Get Smart

Release Year: 2008
Review: It was an admiral attempt at a reboot, but wasn't anything that pushed expectations. The film always seemed to be teetering on the brink of the absurd and corny, but managed to maintain itself just enough to be a moderately enjoyable action comedy. Steve Carrel did a fine job of playing the oddball agent without putting too much shtick into the performance. Get Smart certainly didn't perform well enough to make me look forward to a sequel but delivered a, completely mediocre, but overall enjoyable movie.
Rating: 3/5

Hotel For Dogs

Release Year: 2009
Review: A tried and true family movie starring dogs. It's hard for a dog movie to be absolutely terrible, and this one certainly wasn't. It also wasn't anything special. The same tired plot points and obstacles that are in countless other family movies are prevalent in the film. The entire film felt tired, forced and lacked any imagination. I have a hard time believing even young children won't be bored by the stale story. Hotel For Dogs is peddling cheap knockoff family entertainment and is void of any heart. It is an exploitation film for children and little else. The dogs are cute though.
Rating: 2/5

The Hangover

Release Year: 2009
Review: Great comedies need to both be original and push boundaries. 'The Hangover' definitely pushes boundaries. At times it might have pushed them too far, and was just crude for the sake of being crude. Many of the great comedies over the last few years all seem to both take risks but also had a heart. This film took risks, but there wasn't much else there. It was a funny film, no doubt about it, I just wish there was a bit more too it. 'The Hangover' felt like the the dim-witted jock of the new Apatow-comedy generation family. None the less, if all you are looking for is a laugh there are plenty to be had.
Rating: 3/5

The Up Series

Release Year: 1964-2005
Review: A documentary following the lives of fourteen children from Britain coming from various walks of life in attempt to measure the impact of social class on their lives. The series starts introducing the kids at the age of seven, and revisits them every seven years for updates on their lives. The series is a fascinating, voyeuristic, view on how average people live, work and age. It is engrossing to be able to watch the lives of these people unfold. Expectations from the childhood are either realized or go tragically awry. The every day struggles that face everyone, such as the struggle to find steady work, marriage problems, and raising a family are all explored in the film simply by taking a look into these people's lives. The 'Up Series' is an important documentary which sheds light on human growth, the impact of class background and a slew of other human behavioral issues. Besides its importance, the documentary is also sheer entertainment. Once you watch one you will want to watch the entire series out of curiosity. The participants are all unique and interesting in their own way, its hard not to have a favorite. This is a monumental documentary and should be required viewing as so much can be learned about life from it.
Rating: 5/5

Special

Release Year: 2006
Review: A small film with a lot of thought, 'Special' is about a mundane meter maid who is mentally impaired to believe he has super powers after taking trial anti-depressant medication. The plot was fascinating to me even before watching the film, and the execution was even better than I had expected. While the plot is often light and comes across humorous, you began to understand how sad the story really is. Underlying are powerful messages of individuality, the corruption of drug companies and the tragedy of those with mental illnesses. 'Special' is a frequently funny but altogether moving film which shouldn't be overlooked.
Rating: 4/5

The Player

Release Year: 1992
Review: A movie buffs movie, delving in the cut-throat world of Hollywood in the form a mystery. Griffin Mill(Tim Robbins) plays a ruthless Hollywood studio script reviewer who becomes paranoid after receiving death threats. The film is brimming with references to classic movies, and movie jargon is found throughout. This quick insider banter is often poking fun at the industry itself, and the Hollywood studios are often the butt of the jokes. Being a Robert Altman film, a director who is well respected by actors, and seeing that its a film about Hollywood, there are countless cameos from a slue of popular actors of the time. I enjoyed these constant Hollywood references and the way that Altman meandered around the chaotic sets dropping in and out of conversations, in a way that he had become famous for. These references and quips were the highlight of the film. I appreciated the what the film did with the plot, and the payoff was satisfying, but ultimately I found nearly everyone in the film, particularly Griffin, so loathsome that I didn't enjoy the experience moment to moment.
Rating: 3/5

Mulholland Dr.

Release Year: 2001
Review: A very difficult movie to digest, 'Mulholland Dr.' is none the less captivating and absolutely engaging. The plot is difficult to describe, but its roughly about an actress who is starting out in Hollywood who meets an woman who has amnesia after a car crash. What the movie is actually about is the key question to ask yourself through out the film, and one that no one has really been able to say with any certainty. The non-linear, often chaotic and always stylized film making employed by Lynch is nothing short of masterful. I often review movies stating that I didn't like them "moment to moment". 'Mulholland Dr.' is enjoyable second to second, scene to scene. There are countless stunning scenes that are flawlessly executed and instantly classic. It is hard, at times, to keep your jaw from dropping as you watch them unfold. As soon as the film finishes you will want to watch it again. Don't try to over think the plot, but enjoy the films beauty. 'Mulholland' is truly a remarkable piece of film making.
Rating: 5/5