DVD Review "FUNNY PEOPLE" Score C+

I still don't know what to think about this one. The lonely comedy star gets sick and we are supposed to feel what for him?....The assistant role is oddly introduced and then when the ending happens is almost like a big WTF?! Until the very ending with a friendly make up talk. The stand up segments are mostly drab and the comedy only comes in the moments of conflict and doctor visits. I can't give this much of a recommendation as it is a little all over the place. Adam Sandler pretty much plays himself in this one if you like him maybe you'll like this one.

DVD Review "THE SKEPTIC" Score B-

What started out as a haunted house flick quickly blends into a movie about the fractured memories of a man. Tim Daly stars and there are some moments when you wish he'd work on his acting a bit more (ie. His 'scared' screaming is really bad). Tom Arnold's part is both confusing and odd. The whole story looks like its going to be one about a ghost in the home terrorizing anyone there. Instead it turns into a movie about mommy issues and the Skeptic is quickly turned into a doubter then a believer. Only about one moment of jolt scare to be found in this one. Overall it falls apart and there are moments of fake scares thrown in for no reason.... Tom Arnold convulses, the table shaking with the priest etc... The ending really ruins this one and it tries to be something its not.

DVD Review "MARY AND MAX" Score B+

This animation is out of the book of Wallace and Gromit-ville (if you haven't seen any of their films check em out). The stop motion claymation of these characters is brilliantly done. And the odd black and white look, but not shot in black and white lends even more charm to this odd tale. The storyline is definitely nothing like you've seen before. I found myself chuckling and smiling throughout this one. Really enjoyable piece of film making. Its more for adults almost more than it is for children. The tale is told mostly from the view of the pen pal letters being read with lots of visuals to be found along the way in the descriptions as the letters are read outloud. Top notch character work combined with this odd yet fun story is spread out over a beautiful back drop of clay figure animation. Check this one out for a good time.

DVD Review "JULIE and JULIA" Score: B+

A surprisingly delightful film. Pegged and marketed as a "Chick flick" it is nothing of the sort. This is more the struggles of a want to be writer as she Blogs her way through Julia Childs' cookbook and a interesting bio pic of Childs life. Really interesting ways of cutting back and forth from modern day to Childs' life. The food in this one is gloriously shot and if you are not hungry after watching this you may not be human. Streep effortlessly falls into her character and once again proves her talent to us. I didn't think I would care for this one much but I can honestly say that it pleasantly surprised me as a good film. Makes for a great Date film.

DVD Review "EXTRACT" Score: C+

Where OFFICE SPACE was a funny cult film that is worth more than one view this one is one of the only watch once variety. Jason Bateman is funny as the straight man (like he is in Arrested Development) and there are some funny moment to be found in this but overall the weak story and slow pace tends to cut this down a bit. Ben Affleck does a decent job as the slacker, druggie bar tending friend, as are crazy cast of oddball supporting characters. Mila as the con artist seems to be out of place and extraneous to the film. Its worth a look for a few laughs but not something that you will want to own or watch more again.

DVD Review "BOONDOCK SAINTS" Score: A-

How I ever missed this independent Gem of a film is almost unforgivable except for the fact that have now seen it. Really a great film in both concept and action. On par with Pulp Fiction and True Romance. The concept of these vigilantes on a mission to destroy the evil criminals of the day works great as does their almost random choices of who is next. The gun fights are superior especially on the first meeting with the old man. DeFoe in a creepy role as the cop who hunts them down, solves their actions at the crime scenes and ultimately wants to and does join them in their mission. SPOILERS: DeFoe as a prostitute helping the guys out is priceless and In the end the crazy Italian being the only non survivor means a sequel will most likely be brilliant as well. Billy Connely is in his best role to date here and for a stand up comedian he transitioned into a great actor. Really liked this one. My type of film.

DVD Review " SAW 5" Score C-

This tired series is played out. How many more ways can we come up with to kill people in unescapble 'traps'? And this time Jigsaw is not hiding behind the puppet we get to see him.... and he has an apprentice in a dirty cop who wants in on the games. This movie is just as predictable as you might think and little is left but just filling in some blanks. Really the franchise of these films is done, but they keep at it and keep making money.