Defendor

This movie Defendor with an O is actually fun to watch. I do like watching Woody Harrelson and have enjoyed the previous movies he has been in: 2012 and Zombieland.

I would recommend watching this movie with a bucket of popcorn. I think you will enjoy it like I did. Cheers!




Netflix summary:

Despite lacking any actual superpowers, Arthur Poppington (Woody Harrelson) transforms himself into costumed vigilante "Defendor." But danger beckons when the hero tries to protect young prostitute Kat (Kat Dennings) from an assailant. This clever drama -- writer-director Peter Stebbings's first feature -- also stars Sandra Oh as Arthur's court-appointed shrink and Elias Koteas as corrupt undercover cop Chuck Dooney.

Cast:Woody Harrelson, Kat Dennings, Elias Koteas, Sandra Oh, Lisa Ray, Michael Kelly, Charlotte Sullivan, Kristin Booth, Tatiana Maslany, Lyriq Bent

The Men Who Stare at Goats

I usually like George Clooney movies, but this one failed for me. I don't even know if this could have been a good movie. The acting is good, the plot interesting, but in the end just not entertaining.

I would say take a pass on this movie and watch Fantastic Mr Fox or Up in the Air. Those movies are much better and definitely enjoyable.

Netflix Summary:




Journalist Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) latches onto an unbelievable story in Iraq when he meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), a man of mysterious origins who reveals he was a "warrior monk" trained by the U.S. Army to develop psychic powers. Jeff Bridges co-stars as Lyn's mentor, the man who dreamed up the top-secret operation. Kevin Spacey and Rebecca Mader co-star in this Grant Heslov-helmed wild spoof.

Cast:George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Robert Patrick, Stephen Lang, Stephen Root, Glenn Morshower, Waleed Zuaiter, Rebecca Mader, Nick Offerman

Funny People

This comedy Funny People about funny people wasn't really funny. It had a couple of good jokes, but not enough. The characters were not likeable even though I like all the actors in this movie.

You know how sometimes the trailer shows all the good stuff in a movie. Well, this is one of those movies. Pass on this movie and watch SuperBad or Click or any of their other movies.



Netflix Summary:

Famous and wealthy funnyman George Simmons (Adam Sandler) doesn't give much thought to how he treats people until a doctor (Torsten Voges) delivers stunning health news, forcing George to reevaluate his priorities with a little help from aspiring stand-up comic Ira (Seth Rogen). Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) writes and directs this moving comedy that also stars Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman and Aubrey Plaza.

10 Things I Hate About You

I had seen this movie many years ago, but wanted to see it again with my wife. We were on a streak of watching some bad movies, then on a streak of good movies, and just wanted to continue watching decent movies.

Even though this is a corny high school romantic comedy, there are big named actors in it. They are super young in it and it is interesting to see all the movies they did after and how there professional lives unfolded. I would still give this a recommendation to watch, even though it is a bit dated.

On a side note, I have been to Seattle twice since I originally watched this movie and it was fun knowing all the landmarks and even the neighborhood this was filmed in. It made me check out my old Seattle trip photos.

Netflix Summary:

After learning that Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) is forbidden to date until man-hating older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) finds a beau, Bianca's would-be boyfriend hatches a plan: Pay moody school rebel Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to escort the churlish Kat around town. Larry Miller plays the siblings' overprotective dad in this witty farce that transplants William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" to a contemporary Seattle high school.

It's Complicated

This movie was a fun Hollywood type of movie with great big named actors. I think my wife and I needed to see a decent movie that was light hearted and this did the trick. It is funny at times and definitely makes you smile.

I am in my 40s so that might make this comedy funnier than it really is. As long as you know what you will be watching, I think you will enjoy it too. I recommend watching this romantic comedy movie.

Netflix Summary:

Ten years after their divorce, Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) enjoy an amicable friendship. When the two unite for their son's college graduation, their romance is rekindled. But Jake is married, and Jane's architect, Adam (Steve Martin), has a thing for her. Now cheating on the younger woman for whom he left Jane, Jake wants his ex-wife back. But Jane's busy getting to know Adam. Nancy Meyers(Something's Gotta Give) wrote and directed this Golden Globe-nominated comedy.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

This vampire comedy movie was OK but didn't deliver too many laughs for me. It was corny but not really humorous. It seems like it was written and executed poorly.

I was surprised to see some of the big actor names like John C. Reilly, Salma Hayek, and Willem Dafoe in it. Even they could not save this movie. It ends with the promise of a sequel. I am not sure why. I was not entertained by this movie and don't think you will be either.

For some reason, I thought it would be pretty good from the trailer. I was wrong.

Netflix Summary:

Things get freaky fast for 16-year-old Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia) when his friend (Josh Hutcherson) takes him to a circus that's chockfull of sideshow oddities. There, he meets vampire Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly) and receives a life-changing bite on the neck. As the newest member of the mysterious Cirque du Freak troupe, Darren keeps company with Madame Truska (Salma Hayek) and sparks a war between the vampires and their rivals.

The Hangover

If I judged this movie by its trailer, I would of simply passed on it. My wife and I decided to give it a shot even though it looked like a predictable comedy. I remember it getting many bad reviews when it was released in the theaters.

Surprise! We liked it. It was not a great movie but it did make us laugh through out the movie. That is what a comedy is suppose to do so they accomplished that. As long as you don't expect more than a few laughs, I think you can enjoy your popcorn watching this movie.

Netflix Summary:

When three friends (Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper) finally come to after a raucous night of bachelor-party revelry, they find a baby in the closet and a tiger in the bathroom. But they can't seem to locate their best friend, Doug (Justin Bartha) -- who's supposed to be tying the knot. Launching a frantic search for Doug, the trio perseveres through a nasty hangover to try to make it to the church on time in this Golden Globe winner for Best Comedy.

The Invention of Lying

This movie had an interesting idea. Kind of the opposite of Jim Carrey's Liar Liar. I even like most of Ricky Gervais' movies. I think the movie is funny for about the first 15 minutes, but then it starts to take itself to seriously in developing a long and boring plot.

The development of the characters only makes them more unlikeable and nonsensical. And quite honestly after 45 minutes, the movie just starts to painstakingly drag. The ending is predictable and goes in the Hollywood happy ending way, but by then it is just too late to redeem itself.

You will get a couple of laughs from this romantic comedy, but it doesn't make it worth your time. Skip it in my opinion and save your popcorn for one of Gervais's other movies.

Netflix Summary:

In a world where no one fibs, fiction doesn't exist and people take each other at their literal word, unsuccessful screenwriter Mark (Ricky Gervais) gains fame and fortune -- and maybe the girl of his dreams (Jennifer Garner) -- by saying things that aren't true. Gervais co-writes and co-directs this original comedy that co-stars Rob Lowe. Look for cameos by Tina Fey,Jonah Hill, Louis C.K. and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Prête-moi ta main aka I Do: How to Get Married and Stay Single

This was a movie that redeems itself in the end. In the beginning, I didn't care for any of the characters. They were all arrogant, rude, and selfish. However as the movie progresses, the characters become better developed and you start to like them.

The whole storyline is different and completely unpredictable. Of course, the ending was done in Hollywood fashion, so that part was telegraphed. Even so, the movie was entertaining and enjoyable. I think if this was an American made movie it may have just been simply corny.

This is a French movie and requires reading English subtitles unless you understand the language. I couldn't find a preview with the subtitles.

Netflix Summary:

Successful perfume executive Luis (Alain Chabat) is happily single, but his mother and sisters want him to settle down. After they arrange a string of disastrous blind dates, Luis concocts a crazy scheme that will make his family happy without his getting married. All he needs to do is hire a girl to act as his fiancée and then dump him at the altar. But when Luis meets Emmanuelle, the plan takes a turn he never anticipated in this French comedy.

(500) Days of Summer

This was a lighthearted comedy about a love story that takes place during a span of 500 days. I was expecting a Hollywood type of movie, but this came across as an Indie movie.

It wasn't really funny, but I enjoyed the movie for what it was. I think the beginning is slow, but the movie does redeem itself at the end by showing the growth of the main character. He pulls himself out of his slump into the real world again and realizes that there is life after a breakup.

Netflix Summary:

When his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), unceremoniously dumps him, greeting-card copywriter and hopeless romantic Tom (Golden Globe nominee Joseph Gordon-Levitt) begins sifting through the year-plus worth of days they spent together, looking for clues to what went awry. As he recalls the good and bad times he spent with the commitment-phobic girl, his heart reawakens to what it cherishes most. Marc Webb directs this uncommon love story.

Whip It

This movie directed by Drew Barrymore comes across as a good indie movie. Ellen Page is a great talented young actress. The movie was funny at times as we watch the main character figure out what she wants to do in life.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I watched this movie. I was pleasantly surprised. Get some popcorn and enjoy it.

Netflix Summary:

Escaping her smothering mother's (Marcia Gay Harden) beauty pageant plans for her, small-town Texas teen Bliss (Ellen Page) joins an all-girl roller derby team in Austin and begins living a thrilling double life as Babe Ruthless -- a life that might catch up with her. Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut and plays fellow teammate Smashley Simpson in this smart coming-of-age tale. Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Eve and Jimmy Fallon co-star.

Up in the Air--2010 Academy Award®: Best Picture nominee

I like George Clooney movies in general, so I am partial to liking his films before I see them. This movie would be considered a romantic, comedy drama. It does deliver a little bit of everything.

The acting was great, the storyline good, and there was even a twist in the end that I didn't see. One thing I did like about this movie is it didn't have the typical Hollywood ending. This movie did get a lot of Oscar nods:

2010 Academy Award®: Best Supporting Actress nominee: Vera Farmiga
2010 Academy Award®: Best Actor nominee: George Clooney
2010 Academy Award®: Best Director nominee: Jason Reitman
2010 Academy Award®: Best Picture nominee
2010 Academy Award®: Best Supporting Actress nominee: Anna Kendrick

I have to say they are all worthy of them too. I do think this is a long shot to win best picture, and would be surprised if it won that category. For all the other categories, I could see all of them possibly winning.

I enjoyed the movie and am glad it got some positive recognition. Enjoy!

Netflix summary:

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to recent college grad Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) -- and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Golden Globe winner Jason Reitman's smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman.

A Serious Man - 2010 Academy Award®: Best Picture nominee

This was an Oscar nominated movie and I didn't hear much about it. I saw the previews and it looked interesting.

The movie was interesting and the characters were developed well. However the storyline has many gaps or holes that left me disliking this movie. There was a 10-15 minute opening of a Jewish husband and wife talking about an event that leads the wife to kill her uncle because she had heard he died. So upon seeing him, she feels he is a demon or evil spirit. I don't know what type of symbolism this represents and have no idea how this relates to the rest of the movie. This may have been a cultural thing, but honestly the directors fail to make this event cohesive with the rest of the storyline.

I think all the actors from the kids to the adults did a great job portraying their characters. Even thought the beginning was disjointed, the real story that begins after that is quite interesting. The movie kept me involved all the way until the end. And just like many French movies I have seen, this film ended like they just ran out of money. This is no joke. A Serious Man seriously fails to execute on a movie that could have been great. Instead, it leaves you with a feeling of being short changed.

The Netflix community seemed to love this movie. I read their reviews and most of their reasons for liking the movie was idiotic. For example, one reviewer gave this a 4 star rating because he liked the music even though the movie was just OK at best. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Would I watch this movie again? Nope. What I recommend it to a friend? No way. Is this Oscar worthy? Absolutely not. Will it win some awards? It probably will because the Coen brothers directed this movie. LOL.

Netflix summary:

Larry Gopnik (Golden Globe nominee Michael Stuhlbarg) has hit a "rough patch," according to a colleague, and it would seem so: people are dropping dead all around him, his wife (Sari Lennick) wants a "get" and his whining kids (Aaron Wolffand Jessica McManus) only add to the heavy load. Larry is just looking for some help. Can a few rabbis guide him to life's answers? Richard Kind co-stars in Joel Coenand Ethan Coen's 1960s-set, dark Jewish-culture send-up.

Inglourious Basterds - 2010 Academy Award®: Best Picture nominee

I think Quentin Tarantino makes good enjoyable movies like Kill Bill 1 & 2, and the Grindhouse Death Proof. There is almost a formula that he uses to make these movies fun and funny to watch. I think he incorporates it this movie too, but for some reason it falls a bit short.

He has a great cast, interesting plot, but somewhere in there I just felt it didn't deliver on the fun or humor. I can't really say why. Maybe I expected more because of his previous films and big actors. This movie was just ok to me. Not good or bad, but definitely watchable.

I am very surprised it got a few Oscar nods and would even be more surprised if it won best picture. There are just better nominated movies out there.

2010 Academy Award®: Best Director nominee: Quentin Tarantino
2010 Academy Award®: Best Picture nominee
2010 Academy Award®: Best Supporting Actor nominee: Christoph Waltz

The beginning of this movie was extremely slow, but it does build the German character up. Just too much time (15 - 20 minutes) was wasted in this scene. I do think it bothered me a little bit that they take a real figure (Hitler) in history and insert it in this storyline. You might like it or hate it. For me, I was a bit disappointed in a movie I really wanted to like.

Netflix Summary:

A Jewish cinema owner (Mélanie Laurent) in occupied Paris is forced to host a Nazi movie premiere, where a radical group of American Jewish soldiers called the Basterds, led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), plans to roll out a score-settling scheme. The face-off is about to go down -- that's if Col. Hans Landa aka "The Jew Hunter" (Christoph Waltz, in a Golden Globe-winning role) doesn't get in the way. Quentin Tarantino directs this World War II-set spaghetti Western.

Zombieland

Is there such thing as a comedy horror movie? This is what this movie was. Most times it was humorous more than it was scary. Overall, a fun movie to watch. The acting is fine, the plot simple and pointless, but the goal of being entertained was easily met.

For the most part, zombie movies are bad and if you enjoy watching them you know you have to lower your expectations. So enjoy it for what it is.



Cheers!

Netflix Summary:

An easily spooked guy, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), joins forces with wild man Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) to fight for survival in a world virtually taken over by freakish zombies. As they destroy scores of the undead, they meet up with two other survivors, Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) and Wichita (Emma Stone), and journey to a supposedly safe abandoned amusement park. Ruben Fleischer directs this horror romp.

Big Fan

You may have noticed I watch a lot of movies of all sorts. I especially like foreign and independent movies. They usually have awards from Sundance or some other indie movie recognition.

This movie Big Fan actually did well at Sundance and most of the user reviews were extremely positive. The characters were well developed, the story line is complete from beginning to end, and there are a couple of actors I recognized.

So, I should have liked this movie. The problem is I didn't like this movie at all despite those reasons. In most movies there is a character in it that you like. Sometimes, it is the hero, the underdog, or a person who you can relate to. This movie had no one that was likable. Kind of hard to believe, but there it is. I lost interest because everyone was depicted as a loser, hater, or just unhappy.

It is difficult to watch those types of movies where everyone sucks. There is nothing in the story that redeems anyone. Would I recommend this movie? I would say hell no, not because it was bad, but it just wasn't entertaining to me. This was suppose to be a comedy or black comedy, but honestly I found very little to laugh at.

On a side note Patton Oswalt is the voice of Ratatouille which you will enjoy much more than this movie.

Netflix summary:

Parking attendant and New York Giants fanatic Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt) must reexamine his life after he's beaten up by his favorite player in this comedy written and directed by Robert D. Siegel, a former editor-in-chief of "fake news" paper The Onion. Also starring Kevin Corrigan as Sal, Michael Rapaport as Philadelphia Phil and Marcia Jean Kurtz as Theresa, the film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Year One

If you like nerds, geeks, or awkward funny guys, then you will enjoy this movie called Year One. It stars Jack Black and Michael Cera in 1 AD dealing with religious characters from the bible. Don't worry, this is not a comedy spoof of the bible, just the time period.

Yes, it is corny and slapstick humor in the movie, but it is still funny. If you are in a for a good laugh and a bucket of popcorn, then this movie will please you. Watch it and enjoy.





Netflix Summary:

Banished from their primitive village after the tribe elders deem them too lazy, Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) leave everything they've ever known behind and embark upon an adventure-filled journey through the ancient world. Co-starring Hank Azaria, Oliver Platt, Olivia Wilde and David Cross, this epic-sized laffer is a collaborative effort from comedy giants Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day) and Judd Apatow (Knocked Up).

Dakota Skye

This was actually a very small independent movie or at least it looked like it. The acting was very good with all these new actors. It kind of reminded me a little bit like that TV series Dawson Creek. I didn't really like the main character in this movie but she does redeem herself in the end.




I guess sex in high school is extremely common in today's environment. So is drinking and doing drugs. That is depicted in this movie but not in a funny or humorous way in typical teen movies. Here it is shown more as regular life which is real and sad at the same time.

The premise of the movie is good. I like the doogie howser type voice overs even though it is very common practice nowadays.

Netflix summary:

Superpowers rarely come without a price, and for 17-year-old Dakota Skye (Eileen Boylan), the price is cynicism that stems from spotting the truth in every lie. Disengaged, she watches life go by from the sidelines … until she meets the unfailingly honest Jonah (Ian Nelson). Problem is, Jonah is her beau's best friend -- which leaves Dakota navigating the treacherous waters between friendship and romance in this well-crafted indie drama.

Overall, it was both entertaining and enjoyable to watch. I would recommend seeing it.

All About Steve

This is one of the movies I had low expectations for based on the video. Surprisingly, it was a good comedy movie that I enjoyed. Sandra Bullock plays her annoying character very well, as does Bradley Cooper of Alias fame. At least that is where I first saw him.

The plot is pretty straight forward. From Netflix:

While Steve (Bradley Cooper) would have to disagree, socially inept Mary (Sandra Bullock) thinks he's her true love and shamelessly pursues him around the country, egged on by Steve's wingman, the sexist and mean Hartman (Thomas Haden Church). But the two men start feeling guilty for their callousness when they realize there's more to Mary than her outrageous boots and wacky statements. Phil Traill directs this comedic tale, which also stars Ken Jeong.

I think the acting helps make this movie better than it is. Everyone is believable in their role. This is not a movie that you will stay with you for very long, but if you want to watch an enjoyable movie where you can sit back and let Hollywood entertain you this will do the trick.



I recommend this movie and hope you enjoy it.

Run Fatboy Run

I wasn't actually looking for this movie and it wasn't in my netflix queue. I actually had seen the commercials a long time ago, and just thought it would be corny. In fact it was corny, but surprisingly enjoyable.

This is a predictable comedy with some actors I recognized like Simon Pegg of Hot Fuzz fame, Thandie Newton, and Hank Azaria who play the voices of many Simpsons characters.









Like I said, it is corny but funny. I caught it on cable and liked it. Hope you like it too. Cheers!