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Hancock (2008)
[Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Jae Head]
Well, this movie wasn't what I expected it to be. It turned out to be pretty cool.
Hancock is a man with superhuman abilities. But he does almost as much damage as good in his attempts to help humanity. Crossing paths with Ray, a public relations expert, is a changing point in his life. And in Ray's life, as well.
This film starts out one way and, about halfway through, becomes something even better. Won't say anymore, as I really hate to be the one to spoil things for others. But, my family and I liked it, a lot.
Recommended, for movie fans of all kinds. This is more than just a super-hero flick.
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Miss Marple, Series IV: A Pocket Full of Rye (2008)
[Julia McKenzie, Rose Heiney, Laura Haddock, Matthew Macfadyen]
Haven't watched any of these Miss Marple episodes (really films) before, this was a first. And I liked it.
Miss Marple learns that an ex-maid has been killed at her new employer's home, so she sets off to investigate. Soon enough, she is sorting through the family drama to find the murderer.
Good enough, but I wasn't as pulled in as I have been with the Poirot stories. Still, better than most stuff out there.
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Mammoth (2006)
[Vincent Ventresca, Summer Glau, Tom Skerritt, Cole Williams]
Well, this wasn't your run-of-the-mill SciFi Channel film. It does have the giant creature wreaking terror and death. But it also has a dose of aliens and a humorous streak.
Aliens revive a woolly mammoth, and it proceeds to suck the life out of people. I think. But a scientist and a federal agent are on the case, with the scientist's father and daughter, among others, in tow.
Not great, not even really good, it at least attempts to be something more than the usual straight-to-TV or -DVD film. That's got to count for something, right?
Recommended if you like cheesy scifi/monster flicks. Or if you are masochistic.
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My Cousin Vinny (1992)
[Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Fred Gwynne, Lane Smith]
My son picked this when it was his turn in our Netflix queue, so it's good to know his taste is great already! We may have watched this several times before, but it's just a wonderful movie.
Pesci and Tomei are just great together here. And yeah, she did deserve her Oscar for playing Lisa. Fred Gwynne is so terrific, as well. Love it.
Always recommended.
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Treevenge (2008)
[Mike Cleven, Glen Matthews, Kristin Slaney]
Well, this was different. This short (15 minute) film was all over the horror blogs this week. I heard about it from Freddy in Space.
It is a holiday-themed horror flick about Christmas trees fighting back. And it DOES NOT hold back on the gore. Interesting, and well made for a little film. It won an award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.
NOT recommended for everyone. If you are a fan of hardcore horror, then you will dig it, but otherwise don't view it.
You have been warned.
Click to view TREEVENGE, at TwitchFilm.net.
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What I read, write, watch, listen to or do between hot cups of the good stuff.
I felt that Hancock was the first half of an extremely good movie, combined with the second half of a different extremely good movie, pasted together to make an okay movie. But, I did like it, and Charlize is smoking hot.
ReplyDeleteGonna go check out Treevenge now.
Almost anything with Marisa Tomei is worth watching again and again.
ReplyDeleteI was one who thought that maybe Marisa was given her Oscar is error until I saw My Cousin Vinny recently. She is luminous and spunky and totally underratted as an actress. Loved her in the Wrestler. She made me fall in love with her all over again and broke my heart. I hear she likes fat, quirky bald guys so I still have a shot.
ReplyDeleteTreevenge sounds as bad as Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, or the movie with the killer clowns from outer space...ugh.
ReplyDeleteAnd i felt the same as you about Hancock--not at all what I expected. Charlize Theron is as gorgeous as ever. Oh no Tom Skerrit! Another great actor fallen into the depths of bad scifi movies! At least he's not doing viagra commercials (yet).
Bloodsucking mammoth's and fighting Chrismas trees! That's enough to completely destroy my childhood dreams! I loved Hancock actually but I think I liked his latest even better, Seven Pounds. . had no idea what it was about before seeing it but loved it.
ReplyDeletefunny hancock did not grab me in the previews so i have yet to see it...will have to chnage that. christmas trees fighting...ha, gotta check that one out as well. cheesy sci fi is not bad at times, ever seen "They Live" with Rowdy Roddy Piper? lol. so bad it's good.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Hancock (I call it a Friday night with a beer movie) and sad to say I have yet to see My Cousin Vinny, I guess I keep forgetting about it. I'll put it in my netflix queue which is currently full of Sydney Lumet movies.
ReplyDeleteTreevenge = kick-ass.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I do think they borrowed the idea from a short that was feature on that ghastly "On the Lot" reality show from a while back.
Dr. Monkey: Haven't seen The Wrestler yet, but I hear she is great in that, too.
ReplyDeleteCal: Oh! You should check out "My Cousin Vinny"!!!
Tom: Yeah, I guess Skerritt has to go where the work is, though.
Baino: Haven't seen "Seven Pounds" yet, but I will!
Brian: Yeah, "They Live" is cheesy goodness for sure!
Kate: Bet you will enjoy it! :)
Jeff: Glad you liked "Treevenge". Never saw "On the Lot", so I cannot compare it.