THE BUCKET LIST:
I am eagerly awaiting this one on DVD! I went to see two of my favorite veteran actors, Morgan Freedman and Jack Nicholson in "The Bucket List" when it came out on the large screen. I loved this movie. Once you ignore the fact that the back-story is about the main characters on the precipice of death by cancer, the story is genuinely endearing and at times, many times, laugh out loud funny. Without giving the entire storyline away, the main characters, played by Freedman and Nicholson, meet when fate brings them together as roommates in the hospital. Sean Hayes, formerly the "flaming" Jack of the popular television sit-com "Will and Grace." plays Nicholson's deadpan assistant.
This was an excellent transitional role for Hayes, who obviously is trying to break out of his pigeonholed character of Jack. Hayes is very believable in his role as the "serious" assistant to Nicholson's billionaire character. Hayes totally takes the viewer away from being reminded of his small screen role in "Will and Grace." Nicholson and Freedman do the same on the big screen. This is largely because the large screen is unkind. Besides knowing Freeman will indelibly be, "Easy Reader," my childhood icon from the Electric Company -- the show that launched Irene Cara -- and, Nicholson plays himself -- he always plays himself in every movie, these two actors are undeniably the poster boys for why you might need Botox -- really, really wrinkled! They have, as may peaks and valleys in their faces as the landscape did in the skydiving scene. (Don't worry, I didn't give too much away. That scene was in the trailers and in television commercials) By the way, that particular scene is a crying good laugh.
Freedman plays a man who had aspirations of being a history professor but, ends up as a mechanic when his college sweetheart, later wife, becomes pregnant. Nicholson plays a self-made billionaire financier of state-of-the art publicly accessible hospitals, including the one he is admitted to. Freedman's character, initiates the "Bucket List." At first, the list is largely esoteric. However, Freedman's' character dashes the list when he finds out that his latest test results number his days to months. Nicholson's character, which earlier got a similar bad report, picks up Freedman's crumbled list. In his usual "I'm Jack Nicholson" style, he proposes that the list should included items that embody a living on the edge "joi de vive." (Fr. Sp?) Overall, I would recommend buying the "Bucket List." instead of renting it. The "wonders of the world" featured in this movie are truly majestic! I laughed, I cried, and I took inventory. I give the "Bucket List” 4/5 SMOOCHES
IN THEATRES NOW
IRON MAN:
All that and a tray of overpriced nachos with cheese! A large screen must see! The CGI was impressive! The storyline was tight! The action and explosions were bona fided and "in your face." The anti-Arab terrorist antagonist choice was a little contrived. However, the writers did find a balance by showing how the terrorists terrorize their own. Some of Hollywood's best movies came out of war - d'jour...And, he's baaaack! Robert Downey Jr. -- from hence known as "Bobby-D-J-R -- has truly made up for lost time! All of the drug rehab and scandals of the past have put Bobby D J R in touch with his inner super hero! Not only was his portrayal of the comic book hero "iron-clad," but it wasn't bad watching those "buns of steel" super sized on the big screen either! I give it 4/5 SMOOCHES!
NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN:
This one wanes a bit from the last movie, but it was good nevertheless -- a merchandiser’s cash cow with all of the new critters. I want a warrior mouse for Christmas. I am glad to see that the woodland creatures were ethnically diversified. The children protagonists of Narnia are a little older, but they return their mythical kingdom without missing a beat. Arrows flying, swords clashing and well ... sparks flying between the Prince and eldest Susie-"क्यू" -- for queen. However, this attraction-tension was tastefully executed -- it is a children's film. The violence, mayhem, and betrayal were more than enough.
The lessons -- and bruises -- of their Narnian past, fuel the protagonist’s motivation. If you have a child with you, the big screen is a must see. Otherwise, wait until it comes out on DVD – the kid’s (and adults) will want to replay this over and over again.
I give it 3/5 SMOOCHES
INDIAN JONES and THE CRYSTAL SKULL:
I just don't know what to say about this one. My expectation for the long, long overdue sequel may have just been too high. The action was great. The storyline had too many "whaa...?" And what’s worse, the big screen shows all. I expected Ford to swing across the screen and flash us a box of "Viagra- Extra Strength” …Colista Flockheart ..."Whaa..." …But, I digress.
The best part of this movie was the passing of the baton to Shia Leboef, aka Indiana Jones Jr (IJ Jr) – Whaa... I didn’t give anything away! The IJ progeny was obvious from the trailers! The young Leboef is interesting to watch. He showed he has dimension to his acting repertoire. In this movie he plays a tough "Greaser" instead of his usual quirky kid like in "Transformers." Leboef is a must watch -- for this movie and career.
This latest Indiana Jones movie breaches plausibility. In addition, unlike other Lucas or Spielberg projects, it left too many unraveled threads. Who were the crazies in the grave yard? Were those Aztec/Mayan zombies in the temple? And if so, how could they be shot and ...killed? How did IJ Jr. get free from a snatching vines? And why didn’t the vines tangle him up while he was swinging? What’s up with the little monkeys? They were funny, but why were they following IJ Jr's lead? What’s up with the ants? Both very, very good scenes, but what’s up? Why was only one crystal skeleton alive/moving? What happened to the Nazi dominatrix at the end? Was that supposed to be "poetic justice" for her? Were the skeleton dudes the supreme court ET style? Was Speilberg alien obducted -- for real or just for reel? In short, I’m going to need the DVD to see if the special features can answer those questions. It wasn’t worth another $10.50 when the DVD will be out in a few months.
In addition, the movie seemed to be an amalgam of classic Indiana Jones meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind. ..."whaa?" Did Spielberg and Lucas, the genre titans, fall short on ideas? At any moment, I expected a cut to Richard Dreyfus, making his mashed potatoes mountain! Overall, this latest Indiana Jones movie was more like a "stay in school, just say no to crack PSA."
A definite wait for the DVD I give it 2/5 SMOOCHES
All that and a tray of overpriced nachos with cheese! A large screen must see! The CGI was impressive! The storyline was tight! The action and explosions were bona fided and "in your face." The anti-Arab terrorist antagonist choice was a little contrived. However, the writers did find a balance by showing how the terrorists terrorize their own. Some of Hollywood's best movies came out of war - d'jour...And, he's baaaack! Robert Downey Jr. -- from hence known as "Bobby-D-J-R -- has truly made up for lost time! All of the drug rehab and scandals of the past have put Bobby D J R in touch with his inner super hero! Not only was his portrayal of the comic book hero "iron-clad," but it wasn't bad watching those "buns of steel" super sized on the big screen either! I give it 4/5 SMOOCHES!
NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN:
This one wanes a bit from the last movie, but it was good nevertheless -- a merchandiser’s cash cow with all of the new critters. I want a warrior mouse for Christmas. I am glad to see that the woodland creatures were ethnically diversified. The children protagonists of Narnia are a little older, but they return their mythical kingdom without missing a beat. Arrows flying, swords clashing and well ... sparks flying between the Prince and eldest Susie-"क्यू" -- for queen. However, this attraction-tension was tastefully executed -- it is a children's film. The violence, mayhem, and betrayal were more than enough.
The lessons -- and bruises -- of their Narnian past, fuel the protagonist’s motivation. If you have a child with you, the big screen is a must see. Otherwise, wait until it comes out on DVD – the kid’s (and adults) will want to replay this over and over again.
I give it 3/5 SMOOCHES
INDIAN JONES and THE CRYSTAL SKULL:
I just don't know what to say about this one. My expectation for the long, long overdue sequel may have just been too high. The action was great. The storyline had too many "whaa...?" And what’s worse, the big screen shows all. I expected Ford to swing across the screen and flash us a box of "Viagra- Extra Strength” …Colista Flockheart ..."Whaa..." …But, I digress.
The best part of this movie was the passing of the baton to Shia Leboef, aka Indiana Jones Jr (IJ Jr) – Whaa... I didn’t give anything away! The IJ progeny was obvious from the trailers! The young Leboef is interesting to watch. He showed he has dimension to his acting repertoire. In this movie he plays a tough "Greaser" instead of his usual quirky kid like in "Transformers." Leboef is a must watch -- for this movie and career.
This latest Indiana Jones movie breaches plausibility. In addition, unlike other Lucas or Spielberg projects, it left too many unraveled threads. Who were the crazies in the grave yard? Were those Aztec/Mayan zombies in the temple? And if so, how could they be shot and ...killed? How did IJ Jr. get free from a snatching vines? And why didn’t the vines tangle him up while he was swinging? What’s up with the little monkeys? They were funny, but why were they following IJ Jr's lead? What’s up with the ants? Both very, very good scenes, but what’s up? Why was only one crystal skeleton alive/moving? What happened to the Nazi dominatrix at the end? Was that supposed to be "poetic justice" for her? Were the skeleton dudes the supreme court ET style? Was Speilberg alien obducted -- for real or just for reel? In short, I’m going to need the DVD to see if the special features can answer those questions. It wasn’t worth another $10.50 when the DVD will be out in a few months.
In addition, the movie seemed to be an amalgam of classic Indiana Jones meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind. ..."whaa?" Did Spielberg and Lucas, the genre titans, fall short on ideas? At any moment, I expected a cut to Richard Dreyfus, making his mashed potatoes mountain! Overall, this latest Indiana Jones movie was more like a "stay in school, just say no to crack PSA."
A definite wait for the DVD I give it 2/5 SMOOCHES
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