Babel -- R
A very good movie, but a very slow moving movie. It shows how we are all interconnected. Even a Moroccan shepard boy, an American businessman, a Japanese divorcée, a deaf mute and a Mexican housekeeper.
Baby Mama - - PG-13
The first half of this movie was horrible. The second half was funny and touching. If you can sit through Dax Shepard and Steve Martin in the worst roles I have ever seen them in to get to the point of confession of Amy Pohler, then the movie might be worth viewing on a matinee.
Bad Boys II -- R
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in a 2 1/2 hour movie together. You know it had to be R rated. Plenty of violent gun-play, fast car action, beautiful women and vulgar language. A good story line about the Miami Police Department and DEA working at cross purposes to arrest the same man; each for different reasons. When Martin Lawrence's sister (Gabrielle Union) gets taken to Cuba by the bad guys because she is a DEA agent, the story line gets ridiculous, but the action increases.
Bad News Bears -- PG-13
This remake of the Walter Matthou classic is played very well by Billy Bob Thornton. However – and there's always a however in life -- the cursing of the children was so raw and continuous, it ruined the movie. Although it was only rated PG-13, this was a R movie if ever I heard one.
Bad Santa -- R
This movie advertises that it is a Santa movie for adults, and boy, is it ever! A department store Santa, an alcoholic thief, curses children, drinks on the job, urinates on himself while working and is generally a disgusting person. Billy Bob Thorton is hilarious and Tony Cox is outstanding in this movie. John Ritter's role in this, his last, movie is worth the price of admission alone. So much cursing and disgusting behavior, the movie earned an R rating.
Barbershop 2 -- PG-13
The entire gang from the original Barbershop is back. Plus Queen Latifah, as the operator of the beauty salon next door. There is a greater focus, through the use of flashbacks, on how Cedric the Entertainer came to be at the barbershop, against the backdrop of Calvin (Ice Cube) fighting to compete against a big monied chain of barbaershops. The conversations in the barbershop are just as funny as the first movie, but they aren't as controversial. The 13 of the PG-13 rating is for the language and drug reference.
Basic Instinct 2 -- R
The movie opens with Sharon Stone using a drugged out car passenger’s finger to masturbate herself. Then the movie really gets nasty. Actually, the movie’s story-line is very good, the acting is very good and the outcome is great. The problem with the movie is that the sexually charged parts are so intense, as to be distracting.
Batman Begins -- PG-13
Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Rutgar Hauer, Liam Neeson and that's the side characters! When you have four Oscar capable actors in the same movie, the script had better be good and this one delivers. Great acting, outstanding special effects, terrific action; oh, by the way, Christian Bale is pretty good himself playing Batman. Darker than any of the other Batman movies or television series, PG-13 is probably the best rating for this one. Everyone else in the movie is so good, people overlook a fine performance by Katie Holmes.
Be Cool -- PG-13
Chili Palmer (John Travolta) is back. Only this time, he’s conquering the music industry. Chili helps a widow (Uma Thurman) of a ganster friend (James Woods) that he witnessed getting killed by the Russian mafia. To help her, he gets a singer (Christina Milian) out of a contract with a shady promoter (Harvey Keitel), outwits a producer wannabe (Vince Vaughn, in a hilarious role) with a black, gay bodyguard that sings country western (The Rock). Chili teams the singer with a rapper/producer (Cedric the Entertainer). This movie is very funny, but has too many insider jokes that the general audience might not get. Very vulgar language, sexual innuendoes and violence pushes the PG-13 envelope to it’s tearing point.
Beauty Shop -- PG-13
Gina (Queen Latifah) leaves the Chicago neighborhood of Barbershop and moves to Atlanta when her daughter gets accepted to a musical school. She first works at Jorge's Hair Shop, but Jorge (Kevin Bacon) is just too bossy, so she quits, opens her own beuaty shop, and takes customers (Andie MacDowell and Mena Suvari) and a stylist (Alicia Silverstone) with her. Gina buys a working shop and inherits operators, (Alfrie Woodard, Golden Brooks) and a host of problems. Hilarious movie that shows the woman's side of the gossip column! PG-13 for sexual references, language and drug reference.
Because of Winn-Dixie – PG
This movie is about a 10 year-old girl (Annasophia Robb) who moves to a Floridian community with her preacher father (Jeff Daniels). Her mother abandoned the family when the girl was 3 years old, and she is beginning to forget what her mother even looks like. The community she moves to has other kids, but making new friends can be hard, while life is hard without friends. The girl eventually finds a dog running wild in the grocery store and adopts him, naming him after the store, Winn-Dixie. The dog not only becomes her best friend ever, he teaches her how to make friends with the locals, such as Cicely Tyson, Eva Marie Saint, Courtney Jines and Dave Matthews.
Bee Movie - - PG
A “preachy” animated film about a bee colony where one bee (Jerry Seinfield) decides
to enter the outer world to make a name for himself and find a human girlfriend. Visually
for kids, but I can't imagine them enjoying this movie.
Bee Season – PG-13
This movie takes a realistic situation (grade school spelling bees) and adds Jewish mysticism to get an unrealistic, but decent angst film. The relationship between the young girl (Flora Cross) and her father (Richard Gere) is explored in such a way as to make a father’s devotion to the success of his daughter seem like a bad thing. In his case, he neglects his son and wife. The daughter, as a intuitive user of Jewish Kaballa, really doesn’t need his help, but welcomes the attention.
Beowulf - - PG-13
A computer graphic film that does not follow the poem for which it is named at all.
This movie appears to be an excuse to show Angelina Jolie naked, without her flaws
being visible. Also starring Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich and Ray Winstone as
Beowulf, I was actually under impressed with the movie, but enjoyed the technology of
the IMAX process.
Beyond the Sea – PG-13
The story of singer Bobby Darin (Kevin Spacey) and his relationship with his wife, Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth). What appears at first glance to be a vanity film -- Kevin Spacey produced, directed, starred and sang Bobby’s song himself – turns out to be a very good biopic of a very interesting and talented man that died early in life. This movie is stylistically similar to Delovely, but a better film. The 13 of the PG-13 was for language.
The Big Bounce -- PG-13
A movie with everything you could possibly ask for: outstanding actors (Morgan Freeman, Owen Wilson, Gary Sinese, Charlie Sheen, Vin Jones, and the lovely Sara Foster) with a story by an outstanding writer (Elmore Leonard). However -- and there's always a however in life -- this movie stinks. It was a confused mess of too many doing too much to no avail. Nudity, sexual content, language and violence gave this movie a PG-13 rating on the high end of the PG-13 scale.
Big Fish -- PG-13
The type of movie that should be seen by every man raised with a working father in the house. All men wonder if their father is the man we think he is, and we're always disappointed when he turns out to be human. This movie tells the story of a father who is a known exaggerator -- or is he -- and his son's journey to find out the truth. Outstanding! Some language and sexually suggestive situations makes this movie PG-13 rather than PG.
Bionicle: The Movie -- PG
An all cgi movie of sci-fi lego creatures. This movie blends science fiction with ancient mysticism in a way that I feel is too mystical for children. Visually, children will probably enjoy it. Boys more than girls. Story-wise, however -- and there's always a however in life-- it's too convoluted and the names are too difficult to remember to be endearing to the audience it seeks. The mild violence is the reason for the PG rating, although I felt a G would have been just as appropriate.
Blade: Trinity -- R
I’m probably the wrong one to ask about this movie. If you add a vampire or werewolf to just about ANY movie, I would love it! I particularly loved this one because of the main character. Blade (Wesley Snipes) is joined by Whistler’s (Kris Kristofferson) daughter (the beautiful Jessica Beal) and a group of human vampire hunters called the Nightstalkers. The vampires come up with two plans. (1) Trick Blade into killing a human, so that he is being hunted by humans, and (2) waking the original vampire (Dracula, now known as Drake) to help with world domination of the humans. The least bloody of the three Blade movies, but violent enough to earn an R rating.
Blood Diamond – R
Raw and gritty movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio in another of a long line of outstanding performances. He plays the role of a diamond smuggler in the dirty business of transporting conflict diamonds to market. Adults need to learn more after seeing this movie which is NOT for kids.
Bobby -- R
Not so much a story of Bobby Kennedy as it is a story of the effect he had on the lives of 22 people who were at the hotel he was killed in on the night he was assassinated. Outstanding movie.
Boogeyman -- PG-13
An eight year old boy watches as the Boogeyman drags his father into the closet. His father is never seen again. For 15 years, psychiatrists convince the boy that he imagined what he thought he saw, and that his father really just walked out on his mother. When his mother dies, the boy has to spend the night in that house, to reclaim his sanity. It scares the bejezus out of you, but it is PG-13 doing it.
Borat -- R
The entertainment magazines called this movie either the greatest comedy of the year, or the most insulting, degrading spectacle of the year. I think the latter is true. This movie is despicable, degrading and destructive. Andy Kaufman used to appear in character and bait people – mainly wrestlers. He ended up getting a broken neck. Borat wasn't as good as Andy Kaufman.
The Bourne Supremecy -- PG-13
Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne, the CIA operative with amnesia. This movie has some of the best car chase scenes I have ever seen, but the fight scene features a hand held camera. Directors seem to think this is art. I think it is dumb. Other than that, this movie is an outstanding movie of action.
Breaking All the Rules -- PG-13
A hilarious comedy about a magazine editor (Jamie Foxx) who is viciously dumped by his girlfriend. After wallowing for in while in self-pity, he writes a best selling book about how to break-up with someone the proper way. To avoid the hurt he felt, he adivises his cousin (Morris Chestnut) his ex-boss (Peter MacNicol) and others how to break up the proper way. He falls in love with a girl his cousin dumps (Gabrielle Union), and learns that sometimes "breaking up, is so very hard to do." This movie is rated PG-13, but it's use of extreme sexually vulgar terms and situations should have rated it an R. Parents may want to watch this first and then decide if it's for your children. One old man wants people to play with his d**k, and mf is used several times, as well as the b word and others.
The Break-up -- PG-13
This movie is an enjoyable romantic comedy with a true to life ending, rather than a Hollywood ending. Jennifer Anniston is very good, and her and Vince Vaughan have a great chemistry. He is a typical guy’s guy, and she is the perennial female. Suggestive conversation and some nudity makes this movie PG-13, rather than PG.
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason -- R
I really like the first Bridget Jones movie, so I was looking forward to this one. That was my first mistake. Staying until the end was my next one. This movie was in the tradition of I Love Lucy, in the sense of everything is powered by misunderstandings. Unfortunately, the plot and story are just too repetitive. The only good part was the fight between Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, and that is from the first movie. The sexuality and language gave this it’s rating, although the language was difficult to understand.
Bring It On Again -- PG-13
The sequel to the popular Bring It On, this features the girls ( now played by actresses other than Kristen Durst and Gabrielle Union) in college trying out for the cheerleading squad. Predictable and a little sexier, this movie doesn't deliver the excitment of the original. Worth a rental, but not a buy, it's rated PG-13 for the sexual situations and vulgar language.
Britney, Justin, Christina
One of the DVD's from the Mickey Mouse Club collection, this one shows the singing career startsa of Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Agularra. My, how they have changed since then. But, then again, so have we all. The entire family will enjoy this one.
Brokeback Mountain -- R
Most of the critics are afraid to say they did not like this movie because it deals with two cowboys in love. They visit Brokeback Mountain for a love tryst every winter for 20 years together, then go back to their wives and children. This isn't a bad "gay" movie. This is a bad movie. The violence of their sex, and the down low aspect earned this movie it's R rating.
Broken Lizard's Club Dread -- R
The movie should have named this Club Dreddful! This movie is a spoof of Jimmy Buffet, and it doesn't work. Nudity, vulgar language and violence gives it the R rating.
Brother Bear -- PG
Another, in a long line of films that try tries to show that humans are horrible for the world. The only good creatures on this earth are animals. And, of course, Indians. Why does a boy have to become a beare in order to learn how to be a man. Don't bears kill weaker animals? Aren't bears sloven and lazy; especially the male bear? What are we trying to preach here? Visually for children with some great songs. You can tell I'm not impressed with the movie. The DVD has 3 viewing options including family friendly, Moose commentary and enhanced. There are new songs by Phil Collins and a feature animated film by Phil Collins. There are also deleted scenes, including new characters not seen in the film, and animated outtakes.
Bruce Almighty PG-13
A very funny comedy starring Jim Carey as a frustrated reporter that wonders why God doesn't handle things better. Parents need to be careful on this because even though it is rated PG-13, it has two "F" bombs in the first 30 minutes. It also has a scene with a monkey that you may want to reconsider letting your smaller children see. The role of God is played by Morgan Freeman as a dignified character with a sense of humor, but the movie is more of God making fun of ma, rather than man making fun of God. Sexual situations, vculgar language and adult themes is the reason for the 13 of the PG-13.
The Bucket List -- PG-13
Jack Nickolson plays a billionaire who gets sick and ends up in his own hospital with a roommate (Morgan Freeman) who is a mechanic. Jack is there because his personal assistant (Sean Hayes) feels that it would be a better PR move than having him stay in a private room. His roommate writes a bucket list -- a list of things to do before you kick the bucket -- then throws it away when he finds out he has no more than a year left to live. Since Jack finds out the same thing about himself, he decides to use his money and some suggestions of his own to take the two men on a journey to fulfill their "bucket list".
Bug -- R
Michael Shannon plays a military war veteran who is slightly unhinged, who meets a lonely abused women (Ashley Judd). He stays with her for a while to protected her from her abuser (Harry Connick, Jr.) but he turns out to be heavily infested with bugs. Icky, but suspenseful.
Bulletproof Monk -- PG-13
Funny and exciting movie about mentoring and self-teaching. Chow Yun-Fat is always good, Sean William Scott is always funny, and Jaime King is always lovely. Violence, language and sexual content is the reason for the 13 of the PG-13 rating.
The Butterfly Effect -- R
This movie is not for children. The subject matter of child abuse AND animal abuse will disturbe most children and many adults. The movie, however is a movie that deals with a child who has blackouts as a way of dealing with stress. When he grows up (as Ashton Kutcher), he developes a process of finding out what happened when he was unconscious -- and changing it.
