Movie Info:
Writers: John Patrick Shanley
Director: John Patrick Shanley
Cast: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Alice Drummond, Audrie J. Neenan, Susan Blommaert, Carrie Preston, John Costelloe, Lloyd Clay Brown, Joseph Foster, Bridget Megan Clark, Mike Roukis
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: December 25, 2008
DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99

Meryl Streep has the ability to strike up an array of emotions when she’s on screen. Still, never have I felt such a strong emotion for her as I did while watching Doubt. I’ve watched the movie more than once and each time I feel differently towards her character. I’m either passionate for her cause or I want to smack the crap out of her character until I knock sense into her head. If an actress can make her audience feel that way, this means she’s doing a superb job!

Doubt was one of the best movies I’ve watched this year. The acting is superb. The plot is tightly woven, yet open to interpretation. The movie is stellar in every aspect from the film’s adaptation from the stage to the care that was taken to make the film as realistic as John Patrick Shanley wanted it to be in an attempt to make the setting identical to that of his childhood.

You don’t need to be a Catholic to enjoy Doubt. In fact, in light of all the scandals that have plagued the Catholic church in the past several years, people of any denomination will get something from watching Doubt. The movie is poignant and whether you agree with one side or the other, you will have extremely strong feelings for whichever side you support.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Tess Harper, Barry Corbin, Stephen Root, Rodger Boyce
Rating: R
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: November 21, 2007
DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.49

I don’t always agree with the Oscars, but I did find the 2007 Winner for Best Picture No Country for Old Men to be one of the best movies of the year. I saw a lot of excellent films in 2007, but No Country for Old Men was definitely one of the most memorable. From the excellent cast to the stand out story, all the elements that make a film work come together.

I like the Coen Brothers. They have a very interesting film vision and their unique style comes through with every film they make. They go all out to make No Country for Old Men. With a cast that includes Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Woody Harrelson I had a feeling I was going to like this movie. The icing on the cake was the fact that No Country for Old Men was both written and directed by the Coens.

I’ve heard some grumbling about the plot not being nearly as spectacular as it should have been. This is an Academy Award winning film. I don’t agree with the grumbling. I was immersed in the film and enthralled by the story, the acting and the setting from the moment the movie started. This is the type of film I expect from the cast involved, and the type of film I now expect from the Coens.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Mariane Pearl, John Orloff
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Cast: Dan Futterman, Angelina Jolie, Archie Panjabi, Mohammed Afzal, Mushtaq Khan, Daud Khan, Telal Saeed, Arif Khan, Tipu Taheer, Amit Dhawan, Saira Nasir Khan, Aliya Khan
Rating: R
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: June 22, 2007
DVD Release Date: March 24, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $14.99

Paramount has decided to release a selection of their movies from 2008 on Blu-ray. As a whole, the quality of these movies is better than in standard definition, but Paramount has skimped on bonuses, recycling those from the original release and not adding much more than that. It seems almost silly to release these movies in Blu-ray if they offer not much more than the standard DVD release

I don’t want this to take anything away from the movie A Mighty Heart. Adapted from the true life memoir of Mariane Pearl concerning the abduction and murder of her husband, Daniel, this movie is beautifully crafted. There was a lot of hubbub when this film came out concerning lead actress, Angelina Jolie and her race not matching that of Mariane Pearl. Pearl herself praised the choice of Jolie and every effort is made by the cast and crew to make this film as realistically authentic as possible.

Honestly, Jolie’s performance as Pearl is heartbreaking. I didn’t find the fact that beneath the makeup I knew Angelina Jolie is a white American (Pearl is light skinned enough for Jolie to pass as her) to be any bit distracting. I was more interested in the story. This is a poignant look at problems in the Middle East and a reminder of how militants view ‘foreigners,’ especially Americans. Add in the fact that this is a true story and it is even more heart wrenching.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Steve Shagan
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Cast: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Terry O’Quinn, Andre Braugher, Steven Bauer, Joe Spano, Tony Plana, Stanley Anderson, Maura Tierney
Rating: R
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: April 3, 1996
DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

I have seen Primal Fear more than once. The first time I saw this movie was on television. I didn’t have any idea what I was getting myself into. I just knew that the movie featured Richard Gere and a young Edward Norton. Around the time I first saw Primal Fear, Edward Norton was just becoming a big name. It’s easy to see why he’s as well respected an actor today, due to the early performance he gives here.

This movie poses quite a few questions. There are questions about religion, morality, and how the two intersect. The movie is also quite the case study on the human mind. All of the actors do a remarkably excellent job in their respective roles. Both Norton and Gere were perfectly cast. The two leads balance each other out, though Norton might just have out acted the, at the time, more seasoned Gere in the majority of scenes they share.

While the acting carries the movie, it wouldn’t have been nearly as good had the plot been less than what it was. The story for Primal Fear is intense. The energy and action of this film make it work on so many levels. The storytelling is a major part of what stands out. Of course, the shocking ending helps. You will be spellbound, stunned and in awe by the ending of this film. The first time I watched this, I was not expecting the film to end the way it did, and that is the most important part of the story. It validates (and invalidates) so many other parts of the movie, with everything finally coming together and being answered, in the end.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writers: Liz Maverick, Peter Sullivan
Director: Jason Hreno
Cast: Miriam McDonald, Shawna Waldron, Ryan Kennedy, Crystal Lowe, Andrea Whitburn, Greg Evigan, Catherine Hicks, Brendan Penny, Agam Darshi
Rating: Unrated
Studio: New Line

Release Info:
First TV Showing: July 27, 2008
DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $$26.99

Wow. That’s pretty much all I can say after watching Poison Ivy: The Secret Society. Did they really make this in Blu Ray? I have to wonder why because while the picture was pretty, this release didn’t take advantage of all the splendors that make Blu Ray the most popular viewing option out today. For example, there are absolutely no bonus features. None. Imagine all of the fun bonuses that can be added to any Blu Ray release. It seems to me as if New Line wasted their time by releasing this in Blu Ray, but then again I wouldn’t have released Poison Ivy: The Secret Society period.

I have to wonder if the TV version of Poison Ivy: The Secret Society was so much better considering it wasn’t a soft porn extravaganza. I’m of the firm belief that there is a time and place for sex in a movie, and it shouldn’t just be thrown in to attempt to make the viewer forget all the plotholes and farfetched film themes. Of course, I’d seen Poison Ivy II and Poison Ivy III and while both of these were pretty big yawners, I’m told the true gem in the series is the original, thanks to a little Sara Gilbert-Drew Barrymore shared tongue action.

Before getting on with the plot, I have a few questions. First, what is Catherine Hicks doing in this movie? She just ended a stint as a preacher’s wife on Seventh Heaven and now she’s on to soft porn? It’s just crazy and hard to believe this is the same woman who fought for her son to get a Good Guy doll in the original Child Play movie. Second, am I the only one grossed out at the thought of Joey from My Two Dads boning a grown up Becky O’Shea “Icebox” from The Little Giants. I grew up watching that show and I’ve seen the movie a billion times. I was quite weirded out when I realized I was seeing Shawna Waldron’s boobage. Sure, she’s all grown up, but she has these facial expressions that made me see her in little football pads running on the field. It was creepy.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writer: Anders Thomas Jensen, Saul Dibb, Jeffrey Hatcher
Director: Saul Dibb
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Keira Knightley, Hayley Atwell, Simon McBurney, Dominic Cooper
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 10, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 28, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $26.99

Period pieces are hit or miss with me. Ever since I had to read Jane Austen novels in High School, I’ve detested the storytelling of Austen and others like her (the Brontes, for example). By default, I find the majority of the movies about these novels to be absolutely boring to watch. Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, and the list goes on and on.

I can’t sit through these types of period pieces. They are trite, boring, stifling and intolerable. I have no stomach for boring Brit Lit from the 18th and 19th century. I’m not sure what it is about it, but it nearly bores me to tears. Add in some history, great acting, and a strong protagonist and that boring period piece becomes a masterpiece. That’s how I felt about The Duchess. Originally, I thought I wouldn’t like this film, but after watching it, I’ve come to appreciate the work that went into making it.

It’s hard to say this movie would be as good without Keira Knightley. She is simply sensational as the protagonist of the film, former real life Duchess Georgina of Devonshire. A lesser actress couldn’t have carried the role. Knightley is actually quite good in period pieces. In fact, she would be the main selling point for me to bother watching a movie like Pride & Prejudice, even though I find the story to be rather trite.

Of course, the rest of the cast put in excellent, supporting performances. Ralph Finnes did well, as always, as the Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish. It’s always good to see Charlotte Rampling, who plays Georgina’s ambitious mother, Lady Spencer (and yes, the Spencers are related to the late Princess Diana). I had only seen Dominic Cooper before in Mamma Mia! but he continues to impress here as the man Georgina loves, Charles Grey. Of course, one of the best performances is given by Hayley Atwell who plays the third in the Duke and Duchess’ relationship, Bess Foster. It would have been more interesting if the creators of this movie had explored the menage a trois between the Duke, Duchess and Bess, but the movie is still good without it.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: John Gatins, Mark Schwahn
Director: Thomas Carter
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Ashanti, Rob Brown, Rick Gonzalez, Antwon Tanner, Channing Tatum
Rating: PG 13
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

By now, I’ve seen most of the sports inspired, true story movies. I’ve seen the Remember the Titans and the Rudy types of movies, and as a sports fan I like them. The Coach Carter story isn’t anything new. It’s just with a different sport (basketball) then many of the other inspirational, based on a true story, sports movies. The only difference is the true story part of this movie only happened about ten years ago.

Coach Carter is a real person. He really did work at the High School in Richmond, CA. He also did shut out his players from their undefeated season when he found out that they weren’t fulfilling an academic contract he made them sign at the beginning of the season. While this initially sparked outrage in the community, the truth about Carter soon came out. He was on a quest to get his players an education that would ensure they could attend college. This soon made him a local and national hero.

Today, Coach Carter is still working in the community, though he no longer works at Richmond High School. He continues to inspire youth to receive a quality education. There isn’t a lot of opportunity for these students, who come from an inner-city, poor neighborhood. In fact, Carter helped to turn the school basketball program and the lives of his players around during his tenure at the school. He was still working at Richmond High when Samuel L. Jackson played Carter in this movie, which was originally released in 2005.

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Movie Info:
Writer: Sean Penn
Director: Sean Penn
Cast: William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Vince Vaughn, Hal Holbrook, Catherine Keener, Jena Malone, Kristen Stewart, Emile Hirsch
Rating: R
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $17.99

Ever since Into the Wild came out on standard DVD, Ashtyn has been bugging me to check it out. She reviewed the standard edition over on our other website, LI Reviews. She was impressed by how good Into the Wild was and she talked about how much I would like it. Like the good boyfriend I am, I avoided the movie like the plague, despite the fact that Ash is usually right when she says I’m going to like a movie. For the most part, she knows my movie tastes.

It wasn’t that I thought this movie was going to suck. The movie has a great cast, and typically, great casts don’t make crap if they can help it. My main problem was with the story. A guy heading to Alaska and starving himself to death didn’t exactly sound like a walk on the beach. It sounded rather horrendous to me. Add in the fact that this is a true story and I wasn’t sure I was up to watching this type of movie.

I’m no wuss. I have watched the goriest of horror movies. I just felt extremely bad for Chris McCandless and his family. This movie is based on his life, and what a tragic story it is. The movie explores themes like the value of life versus the value of money, potential mental illness and a whole slew of other deep topics. I didn’t think the movie sounded like fun, so I didn’t want to watch Into the Wild. Well, imagine my surprise when the Blu Ray was announced for December. That meant I’d be the one watching and reviewing this movie.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writers: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer, Bob Kane
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Monique Curnen, Cillian Murphy, Chin Han, Anthony Michael Hall, Nathan Gamble
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Home Video

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: July 18, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 9, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99

Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar. Period.

I’ve heard the naysayers, who claim Heath’s performance is just hyped up because he died, but to watch him is chilling. It’s complex, to truly understand all that he took on to embody such a diabolical character, as the Joker. I was spellbound by his performance, and that truly is very rare in this day and age. He had the kind of presence in a film you see from a Daniel Day Lewis (though who could imagine Day Lewis as the Joker?). The hype about Ledger as the Joker began before he died, and continued to swell after his untimely passing.

All things aside, The Dark Knight is a great film. It’s one of the best I’ve seen in 2008. The performance level by all of the actors (save for a few) makes this movie more than just a comic-inspired movie. This film is a fully packed, action filled, blockbuster, with the capability of appealing to a wide range of audiences. Still, this is not just a Batman movie. Nolan and his cast turn this into a work of art. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it cannot have that bohemianly avant-garde feel to it. This was brought on by Ledger more than any other player. Just because a movie is popular, mainstream, and a blockbuster sensation doesn’t mean it can’t be deserving of Oscar-buzz. Some films are meant to transcend genres and expectations. The Dark Knight is one of them.

I haven’t seen the standard edition of this. I have no need to, because I own the Blu Ray. All I can say is, BUY BLU RAY. If you have a Blu Ray player, you need to buy this in Blu Ray. I was enveloped in this absolutely stunning, cinematography-filled, cacophony of blissful Batman-heaven. I love Batman. He’s my favorite comic book hero, but never have I seen such an excellent film adaptation of my favorite boyhood superhero. Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Nicole Kidman. None of them can hold a candle to the kind of performances we see from the cast of The Dark Knight. This film is epic and lived up to any and all of my expectations. Despite all the hype, this movie surpassed it.

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Movie Info:
Writer: Brad Anderson
Director: Brad Anderson
Cast: Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Kate Mara, Ben Kingsley, Thomas Kretschmann, Eduardo Noriega
Rating: R
Studio: First Look Studios

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: January 18, 2008
DVD Release Date: November 4, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99

Transsiberian has all the makings of a top movie except a proper chance. When I was watching this movie I kept asking myself why I had never heard anything about it. I might have heard a thing or two, because I think I remember saying that I wanted to see it, in passing, but this did not receive the media reception that it should have prior to the release of the film. This was treated as any other film might have been treated. Unfortunately that means some people will miss this and it will be a shame if they do.

The idea of this thriller is simple, but that doesn’t mean that it is boring or unimaginative. At the heart of things, there are elements of stories that have been told before. You have a middle-aged naïve couple traveling in a foreign country, cramped spaces, and the unknown looming all around. Drug dogs are sniffing out each area for drug traffickers and that’s just the beginning.

Transsiberian works because the direction and acting are solid. Brad Anderson has a way of making you feel closed in thanks to the train environment and the way in which he shoots each frame. The writing is handled in a way that makes some things so obvious, but leaves much sitting in the background until the time is right for it to be revealed. It is this that makes the movie worth watching. Even when you see something clearly and know it will happen you can bet that there is more to the story that you have yet to see.

Each actor seems to be perfectly cast for their role. Woody Harrelson stands out as the happy go lucky churchgoer, Roy. You feel the most empathy for him because it’s obvious that he is the best of the bunch and doesn’t deserve to be involved in all that occurs. Emily Mortimer plays Roy’s wife, Jessie. Unlike the happy Roy, Jessie appears incredibly somber. At one point you wonder why these two are together and if they will stay together much longer. Joined by Kate Mara who plays Abby and Eduardo Noriega (Carlos), a couple that seems shifty and yet welcoming to a degree, it is easy to see why this movie has been generally well received by critics and those that have had a chance to actually see it.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.