Showing posts with label From a Book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label From a Book. Show all posts

May 23, 2009

Angels & Demons


Grade: A

Premise: This is the prequel to "The DaVinci Code" (although the movie, references "The DaVinci Code" as being first). Robert Langdon is summoned to the Vatican to help find the four top replacements for the Pope before they are killed by members of an ancient underground organization. Anti matter created by the hadron collider is set to explode and demolish the Vatican by midnight.

Recommend?: I thought this book was much better than "The DaVinci Code" book and this movie is a lot stronger than the other movie. It is a faithful adaptation of the book. This time around, Tom Hanks' portrayal of Robert Langdon was true to the book character. The movie itself had a nice balance of action and puzzle solving. I would recommend it to watch. I don't think I need to see it again.

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reviewed by Pam 0 comments

February 13, 2009

Coraline

Rating:  A-

Premise:  Coraline Jones is ignored by her parents and is very bored at her new home.  She discovers a secret door in her living room that takes her to an “other” alternate life.  Things seems dreamy until her other mom gets a little needy.  Then it gets creepy.

I love this book.  It is creepy and scary but doesn’t back down like most children’s books.  The movie is a good adaptation of the book and really brings the characters and images to life almost exactly how  I imagined them.  There is this great sense of creepiness from frame 1.  The animation is fantastic and so seamless that I forgot it wasn’t computer animation but stop motion.  The story drags a little but overall I liked this a lot.  Got an A- for the quality of the animation.  I saw this in 2-D but may have to go find a 3-D showing.

reviewed by Pam 0 comments

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Rating: B

Premise: Rebecca Bloomwood, 16k in debt due to her shopping habit, gets a job at a Savings magazine. Then she falls in love with the cute editor.

I think they did a decent job of adapting the book into this movie. The books are much better but this was a fun chick movie. Isla Fischer is adorable and is a good Rebecca. Hugh Dancy was good but a little miscast as Luke Brandon…a Clive Owen type would have been better. Go see a matinee or rent when it comes out.

reviewed by Pam 0 comments

December 27, 2008

Marley & Me

Rating: A+

Movie based on John Grogan’s best selling book of the same name.  Story of a man and the “world’s worst dog” Marley.

I loved this movie.  It has comedy, drama and plenty of moments that call for tissues.  Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston are both great in this.  This may not be great for kids but both guys and gals will really like it.

Seriously, bring tissue.

reviewed by Pam 1 comments

November 23, 2008

Twilight

Rating:  B-

This is the movie based on the first book of the “Twilight” series.  Bella moves from Phoenix to Forks, WA and meets Edward.  Too bad Edward is a vampire, a nice one, but still.  Then she gets chased by a not-nice vampire, James.  And then they go to prom.

Well.  I have read all four books and the book wins over the movie.  I thought the movie was well-done but not worth the huge hype.  Of course, this is probably the next Titanic with the teen-age girls repeating their trips to the movies and the supersonic rise in fame of Robert Pattinson – who plays Edward quite well.  I’m not sure what I was expecting but what I got was a faithful adaptation of the book.  Kristin Stewart’s Bella got on my nerves…everyone else was pretty good.   Go see it but don’t expect to be amazed.

reviewed by Pam 0 comments

November 16, 2008

Quantum of Solace

Rating:  B

James Bond is out for revenge.  He wants to get the man responsible for girlfriend/traitor, Vesper’s, death.  He ends up in South America as a rogue spy and uncovers a plot to hoard water.

Huh?  

Well, overall I liked this film.  I have major bones to pick with whomever decided to do all kinds of quick cuts for the action scenes.  It would have been nice to have actually seen what I suppose to be cool action bits.   Also, the story was very hidden.  Who was he looking for?  How did this all fit together?  It was very loosey-goosey.   Major critics will have a field day with this one and I’m thinking that the second weekend drop will probably be at least 50 – 60%.

But, I can’t help it.  I enjoyed it.   Giancarlo Giannini could have used more screen time – he’s wonderful.

reviewed by Pam 1 comments

September 18, 2008

Then She Found Me

Rating: B-

A woman desperately wanting a baby has her husband leave her, meets the man of her dreams and has her mother die.  On the same day.  Soon after, her birth mother finds her.  Comedy and Drama ensue.

This movie starts out a bit rocky but finds its legs after about 1/2 hour.  I’m not a huge Helen Hunt fan but she did fairly well in this.  Colin Firth was great (as usual) and the rest of the cast did well.  I won’t buy this but I’m glad I saw it.  Helen Hunt directed – did a good job.

reviewed by Pam 0 comments

August 8, 2008

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Rating: B

Premise:  The great nephews & niece of Spiderwick come across a book that gives away all the secrets of the fantasy world around them.  Too bad the big mean ogre wants the book.

Recommend:  Yes, for adults who want a cute movie or for kids.   I thought this would suck but I actually enjoyed it.  It’s a typical family movie and you know who wins in the end.  Still worth a watch.

reviewed by Pam 0 comments
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