Deja Vu

Viewed: 06.07.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: Plane
Overall Review: 4.5 out of 5

Plot:
If you could save someone's life by altering the past, would you? Denzel Washington teams with director Tony Scott (Man on Fire) to explore this ticklish question.

Memorable Quote:
"What if you had to tell someone the most important thing in the world, but you knew they'd never believe you?"

My Thoughts:
This movie is absolutely terrific. It is a great action thriller with a lot of plot twists that really make you think. The acting is superb from all the lead and supporting characters and you are on the edge of your seat the entire time. If you liked the space-time continuum scenarios of the 'Back to the Future' trilogy, you're going to love this movie.

I always have a hard time getting into a Denzel film for some reason. He is terrific in almost every role he plays but maybe because he is so good every time, I find it difficult to see him as a different character. But this movie just grabs you straight from the start and you can't wait to see what happens in the next scene and how the mystery will be solved.

Tony Scott is a pure movie genius and every movie he makes is a must see for me. Ever since the early days of 'Top Gun' and 'Days of Thunder' he has churned out excellent big Hollywood action blockbusters.

I think the only reason this movie did not top the $64M at the box-office was the way it was marketed. This is a must see in my opinion.

Casino Royale

Viewed: 06.07.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: Plane
Overall Review: 3 out of 5

Plot:
Bond is back and he's tougher than ever. Daniel Craig stars as the newly minted 007 in this thrill ride from GoldenEye director Martin Campbell.

Memorable Quote:
"Christ, I miss the Cold War."

My Thoughts:
I miss the old Bond and the Cold War, too. This new Bond was a little to weird for me. Maybe they should have called it 'Casino Royale, with Cheese' instead.

The whole film revolves around a ridiculous high stakes poker game in Montenegro (huh?) of all places. I guess with the popularity of poker these days they had to make the switch from the old-school Baccarat, but this was truly pathetic. Anyone playing in that game would scream foul pretty quickly and the Montenegro Gaming Commission would have to be called in to review the tapes to figure out how a cold deck was introduced into the game.

Yes, they still have the hot girl and they still have the fancy fast cars. Yes, it's a little dark at times and you do get a sense for the action. But it's either a little too over the top and a little too unbelievable to really grab you and get you hooked. The funny thing is I actually watched parts of it on my laptop and the version on the plane was censored pretty heavily, so maybe I didn't get the full experience. I did fall asleep a few times and ended up having to rewind and watch some parts several times until I made it the whole way through.

And I still got a pain in my nether-regions after a certain scene. You'll have to watch it to find out and I am willing to bet you will cringe with pain as well.

Blood Diamond

Viewed: 06.07.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: Plane
Overall Review: 4 out of 5

Plot:
Solomon Vandy (Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou), a farmer, is taken from his family and forced to work in the mines of Sierra Leone. After discovering a huge raw diamond, he teams with a mercenary (Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio) to smuggle the diamond out of the mine.

Memorable Quote:
"Sometimes I wonder... will God ever forgive us for what we've done to each other? Then I look around and I realize... God left this place a long time ago."

My Thoughts:
I am not usually a big Leo fan, but I have to say this movie was very good and not just because Leo did a terrific job (and nailed the accent) but because the entire cast was great. This movie shines a spotlight on one kind of horror (amongst the many others) that occur in Africa on daily basis. It is astonishing to me that the so-called "advanced" parts of the world are so materialistic that they almost always forget what happens just because someone wants to spend 3 months' pay on an engagement ring. The pain and suffering that go into the diamond trade are inexcusable and I think this movie will make more people think before they blindly pay the outrageous prices that jewelers demand.

This movie reminded me a little of 'The Killing Fields' (with a touch of 'Romancing the Stone' but without the romance). Especially the scenes with the children being brainwashed. These are the same tactics that were used by the Khmer Rouge and they are completely despicable. I had moments during the movie that I felt like punching the screen, but was afraid I would either break it or wake the person sitting in the seat in front of me.

So overall, I say this is a must-see and must-tell. The injustice in Africa has to be known and the word spread. Only by educating the masses will there be any hope to change the current situation.

The Last Kiss

Viewed: 07.29.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: DVD
Overall Review: 2 out of 5

Plot:
Michael (Zach Braff) and Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) have been together for three years and have been thinking about getting married and starting a family. Jenna is already 10 weeks pregnant while Michael is worried that his life and youth as he knows them are over for good. At a wedding of a friend, he meets a free-spirited college co-ed, named Kim (Rachel Bilson), who opens his eyes and tempts him.

Memorable Quote:
"What you feel only matters to you. It's what you do to the people you say you love, that's what matters. It's the only thing that counts."

My Thoughts:
Skip it. Seriously, the only reason I got this movie is because past Zach Braff movies were pretty good and the back of the DVD cover said this was a "hilarious, irresistibly genuine comedy". I don't know who wrote the cover but he was probably watching another movie.

This film was all about heartache, betrayal, anxiety and the art of hurting the ones you care for. It was full of cliches and not even trying to hide them. The characters are all taken out of standard overused situations and have no originality. The whole premise that Kim (the college co-ed) is attracted to Michael and is basically whoring it up is baseless and makes their relationship without any credibility.

The only highlight of the movie was the above mentioned quote. It a shame, really, because the movie had lots of potential. I guess the only people who will appreciate it are the true Zach Braff fanatics:

Reign Over Me

Viewed: 07.23.07
Theater/DVD/Cable: Plane
Overall Review: 4.5 out of 5

Plot:
A man (Adam Sandler) who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City runs into his old college roommate (Don Cheadle). Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears to help the man recover from his grief.

Memorable Scene:
Me, weeping uncontrollably in my first class seat throughout most of the movie.

My Thoughts:
If you want to feel pain in your heart and unclog a tear duct or two, watch this film. I don't think there is person out there who can watch this without shedding a tear. Not only did it make me think of all the people who's lives were destroyed by the events of Sept. 11th, but I also had to deal with my own internal demons of potential loss and grief. This is by far the best Adam Sandler role (surpassing his terrific 'Punch Drunk Love' character) and he deserves some kind of recognition for an amazing job. And Don Cheadle is always excellent and nails his role perfectly.

When I got back home and hugged my loved ones I told KajaWife about the movie and by the time I finished we were both in tears. You have to watch this movie. The problem is when and how? If you are already in a dark mood this might push you over the edge. If you're in a good mood, that will definitely change. Maybe just watch it by mistake, like I did, on a plane (yeah, not the best place to watch a post 9/11 flick). But find some time and watch it. Maybe when this country comes to grips with what happened here and starts treating 9/11 as a national day of mourning and memoriam will this movie be shown on a yearly basis on national television. But for now, just find a time and go see it. You have to.