THIS IS A RUNNING LIST OF MOVIES I’VE REVIEWED
(some of the older reviews are incomplete or lost since the switch to new website)

 

MOVIES I’VE REVIEWED:
(see rating system below)

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (7.0 / 10)

In the best segue work ever seen on the big screen, Kevin James dials up his self-depricating humor to bring Paul Blart to life.

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” is a clean, family comedy that all ages can enjoy… sure its not going to win awards or make adults laugh as much as other recent comedies with more adult themes, but with its PG rating, its an Action/Comedy that adults and older kids can enjoy.

While the movie never rises to “great”… it is above average and while you might skip it in theaters, its definitely worth considering when it comes out to rent. 

Read my full review of “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”

(2009) Comedy/Action/Crime
(rated: Rated PG for some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language)
(1 hr, 27 min)

Starring Kevin James, Keir O’Donnell, Jayma Mays, Raini Rodriguez, Shirley Knight, Stephen Rannazzisi, Peter Gerety, Bobby Cannavale, Adam Ferrara

 

“Bedtime Stories” (7.0 / 10 )

“Bedtime Stories” is fun for kids and adults, a good family fun film with a good story that stirs the imagination for kids.

Sandler and company roll out his first PG rated movie… a fun one for the family that has all the stories he tells his niece and nephew coming true… the stories also feature the actors in the movie as various characters. 

Read my spoiler-free review of “Bedtime Stories”

(2008) Family/Comedy/Fantasy
(rated: PG for some mild rude humor and mild language)
(1 hr, 39 min)

Starring Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Guy Pearce, Russell Brand, Richard Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Lucy Lawless, Courteney Cox, Jonathan Morgan Heit, Laura Ann Kesling, Jonathan Pryce

 

“Hotel for Dogs” (7.0 / 10 )

“Hotel for Dogs” is heartwarming and inspirational, a fun family movie.

A pair of adopted kids that will do anything and give up anything to help adopt stray dogs in danger of being put down.

“Hotel for Dogs” is a cute and creative movie full of cute, well trained dogs and laughs for both kids and adults.

Read my full review of “Hotel for Dogs”

(2009) Family/Comedy
(rated: PG for brief mild thematic elements, language and some crude humor)
(1 hr, 40 min) 

Starring Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Don Cheadle, Johnny Simmons, Kyla Pratt, Troy Gentile, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, Ajay Naidu, Eric Edelstein

 

“WALL-E” (9.0 / 10 )

Now that I’ve finally seen it, I agree, “WALL-E” is the best animated movie of 2008, maybe the best in years.

WALL-E is fun and engaging and will have you talking like WALL-E for the rest of the day.  The storyline is solid with laughs for both kids and adults, adventure, and even a little romance… audiences of all ages will like this movie.   The visuals were amazing… then your remember this is an animated movie.

Read my full review of “WALL-E”

(2008) Animation/Family/Adventure/Sci-Fi
(rated: G)
(1 hr, 38 min)

Starring Ben Burtt (voice), Elissa Knight (voice), Jeff Garlin (voice), Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger (voice), Kathy Najimy (voice), Sigourney Weaver (voice)

Writer/Director: Andrew Stanton

 

“Hellboy 2″ (6.5 / 10)

“Hellboy 2″ is full of great visuals, action, and both comedic and romantic moments, but it doesn’t quite live up to the original.   If you liked the first, you’ll like the sequel, the next chapter in the lives of Red, Liza, and Abe.
Director Guillermo del Toro paints the world of Hellboy 2 with an imaginitive brush of movie making.

While the action is good and the mythical world is a brillant spectacle, the movie is missing something, something that the first had that the sequel doesn’t…

Read my spoiler-free review of “Hellboy 2″

(2008) Superhero/Fantasy/Action/Adventure
(rated: PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and some language)
(2 hrs)

Starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, James Dodd, Jeffrey Tambor, John Alexander, Luke Goss, Anna Walton, John Hurt, Brian Steele

Writer/Director: Guillermo del Toro

 

“Bridewars” (7.0 / 10)

“Bride Wars” is a good date movie or for a group of girlfriends, but its a must for brides and grooms-to-be !!

If you thought your wedding planning was overhwelming or hectic or frustrating or anxious or drove you a little batty… you probably never went through what friends Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) go through on the way to the biggest day of their lives.

The best wedding comedy since “Father of the Bride” (1991).

Read all of my review of “Bridewars”

(2009) Comedy/Romance/Wedding
(rated: PG for suggestive content, language and some rude behavior)
(1 hr, 34 min)

Starring Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Bryan Greenberg, Chris Pratt, Steve Howey, Candice Bergen, Kristen Johnston, Michael Arden, John Pankow, Casey Wilson

 

 “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (6.5 / 10)

Here’s another remake to add to the list of movie remakes that only the visuals are better than the original.

Its been 57 years since the original doomsday alien invasion movie came out… and since then movie making technology has grown in leaps and bounds, and we’ve seen some pretty good movies in the sci-fi genre, including “The Matrix” that put Keanu Reeves – the main character of this movie – on the worldwide map.  ”The Day the Earth Stood Still” is pretty good, it just isn’t a GREAT sci-fi movie.

Read all of my review of “The Day the Earth Stood Still”

(2008) Sci-Fi/Thriller/Disaster/Remake
(rated: PG-13 for some sci-fi disaster images and violence)
(1 hr, 43 min)

Starring Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates, Jaden Smith, John Cleese, Jon Hamm, Kyle Chandler, Robert Knepper, James Hong, Mousa Kraish, J.C. MacKenzie, Kurt Max Runte, Daniel Bacon

 

 “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (9.5 / 10)

Powerful storytelling and amazing performances make The Curious Case of Benjamin Button a lock for academy award contention.

This is clearly one of the best movies of 2008 with a great concept (aging backwards), great cast, great story, great makeup and costumes.

Pitt and Blanchett are great in their roles as their characters age in opposite directions, while keeping the personality and voice throughout.   The rest of the cast is superb with characters that are well rounded with depth regardless of their screentime.

Read all of my review of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

(2008) Drama/Fantasy/Romance
(rated: PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking)
(2 hrs, 39 min)

Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Tilda Swinton, Jared Harris

Director: David Fincher – Zodiac (2007), Panic Room (2002), Fight Club (1999), Se7en (1995), Alien 3 (1992)

 

 “Noise” (6.0 / 10)

I do like the idea behind this movie… a fed-up resident turns vigilante taking on the overwhelming powers of noise in New York City… the obsessed vigilante Tim Robbins breaks in to cars and turns off their car alarms… first cautiously and then brazenly as he becomes “The Rectifier”… the movie doesn’t hold up throughout.

Read my review of “Noise”

(2008) Comedy/Crime/Drama
(Theatrical MPAA Rating: Not Rated – most likely an “R”)
(1 hr, 48 min)

Starring Tim Robbins, Bridget Moynahan, William Hurt, Margarita Levieva, Gabrielle Brennan, María Ballesteros, William Baldwin

 

 

 “Wanted” (8.0 / 10)

This is easily one of the best action movies of 2008… the action is great, the stunts are cool, the storyline isn’t too complicated to follow and even the minor characters are well developed.

James McAvoy fits the role of Wesley perfectly, going from dorky to death defying… Angelina Jolie is cool as the female assasin that McAvoy first encounters… and Morgan Freeman is solid as the leader of the group with a complexity that he pulls off with ease.  The supporting cast is convincing as well.

Read my review of “Wanted”

(2008) (rated: R for strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and some sexuality)
(1 hr, 50 min)

Starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann, Common, Dato Bakhtadze 

 

 

 “Tropic Thunder” (6.5 /10)

I’ve heard all the hype from the critics.. I just don’t get it, yes this movie had funny moments, but its not the funniest movie of the year… not even top 3 !!!

The story was okay… the cinematography and editing was good… but there was nothing GREAT that made the movie better.

Most of the funny stuff was in the trailers… unlike “Role Models”,  ”Step Brothers”, and “Burn After Reading”… where there were more than just the funny lines in the previews to keep you laughing throughout.

Read my review of “Tropic Thunder”

(2008) Comedy/Action/Adventure
(rated: R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material) 
(1 hr, 47 min)

Starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Jay Baruchel, Danny R. McBride, Brandon T. Jackson, Bill Hader, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise

 

 

 “Marley & Me” (7.5 / 10)

You’ve probably heard the phrase “you’ll laugh, you’ll cry”… well, in the case of Marley & Me, its totally true!

This suprisingly touching movie might not be what you think from the previews – it is not a feel good cheery Christmas flick – this is a movie that relentlessly goes after your emotions to get you to cry, anyone who’s had a pet will be touched and moved, no matter how much you fight it, you’ll get teary eyed.

Marley & Me embraces and celebrates the unconditional love only a pet, even “the world’s worst dog”… can give.

Read my review of “Marley & Me”

(2008) Romance/Drama/Comedy
(rated: PG for thematic material, some suggestive content and language)
(2 hrs)

Starring Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Kathleen Turner, Alan Arkin, Nathan Gamble

 

 

 “Four Christmases” (7.5 / 10)

Four Christmases is a fun holiday comedy that will have you laughing throughout.

While this has all the makings of becoming a holiday classic: a couple, holiday travel, dysfunctional families, comedy, a good cast, a fresh concept, it falls a little short along the way for making the top of my list of favorite Christmas Movies.

Read my spoiler-free review of: “Four Christmases”

(2008) Comedy/Christmas
(rated: PG-13 for some sexual humor and language)
(1 hr, 22 min)

Starring Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Kristin Chenoweth, Peter Billingsley, Carol Kane, Colleen Camp

 

 

“What Just Happened” (6.5 / 10)

What Just Happened is an awkward look at making movies through the life of a producer losing his foothold in the industry.

The movie focuses so much on the inner workings of Hollywood, that it doesn’t have mainstream appeal… there are a lot of inside references as the movie pokes fun at Hollywood that is lost on wider audiences.

Read my spoiler-free review of: “What Just Happened”

(2008) Comedy/Drama
(rated: R for language, some violent images, sexual content and some drug material)
(1 hr, 44 min)

Starring Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Stanley Tucci, John Turturro, Kristen Stewart, Catherine Keener, Sean Penn, Robin Wright Penn, Michael Wincott, Moon Bloodgood

 

 

  “Australia” (7.9 / 10 )

Australia is a new modern epic, that is very good, but its no Gone with the Wind

The film’s smart casting of native Australians Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman pays off – as they grab the accent and effortlessly breathe life into their characters.   Their chemistry is great – going from prickly to passionate over the movie’s nearly 3 hours.

Read my spoiler-free review of “Australia”

(2008) Period Adventure/Drama/War/Western/Epic
(rated: PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language)
(2 hr, 45 min)

starring Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Tony Barry, David Gulpilil, Brandon Walters, David Wenham, Jack Thompson

 

 

 “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” (7.5 / 10 )

Boy in the Striped Pajamas is sad and poignant – through its tragic innocence – it really is the saddest movie of the year.

Anytime you see a period-piece set during the time of the Holocaust… you know it will be sad and depressing, but Boy in the Striped Pajamas is played with a sensitive hand that finds humanity in such an inhumane place.

Read my review of “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”

(2008) Drama/Historical-Period Piece
(rated: PG-13 for some mature thematic material involving the Holocaust)
(1 hr, 33 min)

starring Asa Butterfield, Vera Farmiga, David Thewlis, Jack Scanlon, Cara Horgan, Amber Beattie,
Rupert Friend, David Hayman

 

 

  “Twilight” (7.0 / 10)

 Few movies are such a posterchild for the teen anxst and awkwardness as Twilight… this the movie is filled with it… but the irony is that one of the awkward teens in love is a 17 year old outsider from Arizona, the other is a 107 year old outsider that is a vampire.

Read my review of “Twilight”

(2008) Action/Horror/Romance/Thriller/Vampire/Teen
rated: PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality

starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Cam Gigandet, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick, Michael Welch, Justin Chon, Christian Serratos, Gil Birmingham

 

 

 “Slumdog Millionaire” (9.5 / 10)

Every once in awhile a movie comes along and just grabs you… its realism grabs you, its story inspires you, its little moments makes you smile, and in the end root for the main character – Slumdog Millionaire is one of those movies.

Read my review of “Slumdog Millionaire”

(2008) Drama/Mystery/Romance
(rated: R for some violence, disturbing images and language)

starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Irfan Khan 

 

Quantum of Solace is a riveting sequel with tons of action, but its not as good as Daniel Craig’s first James Bond movie Casino Royale in 2006.

Read my review of “Quantum of Solace”

(2008) Action/Adventure
(rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content)

starring Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright, Jesper Christensen

 

“Role Models” (7.5 / 10)

“Role Models” is funny, dirty, and charming all at the same time…   had us laughing all the way through, in the same shotgun approach to jokes as “Step Brothers”, this movie just keeps shooting out the jokes rapid-fire and whatever doesn’t make you laugh or isn’t funny, they move on to the next joke.

IF YOU CAN TOLERATE THE “R” RATED, RAUNCHY HUMOR – you’ll be laughing too… or holding your hand over your mouth in shock !!!

Read my review: “Role Models”

(2008) Comedy/Raunchy-Comedy
(rated: R for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity)

starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb’e J. Thompson, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch

 

“Changeling” (9.5 / 10)

This is a spectacular 9.5 that grabs hold of your heartstrings, as the actors tackle difficult subject matter like pros, Clint Eastwood gets another cast to step up their performances – this movie is Academy Award worthy on so many levels: acting, story, directing, costumes, sets, etc…

Read my review of “Changeling”

(2008) Crime/Drama/Mystery/True Story
(rated: R for some violent and disturbing content, and language)

starring Angelina Jolie, Gattlin Griffith, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Colm Feore, Michael Kelly, Frank Wood, Michelle Martin, Devon Conti, Amy Ryan, Jason Butler Harner, Eddie Alderson

 

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Good Luck Chuck”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”

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Read my review of “Zach and Miri Make a Porno”

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Read my review of “Pride and Glory”

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Read my review of “Eagle Eye”

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Read my review of “Burn After Reading”

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Read my review of “Appaloosa”

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Read my review of “Nights in Rodanthe”

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Read my review of “Quarantine”

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Read my review of “Lakeview Terrace”

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Read my review of “Righteous Kill” 

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Read my review of “The Women”

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Read my review of “Felon”

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“Traitor” (7.5 / 10)

Here’s a movie to keep on a short list for Academy Award considerations… This intense story of international espionage and counter-terrorism is full of twists and intrigue… and with a solid cast of actors…

Cheadle totally immerses himself in the character… making everything he does on screen seem flawless… like his career Cheadle’s on screen character “Samir” is a chameleon…

Read my review of “Traitor”

(2008) Drama/Thriller
(rated: PG-13 for intense violent sequences, thematic material and brief language )
(1 hr, 54 min)

starring Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Said Taghmaoui, Neal McDonough, Jeff Daniels

 

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Hamlet 2″

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Hancock”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “The Bank Job”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Journey to the Center of the Earth”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Funny Games”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “The Dark Knight”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “The Invasion”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “The Happening”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “The Air I Breathe”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Charlie Wilson’s War”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “Mad Money”

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Read my (abbreviated) review of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”

 

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LAFF’S RATING SYSTEM:

10 Rating = “A+”, One of the Best Movies Ever, Deserves Multiple Academy Awards, Absolute Must See, Flawless, Unforgettable
9 Rating = “A”, Top 50 Movies, Great Movie, Not Quite Elite, Deserves Academy Award, Must See
8 Rating = “A-”, Top 100 Movies, Very Good Movie, Academy Award Consideration, Must See, Minor Flaws
7 Rating = “B+”, Really Good, Possible Academy Award Nomination, Should See, A Few Flaws
6 Rating = “B”, Pretty Good/Above Average, See It But Don’t Rush, Good Qualities Outweight Flaws 
5 Rating = “C”, Average, Nothing Spectacular, See It To Say You Saw It, Several Flaws
4 Rating = “C-”, Some Redeeming Value, Dissappointing, See It For Free, Many Flaws
3 Rating = “D”, Not A Good Movie, Only See It If Bored/No Other Options, Full of Flaws
2 Rating = “F”, Bad Movie, Don’t See It unless you just want to say you saw it
1 Rating = “Z”, Horrible, This Movie Sucks, One of the Worst Ever (”Plan 9 From Outer Space”, “Battlefield Earth”, “Gigli”, “Showgirls”, “Southland Tales”), A Waste of Time and Money
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Tags: Laff at the Movies, movies, review