The Happening (2008)

MY RATING: F

RUN TIME:  91 min

MPAA RATING: R

MY REVIEW:  I'll keep this extra short!  M. Night Shyamalan's career is over.  I thought he would redeem himself with this movie, but I was sorely wrong.  They sold the movie as Shyamalan's first R-rated film, but for what?  Yes, there was some graphic violence and disturbing scenes, but the movie was filled with scene of almost comical "junkness."  Scenes that were meant to be bone-chilling scary instead made you want to laugh at the stupidity of the dialogue and shitidity of the acting.  

Overall, a big, big disappointment!

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

MY RATING: B+

RUN TIME: 92 min

MPAA RATING: PG

MY REVIEW:  Move over Pixar and take Nemo with you because DreamWorks has just put out the next great masterpiece of digital animation.  The artwork in Kung Fu Panda was even better than my dream of being in China with Mulan.  From start to finish the detail and richness of the animation was incredible.  Truly a visual delight.  At one point you can see leaves shimmering in the sunlight and the work that must have went into small details like that is hard to imagine.  The last time I fell in love with graphics like this was Shrek, however, Kung Fu Panda takes animation to whole new level.  Pixar has a lot of work to do if it wants to catch up.

The movies biggest surprise was Jack Black, the panda named Po.  (There's something about that name.)  Jack black actually was not annoying.  He was able to wash off his characteristic crude and creepy demeanor and offer a performance with real craft.  It was a controlled, almost reserved Black that I found refreshing and enjoyable.  Angelina Jolie, who plays Tigress, on the other hand gave a bland performance that fell short.  

Just because you're making a family film doesn't mean you need to write the same, predictable story that you expect from a charming Kung Fu movie.  With that said, this was a great family film with good laughs and creative fight scenes with minimal violence.  With "sucked" as the only real naughty word I could pick out, this movie is great for the little ones.

I've been waiting for this year's first animated film (and No! Speed Racer doesn't count) and I was very pleased with Kung Fu Panda.  With an A-class cast and mind-blowing animation this movie will definitely become a classic.  

You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)

MY RATING: C

RUN TIME: 113 min

MPAA RATING: PG-13

MY REVIEW:  After watching the preview for this movie, I was left thinking this was going to be a mess of stereotypes and offensive, crude humor.  Oh Boy!  Was I right or what?!  I'm not saying there is anything wrong with any of that, but Adam Sandler took it all to a new low.

There were funny parts.  To open your movie while panning out from the crotch of a man wearing what looked to be his 12-year-old daughter's clothes had me giggling and the slap across the face with a well controlled foot made me grin.  However, a lot of the humor turned major real world issues into street corner laughs.  You could tell everyone that was laughing was wondering if they were being judged by everyone sitting around them.

The constant celebrity cameos (most notably Mariah Carey) couldn't offset the political incorrectness of the movie.  There was nothing really sinister or mean-spirited about the humor, it was just too overdone, too . . . Adam Sandler.  

Overall, "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" drew some good laughs, but I was left more ashamed of the intolerance it showed and the poorly written jokes showcasing our ever present sterotypes.  Indeed, we have seen Adam Sandler in much, much better roles.  

Baby Mama (2008)

MY RATING: D

MPAA RATING: PG-13

RUN TIME: 99 min

MY REVIEW:  I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.  I think they are both comedic geniuses and although Fey is no longer with SNL, both have been favorites of mine among the SNL cast.  Knowing their great comedic skills I felt Baby Mama fell short of all of my expectations.  It had its funny moments and indeed I did giggle aloud in a few parts, but my undies were still dry by the end of the movie.  The story made sense, but so did Britney Spears' divorce and no one made a movie out of that.  (Wait I may have spoken too soon.)  I wouldn't blame the cast, but rather the writers.  I give Fey and Poehler props for pushing the poorly written comedy of Baby Mama to laughable levels, but I've come to expect much better from the comedic duo.  The 99 minute movie seemed to drag on and on.  I didn't even realize the movie was so short until I wrote this review.  

Overall, I left the theater disappointed and wanting my money back.  Not just the 8 bucks I dished out for admission, but the gas money it cost me to drive there.  It is not a movie I would see again. 

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

MY RATING:  A-

RUN TIME: 124 min

MPAA RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER:  Before reading my review please understand that I did not watch the preceding trilogy of Indiana Jones nor did I review background information on Indiana Jones or his adventures.  With that in mind, try to refrain from screaming at your computer screen when I write something that would have made sense had I watched the trilogy.

MY REVIEW:  I don't want to give too much away because Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a superb film.  A-class acting coupled with mind-blowing special effects made for a experience that took me back to the theater to watch this movie a second time.  Non-stop excitement kept me peeled to the screen as a riveting story line played out.  I'm not a fan of most action movies, due mainly to extended fight scenes that leave me checking the time on my phone, but Indiana Jones was able to strike a good balance between fight scenes and actual substance.  

Beside the miraculous survival of Indiana Jones time and time again (I'm assuming that's part of the Indy "brand"),  the only drawback I felt was that you never really felt Indiana Jones was in danger.  Yes, there was plenty of guns and high cliffs, but you knew no one was going to die, or if they did it would have been a big surprise (Yes this may also be part of the Indy "brand").  Without the threat of real danger, the movie did go smoothly, but I was never clinching my seat in anxiety.

Overall, this movie was well crafted and well worth the price of admission.  As for watching it again, I already did.  Now a third time will take some thought.  Excellent acting and great special effects.  So for the best movie I've seen this year.