The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

I literally almost didn't see this movie--but I wanted to say that I saw every movie this year, so I convinced myself to see it. But seeing it meant that I had to watch the first two movies as well. Basically, this film continues the story of the first two installments and furthers Bella's conflict of whether or not she's going to choose Edward or Jacob.

These movies are just a way for the studio to get money. All three films combined could have been made into one movie. These films are like watching grass grow. They are slow and repetitive. Nothing seems to be getting accomplished between films. And this 3rd film almost didn't differ from the decisions that accompanied the endings of the first two films. It feels as though each film barely deepens the story at all. They are way too long, and the filmmakers think that having extremely slow-paced films make people think of it as a work of art. But we don't--we think of it as a bigger waste of time. Why are these films ALL more than 2 hours, when they could literally be combined into one movie of LESS than 2 hours?!?! The dialogue is so unrealistic, but the sad part is that Twilight fans perceive it as realistic. The actor who plays Jacob (Taylor Lautner) is horrible. It's painful watching him act sometimes. The highlight in the acting department is Robert Pattinson (Edward). Otherwise, these films lack character depth in 90% of the characters. Most of these characters could trade roles with the other characters and no one would know the difference.

Also, these films take themselves way too seriously. This one, actually, took itself the LEAST seriously out of the whole franchise. It also provided the most interesting background story out of the 3 existing films. These films make you want to know what happens next, but its like pulling teeth trying to figure it out. Wesley Morris of the Boston Globe states it best by saying, "the movies are interesting without ever being good."

Out of the three films, this one was probably the best and most entertaining, but that isn't saying much.

Overall Grade: C-


-Ethan Brehm

Vampires Suck

In an attempt to mock the Twilight film series, I guess this film served its purpose. The movie is literally an exact parody of the first two Twilight films, starring little known actors.

In an attempt to simulate the popular Scary Movie-type films, this movie falls short. It isn't really funny, and it tries too hard. There were a couple of Leslie Nielsen-type jokes, which were the highlight of the film. Also, the actor who played Jacob in this film did a way better job than Taylor Lautner, who plays Jacob in the real Twilight films. The jokes could be way funnier. I felt like they took the easy route when coming up with jokes. A few were clever, but for the most part they were unmemorable. I mean, I don't like the Twilight series either, and I guess it does point out a few things that are laughable about the parodies movies, but one would actually have to watch the Twilight movies to get the jokes. And, besides critics, the only people who watch the Twilight movies are the people who LOVE the Twilight movies, and in turn would not be the ones wanting to watch this parody movie.

I did like how this film makes people realize that the Twilight movies can fit their entire story line into one movie--which is what this film did very easily. I like the point this film was trying to make--it just wasn't all that funny. The jokes were ones that I could have come up with in junior high after watching the Twilight movies. And it's not a good-grade worthy film.

Overall Grade: D+


-Ethan Brehm

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

This film, starring Michael Cera (as Scott Pilgrim), is an action-comedy movie that crosses the likes of a comic book with a video game. Scott is on a journey to discover himself by defeating his girlfriend Ramona Flowers' 7 evil exes.

This is a great concept, and there's nothing like it out there. It's really a groundbreaking type of movie. The comic book aspect makes it so face-paced that it doesn't even leave room for any slow moments. The acting is great as well. Cera played a character that is slightly different from that of which he usually plays.

Although it was very funny--it was never uncontrollable. The humor was unique, however. The film had a great message of living in the moment. I do recommend seeing this movie--although I feel that many people will be caught off guard by the films nature and this may hinder some's ability to like it. You really gotta just go with it.

Overall Grade: A-


-Ethan Brehm

Step Up 3D

I've never seen the first 2 Step Up films, nor did I see THIS movie in 3D, as it was intended to be seen, but I was very surprised by this film. It stars all little-known actors, and has a typical story about a dance group that is trying to find money so that their practice facility/home don't get foreclosed. There's a rival dance group, and a couple substories to go with it.

I didn't want to see it at all, and it still wasn't a great film by anybody's standards, but it was very entertaining. The choreography was stunning and looks awesome. The acting wasn't horrible either for the most part. One of the main characters, Moose, is played by an actor that I've never seen before but I think has a lot of talent. His name is Adam Sevani, and he reminds me of a young Robert Downey Jr. I can see this kid being big.

Now, the plot wasn't anything unique or terribly believable, but it had heart and had a great message for achieving your goals and doing what you love. The film didn't take itself too seriously at times, but other times it did. However, it kept me entertained--which is what mattered the most.

Overall Grade: B


-Ethan Brehm

The Expendables

If you've seen any of the 80s-style action flicks, you won't be far off from this long-time-no-see version. It stars Sylvester Stallone as Ross, the leader of a group of mercenaries, along with Jet Li (Yin Yang), Mickey Rourke (Tool), Terry Crews (Caesar), Dolph Lundgren (Gunnar), and Jason Statham (Christmas). They are hired by Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) to fulfill a contract to overthrow a dictator on an island in South America called Vilena.

The point of this film is to pay homage to the action stars in the movies that made them famous. Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger also made brief appearances. The movie didn't have any surprise twists, and it wasn't terribly creative--but I think that was the point. There were no high-tech gadgets or smart thinking tricks--just brute force and destruction. It WASN'T modernized, and that's what made it so unique. Yeah sure, I could go my whole life without seeing it again, and it wasn't terribly in-depth, but it was entertaining. I'm usually not one to get gung-ho over action-packed films, but I just like the idea of this film. It didn't take itself too seriously.

At the same time, however, I do like a little bit more depth to the story line. I mean, you knew what the Expendables were doing, but not really sure WHY they were doing it. There wasn't a whole lot of background story. My favorite scene was one that didn't have action in it at all. It was when Mickey Rourke was reminiscing about the "day he passed up on saving what was left of his soul." It was sad, but motivating to not make the same mistake that he did (this doesn't give anything away). It's no Wanted, but it served the purpose it was set out to serve.

Overall Grade: B


-Ethan Brehm

The Kids Are All Right

Usually if a movie is well-acted, not cliche, and a unique story line, I'm gonna like it. This is an exception. It stars Annette Bening (Nick) and Julianne Moore (Julia) as a lesbian couple with two teenage kids who want to find and meet their sperm donor, Paul (Mark Ruffalo), for the first time.

As if the premise isn't awkward enough, how it unfolds is even worse. It's full of uncomfortable and unnecessary sex scenes--even if it were a straight couple. The most interesting part was how the kids reacted and acted towards meeting Paul. The film did have superb acting, however. The film wasn't cliche and it had very real-to-life dialogue, which I like. There just weren't really any funny parts either--and I assume that it was supposed to be a bit of a comedy. A lady behind me said to her friend after the movie was over that the film had great acting, but there wasn't much to the story. This may be so, but that's not what made me not like it. I didn't like it for the fact that it really didn't do anything for me. It didn't provide me with a meaningful and useful message for myself. Maybe for others I guess. I assume it's because I'm pretty conservative, but I don't think I would have like it even if it were a straight couple--in fact I know I wouldn't. And one of the main characters was very abruptly written out of the film in a way that felt rushed--like the writer(s) didn't know what to do.

Watching this film made me realize that I'm not giving films grades so much on how well done they are, but on how much I liked them. And I didn't really like this film all that much.

Overall Grade: D+


-Ethan Brehm

The Other Guys

This movie stars Will Ferrell as Detective Allen Gamble, and Mark Wahlberg as his partner, Detective Terry Hoitz, both of which are idiotic cops who don't get any respect from the other officers. As a situation arises, the two officers are put to the test of whether or not they can get the job done.

This film is hilarious, and the chemistry between both leads is great! With the addition of Michael Keaton as their chief, this movie will make you laugh out loud. It's a new take to a buddy cop film that will make you want to watch over and over again. There were some jokes where it got a little weird, but the parts that weren't weird were really funny. I think that it's a movie that will get funnier the more times I watch it. It may not be as funny as Anchorman, but it still is really worth watching.

Overall Grade: A-


-Ethan Brehm

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

This is the sequel to the successful 2001 film Cats & Dogs where cats and dogs fight each other for pet domination.

There are great references and reprises of characters from the original film. Growing up, I used to love the original film. This sequel still seems to have the original spirit of the first film. It's funny, and almost as good as the original. The film may not be terribly enjoyable for adults, but kids will get a kick out of it. However, there are some scenes that adults will chuckle at too.

There is also a great short before the film featuring Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner.

Overall Grade: A-


-Ethan Brehm

Dinner For Schmucks

When I first saw the trailer for the film, I knew I had to see it! And I wasn't disappointed at all. This comedy stars Paul Rudd as Tim, a financial executive trying to work his way up in the company. He impresses his boss and then gets invited to a "dinner for winners" event, where he must find an "extraordinary" person and bring them to the dinner. The most extraordinary person will win a trophy. He soon finds out that it is a "dinner for idiots" instead. He meets Barry (Steve Carell), a bizarre character who is a taxidermist for mice as a hobby. He also has no self-awareness and isn't very smart. Tim chooses to take Barry as his guest to the dinner. The film continues as they develop a friendship.

This movie was laugh-out-loud the entire time! It was hilarious! It has a great message, and is hysterical at the same time. Paul Rudd and Steve Carell have amazing chemistry together in their 3rd film together. It is brilliantly written and does a great job of exploiting both leads to their full potential.

I'm definitely getting this film on DVD when it comes out. It is by far one of the best films of the year--and definitely the funniest!

Overall Grade: A+


-Ethan Brehm

Charlie St. Cloud

This film, starring Zac Efron as the title character, is about Charlie who becomes conflicted in his life because of the promise he made to his dead brother to meet at a certain spot everyday to spend time with him.

Critics are comparing this film to all those Nicholas Sparks films. Just because it is a movie about love and deeper meaning does not mean that it is all the same. I really liked this film. It has a great message to it. It is full of genuine relationships. Some of the acting may not be superb, but it gets the job done. It was a very cool concept that keeps you highly entertained. Many times we become too critical that we miss the point of the film altogether.

This movie is like a puzzle that is being pieced together in different places to form one big picture in the end. It was well-done, and I'm confused why it didn't get better reviews.

Overall Grade: A


-Ethan Brehm

Salt

I love movies like this! Ones with so many twists and turns that you don't know who to trust anymore. You gotta be attentive! It stars Angelina Jolie as Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent who is interrogating a Russian defector who declares that Russian president will be killed by Russian spy, Evelyn Salt--who happens to be her. Salt is very confused, as she has been loyally working for her country of the United States for most of her life.

This is such a great thriller. It keeps you guessing the whole time and is never too cluttered with special effects. I don't care for Jolie too much as a person, from what I've seen in interviews and whatnot, but she is a heck of an actress. She is totally believable. The film is like a combination of The Fugitive and Paycheck. It's a great film from start to finish and never slows down.

Overall Grade: A


-Ethan Brehm

Ramona and Beezus

This film, based on the Beverly Cleary books, starring Selena Gomez (Beezus) and Joey King (Ramona) as sisters who have a love-hate relationship, as Ramona is on an everlasting quest to do something right--especially when it's coming to helping her family save their house after her dad loses his job. Her imagination is very vivid and active.

This is a very unique kid's movie that will remind many people of how they were when they were kids themselves. The humor is that of a film from 10 or more years ago--yet it is very modern in its own way. This film should make you laugh or something is wrong with you. The acting is terrific throughout in this film, and the chemistry between actors is perfect. It portrays a very real version of how families interact with each other. It recognizes their imperfections as well as displays a genuine example of the typical interactions of the American family.

The film is full of great messages to take risks and "color outside the lines"--among others. It has great lessons for kids, and adults should like it as well. couldn't find anything wrong with this film.

Overall Grade: A+


-Ethan Brehm

Predators

Surprisingly, this was pretty good. At least better than I thought. Starring Adrian Brody and Topher Grace as 2 of the eight strangers that land in this strange forest. They have to survive and figure out why they're there in the first place.

This film is full of mystery and suspense and twists. It never takes itself too seriously--I mean, how could it with Topher Grace as one of the stars. The acting is tremendous, and it gets even better with the brief feature of Laurence Fishburne. It's really violent at parts, which is kind of expected. But overall, the story is pretty good--in fact I really liked it. The only Predator film I've seen is Alien vs. Predator, so I don't know a whole lot about these films. The only part that I didn't like was the scariness of it (which wasn't too bad) and it wasn't scares for scares sake--it was all pretty much involved with the story.

The film had a good message and it's just too bad sometimes that films like this never get any long-term recognition. As far as movies go, this one's not bad.

Overall Grade: B+


-Ethan Brehm