Flash of Genius

Flash of Genius: I always complain that Hollywood turns out too many remakes and sequels. I want more innovative ideas. Well, when they finally decide to go with an original story we get this: The true narrative on Bob Kearns, the man who invented the intermittent windshield wiper. Lookout! He did not invent the actual wiper mind you, just the way a wiper has a small pause, used when it is a light shower outside. At the time the big three automakers in Detroit were trying to come up with the same invention. Bob beat them to it and presented his idea to Ford. Instead of selling them his idea (easy way), he wanted to open his own manufacturing plant and sell the actual wipers to them (huh?) . The rest of the story goes traditional – evil corporation steals the man’s idea and gives him no credit or money for it - man sues big corporation in a case that took almost 10 years to get to court. There is really no reason to recommend this movie, not that it was terrible by any means. I am just not sure the story deserves its own movie.

Giving it a slight “kick to the floor”

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Changeling: Like many, I associate this film with those annoying ads where Angelina Jolie is heard yelling “This is not MY son” along with “I want MY son back”. Enough already! Besides being annoyed by the ads, I also thought I knew exactly what the film was going to be about. To my surprise, the movie is much deeper and much more complex than I expected. The aspect of the police returning the wrong missing boy to his mother is present, but there is also a suspenseful, hideous, criminal aspect as well. The two story lines are interwoven meticulously by director Clint Eastwood. I found myself more and more intrigued as the story played out, never really knowing how it was going to end. Although the movie does run a little long – this is a terrific rental!

“Pick it Up”

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Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Zack and Miri Make a Porno: I was not sure what to think going into Kevin Smith’s newest comedy. Would Smith resort solely to shock humor? The answer is thankfully no. Smith blends his unique style of comedy with the odd world of porn to create a very funny picture! Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks play Zack and Miri respectively. They are just platonic roommates (so they think) struggling to pay bills. Eventually they get into a circumstance where they are out of money and their utilities are being shut off. Desperate times mean desperate measures. Their dazzling idea to get out of their financial woes is to make a porno. They recruit 6 others to help make the sex film, a couple of them you will recognize from previous Kevin Smith adventures. The comedy is outrageous at times and I would definitely recommend NOT watching this with your parents or any relatives that may be in the clergy. However for the rest of us who have been accepting more and more provocative humor this is one Funny film to enjoy.

“Pick it Up”

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Appaloosa Review

Appaloosa: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen and a hideous looking Renee Zellweger star in this western bore fest. I try to like westerns. I love a good shootout like the next guy and I can always go for a good chase on horse back. The problem with this movie is it had none of that. The shootouts it did have went for the “realistic” effect - were its one shot and you’re dead. I am all for realism, but not in this case. I want bullets flying around. I want men popping out of trunks with guns blazing. I want men shot in the leg so they have to limp to get behind a barrel. This movie offered nothing that I would label exciting or interesting, even the love story was a bore. I wish the title was actually Lollapalooza - featuring some rocking music from Chicago’s grant park and Zellweger’s sourpuss face was nowhere to be seen.

"Kick it to the Floor"

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Eagle Eye

Eagle Eye: Shia LaBeouf stars in one of the more unrealistic movies I have ever seen. The plot is shrouded in secrecy during the 1st hour of the film and that gave me some hope. In fact I would say the opening 45 minutes or so were actually decent. However once the plot starts to become clear the story turns into a real laugher. LaBeouf plays Jerry Shaw whose twin brother was recently killed in military action. Soon after Jerry is setup to make it look as if he is a terrorist. That is when he gets a call from a mysterious voice that helps guide his escape. Where is this voice coming from, and how can it see his every action? I really wish the explanation was better….I ….I ….actually nothing more needs to be explained - just skip this one.

“Kick it to the Floor”

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