Plot:
While at a college party, school playboy Tom (Dempsey) mistakenly ends up getting in bed with Hannah (Monaghan) who winds up super socking the crap out of him. Through the years the two become the best of friends. Tom who has never been one for commitments and dates women on a rule system, realizes once Hannah goes on vacation that she is the one true love for him. But on her return, she announces that she is getting married to Scottish royalty, Colin (McKidd) and ask that Tom be her Maid of Honor. Although this is a crazy request, Tom's friend convince him that being the Maid of Honor is the best way to stay close to her so that he can let her know his feelings.
Reel Talk:
Ok, there is nothing original about this plot, we have seen this in several movies done in several ways, but never with Patrick Dempsey. He gives that smooth, subtle approach but with a dose of comedic humor that is surprisingly good. It is the characters that actually keep the movie interesting. A very good date movie.
In other news, did you hear that Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey got married this week? I'm just wondering was her best friend Da Brat, the Maid of Honor or the Best Man? What you think?
Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kadeem Hardison and Kevin McKidd
Directed by: Paul Weiland
Rated: PG-13
I give it 4 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Friday, May 2, 2008
IRON MAN
Plot:
When his father passes, long lost son Tony Starks steps in to take over the business of Stark Enterprise, the largest weapons supplier in the world. Ultra rich and stylishly charming, the chic playboy is kidnapped while in the Middle East to perform a demonstration of his company's latest weapon. On the brink of death, he is saved when a kidnapped scientist rigs a power boosted magnet to his heart that will keep him alive. Forced by the terrorist to make another weapon, instead Starks makes a suit of iron which enables him to escape. Back in the states, after seeing first hand the impact his weapons has on the world, he decides to no longer make them and instead designs a hi-tech armored suit so that he may be a defender against evil.
Reel Talk:
This is the blockbuster kick off movie of 2008! It packs tons of action and for someone who has traveled a rocky road, this role seemed like it was ironed out for Robert Downey Jr. He brought a certain charm and passion that truly defined Starks' character. This is not to mention a good supporting cast with Bridges, Howard and Paltrow. Although Jon Favreau's resume as a director is not that long, this is by far his best work. Die hard comic book readers and action junkies will really enjoy this movie. No disappointments here.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrance Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwenyth Paltrow
Directed By: Jon Favreau
Rated: PG-13
I give it 5 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
When his father passes, long lost son Tony Starks steps in to take over the business of Stark Enterprise, the largest weapons supplier in the world. Ultra rich and stylishly charming, the chic playboy is kidnapped while in the Middle East to perform a demonstration of his company's latest weapon. On the brink of death, he is saved when a kidnapped scientist rigs a power boosted magnet to his heart that will keep him alive. Forced by the terrorist to make another weapon, instead Starks makes a suit of iron which enables him to escape. Back in the states, after seeing first hand the impact his weapons has on the world, he decides to no longer make them and instead designs a hi-tech armored suit so that he may be a defender against evil.
Reel Talk:
This is the blockbuster kick off movie of 2008! It packs tons of action and for someone who has traveled a rocky road, this role seemed like it was ironed out for Robert Downey Jr. He brought a certain charm and passion that truly defined Starks' character. This is not to mention a good supporting cast with Bridges, Howard and Paltrow. Although Jon Favreau's resume as a director is not that long, this is by far his best work. Die hard comic book readers and action junkies will really enjoy this movie. No disappointments here.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrance Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwenyth Paltrow
Directed By: Jon Favreau
Rated: PG-13
I give it 5 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
BABY MAMA
Plot:
Kate (Fey) a successful career woman, but unsuccessful in the dating arena, finally decides its time to have a baby. During her visit to the doctor, she's told that her chances to conceive a baby is one in a million and not likely. She then turns to a pricey surrogate mom's service run by Chaffe (Weaver) who partners her with the trailer trashy Angie (Poehler), to become the surrogate mother for Kate. Things really begin to blossom for Kate as she meets Rob (Kinnear) and the two begin to date, she gets another promotion from her strange guru type boss played by Steve Martin and the pregnancy of Angie. But soon things get shaken up as Angie's boyfriend Carl (Shepard) enters the picture claiming the pregnancy a farce.
Reel Talk:
You would think with the two Saturday Night Live veterans Poehler and Fey, that this would be a hilarious movie. Wrong! The humor was a laugh here and a laugh there, nothing consistently. Some of the bigger laughs were provided by comedian Romany Malco playing the wise-cracking doorman. This is more of a girls night out movie, the fellas will do better passing on this one, unless the wifey makes you take her.
Starring: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Greg Kinnear, Dax Shepard, Romany Malco, Sigourney Weaver and Steve Martin
Directed By: Micheal McCullers
Rated: PG-13
I give it 2 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Kate (Fey) a successful career woman, but unsuccessful in the dating arena, finally decides its time to have a baby. During her visit to the doctor, she's told that her chances to conceive a baby is one in a million and not likely. She then turns to a pricey surrogate mom's service run by Chaffe (Weaver) who partners her with the trailer trashy Angie (Poehler), to become the surrogate mother for Kate. Things really begin to blossom for Kate as she meets Rob (Kinnear) and the two begin to date, she gets another promotion from her strange guru type boss played by Steve Martin and the pregnancy of Angie. But soon things get shaken up as Angie's boyfriend Carl (Shepard) enters the picture claiming the pregnancy a farce.
Reel Talk:
You would think with the two Saturday Night Live veterans Poehler and Fey, that this would be a hilarious movie. Wrong! The humor was a laugh here and a laugh there, nothing consistently. Some of the bigger laughs were provided by comedian Romany Malco playing the wise-cracking doorman. This is more of a girls night out movie, the fellas will do better passing on this one, unless the wifey makes you take her.
Starring: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Greg Kinnear, Dax Shepard, Romany Malco, Sigourney Weaver and Steve Martin
Directed By: Micheal McCullers
Rated: PG-13
I give it 2 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY
Plot:
In this follow up to the 2004 comedy Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle, the duo plans a vacation to Amsterdam to find Harold's (Cho) new found love, since he's missing her in just a few days. Aboard the flight, Kumar (Penn) smuggled some marijuana and attempts to smoke it in a smokeless bong that he invented until one passenger mistakes it for a bomb.The two are then returned to the U. S. to be interrogated by a racist FBI agent who considers them to be terrorist and deports them to Guantanamo Bay. In the midst of being almost forced to eat a meatball sandwich the two escape and head back to the states in an attempt to clear their names.
Reel Talk:
I thought the the first movie was funny as heck, and from seeing the trailer for the sequel, I thought it was going to be garbage. Never judge a movie by it's trailer folks. This movie was as funny as the prequel. Ok, its a bunch of stupid, unbelievable crap, but it was still hilarious. These two are like the new Cheech and Chong and can continue to make a string of movies bases on their adventures.
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn and Neil Patrick Harris
Directed By: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Rated: R
I give it 4 corndogs
B: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
In this follow up to the 2004 comedy Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle, the duo plans a vacation to Amsterdam to find Harold's (Cho) new found love, since he's missing her in just a few days. Aboard the flight, Kumar (Penn) smuggled some marijuana and attempts to smoke it in a smokeless bong that he invented until one passenger mistakes it for a bomb.The two are then returned to the U. S. to be interrogated by a racist FBI agent who considers them to be terrorist and deports them to Guantanamo Bay. In the midst of being almost forced to eat a meatball sandwich the two escape and head back to the states in an attempt to clear their names.
Reel Talk:
I thought the the first movie was funny as heck, and from seeing the trailer for the sequel, I thought it was going to be garbage. Never judge a movie by it's trailer folks. This movie was as funny as the prequel. Ok, its a bunch of stupid, unbelievable crap, but it was still hilarious. These two are like the new Cheech and Chong and can continue to make a string of movies bases on their adventures.
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn and Neil Patrick Harris
Directed By: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Rated: R
I give it 4 corndogs
B: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Sunday, April 20, 2008
THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Plot:
Jason (Angrarano) is a teen who love his karate movies, but can't fight to save his life. While in the mist of a robbery of an antique Chinese shop, he gains possession of a mythical staff that transports him back to ancient China, where he teams up with Lu Yan (Chan), a drunken martial arts master, Silent Monk (Li) and Golden Sparrow (Liu), who will assist him in returning the rod to its rightful owner The Monkey King (Li) who was banished by the evil Jade Emperor (Wang). To achieve this task he must learn the ways of the great masters and do battle against the likes of the White Witch and the Jade soldiers. Good family movie.
Reel Talk:
Right off, I confess that I am a karate movie junkie. Flashbacks of when I used to catch the three karate movies marathon on Mondays at the Fox Theater or the Saturday night karate classics hosted by Charlie Rum, helped me to enjoy this movie. Chan and Li, who both have dual rolls in this movie, provided a more modernistic and comedic touch to their character oppose to the older classics, but the addition of the White Witch is what did it. I would personally like to see the combination of Chan and Li again on the big screen.
Starring: Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Michael Angarano, Deshun Wang and Yifei Liu
Directed By: Rob Minkoff
Rated: PG-13
I give it 4 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Jason (Angrarano) is a teen who love his karate movies, but can't fight to save his life. While in the mist of a robbery of an antique Chinese shop, he gains possession of a mythical staff that transports him back to ancient China, where he teams up with Lu Yan (Chan), a drunken martial arts master, Silent Monk (Li) and Golden Sparrow (Liu), who will assist him in returning the rod to its rightful owner The Monkey King (Li) who was banished by the evil Jade Emperor (Wang). To achieve this task he must learn the ways of the great masters and do battle against the likes of the White Witch and the Jade soldiers. Good family movie.
Reel Talk:
Right off, I confess that I am a karate movie junkie. Flashbacks of when I used to catch the three karate movies marathon on Mondays at the Fox Theater or the Saturday night karate classics hosted by Charlie Rum, helped me to enjoy this movie. Chan and Li, who both have dual rolls in this movie, provided a more modernistic and comedic touch to their character oppose to the older classics, but the addition of the White Witch is what did it. I would personally like to see the combination of Chan and Li again on the big screen.
Starring: Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Michael Angarano, Deshun Wang and Yifei Liu
Directed By: Rob Minkoff
Rated: PG-13
I give it 4 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
88 MINUTES
Plot:
Al Pacino plays Dr. Jack Gramm, a prominent forensic professor who made his rep off putting away high profiled serial killers. When his latest profiled killer Jon Forester (Mcdonough), who was given the death sentence, pleads that he was set up by a false testimony from the good doc, requests and is granted a stay of execution. Meanwhile there are killings taking place that mirror Forester's alleged murders that have many wondering if Gramm did make a mistake. Jack who has been given 88 minutes to live, must use all his skills to hunt down the copy-cat killer and don't know who can be trusted in this thriller.
Reel Talk:
Ok some movies are not made for great performances, but other wise to entertain us and this is one of those movies. A good whodunit type movie that just happens to have some good actors and actresses, who won't get nominated for any awards, but put in a good performance to make a good movie. If you blink you just might miss something.
Starring: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brenneman, William Forsythe and Neal McDonough
Direct By: Jon Avnet
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Al Pacino plays Dr. Jack Gramm, a prominent forensic professor who made his rep off putting away high profiled serial killers. When his latest profiled killer Jon Forester (Mcdonough), who was given the death sentence, pleads that he was set up by a false testimony from the good doc, requests and is granted a stay of execution. Meanwhile there are killings taking place that mirror Forester's alleged murders that have many wondering if Gramm did make a mistake. Jack who has been given 88 minutes to live, must use all his skills to hunt down the copy-cat killer and don't know who can be trusted in this thriller.
Reel Talk:
Ok some movies are not made for great performances, but other wise to entertain us and this is one of those movies. A good whodunit type movie that just happens to have some good actors and actresses, who won't get nominated for any awards, but put in a good performance to make a good movie. If you blink you just might miss something.
Starring: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brenneman, William Forsythe and Neal McDonough
Direct By: Jon Avnet
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
STREET KINGS
Plot:
With so much evil on the streets Capt. Wander (Whitaker) turns to Det. Ludlow (Reeves), a cop whose trying to deal with the loss of his wife, who approaches his missions with a kill first ask questions later, kamikaze type mentality.When he becomes the target for an Internal Affairs investigation spearheaded by Capt. Biggs (Laurie) acting on information by Ludlow's former partner Washington (Crews), all hell breaks out. Washington is soon murdered by two cold blooded killers, leaving Ludlow with a lot of questions and implicating him in the crime. He now must initiate his own brand of street justice in search of whose behind the plot to bring about his demise.
Reel Talk:
Ok it was kinda hard watching the robotic Keanu Reeves carry this role, but Forest Whitakers' character (he gets my vote to portray Kwame Kilpatrick if they ever make a movie about him), helped me through it. It was also a little strange seeing Hugh Laurie in another role outside of House (I know, I'm guilty of character typecasting here, but I couldn't help myself). Street Kings is a gritty, violent movie that cult urban classic junkies will enjoy.
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Cedric The Entertainer, Terry Crews, Game and Common
Directed By: David Ayers
Rated: R
I give it 3 and a half eaten corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
With so much evil on the streets Capt. Wander (Whitaker) turns to Det. Ludlow (Reeves), a cop whose trying to deal with the loss of his wife, who approaches his missions with a kill first ask questions later, kamikaze type mentality.When he becomes the target for an Internal Affairs investigation spearheaded by Capt. Biggs (Laurie) acting on information by Ludlow's former partner Washington (Crews), all hell breaks out. Washington is soon murdered by two cold blooded killers, leaving Ludlow with a lot of questions and implicating him in the crime. He now must initiate his own brand of street justice in search of whose behind the plot to bring about his demise.
Reel Talk:
Ok it was kinda hard watching the robotic Keanu Reeves carry this role, but Forest Whitakers' character (he gets my vote to portray Kwame Kilpatrick if they ever make a movie about him), helped me through it. It was also a little strange seeing Hugh Laurie in another role outside of House (I know, I'm guilty of character typecasting here, but I couldn't help myself). Street Kings is a gritty, violent movie that cult urban classic junkies will enjoy.
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Cedric The Entertainer, Terry Crews, Game and Common
Directed By: David Ayers
Rated: R
I give it 3 and a half eaten corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
THE RUINS
Plot:
A group of friends vacationing within a Mexican village, hook up with a German tourist who's searching for his brother and his friends who haven't been seen since visiting an unchartered ruin site. Upon finding the ruin, the group encounters village natives that have no intentions of allowing them to leave the site even if it means murdering them. Now the group is trapped between the villagers and the horrific secret that dwells within the ruins
Reel Talk:
This one is not for the faint of heart. There's plenty of blood and gore to go round for a few horror movies. But like all horror movies you have to put up with the constant stupidity of the victims. All I can say is when you really get into this movie you'll be thinking "Little Shop Of Horrors", that's all I could think about throughout the movie (lol).
Starring: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey, Shawn Ashmore and Joe Anderson
Directed By: Carter Smith
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
A group of friends vacationing within a Mexican village, hook up with a German tourist who's searching for his brother and his friends who haven't been seen since visiting an unchartered ruin site. Upon finding the ruin, the group encounters village natives that have no intentions of allowing them to leave the site even if it means murdering them. Now the group is trapped between the villagers and the horrific secret that dwells within the ruins
Reel Talk:
This one is not for the faint of heart. There's plenty of blood and gore to go round for a few horror movies. But like all horror movies you have to put up with the constant stupidity of the victims. All I can say is when you really get into this movie you'll be thinking "Little Shop Of Horrors", that's all I could think about throughout the movie (lol).
Starring: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey, Shawn Ashmore and Joe Anderson
Directed By: Carter Smith
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
21
Plot:
Ben Campbell (Sturgess) an ultra smart young teen,who is backed into a financial bind when he's about to lose his $300,000 MIT scholarship and has no idea of how to gain the money. He is soon approached by Professor Micky Rosa (Spacey) who wants to recruit him to join a small group of other academically smart students who make weekend trips to Vegas to hit a lick at the casinos by counting cards. Although counting cards is not illegal, it is stilled frowned upon by casinos and if caught they must face the wrath of head of security Cole Williams (Fishburne). Ben at first refuses, but is easily swayed when approached by the school beauty Jill (Bosworth). Initially things are good, the gangs making money and everyone is happy, until some of the members get caught up in the hype and jealousy rears its ugly head causing dissension among some of the members and the professor.
Reel Talk:
Although this film was based on true events and not a bad movie I might add, but you can probably get the idea of gambling by watching any one of the gaming shows on cable. This movie didn't offer much for actors Spacey and Fishburne to showcase their talented skills, so don't look for any nominations to be handed out on this one. I just hope some dummy doesn't get the bright idea from watching this movie to go out and try card counting at some casino.
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Lawrence Fishburne, Aaron Yoo and Liza Lapira
Directed by: Robert Luketic
Rated: PG-13
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Ben Campbell (Sturgess) an ultra smart young teen,who is backed into a financial bind when he's about to lose his $300,000 MIT scholarship and has no idea of how to gain the money. He is soon approached by Professor Micky Rosa (Spacey) who wants to recruit him to join a small group of other academically smart students who make weekend trips to Vegas to hit a lick at the casinos by counting cards. Although counting cards is not illegal, it is stilled frowned upon by casinos and if caught they must face the wrath of head of security Cole Williams (Fishburne). Ben at first refuses, but is easily swayed when approached by the school beauty Jill (Bosworth). Initially things are good, the gangs making money and everyone is happy, until some of the members get caught up in the hype and jealousy rears its ugly head causing dissension among some of the members and the professor.
Reel Talk:
Although this film was based on true events and not a bad movie I might add, but you can probably get the idea of gambling by watching any one of the gaming shows on cable. This movie didn't offer much for actors Spacey and Fishburne to showcase their talented skills, so don't look for any nominations to be handed out on this one. I just hope some dummy doesn't get the bright idea from watching this movie to go out and try card counting at some casino.
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Lawrence Fishburne, Aaron Yoo and Liza Lapira
Directed by: Robert Luketic
Rated: PG-13
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
NEVER BACK DOWN
Plot:
Reel Talk:
Starring: Sean Faris, Amber Heard, Djimon Hounsou, Cam Gigandet and Evan Peters
Directed by: Jeff Wadlow
Rated: PG-13
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Jake Tyler (Faris) is a troubled teen with a lot of anger inside, following the death of his father and only finds relief when he is pummeling someone. Upon arriving at a new high school in Florida, he is baited into a full contact fight with local hot shot Ryan McCarthy (Gigandet) who beats the crap out of him. After the beating he is befriended by fellow classmate Max (Peters) who takes him to a gym run by mixed martial arts pro Jean Roqua (Hounsou), where he learns that to be a great fighter he must control his anger. With brutal training he prepares himself for the ultimate battle against Ryan in a full contact challenge called the Beatdown.
Reel Talk:
Now was it just me who as I watched this movie, kept seeing a young Tom Cruise in Sean Faris. This is your typical sport overcoming underdog movie. If your a fan of UFC than you'll enjoy this movie, the fight scenes were pretty good. Hounsou as the trainer, was another opportunity for him to display his athleticism and charm all together, he was a good fit for this movie.
Starring: Sean Faris, Amber Heard, Djimon Hounsou, Cam Gigandet and Evan Peters
Directed by: Jeff Wadlow
Rated: PG-13
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
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