Paper Moon

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: May 9, 1973

DVD Release Date: August 12, 2003

Plot 411: A con artist offers to take an orphan to her relatives in another state and use her as part of his con, but she's smarter than he thinks and is soon conning like the best of them.

Review: Prior to watching this film, I only knew that Tatum O'Neal was the youngest person to win an Oscar. I was happily surprised that the movie was in black and white, even though it was made in the 70s. Somehow black and whites always seem to be way better than today's movies. Maybe it's because they lack all the CGI and actors must actually be good at their craft? In any case, despite the fact that this was Tatum's first film, she was great. Her character was a smart kid, wise beyond her years, and it really came through in Tatum's performance. She definitely deserved the award. I also enjoyed her relationship with her dad in this role. Even with his ornery behavior, he was still endearing somehow. And man, I've gotta say Ryan O'Neal was pretty good looking back in the day, wasn't he? I mean, before this movie I could only picture the 2008 mugshot when he got busted for meth with his son. Not so handsome in that one.

Watch It: To see some really good acting, a good deal of humor and very long shots without cuts.

Skip It: If you can't get past the fact that Tatum is really a girl. Yes, they wore their hair like that back in the 70s as well as in the 30s apparently.

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Sunshine

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 27, 2007

DVD Release Date: January 8, 2008

Plot 411: Because the sun is dying and the Earth and mankind will freeze to death, a group of scientists and astronauts are sent into space to jump-start the sun.

Review: Now let me just start by saying that I'm not too fond of the sci-fi genre in general. But this movie was pretty interesting as well as a little difficult to follow. I understood the basic concepts - that these people have a bomb that they need to deploy so the sun can get started. However, throughout the movie, it was hard to follow some of the things they were doing. I'm not sure if it's a matter of mentally not following (as in they need to explain more through dialogue) or visually not following (as in I just don't know what I'm looking at because a) I'm not into sci-fi and b) I'm not technical or scientific at all). In any case, after watching the special features I was able to get beyond just the action of the film and understand the movie a bit more deeply. The movie dealth with human interaction and emotion. The crew knew this was a mission that may not go well and that death was a definite possiblity. This film showed us how people were able to (or not) deal with this and their close proximity of each other. That in itself was the interesting part. I should also note that there were some pretty established actors in this film; not huge movie stars but recognizable actors - Cliff Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne and Chris Evans.

Watch It: If sci-fi and psychological thrillers are your thing or if you are into space because there are really beautiful shots of the sun and the light as it filters through the shuttle.

Skip It: If you're a die-hard sci-fi fan as I don't think there's enough of the good stuff to hold your attention. Space is just a setting. The real drama is going on inside the characters' heads and their interaction with one another.

Trailer:

Me Without You

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 5, 2002

DVD Release Date: June 17, 2003

Plot 411: Two British girls experience life together as BFFs who become toxic to each other.

Review: This was a really good movie because it's probably one of the few that really shows how vicious and catty girls can be. Despite believing themselves to be best friends, the two girls (Anna Friel and Michelle Williams) constantly hurt each other for a variety of reasons. It reveals their insecurities and jealousies and shows the complexities of transforming from a child to an adult. It really displays the struggles girls go through to find their own identities and how competitive we are without even really knowing it.

Watch It: If you grew up in the 70s and 80s (because that's when this movie is set) in a sex, drugs and bad wave music era or have a BFF you just can't live without. This movie'll make you rethink your friendship or get your ass into therapy.

Skip It: If you're already seeing a shrink because it'll give you more issues than its worth.

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Meet The Spartans

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: January 25, 2008

DVD Release Date: August 18, 2008

Plot 411: A spoof of "300" - 'nuff said.

Review: This was a pretty funny spoof movie, but if you have time to listen to the commentary, it was actually better. Nothing surprising as far as the jokes - lots of homosexual Spartan jokes; Carmen Electra/sexy girl jokes; you know, the regular stuff. They actually covered quite a bit of films in this movie as well as pop culture. As you know, I love dance bits and there's a pretty awesome dance bit right before the fight scene. Not anywhere near the best spoof or comedy but it was good for what it's worth.

Watch It: If you're up-to-date with movies so you can get all the jokes.

Skip It: If humor involving body fluids, T&A or being gay insults you.

Trailer:

The House Bunny

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: August 22, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 19, 2008

Plot 411: A Playboy bunny gets kicked out of the mansion and becomes the house mother for the most unpopular sorority on campus.

Review: This movie was a toss up for me. I wasn't expecting much from it and I wasn't disappointed. The humor was all Anna Faris so if you liked her in other films, you'll love her in this one as she is at last a prominent figure in the film. Also, if you're looking for a movie with a lot of T&A, then this is the one for you. Other than that, I thought the plot was weak and very predictable. There were some big-name cameos but other than that, nothing remarkable.

Watch It: If Anna's throaty voice is a turn on for you. That's about the only redeeming quality of this film (besides all the T&A shots).

Skip It: If you're over Anna's "Scary Movie" clueless act.

Trailer:

Nosferatu

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: March 4, 1922 (Germany)/June 23, 1929 (USA)

DVD Release Date: January 2, 2001

Plot 411: A green real estate agent is sent to a count's castle to finalize a deal and realizes that the count is actually a vampire or nosferatu.

Review: I really enjoyed this silent film. It was very dark and gothic. Apparently, this film in and of itself got the ball rolling that sunlight can kill vampires, according to Wikipedia. It amazes me that this one depiction could so revolionize the myths. I also liked that this vampire was just plain creepy. He wasn't the beautiful, pristine, aristocratic version who could seduce you with a mere glance. There's something to be said about the pure horror of a nosferatu rather than the romaticized version we're used to.

Watch It: For an old school (or fresh, depending on your own personal perspective) look at the vampire genre. I really liked some of the camera tricks that enhanced his evil and grotesqueness.

Skip It: If you prefer your vampires to be Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise lookalikes.

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Journey To The Center Of The Earth

Rated: PG

Movie Release Date: July 11, 2008

DVD Release Date: October 28, 2008

Plot 411: A professor, his nephew and a hiking guide discover that Jules Verne's novel isn't fiction at all.

Review: This movie is much like all of Brendan Fraser's other movies. He is the perpetual bumbling, goofy, slightly awkward guy who somehow still manages to get the girl. It's like he's making "Encino Man" over and over but just using Hollywood's movie magic to change the plot, wardrobe and setting. I have to admit that I regret not having 3D glasses to wear during viewing. It might have made some of the effects a lot better. Overall, they were just ok.

Watch It: If you can stomach one more of Fraser's idiodic characters or have 3D glasses. If you're into altered realities (drug-induced or not), you also might enjoy this one.

Skip It: If you're thinking of watching any other film made in any other time. Go with whatever it is. It's gotta be better than this.

Trailer:

On Golden Pond

Rated: PG

Movie Release Date: December 4, 1981

DVD Release Date: December 16, 2003

Plot 411: An old fuddy duddy and his wife spend the summer at their lakeside home and must confront the strained relationship with their daughter when she, her new boyfriend and his son arrive.

Review: The intro to this film is mostly scenes out of National Geographic, but don't let that deter you from watching it. Once all the idyllic nature shots end, we are introduced to Norman and Ethel Thayer. He is a grumpy old badger and she is his cheerful, loving wife. Initially I didn't like him too much ("I mean seriously, what is this dude's problem," I thought.), but he completely grew on me. He's like your mean old uncle on your dad's side of the family who is always blustering about one thing or another. I thought that Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn did a superb job. I also found myself wondering what it was like for Jane Fonda to work so closely with her dad on such a touching (and touchy) subject: mortality.

Watch It: If you want to see a classic film by classy actors and enjoy great cinematography.

Skip It: If your idea of a wilderness is a patch of grass big enough for your teacup chihuahua to take a leak on or if old people and/or death creep you out.

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Fast Food Nation

Rated: R

Movie Release Date: November 17, 2006

DVD Release Date: March 6, 2007

Plot 411: A burger chain exec investigates where his products are coming from and discovers the truth behind the meatpacking industry. This film is a fictionalized version of a book of the same title by Eric Schlosser.

Review: This was really horrifying to watch, especially when I had just picked up some McD's for dinner. I thought this was going to be a documentary similar to "Super Size Me," but it's not. It just might be even worse. The movie commented on the fast food industry's firm hold on America - from it's visible front-line workers to its hidden victims. I never really thought about where my burger came from, but this film made me stop and think a little harder about animal rights, human rights, illegal immigrants, cattle companies and company executives. And as consumers of their products, we all play a role in the indecency of it all. Despite this, I have since been in a drive-thru lane to pick up lunch.

Watch It: If you are really daring and want know the truth behind "where's the beef?"

Skip It: If you're a vegetarian as some scenes in this film will make you puke.

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Then She Found Me

Rated: R

Movie Release Date: May 2, 2008

DVD Release Date: September 2, 2008

Plot 411: A woman's life falls apart as she goes through a divorce, falls for a student's father and makes contact with her birth mother.

Review: I didn't really like this movie at all. It's not that I hated it, but it was just so underwhelming to me. While there were some funny spots, they were few and far between. The plot was really too thin to work with, even for season vets of the screen. (This movie stars Helen Hunt, Bette Midler, Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick.) Things go from bad to worse and there just doesn't seem to be enough time between let downs to fix the previous problems.

Watch It: If you can't get enough of Colin Firth's hulking walk. He does a lot of it in this film.

Skip It: If you're anyone else.

Trailer:

Shall We Dance

Rated: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: May 7, 1937

DVD Release Date: August 16, 2005

Plot 411: The lives of two dancers get turned upside down when the press begins to circulate rumors that they are married.

Review: I'm a sucker for dance movies no matter how long ago they were made. Throw in a little singing and I'm in heaven. This movie served up both with great enthusiasm. Somehow you just can't beat the Golden Era of movie making. I do believe this was the first Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers film I ever watched. I've seen a bunch of Gene Kelly films though and I think I like his dance style better. Despite that, this was a fun movie to watch. There is humor throughout and the convoluted relationship that Astaire and Rodgers have make for some hysterical scenes.

Watch It: If you're not afraid of being called "twinkle toes."

Skip It: If you think all male dancers are gay.

Movie Clip:

Death At A Funeral

Rated: R

Movie Release Date: August 17, 2007

DVD Release Date: February 26, 2008

Plot 411: Shenanigans occur as family and friends gather at a funeral and a deep, dark secret is revealed.

Review: This was a really good British comedy. If you don't normally like Brit comedies, this one might grab ya. There were so many times I literally laughed out loud and felt like a complete dork. (I watched it by myself and live in an apartment with thin walls. I can't imagine what the neighbors thought.) As usual, there was a lot of wry British humor, especially since the movie was situated almost entirely at the funeral. However, there was also physical humor and just really smart lines throughout the entire thing. Most importantly, it showed the family's dynamics. I think a lot of people can relate to them in some way, and this is where the humor definitely shines through.

Watch It: If you enjoy witty British humor or want to give it a try.

Skip It: If you can't be bothered by movies that are dialogue heavy.

Trailer:

The Strangers

Rated: R

Movie Release Date: May 30, 2008

DVD Release Date: October 21, 2008

Plot 411: A couple is terrorized by three strangers in their isolated family home.

Review: This movie was a decent attempt at a thriller. There were some really creepy, unexpected parts, but overall it was predictable. The acting was so-so. I'm not sure Liv Tyler was the right actress for the role. She has this breathy voice that she uses, which can be nice in some situations (when she played Arwen in "Lord of the Rings"), but it just didn't seem to fit in this genre. For me, the plot unfolded a bit too slowly and there wasn't enough of the good stuff. I mean, you watch this type of movie so you can feel the tension and fear that the characters are going through. You want to be at the edge of your seat the entire ride. It just wasn't like that for this movie. Between all the action there were things the characters did that were so completely stupid that you questioned the belieavability of it all. Can they be that dumb? Why don't they get a weapon? Please go ahead and stand out in the open so these weirdo can have a clear shot right at you.

Watch It: If you like a little suspense with your gore.

Skip It: If you get irritated when the main characters do stupid things that will obviously get them killed, or at least maimed.

Trailer:

I Am An Addict

I am an addict. Normally, I’d be afraid to admit this to anyone, including myself. But this is something I’ve known all my life and am not ashamed to admit any longer.

I am an addict . . . a movie addict.

Yes, you heard me right. I am addicted to movies. I will watch pretty much anything and everything there is. If that makes me a movie whore, so be it.

And I know I am not alone. There are thousands, maybe even millions, of other movie addicts out there. You may be afraid to step forward to claim your crown. But fellow addicts, I am here to tell you step into the light. Get out of the darkness of the theater and unite! Join the Movie Addicts Club! (I mean, if there’s enough of us, we could even start a secret handshake and send out a membership card.)

But I digress. This is the first post of the Movie Addicts Club and I wanted to welcome and invite you to continue checking back for reviews, opinions and questions on films. I will not limit my scope of topics to recent releases. Instead, I will create a substantial library of films covering various genres and periods. Feel free to post your own comments and feedback on the films or my reviews.

Again, welcome to the Movie Addicts Club. Grab a barcalounger and some buttered popcorn and let’s start the movie.