• Director: Zack Snyder
• Release Date: March 2011
• Writers: Zack Snyder, Steve Shibuya
• Run Time: 109
• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Thriller

Tagline: You Will Be Unprepared.

Review: The movie follows Babydoll, as she bands with four other girls in a plan to escape the mental asylum her evil step father sent her to. The girls have five days to see through their plan before Babydoll is lobotomized.

Okay, this movie is no Inception but I can see why some may think of it when watching Sucker Punch. To escape her unfortunate reality Babydoll escapes into a dream world set up like a high class brothel which she uses dance to escape into other branches or levels of reality where the girls fight fantasy creatures in search of the five items they need to escape.

Well this is a Zack Snyder movie, so if you will complain about anything in this movie it should not be the graphics. The CGI is top form in Sucker Punch and is breathtakingly beautiful and full of detail. Other than the amazing cgi, and saturated colors, it wouldnt be a Zack Snyder movie without the epic slow-mo. I wouldnt say the movie had an abundance of unnecessary slow-mo but their were more than a few. I think the scenes were spread out well. In one particular scene towards the end, the slow mo kicks in full gear and what results is one of the most amazing special effects fight scene I have seen in awhile. All the fight scenes in general worked very well and look like effort was taken into making them. It is definitely a film highlight. One thing I really enjoyed about the movie was the soundtrack. The music choices fit perfectly with the setting and kept my head slightly nodding throughout. Some people might call these scenes too music video like, but I think they worked well. The acting wasnt too shabby with stand out performances from Jena Malone aka Rocket and Oscar Issac aka Blue Jones.

All in all. The movie had several twists and turns that will hit you like a Sucker Punch. You wont expect some things. The movie actual has a pretty good message about stories and if you pay attention you should get it. This movie is not over complicated but a lot of people might not understand exactly whats going on. It is another good effort from Snyder but a movie that the majority probably wouldnt like which might hurt him. Overall, if your looking for an entertaining ride that makes you pay attention, and starring hot girls, this just might be your movie. If your expecting Inception or Kill Bill or whatever then this probably not you movie.

• Director: Catherine Hardwicke
• Release Date: March 2011
• Writers: David Johnson
• Run Time: 100
• Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery

Tagline: Believe the legend. Beware the wolf.

Review: How did this movie get so many bad reviews? I thought this movie was great since it successfully played with peoples emotions. Even from the very starting, with the shot of the beautiful village, the film got me interested. And it kept me interested until the very ending.

Let me just say that I enjoyed the romance factor that this movie had. It was sort of cliche, but I liked it! I was kind of wishing that it didnt end the way it did, though. Oh well. It was still great.

This movie reminded me of The Village. They kind of have the same premise. The town is being terrorized by some sort of being and all the villagers are scared. Im just glad that this movie had a better conclusion and ending than The Village had.

My only complaint was how they kept on publicizing the fact that the director of Twilight was the one who directed this film. Because of that, I couldnt help but compare the two movies when it came to the characters and the romance storyline. Both films had a girl as the main character who had two guys fighting for her. The only differences with the characters from both films were that the heroine in this movie kicked ass and this time, the better guy loses.

The best thing about this movie is the suspense and mystery that it gives. My guesses of who the wolf was kept on changing throughout the whole film. I checked the rating of this movie a while ago before I went off to the movie theater and saw that it ranked really low, below 5.0. I thought the reason for the low rating was because the identity of the wolf was really obvious from the trailer itself and there was no need to watch this movie. BUT, the thing is, the wolf isnt who you think it is! The movie incriminates and makes you suspect everyone in the town. I honestly did no expect the conclusion. Thats what makes this a great movie.

Dont listen to the naysayers. Just keep in mind that this isnt a horror movie as the trailers portray it to be. Its a sort of mystery with some sort of romance mixed into it. Give it a try. And dont get brainwashed by those unbelievably harsh critics.

• Director: Neil Burger
• Release Date: March 2011
• Writers: Leslie Dixon, Alan Glynn
• Run Time: 105
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Tagline: What if a pill could make you rich and powerful?

Review: This movie doesnt exactly go deep with either the moral or thematic implications of super intelligence. Nor are the characters particularly well developed. But I was engaged from beginning to end with this taut and, best of all, original thriller. Ive never seen anything quite like it. It proceeds in a generally credible and suspenseful way from its premise, a pill that allows you to use all of your brain.Of course, the notion that were only using a small fraction of our brains is untrue, but I liked how the film uses this urban fib as a springboard for its engaging story.

There are one or two moments that strain credulity, Im thinking, particularly, of the one eyed thug who cant seem to hit the broad side of a barn with his gun, but I think every good story has a few of those.

The camera tricks and visual effects used to externalize whats going on in the main characters head are also a lot of fun. Good performances by all the actors.

If you yearn for science fiction movies and thrillers that you can actually believe from moment to moment and havent seen 10 times before, then Id recommend this one.

• Director: Simon Wells
• Release Date: March 2011
• Writers: Simon Wells, Wendy Wells
• Run Time: 88
• Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure

Tagline: Mom needs a little space.

Review: Finally, Disney makes a film with excellent 3D graphics and moral values! The reason for all the negative reviews is that this films real message is that a mother and father should raise a family.

I am a married dad who went to see this movie with a 10 yr. old and a 6 yr. old, both boys. They loved this film, as well as I. We did watch it in Imax 3D, in an empty theater. I was no fan of the movie Polar Express, but now their depiction of humans is much better, and some of the scenes are breathtaking in their depth and beauty. It was so realistic we were getting mild motion sickness at some parts, but in a good way.

If you are a fan of science fiction, or of excellent graphics, go watch this movie with your kids. There is no bad language, and the very subtle drug references are very funny if you have been there at any point in your life. This movie deserves a much higher rating than is shown by these leftist reviewers. It is interesting that Disney showing a moral message would be so controversial. We live in very unusual times. Make today great!

• Director: Gore Verbinski
• Release Date: March 2011
• Writers: John Logan
• Run Time: 107
• Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure

Tagline: Johnny Depp is Rango

Review: Last night my wife and I had the pleasure of checking out an early screening of Rango here in the twin cities. It was a blast! This movie was a great deal of fun. The jokes all hit the right marks, the story was solid, sweet and not too formulaic, and the visuals were outstanding.

There were times that this movie looked 100 percent photo real. outstanding job modeling and texturing and lighting on this. the little tiny attention to detail in the world you guys built had my wife and I in awe throughout most the movie. The animation was fun and eccentric. Over the top but at times subtle and felt meaningful. The only little nit pick was the mouths on some of the characters. in the attempt to make the animals look more like the animals they were representing the mouths were quite small and at times the sync was a bit odd. Though it provided for some goofy looking characters that were fun.

at just over an hour and a half, at times it felt it was a little too slow paced. well, that was my wifes critique. I looked at it more so that they were going for the slower feel of some classic westerns. I thought the long stretches of little dialog, epic music and visuals, and great cinematography worked in the films favor.

The crowd dug it too. I think the youngest person in the theater was about 6 and the oldest was probably in their 70s and everyone was engaged.

I was kind of surprised what they could get away with in a PG rated movie. Im no prude or anything, but there were enough adult jokes snuck in there to give me the giggle fits. Couple of lite swear words, references to more, ehem, adult type themes, but overall pretty tame and enjoyable.

Hats off. If this doesnt win awards I dont know what I believe in anymore. This is one of the more entertaining movies I have seen in a long time.

• Director: Jonathan Liebesman
• Release Date: March 2011
• Writers: Christopher Bertolini
• Run Time: 116
• Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Tagline: There are warnings that cannot be ignored.

Review: I went into this movie with low expectations after the relative disappointment which was skyline, a film that promised so much from the trailer and delivered far less.

However, im glad to say any misgivings I had were quickly expelled. Now dont get me wrong, this isnt the greatest film ever made, and in many ways it fails to hold a candle to the likes of independence day, which in my opinion is one of the greatest films of its type ever made. It does however, bring a much more up close and personal aspect to an alien invasion. Its more like watching a war filmed in Iraq or something, but that in itself is what separates it from a muddle of recent alien invasion movies that fails to ignite any kind of fire in the mind.

The film moves at an unrelenting pace, with good action sequences and cgi to boot, its predictable at times and the ending fails to come up with something clever or original, but hey, you cant have everything !!!

• Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
• Release Date: Febuary 2011
• Writers: Pete Jones, Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
• Run Time: 105
• Genre: Comedy

Tagline: Good for one week off marriage.

Review: The Farrelly brothers return to their old form, like with The Heartbreak kid, with Hall pass. Hall pass is a film about the battle of the sexes, and how the women have dominated. Hall pass has gross out humor, like many of their films, but its their funniest since Me, myself and Irene.

The films heroes are Rick and Fred, two middle aged married men who havent been getting a lot of action lately. So, after an embarrassing moment at a party, their wives are persuaded into giving them 2 weeks off of marriage. Free to do whatever they want, no rules.

The idea sounds great to them. But the truth is, both them and their friends are lame dorks who havent hit on chicks for a while. So, its kind of a challenge. As for the women, who also decide to do it at the spur of the moment, its easier.

Hall pass has some gross moments. I actually screamed in the theater at one point. But most of the time its hilarious. I like The Farrelly Brothers films, most the time. Theyve done some bad, but mostly good. They directed some of the funniest movies ive ever seen, such as Dumb and dumber and Theres something about Mary.

I did enjoy their last gross fest, The Heartbreak kid. But this film is funnier. It has a better message, instead of a somewhat grim one. I laughed out loud many times during Hall pass. Its the funniest film ive seen in a while, and its good to have the brothers back.

• Director: Patrick Lussier
• Release Date: Febuary 2011
• Writers: Todd Farmer, Patrick Lussier
• Run Time: 104
• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Thriller

Tagline: Drive Angry

Review: Let me first state that i dont really like Nicholas Cage. However in this movie it really didnt bother me all that much. So even if you are like me and dont like Cage you can still see this movie. On to the movie itself. Its a rather straight forward action movie with a bad ass good guy who chases a bad guy with and his supporters. Milton (Cage) has some history with the baddie and on his way to get to him he uses guns, big explosions and prefers travel by classic American muscle car. While doing so he picks up a hot chick (Heard) to accompany him on the road. Thats basically it.

The reason i still give it a 7 out of 10 is that the action is pretty nice, most of the special effects are good and the story, although limited, moves along at a steady pace so you wont get bored. Fichtners side character is also quite cool. The things a dont like about the film are some cliche dialogs with silly one liners and the feeling that the makers aim for cult status. Too bad the movie isnt good enough for it, but if you hear a title like Drive Angry you expect a simple action movie and thats exactly what you get. Always nice from time to time.

• Director: George Nolfi
• Release Date: March 2011
• Writers: George Nolfi, Philip K. Dick
• Run Time: 105
• Genre: Romance, Thriller

Tagline: Your Future Has Been Adjusted

Review: Fate, coincidence and free will come at odds with one another in this sci-fi romance re-imagined by George Nolfi from the short story, Adjustment Team, by sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick. Nolfis plot can go from interesting and intriguing to downright silly at times but the main attraction is not the narrative. It is the pulsating chemistry between lead stars Matt Damon and the sensually beguiling Emily Blunt set in all the famous spots of Manhattan and NYC.

Having been to New York City recently, I find the sets nostalgic, and I am defenseless to the charms of Emily Blunt.

Young Senate candidate for New York City, David Norris (Damon), is rehearsing his speech in the mens restroom when a beautiful stranger (Blunt, right, with Damon) emerges from one of the stalls and starts chatting with him. Before she leaves, in quite a hurry, they have an impulsive, passionate kiss, and he is smitten. Their next encounter in a city bus has to be by chance, and he learns that her name is Elise. He is determined to call her. To court her…

And then David comes across a bunch of Men in Black suits and hats, led by a Mr Richardson (John Slattery), who says bluntly, we are the people who make sure things go according to plan. Davids relationship with the free-spirited Elise is NOT part of their plan and he must not see her again, for both his and her own good! The rest of the movie is, of course, the tussle between Love and Fate for David. After being charmed by Elise, a rising star ballerina, we can understand why David is bent on seeing her. We can also understand how their relationship would possibly wreck their careers, and why David would want to take a chance on that. David and Elise seem so perfect for each other that we root for them.

It is good that Nolfi has written such a romantic angle into this Dick tale instead of turning it into another action flick like Total Recall, Paycheck and Screamers. He could have polished up a bit more on the second half to keep it from becoming childish, though. Still, the notion of Fates personified could not be taken too seriously, and it would be better to just go along with the flow of the love story so charmingly portrayed by Damon and Blunt, and supported by a sympathetic Anthony Mackie and menacing Terence Stamp as members of the Adjustment Bureau.

• Director: Shana Feste
• Release Date: January 2011
• Writers: Shana Feste
• Run Time: 117
• Genre: Drama, Music

Tagline: It does not matter where you have been as long as you come back strong.

Review: I just saw this movie today. I cannot understand why it was rated so poorly and it just shows that I am glad I dont listen to the critics. There are so many that dont like it because they compare it to past movies that are somewhat similar. I have seen very few movies like this especially ones that are based on country so I came in very unbiased. Just take the movie for what it is, on its own, for a great script and story!

The acting was sensational. The singing which was done by the actors themselves was fabulously passionate and real. Gwyneth, Garrett, and especially Leighton, WOW! The story line? Big deal if it is similar to others. This movie seemed so very real to what it could actually be like. Gwyneths acceptance to be the character she has to be was remarkable. She had humor, terrific talent and as a woman and wife whos husband had forgotten how to be a husband and partner, she was passionate and playful yet sad and lost. Once again she showed how wonderful and talented an actress she really is.

Garrett and Leighton played their roles very professionally, very real and we need to see more of them.

I love this movie. It had a profound affect on me being a musician and someone who had felt the loss of hope the exact same way Kelly did in this movie.

If the critics hadnt beaten it up so much, this movie would have rocked at the box office! Top marks to all involved. Thank you for doing this!