EDGE OF DARNESS (2010)
MyRating: YYY1/2Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic
MPAA: Rated R for strong bloody violence and language
US Gross: US$ 43.3 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 80.9 Million
Mel Gibson is back to acting with a role that was perfect for him, as a homicide detective and a father who watched his daughter being killed in front of his own eyes. When he investigates the murder to find the truth, he soon discovers that his daughter has a secret life that he never knew, which led to her murder. And the crime somehow links to a conspiracy by a big world-class company, filled with corruption and collusion, that also involving the government. And Gibson decides to pursue the evidences at all costs, to find justice for his deceased daughter and to bring the murderer down.
I am a fan of Mel Gibson. He is a fine actor (and director). And he performed solidly in this movie with his captivating acting, that shows a deep sorrowful heart of a father that lost his daughter, but has to stay strong in order to find the truth. His effective acting was one of the main factors that made this movie worked. The story itself was interesting and intriguing, a good thriller with just enough portion of actions to keep the tension up. This is a good comeback from Mr. Gibson. (MJ)
COP OUT (2010)
MyRating: Y1/2Director: Kevin Smith
Cast: Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, Kevin Pollak, Adam Brody, Juan Carlos Hernandez, Cory Fernandez, Ana de la Reguera
MPAA: Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violence and brief sexuality
US Gross: US$ 44.9 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 55.4 Million
The 'buddy cops' movie like this has been made countless of times and will be made over and over again. This one following a veteran NYPD cop, Bruce Willis, whose valuable antique baseball card was stolen. Since he has to sell the card to pay for his daughter's wedding, Willis then has to track down the thief to get back his card, accompanied by his fellow 'noisy mouth' partner, Tracy Morgan. And in their pursuit, they find themselves encounter with the cruel gangsters in town.
I didn't hate this movie, but I have to say that it was not a good one. The script was weak. The actings were bad. The action was lame. The comedy was not that funny. The editing was bad. And the production somehow looked cheap. If there was no Bruce Willis in it, it will totally look like a second grade movie, and maybe I didn't even bother to watch this at the first place. Willis gave his 'usual' expressions and didn't seem to feel comfortable in this movie, while Tracy Morgan was annoying. If you are not a big fan of Bruce Willis, then skip this one. (MJ)
THE CRAZIES (2010)
MyRating: YYY1/2Director: Breck Eisner
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson, Danielle Panabaker
MPAA: Rated R for bloody violence and language
US Gross: US$ 39.1 Million
Worlwide Gross: US$ 54.4 Million
This is a remake of 1971 George A. Romero's movie with the same title.
It's about a small town suddenly plagued by a disease, caused by toxin contamination in the water supply, that makes its inhabitants becoming insane, psychopathic, and extremely violent. When death after death keeps rolling and unstoppable, the sheriff of the town, Timothy Olyphant and his wife, Radha Mitchell, together with two other people have to fight for their lives before the disease gets them.
I always find excitement when watching horror movies. It's just fun to have your adrenalin pumped. And this movie is one of them. I think this one was a good horror movie with quite a lot of chills and thrills. The theme was like that of a zombie movie, with the disease spreading, but actually it was not a zombie movie. It was scary at times. The most memorable one was when a mad man walking around the hospital ward and then starts killing the patients one by one in their beds with a digging fork. That scene will make you hold your breath and pretty gruesome to watch. And the parts where the survivals have to run for their lives are always fun to watch, as you can feel the creepy tension as they run to survive. Actually I still expected more from this movie, as I think it could be better, however in overall, I enjoyed it. For the horror fans, this one is definitely a 'go for it'. (MJ)
SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE (2010)
MyRating: YYDirector: Jim Field Smith
Cast: Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence, Lindsay Sloane, Krysten Ritter
MPAA: Rated R for language and sexual content
US Gross: US$ 31.6 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 48.4 Million
A comedy about an average nice guy, Jay Baruchel, an airport security guard in Pittsburgh airport, who finds himself falling in love with a beautiful, kind and gorgeous blonde girl, Alice Eve. Living a loser life, Jay knows that this girl is definitely out of his league, as she's a hard 10 and he is only a 5 in score. That's what he thinks and what his three best friends tell him all the time, that the girl will never fall for him. But will he just let the girl of his dream passing by?
I know many people liked this movie, however, it did not work for me. I didn't find the humors to fit my taste. The adult jokes were a bit vulgar. The scene where Nate Torrence has to shave Jay's 'hairy' part was weird and annoying. For me, it ain't funny, it was somehow disgusting (even though it was only a 'suggestive' scene). Another most memorable scene was when Jay accidentally has an orgasm in his pants just before he has to meet with Alice's parents. In overall, I didn't really like this movie, even though I have to admit that there were some funny scenes and some sweet moments at the end of the movie. As the main character, Jay Baruchel seemed suited with his role, but for his crush, Alice Eve, I don't think she shines in this movie, indeed I find her dull. And even though she is sexy, I don't think she is a perfect 10. (MJ)
THE LAST SONG (2010)
MyRating: YYYDirector: Julie Anne Robinson
Cast: Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Greg Kinnear, Bobby Coleman, Hallock Beals, Kelly Preston
MPAA: Rated PG for thematic material, some violence, sensuality and mild language
US Gross: US$ 63.0 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 88.9 Million
This movie is another adaption of Nicholas Spark's melodrama novel with the same title. The story is about a rebellious seventeen-year-old Miley Cyrus, who has to visit and spend the summer with her father, Greg Kinnear, in Tybee Island, Georgia. She was an angry girl because of her parents' divorce and she hates her father for that. Her father was a former concert pianist and teacher, and Miley gets the same talent from him. However since the divorce, she promised herself not to play piano anymore and tried to buried her dream to become a pianist. At the same time, she also meets with a local sympathetic and handsome guy, Liam Hemsworth, who shakes her heart. So in that summer, not only Miley finds her first love, but also she discovers back her long lost relationship with her father. The summer she will never forget.
We must know what we expect when we watch this kind of movie, especially a Nicholas Spark's, and this movie delivered what it should deliver. I think the story was good enough. It's a melodrama, so do expect some sadness and cry, especially if you are a woman. The actings were quite good. Miley Cyrus performed well as an angry teenager, the role seemed to fit her. And this girl can act! Greg Kinnear also gave a good performance as the father, who makes us feeling sympathy for him and the situation he is in. While Liam Hemsworth was a bit rigid in his acting, giving the same smile over and over again. The other elements were just in the right portion. To sum up my review, as a guy, I don't feel ashamed to admit that I could enjoy this movie for the way it was. (MJ)
MYMOVIE CRITIC - REVIEWING MOVIES FROM THE AUDIENCE'S STANDPOINT
