2008 movies F-M

 

Four Christmases comedy  17+ funny, sweet. pro-family message. Acting. Not a family movie.

comedy

7.5
funny, fun

BEST FOR: friends, families w/o children
GOOD FOR: dates, couples, general 17+
NOT FOR:  kids, -17

60+ good
45-60 very good
30-45 excellent
20-30 excellent
15-20  17+ okay
-15  sex scene

WHO
Good for 17-70. Slapstick, sometimes crude. If not for a big sex scene 2 minutes into the movie, this movie might've been okay for families.

WHAT
Lots of solid laughs.
Sweet-spirited relationship and fami-lies comedy with repartee and slapstick humor.                                              Crude, not disgusting.
 Not a movie for families, kids.

WHEN
dates, couples, families 17+, holidays

WHERE
Theater or DVD

HOW
This movie depends on Witherspoon and/or Vaughn who are onscreen in almost every shot, and they both come through with funny, interesting, believable performances.
The acting and the highest quality editing and music bring Four Christmases a notch above the myriad of christmas films.
If they could just cut out the sex in the bathroom scene. It makes this not a family movie,  and unsuitable for born-again christians, who might otherwise agree with this movie's ideals.

good message
sex
funny
cute
light
wide audience
date movie
married couples
group movie
romance
working class

FROST/NIXON historical drama 30+  interesting, historic, Acting  Stretched. dull for non-interested.

FROST NIXON
historical drama
7
18 minutes too long
BEST FOR  historians 50+
GOOD FOR college educated
NOT FOR under 40

60+ good
45-60 decent
30-45 okay
20-30 boring
teens boring

WHO:
If you're interested in history, you should see this movie.
If you were 13+ in 1973 you'll remember the story.

WHAT:
Frost/Nixon is an effective movie. The last 1/3 is excellent, but there are too many scenes to get to the dramatic and historic climax.
I saw a 2 hour version. 1 3/4 hours would've been more dramatic.

WHERE:
Theater or DVD okay.

HOW:  Frost is 100% believable. Nixon is great at the end, but less so at the beginning. Editing needed. Bacon was intense. "Swifty" was played unevenly by the same actor who didn't  do well with Karl Rove in "W".

dramatic
reality
theater or DVD
politics

Gran Torino  drama heartbreaking, heartwarming. story, acting, sets. macho sr citizen, guns, slurs

GRAN TORINO
drama
8.5
best picture contender

BEST FOR: Middle aged, class
GOOD FOR: American guys
NOT FOR: bigots, xenophobes

60+ m Great
45-60 great m
30-45 great
20-30 very good
15-20 good
-15 no

WHO
Fans of "Falling Down", "No Country for Old Men", and Clint's sneeringest films will love this film! 
Fans of emotional movies should see it. It seems to tap into the contemporary American consciousness.

WHAT
Watching this movie was heartbreaking and heartwarming, scene after scene after scene. Although it was a long movie, it had no slow moments.

WHERE
See in the theater, front row, so Clint's lip juts out at you when he sneers in extreme close-ups.

WHEN
the guys, saturday night, discussion groups

HOW
The story, directing, cinematography, and editing are so cohesive, this film is completely engrossing.
Acting is great. Ahney Her carries the story through the film. She needs more movie roles.

"Clint" actor and character as vicious as any movie he's ever done.

Background people and sets are completely realistic.

WHY
Yes, there are a ton of racial slurs. It's no more (or as) offensive as a typical episode of "All in the Family".

fun
good message
guns
violence
offensive
stereotypes
profanity
beautiful
dramatic
heavy
reality
m oriented
important film
inspiring
dark
college educated
working class

Happy Go Lucky  breezy, slice of life, middle class. Acting, scenery. chattery banter

HAPPY GO LUCKY
drama
7.5
sweet slice of life
BEST: F20s
GOOD: 16-40
NOT: -14

WHAT
String of scenes movie (no beginning or end). 2 hours worth.
Sweet, interesting slice-of-life view of a happy-go-lucky girl in middle-class England. She's 30, but acts 22.  Really sweet, well written, well acted movie. Makes you feel like you're really there, surrounded by the interesting characters. They chatter and banter incessantly as they go through their everyday lives. Not too heavy.

WHO
Ideal for F 20s-30s
recommended for teens-40s
middle class/l-mid

WHEN
Dates: Chick oriented, but good for couples.
Couples. Gals. Groups. Not too heavy, but lots to talk about.
will be good on DVD with friends.

HOW
medium budget, but no major weaknesses. Acting and script are so good together it's hard to tell if they're improvising the dialog. Lead is very believable. Good casting all around.

He's Just Not That IntoYou romance high-quality chick flick.smart,sweet.Acting. corny parts 

 He's Just Not That Into You
Romance
8
Ultra Quality Chick Flick

BEST FOR: couples, F25+
GOOD FOR: couples, dates
NOT FOR: macho men

60+  Okay
45-60  good
30-45  excellent
20-30 very good
15-20 okay
-15 not for kids

WHO
Brilliant version of romance/relationship genre.
Aimed at the chik flik audience, but appeals to the intelligent, sophisticated viewer as well as the vacuous laugh at anything bunch.
At times the theater was laughing like a comedy club. Later it was quiet and teary eyed.

WHAT
Insightful and a bit of corny, well paced and entertaining throughout. A string of scenes of interconnecting lives of people in various forms of relationships and hooking up.
100,000 % kindhearted in a world with so many mean spirited messages.

WHERE
will be excellent in theater or at home.

WHEN
Good for dates, great for singles, couples and groups!
Drew Barrymore movies are guaranteed wholesome and uplifting.

HOW
Excellent acting by many stars across the board. All technical aspects are basic and understated.  Great pacing and overall effect. Excellent use of of music


WHY
This is the first time I've ever seen Jennifer Connely on the screen. I saw her on the set of The Hulk up close, and she is the most attractive star I've ever seen in person.
Saw this movie in regular theater as opposed to screening.

POSSIBLE AWARDS
various acting nominations due to stars' popularity and promotion.
Best Music

fun
good message
sex
stereotypes
funny
cute
dramatic
heavy
light
reality
escapism
f oriented
chick flick
date movie
married couples
group movie
smart
witty
music
romance
inspiring
dark
college educated
working class

 

Hellboy 2:The golden beer ad    BEER COMMERCIAL AIMED AT CHILDREN. DO NOT SEE.

DO NOT SEE.

I would have some nice things to say about "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army " if it were a movie. But it is not a movie, it's a commercial, an advertisement disguised as a feature film.
It is "Sell 2 boy: the golden beer ".  It is a beer commercial aimed at teenagers.
"Sellbeer 2 the Golden Child" is a primer for introducing teens to the "adult" ritual of drinking 6-packs of beer. It shows when to drink, how to drink, why to drink, and of course what to drink. Since this is a commercial, the beer cans' brand name is featured directly facing towards the camera at all times. The sponsor's name is thrust obviously and constantly at the audience. The audience consists of children, adolescents and teenagers.
This sinister commercial shows peer pressure, as in "go ahead, give in to peer pressure."  And it shows the heros drink multiple 6-packs, get totally drunk and get an emergency call to save the world and they're immediately sober again and able to perform their duties with no consequences!

Therefore, the flawless, best-ever? Special Effects, very good acting by all but Selma B, superb editing and art direction are rendered moot because: This is not a movie, it's a beer commercial aimed at young people. Joe Camel as Godzilla.

 This is not a product to patronize in any way.

 

LastChance Harvey drama  bittersweet, feelgood, funny. Acting, music,directing. stretched.

 LAST CHANCE HARVEY
romance
8
boom from bust for 40+

BEST FOR: lonely 35+ emma, dustin,
GOOD FOR: moviefans 35+
NOT FOR: sap-haters

60+ excellent
45-60 great
30-45 very good
20-30 okay
15-20 dull?
-15 zzz

WHO
middle-class, middle age
definitely recommended for romantic movie fans.
aimed at the older set. 60s hoffman and 4os thompson: both brilliant.


WHAT
A romantic drama. About the power of love.
The way the movie is constructed gives you a really fun experience.
The feelgood hit of the winter.

WHERE
great in theater for the high-quality filmmaking.
 
WHEN
excellent date movie 35+?
couples, groups, singles.

HOW
The first 3/4 this movie was on pace for perfection. Overall it still scores.
The directing and the editing are so tight here. Great cinematography. The music is great.
Hoffman takes the wry, poignant  lines and just knocks them out of the park. Thompson has a world of emotion in her face. They control the screen with timing only great actors have.
Josh Brolin's dad, James, plays a classy role.
Great directing, editing and story. Well put together..


okay 13+
fun
good message
profanity
funny
cute
beautiful
visual
dramatic
heavy
light
date movie
married couples
group movie
intelligent
witty
music
romance
inspiring
college educated

Madigascar 2anim. comedy 10-60 fun, witty. family, couples. Dialog, visuals, acting, music.violence

MADAGASCAR 2
animated animal adventure
7.5
family fun
BEST FOR: anim. fans 10-60
GOOD FOR: all ages, classes, iqs
NOT FOR: under 8
Appeals to a wide audience

KEYWORDS:
violence
funny
wide audience
family
date movie
group movie
visual
music
romance

60+ good
45-60 good
30-45 good
20-30 very good
teens excellent
-14  9+ fun
children: bad cartoon violence, some references, innuendos

An animated anthropomorphic animal action attraction.
MADAGASCAR 2 should appeal to a wide audience from all walks of life.  It's an excellent family movie.
Well done film, very entertaining. Great visuals, excellent acting, good story, good music, funny, not stupid,
I didn't see Madagascar 1, but 2 was still fun.

DEMOGRAPHICS:
Class: all
Intelligence: all

MILK   historical drama  important, uplifting, entertaining, sharp. Dialog, Penn, Acting, Cinem., locations. sex.

MILK
historical drama
9
sharp, topical

BEST FOR: progressives
GOOD FOR: movie fans
NOT FOR: conservatives

60+ excellent
45-60 great
30-45 great
20-30 excellent
15-20 okay 16+
-15 sex

WHO
for gay-friendly audiences, and still-closeted gays.
Makes no compromises for "wider audiences". Will entertain most moviegoers, all but staunch homophobes.

WHAT
Watching Milk was a fun experience for me.
The editing is tight and the pacing is even as the film covers the story of Harvey Milk in San Francisco. This is an entertaining, witty film. Penn is really Milk-like. 
Film deftly covers many facets of one man's life, and the struggle for equal rights in his time and our time.

WHERE
see this movie on the big screen, especially at the Castro theater in San Francisco. That way, on the screen you're watching, while you're sitting in the theater, you'll see the shots of the outside of the theater.

WHEN
friends, groups, dates, couples, singles.
good on saturday night as well as on wednesday afternoon.

HOW
Great cinematography, editing and pacing. Great feel of the film. Directing, assistant directing, second assistant directing, Sets, set decoration, sound, lighting, gaffing, locations, production assistants, catering, construction, security, promotions, drivers, accounting, hair, makeup, wardrobe and producers: all great.
Acting is great including the thousands of extras.
Special mention goes to the two stand-ins, who's antics, positive attitude,  professionalism, and ability to get out of the way, were essential to the film's success.

fun
good message
sex
some violence
offensive
funny
cute
beautiful
visual
dramatic
heavy
married couples
group movie
important film
intelligent
witty
politics
romance
inspiring
college educated
working class

 Now, how can I objectively review this movie? I was right in the middle of nearly every scene as it was set up. I got to be amid the directors, producers, cinematographers, lighters, gaffers, props, sound dept., and actors 12 hours a day for 8 wonderful weeks.

Sets, camera location, camera angles, movements, lenses, Lighting(!), electricity, gaffing, props, sound, costumes, hair, make-up, background actors, 1st and 2nd team rehearsals, filming, retakes.   Then the same scene is filmed from the other side, and the entire process starts over again.

Getting the job was a big deal to me because it's a San Francisco movie, about how here you can do what you want to do and change the world. When it happened I was a teenager and I remember those days. I support the cause. I admire Sean Penn as a person, and I knew I looked like him and I'd dreamed of standing-in for him, and I did it.  As a bonus he was in almost every scene of this movie, so I worked on almost every scene.

Unforgettable 11-12 hour days and nights all over San Francisco, with super-nice producers, brilliant directors, great actors, wonderful crew members, and thousands of extras.  In 8 weeks of shooting there was never any real tension or negativity. Unusually harmonious for a film.

On the first day, while they were filming in the living room, I was sitting in a bedroom with a couple of guys. They were Harvey Milk's real-life boyfriend Cleve Jones, and brilliant young writer Dustin Lance Black. They were so excited, driven. They were seeing their dream finally being filmed. They were absolutely determined to make the right film. I knew how lucky I was.  I made sure to do whatever I could to help.

I got to meet the real people portrayed by characters in the movie, and some of the special guests who visited the set. I got to meet all the actors, all of them so nice, and fun to work with.

The producers, Dan and Bruce, Lance, Barbara, and director Gus Van Sant and his team, are so nice and so sweet that I was really rooting for them to get a lot of critical and financial success for Milk.

While watching the film being made, I knew the script was fantastic, the acting performances were great and the sets and the cinematography were great. But none of the above, or ANYTHING, during the making of a movie assures that the finished product is going to be great. They've got to make the film, and once everything's on film it's all up to the editing.

My initial experience seeing the film was relief. I really enjoyed the film. The editing was great! I enjoyed it even though I was on every set, knew every scene, how it was filmed, what the actors are really like, the out-takes, and what went on between takes, and where the sound man was hiding just out of frame. I was glad for the film-makers, glad for the cause, glad for my own story, and absolutely relieved as a movie reviewer because I did not have to pan a film I cared about, and believe me I would've just to keep the integrity of FLICZ.COM.  (I did bump it from 8.5 to 9 so it would stand out on the ratings page.)

Then, as I saw how much everybody else also enjoyed "Milk", and as it started to receive critical and commercial success, I began to feel a sense of pride for what I contributed, and for the filmmakers who'll get the academy awards and financial rewards they deserve for making a film that comes out this good. And it's good-hearted, too.

Adding 1/22/09: 8 academy award nominations. Best Picture, Sean, Josh, Gus, Lance, Elliot Graham: I'll be watching the Oscars rooting for these nice people and if they win I'll go crazy.

added 10/21/09: Sean Penn won the Academy Award. Didn't thank me. He thanked Sato, who I still fantasize will call me and ask if I want to work on his next movie. Dustin Lance Black won for his brilliant script, and he made a great speech.  I saw him a few months later and I got to hold the Oscar.