'Glee 3D Concert Movie' Review

I'm a big fan of guilty pleasures. I own From Justin to Kelly and every season of Desperate Housewives and I blast Justin Bieber like it's my job. So when I saw that there would be a Glee Concert movie I was pumped. Mostly I was glad that I wouldn't have to spend lots of money on a concert ticket (like I did for the High School Musical concert...yeah I was there).

And fortunately, I was only slightly disappointed from what I saw in the theater. The song selection was excellent (the best song was definitely Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" sung by my favorite character, Santana) and the dancing was great. What I wasn't crazy about was the lack of backstory. Instead of having the actors talk about the show and how it has grown, each person stayed in character even in the backstage shots. So Rachel Berry was always Rachel Berry...never Lea Michele.

I wanted to know more about the actors and their journey thus far. What I got instead was an exposé on three major Glee fans who each had something that set them apart. Their stories were endearing and it was clear that Glee had made a big impact on their lives, but I would have liked to see them meet the characters they claimed to connect to.

The best part of the film had to be the mini Warbler...but I could have just seen that on YouTube.

Overall it was a fun, feel good movie. But I have to admit that Justin Bieber's Never Say Never movie was much more in-depth and interesting (yeah, I went to that too).

'The Help' Review

Though promotional posters and magazine articles have billed Emma Stone as being this film's leading lady, she by no means stole this show. Granted, her acting was excellent and she was the perfect fit for the role of Skeeter. But just like in the book, The Help, Skeeter wasn't the main character in this story.

Instead of having the book's multiple narrators, the film's sole storyteller was the maid Aibileen (played by Viola Davis). Davis was truly the film's central character with the necessary wisdom, emotion and understanding of the role to make it great. Having read the book and watched the film's trailer, I was concerned that the movie wouldn't be able to capture the seriousness of the story's topic. Luckily, those who may think this film is a comedy will be somewhat disappointed. The film did a good job of not being a simple feel-good comedy set in turbulent times.

The only scene I found to be unrealistic was between Skeeter and her mother Charlotte (played by Allison Janney). In the scene, Charlotte stands up for her daughter, acknowledging that Skeeter wrote the book and that Charlotte is incredibly proud of her for doing so. The character of Charlotte in the book was significantly flawed, while still being lovable as a mother. But the film's self-realization moment was not believable, and I felt like it was put in there because no one wants to think poorly of Janney.

Apart from this scene my only other complaint was the inclusion of the character of Stuart (played by Chris Lowell), Skeeter's love interest. In the book the character was much more complex and the author devoted a significant amount of backstory to the role. But Stuart wasn't vital to the central storyline and since the filmmaker didn't include all the scenes necessary to make his character important, they should have just eliminated him completely.

But that's literally every negative statement I have about the film. It was probably the best adaptation that could have been made. The book's complex story and deep emotional pain wasn't lost in translation, which is a rare accomplishment.

'Horrible Bosses' Review

The best thing that came out of this film was that I've been proven right. After years of defenders, Jennifer Aniston has nothing to fall back on. Jennifer Aniston is not the nice girl next door that everyone thinks her to be. Jennifer Aniston is a tramp. There. I've stated it once and for all. No one believed me, but now I have proof.

She is just one of the despicable bosses in the film appropriately titled, Horrible Bosses. Not the most original title and Jason Bateman is in it so you'd think it was a no go, but I spent a good majority of this film cracking up.

The three friends weren't as outrageous as the trio in The Hangover, but they were realistic enough to be believable. Colin Farrell stole the show as a balding crackhead with less morals than the cast of Jersey Shore combined. The role was just so out of his hot, Irish element that it really proved his acting ability...unless he's just really gone downhill this year.

Kevin Spacey played one of the meanest men I've ever seen. He was dangerous, rude and brutally cruel to his employees. And then there was Aniston. She "played" her role quite well. She was highly inappropriate and unnecessarily sexual...like I always knew she was. So for those of you out there who feel the need to protect the Friends' star's reputation, just watch this film.

'Crazy Stupid Love' Review

I went into this film with high expectations and it didn't disappoint. That's not because it was what I had been expecting, but because it surprised me, made me laugh and even brought a tear to my eye at one point.

After watching the previews about a middle-aged and slightly stuck man (Steve Carrell) coping with his divorce by turning to a major lady's man (Ryan Gosling), I expected an upbeat comedy with various montages in which Gosling teaches Carrell how to dress and act. I envisioned a light hearted song playing in the background while Carrell comes out of the changing room wearing his underwear over his pants or something like that.

Instead, Gosling's visual transformation of Carrell took a total of two minutes and played a minimal role in the film's true theme. I was pleasantly surprised by how genuine the story of this broken family played out. Though some reviews have criticized the film's multiple story lines saying that the writers were going for a Love Actually theme and didn't pull through, I found each one to be endearing and well developed.

Carrell did a good job of not playing his usual role of the spazz. Yes, he was lonely and yes he was down on his luck, but he did it in a more realistic way than in some of his previous roles.

Basically the film shows the perfect example of false advertising. Yes it was crazy. And yes it was about love. But it definitely wasn't stupid.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Film Review

It all happened so fast. First they were at Shell Cottage. Then Gringotts. Then Hogsmede. Then home...I mean Hogwarts.

First I was 11 and watching the first film of a book series I already loved. Then there was high school. And college. And now, I can officially say that my childhood has ended. You may think this is a dramatic statement, over the top and ridiculous, but it's true.

Harry Potter shaped a generation of kids who were and are just like me, though Ms. Rowling's safe pages always made me feel like the Chosen One. Ten plus years of anxiously waiting, reading, watching, listening and immersing have led to the moment I experienced less than three hours ago. And it all just happened so fast. I guess that's what life's all about.

Now, in terms of the final film, it lived up to the high standards that the hype and the media had set before it. I pretty much didn't stop crying from the moment the trio stepped foot in Hogwarts until the beautifully orchestrated epilogue scene.

I only have two complaints. You'd probably like me to overlook these, but even films that I have the strongest connection to don't go without some scrutiny.

In fact, I've already mentioned my first qualm — the film's length. It was the shortest film of the eight and though critics have praised it for its brevity, I found that to be a small crack in the ever-powerful Elder Wand that was this film. Deaths of characters like Fred Weasley, Lupin and Tonks were merely shown in shots of them lying on the ground. I found myself in tears, not because of the scene that was before me, but because of memories of these characters and of the beautiful words J.K. offered them on the page. These characters deserved at least a short scene before giving up their lives for the forces of good.

My second complaint lies with the big bad himself, Mr. Lord Voldemort. In the past, Ralph Fiennes' portrayal of the Dark Lord has seemed spot on, but in this installment, his awkward shouts, strange "bro hug" with Draco and uncomfortable school-picture-day-smiles were just plain weird. You might say, 'hey! He's under a lot of stress as the horcruxes continue to be destroyed!' But his behavior was something beyond that. It validated those obnoxious immature fans that like to laugh at inappropriate times, mostly because his actions were comical. So I'm not sure exactly whose Polyjuice Potion you were sniffing in between shots Mr. Fiennes, but I'd get a better dealer next time.

Those points being made, neither of my complaints in any way altered how I felt about the film. Even though I'm incredibly picky, it would have been really hard for me to not leave that film without a sense of closure. And while my dark Bellatrix Lestrange eye makeup came trickling down my face like the veins on the top of my master's head, I know it isn't over. None of those fans that grew up with Harry will ever let him die, just like Neveille refused to let his spirit diminish with Harry's seemingly lifeless body. We haven't tirelessly waited at bookstores and movie theaters for nothing. There isn't a theme park for nothing. Potter products aren't available all over the world for nothing. It all exists because of an amazing story. One that deserves to live on forever.

In the words of Albus Dumbledore, "Just because it's in your head doesn't mean it's not real."

Mischief Managed.

'Midnight in Paris' Review

If Woody Allen was trying to make another homage to another city, he has definitely succeeded. The shots of Paris (both past and present) were gorgeous. These shots alone would have been enough to sustain even a movie starring Megan Fox, but this movie was able to offer something more.

Owen Wilson was both charming and delightful in the lead roll of Gil — a lost writer swept up in the romance of the past. Gil, along with his fiance Inez, — the poorly cast Rachel McAdams (more on that later) — visit Paris with Inez's parents. Gil, the hopeless romantic, wants to wander the streets of Paris and Inez couldn't care less. Mysteriously at midnight Gil gets into a taxi cab and finds himself in Paris of the '20s with an endless supply of famous writers to befriend.

The standout role in this group is actor Corey Stoll's portrayal of Ernest Hemingway. It was as if the actual Hemingway had written the script for the character. His mannerisms and brevity of speech were spot on.

Marion Cotillard was another excellent addition to this story. She played Adriana, the beautiful lover of Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and briefly Gil. Adriana fully encompassed all that Gil loved about Paris of the 1920s — its romance, its grace and its laid back style.

Now on to Paris' imperfections. I love Rachel McAdams. Rachel McAdams' character Inez was not well-developed and was the wrong person for the job. Inez was supposed to be everything that Gil was not. She was intended to be the epitome of an American tourist — willing to believe a pompous friend when he argued with the French tour guide and unappreciative of Paris in the rain. However, McAdams' character just wasn't nasty enough. We all know she can do it (see Mean Girls), but something in the writing didn't connect. It was clear the two weren't meant for each other, but the complete disconnect wasn't quite there for me.

And I don't want to be overly picky, but if the costume designer placed one more awkward belt over top of her dress or shirt, I was prepared to leave. She wore about 10-12 different outfits throughout the course of the movie and 8-10 of those had the same misplaced belt.

Ok moving on. Recently McAdams hasn't been up to par. I hated her unnecessarily awkward character in Morning Glory and she's just finished filming a Nicholas-Sparks-esque film with Channing Tatum, The Vow. I hope she'll read the scripts a little more carefully next time, because recently I haven't seen her living up to her potential.

That being said, Midnight in Paris was a short (100 minutes) yet charming film that's definitely worth viewing. The only thing better than seeing Paris on the big screen is seeing it in real life. Hopefully, I'll head back soon.

What do you think? Will you go see this movie?

'Super 8' Review

With all of today's technological advancements, it's hard to believe that a film can truly bring you back in time. But J.J. Abrams sure as hell came close. It's been 26 years since The Goonies came out and 29 since E.T., but if anything could resurrect them from the back of every decent film watcher's memory, it would be this movie.

Both The Goonies and E.T. told stories of action and adventure, but what you remember are the characters. Drew Barrymore primping E.T. and Chunk offering his Baby Ruth to Sloth in the basement — THAT'S what I left those movies thinking about, not the government conspiracies or the community losing their homes unless they got money fast.

And what made Super 8 so fantastic was not the special effects, the "monster" or the score, it was the five awkward, young boys and one pretty little girl that really brought it all together. Sure, some scenes were extremely far fetched and there were a few small details that were never fully explained, but I found myself (a typically highly judgmental person) not caring. The mark of a solid cast and a good story is the ability for an audience to look past some of the minor details and really just root for a group of people. These kids were funny, nerdy, lovable and brave. What more could any film about the late '70s ask for?

Fifteen-year-old Joel Courtney, who played the main character Joe, has never acted before. Go watch the movie, then read that statement one more time. In fact, neither has Riley Griffiths, who plays Joe's heavier, funnier friend Charles. Together the two of them share a close, incredibly believable friendship that seasoned child actors can only attempt to replicate. While some of the other kids in the film have played various small roles in other films, it's only Elle Fanning (younger sister to Dakota) who would be considered a somewhat well-known actress. Elle played Alice, who is Joe's love interest, and showed the same maturity and acting strength as her sister (if not more so).

I don't want to give any more of the plot away, so I'll just leave it here. Go see it. Relive your childhood, or at least the childhood you always envied while watching movies from the early '80s.

'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' Review

I tricked myself into believing that this one might be any better than tries two and three because I liked the first one so much. However, once again, Captain Jack Sparrow and crew deceived me. While there were some vast improvements — mainly the elimination of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly — some of the series' main problems were still present. The writers seem to think that every audience member remembers every detail from previous movies. So when there are constant references to the past, they assume that everyone knows what the characters are talking about. Let me be clear, Pirates of the Caribbean is NOT Harry Potter. I don't really know anyone who rewatches and studies the Pirates' movies. Every mention of myth and legend that the previous films filtered out like buried treasure was treated like a Chuck E. Cheese trinket in my mind, because I remembered none of it.

While this film had the chance to tell a completely new story, it instead chose to bring back characters that few had close ties to. While Penelope Cruz was a breath of fresh air...or was it a fresh pair?..., her connection to Jack Sparrow was unclear and unconvincing. The fact that she's a babe and he wears eye liner well does not ensure an instant romance. There was no development of their relationship and ultimately I felt no desire for the two of them to be together.

Another unnecessary and strange addition was the odd incorporation of religion. It was unclear as to whether the film was mocking religion or showing it to be the only truth. And while I sat there trying to figure it out, I suddenly realized that I didn't care. The fourth film in a series created by Disney is probably not trying to make any profound statements so why should I attempt to figure them out?

Basically, don't waste your time. There's nothing new, exciting or even mildly interesting in this film. And if I wanted to hear the soundtrack — which admittedly is fantastic — I'd simply buy it.

'Kung Fu Panda 2' Review

It seems that this last weekend was the weekend for sequels and this was the best one by far.

While I did like the movie a lot I think that if it were possible to get all of the famous voices in this movie together on a regular basis, it would make a better TV show. The characters are well-defined, the script is extremely humorous (and not just to kids) and the stories are interesting, but they don't need to be made into a feature-length film.

Those of you who scoff at Kung Fu Panda for being a "mere cartoon," and "not even a Pixar" are being extremely ignorant. The writing is excellent, the animated action sequences are some of the best ones I've seen and Jack Black is hilarious. Who better to play the voice of an overweight, kung fu fighting, noodle eating panda?

All the same, it would still make a top-notch TV series, one that I would watch daily....or hourly. The sequel was equally as funny as the first one though it was harder to make "fat jokes" about Po the panda when he was scaling buildings and destroying villains without having to sit on them first. I swear Angelina Jolie has more personality when you don't get to see her face than when you do. She did a wonderful, sultry tigress, and Seth Rogen's dry humor as Mantis did not go unnoticed.

Overall, I wouldn't care if they made Kung Fu Panda 3-25 (like The Land Bef0re Time), but they should really just shorten it and play it after Spongebob. Or maybe one day....dare I say it?...before.

'The Hangover 2' Review

Let me start off by saying that this was a very funny movie. I laughed during most of it and the characters all still work really well together. That being said, this was basically the first Hangover but in a different location. Director Todd Phillips (The Hangover, Road Trip, Due Date... you know the one) found a formula that worked and copied it. I mean, you can't blame with guy, this sequel brought in more than $100 million in its first weekend. But I just wanted more.

I mean, don't get me wrong. There were definitely some...unusual...new characters, but nothing that was all too different from the original. Even though he wasn't the one they were looking for this time, Justin Bartha, who plays Doug, was in the movie for about five minutes again. They could have definitely included him with the rest of the "wolf pack" and he could have added a new element to the group. But Phillips wasn't taking any chances. He even brought back Ken Jeong as Mr. Chow and Mike Tyson as himself. Though I love Ken Jeong, I thought Mr. Chow was much funnier in the first installment. However, in his defense it is pretty hard to beat some of his great one-liners from the first one, and he doesn't even get to wear heels in this one.

Zach Galifianakis was another one whose performance wasn't up to the first film's par. Don't get me wrong, he was hilarious, but after watching him in scenes such as this one:

I had higher standards than what he presented in this sequel.

Overall, funny movie, but there's nothing new. I really hope they don't go for a third one because they're running out of friends who require bachelor parties. If you're looking for a original and hilarious pre-wedding movie, check out Bridesmaids.

'Bridesmaids' Review

While watching the previews, I started getting nervous. Being a Regal Cinemas employee I'd seen everyone exiting the Bridesmaids' theater talking about how hilarious it was.

"The female Hangover!" "One of the funniest movies I've ever seen!"

I've heard comments like this before. And while sometimes they are right, the American public isn't always the most intelligent bunch of people. But this time those leaving the theater must have been the ones that voted for Clay Aiken, not Ruben Studdard.

When Bridesmaids was over, I checked my mascara because I'd been laughing so hard I was not crying, but sobbing. The beginning was a little rocky and awkward, but about 20 minutes in it turned so hilarious I barely had time to breathe.

Melissa McCarthy (Sookie on Gilmore Girls and Molly on Mike & Molly) stole the show, playing her funniest character yet. Her butch, confident character, Megan, had more jokes than the whole motly crue combined.

I don't want to spoil anything, but the dress fitting scene was some of the best team acting efforts and physical comedy I've ever seen. I didn't stop laughing all the way home just thinking about it. In fact, I'll say it, it was better than The Hangover. So go see it as soon as possible with all the expectations in the world. You won't be disappointed.

Water for Elephants Review

My failed attempts at finishing the book before I watched the film left me uncertain as to what I would find when watching Water for Elephants. And just like the dazzling circus the story captures, I left feeling I'd watched quite the spectacle.

Though I love mocking the Twilight movies, Robert Pattinson left nothing to mock in his charming, well-acted role as Jacob Jankowski — an almost-college-grad gone circus. And while I don't care much for clowns, this circus was more of a fantasy land than a comedic farce.

It comes as no surprise that I loved every second that Christoph Waltz was on the screen. Someone who can strike fear into my heart with a simple smile instantly proves himself to me as an actor and excellent villain. I'm glad he was able to break free of the Inglourious Basterds label and show that he can be equally chilling when not playing a Nazi.

Surprisingly director Francis Lawrence is mostly known for his music videos (Britney Spears, JLo and Green Day), but like fashion designer Tom Ford's directorial debut with A Single Man, has definitely proven himself in the serious film genre. Everything from the fashion to the music seemed perfectly period and mood appropriate.

My only complaint, while minor, should still be voiced so as to provide full disclosure. While I believed that Pattinson's character Jacob was definitely in love with Marlena (played by Reese Witherspoon), I found her love to be rather hidden for the majority of the film. Friends who've read the entire book say that this was explained in the book by her overwhelming fear of August (Waltz) — which is completely understandable as he is a rather terrifying man — but it didn't quite translate until the very end that she loved Jacob back.

That being said, this small fault should in no way stop you from going to see the film. It's beautiful, well-acted and leaves you with a spectacle you won't soon forget.

Country Strong Review

I had posted on here several times about my guilty pleasure desire to watch the movie Country Strong. Then before I made it to the theater, multiple people told me not to bother. They said the film was more depressing than good and the songs were mediocre. So tonight I rented the film and watched it with the reassurance of a Pause button. I was pleasantly surprised, though to be fair, I don't know if it's mostly because everyone bashed it or because it was genuinely a good movie.

But I found the majority of the characters and plot points to be complex and interesting. I would have actually liked to see a little more development in the main character Kelly Cantor (Gwenyth Paltrow), but the co-stars really shone. Those who know me can attest to the fact that country music is not my favorite, but I found the songs to be meaningful and catchy. Leighton Meester's singing voice was better than I expected, though I her small but impressive part in "Good Girls Go Bad" with Starship Cobra should have tipped me off.

Now to be clear, this isn't the hit movie of 2011, but it is definitely worth a viewing. Don't expect it to be a major upper, but don't close yourself off because every thing's not constant sunshine and roses. Aren't country singers supposed to sing about pain anyway?

The Adjustment Bureau

If I were to recast this movie — based solely on quality of content — Matt Damon would be replaced by Nicholas Cage and Emily Blunt would probably be Jessica Alba. You sure can't tell it from the previews or the actors' traumatized faces, but The Adjustment Bureau is an excellent comedy and one that I definitely don't regret getting to see for free.

The most heart wrenching part of this whole story is the fact that it could have been a very intellectually stimulating, post-Inception, Inception kind of film. Instead, it was turned into a cheesy, implausible love story with a somewhat interesting backdrop.

The film centers on the fact that in the world there is an "adjustment bureau" run by a Chairman (in this case a heavily implied God figure) that makes sure important people's lives stay on track. Matt Damon (who plays David Norris) is a very important person — think a less polished, white version of a young Barack Obama. He meets a girl in a bathroom (Emily Blunt who plays Elise) and in one encounter that lasts under five minutes and includes one semi-passionate kiss, he falls madly in love with her. The big "twist" is that he's not supposed to ever see her again because together they will ruin each other's lives.

But young Matt, full of love and severe issues of co-dependency based on family problems, won't let the love of his life (who he met in the bathroom that one time) slip away. He tries to fight the system to ensure that he'll be with her forever.

If you don't think that this is a completely pointless plot by now, then you deserve to sit through the movie.

Another casuality of The Adjustment Bureau is the complete and utter loss of Emily Blunt's comedic affect. I still remember her sarcastically excellent role in The Devil Wears Prada as being one of the best parts of that entire movie. But instead she was forced to wear pained looks of distress at losing the love of her life (who she met in the bathroom that one time) and dresses that showed off her bouncing ... puppies ... as she ran from the bureau. I lost it in the scene where she admitted to calling off her engagement to her fiance (who turned out to be more attractive than Matt Damon) because of her love for the man she had spent less than 24 hours with.

Basically director and screenplay writer George Nolfi was not considered important enough to make the necessary adjustments. Or maybe it's all part of the plan that led you to read this blog at this very moment...nah.

The movie hits wide release March 4.

127 Hours

If I ever needed an excuse not to go hiking before, I don't now. Not only was this story slightly more disturbing than Black Swan, it also managed to make two hours of a guy trapped under a rock interesting. Less than 20 minutes into the film the rock fell, and I was no less captivated by what followed than I was in the scenes proceeding the accident.

Now, the amputation scene was gross, but surprisingly it wasn't the most disgusting part of the movie. The scenes in which he consumed his own urine were so disturbing that I had trouble keeping my eyes on the screen. Director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) did a fantastic job of incorporating music and sound into each of James Franco's actions and it kept the pace of a movie about a guy stuck under a rock faster than a movie about a future king stammering. Though it was a gruesome situation, at least he had a great soundtrack to accompany his misery. Each of the songs fit in perfectly and provided much needed personality to this film.

And that's my one complaint. While Franco did an excellent job of transitioning from adventure-seeker to crazed, frantic maniac, I felt that more background should have been given to Ralston to build up his personality and character a little more. I left slightly nauseous and concerned with replenishing my fluids, but not with a deeper understand of who this guy was as a human being. Yes, his actions were extreme, but most of them didn't happen until the very end when he became so crazed and desperate that anyone in his position would have probably done the same.

I'm now proud to say that I have seen every film up for Best Picture at the Oscars this year and my pick for Black Swan stands strong. However, I'm thoroughly impressed that I could be captivated by a guy stuck under a rock for two hours...well 127 hours but you get what I mean.

The King's Speech

Things that are a bad idea: watching The King's Speech immediately after watching Black Swan. The fast paced insanity of Black Swan was dragged down by the stuttering, stammering Colin Firth. After sitting through the first half hour I just wanted to shout T-t-t-t-t-today junior! Don't get me wrong, Firth's performance was incredible and will definitely give Jesse Eisenberg a run for his money for this year's Best Actor, but the film just needed more of a lively feel. Though I love Helena Bonham Carter, her role was definitely not worthy of Best Supporting Actress and her character could have played a much bigger role. Geoffry Rush had a nice yet not incredibly boundary-pushing performance. And while many of the shot angles were very different and beautiful, this film was probably my biggest disappointment. It was definitely the one I was looking forward to most and then it didn't live up to its hype. How rude!

Overall a decent film, but not Best Picture worthy and certainly not as strong as some of its opponents (cough Black Swan cough).

Black Swan

It's been quite some time since I've seen a truly surprising piece of art on screen. While there have been some great movies this year — Inception, The Social Network, Easy A (and I stand by that one) — there is simply no comparison. The technique and premise that director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream) used to lay out the simple concepts of obsession and the dangers of perfection was shockingly beautiful to behold. The majority of the film was graphic, gruesome and highly disturbing, but it was done with such beauty that I didn't once fully look away. After hearing about her performance from practically everyone who had already seen the film, Natalie Portman did not disappoint. Her transformation to utter insanity was deliciously perfect.

Everything in this film (ironically) was done to perfection. The themes were not force fed to the audience, but rather offered in brief tastes that left me yearning for more. Though I already made my predictions earlier, I take back my Best Picture vote and instead offer it to this work of cinematic excellence. But PLEASE don't take my word for it. It doesn't matter if you don't like scary movies or whatever your excuse may be, make an exception.

'The Godfather:' Movie 1

What a way to begin my 11 Movies to Watch Before 2011. I DVR'd The Godfather on AMC's "Thanksgiving With the Godfather." While they cut out a couple of choice words and one or two graphic images, according to my father, for the most part, everything was in there. My only other experience with Francis Ford Coppola thus far was Apocalypse Now. Both were great films, but between the two The Godfather is definitely my favorite. While Coppola's film was rather long, it proved to be worth the wait despite Marlon Brando's obnoxious voice (I said it).

Al Pacino made a beautiful transformation from innocent war veteran to head of the Corleone family. It was also nice to see Robert Duvall in a completely different role from Kilgore in Apocalypse Now.

QUICKIES

"Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child." Luca Brasi

"In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns." Calo

"Hey, listen, I want somebody good — and I mean very good — to plant that gun. I don't want my brother coming out of that toilet with just his dick in his hands, alright?" Sonny

"My father is no different than any powerful man, any man with power, like a president or senator." Michael
"Do you know how naive you sound, Michael? Presidents and senators don't have men killed." Kay
"Oh. Who's being naive, Kay?" Michael

"That's my family Kay, that's not me." Michael

Fun Facts

Ernest Borgnine, Edward G. Robinson, Orson Welles, Danny Thomas, Richard Conte, Anthony Quinn and George C. Scott were considered by Paramount Pictures for the role of Vito Corleone.

The early buzz on the film was so positive that a sequel was planned before the film was finished filming.

Marlon Brando wanted to make Don Corleone "look "like a bulldog," so he stuffed his cheeks with cotton wool for the audition. For actual filming, he wore a mouthpiece made by a dentist; this appliance is on display in the American Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York.

During an early shot of the scene where Vito Corleone returns home and his people carry him up the stairs, Marlon Brando put weights under his body on the bed as a prank, to make it harder to lift him.

Marlon Brando did not memorize most of his lines and read from cue cards during most of the film.

The name of the traditional Sicilian hat (worn, for instance, by Michael's bodyguards) is "coppola."

Director Francis Ford Coppola worked with relatives in this film, (making it a family film in many contexts). In chronological order of appearance:
- his sister Talia Shore portrayed Connie Corleone throughout the trilogy
- his mother Italia Coppola serves as an extra in the restaurant meeting
- his father Carmine Coppola is the piano player in the Mattress sequence
- his sons Gian-Carlo Coppola and Roman Coppola can be seen as extras in the scene where Sonny beats up Carlo, and at the funeral
- and his daughter Sofia Coppola is the baby Michael Rizzi in the baptism (she was three weeks old at the time of shooting).

Don Vito Corleone's distinctive voice was based on real-life mobster Frank Costello. Marlon Brando had seen him on TV during the Kefauver hearings in 1951 and imitated his husky whisper in the film.

This was voted the "Greatest Film of All Time" by Entertainment Weekly.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Review

The most interesting thing about seeing a Harry Potter film at midnight is definitely the people in the audience. They are a select bunch of misfits who normally tend to be the loudest, most obnoxious people on the planet. Take for example the Hufflepuff [used here as a derogatory term] in front of me who thought it was fun to take MySpace pics with a flash brighter than the "lumos" charm for the two hours before the film started. However, the most interesting part of a midnight crew is their ability to flip the

switch and turn absolutely silent the instant the fog hits the screen.

The only difference with this group and the past midnight crews was

that their silence was 100 percent justified. This film was, from the

very beginning, perfect. Every single HP film has produced some level

of disappointment for me, until now.

First off the acting was impeccable. I was especially impressed with

Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy. His haggard state was an excellent show of his fall from grace.

I was also really excited about how graphic the film was. This may

sound strange, but after the last film in which every Muggle safely

escapes after the Millenium Bridge is snapped in half, I was ready for

some gore. And gore I received. George's ear is blown off, Ron's

shoulder is destroyed and Hermione is tortured by Bellatrix. And that's not the half of it. This film really takes it to the next level. The

characters mature and the violence gets more intense, as it should.

The best scene in the entire movie was definitely when Harry, Ron and Hermione take Polyjuice Potion and enter the Ministry of Magic. The

details in this scene really show how the Ministry has completely lost

all of its values and morals. The anti-muggle and mudblood

propaganda was disturbingly close to Hilter's pamphlets in WWII.

Every element of the scene is flawless.

I don't want to ruin anything else. My only complaint is that it had to

end. Just go see it.

When Scenes

WHEN Harry visits the broom cupboard for the last time.

WHEN George walks in on Harry and Ginny kissing.

WHEN Harry and Hermione dance.

WHEN Harry first uses the new wand and almost catches the tent on fire.

QUICKIES

"If you think I'm going to let everyone here risk their lives for me..."— Harry Potter

"Yeah, we've never done that before."— Ron Weasley

[After Ron returns]

"Where's my wand Harry? Where's my wand?" — Hermione Granger

"I dunno..." — Harry Potter (slowly walking away)

'Red' Review

I hate to say it, but this movie was kind of a disappointment. Not that it was particularly bad, but it definitely didn't meet the expectations provided by the preview. It relied on it's star-studded cast to drive the plot. Bruce Willis was....well Bruce Willis. The action packed lead who secretly has a soft side. He looked too young to be with his other RED (Retired Extremely Dangerous) members and too old to be with his love interest (played by a hilarious Mary-Louise Parker). I've just never found him to be particularly endearing, attractive or talented.

This film did an awful job of developing characters. Since the cast was made up of Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Bruce Willis I'm pretty sure the producers didn't think they had to. Helen Mirren was the classy, gorgeous woman with an edge, Morgan Freeman was the deep and at times tragic character, John Malkovich was a psycho and for Bruce Willis see above.

The dialogue also lacked the humor that the trailer provided. Lines that were delivered as if they would be big crowd pleasers were met with a few chuckles in the theater. This weak dialogue took what could have been a hilarious and inventive film and turned it into another stupid CIA agent movie.

That being said, it wasn't entirely a drag. As I said before, Mary-Louise Parker did an excellent job as Bruce Willis' love interest. She had great timing and hers was the one well-developed character in the mix. It's also hard to ignore Helen Mirren. The woman can wear red lipstick like a goddess, carries herself with poise and has excellent fashion sense, so my former complaints can be ignored. Apart from Parker, John Malkovich provided some of the only genuine humor. Though I thought his character could have been funnier, he did have some fantastic scenes. Basically, all of the leads are very talented actors, however, that doesn't mean that they were put in a place to show those talents off. C