Predators

Films that know exactly what they are about have a pretty big leg-up over those that don’t. For instance, a horror thriller that is aware of its quintessentially-80s roots has a unique advantage over a bad horror movie that takes itself way too seriously. Predators, fortunately, is the former. From the opening shot, Predators puts the action in overdrive. At several moments throughout the picture, the explosions, falls, and battles are so violently over the top, it is as if the director is winking at the audience, embracing the flash …

Inception

With a gigantic budget, Christopher Nolan had some pretty giant expectations to live up to with Inception. After the incredible success of The Dark Knight, we knew he had the vision for great things; but Inception works with unfamiliar material, in a world that hasn’t already been explored and fleshed out for us.
Not only did Nolan and his stellar cast live up to expectations—they surpassed them with ease. The visuals, the story, the writing, even the music; the film comes out firing on all cylinders. Going in, I expected to …

Solitary Man

Obviously, this post is coming a little late. Our illustrious review team (Brian) composed this weeks ago, but we have only now been able to get it up. In other words, rent this movie if you can’t see it in theaters, because 4 and 1/2 MovieHumans is tied for the highest rating we’ve ever given.
Who would have thought that Michael Douglas still had an ace up his sleeve?  I didn’t, but after watching Solitary Man, I couldn’t help but sit back in my seat, impressed at the acting chops …

Iron Man II

If it is entertainment you seek, seek no further. Seriously, this movie is all about fun, and it spares no expense in bringing it to you. Surprisingly, it doesn’t cheat its audience out of the character development and decent script that its predecessor offered, instead presenting a sound combination of style and substance that one doesn’t often find in a sequel.
Robert Downey Jr. has solidified his “comeback” and is now just a great actor at work. His charisma carries the film through any of the low points of …

Get Him to the Greek

Our little website is moving up in the world: today we were privileged to be invited to an advance screening of Get Him to the Greek. We can’t tell you how much we were blown away by the surprise hit Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the movie that originated the character of Aldous Snow, the eponymous out-of-control rock star played by Russell Brand in both films. It had fresh young talent, a beautiful backdrop, and a hilarious script. Get Him to the Greek pretty much …

Crazy Heart

Crazy Heart’s greatest triumph and its greatest footfall both stem from the same aspect of the film: character.  Don’t expect any grand set pieces, thrilling conflicts, or passionate romances here.  The movie is founded upon the very simple concept of delving into its characters as deeply and completely as possible.  Jeff Bridges shines as Bad Blake, indeed perhaps giving the most intensely committed performance of his career.  At the same time, however, the character that he is portraying is somewhat flawed at its roots.  The film attempts to portray …

Repo Men

Repo Men (not to be confused with the steam punk oddity Repo Man), at its best moments, is a Pulp Fiction-style adrenaline shot to the chest.  It’s no coincidence that the finale of the film contains a scene that almost exactly copies Tarantino’s famous segment.  Be prepared for what you’re walking into: it’s no messy blood bath, but gore abounds, and the hits come fast and heavy.  Critics so far seem to be disparaging the film (for instance, Rotten Tomatoes currently grades it at 20 percent, a metaphorical death-blow …

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a film that tries desperately to pander to as wide an audience as possible, while employing a mostly B-cast list and a couple of overly dramatized so-called “twists.”  I have to admit- I was pleasantly surprised after seeing this movie that I was not forced to gouge my eyes out, but there’s just not enough here to justify the existence of the film in the first place.  It is convinced, for some reason, that it breaks new ground, but …

Sherlock Holmes

Some films are discussed in the public forum simply as a result of their lead actors; Sherlock Holmes is a pretty good example.  This is the film that shocked fans of the eternal Sherlock Holmes when they learned that their beloved detective was going to be played by playboy Robert Downey, Jr.  Everyone who was not a Sherlock Holmes fan was thrilled to find their favorite Iron Man star back in another mega-role that would take advantage of his snappy one-lining talent.  We at MovieHuman would like to suggest …

Daybreakers

If you have read any of our reviews lately, you would know that the word “entertaining” has been popping up a lot. After watching Daybreakers, the MovieHuman tried to come up with a more fitting adjective but was, unfortunately, unable to do so. The futuristic vampire flick is replete with excellent actors performing a middling script and a chain of deus ex machina moments to rival the final scene of The Hobbit—but the cool factor that the camera-work, leading man (Ethan Hawke), occasional startling moment, and general premise allow Daybreakers …