500 Days of Summer – I really love both Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and for their parts, they were great. But the movie just didn’t do it for me. I think that I was expecting a more typical romantic comedy rather than an independent dramedy. It had funny parts, but as a whole it was rather sparse and depressing. I don’t want to say that it was a bad movie, but it did not meet my expectations.
Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian – Ok this is clearly the most well known of the films on the list. Ben Stiller returns as Larry the security guard and has to do battle with a Pharaoh (played by the always amusing Hank Azaria). It was alright, but I felt that it didn’t capture the same wonder as the first film. It seemed as though it was aimed more at children – as seen by the casting of the Jonas Brothers as singing cherubs on the top of a fountain. Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart was brilliant in spite of everything.
Cold Comfort Farm – An early-in-her-career Kate Beckinsale goes to live with family in the country to get inspiration for the book she plans on writing in the BBC production. Do I really need to tell you anything else? It was rough – I mostly played Mario Kart. Ooh, Mario Kart… I’ll be right back.
The Family Man – This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Nic Cage and Tea Leoni are great and I think that it’s a wonderful break from director Brett Ratner’s typical action fare. It’s a modern day “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Quantum of Solace – I decided to give this one a second chance since I was given the DVD for Christmas. As I’ve mentioned previously, I liked the Pierce Brosnan Bond films and I loved Casino Royale. But something about this just comes off as feeling like another installment of the Bourne Identity – shaky camera work, over-the-top action sequences, less than engaging story. Take it for what it’s worth.
Related posts:
- Rental Review Wrap Up – Pt. 1
- Rental Reviews: Ghost Town
- Rental Reviews: Meet Dave
- Movie Review: 17 Again
Traci
I love these rental reviews! Since we pretty much just rent. Family Man is one of my favorite movies! =)
January 13, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Ryan
Traci,
Glad you enjoyed them. I, too, tend to rent more than going to the theater.
i say “rent’, but On Demand and DVR have changed my life. I used to have HBO on Demand and they would give us about 50 movies a month to choose from (7-8 new ones each week) that was great. My Verizon On Demand is lacking, but I’ll DVR some good stuff off of USA at like 1am.
Great to catch up on stuff that you miss when it first comes out, or those old favorites you can watch again and again.
January 13, 2010 at 10:10 pm