March/April 2010

2012. Action/Thriller/Adventure/SCi-Fi. Rated PG. Released DVD Feb 2010. Starring John Cusak , Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, Oliver Platt and several others. A Epic disaster film of 2012, showing the Earth being consumed by Major Tital waves caused by internal volcanic eruptions, and essentially drowning all the World .

Russ Comments: The Special effects of this movie are worth watching as LA and all the major cites of the US and World are erased with these Tital WAves. US and World leaders build future watercraft with selected leaders/people to save. Blu-Ray is great, but story line and plot are weak. I only gave this a 4 !!!

Clarence's Comments: I really loved the special affects, definitely worth the watch. It is also worth putting in your collection. The movie had a great story, some unrealistic special effects, but exciting. I gave this movie a 6.

The Blindside. Biographical/Drama/Sports/Family. Rated PG, DVD Release Feb 2010. Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw,Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Kathy Bates. True Story of a homeless boy adopted by a southern woman and family, who then becomes an All-American Football player and drafted first round in NFL Draft.

Russ Comments: This is the best "Feel Good " movie of 2009. Sandra Bullock portrayal of Ms. Touy won her the best actress Academy Award for 2009, and she deserved it !!! The cast was terrific, young JJ steals the scenes, and I thought should have been Movie of the Year !!! I gave this a Strong 9 !!!

Clarence's Comments: Definitely Oscar worthy. I loved the story, knowing it was true made it more captivating. Sandra Bullock was simply outstanding. I was so glad to see that there are so many others willing to open their hearts and home to someone less fortunate. I don't dole out perfect marks, but I am in this case. I gave this movie a perfect 10!!!!

Brothers. Drama/War/Action. Rated R. DVD Release Jan 2010. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Mcguire,Clifton Collins, Sam Shepard, Mare Winningham and others. Story of a younger brother taking care of wife and family of older brother that goes missing in Afghanistan.

Russ Comments. This is not a WAR movie. However, the drama and acting of Gyllenhaal and McGuire as brothers , is excellent. It does have some graphic scenes in war , with torture tactics by the enemy and the psychological issues of POW's. I liked this movie and gave it a 8!!

Clarence's Comments: I agree with Russ, I was misled to believing that this was a war movie. Having been in war, I can relate to the psychological issues that many of our servicemen go through. Not to mention the toll that war has on the relationship. This movie did have some very realistic scenes of the possibility of torture on those that are captured in combat. I gave this movie a 7+...

Up in the Air. Drama/Love . Rated R. DVD Release Feb 2010. Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmigo. Anna Kendricks,Jason Bateman, JK Simmons, Zack Galifianiski and others. A Today story of a company "hit" man, traveling across the US laying people off, living out of a suitcase, enjoying the perks of flying till company "ground him" with new techniques for lay-offs.

Russ Comments. While this is a great little movie, it got rave reviews, and several Oscar nominations, I thought the entire concept was pretty far fetched. I do like Clooney, Simmons and Kendricks as actors, however the movie did little for me. I gave it a 6 !!!

Clarence's Comments: I like George Clooney, but felt this was not his best performance. Why should a company hire someone to fire their employees... Where is the backbone, I did not find any substance in this movie. I give this movie a 4.

Precious. Drama/family. Rated R. DVD release was March 2010. Starring MoNique, Chabourey Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Cravitz and others. A story of a Harlem overweight illiterate teen, pregnant with a second child and invited to attend an alternate school to help change her direction in life. Several academy award nominations.

Russ Comments. This Oprah/Tyler Perry endorsed film got many academy award nominations. Best Picture, supporting Actress and others. MoNique won for best Supporting Actress, and well deserved. Great acting, solid story line, but just not for me. It drug too much, and was essentially pretty depressing. I gave it a 4 !!!

Clarence's Comments: Don't get confused, Oprah and Tyler Perry only endorsed this movie, they had nothing to do with the making of it. I did not like this movie at all. It glorified the welfare lifestyle that has plagued so many dysfunctional and low income families. There was no happy ending, and no penalty for allowing your child to be abused. I hated this movie.... I gave it a 3, for great acting by Monique..

New Moon. Drama/Fantasy/Romance. Rated PG-13, DVD Release Feb 2010. Starring Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Anna Kendrick and crew. The Third sage to the Twilight series, in which Bella recovers from the Vampire attacks that almost claims her life, then celebrates her birthday with Edward.

Russ Comments. I liked the first couple in this series, but after that just lost interest. I'm sure those that read all the novels enjoyed this, but after the intrigue of the first couple (great scenery/action), it becomes pretty boring. I gave it a 4 !!!