National Treasure

National Treasure (2004)

Director: Jon Turteltaub

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, and Christopher Plummer

Description: Benjamin Franklin Gates descends from a family of treasure-seekers who've all hunted for the same thing: a war chest hidden by the Founding Fathers after the Revolutionary War. Ben's close to discovering its whereabouts, as is his competition, but the FBI is also hip to the hunt.

Review: I thought it was a fun movie. Your typical summer popcorn flick. I did have a good time watching it. The acting was okay and some of the situations were a little hard to believe. I did like the inventions of the founding fathers in hiding this treasure. I thought that was really interesting. One thing it does is make history look fun. I would say its pretty safe for younger kids and would be a good way of introducing them to American History (at least not making it to be boring). All in all, a fun little summer flick.

Score: 2.5 out of 5

Transformers

Transformers (2007)

Director: Michael Bay

Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Rachel Taylor, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voight, and John Turturro

Description: High-school student Sam Witwicky buys his first car, who is actually the Autobot Bumblebee. Bumblebee defends Sam and his girlfriend Mikaela Banes from the Decepticon Barricade, before the other Autobots arrive on Earth. They are searching for the Allspark, and the war on Earth heats up as the Decepticons attack a United States military base in Qatar. Sam and Mikaela are taken by the top-secret agency Sector 7 to help stop the Decepticons, but when they learn the agency also intends to destroy the Autobots, they formulate their own plan to save the world.

Review: An awesome summer movie! I felt like a kid again watching this movie. All of my memories of the original cartoon came back as I was watching the movie. Honestly, I was a little concerned how they would make a feature length movie about the Transformers, but was pleasantly surprised by a believable storyline. I also loved that they brought back the original voice of Optimus Prime. The only real negative thing about it was the length. It was nearly 2.5 hours long. Other than that, I thought it was really good, especially the special effects. It really looked like they were transforming in real life. All in all, a great summer movie.

Score: 4 out of 5

Hot Fuzz

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Director: Edgar Wright

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, and Martin Freeman.

Description: Nicholas Angel is the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record 400% higher than any other officer on the force. He's so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel's superiors send him to a place where his talents won't be quite so embarrassing - the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. Once there, he is partnered with the well-meaning but overeager police officer Danny Butterman. The son of amiable Police Chief Frank Butterman, Danny is a huge action movie fan and believes his new big-city partner might just be a real-life "bad boy," and his chance to experience the life of gunfights and car chases he so longs for. Angel is quick to dismiss this as childish fantasy and Danny's puppy-like enthusiasm only adds to Angel's growing frustration. However, as a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems and as the intrigue deepens, Danny's dreams of explosive, high-octane, car-chasing, gunfighting, all-out action seem more and more like a reality. It's time for these small-town cops to break out some big-city justice.

Review: I just can't see this movie enough times. The more I see it, the more I like it. One of the best comedy films in a long time. I laughed so hard I nearly lost my voice. You will love it especially if you've seen cop "buddy" movies. Its not a parody of them, but more of an homage. Really well done. A definite must see.

Score: 5 out of 5

Leon - The Professional

Leon-The Professional (1994)

Director: Luc Besson

Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, and Danny Aiello

Description: Mathilda, a twelve-year old New York girl, is living an undesirable life among her half-family. Her father stores drugs for two-faced cop Norman Stansfield. Only her little brother keeps Mathilda from breaking apart. One day, Stansfield and his team take cruel revenge on her father for stretching the drugs a little, thus killing the whole family. Only Mathilda, who was out shopping, survives by finding shelter in Lon's apartment in the moment of highest need. Soon, she finds out about the strange neighbour's unusual profession - killing - and desperately seeks his help in taking revenge for her little brother. Lon, who is completely unexperienced in fatherly tasks, and in friendships, does his best to keep Mathilda out of trouble - unsuccessfully. Now, the conflict between a killer, who slowly discovers his abilities to live, to feel, to love and a corrupt police officer, who does anything in his might to get rid of an eye witness, arises to unmeasurable proportions - all for the sake of a little twelve-year old girl, who has nearly nothing to lose.

Review: Every time I see this movie, I think I love it a little bit more. Yes, there are some cheesy lines, but wow, what action. You are never bored with this film. It is sad though, to see what Mathilda has to go through. I do like the interaction between Leon and Mathilda, even though at times it can be suggestively taboo. All in all, a good movie for a Saturday night. Definitely worth a rent, if not to own.

Score: 4.5 out of 5