Review: The Prestige

Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Bolden (Christian Bale) are two rival magicians in 19th century London.

Great mystery. Slightly confusing. The movie goes back and forth in time quite frequently, often without an obvious transition. Nevertheless, the plot twists and turns are wonderful. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes figuring out where the plot of a movie is going to go next.

It reunites Batman Begins' stars Christian Bale and Michael Caine with director, Christopher Nolan. Plus, no movie would be complete without David Bowie, remember Labyrinth. (He's a trained mime. That explains so much.)

My favorite parts of the movie:

The secrets
The cast
Especially Andy Serkis, what a great character actor, got to give it up for Gollum

5 out of 5 stars.

Lauren's Tidbits

The Goldblums

There is a new professor in the Geography Department at NIU, David Goldblum, who is related to Jeff Goldblum (Independence Day, The Fly, Jurassic Park). I believe they are cousins. Jeff was coincidentally in the last movie I reviewed, Man of the Year. They even kind of look alike, in a nerdy scientist kind of way.

Review: Man of the Year

Comedian Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) decides to run for president after an audience member of his talk show makes a flip comment that he should.

Very funny, especially if you enjoy Robin Williams and/or political humor. Besides the comedy extending from his underground run for president, the movie also tackles the more serious vein of the fraudulent electronic voting system employed in the election. The humor and seriousness came in bursts with the movie taking itself a litte too serious. I mean in a comedy I should not almost have a heart attack from fright. Seriously.

My favorite parts of the movie:

Robin Williams
His candidness with the press

4 out of 5 stars.

Review: The Guardian

Ben Randall (Kevin Costner) is reassigned after losing his crew to teach A-school for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers which includes swim champ Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher).

A good movie about the unheralded Coast Guard. The rescue scenes were exciting but the movie was a little too long at 2 hrs and 19 mins.

My favorite parts of the movie:
The second trip to the Navy bar
The old Coast Guard pictures in the credits

3 out of 5 stars.

Lauren's Tidbits

Actress Isabella Rossellini's (Death Becomes Her, Wyatt Earp) mother was Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca). Her first movie was with her mother, A Matter of Time.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow's (Shakespeare in Love, Sliding Doors) mother is Blythe Danner (Meet the Parents). Her first movie was Hook.

Isabella was on Ross' (David Schwimmer) "LIST" on Friends and starred with Gwyneth in The Pallbearer.

Lauren's Tidbits

Random movie trivia, anecdotes, and connections...

The Parent Trap: Joanna Barnes played Vicky, the young money-grabbing fiance, in the original 1961 version with Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills. (Remember the honey on the toes). She also played Vicki, Meridith's mom (the young money-grabbing fiance), in the 1998 version with Lindsey Lohan and Lindsey Lohan.

"You can call me Aunt Vicky/Vicki."

Trailer: Eragon

Review: Invincible

The true story of Vincent Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a Philadelphia Eagles fan who makes the team during open tryouts.

I love football and I love all the Disney-we overcame the odds-Sports Stories, Remember the Titans, The Rookie, Miracle... Hence, I really enjoyed Invincible. Good Dramady (Drama and Comedy) mixture. In fact, I wish it was a little longer. Anyway, good fun that gears me up for football season.

My favorite parts of the movie:

Mud Football
His love interest, Janet, is a Giants fan
His recovered fumble

4 out of 5 stars.

One is never enough, Part 2 (see I told you)

Walt Disney is filming Unnatural History about a faimly trapped in a History Museum overnight and the exhibits start coming to life. Sound Familiar??? Of course, it does because (say it with me now), One is never enough. I will admit though that Unnatural History is a far superior title to A Night at the Museum.

Why is one never enough?

Armageddon: Deep Impact

Dante's Peak: Volcano

National Treasure: Sahara

Now it's....

Beowulf and Grendel: Beowulf

At least this time, it's indie/art house versus mainstream... poor little indie flick.

The Nativity Story

Brave Project. First impressions look good. Check out at behind the scenes featurette at their website. Opens December 1, 2006 just in time for Christmas.

A Night at the Museum

This looks right up my alley. Very Toy Story, Indian in the Cupboard....except with Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney. Website

Review: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Ricky Bobby wants to go fast. He finds trouble when Jean Girard, the French Formula One driver, comes to America to race on the NASCAR circuit.

Good, classic fun with Will Ferrell. Not his best, but still enjoyable. His sons are hilarious and John C. Reilly (a guy you see in tons of movies but never know quite who he is) really stands out as Ricky Bobby's best friend, Cal. I love the cougar and be sure to stay for the credits. Oh, and keep an eye out for Andy Ricter and Molly Shannon.

My favorite parts of the movie:

Ricky Bobby's sons: Walker and Texas Ranger
the prayers to BABY Jesus
Karen the cougar
the credits

4 out of 5 stars

Children of Men Trailer

One generation from now, women are infertile, the youngest person on the planet just died, and the world is in chaos.

I love movies set in the future. Very intriguied by this one.

Movie Website

Wicked Animation

Both the Renaissance trailer below and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trailer above have some pretty awesome animation. (For some reason the TMNT trailer doesn't have sound.)

If you would like to watch the TMNT trailer with sound, please find it here.

If you would like to watch the Renaissance trailer with better resolution, please find it here

TMNT Trailer

Renaissance Movie Trailer

Paris 2054. Ilona Tassueiv, a young and brilliant researcher is violently kidnapped. Avalon, a giant multinational corporation and her employer, wants her found at any cost. Dellenbach, Avalon’s CEO, has requested that Officer Bartholomew Karas, a hostage retrieval specialist and the most controversial cop in the force, be in charge of the case... Directed by Christian Volkman, voice cast includes: Daniel Craig, Romola Garai, Jonathan Pryce, Kevork Malikyan, Ian Holm & Catherine McCormack

Becca and Sir Anthony

News: Blond Bond

While we have yet to see Daniel Craig as the new Bond, James Bond, word has it a follow up is already in the works, tentatively called Bond 22.

Casino Royale, the newest Bond flick, opens Nov. 17.