Constant Gardener

Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz stars in this Academy acclaimed movie.
It was well directed and the story was intriguing but I found it quite boring. I was interested in what was going on but it was just too slow paced for my liking. I couldn't empathize with the characters somehow. The ending needed more to be desired as well because it just ended abruptly. 7/10

Initial D

Based upon the popular manga and even videogame, this movie stars Jay Chou and Edison Chen, among other stars. It's not often that there is a movie about racing cars besides the Fast and the Furious series so after watching the trailers for the next Fast and the Furious movie coming out soon this summer, I decided to pop in this movie that I've had for a while but haven't watched yet. I thought that the directing of the movie sort of resembled a comic book with stop and pause scenes. The look felt sort of like an arcade racing game with race cars drifting in spectacular ways. The acting of Jay Chou left something to be desired although maybe that's how his character is supposed to be. Shy. Softspoken. Awesome racer. Great special effects. Nice rap soundtrack. Jay Chou also has a song here. I'm a fan of his stuff so it's all good. I didn't like how the movie ended. Looking forward to a sequel. 8/10

Once Upon a Time in China 2

I was really impressed with the martial arts of Jet Li in the first part and didn't think that part 2 could top the final fight scene. I was, unfortunately, correct about that. The sequel was still full of impressive martial arts displays. The final fight didn't disappoint either. I thought that the showdown between Jet Li and the god from a sect was better. It had it's moments of comedies, especially near the beginning of the movie. It's a classic Jet Li movie about a classic character Wong Fei Hung. You gotta like it if you're a martial arts fanatic. I do confess. 8/10

Saved

A movie about the lives of some seniors in their graduating class of highschool. Before you think that you've seen a million of these types of movies already... not quite. This one takes place in a Christian school. Ok. Aside from that fact, this one is similar to all the other highschool movies out there but it's a little smarter than the other ones. In this movie, there are your losers and underdogs, and then there are your popular students. You find them in most of these types of films but then the circumstances and situations deal with the subject of Christianity as well making this one a little more complicated. Did I mention that Mandy Moore stars and MaCauley Culkin has a supporting role in this one? I used to be a big fan of Mac so i'm giving this one a 7/10

Inside Man

A movie about a sophisticated heist in a bank involving people dressed up as painters in masks who take 20 or more hostages is the main premise of this movie. Underlying all of this is more than the eye can see. A Spike Lee directed movie. It had comedy and good action scenes but it just lacked something that I couldn't put my finger on. Good plot. Good acting. I just didn't feel as connected to the characters as much as I wanted. I think that's the reason. But if you're looking for an action movie about hostages and a negotiator with not too much special effects then check this one out. 7/10

Just Like Heaven

Mark Rufalo and Reese Witherspoon stars in this romantic comedy about a guy who moves into an apartment to find a spirit living there with him as well and whom thinks that she's still alive. Jon Heder, of "Napoleon Dynamite" fame, has a great comedic and supporting role as a bookstore owner/medium that tries to help Mark's character understand what is happening. I wasn't expecting much from this movie and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it would be just your run of the mill, cookie- cutter romantic comedy but there was more to it with a great story where we could relate to the characters and feel their emotions. It also had a great soundtrack. I can't ask for much more than this. 10/10

Amityville Horror

This is a remake of an older version that I've seen before as a child. As I recall, I didn't like the first one when I watched it either. I thought that this one could be better because of the updated special effects but it just didn't scare me at all. The older one at least got me a little frightened about it. Remember, I was just a kid when I watched that version. Anyways, I might have jumped a little when there was something loud and creepy that popped on the screen but that doesn't make it a good movie. After the movie ended, I forgot all about it already. 5/10

Mission: Impossible 3

Tom Cruise returns in the next installment of the Mission Impossible franchise. This time, it is directed by J.J. Abrams of "Alias" fame. Just a few months after Cruise was last seen jumping on top of Oprah's couch proclaiming her love for Katie Holmes, we get more Tom Cruise. From the look of the trailers, I didn't expect too much from this movie. I was even thinking to myself how the audience would react to seeing Tom Cruise on screen, since most people think he is wacko nowadays. But I would have to say that I forgot about his real life persona and was drawn into his character of agent Ethan Hunt. I didn't like the first one. I thought the second one was excellent. I didn't think this one would be able to top the second one, to tell you the truth. Was I wrong. Very wrong. This movie had an emotional element which the second one lacked. It had action, suspense, and a good plot as well. Much more than just good entertainment, I highly recommend that you watch this one, Tom Cruise fan or not. 10/10

Cellular

Starring Kim Bassinger and Chris Evans, this movie is about a woman who is kidnapped but manages to call a cell phone number from out of the blue, pleading the young man on the other end to help her out. Full of excitement, action, and even disbelief, but again, this movie is for audiences who want to be entertained while checking their brains at the door. 8/10

Red Eye

Starring up and coming actress, Rachel McAdams and directed by Wes Craven, this movie is about a woman who is threatened to co-operate with terrorists or her father would be killed. Full of action, suspense, and fun, this is a great movie to watch if you want to be entertained. I watched. I was entertained. 8/10