Movie Reviews By Movie Reviews Pro

State of Play - Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck

Rating:

Movie: State of Play (2009)

Studio : Universal Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 127min

Website : stateofplaymovie.net

Trailer :

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7tyba

Review:

Featuring a star-studded roster of critically acclaimed actors, State of Play is the film adaptation of a British 6-part mini-series of the same name. The story follows an investigative journalist named Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) as he attempts to unearth the truth behind the mysterious death of Congressman Stephen Collins’ (Ben Affleck) mistress. Initially ruled as a suicide, Cal unexpectedly finds himself waist-deep in a quagmire of political and corporate conspiracy, a secretive web with potentially lethal repercussions for anybody that stumbles upon it. Faced with this discovery, Cal must choose between preserving his firmly-rooted friendship with Collins or risk everything to unveil one of the biggest scandals of the century.

Set in the nation’s capital, the complex yet sensible plot is particularly intriguing given that its embedded in current affairs; in this case, a lucrative military contractor is facing political opposition. However, the pace seems to drag a bit at times, as the finer details require more time to be fully ironed-out. But this isn’t an entirely bad situation, because these instances of plot development precipitate occasions of unnerving suspense.

Throughout the screening I found myself briefly wondering what sort of twist could come next, while simultaneously watching along in an unending stupor of fascination, the sort of infatuated yet vegetative mental state that only a thorough storyline could evoke.

Rarely does Hollywood produce such a tremendous work of film, where plot development, performance, and suspense are all top-notch. State of Play is more than just a political thriller, as it exposes the workings of the dying newspaper industry, their sporadic collusion with politicians, and their cooperation with law enforcement. It successfully delivers an elaborate while discernible storyline guaranteed to consume film fanatics and average movie-goers alike, thus it comes highly recommended.

– Daniel S. Edited by: Trent M.

Drama, In Theaters, Thriller crime, Drama, police, russell crowe, state of play, suspense, Thriller

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Hugh Jackman

Rating:

Movie: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Studio : Twentieth Century-Fox

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 107min

Website : x-menorigins.com

Trailer :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7qm22

Review:

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is by far an amazing movie. The trailer of this movie promised an action endured film, and it did just that. This is possibly one of the best prequels I’ve since seen Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The movie starts from the beginning of Logan’s (Hugh Jackman) life as a child when he discovered his mutant powers; the movie ends when he loses all of his past memories.

I cannot believe how amazing Hugh Jackman maintained his character throughout this movie! Hugh Jackman was in literally almost every scene in the movie! The movie hadn’t gone 5 minutes without showing Hugh Jackman’s sexiest man alive of 2008 body in the next scene! And with all this happening, Hugh just made it a movie worth watching.

A lot of twists and ties had turned this movie into an epic classic film. This entire film explains Wolverine’s continuous flashbacks in the first X-Men films. It also explains Wolverine’s resistance to connect with anyone. On top of that it explains how Wolverine got his name and his unbreakable metal claws! So much explanation with so little time.

That was the downside of this movie, “little time”. There was so much information and explanation that the producers had to do that was all jammed into a two hour film. I know two hours seems like it would be an extreme amount but even after the film was over there was the big essence of a “rushed film”. There was a lot of story told, yes, and there were many action scenes, yes, but it seemed that the movie jumped from scene to scene very quickly.

I would definitely see the movie in theaters as well as purchase this movie. It is an all time classic that lives beyond its standards as a prequel.

– Trent M.

Action, In Theaters, Sci-Fi, Thriller hugh jackman, mutants, origins, wolverine, x-men, x-men origins: wolverine, xmen

Observe and Report - Seth Rogen

Rating:

Movie: Observe and Report (2009)

Studio : Legendary Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 86min

Website : observe-and-report.warnerbros.com

Trailer :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8abkm

Review:

Ronnie Barnhardt (Seth Rogen) is the head of mall security at the Forest Ridge Mall. Equipped with a taser, mace, and a plastic badge, he patrols the mall walkways with a distinct display of pride and an explosive temperament. After months of emotional suffering, Ronnie finally has a chance to be a hero and impress the girl of his dreams, Brandi (Anna Faris), after a string of indecent exposure reports perpetrated by a trench coat-toting pervert in the mall’s parking lot. However things don’t quite unfold desirably, and Ronnie finds himself in a constant battle with Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) in the pursuit of Brandi’s attention.

The movie tries extremely hard to be funny, with forced dialogue and awkward situations, but ultimately falls quite short. Seth Rogen’s performance is yet another testament to the expiration of his brand of crude, bumbling comedy (and I use that term loosely), a style that worked a few times but has already worn-out it’s stay. Anna Faris’ portrayal of a ditzy, image-obsessed department store clerk is performed with stunning conviction, and is the perfect role for a talentless actress such as herself. Despite these major shortcomings, Ray Liotta, Patton Oswalt, and Aziz Ansari deftly deliver the only chuckle-worthy scenes during their brief appearances.

Observe and Report is an absolutely atrocious attempt at black comedy, with far too many expletives, far too much nudity, and far too little comedy. The result is an excessively disgusting movie seemingly released to target 5th graders, a demographic where hearing the F-word ten times in two minutes warrants multiple views at the theater and claims of “It was hilarious!”

– Daniel S.

Comedy, Just left Theaters Comedy, observe and report, seth rogen

Monsters vs Aliens - Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen

Rating:

Movie: Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)

Studio : DreamWorks Animation; Paramount Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 95min

Website : monstersvsaliens.com

Trailer :

Review:

After a mysterious meteor lands on Earth, a power-hungry alien named Gallaxhar sends an enormous robot to the planet in order to retrieve it. After failed attempts at a diplomatic solution and unsuccessful results from conventional weaponry, the president orders a secret coalition of detained monsters to fight the robot. The monsters, including the recent addition of Susan (who was rendered a giantess after touching the meteor), are guaranteed freedom if they succeed. From here the story unfolds as the group of kind-hearted monsters must save the planet from Gallaxhar and his malicious minions.

Despite the fairly formulaic storyline of ‘good versus evil’, Monsters vs. Aliens successfully delivers thorough entertainment for viewers of all ages. The dialogue is chock full of clean, elementary humor targeted at younger audiences while several adult topics are consistently referred to, ensuring enjoyment for children and parents alike.

An all-star lineup provides voices for the characters, from actors such as Seth Rogen, Will Arnett, Reese Witherspoon, Kiefer Sutherland, and Stephen Colbert (among about a dozen more big names). The friendly, loveable characters coupled with the reinforcement of positive morals yield a movie that parents will wholeheartedly support.

Monsters vs. Aliens opened at #1 on March 27, grossing $59.3 million on opening weekend. The movie has gone on to amass roughly $325.71 million.

-Daniel S. Edited by:Trent M.

Comedy, Family, In Theaters disney, disney movies, Family, hilarious, kid comedy, Monsters vs Aliens, seth rogen