Movie Review: 300

History but not history. Go see it.
by Ralph

The movie is fairly historically accurate from the Greek side of things, but it's not a movie meant to be a history lesson. The Persians are ugly and bad to contrast with the Greeks who are free, tall, muscled and have straight white teeth. Having said that, this is a "graphic novel" which means basically a comic book version using the historical battle of Thermopylae. The battle including the very end is actually pretty accurate and many of the quotes from "fight in the shade", to "Tell the Spartans here according to their laws we lie." are too. So, you get a little history, a little comic book styling and drama and a lot of battle and blood. I think if Leonidas and his family and soldiers had just a liiitle more humanity so that you cared even more about them (like Gladiator, Braveheart, Last of the Mohicans or even Forest Gump!) then this would be an oscar contender for styling and story. In the end though, this is a captivating moving. It is stirring and makes you think about freedom, honor, bravery and fighting for what you believe even if you lose. These are all worthy Hellenistic virtues that have been passed down to us from 2 1/2 thousand years ago. So, I admire the movie for putting life to those ideas while using a bigger than life visual and story style to do it. Maybe I'll see it again!?

Movie Review: Wild Hogs

Fun movie!
by Ralph

The critics are morons. This is a movie to see because you just want to have fun and you like all the actors in. What's not to love with Travolta, Allen, Lawrence, etc.? It's a typical midlife crisis-buddy movie. It's not deep. It won't win any Academy Awards, but its simple and fun. Be careful, you might choke on your popcorn while you're laughing. There are funny lines and situations throughout the movie. Most are predictable but a few take you by surprise. Go to this movie because you want to relax and have fun or maybe you can even identify with the characters if you're 40+. This movie has been sold out in my area at every showing, so there's a strong comment on its appeal.

Movie Review: Breach

Worth Seeing
by Ralph

I personally love movies based on real life stories. This one seems very true to life which is why nothing blows up, no one jumps out of helicopters onto moving trucks, etc. Rent Mission Impossible if you want fiction. Having said that, this movie was excellent. Chris Cooper played a very believable and deep main character as agent Hanson. Ryan's acting was pretty good as well. The story runs like a narrative account with a minimum of buildup and dramatic music. Think of it as movie style documentary and you will probably have the right expectations when you go in. I and my girlfriend really enjoyed it and talked about it long after it was over. If you want action and major drama this is really not your movie. But, if you are curious about a real life event and understand that then you will like the acting, characters and story and you should go.

Movie Review: Music and Lyrics

Have fun. Feel good.
by Ralph

This is a formula movie but so are tragedies. What makes this unique is not the plot but the characters and situation...a has been 80's pop singer and a frustrated closet writer. Any normal person will love the characters in this movie played by Grant and Barrymore. It reminds me in some ways of the old 1940's movies where everything depends upon the dialogue and characters...and neither disappoints in this movie. If you want a fun movie that you will walk out feeling good about go see this. If you're a guy and worried this might be too much of a "chick flick" I think you'll find it very survivable. I laughed all the way through the movie and had fun guessing what would happen next. This is my favorite movie thus far this year. It's a winner.

Movie Review: Because I Said So

If you have nothing else to do
by Ralph

This might be an OK movie. The acting is good but frankly all these near neurotic women, especially Diane Keaton's character started to drive me crazy. There are lots of good lines and laughs but the story just didn't work for me. The relationship with two men at once all the way to marriage was over the top. However, many of the characters are likeable and fun, just not real believable. The one surprise is that the characters, particularly the men in the movie do not follow stereotypes and they sort of surprise you which is refreshing, but again the story detracts from what they might have been. I'd wait for the rental on this one.