Recent Movies

Date night with my wife, and we saw The Devil Wears Prada. This one really took me by surprise, since I didn't expect much from it and only thought it would be the same boring chick flick that is being produced over and over every few months by Hollywood, usually starring Kate Hudson. What was good about Devil was that it had Meryl Streep in it, and she gives an amazing performance. I completely forgot that she was Meryl Streep. This is rare for me, to see the actor as a character if they are a "big name". Anyway, this is a great date movie, so see it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

If I want to see the latest popcorn or "summer" flick, I usually hit the multiplex with my brother in law. We recently checked out Superman Returns, during which I fell asleep, continuing a trend that began with my second viewing of Mission Impossible III. Although I hate Tom Cruise, MI: III was pretty great and Philip Seymore Hoffman is a villain for the ages in that movie. I fell asleep during Nacho Libre and X-Men: The Last Stand as well, so what does this say about all these movies? Does popcorn put anyone else to sleep?

Superman Returns - 3 out of 5. I was not that engaged by it. I found the early part of the film boring, the character of Lois as played by Kate "generic" Bosworth unbelievable, and Kevin Spacey too over the top as Lex Luthor. His giant crystal continent plan was a little too out there as well. I fell asleep during the most action-heavy part of the film, so what does that say about it? I did like the part where Superman saves the plane, and I thought Brandon Routh is a good heir to the legacy of Christopher Reeve. I was just expecting a lot more from Bryan Singer, given how much I enjoyed X-Men and X-Men 2.

Nacho Libre - 1 out of 5. It had a few mildly amusing moments, but was populated by a cast of the most disgusting people seen in a film since Napolean Dynamite, which I thought was great in the theater, on DVD, not so much. Director Jared Hess is obviously a one-trick pony. Jack Black gave it his best shot, but ultimately it is a bad movie. The only parts that made me laugh were the way Black said some things in his fake Mexican accent. I fell asleep during the middle section of the movie, when Nacho is doing God knows what, and woke up in time for the ending which I have already forgotten.

X-Men: The Last Stand - 3 out of 5 - don't be killing off X-Men, Ratner. Director Brett Ratner (Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2) has a rep as a Hollywood Hack, and it shows in this movie. It seemed phoned in, the performances were bad (Halle Berry, Kelsey Grammer), and several X-Men were killed off. The character of Angel is useless and the scenes that featured him were nonessential to the plot. Ian McKellen is good (as always) as Magneto. Famke Janssen as Dark Phoenix was a little bit cool, but kind of a missed opportunity. I have to unfortunately see this movie again since I didn't stick around for what happens after the credits, and apparently it's "pretty cool".

The next flick on the horizon is Miami Vice. I will see it, the brother in law is excited to see it, but I really can't stand Jamie Foxx, so we will see...

DJ