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....because life's too short to watch bad movies

TODAY’S MMR


The Messenger: Woody H. gives the third best performance in this one-note indie drama. Add to the list of films about Y2K+ American soldier that misses mark.

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Repo Men: Futuristic vision where new organs are a commodity & repo'ed from deadbeats. Bloody, violent tongue-in-cheek story w/ ASC; unoriginal twist ending almost works. (posted by Pittboy87)

The Other Guys: Buddy cops + dense “wink to the audience” comedy circa “Airplane.” Madoff plot line a little clunky, but too many LOL moments to miss. Farrell & Keaton stand out.

Terminator Salvation: 

Disappointing continuation of franchise. Batman takes back seat to Avatar w/ confusing scene jumps & cuts, "eh" plot, Common & the Governator? Umm...O.K. (posted by Pittboy87)

Middle Men: Glorious excess in collision of Web, porn, shady hustlers, the mob, the Feds, credit cards, & “everyman fixer” who gets caught up in it. Nice blend of Fic-tis-tory.


Invictus: True story of how Mandela inspired S Africa to win '95 rugby World Cup. Freeman & Damon lose themselves in roles, but film lacks bravado &, well, inspiration. (posted by Pittboy87)


Burma VJ: 

Military rule in Burma thru desperate lens of citizen journalists & brave monks. Makes you appreciate democracy. Brutal footage doesn’t lie. Powerful & disheartening.

Brooklyn's Finest: Three cop stories mesh while patrolling NY projects; ASC brings solid acting to "under the radar" drama & raise it above seen-it-before themes/characters. (posted by Pittboy87)


Get Low: Duvall in top 5 role of his career. Bill Murray even better in slow, simple, period tale w/ no surprises but killer final monologue. Kudos to Spacek & Lucas Black, too. 



Street Kings: Crime Story of today's LA from J Ellroy. Corrupt cops walk thin, violent line. Keanu leads way to over-acted finale. Common & The Game bring street cred(?) (posted by Pittboy87)


The Kids Are All Right: Gay-parents hit same peaks & valleys as hetero in well-told lesbians-at-mid-life-crisis-w/-cool-kids-collide-w/-sperm-doner-story. AWP's top to bottom.

Death Race 2008: Framed man has to compete in deadly car races to get out of jail. Hammy acting, cheesy script make for amusing action film w/ thrills; brains optional. (posted by Pittboy87)


The Road:

Bleak father / son apocalypse film w/ made for TV ending!? Some novels best left on ink / paper / e-tablets. Cameos by Guy Pearce, Theron & Duvall are solid.


Inception: Cool, bizarre, confusing story about dream hijackers placing ideas in wealthy minds. Leo embraces complex plot like a pro; sleek f/x & cast overshadow flaws. (posted by Pittboy87)


Knight & Day: Popcorn paint-by-number action flick w/ Cruise oozing charm & dodging bullets w/ mis-cast Diaz trying to keep up. A little desperate, a little predictable, but fun.


Land of the Lost Adults take kids' TV show and make a dull adult movie not for kids. Money pit of a flick due to HUGE budget, no biz. A story would have helped; nice f/x. (posted by Pittboy87)

Cyrus: Angst, indi-comedy-drama w/ AWP by John C. Reilly, memorable Marisa Tomei, & Jonah Hill doing his best, edgy Mike Cera impression. Soundtrack, jerky edit-style work well.

Predators: Decent, if not redundant, "sequel" that specializes in weird cameos & new tricks for an old dog. Props for semi-originality; Broady, action star? Still not buying it! (posted by Pittboy87)

The Bicycle Thief (1949): B&W, sub-titled, powerful story in post WW2 Rome. Sparse, 89 mins show frailty of human spirit; “small” theft leads to soul-crushing loss for dad & son.

Spy Game: Redford mentors Pitt (in espionage), until he is scheduled for execution in China. Flashbacks, tense meetings behind closed doors, & Bob being Bob make for good watch. (posted by Pittboy87)

Kramer vs. Kramer: Master performances by Hoffman & Streep as all-too-human parents going thru divorce w/ a young child. Award winning & stands up to the test of time.

Primal Fear: Twists & turns surround this trial drama about death of Chicago Bishop. ASC at TOTG; Richard Gere dominates, Ed Norton shocks in Oscar-worthy role. (posted by Pittboy87)

Dear Zachary: A letter to a son about his father: Heart-breaking, must-see doc; “everybody’s best man” - incredible parents - shocking legal system failures & unimaginable loss.


Memento: Brilliant indie noir about guy w/ short-term memory loss, out to avenge his wife's murder. Perfectly confusing, backwards plot, you'll want multiple viewings & tattoos. (posted by Pittboy87)


Please Give: Interesting character studies at the pace of a novel. 90 mins of time spent w/ great indie actors playing sometimes awful people w/ Rebecca Hall shining brightest.


Gomorrah: Scorsese-produced, Italian "Mob" vehicle about crime in Naples' ghetto; Long, stylized, & uninteresting. A critics-darling head scratcher begging for a DeNiro cameo. (posted by Pittboy87)


Tetro: F.F. Coppola is out of ideas, but this B&W film is gorgeous to watch! Stylized storytelling is draining. Alden Ehrenreisch is so much like a young Leonardo it’s scary.


Flash Gordon: Star Wars rip-off has the sci-fi/comic hero as football meathead stuck on planet Mongo w/ bad script, worse f/x. Cult classic?? Making of doc helps; Queen doesn't. (posted by Pittboy87)


Man On Fire: Denzel as a DOHL bodyguard hired to save lil girl from kidnappers. He fails, gets very mad & burns through this tight, violent & well done thriller. Denz’s top 5. (submitted by Nashville D)


The Lovely Bones: P Jackson tries too hard to make the most beautiful movie ever about a child serial killer. Excessive symbolism & creepy Tucci=deal breakers; try the book. (posted by Pittboy87)


The Staircase: Doc on murder trial of Michael Peterson, accused of murdering wife & making it look like an accident. SIX HOURS w/ unlikeable people & flawed legal systems? Guilty!


Body of Lies: US politics mix with Mid East espionage in ok thriller from R Scott. Confusing, but always good Leo carries it; bad title doesn't help. (posted by Pittboy87)


The China Syndrome: (1980 Oscar noms) Fonda & Douglas stumble upon L.A. nuclear power plant leak circa Watergate & 3 Mile Island era. Power+Money = Corruption theme still timely.


Zack and Miri Make a Porno: Raunchy, kinda charming comedy about broke roommates who make porn to pay bills. Tries for sex w/ a heart, delivers friends w/ too few benefits. (posted by Pittboy87)


Broken Embraces: Spanish language art-film, soap opera w/ complex, time-shifting plot, bright colors (lead character is blind...subtle!?), & Penelope Cruz as tragic ingenue. Que?


Slammin' Salmon: Comedy troupe Broken Lizard phones it in as a group of rude restaurant workers. C-list cameos can't save this unfunny Titanic; can I have my 99 min back? (posted by Pittboy87)


Color Me Kubrick: WTF!? Malkovich as poof / con-man posing as Stanley Kubrick to get free drinks & perks from the thirsty-for-fame. BoTS! Brian Adams soundtrack? Really! WAM!


LA Confidential: HOF/BPN film noir w/cops & suits on the take. Layers & icing. Sexy, dark, tense & fun. Must see even w/ spoon-fed ending. Crowe & Spacey are standouts. (posted by Nashville D)


Michael Collins: Liam Neeson & mates add their chapter to the 700+yr Irish revolt. 140 mins of dark skies, massacres, messy revolution & Julia Roberts (?) = surprisingly dull!?


Oceans: Aquatic Disney doc that fascinates not educates, showing globe's H2O beauties & dangers. Shots amaze; Brosnan talks, not tells…yawn. Cousteau would be proud, sort of. (posted by Pittboy87)


Iron Man 2: Popcorn-fun, super-hero, nerd-out, over-the-top sequel. B-movie-star additions & bigger-not-better action sequences can’t tarnish the real stars: Downey & Paltrow.


Red River: HOF Horse Opera w/ angry John Wayne & moral Montgomery Clift on a must win cattle drive. Story works & the moral erosion b/w the two is well done. Must see western. (posted by Nashville D)


America at 10MPH: (doc) Wouldn’t it be cool if some 20-somethings rode Segways from Seattle to Boston, ruined their credit, but justified it w/ heartland wisdom? No, no & no.

Master and Commander: Captivating tale of an early 19th century British warship on the hunt for it's French enemy. 100% authentic; R Crowe's a born leader. No pirates allowed. (posted by Pittboy87)


You Don’t Know Jack: Lifeless telling of Kevorkian’s path from MD pioneer to crazy man in jail. Pacino as “Dr. Death” w/ Fargo accent. Polarizing piece of history poorly told.

Gamer: Headache-inducing flick that crosses Death Race with Call of Duty; Goofball acting, gore, "Huh?" techno plot, & Dexter with a bad twang…plus Ludacris! Game Over. (posted by Pittboy87)

The Beautiful Truth: Compelling doc details Dr. Gerson’s track record in curing cancer. Poor story telling & annoying narration but no denying: there’s something happening here.


Abominable (2006) - Son of 70's film composer makes D-horror movie that stars has-beens in the worst/funniest Bigfoot flick to date. (posted by Pittboy87)


Exit Through The Gift Shop: Crazy French, Belushi-look-alike, stalks street artists & cons alterno-crowd into believing he’s best of best. Daniel Johnston of “pop-art”. Must-see!


Pandorum: Quaid & crew race against time & space mutants (seriously), trying to fix a spaceship & save humanity (seriously). Incomprehensible & tons of whispering = no fun. (posted by Pittboy87)


Bad Lieutenant (2009) - Nicolas Cage twitches thru this horrible “bad cop in New Orleans” train wreck w/ cameo by Xzibit. ‘Nuff said. Gun fight harmonica solo anyone?!


I Love You, Man: Lovable Paul Rudd has a fiancé & good job but no male friends. Enter Jason Segal & LOL as these two opposites Bro-up for a fun ride. Easy watch & “Rush” rocks. (posted by Nashville D)


Cold Souls: Almost unwatchable hybrid of Eternal Sunshine meets Being Malkovich w/out humor & originality. Sundance helped develop, Giamatti got it made...missed by a mile!


Bachelor Party: Imperfect 80's comedy that was pretty much a resume builder for Tom Hanks, but gets points for transvestite hookers, a drug-induced donkey, &...Adrian Zmed. (posted by Pittboy87)


The Joneses: 93 min bad advertisement for soul-less marketing, made by an ad-guy, explains why ads best left to 30/60-second spots. Jump the shark moment for product placement?!


Surrogates: Bruce Willis does his robotic best to make so-so sci-fi action flick tolerable. B-Grade f/x & seen-it-before plot-lines work against him; I-Robot was better. (posted by Pittboy87)


Kick @ss: Y2K10 pop-culture mash-up; social nets, You Tube, comics, gaming skills, f-bombs & world class violent 11-yr old home-schooled super hero girl = Guilty pleasure.


Bruno: Cohen’s post-Borat curse: “What to do next?” Rude, raw, daring & funny but not very good. An exercise in extreme but watch the 88 mins so you can talk about camping. (posted by Nashville D)


Spirit of the Marathon: amazing, emotional doc traces 26.2 mile quest; from Kenyans to a pot-bellied senior. “Everyman’s Everest” = heartbreak, euphoria & goosebumps for viewers.


Green Zone: Private Ryan grows up & searches for WMD intel source during the fall of Iraq. Taut action & suspense, gritty docu-style feel; Damon & Greengrass = action gold. (submitted by Pittboy87)

Julie & Julia: Meryl delivers another unforgettable performance as 1st celebrity chef, Julia Childs. Her unusual path to global icon status dwarfs Amy Adams / Julie co-plot.


Grey Gardens: Chronicles decent into squalor & madness of Jackie O’s mother-daughter cousins, both named Edie.  Sad & poignant,  Drew Barrymore nails award winning performance. (posted by Shady C)


The Escapist: Memento story-telling device meets prison escape drama w/ solid UK cast including Brian Cox. Ambitious but disappointing. Jacob’s Ladder cop out ending doesn’t help.


Where the Wild Things Are: Bratty, attention-starved kid runs away to land of big fuzzy things, led by Tony Soprano apparently. Compelling visuals can't save huge downer flick. (posted by Pittboy87)


On A Clear Day: 55 yr-old man laid off, makes peace w/ family baggage by swimming the English Channel w/ support of misfit friends. Melodrama meets Ned Devine falls pretty flat.


The Happening: The laughs start 60 seconds into this "thriller" from Sixth Sense creator, then goes waaaay down hill. "Huh?" plot w/ characters you could care less about. (submitted by Pittboy87)


City Island: Poor man’s “Moonstruck” in less skilled hands. Andy Garcia leads a quirky NY, working class family & harbors a secret desire to be...gasp!...an actor! Next!?


Whiteout: Whodunit/Who's doin' it murder mystery in the Antarctic; overachieves by not being as bad as expected. K Beckinsale keeps it watchable, but not on edge of my seat. (submitted by Pittboy87)


Date Night: You WILL LOL as Steve Carell & Tina Fey put on comedy master class w/in high-concept, well-cast, funny & familiar mistaken identity story. Stay for the credits!


Wolverine: X-Men prequel, showing the origin of how Logan became a Marvel Comics cash cow. Hugh Jackman embraces the role, as always, in this better than average action BB. (submitted by Pittboy87)


Chloe: Indie “Fatal Attraction”; Emotional & marital blackmail pressure cooker w/ Julianne Moore & Amanda Seyfried delivering stellar performances. Mature, memorable & surprising.


Cast Away: Less is more when Tom Hanks crashes into the S. Pacific, spends years alone on an island. Great cast takes backseat to his range as a man isolated even after he's home. (submitted by Pittboy87)


Saint Ralph: COA tale about misfit boy’s search for a miracle to save his Mom. Commits to win Boston Marathon w/ help of priest, Santa Claus & - gulp - Meg Tilly!? AsS anyone?


Couples Retreat: Watchable but unremarkable rom-com; 4 Chicago couples go to Bora Bora for therapy. ASC delivers some laughs, but most of the jokes are left on the mainland. (submitted by Pittboy87)


The Man Who Knew Too Little: Clever “mistaken identity” comedy came & went in 1997 but worth a watch for fans of Bill Murray & “cloak & dagger” parody. LOL guaranteed.


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