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Archive for May, 2008

When we last saw Indiana Jones on screen, it was 1938, and the world stood on the brink of war as Dr. Jones chased down evildoers to find the Holy Grail. Nineteen years later, he’s cracking his whip again, and many things have changed … but some have remained the same. Again, the world is at a precipice, this time caused by the specter of nuclear annihilation, and Indy’s struggle is once again to ensure that a precious, mysterious object remains safe from those bent on destroying humanity.

Typical Indy and again, aside from the rediculous plot line, a romping good time. Fast paced, good special effects, and of course a female villain with a foreign accent (Russian this time, rather than German). Shades of Area 51 and Stargate. Interesting twist with Indy coming face to face with his heretofore unknown son (are there sequels to follow). Bring on the aliens, shades of cyborg civilization, Aztec/Mayan temples,  and even Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Not one dull second in the whole movie. The worst part of it was Shia LaBeouf’s hairstyle – move over Fonzie. This kid has burst on the scene and has a couple of more entries throughout the Summer and Fall. He should change his name.

Definitely worth seeing, even the second time.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Jalapenos.

Marcel Langenegger makes his feature-film directorial debut with the aptly titled DECEPTION, a film about secrets and lies. Jonathan McQuarry (Ewan McGregor) feels that life is passing him by. He completes short-term audits for a large firm, but doesn’t really feel any connection to his employer and finds it difficult to make friends at his assignments since he’s never there for long. Jonathan’s circumstances change overnight when charming lawyer Wyatt Bose (Hugh Jackman) befriends him. In an instant, the shy accountant is playing doubles tennis with his new friend and beautiful women and visiting upscale clubs. Just as mild-mannered Jonathan is getting used to his new lifestyle, Wyatt leaves town on business. When Jonathan finds himself mistakenly in possession of Wyatt’s cell phone, he also discovers a whole new world of anonymous sex in elite Manhattan hotels with powerful women known simply as “The List.” But soon Jonathan is in over his head: he’s the prime suspect when a woman goes missing, and the threat of extortion looms. This tale weaves an intricate web of lies and treachery. Jackman is both charming and chilling as Wyatt, a man utterly without conscience, while McGregor falls easily into character as the bespectacled Everyman, Jonathan. Nerdy but likable, Jonathan really just wants to connect with someone. Along the way, he learns that he is capable of more than he ever expected.

The movie takes a few unexpected twists and you certainly don’t expect Hugh Jackman to be such a sinister character. A predictable ending, but enough plot twists to at least make it interesting. A somewhat steamy movie. It’s a shame they didn’t have Ewan McGregor doing the Tome Cruise “tidy white” dance since he had several scene opportunities. I keep trying to think of a few analagous type plots from some older movies, but apparently they were less memorable.

Rating: 3.5 our of 5 Jalapenos

The characters of C.S. Lewis’s timeless fantasy come to life once again in this newest installment of the “Chronicles of Narnia” series, in which the Pevensie siblings are magically transported back from England to the world of Narnia, where a thrilling, perilous new adventure and an even greater test of their faith and courage awaits them. One year after the incredible events of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct, Narnia has been conquered by the Telmarines and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy. The four children will soon meet an intriguing new character: Narnia’s rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. With the help of the kindly dwarf, a courageous talking mouse named Reepicheep, a badger named Trufflehunter and a Black Dwarf, Nikabrik, the Narnians, led by the mighty knights Peter and Caspian, embark on a remarkable journey to find Aslan, rescue Narnia from Miraz’s tyrannical hold, and restore magic and glory to the land.

While not as “epic” as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy this movie is well done. I liked this one a bit better than the first one. This series is probably more designed for the younger crowd unlike the Rings which can be appreciated by any age group. This is not as dark either. I found it to be very intertaining and well done. It is not an Oscar contender, but it is good fantasy entertainment. Have the first two installments really probed the underlying theology, I think not. It is however well worth the price of admission.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Jalapenos

This romantic comedy film stars Cameron Diaz as a  strait-laced, Type-A commodities trader who cuts loose in Vegas after being dumped by her pill of a boyfriend. There she bumps into irresponsible, irrepressible Jack, played by Ashton Kutcher who is in Vegas because his father fired him from the family business. They drink, they marry, they win $3 mil at the slots, they wake up with hangovers, they bicker and regret and rue the day. Then they return to New York and their respective hollow lives. Before granting their annulment, a fancifully creative judge (Dennis Miller) orders these Bickersons to live together for six months, or else no money. The screenplay by Dana Fox devolves into a series of humiliating pranks. 

 Joy and Jack cohabitate uneasily, whine to their respective best pals, drive each other nuts and eventually acknowledge that what they have is real. So they end up with love and money. 

 The movie is quite formularic. Actually not a bad performance by Kutcher. It would have been better with any co-star than Cameron Diaz. I do not understand why she is a drawing card. She is unattractive and always has a “pruney” look. She reminds me of someone who has spent too much time in the sun and whose skin has turned leathery and wrinkly. She is a horrible actress and alway winds up with the parts where she is always screaming and flailing around like a “valley girl.”

Not a real cinematographic event, but watchable and provides some senseless humor.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Jalapenos

Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay marks the triumphant return of these two hilarious, slacker anti-heroes. The movie stars John Cho as Harold and Kal Penn as Kumar, two stoners who can’t seem to get a break. Their last adventure found them traveling across country to find a White Castle hamburger in order to satisfy a weed-induced case of “the munchies.”

This time, the boys get themselves in trouble trying to sneak a bong on board a flight to Amsterdam. Now, being suspected of terrorism, they are forced to run from the law and try to find a way to prove their innocence. What follows is an irreverent and epic journey of deep thoughts, deeper inhaling and a wild trip around the world that is as “un-PC” as it gets.

This is an absolutely mindless movie not to be taken too seriously. If you can laugh at crude, stoner based toilet humor, then you will appreciate many of the moments throughout the movie. There is even bigger cameo performance by Neal Patrick Harris (as himself). He does however get blasted with a shotgun in this one … will he survive to appear in Harold and Kumar’s next adventure?

There is no stereotype or subject matter too taboo in “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.” So if you’re easily or even somewhat offended at the prospect of jokes about race, rampant xenophobia or even a cookout with the Ku Klux Klan, you might not appreciate the film’s decidedly anti-PC take on the world. For the rest of us, this is a wildly unapologetic comedy that will keep you thoroughly entertained and laughing right to the final credits.

Harold and Kumar” isn’t for the intellectual seeking a deeper meaning in their movie. It’s just dumb and goofy with a pair of stoners getting into one improbable situation after another and in this case, that’s all that’s needed for a funny, often hilarious film.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Tobasco Peppers for Ole Time Stoner, non PC humor

3 out of 5 Jalapenos for true movie value. Still worth seeing.

Not being famililar with the comic book version of this story, I have no idea whether it is like the Marvel comic version or not. However, this proved to be the first real blockbuster of the Summer. Let’s hope it’s just the start of a good movie season.

The synopsis of Iron Man looks something like this: “Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the CEO of Stark Industries which produces advance weapon systems for the U.S. military. Tony’s father started the company after WWII, and after his death Tony inherited the company, worth billions. Tony lives the life as a hard drinking, rich playboy ladies man, but he is also a genius who has invented many high-tech items for the company. Tony flies to Afghanistan to demonstrate a new weapons test to the army. On his way back to his plane, his convoy is attacked by terrorists, and Tony is wounded by a Stark Industries missile. Tony is captured and held hostage in a cave with Raza (Faran Tahir), a doctor who saves his life. The terrorists force Tony and Raza to reproduce the new destructive Jericho missile Tony was demonstrating from parts of other weapons. Instead, Tony decides to build a suit of armor with Razas help. The suit gives Tony the strength and protection to be able to escape the terrorists. Back in America, Tony builds a better suit of armor which gives him superhuman strength with the ability to fly. With the help of his personal assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Jim Rhodes (Terrence Howard), Tony vows to protect the world as Iron Man.”

Robert Downey, Jr. is a proven quality actor. Why he crashed his career because of addictions like so many others, we will probably never know. At least he is still alive. He does look a bit beat up from all the drug abuse, etc., but his acting ability is still there. Who would have thought he would be comic book hero, but hopefully he can enjoy this success in this venue and get his promising career back on track.

The movie was fast-paced from beginning to end. It had meaningful dialog a decent plot and great special effects. I had to go back and check the cast for the actor who played the anti-hero. I kept thinking it was William Hurt but it was really Jeff Bridges. I guess I never considered Jeff Bridges because his character wasn’t autistic like StarMan.

A really good time. Well worth the price of full admission.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Jalapenos.

Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), based on the real life Massachusetts Institute of Technology card-counter Jeff Ma, is an MIT senior who applies for the prestigious Robinson Scholarship, a full scholarship to Harvard Medical School. Despite Ben’s perfect resume, the official administering the scholarship tells Ben that his application essay must “dazzle” him in order to win it. In his non-linear equations class, Ben impresses his professor, Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey). One night while Ben is studying, Fisher (Jacob Pitts) tells him to come with him. He leads Ben to a card counting session led by Mickey. His team travels to Las Vegas every weekend to count cards and win money, which the members then split. Other members of the team are Ben’s crush Jill (Kate Bosworth), Choi (Aaron Yoo), and Kianna (Liza Lapira). Mickey tells Ben that he has a great mind and is able to get past his emotions, and that’s why he chose him.

Ben initially declines but after some persuasion, Ben joins the team to generate $300,000, the amount he needs for medical school. Life gets complicated; for every weekend he spends in Las Vegas, he ignores and lies to his friends and family. As Ben becomes the big player and makes the most money, former big player Fisher gets jealous. One night, Fisher joins the same table as Ben and screws up. Mickey is furious and sends Fisher home and kicks him off the team. Back at home, Ben’s friends decide to continue the 209 robotics competition without him after Ben gets the wrong microcontroller. Shaken from losing his former two best friends, Ben loses a massive amount of money in one night, and Mickey and Ben angrily part ways. Mickey tells Ben that he needs to pay Mickey back the $250,000 he lost that night. Ben decides to take over the team and make the money back, but Mickey reports them to casino security. After being caught and brutally beaten by Cole Williams (Laurence Fishburne), the sinister “head” of the casino security team, Ben returns to MIT. He finds that Mickey has revoked credit for one of his classes, and Ben cannot graduate from MIT. Upon entering his dorm room, he finds his room trashed and all the money he saved for Harvard Medical School gone. Finally, he asks Mickey for a second chance to make his money back.

In disguise, the team arrives in Vegas for their last run. Ben and Mickey are winning big, but Cole Williams arrives. Ben and Mickey split along with Jill, deciding to separate. Mickey convinces Ben to throw him the bag with the winnings and they will meet up later. But Mickey decides to just leave and runs to the limo and asks the driver to go to the airport. But he has been tricked: he finds that the bag is actually filled with chocolate dollars, and that the driver of the limo is actually Williams’s partner. Ben’s secret plan is to trick Mickey as revenge for stealing his savings. That night, Cole Williams made a deal with Ben that he would not be hurt if he could bring Mickey back to Vegas. When Mickey asked for the bag with the winnings, Jill had already switched the real bag with another bag in her purse with the fake chips. Mickey is caught by casino security while Ben is let off the hook. Ben pays off casino security with that night’s winnings, returns to MIT, and “dazzles” the Harvard dean with his Las Vegas adventures.

Well acted movie even if Kevin Spacey didn’t enjoy his time in Vegas. Scenery was good and acting was well above average. Jim Sturgess is turning into quite a versatile actor. Highly recommended. The movie moves quickly and it is an all around good time.

Rating: 4.8 our of 5 jalapenos

88 Minutes opens with an intricately choreographed murder that finds a young Seattle woman trussed up like a hog for slaughter. Cut to the present. The murderer has been caught, and the man who helped put the villain on death row is Dr. Jack Gramm (Mr. Pacino), a forensic psychiatrist and professor with young Amazon students (Alicia Witt and Leelee Sobieski) and a sympathetic foil with a badge (William Forsythe). Dr. Jack fields lots of calls from his assistant (Amy Brenneman), but one day he receives a ring-a-ding from someone who says that he has 88 minutes to live … then 82 minutes … and so on.

The narcissistic Dr. Gramm is a typical Pacino character. The plot makes a few twists and since I was looking for some mindless entertainment, I wasn’t overly disturbed that I didn’t figure out who was the guilty party until near the end. While the movie was about 88 Minutes to live, it took a little longer on the big screen.

The movie got horrific reviews, the NY Times blew it out of the water, and Rotten Tomatoes hit only 6%. It was characterized as shockingly inept psychological thriller that expertly squanders the talent at hand. However, I enjoyed it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 jalapeños.

Cops countermanding the law, using the close-knit nature of their badge to secretly settle scores on the street, have long since become a cinematic cliché. The police have gone from donut-munching jokes to felons in blue and black finery. From the decent beat officer taking bribes to buffer his paycheck, to the undercover operative in so deep he no longer remembers what side of society he’s on, “to protect and serve” has been modified — at least in the movies — to “pervert and steal.” Street Kings, th e latest motion picture inspired by a story from James Ellroy (L.A. Confidential), dabbles freely in this kind of corrupt no man’s land, and for the most part, it’s a thrilling journey.

This movie has a great cast: Keanu Reeves, Forrest Whittaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans, and John Corbett just to name a few. There is considerable interplay between corrupt Forrest Whittaker as the unit commander looking to make chief, Keanu Reeves as the gunslinging cop, and Hugh Laurie as head of internal affairs.

Needless to say there is sufficient lead poisoning of the bad guys to keep you entertained. The plot twists back and forth, albeit a bit predictable.

Although the movie got mixed reviews, I found it one of the better releases so far this Summer.

Rating: 4 out of 5 jalapenos.