Cast: Nicolas Cage (Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider), Eva Mendes (Roxanne Simpson)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Ghost Rider page.
Ghost Rider looked like it was going to be so good from the previews. Fortunately, a few friends of mine saw it and told me to skip it in the theatre. It was worth watching on TV and it'd be worth renting, but seeing it in the theatre wasn't necessary. I didn't stop watching it, which is more than I can say of some other movies I recorded over the years, so it was entertaining enough to watch. Nothing super exciting or surprising, but worth seeing.
Grade: C
Labels: 2007, action, comics, drama, Eva Mendes, fantasy, movie, Nicolas Cage, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 9:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nicolas Cage (Ben Gates), Diane Kruger (Abigail Chase), Justin Bartha (Riley Poole), Jon Voight (Patrick Gates), Helen Mirren (Prof. Emily Appleton), Ed Harris (Mitch Wilkinson), Bruce Greenwood (the President)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's National Treasure: Book of Secrets page.
I'd heard some good and some mediocre things about National Treasure: Book of Secrets. I have to say I agree with those on the mediocre side. This movie wasn't nearly as good as the original and I'm glad I didn't bother to see it in a theatre. It was worth watching at home while doing some other stuff, but if I'd given it my full attention I probably would have been bored at points.
The cast is still great and everything is well done, the second movie just seems to be missing something. I didn't find it nearly as interesting as the first movie.
Grade: C
Labels: 2007, action, adventure, Bruce Greenwood, Ed Harris, Helen Mirren, Jon Voight, movie, mystery, Nicolas Cage, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nicolas Cage (David Spritz), Michael Caine (Robert Spritz), Hope Davis (Noreen)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's The Weather Man page.
Definitely glad that we rented this through Netflix instead of seeing it in a movie theater, but it was enjoyable. Not the typical Nicholas Cage flick. Michael Caine was wonderful as always and the rest of the cast was great, too! The story definitely dragged in a few parts, but most of the time it held my interest.
Worth the time to rent it now that it's available on DVD.
Grade: B-
Labels: 2005, comedy, drama, Michael Caine, movie, Nicolas Cage
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nicolas Cage (Ben Gates), Diane Kruger (Abigail Chase), Justin Bartha (Riley Poole), Sean Bean (Ian Howe), Jon Voight (Patrick Gates)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's National Treasure page.
National Treasure reminded me a lot of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - just without the video game tie-in. I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. From previews, it looked more like a rental, but on Christmas Day, it seemed it was one of the best movies available to see and I think we were all surprised that it was so interesting. I think we expected an action/adventure movie, but didn't expect to be as interested in the story.
The idea of a treasure hunter who has always believed in a hidden treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence is a cool one - especially when they decide to actually break in to steal it. Granted, this part was a bit of a stretch. According to everything that's ever been published, this would not be possible due to the extended security measures and the Declaration would actually be protected by these measures. But, who knows if that's accurate or not? And besides, this is a movie. Give them the benefit of buying into the story and just go along for the ride and I think you'll enjoy the movie. It's fast-paced, has a great cast, a very good story, and is fun to watch. What more can you ask for in a holiday movie?
Grade: B
Labels: 2004, action, adventure, drama, Jon Voight, movie, mystery, Nicolas Cage
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:50 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nicholas Cage (Rick Santoro), Gary Sinise (Commander Kevin Dunne), John Heard (Gilbert Powell), Carla Gugino (Julia Costello)
For complete cast, see IMDb's Snake Eyes page.
A crooked police detective ends up in the middle of a murder conspiracy at a big boxing match. I found this movie entertaining. Not the best crime drama out there, but it's still worth watching. And, as a Broadway theatre fan, I liked seeing Chip Zien in this movie, even though it was a minor part.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, crime, drama, movie, mystery, Nicolas Cage, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 12:15 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nicolas Cage (Seth), Meg Ryan (Maggie Rice), Andre Braugher (Cassiel), Dennis Fanz (Nathaniel Messinger), Colm Feore (Jordan Ferris)
For complete cast, see IMDb's City of Angels page.
In spite of Meg Ryan being the lead female in this movie, I enjoyed it more thanI expected. It's a bit of a chick flick, definitely. However, the story of an angel who falls in love with a human and gives up everything he's ever known for her only to be disappointed by a reality where he still can't have her is a good story and it was well done. Definitely worth the time to rent this one.
Grade: B
Labels: 1998, drama, fantasy, Meg Ryan, movie, Nicolas Cage, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 5:20 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nicolas Cage (Cameron Poe), John Cusack (U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin), John Malkovich (Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom), Ving Rhames (Nathan 'Diamond Dog' Jones)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Con Air page.
With one of the most amazing casts assembled for an action thriller movie, Con Air was a fun summer movie! This story about a guy who's going home to his wife and little girl on a transport full of some of the most dangerous killers in the prison system was very well done. The plot is interesting and the underlying story of a man trying to get home to his family is also good. Unlikely heroes can make for great movies and I definitely recommend seeing Con Air if you somehow missed it. Con Air is one of those movies you can watch again and again and still laugh.
Grade: B+
Labels: 1997, action, crime, John Cusack, John Malkovich, movie, Nicolas Cage, thriller
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:10 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Nicolas Cage (Ben Sanderson), Elisabeth Shue (Sera), Julian Sands (Yuri), Richard Lewis (Peter), Steven Weber (Marc Nussbaum)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Leaving Las Vegas page.
An alcoholic screenwriter who has lost everything because of his addiction goes to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he meets Sera, who he befriends and forms a pact not to interfere in the others' lives. Leaving Las Vegas is a wonderful movie! Definitely not for those who can't handle depressing moments in film, but if you can and you somehow missed this, rent it now. It won one Oscar and was nominated for tons of other awards for a reason. Check it out!
Grade: A-
Labels: 1995, drama, Elisabeth Shue, movie, Nicolas Cage, romance
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:50 PM show | 0 screams