Movie Review "Tower Heist"

Movie: Tower Heist (2011) Action, Comedy, Crime



Studio: Universal Pictures

Rating: PG-13

Cast: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Alan Alda

Director: Brett Ratner

DVD: Redbox rental so no extra content.  If you purchase there is additional content on disc including gag real,  directors audio cut and more

Audio: Dolby digital 5.1

Video: 16x9 widescreen

When the staff of a high rise residence in downtown New York find out that all of there savings have been invested into a ponzi scheme, the group decides to get the money back by taking matters into their own hands.  I was expecting more from this movie with the all star cast that was assembled, but it seemed like some of the characters did not fit.  The most out of place, T`ea Leone as a not very believable FBI agent.  Despite a few missed castings this movie was entertaining enough to keep my attention, just not great.

IMDB rating: 6.3 out of 10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0471042/

My rating: 3 out of 5

Movie Review "Real Steel"

Movie: Real Steel (2011) Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

.

Studio:  Touchstone Pictures

Rating:  PG-13

Cast:  Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly

Director:  Shawn Levy

DVD:  Redbox rental.  Theatrical release movie.

Audio:  Dolby Digital 5.1

Video:  Widescreen 16 x 9

Hugh Jackman is a father who discovers his long-lost son through the tragedy of his ex-wife's death.  He and his son go on an epic journey of discovery through futuristic robot boxing.  This movie was very predictable and not very creative.  If you like science fiction and robots you may like this movie.  Did I say very predictable?

IMDB Rating:  7.2 out of 10 stars  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433035/

My rating:  2.5 out of 5

Movie Review "In Time"

Movie: In Time (2011) Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller



Studio: Twentieth Century Fox

Rating: PG-13

Cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried

Director: Andrew Niccol

DVD: Redbox rental. Movie, supplemental previews and theatrical trailer for "In Time"

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1

Video: Widescreen 16x9

This movie has an interesting concept of using time as a currency instead of money.  Don't run out of time though, or you guessed it, you die!  For being a Sci-Fi movie the cars and buildings were not very futuristic.  I am sure the director was trying to get across the moral of the story that friends and family are important and you shouldn't waste your time.  This movie really makes you think.

IMDB Rating 6.6 out of 10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1637688/

My rating: 2.5 out of 5

Movie review: "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

Movie: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) Action, Drama, Sci-Fi



Studio: 20th Century Fox

Rating: PG 13

Cast: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow

Director: Rupert Wyatt

DVD: Redbox rental with  movie and supplemental previews

Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital

Video: 16x9 widescreen

An ape raised by humans for years is put in a primate institution and leads a revolt against human exploitation and testing.  The story is a predictable one but the special effects are worth the price of this rental.  If you are a fan of science fiction you will enjoy this movie.

IMDB rating 7.7 out of 10

My rating 3 out of 5

Movie review: "50/50"

Movie:  50/50 (2011) comedy, drama



Studio: Summit Entertainment

Rating: R (language, sexual situations)

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogan, Anna Kendrick

Director:  Will Reiser

DVD:  Redbox rental with movie and supplemental material

Audio:  Dolby Digital 5.1

Video:  Widescreen 16x9

Inspired by a true story this movie recreates the struggle of a young cancer patient as he comes to the realization of his diagnosis and his daily struggle to beat this deadly disease.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives an inspired portrayal of  how the disease affects him, his friends and family. This movie has some very light comedic moments but is a serious drama at the same time.  I was riveted with the story from the very beginning and can say that this is one of the best movies I have seen in the last six months. See it, you won't regret it.

IMDB rating:  8 out of 10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1306980/

My rating:  4.5 out of 5

Movie review: "The Art of Getting By"

Movie: The Art of Getting By (2011) drama, romance



Studio: Fox Searchlight

Rating: PG-13

Cast:  Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts

Director:  Gavin Wiesen

DVD:  Redbox rental

Audio:  Dolby Digital 5.1

Video: 16x9 Widescreen

Freddie Highmore plays a high school senior trying to find himself and a way to graduate from high school without doing any work.  This is a high school coming of age film that has a good romantic story and a valuable lesson to relay to its audiance.  Although this film has a high school setting it is a good film for all ages.

IMDB rating:  6.4 out of 10  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1645080/

My rating: 3 out of 5

Movie review "Moneyball"

Movie: Moneyball (2011) Biography, Drama, Sport



Studio:  Columbia Studios

Rating: PG-13

Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Director:  Bennett Miller

DVD: Redbox rental

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1

Video: 16x9 widescreen anamorphic 480p

Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the Oakland A's general manager as he tries to compete in the very competitive 2002 major league baseball season with the lowest payroll in baseball.  This true life story is a great biography of Billy Beane and his quest to bring a world series to Oakland.  True life stories are my favorite kind of movies because they tell stories that most people never hear about any other way.  This movie does not disappoint.  Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are all great in this movie.  If you like baseball  and a good underdog story, you will love this movie.

My rating: 4 out of 5

Redbox rating: 4 out of 5

Movie review "Colombiana"

Movie:  Colombiana (2011)  action, suspense



Studio:  Tri Star Pictures

Rating:  PG-13

Cast: Zoe Saldana

Director: Olivier Megaton

DVD: Redbox rental

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1

Video: 480p 16x9 widescreen anamorphic

A young women trained to be an assassin as she grows up, takes it upon herself to avenge the murder of her parents.  Zoe Saldana does a very believable portrayal  of a young 25 year old woman assassin picking off bad guys responsible for her parents death one by one.  This story really sucks you in and the movie moves right along as you root for her in her quest for revenge.  If you like action and suspense this is a good movie. Rent it.

My rating: 4 out of 5

Redbox rating:  4 out of 5