Plot:
After the death of her mother, that she didn't know, a young Lily (Fanning) tormented and confused and under constant abuse from her dad T. Ray (Bettany), runs away along with Rosaleen (Hudson), the family housekeeper who encountered a violent situation on her way to register to vote.(Uh OH, and our voting is right around the corner.) Lily who wants to find out about her mother and couldn't get any information from her dad, sets out to find the place that her mother stayed when she left T. Ray. With just a picture and an image on a piece of cardboard to go on, she and Rosaleen come upon a small town in South Carolina that sells honey with the same logo on the cardboard. They learn that the honey is made by the Boatwright sisters - August (Latifah), June (Keys) and May (Okonedo), three educated and independent women who own and operate their own bee farm. During her stay Lily learns the secret behind the life of bees as well as her mom's secret.
Reel Talk:
Little Dakota Fanning is growing up, in this film you'll see how she is maturing as a youngster and actress, compared to her earlier work. The Queen (Latifah), well she still shows why she's the Queen. Hudson, Keys and Okonedo all put in good performances in this emotion filled drama. Yes there will be some crying for some people for this film. I strongly suggest you break out with the Kleenex and see this this movie, it's one of the years best.
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Paul Bettany, Tristan Wilds, and Nate Parker
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Rated: PG-13
I give it 5 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
EAGLE EYE
Plot:
After the funeral services of his twin brother who worked for the military defense team, Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) starts receiving a vast arsenal of weapons and a large sum of money deposited to his bank account. Now he is targeted as a terrorist with hard nose F.B.I. Agent Morgan (Thornton) grilling him hard while in custody. Constantly getting phone calls from a mysterious woman who assist him in escaping and joins him with the also naive Rachel (Monaghan) who the caller has been instructing as well. Together the two are sent on a heart wrenching mission aided by the caller who has access to anything computerized, while trying to evade Agent Morgan and Military Defense cop Zoe Perez (Dawson). As long as the two fugitives follow instructions, they'll stay a few steps ahead of their chasers.
Reel Talk:
Eagle Eye is a combination of a lot of hi-tech suspense thrillers Enemy of the State, Conspiracy Theory and War Games to name a few. So there's not much originality here, but it's still an entertaining movie. This film is full of action pretty much from beginning to end, which will keep your attention. I just felt that the ending could have been a little better. It won't be long before LaBeouf moves from a junior action figure to a full fl edge action hero at the rate he is going (be looking for his follow up Transformer movie coming soon).
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Billy Bob Thornton and Anthony Mackie
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Rated: PG-13
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
After the funeral services of his twin brother who worked for the military defense team, Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) starts receiving a vast arsenal of weapons and a large sum of money deposited to his bank account. Now he is targeted as a terrorist with hard nose F.B.I. Agent Morgan (Thornton) grilling him hard while in custody. Constantly getting phone calls from a mysterious woman who assist him in escaping and joins him with the also naive Rachel (Monaghan) who the caller has been instructing as well. Together the two are sent on a heart wrenching mission aided by the caller who has access to anything computerized, while trying to evade Agent Morgan and Military Defense cop Zoe Perez (Dawson). As long as the two fugitives follow instructions, they'll stay a few steps ahead of their chasers.
Reel Talk:
Eagle Eye is a combination of a lot of hi-tech suspense thrillers Enemy of the State, Conspiracy Theory and War Games to name a few. So there's not much originality here, but it's still an entertaining movie. This film is full of action pretty much from beginning to end, which will keep your attention. I just felt that the ending could have been a little better. It won't be long before LaBeouf moves from a junior action figure to a full fl edge action hero at the rate he is going (be looking for his follow up Transformer movie coming soon).
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Billy Bob Thornton and Anthony Mackie
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Rated: PG-13
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Sunday, September 21, 2008
LAKEVIEW TERRACE
Plot:
When newly married couple Chris (Wilson) and Lisa (Washington) Mattson move into their new California dream starter home, they could have never imagined the nightmare that awaited them by way of their neighbor Abel Turner (Jackson). Abel, a police office and single parent to two children, has a problem dealing with the fact that the couple is interracial and will stop at nothing to make their lives a living hell with hopes that they will move. Seeing that they still have no plans to move he sets out to step up his evil dealings which ultimately leads to fatal consequences.
Reel Talk:
We have seen many phases from Samuel Jackson, but to see him play this ruthless villainous cop was a treat, he truly has range. He truly made me feel thankful about my neighbors. This is a very good thriller that will leave you in total awe unless you have actually experienced this type of madness. A must see.
Starring: Samuel Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington and Ron Glass
Directed by: Neil LaBute
Rated: PG-13
I give it 4 corndogs
By; Corndog - The Reel Hustler
When newly married couple Chris (Wilson) and Lisa (Washington) Mattson move into their new California dream starter home, they could have never imagined the nightmare that awaited them by way of their neighbor Abel Turner (Jackson). Abel, a police office and single parent to two children, has a problem dealing with the fact that the couple is interracial and will stop at nothing to make their lives a living hell with hopes that they will move. Seeing that they still have no plans to move he sets out to step up his evil dealings which ultimately leads to fatal consequences.
Reel Talk:
We have seen many phases from Samuel Jackson, but to see him play this ruthless villainous cop was a treat, he truly has range. He truly made me feel thankful about my neighbors. This is a very good thriller that will leave you in total awe unless you have actually experienced this type of madness. A must see.
Starring: Samuel Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington and Ron Glass
Directed by: Neil LaBute
Rated: PG-13
I give it 4 corndogs
By; Corndog - The Reel Hustler
RIGHTEOUS KILL
Plot:
Robert DeNiro (Turk) and Al Pacino (Rooster), play police partners in this crime thriller that takes them on a chase to find a serial killer who murders his victims (who just so happen to be criminals) and leaves a poem behind. This hunt leads them to the dreads of the city with a possible connection to local drug dealing club owner Spider (50 Cent). While compounding evidence the pair come to the conclusion that the killer may well be a vigilante cop with a disgruntle attitude.
Reel Talk:
Let me just clear this up right now, just because you got two legendary Academy Award winning actors in a movie doesn't mean that this is going to be a great movie. A lot of people wonder why great actors take what they feel is demeaning roles, well first off, they gotta eat and secondly, after stellar performances in other great movies they don't have to prove anything anyway. Not to mention that the movies scripts now don't offer the quality writing for these actors to continue producing great roles. So don't go to see this movie expecting greatness, but it is a good movie with two great actors. It is a good suspenseful movie with a good twist for an ending.
Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson, Carla Gugino, John Lequizamo, Donnie Wahlberg and Brian Dennehy
Directed by: Jon Avnet
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Robert DeNiro (Turk) and Al Pacino (Rooster), play police partners in this crime thriller that takes them on a chase to find a serial killer who murders his victims (who just so happen to be criminals) and leaves a poem behind. This hunt leads them to the dreads of the city with a possible connection to local drug dealing club owner Spider (50 Cent). While compounding evidence the pair come to the conclusion that the killer may well be a vigilante cop with a disgruntle attitude.
Reel Talk:
Let me just clear this up right now, just because you got two legendary Academy Award winning actors in a movie doesn't mean that this is going to be a great movie. A lot of people wonder why great actors take what they feel is demeaning roles, well first off, they gotta eat and secondly, after stellar performances in other great movies they don't have to prove anything anyway. Not to mention that the movies scripts now don't offer the quality writing for these actors to continue producing great roles. So don't go to see this movie expecting greatness, but it is a good movie with two great actors. It is a good suspenseful movie with a good twist for an ending.
Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson, Carla Gugino, John Lequizamo, Donnie Wahlberg and Brian Dennehy
Directed by: Jon Avnet
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Sunday, August 24, 2008
THE HOUSE BUNNY
Plot:
Living a lifelong dream of residing in a mansion and enjoying the most lavish parties, what more could Shelly (Faris), a honorary Playboy bunny who lives in the Playboy mansion with Hef and the girls, want? After her 29th celebrity filled birthday bash, she wakes up to find a note from Hefner demanding she leave the mansion immediately, with only the broke down car that she came to the mansion in. Now homeless, but still with dreams of living in a mansion, she sets out to be a house mother for one of the college frat homes. The only one that accepts her though is a house full of campus outcasts that can't even get pledges, so she sets out to transform them into some sexy divas with the best party frat house.
Reel Talk:
Honestly I got to admit that I went into the screening for this movie thinking that this is going to be a cheesy film. But was I ever wrong, this was actually a good movie. Anna Faris was hilarious as the clueless blond bombshell who helps the girls find their identity. Kinda reminded me of a female version of Revenge Of The Nerds. I am always glad going into a movie with doubts and leaving out enjoying it. Trust me the trailers don't do this movie any justice, it's worth checking out.
Starring: Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Emma Stone, Hugh Hefner, Christopher McDonald and Beverly D'Angelo
Directed By: Fred Wolf
Rated: PG-13
I give it 4 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Living a lifelong dream of residing in a mansion and enjoying the most lavish parties, what more could Shelly (Faris), a honorary Playboy bunny who lives in the Playboy mansion with Hef and the girls, want? After her 29th celebrity filled birthday bash, she wakes up to find a note from Hefner demanding she leave the mansion immediately, with only the broke down car that she came to the mansion in. Now homeless, but still with dreams of living in a mansion, she sets out to be a house mother for one of the college frat homes. The only one that accepts her though is a house full of campus outcasts that can't even get pledges, so she sets out to transform them into some sexy divas with the best party frat house.
Reel Talk:
Honestly I got to admit that I went into the screening for this movie thinking that this is going to be a cheesy film. But was I ever wrong, this was actually a good movie. Anna Faris was hilarious as the clueless blond bombshell who helps the girls find their identity. Kinda reminded me of a female version of Revenge Of The Nerds. I am always glad going into a movie with doubts and leaving out enjoying it. Trust me the trailers don't do this movie any justice, it's worth checking out.
Starring: Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Emma Stone, Hugh Hefner, Christopher McDonald and Beverly D'Angelo
Directed By: Fred Wolf
Rated: PG-13
I give it 4 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
DEATH RACE
Plot:
When ex-racing star Jensen Ames' (Statham) wife is murdered and he is sent to prison for the crime, he soon learns that Warden Hennessey (Allen) runs a highly anticipated Internet site that provides viewer to Death Race. This competition is ran from the prison and the prisoners race in super charged, heavily armed vehicles with the intent of taking each other out. The warden wants Jensen to race as the popular masked Frankenstein, who was killed in an earlier race by Machine Gun Joe (Gibson), but no one knows, they believe he was just hospitalized. If he performs this task he is promised his freedom so that he can get out and claim his little daughter, but he realizes that he was set up and sent to prison by the warden and she has no intentions of allowing him to live past the race.
Reel Talk:
This is not by any means a great movie but it was actually entertaining. Kinda like Mad Max and the Condemned combined. Something about Statham and fast cars, seems like that's the roles he attracts the most. Like I mentioned this was an entertaining movie, with a lot of action and a little bit of gore. If you're an action junkie with a need for speed, this is a worth while movie.
Starring: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian Mcshane, Tyrese Gibson and Natalie Martinez
Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
When ex-racing star Jensen Ames' (Statham) wife is murdered and he is sent to prison for the crime, he soon learns that Warden Hennessey (Allen) runs a highly anticipated Internet site that provides viewer to Death Race. This competition is ran from the prison and the prisoners race in super charged, heavily armed vehicles with the intent of taking each other out. The warden wants Jensen to race as the popular masked Frankenstein, who was killed in an earlier race by Machine Gun Joe (Gibson), but no one knows, they believe he was just hospitalized. If he performs this task he is promised his freedom so that he can get out and claim his little daughter, but he realizes that he was set up and sent to prison by the warden and she has no intentions of allowing him to live past the race.
Reel Talk:
This is not by any means a great movie but it was actually entertaining. Kinda like Mad Max and the Condemned combined. Something about Statham and fast cars, seems like that's the roles he attracts the most. Like I mentioned this was an entertaining movie, with a lot of action and a little bit of gore. If you're an action junkie with a need for speed, this is a worth while movie.
Starring: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian Mcshane, Tyrese Gibson and Natalie Martinez
Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
TROPIC THUNDER
Plot:
When a director for a big budgeted war movie can't seem to get the realism from his actors, it is suggested that he takes them and drop them into a real jungle without their knowledge to film the movie. Once dropped in the jungle the actors Tugg Speedman (Stiller), Kirk Lazarus (Downey), Jeff Portnoy (Black), Alpa Chino (Jackson) and Kevin Sandusky (Baruchel) find out that this is the real deal and must do what they can to survive, especially after they encounter the local poppy seed drug dealers.
Reel Talk:
This is the funniest movie that I have seen this year. There are not any scenes that I don't think you're not going to laugh your head off. The casting was a great cast of some of the funniest guys in the game. Robert Downey Jr. portraying a black soldier was hilarious, and his verbal spats with Detroit comedian Brandon T. Jackson was crazy. Give a big hand to Stiller who was silly as ever, but also did a great job as director. Even though I can say that everyone contributed to making this a funny movie, the scene stealer was Tom cruise as Les Grossman, a ruthless producer who has a fascination with hip hop. This is a must see funny as hell movie.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey and Tom Criuse
Directed by: Ben Stiller
Rated: R
I give it 5 corndogs and a soda
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
When a director for a big budgeted war movie can't seem to get the realism from his actors, it is suggested that he takes them and drop them into a real jungle without their knowledge to film the movie. Once dropped in the jungle the actors Tugg Speedman (Stiller), Kirk Lazarus (Downey), Jeff Portnoy (Black), Alpa Chino (Jackson) and Kevin Sandusky (Baruchel) find out that this is the real deal and must do what they can to survive, especially after they encounter the local poppy seed drug dealers.
Reel Talk:
This is the funniest movie that I have seen this year. There are not any scenes that I don't think you're not going to laugh your head off. The casting was a great cast of some of the funniest guys in the game. Robert Downey Jr. portraying a black soldier was hilarious, and his verbal spats with Detroit comedian Brandon T. Jackson was crazy. Give a big hand to Stiller who was silly as ever, but also did a great job as director. Even though I can say that everyone contributed to making this a funny movie, the scene stealer was Tom cruise as Les Grossman, a ruthless producer who has a fascination with hip hop. This is a must see funny as hell movie.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey and Tom Criuse
Directed by: Ben Stiller
Rated: R
I give it 5 corndogs and a soda
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
Plot:
Dale Denton (Rogen) is a subpoena server who is living the good life, easy job, dating a high school hottie and getting high all day. His supplier Saul (Franco) hooks him up with the bomb-est marijuana that has not yet hit the streets that only he has called Pineapple Express. It is so good that Saul doesn't want to sell it but smoke it himself, but is willing to share with Dale because he thinks of him as a friend. This is great until while Dale is out and about to serve a subpoena, but he had to smoke a joint first, witnesses a man and a female cop kill another man. He panics and throws the weed butt out the window of his car and races away only for the murdering couple to find it, not knowing that the man is the major distributor of the drug. This puts Dale and Saul on the run from the assassins that the drug dealer has sent after them, tying up all loose ends.
Reel Talk:
Move over Cheech and Chong, there are some new stoners in town. Rogen and Franco were hilarious as two stoners on the run. I must admit I was very surprised by Franco's performance because I had only seen him doing series roles, so this was a twist for him to perform comedy, but he rose to the occasion. Don't get me wrong this is a stupid movie that doesn't make any sense but its funny as hell. Got to mention Danny McBride portraying Red is proving to be a big contributor of laughs to some of the funnier movies out. Be warned that there are some graphic violent scenes, but you'll end up laughing them off.
Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny Mcbride, Gary Cole and Rosie Perez Directed By: David Gordon Green
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs and a soda on the side
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Dale Denton (Rogen) is a subpoena server who is living the good life, easy job, dating a high school hottie and getting high all day. His supplier Saul (Franco) hooks him up with the bomb-est marijuana that has not yet hit the streets that only he has called Pineapple Express. It is so good that Saul doesn't want to sell it but smoke it himself, but is willing to share with Dale because he thinks of him as a friend. This is great until while Dale is out and about to serve a subpoena, but he had to smoke a joint first, witnesses a man and a female cop kill another man. He panics and throws the weed butt out the window of his car and races away only for the murdering couple to find it, not knowing that the man is the major distributor of the drug. This puts Dale and Saul on the run from the assassins that the drug dealer has sent after them, tying up all loose ends.
Reel Talk:
Move over Cheech and Chong, there are some new stoners in town. Rogen and Franco were hilarious as two stoners on the run. I must admit I was very surprised by Franco's performance because I had only seen him doing series roles, so this was a twist for him to perform comedy, but he rose to the occasion. Don't get me wrong this is a stupid movie that doesn't make any sense but its funny as hell. Got to mention Danny McBride portraying Red is proving to be a big contributor of laughs to some of the funnier movies out. Be warned that there are some graphic violent scenes, but you'll end up laughing them off.
Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny Mcbride, Gary Cole and Rosie Perez Directed By: David Gordon Green
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs and a soda on the side
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
THE MUMMY:TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR
Plot:
Rick (Fraser) and Evelyn (Bello) O'Connell, the famous mummy finders, now retired, try to live the normal life. This proves to be quite boring for the adventure seeking couple, so given the opportunity to deliver an important artifact to China, they jump at the chance. When they arrive there they realize that their son Alex (Ford) who should be away at college, has now become a tomb raider himself, having found the tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Li), a ruthless and powerful ruler with goals of ruling the world until he was cursed by the witch Zi Juan (Yeoh). After being double crossed and forced to bring the Emperor back to life so that he can complete his goal of conquering the world, the family must unite to prevent this from happening.
Reel Talk:
Well the gangs all here for the third installment for the Mummy series with the exception of Rachel Weisz who was replace by Maria Bello and Luke Ford who plays an older Alex.
Right off I got to say that I was very disappointed with this movie, considering that I enjoyed the previous films. It offered nothing different that the others and seemed as if they jammed a bunch of stuff together just to make this movie. Although the special effects were good, it was not enough to help this movie. If they plan on competing with the Indiana Jones series, they have to step it up big for the next film.
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Luke Ford, John Hannah, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh
Directed by: Rob Cohen
Rated: PG-13
I give it 2 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Rick (Fraser) and Evelyn (Bello) O'Connell, the famous mummy finders, now retired, try to live the normal life. This proves to be quite boring for the adventure seeking couple, so given the opportunity to deliver an important artifact to China, they jump at the chance. When they arrive there they realize that their son Alex (Ford) who should be away at college, has now become a tomb raider himself, having found the tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Li), a ruthless and powerful ruler with goals of ruling the world until he was cursed by the witch Zi Juan (Yeoh). After being double crossed and forced to bring the Emperor back to life so that he can complete his goal of conquering the world, the family must unite to prevent this from happening.
Reel Talk:
Well the gangs all here for the third installment for the Mummy series with the exception of Rachel Weisz who was replace by Maria Bello and Luke Ford who plays an older Alex.
Right off I got to say that I was very disappointed with this movie, considering that I enjoyed the previous films. It offered nothing different that the others and seemed as if they jammed a bunch of stuff together just to make this movie. Although the special effects were good, it was not enough to help this movie. If they plan on competing with the Indiana Jones series, they have to step it up big for the next film.
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Luke Ford, John Hannah, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh
Directed by: Rob Cohen
Rated: PG-13
I give it 2 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
STEP BROTHERS
Plot:
Dr. Robert Doback (Jenkins) and Nancy Huff (Steenburgen) meet at a medical conference and it's love and lust at first sight. The two set out to get married but both come with a lil or should we say a lot of baggage between them, by way of their 40 year old sons, Nancy's Brennan (Ferrell) and Robert's Dale (Reilly). Right off the cuff the two step siblings engage in confrontational competition, trying to establish some ground rules. It becomes clear that the two spoiled childlike men hate each other but do have a few qualities in common, one being the blatant dislike for Brennan's brother Derek (Scott). Eventually the parents unite and force the two men to go out and get jobs causing them to form their own unnatural alliance.
Reel Talk:
Although this is Ferrell and Reilly's second film together, it seems as though they have been doing films together for awhile. The comedic chemistry between the two is hilarious. Ferrell continues to show us why he is one of the funniest guys in the game to date. It really doesn't take much from him, he is a natural talented comedian with an outrageous sense of humor (displayed in the film, since he helped co-write it). This is a stupidly silly movie, but who can't relate to some over-aged loafer living at home with their parents? It is still one of the funniest movies you'll see this summer.
Starring:Wil Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins and Adam Scott
Directed by: Adam McKay
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
Dr. Robert Doback (Jenkins) and Nancy Huff (Steenburgen) meet at a medical conference and it's love and lust at first sight. The two set out to get married but both come with a lil or should we say a lot of baggage between them, by way of their 40 year old sons, Nancy's Brennan (Ferrell) and Robert's Dale (Reilly). Right off the cuff the two step siblings engage in confrontational competition, trying to establish some ground rules. It becomes clear that the two spoiled childlike men hate each other but do have a few qualities in common, one being the blatant dislike for Brennan's brother Derek (Scott). Eventually the parents unite and force the two men to go out and get jobs causing them to form their own unnatural alliance.
Reel Talk:
Although this is Ferrell and Reilly's second film together, it seems as though they have been doing films together for awhile. The comedic chemistry between the two is hilarious. Ferrell continues to show us why he is one of the funniest guys in the game to date. It really doesn't take much from him, he is a natural talented comedian with an outrageous sense of humor (displayed in the film, since he helped co-write it). This is a stupidly silly movie, but who can't relate to some over-aged loafer living at home with their parents? It is still one of the funniest movies you'll see this summer.
Starring:Wil Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins and Adam Scott
Directed by: Adam McKay
Rated: R
I give it 3 corndogs
By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler
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