LINCOLN (2012) – My rating: 10/10

What a Great Movie!                                                                                        I saw the latest release of “LINCOLN” (2012) and I highly recommend it to all. It delves deep into politics but it’s not boring and you may learn a thing or two. The stars are endless, Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, and Gloria Reuben to name a few. Therefore you can expect it’s not amateurishly acted. Despite what you may have heard about Abe Lincoln, this movie really puts it all into perspective. It’s as if this movie had a telescope into today’s issues. I laughed, I cried, I applauded and I even commented a couple of times (out loud). Although the movie was 2-1/2 long, it was time well spent. BTW: Don’t miss the opening scene — Steven Spielberg, as always, jump starts your emotions! I say it’s a MUST SEE!

[Lincoln won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Achievement in Production Design!]

15 MINUTES (2001) My rating: 10/10

I’d Like To Convince Everyone To See “15 Minutes”!                             I don’t think this action packed, really good movie received enough exposure. I had no idea when I saw 15 Minutes, I’d be so well entertained and emotionally moved. Aside from a great cast, this movie is different and goes where most movies will not. Do yourself a favor and see 15 Minutes, you won’t regret it. Non-stop action with an excellent story behind it and Robert De Niro too!

SPARKLE (2012) – My rating: 8/10

A Good Modern Musical!                                                                                            Sparkle was a pretty decent movie/musical. I was saddened watching Whitney Houston perform for the last time. Her voice sounded pretty good, not nearly as bad as the press reported it. Had she lived, I believe Whitney’s talent for acting was good enough to sustain her while she worked to bring her voice up to speed or not.

I have been a fan of Jordan Sparks and have followed her career since she won American Idol. I must say, she is a pretty good actress. I waited with baited breath for her to belt out a couple of songs, as it turns out, it was a long wait but well worth it when she finally did. The performance was not “Dream Girls” status, but was excellent given the script, songs and story Jordan had to work with.

The movie was about 3 sisters, veering for stardom, trying to follow in the footsteps of the Supremes, only bigger. Sister played by Carmen Ejogo was the lead singer and Dee played by Tika Sumpter was studying to be a doctor. Both actresses brought good singing and acting to the movie. Some of their costumes were eye opening. I was a little disappointed however, when stories of 2 character’s (levi, played by Omari Hardwick and Black, played by Celo Green) fell a little short. I definitely wanted more.

I was impressed with the performance of Mike Epps as he played a bully and comedian looking for acceptance from his audience. Sparkle is full of talent and tells a pretty good story. The Choir was fantastic as was the performance of Derek Luke who played Stix, a love interest for Sparkle. I recommend this movie — you won’t be bored. If you are a Whitney fan, you’ll be pleased with her performance as well — REST IN PEACE WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!!

TAKE SHELTER (2011) – My rating: 6/10

Looking for an ending!
Why do critics and potential critics get so damn philosophical when critiquing a movie?  What ever happened to being entertained or even conveying a simple message?

I will be the first to admit, Take Shelter is a confusing movie!  The wife, given the circumstances of her husband’s background, justifiably did not believe in him. Somewhere in this story, she decides to stick by him. In the end, she and their daughter sees what he sees. The audience deserves to know why their daughter was deaf, whether or not the weather was what it seemed to him and some rhyme or reason as to what happened in the end.

WE WERE LEFT HANGING AND THAT’S NOT GOOD OR ENJOYABLE. THERE’S NO CLOSURE WHICH MAKES THIS A WASTE OF TIME. WHERE IS THE MESSAGE IN THIS? Also, this movie was too slow, I had to fight to stay awake. The end make me wish I lost the fight — scenes were soooo…long, too many breaks of pure silence and finally, an ending that came without explanation.

If you have to make up the ending according to your take on this movie, you will also have to make up the answers to why his partner ratted him out, or if the rain had color to it, or if they actually were at Myrtle Beach. I didn’t want to have to rewrite the story.

I can only give this movie a 6 out of 10 — I don’t like to be left hanging!

ADAPTATION (2002) – My rating: 7/10

A Little Boring, Even for an Intellectual!
Adaptation has the potential to be great but was a little too slow/boring and too confusing for my taste. Nicolas Cage did a superb acting job, playing twin brothers, Charlie and Donald Kaufman, with totally different personalities.

I thought too much emphasis was put on minor details. Long drawn out scenes about orchards and all the thoughts of Meryl Streep’s wish list for life, left me confused and somewhat bored. The movie moved back and forth through each character’s thought process leading up to the writing of a script that couldn’t get written because each character had a block of some kind. I hated the ending because lives were destroyed to get to the bottom line, a movie about flowers.

Because the acting was superb, I rated it 7 out of 10.  Adaptation took a long route to get to its destination. I couldn’t help but notice several people nodding off throughout the movie theater.  Adaptation is not for everyone.

AMERICAN HISTORY X (1998) – My rating: 10/10

A Lesson in Hate!
American History X is an excellent movie on the effects of hate and what hate feels like. Ed Norton deserves an academy award for his performance. He played a hateful, enraged murderer, a vulnerable, confused inmate and a man trying to get back on track starting with saving his younger brother. This film is emotion packed, well acted and well directed. American History X sends a powerful message. A must see!

ANGER MANAGEMENT (2003) – My rating: 9/10

A True Comedy!
Anger Management was one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in quite some time. I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, as I don’t like stupid comedy. There were some scenes that were so ridiculous that you had to laugh. And laugh I did. I found myself crouching down into my seat and placing my hand over my mouth to keep from being embarrassed because of my gut wrenching laughter. The guy in front of me just let it all out. I truly didn’t expect the movie to be much funnier than what was shown in the trailers.

The story reflected Adam Sadler’s journey as he traveled to get to the bottom line, control of his situation. On the way to meeting his goals, Adam learns what’s important is who you become while on the journey. Jack Nicholson was unpredictable, witty, and superbly portrayed as the anger consultant who had the task of changing Adam’s approach to life

Of course this movie was pure fantasy, after all, it is a comedy! I was thoroughly entertained.

The ART OF WAR (2000) – My rating: 7/10

The Art of Movie Making!
This movie has all the standard special effects, action and violence one can stomach. The story line is a little hard to swallow and the bottom line is pitiful. If our country were left to the kind of characters portrayed in this movie, God help us.

Hollywood would have us believe that corruption is running rampart, especially where politics are concerned. If we have these kinds of criminal minds at work for us, we need to concentrate on a whole new government rather than watching movies. And I love movies.

The Art of War, if you don’t try to analyze it, is at best entertaining.

BEINGS (1998) – My rating: 8/10

A Movie for Children!
I read the first comments on this movie and thought they were too harsh. This is obviously a children’s movie that sends a pretty powerful message. A town of frightened folks stay head-strong in their beliefs because they are afraid. It’s a fairy-tale, so that means anything goes because it’s all made up. The special effects were better than most for its time. Compared to the computer generated movies I’ve seen in 2001, this is every bit as good. The plot is about a father who is dieing, his kids, who believe in the fairy legend that could save him, and a wife who doesn’t believe in anything. It’s interesting to see the family come together in an effort to save dad and teach the town a lesson. I think you’ll be entertained and some emotions will definitely get stirred about.

BIRTH (2004) – My rating: 6/10

A Deceitful Movie!
Why oh why did anyone make this movie? It was slow, dull and down right deceitful. The trailers would have you believe you’re in for a mysterious ride but in fact, you’re in for another unresolved, waste of time, money sucking, open-ended flick.  Birth’s concept was done before in a 1989 release of “Chances Are”, which was in good taste, with a good story and a good follow-up. The ending tied up all the loose ends, unlike “Birth” which left us hanging.

I truly want my money back — everyone in the theater agreed that “Birth” sucked. Not even Nicole Kidman could save this one.

Wait for cable!