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The Road

The_Road_movie_poster Lisa and I recently watched The Road (2009,R).  From ScreenIt!:

A father tries to provide safety, shelter and food for his son while teaching him how to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where none of those are guaranteed.

Before the film was released, I had a couple tickets to an advanced screening.  Unfortunately, it was a couple hours away and on a week night...so I decided not to go (figuring I'd just see it a few weeks later when it was released).  Apparently something went badly wrong with the release and marketing of the film because it was never shown anywhere near us.

When we watched it recently as a rental, we realized that somehow Lisa had missed much of the strong, emotional father-son connection when reading the book.  We also thought there might have been some meaning in a detail that Lisa remembered from the end that I didn't (a spoiler that I won't elaborate on here).

I loved the book and the film both and that the latter seemed so true to the former.  I give it 5 out of 5.

Toy Story 3

200px-Toy_Story_3_poster2010 A few weeks back the family went to see Toy Story 3 (2010,G) in 3D.  From ScreenIt!:

Various toys, which come to life whenever humans aren't around, must contend with the repercussions of ending up at a daycare facility when their owner heads off to college.

We enjoyed it.  I give it 4 out of 5.

Avatar

200px-Avatar-Teaser-Poster A month or so ago we watched Avatar (2009,PG-13) for family movie night.  From ScreenIt!:

In the distant future on another planet, an Earthling goes undercover in an avatar body to infiltrate the indigenous race in hopes of helping his people get their hands on a valuable mineral located there.

Sometimes you hear such good things about a film that you're disappointed when you actually seen it even if it's actually quite good.  This was the flip side of that.  I'd heard it had good special effects but a terrible plot, but I didn't think it was any worse than your typical popular blockbuster plot.

I give it 3 out of 5.

21

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I recently watched 21 (2008,PG-13).  From ScreenIt!:

Recruited by one of his professors, a college student agrees to join an underground card-counting team, but must deal with the repercussions of getting too good at it, all of which draws the watchful eye of Vegas casino loss prevention specialists.

This was probably an interesting story to read, but it didn't work all that well for me as a film...especially Spacey's character.  It could have actually been on target for all I know, but it didn't feel like it to me.  I also don't understand how casino's could possibly get away with kicking the shite out of it's customers or why Ben wouldn't use a bank account.

I give it 3 out of 5.

The Hangover

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During Spring Break we watched The Hangover (2009,R).  From ScreenIt!:

When a groom-to-be ends up missing after a wild night in Vegas, his two best friends and future brother-in-law try to find him by piecing together what occurred since none of them can remember anything.

It's clever and funny and Zach Galifianakis steals scene after scene.

I give it 4 out of 5.

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