Cast: Jim Sturgess (Ben Campbell), Kevin Spacey (Prof. Micky Rosa), Kate Bosworth (Jill Taylor), Aaron Yoo (Choi), Liza Lapira (Kianna), Laurence Fishburne (Cole Williams)
For complete info, see IMDb's 21 page.
I was looking forward to seeing 21 and really wanted to see it in a theatre, but didn't get around to it. I somehow missed having it sent out when the DVD was released through Netflix, so it was at the top of my list for a long time before I got it. I definitely recommend renting 21 if you missed it in a theatre.
The fact that 21 is based on a true story definitely added to the appeal for me. The cast is amazing and the story is very well told. Of course, I don't know how well the movie matches up with what happened in real life as the kids from MIT headed to Vegas to count cards. The movie is very interesting and held my attention. Any time someone is beating the odds in Vegas, it's fun to watch. The way it changed these MIT students was entertaining.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2008, drama, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, movie
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Brandon Routh (Clark Kent/Superman), Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane), Kevin Spacey (Lex Luthor), James Marsden (Richard White), Parker Posey (Kitty Kowalski)
For complete info, see IMDb's Superman Returns page.
Since I only saw this movie in the IMAX 3D version, so I can't comment on the regular screen versions, but seeing it from the ideal location (center of the row and not too far up) for an IMAX theatre, this movie was incredible!
I wasn't sure how to feel about a new Superman movie. The originals were favorites of mine when I was younger and I wasn't sure I was ready for them to replace Christopher Reeve or Gene Hackman.
That being said, I think this cast was amazing! The addition of Kitty Kowalski (brilliantly portrayed by Parker Posey) really pushed this movie over the top to greatness - she was the perfect comic relief! I'm surprised that Tristan Lake Leabu who played Jason White (Lois's son) has never done anything before. I think we'll see him in a lot more. He was very good!
It was nice to see that during his time away Superman really improved his costume. The material is much better now and the look is definitely far superior to the original. You can tell Louise Mingenbach took a lot of time figuring out what to do for this costume. Very well chosen design.
Of course, it will always amaze me that Superman has such a horrible cover. I wear one contact most of the time, but sometimes I wear glasses. When I do, everyone still recognizes me. Occasionally, I get the "You wear glasses?" question, but I've never had anyone ask who I am if they already know me. *sigh* But, that isn't something those who created this movie, or the original, are responsible for, so I can't knock the movie for it.
I was glad to see a couple people seem to be starting to figure out that Clark Kent just MIGHT be Superman... Perhaps someday they'll put two and two together.
I highly recommend getting to an IMAX theatre to see Superman Returns if you can, even though only 4 scenes are in 3D (which I didn't realize until we got into the theatre - I guess that's the down side of not watching TV ads or listening to the radio much). The entire movie is in IMAX and seeing Superman Returns that was is definitely the best way to go. Of course, it wasn't filmed in IMAX (which they don't tell you till the movie is starting either), but it was still amazing. Heck, I even thought seeing a non-IMAX movie on that giant screen was worth it when they've done that in the past, so I would highly recommend it even if the IMAX company wasn't involved. The quality is definitely better with IMAX, though - you can't deny that.
I'm sure Superman Returns will be in theatres for a while, but definitely make sure you catch it while it is! This is one where the special effects really make seeing it on the big screen a must!
Grade: B+
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
If you haven't seen the movie and don't want any spoilers, stop reading now.
It bothered me a bit that Superman's son was such a weak child (on an inhaler and countless other medications). But, then I thought about it a bit.... and I figured that a couple options are possible and both of them work enough for me to be okay with it.
1. He could take a while to grow into his powers. And, perhaps didn't get enough sun when he was younger to be fully healthy, since a son of Clark's would get extra energy from the sun.
2. He could be over-medicated because the doctors don't understand him. If you think about how quickly doctors toss medications at kids (look at all the kids on ADD, many of whom are probably just too advanced for their teachers or need to be moved into the next grade), and adults for that matter. I'm not saying all doctors do this, but I definitely think our society as a whole is pretty over-medicated. Since doctors probably wouldn't understand any of Jason's blood work, they would be likely to think he needed medications. And those might have even made him weaker to some extent.
I know, I over-analyze some things in movies too much. I thought the movie was wonderful!
Labels: 2006, 3D, action, adventure, comics, fantasy, IMAX, James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, movie, sci-fi
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:15 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Kate Bosworth (Rosalee Futch), Topher Grace (Pete Monash), Josh Duhamel (Tad Hamilton), Nathan Lane (Richard Levy the Driven), Sean Hayes (Richard Levy the Shameless)
For complete info, see IMDb's Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! page.
A small-town girl wins a date with a big celebrity trying to clean up his image. The date goes better than anyone anticipated and all of a sudden the celebrity is acting like a changed man. Of course, the girl's best friend has issues with this, since he's always had a crush on her... It's a chick flick and a bit sappy, but it's a cute movie. Worth seeing if the cute romantic comedy is your thing. I enjoy them for what they are - totally light afternoon fun. If you can do that, then you'll enjoy this. If a movie has to have more meaning for you, forget Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!.
The cast is really great. I adore Nathan Lane and Sean Hayes and seeing them work together was great. They're such great comic actors!
Grade: B
Labels: 2004, comedy, Josh Duhamel, Kate Bosworth, movie, Nathan Lane, romance, Topher Grace
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:25 PM show | 0 screams