Movie Review: The Last Legion - Starring Colin Firth, Aishwarya Rai & Ben Kingsley
Released: August 17th, 2007
Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.
Ticket Price: $7.50 Matinee
Refreshments: Large Popcorn, Small Drink & Butterfinger Minis
Starring: Colin Firth, Aishwarya Rai & Ben Kingsley
Director: Doug Lefler
Rating: Check it Out When it Hits the Likes of HBO or Showtime
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Romulus Augustus is the last emperor of Rome and after its fall is now a prisoner on the island of Capri. A wise teacher, Ambrosinus, and his legionnaire, Aurelius, help him to escape from Capri. After doing so, he and his men head to Britannia in search of the fabled Dragon Legion and what is now known as the beginning of the Arthurian legend.
Review: The Last Legion, based in part on Valerio Massimo Manfredi’s book
The premise is a good one. A tale of love, loss, epic journeys, rescues and sword wielding battle scenes set in 460 A.D. that becomes the beginnings of the Arthurian legend. The main problem is they couldn’t seem to choose between big epic drama and being, well, corny. Mostly, as long as they weren’t talking, it was an okay adventure movie.
Yet, what struck me is that this movie has a heart and makes an emotional connection with the audience during a few scenes, which the epic 300
Another plus was Aishwarya Rai (Bride and Prejudice), the Bollywood star. She is very good and kicks some serious ass in a couple of well-choreographed fight scenes. She and these scenes are the best the movie has to offer.
Overall, you should check it out when it hits the likes of HBO or Showtime. If you are already paying for one of the premium cable movie channels, then you should wait until it premieres there. No need to waste your dollars at the theater, as not very many were at the showing I went to. There were a total of four other people who sat in one of the theater’s smaller auditoriums to watch The Last Legion in the last matinee showing of the day.
What New Movies Come Out Friday, August 17th?
This week is the invasion of the superbad last legion on the big screen, as there are nine new movies being released. Three open wide and six are in limited release.
Opening Nationwide on Friday, August 17th:
Movie: The Invasion (PG-13)
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Jeffrey Wright & Jeremy Northam
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror Thriller
Synopsis: When the space shuttle crashes under mysterious circumstances, it is discovered that there was something alien in the wreckage. People who come in contact with it change and become unfeeling and inhuman. A psychiatrist and her friend find the real truth of the growing epidemic, as it continues to attack people while they sleep. Now she just needs to stay awake and find her son, who make hold the key to putting an end to the devastation.
First Thoughts: This remake of a remake
Movie: The Last Legion (PG-13) (Read Review)
Starring: Aishwarya Rai, Colin Firth & Ben Kingsley
Genre: Historical Epic
Synopsis: Twelve year old Romulus Augustus is the last emperor of Rome and after its fall is now a prisoner on the island of Capri. A wise teacher, Ambrosinus, and his legionnaire, Aurelius, help him to escape from Capri. After doing so, he and his men head to Britannia in search of the fabled Dragon Legion and what is now known as the beginning of the Arthurian legend. Based on Valerio Massimo Manfredi’s book
First Thoughts: This has not been a good time of year for the historical epic in recent years, but maybe this one is actually good, or maybe those having seen 300
Movie: Superbad (R)
Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader & Seth Rogen
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: Two high school seniors are out to score at a graduation party. They attempt to score some booze and pick up some babes and join the in-crowd, but they get separated and when two bored cops get involved, their mission will be in jeopardy.
First Thoughts: Jude Apatow, the guy behind Knocked Up
Movies in Limited Release this Friday:
- The 11th Hour – Leo DeCaprio tells us the world will soon come to an end.
- Death at a Funeral – Black comedy about wacky family interactions at the funeral their father.
- Delirious – Comedy satire starring Steve Buscemi as a paparazzi photographer that wants to be a real photographer that takes on a homeless man as his assistant and hands out life lessons and amusing anecdotes along the way.
- The King of Kong – Documentary about two guys competing to be in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest score playing Donkey Kong.
- Love for Sale – Story about a single mother in Brazil and her struggle to get her and her son out of their hometown.
- Manda Bala (Send a Bullet) – Political biography of how class warfare and corruption are bringing down Brazilian society, as seen through the eyes of wealthy businessmen.
The movies Artic Tale and The Ten expand this weekend.
For New Movie Friday there are four new movies at a theater near me this week. They are The Invasion, The Last Legion, Superbad and Death at a Funeral. What new movie will you be heading out to see this week?
Movie Review: Rush Hour 3 - Starring Jackie Chan & Chris Tucker
Released: August 10th, 2007
Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.
Ticket Price: $5.00 Early Matinee
Refreshments: Swedish Fish
Starring: Jackie Chan & Chris Tucker
Director: Brett Ratner
Rating: Wait for the Rental, if Not Longer
Synopsis: The guys are in Paris this time and have a run in with the Chinese Triad crew. Comedy and martial arts action is supposed to ensue.
Review: It’s official. The Rush Hour franchise has completely run out of gas. If you’ve seen either Rush Hour
It is too bad really, as I liked both previous incarnations, but they bring nothing new to the table here. And, when the outtakes played during the credits are the funniest part of the movie, well, it’s just sad.
Chris Tucker is mildly amusing, like in the “Yu” and “Mi” takeoff on the classic Abbott & Costello routine, “Who’s On First?”
Jackie Chan gives just what you’d expect, some great fight and stunt sequences. But, he was also pretty funny and not just in the outtakes. More of his jokes landed than Tucker’s and given the comparative number of funny lines attempted by each of the two, well, it’s also, just plain sad.
As for the story, the duo is on the search for the person responsible for attempting to kill the Chinese ambassador at a meeting of the World Court in Los Angeles, which Chan’s character was the head of security for. And, if you don’t know who the “unknown” bad guy is by the time the two of them head off for Paris, then you most definitely checked your brain at the door. Maybe that would have made the movie better, had I done so, as Ratner and the writer don’t even attempt to mask it, by giving you any real options.
There is a big difference between predictability, where you think something is going to happen and then it does, as opposed to knowing something is going to happen and then it does. There is a whole lot of the latter in Rush Hour 3.
So far, in this summer of the threequel, only The Bourne Ultimatum has really lived up to its predecessors. Overall, Rush Hour 3 ranks at the bottom of that list, but might be worth seeing at some point. I would wait for the rental, if not longer. Ultimately, you’ll be better off just renting the first one, if you need to fill the action comedy void this weekend.
What New Movies Start Playing Friday, August 10th?
This week there are nine new movies being released. Four open wide and five are in limited release.
Opened Nationwide on Wednesday, August 8th:
Movie: Daddy Day Camp (PG-13)
Starring: Cuba Gooding, Jr., Lochlyn Munro, Richard Gant & Tamala Jones
Genre: Family Comedy
Synopsis: Two fathers decide to take over a rundown summer camp and comedy ensues.
First Thoughts: Might be good for the family crowd, but doesn’t interest me.
Opening Nationwide on Friday, August 10th:
Movie: Rush Hour 3 (PG-13) (Read Review)
Starring: Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker
Genre: Action Comedy
Synopsis: The guys are in Paris this time and have a run in with the Chinese Triad crew. Comedy and martial arts action ensues.
First Thoughts: I liked the first two, so this looks like a contender for this week’s movie pick.
Movie: Skinwalkers (PG-13)
Starring: Jason Behr, Elias Koteas, Rhona Mitra & Kim Coates
Genre: Horror
Synopsis: A boy about to turn thirteen is about to find out that is birthday marks his transformational beginning. His mother fears that he is sick, but those that have been guarding him since his birth know what is really going on. When the red moon is full, he will fulfill his family’s destiny, but this puts his life in total danger and a fierce battle between factions of Skinwalkers breaks out.
First Thoughts: I have heard that this is not a very good movie and horror is not my forte, so this is not a likely selection.
Movie: Stardust (PG-13)
Starring: Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Sienna Miller & Ricky Gervais
Genre: Fantasy Adventure
Synopsis: A young man heads into the land of fairies to find a fallen star in order to win the heart of the woman he desires. Instead of a star he finds a beautiful girl. He is not the only one seeking this star, as a king’s four sons are fighting each other to get there first, so they can assume the thrown and an evil witch that wants to use her to become eternally young and beautiful. He tries to protect her from these suitors that would do her harm. This all leads to some romance, adventure, and encounters with pirates and shady traders. If he can survive using his wits and the strength found from his newfound love, he might just uncover his true identity.
First Thoughts: This actually looks like it might be pretty good and has an outstanding cast.
Movies in Limited Release this Friday:
- 2 Days in Paris – Romantic comedy starring Adam Goldberg and Julie Delpy where a couple tries to reenergize their marriage with a trip to Paris.
- Cut Sleeve Boy – Comedy drama about two aging Asian gay men in London after the death of one of their friends.
- Dans Paris – A young Parisian is headed down the same deadly path of depression that led his sister to kill herself after he suffers a brutal breakup.
- Descent – Psychological thriller starring Rosario Dawson as a woman with everything but who still feels alone. After being violated she pulls away from everything she knows and sets out to avenge her attack.
- Rocket Science – Coming of age comedy about a teenager attempting to conquer the mysteries of love, life and public speaking where everyone is messed up and in need of human connections.
The movie Becoming Jane expands nationwide this week.
For New Movie Friday there are seven new movies at a theater near me this week. They are Daddy Day Camp, Rush Hour 3, Skinwalkers and Stardust. What new movie will you be heading out to see this week?
-
Subscribe via RSS
