Movie Reviews

American Gangster (Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe)

Brilliant.  Loved it.  Based on a true story about a drug kingpin in 1970s Harlem.

This movie had it all– money, sex, drugs, gangsters, honest cops, dishonest cops, blacks, whites, Italians, Puerto Ricans, mafia, guns, family, and a freakin’ SHELBY.

Contessa says:  “If you like gritty gangster films, this will NOT disappoint!”

This movie was: (+) infidelity– multiple scenes w/Russell Crowe’s character; (-) puking*

 
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (Ethan Hawke, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei)

Two thumbs up!  Another gritty drama involving murder, drugs, sex, money, and family. 

The story evolves around two brothers who plot the ”perfect” robbery– although the robbery doesn’t go down as planned (and is anything but perfect).  And let’s face it– these two brothers have more than just a botched robbery to worry about…

Contessa says, “Intense and gritty, yet not without angst.  A must see if you like bold, brutal– and often times bleak– suspense.”   However, truth be told, I could have done without the opening sex scene.  Do we really want– or need– to see Philip Seymour Hoffman naked?… nope, didn’t think so.

This movie was:  (+) infidelity– scene w/Marisa Tomei’s character and Ethan Hawke; (-) puking*

*As gritty as both of these movies were, I’m SHOCKED that neither had a puking scene.  If, by chance, I missed it in either movie, please leave a comment (including description of the scene) so I can amend my findings. 

Movie Reviews (DVD Rentals)

Lars and the Real Girl 
Totally NOT what I was expecting.  What I was expecting– a light-hearted comedy.  What I received– a movie about a delusional young man (Lars) who had a “real” relationship with a blow-up doll (Bianca).  And, if that wasn’t screwy enough, the whole town played along w/Lars and pretended that Bianca was REAL. 

Sure, parts were funny– but the majority of the film was sad… and a little pathetic.  What shined in this movie was the LOVE that Lars’s family/friends had for Lars– ultimately resulting in Lars giving up the fantasy of Bianca (and walking off in the sunshine with a REAL LIVE GIRL)…

This movie was: (-) infidelity; (-) puking. 

Contessa says, “Skip the movie, read a book… any book.”

27 Dresses
This is one of those “princess/fairytale stories” where the girl gets the guy and they live happily ever after. 

Personally, I didn’t think the two main characters (Catherine Heigl/James Marsden) made a cute couple.  He was a little too “thin, whispy” for her… given her height.  As to the story, not very original.

Best thing about the movie?– Benny and the Jets.

This movie was:  (-) puking; (-) infidelity.

Contessa says, “Rent it if you need to believe in fairytale endings.” 

Movie/DVD Review: There will be Blood…

Contessa says, “Not enough blood in this film to keep me entertained…” 

(there will be yawning!)

Overrated.  Bigtime.  Scratching my head and trying to figure out why all the original hub-bub surrounding this movie?  Am I seriously the ONLY one that feels this way? 

Sure Daniel Day Lewis did well with his character… but still.

This movie was:
(-) infidelity
(-) puking       … never a good sign, as you need one or the other to make a really GOOD movie!

Personally, I don’t think this movie was worth 2.5 hours of my time (let alone the $3.99 rental fee).

Movie Reviews: Forgetting Sarah Marshall; Juno

There were things I both loved and hated about Forgetting Sarah Marshall…

Scenery?  Loved it.
Male, full-frontal nudity?  ’bout freakin’ time.
Mila Kunis?  Gorgeous!
Dracula opera w/puppets?  Original and bold.

But–
maybe a little too much stereotypical “humor,” and LONGISH in parts.

Still, Contessa says, “Not a bad way to spend a rainy afternoon at matinee prices.”

This movie was:
(+) cheating/infidelity: it’s why we’re all trying to forget Sarah Marshall.
(-) puking: amazingly enough, with all the raunchy humor, no puking scene.  Or maybe I missed it?…

 

Rented this one on DVD.  Watched it this evening.  Loved Juno! 

Amazingly quirky. 
Awesome soundtrack. 
And orange tic tacs… What’s NOT to love?

Contessa says, “A must see!”

This movie was:
(+) puking:  hello– pregnant teen in the house!
(-) cheating/infidelity.