Movie List
Madagascar -- PG
A true family fare film. This is the story of a zebra (Chris Rock) born and raised at the New York zoo, who wonders what it would be like to be back in the so-called "wild"; an eerie, mysterious, yet wonderful place he has heard of and often dreams of. His best friend, a lion (Ben Stiller) tries to dissuade him from venturing out from a guaranteed meal ticket, but when the zebra goes anyway, the lion chases after his friend with a hypochondriatic giraffe (David Schwimmer) and an overly protective, female hippopotamus (Jada Pinkett Smith). The other zoo characters-- a British monkey, a monkey that signs and four psychotic penguins – add to this story to make it a fabulous film. I LOVE this PG rated movie!
Madea's Family Reunion -- PG-13
Last year's Diary of a Mad Black Woman introduced most theater goers to Tyler Perry's Madea. With Family Reunion, moviegoers know what to expect. There is a serious religious theme and very serious community and relational problems hiding behind a facade of comedy and violence. The answer to every question is to stand up and fight, but be funny while doing it. Cicely Tyson delivers a speech on the porch of an old slave dwelling at the family reunion that brought tears to my eyes. Unfortunately, the ones that need to hear that speech won't be listening. I loved the movie, though.
Made of Honor -- PG-13
Patrick Dempsey stars in this version of My Best Friend's Wedding, with a man instead of Julia Roberts. A "playa," Dempsey falls for his best friend, but only after she finds someone who wants to marry her. Fellows, get those brownie points, but not for kids. (Except for tweens.)
Mad Money - - PG-13
Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton play employees of a government mint that plan to steal millions with the help of another employee, Katie Holmes. Katie is hilarious. Queen is dramatic and funny, and Diane is the consummate professional actress.
The Magdalene Sisters -- R
In the 1960's in Ireland, four women are turned over to a sisterhood asylum to be corrected of their "sinful" ways. Tow of the women had children out of wedlock. One of the women, an orphan, was flirtatious and desired by men. The other women had been raped by her cousin, and had the "nerve" to tell. All four are put in a laundry supervised by nuns who break their will through strict and sadistic punishments. Strong sexual content, nudity and language are the reasons for this R rating. It could not have been told any other way.
Man of the Year -- PG-13
Robin Williams plays a Jon Stewart-like television commentator that does the news in a comical irreverent manner. A member of his audience tells him he should run for President – and he does! Politics the way most people would like to see them. Funny, honest and sponsor free. In other words, totally unrealistic!
Man on Fire -- R
Rated R for the excess of violencek, I still think this is one of the better movies this year. If Dakota Fanning were a 30 year old woman, she would have won the Best Actress Oscar by now. This movie, however (and there's always a however in life) is possibly her best to date. Christopher Walken is always good, and this movie is no exception. He is one of the best transition actors. (Those who assist the movie in making a transition from one core value to another) Then there is Denzel. His cool, vindictive role is played perfectly. Love and hate are the most powerful emotions. He shows us the effects of both.
The Manchurian Candidate -- R
Remake of the 1962 classic, with Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Live Schreiber and Kimberly Elise. This time, the soldier are abducted during a pre-Gulf War scrimmage and brainwashed. I thought it was thought provoking and timely and well acted; however – and there’s always a however in life -- I do think the original was the better film. The rating is for violence and vulgar language.
Marci X -- R
This movie is highly sexually suggestive, is filled with extremely foul language (8 mf's, for example) and is incredibly funny. I was offended numerous times, but that's what true satire does. This movie spoofed "gansta" rappers, "boy-band" groups, censorship, political manipulation of the media, corporate greed, the attraction of women to "dangerous" men, the myth of the differences between black and whites, the identification if Latinos with blacks, Eminen, J-Lo, Suge Knight, Jewish princesses and many, many more. I loved this movie, even though it earned it's R rating. More spoofing in this movie than in the Scary Movie series. Lisa Kudrow was born for this role. Damon Wayon was perfect.
Maria, Full of Grace -- R
The story of a young Columbian girl who takes a job carrying drugs out of her country to bring them to America. She has to swallow rubber balloons full of drugs and carry them in her body. Not for kids, due to violence, vulgar language and extreme drug use.
The Marines -- PG-13
I was expecting to see a Marine take on society. I was disappointed. There was no reason to even mention being a Marine, in this film. It’s just the story of a man whose wife is kidnapped by a criminal mob chasing them and getting revenge. Decent action flick, but nothing special.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the Earth -- PG-13
An adventure movie above an 19 centuray English sea vessel. If you like naval period pieces, you'll love this movie. If not, you won't. The sea battles gave it the PG-13 rating.
The Matador -- R
Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear are fabulous in this movie about the unlikely friendship between a hit man and a traveling salesman. Pierce Brosnan, as the hit man, plays a most definitely un-James Bond like character who is deadly, but funny. Greg Kinnear is one that always steals the movies he’s in, but Pierce Brosnan goes tit-for-tat with him. I absolutely LOVED this movie. The violence and sexual innuendoes give this movie it’s R rating.
Matchstick Men -- PG-13
Nicolas Cage at his quirkiest best. Sam Rockwell at his irritating best. Together they make up a team of con men that deal in small cons. Nothing major, mind you. Just a couple of hundred here and there. Nicolas Cage is an obsessive-compulsive, clean freak with several facial tics that he's seeing a pychiatrist for, and Sam Rockwell is an eager student of the con game, just dying to move up to the major con. Cage finds out he has a 14 year old daughter and decides to go in with Rockwell on a major con. Good action, good plot , good twists. The PG-13 rating is because of some offensive language, a major thematic issue (crime really does pay-just not very well), and some violence.
Matrix Reloaded -- R
The middle film of a trilogy. The film is loaded with action and philosophy. The violence is intense and the sexuality of a scene in a restaurant is overt. The co-mingling during a "rave" dance in the cave is sexually suggestive and there is some extended nudity. The movie ended abruptly, but, as the second in a trilogy everyone should have known it would. Many will enjoy the movie because they feel everyone else did. The third installment has a lot to live up to.
Matrix Revolution -- R
The third in the series, and quite possibly, the worst. The movie tries to take itself too serious, and make the Matrix a "way of life", rather than an action movie. The action that made you love the first one isn't there in this one until the very end.The violence and language and some vulgar language is the reason for the R.
Mean Girls -- PG-13
Speaking of Freaky Friday, Linda Lohan from that movie, plays the lead girl in this movie that was written by Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live fame. It's about a girl raise in Africa by her anthropologist, home tutoring parents until they return to America. Just in time for her high school years. The treachery of wild animals in the jungle are nothing compared to a pack of high school girls!
The Medallion -- PG-13
This movie got it's 13 because of the action violence. This movie is about Jackie Chan acquiring superpowers from possessing 1/2 of a medallion. The little Buddhist child that has the other half, must be saved before the evil Julian Sands can acquire the same powers, but for evil. What made this movie sad is that it makes you realize that Jackie Chan is getting old. He relies on stuntmen and special effects to do his biggest stunts, now. And if he is getting old, so must his longest fans -- us.
Meet the Fockers -- PG-13
Sequel to Meet the Parents introducing the parents of Greg Focker (Ben Stiller), Bernie and Roz Focker (Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand). Very funny interaction between Robert DeNiro and Dustin Hoffman, but on the whole a disappointment.
Meet The Spartans - - PG-13
This so-called spoof is full of nothing but sexual innuendos and non-funny put downs. How this got a PG-13 rating I will never know.
The Merchant of Venice – R
Let me start off by saying I really don’t like to watch Shakespearean movies because they are so hard to understand the language. Having said that, let me say that this particular story is one of the better ones he wrote. This story is naturally set in Venice in the 1600’s where Jews are persecuted and separated for no apparent reason. A young nobleman who has exhausted his family fortune (Joseph Fienes) seeks assistance from his rich, older friend (Jeremy Irons) to travel to find his true love, Portia (Lynn Collins). Since the older friend is short of funds temporarily, they borrow from a Jewish loan shark (Al Pacino) who requests no interest but a pound of flesh, should they default on the loan. After a series of financial reversals, they older friend defaults on the loan and Shylock (Pacino) demands his payment. Rated R because of nudity.
Miami Vice -- R
Based on the television series of the 1980’s, this movie has none of the style, more than enough action and just as horrible dialogue.
Micky Mouse in Living Color (Volume Two) -- unrated
Another in this fantastic series of Disney releases. This 2 disc set not only brings rare and still excellent films, it also shows the physics behind animation and stop action, the voices behind Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and many other features -- all introduced by film historian Leonard Maltin.
A Mighty Wind -- PG -13
Parents may be feeling a little nostalgic if they see this movie. It is a funny reminder of the 60's and the folk songs and singers. Drug usage, sexual situations and a sexual identity crisis is cause for parental guidance. Besides, MTV generation children probably will not want to see this movie anyway. Save it for the adults from the 60's.
Million Dollar Baby -- PG-13
The owner of a boxing gym and a boxing trainer (Clint Eastwood), has his hands full trying to handle young fighters wanting to be champions. His helper, (Morgan Freeman) an ex-fighter that was good but not great, oversees the daily running of the gym while the owner takes the promising professional boxers to fights. Along comes a determined girl fighter (Hillary Swank) who wants the owner to take her on and train her. He refuses for several reasons. One, he has an estranged relationship with his daughter and doesn’t want the responsibility of a girl boxer, and two, he really believes girls can’t box. Grudgingly, she gets him to take her on and amazing things happen. Maybe not what you think. Outstanding performances by 3 outstanding actors.
Millions – PG
When Britain decides to convert its currency to the euro from pounds, criminals see an eye of opportunity. There will be massive amounts of money being gathered and transported and stored. If it could be stolen quickly and spent quickly, it would be a gangster holiday. Unfortunately, one bag of stolen money accidentally falls off a train into the possession of a young boy who's mother has recently died and whom talks to, and sees, the saints. Rated PG, the heavy British accents make it difficult to understand the talking, but not the meaning of this wonderful film.
Mindhunters-- R
This is a thriller about FBI profilers-in-training. Val Kilmer, their unorthodox instructor, sets up a training session on a remote island. The point of the exercise is to get into the mind of a serial killer obsessed with time. When the class of profilers actually start dying one by one, they realize that one of them must be the killer. And the killer must be found before he or she can kill them all. The violence in this movie earned it's R rating; however – and there's always a however in life – it is a very good movie for adults. Regardless of what you think you thought – you thought wrong!
Miracle -- PG
Movie based on the true events of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. Even though you know what happened, you sit on the edge of your seat. Outstanding movie of inspiring a nation that was depressed.
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed anf Fabulous -- PG-13
An FBI agent that had earlier gone undercover to be investigate a beauty pagent (Sandra Bullock) now discovers she is too famous for field work. Her boss (Ernie Hudson) convinces her to do pr work as the new "face" of the FBI. He even assigns her a bodyguard (Regina King), an agent with an anger management problem. When her friends (Heather Burns and William Shatner, reprising roles from the first movie) are kidnapped, her and her bodyguard try to track them down. PG-13 for sex-related humor.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - - PG-13
Francis McDormand is her normal outstanding self as a stuffy, British nanny, but Amy Adams steals the show as a flashy, sexy American actress wanna be. Funny and touching, a good date movie.
Miss Potter – PG
Renee Zellwigger stars a Beatrix Potter, the British best selling children's author of the Peter Rabit series of books. Not only did she write the books, she also did the art work. Coming from a social climbing British family, this did not go over well. Great for the entire family with an outstanding turn from Ewan McGregor.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith -- PG-13
The highly anticipated movie starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as married assassins that don't realize they both are assassins. The come to that realization, one day, when they both have the same "target". Murder and marriage! Who'd 'da thought? PG-13 for strong language, sexual content and violence.
The Missing -- R
Great actors in a very good movie. Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett are both top-notch in this slow paced movie. The thing that made it not as good as it could have been is the fact that the movie makers tried unsuccessfully to add Indian Shamanism to an adventure drama. The violence in the movie is the reason it earned it's R rating.
Mission Impossible III: -- PG-13
A lot of people will use the excuse that they don’t like Tom Cruise anymore to not see this film, but word of mouth will get them there. Expect a BIG opening week-end, and good legs on the longevity of this summer blockbuster. This action packed, special effects laden movie with a good storyline has possibly the best villain in years, with Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Mona Lisa Smile -- PG-13
In 1953, a first time teacher from the "progressive" state of California comes to the most conservative female college in the country. Like the movie, the woman has an agenda. Not of teaching the extremely intelligent students, but of changing them to her way of thinking about their potential to be leaders -- not marry them. Her love without commitment, do your own thing lifestyle is glorified, while the values of being a "housewife" is vilified. An obvious feminist movie from a male apologetic point of view. This gives the movie it’s 13 of the PG-13 rating. If you can overlook the agenda or if it’s your agenda, you’ll enjoy this movie.
Monster -- R
Based on a true story, this movie tells the tale of the only female serial killer that has been caught and executed. It is a disturbing movie because of the subject matter, but the acting is superb. Drug usage. sexual deviance, language and violence earned this movie it's R rating. It is not for children, but it is for adults who are intrigued by the subject matter.
Monster House -- PG
Steven Spielberg was in his element with this one. An animated feature that is both scary and funny, this movie delivers on plot and moral. Three kids discover a possessed house and try to save the neighborhood from it’s evil intent. But as with all hauntings, things aren’t as they appear. Extremely good movie. I loved it.
Munich -- R
This is the movie about what happened after the Munich Olympics of 1972. It tells the story of how Israel repaid the terrorist for killing Israel's eleven athletes. Although Steven Spillberg claims he doesn't take sides, it is impossible not to take sides on any issue. Told in an exciting manner, this movie moves you. One way or the other. The violence gives it the R rating.
Must Love Dogs -- PG-13
A study in the pressures of trying to date after a break-up. A woman (Diane Lane) is pressured by her sisters to start redating by getting on the computer dating services, and a man (John Cusack) is pressured by his male coworkers to do the same. [ATTN: Men can earn serious sensitivity points by taking their significant others to this romantic comedy that men won't hate] Rated PG-13 for sexual situations.
My Baby's Daddy -- PG-13
I couldn't believe this movie got a PG-13 rating. The language is raw and strong in parts, the subject matter is totally sexual and the humor (what little there is) is adult. As you can tell, I didn't particularly like this movie. I love the stars in it, but this was a street bump in the highway of film.
My Boss's Daughter -- PG-13
This movie will appeal to the adolescent male in all men. Just as Lucille Ball always had everything that could possibly go wrong happen, so it does when Ashton Kutcher house-sits for his boss, played meanly by Terrance Stamp. It begins when he doesn't realize he volunteers to watch the boss's house when the boss has to go out of town. He thinks he has been invited to a party by the boss's daughter, played by Tara Reid. Sexually suggestive humor (one pool scene in particular with Carmen Electra), drug use and crude language give this movie the 13 of the PG-13 rating.
Mystic River -- R
Childhood friends driven apart by a traumatic event (the abduction of one of them) are reunited when the eldest daughter of one is murdered. Kevin Bacon is one of the friends who is now a detective assigned to the case; Sean Penn is a semi-legal businessman who is the father of the murdered girl trying to deal with his rage and desire for retribution, and Timothy Robbins is their other friend, now married to Sean Penn's cousin. Outstanding acting by all, and outstanding directing by Clint Eastwood. The violence and traumatic situation earned this movie it's R rating.
My Super Ex-Girlfriend -- PG-13
Imagine, if you will, you are dating a superhero. Then, imagine them being needy, jealous and possessive. Would you break up with them? Luke Wilson is in just that dilemma with his super girlfriend, Uma Thurmann. This movie is very funny, and well worth the money to see it.
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