In The Valley of Elah : Movie Review

In The Valley of ElahI wanted to see this movie the first time that I saw the trailer, in fact, I was chomping at the bit. Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron and written and directed by Paul Haggis… it has awesome written all over it, right? Not so much it seems.

While it took me some time to get to see the movie, I was not disappointed by it, but it really didn’t thrill me at all. I suppose it basically just became “movie of the week” material to me. Charlize Theron’s character was pretty reminicent of her character in North Country, too butch and unfeeling. Charlize has those doey eyes that lend so well to warm tender scenes, apologies to Charlize if that’s too type cast, but it’s what I see. And I’m certainly not downplaying her performance in North Country, which I throughly enjoyed, I just wish that I could say the same about her character in this movie.

Haggis’ story is such a great concept, ‘how do trained killers behave when not in the kill zone?’. There is just too much story missing, not enough back information or character development. It makes for a very lackluster movie, that seems to drag on, with the viewer gagging for an ending to tie it all together.

Jason Patric’s character was decent, but I was surprised to find out that James Franco was even in the movie. I’m still trying to figure out who he was… that does not say much for Franco, even less for his character.

I give this movie 5 ‘blue cars under yellow lights’ out of 10.

December 12, 2008 | Filed Under General, Movie reviews | Leave a Comment 
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I Was Saved By Hancock!

Hancock Movie ReviewSometimes, when you least expect it, a miracle happens. No, I don’t mean turning water into wine, or walking on water. I’m referring to those times in our lives when we are forced to do something (when we would rather eat rusty nails), and then from within the darkened clouds a ray of light emits. Hancock was my ray of light, sparing me from my preconceived notion that I would hate Mamma Mia. My dear friend perked up when she realized there was a new Will Smith movie out (we’re both moms to wee ones and therefore get excited over little to nothing when it’s from the adult world).

Scratch out another one of my nine lives, I must be down to about 3 or 4 left now, but who’s counting.

Hancock.

What a pleasant surprise it was to watch this movie unfold. While I was tickled that it wasn’t Mamma Mia, I did peg it for another superhero movie with just the slant that he was a lazy-ass. Although far fetched, even I was willing to buy into Superman being from Krypton, it’s a decent story, with great acting by Will Smith and Charlize Theron. Jason Bateman, though I love him from his tv personas, always seems to play the same character, with very little difference.

SPOILER:SPOILER:SPOILER:

This movie comes complete with a love story, and nothing at all like that dribble from Spiderman. It’s sweet, honest and catches you completely off guard. Hats of to the writers on this little twist as it really did it’s part in making the movie enjoyable, rounding out the special effects and action sequences.

While I don’t see this puppy lapping up much Oscar attention, I do think that it’s a fun flick, worth taking in on the big screen.

I give this movie, 7 “meatballs” out of 10.

–RNW

August 1, 2008 | Filed Under Movie reviews | 1 Comment 
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