The Debt Movie Review

Rating: A
Note: This movie is rated R. Not for kids!

Saw the movie. Liked it.

This espionage thriller takes place in 1966 and 1997. There are lots of East Berlin reenactments which were pretty well done, gave the the feel that they actually filmed it in 1966 East Berlin. Good plot. I recommend it. It is one of those movies that transports you to another time and after the movie the first several seconds out of the theater into the real world are confusing.

Actress Helen Mirren does a really good job in this movie. She is very intense and has a really bad scar that makes you wince every time you see it on her face. Strange how they do not show her face scar on the movie poster.

Jessica Chastain (never heard of her before) plays Helen's character as a young woman. She is really gorgeous! At least until she got hit in the face with a broken piece of china, the source of the scar. Wince.

Jessica Chastain - without scar - whoa momma!

I kept thinking about the cut-turned-bad-scar on her face. She should have tried this:

Click on the image to reveal the power...

Unbreakable Movie Review

Rating:A-
Note:May be boing for kids. Read below.

I'm reviewing the movie Unbreakable released in 2000. I finally got around to watching it, 11 years late. This movie stars Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson, so I guess it was a pretty big deal at the time.

This what you call a "superhero drama". It is sort-of about a superhero, or someone who has the potential to be one. There are no special effects or expensive scenes. That said, the movie cost $75 to make. I can't figure out what cost that much money? The film ended up grossing about $250M.

Bruce Willis plays a depressed guy whose life is falling apart. He is the only survivor of a bad train wreck, not a scratch on him. He starts to wonder why he can't ever remember getting sick or injured.

The movie is intentionally slow, Bruce Willis' character is pretty much a sloth. Kids will NOT like this movie, there are no special effects or car chases (although there is a train wreck!). But adults will enjoy it if they know to expect a thoughtful drama, not a superhero movie.

There is no bad language or sex references. But there is some abduction violence. But Bruce saves the day - or does he?

Meek's Cutoff Movie Review

My Rating: A
Warning: Little kids may be really bored.

This is an "independent" movie, the film didn't even cover the whole width of the screen. I saw it in a "regular" theater, which is quite a feat for a movie not designed to be a blockbuster.

The story was interesting, but more was the way it was told through the movie, very compelling. I found myself lost in the movie, truly engrossed. The ending is unique and leaves you thinking.

The movie is about a small group of pioneers in the 1850's traveling across the West for California. They have a braggart guide named Meek who gets them lost. They are running low on water. They capture an Indian who is leading them to water, or maybe not.

This movie has no killing, sex or swearing. At least I do not remember any swearing. No car chases! I often have trouble finding adult dramas that are appropriate for kids. This is one for sure.

The only negative thing is the the bad guy, Meek, treats the Indian very poorly. But the others rebel against that, so it evens out. One thing they should have left out of the movie - a woman uses the N- word. Yes, used in a context truthful to the period, but I'm tired of that.

This is an adult movie. Little children will be bored. Children 10 and above may like the movie, especially if they are fresh from studying the pioneer days in school. The movie is very realistic in the portrayal of these pioneers and their plight.

My The Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Review

My rating: B-
Warning: Not for really little kids.

I took my son to the 2D version of The Pirates of the Caribbean 4 yesterday. It was a very grandiose movie, there were a lot of sweeping scenes you know were meant to look good in the 3D version, but they still looked good in the 2D version. The whole movie was visually stunning.

Overall I thought the movie was "OK", but they are getting lazy with the easy successes of these movies. For one - the plot was pretty much the same and very predictable. Just imagine what a breakthrough it would have been if they would have challenged the writers to create a unique and gripping story! But no.

I usually do not like gratuitous scenes or sexy things that do not belong in the movie other than to get a dirtier rating. Especially when I am with my kids. But this movie has Penelope Cruz, truly one of the most talented and beautiful actresses there are.

No revealing bikini, no low neck line, no short skirts. Nothing!

By the way the movie ended you know there will be a fifth one. I assume Penelope Cruz will be in it also. Let's hope for a better costume selection for her next time! With a woman like her they should be able to make her more alluring while still retaining the PG rating and not being gratuitous.

Little children should not see this movie. The scenes with the mermaids were pretty disturbing and will wreak havoc with their angelic ideas of mermaids. No kid's book about mermaids will be the same after they see this movie.