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