Role Models

A film that delivers throughout. Its crude but hilarious. Definitely able to brighten up your night.

rating: A-
stars: Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb'e J. Thompson, and Elizabeth Banks
genre: comedy
year released: 2008

The partnership of Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott) go around promoting Minotaur an energy drink to high school kids. Danny is not happy with where his life has gone, but it is all topped off when on the day when his girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks) dumps him. Danny’s reaction to his terrible day sends the two to face jail time. The only way to not serve time is to do many hours of community service. They are sent to the an organization called Study Wings which give kids a older figure to look up to and spend some time with. Danny is matched with the incredibly dorky Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Wheeler is paired up with Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson) who is a foul mouthed little boy. The two start off rough, but come around to connect with their kids. Through the journey they go from fighting with swords as if they were back in the middle ages to picking up chicks at parties. They also end up almost losing their friendship and losing everyone else’s respect for them. The film delivers with a lot of crude humor and ridiculous acts, but it never loses touch with the meaningful story line.

I just saw this movie over the past weekend with my girlfriend. We were both very entertained throughout. I had not heard of the film until right before I went to see it. I thought that it was going to be really stupid and a failure of a movie. Instead I was pleasantly surprised. The film was really funny, sometimes a little vulgar, but always entertaining. The actors and actresses were perfect for their parts and didn't disappoint. The story developed and made you want things to work out for the two guys. The comedy pressed the line of what is acceptable by throwing young kids into vulgar scenes, but they made it work. The film is definitely worth checking out because it will leave you laughing for the rest of the night.

Jumper

A film that attempts to jump into a redefining role for sci-fi movies, but falls short with its lack of organization and weak characters.

rating: C-
stars: Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. Jackon
genre: science fiction/action/adventure
year released: 2008

The movie is based off the novel, Jumper. It starts off with the main character David (Hayden Christensen) just happening to realize he has a supernatural power that allows him to teleport or jump as it is referred to in the film. His power allows him to jump into a bank and get rich, but despite all his money his misses his crush from his childhood days, Millie (Rachel Bilson). One day he jumps back to take Millie to Rome, but his actions haven’t gone unnoticed. His jumping has put him into the war between jumpers and paladins, a secret group that hunts jumpers, which is led by Roland (Samuel L. Jackson). The paladins end up tracking David down while on his journey across the earth with Millie. This leads to some action packed scenes, but not enough to salvage the terrible organization of the film. It jumps back and forth and never lets the characters story unfold to make you interested in what is happening to them. The film is ambiguous hard to follow. It simply couldn’t take it to the level it needed to be for the action scenes they wanted to show. It’s a good effort and interesting storyline, but it fails to deliver.

I just watched this movie for the first time. I purchased it about two months ago but I never got the chance to see it until now. Too bad I couldn't put it off until later though. I bought it because the previews were intriguing, but like many other movies those were about the only highlights from the film. I watched it with my girlfriend and we both agreed that the story and the characters were never given a chance to develop. The story jumped back and forth between scenes which made the movie hard to watch and follow. It had potential to be successful but couldn't match its potential. There were some action packed scenes but they couldn't save the film especially with Samuel L. Jackson thrown into the mix. The only other positive thing to take from the film is the fact that Rachel Bilson is very very attractive. Jumper shouldn't be anywhere near the top of your list for movies to see anytime soon.

Quantum Of Solace

Action packed with a little bit of emotion and story crammed in between the thrilling scenes. Not as good as the first of the new Bond series, but still worth checking out.

rating: A

stars: Daniel Craig, Olga Kruylenko, Judi Dench, Mathieu Almalric

genre: action/adventure

year released: 2008

Bond is back. Daniel Craig makes his return as 007 for the second time with a follow up to the huge success, Casino Royale. Quantum of Solace Opens up with a bang and never lets up. Thrilling scene after thrilling scene James Bond (Daniel Craig) continues his search for the killers of his girlfriend Vesper in the last movie. With this new found passion for revenge Bond picks up some violent and careless habits that his boss M (Judi Dench) would like to get a hold of. On his careless killing spree Bond discovers a secret organization that he believes is responsible for Vesper’s death. He follows these men across the world to Haiti where he meets a woman, Camille (Olga Kurylenko) who becomes his partner in crime on the journey. He runs into the head of this organization, Dominic Greene (Mathieu Almalric) in Haiti as well. Greene is planning to overthrown local governments in Latin America to gain control of a valuable piece government lands. Along the way Bond fights every type of scene you could image, leaving the viewer with some truly memorable scenes. Bond fights in the air, water, and on land, incorporating plenty of knife fighting, shooting, kicking, and punching. The movie is beautifully shot in all scenes making feel as if you are right in the action the entire time. The one flaw in the film is a little lack of story, but if you going to watch some awesome action scenes you found the right film.

I have already seen this film twice. The first time was right when it came out because i loved the first one, and then the second time I saw it was this last weekend. Both times I went with my girlfriend. I enjoyed it just as much the second time as the first because I love all the action, but my girlfriend understood the story more the second time so she liked it more that time. So it is a film that I recommend seeing. If you don't really enjoy it the first time give it one more shot before you declare that you didn't like. Its action packed with Daniel Craig putting on another worthy show.

Zack and Miri Make A Porno

An outrageous film that will make you laugh out loud, but can't back up the humor with a solid storyline to make it a solid film.

rating: C+
stars: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks
genre: comedy
year released: 2008

I don’t recommend the film especially to people who are easily offended or too young, It is extremely raunchy, but could be a big hit with a young adult crowd who enjoys this kind of humor. It makes an attempt to be romantic but the foulness of it all overcomes the attempt to put a story behind the madness. So the basic storyline is that Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) who are roommates and friends since they were young had bills piling up and they couldn’t pay them off. They were trying to come up with a way to make some money, when they went to their ten year reunion and meet an old crush that was in the porn business. The two set up a cast of like six people who are out to make a few bucks and will do just about anything. While in the process of filming the two realize that there is some chemistry between them, but an argument separates the two for some time. There are many times where you are laughing out loud or turning away because things get pretty gross at times. The only thing that saves the film from being just outrageously stupid is the charm that Rogen and Banks share.

I just recently watched this movie with my girlfriend over this past weekend. The title kind of gave the whole movie away, so we knew what to expect. We were right. Was basically a really weak porn with lots of swearing. It makes you laugh just because its so outrageous, but I never really was drawn in to the story. It was worth seeing one time if you're into this kind of film, other wise its one you won't regret latter for passing up the chance to see it.