• Director: Joe Johnston
• Release Date: July 2011
• Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
• Run Time: 124
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Tagline: The First Avenger

Review: I had the pleasure of watching a sneak preview for this and thought it was a great superhero movie. It follows the superhero formula but that is to be expected. There are plenty of references to the comics as well as the other Marvel movies. There are numerous comic book references and foreshadowing that I probably cant even write here but will excite most of the comic book fans. In fact, Howard Stark plays a prominent role in this film and you see where Tony Stark gets his charm.

The movie really captures that patriotic spirit that permeated the US during WW2. The movie itself almost becomes like one of those military recruitment ads it showcases. It is chock full of flag waving patriotism. But you probably should expect that going to a movie called Captain America.

Chris Evans is a good Captain America and downplays any flashiness associated with him as the Human Torch. The CGI effects that show him as a scrawny twig were seamless. He carries that vulnerability with him throughout the film whether he is getting beaten up physically or emotionally.

The rest of the cast fills their roles well, especially Tommy Lee Jones as the gruff, but lovable, colonel and Hugo Weaving as the evil baddie bent on wold domination. Those two play their characters the way you would expect them to. Although I was waiting the whole time for Hugo Weaving to say Mr. Anderson. The only odd twist is that Captain Americas sidekick from the comics, Bucky Barnes, is much tougher and older than you would expect.

There are numerous one liners throughout the movie that drew chuckles from the audience. You also get plenty of action and explosions which are always a crowd favorite. Stylistically, its very similar to Iron Man. Overall, its a fun comic book adaptation that really adds into steam Marvel is building up to with The Avengers.

• Director: Thomas Bezucha
• Release Date: July 2011
• Writers: Thomas Bezucha, April Blair
• Run Time: 109
• Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Romance

Tagline: She is having the time of someone elses life.

Review: Monte Carlo is a charming movie for tweens and/or teens. If you are looking for a cute, adventurous movie with NO SWEARING, NO NUDITY, NO SEXUAL SCENES or INNUENDOS, NO SMOKING, and NO DRUGS then this is the movie for you (and us!)! This movie reminds me of some of the 1960s Disney movies that were plot wise too old for little kids but still safe for the not quite teenagers.

This is a classic movie about mistaken identity and learning to get along. The 3 main characters in the movies are all very different personalities but they grow and learn to accept each other by the end of the movie. They also have very different happy endings but seeing how different they are, the characters should end happily ever after differently.

There are some funny moments, some thinking would I do that? moments, and some good for her moments. You genuinely like each of these characters (except the mean girl) by the end of the show whether you liked them at the beginning or not.

This movie is perfect for its target audience of tweens/early teens and I wish more movies like this were available with todays stars!

• Director: David Yates
• Release Date: July 2011
• Writers: Steve Kloves, J.K. Rowling
• Run Time: 130
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Tagline: It All Ends

Review: I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter books, they are all so great and magical. But I did not think the film series was perfect at all, but they were still great movies. With that, I was extremely excited to see the end of the film franchise, and impressed with the trailers. So I had high expectations. And thankfully it did not disappoint, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, blew past my already expectations and I was enthralled!

The whole movie looked spectacular! The cinematography extremely well done, the art direction was incredible. The movie was beautiful to look at, the visuals were spectacular and truly Oscar worthy! The set designers, cinematographers really need to be awarded for their work, because it looks like they spend of time and money on the look of the film.

The cast of the film was pretty much perfect, they should all be applauded too. Emma Watson, as usual is and great and shell have a bright career ahead of her. Rupert Grint is pretty much great also, he is a fine actor indeed. Daniel Radcliffe did an amazing job and was very memorable as Harry Potter. Although I think Ralph Fiennes was the star of the film, he did unbelievable job as the evil, crazy Lord Voldemort, I think he deserves an Oscar Nomination for his role. The rest of the cast were also great too.

We all grew up overtime with the series, we followed the adventures of Harry Potter for around 10 years, I think. It seems very weird that there will be no more Harry Potter films to look forward too. I will miss the franchise very much! However I am happy the series got an amazing ending. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is not only the best film in the series, but it will probably be one of the best films of 2011. Everyone should see this film, even if they do not like past Harry Potter films.

• Director: Frank Coraci
• Release Date: July 2011
• Writers: Nick Bakay, Rock Reuben
• Run Time: 102
• Genre: Comedy, Family, Romance

Tagline: Welcome to his jungle.

Review: I just returned from seeing Zookeeper, and was thoroughly delighted and amused. Excellent creation of the animals, with very nicely mouth movements to coordinate with the dialogue.

Scripting was excellent – absolutely hilarious. The voicing for the animals (especially the monkey) was top-notch.

Those who believe this is a childrens movie is really missing the mark. At our viewing of the film , there were approximately 50 attendees – NO CHILDREN! Age ranges were from early 20s to mid 60s. The audience was roaring throughout the film, and continued to do so as they filed out of the auditorium – reflecting on their favorite parts. Some of the audience members stood in the lobby of the theater – strangers, mind you – chatting about the film and sharing some additional laughs.

I have already read some so-called movie critics who are body-slamming this delightful film. Clearly, they depict in invalidity of what is a so-called professional critic. As for me and my wife, and the audience at our viewing, it is absolutely a Thumbs Up experience.

Beyond worth seeing. If you appreciate silly humor, and hearing some of your favorite actors voices, AND enjoy a pleasant – though predictable – ending, this is a MUST SEE!

• Director: Seth Gordon
• Release Date: July 2011
• Writers: Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley
• Run Time: 98
• Genre: Comedy

Tagline: Ever wish your boss were dead?

Review: On paper, Horrible Bosses seems like a ripoff of Throw Momma from the Train or Strangers on a Train, the Hitchcock film of which this film and Throw Momma take inspiration from. But trust me, this movie is actually original in its plot structure as there were plot twists I did not see coming. When the summer began, I first thought Bridesmaids was the funniest movie of the year, but I have to say Horrible Bosses will now take that claim.

The movie follows three decent working class guys played by Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day. Jason Batemans character Nick, who works for a cruel tyrant of a boss played by Kevin Spacey. Jason Sudeikiss character Kurt is a hard working man who has a very nice boss, whose tragic incident leaves the company in the hands of his bullying, cocaine addicted son, played by Colin Farrell. Dale, played by Charlie Day, probably has the least horrible boss in Jennifer Aniston, playing a completely different character than people are used to seeing her in. All three guys hate their jobs and two of the three are involved in blackmail, leading them to their next possible choice, kill each others bosses. You are probably thinking since this is a studio comedy, everything will be wrapped up in a nice little package. And in a way, it is. But at least it did not change its tone and the ending was rather satisfactory.

Everyone is pretty much does their part in this movie but Charlie Day is the one who stands out here. Anyone who has seen him on Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia knows how hilarious he is on that show and he does not disappoint here. It was nice to see Jennifer Aniston do something different she had not done before. This is the type of movie that the less you know, the more enjoyable it will be. Horrible Bosses is a real surprise and will keep you laughing until the end.

• Director: Jake Kasdan
• Release Date: June 2011
• Writers: Gene Stupnitsky, Lee Eisenberg
• Run Time: 92
• Genre: Comedy

Tagline: She does not give an F.

Review: Beforehand I found Cameron Diaz as the lead character in a raunchy comedy off putting. I was pleasantly surprised I neither wanted to stab her or myself after seeing this movie. She pulls off the recently dumped, vulgar, Junior High teacher off pretty well.

Diaz stars as the titular teacher Elizabeth Halsey. Her fiance dumps her very early on in an unexpected tone setting scene. She is an educator without a care of education who needs a new mans bank account to rest on. Enter Justin Timberlake as the hot, new substitute teacher with plenty of family money. Timberlake plays the dorky, yet hot teacher very well culminating in his facial expressions in a moment of pleasure.

Jason Segel guest stars as the slacker gym teach with intent to hook up with the vulnerable Diaz. Segel albeit funny is under utilized in this smart, well written comedy. Lucy Punch is hilarious as the perky, over the top model teacher also vying for Timberlakes attention.

The film is a comedy that should succeed much better than anyone whose ever heard of Cameron Diaz would expect. It comes across very Apatowian. Its smart and just keeps going further down the road of crass, yet enjoyable raunchiness. It also sports the best scene of an exploding bowel movement since Austin Powers.

• Director: Tom Hanks
• Release Date: July 2011
• Writers: Tom Hanks, Nia Vardalos
• Run Time: 98
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Tagline:

Review: To begin, I am not sure what some of the other reviewers expected to see in this film. Larry Crowne is not a sizzling drama, a fast paced action movie, or an over-the-top comedy, and its not likely to win a bunch of Oscars for acting, screenplay or anything else for that matter. What is is, however, is a well written, fun movie that is fairly well acted and very enjoyable.

The story does take a little bit to unfold, but does so in an organic way as not to give away too much too soon. The cast was well chosen and I found the characters to have been well developed and really fun people. Like most other films, there is certainly some creative license taken in that most everybody in it is funny and likable, which is what you want from a film like this. If only reality were filled with such great people, we should all be so lucky.

There are a few loose ends that may have been stitched up a bit better (per several of the reviews I have read) but Im not sure that was necessary at all to the story. Moviegoers these days seem to have a need for everything to be spelled out to the Nth degree. If it wasnt critical for the story to unfold, it didnt make its way into the picture. Theres something to be said for movies that leave a bit to the imagination for the viewer after the film is over, Keeps you thinking about it for awhile after youve left your seat.

I would watch it again. I left feeling good, with a smile on my face, which is what I was after upon deciding to watch it.

• Director: Michael Bay
• Release Date: June 2011
• Writers: Ehren Kruger
• Run Time: 157
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Tagline: Dark of the Moon

Review: There is a simple rule to knowing if its worth going to see this film..

If you enjoyed the first film regardless of what you thought of the dubious second movie, then get your damn tickets! If you hated both movies then stay the hell away because there will be nothing new for you this time around.

Quite simply this is the most outstanding action flick you are likely to see this year let alone this summer and it is a successful return to what they managed to deliver with the first movie. Make no mistake about the toilet humor, sometimes screwball acting and silly jokes. That stuff is still very evident but unlike the second movie where it went spiraling out of control and dominated the picture, here it is kept firmly on a leach. In fact it is very much a film of two halves, the first half has an even mix of humor an action but it does not go too over the top to the point where we see robots doing embarrassing things like peeing or showing their balls etc, and there is a lot of human death unlike the other films. You see the innocent getting wiped out not just building collapsing and explosions. The second half is very much a tour de force of action scenes that are either nail biting or breath taking, not much letting up once it starts going and the finale is very satisfying! This is no movie with an agenda to deliver some life changing tale, it makes no attempt to equal the Bard with its narrative or plot. This is a movie based on popular toys for boys. Expect that much and you will be entertained because they actually set up this movie with a very clever conspiracy theory based on the NASA missions to the moon and weave that into the roots of the franchise. Shia Lebeouf is without his sidekick for the last two movies in Megan Fox but finds a more than worthy successor in supermodel Rosie Huntington Whiteley who plays a part that is very difficult to see Megan ever pulling off. Sure these girls are meant for mostly eye candy but where Megans hot lipstick and deep penciled eyebrowed, glampornstar look got more slutty with each picture, Rosies supermodel grace and fine English accented charm brings more class than candy. Sorry Megan fans but no way would she pull of a semi rich bitch who has been to finishing school and back! In fact her part is essential in the few well executed plot twists and deceptions this movie presents that were never as potent in its predecessors.

All this builds up to last hour of back to back action sequences of spectacle, stealth, barbaric violence and utter heroics that will please the masses and outrage the critics who can never assess these kind of movie based on what they aim to be rather than what they do not! Transformers Dark of the Moon delivers a picture worthy of ending any action series, this is what makes buying a movie box set on home video worth parting with the cash even when one of the films is totally duff. Bays even managed to show the industry how to use 3D with easily the best 3D presentation since Avatar. Whoever takes over this franchise has a mighty jump to make because Michael Bay has placed the bar pretty damn high!

• Director: Paul Feig
• Release Date: May 2011
• Writers: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
• Run Time: 125
• Genre: Comedy

Tagline: Save The Date

Review: I am going to tell you now that the advertising for this movie is weak. It comes off as some kind of chick flick, the trailer gets a few chuckles out, but it really does not do the film justice. Bridesmaids will be the surprising film of the year and could very well even be the comedy of the year, topping films like The Hangover II and 30 Minutes Or Less. Yes, it is that funny. And I will tell you now, this is not the film you think it is.

Bridesmaids is a fairly simple film that sees one unlucky lady being the maid of honor for her best friend while attempting to plan the wedding. All of this as her own life falls apart at her feet. Suffice to say, hilarity ensues. And it really does ensue. Surprisingly, despite what you might think, this is not a chick flick. Its got romcom elements to it, but its like any other comedy, but with that rare all female cast. I cant remember the last time laughing this much during a movie. It helps that everything falls into place so well. Kristen Wiig is hilarious and this should be her star making film. She carries this with great talent and is at her most hilarious here, while still playing the emotional parts very well. There wasnt a single moment that brought me out of the film, and that is the sign of a film well done. Her surrounding cast does as great a job, with Melissa McCarthy being the standout as the token obnoxious groupie. Nearly all the scenes featuring her are laugh out loud funny.

The writing also shines here as its Apatowian comedy comes through. This is reminiscent of the early Apatow films, like 30 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. The comedy lingers at some moments, and even shoots for being uncomfortable. The dress scene in particular is gross, but probably got the biggest laughs, as I could hear people in the theater barely containing themselves. But again, the film is a constant laugh riot. It certainly does have a very nice emotional backbone and that comes across well with a very relatable story that isnt so much about any kind of romance but rather someone who is losing their mind. You feel bad for Wiigs character, but not in a way that makes her sappy or over the top. Rather, its a down to earth kind of falling apart that anyone could relate to. Much in the way that Knocked Up and Superbad worked for their relative stories, Bridesmaids is a rare comedy that has an all female cast, yet can appeal to anyone.

I guess thats the biggest surprise here, that this is a film that can work for everyone. My audience was mostly female, but everyone was cracking up the entire time. So, dont let that fool you. Nor should you let the advertising fool you either. This is one hilarious film that you would be sorry to have missed.

• Director: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis
• Release Date: June 2011
• Writers: Ben Queen, John Lasseter
• Run Time: 112
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Tagline:

Review: This movie wasnt at all what I was expecting. In the second serving of Lightning McQueen and his pals, they take their show to the international stage in a world championship race off sponsored by oil alternative manufacturer, Allinol. But turmoil behind the scenes pulls the gang into a world of spies, the Mob, Big Oil, evil German scientists and hit men. Now they have to save the world before its too late. Oh, and they race too. The animation is amazing. Water, large balloons, backgrounds during races, pay attention because the quality of the graphics in this one are world class. There are some goofy, funny moments and some nice one liners for the older crowd. The themes of being true to yourself and bonds of friendship run strong throughout this film but its the remainder of the message that worried me. There were non stop put downs throughout and some other questionable topics. I was beginning to question the G rating when the villain ordered his henchmen to kill several other cars. Thinking back to the innocence and the good spirit of the first movie, I began to wonder how we got from there to here. Adventures in racing take a back seat to the more mature plot of an espionage thriller. Looking around the theater, I could tell that kids younger than 4 or 5 were beginning to get lost. Even my ten year old had a hard time understanding the socio political messages. On top of all that, Id be willing to bet that Cars 2 is a contender for most guns, explosions and bullets fired in a G Rated movie. This movie had much more violence than the first one.

Aside from the appropriateness of the movie, it wasnt bad. All the likable characters from the first movie were back with bigger roles like Mater & Luigi and there were many new characters added that also brought their own personalities into the mix. To me, this was an espionage thriller so the added bonus of some comedy made the movie move right along at a good pace.

It was engaging for me, I enjoyed it, but the entire time I couldnt help but wonder why Disney/Pixar chose to tell this story through a kids movie.