Reel Review: "Scott Pilgrim vs the World"

I originally had no intention of seeing this movie, but I saw it anyway! Michael Cera once again plays a nerdy guy, but this time around that nerdy guy is Scott Pilgrim. Let me start off by saying that this movie kind of takes place in a video game type of world. At leasts that's how I interpreted it! Anyway, Scott Pilgrim plays the bass guitar in a band called "Sex Bob-omb!" When the movie begins he is dating a high school girl named Knives, but the relationship ends when he meets a girl named Ramona Flowers. The two of them awkwardly fall in love, but somehow they wind up in bed together on their first date! Unfortunately, if Scott wants to continue dating Ramona he must defeat her "Seven Evil Exes!" The movie is of course cheesy, but the whole "Seven Evil Exes" thing makes it even cheesier. Like I said though, it's like a video game, so I guess defeating the "Seven Evil Exes" is how someone would win. There are only a few well known actors, or at least a few that I know well. Michael Cera can of course play the geek, but I'm definitely ready to see him do something else. Anna Kendrick did well in a small role as Scott Pilgrim's sister. Chris Evans played one of the "Evil Exes," and was probably my favorite of the seven. The actor who stole the movie though was Kieran Culkin. He played Scott Pilgrim's gay roommate and was hilarious! One last thing I want to mention is that the movie was very well edited. This film certainly won't be for everyone, but to be honest, I kind of enjoyed it!

Rental of the Week: "Sixteen Candles"

Now I'm not a HUGE fan of John Hughes movies, but since I am celebrating my 16th birthday this week, I figured "Sixteen Candles" would be good to recommend! Molly Ringwald, who most of my generation might know from "The Secret Life of the American Teenager, stars as a sophomore named Samantha (Sam) Baker. If you couldn't infer from the film's title, Sam turns 16 on the day the movie takes place. Unfortunately her older sister is getting married soon, and the entire family forgets all about her birthday. Of course Sam has a love interest at school who just happens to be a very popular boy named Jake. Even though it seems Sam's chances with Jake are slim to none, there is another boy who is interested in Sam. Ted (Anthony Michael Hall) may be a geek, but he still has his eyes on Samantha... Do I need to continue? There are many subplots rather than one main storyline, but it's probably worth your time if you want a good laugh!

Rental of the Week: "Old Yeller"

so many good dog movies have been released over the years, but my personal favorite is "Old Yeller!" The 1957 Disney classic is based on the book "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson. Growing up in Texas during the 1860's, a young boy named Travis has been given the responsibility of taking care of the family ranch while his father goes off on a cattle drive. Travis' mother and younger brother help him tend to the farm, but perhaps the most help comes from a stray yellow dog. At first, Travis wants nothing to do with the stray, but soon the dog, Old Yeller, becomes a loyal friend and helps protect the family farm. In my opinion, "Old Yeller" is the best dog movie out there, and I guarantee it will not only make you cry, but smile as well!

Rental of the Week: "That Darn Cat"

So this week I'm going to be recommending a cat movie and a dog movie. Obviously, today's recommendation is a cat movie. "That Darn Cat" stars Hayley Mills as the owner of a siamese cat named "DC" (Darn Cat)! Her character, Patti, has an older sister named Ingrid (Dorothy Provine), and both girls are home alone throughout the film, for their parents are traveling during the time in which the movie takes place. But let's not forget "DC," who, like most cats, happens to be a prowler. One night during his "rounds," the cat begins to follow a bank robber named Iggy. "DC" follows the robber all the way to an apartment in which he and his partner, Dan, are holding a bank teller hostage. The bank teller, who's name is Margaret, is able to take of "DC's collar and sneak her watch around his neck. On the watch she has written a (call for help) message, but she is only able to scratch H-E-and part of an L on the back of the watch before Dan notices something suspicious. However, "DC" leaves the apartment with the watch around his neck, and the men no nothing about it. As Margaret hoped, "DC's" owner finds the watch and realizes that that a call for help has been scratched on the back of the watch. Patti immediately goes to the FBI and teams up with an agent named Zeke Kelso (Dean Jones) to solve the case. How exactly do they find who they're looking for? Well, let's just say it involves FBI following "DC" around! But will "DC" lead them to the robbers? You'll have to watch the movie to find out! Now, this may sound like a mystery, and it is, but even more so it is a comedy! Trust me, you will laugh until you cry!

Reel Review: "Ramona and Beezus"

It is rare these days for a family, friendly film to hit the big screen, but the new movie "Ramona and Beezus" may just fit into that genre. Based on a book series by Beverly Cleary, the film stars newcomer Joey King as Ramona, and Disney star Selena Gomez as Beezus. The two girls are sisters in the movie, but in reality that would be impossible because Selena comes from a mexican descent and Joey does not. Despite the fact that they don't look like sisters, they kind of pull it off (Joey more so than Selena)! Ramona, who is a young third grader, has an extraordinary imagination, and as a result, she lives a life of irre, sponsible fun. John Corbett stars as Ramona's father, who seems to understand her excessive energy, but not as well as her Aunt "Bea," who's played by Ginnifer Goodwin. Though, Beezus just sees Ramona as a pest, no one misunderstands her more than her teacher, Mrs. Meachamaka Sandra Oh ("Grey's Anatomy"). I wouldn't say that there is a specific plot, although, on top of Ramona's mischievous antics, her father has lost his job and is having a hard time finding a new one. Also, Aunt "Bea" is falling in love with her high school sweetheart (Josh Duhamel) who is back in town. Though Selena has more of a minor role than the trailers and previews led us to believe, her character also has a sub-plot in which she is falling in love with her childhood friend, Henry. As a whole, this film is cute, but is VERY slow paced. I think it it worth seeing, but you certainly don't have to rush out to a movie theater. Also, it may be family, friendly film, but in my opinion it is more of a mother/daughter flick. It could even be considered a chick flick. One of the most recent family films that I would say is a true family film is "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl," which stars Abigail Breslin. Though "Ramona and Beezus" is family friendly, in my opinion "Kit Kittredge" is a much better movie!

Rental of the Week: "Bonnie and Clyde"

"Bonnie and Clyde" is certainly not a "feel good" flick," but it's still worth watching! Faye Dunaway stars as Bonnie Parker, an innocent waitress living in Texas during the middle of the Great Depression. One day, a man named Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) shows up at her house and tries steal her mother's car. For some reason, Bonnie is fascinated by Clyde, and instead of reporting him to the police for theft, she decides to join him as his partner in crime. Their tag-line is as follows... "We rob banks!" And yes, they rob banks! The couple are quickly joined by a naive gas station attendant named C. W. Moss. Clyde's older brother, Buck, and Buck's wife, Blanche also join the group that becomes known as The Barren Gang. Whether you're rooting for the gang, or you're against them, the entire movie will keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense. Oh, and I guarantee the ending will leave you speechless!

Rental of the Week: "Comes a Horseman"

So I've been wanting to recommend a classic western, but then I realized that I'm a not big fan of westerns and haven't watched that many, but now that I've seen "Comes a Horseman," I think I'll give westerns another shot! The movie stars Jane Fonda as a single woman named Ella Conners. Ella is a cattle rancher, and she is being pressured into selling her failing cattle farm by her not so nice ex-lover, Jacob "J. W." Ewing (Jason Robards). Ella has no intention of giving up her farm, so she turns to her neighbor, Frank Athearn, for help. Frank, who is played by James Caan, agrees to help Ella, and eventually the two fall in love. Unfortunately, it seems that "J. W." will stop at nothing to get her land, but will he ever get? You'll have to watch the movie to find out! The movie also stars Richard Farnsworth, who won an Oscar for his supporting role. Overall, it's definitely worth your time, especially the last ten minutes!