Across The Universe Review

Across The Universe: The idea is brilliant – tell a love story during the anti-war movement of Vietnam using only Beatles’ songs to move the plot forward. That time period saw many drastic changes, as did the Beatles' music, thus the perfect fit. Each Beatles' song in the movie is sung by one of the characters, not just played over a video montage. Some of the song interpretations worked beautifully (Strawberry Fields Forever was my favorite), while others were a bit of a stretch (I want to hold your hand). My main two gripes with the film were A) the love story was very weak….I never really cared if the characters got back together. And B) the songs had a very “lip sync” feel to them. I understand they have to be for the movie, but they could have made it sound a bit more genuine – instead I felt like I was watching a music video most of the time. Great idea, but poor execution forces me to…… “Kick it to the Floor”

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3:10 to Yuma Review

3:10 to Yuma: Finally a Western that does not cause Rythemovieguy to yawn. This remake of the 1957 classic stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, both of which do a marvelous job. My problem with most Westerns is the lack of story (They all have to do with some poor ranch hand, the railroad, and a prostitute). It always seems like the squabble they have is overblown (like a bad Three’s Company episode). That is not the case here. Yuma comes at you with a tale that pulls you in right away and drags you deeper into the plot as it moves along. In short –a rancher (Bale) agrees to hold an outlaw (Crowe) until they can get him to a train going to……Yuma. All this builds up to a final resolution that is not predictable. Throw in some good shootouts and action and you have yourself a very entertaining film about the old west.

“Pick it Up”

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Stardust DVD Review

Stardust: To be honest, when I saw the previews for this movie I chuckled. I probably would have not even given it a chance had it not been for a trusted friend’s favorable opinion. The movie has a magical fantasy feel very similar to The Princess Bride. The film knows what it wanted to be – funny, marvelous, adventurous, and a little exaggerated at times, but it is all done in a way that clicks with precision. A young man crosses into a magical land to retrieve a fallen star for the woman he loves. To his surprise the fallen star is actually a lady (Claire Danes). He is not the only person after her, also in pursuit are the king’s sons who need her to claim name to the throne and a witch (Michelle Pfeiffer) who needs her to obtain eternal youth. The movie is one delightful adventure. It may take a little time to get “into” the mystical world – but I think you will agree – it is worth the ride!
“Pick it Up”

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Live Free or Die Hard

Live Free or Die Hard: What the hell does that title mean? Are those my only choices? Speaking of choices, I made a bad one when I picked this title up. After hearing some good things I was actually excited to give it a spin. I found the latest John McClane adventure to be ridiculous. A computer hacker breaks into the US system causing corruption on every level. He starts with the transportation system, producing traffic jams in every corner of the DC area…..well except for where he is driving his computer filled semi truck – convenient. The action, which the series is known for, is just over-the-top. At one point Bruce Willis is on the wing of a fighter jet as it circles down to a fiery crash. Another big sequence sees Willis hop out of a speeding car with excellent alignment. The car stays straight as an arrow for another 300 feet – finally driving up a ramp and crashing into a helicopter in mid-air. I waited 2 hours to hear the damn “Yippie-kay-yay” line and even that was a letdown.

“Kick it to the Floor”

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Eastern Promises DVD

Eastern Promises: Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts star in this film that plunges into the world of the Russian mafia. Viggo plays a butler working for a notorious mob family in London. Watts meanwhile plays Anna, a midwife who delivers a baby from an unknown teenage girl who dies while giving birth. The baby, along with a diary the girl left behind thrusts Anna into the dark world of organized crime. The film’s plot opens up slowly, revealing new twists and deeper discoveries. The style in which the story is told is similar to that of History of Violence which was done by the same director. Like History I felt this movie was good, but had the potential to be great. A heads up on the old man playing the crime boss…..he is a mumbler. For a rental – this is definitely worth a spin

“Pick it Up”

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