Another week or so has gone by and more movies have been watched. This entry will include selections from the "Red Box" as suggested by Tasia in the last review. Although the first review is a movie that can be found at either Blockbuster, or our own local and friendly Movies in Motion, located next to Wilson Farms on East Main Street.
Battle In Seattle - a movie that actually released in May of 2007. Directed by Stuart Townsend, and rated R by the MPAA for language and some violence. Starring Woody Harrelson, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, Andre Benjamin, Ray Liotta and Channing Tatum. I am sometimes hesitant to watch movies with such a stacked cast, as I've often been disappointed when the movie fails to pull through. I suppose with a huge cast of superior actors, I tend to expect it should be a great movie! But this cast of actors was an excellent choice and I was very pleased with the film.
The film is set in November of 1999, based on true events as thousands of demonstrators take to the streets of Seattle in protest of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It brings together the lives of six different people, who are all united in their common desire to want to make a difference in the world. The movie goes on to potray the characters lives as their peaceful demonstration to stop the WTO quickly escalates into a violent and horrific riot. Townsend did an excellent job or merging footage of the real events that took place in Seattle riots with his own story, which I found was one of the great aspects of the film.
I went into this movie not knowing much if anything at all about the WTO, but believe that this is a movie that was well put togeher, and highly recommended. Its a heart-warming movie that portrays the power of the "human spirit to overcome, to work together and to forgive."
IMDB users rated this movie 7*'s out of 10.
Now on to the "Red Box"... for those of you who find yourselves on the go!
Batavia has two Red Box locations you can find in either our local Tops, or Walmart.
You can always go the "Academy nominations" route, and watch the films such as Milk starring Sean Penn. Rated 8*'s of 10 by IMDB users. The movie is based on Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California's first openly gay elected official. MPAA rated this movie R for language, some sexual content and brief violence. Or Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Rated 7*'s of 10 by IMBD users. Australia takes place before World War II and has been describe as a film that "works on multiple levels; thrilling action adventure, detailed period piece, moving romance, stirring war movie, and it also continues the resurrection of the western."
If are you an action/thriller person; Transporter 3 starring Jason Statham. Rated 5.9*'s out of 10 by IMDB users. Stathams character, Frank Martin is to deliver Valentina, played by Natalya Rudakova, the kidnapped daughter of a Ukranian government official. Its the third in the series of the Transporter movies, and I'd have to say it wasn't as entertaining in my opinion as the first 2. MPAA rated thie film PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, some sexual content and drug material. Righteous Kill starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Rated 6.1*'s of 10 by IMDB users, I'd have to say I'd rate it 5/10. It was not the best script for two truly great actors. I found the film to be somewhat predictable, but all in all found it a mediocre movie. MPAA rated Righteous Kill, R for violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and brief drug use. Wanted starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy. IMDB users rated this movie 6.9*'s out of 10. James McAvoy plays a character who discovers he is the son of a professional assassin and shares his fathers superhuman abilities. I personally enjoyed this movie, and found it entertaining and creative. I recommend it to those of you who are the "superhero movie" watchers. MPAA rated the film R for strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and some sexuality.
Also at some Red Box locations, for those who like to read, and enjoy the compare and contrast to a books debut film; I suggest Twilight and Marley and Me. For families with children, you may find of interest, Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa, Bedtime Stories, or Beverly Hills Chihuahua (none of which I have seen, so I cannot give any personal reference to.
Stay tuned for more reviews...
