Monday, June 29, 2009

Monday At the Movies: June Movies & Action Heroes

Monday's Movie is hosted by Sheri at A Novel Menagerie.

Movie: Up (2009)
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG
Directed By: Pete Docter & Bob Peterson (co-director)
Writers: Bob Peterson & Pete Docter (screenplay)
Pete Docter, Thomas McCarthy & Bob Peterson (story)

From Netflix:
After a lifetime of dreaming of traveling the world, 78-year-old homebody Carl (voiced by Ed Asner) is lured into an unbelievable adventure, thanks in part to the persistence of Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer (Jordan Nagai). Together, the unlikely pair embarks on a thrilling odyssey full of jungle beasts and rough terrain. Other voices include the renowned Christopher Plummer and Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger.
I wanted to love this film. I really did. I even got teary-eyed during the telling of Carl's life story, about how he met his wife and their life together. And yet, I left the theater feeling unsatisfied. On one hand the movie was a beautiful, somewhat sad, redemptive story and on the other it was an entertaining adventure story. The two contrasting personalities of the film just never quite gelled for me. I did like the movie, don't get me wrong. I just didn't love it. Bags of Popcorn: 3


Movie: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Directed By: Gavin Hood
Writers: David Benioff & Skip Woods

From Netflix:
This action-packed prequel to the popular X-Men films explores Marvel Comics character Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the events that influenced the mutant before the Weapon X program bonded his skeleton with the powerfully strong metal alloy adamantium. After the death of his girlfriend, Wolverine seeks vengeance against supervillain Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber). Ryan Reynolds, Danny Huston and Lynn Collins co-star.
I really liked the first and second X-Men movies. While the third one wasn't quite as good as the first two, I still enjoyed it. So, of course, there was no question that I would see Wolverine. I had heard the chatter and read a few reviews of the movie before hand and so knew not to expect much going in. There were plenty of great action sequences and Hugh Jackman looked terrific, all of which I expected. And while I know these types of stories demand suspension of disbelief right from the start, this one really pushed the envelope for me. I am not quite sure what bothered me about it: the fact that the plot seemed so convoluted or that it was downright silly at times. So, maybe I should have listened to my husband and waited to see this one on DVD. Still, it was an entertaining film. Bags of Popcorn: 3



The Monday Movie Meme is brought to you by The Bumbles.

This week's movie topic is all about Action Heroes . . .

Summer is in full swing and that means it is time for the blockbuster releases. You know, big budget flicks where things get dicey, blow up, burn down, and in the end - saved - by those quintessential action heroes. Here are some that we feel best represent the genre.

Jason Bourne - Bourne Series

Wolverine - X-Men Series

Aragorn - Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Captain Steven Hiller - Independence Day

Batman - Batman Begins & The Dark Knight

Lara Croft - Tomb Raider Series

Ellen Ripley -Alien Series

Trinity -Matrix Series

Lola - Run Lola Run

Charlie's Angels

(Note: I'm a non-gender specific kind of gal. Action heroes to me can be men or women. Watch, next week the question will be to name action heroines. That's okay. At least I got a head start.)


27 comments:

  1. Oh yea agree with all your action hero pics. Personally I think Ripply has to be the all time action hero, she is so bad ass in Aliens.

    Thats a shame about Up, that it didnt wow you. I will still probably go and see it anyway :)

    I agree with Wolverine I found the plot time line really distracting I just couldnt work out how it was supposed to fit in. But like you said it is a superhero movie so gotta suspend the usual rules just a smidgen.

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  2. Thanks for the review!

    I linked you in!

    Sheri
    A Novel Menagerie

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  3. Good choice of action hero's! I like that you included Lola! I loved Run Lola Run!

    I'm also disappointed that Up didn't blow you away! I love Pixar movies and really wanted this to be another hit!

    Thanks for the great post! And reviews!

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  4. We all enjoyed UP, but felt sad upon leaving the theater.

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  5. Caspette - Ripley really is one action hero who'd I want on my side in a fight!

    Everyone else I know loved UP, and so don't take my word for it. It could have been an off day for me since it wasn't my first choice of movies to see that day anyway.

    Sheri - Thank you, Sheri!

    Suzanne - Run Lola Run was such a good movie. I need to watch that one again.

    I usually really like Pixar movies too. Most people loved it and hopefully you will too. :-)

    Kathy - It was good. I just wish I felt the love for it that so many others felt towards it.

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  6. I will have an award posted for you shortly on my blog. Please check it out! http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/

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  7. I loved Up, but I agree with you about Wolverine. Still love the character, but it may have been the most "meh" movie I've seen this summer - can't remember much about it now, except that yes, Hugh Jackman looked good :-).

    Good choices for the action heroes - you've got a few of my favorites here!

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  8. I agree with you 100% on your review of UP. I have to admit I was a little disappointed.

    -Amy
    (Life by Candlelight)

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  9. The only thing I've heard about up is that Fenton's, an ice cream parlour in my home town, was featured briefly in it.

    Great list of action heroes!

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  10. Hmmm.. sounds like "Up" can wait for video for me. Thanks for the report.

    OK, I'm behind the trend here, but I finally saw "Star Trek" and can recommend it without reservation. For those of us who grew up on the TV show, at least, it's hilarious. All these new/younger comedians in the classic roles (John Cho as Sulu and Simon Pegg as Scottie). I think they must have studied the TV show to get some of those mannerisms down. And...


    SPOILER ALERT!


    Spock gets the girl! How cool is that? (I mean, for all us nerds.)

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  11. If my son hadn't decided to entertain two old "farts:' - his parents, we wouldn't have gone to see "Up." I enjoyed it because it was about an old fart, pardon the language, but I was pissed the mom died and left just the dad. By the way, the movie's no good without the 3D glasses!

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  12. I agree with you on your rating of UP, but I really did enjoy it. I can still hear Ed Asner saying, "No" with his cranky old guy voice. For some reason I found that extremely funny. I don't get out to the movies much ;o)

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  13. I'm enjoying everyone's lists of action heroes. Denis and I went to see "Up" last week. I enjoyed it a great deal but had the feeling that it was missing just a little something. I'm not sure what.

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  14. Have not managed to see all the movies you listed, but I'm definitately looking forward to see Wolverine and Star Trek too. And Transformers. So many movies to see, can't wait to see it from Netflix ;)

    I always looking forward to see your movies reviews and book reviews :)

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  15. I love action hero type movies. Great pictures!

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  16. Charlie's Angels! What an awesome choice. And Kudos to Trinity too - I saw Neo around the posts but she deserves the credit you give her.

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  17. I did two heroines myself. Lara Croft and Jason Bourne were also on mine. I almost put Will Smith from Independence Day but then switched to Antonio Banderas in Desperado. Good picks!

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  18. I thought I was the only person who thought of Lola from Run, Lola Run as a heroine. I absolutely loved that movie. Thanks for the list and the reviews. I am glad I decided to wait for DVD versions.

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  19. I loved Run Lola Run! I saw it at the Vancouver International Film Festival before it was released that year.

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  20. I like your choices of those action heroes. And I enjoyed watching the Wolverine movie; it was great seeing Hugh Jackman on screen! ;P

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  21. Wow! This could have been my list - well, minus Angelina Jolie and Lola. Thankd for letting my mind wander to these sexy heroes.

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  22. Sorry to hear you didn't love UP :( I've been looking forward to it so much that I know I'll be sad if I "just" like it.

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  23. I felt the same way as you did about Up. LOVED the beginning but I think it was those talking dogs that did it to me. I have troubles with talking animals. :) Sounds like I liked Wolverine more than you did--hubby wasn't too impressed either. I can't wait for Public Enemies, though!

    Although I think Angelina is entirely too skinny to be a good action hero, she certainly is hot as Lara Croft. What can I say...

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  24. I really like Lara Croft , Aragorn, and Charlie's Angels. They're my favourite! :D

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  25. Laura - Thank you so much, Laura!

    Florinda - I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority about Up. I wish I had liked it more.

    Amy - It's nice to know I'm not alone. :-)

    Carrie (Patience) - That's neat! Do you think you'll watch the movie just to catch a glimpse of Fenton's?

    Clea - I am glad you enjoyed Star Trek. :-) I can't wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it again.

    Book Bird Dog - I forgot to mention that I did see the movie in 3D. Thanks for reminding me!

    Terri - Ed Asner did do a great job. :-)

    Cathy - It was fun to see everyone's action heroes lists. So many good ones out there. :-)

    Julia - I want to see Transformers too, but will probably wait for it to come out on DVD. Netflix is great, isn't it? So convenient!

    Yvonne - Me too! They're among my favorite kind. :-)

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  26. Molly - I enjoyed the TV show when I was growing up and the movies are so much fun. :-) I thought Trinity deserved a little action movie worship.

    Rebecca - I love the first Tomb Raider movie. I want to be Lara Croft. LOL

    I haven't seen Desperado yet. I need to remedy that.

    Shan - Yes, Run Lola Run was an awesome movie. I really enjoyed it.

    Marie - I hope you enjoy them!

    Teddy - I bet that was cool! I only caught it on DVD. Such a good movie.

    Melody - Hugh Jackman is definitely made for the big screen. :-)

    Stacy - Anytime. ;-)

    Nymeth - I hope you do enjoy Up more than I did. You probably well. :-)

    Trish - Yeah, the talking dogs were a little weird. I still can't get the "Squirrel" yell out of my head.

    I'm hoping to see Public Enemies this weekend. Fingers crossed!

    Alice - They were perfect in their roles. :-)

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