Summer of the Threquel Continues
First it was Spider-Man 3, then it was Shrek the Third and then came Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Now Ocean’s Thirteen cons its way into theaters nationwide.
So, Surf’s Up for Ocean’s Thirteen this Friday. I am not in to the animated movies, although I really liked The Incredibles
What I am really hoping for is that Ocean’s Thirteen has more of the feel of the first one
What will you be heading out to see this weekend?
What New Movies Come Out Friday, June 8th?
Four new movies open this Friday. Three open wide and one is in limited release.
Movies Opening Nationwide on Friday, June 8th:
Movie: Hostel: Part II (R)
Starring: Roger Bart, Heather Matarazzo, Bijou Phillips & Richard Burgi
Genre: Horror
Synopsis: A weekend trip for three American students studying in Rome turns sick and twisted. They meet a model from one of their classes and set off for an exotic location for a relaxing and rejuvenation. But, it looks like there are other plans in store for the three, as the grisly fantasies of the privileged are about to secretly play out.
First Thoughts: If you like blood and guts horror and seeing young women butchered, then this is the movie for you.
Movie: Ocean’s Thirteen (PG-13) (Read Review)
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin, Andy Garcia & Al Pacino
Genre: Crime Comedy
Synopsis: When Danny Ocean’s mentor and friend is double-crossed and hurt by big time casino owner Willy Bank, the gang gets together to make him pay. They set out to ruin opening night of his new casino by changing the house odds in their favor.
First Thoughts: What are the odds of getting even? Well, pretty good considering we are already at even, with Ocean’s Eleven
Movie: Surf’s Up (PG)
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder & James Woods
Genre: Animated Family Comedy
Synopsis: Cody Maverick is a penguin and an up and coming surfer. He gets into his first pro surfing competition. He thinks that if he wins he will be respected and admired. With camera crews following his every move and promoters wanting a piece of him he finally learns a valuable lesson.
First Thoughts: Shia LeBeouf is everywhere. Whether under house arrest, a maverick penguin or transforming into an action star, he is having quite the year.
Movies in Limited Release this Week:
- La Vi En Rose – The story of Edith Piaf and her rise from the slums of Paris to the limelight of New York. She had a magical voice and many passionate relationships and friendships with famous people of the day like: Jean Cocteau, Marlene Dietrich, Marcel Cerdan and many others. She became a worldwide star. But in the end she could not keep herself from a tragic destiny.
For New Movie Friday there are only three opening at a theater near me on Friday. Hostel: Part II, Ocean’s Thirteen and Surf’s Up. It looks as though the summer of the threquel continues this Friday. What new movie will you be heading out to see this weekend?
Movie Review: Mr. Brooks - Starring Kevin Costner, Dane Cook, Demi Moore & William Hurt
Released: June 1st, 2007
Runtime: 2 hr. 00 min.
Ticket Price: $5.00 Early Matinee
Refreshments: Swedish Fish
Starring: Kevin Costner, Dane Cook, Demi Moore & William Hurt
Director: Bruce A. Evans
Rating: Worth a Rental
Synopsis: The story of a family man and pillar of the community who is actually quite a flawed individual, as he is a sadistic killer. He wants to quit but just can’t. Detective that has her own problems is trying to figure out who is committing these murders. After being seen by a voyeur that then wants to know what it is like to do what he does. An extremely dangerous game plays out.
Review: Mr. Brooks is a psychological thriller that promises a twist you won’t see coming and in the end left me feeling unsatisfied and wondering which of the many twists was supposed to be the big one. I think the big twist is that they made me think that there might actually be one and then there wasn’t.
There are four types of thrillers: 1. Halfway through you know what the twist is going to be. 2. Right before the twist happens you know what is about to happen. 3. The twist happens and you’re like, yah, I can see that. 4. What the…? Holy…! Unbelievable, I can’t believe they got me.
Many a film promises to be a category 4, but ends up a category 3 or lower. Unfortunately, way too many languish in category 1. Mr. Brooks is one that wants to be a 4, but, alas, is not. Maybe, if you added up the number of twists attempted, you might reach four. Or, better yet, if you added up the actors on screen that were portraying some aspect of a serial killer or one in the making, you could end up at four. But, if you are looking for that WTF? moment, it doesn’t ever come.
On the good side of things is the acting. Mr. Brooks stars Kevin Costner (The Guardian, Bull Durham) as a serial killer, one with an alter ego seen only by him played by William Hurt (The Good Shepherd, A History of Violence). The scenes of banter between them keep you interested, as their performances are quite good. Costner is actually really good as the reluctant but addicted killer. Also, in the good performance department, as a serial killer wannabe, is Dane Cook (Employee of the Month). He plays a good psycho. Wait; is there such a thing? Anyway, much of the acting is very good in the film. The acting is not the problem.
What is? Well, the directing and editing. There were quite a few choices made in putting this film together that leave you wondering, what were they thinking? The one moment in the movie that might make you jump, is a cheap one. Anybody can put together a quiet scene and then out of nowhere blast the sound briefly. That is cheap, indeed, especially when you are promised more in the way of chills and thrills than that.
Another scene that doesn’t work is a shootout in cramped quarters. Not because no one can’t hit anybody, but because all of a sudden it is shot like you are in some 1960s drug induced haze. It was like it was part of another movie, not this one.
When the credits do finally roll, the feeling that the movie should have ended about five minutes ago comes over you. The final scenes seem tacked on for the express purpose of attempting to fulfill the promise that it has yet to deliver. Ultimately, you should wait for the rental. I wish I had.
Have you seen it? What did you think about Mr. Brooks?
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