Brothers

“Brothers” is a new motion picture from director Jim Sheridan and starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhall, and Natalie Portman.  After being captured and tortured in Afghanistan, Sam, presumed dead, returns to find his brother with his wife and daughter.  Tensions mount between Sam and his brother Tommy, and only one can dominate.  The film opens December 4th and is being released by Lionsgate Films.

 

FILMS WATCHED THIS WEEK:

Saw VI-Lionsgate-90 minutes-Regal Horton Plaza
Another gory episode in the vigilante serial killer series.  85/B

A Christmas Carol-Disney-96 minutes-Regal Mira Mesa
A nicely done, yet different adaption of the classic story.  The 3D was fantastic ( would not recommend seeing it without 3D), however, it would save you a few dollars to skip the IMAX presentation.  It’s merely a widescreen letterbox presentation in the middle of an IMAX (small IMAX, might I add) screen.  Almost half the screen will be black.  Regular auditoriums with large screens are quite adequate for this presentation.  It’s really bothersome that theatres can get away with charging 16.50 for this type of presentation.  If studios want to cash in on the IMAX format, then film it in IMAX and make it worth the ticket price.  IMDB claims there is 1.44:1 70mm films out there.  If that’s true, too bad none made it to San Diego.  All we have is giant square screens with the movie in the middle and black covering half the screen on the top and bottom.  The movie was good-not great.  What makes this film special is the 3D technology.  The snowflakes, among other things, somehow make this animated film look very real.  It’s worth the price for the 3D, but skip the IMAX.  It’s just as big across the hall on a standard digital projector.  IMAX 3D-67/D+  3D-87/B+

The Fourth Kind-Universal-98 minutes-Regal Horton Plaza
Alien encounters are behind this picture.  Taken with lots of archival footage and dramatizations combined, this film has creepy moments, yet does not give enough background on the characters involved.  For me, it was a little difficult to have much sympathy for the lead.  All we know is that her husband dies (the film’s opening) and that she is a psychologist.  The woman decides to continue her husband’s studies while weird coincidences occur to her patients and her family.  The film moves along nicely and, whether you choose to believe what happens or not, it leaves something to talk about at the end.  82/B-

The Box-Warner Brothers-116 minutes-Regal Mira Mesa
This film raises the question:  How far would you be willing to go for a million dollars?  A couple is asked whether they would push a button on a box in exchange for a million dollars, but someone they didn’t know would die as a result.  Their decision leads them through a series of events that will change their lives forever.  The film was somewhat confusing at times and is really far-fetched.  It is, however, very thought-provoking and leaves you thinking.  Nice performances by most of the cast.  For many who like non-stop action thrillers, this will not be the movie for you.  But if you like a cerebral film that leaves you thinking, you probably will like this one if you can get past the unbelievable.  84/B

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills-94/A
Veronica Mars: Season 1: Disc 3-97/A+

Coming Soon:

In theatres:

2012                            November 17th
The Horse Boy           November 15th
The Blind SIde          November 24th
Precious                     November 24th

DVD:

Grey’s Anatomy: Season 2: Disc 6
Freaks and Geeks: Disc 5
The Amityville Horror
Drillbit Taylor
The Omen
Gran Torino
Adventureland
The Girl Next Door