The Roommate Movie Review

Starring Minja Kelly and Leighton Meester. Whenever Hollywood runs low on movie plots, they go into the archives of old movies and redo it. Such is the case here. Single White Female was a film in 1992 about a psychotic roommate. In the new version, Sarah-Leighton Meester [...]]]>

The Roommate Movie Review

Starring Minja Kelly and Leighton Meester. Whenever Hollywood runs low on movie plots, they go into the archives of old movies and redo it. Such is the case here. Single White Female was a film in 1992 about a psychotic roommate. In the new version, Sarah-Leighton Meester is a pretty freshman from Iowa coming to school in Los Angeles to study fashion design. Her roommate Rebecca-Minka Kelly is the daughter of a wealthy family in Beverly Hills. She appears to be introverted as well as overly protective and possessive. Sarah quickly discovers that Rebecca is a psychotic girl who does not take her medication. Their relationship starts to fall apart with Sarah finding a boy friend.

The film is suspenseful and fun. In an earlier time in film history it would be called a B movie. We enjoyed it. See it now or wait for Red Box to probably have it in a couple of weeks. If you enjoy it, be sure to rent Single White Female.

The Mechanic Movie Review

If you are looking for a movie with great acting, well thought out and profound story and a good moral, this is not your film. Arthur Bishop-Jason Statham is a hit man working for a company that enjoys rubbing out people. After he is given a contract to rub out a friend who did the company wrong, he takes on the dead man’s son as a protege’ -(Ben Foster) assassin. Things get dicey when the protege’ discovers that Arthur killed his dad. Wonderful action and pyrotechnics. The movie is good escapist entertainment.

No Strings Attached Movie Review

Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman, Kevin Kline. Natalie Portman is on a high coming off her Oscar nomination for Black Swan. She is a young medical resident doctor who is having a sex only relationship with a man whose life she has come into contact with since they were teens. She wants the physicality but not the emotional rewards of their relationship. It would appear this is a tawdry premise for a film but it is done tastefully. Over time he falls in love with her and she is not in love with him or anyone else. There is real chemistry between Natalie and Ashton. The film is an enjoyable way to share a box of popcorn.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com

2011 Ballantyne Scoop

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True Grit Movie Review

A young woman (Hailey Steinfeld) seeks out a dirty US Marshall (Jeff Bridges) to find and bring to trial her father’s killer (Josh Brolin). This film is a real winner. Hailey Steinfeld steals the film and I would predict she has a big career ahead of her. [...]]]>

True Grit Movie Review

A young woman (Hailey Steinfeld) seeks out a dirty US Marshall (Jeff Bridges) to find and bring to trial her father’s killer (Josh Brolin). This film is a real winner. Hailey Steinfeld steals the film and I would predict she has a big career ahead of her. Jeff Bridges plays Rooster Cogburn a role which gave John Wayne his only Academy Award. Matt Damon plays a Texas Ranger also looking for the bad guy. The film is very well done and I would expect to see a couple of award nominations. The cinematography is wonderful. This shares little with the original True Grit film of 1969. I saw this film twice and enjoyed both times.

Yogi Bear Movie Review

This is a modern adaptation of the old Hanna and Barbera cartoon of two bears living in Jellystone Park. Dan Ackroyd does the voice of Yogi-”Smarter than the average bear”. and Justin Timberlake does BooBoo. The film is done with live actors and computer generated imaging. It is cute and your kids will enjoy it. Nothing special but a nice way to spend an hour or so eating popcorn.

Gulliver’s Travels Movie Review

A man working in the mail department of a magazine (Jack Black) convinces travel editor (Amanda Peet) that he can be a good writer. She sends him off to do an article on the Bermuda Triangle and he ends up in Lilliput where he is a giant. The country has a beautiful princess (Emily Blunt). If you read the book, you will be disappointed. If you did not read the book, you will be disappointed in the writing and acting. Perfectly mediocre. Wait until it comes out on Red Box in a couple of weeks.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com

2011 Ballantyne Scoop

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Little Fockers Movie Review

Usually a sequel becomes rather long in the tooth the third time around however the Little Fockers still has the zing that makes this franchise so popular. You do not have to have seen the first two, Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers to appreciate this [...]]]>

Little Fockers Movie Review

Usually a sequel becomes rather long in the tooth the third time around however the Little Fockers still has the zing that makes this franchise so popular. You do not have to have seen the first two, Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers to appreciate this newest one. Ben Stiller as Greg, a registered nurse is now head of a big nursing department in a Chicago hospital. He and his wife Pam played by Teri Polo have five year old twins. Pam’s parents Jack and Deena played by Robert DiNiro and Blythe Danner come to visit for Christmas. Jack a former CIA operative is paranoid and is concerned that Greg may be fooling around.

Greg is contacted by Jeri Garcia, Jessica Alba, a drug rep for an ED drug for men with heart issues. She wants him to represent the drug and he is reluctant to do so. Greg gives a speech to a group of doctors but does not tell his family about it. He comes home with a box of samples not telling the family. Jack takes a dose with hysterical results.

Pam’s former fiance Kevin, played by Owen Wilson, is a wealthy kook having made his money in the stock market. It is apparent he still likes Pam and that is okay with Jack.

Greg’s parents Roz Focker played by Barbra Streisand and Bernie played by Dustin Hoffman play minor parts but are funny. Roz is a sex therapist and has a TV program ala Dr. Ruth. Bernie, a former attorney has been a house husband for the past twenty five years. In the words of Roz, he is going through Manopause.

All in all, the film is very funny and the humor may not be suitable to the little ones. There is chemistry among the members and it is obvious they enjoyed making this film. I may see it a second time.

How Do You Know Movie Review

Lisa, played by Reese Witherspoon is an Olympic softball player. She just discovered she was cut from the team due to her age. She is dating Matty, Owen Wilson, who is a star pitcher for the Washington DC baseball team. He is totally insincere in his feeling for Lisa and for women in general. He keeps a stock of new sweat suits for his conquests to wear home. He can throw a 95 MPH fast ball and makes $19 million a year. Lisa knows she can do better but for some unexplained reason doesn’t try to hard to do so.

George played by Paul Rudd is head of a successful business created by his now retired father played by Jack Nicholson. He discovers that he is the subject of a federal investigation and does not know why. Lisa and George meet and it is apparent that there is no chemistry between the two. George was dating a physics professor who promptly dumped him when she realized he may be in trouble.

As with any romantic comedy, boy meets girl, falls in love and they live happily ever after. Reese Witherspoon was very good in this role as she is in every role. Owen Wilson plays Owen Wilson and that gets a little old. Paul Rudd is convincing as the innocent who is in trouble and Jack Nicholson plays an irascible and arrogant no so loving father. We enjoyed the film and although it does not have some of the punch of some other chick flix I enjoy, this film was worth the $7 price of the popcorn. Reese Witherspoon is one of my favorites and she saves this film.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com

2010 Ballantyne Scoop

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Red Movie Review

RED in CIA terms means Retired and Extremely Dangerous. Bruce Willis is a retired CIA agent living in Cleveland who discovered that there are people out to kill him. Scene one: In the middle of the night he goes down stairs and finds four people dressed in black [...]]]>

Red Movie Review

RED in CIA terms means Retired and Extremely Dangerous. Bruce Willis is a retired CIA agent living in Cleveland who discovered that there are people out to kill him. Scene one: In the middle of the night he goes down stairs and finds four people dressed in black and armed to the teeth. He subdues them, puts a metal plate on his stove with bullets in it and heads to the basement where he take a stash of high tech guns, passports and cash and heads out of the house to escape. When the bullets start to fire, the house is assailed by a dozen or more agents with machine guns.

He links up with a couple of others played by John Malkovich, Helen Miran and Morgan Freeman also on the hit list. With his girlfriend played by Mary Louise Parker they go around the country and engage in many unbelievable actions. The film is a lot of fun and should be enjoyed with tongue in cheek. Bruce Willis plays the typical he man super stud and does it well. Helen Miran is a delight as a toughie. When asked by Mary Louise what she did with the CIA, Miran answers in her wonderful British accent, “I killed people, dear”.

We truly enjoyed the film and look forward to seeing it again. It is candy for the mind and don’t try to take it seriously.

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The actors certainly did not. I rated it 4 of 5 for an action film. You should not be disappointed..

Secretariat Movie Review

Diane Lane plays Penny Tweedy, a strong woman in the late 1960′s who is an educated housewife in Denver. She oversees her family consisting of a successful attorney and four children. Her mother dies in Virginia and Penny goes back to the funeral. Her father is suffering from dementia but was running a farm raising race horses. One of their mares is expecting a foal whose sire is a champion. The new born horse is eventually named Secretariat.

Penny is a housewife and is not taken seriously. Her strong character wins everyone. She feels that this horse can be a champion his self and she contacts Lucian Lauren played by John Malkovich. He is a semi retired eccentric trainer. He turns the horse into the biggest superstar in horse racing.

Not a horse racing fan, I found this movie to be wonderful. The photography is breathtaking and the music track expands the experience. We knew how the movie ends but never the less it holds one’s interest to the last frame. Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973. The last race was won by a margin not passed to this date. This film should be an Academy Award nomination for Diane Lane and perhaps a best supporting for Malkovich.

This film is a treat for adults but is a good choice for children. Although it is a Walt Disney film, it is not saccharin sweet.

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I rated this 4 3/4 of 5. Don’t miss it. It is better on the big screen than it will be on the small one at home.

- Bruce Kantor
bruce@kantorandassociates.com

2010 Ballantyne, NC

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Get Low Movie Review

Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, Lucas Black and Gerald McRamey. This film is based upon a true life experience.

Robert Duvall plays Felix Bush a man who forty years earlier became a reclusive hermit. He is the butt of speculation and rumor. Getting on in [...]]]>

Get Low Movie Review

Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, Lucas Black and Gerald McRamey. This film is based upon a true life experience.

Robert Duvall plays Felix Bush a man who forty years earlier became a reclusive hermit. He is the butt of speculation and rumor. Getting on in age, he decides to see the local undertaker played by Bill Murray to have a funeral while he is still alive. At the funeral he spills a secret which explains his prior forty years.

Robert Duvall deserves an Academy Award nomination for this performance. He becomes Felix Bush. Bill Murray was not his usual annoying self and turns out a good performance. I highly recommend the film. It is a shame that it is playing on so few screens. You will not be disappointed.

The American Movie Review

George Clooney plays Jack (with no last name) who is likely an assassin. I say likely because we never find out. The film starts in a cabin in Sweden where Jack is talking with a beautiful girl. They decide to go for a walk and Jack realizes that he is being pursued by a killer. He kills him and the girl who is a witness. He calls his boss (we assume this but never know for sure) who tells him to go to a small town in Italy and stay low and speak to no one. He makes friends with one beautiful woman and arranges to make a custom made sniper rifle for another who we think is a professional hit women.

Jack realizes that the Swedish killers have located him. Why are they after him? We never find out. His ‘boss’ is upset with Jack and perhaps ratted him out although we only infer this. I found the film had a lot of gaps and unanswered questions allowing us the job of figuring it out. The film is beautifully filmed. The women are beautiful. George Clooney does a nude scene which will please women viewers. There is a lot of feminine nudity which will please the male viewers. The cast are mostly Italian and not known to American movie goers. All around this is a mediocre film. It will make money due to George Clooney’s star attraction.

Takers Movie Review

Idris Elba stars as a well dressed successful head of a bank robbery gang. He is pursued by a cop Matt Dillon who is coping with a troubled partner. All goes well until a former friend is asked into the group upon his release from prison. They team with a group from the Russian Mafia with disastrous results. The highlight of the film is a shoot em out at a hotel. I felt the film was crudely done with bad editing. At a few spots it did not make a lot of sense. Action Packed but I would wait until it comes out in video likely in a couple of weeks.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com

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Charlie St. Cloud Movie Review

Charlie St. Cloud stars teen heart throb handsome Zac Efron in the title role. A high school senior with a passion for sailing and good grades, he graduates with a full ride sailing scholarship to Stanford. He lives in a sea coast town in Massachusetts. He [...]]]>

Charlie St. Cloud Movie Review

Charlie St. Cloud stars teen heart throb handsome Zac Efron in the title role. A high school senior with a passion for sailing and good grades, he graduates with a full ride sailing scholarship to Stanford. He lives in a sea coast town in Massachusetts. He and his eleven year old brother Sam, played by Charlie Tahan get along well. Charlie promises his brother that he will coach him on baseball every night until he leaves for college but he cautions the brother that he better be there on time. That evening Charlie is driving with his brother when they are struck by a drunken driver. His brother is killed. Charlie’s heart stops but he is saved by an EMT. He realizes he is getting a second chance on life.

Fast forward five years. Charlie did not go to college rather he took a job as the caretaker in the cemetery where Sam is buried. Every evening at sundown, Charlie goes into the woods to play catch and talk with Sam. He is obsessed with his promise to his brother and haunted by the fact that he has been given a second chance.

He meets a girl, Amanda Crew, with whom he went to school. She is a master sailor and is preparing to sail around the world. Charlie falls for the girl causing him to choose her over his brother. Without giving away a couple of good twists the story holds the interest. This story is well presented and heartfelt. Although it takes place in Mass it was filmed in British Columbia. The cinematography is wonderful. I totally enjoyed it and recommend this. While not for little guys, it is okay for children. The one lovemaking scene is not graphic and the language is okay. Zac Efrom will be a big star.

The Other Guys Movie Review

Police detectives Allen Gamble played by Will Ferrell and Terry Hoitz played by Mark Wahlberg are working desk duty in a New York City Precinct. Allen was hired as a police accountant. He is an stereotypical anal naive geek. He apologizes for his wife who he describes as not being so good when in fact she is really hot. Eva Mendes is a sexy emergency room doctor and met Allen in the emergency room. Terry played by Mark Wahlberg has desk duty because he accidentally shot baseball player Derik Jeter. He is nicknamed ‘the Yankee Clipper’. One of his fellow officers ask why he could not have shot A-Ron instead.

In the station there are two superstars played by cameo players Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson. They are start the film with a steroid filled car chase. They do $12 million of property damage to get a couple of bad guys with a small bag of drugs. They are the star cops and everyone else are the Other Guys. Due to their stupidity, they are both killed jumping off a building trying to get a couple of bandits.

Through dumb luck and against the wishes of their captain played by Michael Keaton, Allen and Terry fall upon a case of a Bernie Madoff Ponzi schemer. The set out to get him with hilarious results.

This is a very funny movie with Will Farrell playing a less obnoxious character than in several of his other films. His character is quirky and naive. Terry keeps trying to find out why beautiful women are attracted to Allen. This is a rare comedy role for Mark Wahlberg and he pulls it off well. You have to listen closely because a lot of the aside dialogue is really funny. Remember this is a comedy and don’t take it too seriously.

I recommend the film and aside from a few naughty words it is not bad for older children.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com

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Karate Kid Movie Review

Dre Parker played by Jaden Smith is a 12 year old who finds himself in Beijing China when his mother is suddenly transferred from Detroit. The first day in a strange city he is confronted by bullies who, by using kung fu, beat him up. The bullying [...]]]>

Karate Kid Movie Review

Dre Parker played by Jaden Smith is a 12 year old who finds himself in Beijing China when his mother is suddenly transferred from Detroit. The first day in a strange city he is confronted by bullies who, by using kung fu, beat him up. The bullying continues at school. While in a fight, the handyman of his apartment building, Mr. Han appears in the guise of Jackie Chan who promptly subdues the six bullies. Dre pleads with Mr. Han to teach him Kung Fu. The story climaxes at a match where as you suspect, Dre wins over the bullies and becomes a hero. Nothing new here as it is a rehash of the film which first appeared in 1984 with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita.

Jaden Smith, the child of Will Smith and Jada Pinket Smith is a poised young man with a maturity beyond his years. This is his first starring role and he shows that he can evolve to superstar status like his father. Such is a testament to having good role models and good genes. Jackie Chan gets second billing and is believable as the quiet Mr. Han. Jackie Chan did his own stunts although Jaden had a stand in. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and highly recommend it. Check out the original film as it stands up well over time. This film is ideal for children and adults. It displays good values and the power of focused thinking.



Splice Movie Review

Adrien Brody and Sarah Palley play two scientists working with gene splicing. They hope the resulting efforts will provide a way to circumvent organ transplants. They create a couple of creatures which look like large grubs. The second effort, they splice some human DNA and create a humanoid creature. The creature looked like a person but with a long tail with a claw and strange looking eyes. They keep the results to themselves because they were forbidden by their supervisor to engage in such activity. Not having children they come to think of this creature as parents.

The film is dark and I found depressing. Things get dicey and the film morphs from sci fi to a horror film. If you are a sci fi lover you may enjoy it. There is one graphic nude erotic scene. Definitely not for young children.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com

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Bounty Hunter Movie Review

Stars Jennifer Anniston and real life boy friend Gerard Butler. Jennifer plays a reporter tracking down a hot lead. She inadvertently jumps bail for a traffic violation to chase the lead. The funny part is she bumped a police horse and was freed on $50,000 bond. It [...]]]>

Bounty Hunter Movie Review

Stars Jennifer Anniston and real life boy friend Gerard Butler. Jennifer plays a reporter tracking down a hot lead. She inadvertently jumps bail for a traffic violation to chase the lead. The funny part is she bumped a police horse and was freed on $50,000 bond. It is hard to believe a judge is that strict but this is Hollywood. Jennifer Anniston plays the same character in most of her movies but we like that.

Gerard Butler’s character is her ex husband who was fired from the police force. He is a bounty hunter and is given the opportunity to bring in his ex wife. Along the way they work together eventually to solve the case. I felt the chemistry between the two characters.

Movie is very cute and predictable. If is good entertainment. Jennifer Anniston is her usually perky cute sexy self. This movie is okay for children. There are a number of sight gags and very little if anything to make a parent cringe.

How to Train Your Dragon Movie Review

This is an animated film from Dream Works. In a Viking village, there is a problem of fire breathing dragons everywhere. A young boy goes to school with other boys and girls to learn how to fight them. He discovers on his own a dragon with a broken tail stuck in a canyon. He and the dragon become friends and he helps mend his tail. The animation in the film, viewable in 2D or 3D is spectacular. I was in awe of the work that went into this. The waters look real, as does the fire and the hair and beards of the Vikings. I thought it would be too scary for the little guys but there were children in the theater as young as three and they were stunned. No one cried.

The story is good albeit predictable and simple however the visual effect make the film. As with a lot of good animated films, you forget after a while this is animation and your mind makes the characters real. I would recommend this for parent and of course their progeny. My grandson gave it a 10 on a scale of 1-5. If this is the future of animation, it is hard to imagine what come next.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com
Bruce Kantor owns Kantor & Associates in Matthews, NC.

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