...And knowing is Half the Battle!

GI Joe. If you've watched the cartoon, if you read the comics, if you had the toys- just fear not. You'll enjoy the movie. Its one of those that's like cotton candy, it seems huge but when you actually ingest it, there's nothing there. Does that mean its not entertaining? Hell no. You just might have trouble with people who aren't familiar with the canon. But I had proof because my date had no idea about how cool Snake Eyes was going to be and she had a great time. But sorry fellas, she's one in a million.

What a great film. You'll watch this and wish that they had done something like this for the most recent Transformers movie. It's got all the fun that you'll recall from playing with toys (not just GI Joe, but any toys). Things blow up, people have histories, chase scenes bring a lot of destruction. Lives are at stake, lives are taken, lives are saved.

This is more in line with the Dark Knight in terms of rating. Its one of the hardest PG-13 movies in a while. Its actually a smart way to use the rating. There are lots of people dying but no blood to speak of. Also, the (pre) Cobra army is more like a super solider, so they don't use the A-Team way the old cartoon shot at everything but didn't hit anything. Its hard to kill the soldiers but when you do, they stay dead.

That's not to say the film is flawless. It suffers from one of the age old tales where everyone has a history with each other. Its the LOST of Hasbro toy lines. Also, I wish they had taken the approach that WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is doing. Practical effect enhanced by CGI would have made for a better Destro face. Again, since this is the Rise of Cobra, he's not Destro until later. Another thing that's just a little picking on my part, why does Snake Eyes have a mouth? Cover that up. It makes him look like a giant plastic toy (ironic?).

Did you enjoy it?

Hell yes. All the pre-bad buzz may have helped lower expectations to the point of getting wowed.

Would you see it in theaters again?

Yes. I think it calls for another view to make sure I'm not wrong about having enjoyed it.

Would you rent it?

Yes.

Would you buy it?

At this point, yes. Only time will tell.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?

For Sure.

YO JOE!

*Here's a link to one of the online community reviewers that I usually agree with.

District 9

District 9 is the story of a little girl and her puppy. No, wait, it's not. The actual story is a very personal one of the sad history of racism in Johannesburg, South Africa. Only instead of blacks, they're aliens.

28 years ago, an alien ship made first contact above South Africa. Unable to leave, they're set up in a slum that is called District 9. It may sound like they're setting up an epic battle of aliens versus humans. In actuality, this is a very personal story told via science fiction. We follow a low level bureaucrat named Vickus. He's tasked in serving eviction notices to the "prawns" of District 9.

From the trailers, I thought this movie looked a lot like V: the series. In actuality, it is a mesh of V, Aliens, The Thing or The Fly. Again, if you're looking for spoilers you're in the wrong house. I can tell you that this movie is the epitome of smart sci fi. The CGI is used to enhance the story, it doesn't sit front and center. Its not spectacle. Its a means to an end. It helps tell the story and get you from point A to point B. Also, if you've seen the trailer, a lot of that isn't in the movie. One of those where they use the trailer to give you more of a feel for the film, than spoil every turn.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?

Yes.

Would you rent it?

Yes.

Would you buy it?

Yes.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?

Yes.

fire mares

Paper Hearts

Remember that stoned girl from the apartment scene in Knocked Up? No? That’s okay, but just know, she’s adorable in her lack of adorableness.

Paper Heart is the mockumentary of her relationship with Michael Cera (whom she did date in real life as well). The story starts with her setting out to do a documentary on what love is for different people. From there it blossoms into a romance caught on tape.

This is going to be a tricky thing because Yi uses a lot of her real life friends in the movie. Martin Starr, Seth Rogen and others get a little screen time to add heft to the proceedings. At that point you really buy this as a “documentary” which I think helps the movie. If this was just a regular love story, it would be called Paper Thin. Instead Yi’s charm and the back drop of making a documentary turn it into a very sweet film.

What little tension there is in the romance subplot is held off to the end of the second act, which is a good thing. There really isn’t a mean bone in this whole movie. It is a sweet little film. The whole thing feels like it was done fast and loose on the fly, even though I’m sure it was not.

I would still say you need to see (500) Days before this, but if you’re looking for a romantic double feature, this would be the sweet to (500)’s sour.

P.S. the dioramas of events are very cool.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?

No.

Would you rent it?

Yes.

Would you buy it?

No.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?

Yes.