Armored

Goolphipp Award: 2.5 (See the Cheap Matinee)

Goolsby:
Oi. This movie was slow. I've seen slower movies, but this one just couldn't decide what type of movie it wanted to be. More than half of the movie was the build up to the show down. Basic plot- bunch of guys down on their luck decide to steal money from one of their armored trucks they drive. Of course one guy grows a conscious and the conflict is born. The build up took far too long. Once the action did start happening it was great. I love smart characters. We got suckered into this movie because of Milo Ventimiglia, and I'm sure we'll get suckered into any other movies he does. He continues to make bad decisions though, such as Pathology which stands to be the only movie I have ever walked out of. None the less, we learned that Milo needs to work on his dying skills and control his noises. Phipps and I talked through the whole movie, never a good sign. Meh, that's what I got to say about this movie, meh.

Oh, oh, one more thing. I correctly identified a semi-obscure actor all on my own (a major achievement for me). Skeet Ulrich, best known for his role in Scream. I recognized him from The Craft and The Newton Boys. Kudos to me.

Goolsby overall: 2.75
Too little, too late.

Phipps:
This movie had its moments, but I was hoping for more. In the end, the build-up to the robbery should have taken a max of a half hour - and I could actually see it done well, too. There should have been more of logistics being discussed, plans being made, etc. This was not like the Ocean's movies or The Italian Job. I'm guessing the writers of the film had this idea about stealing armored trucks...and then didn't know how to make it stretch into a full-length film, so they dropped in all this dramatic dialogue and attempted angst.

The only interesting thing about this movie is when Ty, played by Columbus Short, finally switches into fighting mode. He does some amazing things. But, all the cool stuff happened in the last twenty minutes...and by then, Goolsby and I were obsessed with Matt Dillon's strange facial structure and Milo Ventimiglia's hair.

Good actors, good cinematography - but the script failed them.

Phipps overall: 2.3
The script actually matters.

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The Princess and the Frog

Goolphipp Award: 4.5 (No Peanuts Chucked)

Goolsby:
The long awaited black princess. The Princess and the Frog delivered on all levels. It strange to think of new Disney movies as "classic" but that is what happens to all Disney films - they either become classic or fade. Watching this movie as an adult was fun. Disney dropped several throw backs to other films. The first thing I saw in the opening number was the magic carpet. The Little Mermaid characters made several appearances too. This movie was fun to watch. I loved the vivid color palette. They brought the bayou culture to life and it was awesome. I loved the firefly Ray, definitely my favorite. This movie was great, a new princess movie for the masses, but I wasn't blown away - and I can't tell if that's because I'm an adult or something minor in the movie.

Goolsby overall: 4.5
Who doesn't love a frog?

Phipps:
I was excited to see this movie. Who doesn't like a good Disney movie? I know some would call Disney's move to classic hand-drawing risky, but I enjoyed it! The old classics haven't gone out of style because they don't have the Pixar stamp. I appreciated the nods to the other movies too. I want to watch it again so I can catch all the hidden funsies.

The traditional Frog Prince fairytale always makes a fun plot, and the New Orleans twist was inventive. I'll confess that I was a little worried about having a fairytale set in the twentieth century - I was wondering where the magic was going to come from. Voodoo, of course, which I discovered was just as creepy in a cartoon as it is in the Skeleton Key. I'm actually wondering how small children reacted to that aspect of this movie, because the scary shadow spirits rivaled Snow White's Queen-in-ugly-witch-form.

Aside from the voodoo, the rest of the movie was quite fun. It had something for everyone. Talking animals. Humor. Romance. A blind, good witch. Handsome princes. Kisses. Trumpets. Jazz. Firefly tour guides. Good triumphing over evil. Action. Dreams coming true. Happily ever after.

I liked the underlying message too. You have to work toward your dreams - ie, owning a fabulous restaurant, but that shouldn't be your whole life. Love, family, fun should be a part of the equation too.

Cast was wonderful. Animation was great - as Goolsby said, the color palette was unique. I'm not going to say it's going to make it to "classic" status, because it's too early to tell...and I don't want to jinx it.

And one last thing - Tiana's wedding gown? Perfect.

Phipps overall: 4.5
Go on, kiss the frog.

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Fantastic Mr. Fox

Goolphipp Award: 3.75 (Worth 11 Bucks)

Goolsby:
Hahaha. So I dragged Phipps to go see this with me because I knew my family wouldn't let me see it with them. I'm known for picking the random movies, and this one sure delivers. Fantastic Mr. Fox is based on the children's book by Roald Dahl and brought to life by Mr. Wes Anderson. I really liked this movie. Although I'm confused at the target audience. It makes sense that the 18 to 30 will enjoy this movie, but I don't think it's really meant for children. Children wont appreciate the stop motion animation, and the quirky humor will fly over their heads. So what is there left for children? I guess all that is left is a long plot and weird looking animals. Phipps and I saw this in a theater that had a handful of children, one even sat directly behind me. The kids got bored and the movie was not able to pull them back in. If you are an adult, go see a matinee showing and have a good time. The voices were great, George Clooney has been a busy man this year.

I loved the little things about this movie. The explanation of Ash's (played by Jason Schwartzman) odd character, and the hand gesture that ensued to explain "weird" to the opossum with a credit card. The modified tube sock burglar mask was a winner in my book. My type of movie all the way. I love Wes Anderson films.

Goolsby overall: 4
You know, you really are... fantastic.

Phipps:
Yeah, I really didn't want to go see this movie. That being said, I didn't hate it. I came out with some jokes I'll repeat. I think the hand motions associated with someone being "different" was amazing. I also found that the substitution of "cuss" for every swear word imaginable to be quite entertaining. It was super quirky, but the typical Anderson humor was there (as well as the typical cast). So, if you are a fan of their past work, you should see The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Really not a kids movie...or at least, not a young kids movie. Maybe 10+.

This was executed well, and was a good time. What else do you want?

Phipps overall: 3.5
Not my cup of tea, but still fun.

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Pirate Radio

Goolphipp Award: 4.6 (No Peanuts Chucked)

Goolsby:
I loved this movie. Hands down. I actually turned to Phipps half way through the movie and said, "I want to be part of this film." We knew the music was going to be awesome, but it was also very very well placed. The person that placed the songs, well they deserve an A+ for sure. The characters were loveable and the storyline obvious but timeless. You knew how it all ended of course - rock would prevail! There are certain parts of this movie that will stay with me for a long time to come. One question though, why do all the girls in this movie sleep with the fat man Dave played by Nick Frost? I'll never know. I'm a big fan of Bill Nighy and he gave a great performance again. I think everyone on this film just really had a great time and it shows. From overboard condoms, token lesbians, 1960's clothes, a beast named Bob, cheating wives, a game of high-seas chicken, and a man named Twatt, this movie rocked. Oh, and by the way, the stunning Tom Sturridge has new fans for life. A must see for any music lover.

Goolsby overall: 4.75
She loves you yea, yea, yea she does!

Phipps:
I really loved this movie. It was fun, and it's true, I wished I could don a Twiggy dress and step onto the Radio Rock boat. I appreciated the little things: the authentic posters, the vinyl, the occasional boa, and the pick-up line, "how about it then?" There's some serious characters in this movie, and all loveable...even Bob the Beast. But you know, being a conservative person, what I loved most, is that this movie is really about the music! It's a period piece, but they didn't capitalize on the "free love" aspect as much as I thought they would. I just found myself swept away in what the Count called, "the best days of [their] lives."

Performances...stellar, of course...everyone delivered. Cinematography...check. Sound...amazing. It was all good. It was just an adventure. I think it's one of the few good movies I've seen this year. So, you should see it too.

Phipps overall: 4.5

Board the boat and get ready to rock.

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An Education

Goolphipp Award: 3 (Worth 11 Bucks)

Goolsby:
When I saw that the screenplay was written by Nick Hornby, I sort of new what was coming, or at least knew how I would react to what was coming. Nick Hornby is most famous for the movie adaptation of About a Boy. I'm now curious about the memoir that An Education is based on. This movie is a period piece set in the 1960's of London. The all too wise teenage girl finds out just how little she knows about the world. I actually thought Carey Mulligan, who plays the main character Jenny, gave a really great performance. I did get icky Humbert Humbert vibes from Peter Sarsgaard in his role as David, way too close to flashbacks of Lolita for me. This says a lot, that creeper vibe is often hard to pull off and he did it very well... creepy. At the end of the movie I felt Jenny did not really learn her lesson. Phipps said that I just wanted something more tragic to happen to her, but I think it is really about the end message. I think teenage girls in movies lately get away with too much. I want a harsher reality depicted on screen. Go see it for the great period clothing, the on point performances, and a message none the less.

Goolsby overall: 3.0
Creepster.

Phipps:
I read a review of this movie and the author made the comment, "I can't decide if Peter Sarsgaard is sexy or creepy." I agree. He was kind of sexy and creepy at the same time, which is totally strange and totally perfect for the plot. You wanted him to be the dashing, romantic older man, but at the same time, you knew he was shady-cady. So, I thought it worked.

In fact, I thought all performances in this movie were fairly exceptional. Not over the top, or too obvious, but close to life. Subtle. You knew there was something shady about these guys, but their smiles said something different. Isn't that just like life?

Carey Mulligan is going to be an actress to watch, I think. Oscar nod for this role is a possibility.

As for the plot, there was one thing I hated, which vibes a bit with what Goolsby said - I hated that Jenny swept her experience under the rug. I was alright with the outcome, because she had to humble herself and realize the value of a proper education, realize the quality of those who taught her. It was literally the last two minutes...when Jenny says (paraphrasing) "I looked like all the other school girls, but I wasn't, not really. Once a boy asked me to Paris, and I said, I would like to see Paris, as if I'd never been." So in effect, she swept it under the rug, like she'd never learned a lesson or been a precarious situation, and I suppose simply lies - through omission - about this area of her life. I thought that was lame.

I thought An Education raised some good questions about fun and diligence, and the proper ways to go about both. So, I do think there is some value to this film, apart from the last two minutes.

As for the audience, college age plus, if you please.

Phipps overall: 3
For solid performances, being a brilliant period piece, and one sexy, yet creepy, older man.

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New Moon

Goolphipp Award: 4.8 (No Peanuts Chucked)

Where we stand: Both fans, not fanatics

Goolsby: I love the series. I've read the book more than once, and appreciate its depressing qualities. We have a tradition for going to the midnight showings. We also have a tradition that borders on fanatic status - we make shirts. Last year we made subtle shirts that included a book quote. This year we had a group of 4 people. Each person sported a sweatshirt that displayed each of the months Bella was in a zombie-like phase - October, November, December, January (me). I go into detail about this, because the movie actually paid homage to the months in the movie, all except January that is...

Phipps: I'm a fan of the books. I think the character Edward Cullen is generally the teenybopper version of Mr. Darcy...with really sharp teeth. I'm generally a Team Edward girl, although, like Bella, I always seem to forget how much I like Jacob Black...until he is before my eyes. I was "December" in the months that Goolsby describes. I enjoy the storyline...and I'll make a shirt...but I don't write fan fiction. I'm super stoked about the next movie...but I'm not going to stalk the set in Canada.

Audience: Teenyboppers and up

Goolsby: I think a large range of people can appreciate this film. We all know that the Twilight craze affects most women regardless of age. A mom and a daughter bonding over how amazing Edward is? It happens. But I think this movie also has a more sound appeal for males as well. Twilight had minimal action compared to New Moon, and I think boys will appreciate the master-crafted werewolves too. I don't think the movie is appropriate for children though. Definitely teen and up.

Phipps: Bottom line - know your kid. If you've got a kid that handles Narnia, Terminator, Star Wars, etc, without blinking or getting freaked out, it might be okay. But odds are, 14+.

Storyline and drama: "I leave you alone for one minute, and the wolves descend."

Goolsby: Girl meets boy, boy leaves, girl cries, girl makes a friend, friend turns into werewolf, boy comes back. I think we all knew the premise of this movie based on the trailers that were going around like flies. It is simple. I also think it plays off of a dilemma most people can relate to, especially teens and young adults - lost love. If you cant relate to Bella, then you definitely can relate to Jacob. Stake in the heart, or silver bullet I should say.

Phipps: Stuck to the novel, which impressed me. There were a few plot deviations, but in each case, you understand why it needed to be tweaked - it was nothing significant. The telling was seamless.

This movie marks the rise of Jacob Black...in all his wolfy glory. And, of course, the cementing of the "love triangle."

Continuity: Spot on

Goolsby: I think a lot of fans that have read the books really appreciated all the small details that were included in this film. Everything was incorporated seamlessly that there were very few times that stuck out as plot deviations.

I also thought that the look and feel of the film was superb compared to Twilight. I liked how they handled the fight scenes between the vampires. The werewolves came out great too. They were big and detailed that I was completed satisfied. The color in the film was handled well too I thought. This film is all about losing the love of your life, and I think the muted colors really helped even though it was subtle. The soundtrack too was well incorporated and subtle. This movie all about about giving us what we wanted with a smooth coating. No grievances from me here.

Phipps: You can tell that Weitz really worked hard on this film. He wanted to please fans and tell a great story. Kristen Stewart once commented that everything that Catherine Hardwicke shot on Twilight was "fast." I think Chris Weitz slowed it down, which was possible due to increased funding, but that allowed the cast and crew to really nail it. The product was a fairly stellar film.

I liked that New Moon isn't so starkly different from Twilight in look and feel, and yet it does have its own flavor. There was definitely more polish to this one and less of a choppy splice-n-dice.

Delivery: Great

Goolsby: I think everyone has been getting increasingly better. Stewart had high expectations from me, just because she failed pretty much in the last movie. She was able to cut down on her blinking which I was so happy for. The really kicker was Lautner, he did an awesome Jacob Black. That boy has got some acting chops for sure. And oi... break my heart and stomp on it, Pattinson's scene with Stewart in the woods was perfect. Pattz was pretty awesome. Loved the supporting cast too. Always have to give props to Billy Burke. Everyone is really falling into their roles, I love it. I cant wait to see what is next.

Phipps: People slipped right back into their roles. The new cast members were well-cast (as was the original cast in Twilight). I think in this case, better performances are rooted in the change of director. Some of the younger cast is really cutting their teeth on these movies - Taylor Lautner and Dakota Fanning being ones to watch. And I swear, Michael Sheen is a vampire geek at heart, since he tends to find vampire/werewolf roles. I'm happy to note that Kristen Stewart definitely improved in portraying Bella Swan - thank goodness. All in all, I was very satisfied with all the performances. And thank goodness, our audience, which was full of loud teenyboppers, was so entranced with the movie that they forgot to be obnoxious.

Phipps overall: 5
Stellar. Everything I wanted.

Goolsby overall: 4.75
Simply for the missing January!

Goolphipp award: 4.8 (No Peanuts Chucked)

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The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

Goolphipp Award: 3.75 (Worth 11 Bucks)

Phipps:
All hail the return of the Saints! They are definitely older. The movie started off in the wilds of Ireland with insanely fake beards. Needless to say, it was a really rocky start. It took a good chunk of the movie to get back into the swing of things. Once you were in the groove, there were tons of jokes referencing the first movie, which were hilarious. It seemed like the movie had just embraced the campiness we all know and love. Believe it or not, Rocco returns to the story, and it was done well. Replacing Rocco, is a spry Mexican kid called Romeo, who actually has more of a brain than our Funny Man. Our favorite trio of detectives were back, enjoying a bigger role. Willem Dafoe’s place was, as lead FBI investigator, replaced by Julie Benz. Plot was a little unexpected, the Saints’ Dad being at the center. Like I said, it was rocky at times. However, the last ten minutes of the movie must be seen by every Boondock Saints fan. In the words of another reviewer, Writer/Director Troy Duffy “pulled a rabbit out of a hat.” I agree. My jaw dropped, hit the floor, and stayed there. I was flabbergasted in the best way possible. Go check out the best kept secret on film.

Phipps overall: 3.5
For the last ten, baby.

Goolsby:
I was excited for this movie, very. Phipps is right, it had a rocky start, but panned out in the end. The last ten minutes definitely going the extra mile. I think the second half of the movie was well done though. It paid homage to the greatness of the first one, but also brought a unique story too. However, I don't think the plot packed enough umph for me. I wanted to be completely blown out of the water, and I wasnt.

When you have such stellar performances from all the characters in the first one, its hard not to feel like each part is being replaced. The new Rocco is obvious and the new Dafoe was even more obvious. That was a bit disappointing. It's almost like making your grandma's famous cookies, just because the recipe works so well, doesn't mean that you cant tweak it. This movie delivered what I was expecting, but I still wanted a crunch.

There are a few scenes that just made my heart smile, so cleverly done. The old bartender with tourettes is one of my favorites. I want to say more, but can't! Go see it!

Goolsby overall: 4
For the old man and black cat cameo!

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Saw VI

Goolphipp Award: 1.25 (Wait for DVD)

Phipps:
I didn’t have to check my house for Jigsaw when I came home. Standard Saw tradition. That says it all really. It was disappointing. After the train wreck called Saw V, I hoped VI would redeem the franchise. No such luck. No twists. It was predictable…the boo moments were lame. The Saw masterminds had an amazing opportunity to make Jigsaw’s old lady cool, but they didn’t take it. I hate to break it to you, Detective Hoffman ain’t Jigsaw.

Phipps overall: 1.5
Puh-leez. I didn’t even check my house.

Goolsby:
Well, we have been a bit lazy to post, but now that we have, to be honest, I can only remember a few things about this movie. Which is sad. Saw movies have consistently disappointed me. I think viewers have been chasing that twist that blew our minds in the first movie. You would think they could figure out how to give us some type of "woah" moment, but they cant. I remember a pretty gruesome death scene involving acid being pumped into someone's body. Other than that, I think I have already tried to block everything out.

Goolsby overall: 1
Lame.

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Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Goolphipp Award: 4.5 (No Peanuts Chucked)

Phipps:

I saw Cirque du Freak solo the first time, then I dragged Goolsby the second time. I’ve already invested twenty bucks into this movie. I’m plotting to beg, steal, or borrow all the books. I thought this movie was wonderful. Great characters, great action, vampires, a bearded lady, small hand-biting little monsters, and a great big spider – what more do you need? This movie isn’t a little kid movie…and it isn’t quite a grown-up movie…and it isn’t quite High School Musical. It’s quirky and resists labels. But definitely know your kid, because it’s not Cinderella. I thought the performances were solid. The plot was great. I want people to go see it, and I’m hoping against hope that they make the second movie. This one is going to added to my collection, make no mistake.

Phipps overall: 4.5
I wave the freak flag.

Goolsby:

I loved this movie. It was my special brand of quirky. I think this movie got swept under the rug because it has “vampire” in the title. Everyone knows that vampires are getting pimped out left a right since the craze of Twilight. Cirque du Freak is not Twilight, and it is not a romance – it’s pure awesomeness!

As Phipps said, the target audience is a bit varied, but I think most adults will appreciate some aspect of this movie. I particularly like the Snake Boy, played by Patrick Fugit who starred in Almost Famous. The makeup artist did an awesome job. Stellar.

On a more high-level topic, I think this movie is reflective of a modern family. Family isn’t always your own flesh and blood, it can be a group of like-minded freaks. I felt like I became part of the freak family, and I liked it. This movie surprises you left and right. John C. Reilly who plays the vampire was on spot! It was so refreshing to see him in a more mature and subtle role.

And if Phipps gets those books, I’ll be borrowing them too!

Goolsby overall: 4.5

I loved the small goblin hand-biting guys.

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Where the Wild Things Are

Goolphipp Award: 3.25 (Worth 11 Bucks)

Phipps:
I was never a big fan of Where the Wild Things Are growing up. But I am a fan of children's fantasy movies, and that's what this film promised in the preview. Crazy amazing Wild Things.

I had a hard time with this movie. I liked some of the pieces, which bears mentioning - performances, costume, cinematography. The whole cast did a wonderful job. The Wild Things did look awesome...CGI faces looked great. Cinematography was solid.

I didn't like that the pace was slow. I know director Spike Jonze was focusing on emotion, but it just took too long to get it. I would be amazed by something, then bored. It felt a little forced at times.

The comedic moments were stellar. I wish there would have been more. This movie was like a stone in your stomach - I needed more laughs and less raw emotions. I have a firm belief that the major camps of people fall into one of the Wild Things. I would be Judith, voiced by Catherine O'Hara. (And I swear, they modeled the ram-like Wild Thing after Seth Green.)

Even so, the biggest problem I have with this movie, is Max never says he's sorry - to the Wild Things or to his mother. I was simply flabbergasted. That's not the message I want to go out to kids. Because this is what I heard, "You don't have to say sorry no matter what you do or who you hurt. People will just know. Especially if you give them a hug." But as a grown-up, I know that isn't true. People need to hear the "I'm sorry," combined with the hug. I will not be showing this film to my children until they are old enough to disregard the "non-sorry policy" that Wild Things promotes.

AND this film showcased a big sister, Claire, who didn't take care of her kid brother when he was crying. It was really sad, and an insult to big sisters everywhere.

I wanted to get lost and run wild in this movie, but that just didn't happen.

Phipps overall: 2.5
Put together well, which saves it.

Goolsby:
I grew up with this book, and the short cartoon feature that circulated when I was a kid too. I have always loved anything animal based. I approached this movie differently. The biggest gimme in the movie was the characters. It's hard conveying consistent personality in heavy hot costumes. The faces were CG enhanced of course, but that doesn't mean that takes care of everything. The people who have to do the live action do a fantastic job. A true character has to be believable in physical actions as well. From the quiet, never heard Seth Green lookalike goat named Alexander, to the loud confident Carol, these wild things came to life.

I was very excited to see this movie, and I think it gave me what I wanted the most. Awesome live action costumes and seamless CG integration.

On the other hand, it was much more intense than I anticipated. I think the raw anger emotions could have been relayed in a less destructive manner. A dirt clod fight with giant beasts is unsafe! And come on, someone's arm gets ripped off! Who cares that there wasn't any blood, it is still an appendage! Comedy was selective but well placed as Phipps said. The stick arm replacement Douglas receives takes the cake.

All in all, I got what I was looking for- beautiful cinematography and awesome costumes. Parents should really think about taking their children, but as an adult, I can overlook the message and appreciate what I love.

Goolsby overall: 4
Still worth it I think.

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The Other Man

Goolphipp Award: 1.8 (Wait for DVD)

Goolsby:
Point blank, I’m a fan of Liam Neeson. He’s the reason I went to see this movie. He is my old man crush. I only knew the basic plot, nothing else. I was confused for about half the movie, more than half probably.

Perhaps I missed a key line, but for the life of me, I could not figure out if Lisa, played by Laura Linney, was actually dead or if she just disappeared. Liam Neeson’s character Peter obsesses over his wife’s old lover. The other man is Ralph, played by Antonio Banderas. Random casting – it was a weird mix of people, but worked I guess.

The plot is complicated, lies, and some more lies. The movie was playing at our local indie movie theater, and the movie produced what you would expect. It was strange. Some types of movies you have to put in a box to digest later. That’s what I had to do. If you go see it, or eventually rent it on DVD, and want to talk about it, let me know.

I think they could have handled the transitions in the movie better. It was too jagged for me understand. They needed to work on the overall composition. The sound mixing was also horrible, but it could have just been the theater.

Goolsby overall: 2
Meh, if you feel in the mood to be confused and want to watch a handsome old man, go for it.

Phipps:
This movie was like being in the middle of a tangled ball of yarn. Not only are you all tangled up, but the ball starts to roll down some stairs. I was completely confused the entire time. The fog just never cleared up.

I was confused by the character of Lisa. I didn’t understand if she was dead or if she up and left Peter (played by Liam Neeson). I didn’t understand her whole deal…even after the script finally gets around to explaining it. She’s at the center of the movie, but it’s like looking into a black hole. You know what it is, you know what destruction it has caused, but you don’t understand why. She remains a mystery. I have to say this, she did wear a great pair of red high heels.

Antonio Banderas was quite impressive as the “other man.” I’m with Peter, as he grudgingly admits that “he is rather wonderful.” The other supporting cast did a fantastic job as well. You see, the problem with this movie is not the actors and their performances or even the cinematography or sound – it’s the actual storyline. It spins you in circles, and when you are good and dizzy, it lets you fall.

I’m not sure when this was filmed, but I would have thought that this movie would hit a bit too close to home for Liam Neeson. It was rather painful to watch.

Phipps overall: 1.75
I’m still confused.

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Whip It

Goolphipp Award: 4.75 (No Peanuts Chucked)

Goolsby:
Okay, clearly these last couple reviews have been more of a rant for me. Let me start off with setting up my viewing mood for this movie. I was standing in front of a theater with friends, happy and ready to go see this movie. Out of no where I get a water balloon chucked at me from some convertible full of high-school morons. Hit my shoe. I was mad. Very.

So then I proceeded to watch this movie. I loved it. Drew Barrymore delivers a stellar movie on her big time directing debut. I was concerned when I found out she was directing and starring in it that she might overpower it. I was wrong. Her role was supportive of the story and characters. Ellen Page plays Bliss Cavendar, aka Babe Ruthless. I loved the catchy roller derby names. This movie is your typical rebel against the norm movie, but presents it in a different view. We get to see a strong mother figure, who some what force-feeds her daughter the beauty pageant mantras. I also appreciated seeing a delicate father-daughter relationship.

There is this moment where Drew Barrymore’s character Smashley Simpson, “koalas” her boyfriend. A koala is something that I hold dear. To properly koala someone you suddenly attach yourself to someone else’s body, then, don’t let go. It’s similar to a flying squirrel, but stealthier since you don’t have to get the running start. That won me over hands down. This movie delivers plenty of physical comedy, quirk, and everything else you need.

The only downside? Not enough physical contact. It’s about roller derby; I want to see some heads fly! Well not decapitation, but at least more brutal assaults. A few more hip checks and I would have been a happy, happy camper.

Stupid water balloon.

Goolsby overall: 4.75
Just what I needed.

Phipps:
I love this movie. I almost don’t want to say too much about it, because I don’t want to spoil it.

I will warn that it is more of a drama that you would expect from previews, but it doesn’t disappoint. There is enough comedy to keep the drama in check. As whole, the movie is fun and light. It makes you want to go out and join something like a roller derby league – to find that something you really love and commit to it.

Drew Barrymore shows potential to become a really wonderful director. Look at Clint Eastwood – judging from the spaghetti westerns, nobody would pegged him to be an amazing director, but he is. Choosing this movie as her mainstream directorial debut, well, it shows smarts.

Thinking back, I’m surprised at the character development. It was pretty impressive. I can look back, and remember the growth of each character. I’m talking about the scores of supporting characters! Bravo to writer Shauna Cross, Barrymore, and cast for pulling that off.

This movie, which is based off of a novel by Shauna Cross, is in turn based off of a derby league in L.A. I’m quite curious about what the real life event is like. I’m almost positive it involves more physical contact. Like Goolsby, I would have liked to see more ladies throwing elbows, hip checks, falls, and well, fancy rollerskating moves. This is one area where Barrymore and Ellen Page need some work.

That being said, go see this movie. I don’t think you will regret it. (Parents, I think 14 is the youngest you should go without a prescreening. It gets a little adult sometimes for elementary school kids.)

Phipps overall: 4.75
Nearly a perfect movie.

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Fame

Goolphipp Award: 2.5 (See the Cheap Matinee)

Goolsby:
Performing arts and drama. I’m curious after seeing this film what the original is like. I guess this movie just wasn’t my cup of tea. There were some amazing performances. A lot of talent in the film, but I wasn’t blown away by anything.

I think the best part of the film for me, or the story line that I liked the most, was the character of Joy played by Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (gosh that’s a long name). She gets a role working for Sesame Street, and it just made me smile. Who wouldn’t want to work for Sesame Street?! Dream job.

Anyway. Not much to say about this one. The cast is very talented, did a great job.

Goolsby overall: 2.5
Nothing special for me, but it also didn’t disappoint or surprise me.

Phipps:
I’m with Goolsby on this movie. I’m usually a sucker for musicals or dance movies, but this movie didn’t put stars in my eyes. There were a couple great musical performances, which I then ran home and purchased on iTunes. I thought Asher Book’s vocal performances were top notch. Naturi Naughton also has a great set of pipes.

But there was something missing. There was no magic.

There were a lot of adults at our showing to see a teen movie, and I can only attribute this to the original, which won their heart 30 years ago…and never really let them go. That magic, that draw, of the original was missing. I’ve never seen the original, but my fellow audience members showed me that it might be worth seeing.

This movie didn’t grab you. It didn’t make you want to be a dancer or a singer. It didn’t make you want to dream big.

Phipps overall: 2.5
Buy the soundtrack, rent the DVD.

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Love Happens

Goolphipp Award: 2.1 (See the Cheap Matinee)

Goolsby:
So we got free movie tickets to this movie. I hadn’t seen many previews for this movie, or really heard anything so I thought this movie was a romantic comedy, and it is in some respects. It actually leans more on the romantic drama side. So, there I was sitting in the theater, waiting for the comedy part – I was a bit frustrated the first 30 minutes of the film. After the frustration, I just accepted that this movie was a drama, and treated it accordingly.

This movie had its good parts, the quirk that I love – from the play on words with Jennifer Aniston’s sesquipedalian (a person who uses large words) character. I also enjoyed the scene in which Burke played by Aaron Eckhart, steals a parrot (actually it’s a cockatoo, but evidently according to my Google search, a cockatoo is a type of parrot).

Goolsby overall: 1.75
Meh, I just wasn’t feeling this movie. The cockatoo was the highlight of the movie for me. I think that says it all.

Phipps:
I’m a fan of Aaron Eckhart. He won me over in Erin Brockovich, and I’ve been a fan since. It was a happy coincidence that we got free tickets to this movie.

Like Goolsby, I was a little taken aback by this movie. I was expecting more of a romantic comedy. It is definitely a drama - a hard-to-watch drama. It’s tough to watch Burke (Eckhart) put on a smiling face and tell people how to deal with death, when he himself can’t deal with the circumstances of his wife’s death.

I am not a fan of Jennifer Aniston. But in this case, she was right for the part. She was the comic relief and the quirk. And wouldn’t you know, her character’s name was Eloise. I think I could count on one hard the number of times a character named Eloise is on film – I thought they just lived in hotels.

I really liked Martin Sheen as the father-in-law. It was believable. It was heartbreaking. Mr. Sheen can believably shout and cry. It’s impressive. I do believe he had a chin wobble…and I do believe I blinked back a couple tears in response. You can’t deny the power of a chin wobble.

While this movie was a good freebie, it wasn’t extraordinary, either. The cockatoo and Sheen’s performance were the most memorable.

And is it just me…but I’m still wondering why this movie is called Love Happens. Has anyone else figured that out?

Phipps overall: 2.5
It’s ok and things turn out alright. The cockatoo finds his way home.

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All About Steve

Goolphipp Award: 2 (See the Cheap Matinee)

Phipps:
All About Steve from the get-go reminded me of some other movie. Her red boots reminded me of Happy Go Lucky too much – crayon purple might have been a better choice. It was one of those movies where you had to grow to love the main character, and just when you wanted it all to work out – it simply doesn’t. At the end, you are left with your mouth hanging open in disbelief. It’s too bad, because you want this neurotically inclined, crossword-loving, smart girl to get the dude in the end. That being said, there were a lot of laughs along the way. I enjoyed the journey across the country with Mary. I did like the supporting cast. They were fun, and well cast. The details in this movie were stellar. Like I said, I would have loved this movie if Steve would have said, “When’s our second date?” at the end, but he didn’t. What’s a romance without a happy ever after? We need the kiss at the end. So, like Mary, we have to continue to search for a movie as normal as us.

Phipps overall: 2
Laughs kept it from being a total tanker.

Goolsby:
I agree with everything Phipps said. This movie marketed itself as a romantic comedy, not some coming of age movie. Therefore, I had expectations that were not met. Plain and simple. As you can tell from Phipps, the girl doesn't get the boy. The end was just sort of flat, not worthy of the character they build throughout the movie.

Want to hear the good things? We've got apple people carvings, a baby born with three legs, the classic scene of Mary falling down a mine hole, tornadoes, random outfits that don't match, and a crossword - all about Steve. All in all, that's not much. If I can't recall details that keep me laughing after the movie is said and done, it missed. I would say it had so much potential, but I would be lying. It had potential to be slightly more than average, but fell short because of the unsatisfying ending.

Goolsby overall: 2
Try again.

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Whiteout

Goolphipp Award: 2.25 (See the Cheap Matinee)

Phipps:

This is the lame duck of the summer, which is possibly why studio execs waited until after all the blockbusters had left town. It was just a big waste of time. It was this movie that attempted to appeal to guys without alienating the chicks – which accounted for the “unnecessary shots.” You can’t very well strip down naked in -55 degrees.

There was too much running around without much explanation. Even toward the end, what explanation was offered as the root of the plot was simply glossed over and wasn’t satisfying. I didn’t buy it.

I didn’t buy Kate Beckinsale as a US Marshall in Antarctica. And it was obvious that most of the people involved in this movie were about as aware of the realities of the frozen continent as a third grade class. You really shouldn’t walk around with your face exposed in the extreme cold – everyone in Russia knows this. It just wasn’t a smart movie.

Phipps overall: 2

I wouldn’t even rent it, unless you are desperate for action.

Goolsby:

What a let down. When you’ve got both of us sighing a big “Lame,” at the end of the movie, you know it failed. This looked like a promising action thriller. Lies. It was far too obvious. No suspense, save for the cheap shots, at all. It lacked everything.

From unnecessary shots involving Kate Beckinsale in a shower, to cliché and played-out plot, this movie just disappoints. There is really not that much to say about it. The acting was average. The CG was average. The plot was average. The whole lot, just average. The only place this movie succeeded in was the gore, not really gore, but close enough. Since the movie is set in Antarctica, we’ve got freezing temperatures. Throw in some murders, and you’ve got cold blood. The way they handled the blood was done really well. Yay for makeup artists, or who ever created those dead bodies, very convincing.

Goolsby overall: 2.5

There’s not much to say. Average.

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Gamer

Goolphipp Award: 4 (No Peanuts Chucked)

Goolsby:

As a fan of Gerard Butler, I went into this movie blind. I thought I knew the basics, but boy was I wrong. This movie sort of threw me off balance. It paints a world where something popular like Sims evolves into a real life version – where human players control human avatars. The human avatars are not forced into their roles, but actually paid, basically creating a new caste system. Gerard Butler’s character Kable, is a prisoner who participates in a game as an avatar. If he survives, he wins his freedom.

I think the neatest part of this movie is the future society and technology it creates. The world was created down to the details with vivid, vivid detail. Yes, it was a shocking alternate universe, but a very interesting one. I enjoyed the plot line. This movie was very confrontational, in the sense that most of the movie puts the viewer in this awkward place. We saw the bad and very bad of this new society. I appreciated the originality of the movie, but felt out of my element during specific scenes involving sex and drugs.

I think the actors’ delivery was great. Everyone did a good job, nothing corny or over played. Dexter’s Michael C. Hall gave a spooky but amazing performance as Ken Castle, the creator of the new gaming universe.

I guess I’m on the fence at where this movie stands. I was fascinated and disturbed by the future society. There haven’t really been that many main stream satirical movies lately, but this one sure leaves me scratching my head.

Goolsby overall: 4

Gamer is in a category of its own. It pushes the boundaries, and as much as I want to give it a lower score, it really did a good job at delivering what it set out to do. Add it to your Netflix queue when it comes out, but be prepared.

Phipps:
While I agree with Goolsby, I thought they could have toned the sex and drugs aspect down a little. I got their point early, and didn’t really need reinforcement every five minutes. For this reason, this movie’s audience must be 18+. If you are on the conservative side, I’m not sure this is the movie for you.

But I honestly couldn’t help but be fascinated with the plot. I’ve heard complaints that there was no plot, but I thought it was complicated and real albeit reactionary. Our man Kable (AKA Gerard Butler) is reacting the entire movie – as are most of the secondary characters – to the actions of Ken Castle and the virtual (or not so virtual) society of gaming. I love all the ethical questions Gamer brought out. It totally unglued me, because the fact is, this kind of technology doesn’t require a ton of stretch – we could see it one day.

The action was solid. Cinematography and filters were definitely different and contributed to how the audience was stuck in, as Goolsby called it, an “awkward place.” It felt like we were participants by simply observing the story. I was disgusted when confronted with the worst aspects of human nature, which Gamer does not hide or apologize for.

Gamer simply shocks you out of your skin. It makes you think. It takes the world we are building via Facebook, Second Life, and Wii and shows us where it could go if we aren’t careful. As much as I hated watching this movie, I can’t deny that it was sort of brilliant.

Phipps overall: 4
Simply shocking…in that strange makes-you-think way.

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Post Grad

Goolphipp Award: 3.1 (Worth 11 Bucks)

Goolsby:
Post Grad is not Gilmore continued. Although, it has the same tendencies – the quirky family, young adult, cute love interest, and underlying messages. This movie delivered what it had, but it just wasn’t really anything more. It didn’t surprise me or disappoint me. We follow Ryden, a fresh out of the gown college graduate, on her search for life after college. She wants a career, but learns there is more to life than a job.

I didn’t expect much, so it didn’t let me down. It was a cute movie. Is what it is. Good performances from the crazy Malby family. Loved Carol Burnett as the grandma, and I loved all the randomness. I just wish Alexis Bledel would stretch her wings a bit more. Try something different.

Goolsby overall: 3.25
Good pick-me-up, but only slightly memorable.

Phipps:
This movie was ok. You can watch it with your high school kids. It was light and fun.

I’m always drawn to these sort of movies, where people are trying to sort out their lives. But it all boils down to one essential question: what really matters in your life? Most of these movies tap into the theme of dissatisfaction with the American dream. The idea that if you have a high-powered job that everything else will fall into place, and you’ll be happy. And, as most of the working class has found out, it don’t buy happiness. Post Grad does address this question…and Ryden finally figures it out after a series of idiotic moves.

Carol Burnett was seriously fun. I wish we saw more of her in films. One phrase: coffin race cars.

I agree with Goolsby, fun but not too memorable. Average.

Phipps overall: 3
Belt buckles and blow-up furniture don’t buy happiness.

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Adam

Goolphipp Award: 4.75 (No Peanuts Chucked)

Goolsby:
This movie got the best of me. I wanted something that just didn’t happen – and I knew it wouldn’t happen. I wanted a perfect little bow, but I knew all along that I wouldn’t get it. This movie is about a boy with Asperger syndrome. Boy meets girl, and they both learn more than they thought they ever would. This movie was about courage and growth, and I appreciated that even though there was a romantic plot line – that it developed the more meaningful plot into full bloom.

Hugh Dancy gave a stellar performance. Down to the hand movements, and the layered train of thought we get to see him go through. Amazing performance. The supporting cast was awesome as well. Everyone came together to give us a beautiful story. Now lets all hope we have the same courage Adam does.

Goolsby overall: 4.5
Wonderful.

Phipps:
I loved this movie. I thought it was sensitive and real. As someone who has grown up with an Autistic family member, I so appreciated Hugh Dancy’s performance. I think it was accurate – down to even the most subtle hand movement.

I appreciated the love story that didn’t turn out the way we planned, but was really for the best. I loved how we saw how it changed the characters lives. It reminded me of real life, of how events and people push us to be better, to try new things.

I can't really say much more about it, simply because you must see it. This is one of those movies I’ll hold close to my heart.

Phipps overall: 5
Real. Sweet. Funny. Heartbreaking. Inspiring.

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G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Goolphipp Award: 2.25 (See the Cheap Matinee)

Goolsby:
Why do they make movies that are geared for kids PG-13? This movie was not for adults, it failed to keep me entertained or interested. I could see how kids could be entertained by it, but I just about gave up half way through. The only reason I half watched was because of a surprise Joseph Gordon-Levitt who plays "The Doctor." Of course I must also mention Channing Tatum. The more I think about it, I think that the actors were lured in by their own boyhood memories. I think most people over 20 will go see it because of its nostalgia aspect.

The whole thing was just too much CG for me to handle. If money was the issue they should have made their sets smaller, covered less expansive and useless "cool" shots, and focused on delivering some real stuff. If you're going to do a completed CG movie, than do it, don't try to mix one part live action, with fifteen parts CG - its bound to end up looking like a Bedazzled giant sloth. Poor movie. It had potential, and was ruined. The plot was well thought out, flowed fine, but ruined by the over use of the green screen.

As far as violence goes - it was fine. I think adult fighting is okay, but there were some kid-on-kid fighting scenes that I think would be a bad influence on the kiddies. Other than that, I only noticed one or two curse words. The lead female was of course put in tight tight clothing, unnecessary again. Bah. Bah. Bah. This movie needed to make up its mind. Adult or kid, not this mix-n-match stuff. I mean look at the toys! This is for kids, but yet compiled and rated PG-13. Weird, a toy Channing Tatum and Gordon-Levitt. Welcome to the world of plastic forever. Ugh. Thank you Joseph Gordon-Levitt for keeping me awake.

Goolsby overall: 2.5
No excuses. Try harder next time.

Phipps:
I was super excited for this movie. Action, action, action. I dismissed the speculation about GI Joe's lack of critical review, because I've known many movies that are actually better than the critics think. Here's the breakdown:

1) The storyline of the movie was great. I've got no complaints. Non-stop action. It was generally fun without being cheesy or cliche.

2)I I was okay with the casting and performances. Channing Tatum has always done well in action sequences, and because this was basically non-stop action...it was nice to see him in his element. Dennis Quaid's strut was a little strange, but I expect that was a nod to the show that went over my head. Sienna Miller always plays the mean girl perfectly. And well, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is just having a stellar summer.

3) I was okay with the outfits. I was okay with the occasional corny line. After all, for all intents and purposes, this is a superhero movie - certain things are expected and allowed.

4) I was not okay with all the CGI-ing. When you CG an air craft carrier - which included no special gadgets or action shots, you lose my good graces. That was the big example, but there were tons of little things that were fakey looking. I suppose the film-makers just didn't take the time to figure out how to integrate CG and real stuff a la Lord of the Rings style. The big fly CGI spoiled the whole experience. Miniatures, people!

5) As Goolsby said, the kid-on-kid action was unexpected and a little disconcerting. I would want any kids to be 10+ when they see this...by then they should know that hitting other kids is no bueno.

Close, but no cigar. I'd definitely advise to see the cheap showing on the big screen...I think this movie will look abnormally lame on your TV if you wait for DVD.

Phipps overall: 2
Gosh, try filming with miniatures next time.

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(500) Days of Summer

Goolphipp Award: 4.6 (No Peanuts Chucked)

Phipps:
Despite 500 being completely upfront about the lack of love story, I was still kind of depressed afterward. But that's me, and my movie preference showing. I want sunshine and roses at the end...not a possible high of 75.

That being said, I do have to admit that 500 was charming. It was real, too, even with all the dancing and Han Solo sightings. I do have to appreciate a film that can present a relationship with both sides - the good and the ugly - equally and honestly. I liked that Tom and Summer weren't extraordinary in any way from the average human. Heck, their relationship developed much like any other - over days and weeks. None of this fall-into-the-sack stuff. It felt natural, and it was easy to identify with them. It was kinda nice seeing a boy freak out about a girl without being emasculated in the process.

I was charmed by Gordon-Levitt and found myself wanting to be on the receiving end of some of those looks. And of course, everybody wants to be a Zooey Deschanel clone. The supporting cast was also perfect, which allowed for Summer and Tom to shine.

I thought the use of days was ingenious. In fact, I thought the set-up of the entire film was ingenious. The end may not have been my cup of joe, but I can't deny the ingenuity and charm.

Phipps overall: 4.5
Like I said...can't deny the ingenuity and charm.

Goolsby:
(500) Days of Summer was refreshing. I loved the concept of the love story – or lack of love story. From the get go, a narrator says “This is not a love story.” Pay attention and don’t expect something else. The plot moves back and forth between the early days of their relationship to the end days. You would think this could be confusing, but it was done seamlessly. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who plays the loveable greeting card writer Tom, lets his subtle facial expressions sway the audience. There was also a neat role reversal that I appreciated. Soft emotional boy meets the independent woman. I still can’t decide who I relate to more, Tom or Summer. I liked the feeling of being split between the two characters – usually I relate to one character more than the other.

This movie also included various movie spoofs. I love it when movies incorporate and play off of other movies. From the Enchanted based choreographed post-sex dance (with the cartoon blue bird to boot) to the Han Solo reflection. Classic all the way. And very, very appreciated and well received.

And who doesn’t want to be Zooey Deschanel? Jealous. I love her quirky nature. The whole movie was quirky, but done in this amazing way. There is this scene where a split screen is used to show reality and expectations – it was heart wrenching and awesome at the same time.

We saw this movie last night and I’m still smiling about it. What I really liked about the movie is that it is not a love story. The real basis is about coincidence. Life is just a string of random moments and people. I relate to Tom. He’s found himself at a job and point in his life that favors indifference more than anything. There’s a turning point in the movie when Tom erases this chalkboard wall, and draws his future. That is the biggest pull in this movie.

Goolsby overall: 4.75
Draw your own future and make your own coincidences - that’s why I loved it so much.

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Public Enemies

Goolphipp Award: 3 (Worth 11 Bucks)

Goolsby:
First point – empty theaters are the best places to view movies like Public Enemies. We were in a showing with only 2 other people. This means we exchanged banter basically through the whole movie.

Second point – we exchanged banter through the whole movie, because we were both so frustrated and confused with the filming style. This movie can’t make up its mind. You’ve got your artsy epic shots that take up too much time. I’m okay with a few key shots that highlight an actor’s delivery or the action, but this was absurd. There were grainy shots for no reason at all. What was the worst thing was the shaky cinematography. Phipps said something like Blair Witch Project, so I’m stealing her line. It was horrible. I never forgot about it until the last 10 minutes of the film. Since we were basically in an empty theater, I caught myself holding out both my hands trying to steady myself. So distracting. You got to wonder what the director Michael Mann was thinking?

Third point – filming took away from the awesome deliveries. Depp brings in a winner again. And could his hair be any more awesome? Swoon. Maria Cotillard, who played Billie Frechette, was amazing as well. She closed the movie, and that scene was perfect. The whole cast was amazing. And random Leelee Sobieski, where has she been?
And on a final note – the one thing I did like about the cinematography was the color hue. It fit well into the period with the round browns and warm colors.

Oh oh oh, how could I forget this! The scene in which Dillinger (Depp) walks into the police station... it was the greatest thing I've seen in a long time. Loved it.

Goolsby overall: 3
Loved everyone's hair.

Phipps:
This film was a big-budget, period piece modeled after the Blair Witch Project. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a hit, like its predecessor. I was completely distracted by the cinematography the ENTIRE time. I think it was worse than Pitof’s Catwoman, and that’s saying something.

And that is a crying shame, because all the performances were spectacular. I was equally drawn to both protagonists, John Dillinger and Melvin Purvis. Depp pulls off the likeable thief - charming me with his half smiles. Bale, of course, is always stellar as the smart, squeaky clean lawman. Everyone got to see that Channing Tatum could realistically die on screen, which further builds his repertoire.

All the historical junk looked authentic…as far as a layman is concerned. It was weird to see the police action without the use of walkies and vests. I'm glad I live in the age of S.W.A.T.

Public Enemies had all the right pieces, but someone let us down in the sound and cinematography, and I’m going bet it’s the director, Michael Mann. Mr. Mann, shame on you for robbing some people of Oscar nods.

Wait for the DVD, folks, and don’t forget the Dramamine.

Phipps overall: 3
Giving it a 3, simply because the performances deserve the world. Could have easily been a 5, Mr. Mann.

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The Ugly Truth

Goolphipp Award: 3.5 (Worth 11 Bucks)

Phipps:
Well, I’ve heard The Ugly Truth. I laughed a lot – although, sometimes I was so shocked…I had to nervously laugh. This movie is definitely adult. I’m thinking college crowd would enjoy it the most. It’s definitely not the movie you want to watch with your grandma. That being said, I enjoyed the movie.

The orgasm-in-the-middle-of-a-restaurant felt like a nod to When Harry Met Sally…and then promptly took it to the next level.

Gerard Butler, of course, is great as the good guy with edge.

The male stereotype soapboxes are brought out in the open. This movie is written by a bunch of women, who obviously wanted to back their male lead into a corner to prove a point. Sure, sure, men are absolute pigs. Sex sells, but at the end of day, someone has to fall for the neurotic females. And why? “Beats the s***t out of me,” says our male lead. I thought it was very interesting that it was all about breaking down men…as if women are angelic in their understanding of relationships. In the end, Katherine Hiegl’s character, Abby, doesn’t even say “I love you” back.

But I think, the main reactions you’ll get from people are, “it was funny” and “that guy was hot!” Sounds like a successful romantic comedy to me.

Phipps overall: 3.5
I could watch 2 hours of Gerard Butler any day!

Goolsby:
We went to see this for my birthday with my mom. It was a birthday choice because of Gerard Butler. He delivered of course. I knew that this would be adult humor, but goodness. Once I got over the “this-is-awkward-sitting-next-to-my-mom” I was fine. The character dynamic was great. Your typical brash guy meets controlling girl. They fall in love. The real core of this is the humor of course. The jokes were honest. The truth is always funny. There are a couple of scenes that I just died laughing. A certain panty scene in a restaurant was the most unexpected thing ever.

All girls can relate to Abby (played by Katherine Heigl) – who hasn’t done a happy dance when they thought no one was looking? I have. I’m also glad that they didn’t ruin some of the more major jokes in previews or trailers. I’m happy with the movie; it delivered what it was supposed to.

Goolsby overall: 3.5

I wont be buying it, but Gerard put a smile on my face.

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Goolphipp Award: 4.25

Where we stand: Both fans, not fanatics

Phipps: I read the books a long time ago, and haven’t read them a second time. I have these overall summaries in my head. I don’t read them before I see the movie to keep myself from nitpicking. The first five had to leave out a ton of stuff because of time, and mostly I agree with the calls made. I felt satisfied every time that they captured the spirit and plot of the book. This movie was different…didn’t feel like the others in terms of satisfaction.

Goolsby: I joined the Harry Potter scene late in the game. I saw the first five movies before I buckled down and read the books. After the fifth installment, I read all the books back to back in about one month. So for this sixth book, I thought I would take advantage of my knowledge and re-read the book to experience something different. So I bring a more book inclined view to the movies, but like most book adaptations, there is a stage of “making peace” that you have to go through. Oh, and of course, we attended the midnight showing.

Audience: Everyone – who doesn’t like HP?

Goolsby: Of course the story of the Chosen One gets darker. Good and evil, and all that jazz. You’ve got your teenage bumpkins in the audience who make stupid snide remarks as the romance develops. I would recommend older viewers to see the movie during a time where “kids” won’t be in abundance.

Phipps: As we go on, the plot gets darker. As a result, sometimes that translates into scary. So parents, know what your kid can handle.

Storyline: The Cauldron starts to boil over…

Phipps: Followed the book, sort of. The focus was the changing relationships, which could have been done in a shorter amount of time. That would have freed up some time to lay crucial groundwork for the next two. My biggest complaint is the end scenes…it didn’t feel right. And according to Goolsby, there were major deviations. And if I felt that way, I’m sure most people will feel it, too.

Goolsby: Well, if we look at the storyline compared to the book, there are obvious deviations. The most crucial being the Gaunt family history, potions class, and the battle sequence. I suspect they will tie up the loose ends of Voldemort’s history in the next movie as flashbacks or something similar. I understand why they left out the potions class, and I have “made peace” with that. The battle sequence, I understand, but don’t see the reasoning. The storyline based in regards to the other movies is however linear and fitting, I’ll give it that. I did however feel the storyline was split too drastically in obvious halves. The first half is the blustering romance and comedic relief. The second half is completely dark. I feel the two halves were not meshed well, but that is minor and expected.

Where’s the Drama: Love, friendship, good, and evil.

Phipps: Y’all know the story. Harry vs. Voldemort; however, this movie is much like the Prisoner of Azkaban, where Harry is fighting henchmen most of the time. The love stuff is much more fun in the book, and I feel sorry for the actors as they try to turn their sibling chemistries into romance.

Goolsby: The gusto in this movie was dispersed throughout. I loved the high school drama-ness of the budding love. I also loved the darker side of the film. The subtle rifts between the characters were executed with precision.

Continuity: Hmmm…

Goolsby: I feel this movie was consistent with the last, but had a very different feeling than that last, which is surprising. I think perhaps Yates wanted to strengthen the three amigos before sending them off on the rest of the journey – wanted the viewers to feel that bond in this movie. This movie picked up right where 5 ended, and I greatly, greatly appreciate that. Thanks Yates.

Phipps: This movie generally felt different. While the last 5 were all different there was a x-factor that tied them together. I think Yates wanted to make his own mark a bit too much. Felt a bit choppy too…with love, then dark plot, comedic love, dark plot, etc, but I have a feeling I will like it better the second time around.

Delivery: Expected and surprised

Goolsby: Of course we’re so used to everyone that it is almost impossible to disappoint us. I think everyone did very well. Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint are really getting to test out their wings. I was pleasantly surprised by Tom Felton (Draco). In the last scenes I thought he did a great job. I was also happy with the portrayal of Slughorn. Congrats everyone, job very well done. I mean come on, it would be so hard to kiss someone who is more like your sister or brother than anything else. Oh oh, the whole Felix Felicis scene was so perfect it made my heart smile.

Phipps: In true Harry Potter fashion, everyone was expertly cast and portrayed their respective characters so well that this is basically a non-issue for me. Everyone gets an A.

Phipps overall: 4
Solid 4, for now. I’m sure on my second viewing, it might hop up a couple notches.

Goolsby overall: 4.5
First viewing I give it a 4.5. I would like to say it is more, but honestly I was so cheesed that I had to vent out my differences. Overnight I made peace.
Second viewing I still give it a 4.5.

Goolphipp award: 4.25 (No peanuts chucked)

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