"HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON" ****4.5 STARS

Dream Works' new 3-D animated film "How to Train Your Dragon" is sheer genius. This is a fun magical film that children will love.  
                                                                             






I invited my 10 year old niece Auriel Turner to see her first 3-D film. She was mesmirized !
Auriel loved the characters and said  she could relate to the story even though it was about a young boy trying to learn how to slay dragons. It was magical to see the state of the art 3-D effects moving Auriel to try and reach out and grab beautiful golden butterflies that seemed so close you could touch them. 

Just based on the title this movie seems like a period piece
that younger generations might not be able to relate to. In this age of ipods, iphones Computers and Video games 
how do you hold their interests with stories about Dragons and Dragon slayers?  But this story works! 
The 3-D experience takes you on the film's journey and the main character Hiccup ( voice of Jay Baruchel) is every young kid in America who's trying to find his place in the world. He's a normal teenager who's going through that awkward stage, and he's very different from his father and his peers. He has no desire to slay dragons.

This is the classic story of the bullies versus the underdogs. Hiccup doesn't have the heart to kill dragons and his father doesn't believe he has what it takes to be a dragonslayer. Hiccup soon discovers he has a way with dragons. Instead of taking the aggressive approach he helps a dragon who's hurt and learns to communicate and befriend him and few others.  Instead of waging war with the Dragons, Hiccup realizes that he can communicate and develop a loving caring bond with them. Then he decides to train with his peers to join the next generation of dragon slayers to gain his fathers approval. At first they make fun of him until his special dragon taming gift is revealed.  After that he  has to figure out how to convince his father and the townsmen that the dragons can be trained and tamed instead of slain. 

It's really a heartwarming story and the writers make Hiccup and his group of friends including Astrid (voiced by America Ferrera), and Ruffnutt (voiced by Kristin Wig) seem so fresh and contemporary. "How To Train Your Dragon" is a magical experience for the whole family!
PG
3-D Animation/Family
4.5 Stars

"HOT TUB TIME MACHINE" 2.5 STARS

The new comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine" pulls out all the stops attempting to be one of the raunchiest gut-bucket, low brow, gross out films you've ever seen. Let's not forget it's supposed to be funny too. It has it's humorous moments but it's more gross, and weird than funny. I get the story line which follows a group of best friends Adam (John Cusack) Lou ( Rob Corddry) and  Nick (Craig Robinson) who've lost touch with each other during the heart of their adult lives but reconnect after (Corddry) has an accident that they're concerned might've been a suicide attempt. 

They're all 
crying the
blues over
their boring
lives and want to recapture their happy go lucky good old days. So they decide to take a trip to their favorite ski resort from back in the day to revitalize their spirits and their friendship. The Ski Resort is not what it used to be, it's broke and dilapidated but they forge ahead to have a good time anyway. After a wild night of drinking in the resorts' hot tub the men wake up and find out they've taken a trip back in time to their glory days of 1986. 

Jacob (Clark Duke) Adam's nephew is the fourth member of the crew who tags along for the ride. It's a new adventure for this 20 something kid who never leaves the house because he's playing computer games all day. This trip back in time is a second chance for this group of friends to right some wrongs, do some good and hopefully change their lives in the future for the better. Lou (Corddry) is the driving force behind the groups' reckless "boys behaving badly" behavior which is the cornerstone of this film. Lou(Corddry) is a train wreck, the kind of friend you don't want to claim you know because when he causes problems he takes everyone down with him. He will make you laugh while grossing you out at the same time. If you're into reckless, vulgar, over the top, tasteless moments with some sprinkles of comedy you'll love this film. 

(R) 
Comedy
2.5 Stars

"REPO MEN" ****4 Stars

"Repo Men" starring Jude Law and Forest Whitaker drives home the point that the recent  passage of health care legislation was imperative. "Repo Men" is almost a precursor of what our world could look like if health care cost continue to sky rocket  out of control.

This film is set in the near future where breakthrough medical discoveries has helped make artificial organs available that can be bought on credit to prolong your life. The only catch, they don't tell the customer that if you miss a few payments those organs will be reposessed.  A company called the Union created is mass producing expensive mechanical organs they've created that will extend your life but if you miss just a few payments the company sends out a highly trained team of Repo men to take back their equipment with no regard for your life.

Former Soldier Remy (Jude Law) is the best Repo man in the business he and his partner Jake are a force to be reckoned with. This is not a film for the squeemish be prepared to see the bloody, gorey extractions of mechanical organs which could happen to anyone. You get an unsettling feeling watching "Repo men "because the Screenwriter and Director have created this futuristic society where people are running for their lives and hiding because they have essentially defaulted on medical bills that they've encurred trying to stay alive. It's brilliant how the story is presented like it's normal that the world has regressed to such an insensitive and reckless disregard for life.

The price of these mechanical life savers includes bank breaking interest charges which makes it a done deal that you will eventually default.

Where this story takes a cruel turn is that Remy (Jude Law) is injured while reposessing a mechanical organ and as a result he's outfited with a top of the line state of the art Heart and finds himself in the same position as the people he's been chasing. Needless to say his heart isn't in the job anymore so he becomes a fugitive.  Forest Whitaker (Jake) is a die-hard Repo-man who was born to do this job. Remy however, was considering  working in another department on the front end as a salesman. So this causes some conflict between the two boyhood friends. It's action-packed and exciting but it's hard to wrap you're brain around the fact that society would allow this type of Repo work to exist.  You get an unsettling throughout the film which makes you think: " I hope we never see a world like this in the future! 

"Repo Men" is an extreme take on the repossession profession and what areas will  be covered in the future. Not only will Repomen take back their equipment but you lose your life in the process. It's a frightening concept but captivating to watch.

Sci-Fi/Action-Thriller
Universal Pictures

4 Stars****

(R )

"THE BOUNTY HUNTER" 3 Stars***

There's something about Jennifer Aniston that makes her standout in romantic comedies and "The Bounty Hunter" is no exception. Aniston is a master at making being beautiful, charming and strong while vulnerable seem effortless. She makes audiences feel like she's one of their own. Aniston is Newspaper Reporter Nicole Hurly who's working on a murder cover up story. She misses a scheduled court appearance, while chasing that story and jumps bail. This dream job falls into the lap of  Bounty Hunter Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler) who happens to be her ex-husband.  Boyd (Gerard Butler) is a washed up police officer who's taken up bounty hunting because of his unorthodox methods. It's a chance for him to make some good money and he knows it will be an easy job.

Of course the premise of the story is hokey, but it's a cute. There is amazing chemistry between Aniston and Butler and it's fun to watch him chasing her, while she's chasing the story, while the criminals chase after them and they try to stay alive. It's really a story about them discovering each other all over again and wondering what went wrong in their marriage.
It's also the classic story of people who get caught up in demanding careers and let the work come between them so much so that they don't recognize each other any more. Butler pursuing Aniston as her "Bounty Hunter" gives both of them a chance to revisit what happened and learn just how important they are to each other. 


It's fun to watch thanks to the comedic timing of the star couple, and exciting action scenes. Its also a heartwarming story where Aniston and Butler rediscover one another. They take us on this hilarious, quirky journey where we learn if these two can find their way back to each other. Aniston and Butler are the perfect romantic team!
Romantic Comedy 
Columbia Pictures
PG-13 
3*** Stars

"OUR FAMILY WEDDING" **4STARS**

You'll have a good time when you watch the funny new comedy"Our Family Wedding". It's a fresh spin on the "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" theme but with a Latino twist. Handsome newcomer, Lance Gross ("Tyler Perry's House of Payne") is Marcus Boyd, a Black Medical student who's engaged to the love of his life, Lucia Ramirez (America Ferrera) ("Ugly Betty") a Latino law student. Marcus (Gross) and Lucia (Ferrera) come home from college and surprise their families with the news that their getting married. Of course the families are stunned to find out their son and daughter's intended is of a different race.


Once the two families meet the fathers of the Bride and Groom, Carlos Mencia and Forest Whitaker, realize they've met before and can't stand each other because of an earlier traffic incident. So from that point on the war between the Dads is on. 
 These two go through some crazy hilarious antics trying to influence and control their childrens impending wedding celebration.  Regina King as Marcus's maternal Aunt, is the voice of reason on his side of the family. When the wedding plans become too stressful she tells the young couple to look at it this way: "It's our marriage and their wedding". 

You will laugh and have a good time while rooting for the couple and their families to make this work. The upside of this film is that you can relate to these families who are portrayed in a positive light.  Lucia's (Ferrera) parents are successful Business owners and Marcuses' (Gross) Dad (Forest Whitaker) is a single wealthy professional living the high life and looking for love. The chemistry between Marcus (Gross) and Lucia (Ferrera) is authentic you believe them as a couple. It's their families who have issues! 

There's no heavy drama here just the normal craziness that comes when families are trying to pull off a wedding. It's a funny, heartwarming and more about blending the cultures than allowing the differences to divide families. You'll see the obvious culture clashes and cliched jokes which poke fun at family traditions but this movie is about two people who love each other.

Comedy
Fox Searchlight
PG 13 (Some sexual content and brief strong language)
4**Stars**

"THE GREEN ZONE' (4 STARS****)

 Matt Damon and Director Paul Greengrass ("The Bourne Identity" series) have teamed  up once again to bring you "The Green Zone" , a riveting thriller about the search for weapons of mass destruction. We know the outcome of this story but to see it played out on film really gives you something to think about. It's astonishing to know that so many soldiers and innocent victims lost their lives based on a war caused by the threat of weapons of mass destruction that never existed. The film inspired by the expose "Imperial  LIfe in the Emerald City" is set in the early days of the Iraqi War during the U. S. led occupation in 2003

Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Damon) and his team of Army Inspectors are going from one site to the next searching for weapons of mass destruction. They find nothing but an elaborate cover up, which undermines each mission. Miller (Damon) questions the top brass about the faulty intelligence information but he's repeatedly told the information is solid. This prompts Miller (Damon) to go on a rogue mission, risking his life to find the truth.  This is a well scripted, action packed saga that keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how the truth will be revealed.

Greg Kinnear  as Clark Poundstone  is sinister and creepy as a powerful Pentagon official who ignores the advice of his best CIA operatives because of hidden agendas and back door deals they've made that were top secret until Miller (Damon) started his rogue investigation.  What's unsettling about the way this movie plays out is the fact that everyone is willing to go along with the cover up.  It paints a disturbing picture of how false information can be used to start wars risking countless lives on both sides for no reason.                                       

It's not only exciting but thrilling seeing Miller (Damon) navigate his way through this confusing web of espionage and conspiracy. Discovering how he ultimately exposes the truth makes "The Green Zone" a film worth watching.


War Drama
Director: Paul Greengrass
(R)
Rating: 4 Stars

"REMEMBER ME" **4 Stars**

"Remember Me" is an appropriate title for this romantic drama starring Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin and Pierce Brosnan because this movie is unforgettable. I was expecting the typical  story about a 20-something man who meets a young woman in the Big Apple and falls in love.

But this is a dark love story that shocks you with a powerful opening scene, so make sure you are in your seat when the movie starts.  Pattinson ( as Tyler Hawkins) is a college student who has trouble dealing with the death of his older brother.  

He's also

estranged from his father (Pierce Brosnan) a successful attorney who  he believes has put his career before his family. With his parents now divorced and his mother remarried Tyler(Pattinson) spends his time trying to convince his father to be more involved his his 11 year old sister's life. He sports the grunge look through most of the movie. Pattinson's character is an angry, tortured soul until he meets Ally Craig (Emilie  de Ravin) the daughter of a Police Officer who over time has learned to deal with her mother's murder.  de Ravin's character (Ally) is the upside of this couple, she's strong, funny and has an undeniable zest for life. They both have strained relationships with their fathers that they're trying to resolve while attempting to establish themselves as a couple. 

What's remarkable about "Remember Me" is that you think you know what the story is about, a young couple whose been dealing with their personal tragedies alone and after finding each other can finally begin the process of healing. But a surprise twist makes this story much bigger than that. The movies' brilliant screenwriter leads us down one path then takes us in a totally different direction, with an outcome you'd never expect would happen.


The message of this film: Cherish the love you have while you can because as we all know tomorrow is not promised.  
This is not a predictable love story and in certain scenes the journey is uncomfortable but I guarantee you, the shocking ending, which brings the whole story together, will blow you
away!


Romantic Drama (PG)
Rating : 4 Stars

"ALICE IN WONDERLAND"***3 Stars

We've seen the classic story of "Alice in Wonderland"  many times but Walt Disney's 3-D version gives audiences their first chance to experience the journey along with Alice. 

Seeing this magical fantasy land through the lens of acclaimed Director Tim Burton is a crazy, cooky trip from start to finish. The wacky characters that Alice befriends, like The Queen of Hearts, and Tweedle dee and Tweedle dum on her journey are colorful, odd, funny and larger than life. 

This is the more mature story of  19 year old Alice who accidentally returns to her childhood fantasy world after taking a moment by herself during a party to ponder over a life changing dilemma.

Helena Bonham Carter as the (Queen of Hearts ) stands out for obvious reasons the special effects they used to give her that enormous head. You can't stop watching her, you want to look away but you can't. Carter's commands attention throughout her scenes. 

Johnny Depp as the  (Mad Hatter) immerses himself in the role, with those crazy eyes, that wild red hair and his odd clothes. You totally forget he's that dark quiet handsome leading man his female fans know and love. Depp's character is light an airy and ironically the stabilizing force on Alice's journey because he's the only one who remembers who Alice is and why she's there.

Mia Wasikowska as (Alice) is naive and full of wonder, as a teenage girl who's absent from her life in the real world and in a sense goes back to her childhood fantasy land to find herself and the courage to regain control of her life. 

 Anne Hathaway as the (White Queen) is the good Queen but she comes across a little strange. She's a contradiction in terms always dressed in white but with traces of black from her eyebrows to her lipstick and her fingernails.
She's like an angel and a wicked witch rolled into one. That's just one example of Director Tim Burton putting his signature macabre touches throughout the film to provide that dark element that's always an underlining theme in his movies.

"Alice in Wonderland"  slows down a bit towards the middle of the movie but the special effects and 3-D experience will hold your interest.  It's worth the trip!

Family Fantasy

Director: Tim Burton

3 Stars

(PG)108 minutes

"BROOKLYN'S FINEST" **4 STARS**

"Brooklyn's Finest" from Director Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") is gritty, raw, violent and detached. It's as if you're watching what it's really like to be a Police Officer on the dangerous streets of New York.  This is a story about three New York Cops who's involvement in a major drug case forces them to make some tough decisions about their lives and careers over a one week period. Don Cheadle stars as an undercover cop (Tango) who's struggling with his loyalty to his badge and the drug kingpin (Caz) who saved his life, played by Wesley Snipes, who he's now assigned to catch. 

Richard Gere is a patrolman (Eddie) who has only 7 days left to retire but he's so disillusioned with his job and life that he just goes through the motions when he's forced to train a rookie cop who rides along as his partner.

 











Ethan Hawke (Sal) is a narcotics cop who's under tremendous economic pressure to provide a home for his pregnant wife and children. He flip-flops from good cop to bad cop because he's tempted by the drug money. These 3 Officers seem to be doing their best to serve and protect but the nature of their jobs often leaves them out on the mean streets flying without a net.

"Brooklyn's Finest" is intense and riddled with sex, drugs and extremely graphic violent scenes. Director Fuqua weaves a story that's filled with shocking surprises.

These cops have crossed the line. Everyday is like a battlefield and they don't know, and in some cases, don't care if they live or die.

Crime Drama(R)

4 Stars

Director: Antoine Fuqua

2 hrs. 5 min.