Movie Review
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88 Minutes - Sony - Rated R
Al Pacino stars in the utterly stupid 88 Minutes. Did I say it was stupid? Yes, it's the stupidest film of Pacino's career, and is the stupidest film so far this year! It is klunky and amateurish with some of the worst writing I've ever seen in any film. Most of the movie sees Pacino barking orders into a cell phone. The phone should have gotten top billing. He utters inane dialogue that had me in stitches! I don't know how anyone acting in the film did it with a straight face! It's an unintentional laugh fest! But it's almost worth the price of admission all by itself to see Al in his beehive hairdo. Now THAT'S entertainment! 1 Star Out of 5
Eastern Promises
In Eastern Promises, Naomi watts is excellent as are her costars, but it is Viggo Mortensen who dominates this film with a performance that is his best ever - it might even be Oscar worthy! Brilliantly directed by David Cronnenberg, Viggo's bloody and brutal fight scene in a steam bath is one of the best ever put on screen. Although it drags just a bit, this is a riveting, violent and terrific film. 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Eight Below
You can accuse me of being sentimental, and yes, I'll admit it. I've got a real soft spot in my heart for dogs. I've got two myself. Eight Below is a movie for dog lovers. But it's more than that. It's a real family movie. There are some scary parts that might not be appropriate for the little ones though. It's got adventure, humor, a little romance and is a terrific film. 4 Stars Out of 5
Eight Crazy Nights
Adam Sandler grosses us out in ways we could never be grossed out in a live-action film in Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights. This is NOT for kids!!! It's a crude, gross out, animated musical that really pushes the limits for a PG-13 rated movie. But underneath all of the crass potty humor, it has a partially redeeming warmth. And yes, it made my stomach turn, but it also made me laugh.2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Eight Legged Freaks!
Giddy fun! If you love the high-camp B movies from the 50's, you'll love this hilarious homage to them. (a word of warning...definitely NOT for arachnophobes!) 4 Stars Out of 5
Elektra
Elektra is a spinoff from Daredevil. Daredeveil wasn't so hot…but Elektra is a mess. There are too many loose ends, and a silly pseudo-spiritual plot. Jennifer Garner is almost expressionless as she jumps and kicks her way through this incomprehensible jumble. I wasn't elektra-fied.
2 Stars Out of 5
Elf
It's whimsical, it has an edge to it, and it'll be a Christmas classic for years to come. Will Ferrell demonstrates his amazing comedic talent, and we all get to laugh. Bob Newhart adds his usual dry humor with comic perfection. I think Ed Asner was miscast as Santa, but that is the only major flaw in an upbeat and jolly film.
3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Elizabeth: The Golden Age - Universal - Rated PG-13
Cate Blanchett is pitch-perfect in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. It is a well acted, well put together, interesting and at times gripping drama with action and intrigue. It's not a stuffy costume piece, quite the opposite!
3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Elizabethtown
Somewhere in Elizabethtown is a pretty good movie. But it has so much flab, you can't see it. It is way too long and would have greatly benefited from a more liberal editing job. Spasmotica is the name of a shoe in the film that causes the main character to get fired from his job. It is an apt description of the movie. It wobbles from a romance to a cornpone comedy to a travelogue. Orlando Bloom does a reasonably good job in his first contemporary role, while Kirsten Dunst is just so perky and quirky that I liked her but was kind of scared at the same time. She almost crosses the line from "enamored" to "stalker." But most embarrassing was watching Susan Sarandon in an unwatchable tap dance to "Moon River." Appalling, horrifying, stomach turning…I had to hide my eyes. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted is an edgy cross between the Princess Bride and Shrek that is totally enchanting! Anne Hathaway once again proves her star quality and completely commands the screen. This is a great movie that children and adults alike will enjoy.
4 stars Out of 5
The Emperors Club
Kevin Kline is magnificent in The Emperors Club and could very well be nominated for Best Actor for his role as a flawed, but devoted professor of classic civilizations. This is kind of in the same vein as "Goodbye Mr. Chips," although this is more a morality tail than an examination of the influence of a teacher on his students. The movie isn't quite as good as the performances, but good enough to get...4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Empire
Empire stars John Leguizamo who is a very fine actor, but is horribly miscast as a tough guy drug lord. We never really believe that he is capable of commanding the kind of respect that a drug lord must have. He is more the comic relief - best buddy type. The script is fairly stupid and really predictable. Wait for this one when it's on cable. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Employee of the Month
Employee of the Month is basically "Office Space" at Costco. It's not as funny, biting or witty, but it has its moments. If you go with low expectations like I did, you will be pleasantly surprised. And a plus for the movie is it concentrates on Jessica Simpson's ample cleavage instead of her acting. 3 Stars Out of 5
Enchanted - Disney - Rated PG
Seldom is an actress so perfectly cast that anyone else would ruin the movie. Amy Adams is absolutely perfect in Enchanted, a movie that will make you and your kids just feel good! At the end, I had smiled so much my face hurt! It's infectious, delightful, inspired fun! 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
End of the Spear
End of the Spear is a true tale of Christian missionaries, some of whom were killed in the jungles of South America in the 1950's. The film has a good message, but is hampered from much too broadly drawn characters, a not so subtle script, a low budget feel and poor makeup effects. The ending of the film delved into over the top acting and the brink of cheesiness. It does feature some terrific flight sequences and beautiful scenery. It also saves the best for the end credits when the surviving real life subjects of the film including the tribe members are shown shopping and buying fast food in the USA. 3 Stars Out of 5
Enduring Love
Enduring Love is a tale of obsession and stalking. It all starts with a balloon accident and a grisly death, and goes downhill from there! The performances from its leads are very good as they form a strange love triangle. But this is an uncomfortable movie that you can't peel your eyes from.
3 Stars Out of 5
Enough
I loved Jennifer Lopez's turn from wimp to champ in this tense and emotional thriller that's just a bit predictable. Billy Cambell plays a pretty convincing bad guy. And there's a surprising performance by E.R.'s Noah Wyle. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Envy
Envy has a real mean streak to it. Ben Stiller must like playing the angry dark guy roles. That's all he's been doing lately. This is a decidedly lowbrow movie abounding with too many jokes about dog excrement to chronicle…it is never believable, but it has enough laughs to redeem itself. 3 stars Out of 5
Epic Movie
Epic Movie tries to spoof some of the last couple of year's biggest movies along with some TV shows, and Paris Hilton. It sure tries hard with a fast and furious roll out of spoofs on The Chronicles of Narnia, Pirates of the Caribbean, Willie Wonka, Harry Potter, Superman, Nacho Libre, and lots more. The problem is, it's not funny. If you're trying to make fun of some pretty good movies, you'd better be pretty good yourself. This one's not. 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
Eragon
Eragon is a mythic fantasy tale with clever special effects and an involving story about a boy and his dragon. I haven't read any of the books that the film is based on, but was not disappointed with this mostly enjoyable escapism.
3 Stars Out of 5
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is almost all good…Charlie Kaufman's amazing story and snappy smart dialogue, the superb performances by Jim Carrey and Cate Winslet, and the overall film makes us think, and challenges us a little,. My one complaint is it looks like a low budget independent movie. But overall, the film bowled me over. 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Eurotrip
Eurotrip is from the same people who made the outrageously funny Old School. So I expected more from this. There are a few laughs, but most of those are cheap laughs. It is irreverent and gross, and this features more male frontal nudity than I have ever seen in an R- rated film. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Evan Almighty
Evan Almighty is the sequel to Bruce Almighty and is the most expensive "comedy" ever made. It was all spent on poop. 'Cause that's what all the animals do, and what all the jokes are. Despite the likeability of Steve Carrell and Morgan Freeman, this wimpy movie is only mildly humorous. You've already seen the best jokes in the trailer. Here's some you missed: a movie marquis displays The 40 year old…virgin Mary!… Lauren Graham plays his wife Joan….of Ark…Ya get it?…what a laugh riot that is…..I'm tellin' ya….um …not really. 2 Stars Out of 5
Evening
For all the star power in the depressing weeper Evening, it doesn't pay off.
Claire Danes tries to sing, but really can't and looks like she'd rather be anywhere else, while the rest of the cast seems wasted. The film pops around wildly but just leaves us with the feeling we've failed at life. Actually I just failed in my choice of a movie…2 Stars Out of 5
Everyone's Hero
Everyone's Hero has its heart in the right place, and the all star voice cast does their best, but even Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg have trouble breathing any life into this wheezy, slow paced kid's film with below par animation and a dumb ending that even a six year old will find hard to believe. But the little kids will enjoy it. 3 Stars Out of 5
The Ex
The Ex is an entirely forgettable movie. Zach Braff is irritating, and there are very few laughs, an underused cast, and…oh who cares? 2 Stars Out of 5
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
The title The Exorcism of Emily Rose promises something that the movie isn't. This isn't really a horror movie about an exorcism. It is a very good courtroom drama about a priest and the woman who defends him in court, with plenty of horrific moments thrown in for good measure. Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson are superb, with each turning in powerful performances. I found myself quickly drawn into the story of the trial with flashbacks of the events that preceded it. I really liked it. 4 Stars Out of 5
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed - Premise Media - Rated PG
Ben Stein's interesting and humorous documentary, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed seems on the surface to be about the Darwinists versus those that believe in intelligent design. But it's much more than that. While it drags a bit in spots, if you stick with it, it has a powerful ending and shows that it's more about the freedom of exchanging ideas and the disturbing way in which that freedom is eroding. This is a film for everyone to see no matter what side of the discussion you are on. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
Extreme Ops
Extreme Ops Has a lame, almost non existent story plus awful acting and somewhat extreme stunts...The stunts earn
1 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Eye - Lionsgate - Rated PG-13
In The Eye, Jessica Alba see's dead people. It's been done before and much better in the Sixth Sense. She's not a strong enough actress to pull this off. Parker Posey, who co-stars is a strong enough actress, but she is wasted in a do-nothing part. The movie is shockingly dull but livens up when Jessica Alba tries to look like she is a violin virtuoso. That will go down as one of the true unintentional comic moments of all time. The eyes don't have it. 2 Stars Out of 5
