Casino Royal

I have discovered something, never see just the end of a movie before you see the whole thing. As is my case with this movie, I saw the end portion a month or so before I saw the majority of the film eluding to the fact that I was not a fan of the movie. But maybe that was also because I've only ever seen the "Bond" films with Pierce Brosnan. But as much as I did not want to give the movie a chance I went into it already deciding what I was gonna write about...unfortunately the intended did not happen.

I must admit the movie was better than I thought, although i will say for the story line they don't give you much to go on. Its all action from the beginning with a very interesting chase scene that doesn't give you much to go on, a few other chase scenes and an too much time taken showing some of the characters playing poker. What I must admit I like is the difference this bond character is from any other, by allowing you to see another side of him. Movie critic Roeper from "Ebert & Roeper at the movies" says "Daniel Craig is the grittiest bond" and I actually agree with him.

In the end I liked the movie not as bad as I originally thought but not spectacular either. But if you like chase scenes, poker, twists, and a different kind of bond (including one disturbing scene that finds bond naked and tied to a chair with no bottom).

I give it 3.5 Icecream Scoops out of 5
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, a scene of torture, sexual content and nudity.

Alpha Dog

Pure Brilliance! I guess a lot of it shocked me not knowing the story going in and maybe thats why I was so upset by the end. What I don't get is how this movie didn't get any nominations for any major film awards. Its by far better than the departed in my opinion and despite the endings in both films, I liked this one better. You look at the acting and all the raw emotion that went into this film, I don't get it. Sure the fact that the "f word" was said over 300 times bothered me, but it's expected.

I wasn't sure how I was gonna feel about the film, about Justin Timberlake considering I'm not a fan. But I was blown away at how well he played his character and everything that went into it.

I don't really wanna give to much away about the movie, but its gotta be told. Its based on Jesse James Hollywood one of the FBI's most wanted. In a world of drugs and money, money that doesn't get paid and guys kid brother gets taken, and from there it's down hill.

If you're into real life based movies, despite an ending, or you don't mind nudity and a ton of swearing go see it.

I give it 4.5 IceCream Scoops out of 5
Rated R for pervasive drug use and language, strong violence, sexuality and nudity.

The History Boys

I'm sure, even as you read the title that you've never heard of this movie, and I think maybe it's best. I rented this movie looking forward to seeing a bunch of smart British Boys learning some cool things, although I barely remember the preview. Instead of "The History Boys" it was more like "The gay-tendancy Boys".

You've got a bunch of smart kids who are working on getting into some high-class Universities, a young brilliant teach whose trying to get the kids to think outside the box, and a Harry Potter reunion. That is to say we got Madame Maxime and Uncle Vernon an interesting gay old man who gives the boys rides home on his motor bike and gropes them.

It was a total let down for a film I was looking forward to see. The only thing I liked about was the kids constant quoting of different films, book, and poets. That and the ending because it was really the best part of the film.

I give 2 IceCream Scoops out of 5
Rated R for language and sexual content

The Painted Veil

It's a relatively unheard of movie for the general public, but it'll capture you're heart. It's got love, heartbreak, lies, death and everything else to make it a wonderful film. That might just have you in tears.

Edward Norton plays a man married to an unfaithful woman, but refuses to divorce her, but instead takes her to an interior part of China to help with a Cholera epidemic as Norton character is a bacteriologist. It takes you on their journey to find what they never truly had. Into the gut wretching interiors of China you'll find a community of death and pain and orphaned children.

I loved this film, and even though I personally didn't cry, I felt it in my soul. As good as this movie is, it isn't for everybody. It has some slow moving parts and isn't you're traditional romantic film by any means. But if you love something that teaches about working for love I recommend this film.

I give this film 4.5 IceCream Scoops out of 5
Rated PG-13 for some mature sexual situations, partial nudity, disturbing images and brief drug content.

Spiderman 3

After 3 long years, the wait has ended and it shattered box office records in opening weekend. It's the action packed film you've been waiting for, it's spiderman against well spiderman. It's good but unfortunately it doesn't live upto the hype.

This film has got three villians and a multitude of plot lines from beginning to end. You've got Harry Osbourne the new green goblin, an ex convict with a strange molecular DNA of sand, and some sticky tar known as Venom who in habits the bodies of a couple of key players. Then there's the love sub plot line thats quite the triangle. With all thats going on, you have to pay attention or you just might miss something.

I have to say the special effects were good, and despite so much going on, for the most part I liked the movie. It's got its cheesy parts, and its good parts, and some lame ones too.

I give it 3.5 Ice Cream Scoops out of 5
Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence.

The Holiday

"I like corny. I'm looking for corny in my life"

I love chick flicks, romantic films, you know the gooey kind of movies that make you happy or sometimes sad. This movie is another example of that. A truly heart warming movie about love and friendship.

It's about two women from two completely different continents; London, England and Los Angeles, United States. Whose love lives fall apart and so they switch houses in an online home switch. And in unexpected ways, love finds them when they had no intention of looking for it.

I really enjoyed this movie even though some of it may not of been believeable like two little girls having cell phones, but then again you never know. I really enjoyed the music in this film, the instrumental parts were really good.

I think a lot people will like this film, not just girls. But if you're looking for non-stop action this isn't the film. Filled with quirky little lines that make you laugh and smile.

I give it 4 IceCream Scoops out of 5
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some strong language.