I Believe In Science

Movie Review: Nacho Libre

From the Director of Napoleon Dynamite, Jared Hess drops presents Nacho Libre. This movie stars Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, & Hector Jimenez and is a hilarious flick about a orphan turned friar who always dreamed of being a luchador (Mexican Wrestler). He recuits Esqueleto (Jimenez), a homeless man who robs anyone on his turf for nachos, and they together take on the many experienced wrestlers in Lucha Libre.

A very entertaining movie with some predictable parts and some wierd twists. The most memorable part in this flick is when Nacho (Black) sings before one of his big matches. Very Tenacious D style.

If you loved Napoleon you'll like Nacho. Peep it. Definate Owner.

Darn Irish

Movie ReviewTristan & Isolde

Starring James Franco (Spider-Man & Annapolis), Sophia Myles (Underworld & Art School Confidential), and Rufus Sewell (Bless The Child, Knight's Tale, & Legend Of Zorro) this movie shows the dark side of the Irish Kingdom after Roman rule.

Not much to say about this flick except the fight scenes were pretty impressive. Other than that the movie was pretty predictable, something I don't like to hear from people, but if it is it is. It wasn't a bad movie, but then again I'm not sure what more could have been done with the story.

Definiately check it out if you are into midevil romance stories. Borderline Owner.

Saw this on DVD so no friend comment, but if you saw it feel free to give a comment.

I'm Always The Car!!!

Movie Review: Over The Hedge


From the makers Of Shrek, Shark Tale, & Madagascar (Dreamworks) comes Over The Hedge. A very cute flick showing the life of animals in the wild surviving after surburbia take over most of their home. This movie starred the voice talents of Bruce Willis, Gary Shandling, William Shatner & Wanda Sykes. Some of the best performances were from Nick Nolte (Vincent The Bear), Avril Lavigne (Heather The Possum), and of course Steve Carell (Hammy The Squirrel). Two other people I was pleased to hear in the movie was Eugene Levy & Catherine O'Hara (Lou & Penny, the Porcupine Parents).

Not many people I didn't like in the movie. If I were to rate Dreamworks CGI Movies they will go: Wallace & Gromit, Shrek, Shrek 2, Madagascar, Over The Hedge, Shark Tale then Ants. This movie was very well done and I definately recommend this movie to be seen and bought. Dreamworks is definately giving Pixar a run for their money.

Coming Soon From Dreamworks Animation: Flushed Away (Nov 1, 2006), Shrek The Third (Spring 2007), Bee Movie (Fall 2007), Kung Fu Panda (Spring 2008), & Madagascar 2 (Fall 2008).

Here are some of my friends comments on Over The Hedge:

But...I love the cookie!!!
- Heather S.

It was cute.
- Elizabeth W.

Too adorable! I love the cookie....
- Megan M.

Good fun.
- Andy F.

Love Hammie!
- Heather E.

I found my nuts!
- JCC

Hatsumomo

Movie Review: Memoirs Of A Geisha


Me and my wife checked out this movie a couple of weeks ago and we truly loved it. Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai) was as excellent as ever and Ziyi Zhang (Hero, Rush Hour 3 & House Of Flying Daggers) did a lot better than her normal work. There were other legendary asian actors including; Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Last Emporer & Mortal Kombat), Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon & James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies) and Mako (Conan & Seven Years In Tibet), but the best performance in the movie was done by Gong Li.

Gong Li portrayed the role of Hatsumomo, who is the big time Geisha that later sees her rival in Chiyo/Sayuri (Zhang). She looses it all and flees the life of a Geisha forever. This is an actress who had been around for a long time, but I have not seen her in anything before this, but now I will follow her work. Upcoming films include Miami Vice with Colin Farrell & Jamie Foxx and Young Hannibal produced by Dino de Laurentiis (Dune, Red Dragon, & Conan).

Check out this movie and check out Gong Li.

Synagogue Of Marilyn Dean

Movie Review: The Break-Up


This movie starring Vince Vaughn & Jennifer Aniston was an interesting change to your typical romantic comedy. Some say that Vince should not be a serious actor, but one of his earlier flicks includes Return To Paridice with Joaquin Pheonix (Walk The Line & The Village). This film was great and made me follow Vince's career from there on. The movie was pretty light, not much slapstick or lots of jokes. It basically show the phases of a relationship break up with an interesting ending. Most of my friends didn't like the ending, but I thought it was pretty cool. One of my favorite performances was done by Jon Favreau as the troubled, yet wise friend of Vaughn's character.

Check this movie out if you like, but probably not an owner.

Here are some of my friends' opinions:

Cute, predictable, & totally Hollywood
- Sin

Vince Vaughn should not be a serious actor. Blech.
- Heather S.

Not Good
- Elizabeth

Great movie, but didn't care for the ending.
- ltoops

Very realistic on how relationships can be
- Lindy

Crap....oh but Aniston's blurry stunt double butt
- Andy

Great Movie - weird ending!
- Nurse Heather

Could have been funnier, but had real fights and real ending
- JCC

Are They Dead? Who Knows!!!

Movie Review: X-Men: The Last Stand


Great movie, especially seeing the mighty Pheonix rise from the ashes. Man did Jean look ever so scary. As usual Hugh Jackman did a great job as Wolverine being the deciding factor at all times. He may not look powerful, but he is. The battle between Pyro and Iceman was kind of weak and I thought that Magneto would have come of with an even better way to get his brotherhood to Alcatraz. Oh well.

Even though Singer passed this up to do Superman Returns, Brett Ratner did a great job in this movie. If you love Marvel & the X-Men check this one out. Of course it's an owner.

Here are some of my fellow movie friends response:

I'm gonna have to go back and see the first 2 now! It was that good.
- Sin

ROCKED MY WORLD
- Heather S.

Very Cool
- ltoops

X-tastic
- Win

Awesome! But I think there has to be another sequel coming!
- Lindy R.

Furry Stickly Excitable Painted-On Clothes....with claws
- Andy F.

Loved it (even the 2nd time)! Coolest mutation - wings!!!
- Heather E.

I thought this was going to be the last one!
- JCC

All These Jesuses

Fun times. My mother came into town for a week long visit and we decided to introduce her to the Pocket Sandwich Theater (http://www.pocketsandwich.com/). Our good friend Heather also joined us. They were performing Steel Magnolias. Most of you might remember the movie starring Dolly Pardon, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah & Olympia Dukakis. I'm not going to rate this movie, but I will give a brief comment.

When the show started I was bummed to discover that we did get any popcorn. Usually, the audience get to throw popcorn at the performed for fun, but I guess it's not at every show for on the back of the program we notice something that would appear just after the title of the show, "Another Popcorn Tosser". I all made since now.

As the show went on I realize that this was more of their serious comedies (I know oxymoron). Some of their other plays are hammed up for fun. The last show we saw like that was called Phantom Of The Opera (our introduction to Pocket Sandwich). It was great & hilarious. Steel Magnolias was a wonderful performance and definately moved us at the end. Now I have to see the movie again for I mixed up this movie with Fried Green Tomatoes. Common mistake I'm sure.

We will be going back to Pocket Sandwich Theater to see future shows including their improv comedy. Check out the link above if interested and for more information.

So What If.....

Movie Review: The DaVinci Code


Well, I was definately looking forward to this movie until it was a week before I was going to see it and people started to bombard me with reports on how this movie got really bad reviews, people were disappointed, and the greatest thing, religious groups protesting the movie itself.

Here's my story. I sort of organize a movie night outing that happens every Tuesday night at a theater nearby my house that only charges $4 on Tuesdays. Things were going great and the group grew, but then we hit a little shakey situation. We vote every week on what to see and this past Tuesday, The DaVinci Code won. With this report some folks of the group decided to not go to see the code, for religious reasons, and decided to see "Over The Hedge", another movie I wanted to see. I wasn't really upset, but was thrown off. This kind of thew a small wrench in the plan, but as the great MLK said or sang rather, "we shall overcome".

Here is my opinion on this and movie. I really enjoyed the movie. I looked at it as being similar to a treasure hunt (Indiana Jones, National Treasure, & Sahara). I like watching these type of movies and kind of going along trying to solve it. I thought I figured it out 3 times until the movie actually ended. It definately kept my attention. Robert Langdon (Hanks) character seemed a bit subdued, but Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) kept things going. My favorite character was Leah Teabing (Ian McKellen), he was very entertaining. Actually when Teabing first appeared someone in the audience loudly said "Magneto", which made a lot of us laugh. Overall it was a good movies. Not sure if I would buy it yet.

So what if all of those things they state in the movie & book is true. I don't think it would really affect that much of current religion anyway. I actually thing it might enrich our faith, but who knows. IT FICTION!!!!! As many people say.

Definately check it out, but see it with a very open mind.

Here are some of my friends opinions:

"eh, a good fictional romp through history" - Sin

"Had some good...but that monk was scary as balls!!!!" - Da Staples

Strathmore's Finest

MOVIE REVIEW: ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL


This was an interesting movie starring Max Minghella (The Interpreter). My favorite character was Vince, the student filmmaker, portrayed by Ethan Surplee (My Name Is Earl & Remember The Titans). Other actors include some legends: John Malkovich (Dangerous Liaisons), Anjelica Huston (Lonesome Dove), & Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rogue) who had king of smaller roles in this movie, but of course performed well.

I won't go in too much into a review on this flick, but I will share some of my friends comments on the movie:

"Keeps Your Attention" - Wil C.

"Awkward Laughable Thinker" - Win A.

"Watch Don't Buy" - Andy F.

"Oddly Entertaining" - Jenny C.

"Boring" - Elizabeth W.

"Peed My Pants Funny" - Julie R.

I do recommend this movie to everyone interested in independent films. Definately worth watching, but not an owner.

Strickly For My Ninjaz

MOVIE REVIEW: BENCHWARMERS


Following the ways of Necessary Roughness (Scott Bakula) & The Replacements (Keanu Reeves), The Benchwarmers is another story about a somewhat professional has been who gets a team of flunkies some how overcome the odds and become heros. This latest installment by Happy Madison Productions (Adam Sandler) was very much predictable, but still entertaining. The only thing that still upsets me is that actors like Rob Schneider, David Spade, & Tim Meadows can't get any work without the help Master Sandler. I really like these guys and wish better roles for them.

Schneider's role was better than usual (Deuce Bigalow & The Animal) though for he was not the victim of being the comic relief anymore. That fell onto the talents of Spade, Heder, & Lovitz. Schneider was more of the level headed guy who pretty much doesn't take crap from anyone.

Now Jon Heder (Just Like Heaven) was very entertaining as he reprised his character style from Napoleon Dynamite. I see him jumping around like Jim Carrey doing various type of comedic roles.

I don't think it is wrong to work with your fellow SNL Alumns, just don't do too much of it and let it define your acting career. It's almost as sad as the recent Sierra Mist commercials were some funny folks from Mad TV, Comedy Central & Tracy Morgan have to band together to get work.

Well I think that's enough of my 20 cents. Of course feel free to comment.