desiplaya Reviews

Get Him to the Greek (2010)

A Hilarious Spin-off

[21 April 2010]

I was lucky enough to see this movie tonight as an advanced screening at my school.

It is the funniest movie of the year so far and I think it will be a sleeper hit like The Hangover was last year. I loved Russel Brand's character in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but I was bit hesitant to see an entire movie based around the character. If you feel the same way as I did, stop! This was an excellent spin off with a great cast. If you love movies like Superbad and The Hangover, you will not be disappointed with this. Although, don't go in expecting another Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which is more of a romantic comedy. This is just 108 minutes (approx) of pure fun and a lot of crude humor.

Russel Brand, Jonah Hill, and Diddy are flat out hilarious. I'll go far as to say that Diddy's character Sergio is to this movie as Russell Brand's Aldous Snow was to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. There are a lot of hilarious lines throughout the movie and a couple of awesome cameos.

I haven't laughed as much as I did tonight since I first saw The Hangover last year. If you love comedies, then don't miss this! I highly recommend it.

9/10

Adventureland (2009)

Great Comedy

[23 March 2009]

I was lucky enough to watch a free advanced screening at my school tonight and I'm glad that I decided to go.

After watching the trailer and finding out that the director also made Superbad, I was really excited, but this is a different comedy. Superbad is just flat out hilarious and had me laughing through pretty much the entire movie. Adventureland is hilarious as well, but it also develops its characters and turns out to be a little bit of romantic comedy. It had some great one liners where everybody in the theater was laughing out loud.

I had not heard of the lead actor until this movie and he pulls off his role quite nicely. Kirsten Stewart was surprisingly good and not what I was expecting. The rest of the supporting cast was great, but I thought that Bill Hader stole every scene he was in - he's extremely funny in my opinion.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. If you're expecting something along the lines of Superbad, you'll be a bit disappointed, but this is a great comedy nonetheless and you should definitely go watch if you love comedies.

8.5/10

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Best Movie of the Year

[18 July 2008]

Just got back from it and I'm glad that I bought the tickets early because it was PACKED! I fcuking loved it and let me say that I only became a Batman fan after Batman Begins, which was also my first Batman movie. Nolan is truly a great director and will be considered one of the best by the time he's done. The storyline was great and the way everything was set up, I was never bored. It was great to see the internal struggle of Batman throughout the movie while the Joker is creating chaos throughout Gotham City. The action scenes were a blast and the chase scene was definitely the best. The ending was great and definitely has me pumped for the next movie. If Nolan and his brother team up for every movie from now on, I'll definitely be there to watch them.

The acting was terrific. Christian Bale is back and great like last time. Katie Holmes has been replaced by Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes and she does a much better job than Katie Holmes. Aaron Eckhart is slowly becoming one of my favorite actors and he does not disappoint. Gary Oldman is back to play Jim Gordon and the veteran actor does a great job. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman are back and they play their parts just right. I hope Michael Caine sticks around for the next Batman movie because he's great.

Heath Ledger deserves a paragraph. Not just because of his untimely death, but because his last finished role is amazing. He has created quite possibly one of the best if not THE best villain of all time. He plays The Joker perfectly. The Joker is definitely playful but also incredibly dangerous. His lines are great and Heath delivers them perfectly. Heath did everything to make The Joker a great villain - the voice,the laugh, the idea of him looking like Alex from A Clockwork Orange. He truly looks scary and I would probably be afraid of him if I was a little kid. He definitely deserves a posthumous Oscar. This is the role that everyone will remember him for, more because it was his last role, but also because it was his greatest. RIP

I would definitely recommend this movie because I feel like going back to the theaters to watch it again and very few movies have had that effect. The best movie so far and possibly of the year. It is now in my top 10 favorite movies - 10/10

Charlie Bartlett (2007)

A smart and funny teen movie

[9 February 2008]

This is one of the few teen comedies that actually works.

The script is fantastic and I loved the premise. Sure you can easily predict what will happen. The bully who becomes friends with the protagonist, the relationship with Charlie and the principal but it's still fun to watch. There are some illogical things in the plot such as how does he get time to talk to all the people in the bathroom during school. The effects of Ritalin were exaggerated but it was hilarious to watch.

The actors really do great jobs. Anton Yelchin, who plays Charlie, has a bright future ahead of him after see this. Kat Dennings plays her part right and Hope Davis is hilarious as the Charlie's quirky mother. Robert Downey Jr. adds another great performance to his resume as the alcoholic principal who just happens to be the father of Charlie's girlfriend. Another person I would add to this list is Tyler Hilton. He plays the bully who becomes friends with Charlie and I thought he did a really good job. If I had to pick two people who give the best performances it would have to be Anton Yelchin and Robert Downey Jr.

I really liked this movie and you should definitely check it out if you like teen comedies.

9/10

The Great Debaters (2007)

Great Sophomore Film by Denzel as a Director

[23 December 2007]

Two words perfectly sum up this movie - inspirational and uplifting. I have not seen Antwone Fisher, but I will be sure to check it out after seeing this.

Before watching this, I had never even heard about Wiley College or what it did in the '30s, so not only is it great entertainment but it is also educational. I don't know how closely the movie follows the actual events so I can't point out the flaws, but it doesn't matter because the movie is brilliant and moving. This is an underdog movie and you'll be rooting for the Wiley College team throughout the movie. The acting is marvelous by all the actors, but recognition has to be given to the three stars that portray the debaters, Denzel Washington, and Forest Whitaker. Not only is Denzel great as an actor, he is even better as a director. As other reviewers have said, out of all the actors Denzel Whitaker is the star. His portrayal of James Farmer, Jr. is outstanding and this role will certainly further his acting career. Forest Whitaker doesn't have a huge role to play, but he performs his parts beautifully (for example the hog and the sheriff scenes).

Overall this is a very inspirational and uplifting movie. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets a few Oscar nods.

9/10

The Bucket List (2007)

A Magnificent Story About Friendship

[21 December 2007]

Usually I'm not into these kinds of movies, but with the casting of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman I had to see it. I'm really glad that I decided to give this a try.

The story is quite predictable, but I still enjoyed it. Never mind how impossible the storyline is because it is a great movie about friendship - how two men become great friends in a short time and help each other out throughout the time they are together. It moves along at a smooth pace and I never got bored, so the writer gets credit for that. The acting was top notch as Nicholson and Freeman draw forth the right emotion in the audience at the right time. The emotional parts are done just right, but the funny scenes are the best. I laughed throughout the movie but not as much as I would in a true comedy movie, but the comic scenes in this one really work and Nicholson is the "main man" in them. It does have a message at the end about how you should live your life to the fullest, how your family is important, and how you should be happy in life and the movie delivers that message perfectly.

Other than the predictable storyline and the sometimes cheesy dialog, the movie is great. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a feel-good movie.

8/10

I Am Legend (2007)

A Fun Ride

[15 December 2007]

Well I'm back after the 7:10 show and I was pleased.

The story is fine and engrossing. There are some parts that are illogical but other than that, there wasn't much to complain about. I'll be sure to read the novel it was based on when I can.

The acting was great by both Will Smith and the dog . Will Smith was a great choice for Dr. Neville. His portrayal of the last man on earth is awesome and we see how that man copes with being alone for 3 years except for the company of his dog. The emotional parts are done right as it doesn't make you laugh, as some people will certainly do (none in my theater), but it actually makes you feel for the character. As always, there are a few jokes but they're used sparingly so it works. This won't earn him a Oscar nomination but as I said before, it was fine work.

The CGI was awesome. The empty city, the effects, the fight scenes. I have a little quarrel with the look of the "vampire" like creatures. They were menacing looking and it worked but I was just expecting more as the rest of the CGI was awesome.

I will admit that I jumped in my seat a few times and they were timed appropriately (they especially worked with the Dolby sound in the theater). So overall some things to complain about but otherwise it was a very good time and I was very pleased with it. It was definitely worth the $7 .

8.5/10

The Man from Earth (2007)

Even after 2 viewings, The Man From Earth shines!

[3 December 2007]

Ah, the Internet. That's how I discovered this movie originally, but I loved it so much that I had to buy it. This is a low budget movie but it's done spectacularly. Some of the actors fall flat a couple of times but the rest of the cast is great. The story itself is really intriguing and makes you think. There are no action scenes, cool effects, and explosions but the movie really works.

I've already watched this twice and I will definitely watch it again. If you are a sci-fi fan or if you're looking for a movie that actually makes you think, then do not miss this. I highly recommend it!

It gets a perfect 10/10 from me.

The Mist (2007)

Another Darabont Gem

[25 November 2007]

Another Stephen King adaptation and done, once again, by Frank Darabont.

I read the story a week before I saw it so it was fresh in my mind. It sticks closely to the book up until the end. Darabont is awesome, as always, when it comes to adapting King's works. He builds up the tension and suspense throughout the movie at a great pace. You're not given much background into the lives of the characters and the origins of the mist, which is explained towards the end quickly.

All the actors do a very good job. I don't know why people are complaining about it. Out of all the actors though, Marcia Gay Harden easily steals the show with her character of the Bible thumping Mrs. Carmody. By the end of the movie, you will really HATE her and want to kill her yourself. Kudos to Harden.

The monster effects aren't all that great but I didn't go see the movie for the monsters. Yes they look cheesy but it's alright by me. People are complaining that they showed the monsters too early. In my opinion it's perfect where they are and it matches up with the story.

The ending was simply shocking. Not how the story ends but I liked the movie ending more. It's not ambiguous like the ending of the story. It's shocking and depressing yet as one reviewer said, it evokes a lot more emotion than the book ending. Don't go thinking that you'll get a happy mushy ending like most Hollywood endings. Stephen King said that he loves the movie ending and would have written that for the book if he had thought of it first and I agree with him. Some people will hate it and say it totally ruins the movie and doesn't line up with the character while others will love it. Either way it's a ending that'll stick with you long after you're done watching it.

I'll be looking forward to the next Darabont/King movie.

9/10

Shoot 'Em Up (2007)

Fun, Action Packed Flick

[8 September 2007]

If you're looking for a serious movie with a good plot or filled with character development or something along those lines, stop reading this review and don't even think about watching this movie.

If you read the critic reviews, Roger Ebert hits it spot on. This movie is loads of fun. It is filled with TONS of action and lots of humor. Clive Owen is awesome as Mr. Smith and Giammati is surprisingly great as the evil guy. This movie has no real plot but just a chain of events that follow after one action taken by Mr. Smith, played by Owen.

If you love no brainer action flicks, you have to watch this. Sure it's filled with ridiculous stuff, fight scenes with Owen protecting the baby and the parachute scene, but it's still a lot of fun.

Plus the flick is only 80 minutes long, so if you don't like it, you didn't spent too much time of your life watching it.

9/10

Ratatouille (2007)

One of the best animated movies ever!

[29 June 2007]

I'll keep this short.

Go see this gem now! I absolutely loved it. Great story even if it is absurd. There are tons of laughs which are provided mostly by Remy's family and the head chef before Linguini. It is also a uplifting movie with a predictable but great ending. What'd you expect? It's a kids movie!.

The animation is amazing and Brad Bird is an awesome director. I loved the Incredibles and I love this. I wouldn't doubt it if people will call this one of the best animated movies ever and probably the best family movie of the year.

Take your whole family to see this now! They'll have a great time.

Black Christmas (2006)

Wow! This was bad.

[22 March 2007]

I don't do reviews but I felt compelled to write a review for this. When I saw it, I was expecting a crappy so called "horror" movies that are made nowadays and that's exactly what I got.

The story is a good one but the acting and the so called "horror" scenes are terrible. There is a lot of gore if you like those kinds of movies. The scenes involving gore were very well done and that's the only reason this is getting a 2. There was nothing scary about this movie and I didn't even jump up once. I don't know why they would label this as a horror or a thriller movie.

I usually do not rate movies this low but this was just bad. I haven't seen the original so I can't really compare. I recommend that you do not watch this movie. Some people seem to like it so if you must then watch it and form your own opinions.