G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Yet another of an interchangeable mix of generic high-explosive action movie loosely based on a half-nostalgic exploitable source. It's very . . . siffy. Like 80% of SyFy's programming: watchable but lacking.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
2009, 118 minutes, directed by Stephen Sommers

The Hangover

While I usually limit my cheesy adult comedy exposure to SXSW, I'm alone for the weekend and the ads for this one seemed vaguely funny. Perhaps it's the aura of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas that permeates the preview.

It had some good laughs, but alas, it just wasn't good as I hoped. Maybe it's that male nudity ran its course in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and the -multiple- instances is just too much. Maybe it's because of the rampant uncomfortable situations that leave me cringing. Or maybe it's because of stupid people acting stupidly.

The Hangover
2009, 100 minutes, directed by Todd Phillips

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

One thing that has disappointed me about the Harry Potter film series has been how much of the Hogwarts content they needed to cut to squeeze the plot into the allotted time. After the first film it seems the kids barely have time for class.

By this point, though, the books themselves veered significantly darker, and away from the frivolity of school life. The film matches. These are dark times for Harry, and they will only get darker.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2009, 153 minutes, directed by David Yates

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenx

The story takes a turn for the dark in the fifth installment, which I last saw in the theater. I don't tolerate fools on film, and this story is full of them, blindly ignoring the truth while hampering those that see.

Now that I'm back up to speed on the series, let's see about the next one tomorrow night.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2007, 138 minutes, directed by David Yates

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

When I originally saw this in the theater, all I could think of was how much they had to cut to make it into a film. The loss of all the Hogwart's color is an unfortunate hollowing of the rich story.

I know how much longer the sixth book was. At least it's been much longer since I read them this time, so I won't remember quite how much is left aside.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2005, 157 minutes, directed by Mike Newell

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

The plot could be ok. The action could be ok. Even fuckin' Shia LaBeouf could be ok. Just fix the damn dialog! Cut out the jokes and the incessant yapping and tell the CGI-packed action-adventure story that your heart desires, Mr. Bay.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2009, 150 minutes, directed by Michael Bay

Star Trek

I very much appreciate the nod to continuity as part of the series reboot. I do wish they would stay away from the slapstick comedy and hope they'll work on the dialog for the expected sequels.

Star Trek
2009, 127 minutes, directed by J. J. Abrams

I didn't notice Majel Barrett Roddenberry as the voice of the computer, but caught it in the credits. I realized at that moment that it just felt natural.