Snakes
On A Plane Starring:
Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Kenan Thompson Directed By:
David R. Ellis Theatrical Release Date: 08/18/2006 Run Time:
101 min. Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Crime and Mystery, Action
and Adventure Rating: R
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: On August 18th Summer Really Begins At 30,000 feet, snakes aren't
the deadliest thing on this plane. Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the fright. Airline
food ain't what you gotta worry about. On board a flight over the Pacific Ocean,
an assassin, bent on killing a passenger who's a witness in protective custody,
lets loose a crate full of deadly snakes. When Sean Jones (Nathan Phillips) witnesses
a murder, he is asked to fly from Hawaii to Los Angeles to testify against the
notorious gangster Eddie Kim (Byron Lawson). However, Kim has paid an assassin
to release a crate-full of deadly snakes loose when the plane is 30,000 feet in
the air. Only FBI agent Neville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) can protect Sean and
rally the passengers together in hope of landing in L.A. alive.
Le
Review: Snakes on a Plane is the reason we go to see films. It is the
kind of film that has drawn people into the unrealistic realms that exist in the
movie worlds we create since the drive-in. Take, for instance, a solid hour and
a half of genuine humor, great acting, hilarious yet impressive special effects,
and yes, blood and gore!
Samuel
L. Jackson is something special I got to say. He is willing to put effort and
passion into almost anything, and is a core reason why this film is so pure of
heart and intent. He is the solid lead in a surprisingly good cast and nobody
reigns supreme. There is simply nothing to hate about Snakes on a Plane. It is
the first of its kind. It intentionally doesn't try to lie to the viewer about
what it is. In fact, it actually promotes itself.
Snakes
on a Plane is as ridiculously enjoyable as they have ever been made, and once
you see it, it will leave you saying "They do make 'em like they used to!"
Lady
In The Water Starring:
Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bob Balaban Directed By: M. Night
Shyamalan Theatrical Release Date: 07/21/2006 Run Time:
110 min. Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Crime and Mystery Rating:
PG-13
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep (Giamatti) rescues
what he thinks is a young woman from the pool he maintains. When he discovers
that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the
journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend
from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world.
Le
Review: M. Night Shyamalan a brilliant writer. It fits nicely with his
body of work while carving out a more unique niche in his genre. It has good tempo
with consistent theming that are punctuated with some comedic relief absent in
his previous endeavors.
The
characters are nicely developed, and keep you guessing for a bit of the movie
(all my initial guesses were wrong and the suspense had me going) as it is not
as predictable as you may think. All in all it was one of the more refreshing
and original movie going experiences I have had in a while.
I
would recommend this film whole heartedly, but some thematic elements and sequences
may be a bit too frightening for younger children. As with original fables and
fairy tales, it has scary elements imbued in it that are effective in their points.
Enjoy!
Little
Man Starring:
Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Kerry Washington Theatrical Release Date:
07/14/2006 Run Time: 90 min. Genre: Comedy Rating:
PG-13
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: A wannabe dad (Shawn Wayans) mistakes a vertically challenged criminal
on the lam (Marlon Wayans) as his newly adopted son.
Le
Review: Not much to say about this film except that is was Absolute crap!
It deserves less than one star. A slapstick comedy developed into mindless comedy
which has devolved into crude humor comedy. Don't even waste your money on a pirated
screener/dvd!
You,
Me and Dupree Starring:
Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson, Matt Dillon Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe
Russo Theatrical Release Date: 07/14/2006 Run Time: 108
min. Genre: Comedy Rating: PG-13
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: A best man (Wilson) stays on as a houseguest with the newlyweds,
much to the couple's annoyance.For newlyweds Carl and Molly Peterson, life can't
get any sweeter as they begin anew to settle down into married life. With a nice
house and established careers in tow, nothing seems to get in their way. However,
Carl is about find out just how much friendship means when Randy Dupree, his best
friend has been displaced from his home and fired from his job because of attending
their wedding. Taking his friend in, what Carl and Molly are about to experience
is that the fine line between a few days and whatever else is after, can be a
lot more than they bargained for. Especially when their friend overstays his welcome
in far too many ways than he should.
Le
Review: Two's company. Dupree's a crowd. You, Me and Dupree, I wasn't
expecting much. To be honest I didn't want to see it. I mean, I like Owen Wilson,
he's a great comedic actor, but this movie did look kind of lame.
My
friends and I were in a rut and since there are no movies out looking that good
lately, we chose You, Me and Dupree. While one out of the three friends didn't
like it, me and my other girlfriend enjoyed it. Yes, it's a predictable romantic
comedy, but it has some very funny moments. Owen Wilson is best friends with Matt
Dillon, he is also Matt's best man at his wedding. When Owen becomes homeless,
Matt invites him to stay with him and his wife until he can get back on his feet.
When Owen takes advantage of living there, he has to leave, but Matt's wife sees
that he is homeless again. She takes him back in with his promise to improve himself.
But things take a turn when everyone but Matt loves Dupree.
This
is an honest and funny movie that I think anyone could enjoy. It has some great
humor and is a sweet little flick. So, I think the critics were wrong and anyone
could see and enjoy this film.
The
Devil Wears Prada Starring:
Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Directed By:
David Frankel Theatrical Release Date: 06/30/2006 Run Time:
106 min. Genre: Comedy, Drama Rating: PG-13
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: A naive young woman comes to New York and scores a job as the assistant
to one of the city's biggest magazine editors, the ruthless and cynical Miranda
Priestly.
Le
Review: Streep plays a boss who lives for her work. She loves her work
and becomes the best in the Cosmos at it. She can't tolerate fools gladly--and
if she did she would be taking away from the energy she gives solely to her company.
It's all for the company. She needs what she needs NOW and not later and expects
to get it.
Underlings
don't understand; and some of them hate her for it, others merely fear her. None
understand that her genius requires, and deserves, the instant gratification that
Miranda (Streep) demands. Streep masters this part; as an actor she starts at
the top and rises still higher. But, except for Stanley Tucci, everyone else in
the cast is just coasting. Anne Hathaway is miscast as Andrea, the second assistant,
-- she doesn't look or fit the part, and her boyfriend, Nate, Adrian Grienier,
is just a pretty face playing a sous chef, (well, Woody sees something in him,
as he's in a Woody Allen film but, I don't know. I kept wishing that he'd leave
the sixties and get a haircut. We've seen his act already in a thousand pictures
from the sixties.)
Stanley
Tuccci is fine as a gay guy in the company. Loyal to Miranda, helpful to Andrea,
he dances though the film and adds to every scene they give him. Besides the comedy,
film goers will note there's a serious theme in the film too.
Poseidon Starring:
Josh Lucas, Emmy Rossum, Kurt Russell, Jacinda Barrett Directed By:
Wolfgang Petersen Theatrical Release Date: 05/12/2006 Run Time:
98 min. Genre: Action and Adventure, Drama Rating: PG-13
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: In 'Poseidon' Josh Lucas plays Dylan Johns, a professional gambler.
When a freak 'rogue wave' incident causes the Poseidon cruise ship to capsize,
Dylan has to gamble for his life. Deciding not to listen to the captain (Andre
Braugher), Dylan tries to lead a group of passengers (Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss,
Emmy Rossum, etc.) to safety.
Le
Review: This is a modern remake of the 1972 'The Poseidon Adventure'.
I do not remember the original, but I think this one lives up to its name. It
is like 'Titanic' meets 'The Towering Inferno'. There is a lot of intense action
that keeps one on the edge of their seat.There is not much drama and I do not
think it will add too much to the original story.The movie is just over an hour
and a half, but I think audiences will enjoy the intensity of this film.
RV Starring:
Robin Williams, Jeff Daniels, Cheryl Hines, Kristin Chenoweth Directed
By: Barry Sonnenfeld Theatrical Release Date: 04/28/2006 Run
Time: 98 min. Genre: Family and Children, Action and Adventure,
Comedy Rating: PG
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: Bob Munro (Robin Williams) and his dysfunctional family rent an
RV for a road trip to the Colorado Rockies, where they ultimately have to contend
with a bizarre community of campers.
Le
Review: This is Robin Williams at his very worst. It was boring and dragged
on and on, especially through the last half hour. There were occasional laughs
but hardly anything consistent. Robin Williams is a great actor but he's hardly
creative or entertaining in this movie. He uses some of his voices in the beginning
of the film, and it works, but then that stops. The last half hour was far too
preachy and moral... the typical "overworked dad learns to love his family
over his job but the job works out perfectly anyway" story. If you want to
have a fun time, just rent anything else. Eg:Akeelah and the Bee,Over the Hedge,
Aunt Bully (I haven't written reviews on these yet but have seen them and they
are much better films).
Silent
Hill Starring:
Radha Mitchell, Sean Bean, Laurie Holden, Deborah Unger Directed By:
Christophe Gans Theatrical Release Date: 04/21/2006 Run Time:
120 min Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Crime and Mystery Rating:
R
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: After the continuous sleep walking episodes of Sharon, the young
daughter of Rose Da Silva, the decision is made to take Sharon to the place only
mentioned in her restless dreams - Silent Hill. However, the road to Silent Hill
is anything but easy to access, and Rose creates a high speed chase between herself
and a police officer only to end in a crash for them both. When she wakes up,
Sharon has disappeared and Rose is at the entrance to the deserted, dream-like
town of Silent Hill. As Rose begins the search for her daughter, she does not
realize the terror and mystery surrounding her. Rose is led on a blind search
for her beloved daughter, finding herself getting more and more entwined into
the disturbing past of Silent Hill.
Le
Review: A very surprising, dark and gruesome movie. You have to approach
any movie adaptation of a video game with caution..We've all caught on TV in the
past: Super Mario Bros., Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil. Stinkers, one and all.
Doom
was vapid, but at least got close to the source material. The visuals are absolutely
SPOT ON. I've never seen ANY movie adaptation that is this close to the source
material.The opening was weak. and I had resigned myself to the fact that the
movie was going to be disappointing but was pleasantly surprised as soon as the
main character Rose gets to Silent Hill itself.
If
you're a fan of the game, you won't be disappointed. If you're a horror hound,
you'll love the creatures and the visuals. If you're expecting a deep movie about
the relationship between estranged mother and daughter.. you're in the wrong theatre.
Highly recommended. Best horror movie I've seen in a long time.
Inside
Man Starring:
Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster Directed By: Spike Lee Theatrical Release Date: 03/24/2006 Run Time: 129 min. Genre:
Drama, Crime and Mystery Rating: R
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: "Inside Man" is the story of a tough cop, Detective Frazier
(Denzel Washington), who matches wits with a clever bank robber, Dalton (Clive
Owen). As the dangerous cat-and-mouse game unfolds, a wild card emerges: Madaline
(Jodie Foster), a power broker with a hidden agenda, who injects even more instability
into an already volatile situation.
Le
Review: An unusual turn for director Spike Lee, the conventional heist
movie 'Inside Man', starring Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster &
Chiwetel Ojiofor. Even though the plot has twists, it's still pretty straight
forward stuff for the usually controversial filmmaker. What is obvious though,
is that good filmmakers turn this material into something more than it might have
been by a 'lesser' director.
Imagine
Me & You Starring:
Piper Perabo, Matthew Goode, Lena Headey, Celia Imrie Directed By:
Ol Parker Theatrical Release Date: 01/27/2006 Run Time:
93 min. Genre: Comedy, Romance Rating: R
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: Imagine Me and You is best described as delicate. Very simply this
film is about love.
Le
Review: As a British romantic comedy, Imagine Me and You will always draw
comparisons to films such as Love Actually, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and
Funeral but the level of reality portrayed in these films compared to Imagine
Me and You is one of the major distinctions.
Occasionally
the film falls into the trap of representing a very American idea of Britishness.
The characters are all upper class Londoners, attractive, well-off with successful
jobs. The male characters are foolish, awkward, hapless 'twits' but this does
not detract from the charm of the film. The film follows Rachel (Piper Perabo)
her fiancé/husband Heck (Matthew Goode) and their wedding florist Luce
(Lena Heady) who immediately has an impact on Rachel, leading her to re-assess
her seemingly perfect relationship.
'The
film honours love of different kinds. The love between Rachel and Heck, who are
married at the beginning of the film, is never disputed or questioned. They were
best friends and this developed into a quite obvious love and adoration between
the couple. Rachel loves Heck, but she is not *in* love with him. However, with
Luce, Rachel experiences the instant, intense, exciting, passionate, all encompassing
love at first sight. The fact that Rachel is experiencing this with a woman is
not the issue, but rather that the first time Rachel catches Luce's eye is on
her way down the aisle. Unlike other films of the same genre, the characters are
well developed and multi-layered. The comedy is typical foot-in-the-mouth humour,
and silly one-liners, but is delivered with impeccable timing, mostly by the parents.
(Anthony Head plays an excellent aged Hugh Grant character and Celia Imrie is
wonderful as a prim and proper, sharp mother.) The other performances are subtle,
with all of the tenderness, heartbreak, humour, intensity and confusion that the
script asked of the performers.
Imagine
Me and You has high production values, is written and directed with care and sensitivity,
has the truth that isn't over thought, over polished, or softened and it is a
refreshing modern representation of love.
Superman
Returns Starring:
Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey Directed By: Bryan Singer Theatrical Release Date: 06/28/2006 Run Time: 157 min. Genre:
Action and Adventure, Science Fiction, Fantasy Rating: PG-13
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: After the battle with General Zod and his gang of Kryptonian super-villains,
Superman (Brandan Routh) mysteriously disappears for six years. After searching
for more possible survivors from Krypton and finding none, Superman returns to
Metropolis to re-assume the identity of Clark Kent. Once he returns, he discovers
that Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) is in a relationship and also has a son. Superman
also discovers that Metropolis has learned to live without him, causing him to
lose his motivation to fight and protect. To make matters worse, Superman's old
nemesis Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has devised a plan to defeat the Man of Steel,
for good. Superman must put his troubles behind him in order to protect his lost
love, and the city who lost faith in him.
Le
Review: First of all, wow! ... the new superman (Brandon Routh) has an
amazing resemblance to Christopher Reeve. To think he wasn't even an actor until
the crew saw him shopping in the supermarket and bam an instant millionaire!
Welcome
back Superman and a amazing return you've brought back with you. Without a question
the best film of 2006 by far. With outstanding preformaces and effects this is
an amazing film. Brandon Routh plays an fantastic Clark Kent/Superman (hate to
say this) even better than Christopher Reeve. He brought back the nerd we all
know and the hero we all want to be. And Kate Bosworth before the film she seemed
like a goodie good to me not a Lois. But she threw in the reporter, rebel, smoking
but good hearted person all together with a little bit of loving mom and wow great
preformace. Then Kevin Spacey paid his tribute to Gene Hackman and also threw
in his own great personality we all know. The rest of the cast gave the film drama,
action and laughter all to the screen for one thrilling ride! Now truth be told
I always found the Superman costume tacky and old but with Brian Singers beautiful
lighting effects the costume always appeared amazing and royal.
After
seeing "Catwomen", "Hulk", "Fantasic Four", and
the last couple Superman's I thought a "good" superhero movie was never
going to come but Brian Singer made my dream come true with returning the hero.
With
the right music, cast, director, and amazing screenplay which brought everything
the perfect movie needs Superman Returns is by far the best superhero movie I've
ever seen and the best film of 2006!
Click Starring:
Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken Directed By: Frank
Coraci Theatrical Release Date: 06/23/2006 Run Time: 106
min. Genre: Family and Children, Comedy, Drama Rating: PG-13
TJJ Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: "Click" focuses on a workaholic architect who finds a
universal remote that allows him to fast-forward and rewind to different parts
of his life. Complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices.
Click has an excellent cast, great direction from Frank Coraci, and the perfect
story and script. It gambles by taking Sandler's humour and clashing it with meaningful
messages and unexpected drama. The gamble more than well pays off.
Le
Review: I wish I had a remote control like the one in this movie... ah
boy the things I would fine myself doing! I would erase entirely March 2004 to
January 10th 2006 events. Adam sandler annoys me and Click proves the comedian
in him making this his best film to date. Click's first two acts are gut-busting
while its third act dives into drama that surprisingly works. Not cheesy in the
least bit, some of the drama is eye-opening and surprisingly powerful. This was
a greatly written and delivered comedy with remarkable drama and important lessons
on life.
The
Omen Starring:
Julia Stiles, Liev Schreiber, Mia Farrow, David Thewlis Directed By:
John Moore Theatrical Release Date: 06/06/2006 Run Time:
105 min. Genre: Horror, Science Fiction Rating: R
TJJ Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: A remake of the 1976 horror classic The Omen (1976), an American
official realizes that his young son may literally be the devil incarnate.
Le
Review: Movie was good, better than expected, don't know why but it reminded
me a lot to "Stigmata," anyways, picture is pretty good all over the
movie, characters were chosen fine, I think Julia Stiles is still too young for
her character, the child was amazing, of course never like Harvey Spethens but
still, the new Demian's smile was one of the best things on the movie, priests
were fine as usual, and the nanny wasn't scary as I expected. The deaths were
the highlights of the movie, absolutely well done, I think I jumped off the chair
like 5 times! Now the worst thing, THE MUSIC, something so necessary in this kind
of movies, it felt many times that appropriate music was being missed.
This
is a wait for DVD see at home type movie with your babes.
X-Men
III: The Last Stand Starring:
Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen Directed By:
Brett Ratner Theatrical Release Date: 05/26/2006 Run Time:
107 min. Genre: Action and Adventure, Science Fiction Rating:
PG-13
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: The X-Men, mutant heroes sworn to defend a world that hates and
fears them, are back! This time, with the help of new recruits The Beast and Angel,
they must face evolution itself in the form of their former teammate, Jean Grey.
Possessed with the cosmic power of the Dark Phoenix, the resurrected Jean Grey
has become a danger to herself, her mutant comrades, and the entire planet. To
stave off this imminent threat to humanity, a potential cure is discovered and
processed to treat -- and ultimately eliminate -- genetic mutations, once and
for all. Now, as the battle lines are drawn, the X-Men, led by Professor Charles
Xavier, must contend with both Jean Grey's world-consuming powers, as well as
the malevolent Brotherhood, a band of powerful mutants organized under Xavier's
former ally, Magneto.
Le
Review: I expected more of this film. In my opinion Ratner did not do
justice to this trilogy.In a world where mutants are treated as second-class citizens,
the ethics of a cause become paramount. To utilize the "cure" in an
effort to bring down a villain is not a viable solution. The ends do not justify
the means. Heroes must stand up for ethics above all else. They must not kill
and they must never take the easy way out. Ironically, Xavier is teaching an ethics
class during the film. Apparently, Kinberg and Penn didn't understand what he
was talking about. Ratner's pacing of the film is all over the place. Whatever
happened to the night crawler? Jubilee and the mutant with wongs should have had
a more active role.For the love of hoolywood what is up with professor Xavier
being killed? That is just wrong as many X-Men fanatics would agree. When the
story should be centered on a brewing war, he shifts to an unnecessary teenage
love triangle. Characters walk out of the story and don't return until the end.
And then there are the deaths. A lot has been made among fans regarding the rumored
deaths in the film. Let me just say this. Of all the deaths on and off-screen,
not a one touched me. Each felt cheap, unnecessary, and inappropriate. It was
as if 20th Century Fox was deliberately trying to bury the franchise. For the
record, there were some nice moments in the film. Hearing the Beast use his classic
exclamation "Oh, my stars and garters!" was a delightful surprise. Seeing
Iceman finally suit up in ice form was spectacular (however, brief and last minute).
Unfortunately, these were two shining moments in an otherwise underwhelming film.
Upon leaving the screening of X-Men: The Last Stand, I was both sad and frustrated.
So much potential had been wasted. A film that could have capped a great series
became nothing more than another bad sequel. If Marvel had as much concern for
its flagship properties as DC, this film would not have been made. Yes, I will
probably own it when it comes out on DVD, but only to watch as part of the set.
It's a tragic end to a good trilogy.
The
Da Vinci Code Starring:
Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno Directed By: Ron
Howard Theatrical Release Date: 05/19/2006 Run Time: 149
min. Genre: Drama, Crime and Mystery Rating: PG-13
TJJ Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon ('Tom
Hanks') is informed that the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside
the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. Solving the enigmatic
riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in
the works of Da Vinci - clues visible for all to see, and yet ingeniously disguised
by the painter. Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie
Neveu (Audrey Tautou), and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory
of Sion - an actual secret society. In a breathless race through Paris, London
and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who appears
to work for Opus Dei - a clandestine, Vatican-sanctioned Catholic organization
believed to have long plotted to seize the Priory's secret. Unless Langdon and
Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's secret - and
a stunning historical truth - will be lost forever.
Le
Review: The film itself was very well made, with clever uses of editing
and an atmospheric score from Hans Zimmer. There are some dimly lit scenes that
resemble those that I saw in MI-3, and both of them have the eerie, action-shawn
ambiance to it. I enjoyed the book, and, when reading it, pictured many of the
events on the big screen, such as the opening chapter at the Louvre, and what
the little objects would look like. In this film, they all look great, and the
visual flair makes up for the lacklustre chase sequence with the smart car.I wouldn't
be surprised if this film dominates the box office for a while, or even finds
Oscar success. I had been hoping for a good adaptation of a fun novel, and that
was what I got. Further note - I myself am a Christian, and I still enjoyed this
film. This is because it is merely a story - and a bloody good one, so have fun.
Mission
Impossible III Starring:
Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Philip Seymour Hoffman Directed By: J.J. Abrams,
Roberto Orci Theatrical Release Date: 05/05/2006 Run Time:
126 min. Genre: Action and Adventure Rating: PG-13
TJJ
Rating: 1 TJJ Mask - Waste
of film (and popcorn) 2 TJJ Mask - Made for TV/Cable 3 TJJ Mask - Wait
for DVD 4 TJJ Mask - Must See on Big Screen
Le
Plot: Super-spy Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has retired from active duty to
trains new IMF agents. But he is called back into action to confront the toughest
villain he's ever faced - Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman), an international
weapons and information provider with no remorse and no conscience. Hunt assembles
his team - his old friend Luther Strickell (Ving Rhames), transportation expert
Declan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), and background operative Zhen (Maggie Q), to rescue
one of his very own trainees, Lindsey (Keri Russell) who was kidnapped while on
a surveillance detail of Davian. It soon becomes evident that Davian is well-protected,
well-connected, and downright malicious, forcing Hunt to extend his journey back
into the field in order to rescue his wife, Julia (Michelle Monaghan), and uncover
IMF double agents in the process.
Le
Review: Well, this was straight to the point. Finally Hollywood seems
to be over their boring (hoping for Oscar) drama movies. Good old Cruise returning
as Ethan Hunt is what you will see here. Action consisting of explosions, clever
bombs, helicopter chases, flashbacks to True Lies without spoiling too much, evil
villains, heartbreaking stunts and a pretty okay script is what you can expect.
Some
predictable scenes, but the fast paced action made the effort worth it with some
very welcome ideas. You also got to love the scenery. Berlin, Vatikan and China
is refreshing to see.
007
look out, hard to match this one! And I am a huge James Bond fan!!
TJJ
MOVIE PICKS
