Movie Review
Archive
K
K-19: The Widow Maker
Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson give intense performances in this somewhat plodding movie that is long on drama, and a bit short on action. Sometimes painful to watch, I felt emotionally drained after seeing how the Soviet bureaucracy treated their navy men as expendable in order to advance the military machine.
3 1/2 Stars Out of 5
Kangaroo Jack
Kangaroo Jack should have stayed down under…it is moronic. Oh sure it has a few slight chuckles…the 5 year olds in the audience enjoyed the camel flatulence jokes. I didn't. Fry this one on the barbee….1 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Karate Kid - Sony - Rated PG
Produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, the family affair called The Karate Kid stars their son, Jaden Smith. The thing is, the kid's got genuine on screen charisma. Maybe it can be inherited. He's a decent actor, and he's got some serious dance moves. It's also nice to see Jackie Chan kickin' butt again. He steps into the mentor role with ease. This undeniably cute,
appealing movie has genuine feeling, and make us feel good as it makes it's way to its inevitable, preordained conclusion. It's got…chops! 4 Stars Out of 5
Kick-Ass - Lionsgate - Rated R
In Kick Ass, 11 year old Chloe Grace Moretz plays Hit Girl, her dad is Big Daddy, played by Nicolas Cage. Together they are head bashing, knife stabbing, gun shooting fantastic! Believe me when I say that this film is in no way politically correct. And I have serious concerns about the child actress's parents for allowing her to participate in this movie. Let's just say I'm glad they did and leave it at that. Many are decrying her role, and her participation in the film, but let me say that she and Cage provide the films most entertaining scenes. Subversive, shockingly violent and Tarantino-esque at times, this movie is perverse, anti-social mayhem, a rollicking good time and a total blast. Kick ass? Whew. Yes it is. 4 Stars Out of 5
Kickin' It Old Skool
Kickin' It Old Skool is an overlong dance comedy movie where nobody can really dance and nothing is funny. The talented Jamie Kennedy is killing his career with movies like this. It's a lame, ridiculously stupid movie that caused me excruciating pain. It can't dance, it can't kick…it can't even hobble…both it's legs are broken. ½ Star Out of 5
Kicking & Screaming
Kicking & Screaming has two things going for it…Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall. Ferrell is somewhat toned down from his normal manic self, but is at times very funny, and Duvall provides the perfect foe. The script is a knockoff of Bad News Bears. And the film plays it on the mild side. It's a good movie for Dads to take your pre-teen sons to. I took my wife and daughter and they fell asleep. Well it is after all, a sports movie…
3 Stars Out of 5
Kids In America
Kids In America doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a bland teen comedy? A quirky 80's style teen flick? A Spoof? A serious drama? It never does make up its mind, and gives us performances that border on farce. Nicole Ritchie should hang up her acting shoes now. Hers and most of the other performances in this muddled mess are embarrassingly bad. The best part of the film is the sequence at the beginning of the end credits where real teens give their opinions on censorship. Too little, WAY too late. Don't waste your time, money or the energy to get to the theater for this. 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
Kill Bill Volume One
Kill Bill Volume One is a blast! It may be the bloodiest film in history, but the blood is done in cartoon style. When a sword lops off a limb, the blood spurts out like a sprinkler on full blast. It is so overdone, it is like a cartoon (and for a while the film is actually a cartoon!) The film is an homage to the 70's, even starting out with a 70's vintage "now for the feature presentation" clip. Quentin Tarantino is the star here, and that's not taking anything away from the magnificent Uma Thurman. There's not a lot of story here, but there is a lot of action, tons of style, great music, and a load of fun! I can't wait for volume 2! Kill Bill is a thrill!
4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Kill Bill Volume 2 I didn't like Kill Bill Volume 2 quite as much as I liked volume one, but, I did like it. Volume one was non-stop action with sparse clues into the actual story, Volume two is loaded with story and is surprisingly toned down from Volume 1. We even find out The Bride's name! The usual sharp witty dialogue found in a Quentin Tarantino movie is present here, and there's a surprising end that is just a bit of a let down. I would like to see the two movies combined back into one for a DVD release…
4 Stars Out of 5
Killers - Lionsgate - Rated PG-13)
The main thing about Killers is there are lots of scenes with Ashton Kutcher's shirt off…not enough with Katherine Heigl's shirt off…none, actually…although her breasts are the subject of much of the movie. Sadly, this Ashton Kutcher produced Mr. & Mrs. Smith derivative is only moderately amusing. The two leads don't exhibit much chemistry, the action scenes are flaccid, and most of the jokes fall flat. They wanted me to say that Killers is killer…but mostly it's just dead on arrival. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
King Arthur
King Arthur is a Jerry Bruckheimer production. Every Jerry Bruckheimer movie needs explosions. This movie takes place in the dark ages around the year 450, but the explosions find their way into the picture anyway. The move of the King Arthur legend back into the dark ages is interesting but not executed all that well. There is some hideous dialogue that makes you cringe, and it is overdramatic in spots, but the fight sequences almost rescue the movie. Still, you come away thinking, it was just OK.
2 ½ Stars Out of 5
King Kong
How does King Kong stand up to all of the hype? For all we've been hearing about it, I thought it would be better. This Kong has been eating too many bananas! It is bloated. It would have been a far better movie if half of it was left on the cutting room floor. It takes an hour just to get going! It suffers not only from too much flab, but from a terribly miscast Jack Black, who is irritating, at best, in this movie, and tries to bring 2005 type wisecracks to a movie set in the 30's. He is also responsible for delivering some of the corniest dialogue in any movie all year. The special effects are pretty good, but there are several places where I thought I might be watching the X Box version instead of the theatrical one. This is not one of the best movies ever made. Not even close. I think it should be renamed King Bomb. 2 ½ stars out of 5
The Kingdom - Universal - Rated R
The Kingdom is a high octane quadruple espresso action movie about a group of FBI agents going after terrorists who blow up an American installation in Saudi Arabia. It is vicious at times, and always extremely intense and haunting. At the end, nobody in the audience got up to leave. We all just sat there. It's that powerful. 4 Stars Out of 5
Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven is ponderous and slow. Orlando Bloom is much too lightweight an actor to carry this film, and the script asks us to jump over way too many mental hoops to believe the story. That said, it finally wakes up in the last third of the movie. But at times it feels like a Bruckheimer film, it's almost too big. Orlando Bloom's character delivers what are supposed to be show stopping motivational speeches, but from him, they almost seem like parody. The film is also too conscious of its subject matter and the current political climate. It portrays the Christian crusaders as a bunch not much better than beasts, while the Muslims are portrayed as noble and moral. I found this film difficult to get into and more difficult to swallow.
2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Kings Ransom
What can I say about Kings Ransom? Does it offend? Oh yeah. It is more offensive than bean dip and broccoli flatulence in a crowded elevator. Is it stupid? Stupid is piled on this movie in heaps and heaps. Is it likeable? It's about as likeable as having each of my toenails extracted one by one with an ice pick and a pair of pliers. And is it funny? No.
1 Star Out of 5
Kinsey
Kinsey is a very well done movie and deserves the accolades it's getting for acting. The subject matter is somewhat difficult. But the great performances by Liam Neeson, Laura Linney and Peter Staarsgard propel this film. I am baffled as to why this film received an R rating instead on an NC-17, so be forewarned. But it is a worthy film that might portray the man who many credit with starting the sexual revolution in a bit of a glossy light.
4 Stars Out of 5
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl - Picturehouse - Rated G
Julia Roberts produced Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, and we can only hope she repeats her success. This is a widescreen tale based on the popular doll and book line. While it is usually a bad omen for movies to be based on products, this time, it isn't. With an engaging cast led by Abigail Breslin, and a pleasant, wholesome story, this is genuinely heartwarming and surprisingly good. Even those who have no idea what An American Girl doll is, will have no trouble enjoying this sincere, optimistic film. 3 ½ stars Out of 5
The Kite Runner - Paramount Vantage - Rated PG-13
The Kite Runner is a moving, compelling and effective film that tells an involving story centering around two boys in 1970's Afghanistan. Painful to watch at times, and a definite tear jerker, it does drag a bit and is a touch too long. Ultimately, though, it is a beautiful film about redemption and the power of friendship. 4 Stars Out of 5
Knight and Day - 20th Century Fox - Rated PG-13
Tom Cruise's Knight and Day is a movie we've seen before. A couple of weeks ago, it was called Killers, a couple of years ago it was called Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Today, it's called the latest film to try to make you forget Oprah's couch. While there is some decent action, nothing in this film got my pulse racing. Not the gunplay, the explosions, or Cameron Diaz's bikini. And I'm really not sure why. Maybe it was the fact that I'd seen it all before. It wasn't terribly bad, but not terribly involving either. It's a movie that'll be forgotten in a couple of weeks. But did I forget Oprah's couch? Nope. He's still Tom Cruise. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Knockaround Guys
This sat on the shelf for 18 months, and the reason the studio dusted it off was to try and cash in on Vin Diesel's popularity. John Malkovich embarrasses himself here with one of the worst Brooklyn accents I've ever heard. This is a watered down generic father/son gangster movie wanna-be. You want the real thing, go rent The Godfather.
2 Stars Out of 5
Knocked Up
As you might guess from its title, Knocked Up is very crude. Think Grandmas Boy with more drug use, crossed with Parenthood. The two stars, Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogan are both very good, as is the entire cast. Sometimes it's sweet, most of the time it is gross, but it is usually funny if you aren't put off by the utter crassness of it all. 3 Stars Out of 5
Knowing - Summit Entertainment - Rated PG-13
It's the end of the world and Nick Cage is swilling single malt and adding up numbers to prove it. Knowing has some interesting ideas, and some of the special effects are amazing, including an airplane crash that took my breath away. There is some freaky weird tension and some creepy guys that spit light out of their mouths. But by the time I was two thirds through the film, I was knowing fast that this movie was as ridiculous as Nicolas Cage's acting. The end is breathtaking in its silliness. Knowing how stupid this movie gets might save you a few dollars. Know this…Knowing is a no. 2 Stars Out of 5
Kung Fu Hustle
Kung Fu Hustle is a film that beckons more to old time slapstick silent films and Looney Toons than to Bruce Lee. It is a visual version of the truck stop all you can eat counter. You get a little of everything, you know it's not all that good for you, but boy does it taste good! There is plenty of martial arts in this film, but it has a hyperactive frenzy that will make you laugh while you are in awe.
4 Stars Out of 5
Kung Fu Panda - Dreamworks - Rated PG
Kung Fu Panda's strength is beautiful animation that is packed with detail along with some terrific action sequences. But Dreamworks still isn't Pixar. This is your typical talking animal movie. There are slapstick moments paired with the typical "believe in yourself" message. Angelina Jolie's voice performance lacks any zip but those from Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman are pretty good. The movie teaches that the way to Kung Fu mastery is through your stomach. I wondered how many bad guys I would vanquish as I munched on my popcorn and Junior Mints. 3 Stars Out of 5
Archive
K
K-19: The Widow Maker
Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson give intense performances in this somewhat plodding movie that is long on drama, and a bit short on action. Sometimes painful to watch, I felt emotionally drained after seeing how the Soviet bureaucracy treated their navy men as expendable in order to advance the military machine.
3 1/2 Stars Out of 5
Kangaroo Jack
Kangaroo Jack should have stayed down under…it is moronic. Oh sure it has a few slight chuckles…the 5 year olds in the audience enjoyed the camel flatulence jokes. I didn't. Fry this one on the barbee….1 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Karate Kid - Sony - Rated PG
Produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, the family affair called The Karate Kid stars their son, Jaden Smith. The thing is, the kid's got genuine on screen charisma. Maybe it can be inherited. He's a decent actor, and he's got some serious dance moves. It's also nice to see Jackie Chan kickin' butt again. He steps into the mentor role with ease. This undeniably cute,
appealing movie has genuine feeling, and make us feel good as it makes it's way to its inevitable, preordained conclusion. It's got…chops! 4 Stars Out of 5
Kick-Ass - Lionsgate - Rated R
In Kick Ass, 11 year old Chloe Grace Moretz plays Hit Girl, her dad is Big Daddy, played by Nicolas Cage. Together they are head bashing, knife stabbing, gun shooting fantastic! Believe me when I say that this film is in no way politically correct. And I have serious concerns about the child actress's parents for allowing her to participate in this movie. Let's just say I'm glad they did and leave it at that. Many are decrying her role, and her participation in the film, but let me say that she and Cage provide the films most entertaining scenes. Subversive, shockingly violent and Tarantino-esque at times, this movie is perverse, anti-social mayhem, a rollicking good time and a total blast. Kick ass? Whew. Yes it is. 4 Stars Out of 5
Kickin' It Old Skool
Kickin' It Old Skool is an overlong dance comedy movie where nobody can really dance and nothing is funny. The talented Jamie Kennedy is killing his career with movies like this. It's a lame, ridiculously stupid movie that caused me excruciating pain. It can't dance, it can't kick…it can't even hobble…both it's legs are broken. ½ Star Out of 5
Kicking & Screaming
Kicking & Screaming has two things going for it…Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall. Ferrell is somewhat toned down from his normal manic self, but is at times very funny, and Duvall provides the perfect foe. The script is a knockoff of Bad News Bears. And the film plays it on the mild side. It's a good movie for Dads to take your pre-teen sons to. I took my wife and daughter and they fell asleep. Well it is after all, a sports movie…
3 Stars Out of 5
Kids In America
Kids In America doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a bland teen comedy? A quirky 80's style teen flick? A Spoof? A serious drama? It never does make up its mind, and gives us performances that border on farce. Nicole Ritchie should hang up her acting shoes now. Hers and most of the other performances in this muddled mess are embarrassingly bad. The best part of the film is the sequence at the beginning of the end credits where real teens give their opinions on censorship. Too little, WAY too late. Don't waste your time, money or the energy to get to the theater for this. 1 ½ Stars Out of 5
Kill Bill Volume One
Kill Bill Volume One is a blast! It may be the bloodiest film in history, but the blood is done in cartoon style. When a sword lops off a limb, the blood spurts out like a sprinkler on full blast. It is so overdone, it is like a cartoon (and for a while the film is actually a cartoon!) The film is an homage to the 70's, even starting out with a 70's vintage "now for the feature presentation" clip. Quentin Tarantino is the star here, and that's not taking anything away from the magnificent Uma Thurman. There's not a lot of story here, but there is a lot of action, tons of style, great music, and a load of fun! I can't wait for volume 2! Kill Bill is a thrill!
4 ½ Stars Out of 5
Kill Bill Volume 2 I didn't like Kill Bill Volume 2 quite as much as I liked volume one, but, I did like it. Volume one was non-stop action with sparse clues into the actual story, Volume two is loaded with story and is surprisingly toned down from Volume 1. We even find out The Bride's name! The usual sharp witty dialogue found in a Quentin Tarantino movie is present here, and there's a surprising end that is just a bit of a let down. I would like to see the two movies combined back into one for a DVD release…
4 Stars Out of 5
Killers - Lionsgate - Rated PG-13)
The main thing about Killers is there are lots of scenes with Ashton Kutcher's shirt off…not enough with Katherine Heigl's shirt off…none, actually…although her breasts are the subject of much of the movie. Sadly, this Ashton Kutcher produced Mr. & Mrs. Smith derivative is only moderately amusing. The two leads don't exhibit much chemistry, the action scenes are flaccid, and most of the jokes fall flat. They wanted me to say that Killers is killer…but mostly it's just dead on arrival. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
King Arthur
King Arthur is a Jerry Bruckheimer production. Every Jerry Bruckheimer movie needs explosions. This movie takes place in the dark ages around the year 450, but the explosions find their way into the picture anyway. The move of the King Arthur legend back into the dark ages is interesting but not executed all that well. There is some hideous dialogue that makes you cringe, and it is overdramatic in spots, but the fight sequences almost rescue the movie. Still, you come away thinking, it was just OK.
2 ½ Stars Out of 5
King Kong
How does King Kong stand up to all of the hype? For all we've been hearing about it, I thought it would be better. This Kong has been eating too many bananas! It is bloated. It would have been a far better movie if half of it was left on the cutting room floor. It takes an hour just to get going! It suffers not only from too much flab, but from a terribly miscast Jack Black, who is irritating, at best, in this movie, and tries to bring 2005 type wisecracks to a movie set in the 30's. He is also responsible for delivering some of the corniest dialogue in any movie all year. The special effects are pretty good, but there are several places where I thought I might be watching the X Box version instead of the theatrical one. This is not one of the best movies ever made. Not even close. I think it should be renamed King Bomb. 2 ½ stars out of 5
The Kingdom - Universal - Rated R
The Kingdom is a high octane quadruple espresso action movie about a group of FBI agents going after terrorists who blow up an American installation in Saudi Arabia. It is vicious at times, and always extremely intense and haunting. At the end, nobody in the audience got up to leave. We all just sat there. It's that powerful. 4 Stars Out of 5
Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven is ponderous and slow. Orlando Bloom is much too lightweight an actor to carry this film, and the script asks us to jump over way too many mental hoops to believe the story. That said, it finally wakes up in the last third of the movie. But at times it feels like a Bruckheimer film, it's almost too big. Orlando Bloom's character delivers what are supposed to be show stopping motivational speeches, but from him, they almost seem like parody. The film is also too conscious of its subject matter and the current political climate. It portrays the Christian crusaders as a bunch not much better than beasts, while the Muslims are portrayed as noble and moral. I found this film difficult to get into and more difficult to swallow.
2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Kings Ransom
What can I say about Kings Ransom? Does it offend? Oh yeah. It is more offensive than bean dip and broccoli flatulence in a crowded elevator. Is it stupid? Stupid is piled on this movie in heaps and heaps. Is it likeable? It's about as likeable as having each of my toenails extracted one by one with an ice pick and a pair of pliers. And is it funny? No.
1 Star Out of 5
Kinsey
Kinsey is a very well done movie and deserves the accolades it's getting for acting. The subject matter is somewhat difficult. But the great performances by Liam Neeson, Laura Linney and Peter Staarsgard propel this film. I am baffled as to why this film received an R rating instead on an NC-17, so be forewarned. But it is a worthy film that might portray the man who many credit with starting the sexual revolution in a bit of a glossy light.
4 Stars Out of 5
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl - Picturehouse - Rated G
Julia Roberts produced Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, and we can only hope she repeats her success. This is a widescreen tale based on the popular doll and book line. While it is usually a bad omen for movies to be based on products, this time, it isn't. With an engaging cast led by Abigail Breslin, and a pleasant, wholesome story, this is genuinely heartwarming and surprisingly good. Even those who have no idea what An American Girl doll is, will have no trouble enjoying this sincere, optimistic film. 3 ½ stars Out of 5
The Kite Runner - Paramount Vantage - Rated PG-13
The Kite Runner is a moving, compelling and effective film that tells an involving story centering around two boys in 1970's Afghanistan. Painful to watch at times, and a definite tear jerker, it does drag a bit and is a touch too long. Ultimately, though, it is a beautiful film about redemption and the power of friendship. 4 Stars Out of 5
Knight and Day - 20th Century Fox - Rated PG-13
Tom Cruise's Knight and Day is a movie we've seen before. A couple of weeks ago, it was called Killers, a couple of years ago it was called Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Today, it's called the latest film to try to make you forget Oprah's couch. While there is some decent action, nothing in this film got my pulse racing. Not the gunplay, the explosions, or Cameron Diaz's bikini. And I'm really not sure why. Maybe it was the fact that I'd seen it all before. It wasn't terribly bad, but not terribly involving either. It's a movie that'll be forgotten in a couple of weeks. But did I forget Oprah's couch? Nope. He's still Tom Cruise. 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
Knockaround Guys
This sat on the shelf for 18 months, and the reason the studio dusted it off was to try and cash in on Vin Diesel's popularity. John Malkovich embarrasses himself here with one of the worst Brooklyn accents I've ever heard. This is a watered down generic father/son gangster movie wanna-be. You want the real thing, go rent The Godfather.
2 Stars Out of 5
Knocked Up
As you might guess from its title, Knocked Up is very crude. Think Grandmas Boy with more drug use, crossed with Parenthood. The two stars, Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogan are both very good, as is the entire cast. Sometimes it's sweet, most of the time it is gross, but it is usually funny if you aren't put off by the utter crassness of it all. 3 Stars Out of 5
Knowing - Summit Entertainment - Rated PG-13
It's the end of the world and Nick Cage is swilling single malt and adding up numbers to prove it. Knowing has some interesting ideas, and some of the special effects are amazing, including an airplane crash that took my breath away. There is some freaky weird tension and some creepy guys that spit light out of their mouths. But by the time I was two thirds through the film, I was knowing fast that this movie was as ridiculous as Nicolas Cage's acting. The end is breathtaking in its silliness. Knowing how stupid this movie gets might save you a few dollars. Know this…Knowing is a no. 2 Stars Out of 5
Kung Fu Hustle
Kung Fu Hustle is a film that beckons more to old time slapstick silent films and Looney Toons than to Bruce Lee. It is a visual version of the truck stop all you can eat counter. You get a little of everything, you know it's not all that good for you, but boy does it taste good! There is plenty of martial arts in this film, but it has a hyperactive frenzy that will make you laugh while you are in awe.
4 Stars Out of 5
Kung Fu Panda - Dreamworks - Rated PG
Kung Fu Panda's strength is beautiful animation that is packed with detail along with some terrific action sequences. But Dreamworks still isn't Pixar. This is your typical talking animal movie. There are slapstick moments paired with the typical "believe in yourself" message. Angelina Jolie's voice performance lacks any zip but those from Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman are pretty good. The movie teaches that the way to Kung Fu mastery is through your stomach. I wondered how many bad guys I would vanquish as I munched on my popcorn and Junior Mints. 3 Stars Out of 5
