Well, I wanted to do a Top 10 Movies of 2008, but I realize that due to my 2-year old son and very busy life - I just don't get out to the movies as much as I would like to.
I have been doing my best to catch up on DVD when I have a chance, but even that takes awhile.
So, here are my Top 10 Movies of 2008 (that I have seen).
1) The Dark Knight
2) Iron Man
3) Tropic Thunder
4) Wanted
5) Forgetting Sarah Marshall
6) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
7) The Incredible Hulk
8) Definitely, Maybe
9) Hancock
10) Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay
Also, I wanted to put out an announcement that in this new year - hopefully very soon if I find the time - I will have a new design to the site and will officially join the LAMBs.
Showing posts with label Harold-Kumar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harold-Kumar. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Weekend Movies
Over the Labor Day Weekend I was able to check out a couple of movies I had not seen yet.
The first movie we checked out was The Ex, a rather under-the-radar comedy with a pretty large cast.
The movie stars Zach Braff, a favorite of mine thanks to his portrayal of JD on Scrubs, as Tom Reilly, a chef in the big city who is about to have a baby with his wife Sofia (Amanda Peet).
Paul Rudd, in his only scene of the movie, plays Reilly's boss at the restaurant and on the day his wife is about to give birth - Tom is fired.
So, he caves and accepts a job in Sofia's father's ad agency. The big-time ad executive of the office is Chip Sanders (Jason Bateman), who is paralyzed from the waist down. He also had a huge crush on Sofia in high school (or college, can't remember) and apparently still does.
A lot of things start to go wrong for Tom at the office, and in his life, thanks to Chips doing. Although no one else in the family has any clue that Chip appears to be sabotaging Tom at both work and in his personal life.
The movie is pretty decent, but I can see why I didn't hear much about it when it first came out. It's your typical love triangle-type movie - with which the current boyfriend/husband drives himself berserk.
It is a fun watch, however, and the number of different actors you will recognize is pretty large. Charles Grodin and Mia Farrow play Sofia's parents. Donal Logue is the head of the ad agency while Amy Poehler and Fred Armisen both play ad execs who befriend Tom.
The first movie we checked out was The Ex, a rather under-the-radar comedy with a pretty large cast.The movie stars Zach Braff, a favorite of mine thanks to his portrayal of JD on Scrubs, as Tom Reilly, a chef in the big city who is about to have a baby with his wife Sofia (Amanda Peet).
Paul Rudd, in his only scene of the movie, plays Reilly's boss at the restaurant and on the day his wife is about to give birth - Tom is fired.
So, he caves and accepts a job in Sofia's father's ad agency. The big-time ad executive of the office is Chip Sanders (Jason Bateman), who is paralyzed from the waist down. He also had a huge crush on Sofia in high school (or college, can't remember) and apparently still does.
A lot of things start to go wrong for Tom at the office, and in his life, thanks to Chips doing. Although no one else in the family has any clue that Chip appears to be sabotaging Tom at both work and in his personal life.
The movie is pretty decent, but I can see why I didn't hear much about it when it first came out. It's your typical love triangle-type movie - with which the current boyfriend/husband drives himself berserk.
It is a fun watch, however, and the number of different actors you will recognize is pretty large. Charles Grodin and Mia Farrow play Sofia's parents. Donal Logue is the head of the ad agency while Amy Poehler and Fred Armisen both play ad execs who befriend Tom.
Grade:
The second movie of the weekend is one I have been looking forward to all summer long.
I become pretty infatuated with the original, so I was pretty eager to see the sequel - and I finally was able to see Harold & Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay.
We checked out the unrated version, and it was pretty vulgar. A lot of things even I couldn't believe were in the movie, but it was alright. The movie itself does not live up to the potential of the first film - but it still had me laughing a lot.
The movie starts off right where the first one left off, as Harold & Kumar are heading to Amsterdam to find Maria, Harold's new love.
Of course, Kumar screws things up as he brings a bong aboard an airplane, which is mistaken for a bomb and the two get tossed into Guantanamo Bay by a pretty racist security advisor.
The rest of the film follows them as they escape from prison, look to track down a friend to clear their name and also break-up a wedding where Kumar's old flame is getting married to a total 'douche'. All the while getting chased by the racist security advisor.
Neil Patrick Harris returns to play - Neil Patrick Harris. His role was pretty cool, until the final part which I felt was a little unnecessary.
Overall, the movie gave some pretty good laughs. This time around it was Kumar chasing down the girl of his dreams. But, if I had to choose one or the other, the first one wins hands down.
I become pretty infatuated with the original, so I was pretty eager to see the sequel - and I finally was able to see Harold & Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay.We checked out the unrated version, and it was pretty vulgar. A lot of things even I couldn't believe were in the movie, but it was alright. The movie itself does not live up to the potential of the first film - but it still had me laughing a lot.
The movie starts off right where the first one left off, as Harold & Kumar are heading to Amsterdam to find Maria, Harold's new love.
Of course, Kumar screws things up as he brings a bong aboard an airplane, which is mistaken for a bomb and the two get tossed into Guantanamo Bay by a pretty racist security advisor.
The rest of the film follows them as they escape from prison, look to track down a friend to clear their name and also break-up a wedding where Kumar's old flame is getting married to a total 'douche'. All the while getting chased by the racist security advisor.
Neil Patrick Harris returns to play - Neil Patrick Harris. His role was pretty cool, until the final part which I felt was a little unnecessary.
Overall, the movie gave some pretty good laughs. This time around it was Kumar chasing down the girl of his dreams. But, if I had to choose one or the other, the first one wins hands down.
Grade:
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Top 10: Marijuana Films
Due to my not really having an idea for a Top 10 on Tuesday, I skipped it. I have noticed that it is pretty hard to come up with an idea each and every week - so I have decided to curb the every week idea - and just do one when it comes to mind.
So, with the release of The Pineapple Express yesterday it got me to thinking about the stoner comedy. And with that came this Top 10 list about films that use marijuana. A few notes first, I have not seen any Cheech & Chong film, so I could not include any of them in my list. I have also limited this list to the 'dumb' comedies, so some others may not have made the list due to those guidelines.
Here is the list (in reverse order):
I have set aside a special section for the Kevin Smith movies - I could not include just one on the list, so I have made a "lifetime achievement" award or something for the films that introduced us to Jay & Silent Bob: Clerks, Clerks II, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Chasing Amy, Mallrats and Dogma.
So, with the release of The Pineapple Express yesterday it got me to thinking about the stoner comedy. And with that came this Top 10 list about films that use marijuana. A few notes first, I have not seen any Cheech & Chong film, so I could not include any of them in my list. I have also limited this list to the 'dumb' comedies, so some others may not have made the list due to those guidelines.
Here is the list (in reverse order):
10) Grandma's Boy
9) Detroit Rock City
8) PCU
7) Super Troopers
6) Friday
5) Fast Times at Ridgemont High
4) Knocked Up
3) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
2) Half Baked
1) Dazed & Confused
I have set aside a special section for the Kevin Smith movies - I could not include just one on the list, so I have made a "lifetime achievement" award or something for the films that introduced us to Jay & Silent Bob: Clerks, Clerks II, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Chasing Amy, Mallrats and Dogma.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The Baker's Dozen
It's that time of year again, when Hollywood shoots out the biggest and best movies for us to enjoy on the big screen. The Summer Blockbuster has become a staple in Hollywood, but it's pretty difficult for the casual movie-goer to be able to see each and every one of the movies they want to see during a given summer.
Anyway, here is my list of movies that, if I could, I would go and see during the 2008 Summer Blockbuster Season, or from the months of May to August. I have aptly called this list 'The Baker's Dozen' and here they are in release date order:
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Release Date: April 18, 2008
Cast: Jason Segal, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russel Brand, Bill Hader, Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd.
Plot: Segal's character gets dumped by his girlfriend (Bell) and decides to take a Hawaiian trip to get her off his mind.
Anyway, here is my list of movies that, if I could, I would go and see during the 2008 Summer Blockbuster Season, or from the months of May to August. I have aptly called this list 'The Baker's Dozen' and here they are in release date order:
Forgetting Sarah MarshallRelease Date: April 18, 2008
Cast: Jason Segal, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russel Brand, Bill Hader, Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd.
Plot: Segal's character gets dumped by his girlfriend (Bell) and decides to take a Hawaiian trip to get her off his mind.
Little does he know that she, along with her new boyfriend, are staying at the same resort as he is.
Harold & Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay
Release Date: April 25, 2008
Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garces and Neil Patrick Harris
Plot: The follow-up movie to the hilarious Harold & Kumar: Go To White Castle. Harold & Kumar look to fly to Amsterdam, but are pegged as suspected terrorists as they try to sneak a bong on board a flight.
Iron Man
Release Date: May 2, 2008
Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Terrance Howard, Leslie Bibb, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Plot: Tony Stark (Downey, Jr.) is involved in a life threatening incident that leaves him spooked. He decides to build the iron suit to protect him of future incidents, but decides to use his new suit for good as well.
Speed Racer
Release Date: May 9, 2008
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Susan Surandon and John Goodman.
Plot: Speed Racer (Hirsch) goal in life is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Release Date: May 16, 2008
Cast: Ben Barnes, Liam Neeson, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes and Tilda Swinton.
Plot: In what has only been a couple of years for the Pevensie children, Narnia has aged over a thousand years. The quartet of children are once again enlisted to help Narnia overthrow a ruthless villain, this time in the form of a king, and return the rightful leader of Narnia, Prince Caspian, to his post.
Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Release Date: May 22, 2008.
Cast: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen and John Hurt.
Plot: After nearly 20 years of being away from the character, Harrison Ford puts on his fedora in the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones saga. This time he is forced into a Soviet plot of uncovering secret behind the Crystal Skulls.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Release Date: July 11, 2008
Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, James Dodd and Luke Gross.
Plot: A rebellion by the mythical world begins against the Earth for control, and Hellboy and his army must save the world.
The Incredible Hulk
Release Date: June 13, 2008
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and William Hurt.
Plot: Bruce Banner (Norton) looks for to understand, and hopefully cure, the condition inside of him that turns him into the Hulk.
Wall-E
Release Date: June 27, 2008
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy and Fred Willard.
Plot: In the year 2700, robots are used to do specific duties. Wall-E is no exception, as for years he has done what he is made to do, but one day he learns that there is more out there - and looks for what he is meant to do.
Hancock
Release Date: July 2, 2008
Cast: Will Smith, Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron.
Plot: Hancock (Smith) is a reluctant superhero that has fallen out of favor with the city he protects thanks to his boozing and mistakes. Bateman is his new PR who is looking to restore his image - and Theron is Bateman's wife, who Hancock develops a thing for.
The Dark Knight
Release Date: July 18, 2008
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman.
Plot: Batman (Bale) has a new enemy to worry about as The Joker (Ledger) begins to terrorize Gotham City. Harvey Dent (Eckhart) is Gotham's new District Attorney, who helps Batman with his pursuit of The Joker.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Release Date: August 1, 2008
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Luke Ford and Jet Li.
Plot: Rick and Alex O'Connell (Fraser & Ford) find the mummy of the first Emperor of Quin, who turns out to be a shape shifter who was cursed by a wizard centuries ago.
Pineapple Express
Release Date: August 8, 2008
Cast: Seth Rogan, James Franco, Amber Heard, Gary Cole and Bill Hader.
Plot: Rogan is a pothead who accidentally witnesses a murder committed by the police and is forced to go on the run with his drug dealer (Franco).
Harold & Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo BayRelease Date: April 25, 2008
Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garces and Neil Patrick Harris
Plot: The follow-up movie to the hilarious Harold & Kumar: Go To White Castle. Harold & Kumar look to fly to Amsterdam, but are pegged as suspected terrorists as they try to sneak a bong on board a flight.
Iron ManRelease Date: May 2, 2008
Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Terrance Howard, Leslie Bibb, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Plot: Tony Stark (Downey, Jr.) is involved in a life threatening incident that leaves him spooked. He decides to build the iron suit to protect him of future incidents, but decides to use his new suit for good as well.
Speed RacerRelease Date: May 9, 2008
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Susan Surandon and John Goodman.
Plot: Speed Racer (Hirsch) goal in life is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianRelease Date: May 16, 2008
Cast: Ben Barnes, Liam Neeson, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes and Tilda Swinton.
Plot: In what has only been a couple of years for the Pevensie children, Narnia has aged over a thousand years. The quartet of children are once again enlisted to help Narnia overthrow a ruthless villain, this time in the form of a king, and return the rightful leader of Narnia, Prince Caspian, to his post.
Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal SkullRelease Date: May 22, 2008.
Cast: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen and John Hurt.
Plot: After nearly 20 years of being away from the character, Harrison Ford puts on his fedora in the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones saga. This time he is forced into a Soviet plot of uncovering secret behind the Crystal Skulls.
Hellboy II: The Golden ArmyRelease Date: July 11, 2008
Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, James Dodd and Luke Gross.
Plot: A rebellion by the mythical world begins against the Earth for control, and Hellboy and his army must save the world.
The Incredible HulkRelease Date: June 13, 2008
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and William Hurt.
Plot: Bruce Banner (Norton) looks for to understand, and hopefully cure, the condition inside of him that turns him into the Hulk.
Wall-ERelease Date: June 27, 2008
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy and Fred Willard.
Plot: In the year 2700, robots are used to do specific duties. Wall-E is no exception, as for years he has done what he is made to do, but one day he learns that there is more out there - and looks for what he is meant to do.
HancockRelease Date: July 2, 2008
Cast: Will Smith, Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron.
Plot: Hancock (Smith) is a reluctant superhero that has fallen out of favor with the city he protects thanks to his boozing and mistakes. Bateman is his new PR who is looking to restore his image - and Theron is Bateman's wife, who Hancock develops a thing for.
The Dark KnightRelease Date: July 18, 2008
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman.
Plot: Batman (Bale) has a new enemy to worry about as The Joker (Ledger) begins to terrorize Gotham City. Harvey Dent (Eckhart) is Gotham's new District Attorney, who helps Batman with his pursuit of The Joker.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon EmperorRelease Date: August 1, 2008
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Luke Ford and Jet Li.
Plot: Rick and Alex O'Connell (Fraser & Ford) find the mummy of the first Emperor of Quin, who turns out to be a shape shifter who was cursed by a wizard centuries ago.
Pineapple ExpressRelease Date: August 8, 2008
Cast: Seth Rogan, James Franco, Amber Heard, Gary Cole and Bill Hader.
Plot: Rogan is a pothead who accidentally witnesses a murder committed by the police and is forced to go on the run with his drug dealer (Franco).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)