Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

Alvin, Simon, Theodore, Brittany, Janette, and Elenore accompany Dave on a luxury cruise as they make their way to perform at the International Music Awards. Chaos ensues when the six chipmunks end up stranded on a desert island and have to rely upon their natural instincts to survive.

I went and saw this with my two nieces, ages 3 and 6.  I was informed by the 6 year old that it was "so funny!" the 3 year old thought it was "kind of scary" (there is a large rumbling volcano on the island).  Anyway it seems to be a big hit with the little ones... for me on the other hand it was horrifically painful to sit through.  Not enough music to entertain adults and the story itself was boring even for children.

** Rentable (for kids)


Rated G

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Tom Cruise is back in yet another assignment. While attempting to obtain information deep within the Kremlin a bomb goes off allowing evil scientists to steal a nuclear bomb launching device. All agents have now been disavowed. With limited resources and a skeleton crew.  Four agents set out to save the world.

So this was fun, I guess.  It was interesting in that it seemed slightly more comedic that Mission Impossible pasts. In fact, it felt more like I was watching an Ocean's 11 installment rather than a Mission Impossible sequel.

The story is a tad weak, but again it is better than recent episodes. Forgettable fun.

** 1/2  Rentable


Rated PG-13 (for language and violence)

Young Adult

Mavis Gary is an alcoholic and a writer.  She is the ghost writer of a young adult teen series that is coming to an end.  In an attempt to end her writers block she travels back to her home town to be inspired by her own glory days in high school as well as to win back the heart of her now married with child high school boyfriend.

Wow. Charlize Theron, amazing at being pathetic.  This is a strangely unlikeable film.  Kind of like a train wreck, it is awful but you can't look away.  She is so completely selfish and unsympathetic that she puts herself in the most horrifically awkward positions that literally make the audience squirm.

Extremely slow paced and methodical, it is difficult to watch, and not just because it is awkward, but it does become a bit slow and boring. However if you can make it through all the angst you may come away with more of an understanding of those that peaked in high school.

** Rentable


Rated R (for language and sexual content)

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Holmes is back, and right where he left off.  Europe is in a state of unrest and war seems to be inevitable. Holmes is convinced that it is a web of clues all leading to Professor Moriarty, an evil genius.

A worthy sequel.  Fun dialogue, witty commentary, action adventure, and mystery.  I don't know if I enjoyed it quite as much as the original -- but it was close.

Robert Downey Jr, again proves himself as an amazing actor and brilliant entertainer and Jude Law is equally on par.  Very fun, a tad long at two hours and ten minutes, not to mention the twenty five minutes of previews before hand.

Fine holiday fun.


*** Must See


Rated PG-13 (for violence)

New Years Eve

Several intertwining stories told against the backdrop of Time Square on New Years Eve, welcoming in 2012.

OK so this was better than Valentines Day -- for those of you that were unfortunate enough to have seen that.  Nevertheless it is far from the craft of Love Actually which is easily the best of these multiple shorts mixed into one big movie type deal.

New Years Eve is slow, very slow, in fact the audience is so far ahead of the story that it is painful. Second because of the timing it is also so pitifully predictable that again, why bother. There are multiple story lines obviously and it seems to be the goal of the director to bombard us with so much information that we will forget how they all relate and then we will all be blown away in awe when it all comes together.... yeah not so. In fact, it is just the opposite, they spend so much time trying to mislead the audience that nothing is surprising nor spectacular.

It has a fun soundtrack and lots of people in it -- but I couldn't sit through it a second time.


* 1/2 Rentable


Rated PG-13 (for sexual references and language)

The Descendants

Matt King,  a wealthy native islander, lives in Hawaii with his family.  When tragedy strikes and his wife is left in a coma family secrets surface.  Matt struggles to deal with the inevitable death of his wife while trying to save his dysfunctional family.

This is actually really good.  It is a well crafted story that never pretends to redeem the characters from their pathetic flaws.  It just tries to point them out in a humanizing way.

The cast is great, as none of the characters are particularly likable.  But you come to accept everyone for who they are and appreciate their willingness to fight for the survival of their relationships, no matter how pitiful.

Clooney is good as always but the two actors that steal the show are Shailene Woodley (plays Clooney's older daughter) and Nick Krause (her friend).  They are really amazing and made the movie.

Kind of slow and not what I expected, but really well done.


*** Must See


Rated R (for language)

Arthur Christmas

If one has ever wondered about the genealogy of Santa Claus, here is the answer.  Arthur is the current Santa's youngest son. He is a bit of a screw up, but loves Christmas. Loves everything about it. His older brother Steve, is in line to become the next Santa Claus and runs the show like a strict marine, introducing streamlined technology along the way. However when his perfect machine missed one child, it is up to Arthur and Grandpa Santa to save the day.

This was so unexpectedly clever and fun.  Truly a new and fresh idea to the story of Santa Claus.  The characters are fabulously developed along with the witty and heartfelt storyline.

This film is fun for children and adults and is easily one of the best and funnest Christmas flicks released ever -- let alone this year.

*** 1/2 Must See


Rated PG (for mild rude humor)