Ok ok, so I slacked off a bit in 2010 for all of my movie reviews. So in light of that slacking I have done, and since we’re already half way through 2010, I’m going to do a 2 part review session of all the movies I have seen of the 2010 season (there have been 16 total films that I didn’t review thus far so I’ll do 8 reviews in each part). Of course I’m not going to include ones like Alice in Wonderland, Iron Man 2, How to Train Your Dragon, or Clash of the Titans, because I’ve already done those reviews. So let’s get on with it shall we!

Toy Story 3

SO, I figured I’d start this off right by getting into the reviews with a great movie that has come out this summer of 210. Toy Story 3 was immaculate. I honestly thought that they had out done themselves with Toy Story 2. Nope, they come out with Toy Story 3 and one up themselves. To come back with a sequel that not only kept the story going but didn’t rehash much of what was used before was very impressive. Out of the 3 movies that came out, I’d have to say that Toy Story was the best then the 3rd one then the 2nd one. It might just be because I’m a bit sentimental, but the end of the movie had me watering up pretty good and it’s a damn kids movie! I mean come on! If there are those of us that saw the first movie when we ourselves were children when it debuted, then I think we all will share some emotional attachment to these characters. The movie delivers across the board with voice talent, story, characters and animation. Honestly, it was sad to see it end but at least they went out on top!

Oh and a quick side note – the amazing short, ‘Day and Night’ that played before this movie was one of the most touching and sincere shorts that Pixar has graced us with to date. Pay close attention to all the detail and talent that goes into that movie. (this earns toy story 3 a half point)

Toy Story 3 Review: (9.5/10)

The Last Air Bender

Yes well I started this review session off with a great movie and I’m going to follow it up with a really bad movie. M. Night’s the Last Air Bender was a acting atrocity. I have no idea how the director could’ve been watching his reels back in the editing room after the first day of shooting saying to himself, “oh man this movie is going to ROCK!” … If I had been there watching in that very same editing room, I would’ve given him the biggest mushroom stamp. I wouldn’t say that I had high expectations for this movie because it is based off of a Nickelodeon cartoon after all, but I definitely didn’t expect this. I can’t even put into words how bad the acting was on every scale. Not only that, but the writing was god awful as well. The only couple things, and let me say that again, ONLY couple things that saved this movie and didn’t allow me to walk out was the amazing visual effects and the story. I have never seen the cartoon, but now I’m very tempted to go rent the series just so that I might enjoy this interesting story and broad range of characters.

The Last Air Bender Review: (3/10)

Eclipse (the Twilight Series)

Throw stones at me all you like, but Eclipse is a good movie. It’s not great and it’s not bad, but it’s good. I must say that I went in a little cautious just because the other two movies were pretty much garbage but this movie was actually entertaining and kept me moderately interested most of the time. The plot is a lot more involved this time around with the entire cast and not just the love triangle. We get a little more in depth with some key characters and we also have more sinister villains this time around. Even the Vulturi (I have no idea how they spell that crap in the book) play a more significant role in a grand scheme that seems like the entire saga is boiling down to. I’d have to say that having a decent director this time around did wonders for the film and certainly gets my vote. I hope that they bring him back to finish the saga. Though, with all the good you must take the bad. The bad being the 3 main actors and the mush that surrounds the plot. The whole reason all the women swoon over the saga – the threesome love story. I got so tired of it in this movie. I got sick of Bella going “oh Edward I love you…oh Jake I love you…but I love Edward…but Edward I love Jake…Bella but I love you…but” blah blah blah! Seriously, once we see the turmoil that all three of them are dealing with – we get it. We don’t need the situation continuously pounded into our skulls like we’re infants just learning how to read. I don’t care if the book is that way – that is something that might translate well through the pages but on screen it’s monotonous and BORING! Just choose a damn mate and move on already! Hell even because of all the mush crap I was dealing with I had to change my least hated character out of the 3 of them to Edward this time. At least he wasn’t practically puking rainbows and unicorns out on to Bella every chance she was around.

Eclipse Review: (7/10)

The Book of Eli

This was an interesting story. One man, on a quest to bring a “book” of untold wisdom/power from one side of the nation to the other, on foot no less, as commanded by God to do so. You figure out early on in the story that the “book” is the Bible so I’m not ruining anything there for anyone. Once you realize that, then the movie takes a different turn. It becomes biblical in essence, which is not what I was originally expecting from the trailers and marketing. Not saying that it detracts from the movie so much, but it definitely puts a completely different spin on things. The good parts of the movie are the set pieces and the acting. I mean we’ve got Denzel, what’s not to like about that guy? There are other actors that shine too in this movie, but Denzel is the whole reason you go to see it. Now I would’ve rated this film even lower had I not had an interesting perspective presented to me by my cousin Patrick. So to say the least I see the movie in a different light than what I had previously thought. When it was in theaters I wouldn’t recommend this movie to anyone, but now that it’s out on DVD/Blu-Ray then I say hey – go ahead and check it out.

The Book of Eli Review: (7/10)

Edge of Darkness

Blow the crap out of some guy’s daughter (seriously the first 5 mins of this movie his daughter is blown almost halfway apart by a shotgun right in front of him) and see what happens. You’re bound to piss him off I promise you that. The Edge of Darkness is one of those vengeful movies that for some reason Mel Gibson can’t seem to get away from. Have you seen Braveheart? Or perhaps you’ve seen the Patriot? No, well maybe you’ve seen Ransom? Well in case you’ve living under a rock, revenge movies seem to be Mel’s niche and he pulls it off as best as he can. I wouldn’t say that Edge of Darkness is his crowning achievement (Braveheart is) but it’s a pretty decent movie. There are a few moments where the dialog gets muddled and it’s hard to follow what is being talked about, but overall if you pay attention it shouldn’t detract from the entire plot. Mel is as good as Mel gets basically, though he is definitely starting to show his age in this movie. It’s fairly played out and the ending is typical but I’d say go ahead and rent it sometime, it’s gotta be better than a lot of the other rentals to choose from lately.

Edge of Darkness Review: (6/10)

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time

With every video game series there is bound to be a movie eventually, you can’t have all that story and not a movie – it just wouldn’t be right. Prince of Persia, for me, is a decent video game adaptation to film. I for one think that the first 10 to 15 minutes are actually spot on just like the video game, but then we’re shown characters and places and events that never happen in the video game. Not to say that these things hurt the film, but they weren’t exactly part of the video game, or at least the first one. I would have to say, that with this film, I was unhappy with the dynamite team that brought us Pirates of the Caribbean…this just didn’t seem to have the refined essence that the Pirates first movie had and I found myself wanting it. What is that essence you say? Well, it’s that “Disney magic” that only Disney seems to be able to put into movies that no matter what – the movie still shines. I think that with this film, what shines are it’s actors and some of it’s set pieces – what doesn’t shine is the visual effects. I understand that sand might be hard to render and to figure out – but if we can film in the desert then by god then lets actually use some of the REAL sand then! Aside from that the story is intriguing, the characters are well developed and even the acting is on par. (I’m sorry I could go into more detail but I’ve got to write a lot more of these minor reviews and I can’t take up the time delving into each movie)

Prince of Persia Review: (7.5/10)

Repo Men

There are a couple things that I would recommend never to happen on this planet. One, don’t go see Repo Men with  your mother. Two, Jude Law should never do an action movie. Three, you should never try and cut up someone and make love with that person at the same time. Four, for no one to buy this movie or to tell anyone else to see this garbage. I am surprised how much I didn’t like this movie. It had everything going for it; Sci-Fi, Action and Adventure, with Forest Whitaker and Jude Law, what’s not to like? Well just about everything aside from the acting, and even that isn’t going to save this movie – hell it even had a pretty good plot. It’s just all around bad. I can honestly say that when starting out to write these reviews I thought that the Air Bender would’ve been the worst reviewed, nope, this one definitely wins that award. No, I’d rather not tell you anything else about it – don’t see this movie.

Repo Men Review: (2/10)

She’s Out of My League

Ok, so some of the guys do get the girl – just by being the “nice guy”. I will give ya that – it’s bound to happen. Well with this movie, it at least takes a few twist and turns before getting there and it actually has some pretty decent humor thrown in that got me to laugh out loud a few times. I’m not saying that it’s as funny as Step Brothers or anything, but it had it’s moments. The lead role is played by that kid that voiced How to Train Your Dragon so it already lost a point on my scale for that. I mean just look at him in this picture – tell me you don’t just want to hit him for being a star and you’re not. Hell I don’t think he can even stand up straight. (watch the movie you’ll know what I’m talking about) Ok, but from aside from my apparent hatred for this actor, everything else seemed to flow pretty effortlessly in this movie. I’d say some of the key shining moments involve some shaving, and some family members and that’s all I’m going to say. If you have a special someone you would like to watch this with, then go out and rent it and sit yourselves down on the couch. It’s not that bad – really.

She’s Out of My League Review: (6.5/10)