Movie List
Fade to Black -- R
A concert film featuring Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Beyonce, Mary J. Blidge and others, this rap documentary/concert film shows the Madisin Square Garden concert of Jay-Z in the context of his retirement album, Fade to Black. This movie shows his collaborators on the album and some of his thinking toward it's creation. Extremely vulgar and violent languauge makes this particularly unfit for children, but that's who it's going to attract. Hip-hop fans, both young and old, will want to see this movie. The R rating is exactly that.
Fahrenheit 9/11 -- R
This is a movie and NOT a documentary. It is Michael Moore's attempt to unhinge the reelection of President Bush. Plain and simple. Now, as a movie it is not going to change anyone's attitude. You will leave feeling like you did when you came in. The movie is funny, in parts, traumatic in parts and thought provoking. Since you already know the director will twist the truth to fit his conclusions, it makes you want to research his "facts". Any movie that does that, to me, is a success. The R rating is justified, due to news clippings of intense military violence and vulgar language.
Failure to Launch -- PG-13
Date movie with a twist: a financially successful boat salesman (Mathew McCoughghey) living with his parents (Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw) as a means of keeping women from getting too serious about him. His father hires a consultant (Sarah Jessica Parker) to woo his son out of the house. Fun movie.
The Family Stone -- Pg-13
Let me ask you a question. How can you have a movie with this name, and an all star cast, not have any songs by Sly and The Family Stone in it? I love these actors, but in order to like the movie, you have to like, at least some of the characters. I didn't like any of them. I assume they were supposed to be a free thinking, fun loving "let your child make his own decision" type of family. Sexual innuendos and situations gave this movie the 13 of it's PG-13.
Fantastic Four -- PG-13
This movie does an outstanding job of introducing you to the characters of the bomic book The Fantastic Four. It also does a great job of getting you ready to see the sequel. It doesn't, however, tell a very good story. PG-13 for the violence and language.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer -- PG
Much better than the first Fantastic Four movie which just introduced the characters. This is a very good story about the Silver Surfer and his role as a searcher or herald for Galacticus, devourer of worlds. Great action, good suspense. The entire family can watch this and enjoy it together.
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift -- PG-13
Action packed from beginning to end. The drift in the title is the way they drive on the street racing circuit in Japan by putting on the breaks and accelerator at the same time. So get your popcorn, strap yourself in and go for the ride.
Fat Albert -- PG
Although I loved the cartoons from ’72 thru ’84, I didn’t want to see this movie. That’s because I really thought Hollywood has a problem converting cartoons to live animation. Plus, when original director Forrest Whittaker quit over "creative differences" with Bill Cosby, I thought the movie would really be a stinker. Man, was I ever wrong! This movie is probably the best family film of the season. Not only does it teach about self-esteem, friendship, helping others and good manners, it’s funny and heart touching as well. The ending could not have been better.
Father of the Bride – PG
This remake of the Spencer Tracy-Katherine Hepburn classic is funny and memorable. What father of a little girl (regardless of her age) doesn't have the same fears of abandonment Steve Martin is having? Martin Short is hilarious.
Fever Pitch -- PG-13
Probably one of the better romantic comedies so far this year. The main reason is that Drew Barrymore is that girl next door that you just want to protect and love. Jimmy Fallon is good in this role; mainly because he is subdued in the winter months and becomes that fanatic Boston Red Sox fan during the"days of spring". PG-13 for sexual humor, but the entire family can enjoy this movie.
50 First Dates -- PG-13
The funniest date movie of the year so far (March?). This movie is so romantic, yet men like the humor. A can't miss movie for couplesa, both young and old.
The Fighting Temptations -- PG-13
Other than the ridiculous name, this movie is very funny about an ad agency junior executive (Cuba Gooding Jr.) who is fired from his job on the day he learns his only living relative is dead. At the reading of the will, he learns she left his stock worth $150,000 IF he directs the church's choir and leads them to the Gospel Jubilee. The PG-13 rating is for the references to certain sexual body parts, and other language.
Final Destination 3 -- R
Latest in the trilogy about students cheating death. This time, the students escape from a roller coaster that kills their friends. Like the other two, seven escape death, and death gets mad and comes after them in the order in which he would have taken them originally. Some of the deaths are funny, and some are scary; however – and there's always a however in life – all are elaborate. The R rating belongs there.
Find Me Guilty -- R
Vin Diesel with hair. A movie based on the true story of a mobster, Jackie DiNorscio who defends himself in a large Mafia corruption trial in New York in the 1980's. This trial was the longest in US history.
Finding Nemo -- G
The things Pixar does with animation is absolutely amazing. You feel as if you're underwater with the creatures. The characters are hilarious, especially Ellen DeGeneres, and the story line keeps adults and children interested. Visually, the movie is great for children and the humor will keep the adults laughing. As in most Walt Disney movies, if you are an animated parent, you stand a fifty/fifty chance of dying before the film ends. Children 4 and under will cry their little hearts out at the beginning of this film. Other than that, it's for everyone -- and I do mean everyone.
Finding Neverland -- PG
This movie talks about how J.M. Barrie came about writing Peter Pan. Although most of it is based on fact, it paints a vivid picture of the fantasy world of Neverland. Once again, Johnnie Depp plays an unusual role with just the right amount of restraint. Undertones of the sexual tension (or rather, the reasons for the lack thereof) between Depp and Kate Winslet shouts out that parents should be present when their under 15 years old children watch this film.
Firewall -- PG-13
Harrison Ford is a computer security expert for a major bank who's family is kidnapped in order to force him to cooperate with some thieves. They want him to withdraw $100 million from his bank and to put it into their off shore bank account; or else, they kill his family. Fun, suspenseful and a delight to see Harrison Ford do his own stunts at 165 years old.
First Sunday - - PG-13
Tracey Morgan plays a dumb thief who's sole redeeming quality is remorse. Remorse at talking his best friend, Ice Cube, into helping him rob a church. The only funny thing about this movie is the performance of Kat Williams, as a choir director at the church during the robbery.
Flags of our Fathers -- PG-13
You know about WWII. You've heard about Iwo Jima. Now find out the true story of what really happened with the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. Who would have thought that Rowdy Yates would become one of the best directors of the day?
Flicka -- PG
The classic tale of the wild horse that carries the spirit of independence within him, and only the lovely young daughter of a rancher can spot it. Tim McGraw shows that he can really act, but the disobedience of the girl bothered me. She did everything her father told her not to and she ended up with everything she wanted. I wonder what kind of message is that sending to our young daughters. The horse is magnificent, the brother is compassionate and loyal, the mother is understanding and sweet; yet, the daughter is pushy and stubborn. Guess who she got those characteristics from. Worth seeing though. Even having said all that.
Flight of the Phoenix -- PG-13
A remake of the James Stewart movie of the same name, much of the 1965 screenplay was used but updated. The special effects were really good, especially the plane crash. Rated PG-13 because of some language and violence, this is a fun movie of a team of people working in the Mongolian desert on an unsuccessful oil field being reassigned to Beijing. When their plane crashes in the desert, they realize they have to repair it before exhaustion and lack of water makes them too weak to work.
Flightplan -- PG-13
A very good and suspenseful movie that you will either love or hate. Some flight attendants are protesting the movie, but I think they are wrong with their conclusions. (Don’t want to spoil the movie by discussing their conclusions.) The theme and violence is the reason for the 13 of the PG-13 rating, but the movie is tame enough for children over 10.
Flushed Away -- PG
A very good family animated feature starring Hugh Grant as a pet mouse living the life of luxury. When a sewer rat sends him into the sewer, he vows to return to his home and reclaim it. He just needs the assistance of "pi-rat" Captain Kate Winslett. I loved this movie!
Fool's Gold - - PG-13
This is a movie for older children (14 and up) and couples. The innuendoes are strong, it stars Mathew McConaughey and Kate Hudson and it's a frivolous romp thru modern day treasure hunting. Worth the price of admission.
The Forbidden Kingdom -- PG-13
This movie features the first collaboration between Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The martial arts is extremely good, in the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon vein, which is expected since the choreographer is Woo-ping Yuen for both movies. Although the story added an American angle by having an American teenager, obsessed with all things Oriental, involved in a rescue mission, two women were the runaway stars, Li Bingbing and Liu Yifei.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall -- R
The rating is for the constant male frontal nudity, the language and the many sexual scenes. Yeah, but is the movie any good? The answer is difficult. There are some funny parts in this movie about a man who is trying to forget the hurt of being dumped by his long time girlfriend; however -- and there's always a however in life -- the execution of the overall movie just wasn't there. In the mode of 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, this movie was too over the top for my taste.
The Forgotten -- PG-13
This movie has an extremely interesting premise. Suppose everything you’ve ever believed, about having a child and even being married for the past 9 years is merely a figment of your imagination? This movie is well acted, (Julieanne Moore, as the distraught mother, Gary Senise as her psychiatrist, and Anthony Edwards as her husband) with a sensational cameo stunt by Alfre Woodard. Suspenseful, and shocking at several parts.
Four Brothers – R
Typical revenge movie. It looks like an unofficial remake of The Sons of Katie Elder. It's a movie about a woman who fosters hundreds of kids, but there are four boys so bad, no one else would adopt them; so she did. When she is killed in a grocery store robbery, they return home to find out who killed the only person who ever showed them love. The R rating is for violence and language. The movie earned it.
1408 -- PG-13
John Cusack stars as the debunker of ghost myths who receives an invitation for come to the Dolphin Hotel in New York. Once there, he asks the clerk (Samuel Jackson) to allow him to stay in room 1408. This room has been placed off limits because the no one manages to remain alive more than an hour in that room. Scary and suspenseful.
Frank and Ollie -- PG
An endearing story about two of the originators of "personality" animation. The two life long friends and employees of the Disney factory were characters in and of themselves, and they took animation to never before seen heights. With original art and discussions from artists, this DVD is a valuble package for anyone interested in animation as a career and for anyone interested in cartoons in general.
Freaky Friday -- PG
An old story told in a refreshing new way. A female doctor and her daughter have understanding issues with each other. Their communication skills with each other never quite seem to match their abilities with others. An Oriental mother intercedes in a magical way and causes the mother and daughter to live in each other's bodies until they work out their issues. Jamie Lee Curtis is perfect and the teen in an adult body! Lindsay Lohan absolutely sold me on her role as the adult in a teenagers body. Very good movie! One or two "bad" words in the entire movie, and possibly some elements of the theme, kept this from being a G rated movie.
Fred Claus - - PG
A fun and funny movie about the relationship between Santa and his older brother
Fred Claus. Not just for kids, I loved this movie for Christmas!
Freddy VS Jason -- R
Bigger than "The Rumble in the Jungle", this "Mayhem on Main Street" / "Elimination on Elm Street" has all the classic slasher features. Plenty wooded areas, dark homes, buxomy teenagers in corn fields with their drugged out boyfriends, and the classic opponents. Jason has the numbers of victims, but Freddy has the style. Although Jason lives in the real world and Freddy lives in the dream world, they clash over victims and fight to the finish. I really loved this movie, but the sexual situations and nudity alone should have given this movie an R rating. The gore and violence should have pushed it past that.
Freedom Writers – PG-13
Another story of how the idealistic teacher can change the lives of ghetto children. As in the Movie "Lean On Me," a teacher who bucks convention takes disadvantaged kids in a poor school system and turns them around. Also based on a true story, Hillary Swank continues to be outstanding in the roles she accepts. Dr. McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) is realistically ambiguous as her husband, but the stars of this movie are the kids and the stories they live.
Freedomland -- R
This movie tells the story of a policeman (Samuel L. Jackson), hard but fair, who's area of patrol is the financially distraught project area. When a white woman (Julianna Moore) accuses an unknown black man of car jacking her, with the baby in the back seat of the car, the neighborhood is shut down by her brother, a cop (Ron Eldard) from another part of the city, to find the child. Although this is one of Samuel Jackson's better jobs of acting ever, the movie leaves too much confusing detail unexplained. Such as, why did Samuel Jackson's character have asthma? Why did the child protector (Edie Falco) character not find out more from Julianna Moore? Why did they even bring up Freedomland? What was the point? Other than that, I thought this was a good movie about tension between the police and a poor citizentry.
Fun with Dick and Jane -- PG-13
Once again, Jim Carey is hilarious. He and Tea Leone are a married couple that live the good life. The upper middle class style of life. One day, however -- and there’s always a however in life – he’s promoted and fired from his job. Promoted to a position that make him the image of the company, and fired because the company goes bankrupt. He (Jim Carey) begins to reflect that he’s always done the right thing, and now life is throwing him a curve, so he may as well throw back. He and his wife become the Bonnie and Clyde of suburbia!
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