Mirrors

It started out strong, and the mirrors freaked me out in the beginning. Reflections aren't always what they seem. I would certainly check myself in to a looney bin if my reflection tried to kill me or if I saw what Keifer Sutherland saw in that weird Mayflower building. But, actually, I wouldn't be a night guard for some old rundown building with creepy mannequins in the first place. Who would want that job?! Anyway, the story had promise but got too creepy too fast and didn't develop enough, and Kiefer's character was all crazy way too quickly in my opinion. I lost interest just when things got horrific and the mirrors started taking over. There didn't seem to be a point. I didn't understand the old lady being crazy and the mirrors needing her...for what? And the end was stupid with the guy ending up in a mirror image world. I didn't get it. I fell asleep for half of it to be honest. I would rate it as lame overall.

Saw V

Wow. John is dead and his work still carries on. This installment was even better than Saw IV. The mind games keep going, and more flashbacks reveal to us how most of the first few movies' games came together. And the game in this movie is pretty clever...I like how the video clips always tell the players just what they need to know but yet the players never seem to follow instructions or understand the clues correctly. Every time I watch these movies, I'm shocked to realize that Jigsaw actually does give everyone a real chance at survival. I know he says he does, but when the game is over or figured out, and I realize how it works, it just baffles me. It's great.

I will say the opening scene was terribly disgusting and made me want to puke, but that is to be expected with the Saw series. The ending was good and thrilling, and I kind of saw what was coming. It was crazy, and if the lsat player had just listened to the tape...well...you know.

I am ready for Saw VI now.

My Bloody Valentine 3D

First of all, it was nice to see Kerr Smith in something new, and he was good in it, too. I haven't seen him in anything since the Dawson's Creek days. Nice job, Kerr.

My little sister and I went to see a matinee showing of this, and I'm so glad because it's definitely not worth the full ticket price in the evening...especially since you have to pay an extra $2.50 for the 3D glasses. It was an entertaining thrill ride, though. I don't think MBV was horrifying or scary, but it was definitely suspenseful and riddled with awesome 3D blood-spattering effects. Some of the scenes are jaw-dropping, literally. Yes, the gore is fake, but seeing someone get an axe in the face, even if it isn't real, definitely churns the contents of the stomach a bit.

The film features a few minutes of full frontal female nudity, but it wasn't over the top nasty or anything. It was actually kind of funny. And you know once someone gets naked in a slasher film, they're going to die. It was totally predictable, as was most of the movie, but the ending was definitely not foreseeable. There was a super twist when the killer's identity was finally revealed. It was a great surprise ending, and there was a cliffhanger to get us ready for the next MBV installment which will hopefully be released in 3D, too.

I'd recommend this for the entertainment value, but don't expect to have nightmares or be terrified by what you see. And see this in the theater because watching 3D on a DVD is not that great.

You, Me and Dupree

Another cute flick about the strength of friendship and the bonds of marriage being tested. It was funny and entertaining. Predictable, cookie-cutter comedy.

I love Michael Douglas in comedic roles. He was great.

Recommended for a good laugh.

Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End

I liked the movie overall, but it was way too long and most confusing. Some of the dialogue was too low in volume for me to understand what the characters were talking about, and some of it wasn't even necessary. There were a lot of extra characters that could have been left out, and the whole Calypso plot line was lost on me. At times I wasn't sure what was going on, but I stayed in my seat and endured the three hours of battle scenes and choppy dialogue.

The ending was good, but I think it could have been stronger. And are we supposed to expect a fourth installment or no? I was unsure of what to think about Jack at the end with his treasure map in a dingy all alone. Hmm...Jack was the best part of the movie. He was just as crazy and hilarious as ever.

Not my favorite Pirate flick, but it was still entertaining.

Hancock

Not your typical Superhero movie. Hancock was definitely a surprise, and I liked it overall. It's basically about an under-appreciated and unloved God of a man who does what he can to help the citizens of Los Angeles, but he doesn't care about taking credit or paying the price for the damage he's done to the city while saving it as he's half drunk. He's got amnesia and doesn't really know or care about who he is. That's what we are supposed to think until his new PR Agent comes along. Things just get better from there after Hancock meets the guy's wife and discovers something about his forgotten past. I like that this movie doesn't stem from a comic book series or follow the traditional superhero flick outline. It was funny and tender, and the CGI effects were outstanding.

The ending was only OK, but it was sweet and strong enough for the movie. It held up to the rest of the film. Good entertainment.

The Dark Knight

Classic Batman, once again. I really liked it. The story didn't disappoint and was constantly going. I love Christian Bale, and he just keeps getting hotter with each new movie. He's the ultimate Batman in my opinion. I didn't like the character of Rachel being played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. She just didn't seem strong enough in the looks department. I know that is horrible to say, but Rachel should be smokin', and Maggie was just kind of flat to me. That's just my opinion. Heath Ledger did a very convincing Joker, and I could see why the role kind of affected him and made him a little weird after the film. It's too bad he died because he was a fantastic actor. His Joker was right on target - very crazy and weird but also actually kind of funny. I liked his odd laughter. It cracked me up. Aaron Eckhart was quite a surprise at the end, morphing into Two-Face. That was a great segue to another villain in the series and nicely done.

And once again, we see bad-ass gear and automobiles for the Batman. I loved his motorcycle, too. I have never seen bigger tires that bad. Loved it!

A great second installment in the series. I can't wait for the third movie.

The Duchess

Marriage was complicated way back when. I feel horrible for Georgiana. I think she should have just kept her mouth shut about her love for Charles and maybe she could have just had him as her secret lover. But she was a good woman who wanted to be open and honest and do the right thing, so I understand why she tried to make a deal with the Duke.

I would have been pissed if my new BFF betrayed me the way Bess did G. And helped trap her in a life of misery. To be forced to live with your husband and his mistress and her bastard kids for the rest of your life = major depression.

I like Ralph Fiennes, and he acted very well in the role of the Duke, but the Duke was a selfish ass. Way to go, G, for trying to stand up for yourself even though it didn't work out the way you wanted in the end.

Good movie. Beautiful costumes and settings. DVD extras about the real Duchess and about costume design were pretty good but quite short.

Definitely recommended to period film buffs.

Shanghai Noon

Funny and hilarious. I have never been a huge Jackie Chan fan, but he kind of won me over a bit in this movie. I liked the mix of old and new humor. Owen Wilson is cute and cracked me up. The whole movie was just fun and filled me with laughter. The tub scene was the best. Definitely a good movie for when you're bored and don't want to think too much. I really enjoyed the outtakes during the credits. Now I want to see Shanghai Knights.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

This just seemed like an excuse to get two of Hollywood's hottest hotties all hot and bothered on the big screen together. The plot was predictable and kind of juvenile in my opinion, and the acting was tolerable. The violence was decent and the bloody sexual encounters were kind of forced. Vince Vaughn's role could have been left out. I don't think his character added much to the movie at all. I enjoyed watching it (on TV), but I wouldn't watch this again.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

I loved the first Sisterhood movie, and this one was even better. The girls are growing up and in college; each is finding their own way as adults. There are a few romances, some heartache and also a bit of family drama again. I like the fact that the girls experienced some tension with each other and had to kind of rekindle their group relationship. My favorite story line was probably Lena's because she has the most romantic experiences which I'm a sucker for, and Tibby's was the runner up. There is so much dimension to Tibby, and she adds a lot of good humor to the movie.

My favorite part was when all four girls are in Greece searching for the pants, and the ending there was really strong. Of course, you're left wondering if there will be a third installment. I certainly hope so.

I Could Never Be Your Woman

I could have done without the Mother Nature character, but otherwise this movie was very funny and sweet. Paul Rudd is hilarious. He cracks me up with everything he does, and he's so frikkin' cute. Michelle Pfeiffer is aging very well, and I loved her in this movie. The daughter was cute, too, and the mother/daughter relationship was fun to watch. I usually don't go for it, but, with this film, I liked the whole love knows no age message. Good for a girls' night.

Mamma Mia

I loved all the songs, and they fit in with the plot. I knew most of the songs since I have the Erasure ABBA-esque album which covers a lot of the ones that were featured. Definitely an upeat, fun-filled movie. I thought it could have flowed a bit better, and I had a hard time getting over how much older Meryl Streep seemed to be compared to the three men with whom she had affairs. Colin Firth was my favorite man, of course, but I was surprised when his character turned out to be gay. I don't think that was played out well. The daughter was good but a bit annoying at times. Everyone did a good job singing, but that could have been better, too. I felt like the movie was a bit rushed to fit all the songs in even though it was pretty long. The ending was good, and I liked the concert with costumes at the end. Nice touch. Overall, I'd recommend it.