AMB Reviews

The Blind Side: 9.5/10 Stars

Release Date: November 20, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references. A brief car crash (a boy is seen with some blood covering his shirt). A brief lived fight with no blood, but lots of pushing, shoving, punching, and a gun shot (no one shot). A married couple make out and sex is implied. The main character's mother is said to be a drug addict.

Review:

Let me just say that I was quite a happy camper when I received a free ticket for an early screening to this film (seeing that Sandra Bullock is my favorite actress)...

In Short:

"The Blind Side" is marketed as a sports movie. Let me just tell you that it's so much more than that, with the sports aspect put off to the side. This movie tells the tender, true story of a homeless teen, "Big Mike," who is taken in by a loving family. The mother of the family, Leigh Anne, slowly helps him raise his grades and try out for spring football. Of course, he ends up becoming an all-star player, but that's later on. The movie really focuses on Mike's heartbreaking past and how Leigh Anne helps him come to terms with it and move on with his future. It had me engrossed me from the start, and left me feeling uplifted. Sandra Bullock turns in one of the best performances of his career, as well as the downright best movie of her career.

In Full:

Michael Oher didn't start off as an all-star offensive left tackle. In fact, he started off with a drug addict for a mother, and after he was taken from her, it was only a matter of so many new schools before he just stopped trying. That all changes when Leigh Anne Touhy and her family take him in for "just one night." However, as their family grows closer to him, he slowly becomes a bigger part of their family. Though his GPA sits at 0.6, the Touhys help him raise it up to try out for football. From then on, it's just a matter of time before he learns the skills of the game and takes off from there. Though it's labeled as a sports movie... don't be fooled. There's only one football game in the whole movie. Me, not a huge fan of sports movies, found that quite refreshing, as the director chose to focus more on the characters and their relationships, rather than more football games.

Sandra Bullock is my absolute favorite actress of all time. Though I had thought her best performance came in "Hope Floats," after viewing this, I have to reconsider. Here, she plays a strong, independent and did I mention strong character. Her role, based on a real woman, is fierce and not afraid to tackle a challenge. She looks fear right in the eye, learning from the best (aka Amelia Earhart). Tim McGraw turns in a solid performance as her husband. Though he's really not given much to do here, he perfects what he's given. Quinton Aaron turns in his sophomore performance here as Oher, and though he isn't given many speaking parts, he was just the right person for the part. Kathy Bates rounds up the wonderful supporting cast.

This is a simple movie, visual-wise. This film was shot in Georgia, and there's nothing much to it. This isn't a huge budget, mind blowing visuals type film. The director cared more to dive into human emotions rather than show off an impressive budget. The movie had an underlying message of how much we take for granted. Once scene involves a lady complaining about an $18 salad, while Leigh Anne slowly learns that Big Mike never even had his own bed before. In the end, though she changes Mike's life for the better, he also changes her's in many good ways. It's an uplifting type movie that, though might make you cry in several spots, will leave you with a feeling that what you just watched was worthwile and inspiring.

If I was to find something negative about this film, it would take all day. There was simply nothing that stuck out to me that brought the film down. I'm a critic... I pick up on these things quickly, but I can honestly say that "The Blind Side" is a movie that is pure, fresh, funny, heartwarming, and at times, heartbreaking. The director captured the emotion perfectly for the film. The cast was spot-on, and the story inspiring. The script was well-written and though the movie did clock in around 2 hours, it is completely worth it. The only problem that some may find with it, is that it doesn't spend too much time focused on sports. For me, that was a pro, but it could be taken as a con for others.

In the end, "The Blind Side" has ended up as my third favorite movie of all time (following behind "The Dark Knight" and "Rachel Getting Married"). That's big. Though I love Sandra Bullock, and adored the trailer, I wasn't expecting to like it this much. The film is rated PG-13, but a PG would've sufficed. Don't let it stop you from buying tickets. I was lucky enough to view it two weeks early, and though I know that "New Moon" will crush it at the box office, I dearly hope that someone out there will get their butts off their computer chairs and buy tickets for this. It will truy uplift, inspire, and just put you in a good mood. Rarely does a movie come along that I feel like re-watching immediately after I finish it. I can now "The Blind Side" to that list.

The Box: 5/10 Stars

Release Date: November 6, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images. Two women are shot, both with only minimal blood. A snowplow smashes into a car (sending it flipping through the air). Several intense moments. A man is shown missing half his face (very CGI-ish and unrealistic looking). Many moral questions are asked, dealing with forgiveness, consequences of our sins, and the afterlife.

Review:

"The Box" had me hooked from its savvy trailer. The actual movie, however, qualifies as one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen...

In Short:

"The Box" has a good premise. A couple struggling financially are given a box containing a button. If pressed, they will be given one million dollars. The solution to all of their problems, right? There's a catch though... one person whom they don't know will also die. So what do they do now? However, once the button is pressed, there will always be consequences. The main couple, Norma and Arthur, don't figure this out, of course, until after they press the button. It had me hooked at its beginning, but slowly began to slide downwards as the plot spiraled more and more out of control. It poses many questions on morality, but rarely ever answers them. The acting and visuals were both impressive enough, but with no real direction, they just aren't enough to save this sloppy old-fashioned mystery.

In Full:

Norma and Arthur Lewis are struggling. Arthur just lost his job, while their child's school is no longer offering tuition discounts. They need money... badly. So when a box containing a button and a creepy old man show up on their doorstep, Norma is just completely willing to let this complete stranger into her house (sarcasm alert). He tells her that if the button is pressed, they will receive one million dollars, but that someone they don't know will also be killed. Tough choice, huh? They have 24 hours. Of course, when the button is pressed, they must live with the consequences of their action. The plot was based off of a 1980's Twilight Zone episode, and though it has a great premise (and trailer), it loses steam halfway through when things grow messy, unrealistic, and just downright weird. Its old-fashionedness was definitely a pro, but when the movie has no real direction (or answers for all of the questions it asks), there's not much that can save it.

Cameron Diaz here plays an old fashioned woman with spunk and strength. Though she makes her share of stupid decisions throughout the film, she loves her son and her husband and will do anything she can to gain forgiveness. Though she sometimes sounded contrived and uncaring, she pulled it off for the most part with a certain elegance, grace, and... an accent. James Marsden turns in a surprisingly decent performance as her husband, Arthur, who is also strong, brave, and determined to win. Frank Langella gives an eerie and downright creepy performance as Mr. Steward (the old man proposing the offer), and though he's never given too much to do, he lights up the screen whenever he is on it.

The visuals were what really impressed me. This is made to look like an old-fashioned move. It laid along the lines of "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers," or somewhere around there. That being said... it is 2009, so the visual effects are definitely more up-to-date and advanced. Though I wasn't a huge fan of the film, several moments had my eyes locked to the screen due to the stunning visuals. It never overdoes it here... it keeps its feet on the simple and straight path, and in this occasion, I was very happy it did. It retained its older, Hitchcockian style that way, without losing its habit of hitting us with great visuals right as we're getting restless.

What can I say? I've already hit up many of my complaints for the film. It has a totally crazy plot that takes us down a spiraling path full of twists and turns that leads us straight to a dead end. There are times when I love a good outrageous plot with crazy and unrealistic turns. But I also like those type of movies to at least offer some type of resolution. Here... we get nothing. We're thrown down this twisting path before running right into a brick wall. I also found it somewhat slow... many of the scenes had me interested, as they had a vibe that things would pick up. Did they? Not really. Even up until the end, every scene that you thought would escalate into something big never really did. "The Box" is made up of a collection of lesser, small-impact scenes that eventually just end. Cue credits.

As much as you might think that I hate this movie right now... I don't. I really wanted to like this movie. The trailer was wonderful, and had me watching it at least 10 times. Then the movie started, and I was hooked. It started off snappily, the eerie mood was set right off the bat, and I thought all would be well. Then it took a few sharp turns, got a bit slower, and began to head off track. Soon, it took some even sharper turns, slowed down even more, and strayed even farther. It asks many questions, none of which are answered, and delivers a plot so crazy that it just needs an explanation. Are we given one? Nope. Nothing but the end credits. Movie endings are like shoes. Some are tied rather tightly, while others are left looser. Either one can be a good or bad thing, depending on the movie. "The Box" is like an untied shoe... even looser than lose. And after jogging down a winding path filled with moral questions and unbelieveable plot twists without tied shoes, you end up tripping. The trip wasn't enough to ruin the movie completely for me, but definitely left me feeling like this one could've waited for its DVD release.

Amelia: 8.5/10 Stars

Release Date: October 23, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG for some sensuality, language, thematic elements, and smoking. The main couple kisses and cuddles while clothed on a bed. Sex is implied, as well as an affair (nothing shown). Various people smoke, as well as drink (some to drunkenness). Thematic elements include women trying to gain equality. A plane loses its wheels during take-off. Several intense scenes while up in the air.

Review:

Amelia Earhart is one of my heroes (heroines?). This movie re-confirmed that...

In Short:

"Amelia" tells the incredible true story of the first woman pilot to make it across the Atlantic... Amelia Earhart. This documents her life, from her first flight, to her first solo flight, to her love life with George Putnam and Gene Vidal, to her attempt to fly around the world. This is all told with complete realism, and acted solidly by Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, and Ewan McGregor. I left the theater longing for more, feeling like the ending needed more, which is probably what they were aiming at. Just as Amelia's life was left on very loose terms, so is this movie, making it all the more realistic. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and though critics have been giving this very average reviews, I am going to be the oddball to say that Amelia truly soars.

In Full:

Amelia Earhart is best known for being the first woman pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. But how did she start off? Though this movie doesn't give too much background info on her childhood, it does tell us a bit about why she wants to fly: for the fun of it. She gets the help of George Putnam, and together, they find her a plane and a crew to give her safe passage across the Atlantic. But Amelia is not one for sitting back and watching on the sidelines... she wants to fly solo. This movie shows her life as a lover, a celebrity icon, and a pilot. She helped influence women for generations and generations to come, as she fought for equality and refused to let her thoughts be silenced. "Amelia" is an energetic, beautiful, and soaring film that gives you insight to one amazing woman.

And what better person to play that amazing woman, than Hilary Swank, who actually resembles the famous pilot quite a bit. Swank puts her all in the performance, and I had a hard time recognizing her. When she puts on those boots and aviator goggles, Swank is no longer Hilary... she is Amelia Earhart, and she doesn't let us forget it. Richard Gere joined the cast as her husband, George Putnam, and though he wasn't given all that much to do, he shines with what he is given. Then there is Ewan McGregor as Gene, the competition for Amelia. I will say that I've seen Ewan put on a better performance, but it's very clear that he's trying here, and he accomplishes his job decently. That being said, Swank is still the one who shines here.

The scenery in this film was lush and beautiful. Throughout, we get glimpses of Amelia's plane soaring over crisp blue oceans or exotic and green forests. All of it made me want to get in that cockpit and experience it all for myself. Everything was so life-like, which in this case, was all for the better. The visuals were also quite marvelous. Though I heard it was quite hard for the studio to find a plane similar to that of Amelia Earhart's, it most certainly paid off. Everything about this film seemed like it was really the 1930's. Pretty much on every visual level here... this film succeeded.

If I was to find something not to successful about the film, it would be its length. This movie clocks in at almost 2 hours, and though I was entertained throughout, I felt that there were some scenes they could've trimmed or cut out completely to make the movie move along at a faster pace. I still left the theater wanting more, but more so because it ended on such a loose note, rather than because it was too short. It felt a bit too long in my opinion, even though the film as a whole was great. I just felt that several parts were too long.

"Amelia" is a true story, which made it all the more inspiring to me. This film made me want to go out and try and conquer the world (not actually, but you get my point). Amelia Earhart makes you feel like you can accomplish the impossible and achieve all of your goals. And you can... Amelia showed us that. Even though her life's end is a mystery, and she never did achieve her biggest goal, she showed us that when you work at something, remarkable things can happen. She is an influence and inspiration to both sexes, and will continue to be for many years and generations to come. "Amelia" helps capture her go-getting attitude, her larger-than-life charisma, and her optimistic charm. Here's one that dearly hopes this remarkable film beats the dreadful "Saw VI" (which is also released this week).

Where The Wild Things Are: 9/10 Stars

Release Date: October 16, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action, and brief language. Mature thematic material includes family dysfunction, coping with pain, and dealing with anger. The Wild Things get in several fights throughout, several being comical, while others can be quite violent and scary (no blood). A family screams at each other, and a son bites his mom.

Review:

"Where The Wild Things Are" is a very short book. That being said, the movie sure did capture the wonder of it...

In Short:

"Where The Wild Things Are" is based on the classic book by Maurice Sendak. It's a children's book, that many families enjoy worldwide. Now, we get a little twist, as the book is made into a full-length movie that, in my opinion, surpasses the book. But you should know beforehand, this is not a children's movie. Though you may have no problem reading the book to your 4-year-old... be cautious of the film. This deals with dark and mature material here, mainly revolving around a boy named Max's figurative trip into a world where beasts called "The Wild Things" lurk. There, he becomes their king and helps them through thick and thin. The acting was great, the visuals were even better, and the movie had a certain fluency that was poignant and breathtaking.

In Full:

"Where the Wild Things Are" is based off of a classic children's book that clocks in at 10 sentences. You may be wondering how they would pull that off, but take in mind... they did it with "The Cat In The Hat." And however unfortunate of a film (if you can even call it that) it was, "Where The Wild Things Are" takes a bit differerent approach and makes a movie about childhood... for young adults and older. This movie follows the main story's plot: after getting in trouble, a young boy named Max finds himself in a magical world where he becomes the king of crazy and very big creatures called "The Wild Things." However, this dives into deep material dealing with family dysfunction, coping with pain, and dealing with anger. It's not for the little kids, as ironic as that may be. For them, there'll always be the book. For the older ones, however, this is a truly beautiful film with good pacing, a great story, and wonderful messages.

The acting/voicing was near perfect. Max Records plays the character of Max, and though I've never seen or heard of him before, he was absolutely great for his age, and gave the perfect emotion and character to Max. Throughout the film, I was in awe of how well he portrayed his character. Lauren Ambrose, James Gandolfini, and Catherine O'Hara voice several of the Wild Things, and all of them did a fine job. Overall, the actors all added to the film, and were part of the reason this ended up with 9 stars. Without good acting or voicing, you don't have much of anything. Bad acting distracts you from the plot, visuals, and every other good thing films have to offer. Luckily, I can't say that about this film.

The visuals is where everything really comes together. Mainly the reason for the 9 stars, the acting was great, the story was nice, but the visuals were fantastic. From the grandeur of the Wild Things, to the absolute wonderful backdrop of the film, there isn't one negative thing I can comment on, visual-wise. So many camera shots had me simply staring in awe at how beautiful it all was. I wanted so much to lie down with the Wild Things as they peacefully slept. I wanted to jump into the spectacular ocean that lay before me. What I'm trying to say is, even if you weren't a fan of the book... go to this movie and be simply amazed at the gorgeous, life-like, and jaw-dropping visuals.

If I had to try and find something negative to comment on, I would have to dig deep. And after getting my shovel, digging a deep hole, and stopping only when the pile of dirt was taller than me, maybe then I would find the small flaw in this film: its length. Yes, it's only about an hour and a half, but it felt somewhat longer to me. I don't know why, as I was never bored at any point, but it just felt like I had been sitting for much longer than 90 minutes when the end credits began to play. Of course, that being such a minor con, it's buried far beneath all of the pros found here.

In the end, I have to say that I don't recommend this film for anyone under the age of 10. Drop your mouths, say what you like, but that is my simple and humbled opinion, as I believe that this is mainly more for teenagers and adults. The content dealt here isn't the frothy, light, playful sentences found in the book about dancing and having a good time. Max's stay on the island is often painful and not all relationships are neatly tied up. My 10 year old sister tagged along, believing it to be a kids movie and came out saying it was "boring and just okay." Many parents have already fallen for the trap, taking their 2 and 3 year olds to the film. If you're reading this review and have anyone falling into that age group: take caution. Everyone else... have fun and enjoy the breathtaking splendor of "Where the Wild Things Are."

Love Happens: 8/10 Stars

Release Date: September 18, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13 for some language including sexual references. A scattering of mild swear words. Several sexual references. A car slams into a pole. A man's feet are severely burned when he steps on burning coals (only briefly seen).

Review:

"Love Happens" just so happened to be one of the cleanest romantic movies I've ever seen...

In Short:

"Love Happens" is labeled as a romantic comedy. I would actually consider it a romance with hints of comedy sprinkled throughout. This movie tells the story of Burke Ryan, a man who, after the loss of his wife, is determined to help others stop grieving and start living. Problem is, he still hasn't overcome his own grief. That's when he meets Eloise. Step by step, she helps him stop living a lie and begin living a life. This romance was predictable, as well as corny in some parts, but it was so downright cute and sweet, that I couldn't help but enjoy it.

In Full:

Burke Ryan is determined to help people deal with losses of loved ones. After losing his wife in a car crash, he wrote a self-help book, leading people through, chapter by chapter, the process of overcoming pain. The problem is, deep down, he still hasn't moved on from his loss. The very advice he gives other to take, he can't take himself. At a seminar in Seattle, the death place of his wife, he meets Eloise, a beautiful woman who at first, hates him. But as they spend more time together, Burke realizes that Eloise may just be the one to help him recover. It's a predictable yet very sweet romance that is actually very sad. It keeps the romance in the background, and focuses a lot on death and grief. It's not too original, but it sure is a heart warmer.

At one point in this movie, I leaned over to my cousin, and told her, "I like Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart together." It's true... their chemistry explodes throughout this movie. Neither of them really stretch their acting abilities, but they both shine with what they're given. There were times when Eckhart's lines verged on horrendously corny, but I then realized that they were made like that. His "self-help" advice is basic and cheesy, but I'm guessing that is what the director was aiming for. The supporting cast also helps make this movie's acting a success.

This is filmed in Seattle, and let me tell you... it's quite gorgeous. From an expected scene atop the Space Needle, to a fight scene set in a gorgeous forest, I was so relieved that this wasn't set in the typical romantic settings, such as Los Angeles or New York. Instead, we're given a handful of stunning, sometimes frantic, yet still peaceful backgrounds that help make this movie quite lovely. Seattle just seemed to be the right place for "Love Happens."

Of course, "Love Happens" wasn't completely perfect. As I said before, this is a romance... it's rarely unpredictable, though a sudden plot twist at the end did leave me a bit in shock. There's nothing new or exciting contained here, and the dialogue can sometimes verge on the cardboard side. That being said, several scenes in this film were quite original. I won't tell you what happens, but look for the concert scene. It has to be the most unique date I've ever seen in a movie. And when was the last time you saw a movie where the couple didn't jump into bed at least once? That's right... here, Burke and Eloise shake hands on their first date. Talk about 20th century.

"Love Happens" is so much more than a simple romantic comedy. It had its share of problems, as I already mentioned above, but the movie was just so darn sweet that I just had to love it. Many other critics disagree with me on this one, but I don't care. This is probably the cleanest romantic comedy you'll ever see. It's not completely hilarious or unpredictable, but it's cute, humorous, clean, sweet, and touching. The actors do a fine job with what they're given and the setting is gorgeous. Its large focus on grief, death and loss isn't for everyone, but for those wanting a film that will make you think, smile and cry... this is for you.

9: 7.5/10 Stars

Release Date: 9/9/09

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13 for violence and scary images. Near constant, bloodless violence includes explosions and fighting with weapons. Rag dolls have their souls sucked out of them, and scary images include a skeleton-like snake monster that slithers around and wraps people up like a spider. Large machines have red eyes and kill whatever's in their way.

Review:

Let me just give you a heads-up: despite the animation, this is NOT a kid's movie...

In Short:

As much as I wanted to give this 9 stars, unfortunately, it was stuck with 7.5. This dark film takes place after the world has ended and been wiped clean of humans. Beforehand, a scientist created little rag doll type creatures that are given life and made to start anew after the world's end. But evil machines still lurk in the distance. They wiped out mankind, and they can wipe out the rag dolls. Now, it's a battle of life or death to save the future of the only survivors. It's not an entirely original plot, but it didn't really need one with all of the constant action going on. From start to finish, there really is no break, making this film seem frenetic and claustrophobic. The voicing was great, and the visuals were absolutely spectacular.

In Full:

"9," unlike many movies that revolve around the end of the world, takes place after the end of the world. After humans have been wiped out by large, havoc-inducing machines, the only survivors left are small ragdoll creatures, called stitchpunks. They are the creation of a scientist, left to inherit the Earth. They are numbered 1-9, 9 being the main character of the film. But the machines are still out there. And it'll take all 9 of the stitchpunks to band together and make one last stand. The plot itself needs work. It had a very nice flow and everything seemed to work together, but the storyline itself was pretty weak and unoriginal.

The voicing was filled with some big stars. Elijah Wood, for example, voices the character of 9, while Jennifer Connelly voices the warrior stitchpunk, 7. Other noticeable voices include Christopher Plummer, John C. Reilly, and Martin Landau. That's pretty much about it. In a film where the only (and I mean only) characters left on Earth are 9 rag dolls, there's no need for a huge cast. Everyone did a fine job voicing their character, and to me, they all put life into them. The stitchpunks came alive, partly because of the solid voice-overs.

Of course, the other larger reason they came alive, was the fantastic animation. This is where "9" absolutely explodes. From the opening scene, to the bittersweet ending, "9's" visuals are shockingly original, stunning, and very life-like. It's not like anything you've ever seen before. It's not Pixar, Dreamworks, or Disney. I believe that one day, people will look back on "9" as the start of a new dawn of animation. It had to be some of the most jaw-dropping 3-D animation I've seen in a long time. Now, am I saying that "9" levels out with Pixar's "Wall-E" or "Finding Nemo?" Good heavens no. But the animation just might.

As noted previously, the storyline in this film could've been stronger. For such original animation, I was hoping they would make something more out of it than just your typical plot for this kind of movie. There were certainly original elements to it, and the whole "ragdoll" characters were certainly new, but no element to the story really struck me as new or original. The film was also extremely short. Clocking in at about 75 minutes, I felt like I was probably sitting in the theater for 10 minutes. Is this is a good thing? I personally felt that it gave it a more claustrophobic feel... but I still felt like something was missing as I walked out of the theater.

"9" is a movie that I love mainly because of the animation. The plot was mediocre, and though the voicing was great, my eyes remained fixed on the screen because of how magical the animation was. Every ragdoll, every large, killing machine that popped up on screen, I dearly wanted to reach out and touch. The vast, dark, bleak atmosphere that "9" is set in, seemed so life-like. That's the reason I gave this film 7.5 stars. If a 2-D animated film would've come along with the same voicing and script, I doubt I would be giving this more than 6 stars. So, for those teens and adults (any parent taking a little child to this film is insane) in the mood for a dark, short, and truly beautiful film... "9" may just be your ticket.

All About Steve: 6/10 Stars

Release Date: September 4, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13 for sexual content including innuendos. A man and woman almost have sex while in a car, but it is stopped before anything explicit happens (they straddle each other and kiss passionately, while the girl wears a bra and skirt, and the man is shirtless). A scattering of other sexual references. A tense scene involves a tornado sucking up a car. A woman, man, and group of kids fall down an empty mine shaft (none are killed). One very muffled f-word.

Review:

"All About Steve" is said to be one of the worst movies of all-time. It looks like I'll just have to disagree with the critics on this one...

In Short:

"All About Steve" is a comedic little film that is touching yet corny and a bit stupid. It tells the tale of Mary Horowitz (played by my favorite, Sandra Bullock), an extreme optimist who makes crossword puzzles for the newspaper. Then she meets Steve, and is convinced that it's love at first sight. But when he goes on a news trip around the country, what can Mary do? Well, she can stalk him. And that's what she does for the entire movie, embarking on a crazy and adventurous quest to find Steve, whom she barely even knows. Who knows? She may even learn a few lessons along the way. Stupid? Yes. Corny? Yes. Hilarious? No. Uplifting? Yes. Funny? Yes. Worst movie of all time? Good heavens no. No. No!

In Full:

In "All About Steve," Mary Horowitz is the biggest optimist you'll probably ever meet. No matter where her life goes, she tries her best to make the best of it. Her job? Making crossword puzzles for the newspaper. She lives with her parents at age 40, and hasn't had a boyfriend for... a while. Then she meets Steve on a blind date. For Mary, it's love at first sight. For Steve... it's not. And when he embarks on a business trip across the country, so does Mary. Hitch-hiking, tornadoes, and... falling down mine shafts. She experiences it all... just for Steve. Along the way though, she learns a bit more about accepting others for who they are and being yourself no matter how much you don't fit in. It's a "Sesame Street" type lesson, but it sure hit home to me.

Sandra Bullock is my favorite actress. When I heard that this was her worst film of all time, I knew I had to check it out. Sandra Bullock? Her worst performance? The two just didn't seem to fit. Let me tell you that her role of Mary is quite a hard role. You won't really understand until you see the movie, but I now see why she chose this role. Her character is brave, determined, optimistic, quirky, and just downright fun. This is definitely not Sandy's best performance, but I like how she's stretching the boundaries of her acting box. Bradley Cooper turns in a decent, if not bland performance as Steve, who is never really given much to do (despite the title of the movie). Thomas Haden Church rounds off the cast with a larger and quite funnier part.

The visuals were corny and unrealistic. I'm just going to be downright honest. It began with a short-lived fist fight between Steve and his pal, Hartman. The punch honestly reminded me of action movies back in the 60's, where you could just tell the punches were fake. Then a tornado came and swept its way across the screen, looking as artificial and CGI-ish as it can get. You can tell that it wasn't the main focus of the film, but it did give it a more... childish and immature feel when those parts did come on.

What can I say? If you've watched the trailer for the film, you know what it's going to be like. If you found the trailer hilarious, you'll find this movie hilarious. If you found the trailer stupid, you'll probably find this film stupid. For me, I neither found the trailer hilarious or stupid. It made me laugh, but not too hard. While entering the theater, I had a sinking feeling that maybe the critics were right. Maybe this was just one huge disaster. Was it? No. This film deserves better grades than what critics are giving them. It wasn't hilarious, it never made me laugh until my sides hurt, but it made me feel cheerful and optimistic. It made me long for the kind of bubbliness and happiness Mary had. It was a corny movie, and the dialogue a bit wooden, but it gave me a good feeling at the end, and left me feeling uplifted. Stupid? You might say so. You might not.

"All About Steve" is one odd movie. From the beginning, when Sandra Bullock begins talking... and talking and talking... you know something's different about the movie. And there is. This is one weird film, a kind that doesn't come along very often. Many would argue that it's a good thing. Me... I'm not so sure. Though I didn't love this movie (6 stars proved that), I most certainly was glad I saw it, as it left me with the age old moral of being yourself and not being ashamed of it. I could've learned that from "Barney," but learning it from this movie clicked and made me feel all the more happier. I don't recommend this movie to all, but if you're in the mood for some stupid, corny, uplifting, and humorous fun... check this one out. It may be your ticket. As Mary says: "A good crossword puzzle must be entertaining, solveable, and it must sparkle." This movie doesn't sparkle like Mary Horowitz, but it has a certain glow about it that helps you move past its corny and stupid tendencies.

The Time Traveler's Wife: 7/10 Stars

Release Date: August 14, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13 thematic elements, brief disturbing images, nudity and sexuality. Many instances of passionate kissing, which usually leads to sex (off screen). Several shots of bare buttocks, as well as one brief glance at the side of a woman's breast. A man is seen shot, with blood pooling out of his bullet wound. A woman is seen several times with blood pooling around her after several mis-carriages.

Review:

"The Time Traveler's Wife" really never ended up being as epic as it said to be, but was still heartfelt and touching...

In Short:

Rachel McAdams (who previously starred in the chick flick hit, "The Notebook") and Eric Bana lead "The Time Traveler's Wife," a romance film about a man who travels back and forth through time in his life, never knowing when or where he'll end up. Of course, this eventually causes problems when he meets Claire... the love of his life. But how can they love each other and marry when he can't control when he will disappear? It's a thought provoking and confusing film that is similar to a complex board game: it takes a while to understand, but once you get used to it, it's pretty easy to get the hang of.

In Full:

No matter how hard Henry tries... he can't help himself from randomly disappearing and traveling back and forth through time to different periods of his life. Of course, this definitely has its up (as he gets to see things ahead in his future and relive good memories of the past), but he mainly looks at it as a curse. And when he falls for Claire and they decide to marry, they're going to have to brave it out and make it work through all of his disappearances. It's a gripping premise that will really get you thinking. It's quite confusing at first, but you eventually get the hang of it. The pacing seemed a bit redudant and the ending a bit rushed, but it was heartfelt and quite touching.

I've enjoyed Rachel McAdams ever since I saw her performance in "The Notebook." Here, she plays a struggling lover who is trying her best to love her husband, even when he isn't always there for her. In the end, she turns in a low-key, powerful, and very sweet performance. Eric Bana was not as good. Many times, he seemed to be reading right off a script and he delivered his lines in a very corny and unrealistic way. His performance didn't come off quite as believable, but he did have some good moments. The supporting cast really wasnt given much else to do, and so I was really only left with McAdams for a solid and consistent performance.

The whole movie kept quite a beautiful backdrop with gorgeous scenery. I don't know what it was... but the whole ora of this film just seemed almost majestic. It kept a romantic, flowing, and very serene background and scenery. The visuals were clearly added trying to make this film seem so much more epic than it really was. It couldn't save the movie from its occasional redundancy, but it was enough to keep me thinking, "Wow! These visuals are great!"

As I mentioned before, the film had a tendency to become somewhat redundant. Besides the numerous and unneeded shots of many bare butts, I felt that every single kiss in the film led to sex. They didn't exactly show any of the sex, but it got to bug me when they couldn't just share a tender kiss without hopping into bed immediately after. The ending also seemed rushed and by the end credits, I left saying, "It's over already?! That was a great ending... but it seemed like such a cliffhanger." It's true... the ending seems quite abrupt, as good as it ended up being.

"The Time Traveler's Wife" in no way surpasses "The Notebook." It's not epic and it's not amazing. Rather, it's a pure and beautiful love story that starts off as quite confusing. This is a film with mediocre dialogue and only a couple of great actors. It isn't a masterpiece and will not be looked upon with as much love as, per say, "The Notebook." But all of that said, I still found myself entertained throughout. This film warmed me up inside and made me smile and made me want to cry. I didn't cry, due to the fact that I really didn't connect too much with the characters, but the movie's story and tenderness was good enough in itself to make this a worthwhile movie to look into.

Ponyo: 8.5/10 Stars

Release Date: August 14, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated G. A very powerful storm at sea wrecks havoc through a town and completely floods it. Several intense moments.

Review:

Though I've never really gotten into any anime movies, "Ponyo" spiked my interest after watching the trailer...

In Short:

"Ponyo" is the American version of a Japanese film about a goldfish princess wanting to become a human. It is a modern day re-telling of "The Little Mermaid," with five year olds as the main characters. It features a star studded cast, including Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Matt Damon and Betty White. It was a simple story that was brought to life with stunning animation. Academy Award winning director Hayao Miyazaki brings us a pure and down to earth story that is sure to captivate anyone of any age.

In Full:

"Ponyo" sounds like a very dumb movie whenever someone describes its plot. It's a movie that you just have to see it, no matter how childish or stupid the storyline sounds at the time. But... I shall still try my best. "Ponyo" documents the life of Sosuke, a five year old boy who lives by the ocean with his mother. His father is in the Navy, and spends most of his time out at sea, leaving Sosuke feeling very lonely. But that all changes when he rescues a goldfish from the sea and names her Ponyo. He soo finds out that she is a goldfish princess who longs to become a human. But, her father (who is also a powerful enchanter) will stop at nothing to get her back. It's a stunning and simple story that kept me entertained throughout. This one is for all ages.

What I found most jaw dropping was how many huge Hollywood stars gave their voices for this film. Cate Blanchett is given a smaller role as a beautiful goddess, while Liam Neeson plays Ponyo's angry father. Noah Cyrus voices Ponyo, while Frankie Jonas is Sosuke. Tina Fey rounds it up as Sosuke's mother. Every actor in the film brought their character wonderfully to life, and I found it another very big pro that made "Ponyo" so marvelous.

Let's just say that the animation is way off from, per say, Pixar or Dreamworks. This is pure, honest, and simple 2-D animation. That being said, I found it absolutely spectacular. The animation seemed to bring the story to life... finishing off a wonderful story and wonderful voicing with wonderful animation... like the icing on a colossal, two-layered ice cream cake. I think that if the animation would've been any more complex, it would've detracted from the movie's beauty and simplicity.

Probably the only thing I could find wrong with the film was its occasional tendency to drag on towards the end. Up until the climax, I felt totally engrossed in the story, but once it got on its last part of the story, it seemed to drag a bit. It wouldn't have killed them if they shortened the ending up a bit, but I still left the theater feeling like I hadn't wasted any time. This movie may feel a bit slow while you're watching it, but the end credits will roll and you'll find yourself saying, "It's over already?!"

In the end, "Ponyo" is an uplifting, inspiring, cute, and family friendly anime movie that is sure to capture your heart. Though littler ones may find it a bit plodding and hard to keep still through its whole 1 hour and 40 minute running time, it should still have them entertained for most of it. This is a magical fairy tale, running alongside the likes of "The Little Mermaid." "Ponyo" had me walking out of the theater thinking that I'm going to have to start seeing more of Hayao Miyazaki's films.

*Written by Guest Reviewer, Anna Bankes*

G. I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra: 4.5/10 Stars

Release Date: August 7, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated PG-13 for strong sequences of action violence and mayhem throughout. Constant action violence includes explosions, hand-to-hand combat, and lots of gunfire. Several disturbing images include deformed faces. Cars crash and flip through the air. A mild scattering of swear words throughout. Some revealing outfits and passionate kissing.

Review:

"G.I. Joe" was over the top and ended up being nothing more than an adult version of "Spy Kids..."

In Short:

In this film, the G.I. Joes are trying to stop a corrupt arms dealer named Destro bent on destroying the world, as well as the rise of the eerie organization called Cobra. It's your typical "save the world" type film with nothing new or surprisingly original in it. It gave the makers a perfect excuse for near constant action violence and nothing else. The acting was corny and the dialogue stiff. The visuals were at times decent, and at other times over the top and annoying. In the end, "G. I. Joe" was neither great nor horrible... it simply stood in the middle ground.

In Full:

"G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra" tells the unoriginal and overused story of an army of fighters named G. I. Joes. Together, they must take on an evil arms leader named Destro, bent on destroying Earth with his weapons. There is also reference of the rise of the sinister organization, Cobra (hence the title). Sound familiar? That's probably because it is. From fake and corny action violence and to a plodding pace and an overlong running time, "G.I. Joe" contains really nothing memorable or worth seeing.

The acting was pretty bad, even though it contained some pretty good actors. Dennis Quaid is the best example of this. Though he is usually decent in all of his films, here, he was boring, corny, and obnoxious. Channing Tatum, who is best known for his role in "Step Up," shows us once again that he excels at showing absolutely no emotion. Sienna Miller was decent as Ana, as well as Marlon Wayans as Ripcord. Other than that, however, all of the actors was just bland and void of anything worth grasping.

The visuals were a great example of how over the top CGI does not always make a good movie. Take "Transformers 2" for example... it was an overlong ride full of near constant CGI... and I guess that's what this movie was like as well.

Though some of the visuals were exciting, mainly their weapons and their suits... most of it just felt unoriginal, like we had all seen it before... which we had. The film just didn't give us much to take home with after the end credits.

The backdrop of this film mainly took place in Washington DC and London. They were pretty good locations for this kind of movie, but it still couldn't help the film feel like an overall mess. It wasn't a horrible movie, as there were some memorable parts (including their spectacular looking suits), but overall, don't expect to see anything new or worthwhile in "G. I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra."