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Film Reviewer - Classic, Modern, Obscure, Genre... It All Gets Watched

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Film Reviewer - August 2007

Patience

August 31st 2007 12:55

Once again, I ask your patience with me as I deal with my little ones. I appreciate your patience.

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Posted By: Marti - Category: No Category

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I'll Take Bourne Over Bond Anyday

August 17th 2007 23:37

The Bourne Ultimatum is a clever, action packed rollercoaster of suspense masterfully directed by Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy). Matt Damon returns in his third reprisal as Jason Bourne, a disavowed amnesiac CIA assassin on the run.

In this chapter of the Bourne trilogy, it picks up where the second movie left off, Jason wounded in Moscow and evading the police. He gets away of course, because, let’s face it if they had caught him and kept him, what kind of movie would that have been?

Jason Bourne guides a reporter though Waterloo Station

He finds that a reporter has been writing articles about him and requests a meeting with him. This leads to one of the greatest cat-and-mouse chases through a train station while Bourne helps him via cell phone. (The reporter apparently had some info about Bourne that the government was not too thrilled about). Another quest to find Bourne is sparked and the movie is off and running, even though it begins at a full gallop.

Matt Damon and Julia Stiles as Jason Bourne and Nicky Parsons

Bourne stumbles upon Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) who aids his escape and confesses that they were involved with one another in years past. Together they hoof it to Morocco where an incredible suspenseful labyrinth scene will keep you on the edge of your seat only to be followed by one of the best hand to hand fight sequences on the silver screen.

Special Ops Director Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) is fronting the search for Bourne, with Pamela Landy (reprised by Joan Allen) assisting. CIA Director Ezra Kramer (Scott Glenn) has Landy set up to be a patsy, but thanks to Bourne that doesn’t happen.

In the end it’s Landy that helps Bourne by giving him the address of where everything began, and Jason’s memory finally returns as he confronts Dr. Albert Hirsch (wonderfully played by Albert Finney) and sees where he was “made”. The building gets swarmed by government agents and Bourne makes a masterful escape leaving only speculation on whether he lived or not.

The movie ends with Pamela Landy appearing before a Senate Committee with all the information Bourne had given her. Somewhere, some place, Nicky looks at the television and smirks as the media states no one knows of Bourne’s AKA David Webb’s whereabout.

This movie is one humongous roller coaster ride, with one triple loop after another.

Nicky Parsons discovers which asset is sent to kill Jason Bourne

Beware if you don’t like jostling camera movement…this flick is full of it. During one of the best car chases since Steve McQueen’s Bullitt, you almost lose sight of who is driving what because of all the movement. I almost checked my seat for a safety belt! I loved it though. This is definitely finding it’s way to my DVD collection.

The effects are minimal in Ultimatum, but that doesn’t change the tone of the movie. In fact, in lieu of any kind of special Bond-ish gadgets, Jason simply buys a pre-paid cell phone. The movie is fast paced, and those who haven’t seen the first two movies will probably have a pretty hard time following what all is going on.

Jason Bourne gets the files needed to bring to light the top secret project

I give this movie 4 ½ out of 5 stars. Families with little ones, be advised there is a lot of violence. You know what your kiddos can take.

I know that Matt Damon has said he was done with Bourne, and that this is the last in the series, but I have to beg for another. At least to have Bourne get with Nicky! I know, I know, that is cheesy and selfish, but hey! Doesn’t Bourne deserve to be happy? Don’t we all?

The Bourne Ultimatum
Jason Bourne - Matt Damon
Nicky Parsons - Julia Stiles
Noah Vosen - David Strathairn
Ezra Kramer - Scott Glenn
Simon Ross - Paddy Considine
Paz - Edgar Ramirez
Dr. Albert Hirsch - Albert Finney
Pam Landy - Joan Allen

1 hour, 51 minutes/Rated PG-13 (action violence, profanity)
Rating: PG-13

Matt Damon thrills audiences as Jason Bourne

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Posted By: Marti - Category: No Category

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Underdog Ultimately Enjoyable

August 7th 2007 13:58

As you may have guessed, my children are all about superheroes. We have the X-Men movies, movies about Spidey, Superman, and the Fantastic Four. So naturally, when the newest superhero Underdog graced the silver screen, we HAD to go and check it out…my husband, our four boys and daughter, and myself.

Being that it was opening weekend of both Underdog and The Bourne Ultimatum (which theater my hubby looked longingly at), we had lots of room in the theater. The kids were excited, and bounced in their seats when the movie started. I can only describe it as this:

Underdog is a heroic tale of a no-talent dog who, by a happenstance comes to do great things with his life. There. In a nutshell, that is the movie. But for you, I will go further.

Underdog keeps the city safe under his watch

Jack (Alex Neuberger) is a teen whose mom has died. Dan (Jim Belushi) is his dad who wants to reach out to him. He finds a beagle (who has just been humiliated by his defective nose during a bomb sniffing), names him Shoeshine, and takes him home to Jack. Jack is reluctant to keep the dog, but does, because let’s face it, if he gave him away or took him to the pound, what would that do to the plot?

Of course, the reason Dan had found this misfit police dog (voiced by Jason Lee) is because after the humiliation, Shoeshine left the force only to be apprehended by Cad (Patrick Warburton) and taken to Dr. Barsinister’s mad scientist lab (played by midget Peter Dinklage). Not willing to just sit there and take the experiments with great amounts of poking and prodding, Shoeshine attempts an escape (and succeeds) but only after he destroys the lab and every chemical is poured onto the frightened canine and absorbs into his skin. Gasp! The creation of Underdog!

Underdog is the newest caped crusader hero

Fast forward to Jack learning his dog can talk and together they try to figure out what else the gifted mutt can do. When a friend is in trouble, Shoeshine runs so fast he discovers he can fly…and do maximum amounts of collateral damage. Jack and Shoeshine come up with the name Underdog as his alter ego, and somehow shrink Dan’s old college sweater (red, with a big U on it) down to beagle size. (Don’t let him ever do my laundry!) Somehow a blue cape gets added and poof! The Underdog costume is created! You know, if I was a bad mom I could have asked the kids how the dog puts on a sweater and cape alone without opposable thumbs, but I ask you, what would have been the point?

Underdog battles Barsinister and Cad, as well as their three German Shepherds. He goes on a date with a cute little pup with pink bows in her hair, copies Superman by taking her on a night flight, and there is a cute scene with spaghetti and meatballs paying tribute to Lady and the Tramp. He saves countless people and buries a bomb in a world class frenetic dig to the center of the earth. Underdog saves the day! Oh, and Jack and Dan get closer and start talking. Our hero!

Underdog's digging techniques save the city

This movie, though cliché in some parts is endearingly cute. Jason Lee does a great job with his voice inflictions, the villains are over the top (which is great since all of this is based on the 1960’s cartoon anyway) and the actors did what they could…they were acting with a dog after all. I thought it was cute.

My kids, however, thought it was awesome. They laughed out loud and clapped. They shouted and cheered. My seven year old has declared he wants to be Underdog for Halloween. As we left the theater, I listened to them all quote from their favorite parts of the movie: “Have no fear! UNDERWEAR is here!” The bloopers during the end credits are funny too.

Underdog serves and protects no matter where he is

I give the movie four and half stars out of five. Families, this is a good one for your little ones. Geared toward the smaller ones, it’s heroism with a message but without gore or rampage swearing.

Though my hubby said he thought it was a cute movie, I couldn’t help but see him once again shoot a longing glance to the Bourne Ultimatum theater as we headed toward the exit. But that’s another review.

Directed by Frederik Du Chau
Cast: Alex Neuberger, Peter Dinklage, James Belushi, Patrick Warburton, Taylor Momsen, John Slattery, Samantha Bee, Timothy Crowe
Voice Cast: Jason Lee, Amy Adams, Brad Garrett
2007 – 84 minutes
Rated: PG (for rude humor and mild language).