Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Mechanic (Jason Statham, Ben Foster) in Theatres on February 9, 2011



The Mechanic

Audience

Average Rating: 3.5/5
Like the Movie: 61% (n=27,154)

Critics
Average Rating: 2.8/5
Like the Movie: 52% (n=133)


Reviews

"The Mechanic is my kind of action movie: nasty, brutish, brisk and ass-kicking." - Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies

"The interplay between dry Arthur and crazy, caustic Steve is what makes the movie fun." - Mary F. Pols, Time Magazine

"Jason Statham and Ben Foster turn in enjoyable performances, but this superficial remake betrays them with mind-numbing violence and action thriller cliches." - rottentomatoes.com

"Jason Statham needs to get a tune-up, switch gears and hit the gas." - Tom Long, Detroit News

"A sputtering remake in need of a more powerful recharge." - Manohla Dargis, New York Times

"Standard Statham stuff." - Greg Quill, Toronto Star


Movie Info

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Synopsis: Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) is a 'mechanic' - an elite assassin with a strict code and unique talent for cleanly eliminating targets. It's a job that requires professional perfection and total detachment, and Bishop is the best in the business. But when his mentor and close friend Harry (Donald Sutherland) is murdered, Bishop is anything but detached. His next assignment is self-imposed - he wants those responsible dead.

His mission grows complicated when Harry's son Steve (Ben Foster) approaches him with the same vengeful goal and a determination to learn Bishop's trade. Bishop has always acted alone but he can't turn his back on Harry's son. A methodical hit man takes an impulsive student deep into his world and a deadly partnership is born. But while in pursuit of their ultimate mark, deceptions threaten to surface and those hired to fix problems become problems themselves. -- (C) CBS films

Rated: R for strong brutal violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity

Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

Distributor: CBS Films

Directed By: Simon West

Written By: Karl Gajdusek

Cast
Jason Statham (Arthur Bishop)
Ben Foster (Steve McKenna)
Donald Sutherland (Harry McKenna)
Tony Goldwyn (Dean Sanderson)
Jeff Chase (Burke)
Mini Anden (Sarah)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

127 Hours (James Franco) in Theatres on February 9, 2011



127 Hours

Audience

Average Rating: 4.1/5
Like the Movie: 88% (n=48,446)

Critics

Average Rating: 4.1/5
Like the Movie: 93% (n=192)


Reviews


"In his impressive follow-up to Slumdog Millionaire, the Academy Award-winning director honors the lure of solitude while at the same time celebrating the beautiful necessity of other people." - Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

"Directed and co-written by Danny Boyle in a style that travels from ecstatic to nerve-wracking and back, this is a film about perseverance, strength and the importance of always letting people know where you're going." - Tom Long, Detroit News

"To say that this movie gets under your skin is only barely a figure of speech. It pins you down, shakes you up and leaves you glad to be alive." - A.O. Scott, New York Times

"How do you make a movie about immobility? For a hyperactive stylist like Boyle, whose movies are at best thrillingly kinetic and at worst represent death by a thousand cuts, the solution turns out to be absurdly simple. He heads inward." - Ty Borr, Boston Globe

"As gut-wrenching as it is inspirational, 127 Hours unites one of Danny Boyle's most beautifully exuberant directorial efforts with a terrific performance from James Franco." - rottentomatoes.com

""127 Hours," about an unimaginably unbearable experience, is pretty much an unbearable experience of its own." Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

"Fraught with tension, yet never claustrophobic, 127 Hours is a phenomenal piece of work in which a fine actor and an innovatively cinematic director join forces to keep you gasping for oxygen all the way." - Rex Reed, New York Observer

"Boyle turns the near-death tale into a riveting re-enactment that will keep audiences squirming in their seats." - Gayle MacDonald, Globe and Mail


Movie Info


Genre: Drama

Synopsis: A mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.

Rated: R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images

Running Time: 1 hr. 35 min.

Distributor: Fox Searchlight

Directed By: Danny Boyle

Written By: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy

Cast
James Franco (Aron Ralston)
Amber Tamblyn (Megan)
Kate Mara (Kristi)
Clémence Poésy (Rana)
Kate Burton (Aron's Mom)
Lizzy Caplan (Sonja)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Tangled (Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi) in Theatres on February 2, 2011



Tangled

Hazel's

Rating: 4/5
Review: I watched this in 3D at SM Tarlac. The songs by Alan Menken were just ok, unlike his previous work for Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast wherein I really wanted to buy a cassette tape (yun pa uso noon) after watching the movie. Though there were some dragging parts, I love the story and "Pascal" as well =)

Audience
Average Rating: 4.2/5
Like the Movie: 89% (n=80,478)

Critics
Average Rating: 3.75/5
Like the Movie: 89% (n=161)


Reviews

"Tangled is the best animated film from Disney in the past 15 years." - Tom Long, Detroit News

"Tangled is unusually attuned to the emotional frequencies of mothers and daughters, considering that, like basically every Disney/Pixar feature, its writer (Dan Fogelman) and directors (Nathan Greno and Byron Howard) are a bunch of dudes." - Dan Kois, Vilage Voice

"If "Tangled" hasn't morphed into a Broadway show within five years, then Disney isn't as smart as I think it is." - Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

"While far from Disney's greatest film, Tangled is a visually stunning, thoroughly entertaining addition to the studio's classic animated canon." - rottentomatoes.com

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, you are lovely to look at and occasionally charming. But there just ain't much to you beyond the hair." - Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

"I don't feel like writing a review of "Tangled." I feel like throwing it a parade." - Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune


Movie Info

Genre: Animation, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

Synopsis: Walt Disney Pictures presents "Tangled," one of the most hilarious, hair-raising tales ever told. When the kingdom's most wanted-and most charming-bandit Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi) hides out in a mysterious tower, he's taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn's curious captor, who's looking for her ticket out of the tower where she's been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an over-protective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. In theaters this holiday season in Disney Digital 3D(TM), "Tangled" is a story of adventure, heart, humor and hair-lots of hair. -- (C) Disney

Rated: PG for brief mild violence

Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures

Directed By: Nathan Greno , Byron Howard

Written By: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Dan Fogelman

Cast
Mandy Moore (Rapunzel)
Zachary Levi (Flynn Rider)
Richard Kiel (Vlad)
Donna Murphy (Mother Gothel)


Source: rottentomatoes.com

Monday, February 14, 2011

Burlesque (Cher, Christina Aguilera) in Theatres on February 2, 2011



Burlesque

Hazel's

Rating: 3/5
Review: Awesome vocals by Christina Aguilera and nice routines but the story is cliche and predictable. Kristen Bell portrayed a weak rival in the movie. The songs are just okay, nothing spectacular.

Audience
Average Rating: 3.8/5
Like the Movie: 71% (n=46,411)

Critics
Average Rating: 2.4/5
Like the Movie: 37% (n=140)


Reviews

"It's more hallucination than story, but hey, If you think of it as a slightly deranged long music video divathon it can be a lot of fun." - Nell Minow, Chicago Sun Times

"Burlesque is a preposterous and intermittently entertaining lesson in how to make a movie musical with a little brains and a lot of talent." - Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

"Campy and clichéd, Burlesque wastes its talented cast (including a better-than-expected Christina Aguilera) on a movie that wavers uncertainly between "bad" and "so bad it's good." - rottentomatoes.com

"The rest of Burlesque plays like an extended version of the "Lady Marmalade" video, with a few contrivances to provide vague conflict." - Christy Lemire, Associated Press

"Instead of leading with what Aguilera does best -- belting, vamping, spotlight hogging -- the movie shoehorns her into a rehashed backstage musical conceit." - Karina Longworth, Village Voice

"Burlesque manages what seemed impossible: It is filled with half-naked dancing girls, yet it's still boring." - Rafer Guzman, Newsday


Movie Info

Genre: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts

Synopsis: Ali (Christina Aguilera) is a small-town girl with a big voice who escapes hardship and an uncertain future to follow her dreams to LA. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue, Ali lands a job as a cocktail waitress from Tess (Cher), the club's proprietor and headliner. Burlesque's outrageous costumes and bold choreography enrapture the young ingenue, who vows to perform there one day. Soon enough, Ali builds a friendship with a featured dancer (Julianne Hough), finds an enemy in a troubled, jealous performer (Kristen Bell), and garners the affection of Jack (Cam Gigandet), a bartender and fellow musician. With the help of a sharp-witted stage manager (Stanley Tucci) and gender-bending host (Alan Cumming), Ali makes her way from the bar to the stage. Her spectacular voice restores The Burlesque Lounge to its former glory, though not before a charismatic entrepreneur (Eric Dane) arrives with an enticing proposal...

Rated: PG-13 for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, language and some thematic material

Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

Distributor: Sony Pictures/Screen Gems

Directed By: Steve Antin

Cast
Cher (Tess)
Christina Aguilera (Ali)
Cam Gigandet (Jack)
Stanley Tucci (Sean)
Kristen Bell (Nikki)
Alan Cumming (Alexis)
Eric Dane (Marcus)
Peter Gallagher (Vince)
Julianne Hough (Georgia)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Rite (Anthony Hopkins, Colin O'Donoghue) in Theatres on February 2, 2011




The Rite



Audience

Rating: 3.4/5
Like the Movie: 57% (n=24,052)

Critics
Rating: 2.05/5
Like the Movie: 17% (n=99)


Reviews

"The fact this Anthony Hopkins led movie is based on a true story makes the implications more intense and the possibilities scarier." - Jackie K. Cooper, jackiekcooper.com

"Hafstrom creates a nice, creepy vibe, especially for the first part of the movie, which has a menacing atmosphere." - Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

"Anthony Hopkins is as excellent as ever, but he's no match for The Rite's dawdling pace and lack of chills -- or Colin O'Donoghue's tentative performance in the leading role." - rottentomatoes.com

"A horror film that goes nowhere very, very slowly." - Tom Horgen, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"A so-called horror movie dull enough to have been produced for the Catholic cable channel." - John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal

"The Rite commits the supreme sin of making the devil dull." - Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly


Movie Info

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Synopsis: "The battle against the Devil, which is the principal task of Saint Michael the Archangel, is still being fought today, because the Devil is still alive and active in the world." -Pope John Paul II "The Rite" is a supernatural thriller that uncovers the Devil's reach to even one of the holiest places on Earth. Inspired by true events, the film follows seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue), who is sent to study exorcism at the Vatican in spite of his own doubts about the controversial practice and even his own faith. Wearing his deep skepticism like armor, Michael challenges his superiors to look to psychiatry, rather than demons, in treating the possessed. Only when he's sent to apprentice with the unorthodox Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins)--a legendary priest who has performed thousands of exorcisms--does Michael's armor begin to fall. As he is drawn into a troubling case that seems to transcend even Father Lucas's skill, he begins to glimpse a phenomenon science can't explain or control...and an evil so violent and terrifying that it forces him to question everything he believes. Directed by Mikael Håfström ("1408"), "The Rite" stars Oscar (R) winner Anthony Hopkins ("Silence of the Lambs"), Colin O'Donoghue in his feature film debut, Alice Braga ("Predators"), Toby Jones ("Frost/Nixon"), with Ciarán Hinds ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2"), and Rutger Hauer ("Batman Begins," "Blade Runner"). Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson ("The Exorcism of Emily Rose") produced the film under their Contrafilm banner. The screenplay is by Michael Petroni ("The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"), suggested by the book by Matt Baglio. Richard Brener, Merideth Finn and Robert Bernacchi serve as executive producers, with Mark Tuohy co-producing. New Line Cinema presents, a Contrafilm production, a Mikael Håfström film, "The Rite." The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. -- (C) Warner Bros.

Rated: PG-13 for disturbing thematic material, violence, frightening images, and language including sexual references

Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min.

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema

Directed By: Mikael Håfstrom

Written By: Matt Baglio, Michael Petroni

Cast
Anthony Hopkins (Father Lucas Trevant)
Colin O'Donoghue (Michael Kovak)
Alice Braga (Angeline)
Toby Jones (Father Matthew)
Ciarán Hinds (Father Xavier)
Rutger Hauer (Istvan Kovak)

Source: www.rottentomatoes.com

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