Movie Review: Stand By Me (1986)

Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell
Director: Rob Reiner
Genre: Drama
Rating: R

Based on the novella "The Body" by Stephen King, this movie takes us through the journey of Gordie (Wil Wheaton), Chris (River Phoenix), Teddy (Corey Feldman) and Vern (Jerry O’Connell) who go off to find the dead body of a boy deep in the woods. It is told through the eyes of the adult Gordie, who is played by Richard Dreyfuss. Among the obstacles they face are a dog, leeches, a train and the bad dudes from town led by Ace (Kiefer Sutherland). A movie that shows the great friends and the imagination you had as a kid.

Some of Stand By Me’s scenes are actual real life happenings of Stephen King's childhood and this includes the leeches. It is superbly directed by Rob Reiner with great performances by the young actors. Absolutely great characters and one of my favorite movies ever. A movie to never get tired of. Any movie with a Barf-o-Rama scene has to be good.

Every adult should see this movie to at least remind them of a simpler time in their life and the feeling of being surrounded by great friends. It is poignant, funny and entertaining.

“Alright, alright, Mickey's a mouse, Donald's a duck, Pluto's a dog, what's Goofy?”



Have you seen this movie? Go to DISCUSS MOVIE to enter the open discussion. You can include questions, comments or even your own review. CAUTION: May contain spoilers!

Movie Review: Pulp Fiction (1994)

Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Genre: Drama
Rating: R

This is four intriguing stories that commingle with one another and they all come from the mind of Quentin Tarantino. You have two hit men, the hit men’s boss and his girlfriend, a boxer and two small-time crooks. Two hit men are perfectly played by Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta. Many feel this role is Travolta’s career comeback. I mean who saw Look Who’s Talking? Ving Rhames plays the hit men’s boss, who is very stern but who eventually has an act on forgiveness. Uma Thurman plays his drug induced girlfriend who once made a pilot TV show. And don’t forget the boxer, played by Bruce Willis, who doesn’t like to take a dive. These are some strong personalities. Can they all co-exist together?

I have to say that Pulp Fiction is still my all-time favorite movie. Tarantino gathered all of the right people to play these great characters. There are too many top notch scenes to count with some of the best dialogue. Reading off Bible passages, drinking five dollar milkshakes, telling of life in Amsterdam, cleaning a house before the wife gets home and Christopher Walken telling the story of generations of men “hiding” a watch are just a few of these. The movie is shown out of chronological order, which adds to the uniqueness of this great movie. A classic that is so textured in performances, dialogue and cleverness. Oh, yeah it is the #5 highest rated movie on IMDB.com.

A must see movie for anyone who can take a little bit of violence and seeing Travolta doing the twist.

“That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.”

Have you seen this movie? Go to DISCUSS MOVIE to enter the open discussion. You can include questions, comments or even your own review. CAUTION: May contain spoilers!

Movie Review: Atonement (2007)

Starring: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan
Director: Joe Wright
Genre: Drama
Rated: R

Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, this story takes place in England in 1935. It centers around a young girl named Briony who accuses a man (Robbie) of a sex crime that he didn't commit. She does it out of jealousy of her sister Cecilia, who is played by Kiera Knightley. This causes him to be taken away and Cecilia must live on without the love of her life. Robbie pays the price while the actual sexual deviant is free to live as he pleases.

Atonement is a tour-de-force of emotions. The powerful performances portray the agony, bitterness and devastation of the lie that lives on for years. Joe Wright does some really quirky things as the movie's director. This includes showing the same scenes in different perspectives and having repetitive flashbacks unlike other films. As many have said before, the best part of the movie is the end with Vanessa Redgrave playing the 77 year old Briony. She finally reveals the entire real story and Redgrave does a fantastic job.

This was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. A well-done drama.

"Never trust a sailor on dry land."

Have you seen this movie? Go to DISCUSS MOVIE to enter the open discussion. You can include questions, comments or even your own review. CAUTION: May contain spoilers!

Movie Review: Chaos (2005)

Starring: Jason Statham, Ryan Phillipe, Wesley Snipes
Director: Tony Giglio
Genre: Action
Rated: R

Another good action movie from Jason Statham. He plays Quentin Conners, a detective who has been suspended but is brought back to help in a bank heist. But this isn't your ordinary everyday bank heist. Ryan Phillipe plays the newbie cop who works along side Conners and he learns quickly on how to bend the rules to find the truth. Wesley Snipes plays the head of the no-good bank robbers.

Chaos does have some twists and a lot of mysterious happenings going on. Ryan Phillipe is especially good playing the least experienced, but the most savvy of the bunch. I did correctly figure out the end game in this with a half an hour to go, but it was still an entertaining movie. A lot of thrilling action. You even learn a little about Buddha.

A movie that was swept under the rug that deserves at look at especially if you like Statham, Phillipe or Snipes.

"You picked the wrong day not to use the ATM."

Have you seen this movie? Go to DISCUSS MOVIE to enter the open discussion. You can include questions, comments or even your own review. CAUTION: May contain spoilers!

Movie Review: Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Director: Frank Darabont
Genre: Drama
Rating: R

This movie is based from Stephen King's short story "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption". Although it was a good read, this has got to be one of the best screen adaptations ever. It is the story of Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, who is sent to Shawshank Prison for killing his wife and her lover. He claims he is wrongly imprisoned. He befriends Red (Morgan Freeman) at Shawshank and they learn many things from each other about life and surviving. Andy knows that he can’t stay cooped up in there forever, so over many years plans for his escape.

The Shawshank Redemption takes a life of its own that the short story did not. Everything from the dialogue, the characters to the story itself is superbly done. The movie is so rich in character and spirit. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Actor (Morgan Freeman).

Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are both fantastic. If you like either of the two main actors or if you are over 16 you owe it to yourself to see this movie. A classic film for generations to come.

“On the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook.”


Have you seen this movie? Go to DISCUSS MOVIE to enter the open discussion. You can include questions, comments or even your own review. CAUTION: May contain spoilers!

Movie Review: Blood Diamond (2006)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly
Director: Edward Zwick
Genre: Drama
Rating: R

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Danny Archer, a diamond smuggler who tries to do business amongst civil war in Sierra Leone. Jennifer Connelly plays a journalist who wants to interview him about what is going on. DiCaprio meets up with a local who loses his son to rebels and who also is looking for a rare pink diamond. The local is played by Djimon Hounsou.

Blood Diamond was nominated for 5 Academy Awards. Among the nominated were DiCaprio and Hounsou. It also is directed by Edward Zwick who directed Glory, Legends of the Fall and The Last Samurai. The movie is intriguing with its many tense scenes. You really do care about what happens to these characters. It is chock full of great performances and DiCaprio's South African accent grows on you.

This is a must for every DiCaprio fan and for anyone has likes large diamonds.

"In America, it's bling bling. But out here it's bling bang."


Have you seen this movie? Go to DISCUSS MOVIE to enter the open discussion. You can include questions, comments or even your own review. CAUTION: May contain spoilers!

Movie Review: Saw IV (2007)

Starring: Tobin Bell, Lyriq Bent
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Genre: Horror
Rating: R

Ewwwww! I won't be eating spaghetti and meatballs anytime soon. Jigsaw may be dead, but his little contraptions and his mind games aren’t over. He wants the one surviving detective who tried to bring him down to play a game. You probably know what that means. The detective is in a world of hurt.

For me, Saw IV is better than Saw III. It seems to flow better and is more interesting. It does tie up some loose ends from the previous Saw movies. So you’ll see at least a couple of characters you thought you’d never see again. And per usual, Jigsaw has an elaborate set up and everything of his works to perfection.

Just like all of the other Saw movies, this is not for those who are squeamish in any way. However, if you liked the other Saw movies you should like this one.

"You think it is over, but the games have just begun."


Have you seen this movie? Go to DISCUSS MOVIE to enter the open discussion. You can include questions, comments or even your own review. CAUTION: May contain spoilers!