New Facebook Group

Hi there! I have had a "My Month of Movies" Facebook page, but it's kind of confusing unless the MMOM program is underway. So I created a new page, "Dan Reviews Movies" - if you want to join, feel free. Click here to join. Despite not needing to be a member to comment on the blog, this is an easier way to connect because just about everyone has a Facebook. Feel free to open up a discussion and post your own reviews. Happy movie watching!!

Movie Review: LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

A couple of months ago I reviewed The Switch, the Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman film about a non-traditional family (I really really liked it, btw). Now we have Life as We Know It, another family-themed movie with a completely different approach.

Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel play Holly and Messer, two people who hate each other, but are linked by two of their married friends. These friends try and set them up together with disastrous results, but they don't give up. When these friends die suddenly in a car accident, Holly and Messer are shocked to learn that they have been chosen as the new guardians for their friend's only child, 1 year old Sophie. Will they put aside their differences and raise the baby, or will their worlds fall apart?

Life is a very depressing film. The characters are very likable, which makes the hardships they go through tough to watch at times. On the downside, the neighborhood the two live in have some of the most annoying neighbors that seriously almost ruined the film for me. We would go from a touching scene to a scene that seemed pulled out of a bad sitcom.

I didn't hate this movie at all - as a matter of fact I kind of liked the original concept. I just wish it was as good a movie as it could have been. One side annoyance - in the trailer, Katherine Heigl's character Holly doesn't notice that she has poo on her face, and her neighbor says "...you have poo on your face." In the movie, the neighbor's line is changed to "...you have sh** on your face." I think it's odd they felt the need to swear when the line was fine as it was. This isn't an edgy adult movie after all. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

Movie Review: SECRETARIAT

Another horse movie. Yippee (sarcasm)!!!! I like Diane Lane, I really do, despite not liking most of her movies. She is a good actress, and seems like a really nice person. In this movie though they make her look twenty years older than she is - but okay, she's acting - I guess. I also like John Malkovich a lot, he's hilarious most of the time. Maybe this movie would be passable? Well, it was, but it never really needed to be made in the first place, IMHO.

Secretariat was a horse that was incredible. The story of how this horse captured the attention of the country at the hands of an unlikely owner - a housewife played by Lane - is the movie in a nutshell. The movie is perfectly executed, but perfectly executed without adding anything to the horse movie genre. Yeah, Seabiscuit was a long time ago, but it was excellent, so we really didn't need this movie. That being said, if the trailer appeals to you, you'll probably really enjoy your time.

Overall I'm not sorry I saw this film, but I do hope they stop making these by the books sports movies. Yeah, I know, they are all based on true stories, but there are plenty of unique people out there whose stories could be told before giving us another movie like this. And I won't get into my opinion of horse racing in general. I'll leave it at my rating - I would give Secretariat a 6.5 out of 10.

Movie Review: IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY

It's Kind of a Funny Story is kind of a good movie. By 'kind of', I also mean it's kind of a lousy one too - it's an odd mix of nice characters and bad storytelling. It's part touching, part pretentious. It's self-aware, but also carelessly conceived. It's a hard movie to review, as I don't regret seeing it, but I wouldn't suggest rushing out to it either.

Craig (Keir Gilchrist) is sixteen and wants to kill himself. Or at least he thinks he might. Before he acts on his thoughts of ending it all, he checks into a hospital psychiatric ward and gets more than he bargained for. He meets Bobby (Zach Galafianakis from The Hangover), a fellow patient and unlikely mentor. He also meets Noelle (Emma Roberts from Valentine's Day), another teenager with issues all her own. In addition to these new friends, he meets a cast of eccentric and troublesome people as he serves out his 'sentence' in the medical facility.

The movie never decides whether it wants to be a comedy, drama, coming-of-age film, or romantic comedy. Maybe it's a little of all of those, but something about it felt disjointed. I liked the main characters, while the supporting ones seemed either underdeveloped (Craig's parents for two) or downright hokey (Craig's roommate). There were scenes that were hard to watch because they were so odd, and others that were genuinely touching. Maybe it's a fault of the editor, because there is a really good movie somewhere in here. For me though, I'd give it a 6 out of 10. Wait for the DVD, but do see it eventually.

Movie Review: LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS - THE OWLS OF GA'HOOLE

Oh where to begin? I would not have seen this movie if not for two facts - my movie pass being the biggest factor of all. It's also from the same studio that produced the brilliant Happy Feet (it's great, no lie), and I am a sucker for 3D movies. So that's why my brother and I decided to see the absurdly titled Legend of the Guardians - The Owls of Ga'Hoole. I couldn't say the title without laughing, so when I ordered my tickets, I simply said "Two for the 'Owl Movie'."

I have written already how this has been one of the best years for animated films. Toy Story 3 and How to Train Your Dragon are among the years best films, while Despicable Me was a worthy cinematic diversion. The streak unfortunately ends though with the Owl Movie, as it's animation is tops, but story, pacing, and everything else just seem to fall flat.

When two owl brothers are kidnapped by evil owls, one goes the path of the good, and the other the path of the evil. A whole lot of nothing happens that leads up to a big fight and then the movie ends. That's really the impression I got. I did find it funny how the movie featured two songs from the music group Owl City - nice touch....one of the only nice touches.

The movie is really not for kids as the ads may suggest. There is way too much violence, even a swear word. If you thought the climax of Toy Story 3 was too much for a child to handle, this movie will shock you. It's so dark and depressing, I don't really know who the makers of the film were trying to target. I don't give it my blessing, that's for sure. I would give it a 4 out of 10.

Movie Review: LET ME IN

I don't believe in vampires. I don't think many people really do. But if I was to be converted, I wouldn't expect my bloodsucking saints to be Abercrombie & Fitch model types as displayed in the Twilight Saga. Instead, I would expect vampires to be exactly like they are portrayed in the new movie Let Me In. Both a horror film and a psychological drama, this deeply effecting friendship story will shake you to your core.

The movie is based on a Swedish film called Let the Right One In and the novel of the same name. The American version which I'm reviewing here is set in the early 1980's - which was a brilliant idea as in an age of the internet and cell phones, this story wouldn't have been as realistic or plausible (as far as vampire stories can go anyways). Owen is a young boy with no friends. His parents are going through a divorce, and he is picked on at school. He is slowly sinking into a path that is reminiscent of a school shooter - with violence on his mind all the time. When a mysterious older man and young girl move in next door to Owen, he listens through the wall to learn who his new neighbors are. Outside he meets the young girl, Abby, who is strange, but a strange friend is better than no friend at all. Their relationship is the majority of the film, and it's an odd, exciting, and graphic thing to watch unfold.

I loved this movie, I really did, but it won't be for everyone. The violence is tasteful but frequent. A couple of the scenes are particularly hard to watch, but the violence always forwards the story. The pacing and the direction of the film are incredible, and I would highly suggest seeing it, even if you are like me and not a fan of vampires. I would give Let Me In an 8.5 out of 10.

Movie Review: YOU AGAIN

You Again boasts an all star cast comprised of veterans and relative newbies alike. Everything, and I mean everything, seems to be going for it being a GREAT movie...with the exception of a great script. Another movie that proves good writing matters, You Again does manage to be somewhat salvaged by it's impressive cast.

I could sort of compare this movie to a CBS sitcom - it's light, breezy, there are a few laughs, but in a week or two you won't remember much about it. Kristen Bell (oh how I miss Veronica Mars) plays a girl who was picked on all through high school, and when years later she learns that her beloved brother is marrying her high school nemesis, the fur begins to fly. Her loving mother, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, also has a nemesis of her own coming to town, played by Sigourney Weaver. Throw Betty White as the grandma in and what more could you want? Well, a little originality maybe.

We've seen it all before, but in it's defense, it's not trying to break barriers. It is entertaining. If the previews looked interesting to you, you're going to get about what you expect - you won't be blown away, but I wasn't looking for Slumdog Millionaire and you shouldn't either. I would give You Again a score of 6 out of 10.

Movie Review: DEVIL

The trailer for Devil was very good....until the title of the movie appeared. Devil. Ugh. How was I supposed to justify seeing a movie that is so blatantly touting the one thing I hate. Yeah, I am not going to get preachy on you, but personally I did not enjoy ordering up a ticket for Devil. Now on the flip side of things, I can honestly say this little Twilight-zoney thriller was simple, effective, and most surprisingly - pro-God.

Without spoiling anything, I will remain vague on specific plot details. Basically, a bunch of people from all walks of life get on an elevator. None of them know each other (or do they?), and they are only on together out of sheer coincidence (or are they?). When the elevator comes to a screeching halt, the panic sets in. This panic is fueled by sudden injuries that happen when the lights flicker out. Guards watching from a surveillance room struggle to help, but things seem to be out of their control.

While this isn't the best movie ever made, it was very entertaining. For a mere 80-minute run time, it didn't waste my time at all. I was totally into the story, the twist, and the message this movie sends. I would suggest trying it out, but read as little about it as possible. I would give Devil a not-so-hellish 7 out of 10.

Movie Review: THE SOCIAL NETWORK

(Back from my Vegas vacation!! Let the reviews commence...)

I remember the first day that I got a Facebook. It's like one of those life moments. I was in college when Facebook was invented, and I remember not totally understanding it at first. I remember the first person who wrote on my wall (Candice P!), and I remember wondering how long this craze would last. Well, hundreds of my 'face's uploaded later, Facebook is now my third most visited site (behind Google and Amazon), so when I heard they were going to make a movie about the origins of one of my favorite sites, I knew I would be there.

Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland) plays Mark Zuckerberg, the inventor (?) of the social network in question. The battle of who really created the site is at the forefront of the movie, and while I don't know how much of the film matches with reality, nobody really comes off looking great. And that is not a bad thing for the movie goer - the drama in this film felt real, tense, and while it's not a horror movie in most senses, the way friends turn on each other is devastating.

The acting and David Fincher's direction were great, but it was the script from Aaron Sorkin that really brought the story to life. Zuckerberg comes off as the most entertaining witty jerk, it's just hard not to laugh while at the same time feel so bad for the sorry rich person he might be. The book film is based on, The Accidental Billionaires, starts by saying that some parts of the book aren't true but it's probably what could have happened. I didn't feel like sitting around for a dozen hours reading about what might have happened - watching the story for two is a lot easier.

Overall I liked the movie a lot (no pun intended) - a whole lot actually. It's not exactly rewatchable, but it's nowhere near a waste of time. I feel sort of like I do after watching a Michael Moore documentary - I love it on one level, agree with much of what it's saying, but feel somehow like I was lied to a bit. But I guess that's why The Social Network is billed as a movie, not a documentary. So if you use the site, you will most likely find the film fascinating...and if you don't have an FB profile, why the heck not? I would give The Social Network an 8 out of 10.

A Big Day

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I posted a non-review entry, and today is the best day for just that. So I never go and see a movie simply to review it for this blog. I don't have nearly enough money. Well, things are going to change. Now, I didn't win the lottery or come into money, but what I did do was become the winning bidder for a special prize at a local charity silent auction. The winner (me) received a season pass to National Amusements, a popular movie chain near where I live. This means that I (along with one guest!) can go to see unlimited movies from October 1st of this year, through December 31st of 2011. Thirteen months of movies that I don't have to pay for, aside from the cost of my winning bid! Now this will save me money as for example this year I've already seen 67 movies since the last Academy Awards in February (movie years are funky like that), so if we are extremely conservative and say a movie ticket costs an average of $8, that means in eight months I've already spent around $536 - and that's just for me! This pass allows me to bring a guest. So this pass that I won is fifteen months of me and a guest going to see movies galore, and boy am I going to use it. I will see almost anything for free. For instance, I like to see every movie that gets nominated for both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. But every year to accomplish this I end up paying to sit through things I just don't enjoy, even if I do appreciate the artistic merits. Now I know I don't HAVE to see these movies, but I like to be well rounded in my viewing for when I make my predictions. Now with this pass, it won't matter. Also, now I can repeat view movies again and again. I loved Inception but didn't want to pay to see it again just because I wanted to use my money elsewhere.

So with that, starting this October, my movie blog is going to have a ton more reviews. Hopefully you stop by even more, and share your thoughts. Peace!