Bedtime Stories Movie Review by derek_fleek

Bedtime Stories Movie Review by Derek_fleek


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This review will concern itself with the standard DVD rather than the Blu-ray version.
The critically despised comedian Adam Sandler has explored many different genres of filmmaking. Whether these films involve his usual dimwitted alter-ego or are more family-oriented affairs, he always manages to score well-earned laughs that underline a meaningful message even if the material is often saturated with flatulence jokes.
Here, Skeeter Bronson (Adam Sandler) is a hotel handyman who has been working for the company for many years and has never been appreciated for his hard work. It is when he decides to babysit his sister’s children and begins to tell them his "once upon a time" stories that things begin to look a little brighter for Skeeter. These stories begin to magically come to life and with the help of his niece and nephew he begins to believe in happy endings.
This Limited-Time Combo Pack includes a Blu-ray disc, DVD, and digital copy of the film. Unfortunately, the assortment doesn’t have enough special features to please those who want to spend more for a single film in different formats. However, as Adam Sandler has pleased many times in the past, Bedtimes Stories is certainly a film not to be missed by Sandler fans.
Director Adam Shankman (Hairspray, The Pacifier) steers Sandler in the direction of lighthearted comedy and keeps things sanitary enough for children and agreeable enough for adults. Sandler maintains a goofy persona (by no means surprising), but it’s Russell Brand and a bug-eyed guinea pig who generate most of the film’s best laughs. Both clever and diverting, Bedtimes Stories is a treat the entire family can enjoy. Even if you can’t stand Sandler’s dimwitted humor, you should be able to easily overlook any stupidity and respond to the heartfelt message and ability to bring out an abundance of imagination in kids.
Bedtime Stories is an altogether enjoyable, sporadically hilarious, and always magical story gifted with a great cast and nimble director. Jonathan Morgan Heit and Laura Ann Kesling are adorable as the kids, and kudos to the on-the-mark visual and verbal gags that flood the screen. It’s a film that prevails in its sincere approach and heartfelt message, brought to life by a talented cast. Although flawed by occasional stupidity and juvenile antics (remember, this is Adam Sandler), it succeeds in being irresistibly cute, noticeably charming, and wholly entertaining.
Special features are on the Blu-Ray disc and contain "Hilarious Bloopers and Deleted Scenes," "Get To Know Bugsy The Big-Eyed Guinea Pig," and a "Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Special Effects." 3.5/5 stars

Return From Witch Mountain Movie Review by Derek_fleek

Return From Witch Mountain Movie Review by Derek_fleek


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In this sequel to Disney’s beloved family classic Escape To Witch Mountain, Tia and Tony return from Witch Mountain to find a duo of criminals who are determined to manipulate Tony's powers and unleash a diabolical plan. With the help of a gang of kids and Tia’s supernatural powers, they must find a way of stopping Tony from using his powers for evil.
Return From Witch Mountain contributes to the many unwanted Disney sequels by being entirely uninspired and mundane. As the original amused audiences with its cheesy effects and foolish dialog, the sequel can’t even embrace a solid moment of entertainment. Return has the same director and same leads as Escape, but lacks in the lively buoyancy and shabby chuckles of the original.
Not only is the magic entirely gone thanks to a hackneyed script and uninspired acting, but it’s an all around poorly made flick. The directing is off-key, the special effects even less exciting than those of its predecessor, and it falls just short of scraping the bottom of the barrel. Even veteran actors Bette Davis and Christopher Lee, though decidedly relevant villains, seem bored by the concept. It’s disheartening, tiresome, and fails to resonate as a classic. Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann do improve their line-reading, but still fail to charm and their chemistry is nearly absent thanks to being separated through almost the entire film. In the end, it's a DVD that prevails only in its worthy special features.
Included in the DVD’s impressive special features section is a new trivia bonus track, “Making The Return Trip” that recaps on the cast’s favorite scenes and memories of making the film, “The Gang’s Back In Town” which interviews a trio from the Earthquake Gang and what has become of them, “Disney Kids With Powers,” which plays like a miscellaneous collection of Disney’s special effects and marvels, a hilarious animated short from 1945 entitled “The Eyes Have It”, “Lost Treasure: Christopher Lee, The Lost Interview” which is an interview with Lee in Spanish about Return From Witch Mountain and his filmography, “1978 Disney Studio Album” which is a down memory lane collection of Disney favorites from ’78, and an audio commentary 1/5 stars

The Spirit Movie Review by Derek_Fleek

The Spirit Movie Review by Derek_fleek


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Every so often a film comes along that looks visually impressive and instantaneously campy, and becomes a major misfire. The Spirit isn’t only cheesy and lacking of wit, but it also maintains a level of goofiness that hasn’t been accomplished since the original Batman series starring Adam West. And the story is nearly incomprehensible and the set pieces rather dull.
Roaming the crime infested streets of Central City is a new hero, one who can only be determined by his trench coat and bright red tie. Denny Colt (Gabriel Macht) was once one of the city's finest cops whose life was taken by a gangster. Now going by his alter-ego The Spirit, Denny has come back as something unstoppable. This crime-fighting vigilante must stop the city’s most wretched villain The Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) and his seductive allies.
This graphic action-thriller takes the visuals reminiscent of Sin City and brings back the campy tone of the ’60s Batman series. And, as expected, it doesn’t work out very well. Things become a bit loopy, strange, and ridiculous as the film proceeds.
The sexy cast never rises above par level, aside from Samuel L. Jackson’s ridiculously excessive performance as the billowing-eyed villain The Octopus. Though it succeeds in its visuals (as most Frank Miller films do), The Spirit’s dialog is generally misused, disposable, and lacking in emotional resonance. The characters are unmemorable, and the film itself is a concoction of loopy, over-the-top sequences of bleak action. This master of visual medium apparently has trouble conducting a steady storyline.
The creator of Sin City and 300 has made his dullest, least impressive, and carelessly composed film he may possibly have hand at making. Possibly what separates Miller’s work from accomplishing more than just eye candy is assistant director Robert Rodriguez.
Introducing us to a hero that can’t exceed miniscule impression on audiences and is absent of charm and wit, The Spirit is taking campy cinema to an askew level and the only way of truly enjoying a film of visual perception like The Spirit is inebriated.
The Special Features include “Green World” which explores the use of green screen and special effects, “Miller On Miller” displaying an exclusive interview with the director on his take on comic books, Alternate StoryBoard Ending With Voice over By Gabriel Macht and Samuel L. Jackson, Audio Commentary With Miller and producer Deborah Del Prete, and the theatrical trailer of the film. 2/5 stars

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Movie Review by Derek_fleek

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Movie Review by derek_fleek


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From Miramax, the distributors that brought us the Academy Award-winning film Life Is Beautiful, comes this distinctive drama about a forbidden friendship. An upsetting and overwhelmingly depressive eye-opener, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas is a film you’re likely to watch only once, but won’t soon forget. It's a harrowing, thought-provoking, family-oriented film with stand-out performances from Vera Farmiga as the distraught mother and Asa Butterfield as a naïve eight-year-old boy. Mark Herman directs from a screenplay he adapted from a novel by John Boyne.
Set during World War II amidst the disturbing acts of the Holocaust, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas centers on a friendship between a young Jew stuck behind the electric fence of a concentration camp and an innocent boy named Bruno who befriends him. But things take a turn for the worse when Bruno decides to assist the boy in the striped pajamas by providing food, company, and the fun that was denied to Jews during the Holocaust.
Although the film lacks a certain amount of empathy for the characters, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas is an unforgettable and inspiring film that benefits from magnificent acting, top-notch directing, and a superb script. It's an undeniably good, if somewhat sloppy, depiction of the Holocaust from a child's point of view.
It’s like a well-proportioned meal of your not-so-favorite dish -- well-made, good for you, but hard to swallow. This profound, disturbing, and fairly powerful historic story about a verboten friendship is tediously paced, but is held together by tense and frightening situations and a knockout cast. A handful of considerably talented actors helps cover a multitude of flaws.
While it had the potential to be one of the year’s best,n it falls short by being obvious and low on emotional stride (it's not as touching as some make it out to be). Nonetheless, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas is a highly recommended, if modestly executed, film.
The special features consist of some deleted scenes (with optional commentary by writer/director Mark Herman and author John Boyne), "Friendship Beyond The Fence Featurette" that explores the importance of costume designs, hair styles, and includes interviews with the cast and crew, and a commentary track by Herman and Boyne. 3.5/5 stars

Charlie Wilson's War movie review by star757

In honor of Popcornmonsters.com actor of the week, we have a review featuring a movie withTom Hanks.


Charlie Wilson's War Movie Review by star757.


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This movie is based on a true story about a congressman who helped fund the Afghans to stop the Soviet invasion in the 1980's. Tom Hanks plays Charlie Wilson a U.S. representative from Texas. He likes women and having fun, and he starts to get an interest on what is going on in Afghanistan. Julia Roberts plays Joanne Herring, a wealthy Texas socialite that promotes causes she feels God would have her involved in. She wants to raise awareness of the plight of the Afghans and thinks Charlie Wilson can get Congress to provide the funds to win this covert war. Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays a CIA agent who doesn't get along with his superior and is looking for something to do. His coworker suggests they fight the communists and this is how the three main characters get involved with each other. Amy Adams also stars as Charlie Wilson's administrative assistant. The money follows them trying to raise money, work with others in Washington, and visit other Middle Eastern countries to get them involved. Charlie has to bring Pakistan, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia together to win this war. As well as getting the money from Washington for this covert operation. Overall it was a good movie with a good plot. The movie keeps progressing and is fairly short at just over 1 hr and 30 min. The characters are interesting and well acted. I would recommend this movie based on a true story.

Baby On Board - rent it at Blockbuster.com

Look for the romantic comedy Baby on Board for rent at Blockbuster.com and in stores. Angela (Heather Graham) and Curtis (Jerry O'Connell) have it all - a loving relationship, a beautiful house and successful careers. That is, until an unexpected pregnancy sends them on a hilarious, nine-month roller coaster ride. Now, they must deal with hormonal and emotional mood swings, not to mention all the drama caused by their best friends Danny (John Corbett) and Sylvie (Katie Finneran) as well as Angela's over-demanding boss (Lara Flynn Boyle). It all adds up to an uproarious battle of the sexes in this new romantic comedy by Brian Herzlinger (My Date with Drew). Buy the movie poster for Baby on Board.

Terminator 2: Skynet Edition, exclusive clip now on Facebook

Look for an Exclusive Clip on the Terminator 2 Skynet Edition Facebook Page! Become a fan for access to the latest information about the Skynet Edition Blu-Ray. This clip showcases the Special Features from the Blu-Ray release next Tuesay, May 19th! Buy movie posters for Terminator 2 Skynet Edition

For the first time fans can experience multiple versions of the movie in explosive, THX certified high-definition and all-new English 6.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Lossless. Terminator 2 Skynet Edition is packed with over 8 hours of interactive special features including over 140 minutes of behind the scenes video and multimedia galleries; interactive quizzes and games; and additional BD-Live™ enabled content featuring extra content, games and more accessible through internet-connected players. Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as the Terminator in this explosive action-adventure spectacle. Now he’s one of the good guys, sent back in time to protect John Connor, the boy destined to lead the freedom fighters of the future. Linda Hamilton reprises her role as Sarah Connor, John's mother, a quintessential survivor who has been institutionalized for her warning of the nuclear holocaust she knows is inevitable. Together, the threesome must find a way to stop the most lethal Terminator ever created. Co-written, produced and directed by James Cameron, this visual tour de force is also a touching human story of survival.

Taken, with Liam Neeson, now on DVD!

Look for these 2 new movies just out on DVD this week. Find other great movies and reviews on Popcornmonsters.com.


Buy the movie poster for Taken.

Former government operative Bryan Mills begins the longest 96-hours of his life--and the hunt for the fearsome organization that has taken his daughter Kim. Mills had only recently given up his government career as what he calls a preventer to be near Kim, who lives with Bryan's ex-wife Lenore and her new husband. To make ends meet, Bryan joins some former colleagues for special security details (like guarding a pop diva), but most of his time and energy are spent re-connecting with Kim. Bryan's familial goal is nearly derailed when Kim requests his permission to spend time in Paris with a friend. All too aware of the dangers that could lie ahead for Kim in a foreign land, Bryan says no, but Kim's disappointment leads him to very reluctantly relent. Bryan's worst fears are realized when Kim and her friend Amanda are suddenly abducted--in broad daylight--from the Paris apartment at which they've just arrived. Moments before Kim is dragged away by the as yet unseen and unknown assailants, she manages to phone Bryan, who begins to expertly piece together clues that will take him to the darkness of Paris's underworld, and to the City of Light's plushest mansions. He will face nightmares worse than anything he experienced in black ops--and let nothing and no one stop him from saving his daughter.


Buy the movie poster forUnderworld: Rise of the Lycans.

Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra and Bill Nighy stars in third installment of the werewolves-versus-vampires series, this time going back -- way back -- to the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor, the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them, in an epic struggle for Lycan freedom.

Girl, Interrupted Movie Review

In honor of Popcornmonsters.com actor of the week, we have a review featuring Winona Ryder.


Girl, Interrupted Movie Review by agga924.


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Girl, Interrupted is based on the book which is written by Susanna Kaysen. Susanna Kaysen's book is based on her two year stay at a psychiatric hospital.
I first saw this movie on TBS. Not knowing what I was watching, but familiar with the faces of the actors (Angelina Jolie, Winona Ryder, Whoopi Golberg, Brittney Murphy etc.) I decided to watch it. Just from the entrance of the movie I was grabbed to see it. It seemed very interesting and I wanted to know what would happen next.
Girl, interrupted is the experiences Susanna Kaysen went through. She was admitted into the hospital after a twenty minute appointment with a psychiatrist. In this movie she is torn because she is not sure if she belongs there. One question that pops up a lot is if she is insane or sane. She ends up making friends in the hospital. Seeing the different girls, made a different world to her. Girl, Interrupted is not just a drama but is written in a way which adds humor to the movie. It is very interesting and has a value that makes you watch it over again. As you know, well if you didn't know Angelina Jolie won four awards for her performance in this movie. One award including an Oscar(best supporting actress).
After seeing Girl, Interrupted I wanted the DVD. I got the DVD and once I watched it, it was more interesting to me. Of course on tv many scenes are cut out. After seeing the movie I bought the book. This movie helps you realize certain things about life that you didn't before.
GIrl, Interrupted I wouldn't say is a family movie, of course it is rated R. It is a movie you will some way be able to relate to. It would be easy to say that this movie is a female version of One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, but it is more than that. It has the truth of the outside world. If you haven't yet, I recommend you pick up a copy of Girl, Interrupted and watch it. If you liked it as much as I did, you should also buy the book.

Motion Poster for upcoming release of GAMER

Check out the cool motion poster for the upcoming release of the movie GAMER, starring Gerard Butler.

Fletch Movie Review by Star757

Fletch Movie Review by star757.


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An undercover newspaper columnist with a penchant for donning various disguises and identities to get a story is on the trail of drug ring.
This is a pretty funny movie, especially if you like Chevy Chase movies. He plays a newspaper writer who while undercover, is asked to murder someone. It is his hilarious disguises and impersonations that kept me laughing. He starts to investigate why they want him to murder someone...and you have to watch what happens. This is classic Chevy Chase, an 80's movie, and worth it for a good funny comedy.

The Dance Flick Ultimate Dance Off!

The Wayans Brothers have a new film coming out, and this time, it’s dance. In the movie DANCE FLICK, many different styles of dance collide…literally! In anticipation of the movie, DANCE FLICK presents…THE DANCE FLICK ULTIMATE DANCE OFF!

Entrants must go to MTV Dance Flick, watch a video from the cast, and then upload a video of their interpretation of the Pop, Lock and Plié. The dance must be done to “Shake” by the Ying Yang Twins, which can be downloaded from the site. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges from MTV and Paramount and will win a trip to LA to take a masterclass with the choreographers of DANCE FLICK, audition for a dance agent, get some cool dance gear, and $5,000 cash! The Dance Flick Ultimate Dance Off ends June 1, 2009 so be sure to enter and check out more on Popcornmonsters.com.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button now on DVD

Look for these movies just out on DVD this week. Find other great movies and reviews on Popcornmonsters.com.


Buy the movie poster for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

"I was born under unusual circumstances." And so begins "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story, set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be.


Buy the movie poster for Last Chance Harvey.

New Yorker Harvey Shine is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer. Warned by his boss that he has just one more chance to deliver, Harvey goes to London for a weekend to attend his daughter's wedding but promises to be back on Monday morning to make an important meeting--or else. Harvey arrives in London only to learn his daughter has chosen to have her stepfather walk her down the aisle instead of him. Doing his best to hide his devastation, he leaves the wedding before the reception in hopes of getting to the airport on time, but misses his plane anyway. When he calls his boss to explain, he is fired on the spot. Drowning his sorrows at the airport bar, Harvey strikes up a conversation with Kate, a slightly prickly, 40-something employee of the Office of National Statistics. Kate, whose life is limited to work, the occasional humiliating blind date and endless phone calls from her smothering mother, is touched by Harvey, who finds himself energized by her intelligence and compassion. The growing connection between the pair inspires both as they unexpectedly transform one another's lives.


Buy the movie poster for Strange Wilderness.

After the genial, beloved TV host of the popular wildlife show "Strange Wilderness" passes on to the great nature special in the sky, his son Peter Gaulke takes over the series--and things are never the same. Ignorant, bumbling and blissfully unaware of his own lack of talent, Pete sprinkles his documentary narrations with dubious factoids. When the ratings sink to an all-time low and the show is about to be cancelled, Pete and his filmmaking partner Fred Wolf realize they have to come up with "something big" to save the series. It looks like they've hit the jackpot when Pete lucks into a map of the legendary Bigfoot's secret cave. But when the clueless producer leads his ragtag crew to the wilds of Central America to film the elusive beast, they encounter a string of disasters. Desperate for a stunt to drive "Strange Wilderness" ratings back up and salvage the show, Pete brainstorms with his motley crew. Their luck seems to take a turn for the better when Pete gets a visit from his father's backwoods survivalist friend Bill Calhoun, who offers to sell him a map to Bigfoot's jungle hideout. Convinced this is the big break they've been waiting for, Pete and Fred hire two new crewmembers, Bill Whitaker and Cheryl, and set off for Ecuador in their dilapidated RV. From the start, however, the ambitious expedition is beset with disasters. Along the way, the hapless crew will have to survive near-death encounters with overzealous border guards, an amorous turkey, flesh-eating fish, murderous natives and a host of other obstacles that more than live up to the name "Strange Wilderness."

The Prestige movie review by Star757

In honor of Popcornmonsters.com actor of the week, we have a review featuring Hugh Jackman.


The Prestige Movie Review by star757.


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I thought this was a great movie. It keeps you interested the whole time with twists and turns, and it isn't predictable. This movie is about two magicians trying to make it big in England in the 1900's. It is set as flashbacks as each magician is reading the other's diary. You will have to watch to see why this is so. To get jobs you have to have the most impressive illusion, and the two main characters, played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, will stop at nothing to be the best. Each illusion consists of three parts which you learn about in the movie. The third part is the prestige, when you bring something back that disappeared. The movie begins with Borden and Algier, Bale and Jackman, as workers for Cutter, played by Michael Caine. They are both learning the ropes waiting for their chance to become popular magicians. Early in the movie something tragic happens that will set the two as enemies throughout the movie. Borden makes it big and Algier will stop at nothing to bring him down. The movie follows this back and forth as one magician has a great trick and the other exposes him. Thrown into this is Scarlett Johannson's character. She plays Algier's assistant who later works with Borden. I won't go into much more, except for the big illusion, The Transported Man. Borden devises this illusion and Algier has to have the secret to it. It drives him thoughout the movie. There is so much more to the story. It has a rich, well developed plot. I would highly recommend it. The ending is interesting and you'll never figure it out.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine and other new releases!

If you're looking for a new movie to see check out these new releases, and look for other great movie reviews, on Popcornmonsters.com



"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe.



Celebrity photographer Connor Mead loves freedom, fun and women... in that order. A committed bachelor who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call, Connor's mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for his kid brother, Paul, and a houseful of well wishers on the eve of Paul's wedding. Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding, he is visited by the ghosts of his former jilted girlfriends, who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through his failed relationships--past, present and future. Together they attempt to find out what turned Connor into such an insensitive jerk and whether there is still hope for him to find true love...or if he really is the lost cause everyone thinks he is.



The Limits of Control is the new movie from filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (Broken Flowers, Down by Law). The film is set in the striking and varied landscapes of contemporary Spain (both urban and otherwise). The location shoot there united the writer/director with acclaimed cinematographer Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love, Paranoid Park). Isaach De Bankolé stars in the lead role for Mr. Jarmusch; this marks the duo’s fourth collaboration over nearly two decades, following Night on Earth, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and Coffee and Cigarettes. The Limits of Control also features several other actors with whom Mr. Jarmusch has previously worked, including Alex Descas, John Hurt, Youki Kudoh, Bill Murray, and Tilda Swinton; and actors new to his films, including Hiam Abbass, Gael García Bernal, Paz De La Huerta, Jean-François Stévenin, and Luis Tosar. The Limits of Control is the story of a mysterious loner (played by Mr. De Bankolé), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged. His journey, paradoxically both intently focused and dreamlike, takes him not only across Spain but also through his own consciousness.



Humanity is the invading force in this animated sci-fi film. After the destruction of Earth, mankind has taken to space in a desperate search for a hospitable planet. When they find one, the only thing that stands in their way is the peaceful citizens of the planet, and the humans declare war.