More often than not, sequels to animated films are stale and uninspired. For every magical "Toy Story 2," we must endure atrocities like "Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2." But "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" is an uproariously funny movie that is emotionally and visually richer than its 2005 original. With sharp, breathtaking animation, "Madagascar 2" delivers lessons in friendship, individuality and community while boasting a plethora of boogieing animal tushies to keep kids hooked.
The Halloween release date for "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" was quite an appropriate one; it takes one tough cookie not to be frightened by the prospect of Seth Rogen in an adult film. All jokes aside, "Zack and Miri" doesn't quite match up to the comedic geniuses of Rogen and director Kevin Smith's previous films, but nevertheless bursts with hysterical antics and great interaction between characters.
Of an all too familiar genre of cop dramas, "Pride and Glory" had to create a dynamite, new angle to sell to film cynics. The movie does just this by creating an urban incest of conflicting police activity between two brothers-in-law. When Edward Norton's character is being questioned by other police officers, it's as if he speaks directly to film skeptics, "this isn't going to go how you want it to." "Pride and Glory" combines high-quality acting with intriguing visual artistry to rejuvenate its tired genre.
When the first High School Musical movie came out in 2005, it became an indelible fascination for billions of preteen girls. Its sequel, High School Musical 2, attracted around 17.3 million viewers and became the highest-rated Disney Channel Movie ever. Director Kenny Ortega returns with his cast in the brainless yet glamorous final installment, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," that is sure to set elementary school girls into squeals of delight.
Based on the New York Times best selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd, "The Secret Life of Bees" is a heartwarming family film that manages to incorporate spirituality, life lessons, American history and honest emotion without becoming overly sentimental. Unlike most literary interpretations, in which the actors usually fail to portray an accurate image of characters as the reader pictures them, this production remains true to the book and showcases a cast that is just right for the themes of love, family and personal exploration.
Objectivity is Oliver Stone's virtue. Surprisingly, Stone, an extreme left-winger, directs a fair recount of the life of President George W. Bush in "W.," a biographical film that provides both insight and depth into a figure we are quick to mock. Despite the balanced portrayal, "W." lacks as much as George Bush does in brain cells. The highly anticipated film disappointedly becomes too sloppy and lengthy for true enjoyment. Although casting and acting are superb, "W." simply fails to deliver.
A movie about a guy meeting a girl over the internet and then traveling 500 miles just so he can lose his virginity to her? Sounds like "Road Trip" and "American Pie" just had a baby. Perhaps it's also a cousin of "EuroTrip." Either way, it doesn't take a genius to figure out "Sex Drive" is just another typical teenage movie, complete with lots of gross humor and nudity galore.
Ever since the beginning of the Iraq War, Hollywood has been searching for ways to profit from Middle East turmoil with rather limited success. Warner Bros., the latest studio to jump on the bandwagon, brings together superstars Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe in "Body of Lies," the eponymous film adaptation of David Igantius's 2007 bestseller. Unfortunately for audiences, the movie is low on action and heavy on meaningless dialogue.
There is much more to "Eagle Eye" than nonstop glass shattering, intense police chases and gun-pointing associated with most action films. With a distinctively alarming plot and exceptional cinematography, the film almost reaches the ranks of the Bourne series. "Eagle Eye" is gripping, incorporating issues such as terrorism and the conquest of technology that are frighteningly relevant in the world today.
If there is one message to be taken from "Lakeview Terrace," it is to never move in next to Samuel L. Jackson.
A remake of the celebrated 1939 George Cukor-directed film about infidelity, divorce and friendship starring Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford, "The Women" is certainly entertaining, but fails to capture the social bite and catty spirit of the original. Director Diane English brings to the big screen a movie with little relevancy or insight. Instead of making a point about female empowerment, English makes women look vain and selfish while throwing in a few snappy one-liners to draw laughs from a primarily female audience.
Take a convoluted storyline, mix it with a disappointing supporting cast, uninspired cinematic direction and questionable production quality - the result is a film that exudes the pungent stench of "done before." Then, throw in two of cinema's most critically acclaimed actors: Robert de Niro ("Raging Bull," "Taxi Driver") and Al Pacino ("The Godfather," "Scarface") in their first collaboration in 13 years. The result: "Righteous Kill," a testament to wasted potential.
"Bangkok Dangerous" rehashes an all-too-common Hollywood action flick plot: cold-blooded assassin discovers love and compassion, which ultimately interferes with his job. The movie does not offer any new plot twists or any fresh perspective about hired killing. The lack of originality, while masked through intricate fight sequences and progressive cinematography, leaves the audience with cynicism.
Imagine a rapidly fading movie star still brimming with celebrity ego, an Australian actor turned black, an obscene and rap-enthused star selling the energy drink Booty Sweat, a cocaine-addicted actor known for his farting abilities on screen and a slightly dorky young star collaborating on an honorable film commemorating courageous Vietnam War veterans. The image is looking slightly incongruous...and completely ridiculous.
"Star Wars: Clone Wars" is the epitome of a stretched-out series, milked for all its worth. In this case, Warner Bros. tries to stretch out Twentieth Century Fox's "Star Wars" series until what is left is an inartistic sequence of battle scenes with brief intervals of dialogue that is more clichéd and uncreative than the other "Star Wars" films. It is surprising that George Lucas would even associate his name with this stain on the "Star Wars" name, let alone produce it.
A disappointing end to the two-film series, "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" is a sweet but choppy adaptation of the last three books in Ann Brashares' renowned series. A movie most likely to be enjoyed solely by teenage girls, it doesn't attempt to be more than a light chick flick. Although the acting and predictable ending leave much to be desired, the movie does manage a few valuable lessons about love and friendship that will be able to stand the test of time.
America has seen funnier and deserves better than yet another story of a dysfunctional family, this time with two middle-aged losers-turned-brothers who refuse to grow up. "Step Brothers" stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, both of whom have considerable talent and chemistry on screen (think "Talladega Nights", "Anchorman" and "Walk Hard"). Their usual hilarity only raises our expectations. But as stepbrothers, the duo is a disappointment. The plot is tiring and thin, the story is old and the movie is ultimately a collection of juvenile jokes focusing on fart, vomit and other exploits best left in the bathroom - much like the film itself.
In a summer drowning in light-hearted, comedic superhero blockbusters - think smash hits such as "Iron Man" and "Hancock" - "The Dark Knight" provides a welcome respite from cheerful brightness. Director Christopher Nolan creates an intensely dark and dramatic film that places a menacing spin upon the Batman franchise and its most enduring villain: the Joker.
American ABBA fans will be ABBA-solutely merry with the most entertaining party of the summer, all on film. This feature-film adaptation of the beloved musical, complete with an all-star cast, alluring scenery and all-too-catchy songs puts "Mamma Mia!" in a lively light. "How you thrill me," shouts the song "Honey, Honey," and it is the sentiment that will follow moviegoers home about the Broadway hit that shines on the big screen.
With gratuitous violence, a few transparent punch lines and one big-name celebrity, "Hancock" makes a half-hearted attempt to join the ranks of classic super-hero movies – "Spiderman," "Batman," "Superman" – that have long appealed to movie-goers of all ages. The film's only salvation are the striking special effects, evocative of the James Bond movie line, that appear in the form of bullets, breaking glass and scorching explosions to startle and excite audiences.
Leave it to Disney to make a cold metal robot seem warm and lovable. The newest addition to the long line of adored Disney-Pixar film characters, including Marlin, an overprotective clownfish and Remy, a rat with enviable culinary talent, is Wall-E, a robot who's heart of gold outshines his rusty metal exterior. "WALL-E" is a fascinating little movie with a moral that reaches out to people of all ages.
With a plot thinner than supporting actress Angelina Jolie's arms, "Wanted" comes up short in everything but explosive violence. Only certain adrenaline seekers will enjoy the graphic violence and action in this fast-paced assassin movie, with an opening scene that includes a close up of a bullet ripping through a man's forehead.
No matter how well-crafted a remake is, there will inevitably be unhappy fans of the original. The movie "Get Smart," based on the 1960s sitcom of the same name, will surely disappoint those who were hoping for a nostalgic replication of the original. In many respects, the movie is quite different from the show, but it does a commendable job of paying homage to the sitcom while altering the comedic style to cater to current tastes.
It's happening: M. Night Shyamalan has finally redeemed himself. From the filmmaker who has been in a recent slump (think 2006's muddy "Lady in the Water") comes "The Happening," a film that will pleasantly surprise Shyamalan skeptics and recalls his better earlier work, like "The Sixth Sense" and "Signs."
After Ang Lee's flop with 2003's "The Hulk," director Louis Leterrier's "The Incredible Hulk" is back with a vengeance. "The Incredible Hulk" provides a breath of fresh air, and is altogether stronger, faster and more furious than its old self – but still not quite incredible.
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