Cast: Will Smith (Ben Thomas), Rosario Dawson (Emily Posa), Woody Harrelson (Ezra Turner), Michael Ealy (Ben's Brother)
For complete info, see IMDb's Seven Pounds page.
The only thing I really knew about Seven Pounds before seeing it was that it looked pretty sad at times and was starring Will Smith & Rosario Dawson. That was enough for me. I'd see Will Smith in almost anything. He rarely seems to make bad choices when it comes to movies. Seven Pounds was no exception to this rule. I can't say too much about the movie without spoiling parts of it, but Seven Pounds is definitely very sad at times. It's inspirational, but not a happy film. I highly recommend renting it if you didn't see Seven Pounds in a theatre.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2008, drama, movie, Rosario Dawson, Will Smith, Woody Harrelson
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:30 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (John Hancock), Charlize Theron (Mary Embrey), Jason Bateman (Ray Embrey)
For complete info, see IMDb's Hancock page.
I rented this movie based solely on the fact that Will Smith was in the movie. I'd see anything he does, really (and clearly many fans agree with me on this one, since his movies do very well - every genre). Hancock was better than I anticipated, since the plot didn't really look that interesting from the little I'd seen in previews.
The thing I like most about the previews for Hancock is that they do not give away the entire plot of the movie. Though this made it seem like I'd be less interested in the outcome of the movie, I appreciated the fact that I didn't know most of the details of the plot before seeing the movie.
Hancock is an action movie and a comedy, so clearly it's not an intellectual film. Though the special effects would have been better on a big screen, Hancock is more of a rental for me and I think I made the right choice. There's a bit more to it than just a super hero who has a bad reputation, so it's worth renting if you didn't think it was worth seeing in a theatre.
Grade: B
Labels: 2008, action, Charlize Theron, comedy, crime, drama, fantasy, Jason Bateman, movie, Will Smith
Reviewed by Kat at the 6:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (Chris Gardner), Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (Christopher), Thandie Newton (Linda), Brian Howe (Jay Twistle), James Karen (Martin Frohm)
For complete information, see IMDb's The Pursuit of Happyness page.
This was the perfect movie choice for Christmas day. Unlike the other movie at the top of our joint list (The Good Shepherd), The Pursuit of Happyness is an amazingly touching movie about a man who will do anything he can to make sure his son is happy and safe and that he and his son will always be together.
The Pursuit of Happyness is based on the book of the same name, which is based on the real life of Chris Gardner. The way Chris conquered all obstacles on the way to achieving his dreams really is amazing. This story shows that if you really work hard, you can accomplish great things in life.
I'm definitely going to read the book to see the changes they made for the movie, though it seems they didn't make too many (David looked it up online as soon as we got home). I also like how the misspelling of happiness is tied into the story. I thought it was interesting when I saw the title, but seeing the story behind the misspelled word makes it much more interesting.
The cast of The Pursuit of Happyness is amazing! Jaden is already a good actor, which isn't surprising when you look at his parents. I highly recommend seeing this movie. It's a great story that was very well done on film.
Grade: A
Labels: 2006, comedy, drama, Jaden Smith, movie, Thandie Newton, Will Smith
Reviewed by Kat at the 1:05 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (Alex 'Hitch' Hitchens), Eva Mendes (Sara), Kevin James (Albert), Amber Valletta (Allegra Cole)
For complete info, see IMDb's Hitch page.
This story about a professional date doctor who helps his client woo the women of their dreams is wonderful and has some original spins on the typical romantic comedy. Misunderstandings play a big part in Hitch, which is par for the course in a romantic comedy. The amazing cast and good writing really make Hitch stand out as a movie well worth watching.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2005, comedy, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, movie, romance, Will Smith
Reviewed by Kat at the 3:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (Del Spooner), Bridget Moynahan (Susan Calvin), Alan Tudyk (Sonny)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's I, Robot page.
I was pleasantly surprised with I, Robot. I saw it for Will Smith, but didn't think the plot would be all that interesting. They actually did a great job making a believable issue in the futuristic world. The special effects were worth seeing I, Robot in the theatre and the story was very good.
Grade: B+
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:00 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (Agent Jay), Tommy Lee Jones (Kevin Brown, Agent Kay), Rosario Dawson (Laura Vasquez)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Men in Black II page.
I enjoyed this as much as the first Men in Black movie. Another wonderful Will Smith 4th of July weekend movie! Lots of action, aliens, and fun. Nothing serious, but if you want a fun holiday weekend flick, this is the movie for you.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2002, action, comedy, movie, sci-fi, Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith
Reviewed by Kat at the 6:25 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (Bagger Vance), Matt Damon (Rannulph Junuh), Charlize Theron (Adele Invergordon), Bruce McGill (Walter Hagen)
For complete cast, see IMDb's The Legend of Bagger Vance page.
I'm not a fan of golf, but the cast of The Legend of Bagger Vance had me immediately interested in this movie. I wasn't disappointed. I think the cast is amazing and the story is very good. I think The Legend of Bagger Vance addresses the issues involved in picking up something you were very good at later in the game after having left it for years. It's very difficult to do and Bagger Vance's help was definitely needed in achieving that goal.
Definitely worth the time to watch this movie. Even if you don't like golf, give it a chance.
Grade: B
Labels: 2000, Charlize Theron, drama, Matt Damon, movie, romance, sports, Will Smith
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:40 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (Robert Clayton Dean), Gene Hackman (Edward 'Brill' Lyle), Barry Pepper (Det. David Pratt), John Voight (Thomas Brian Reynolds), Regina King (Carla Dean)
For complete info, see IMDb's Enemy of the State page.
The tagline of Enemy of the State ("It's not paranoia if they're really after you.") is one of my favorites. And I think the tagline perfectly describes this movie about a lawyer who accidentally finds key evidence to a politically motivated crime. This is a great thriller with a wonderful cast! I'd see Will Smith in almost anything, but Enemy of the State is worth seeing even if you're not a huge Will Smith or Gene Hackman fan. It's an exciting thriller that's fun to watch.
Grade: B+
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:15 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K (Kay)), Will Smith (James Edwards/Agent J (Jay)/"Slick"), Linda Fiorentino (Dr. Laurel Weaver/Agent L (Elle))
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Men in Black page.
Such a fun summer movie! As long as you go into this knowing that it's just going to be a fun (and funny) movie, I think you'll enjoy it. Men in Black is witty and hilarious. Will Smith has always managed to make me laugh, and this alien adventure, which tells you the tabloids print the real truth on our planet is hilarious.
Grade: B+
Labels: 1997, action, adventure, comedy, movie, sci-fi, Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:40 PM show | 0 screams
Cast: Will Smith (Captain Steven 'Steve' Hiller), Bill Pullman (President Thomas J. Whitmore), Mary McDonnell (First Lady Marilyn Whitmore), Jeff Goldblum (David Levinson)
For complete cast info, see IMDb's Independence Day page.
Such a great 4th of July movie! Independence Day is a wonderful action movie with a great cast. Will Smith is absolutely hilarious in this one! A must see if you somehow let it escape you when it was in theatres.
Sure, the plot is a bit weak, but who cares? Will Smith blows up aliens to save the world in Independence Day. If that's not enough for you in an action movie, you probably don't like action movies and should skip this. If you enjoy action movies, you'll greatly enjoy this one!
Grade: B+
Labels: 1996, action, Bill Pullman, movie, sci-fi, thriller, Will Smith
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:30 PM show | 0 screams