train and two men who chase after it. You know the movie can only end one of two ways - either the men stop the train and all is well, or the train derails and devastates. So for just over an hour and a half, this movie needs to keep our attention despite the ending being completely predictable. The cast is led by Denzel Washington and Chris Pine, with Rosario Dawson also turning in a nice supporting performance. These cast members are really playing second fiddle to the train though, as that's what we all really want to see.

The movie is loosely based on a true story, but you quickly can tell how loosely by all of the "close calls" the train has with hitting stuff. There is a group of students on a train headed towards the runaway train. There are a couple of nervous horses on the tracks. These instances were a little cheap and unrealistic. It's not to say that there wouldn't be close calls in this type of situation, but the overacting of those involved in these situations was silly. Also, some of the instances aren't resolved on screen, just in a passing comment like "Oh, that van was moved by the way." My other problem has to do with the ending. I won't spoil it, but let's just say if you really think about it, it's kind of unrealistic.

On the plus side, despite being predictable and silly at times, the movie isn't slow. They quickly tell the story and then end the movie - there isn't a single wasted minute. I was on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. It's very entertaining, and it is quite fun. So while this won't win any intelligence awards, it isn't a waste of a movie outing. Overall I would give Unstoppable a 6.5 out of 10.

Family Take: There is some brief strong profanity and endless elements of peril. It's fine for teenagers.

If You Like Unstoppable Try: Unstoppable reminded me of the classic runaway movie Speed which also suffered from elements of stupidity but was still a very entertaining flick.

Movie Review: MORNING GLORY

photo © 2009 H. Michael Miley | more info (via: Wylio)

I love the world of broadcast news. I have a bachelor's degree in broadcasting and love being a in TV studio. There aren't a whole lot of movies set in the behind the camera TV-world, so I really look forward to them when they are released. Morning Glory, the latest "news-movie" to be released, debates the question of how much "bran" (hard news stories) vs. "donuts" (fluff pieces) should be shown during a national morning news show. Both pleasant and trivial, this movie offers nothing new to the niche genre, and will please some, while disappointing many more.

The film has an all-star cast led by Rachel McAdams (The Time Traveler's Wife, Red Eye) who plays 28 year-old Becky. Down on her luck and recently fired, she takes the only job she can get working for the low-rated Day Break news show. It's a program that wants to be like The Today Show, but cannot keep up to that pace of professionalism. Through a couple clever (or stupid) turns, she convinces a legendary reporter, Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford), to join the other resident host Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) after the firing of another host (Modern Family's Ty Burrell). The two veteran hosts don't get along - fighting over everything thrown at them including who says "goodbye" as the show closes. For poor Becky it's a nightmare - and the show doesn't improve. It will be cancelled unless something magical can happen in the six weeks they have left. You see where this is going.

Ironically enough, this okay film suffers from the very problem it's well-aware of - there is nowhere near enough "bran". This is a happy little movie that is too afraid to throw any real conflict into the mix. Every problem is solved with a smile, every fight is stopped with a hug - it's just too much. There are people who will probably love it for it's tidy little story-lines and unrealistic resolutions, but I am not one of them. While there were some genuine laughs, there was just too much stupidity for me to ultimately suggest seeing this movie. It's a good one to wait for on DVD. I would give it a 5.5 out of 10.

Family Take: While there is nothing objectionable other than a few strong instances of profanity and a small amount of sexual dialog, children simply won't be interested in this movie.

If You Like Morning Glory Try: Broadcast News may be overly dramatic, but it offers a far more realistic view of the newsroom.

Movie Review: DUE DATE

photo © 2010 SpreePiX | more info(via: Wylio)Robert Downey Jr. teams up with the star and the director of The Hangover - Zach Galifianakis and Todd Phillips - for the road comedy Due Date.

When two people get into an argument on an airplane, they find themselves on the "no-fly" list, having to make other arrangements to get from Atlanta to Los Angeles. One of these people is a no nonsense businessman and father to be, Peter Highman (Downey Jr.), and the other is a grieving yet oddly upbeat aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis). Through a series of "leave your brain at the door to enjoy" happenings, the two decide to travel cross country together attempting to arrive at the LA hospital in time for the birth of Highman's baby. This isn't Homer's Odyssey by any means, but the two do cross paths with numerous interesting characters and learn more about each other along the way.

While the film really never goes anywhere, being stuck in neutral with the perfect straight guy absorbing jokes from one of Hollywood's new leading funny guys, there are many worse ways to spend your time at the movies. There are more holes in the storyline than I could count, and law enforcement is seemingly non-existent after the first ten minutes of the movie, but again, I still found myself laughing quite a bit. And for all of the R-rated comedies released in the past few years, this is one of the cleanest of the bunch (but it still earns it's R rating.)

Overall, I would recommend this flick to those just looking to laugh. It's not complex, not award-worthy, not going to blow you away - but it is going to make you laugh for the better part of 90 minutes. I would give Due Date a 6.5 out of 10.

Family Take: When I wrote that this movie wasn't as dirty as many R-rated comedies, I didn't write that it was squeaky clean. There is endless strong profanity, drug content, and one scene involving sexual content (not involving nudity, but sound) that are enough to make this film only for the oldest of teenagers on up.

If You Like Due Date Try: Most of those interested in Due Date probably will have seen The Hangover, but it's worth mentioning as it is truly a new comedy classic.

Movie Review: CONVICTION

photo © 2009 kekkoz | more info(via: Wylio)

Hilary Swank returns to the big screen in another strong female role as Betty Anne Waters, the real life every day hero who changed the course of her life for a family member. Set primarily in Massachusetts, the Waters case revolves around the murder of a woman and the conviction of Kenny Waters (played by Sam Rockwell) - a lowlife type whose only real attributes are his daughter and his sister Betty. Believing he is innocent of the heinous crime, Betty Anne Waters spends numerous years going to college, law school, and then in investigation of the crime she truly doesn't believe her brother committed.

Many viewers may already know the ending if they remember the news coverage around the event - much of which involved recently re-elected Attorney General Martha Coakley (who is portrayed only briefly on screen in the film). If you know the outcome - which is a twist in itself - this movie is still worth seeing for the great acting from Swank and Rockwell. If you don't know the ending going in, don't read anything else about the film as the payoff will be that much greater.

Technically the film is a little choppy - the editing, pace, and supporting character development left quite a bit to be desired. That being said, the story itself is so fascinating and compelling that forgiving the films technical flaws becomes quite easy. I would give Conviction a 7.5 out of 10.

Family Take: The movie is rated R for grisly images of the crime scene in question and for quite a bit of profanity. Older teenagers could handle the story, but younger teens and children should seek entertainment elsewhere.

If You Like Conviction Try: The movie this most reminded me of is John Travolta's A Civil Action. Also set locally, this is another very compelling court case story involving water contamination.

October Recap

October is just about over. I might be going to see a movie later today, but wanted to recap my month of movie watching - that is the name of the blog after all!

I saw 20 movies in theaters this month.

The films I saw this month:

• The Social Network
• Devil
• You Again
• Let Me In
• Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole
• It's Kind of a Funny Story
• Secretariat
• Life as We Know It
• Never Let Me Go
• Buried
• Catfish
• Jackass 3
• Red
• Hereafter
• Waiting for Superman
• Inside Job
• Wall Street 2
• You Will Meet a Tall...
• Saw 3D
• The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

The Best:

(8.5) Let Me In - "will shake you to your core"

The Worst:

(3) You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger - "not pleasant...not believable"

Biggest Pleasant Surprise:

(8) Hereafter - "a nice, touching story"

Biggest Letdown:

(3) You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger - "Woody Allen is a very talented filmmaker..."

Funniest Film:

(5) Jackass 3 - "I haven't laughed so hard at a movie since I saw the 2006 film Borat."

All right, that's the October update. Hope you're enjoying reading my reviews, and be sure to post your own! Peace!

Movie Review: THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST

**SPOILER WARNING** No spoilers from the third movie will be revealed, however elements of the first two films are discussed.**

Not since The Lord of the Rings has a cinematic series been this satisfying. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is the completely satisfying conclusion in the film set based on the now enormously popular book trilogy from the late (great) Steig Larsson. The film opens in the hospital as our offbeat heroine is being operated on from injuries sustained at the end of the second film, The Girl Who Played with Fire. The 'girl' of course is Lisbeth Salander (played by the Oscar-worthy Noomi Rapace), and this final film works to solve the mystery of "The Section", the group out to kill Salander and anyone else who gets in their way.

The film is nearly 2 1/2 hours long, but after the first half an hour or so, the rest of the movie flies by. Where the first two movies were action packed thrillers, this one changes pace and spends more time forwarding character development and tying up all of the mysteries opened in the other two. This has bothered some critics, but not me - I thought it was brilliant. The acting is exceptional, and not just from the leads. This movie has some great supporting characters as well. And while this is a slower film opposed to the others, it still has some top notch suspense and one "jump" scene that trumps any others in the series.

If you haven't seen the other two, you don't want to start here. The trilogy is very closely connected and you need to go in order - starting of course with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I am so sad that Larsson passed away, because I really want more Lisbeth. I haven't read the book series yet, and that's next on my "to-read" list. I have spoken to people that have both read the books and seen the movies, and everything I hear on both fronts is positive. I would give The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest an 8 out of 10.

Family Take: While this is the cleanest film in the R-rated trilogy, it's still too intense and violent for young children. Teenagers might be able to handle this one, but knowledge of the first two films is required - and those films contain graphic sexual content only appropriate for adults.

If You Like The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest Try: I would suggest renting The Lives of Others, a brilliant espionage thriller that was one of my favorite films of the year when it came out in 2006.

Movie Review: SAW 3D

It's the most wonderful time of the year. The most wonderful time of year if you like the Saw film series that is. As usual, there are no A or B-list stars, the real stars are the creative death devices. In the seventh go around, the 3D gimmick is employed to make the crazy traps come alive. And being the seventh entry, it's only natural that this Saw is in need of a good sharpening.

I've seen every film in this series, and this one falls somewhere in the middle as far as plot, quality, and creativity go. The movie is being advertised as the final Saw, and I hope that's true. I have always been intrigued by the overall premise - which isn't just to slice and dice innocent victims like so much of the "torture porn" does nowadays. These movies take moral and ethical dilemmas, and turn them into inventive life or death games. This seventh film lost a lot of the originality and the traps seemed quite repetitive, while many of the deaths were not justifiable in the realm of the Saw logic. Here the filmmakers just decided to splatter as much blood on their 3D audience for sheer shock value - and that is not something I am a fan of.

I will say, without spoiling the ending, that the last five minutes were extremely satisfying. If you're a Saw fan, you should see this movie if for nothing more than seeing how the saga concludes. If you've never seen one of these films and are curious, rent the first one. I am still impressed with how these movies connect to each other - there were characters in this final chapter that were introduced seven years ago when the series began. All in all, I would give this movie a 5 out of 10.

Family Take: The amount of violence alone should keep kids and teens far away from this film. There is also frequent strong profanity.

If you like Saw 3D try: As it's scary movie season, try 28 Days Later..., a much smarter thriller about a virus outbreak in Britain.

Movie Review: YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER

Woody Allen is a very talented filmmaker. This is obviously a statement he is trying to hide while parading around his latest "comedy", the abysmal You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. This hideous movie wastes so much talent, not to mention my time, that seeing it will be one of the biggest cinematic mistakes you'll make all year.

When an eccentric mother visits a psychic to try and cope with being left by her husband for a younger woman, she begins to impact the lives of all those around her by forcing the crazy readings on everyone she talks to. These people include a struggling writer, a conflicted middle-aged woman, a beautiful musician, and an art collector. The movie is not pleasant and the story is not believable. I wouldn't mind the believability thing had there been any humor at all (there isn't) - it is a comedy by the way.

Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, and Frieda Pinto are just some of the very talented people who obviously just wanted to add "worked with Woody" to the back of their headshots, because there is no other reason to be involved with such a terrible flick. I would give it a 3 out of 10 - and that's probably overly generous.

Family Take: There is quite a bit of sexual content - the movie is rated R - but for an R they keep it pretty mild. Kids wouldn't want to see it though just because the topics explored - infidelity, fraud, and turning over a new leaf - just aren't appealing to the younger crowd.

If You Like You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger Try: Try learning how to tell a bad movie from a good one, because if you liked this I cannot help you at all.

Movie Reviews: INSIDE JOB/WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS

As if we don't get enough depression from turning on the news and hearing how poorly our economy is doing, Hollywood has now taken aim on the financial crisis. Last weekend I saw two movies dealing with the meltdown, and am reviewing them together 1) because they are similar in topic and 2) because I don't have a whole lot to say about them - despite really liking one and not minding the other.

Matt Damon narrates the documentary Inside Job that explores why, America got into the financial mess it's in today. There is one interview after another of people who are pointing fingers and crying foul. Why many of these interviewees decided to participate is beyond me, as they come off looking like the idiots they are. The film could have been polished a little better - the music and pacing are off in a number of spots. The topic matter and the interviews are fascinating though, making this well worth seeing. You'll leave angry - but that means the movie did it's job well. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps takes a fictional approach to the same financial topics Inside Job tackled, while slightly continuing the story director Oliver Stone started in the first go around back in the 80's. Here Stone directs Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan, and Susan Sarandon in a slow moving story about interesting people. When Gordon Gekko (Douglas) learns his daughter is getting married to another Wall Street type, he turns the news into a opportunity to restore himself to his former glory. The film tires often, but it also entertains. It was strikingly similar to the first movie, and I'm sure that's a reflection of the times - but it could have been a little more original. The movie also loses points for having a terrible ending - it wraps up quickly and unrealistically. I really hope when the DVD comes out there is an alternative ending, because it would have to be better than the one offered up in theaters. I would give the movie 6.5 out of 10.

Family Take: Both of these movies are rated PG-13 and would be acceptable for teenagers interested in financial topics. Inside Job is a must see film for any business student. Both films have some profanity and mild sexual content.

If You Like Inside Job Try: Exit Through the Gift Shop - it's a documentary on a different topic, but it's even more riveting.

If You Like Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps: Try the original Wall Street - which you really should have seen first anyways.

Movie Review: WAITING FOR 'SUPERMAN'

The studio that released two of my favorite documentaries, An Inconvenient Truth, and Food, Inc. now take a close look at the American public education system in Waiting for 'Superman'. The title refers to waiting for some fantastic solution to a problem that needs more than just one savior. I am not a teacher, but as a library employee, I thought I knew a little bit more than the average person about the public school system, having to deal with the local establishments every now and then. The teachers I know are hardworking, dedicated professionals. I was never ignorant enough to think all teachers were excellent, but bad teachers couldn't be that big of a problem right? Wrong.

'Superman' is a fascinating movie that does an exceptional job of showing viewers how much red tape is involved any time someone tries to fight the corruption that is currently crippling our public schools. We meet a variety of nice students and their families who long for a better education. The climax of the film takes us to many different charter schools as these students await their respective lotteries for spaces into higher quality programs of education. The devastation in the eyes of both the parents and the children when their number doesn't come up is truly heartbreaking.

The documentary provides viewers fact after fact after fact of studies that show how faulty and corrupt the current state of education in America is. The results and conclusions are devastating. Some points take a little too long to make, and midway through the film drags a bit, but overall this is an exceptionally well made film. More importantly, it's a film that tries to make an impact, and if enough people watched it, I think a positive change would be inevitable. I would give Waiting For 'Superman' a 7.5 out of 10.

Family Take: There is nothing particularly offensive in this movie, but children most likely wouldn't be as interested in the subject matter. Their parents, however, should be.

If you like Waiting for 'Superman' try: Food, Inc. It's exceptional. And possibly even more important.

Movie Review: HEREAFTER

George (Matt Damon) has a gift. To him, it is a curse. Instead of things turning to gold, his Midas style touch involves connecting with those who have died. For every person he touches, he is able to see a loved one lost. This ability has ruined his social life, his family relationships, and any chance of being normal. Clint Eastwood's newest film about what happens when we die doesn't answer the age old question, but instead tells a nice, touching story of three people who are asking.

Along with George, we meet a French journalist, Marie. During a near-death experience involving a tsunami, she sees a glimpse of death, and the peace and comfort it brings. She uses this encounter with the hereafter to forward her writing career. Along with Marie and George, we also meet Marcus, a very young child. Upon the tragic accidental death of his twin brother, he begins searching every avenue possible to communicate with him.

Clint Eastwood weaves these three relatively depressing stories together to create a film that is ultimately uplifting. I am a very religious individual, and while there were scenes that were contradictory to my personal convictions, the overall story doesn't attack or discredit the beliefs of any group. Instead, it offers up the idea that an afterlife does exist, and doesn't go any further. Maybe Eastwood would have been breaking more ground if he had taken the story to another spiritual level, but I like the way he remained vague. He made an unoffensive, brilliantly acted, and well told film that I can highly recommend. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

Family Take: The opening tsunami sequence is one of the more violent moments I've seen in a PG-13 film. While there is relatively no blood, the battering of human bodies caused a number of gasps from the audience at my screening. There is also some mild sexual content, occasional strong profanity, and the overall topic that is really for mature audiences.

If you like Hereafter Try: After such a heavy film like Hereafter, I would suggest watching Ghost Town, a comedic take on the afterlife starring the hilarious Ricky Gervais of The Office fame.

Exciting News!

I'm happy to announce that some of my movie reviews will be appearing on "The Shrewsbury Lantern", a great e-Newspaper in my area. Feel free to stop by that site as well!

My first review for them, Red, was posted today:
http://shrewsbury.net/?page_id=7256

Be sure to hit it up and look around the rest of their site! Most of the reviews will be exactly the same as here, but definitely go to their site as well - it's much more popular than this blog! That being said, I check the traffic about once a week and impressed with the number of people who do stop by!

Happy movie watching!

Dan Barbour

Movie Review: JACKASS 3

The end credits for Jackass 3 feature childhood pictures of the cast of crazy stuntmen from the hit MTV series. After watching the utterly repulsive antics of the bunch, looking at these pictures one is left to ask - where did things go wrong? Grotesque humor, constant profanity, frequent nudity, and awkward violence highlight this third cinematic outing for the crew that's been around almost a decade. And while everything about my moral principles and beliefs say I should completely pan this disgusting film, I can honestly say I haven't laughed so hard at a movie since I saw the 2006 film Borat.

The leader of the pack, Johnny Knoxville, loosely hosts the numerous segments of pranks, gags, and stunts. There is no plot, no substance, and no character development. This film serves as a chance for the gang to perform antics that were too risqué for their show (which is no longer on the air - it ended in 2002.). Just a sampling of things that you'll see - various animals ramming, biting, and attacking the crew - various body parts super-glued to other people's various body parts - large amounts of vomit and human waste - and segments completely dedicated to shocking innocent bystanders Candid Camera-style through offensive behavior in public.

The movie was shot in 3D, but you can choose whether to see it in this extra dimension, or just see it in standard 2D. I chose the latter as I really didn't want to pay a glasses surcharge for the sake of seeing certain elements mentioned above come at me in 3D. I would suggest watching the trailer - if it appeals to you, then you'll love the movie. If it looks offensive or stupid to you, then avoid it like the plague. I would give it a 2 out of 10 for cinematic quality, and a 10 out of 10 for entertainment value - so I would average that to a final score of 6 out of 10. But watch at your own risk if you watch at all. And don't eat before you go.

Family Take: Any parents who take their kids to this movie should immediately be turned over to child protective services. If the antics above aren't enough to dissuade a parent, just keep in mind the nature of the film. It's imitative behavior at it's most dangerous.

If You Like Jackass 3 Try: Well, this is the third outing. There are two other Jackass movies.

Movie Review: RED

Like the Ocean's 11 films, RED (which stands for 'Retired Extremely Dangerous') gives a bunch of veteran actors a chance to goof off, be silly, and throw a party for themselves on screen. Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and most notably John Malkovich, are the cool kids in question, and like the Ocean's 11 films, it's an absolute pleasure simply to watch. The only downside is that the story is completely forgettable.

When a retired agent (Willis) suffering from the routine of normal life dodges a mysterious hit on his life, he goes on the hunt to clear his name and find out who is after him. He does this while also beginning a relationship with a customer service representative (Mary-Louise Parker) who is eager for adventure. They team up with other agents (Freeman and Mirren) to bring down the bad guys while proving old dogs can indeed learn new tricks.

While completely entertaining, this film lacks an interesting enough mystery to make it a great movie. Where the story is TV-movie-of-the-week quality, the acting is well worth the price of admission. Just seeing the likes of Helen Mirren firing a machine gun at corrupt politicians and Morgan Freeman getting into a hokey disguise is downright hilarious. I would give RED a 6.5 out of 10.

Family Take: This movie will entertain those aged 13 and up. There is some profanity, mild sexual content, and a lot of non-graphic violence.

If You Like RED Try: If watching senior citizens kick butt is your thing, you need to watch the old Disney movie The North Avenue Irregulars. It's funnier and better put together than RED, and it's made for the whole family (it's rated G).

Movie Review: CATFISH

Catfish is not a true story. This is something that's extremely easy to forget. The movie is a documentary style film that is so effective, part of you will wish the characters were real, while the other part of you is thankful some of them are complete fabrications. Nev is a photographer. He's friendly, likable, and moderately successful. He works in an office with his brother and his friend, two filmmakers. Nev's world is normal like yours and mine. Then through mail and online correspondence, he is introduced to a family in Michigan who saw one of his published photographs, and wants to see more. Their relationship seems odd but exciting, so Nev's brother and friend decide to make a documentary featuring these new acquaintances.

The film reinvents itself three or four times. What starts out as a light romantic comedy ultimately evolves into something dreadful...but all together brilliant. If you know nothing about this movie going in, don't do any research. It's more fun to let the mystery unravel. I could go on and on about the clever plot, brilliant twists, and perfect ending, but I would not want to spoil even the smallest detail. All I will say is that Catfish is one of the year's best films, and scores and 8.5 out of 10.

Family Take: Anyone in your family who has a Facebook account will probably want to see this movie. It's rated PG-13 and that's just about right. There are some very dark and tense moments, but the biggest objection for parents will be a short segment dealing with "sexting". It's not overly graphic, but it's bound to make some viewers uncomfortable. There is also some mild profanity.

If You Like Catfish Try: Bubble is a great film that is a completely different mystery tale told in the same documentary style.

Movie Review: BURIED

Buried is an experimental film from director Rodrigo Cortes. Ryan Reynolds, best known for his comedies The Proposal and Van Wilder, takes a break from his norm and plays contractor Paul Conroy, the sole person seen on screen in the entire film, with one small exception that I won't reveal. After an ambush, Conroy wakes up to find himself tied up and in a coffin. He doesn't know where he is exactly, or who his captors are. What he does know is that his air is running out, there is a mysterious cell phone in the coffin, and he is in desperate need of being rescued.

If you're at all claustrophobic, like I am, you'll find yourself looking to the side every now and then just to break from the effective filming style that puts you right inside the contained action. For nearly 100 minutes, we get one set, one actor, and many angles showing the same thing. This will bother some, and impress others. Two people actually walked out of my screening, and I can understand that.

Where the film falters is when our hero starts making unbelievably silly phone calls to loved ones and government officials. Where most people would do anything to be rescued, he loses his cool with almost everyone he talks to - even causing one person to hang up on him. One person he calls instructs him to conserve the cell phone's battery by changing it from vibrate to ring. He does this, then gets too jumpy when it rings, so he switches it back to vibrate. It just seemed unrealistic for someone in such a desperate situation.

I'll let you discover whether he is rescued or not, but overall this is one very clever little thriller. I would give it a score of 7 out of 10.

Family Take: This is not a movie for families. There is no sexual content, but Conroy suffers from an anxiety disorder which causes him to swear and use crass terms frequently throughout the movie. Older teenagers surely know every word used in the book and for them the R wouldn't be too much of a red flag for parents. There is also one scene of violence.

If You Like Buried Try: Alfred Hitchcock's Rope. It's a suspense film with Jimmy Stewart that will also bother those who are claustrophobic.

Movie Review: NEVER LET ME GO

Never Let Me Go, based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, is an emotional workout of a movie. As the end credits started to roll, I just wanted to quickly run into another theater showing a comedy. It's not a bad movie. It's actually a very good one. But it's one of the most depressing movies I've seen in a good long time.

It's hard for me to get into the plot without spoiling anything. Let's just say that if The Twilight Zone show was crossed with an independent British film, it would look something like NLMG. Carey Mulligan (An Education), Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), and Keira Knightley (Atonement) star as three friends who meet at a seemingly normal boarding school as young children and grow into the people that life has destined them to be. We don't know much about their families, or the outside world for that matter. All we know is that there are many secrets, and as the movie progresses, we learn said secrets one by one by one.

To say this was a satisfying movie watching experience would be more than fair. To say it was an enjoyable way to spend just under two hours would be lying. Technically this film was made so well, and I can appreciate so much about it. For a movie that seemed to move slowly, I was completely enthralled. If you like movies solely as art, this is the one to put on your must see list. If you like movies as a means of escape and recreation, you might want to skip it. For me, I like both types of films, so I can objectively say this deserves an 7.5 out of 10.

*NEW* (At the end of each film review from now on, I'm going to give my brief summary of how this movie would be for families.)

Family Take: This is not a movie for families. It is rated R, but it's a very mild R. The film gets the R for some graphic images of print pornography. They are all contained in a brief scene, but the camera lingers on the images long enough to warrant the rating. Surprisingly, the person looking at the images is not doing it for sexual stimulation. In addition, there are a couple of sex scenes, but they are done in a way where no nudity is seen on screen. Even without that content factored in, the themes really are for older grades on up. I could see high school classes screening this film for conversations on ethics, but to say more might spoil something.

DVD Review: Frozen

Frozen is a movie with an original premise - three college students try to make one last ski run before the ski resort closes for five days but due to a mix up, the ski lift stops half way up the mountain - and really high up off the ground. Frostbite, wolves (or coyotes), lack of provisions, and each other stand in their way of survival, and while premise is smarter than the execution, Frozen still proves to be an edge of your seat thriller.

I really liked that the movie was short - it managed to build up in tension and not draw out any scenes that weren't needed. While this could almost have worked better as an episode of some television show - the acting was just okay - on DVD this seemed to be a nice diversion from normal thrillers or horror movies. And while it doesn't exactly do for skiing what Jaws did for swimming, if I was to ever go skiing again, I'm sure I'd think about the movie again.

On a regional side of things, the movie was obviously set and shot in New England (**UPDATE -CORRECTION** - I looked it up and apparently the movie was shot in Utah...but it was set in New England), as references to Papa Gino's and Watchusett Mountain, and a sign for Newbury Comics were heard/seen. I have written before about my admiration for movies set in my area - not that I like them by default, but it's just nice to see and hear things I'm familiar with already. I would give Frozen a score of 7 out of 10. Rent it, you won't be sorry.