Some Good, Some Okay

Kung Fu Panda 2
I just saw "Kung Fu Panda 2" today. HYSTERICAL! I can't decide if I liked it better than the first one or not. One good thing about Kung Fu Panda and other shows like it, is the extra comments you get from the kids in the theatre with you. Once, at a very tense part, a little kid burped. Courtney and I laughed our heads off (I even snorted). Still, even without our propensity to laugh at everything, Kung Fu Panda 2 is very funny. (Other people in the theatre laughed). It's not just for little kids either. The whole family will love it.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot but the thing I liked about the first one was the life lesson learned, the justice in the end and, of course, the hilarity along the way. This one has a great life lesson, awesome justice and even more hilarity. You should go see it now. Also- our theatre has started showing 2D and 3D so we have a choice now. We saw it in 2D and I hope never to shell out the extra cash for 3D again!!!

Pirates of the Carribbean on Stranger Tides

I know this has been a big hit with the critics but I was not as impressed as I expected to be. The thing I like about Jack Sparrow (Captain) is his cleverness and decency, despite being a pirate. He does have that in spades here but I kind of expected Penelope Cruz to be similar and she's really not. I liked the mermaids but I thought the end kind of leaves you hanging with them. And, I'm sorry but the King of England just made me nauseous. I mean, I'm sure he was fat and maybe not all too bright in real life but the guy in the movie was just disgusting! Even if the King WAS disgusting, I just don't need to see that!!
The other Pirates had many more redeeming values than this one. Which, I'm sure, is closer to the reality of piracy, but I like a little more fantasy with my movies. This one is probably best seen on the big screen but certainly don't waste your money seeing it in 3D and if you're on the fence, feel free to wait for it.

Something Borrowed

This is based on Emily Griffin's book of the same name so I know there will be a sequel and I hope it's soon. This one kind of left me hanging. (Although, a Lifetime Movie would be plenty). I LOVE Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinski but I was not all that thrilled with Colin Egglesfield. Kate Hudson proves that she is actually an actress because usually I like her and I hated her character in this movie. Ginnifer Goodwin is beautiful in this movie. I've always thought of her as a little young but she looks grown-up and great. I love the courage and compassion that she shows.
The big and happy suprise in this movie is John Krasinski! He totally makes the movie. I haven't read the book but my gut says that it would probably be a little better than the movie. I'm going to go ahead and read the sequels though because I think John Krasinski's character (Ethan) is at the center of the next one (Something Blue) and I REALLY want to find out what happens to him! This is a great movie for girls' night out or in a few months for girls' night in. I don't think people are going to see it as all that memorable though. Kind of meh (if you know what I mean).

Happy movie going to you!

Thor

I have to tell you that I was super excited for this movie to come out and it didn't disappoint. I've been a Chris Hemsworth fan ever since he played Kirk's father in Star Trek (2009). He was amazing as Thor - an arrogant but impressive warrior and then a believably gentle and noble as time went on. (It doesn't hurt that he is really good looking either).

I wasn't sure that Natalie Portman could pull off being a physicist but she does a pretty good job. She is funny and determined and you can immediately see her connection to Thor.

My favorite (after Christ Hemsworth) is Kat Dennings as the grad student helping Natalie Portman. Her "ipod" line and "political science" line (among others) are sooo funny!

I hated Tom Hiddleston as Loki and yet I felt sorry for him - which is what we are supposed to do so it must mean he is a really good actor. The incomparable Anthony Hawkins is a marvelous Odin and it is good to see Rene Russo back as Freya his wife.

I also hated Clark Gregg as the leader of SHIELD (don't ask me what it stands for) and I think you will too.

I have seen several reviews from people who hated this movie but I think they are probably big fans of the comic books - speaking of, Stan Lee does his usual cameo and he is great. The comic book fans have certain pictures in their heads of what everyone should look like and I think the real life people probably don't measure up to that. I, however, haven't read any Thor comic books and I'm SUPER excited for Thor II to come out. Two thumbs up on this one too!

Super Summer Movies

Fast and Furious Five

I saw this one with my daughter and we both liked it. I've seen Fast and Furious 4 which helped explain a few things - you may want to see a few of the first "Fast and Furious" movies before you see this one. This movie has some of the best stunts I've ever seen. Of course, ever since XXX, I've come to expect spectaculat stunts whenever Vin Diesel is around. And speaking of Vin Diesel, I've never been one to be impressed by big muscles but I'll just say his voice sends shivers down my spine!

I also like Dwayne Johnson who adds more big muscles to the movie. He is the leader of an elite task force sent to apprehend Diesel and his crew. Unlike the character played by Tommy Lee Jones in "The Fugitive," Dwayne has a heart and some common sense which allows justice to win, even if the law is a little crumpled.

Jordana Brewster is as beautiful as ever (which makes it a little bit hard to believe that she is Diesel's sister) and Paul Walker as her boyfriend and former government agent plays his role perfectly.

The crew that joins them in Brazil makes the movie really fun. There is Sung Kang as the gorgeous Han Lue and Gal Gadot as the even more gorgeous former Mossad agent (you probably remember her from "Date Night" where she plays Mark Wahlberg's girlfriend). Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris deserve special mention - they are hilarious but can be serious and skilled when they need to be. Tego Calderon and his sidekick Don Omar are the same way - with a little more hilariosity thrown in.

Because of the incredible stunts, the "good over evil" plot and the satisfying ending, I give this one two thumbs up!

Rio

Speaking of Brazil - Rio (in 3D) is also out. I did not expect to like this one but I laughed out loud in several parts and it wasn't just me - the rest of the audience was laughing as well. As you know, I'm not a big fan of 3D and this movie certainly didn't need it (but we'll overlook that for now)

The songs were very well done and fit with the movie but the birds flying and the carnival scenes were spectacular! I would see it again just to see those two parts. Of course, it is also a feel good movie with love in the air. The birds that Blue meets along his way (George Lopez as "Rafael" a smooth-talking toucan, Jamie Foxx as Nico and Wil.i.am as Pedro) are hysterical. Tracy Morgan as a dog is not as annoying as I usually find him.

Jesse Eisenberg does a spectacular job as Blu, making him sound cool, nerdy, whiney and confident in turns. Anne Hathaway, likewise, makes the perfect Jewel - the only other blue macaw in existance.

My guess is that the makers of this movie want to cut down on the smuggling of exotic birds but I never felt that they were preaching. I'm going to give this one two suprised thumbs up!