Once: A+

An Irish street musician/ Vacum repairman (Glen Hansard) is waiting on someone or something to motivate him, when one day he meets a Czech immigrant girl (Marketa irglova) who becomes his inspiration to pursue his passion and in the process creating an unexpected friendship....


Every once in a while a movie, a song, peace of poetry, picture, phrase, or direct conversation cause's within us an epiphany that re inspires our youthful ideas of achieving what all odds say is impossible. Ideas of success, despite insurmountable obstacles, all because we knew deep inside that nothing could stop our passion or extinguish our tenacity for what we most desire. Once is one of those moving pictures, in cinematography, storytelling and arraignment this show expresses freedom.

The acting done by self professed "non-actors" is raw and refreshing, neither of these actors take acting too seriously and that is makes the acting so convincable and real. All of the songs featured in the movie were written and composed by Glen Hansard, making his performance of those songs in the movie so convincingly brilliant. The film from start to finish took 2 weeks, $500,000.00 and was filmed in its entirety with hand held video cameras.

This movie is moving, beautiful, and full of passion, if you see one movie that will lift you spirits and rejuvenate your soul ONCE is a must.

Rated "R" for language.

Stardust: C+

To win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller), a beautiful but cold object of his desire, a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) ventures into the realm of fairies to retrieve a fallen star. What Tristan finds, however, is not a chunk of space but a star in the form of a beautiful woman (Claire Danes) being chased by competing brothers and a trio of witches needing to restore their ultimate powers and youth.

Aside from the usual nerdy scifi movies like "Lord of the Rings", Star Wars, and Star Trek I have no affiliation to movies such as Stardust and often make fun of those who do!

This movie with all of it's flaws was enjoyable enough to make me eat some of those harsh words I may have said to hardcore fantasy/scifi geeks over the years! Allow me to elaborate?

The acting in stardust starts out mediocre at best, the music starts out to load, the storyline / writing is confusing and unfocused for the first thirty minutes of the film, and just as your preparing to pluck your eyes out, blow your eardrums, and seriously contemplate suicide the movie slows down, becomes quieter, and starts get good! The main reason for this is the saving grace of Robert Deniro! yes, you read right, Robert Deniro. He single handed Makes this movie into the next generations "Princess Bride", What Deniro does as in all of his other movies is make the actors opposite him look really good, because he is really good. His character is a complete departure from "normal Deniro", this move is so unexpected that you are taken completely of guard, unlike Travolta in "Hairspray" the departure Deniro takes really works, is outrageously enjoyable and changes the whole pace, tone, and emotion of the show.

I found myself grateful for finishing the movie, and was left feeling the way the movie wanted me to? Happy (good job Bob).

Also see: Princess Bride, Eragon.

Bourne Ultimatium: A

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) completes his self professed mission to kill those responsible for the death of his beloved, leading him full circle to those who turned him into a covert spy/ CIA Hit man.

This is without a doubt one of the best if not the best action sequenced movies of 2007, the star of this movie is without question it's editor, whoever he was. The editing in this movie merges Jason Bournes seemingly more consistent flashbacks with amazing "here and now" action scenes making for a continually gripping movie experience. The action is non-stop, the car chase scene as in the earlier Bourne movies is jaw dropping.

My favorite part of this film however, is reserved for the veteran performances of some of today's most historical actors, namely Albert Finney (Big Fish). You would think that a young actor such as Damon in comparison to Finney would be out performed, he does to my surprise and great pleasure hold his own against this great. This combination of outstanding Editing, Acting, and Writing truly does make for one of the best action films of 2007.

Also see: Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy.

Hot Rod: B+

Aspiring amature "Stunt-Man" Rod Kimble (Andy Samberg) along with his loyal stunt crew, must conquer the "ultimate Jump" to save his step father ( Ian McShane) and prove himself the "greatest Stuntman of All Time".

There is a list of the "Greatest top 5 Stupid Movies" that every man child has, this list reads as follows; First: Dumb & Dumber, Second: Billy Madison, Third: Happy Gilmore, Fourth: Blades of glory and Fifth: Hot Rod! Andy Samberg is hilarious, his writing and comedic timing is one of the dumbest and funniest things I have seen and heard on the big screen, nothing about this movie is convincing, believable, or sensible but you'll laugh hysterically and with no regard to how hard your sides are splitting.

Let be perfectly clear, this movie is really stupid! That is why this movie work's, there is so much stupidity and theatrics that it flows, if that makes any sense.

Definitely a movie to watch.

Rated: PG-13.

See also: Blades of Glory, Billy Madison, Dumb & Dumber.

HAIRSPRAY: B

1960's Broadway play turned motion picture, a fun loving over weight girl Tracey Turnblad auditions for "The Corney Collins Show" a popular Baltimore dance show, becoming a local celebrity and dance trendsetter in the process...

Growing up performing in various school plays and a contender for a drama scholarship, I've had the opportunity to study theater from Broadway, New York to London, England; Watching some the finest artist perform their talents, Hairspray was not one of them. Many Broadway Musicals have been converted to film, from "The King & I" to the more recent "The Producers", all of which entertaining in their own right, the same can be said of "Hairspray", I found myself enjoying the moral and message of this film more then the film itself, this movie takes on racism, obesity, beauty, and 1960's relationship taboos through the most universal way possible, Music! I found myself humming, tapping my feet, and smiling to the quirky characters presenting this controversial material.

For all of the positiveness this movie delivers there are clear casting mistake's, namely John Travolta in Drag, who is just that, John Travolta in Drag! Amanda Bynes is clearly under cast, and the sound editing on this movie is terrible, the only actors voices strong enough to be heard through the over shadowing rhythms of the show tunes are those of Queen Latifa and James Marsden (Who is Excellent as "Corny Collins").

For all "Hairsprays" short comings, this is an enjoyable movie if you enjoy this genre, I do.

Rated: "PG" for Language, Suggestive content and momentary teen smoking.

Also see: Phantom of the Oprah, Moulone Rouge, My far lady.

Ratatouille: B+

In one of Paris' finest restaurants, Remy, and french sewer rat dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. Torn between his family and his cooking dreams Remy must find a way to create his food & eat it too...

Having grown up in Europe with a Father who was a cook in the military, a Mother with a flare for southern cooking, and having been a cook and a fan of Fine Dining Establishments everywhere, the thought of a Rat in any kitchen cooking food is absolutely grotesque. Having said that, this movie is so much fun to watch. The enthusiasm and passion with which these characters are voiced is great, Pixar gets it right again, combining two loves of everyone, "Cartoon & Food" into the same movie experience is the smartest way to create a classic for the ages. The exactness and detail too which Ratatouille gives to each smell, flavor, and texture is delicious in every sense, the creative desire shown through each character in this film entertains, inspires, and made me very hungry.
as a critic of both Movies and Food this film impressed me to no end.

Rated: "G" for General Audiences

Also See: The Incredibles, No Reservations, and Hook

Namesake: B

After moving from Calcutta to New York, members of the Ganguli family struggle to find the delicate balance between family tradition and new world American culture.

I lived in an area of Queens, New York called "Richmond Hill", which is predominately Indian/West islander immigrants, many of their story's are similar to the tale of Namesake. Based on the book by the same name this movie poignantly directs your thoughts to all immigrant struggles, I could not help but reflect upon my own past generations of family that immigrated to this country a century ago. In current circumstances with our nations struggle over immigration, this movie gives us leave to have apathy for those that have traveled great distances to create a better life for their family. Namesake describes the American dream as "a place where possibilities are endless, where you can be who you want, say what you want, and define yourself through hard work and intuition." No place do these words mean more then faced with or own challenges and looking towards those who came before us with respect and wanting advice, only to find that the solutions are in the traditions and words of wisdom passed down from parent to child. This is what Namesake explains, touching are the scenes where this moment of clarity if defined. See this movie and thank those that came before you.

Rated: "PG-13" for Disturbing images and Brief language.

Also See: Garden State, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, In America.

Hitman: C

Based on the hit video game of the same name, Agent "47" has been trained since birth in the art of assassination, as a killer for hire he accepts a mission to assassinate the President-elect of Russia only to discover that after completion of his mission his trusted "Broker" has set him up and alerted the entire Russian government off his existence.

I was leary of Timothy Olyphant (Live free or Die Hard) being cast as Agent "47" (his previous roles have been mediocre at best), but one glimpse of him in that dark suit with blazing red tie and I was sold, he looked every bit the part video gamers are so passionate about, which is good given that the movie has almost no dialogue and centers mostly on the thrill of the chase.
The movie follows the game very well, side tracking on a witness (Olga Kurylenko) "47" saves and subsequently falls for! the relationship between "47" and this witness is dry at best, the movie would have been just as good without the useless dialogue and mind numbing banter of this damaged girl. The highlight of this film as in the game is the assassinations and the exactness to which they are consistently carried out, focusing on every detail of weaponry and high tech gizmo available to this elite Hit man. The live action sequences are exciting to watch but a little difficult at times due to camera work and over-editing, the best way to describe this film is "Born Identity with no words and all action". I enjoyed this movie for what it was, a Popcorn flick.

Rated: "R" for violence, Language and Partial Nudity.

Also see: Born Ultimatum, Casino Royal, The Transporter

"Beowulf" in IMAX 3D: B

Loosely based on the Old English epic poem, thought to be written in the eighth century, tells of a Danish kingdom terrorized by an evil sorcerer and her son "Grendel" a deformed mixture of man/scaly beast. The king (Sir Anthony Hopkins) offers a reward of half his Kingdom to the man who can kill these menacing creatures. Beowulf (Ray Winstone of Sexy Beast) enticed by the offer of GLORY and GOLD accepts the Danish kings challenge....

I was first attracted to this movie for several reason's, first, the storyline, I had read this Poem and had seen other interpretations of this movie with my father as a child; second, since I was a boy I remember hearing of "3D movies and those funny looking glasses", (having missed that era by about twenty years I never had the chance to experience 3D Imaging first hand); third, since the release of "300" I can't get enough of these "Glory" films.

This film got so many things right while at the same time ruining what could have been a blockbuster! The animation, while really cool and more advanced than almost anything I have seen in several years (mostly due to 3D imaging) was simply that, animation. It is hard to get past that reality no matter how good the graphics are. The storyline, although resembling the poem, takes liberties that make the movie almost unnoticeable except for the name "Beowulf" & the evil Dragon (don't worry I am not spoiling anything). While Director Robert Zemeckis (Polar Express) has re-written "Beowulf", he has succeeded in relaying his underlining message of this film in excellent fashion. This new interpretation of "Beowulf" is ridden with an insatiable desire for More, More, More. Excess and pride are the central themes of this film, how these sins destroy and curse those who desire such things, how they create a "Hero" reduce him to cowardice and then create a "Hero" again. The infusion of Christianity into pagan society plays a key role in relaying Zemickises message. I enjoyed this movie immensely, despite itself and the "funny looking glasses" I wore.

Rated: "PG-13" for violence & Partial Nudity.

See also: 300, other "Beowulf" feature films, and 13Th warrior.

Smokin' Aces: D

Twisted so called Action thriller and Gangster film directed by Joe Carnahan (Narc & Killing Pueblo) and starring Common, Alicia Keys, Ben Affleck, Jeremy Piven, Ray Liotta, Andy Garcia, and Ryan Reynolds.

If you are a fan of the Gangster film genre like I am, you will absolutely hate this movie. Cluttered with half a dozen story line's (non of which interesting or believing in the lest) hit men/hit women are driven to Lake Tahoe by the enticement of a $1,000,000 bounty placed on the head of a popular Vegas magician, turned mob under-boss, turned FBI snitch. One storyline after another collides together only to create one of the most violent, gruesome, and disgusting gun battles I have witnessed since the sadisticness of "Natural Born Killers". Not one of these actors including my favorite actor Ray Liotta are believable, relatable, or even interesting (excluding rapper "Common", who created just enough mystery due to his lack of lines). when the movie finished and everybody was dead, I was wishing I had died at the start of this movie and saved myself the pain of being tortured through this krap.

Rated "R" for Extreme Violence and Language

See Also: Natural Born Killers