Movie Critique: Hitchcock

When you think of Alfred Hitchcock, you probably think of some of his more memorable movies: Dial M for Murder (1954), Rear Window (1954),  Vertigo (1958)North by Northwest (1959), Pyscho (1960), The Birds (1963). All of them filled with shocking (for their time) twists and events that unnerve us all.

Hitchcock, the 2012 movie, is actually a love story between filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and wife Alma Reville during the filming of Psycho in 1959.

Shedding light on Hitchcock's own neurosis, we get a glimpse into the mastermind of suspense film-making.

We also learn that Hitchcock's wife, Alma Reville, worked as an assistant director, a screenwriter and an editor on a number of films. According to the movie, she also directed some scenes in Pyscho (and presumably other Hitchcock hits as well) while Hitchcock was ill with the flu.

She also contributed her screenwriting and editing skills to Hitchcock's success.

While I loved the movie, it was a bit short (98 minutes) and shallow. Perhaps the movie should have been called "Hitchcock makes Pyscho."

It's worth seeing, but if there are other shows on your list, see them first.


TWO POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 at AMC Great Lakes, Auburn Hills, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph tells is the story of Ralph, an arcade game villain who rebels against his game-role and dreams of becoming a hero. He travels between games in the arcade creating a threat that in the end he must eliminate or the entire arcade could be at risk.

Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Wreck-It Ralph is presented in both normal and 3D format.

Character voices are provided by John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch.

True to most Disney movies, there is something for all ages. Kids will love the main storyline while the older kids, such as myself, will hopefully catch the salute to old-time arcade games like Pacman, Frogger and Qbert.

I generally will opt to see a movie in 3D -- even with the $2.00 surcharge for the glasses that I return.

Overall, it was a fun way to kill a couple hours on Black Friday.

While it's not an over the top winner, it is worthy of seeing especially with kids during the holidays.


TWO-AND-A-HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, Bay City 8, Bay City, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: Lincoln

Lincoln is a 2012 Steven Speilberg historical drama film based in part on Doris Kearns Goodwin's biography of Lincoln. The movie covers the final four months of Lincoln's life, focusing on Lincoln's efforts in January 1865 to have the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution pass the United States House of Representatives.

Concerned that his Emancipation Proclamation may be discarded once the Civil War has ended. Lincoln feels it is imperative to pass the amendment and remove any possibility that slaves who have already been freed may be re-enslaved.

The movie, if it is based on any fact, gives a look at the backroom deals and lobbying that goes on today.

Beyond the story line, Daniel Day-Lewis runs away with the role and the movie. As a history buff, I loved this movie. It helps that I personally believe that Lincoln was one of the country's best presidents.

It was must-see movie for me, I'd recommend it for anyone else as well.


FOUR-AND-A-HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 at AMC-Great Lakes Crossing, Auburn Hills, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: Flight

After a night of sex, alcohol, and very little sleep, airline captain William "Whip'" Whitaker (played by Denzel Washington) uses cocaine to wake up, showers and head for the airport for a flight to Atlanta.

During takeoff the flight encounters intense turbulence until reaching cruising altitude where the co-pilot flies the plane while Whip secretly mixes himself a drink and then takes a nap. Minutes before final descent Whip is jolted awake by a mechanical noise as the plane goes into a steep dive/

Failing to achieve any pitch control, Whip rolls the plane upside down to bring it out of the dive and then maneuvers the plane right-side up just before crash-landing in a field. He loses consciousness upon impact.

During the remainder of the movie we learn of his life, his struggles and in the end, be a decent human being.

While this movie isn't one of Denzel Washington's best, it's still a good show. Other reviews have mentioned a "first for Washington" in this movie: a nude scene.  Don't get excited ladies, it's a butt shot of him being helped out of a hospital bed.

With all the other recent movie releases this time of year, you might want to choose another show. However, if you have the opportunity to see this show, it's not a waste of time.


THREE POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 at Bay City 8, Bay City, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: Cloud Atlas

An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.

BRAVO!

This movie is by far one of the best I've viewed in years.  It was enthralling, moving, thought-provoking and just plain interesting. The cast including Tom Hanks, Haley Berry, Hugo Weaving and Huge Grant, is awesome as they portray multiple character in the various stories along the timeline.

Cloud Atlas the movie intertwines six stories: The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing, Letters from Zedelghem, Half-Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery, The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish, An Orison of Sonmi~451, Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin' After from the David Mitchell novel of the same name.

I was so amazed at this nearly three-hour show, that I actually want to see it a second time to catch what I missed the first time around.

Obviously I loved this movie.  It really is a must see!

FIVE POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012 at Carmike Theater, Saginaw, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Frankenweenie (2012)

In honor of today, Halloween 2012, it is fitting that I give you a review of the movie Frankenweenie.

This Tim Burton creation is a recreation of his original 1984 which poke fun at and pays homage to the classic 1931 film Frankenstein based on Mary Shelley's novel of the same name.

[Begin Spoiler Alert!]
Young Victor Frankenstein lives with his parents and dog Sparky in the town of New Holland. Concerned with his son's isolation and obsessive interest in science and film-making, Victor's father encourages him to take up baseball and make achievements outside of science. Victor hits a home run at his first game, but Sparky, pursuing the ball, is killed by a car.

Recalling his science teacher's experiment on the of the effect of electricity on dead frogs, Victor digs up Sparky's corpse and successfully reanimates him with lightning, ala Frankenstein's Monster.

While Victor tries to keep his accomplishment a secret, Sparky cannot stay contain in the attic laboratory and is discovered by Victor's school chum Edgar Gore, who promptly blackmails Victor into teaching him how to raise the dead.

Word spreads and one dead pet after another is brought back to the hear and now with disastrous results.
[End Spoiler Alert!]


All-in-all Frankeweenie was a fun movie, especially for kids.  I did not see the 3D showing, but I'm sure the movie would be even better with that special effect.  In an interesting twist, the entire movie is shown in black and white, another homage to the classic horror films.

THREE AND A HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)

Screened on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Saginaw 12, Saginaw, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: SINISTER

Found footage helps a true-crime author realize how and why a family was murdered in his new home, though his discoveries put his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity.

This movie immediately reminded me of the "SAW" franchise, with one gruesome death/murder after another.  At time, I actually looked away from the screen. However, some of the characters, didn't make sense. Maybe it was intentional, but the deputy reminded me of Deputy Dewey from Scream.

But with that said, I was riveted by the desire to see what was going to happen next.  At one point I was so creeped out that wondered if I would be able to spend the night alone in my own house.

As far as a script, it was a little weak in dialog and at times the action lagged.

If you like spooky movies, this one might fit the bill.  I enjoyed it, and would say it's worth seeing.

THREE POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)

Screened on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 at Bay City 8, Bay City, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: Argo

If you're more than 40 years old, you probably remember the historic events that are the basis of the movie ARGO.

In 1979, during the Iranian Revolution, Islamic militants take over the U.S. embassy in Tehran in retaliation for the country's support of the recently deposed Shah.

While most of the over 60 embassy staff members are taken as hostages, six manage to flee the embassy and hide in the home of Canadian ambassador.

The State Department begins to explore options for "exfiltrating" the hiding escapees while thier situation is kept secret

CIA specialist Tony Mendez comes up with an idea while watching the science-fiction movie Battle for the Planet of the Apes on TV with his son: create a cover story that the escapees are Canadian filmmakers, scouting "exotic" locations in Iran for a similar film.

An elaborate ruse is concocted as the situation in Tehran is getting more strained. The hostage crisis is dragging into months, and the escapees are growing frantic confined to the ambassador's residence. Shredded documentation from the US embassy is being reassembled, providing the revolutionaries with evidence that there are embassy personal unaccounted for, and their identities.

Through some very tense moments, Mendez succeeds in extracting the escapees from Iran.

To protect the hostages remaining in Tehran from further retaliation, all US involvement in the caper is suppressed, giving credit to the Canadian government and its ambassador.

Mendez is awarded the Intelligence Star, but is unable to keep the medal itself because of the classified nature of the work he did to earn it.

At the end of the movie, we find out that the medal was returned to him when the operation was declassified in 1997, and that, after 444 days, all the remaining hostages were freed on January 20, 1981.

I found this movie fascinating because I recall the crisis quite well. These events and how then President Jimmy Carter handled it probably cost Carter the election.

It's also interesting to note the hostages were released on January 20, 1981 -- just moments before incoming President Reagan was inaugurated into office.  Reagan publicly stated his willingness to using military action to free the hostages.

FOUR AND A HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 at Bay City 6, Bay City, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: Obama's America 2016

I'm not going to give an opinion on this movie, except to say that EVERYONE should see it before the next election.  Hopefully it will motivate you to vote!

Movie Info

Movie Critique: Moonrise Kingdom

Staring: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward and Bruce Willis

Set on an idyllic New England island called "New Penzance" in 1965, features 12-year-old Sam Shakusky, an orphan, is attending a "Khaki Scout" summer camp led by Scout Master Ward.

Suzy Bishop lives on the island with her attorney parents – Walt and Laura – and three younger brothers in a house called Summer's End.

Sam and Suzy met the previous summer during a church performance of Noye's Fludde and remained pen pals for the following year. Together, they made a secret pact to reunite the following summer and run away.

Sam brings camping equipment, and Suzy brings six books, her cat, and a record player.

They spend several days hiking and camping together in the wilderness with the goal of reaching a secluded cove on the island, which they name Moonrise Kingdom. They dance on the beach and their young romance blossoms until Suzy's parents, the police, and the scout master eventually find them.

Suzy returns with her parents and is forbidden from seeing Sam again.

Sam stays with police Captain Sharp while they await Social Services, who will place him in a "juvenile refuge" because his foster parents no longer wish to house him.

The scouts, who previously were not kind to Sam, decide it is their duty to help the young lovers run away again. Suzy, Sam, and the other scouts seek out the help of Cousin Ben, an older relative of one of the scouts who works at the larger Khaki Scout summer camp.

After many twists and turns, Sam and Suzy eventually are apprehended on a church steeple during a violent hurricane and flash flood, evoking the earlier references to Noah.

Sharp decides to become Sam's legal guardian, saving him from the orphanage and allowing him to remain on the island and be with Suzy.

The last scene takes place at Summer's End, with Sam painting a landscape of the cove and then slipping out the window as Suzy and her brothers are called to dinner.

This movie is about as off-the-wall as it can get... that's probably why I loved it so much!

FOUR AND A HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Main Art Theater, Royal Oak with Andrew Rivard

More movie reviews and other fun stuff at BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: Magic Mike

First, a disclaimer: Magic Mike wasn’t high on my “must see” list of movies.  I didn’t know much about the show, but I am a Channing Tatum fan.  I managed to have a few hours to kill last Tuesday on my way home from camping, when I found myself at the Birchwood Mall in Port Huron, MI.

I figured if a movie was close to starting, I’d check it out.

Arriving at the theater, I had a couple options: Magic Mike in 10 minutes, or Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection in about 35 minutes.  Hmmm. Magic Mike won out.

Magic Mike was far from magic.  What was I thinking that a show about male strippers would have any kind of plot.

What made the show enjoyable was the audience in the theater with me – elderly woman (in their 70s) and high school kids.

I chuckled as two young men sitting in front of me with two young woman made comments about how much the show sucked.  The ladies shushed them repeatedly as they drooled over the nearly nude, well-sculpted magic-men on the screen.

But as I said, there wasn’t a plot.  It is interesting to know that the film is loosely based on Channing Tatum's experiences as a male exotic dancer before hitting it big as a movie star.

I have to wonder how closely the storyline follows his life experiences.

Whatever the case, if you like movies and have a couple hours to kill, Magic Mike isn’t the worst movie I have seen.  If there are other choices, I’d pick them.

TWO POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at GKC Theater, Port Huron, MI

Movies critiques and more at BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

MC: Dark Shadows

As a kid, I was terrified by Barnabas Collins.  He was the vampire in the TV show Dark Shadows.

Dark Shadows is an American gothic soap opera that aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966, to April 2, 1971. The story bible does not mention any supernatural elements. It was unprecedented in daytime television when ghosts were introduced about six months after it began.

The series became hugely popular when vampire Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) appeared a year into its run. Dark Shadows also featured werewolves, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, and a parallel universe. A small company of actors each played many roles.

Now, Hollywood has taken the story and made a motion picture.  There's plenty of marketing hype including several midnight showings.

I attended one close to my home THIS morning. <Yawn>

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (played by Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet-or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine.

The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better.

A period move to the early seventies, made the show a bit campy, but then, I think Dark Shadows was the original camp-show of its time.

THREE & A HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Bad Axe Theater, Bad Axe, MI

Check out all the blog entries at BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

The Avengers (Movie Critic)

Nick Fury is director of S.H.I.E.L.D, an international peace keeping agency. The agency is a who's who of Marvel Super Heroes, with Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When global security is threatened by Loki and his cohorts, Nick Fury and his team will need all their powers to save the world from disaster.

If you grew up reading MAREL comicbooks, like I did, you'll like this movie.  It takes the old-time heros of the colored comic pages onto the big screen.

I enjoyed it on IMAX in 3D -- a spectacular way to view any movie.

THREE POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at AMC Great Lakes Crossing, Auburn Hills

C, L & M

hello... Hello... HELLO! Oh yeah, Hello!

The other night I checked out the new Three Stooges movie.

I had heard it was good, but I was still surprised.  I found myself laughing out-loud at some one the tried and true jokes so typical of Stooges' humor.

Pratfalls, hammers to the head and finger pokes in the eye... lame jokes that took me back 40-plus years of my youth watching the Three Stooges in black and white.

The Farrelly brothers outdid themselves while staying with classic Three Stooges comedy.

I walked out of the theater feeling warm and fuzzy without a care in the world.

Go see it!


THREE POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, Bad Axe Theater, Bad Axe, MI

Check out previous blog entries at BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critic: Hunger Games

I'm WAAAY behind on seeing some movies.  Time is always a factor but last weekend I managed to go see Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games is actually a young adult novel written by American television writer and novelist Suzanne Collins. First published in September 2008, it is written in the voice of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where the countries of North America once existed. The Capitol, a highly advanced metropolis, holds hegemony over the rest of the nation. The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts surrounding the Capitol are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle until only one person is left.

There are actually three books in the Hunger Games series: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.

I think I smell a sequel (or two).

In the movie, The Hunger Games is part entertainment, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

There are a few twists and turns to the plot and the movie keeps moving right along.

FOUR POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Bay City 6, Bay City, MI

Check out all my blog entries at BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: Act of Valor

An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs in a powerful story of contemporary global anti-terrorism. Inspired by true events, the film combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the minute battlefield technology and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure. Act of Valor takes audiences deep into the secretive world of the most elite, highly trained group of warriors in the modern world. When the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., a team of SEALs is dispatched on a worldwide manhunt. As the valiant men of Bandito Platoon race to stop a coordinated attack that could kill and wound thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to country, team and their families back home. Each time they accomplish their mission...
Stars: AMERICAN HEROS!

WOW... I'm not sure where to begin with this Movie Critique.

First, let me say I rated this movie at four and a half popcorn buckets because I thought there were some animated scenes and dialogue. It just didn't seem to flow.

But the storyline is very real with some very real-life terror threats. At times, I was holding my breath and could feel my heart beating in my chest.

There was something about the movie that will grab you. I don't want to reveal the plot or outcome, but there is one important fact to note: the main player in this movie about U.S. Navy Seals stars real-life Navy Seals.

That explains the unpolished acting from time to time.

I knew it was a remarkable flick when I noticed that the entire audience sat silent as the credits rolled. I could sniffling around me as I wiped tears from my eyes.

I certainly wasn't crying because of the movie.  No, I was crying because this movie tells the story of the men and woman who are willing to die for you and I without regard for themselves.

Truly, ad Act of Valor.






FOUR AND A HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at Bad Axe Theater, Bad Axe, MI

Les Miserables: The 2012 (Musical) Movie Preview

Prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set in early 19th-century France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the July Revolution of 1832. An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel. Stars: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Les Miserables.  Les Mis as they say in the theater world.

Les Mis is one of the longest running stage productions in history and will, sometimes in 2012, be a musical movie.

Hollywood did this a few years ago with Phantom of the Opera.  That show was wonderful and I expect nothing less of this production.

Hugh Jackman will star as Jean Valjean, the lead character. Russel Crowe will portray Inspector Jevert and Anne Hathaway will play the female lead as Fontine.

I'll be interested (and praying) that the entire show is performed in song, as in the stage play.  Added prayers for the A-list actors that they have the voice for the show.

Other notable actors in this show include: Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Sacha Baron Cohen (aka Borat) as Monsieur Thénardier, and Samantha Barks as Éponine.

A minor role of Bishop of Digne will be played by Colm Wilkinson, who played Jean Valjean on stage for year.  I was fortunate enough to see him in the role more than once.  I also saw him as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera in Toronto.

I look forward to the premier of this musical movie!

Movie Critique: The Wizard of Oz

Dorothy Gale is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home.

In this charming film based on the popular L. Frank Baum stories, Dorothy and her dog Toto are caught in a tornado's path and somehow end up in the land of Oz. Here she meets some memorable friends and foes in her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz who everyone says can help her return home and possibly grant her new friends their goals of a brain, heart and courage.

Stars: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Burt Lahr, Margaret Hamilton.

Do you really think I would review The Wizard of Oz?

In my book, it's a Five Bucket Movie.. One of the classics.

Premiering in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was an annual favorite of my youth, showing on CBS often around the Christmas holiday season.

There's something totally different about the movie when you see it on the Big Screen. Fortunately I was able to do just that on Tuesday, February 14, at the Bad Axe Theater, Bad Axe, Michigan.

It was an amazing experience.  The lights dimmed and the movie rolled.  No previews, no cartoon, right to the movie. Just the roar of the Metro-Goldwin-Mayer lion and the opening credits.

I've seen this show so many times I know most of the dialog and all of the songs!

What I didn't expect were the things I would see on the big screen:

• a small "crate" with the name Toto on the floor of Dorothy's bedroom as she sits crying after Miss Gulch takes her beloved dog away.
• the amazingly-poor bald-head make up on the Lollipop Guild munchkins,
• how you can see the Wicked Witch of the West drop into the stage as she departs from Munchkin land.
• the string on the Cowardly-Lion's tail that rises up to a puppeteer above.
• the teardrops on Dorothy's face as repeats, "There's no place like home, There's no place like home."

Of course some of the theatrical magic was lame! The Wizard of Oz was produced in 1939.  The use of sepia-tone for the scenes from Kansas while using vivid color film for scenes in Oz were cutting edge ideas.

I'm certainly not complaining about any of it.

The Wizard of Oz is, and always will be, a beloved classic movie to me.

Wizard of Oz Trivia:
The Tin Man role was originally was going to Buddy Ebsen, but due to allergic reaction from the aluminum powder makeup, Ebsen was taken out of the casting and Haley replaced him.

There was originally a scene where the Witch sends a pink and blue bug (known as the "Jitterbug") into the haunted forest "to take the fight out of "Dorothy and her friends." When the Jitterbug bit one of the characters, he/she would start dancing helplessly. This is perhaps the most famous deleted scene of them all, but the actual footage no longer exists. All there is left of the Jitterbug scene is home movies that the composer, Harold Arlen, filmed during rehearsals, and the sound track of the song.

Behind the scenes, deleted scenes. (10 minutes)

Movie Critique: Safe House

Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds ) is a CIA rookie who is manning a safe house in Cape Town, South Africa, when Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) the CIA's most wanted rogue agent is captured and taken to the safe house. During Frost's interrogation, the safe house is overtaken by mercenaries who want Frost. Weston and Frost escape and must stay out of the gunmen's sight until they can get to another safe house. Stars:Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds and Robert Patrick.

It's always a good sign when CIA-operative-gone-bad movie when you don't know who to trust until the end. And Safe House certainly sticks to that movie formula. 

Filled with some twists that might bring you to the edge of your seat, the movie keeps you wondering what's on the super-sercret file that everyone seems to want and is willing to kill to get their hands on it.

I'm a fan of both Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds as actors and find them both perfect in their roles. And there's a romantic element to the storyline, but irrelevant to the show and, sadly, left open-ended when the movie ends.

Gun fights and car chases/crashes from some holes in the plot and about the time you start getting bored, crazed gunmen burst into the scene and suck you right back into the action.

It's a go-see, especially for the action/suspense movie lovers.

THREE AND A HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 at Bay City 8, Bay City, MI

Movie Critique: Star Wars Episode 1 - Phantom Menace 3D

Two Jedi Knights uncover a wider conflict when they are sent as emissaries to the blockaded planet Naboo. Stars: Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson and Natalie Portman 

This installment of Star Wars isn't new.  It was originally released in 1999. But like some much of Hollywood today, if you can enhance and rerelease, you're good to go.

This time around, it's shown in 3D.

Sadly, the 3D glasses didn't help.  I don't think the technology is there to take an old master and create the amazing 3D effects like the movies that are originally produced with 3D in mind.

I think it would have been more fun to see the original Star Wars from the late 70s with the 3D technology.  Perhaps George Lucas thinks the original Star Wars trilogy is no longer relevant.

Don't get my wrong, I still liked the show, but it wasn't an improvement.  If you enjoy the Star Wars movie franchise, you'll want to see this show.  But if you're just curious about seeing a Star Wars movie in 3D, you may want to save your money.

FOUR POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)
Screened on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Saginaw 12, Saginaw, MI