I liked John Dillinger, yes, that John Dillinger, the bank robber and cold blooded murderer. How does someone actually like a treacherous criminal and feel disappointed when he dies? Answer: Johnny Depp. Depp’s portrayal of Dillinger in Public Enemies brings out a human side of the legendary bank robber that I didn’t expect going into the movie.
Christian Bale plays the key FBI agent leading the hunt for Dillinger. Bale does a good job, however, there were times I still saw him as Batman. I never thought of Jack Sparrow, from Pirates of the Caribbean while watching Depp.
Marion Cotillard plays Dillinger’s “girl” and she brings a vulnerability and naiveté to the role that is brilliant. At times during the film I found myself wanting Dillinger to just stop robbing banks and killing people and run away with Billie and live happily ever- after. Needless to say, that didn’t happen.
This movie is more drama, than suspense/thriller and it is appropriately Rated R for gangster violence and some language. If you’re looking for something light hearted this isn’t your movie, but if you want something you can sink your teeth into run to this intelligent depression era gangster movie.
R.A.N.’s Rating For Public Enemies = **** Run To This Movie
R.A.N.’s Rating System:
*****RACE To This Movie = Amazing/Oscar Worthy
****RUN To This Movie = Great
***JOG To This Movie = Good
**WALK To This Movie = So-So
*SKIP Past This Movie = Bad
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Ugly Truth
The Ugly Truth is a romantic comedy that attempts to shed light on men and women’s true nature. Key word: ATTEMPTS. Let me share my top 5 TRUTHS from this movie
- Truth be told, Katherine Heigl has nothing ugly about her. Truly, she’s a doll.
- Truth be told, Gerard Butler often appears to literally be talking out of the left side of his mouth and the right side doesn't move. I don’t know if this was part of his character or something he regularly does. Truthfully, I found it annoying.
- Truth be told, it’s appropriately Rated R for language and sexual content. Really, some of it was over the top for me.
- Truth be told, I took one piece of advise from this movie and have implemented it in my marriage. I have committed to my husband to stop back seat driving. Frankly, he's thrilled.
- Truth be told, you can walk to this movie or skip past it and go see the movie The Proposal, with Sandra Bullock. Honestly, it is a better movie and since I didn't write a review for The Proposal this gives me a chance to recommend it!
R.A.N.’s Rating For The Ugly Truth = **WALK To This Movie
R.A.N.’s Rating System:
*****RACE To This Movie = Amazing/Oscar Worthy
****RUN To This Movie = Great
***JOG To This Movie = Good
**WALK To This Movie = So-So
*SKIP Past This Movie = Bad
Sunday, July 26, 2009
500 Days Of Summer (Wide Release Aug. 7th)
500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy that follows a different channel than is customary. So, if you’re looking for a romantic comedy that follows the typical plot of: 1. boy meets girl; 2. boy and girl have conflict; 3. boy and girl end up happily ever after… THEN, go see a different movie called The Proposal, a hilarious and paint-by-the-numbers romantic comedy.
HOWEVER, if you’re feeling frisky and want to see a unique spin on a romantic comedy go check out 500 Days of Summer, an independent film showcased at Sundance Film Festival. Anyone that has experienced the twist and turns of love, especially young love, can relate to this film.
It is rated PG-13 for some sexual material and language. Overall, the comedy is created through humorous dialogue and an unpredictable story line. There is one unnecessary visual in regards to a former boyfriend named Puma. This is brief and when you hear his name, if you brought kids, be prepared to cover their eyes and you might want to close yours too!
The movie is 95 minutes long and about 45 minutes into it, I felt a brief lull. The lull didn’t last long and when the movie was over, a sold out theatre began to applaud. As a general rule when this happens I would say, run to this movie, but with the brief slow down in the middle of the movie, you can take your time and just JOG to This Movie.
R.A.N.’s Rating For 500 Days of Summer = *** JOG To This Movie
R.A.N.’s Rating System:
*****RACE To This Movie = Amazing/Oscar Worthy
****RUN To This Movie = Great
***JOG To This Movie = Good
**WALK To This Movie = So-So
*SKIP Past This Movie = Bad
HOWEVER, if you’re feeling frisky and want to see a unique spin on a romantic comedy go check out 500 Days of Summer, an independent film showcased at Sundance Film Festival. Anyone that has experienced the twist and turns of love, especially young love, can relate to this film.
It is rated PG-13 for some sexual material and language. Overall, the comedy is created through humorous dialogue and an unpredictable story line. There is one unnecessary visual in regards to a former boyfriend named Puma. This is brief and when you hear his name, if you brought kids, be prepared to cover their eyes and you might want to close yours too!
The movie is 95 minutes long and about 45 minutes into it, I felt a brief lull. The lull didn’t last long and when the movie was over, a sold out theatre began to applaud. As a general rule when this happens I would say, run to this movie, but with the brief slow down in the middle of the movie, you can take your time and just JOG to This Movie.
R.A.N.’s Rating For 500 Days of Summer = *** JOG To This Movie
R.A.N.’s Rating System:
*****RACE To This Movie = Amazing/Oscar Worthy
****RUN To This Movie = Great
***JOG To This Movie = Good
**WALK To This Movie = So-So
*SKIP Past This Movie = Bad
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Hurt Locker (Limited Release)
When a movie stirs up multiple emotions I think it’s a success. While watching The Hurt Locker I was often on the edge of my seat in anticipation, had tears in my eyes due to the reality and someway still managed to chuckle several times. The main emotion I felt was gratitude to the men and women who fight for our country.
This film is appropriately rated "R" because it gives a very clear depiction of what I imagine war is and the raw emotions of those fighting. However, it isn’t a movie with a political agenda; instead it is a drama-suspense that allows you to see into the heart and soul of three men who are teamed together on a bomb squad unit in Iraq.
I am not very familiar with the three main actors (Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie & Brian Geraghty) but based on their acting in this film, we will be seeing more of them. In addition to the main characters there are cameos by Ralph Fiennes and Evangeline Lilly (Lost).
Usually when I see a weekday matinee, there are more women than men in the audience. Today this wasn't the case, approximately 60-70% of the audience was male. There were men in groups of 2-3, ranging in age from their 20's to 70's. They may have been buddies, father-son, grandfather-son but the theatre was definitely dominated by males.
Based on this I would say MEN want to RACE To This Movie, WOMEN might be more prone to JOG To This Movie and if you are looking for a DATE NIGHT movie I recommend a compromise so grab your sweetie and RUN To This Movie an excellent thriller that will leave you feeling thankful and a bit surprised by the ending.
R.A.N.'s Rating For The Hurt Locker= * * * * RUN To This Movie
R.A.N.'s Rating System:
* * * * * RACE To This Movie = Amazing/Oscar Worthy
* * * * RUN To This Movie = Great
* * * JOG To This Movie = Good
* * WALK To This Movie = So-So
* SKIP Past this Movie = Bad
This film is appropriately rated "R" because it gives a very clear depiction of what I imagine war is and the raw emotions of those fighting. However, it isn’t a movie with a political agenda; instead it is a drama-suspense that allows you to see into the heart and soul of three men who are teamed together on a bomb squad unit in Iraq.
I am not very familiar with the three main actors (Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie & Brian Geraghty) but based on their acting in this film, we will be seeing more of them. In addition to the main characters there are cameos by Ralph Fiennes and Evangeline Lilly (Lost).
Usually when I see a weekday matinee, there are more women than men in the audience. Today this wasn't the case, approximately 60-70% of the audience was male. There were men in groups of 2-3, ranging in age from their 20's to 70's. They may have been buddies, father-son, grandfather-son but the theatre was definitely dominated by males.
Based on this I would say MEN want to RACE To This Movie, WOMEN might be more prone to JOG To This Movie and if you are looking for a DATE NIGHT movie I recommend a compromise so grab your sweetie and RUN To This Movie an excellent thriller that will leave you feeling thankful and a bit surprised by the ending.
R.A.N.'s Rating For The Hurt Locker= * * * * RUN To This Movie
R.A.N.'s Rating System:
* * * * * RACE To This Movie = Amazing/Oscar Worthy
* * * * RUN To This Movie = Great
* * * JOG To This Movie = Good
* * WALK To This Movie = So-So
* SKIP Past this Movie = Bad
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
I am on vacation on Coronado Island in California. Yesterday it was a sunny CA day and we were planning to go to the beach after lunch. All that changed when my husband and son learned the NEW Harry Potter movie just opened. Suddenly the beach is on the back burner and HP has taken over the day. Really? What about tomorrow? What about when we get back to Phoenix with NO BEACH? What about waiting until it comes out on DVD? But it was 2-1 in favor of running to the movies.
All this said to let you know I have never gotten into the Harry Potter craze...EVER. That all changed yesterday with movie number 6! When the movie was over, I was ready to rent the 5 previous films for a movie marathon. I have seen a couple of the movies in the series, but kept looking at my watch to see when the 3 hours would be over. Yesterday, I only looked to see if I could wait until the end to go to the bathroom!
So if you are already a fan, you will love the movie, if you aren't it could change with this latest addition. I don't know what the others have been rated, this is PG and I think the "fear" factor should put it at PG-13.
If you haven't seen previous HP's you will easily be able to follow the story line, however, I can see how watching all the movies you could find more humor and connections with the characters.
I always loved Bewitched growing up and have watched many episodes with my son. I'm surprised with how much I enjoy Bewitched that I have just come around to enjoying Harry, but better late than never!
R.A.N.'s Rating: * * * * RUN To This Movie
R.A.N.'s Rating System:
* * * * * RACE To This Movie = Amazing/Oscar Worthy
* * * * RUN To This Movie = Great
* * * JOG To This Movie = Good
* * WALK To This Movie = So-So
* SKIP Past this Movie = Bad
What is R.A.N. To The Movies?
My name is Rachele and I love to run to the movies. Often I share my thoughts on the movie with others. On more than one occasion I've been told I should create a blog and write my reviews. My initials are R.A.N. so when you are thinking about making a Run To The Movies, you can check and see if I already R.A.N. To The Movie and what my review is. Cheers To The Movies!
R.A.N.'s Rating System:
* * * * * RACE To This Movie = Amazing/Oscar Worthy
* * * * RUN To This Movie = Great
* * * JOG To This Movie = Good
* * WALK To This Movie = So-So
* SKIP Past This Movie = Bad
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