Toy Story 3

Oh my gosh! If you love or even just like the original Toy Story films, then you HAVE to see this film! I have already seen it twice! In this film, Andy is getting ready for college by packing up a bunch of his stuff. However, in the midst of things, his toys accidentally get sent to a daycare instead of being kept in the garage like he wanted. Now, I don't want to give away too much, so I'm not going to say any more.

This is the best film I've seen so far this year--and I doubt anything will top it! The same warm feeling you get from the original films are back in this one. The humor is not modernized at all. You will feel as if this movie was created immediately after the first two. The film is full of thrills and suspenseful twists to keep you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next. In many ways, I'm not sure whether I like this one better than the first one or not, but I do know that it is one of the best films I've ever seen (as are the first two)--just in the way that everything comes together perfectly.

If you're hesitating because of the extra cost of the 3-D, don't worry because it's not necessary. I mean, yeah sure, it's cool to see it in 3-D but it's not necessary for enjoying the movie to its full potential.

There was one thing that I was hoping would happen that didn't--but something tells me that the filmmakers wanted you to think it was going to happen as well. If you've seen the movie and want to know what I'm referring to, look at what I have written after the "Overall Grade" line.

But there is literally nothing that I didn't like about this film. It made me happy, sad, and scared all at once--and a lot of each. I want to write so much more about this film, but I can't without giving stuff away. But let me leave you with this--if you don't like this film, something is seriously wrong with you.

Overall Grade: A+



****SPOILER ALERT****

I think that at the end when Andy is holding Woody, they should have had Woody speak or wink or something that lets Andy know that the toys are, in fact, alive. Well, I have a great idea for a fourth film that includes this concept. I will be looking forward to writing it and sending it in to Pixar in a few years.


-Ethan Brehm

Killers

In an attempt to watch a movie featuring Katherine Heigl, who I honestly cannot stand, I actually had a good time (not because of her of course, as she still annoyed me). This film about Jen (Heigl) who recently finds out that her husband, Spencer (Ashton Kutcher), is a contract killer after there is a $20 million bounty over his head and people are trying to kill him.

Yeah, it may not be the most thrilling film in the world, but it is definitely action packed and entertaining. There are many twists throughout this film and you don't know who to trust. At the same time, however, it's a funny film. It keeps you interested and actually isn't slow at any moments. It may be formulaic, but it's a formula that works in this case and isn't predictable--which is something that formula films usually are.

The only aspects that I didn't like about this film were Heigl's annoying tendencies and I wish that it would have been a LITTLE bit more funny than it was.

I honestly wasn't looking forward to seeing this film when it first came out because I thought it was going to be stupid--well, although many critics thought that it was, it exceeded my expectations (which may be why I liked it so much--because my expectations were SO BAD). It wasn't anticlimactic by any means, but I don't know if I would go out and buy the film--MAYBE at discount price though. However, I would watch it again.

Overall Grade: B+


-Ethan Brehm

Get Him To The Greek

Definitely NOT my sense of humor! On top of the fact that I saw this with my mother, I wouldn't want to see this movie again anyway! I really did want to see it initially, however I was very disappointed. Aaron (Jonah Hill), a record company intern, is hired by his boss, Sergio (Diddy), to fetch the estranged superstar Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). He has to go from Los Angeles to Europe to convince this guy to play one concert for a sold-out audience who haven't seen him perform in years. Aldous is on a journey to rediscover himself--or something.

This film is filled with crude humor for no good reason--unlike 40-Year-Old Virgin or even Superbad. I felt as though it was forced at many times. Not to mention the fact that I have never been able to stand Russell Brand! He is offensive in real life and in films. Jonah Hill was THE only salvation for this film. His lovable character kept me from completely failing this film. There were some completely uncomfortable scenes that made me upset more than giddy. It was disgusting overall.

The movie, however, did have a great storyline to it, but the way it was executed was unnecessary and I felt like I could have probably done a way better job and could have made it more meaningful and timeless as well. This really could have been a great movie. And films can be crude and funny at the same time (e.g. The Hangover), but this was taken way too far. And there were some funny parts, but they were forgotten and drowned out by the vulgarity and disgusting aspects of this film (literally, I can't remember the funny parts anymore). Even Jonah Hill couldn't save this one completely.

Overall Grade: D


-Ethan Brehm

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

While many critics felt that this film lacked an interesting story, I beg to differ. This movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan, who is an orphan that must solve the mystery of his father's death, while at the same time fetch a mysterious dagger that holds a much-coveted power beyond his knowledge.

There were many twists and turns in this film to keep you guessing. The action scenes weren't bad either! The acting was great, and so was the dialogue. There's not really anything bad to say about this film--especially the fact that Alfred Molina (one of my favorite actors) makes a small appearance. But I really did love this film!

Don't be made at me! :)

Overall Grade: A


-Ethan Brehm

Marmaduke

Like I said with pretty much every kid's movie, you have to revue them from the point of view of a child, or else you're not going to get a very accurate review. Because of course most adults are not going to love kids movies. I like to remember when I was a kid and think if it would be a film that I would want my parents to buy me so I could watch over and over again. And honestly, this would be one of those films. Marmaduke (voiced by Owen Wilson) is a fun-loving dog who always annoys his owner. At the same time that he is trying to gain the love of his master, he is trying to fit in with the cool purebreds at the dog park.

Yeah sure, some of the acting was a little amateur and the human lines could be cheesy at times, but kids don't care--and besides, they weren't THAT bad or corny.

Overall, it was a great kid's film! Other critics need to relax.

Overall Grade: A-


-Ethan Brehm

Splice

In one of the most disturbing films I have ever seen, Clive (Adrian Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) are scientists doing tests constructing hybrid animals. However, they have an idea to use human DNA in the hybrid, in which their funding company forbids. They do the experiment anyway under wraps. They create Dren, a creature in which they grow attached to.

I actually thought the film was decent initially. However, they took the premise to a place that I was afraid of. I do understand the point that the filmmakers were trying to make, which was displaying the unfortunate fate of science if it continues in the direction it is going in, but it was just way too disturbing for me. It really does have a great concept though, but it just got way out of hand! The acting was good, and it was very believable. But if you were weirded out by Harold and Maude, DO NOT see this film!

BUT, it wasn't as bad as other films.

Overall Grade: B-


-Ethan Brehm

Letters To Juliet

This film was good. It's a love story starring Amanda Seyfried as Sophie, a girl who discovers a wall in Italy in which women write letters to Shakespeare's Juliet in hopes to help them out with their love lives. She discovers that a group of 4 ladies respond to each letter. While Sophie is helping them out, she discovers a hidden letter written over 50 years ago by Claire--a girl at the time who lost a boy, Lorenzo, and never saw him again. She responds to the letter and Claire comes to find Sophie and Sophie goes with her on a search for the man she lost years ago.

The movie is very predictable and has weak dialogue throughout. But there are some good lines here and there. The story is unique, however, and it may get you tearing up at the end. It makes you feel good. The story was a little longer than it needed to be, but there were a couple of substories, which kept the film from running out of subject matter. Sophie's fiance was very unrealistically oblivious--which got annoying at times. It was never laugh out loud funny that much. However, I think I would watch it again, simply because of the idea that it makes me feel good.

In my opinion, it was kinda like Leap Year (to the 13 people who saw that movie), but a million times better!

Overall Grade: B


-Ethan Brehm

Sex And The City 2

Ok, I'm changing the date of this blog to June because that's when I should have posted it, but know that the actual date is July 18, 2010. Wow! It's been forever since my last blog! Sorry! I've been caught up with so much stuff this summer. Anyway...Seriously?? I can't believe that movies like this exist sometimes. It's a sequel at par with the first film--which doesn't say much because the first film was just as lousy. With the first one ending with nothing left unresolved, this second film was a huge stretch of unnecessary plot. In this movie, the girls take a trip to Abu Dhabi without their significant others. There's a bunch of subplots throughout this film.

I literally hate this film, along with the first film. But honestly, this one was more humorous than the first one, along with having more intricate character development. However, the first film had a way better plot. The thing that i dislike so much about these films is that they're full of a bunch of self-centered, selfish, overly-materialistic girls who put their friends before their spouses. They talk about men like meat and would probably not have as many relationship problems if they would just stop talking to their friends about their problems instead of actually talking to their spouses about their problems! These women are really stupid and live their lives by making idiotic decisions. I didn't agree with 90% of the advice that they give each other. And parts of this film that were supposed to be "heartwarming" were just left with me scrunching my eyebrows.

For once, I really don't feel bad giving a film a bad review. The only cool thing about this film is the upscale awe of the ritzy Abu Dhabi hotel and airplane. But if that is the best part of a movie, it's not really going anywhere. Not to mention that there is no reason for this movie to be 2 and a half hours long. But overall, these women take themselves way too seriously and need to get real about their priorities.

Overall Grade: D-


-Ethan Brehm

Robin Hood

Hmm...I'm a little confused as to how I should feel about this movie. I wanted to love it, I really did, but I'm not sure that I can say that I loved it after watching it. It's not a typical story about Robin Hood being the man that steals from the rich and gives to the poor. But who knows? Maybe the sequel (if there is one) will have more to do with that. However, I thought that they could have at least alluded to it a little bit in this film. The film was how Robin Hood became Robin Hood, but the only problem is that the viewer doesn't really see him become Robin Hood--they only see him become an outlaw (which may be the point, but they should have stressed this more).

This film was, I think, a little longer than it should have been. Some scenes could have been omitted or changed to be shorter. Also, the accents were very hard to understand. I had the hardest time comprehending some parts--which may have been why I was bored from time to time.

I found it interesting that little CGI was used in the making of this film and that all of the sets were actually built for the film or borrowed from an actual location. Also, Russell Crowe, who plays Mr. Hood, did an excellent job of portraying the part.

As for the film, I would like to watch it again in hopes to get something that I missed, but by the looks of many people, they were confused about the same thing as me. Maybe it's just me? I mean, I DID enjoy the story very much, it's just that I was expecting something different. However, the story that WAS told was actually very good--just kinda long. I think I WANTED to like the movie way more than I actually LIKED it though.

Overall Grade: B


-Ethan Brehm

MacGruber

I love Saturday Night Live, however, this sketch has never been one of my favorites. However, I do have to say that I liked the movie better than the sketch. It had one or two scenes that were really hysterical. It's about a bombs expert (or something) who makes weapons and tools out of nothing (like MacGyver). Except he's really not all that good, but he gets the job done--kind of like a Jacques Clouseau type of character. In other words, it was an action comedy.

It was great seeing Will Forte (MacGruber) as a leading role because he is really funny, and I've always admired his ability to never break character. Also, Kristen Wiig plays Vicki St. Elmo, who is MacGruber's partner, and I she is one of my favorite all-time cast members on SNL.

But anyway, amidst the hilarious situations and antics, you find some very awkward scenes that make you feel a bit uncomfortable (at least for me). The comedic talent is tremendous in this movie. The type of humor in this film is sort of an acquired taste, and definitely a product of the time that we're living in (much like Animal House or Caddyshack). There are some good one-liners in this film, and it definitely serves the purpose that it was aiming for, however, it may be good, but I just wouldn't find myself buying it on DVD. Although, I would watch it again anytime. I think it would grow on me.

Overall Grade: B


-Ethan Brehm