Copyright 2010 Bob Richards
Movie Reviews for 3-8-10
Biggest 3-D movie opening ever…biggest non-sequel opening ever…Alice in Wonderland blasted past everyone's expectations to 116.3 million dollars. That's Tim Burton's best opening yet, and double what most experts were expecting. Brooklyn's Finest opened with 13.5 million - good enough for second place, and Shutter Island dropped to third. (Alice in Wonderland - Disney - Rated PG)
Alice in Wonderland is the product of Tim Burton's unique, dark, twisted vision along with an insane performance from Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. Helena Bonham Carter steals the show though, with the biggest head as well as the biggest laughs. This is weird and whimsical. There are a couple of wonky CGI moments, but they don't take you out of the movie too badly. The 3-D is more immersive than gimmicky, and kind of an afterthought. I think you would get just as much out of the 2-D version. But make no mistake, Wonderland is Wonderful. 4 Stars Out of 5
(The White Ribbon - Sony Pictures Classics - Rated R)
A lot of really awful stuff happens in The White Ribbon. On the surface, things are peaceful, serene. But beneath the beautiful cinematography, and the slow, deliberate pace, there is a building sense of foreboding. This is a movie that doesn't tie everything up in a nice little package…no, it gives you plenty to dwell on. And you will. 4 Stars Out of 5
(Ghost Writer - Summit Entertainment - Rated PG-13)
Roman Polanski is in full Hitchcock mode in Ghost Writer. He has crafted a smart, interesting tale of politics and deception. Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan are both excellent as are the rest of the cast. Intrigue and twists abound in a movie conspiracy nuts will love. 3 ½ Stars Out of 5
(Brooklyn's Finest - Overture Films - Rated R)
Brooklyn's Finest is a collection of cop movie clichés: Bad cops that steal, burnt out bad cops that don't care, and the undercover cop that cares more about his homies than his cronies. There's even a prostitute with a heart of gold. The acting is solid except for a few exceptions - Ellen Barkin IS barkin' - she acts like a rabid dog. And the ominous score lets you know that something bad is going to happen. And it does. Over and over and over. There isn't much to like here. The characters are mostly unlikeable, the script is bleak, derivative, and a real downer. It took me a couple of hours to get out of the funk I was in after seeing this one. If this is Brooklyn's finest, I'm glad I live in Idaho! 2 ½ Stars Out of 5
For Recent Reviews of Movies Still In Theaters Click Here
