"CHARLIE ST. CLOUD" ****4 STARS

"Charlie St. Cloud" is a touching love story about a young man played by teen idol Zac Efron who's devastated by the death of his little brother Sam (Charlie Tahan).  Charlie (Efron) shuts down, puts his life and love of sailing on hold and lives and works as a caretaker at a graveyard where his little brother is buried. He's so overcome with grief that he sees his brother's ghost, and promises never to leave him. Charlie (Efron) keeps their bond alive by meeting him everyday to play catch and talk.

You see a more serious side of Efron in this romantic drama. He's flexing some serious acting chops, trying to move from teen heart-throb to leading man status and it works. This role is challenging because Efron's character is at a dark point in his life. It's not glamourous, or sexy to see him struggling with this kind of loss. He's given up his life, his love of sailing, and his plans for college because he doesn't want to leave his brother.  

Despite his self imposed isolation love breaks through and finds a way into his life when Charlie (Efron) falls for Tess (Amanda Crew) an old  high school classmate who's also a champion sailor. Charlie has to decide if he's willing to start living again and open his heart to love, or if he's ready to  give up his promise to his brother.  "Charlie St. Cloud" is a romantic drama infused with a little fantasy. Elements of this movie reminds me of three of my favorite films:"Ghost","The Sixth Sense"and "Field of Dreams". 

Charlie Tahan steals the show as Sam, Charlie's (Efron's) little brother. He worships the ground his big brother walks on, and Charlie treats him like a loving, protective father. The two are inseparable. Tess (Amanda Crew) is vulnerable, yet strong, quirky and cute as Charlie's (Efron's) love interest. She's also his female counterpart in the sport of sailing, and that's what draws them to each other. Their romantic relationship grows and develops in an unusual way and that's all I'm going to say about it because I don't want to spoil the amazing journey you're about to experience. This is a great transition film for Zac Efron setting the stage for more adult roles. "Charlie St. Cloud" is an inspiring movie that will tug at your heart strings. 

PG 13
Romantic/Drama/Fantasy
4 Stars
Universal Pictures
Cast: Zac Efron, Charlie Tehan, Amanda Crew

"SALT" ***5 STARS**

"SALT" starring Angelina Jolie breaks new ground as a film featuring the most powerful woman I've ever seen depicted on screen. Jolie has said she'd rather be "James Bond" than a Bond girl and she delivers, even surpasses what we've seen from her male counterparts in other movies. In fact Jolie's character makes "James Bond",the ultimate film Spy look like a rookie. I can honestly say I have never seen a womans' strength and power displayed so believably on screen. Jolie's portrayal of Salt  puts "Wonderwoman", "Supergirl" and any other female power house to shame. 

In the lead role Jolie is CIA agent Evelyn Salt.   She plays this character like a man and even though she's obviously beautiful, you don't think about it because she gives you so much more. Forget about the way female spies are usually portrayed in movies, using their beauty, looks and sex appeal as their primary strategy for infiltrating the enemies lair, that's not the case here. Salt/Jolie is just the opposite. Her physical prowess, instincts and intelligence enables her to use anything at her disposal to stay alive and escape an army of enemies who are hunting her down. 

Salt/Jolie does lots of  dangerous stunts that will shock you and leave you with your mouth hanging open. One minute she's a damsel in distress. The next minute she's jumping off freeways onto moving tanker's and trucks running for her life. Then later she's fighting like a man taking everyone out in her path. In a word she is fearless! I've never seen a female character go to such lengths and be able to effectively make you believe she's this cold blooded, and dangerous.  

Here's the thing. The movie can be confusing because the storyline makes it hard to figure out  which side Salt/Jolie is on.  A Russian defector accuses her of being a Russian Spy which forces her to go on the run in an effort to prove otherwise. She brilliantly displays her training and expertise as a covert operative which helps her avoid being captured. Her goal is to prove she's innocent but some of her actions are questionable which casts doubt amongst her colleagues about which side she's on? 

 That's what you'll be asking yourself over and over again while watching this intriguing and exciting movie...Who is Salt?  Who is this powerful woman?

Is she a Russian Spy or a brilliant double agent?

This movie goes through several stunning twists and turns that would be hard for even your sharpest male Spy to pull off.  This movie is must see entertainment! Angelina Jolie is the reason why! 

5 Stars*****

(PG-13) Action-Thriller

Columbia Pictures

Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, 

Chiwetel Ejiofor

 

" RAMONA and BEEZUS" *****5 STARS

"Ramona and Beezus" is delightful, funny and authentic! You walk away from this movie feeling good about how resiliant children are and how they're often able to deal with life's challenges with such postivity and love that it inspires the whole family to do the same. Newcomer Joey King who plays Ramona carries this film effortlessly. Ramona (King) is definitely the Shirley Temple of  our time, her natural talent is exceptional.

Her high-octane energy, quirky nature, comedic timing and loveable demeanor is what makes this film an absolute joy to watch.  Ramona (King) is 10 going on 35 she has a vivid imagination and the best intentions but being accident prone gets in the way.  She comes off like the bumbling black sheep of the family but she's really it's heart, a hero of sorts because she has the courage to be who she is, mistakes and all. When Ramona (King) learns her Dad (John Corbett) has lost his job, she's worried that her family will lose their home and she sets out to do everything she can to prevent that from happening. Her mom (Bridgett Moynahan) has to go back to work and of course the family's economic situation puts a strain on their relationship because her Dad (Corbett) has trouble finding a job.

Ramona loves her beautiful teenage sister Beezus (Selena Gomez) who's struggling with fitting in and finding her place in the world while dealing with developing romantic feelings for her male best friend whom she's known since they were little.  Ramona (King) is also enamored with her Aunt Bea (Ginnifer Goodwin) who's charming, beautiful and hopelessly in love with her ex-boyfriend Josh Duhamel. This is the last hoorah for their on-again, off again romance. Everything Ramona attempts seems to fail or get screwed up in some way. Ramona's plans to rescue her family consistently causes problems for her by making her look foolish but I have to admit a childs' love always comes through and in this case Ramona (King)  inspires her family to recognize what's really important in life. Sometimes challenges can open the doorway to our dreams and Ramona knows that and goes for it, not concerned or even worried about wether she's going to fail or how silly it might make her look. She's in it to win it!

That's what makes her so adorable and fun to watch. This film is based on several best-selling books about "The Adventures of Ramona Quimby" by Beverly Cleary. It truly captures how life's challenges looks from a child's perspective and how it's so important for them to contribute and be heard. "Ramona and Beezus" makes us realize that children inspire us and bring more to the table than adults are willing to give them credit for. You don't want to miss this film!!! It's worth seeing just to check out the unforgettable Joey King (Ramona)!

20th Century Fox
5 Stars (G) Family/Comedy
Cast: Joey King, Selena Gomez,
Ginnifer Goodwin, Sandra Oh,
John Corbett, Josh Duhamel
Director: Elizabeth Allen

"THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE" 4****STARS

"THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE" is a really cool take on a classic Disney story. It's a modern take on a classic Disney story about a sorcerer and his awkward young apprentice who's reluctant to take on his new role, but has to step up to the plate after the two get caught up in some serious drama that forces them into a battle against some evil forces that are dead set on taking over the world. 

NICHOLAS CAGE is Balthazar Blake a master sorcerer in current-day Manhattan who's trying to defend the city from his arch-ememy, Maxim Horvath (ALFRED MOLINA). Balthazar needs some help to accomplish his mission so he enlists the aid of  Dave Stutler (JAY BARUCHEL) a college student who's kind of nerdy but very intelligent who loves physics. He has some extraordinary hidden talents that he hasn't even fully come to terms with yet but by design, makes him destined to be Balthazar's protege. They don't have much time, so the sorcerer is forced to bring his apprentice up to speed with a crash course in the school of wizardy and magic.

Stutler is distracted by several things including a budding romance with a young woman but he has to calm his fears, survive his training and with the sorcerer's help save the city from the evil forces of darkness. What I love about this film is the pairing of Nicholas Cage and Jay Baruchel. Their characters are complete opposites. Cage plays Balthazar with a cool fearless swagger that really makes you take him seriously but he also gives you that dry tongue and cheek humor we're used to seeing in all his characters. Baruchal is brilliant as the apprentice. He's the quintessential bumbling, fumbling idiot but he's lovable and you know he's a good kid who's conflicted by his special mystical powers, which he's never understood and and for the most part ignored. 

We're essentially watching him grow into his destiny and it's fun to watch. The special effects are top of the line on an epic scale but you would expect no less from Detroit's own mega hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer. This is a really cool adventure. You'll have some fun, you'll laugh and be inspired by this quirky kid who proves that you don't have to be a muscle bound athlete to be a hero. Even the most unlikely people can step up to the plate and save the day and when you see this movie you'll root for this unlikely duo to do just that!

Walt Disney Studios (PG)

Cast: Nicholas Cage, Alfred Molina,

Jay Baruchel

Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer

Comedy/Adventure

4 Stars

"PREDATORS" 4 ****Stars

"PREDATORS" gives new meaning to the phrase survival of the fittest and takes this concept to an unimaginable level. This new chapter in the "Predator" film series takes a group of elite warriors on an impossible mission. Imagine being kidnapped and dropped from a plane into an mysterious jungle with no clue as to why they were kidnapped and brought to this desolate place? 

This group includes a mercenary Adrian Brody and a group of cold blooded killers from around the world who quickly realize they've become the hunted. They join forces to help each other stay alive and hopefully find a way to escape.They are being hunted by alien Predators who are using all sorts of sophisticated booby traps and vicious alien animals in a deadly hunting game that's designed to kill them for sport . It's an impossible situation because the aliens have major advantages that include cloaking mechanisms which makes them invisible and hi-tech laser weapons that are more powerful than the hunted crews high powered guns and explosives. This deadly sport is happening in what appears to be a rain forest like jungle, but this crew of hunted prey discovers they are on another planet so escaping is impossible! These highly trained warriors are no joke! They give their highly evolved alien Predators a serious run for their money.

Adrian Brody is Royce a mercenary and self imposed leader of this fearless group of killers. Brody has actually been transformed into a believable tough guy complete with six pack and muscles. The group's lone woman is Isabelle (Alice Braga) a beautiful expert sharp shooter who knows who these aliens are and what they're capable of. Topher Grace is Edwin a clean cut, good samaritan looking, Physician who was dropped off on the planet with no weapons. You almost feel like they made a mistake and dropped Edwin (Grace) into a situation where he's in over his head, but as the film progresses you'll discover what he's all about. Laurence Fishburne as Noland adds an interesting dynamic to this deadly situation.

Noland (Fishburne) is layed back,quirky and happens to be the lone survivor of previous games. He makes an effort to help the group by offering food and shelter and bringing them up to speed about what they're up against.This group was chosen by the Predators for a reason. Isabelle (Braga) sums it up when she says: "We are Predators just like them the worst of our kind."

This is  definitely a man's movie! It's frightening, with non-stop violence, and it's one of those films where the situation seems hopeless because by all acounts these humans appear to be in a no win situation but is it? You judge for yourself! This movie does it's job. It's a terrifying adventure that will have you on pins-and needles wondering if these humans will survive the Predators deadly game!
20th Century Fox (R)
Cast: Adrian Brody, Laurence Fishburne,
Topher Grace, and Alice Braga
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Sci Fi/Thriller/Action
4 Stars.

"DESPICABLE ME" 4 ****Stars

Even the most despicable characters long for the love of family, and they sometimes don't realize that's all they need to change their lives for the better! That's the underlying theme of the animated comedy "Despicable Me" which stars Steve Carell as the voice of Gru one of the most evil villains of all time.

His dark ominous home sits nestled in a nice quiet suburban community. Gru (Carell) is an odd fellow that's more than a little off beat. He loves to do wicked things, like playing funny tricks on kids that makes them cry or using his arsenal of shrink rays and freeze rays to stop people in their tracks so he can, for example,  cut in line and get his coffee before anyone else. But he's very serious about maintaining his street credibility when he learns that his rival Vector (Jason Segel) has stolen the great pyramid and left an inflatable version.

Gru (Carell) won't be outdone so he concocts a plan to steal a shrinking ray gun from his rival Vector (Segal) so he can upstage him by commiting the greatest heist of all time, stealing the moon! Gru(Carell) is assisted by his partner in crime Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) and his cute yellow minons who help him do his bidding.

He's clearly trying to get his mother's (Julie Andrews)  approval with all of his antics. All of Gru's attempts to impress her has fallen on deaf ears and of course it hurts but he presses on. 3 little orphan girls will change all that for Gru...he meets them when they show up on his door selling girl scout cookies and decides to adopt them temporarily to use as a distraction to gain access to his rival Vector's home.  

The Girls are amazing! They treat Gru (Carell) like a father and they expect him to love them back. You will be mesmirized and in awe of little Agnes the baby of the group (voiced by Elsie Fisher.) Agnes (Fisher) steals the show in every sceen with those huge big doe eyes that will melt your heart.  The action scenes featuring Gru (Carell) and his nemesis Vector (Segel) wreaking havoc and mayhem, trying top each other's best are designed to appeal to adults and children which makes the story relatable and interesting to watch.  

The 3 orphan girls see past Gru's (Carell's) imperfections and love and appreciate him for trying to be a father and providing a home for them. Of course he had ulterior motives but he didn't expect they would fill up the emptiness in his heart! "Despicable Me" is an endearing, adorable, funny family film that will touch heart. 










The cast includes: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig and Julie Andrews.
PG-13/Universal Pictures
Comedy/Animation/3-D
4 Stars.

" THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE" 2.5 STARS

I've seen the two previous "Twilight" films and was expecting more from the"Twilight Saga:Eclipse".  It is a beautifully shot film with beautiful actors and a romantic setting but I can honestly say I am a little let down.  After seeing the 2nd film "Twilight:New Moon" I thought the romantic relationship between Edward Cullin (Robert Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) would grow into a more solid and defined relationship.

Instead the drama unfolds in several different storylines. Bella(Stewart) is torn between her developing feelings for werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) and her intense love for vampire Edward (Pattinson). Edward's (Pattinson) main concern is protecting Bella (Stewart) from evil forces but he steps up his game and asks for her hand in marriage. The conflict occurs after Jacob (Lautner) finds the courage to declare his love for Bella(Stewart). 

Impressive acting chops from Jacob (Taylor Laudner) who's grown from a boyhood friend to young man who's so in love.  I believed him! You see the passion in his character where in the first two movies he was uncertain and more like a child. I know Edward (Pattinson) appears to love Bella (Stewart) but he comes off more like her protector. I believe he's enamored with her adoration for him. The love stories are safe and sweet so parents don't have to be concerned about revealing love scenes or over the top vampire blood scenes but the fight scenes are intense.  Bella (Stewart) is her usual moody, brooding self there's no arc in her character. I don't see the kind of passion coming from Bella (Stewart) that you normally see from a young woman desparately in love. Her performance has no heart, she's fierce and committed to her love for Edward but you don't see those intense feelings reflected in her acting. Bella (Stewart) is a liability to Edward (Pattinson) and the entire Cullin family as long as she's human.

The Cullins are civilized vampires living like humans and they're willing to go the distance to protect Bella (Stewart) because Edward (Pattinson) loves her. They'll have their work cut out for them due to a murderous group of  new vampires who are making their way to Forks. This threat is so severe that the Cullins clan of vampires and Jacob's family of werewolves call a truce and join forces to protect Bella (Stewart).  It's hard to see this film in the same light after having seen such exceptional stories from" The Vampire Diaries" (FOX) and "True Blood" (HBO). There is no holding back you see the passion, the thirst, the chemistry and the hold the vampire community has on it's subjects in the TV series. True die hard Vampire fans will understand what I'm talking about. Those elements are missing from the Twilight series which is safe and pales in comparison. 






This is a very "sweet" story, the PG-13 version of a vampire romancing a human girl. Twilight fans who've read the books and seen all the movies will love this film. But these same die-hard Twi-hards tell me the real juice arrives in the 4th installment of this series when Bella and Edward become an official couple!




Romantic/Drama/Thriller
PG-13
2.5 Stars