Burn After Reading

Starring:
George Clooney
Frances McDormand
Brad Pitt
John Malkovich
Tilda Swinton

Directors:
Ethan Coen
Joel Coen

Written by:
Joel Coen
Ethan Coen

Burn After Reading is the next movie created by the bizarre minds of the Coen brothers since their multiple Oscar winning film No Country for Old Men. And when I say bizarre, they seem to have carried on the tradition with this movie. I couldn't help but send out a tweet after I saw this movie proclaiming it "The #1 WTF movie of the year". Because literally, that three word phrase passed through my head multiple times while I was viewing this film.

This movie features an all star cast, most of which have earned academy awards, including the directors themselves. Although this time around I don't think they are shooting for oscar gold, however, I could be wrong as a variety of different films lately have garnered those honors. The movie plays out as John Malkovich's character, Osbource Cox, has quit the CIA after being forced into a demotion. A couple of gym employees get a hold of some information that belongs to him, and they believe this to be highly classified information. They hope to get a "reward" out of Osbourne for it and instead find themselves threatening extortion. And in the mix is George Clooney who plays is a nervous sex crazed maniac who is having an affair with Osbourne's wife played by Tilda Swinton and also gets greatly intertwined with all the chaos.

In this movie you find some of the most bizarre circumstances taking place. You wonder how in the world could something like this happen and I couldn't help but agree with one of John Malkovich's lines where proclaims that everyone around him are morons. But the movie does bring a few unsuspecting moments that really change the pace of the movie (and also made me say WTF). It also had some pretty good inconspicuois humor and was even more hilarious when the CIA agents come on screen and make their professional analysis of all the chaos.

I would give this movie a 7 out of 10.

Traitor

Starring:
Don Cheadle
Guy Pearce
Jeff Daniels

Directed by:
Jeffrey Nachmanoff

Written by:
Jeffrey Nachmanoff
Steve Martin

Before I saw this movie, I really didn't know what it was about. All that the trailers told me is that the FBI was hunting down someone. But it was shown to me in a way that made me interested in it. I can see why the trailers didn't reveal much as this is a story where you need only be revealed elements of the plot as the story moves forward.

Also, I find that this movie will be difficult to review without revealing too much of. But I will stay away from spoiling anything and give a quick review. Guy Pearce is an FBI agent investigating terrorist activities and Don Cheadle is a Sudan born individual that served in the US military that is now involved in the terrorist activities that the FBI is investigating.

This is a movie that left me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't help wonder what the next move was going to be from each group that was involved. There definitely were some upcoming moments that were predictable, but I feel that it also had an equal amount of moments that kept you wondering what would happen next.

I also feel a little surprised that this wasn't a controversial movie, or at least not one that I heard was controversial. There are parts of this movie that show how a terrorist group plans and carries out massive scale attacks against various countries. These attacks are also chillingly similiar to ones we have seen before. There were parts of this movie that I found myself cringing at some of the things these people did.

Everyone did an excellent job in their roles, althought I can't say that anyone was really outstanding. It was good to see Guy Pearce again as he seems to have been missing for a while, and I really like him. This movie also seems to have elements of other similar international, espionage type movies, so many people may not find anything too unique about this picture.

I am however, glad to have seen it, as this seemed to be a rather quiet opening.

I would give this a 7 out of 10.

Death Race

Starring:

Jason Statham

Joan Allen

Ian McShane

Tyrese Gibson

Directed by:

Paul W.S. Anderson

Written by:

Paul W.S. Anderson

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. The publicity for it didn't really scream "must see". When I showed up in the theater on the first Friday after opening there was 3 other people in the theater with me, so needless to say I wondered what I was in for. I am glad to say I was in for one heck of a thrill ride. Joan Allen does an excellent job in her role as the Warden, she is the person you love to hate. Jason Statham plays his usual tough guy role, but as the movie goes on you begin to see that there is more there than the tough exterior. I loved Ian McShane in the HBO series Deadwood, and his performance in this movie doesn't disappoint either. Tyrese Gibson does a great job portraying the guy you want to hate, but something about him makes you not able to.

The story starts off in 2012 and the economy is tanking. Crime is at an all time high, Federal run Correctional Facilities are bursting at the seems, so private run institutions are formed to accommodate the need. These institutions raise money by holding various events that are broadcast on TV, one such event is Death Race. Warden Hennessey (Joan Allen) formed the Race to grab ratings and advertising cash after viewers started getting bored with boxing and gladiator fights other institutions had started. Death Race is a 3 stage Race with Cars built and driven by inmates. The cars are equipped with both offensive weapons and defensive weapons. Which are activated and deactivated at the flick of a switch so Hennessey has total control. Jensen Ames (Jason Statham) is an ex-race car driver turned still mill worker who is just trying to provide for his wife and daughter. After his wife is found dead and he is found laying next to her with a bloody knife in his hand he is sent to Hennesseys institution and invited to drive in the Death Race. This is where he meets Coach (Ian McShane) who built the car he is to race in. Win 5 races and you are set free. Machine Gun Joe (Tyrese Gibson) has won 3 races and is not about to let Ames get in his way of freedom.

The movie carries a R rating for language and gore. There is no nudity or sex in the film.

As I stated before, this movie surprised me with how well it was written and how well it stuck to the plot and never left you saying to yourself "c'mon get on with the show already."

I am giving it a 7.5 out of 10.

Tropic Thunder

Starring:
Ben Stiller
Jack Black
Robert Downey Jr.

Directed by:
Ben Stiller

Written by:
Ben Stiller
Justin Theroux
Etan Cohen

I originally was not interested in this movie at all. I've never been a big Ben Stiller fan, in fact I really don't think there has been a role he played that I liked. To add to that, the only movie he directed that I had ever seen was The Cable Guy and I never understood that movie. Well, I gave this one a chance, and I am so glad I did.

The idea behind this movie is a bunch of "A-list" actors have come together to star in a big budget Vietnam war movie. But since these actors are used to being the main stars and being waited on hand and foot, they find it difficult to work with each other, and the rookie director is unable to manage them appropriately. Taking some desperate advice, the director places the actors away from their hotels and comfortable living and into the jungle to force them to make a movie on schedule and more realistic. From there, the differences between movie magic and real life are blurred and the cast get into more war like circumstances then they realize.

This movie had a huge cast in it. Did I mention Ben Stiller? I hope so, cause he's in it, and I would have to say that I actually liked him in this movie. Funny thing is, this was fairly typical to his acting style. Confused? So am I. I guess I feel his character fit so well in this movie that I didn't find him as awkward or annoying. Still plays the "action star" for this movie. Jack Black plays the controversial, loudmouth "comedian", and he is, well, typical Jack Black. Robert Downey Jr. plays the multiple Oscar winning actor who goes as far as dying his skin to play this role in the movie they are filming, and when the actor starts to play a role he refuses to ever go out of character on or off set until the movie is in consumer hands. What is hilarious about this is he doesn't sound or look anything like Downey Jr. I also found myself pleasantly surprised that Matthew McConaughey was in this movie and that he even had a substantial role.

Then you come to Tom Cruise. I found that he played one of those characters that I just can't stand. Remember when I said I didn't like typical Ben Stiller roles? The character Cruise plays, is along those lines of an annoying Stiller. But yet, I found myself laughing every time Cruise was on screen, because it was so atypical Tom Cruise. It was great to see him stop taking himself so serious and let loose for once.

I would say that I really enjoyed this movie. It wasn't so cheesy a comedy that it was too unrealistic and yet it was still funny. In addition, you do find a good amount of action sequences to accompany the slapstick situations and they tie into the story quite well. And you can't help but laugh at these actors who are either trying to just get by or the ones that just can't seem to let go of the roles that they play.

If I had to rate this movie, I would give an 8 out of 10.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Starring:
Brendan Fraser
Maria Bello
Jet Li
Michelle Yeoh

Written by:
Alfred Gough
Miles Millar

Directed by:
Rob Cohen

First of all, let me introduce myself, my name is Jesse, and I like movies. I will weigh in from time to time on some of the movies I see if Jones himself has not already done the honors.

Now, introductions aside, I recently went to see The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. This is the third installment of this franchise (although some may disagree with that statement). This time around our hero, battles against a new foe, an ancient and ruthless Chinese Emperor who has been re-awaken. Familiar faces such as Brendan Fraser and John Hannah return. All new this time is Jet Li as the new Mummy, Michelle Yeoh as his immortal foe, and Luke Ford as the O'Connells' son who is now much older since we last saw him. Maria Bello steps in this time around as the character of Evelyn originally played by Rachel Weisz. Unfortunately this was the worst decision. Maria would have done well as a new character, but placing her as Evey was just not believable to me and I found my brain really reaching to be convinced that this was the same person.

Unfairly though, I am a sucker for an action\adventure movie. And the action and adventure scenes in this movie were done really well and I can see that they spent a lot of time on them. Also, the new setting and new mummy are a refreshing change to the series and was a step in the right direction. Jet Li does well in his role, but is seen very little as most of the time he is in other, unhuman, forms. The ancient backstory behind the Emperor, his General, and their love interest was fun to get lost in, but was incredibly similiar to that of the original Mummy, just placed in reverse as to who betrayed who. Also, once again you find forces trying to resurrect an ancient army to conquer the world, that being familiar to the second Mummy movie. So in all, the story was rather unoriginal.

The jokes were mediocre, and the love story was rather silly. You do find a second romance brewing in this version, which means they could have easily dropped the Evelyn character, as I believe they should have. But in all, I did find this move enjoyable to see. If you like action with a little bit of science fiction, and you like the other movies in the Mummy franchise, you will probably still like this movie.

I would give it a 6.5 out of 10.

The Dark Knight

Starring:
Christian Bale
Heath Ledger
Aaron Eckhart
Michael Caine
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Gary Oldman
Morgan Freeman

Written by:
Jonathan Nolan
Christopher Nolan

Directed by:
Christopher Nolan

This movie was definitely the best movie I have seen all summer, and quite possibly one of the best movies I have seen period. The Dark Knight has it all. This movie is quite a bit darker than the first, but it doesn't leave you down by any means, it has plenty of laughs, action, and romance too. This was Heath Ledgers best performance in my opinion, he took this role and made it his own. The Jokers voice is still echoing in my head a day later. Aaron Eckhart does an excellent job as well in his role as Harvey Dent. Christian Bale comes forward again with a powerful performance as Batman. I feel the spotlight was evenly distributed in this movie and not shining on one character for too long.

A robbery of a bank where mob bosses store some of their money causes them to meet and discuss options and coincidentally they find one, The Joker shows up and gives them a proposal. Ever since Batman showed up in Gotham, their business has been dwindling and will continue on a downward spiral until someone takes care of Batman, so The Joker offers to rid them of Batman for half of their money. What the mob doesn't know is by agreeing to this they have unleashed the most diabolical, insane criminal Gotham has ever seen. The Joker uses people to try and draw Batman out and reveal who is truly is. He starts killing public officials and promises to keep killing until Batman reveals himself. This causes the people of Gotham to turn on Batman and call for his arrest. What follows is a thrill ride of car chases and shoot-outs. Several twists and turns keep you guessing through the whole movie. We also meet Two-Face in this movie, and I have to say that is some of the best CG work I have ever seen. His face is truly disturbing.

The movie carries a PG-13 rating for violence, language, and some gruesome scenes. I wouldn't take any kids to this movie that are sensitive to violence and gore.

Overall I give this movie a 9 out of 10.

Step Brothers

Starring:

Will Ferrell

John C. Reilly

Mary Steenburgen

Written by:

Will Ferrell

Adam McKay

Directed by:

Adam McKay

I'm not sure where to start on this one. I usually know what to expect when I go to see a Will Ferrell movie, but this one completely surprised me, it was unexpectedly bad. It is almost as if they didn't even try with this one, they just threw some funny scenes into the movie and hoped it would be enough to keep people entertained. For me it was not.

The story is about a woman, Nancy Huff (Mary Steenburgen) who has a 39 year old son, Brennan (Ferrell) still living at home. During a medical conference Nancy meets Dr. Robert Doback (Richard Jenkins) and she soon discovers that he also has a middle aged son Dale (John C. Reilly) still living at home. They fall in love (overnight it seems) and soon after get married and move in with each other. This is when Dale and Brennan meet and at first hate each other, a few fist fights, name calling, and a violated drum set later they find a person they both hate more than they do each other, Brennans younger brother Derek (Adam Scott). This mutual hatred causes them to form a bond and find other mutual interests they share.

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are hilarious on-screen together, but for me there was not enough funny scenes to make it worth sitting through the rest of the movie. Talladega Nights to me was a much better Ferrell / Reilly movie overall as there was enough other entertaining factors to fill the gaps.

The movie is given a well deserved R rating, for vulgar language and slight nudity (brief shots of Hustler magazines and some of male genitalia)

Overall I give this movie a 3.5 out of 10.