Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Stars:
3 1/2 stars

As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader's mentor. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas
Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review: I think I might have liked this movie a little bit more if I understood stocks better. I got the jist of the story but it was kind of hard to follow. I did like how it ended except for one part. *Spoiler* I didn't like how she forgave her dad. I mean.. you should always forgive everyone right but her dad stole millions of dollars from her!! I couldn't believe it. I was grateful that Jake (Shia LaBeouf) didn't cheat on her in the movie. For some reason, if the movie needs to get more dramatic they always have someone cheating on someone. But it was interesting and still a pretty good movie, just a little hard to follow unless you understand stocks.

Did anyone ever see the first one?

The Young Victoria

Stars:
4 stars

Love rules all.

Dominated by her possessive mother and her bullying consort,Conroy, since childhood, teen-aged Victoria refuses to allow them the power of acting as her regent in the last days of her uncle, William IV's rule. Her German cousin Albert is encouraged to court her for solely political motives but, following her accession at age eighteen, finds he is falling for her and is dismayed at her reliance on trusty premier Melbourne. Victoria is impressed by Albert's philanthropy which is akin to her own desire to help her subjects. However her loyalty to Melbourne, perceived as a self-seeker, almost causes a constitutional crisis and it is Albert who helps restore her self-confidence.She proposes and they marry, Albert proving himself not only a devoted spouse,prepared to take an assassin's bullet for her, but an agent of much-needed reform, finally endorsed by an admiring Melbourne. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Emily Blunt
Released: 2009

Megan's Movie Review: I absolutely loved this movie! I wasn't quite sure how this movie would be because most of the time, these movies are always kind of boring. Especially when they are British movies, they make them super boring. But I love stories of princesses and how they don't let anyone push them around when they become queen. It's very inspiring. Well this movie was great! She didn't take crap from no one and I truly admired her and how she was strong. I also loved the romance part of the movie. The guy she marries was so sweet and kind and aww.. it was just precious. Good movie, I want it.

Thoughts?

Grown Ups

Stars:
3 1/4 stars

Some guys need a little extra time to mature.

In 1978, five 12-year-olds win a CYO basketball championship. Thirty years later, they gather with their families for their coach's funeral and a weekend at a house on a lake where they used to party. By now, each is a grownup with problems and challenges: Marcus is alone and drinks too much. Rob, with three daughters he rarely sees, is always deeply in love until he turns on his next ex-wife. Eric is overweight and out of work. Kurt is a househusband, henpecked by wife and mother-in-law. Lenny is a successful Hollywood agent married to a fashion designer; their kids take privilege for granted. Can the outdoors help these grownups rediscover connections or is this chaos in the making? (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek
Released: 2010


Megan's Movie Review:
Well, this movie wasn't fabulous but it wasn't that terrible either. It did have some funny parts but I didn't appreciate all the sexual comments. Or, as my sister would say it, all the 'boobage'. Too much. It was a typical Adam Sandler movie to me. I really like Kevin James, I think he is hilarious. That's all I have to say about that movie. It was alright but better than average.

What do you grown-ups think?

The Karate Kid

Stars:
3 1/2 stars

A Challenge He Never Imagined. A Teacher He Never Expected.

12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts "the karate kid" on the floor with ease. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan
Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:
Well, I didn't want to see this movie in the first place but it ended up being better than I had thought it would. Jaden Smith is a cute kid and if you didn't know it is Will Smith's son. Jackie Chan is awesome as always. I love how he does all his own stunts. I find that pretty awesome. Yes, this movie was kind of childish in some parts or it just seemed for a younger age, but it was cute, and it had a good story to it, and it teaches kids good things.

What do you think?

Secret Window

Stars:
3 3/4 stars

Some windows should never be opened.

Famed mystery writer, Mort Rainey (Depp) is confronted by a mysterious stranger outside his house. This stranger calls himself John Shooter (Turturro) and claims that Mort has stolen an idea for a story from him. Mort says he can prove he wrote his first, but whilst Mort waits for the evidence to appear, Shooter starts to become more and more violent. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Johnny Depp
Released: 2004

Megan's Movie Review:
I also really liked this movie a lot. It was a good thriller! Johnny Depp is great and I loved the twist in this movie. *Spoiler* I never expected him to be crazy and insane. And it is totally gross how he ate the corn after he buried them outside in his 'secret garden' through the 'secret window'. But apparently, I have never read the book, but I was told by my mother who has read the book, that in the end he actually gets caught in the end and his ex-wife doesn't die. What I find interesting is this movie was about 'changing the ending' of the book, so they changed the ending of the movie. Cool huh? I like, this movie, and maybe I'm crazy too but it's good.

Any of you crazies like me?

Red Eye

Stars:
4 stars

Fear Takes Flight.

This is the story of a young resourceful heroine woman named Lisa Reisert who hates to fly, but the terror that awaits her on the night flight to Miami has nothing to do with a fear of flying! Upon boarding the plane, Lisa is trapped on a red-eye flight with a creepy villainous handsome and charming man by the name of Jackson Rippner, who's playing middle-man in the plot to assassinate a Homeland Security official. He's got her father pinned down by a would-be killer, using that advantage to coerce Lisa into phoning the luxury resort where she works and arranging to move the target into a pre-set position. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy
Released: 2005
Megan's Movie Review:
This movie was a great thriller! It was like an hour and a half long but it does start pretty quick. Cillian Murphy is just plain creepy. I think it is his eyes that really do it. But I liked this movie and one of the scariest/grossest parts was when she stabs him with the pen. Ugh! I couldn't believe it! And when they are at her house and she's hiding from him.. so intense and awesome! Love it, this is one of my personal favorites, even though it is a shorter movie than usual.

Talk to me..

Remember Me

Stars:

3 3/4 stars

Live in the moments.

A romantic drama set in New York City during the summer of 2001, where Tyler, a rebellious young man, meets Ally through a twist of fate. Her spirit helps him heal after a family tragedy, though soon the circumstances that brought them together threaten to tear them apart. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

This was a drama. Their lives were pretty sad to watch. I couldn't believe how he lived in his apartment. It was disgusting! And by the way, you had no idea that it was in 2001. I felt bad for all of their lives because it was so depressing. With her losing her mother in the beginning and how his brother hung himself. I think the worst part was in the middle of the story, the sister went to a friends house and got her hair cut by her friends. It was terrible. She is the cutest girl and you felt awful for her. Then when things were finally starting to get better, Tyler was in one of the world towers and that was September 11th, 2001. Even though it was sad, I actually liked it. Although, I didn't approve of the sex scenes. It was dumb and it definitely could've been taken out.

Do you like sad movies too?

The Ghost Writer

Stars:

3 1/2 stars

Read between the lies.

An unremarkable ghost-writer has landed a lucrative contract to redact the memoirs of Adam Lang, the former UK Prime Minister. After dominating British politics for years, Lang has retired with his wife to the USA. He lives on an island, in luxurious, isolated premises complete with a security detail and a secretarial staff. Soon, Adam Lang gets embroiled in a major scandal with international ramifications that reveals how far he was ready to go in order to nurture UK's "special relationship" with the USA. But before this controversy has started, before even he has closed the deal with the publisher, the ghost-writer gets unmistakable signs that the turgid draft he is tasked to put into shape inexplicably constitutes highly sensitive material. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

This was a different movie. I can't say it was great but it was very interesting. It took a while before I started to put everything together and understood what was going on. It almost seemed like it was rather slow and not interesting at first. But the story got better and I enjoyed it in the end. It had a sad ending though! I couldn't believe it but then I could because you knew what was going on. *Spoiler* Ewan McGregor died at the end and so did Pierce Brosnan. It was crazy but good.

Has anyone seen this?

Red

Stars:

4 1/2 stars

Aims To Please.

Frank (Bruce Willis) is retired, bored and lonely living off his government pension in a nondescript suburb in an equally nondescript house. The only joy in Frank's life are his calls to the government pension processing center when he gets to talk to his case worker Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker). Sarah is as bored and lonely as Frank and marks her conversations with the unknown Frank and her spy novels as the only things fun in her life. When something in Frank's past forces Frank back into his old line of work and puts an unwitting Sarah in the middle of the intrigue, Frank and Sarah begin a journey into Franks past and the people he used to work with. Like Frank they are all RED ... Retired Extremely Dangerous. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman,  John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:
Funny movie! Bruce Willis was great in this movie - as always! He is a good actor and he does great action films. John Malkovich was super hilarious in this film too. I loved his crazy character and it made the film all the more enjoyable. This was a great action film and it had a good story to it. I want it definitely.

What do you think?

The A-Team

Stars:

4 stars

There is no Plan B.

Four American soldiers who are in Iraq are sent on a mission to recover plates for printing 100 dollar bills that were used to print a billion dollars. After doing the job and returning to the base their commanding officer is killed in an explosion and the plates are stolen by another operative. They would be court martialed and sent to different prisons. 6 months later, the leader, Hannibal Smith is visited by a CIA spook who tells him he knows where the man who took the plates is and wants him and his men to recover it. So he helps him escape and he breaks out the others and they go after the plates. But after doing it, they discover that the spook might not be ok. And a military intelligence officer who was involved with one of them is pursuing them. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

This was a good action film. I really enjoyed it and it was pretty funny. It wasn't too over the top like The Losers. Yes there were some unrealistic action scenes in here, but that is what makes it entertaining. And what action film doesn't have something in it that is so far-fetched. Bradley Cooper was kind of funny, but I didn't like how he was obsessed with sex. It just seems trashy to me. I did like the crazy guy (I can't remember his name), he was cool. Good, fun, and very entertaining.

A-Team fans out there?

Salt

Stars:

3 3/4 stars

Salt Kills.

Evelyn Salt is a CIA agent and highly respected by all, including her boss, Ted Winter. Out of the blue, a Russian spy walks into their offices and offers a vital piece of information: the President of Russia will be assassinated during his forthcoming visit to New York City to attend the funeral of the recently deceased U.S. Vice President. The name of the assassin: Evelyn Salt. Concerned about the safety of her husband, who she cannot contact, she goes on the run. Winter refuses to accept that she is a mole or a double agent but her actions begin to raise doubts. Just who is Evelyn Salt and what is she planning?

Starring: Angelina Jolie

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

This was a pretty good movie and it had an interesting twist in the movie. *Spoiler Alert* I can't believe that she was actually a Russian spy. I think normally, in a movie like this, she wouldn't be a spy and she would prove that she was being framed. In this, she really was a spy and that made it really good. I was very impressed with how she looked like a boy at the end of the movie for this one part. It was pretty good, but she did look like an ugly boy lol. The action and fight scenes were pretty cool. One thing I disliked and wished they would've changed was her husband. He was ugly.

What did you think of Salt?

Toy Story 3

Stars:

4 stars

The great escape.

Woody, Buzz and the whole gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, it's all for one and one for all as they join Barbie's counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear to plan their great escape. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

This was another movie that when I saw the preview for, I didn't want to see because I was like COME ON!! NOT A THIRD MOVIE! Can't they make different movies?! But I ended up loving it quite a lot. I did not cry though. Everyone told me that they balled their eyes out. Seriously? It's just a toy. Haha.. So ironic how I say that. But no, for real, it was sad at those moments in the movie, but it was not ball your eyes out sad. I really liked it though. It had a great ending and this is something that I want part of my collection too.

Toy Story Lovers?

Despicable Me

Stars:

4 stars

Superbad. Superdad.

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru, planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. (Yes, the moon!) Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Steve Carrell

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

Another animation film that was a success. I loved it! This is a perfect movie for kids and I want this as part of my collection for my children later in life. (Hopefully they will like it). Steve Carrell is awesome in this and very hilarious with his accent. I loved the little creatures called the minions. (I think that is how you spell it). Yes, there were some little kid moments where it almost seemed like it would be too childish for me, but it was pretty good. I love the minions though. Loved them! And if you have the 2 disc set, it comes with three mini movies, YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE BANANA ONE!! One of my most favorite short films ever now.

Minion fans?

Shrek Forever After

Stars:

4 stars

The fairy tale is ogre.

A bored and domesticated Shrek pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away -- where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met -- he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

Surprisingly I liked this movie rather a lot. When I saw that this was coming out, I couldn't believe it and I didn't want to see it. I loved the first one and that will always be the best one. The second one wasn't too bad, but the third one I wasn't that impressed with. Yes, they are funny, but seriously 3 movies? So then when this movie came out, as the 4th movie, I didn't want to see it. But we rented it and as a matter of fact, I like this one second best. It was really funny, and had a good story. I truly enjoyed it a lot. I do want this as part of my collection. It was good and definitely worth seeing, even if you are sick of the other Shrek movies.

Agree?

Knight and Day

Stars:

4 1/4 stars

June Havens finds her everyday life tangled with that of a secret agent who has realized he isn't supposed to survive his latest mission. As their campaign to stay alive stretches across the globe, they soon learn that all they can count on is each other. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

This was a fabulous movie! I truly enjoyed this movie and it was such a great action/romance film. I love both of these actors and think that they are great. I loved how Tom Cruise was so calm about being a spy yet he was so cool in his fighting. But he was always chill about it even if he just killed a bunch of people. It was a great movie. I loved it and I definitely want it.

Tell me that you liked it!

Legends of the Fall (edited)

Stars:

4 stars

After the Fall from Innocence the Legend begins.

Set in the Rocky Mountains of Montana in the early 1900s, this is a tale of love, betrayal, and brotherhood. After being discharged, Colonel Ludlow decides to raise his three sons in the wilds of Montana, where they can grow up away from the government and society he has learned to despise. The three brothers mature and seem to have an unbreakable bond, until Susanna enters their lives. When Samuel, the youngest of the three, returns from college he brings with him his beautiful fiance, Susanna. The eldest son, Alfred, soon finds himself in love with his brother's fiance, and things get worse when he discovers a growing passion between Susanna and Tristan. Colonel Ludlow's favorite son, Tristan is willful and as wild as the mountains. As the brothers set out to fight a war in Europe, suspicion and jealousy threatens to tear apart their once indestructible bond. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn

Released: 1994

 

Megan's Movie Review:

This movie was really interesting to me. It was basically just a story. It had no morals to it, well that's what I thought. It was just a story about this family and all these trials that they go through. It all started with the youngest brother dying (which was pretty gruesome) and it was so sad. I didn't cry in this movie, but it was just a sad movie. This poor man named Tristan went through so much and lost so many loved ones. I thought it was also sad how he died in the end, even though I know it was supposed to be this great manly death because he didn't run away from the bear.. Hmm.. Whatever. Brad Pitt was great in this movie. He can pull off the long hair rather well. Fabulous actor too.

Thoughts?

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Stars:

3 stars

It's The Coolest Job Ever.

Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes The Sorcerer's Apprentice. (Source: IMDB)

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel

Released: 2010

Megan's Movie Review:

This was an average movie. To be honest it didn't look like it would be that cool when I saw the preview. Well it looked like it had some potential but then it could be really cheesy and stupid. Plus, Nicolas Cage has been filming in some really lame movies lately. But it wasn't terrible. I was entertained by it, the storyline was pretty childish to me. It also seemed like it had so much detail behind the story that it would skip through it really fast. Is this a book? Because if it is, I can understand why they would not explain everything. I really like the actor Jay Baruchel. He is hilarious! One of the funniest parts of the whole movie was when he made the mops come to life. It was like Fantasia all over again (which is what they were going for) and it was great, super funny.

Nicolas Cage fans out there?