Movie Review (Theatrical): Orphan (just Orphan)

Orphan (2009)
Synopsis: family adopts crazy little girl. . .
Grade: D+

This movie should be an F but the fact that I thought the director did a great job creating suspense and fear and the acting was pretty good bumps this up a bit. Scary, yes. Surprise ending, yes. But. . .once the surprise is revealed I feel like logic is completely thrown out the window. There are a lot of plotholes in this movie and you might leave scratching your head (or at least saying "that was it. . .?") Oh. . .and if you're going to rip off a line from another movie. . .don't make it from one of the worst horror movies ever made (those who have seen both movies know exactly what I'm talking about. . .)

**Update**: I actually saw this film for a second time with my movie viewing partner-in-crime. After a long discussion on what worked with this film and what didn't I was lead to realize that some of the plotholes that caused me to dislike this movie can actually be explained. Well. . .some. . .lol!
But another film with a similar title that I did enjoy is The Orphanage (2007). It's a Spanish thriller that is well executed and pretty scary!! The ending is a little bit of a downer but I thought the overall storyline worked really well!

Movie Review (Rentals): Kate vs. Lindsay (need I say more. . .)

The Reader (2008)
Synopsis: May-December romance under unusual circumstances. . . Grade: A



I've recently become a fan of Kate Winslet. I enjoyed Titanic (1997) but not to the extent of others so it took me a while to see what a truly talented actress this woman is. I think I took notice of her during Little Children (2006) and then became in awe of her after seeing Revolutionary Road (2008). Even with my new found appreciation I was still wondering if she won the Oscar for this film because she's Kate Winslet and she was due. Well. . .it was well deserved. She plays her emotions and secrets so well throughout this film and you can't figure out if you dislike her or if you feel sorry for her. And I especially commend the actor who plays her young lover (David Kross). He played that awkward stage from boy to man very well (and the complicated feelings that go along with it.) I highly believe this is a must-see movie especially if you're into character driven dramas.

Now onto a film with an actress who. . .well. . .isn't Kate Winslet:

Labor Pains (2009)
Synopsis: Girl pretends to be pregnant in order to keep her job.
Grade: F

I have a little secret. I'm fascinated by Lindsay Lohan. I've seen a lot of her movies simply because she's in them (yes. . .I saw I Know Who Killed Me.) That doesn't mean I've enjoyed all of her movies but there are some gems in her resume (Mean Girls is one of my all-time favorite movies. Seriously.) I will *not* be adding this film to that list. This movie was just. . .wrong. I'm not even going to count the predictable story (lie gets out of hand until the truth is revealed in the most humiliating way possible.) The acting was horrible. It was like everyone who worked on this movie knew it would be a disaster so they just didn't care and half-assed their lines. Anyway. . .I watched this movie on ABC Family where it premiered. Yup. . .straight to basic cable. Where it belonged. Smart move production. Very smart. (I'm not being sarcastic.)

Movie Review (Rentals): Psychotic Slasher vs. Psychotic Architecture

One of these films is a newer rental (based on a classic horror franchise) and the other is a few years old but I discovered it on On Demand. It sounded like it was up my alley. . .

Friday the 13th (2009)
Synopsis: if you don't know the premise of this movie then you must live in a cave. Or you're Amish.
Grade: C+

So. . .it's 2009 and we're basically supposed to forget the 10 or 20 sequels that happened after the original story. For example, Jason starts off with a potato sack covering his face and discovers his signature hockey mask in *this* film. So. . .this is supposed to be part two? I don't know. . .Aside from that weird change of story this movie delivers exactly what we expect it to deliver: lots of pretty young people getting sliced n' diced while either exploring dark woods or sheds alone or during sex. I really don't know what else to say about this one. It is what it is and I don't think it's trying to apologize for it.

Moving on. . .


Within (2005)
Synopsis: Four friends are trapped in an ancient castle. One has to stay so the others can escape.
Grade: B-/C+

I wanted so badly to really like this movie. When I read the synopsis I was like, "oooohhhh. . .that sounds intense!" Four friends are traveling through Europe and they come across a castle. As they explore it they discover there is no way out and every exit leads them back to where they started. A crazy stranger also stuck in the castle lets the group know that the castle is cursed and the only way for them to get out is that one needs to stay behind. And their true natures emerge as they try to figure out who will be the one to remain. I like pyschological thrillers like this but the execution of this one was quite slow. Quite possibly due to a low budget and an entire cast of unknowns who may need a little more experience. Overall though, great story but it could have been done better. As the assistant director said in Lost in Translation - "more *intensity*."

Movie Review (Theatrical): Past vs. Future (or Primates vs. Robots)

Year One
Synopsis: two primates on a funny adventure through biblical times
Grade: D+


I'm actually being kind with my grade. It only "passes" because there were a few laugh-out-loud moments but, to be honest, I was tempted to walk out of this one. It pains me to say that because I normally enjoy watching both Jack Black and Michael Cera but together they just couldn't pull off this film and I can tell you why: this movie relied heavily on these two improvising their scenes and they didn't have the chemistry. Not to mention, I don't believe Michael Cera is experienced enough to carry a film solely on improv. He's very charming and funny in Arrested Development, Superbad, and Juno but his dry sense of humor is best delivered when scripted. He seemed lost when trying to respond to Jack Black's outrageousness. So, sorry guys, this one will be best viewed on cable when there's nothing else to watch.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Synopsis: Autobots and Decepticons fight. . .again. . .over Shia LeBeouf.
Grade: C+


Um. . .hmmmmm. . .mixed feelings on this film and I probably didn't give myself enough time to let this one sink in. I will definitely give Michael Bay credit for his eye for action. He pretty much brings an art to explosions but we definitely don't share the same sense of humor. I, myself, do have a very immature sense of humor and laugh at guys getting kicked in the nuts and words like "poop" but I feel like Michael Bay took even that kind of humor down a notch (I didn't need to see that much "humping" from dogs and robots.) There were other severely immature moments but I'll let you guys see and judge for yourselves. And, yeah, I definitely get the impression that Michael Bay and the writers of this film were either rushed too hard to get this film out or they just didn't care. Lots of plots holes. Lots. Now, I'm a person who can sit back and enjoy a "popcorn film" and not worry about these things. For the most part I did (which is why it got a decent grade from me - great action and cool robots) but I did laugh when reading about other impressions of the plot holes online and from my movie viewing partner-in-crime. In fact, here's a good article for those who are curious or have seen the movie and want to know (my favorite plot hole: why does a robot need glasses? LOL!!):

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/smg-transformers-10-questions.html

Welcome to The Flick Chick's new movie review blog!! Here's where you can find my honest (and, in my opinion, accurate (lol!) reviews of theatrical releases and rentals (old and new!) Trust me - I know my movies! ;)