Law Abiding Citizen

Title: Law Abiding Citizen
Year: 2009
Director: F. Gary Gray
Lead: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx
Rated: Rated R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language.

A man seeks revenge on the judicial system after his family's brutal murder is mishandled in court.

This is very awesome. Very cool effects, a cool idea too! A man kills people from his solitary confinement jail cell. Gerard Butler is the new great action star, he his just a cool guy. Jamie Foxx does a great job in this film, he plays the lawyer that was in charge of Gerard's character's case, he is great at showing emotion. There are some tense moments in the movie, and some surprising moments also. A lady is killed when an explosive inside her cell phone detonates when she answers a call. The ending was a little anti-climactic, but they couldn't really end it any other way. Its a really smart movie, a lot of reverse psychology stuff that make it really interesting and attention holding. Go see it... you wont be disappointed. 8 1/2 out of 10

The Graduate

Title: The Graduate
Year: 1967
Director: Mike Nichols
Lead: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft
Rated: PG for Sexual Content (today would be pg-13)

A college graduate is seduced into having an affair with his fathers business partner, Mrs. Robinson.

This movie was fantastic, it was very funny, and very dramatic. Dustin Hoffman has some very funny lines like, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me." or "Oh no dad, its completely baked". Its a very funny plot, a college grad has an affair with his dad's business partners wife who is two times older than him, however, he falls in love with her daughter. Its considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. This was Dustin Hoffman's first role and he does fantastic. The ending is great too, the last 30 minutes are very cool and quite funny. The last shot of this film is very cool also (as pointed out by my film teacher) Ben and Elaine's faces go from utter elation to absolute confusion. That's all I'm going to say, your going to have to watch it for yourself. Its funny, dramatic, and definitely worth the watch. The Graduate won an Oscar for Best Director. 9 out of 10

Paranormal Activity

Title: Paranormal Activity
Year: 2009
Director: Oren Peli
Lead: Katie Featherston, Micha Sloat
Rated: R for language

A couple becomes increasingly disturbed by paranormal activity in their home.

Let me start by saying, this was amazing. Finally, a director figures out that you don't need special effects and a couple million dollar budget to make a great horror film. This film cost $15000 to make, and was filmed in 7 days at the directors home in San Diego. The actors were paid $500 for their roles, they worked 14-18 hours a day. When they did sleep, they slept in the "haunted house". Katie was a waitress at Buca di Beppo at Universal City Walk, and Micha was a struggling actor/computer programmer, after this, they can forget about that.

Paranormal Activity is spine-tingling, it is very unsettling. It makes you hope it doesn't happen to you. The whole film is shot on a handheld camera, held by one of the leads most of the time, or set on a tripod. There is not one scene filmed off the property surrounding the "haunted house". The acting is fantastic, they are so believably a couple in real life, and are equally as freaked out as the audience when a scary moment comes along. Do not see this film alone, and see it while its still fresh, you don't want to be in an empty theater, most of the fun is the other audience members reactions. Its very very unsettling. I wasn't as scared as I expected to be, but its still scarier than any other film Ive seen. GO SEE IT! 8 out of 10

Singin' in the Rain

Title: Singin' in the Rain
Year: 1952
Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Lead: Gene Kelley, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds
Rated: G

A silent film studio has trouble making the transition to sound pictures.

This is one of the best films ever made. My favourite part of this film is the story about the making of it. Debbie Reynolds was a new actress coming up in the business, she could not sing or dance (singin' in the rain is a musical) and when Gene Kelly found out that he was going to co-star with her, he was upset and really gave her a hard time, and really didn't like her. He had to act like they were in love, and in my opinion, he does a darn good job at it. The film itself is quite funny and very fun to watch. The songs are very catchy. This was a required film to watch for my film class, and although they say "required" its not a bad thing. This film is great, and everyone should see it. Its a piece of Americana that everyone knows. Singin' in the Rain was nominated for 2 Oscars including; Best Supporting Actress in Jean Hagen and Best Music. 9 1/2 out of 10.

Couples Retreat

Title: Couples Retreat
Year: 2009
Director: Peter Billingsley
Lead: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman
Rated: PG-13 for sexual content and language

A group of friends is convinced to go to a couples retreat in support of their friends desire to fix their broken marriage.

This film was funny. It wasn't that funny, it seemed like a pointless movie to be honest. It was kind of cute, There isn't alot to say about it. It was all over the place and it didn't draw alot of real laughs. Everybody plays the same parts that they have played in every other movie Ive ever seen them in. Vince Vaughn was over the top and sarcastic like he always is. This film left me feeling glad I used a free movie pass. 6 out of 10. Don't waste your money