"Gracie"

Dermot Mulroney
Elisabeth Shue
Carly Schroeder
John Doman
Andrew Shue
Peter McRobbie
Leslie Lyles
Jesse Lee Soffer




PG13           96min           2007


Meet Gracie Browen – 15-year-old girl who’s determined to play varsity soccer… on the boy’s team! But when her school forbids her to play and even her family questions her ability, Gracie sets out to prove them all wrong. Fighting to change school policy and facing off against some of the toughest competitors on the field, Gracie must summon the courage to finally show everyone that a girl with a dream can do absolutely anything! – from the back coverGracie

Inspired by the events of the Shue family "Gracie" is truly an inspirational film about triumphing from societies biases, finding your inter-spirit and courage. Carly Schroeder is truly the breakout star of this ensemble film.

Taking place in 1978, at a time when soccer was considered a boys’ sport, I consider soccer now to be dominated by girls now. What a difference 30 years makes. This is a great example of finding the strength to change the view of society. Gracie is a strong willed young girl, with the courage that parents want their children to become.

"Gracie" has an ensemble cast telling a story that can be embrace by anyone. Dermot Mulroney plays a dad disconnected from his family after the death of his star athletic son. Elisabeth Shue is the mother just trying to connect with her daughter as she feels she’s losing her to the family sport, soccer. It’s Carly Schroeder that is the breakout star of this cast.

At first I thought she looked familiar then I realized that she was the little girl that played Serena on the soap operas ‘Port Charles’ and ‘General Hospital’ during the 90’s. She is amazing as Gracie. She not only brings the acting side but she performs the physical side also. It helped to sell me that this is a girl fighting, training and truly deserves to play with the boys.

"Gracie" is a film in the vain of “Miracle” and “Bend It Like Beckham”, films that will inspire feelings of hope, courage and strength. It gave me a tingle of the spine. It you didn’t catch it at the movie then you should go out and get it as soon as you can.

It has two commentaries one with Davis Guggenheim and one with Elisabeth & Andrew Shue. It has a feature about ‘Bringing Gracie to Film’. There is also a theatrical trailer. It has movie previews for “Raise Your Voice” and “Dare to Dream”.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"I Think I Love My Wife"

Chris Rock
Kerry Washington
Gina Torres
Steve Buscemi
Edward Herrmann
Cassandra F. Freeman
Welker White
Wendell Pierce
Christina Vidal
Eliza Coupe


R           94min           2007


Fearless funny man Chris Rock directed, co-wrote and stars in this laugh-out loud comedy, about the pleasures and perils of wedded bliss. No-nonsense banker Richard Cooper (Rock) has it all: a great career, and adoring wife (Gina Torres), and two beautiful kids. There’s just one problem – he’s bored out of his mind!

Richard’s occasional thoughts about other women seem harmless enough, until free-spirited Nikki (Kerry Washington), a stunningly sexy friend from the past, appears at his office door, prompting a fox-and –mouse game that puts a smile on Richard’s face… and his marriage to the test. – from the back cover

"I Think I Love My Wife" is based on the motion picture “Chloe in the Morning”. Rock proves that “Head of State” funniest was not a fluke. It’s a hilarious comedy that has an ending against type.

Rock found was to make normal situations that Cooper would face funny. Sometimes the comedian came out in his performance, which is distinct when he shows his colors and almost works for the character. One of the many things Rock uses in making "I Think I Love My Wife" funny is punctuating scene through the music. The soundtrack is a blend of many different genres.

Once I started laugh I could not stop. I could say how much was improvised and how much was just plain scripted. Cooper finds himself in situations of his own destiny that are comedy at it’s best. He knows that it’s dangerous and can lead to no good but Nikki is a force that is magnetic drawing him in.

"I Think I Love My Wife" is a comedy that is true in its portrayal but finding the humor in the situations. Finding an excellent cast to the film and pull some funny performances from them. Chris Rock shows that he can make funny films.

This is a double-sided DVD featuring a version on either side, one on in a fullscreen and one in a widescreen. It has a audio commentary by Chris Rock. On side A is the alternative and deleted scenes, bloopers and Fox Movie Channel: Casting Session. One side B is a featurette ‘I Do Love Making This Movie’ and a Music video by ‘The Brand New Heavies’ called “I Don’t Know Why (I Love You). Also on side B are movie previews for “Roll Bounce”, “Brown Sugar”, “I, Robot”, and “Man on Fire”.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas"

Patrick Fugit
Olivia Wilde
Fran Kranz
John Cho
Clark Gregg
Cheryl Hines
Matthew Lillard
Reid Scott
Greg Pitts


R           80min           2006


When a sexy co-ed (Olivia Wilde) steals a book of mind-blowing theories written by brilliant but troubled college student Bickford Shmeckler (Patrick Fugit), his world is turned upside down. From the creators of American Pie, this wild rollercoaster ride to reclaim his book is an award winning clever comedy starring some of today’s hottest stars. – from the back cover

"Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas" is a funny little comedy with quirky performances. This is a film with a story that been shown before but capture me do to the “prop of the movie”, The Book. It’s an old reliable comedy end predictably more about the journey that the destination.

Throughout the movie it has the obligatory jokes, the standard comedic situations, and the plot for a teen comedy. ‘The Book’ is the comic prop of the movie. This book gave most everyone that read it the funniest reaction. It was a book that I would love to have read. What were Bickford Shmeckler’s Cool Ideas?

"Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas" is a comedy the journey more than about the destination. You know who’s it’s going to end but its everything that happens before that is interesting. Like why he gets so bent out of shape when the things in his life happen? There is so much happening within this small window of time in the lives of these characters. I think it would make a funny comedy.

I felt Fugit underplays Bickford’s troubles until you find out what they are and what caused them. Matthew Lillard plays a mentally unhinged homeless person that finds the funniest of cures when he comes to Bickford for help. John Cho and the merry band of Reality Isn’t Club are complete hilarity. Yes there are some over performances but they work in the confidences fo this film. Olivia Wilde again plays a believable smoked-out co-ed, who precipitates the drama of this story.

"Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas" is a bare DVD. It has a featurette “Living With Lew” talking about the director’s life with ALS. There is DVD-ROM content showing the ‘Dungeons and Dragons Character Sheet’. It has movie previews for “I’m Reed Fish” and “Rx”.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Bobby Z"

Paul Walker
Laurence Fishburne
Olivia Wilde
Keith Carradine
Joaquim de Almeida
Jason Lewis
JR Villarreal
Jacob Vargas
M.C. Gainey

R           94min           2006

Marked for death by a biker gang, ex-Marine convict Tim Kearney (Paul Walker, Into the Blue) just got one last chance to walk out of jail alive. A scheming DEA agent (Laurence Fishburne, Mission: Impossible III) needs somebody to impersonate recently deceased drug lord Bobby Z… and Tim happens to be a dead ringer. It’s a risky proposition, but if Tim plays his part right, he may be able to claim Bobby Z’s smoking hot ex-girlfriend (Olivia Wilde, Alpha Dog) and a cool fortune in illegal profits. Unfortunately, taking on Bobby Z’s name also means taking on his bloodthirsty enemies. Caught in the crossfire, Tim runs for his life as he tries to find a way out of his deadly masquerade.

It’s based on a book "The Death and Life of Bobby Z" by Don Winslow. It wasn’t released in the theatres or for limited release. This was better than I expected. Paul Walker is in another part that plays to his strengths as an action star.

This is an example of the growing straight to DVD market. This film that may not have done well at the theatre but it had everything I look for in an entertaining film. It had action that didn’t overwhelm the film, and a cohesive story with a plausible ending.

“Bobby Z” showcased Paul Walker’s action star status. The action I think was choreographed with his martial arts training in mind. The fight scenes were dynamic. They looked like they really could have in real life.

Laurence Fishburne plays a corrupt FBI that was a reminiscent caricature of his cowboy character from Pee Wee’s Playhouse. The stand out in this film though was Olivia Wilde, she was stunning in every scene and you could see why every character on the screen coveted her. Joaquim de Almeida an under used actor in Hollywood films plays a Mexican Don that has a tone that you just know that he’s a man that is not to be cross.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"The Lookout"

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Jeff Daniels
Matthew Goode
Bruce McGill
Isla Fisher
Carla Gugino
Alberta Watson
Alex Borstein
Laura Vandervoort


R           99min           2007


Acclaimed screenwriter Scott Frank (Minority Report) makes a mind-blowing directorial debut in, a gritty, high-tenison thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt(TV’s Third Rock From the Sun, Brick), Jeff Daniels(The Squid and the Whale) and Isla Fisher(Wedding Crashers). Chris “Slapshot” Pratt (Gordon-Levitt), whose once-bright future has been dimmed by a head injury, is a night janitor at a bank. Lonely and frustrated, Chris falls prey to a con man’s seductive promise of romance and a better life, and agrees to help rob the bank where he works. Filled with heart-pounding action, edge-of-your-seat suspense and a twist you’ll never see coming. “The Lookout” will grip you and never let go… It’s “immensely satisfying. A blast of suspense.” – from the back cover.

"The Lookout" is an intelligent thriller. It has a talented cast. Its characters are flawed and seem real. It’s an indie film that should not be missed.

This is a thriller that does play down to the audience. Many of the characters are not explained, but a fleshed out by the performance of the actors. Many things are left opaque and as a viewer you are left to you own devises.

"The Lookout" is lead by the “Indie King” Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He has a supporting cast of Jeff Daniel, Matthew Goode, and Isla Fisher. Daniels plays Chris’s a blind roommate that complements each other. Matthew Goode is sort of a puppet master manipulating Chris for his own means. Fisher plays a girl that falls for Chris.

You could meet these characters anywhere in the USA. They have flaws and are complex. Nothing in this film is black and white. It plays respect to people living with Chris’s condition. Showing that his life is complicated and finding his happiness is in the eye of the beholder.


The DVD is slim on features. There is a making of featurette and a feature highlight the character Chris Pratt. There is only an audio commentary with the writer/director Scott Frank and Director of Photography Alar Kivilo. There are movie previews for “Being Jane”, “Eagle vs. Shark”, “The Invisible”, “Renaissance”, “Neverwas”, “The Hoax” and “Our Very Own”.

I give it a 5/5 Gs.

"300"

Gerard Butler
Lena Headey
David Wenham
Dominic West
Vincent Regan
Michael Fassbender
Tom Wisdom
Andrew Pleavin
Andrew Tiernan
Rodrigo Santoro


R           106min           2007

The epic graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) assaults the screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious visual style faithfully recreated in an intense blend of live-action and CGI animation. Retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his mssive Persian army. Experience “300”, history at sword point and moviemaking with a cutting edge – from the back cover

Having only glanced the history behind the battle and never having read the graphic novel I watch this film with virgin knowledge. It grabbed me and held tight, having me watched it three times consecutively. It’s easily in my top ten. Even with the historical inaccuracies this is a battle beyond history and a film for the ages.

“300” has an unique visual style that lends itself to it’s source material. It thoroughly exciting with carnage that is in your face and unrelenting. This is one of those movies that changes the way you to see the genre of comic book action films in a different light.

This is a film that transcends the gender barrier. This is one of the first films that even appealed to my sister on a maniacal level. For weeks after watching this film she would quote lines from the films. Even now talking to her I can start one of the phrases and she will finish it.

If you missed it in the theatre then you really want to purchase this film immediate. You will never be able to use “300” for a report on the Battle of Thermopylae, but you will be able to watch an entertaining historical movie.

As this is only the single disc version it only has a commentary with Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstan, and Larry Fong. It contains movie previews for “Trick R Treat”, “The Brave One”, “300: The Video Game” and “Superman: Doomsday”.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Babel"

Brad Pitt
Cate Blanchett
Gael Garíca Bernal
Rinko Kikuchi






R           148min           2006


Pain is universal… but so is hope. From acclaimed Director Alejandro González Inárritu (Amores Perros, 21 Grams) comes the third film in his trilogy, “Babel”, a critically celebrated and emotionally gripping film about the barriers that separate humankind.

A tragic accident in Morocco sets off a chain of events that willl link four groups of people who, divided by cultural differences and vast distances, will discover a shared destiny that ultimately connects them. Brad Pitt (Mr. And Mrs. Smith, Oceans 12), Academy Award Winner Cate Blanchett and Gael Garíca Bernal lead an outstanding international ensemble cast in this breakthrough film. – from the back cover

Let’s start by saying babel is defined as 1 a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues, 2a a confusion of sounds or voices, and 2b a scene of noise or confusion. Understanding the definition lends itself to the name of the film. Only knowing that it was critically acclaimed when I watched it I was thrown for a loop and truly lost in confusion.

“Babel” for the most of the film its told in a foreign language. Only about ten percent of this film is in English. This lends to the films name and the power of the film. For me it show how elitist me as an American has become.

Understanding only one language English I still understood the film. It’s told from four different perspectives that is nonlinear in its telling but intersect into one with a devastating event. It could almost be said that this is a examples of “Butterfly Effect” and Six Degrees of Separation Theories. I never truly grasped what had happened until I watched it with the close caption.

Once I watched “Babel” with the caption on I realize that no matter where you are in the world we are connected. Everything you touch affects something and someone in the most mundane to the most extreme of situations. It’s a powerful connection that can be used to change the world in numerous ways.

It features movie previews for “Black Snake Moan”, “Things We Left In the Fire”, “Perfume”, “Flags of our Fathers” and “An Inconvenient Truth”.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Dragon Wars: D-War"

Jason Behr
Amanda Brooks
Robert Forster
Aimee Garcia
Craig Robinson
Chris Mulkey
John Ales
Elizabeth Pena
Cody Arens


PG13           107min           2007


Based on a Korean Legend. “Dragon Wars” is about two warring faction of Imoogi, giant serpents from the heavens, fighting over a girl that when consumed will ascend the consumer into a dragon. Every five hundred years the Imoogi are granted the ability to ascend from serpent to dragon. The Good Imoogi will protect Earth and the Bad Imoogi will bring destruction to Earth.

The story is surprisingly coherent and translated well from a Korean legend. The special effects are amazing. It’s a mixture of “King Kong”, “Godzilla” and “Showdown in Little Tokyo”.

Translated from a Korean legend and Americanized for a foreign film with mostly American cast it did surprise me how coherent it was. Most Asian legends have complicated plots and reasonings to them. The plot and action worked together in this one. You understood the reason of the characters even thought the story is predictable from the beginning.

This is the most expensive film in South Korean history. Filmed in 2004, it took three years for the special effects to be completed and when watching you can see why. These creatures are utterly everywhere in L.A. destroying everything. It is a visual marvel at what was put on screen. The special effects make up for what the story is lacking. There is an all out war fought in the middle of L.A. that is amazing to watch.

The back-story takes place in an Asian village in 1507 and the rest takes place in modern time. Jason Behr is a reporter looking for the big story and finds it in his destiny. He’s the reincarnate protector and lover of a 19 year old girl, Amanda Brooks, who’s destiny is to be scarified to the Imoogi, so that it may ascend into a dragon. Yes it does have the Asian sensibilities but it worked.


I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Art School Confidential"

Max Minghella
Sophia Myles
John Malkovich
Jim Broadbent
Matt Keeslar
Ethan Suplee
Joel David Moore
Anjelica Huston


R           102min           2005


From the director of “Ghost World” and “Bad Santa”, “Art School Confidential” follows talented young artist Jerome Platz (Max Minghella) as he escapes from high school to a tiny East Coast art school. Here the boyish freshman’s ambition is to become the world’s greatest artist, like his hero Picasso. Unfortunately the beauty and craft of Jerome’s portraiture are not appreciated in an anything-goes art class pseudo-art of his own win him any admirers. But Jerome does attract the attentions of his dream girl, the stunning and sophisticated Audrey (Sophia Myles), an artist’s model and daughter of a celebrated artist. Rejecting the affectations of the local art scene, Audrey is drawn to Jerome’s sincerity. When Audrey shifts her attention to Jonah (Matt Keeslar), a hunky painter who becomes the school’s latest art star, Jerome is heartbroken. Desperate, he concocts a risky plan to make a name for himself and win her back.

"Art School Confidential" is a quirky dark comedy. It showcases inspired performances by talented actors. It’s an example of an artist’s neurosis. Finding an artist finding his muse and doing whatever to capture her heart and love.

At the fictional college of Stratham while there is a killer on the loose. I have never been to art school but to me this college is too laid back to even be real. On the behind the scenes featurette the writer says that he went to a school like this. Maybe I’m not creative enough to get this school.

"Art School Confidential" is a dark comedy where students are really laid about a killer on the loose. Many of the students used it as creative inspiration. It does however have a love story at the core of this movie. It’s unique in that for the most part I hoped that he would not get the girl and that is in part to Minghella performance.

Max Minghella, first time ever seeing his works, capture the neurosis of a man obsessed with capturing the real life woman of his dream. She is played by the talented Sophia Myles, previously seen in “Tristan + Isode” and “Underworld”. I liked John Malkovich’s performance as a professor that is teaching this class of artists while trying to relaunch is career.

"Art School Confidential" contains deleted scenes and a blooper reel. There are two featurettes one is a making of and the other is a Sundance featurette. It contains a 16 of movies previews. The most notable previews are “Volver”, The Curse of the Golden Flower”, “The Quiet”, “Friends With Money”, “The Pursuit of Happyness”, “Stranger than Fiction”, “Marie Antoinette” and “The Holiday”.

I give it 3/5 Gs

"The Good Shephard"

Matt Damon
Angelina Jolie
Alec Baldwin
Tammy Blanchard
Billy Crudup
Robert De Niro
Keir Dullea
Michael Gambon
Martina Gedeck
William Hurt
Timothy Hutton
Mark Ivanier
Gabriel Macht
Lee Pace
Joe Pesci
Eddie Redmayner
John Sessions
Oleg Steton
John Turturro

R           168min           2006

Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and Robert De Niro star in this powerful thriller about the birth of the CIA. Edward Wilson (Damon) believes in America, and will sacrifice everything he loves to protect it. But as one of the covert founders of the CIA, Edward’s youthful idealism is slowly eroded by his growing suspicion of the people around him. Everybody has secrets…but will Edward’s destroy him? With an all-star cast including Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, William Hurt, Timothy Hutton and John Turturro, “The Good Shepherd” is the gripping spellbinging story. – from the back cover

Chronicling the birth of the C.I.A. Robert De Niro brings to film a story that is a definite dramatization that is entertaining, engaging, provocative. If you didn’t know how dangerous and powerful the C.I.A. is then watching this film will give you an idea. Mr. De Niro give the viewer a complete picture into a small window of a world that most Americans will not want to peer through.

Matt Damon truly is one of Hollywood’s leading men. Damon leads an all-star cast and shows why he’s the best bargain in Hollywood. Damon captures the many facets of Edward Wilson from the ideal young college student to the paranoid amoral man that’s “the heart of the C.I.A.” Coming in at nearly three hour you never grow tired of this film and the next star that shows up on the screen.

It has sixteen minutes of deleted scenes. They only distracts from the perfect film that De Niro created. This is a must see film for anyone into films, history or looking for a great film to watch.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

"Tracks"

Chris Gunn
Ice T
John Heard






R           86min           2004

The true story of a suburban teenager whose one mistake leads to a life changing punishment. Peter Madigan, a 15 year old from the suburbs commits a senseless act of violence, causing a commuter train to derail killing the engineer.

In a controversial decision, Peter becomes the first juvenile in New Jersey state history to be sentenced to serve time in a maximum-security adult prison. While in prison he becomes interdependent and friends with correction officer Clark (Ice T). “Tracks” is the ultimate story of survival and redemption.

Although it tells his true story it was a little on the dull side. The characters were never truly flushed out. It does give their motivations but they characters seem wooden and hollow. Even after going to jail he seem to never learn his lesson until the very end. He reformed and found redemption but failed to help his love ones on the outside.

I don’t know how much of “Tracks” was dramatized and how much is authentic. The ending of this film was unsatisfying. It left you to figure out what happen to him and everyone around him. It left many questions unanswered and felt like it was a film rushed into production.

This is a bare DVD with no special features. It has movie previews for “The Contract”, “The Black Widow”, “Cherry Crush”, “The Far Side of Jericho”, “Kovak Box”, “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saint”, “The Breed”, and “The Dead Girl”.

I give it 2/5 Gs.

"Larry the Cable Guy: Morning Constitutions

Larry the Cable Guy




Unrated           66min           2005


He has sold millions of comedy albums and DVDs, and is a two-time Grammy nominee. He was part of the hugely successful Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which generated three hit movies, multi-platinum-selling soundtracks, DVDs, and a television show, Larry is a New York Times bestselling author and a movie star (“Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector”, “Cars”, and “Delta Farce”). “Larry the Cable Guy: Morning Constitutions” was recorded live at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis and features all-new material. – from back cover

This is “blue collar” comedy at its best. Larry the Cable Guy brings the humor with a common mans touch. It’s so quick and witty that sometimes it will fly past you. He takes about situations that everyday people face all the time.

“Larry the Cable Guy: Morning Constitutions” is a comedy routine that shouldn’t be missed. If you are a fan of the “Blue Collar” Boys then you will be a fan of this DVD. He’s at the top of his game hitting a wide range of subjects. It’s definitely one of the best from those “Blue Collar” Boys.

The DVD is an hour of stand up routine performed by Larry the Cable Guy. It has little in the way of extra features; only a behind the scenes of stuff leading up to the recording of this performance. It has a preview for “Delta Farce”.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector"

Larry the Cable Guy
Iris Bahr
Bruce Bruce
Joanna Cassidy
Brooke Dillman
Tony Hale
David Koechner
Lisa Lampanelli
Meoyn Price
Thomas F. Wilson
Joe Pantoliano

PG13           90min           2006

“Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector” is Larry the Cable Guy’s feature film debut. He brings a truckload of one-liners to his role as a big-city health inspector, happily going form greasy spoon diners to low-rent ethnic restaurants. But his easy-going life turns upside-down when he’s teamed with a stiff, stright-laced rookie partner (Iris Bahr) and assigned the biggest case of his career: investigating food poisoning at the city’s swankiest restaurants. While running up against a hardnosed boss (Tom Wilson) and the shady Mayor (Joe Pantoliano) and an unscrupulous restaurant owner (Joanna Cassidy), his bad manners and unorthodox methods cost him his job. Larry is forced to go undercover to bring the conspirators to justice and “Git-R-Done!”

This is one of the worst films I have ever seen. I give that Larry the Cable Guy has funny “blue collar” humor but this was a waste of film. I want the time that I wasted on this film back and I can never get it. How does one get a disaster like this film made?

“Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector” is a train wreck from the very beginning. The only glimmer of light in this film was that it was full of Larry’s humor. This film is what happens when you try to tale a comedy routine and turn it into a movie. The story is absurd on a level that I have rarely seen.

This is a film that you rent or buy at your own risk. If you’re reading this review then you have been warned. If you have watched the film and are reading this, then apologizes to you. To Larry the Cable Guy PLEASE next time a script comes your way read it first and visualizes the final product.

I give it a rating of “End of Days”

"Havoc (2005)"

Anne Hathaway
Bijou Phillips
Shiri Appleby
Michael Biehn
Joseph Gordon-Lewitt
Matt O’Leary
Freddie Rodriguez
Laura San Giancomo
Mike Vogel
Raymond Cruz
Alexis Dziena
Channing Tatum

Unrated           92min           2004

“Havoc (Unrated Version)” is about two friends who are done with playing it safe. When Allison (Hathaway) and Emily (Phillips) leave their rich suburb for a joyride through East L.A., they glimpse a frightening landscape of drugs, violence and gang brutality. Nut as their fear turns to infatuation, the friends find themselves seduced by a dark and dangerous world – where a pretty girl can get anything she wants… except a second chance.

Having seen a preview in a previous film I didn’t expect to see so much of Anne Hathaway. This is truly a departure from the squeaky Disney image. She showed that see could handle more mature subject matters and was ready to graduate from the children films. Although at times she does seem to be uncomfortable with unexplored facets of this role.

“Havoc (Unrated Version)” is a caricature of what would have happen but illustrates that there are worst things to fear than the boogeyman. Situations in this film are too easily solved or left open to the viewer’s interpretation. I think that it placed too much emphasis on the sexual nature and not enough on the characters development. It illustrated situations too black and white.

Even though it does have flaws it does what it set out to do…be entertaining and be a sort of cautionary tale. Showing that even with the sophistication of teenagers today they still have things to learn. Although they can emulate the “Hollywood” street life, the real life street is much more dangerous, complicated, and complex than they can imagine.

There are only special features for a DVD-ROM drive. It has movie previews for “The Purifiers”, “Refuse 2 Die”, and “11:14”.

I give it a 2/5 Gs.

"Children of Men"

Clive Owen
Julianne Moore
Michael Caine
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Charlie Hunnan




R           111min           2006

In the year 2027, eighteen years since the last baby was born, disillusioned Theo (Clive Owen) becomes an unlikely champion of the human race when he is asked by his former lover (Julianne Moore) to escort a young pregnant woman out of the country as quickly as possible. In a thrilling race against time, Theo will risk everything to deliver the miracle the whole world has been waiting for in “Children of Men”.—from the back cover

Changed in many aspects from the book, the film is easier to follow than it was to read. It shows a bleak outlook to humanities future.

There are many changes from the book to the film that changes the tone and message. Many things in the film are toned down and dulled. Much of the bleakness of the book has been changed to warring instead. In the book they used refugees to do manual labor in the film they are rounded up and put in containment camps. I found the film much easier to face than the book.

“Children of Men” shows a bleak future that is a real possibility. If man does change his habits in the industrialized world we could bring out this future and countless other possibilities. This is just one possibility told in the form of fiction. It’s a terror state that I never want to be alive for.

Having read the book first I knew what to expect. This is one of the first movies that I prefer to than the book. I’m not saying the movie is better than the book in fact its just the opposite. The book though is a mundane read but it hit on many political and social commentaries that are left out of the film.

“Children of Men” has several featurette explaining the different aspects of the film. ‘The Possibility of Hope’ is a documentary by Alfonso Cuarón on how the themes relate to the modern world. ‘Under Attack’ breaks down the dangerous scenes in the film. ‘Theo & Julian’ discusses with Clive Owen and Julianna Moore’s about their characters. ‘Futuristic Design’ looks at the director’s vision of the future from concept to its creation. There are a few deleted scenes.

I give it 3/5 Gs.