Catching up on movie reviews

It’s been awhile, but, I’ve decided that I’ll be using this blog for movie/tv reviews, that aren’t quite geeky enough to mention on our podcast.

Sunshine Cleaning 2008 movie with Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin, directed by Christine Jeffs.
Plot: Two sisters get into the crime scene cleanup service. One sister is too dependable, the other not so much.
Geek Gal says: Billed as an indie comedy and hyped as such in the trailer, this movie is really more of a drama about sisters. Slower paced, but overall well worth the watch.
Verdict: Rent it. 3 out of 5 geek glasses

Stan Helsing 2009 movie with Steve Howey, Kenan Thompson & Leslie Nielsen, written and directed by Bo Zenga.
Plot: Stan finds out that he’s from the legendary line of the Van Helsing family and must deal with movie monsters on Halloween night with his friends.
Geek Gal says: If you took the 1980′s tv series Police Squad and the Scary Movie franchise you’d get Stan Helsing (just not as good as either). This movie tries too hard to be the end all of parody. Overacting, strange costuming and makeup and over the top spoof didn’t impress me. Might be a good movie to make fun of with your buddies and some beer.
Verdict: If you can see it for free, it might be worth it. 2 out of 5 geek glasses

Monsters vs. Aliens 2009 Dreamworks animated film, starring Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, & many more!
Plot: A mysterious meteor falls to Earth at Modesto, California, and turns Susan (Witherspoon) into a giant woman. Captured by a secret government agency, Susan finds herself teaming up with a group on monsters to stop an alien invasion.
Geek Gal says: Fun movie, even though the actors almost take you out of the film, since you recognize their voices. Animation is top-notch (the fur on Insect-o-saurus is AMAZING). Definitely one of those films that parents will enjoy as much as the kids, M vs. A is a fun romp.
Verdict: Rent it, then possibly buy it. Sad I didn’t see it in the theaters. 4.5 out of 5 geek glasses

Adventureland 2009 movie with Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and Ryan Reynolds, written and directed by Greg Matola.
Plot: Bent on going to Europe after he graduates, James’ (Eisenberg) parents decide not to give him money to go. He gets a summer job at Adventureland and finds out that the amusement park has an underlying drama he gets caught up in.
Geek Gal says: Fun but poignant movie of growing up in 1987. Trailer tried to make it seem more of a comedy than it really is. Ryan Reynolds billed highly in the trailer is barely in the film.
Verdict: Rent it, but be ready not to laugh. 4.5 out of 5 geek glasses

Confessions of a Shopaholic 2009 movie starring Isla Fisher & Hugh Dancy, directed by PJ Hogan.
Plot: Addicted to shopping and seriously in debt, Rebecca (Fisher), accidentally lands a job at a financial magazine giving advice that she doesn’t follow herself. Based on book of same name.
Geek Gal says: Formulaic romantic comedy. I normally love seeing Isla Fisher in things, but she plays Rebecca waaaaay too over the top. Creepy moving/talking mannequins keep popping up throughout the movie. Joan Cusack and John Goodman plays wonderful parents and the scenes with them are highlights in the film.
Verdict: Forget this movie and rent The Proposal. 2 out of 5 geek glasses

Taken released in 2009, starring Liam Neeson & Maggie Grace, directed by Pierre Morel.
Plot: While on vacation a former spy’s daughter gets kidnapped and he fights to get her back.
Geek Gal says: Co-written by one of my faves, Luc Besson, this movie is to the point and doesn’t fall into the American preconceptions of what *has* to be in a movie. The running time is 93 minutes and no time is wasted. Even though Neeson isn’t typically cast as an action hero, he REALLY kicks butt in the film, and might be a good replacement for the aging Harrison Ford.
Verdict: Almost worth buying, but ultimately not rewatchable. TOTALLY Rent it. 4.75 out of 5 geek glasses

Public Enemies 2009 movie starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Billy Crudup directed by Michael Mann
Plot: It’s 1933 and John Dillinger is being targeted by G-men who’ve named him public enemy #1.
Geek Gal says: The costumes are amazing in the film, and if they aren’t nominated for an Oscar for costuming I think the Academy is blind! Only small problem I had was with some of how the film was technically shot. Many scenes had a “handheld” motion quality that made the film seem claustrophobic at times. It would’ve been better using a stationary camera, in my opinion. Depp blows away all of the other actors, including Bale, who plays a character named Melvin Purvis. If you love bio-pics or 1930′s gangster films, this is one to see.
Verdict: Buy it! (Especially if you’re a Depp fan) 4.75 out of 5 geek glasses

That’s it for now!
–Shannon