Apr 29 2011

Fast Five

Anti-hero, precision car driver, and criminal Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is busy getting the band back together for more adrenaline laden thrills, chills, and spills– in Rio. With the help of his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), and former cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) the target becomes the most powerful drug lord in all the land, Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida). With their eyes set on taking down Reyes, the gang grows to a small band of other merry criminals including but not limited to Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, and Matt Schulze. Unfortunately, U.S. Federal Badass, Hobbs (Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson) is also on the case to stop Toretto. Now between drug lord henchmen and U.S. agents the gang will have to work extra hard to make their mark and then disappear, but can it be done and at what cost? It’s all about the suspension of disbelief as you’ll definitely have to check your brain at the door for this one. But, for fans of the minimal dialogue to maximum carnage you’ve come to expect from the previous four films in this franchise, you’re totally in luck. And, it’s not as though anyone really watches these films for their top notch acting, so where does that leave us? Mmmmm, nowhere special really, but don’t get me wrong, sometimes that’s a good thing, and in this case it seems to work in the film’s favor, it’s just mindless fun. Yes, fun, albeit it’s a little long winded clocking in over two hours in length, but hey, more bang for your buck, literally. And, sex appeal, sure there’s something for everyone here so that doesn’t hurt things either. Fast Five is rated PG-13.


Apr 29 2011

Prom

It’s all about High school drama to the hilt as Nova Prescott (Aimee Teegarden), class overachiever and prom committee chairwoman is up against a tight deadline to rescue her school’s Prom and find romance at the same time. Conveniently, dreamy bad boy and angsty Jesse Richter (Thomas McDonell) seems pitted against her in her plight. Meanwhile, other classmates struggle to deal with their own personal challenges and baggage as the often tortuous ritual of prom nears. In the end, who’ll get to go to the big dance, who’ll get left in the dust, and will Jesse ever find it in his heart to help Nova with what she really needs? Cookie cutter in its plot and clearly made on a minuscule budget, I suppose this one will work for it’s designated pre-teen/tween audience in so much as it doesn’t do anything to challenge anyone’s expectations. Acting seems on par for a Disney film of this caliber and the overall experience could have been worse. So, for the right audience I guess it’ll be okay, as for yours truly, frankly there are several of my High school prom experience’s I’d rather forget, pass. Prom is rated PG.


Apr 1 2011

Source Code

Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up to find himself on board a train that’s about to be blown to pieces in a terrorist plot. Soon enough he discovers he’s actually in a recreation of the event; and a new military scientific technology makes the whole thing possible. As events unfold Stevens learns it’s his mission to relive the event over and over until he can uncover who’s responsible for the bombing; guiding him through the process is Captain Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) and the enigmatic Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright). But, the further Stevens gets into the recreation, the more he begins to realize the scope of what’s happening and its unexpected consequences. Can the mystery be solved, and what about the apple of his eye Christina (Michelle Monaghan), is there any hope? Fans of sci fi and quantum physics prepare for a real talker. But wait there’s more, I’ll even go so far as to say this might make a great date movie; it’s romantic in its own way, measured with comedy, action, and just the right amount of suspense. And by the way, it’s smart in its writing. The ensemble all hit the right notes and directing from Duncan Jones keeps the audience engaged without overstaying his welcome. Also worth your time, Source Code is rated PG-13.