The Box Office

Featuring reviews, previews, and news from Hollywood. Most days will see at least one new review. Keep checking for the latest updates.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Review-"The Godfather"

Rated-R
Runtime-2:55
Genre-Drama, Classic, Crime
Starring-Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
Rotten Tomatoes Score-100% (95% Users)

This was the first time I watched this classic (and #3 on the AFI top 100). Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the movie. I don't really know why it is a classic. For me, it was just another crime movie that was way too long.

The acting was great but I just wasn't a huge fan of the story. It moved way too slow and there was so much that could have been cut out. I can't believe that a movie about mobsters could be so boring at times.

I don't know what it is about the classics that I don't like. Maybe I just go into them with too high of expectations as I am almost always disappointed in these top movies. This was another example.

Pros: Great acting
Cons: Story moves too slow

Rating: ***1/2 (Out of 5)

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Review-"Dude, Where's My Car?"

Rated-PG-13 (language and some sex and drug-related humor)
Runtime-1:23
Genre-Comedy, Stupid Humor
Starring-Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Garner, Kristy Swanson, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and more.
Rotten Tomatoes Score-17% (52% Users)

This is the king of all dumb comedies. If you aren't into that kind of thing, stay far away from this movie. If you do like stupid humor, this may be good to waste an hour and a half.

The one thing I liked about this film was that it was like a treasure hunt for TV fanatics. Jennifer Garner (one of my favorites), Ashton Kutcher, and Hal Sparks were all a part of this film. Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe on 24) also had a small role.

Other than that, this film was very poor. The production quality was absolutely horrible (worse than on TV even). The acting was terrifying. The plot was paperthin and relied on one joke throughout the whole movie (and it wasn't even funny). Most people should stay far away from this pathetic film but those who enjoy stupid humor may have some fun.

Pros: Lots of appearances from some of TV's finest.
Cons: Bad production quality, horrible acting, plot is too thin.

Rating-*1/2 (Out of 5)

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Review-"Lara Croft Tomb Raider"

Rated-PG-13 (action violence and some sensuality)
Runtime-1:40
Genre-Action, Adventure
Starring-Angelina Jolie, Iain Glen, Daniel Craig
Rotten Tomatoes Score-18% (51% Users)

I didn't expect much going into this but I was still disappointed in what I saw. Angelina Jolie did a great job as Lara Croft and there was some good action but the plot was absolutely horrendous and very uninteresting.

I am writing this review ten minutes after I watched the film and I can't even remember the plot of the movie. That is how bad it is. Unfortunately, too much time was spent on it which would have been much better spent on explosions and gunfights. As usual, Angelina Jolie did a fabulous job but nobody else even did an average job (including future Bond, Daniel Craig).

Action film buffs may get some enjoyment out of this but most people could easily skip over this and not miss a thing.

Pros: Angelina Jolie does a great job
Cons: Horrible plot, not enough action, acting sucks except for Jolie.

Rating-** (Out of 5)

Friday, May 26, 2006

Review-"American Pie 2"

Rated-R (strong sexual content, crude humor, language, and drinking)
Runtime-1:51
Genre-Comedy
Starring-Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Chris Klein, and more.
Rotten Tomatoes Score-50% (64% Users)

I actually liked this sequel better than the original. I'm not a huge fan of either though. I mostly just watched for one of my favorite actresses (Alyson Hannigan).

This movie is not for anyone underage. It is rated R for very good reason. There is a whole lot of swearing and sexual content. I'm sure many of you enjoy that but I don't. The acting is better than I thought it would be. These kinds of movies generally have young actors who have no idea what they are doing. The plot is weak and just scribbled together to make a sequel for this high-grossing franchise.

If you like trashy movies, this is definitely for you. If you don't, you still might find some funny moments but you will overall be disapointed.

Pros: Pretty good acting, funny if you are into this kind of humor.
Cons: Very weak story.

Rating-***1/2 (Out of 5)

New on Theaters This Week (May 26)

  • X-Men: The Last Stand (Rotten Tomatoes: 58%, Yahoo!: B-
  • Cavite (limited) (Rotten Tomatoes: 79%)
  • An Inconvenient Truth (limited) (Rotten Tomatoes: 88%, Yahoo!: B+

Also in Theaters:
  • The Da Vinci Code (Rotten Tomatoes: 22%)
  • Over the Hedge (Rotten Tomatoes: 73%)
  • Mission: Impossible III (Rotten Tomatoes: 70%)
  • Poseidon (Rotten Tomatoes: 29%)
  • R.V. (Rotten Tomatoes: 23%)
Are you going to watch anything this weekend?

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Review-"Last Holiday"

While the critics were mixed on this film (it got a 56% on Rotten Tomatoes), I was blown away by it. This is definitely one of the best films I've seen this year (maybe even the best). When a movie can inspire you to improve your life and live it to the fullest, that is the sign of greatness. Everybody should watch it for the inspiration it provides.

Queen Latifah does a great job in the lead role but none of the other actors really stand out. Despite being a comedy, there isn't a ton of laughs. The story is the main draw.

The movie is about a women who is diagnosed with a rare disease that will claim her life in a few weeks. After feeling sorry for herself for a few days, she decides to pick herself up and do everything she has dreamed of doing. It is a great story that is both inspirational and emotional.

Pros: Queen Latifah does a great job in the lead role; the story is great and very inspirational.
Cons: None of the other actors stand out; it isn't that funny.

Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)



After reading my brothers post you would think this is a can't miss movie. I don't totally agree with him though. I agree with him that the story is inspirational. This movie makes you want to live your life to it's fullest. I also agree with him that Queen Latifah does a good job. She is by far the star of the movie. None of the rest of the actors do a very good job. Some even do a poor job.
Now lets get to the faults of this movie. First of all the movie claims to be a comedy but has very few funny moments. I had one other problem. I believe the story dragged on at times. I believe it started off slowly and had some other slow parts as well.
This movie is not for everyone. If you were expecting a comedy you will be sadly disappointed. If you do not like inspirational movies this is not for you. If you like action filled movies this is not for you. If you like a nice feel good story that teaches you a lesson on how to live your life this movie is for you. Be warned this movie has a chance to change your outlook on life.

Pros: Inspirational story, Queen Latifah does good job
Cons: Not very funny, No other actors stand out, slow at times, not for everyone
Rating: *** (out of 5)

Friday, May 19, 2006

All Reviews

All ratings are out of ***** or 100%.

-----A-----
Aeon Flux **
American Pie 2 ***1/2
American Wedding ***

-----B-----
Black Sheep **1/2

-----C-----
Constantine **1/2

-----D-----
Da Vinci Code, The ***
Dharma & Greg: Season One 94%
Dude, Where's My Car? *1/2

-----E-----

-----F-----
Fun With Dick and Jane **1/2



-----G-----
Godfather, The ***1/2

-----H-----

-----I-----

-----J-----

-----K-----

-----L-----
Lara Croft Tomb Raider **
Last Holiday ****1/2

-----M-----
Matrix, The ****
Men in Black ****



-----N-----

-----O-----

-----P-----
Producers, The ****

-----Q-----

-----R-----

-----S-----
Stargate ***

-----T-----

-----U-V-----

-----W-----

-----X-Z-----