He Said, She Said Movie Reviews

Breaking news from the set of SMALLVILLE. Bye bye Superman?

2007-04-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

He Said She Said, HE SAID:

So what's this I hear about them killing off a major character on SMALLVILLE? It's true according to the witch of gossip over at E! Online.

Sources inside The CW reveal that one of 4 main castmembers - Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack or Kristin Kreuk - will be killed off in a secret plot twist by season's end. Who do you think it will be? I don't even watch this show and my money is on Chloe. No way they kill off Superman or Lex Luthor.

For those keeping score at home, YES I guess this makes me a TV dork. My secret it out.

A GOOD YEAR: He Said... not really

2007-03-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

So last night there I was standing in Blockbuster trying to pick out a movie for the weekend when Girlfriend called with a special request. She wanted to see the Russell Crowe flick, A Good Year.

Reading the back of the DVD box, I remembered why I was in no hurry to see it in theaters. Because it looked like a BAD MOVIE. Nevertheless, we rented it and watch the movie last night. Now that I have a good night's rest behind me, I can say with even greater confidence that A Good Year was a bad movie. Not just bad, but "THIS MOVIE SUCKED" kind of bad. Rent it yourself good readers and tell me yourself. On second thought, save yourself 2 hours and take my word for it.

All this movie really wanted to be was the guy's version of Under the Tuscan Sun. Had the film succeeded, I'm not even sure if that would be a good thing. Wasn't one flirty romantic comedy about Italy enough? Besides, Russell Crowe is nowhere near as hot as Diane Lane.

Russell Crowe is not very sympathetic in this movie and treats most other characters as discarded bottles of wine. Until of course he finds happiness in the vineyards of Italy. As my sister used to say when we were kids, GAG ME WITH A SPOON. Seriously, Russell, what were you thinking? Aside from the big paycheck I mean.

So dear readers, if you find yourself desperate for a movie and the only thing left to rent in Blockbuster or on Netflix is The Muppets Take Manhatten, do yourself a favor and rent the one with the dancing muppets. It's never a contest when Miss Piggy is on screen. I'm sorry Russell, but it's true for this 'Not Very Good Year.'

HE SAID Movie Grade: C-

Roll out the red carpet... it's OSCAR time!

2007-02-23T07:38:00.000-08:00

He Said, She Said...HE SAID:
It's time for the annual Hollywood American Idol - and I don't mean that little TV show on Fox. Nope, we're talking about the 79th Annual Academy Awards.

The red carpet rolls out in Hollywood Sunday night. So stop wasting time and fill out your Oscar ballots. Here's what you'll find on the He Said She Said ballot:

Best Picture: Letters from Iwo Jima
Best Actress: Kate Winslett for her role in Little Children
Best Actor: Leonard DiCaprio for his role in Blood Diamond

GIRLFRIEND and I are still arguing over our other choices, so we'll wait to post until we've reached consensus. What will be on YOUR Oscar ballots?

THE SHINING, He Said: A-

2007-02-18T10:13:00.000-08:00

Remember that Stanley Kubrick thriller The Shining starring everyone's favorite Jack? The one that scared the living crap out of you? Those who don't like scary movies are smart enough to steer clear of this movie.

If only the movie studio had marketed it as a romantic comedy. Then perhaps they could have captured the wallets and dollars of unsuspecting moviegoers. Take a look at the re-cut trailer below for a look at what could have been.

The Shining - starring Jack Nicholson

Video: The Shining Trailer Recut

CRASH, He Said: A

2007-02-17T09:38:00.000-08:00

I caught the flick Crash on cable last night while visiting with my parents. It was a classic in the theaters and just as good watching on the small screen.

The screenplay is well crafted and the direction flawless. The acting all around is fabulous. Performances by Matt Dillon and Ryan Phillippe are better than you'd expect. Hell, even Sandra Bullock is great as the self-absorbed, hellish wife.

If you haven't seen this, go rent it now.

Oscar nominations are out

2007-01-23T07:08:00.000-08:00

After months of hype, the Oscar nominations are out. Find out if your favorite movie or actor was nominated here. Catch the 79th Academy Awards live February 25, 2007 on ABC.

HARD CANDY, He Said: B+

2006-12-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

WOW. Just finished watching one of the most riveting, disturbing movies I’ve seen in a long while. It’s called Hard Candy. It’s an indie flick that came out earlier this year, generated some buzz and was recently released on video. The movie is a sick revenge flick that should scare most men never to talk to 14 year old girls again. They should show this in prison. Go rent it at your local Blockbuster. Or not.

SUPERMAN RETURNS, She Said: B+

2006-06-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

SHE SAID:
Ok so I have to admit I was not quite as excited to see Superman Returns on a Tuesday night at 10pm in 3-D IMAX as he was, but I did enjoy the show. The 3-d part was probably the coolest part. Excluding the minor glitches that made you go blind, it was awesome to see the clarity on the action packed scenes on the big screen.

However, I do have a few minor questions/complaints. It could just be my ignorance on previous Superman history, but here are my thoughts...

1. Superman's son - saw that one coming
2. If the kid can throw a piano, why can't he open the locked door?
3. If Superman was stabbed multiple times with Kryptonite, how could he live?
4. How did Lex Luther get into the secret old school superman world?
5. Superman kind of looked like a wax figure
6. Some of the dialogue was sooooo cheesy.
7. If Superman can fly into space why does he need a spaceship to come back to earth?

That being said, I still have much respect for Superman. I know these are small complaints in the larger movie, but those were the parts I didn't care so much for, and honestly... when I think of Superman, nothing can compare to the days of Marlon Brando & Christopher Reeve.

Overall I would give the movie a B+... but I guess I am kind of biased. I have always been more of a Spidey kind of gal.:)

pfsssssssssssssssssssssss...

SUPERMAN RETURNS, He Said: A-

2006-06-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

So how was Superman Returns? In a word...AWESOME! The film could have cut 10 minutes to make it go faster for all the non-geekies out there. But if you're a Superman fan, you're gonna love it. In my opinion, this was a much better approach than simply retelling the origin story.

Superman Returns truly is a sequel to Superman: The Movie (1978) and Superman II (1980). If you've got the time, go rewatch the DVDs because there's so much cool hidden stuff that most moviegoers are going to miss. The way the credits roll, the very last shot, the way he catches the car... these are all images lifted right outta the comic books or nods to the original films.

The music of John Williams embodies Superman. The filmmakers were wise to bring it back. Quick - hum the Spiderman theme. Can't do it? That's probably because you've got the Superman score burried in the back of your mind. I'd bet most kids at one point in their lives hummed the theme song while parading around the family living room in a cape. (OK, so maybe that was just me).

If you have the chance, go see Superman Returns in IMAX 3D. It is worth the price of admission and even better than I was expecting. This is the summer of Superman. Welcome back old friend.

Disclaimer: HE is a borderline obsessive Superman fan and has consistently dressed up in a cape and tights for every Halloween since the age of 12. And yes, HE even owned the Superman underoos. SHE's seen photos to prove it.

THE DA VINCI CODE, He Said: C-

2006-05-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

SHE and I joined two friends opening night, one of whom hadn't read the book, in the 2nd row just off to the left and dug into our popcorn as the lights dimmed and the Dolby Digital surround sound roared to life. As my eyes strained to see the screen and I pretended not to be annoyed by the loud sound, I whispered to SHE: "Hey, at least we're not sitting in the front row."

And so began my DA VINCI CODE experience - 150 minutes that I would love to have back. This was one of those rare occassions where the movie lived up to the hype. But in this instance, that wasn't a very good thing.

The reviews were bad. I knew that going in. But still, I was hoping to be surprised. After all, I was expecting bad dialogue and lots of hair atop Tom Hanks. he book was an entertaining read, so I was hoping for a fun translation to screen. Sadly, that would not be the case.

Tom Hanks couldn't have given a less emotional performance if he had mimed his scenes gagged and blindfolded. Audrey Tautou is a fine actress, but perhaps she should stick to French films. She spent the entire movie asking Tom Hanks to explain everything to her and then reciting it back to him. And I couldn't have been more bored. Not really a good thing in a supposed summer blockbuster thriller.

So it's not a genuine "thriller." I think we can all agree on that. However, I think we all know THE DA VINCI CODE will become one of the summer's biggest movies. That goes without saying. It'll open huge because of the book's following alone. How it performs the 2nd week and after will be interesting because I find it hard to believe that strong word of mouth will drive repeat business. And so it will die the quick money grubbing death of so many of today's so-called blockbusters. The movie opens huge to big $$$ profits, but very quickly loses steam. And yet Hollywood continues to churn these out every year. I'm sure foreign box office grosses, DVD sales and product placements have something to do with it. Because it's certain the Catholic Church isn't driving sales for this film.

FINAL VERDICT. So if you're looking to waste 2 and a half hours of your time with mindless entertainment, run fast to the cineplex and go see The Da Vinci Code. But expect to be disappointed. SHE and I both were.

HE SAID: C-

Starring:
Tom Hanks
Audrey Tautou
Ian McKellen

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, He Said: A

2006-04-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

I was expecting to laugh when I walked into the theater to see Thank You For Smoking, but not quite so hard and frequently. This is one of those rare "smart" comedies that keep you laughing for all the right reasons. The sort of satirical, biting humor you never thought funny as a kid but seemed to have grown into as an adult. The acting is superb - especially Aaron Eckhart. If you're expecting to see the sweet, innocent Katie Holmes from Dawson's Creek in this movie, forget about it. She plays the sort of vamp seductress role that many actresses have built a career upon. And she's at least somewhat convincing. But don't see this movie for her. See it for the superb acting, excellent script and non-stop laughs. This is one dark comedy not to be missed!

HE SAID: A

Starring:
Aaron Eckhart
Maria Bello
William H. Macy
Cameron Bright

SHOPGIRL, He Said: B

2006-04-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

I had been wanting to see this adaptation of Steve Martin's novella, Shopgirl, for quite some time. It's one of those movies where I'm just waiting for it to come out on video or late night HBO to watch with the girlfriend. In other words, I wanted to see it... but not that badly.

Nevertheless, it was pretty much what I expected. Not a whole lot happens, but the story, characters and dialogue are all very real. And by that I mean this is a story that is not unique and has probably happened to countless men/women in failed relationships. We've all felt and acted like one of the main characters at some point in our lives. The acting is subdued but well-refined all around. Great cast. If you're looking for the perfect date movie to sit around home with, look no further. Just don't expect a lot of action or suspence. Pretty much all you get can be summed up on the back of the DVD cover. Enjoy!

HE SAID: B

Starring:
Steve Martin
Claire Danes
Jason Schwartzman

Original Unaltered Star Wars Trilogy on DVD!

2006-04-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

All I can say is... ABOUT TIME! Now we can remember Han Solo as he was first introduced to the world. The baddass renegade who shot Gredo FIRST! If you're a Star Wars fan, it's time to get your geek on. Click here for details.

CAPOTE, He Said: A-

2006-04-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Capote is a fine film, just not great. After months of hype, I knew going in that it would be difficult for the film to live up to my expectations. For the most part, I was impressed. The acting, as expected, was excellent. No question there. And the movie itself was quite good. It just wasn't as wonderful as everyone had raved about. Don't get me wrong - Capote stands head and shoulders above 95% of what's offered in theaters these days. But it was a "Oh that was good, I'll never see it again" type good. If you haven't seen it, go rent it. But I see no reason to own it on DVD. One viewing was enough for me.

HE SAID: A-

Starring:
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Catherine Keener
Chris Cooper

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, He Said: A-

2006-04-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

I guess there comes a time in every relationship where you're forced to see a movie your significant other picks out. Don't get me wrong, being the film buff I am, I had every intention of seeing Brokeback Mountain. But with the Oscars already past, I wasn't in any particular rush to see it. Nonetheless, SHE was home sick for a few days and feeling terrible. So in an effort to cheer her up, I decided to make her dinner and suprise her with the DVD because I knew she had been dying to see it. For all the guys out there too scared to watch this at home, relax - it really isn't that bad. Yes, it's a love story between 2 guys, but it's done tastefully. The story is moving, the acting superb and the cinematography breathtaking. This really is a great film. I recommend it for any guy, girl or couple.

HE SAID: A-

Starring:
Heath Ledger
Jake Gyllenhaal
Anne Hathaway
Michelle Williams

HUSTLE & FLOW, He Said: A-

2006-03-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but Hustle & Flow was classy and smart all the way around. Great performances by a diverse set of actors. Who knew that even the dweeby kid from Road Trip would be able to hold his own amongst everyone else. It's easy to see why the song "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" stole the show at the Oscars. That song was worthy of an Academy Award - see this movie and you'll know why.

HE SAID: A-

Starring:
Terrence Howard
Anthony Anderson
Taryn Manning
Ludacris
Taraji P. Henson

NORTH COUNTRY, He Said: A-

2006-03-13T22:03:00.000-08:00

Another fine performance by Charlize Theron about women's rights in a Minnesota mine. You gotta love any movie that gives significant screen time to Woody Harrelson (and makes him look good in the process). After seeing some of the other Oscar-nominated performances this year, I almost think Charlize should have won instead of Reese Witherspoon for Walk The Line. I guess some models are born to act. North Country is a great movie.

HE SAID: A-

Starring:
Charlize Theron
Frances McDormand
Woody Harrelson

EIGHT BELOW: She Said, A

2006-03-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

Ok so Eight Below was a wee bit cheesy, but something about the dogs fighting to survive in the freezing cold and Paul Walker's loyalty to the pooches just really touched me;)

SHE SAID: A

EIGHT BELOW: He Said, A-

2006-03-08T21:57:00.000-08:00

Eight Below is a schmaltzy kids movie about sled dogs in Antarctica fending for themselves for half a year before being rescued. I walked in expecting a tearjerker and that's pretty much what the movie delivered. Nevertheless, it was a winner in my book!

HE SAID: A-

Starring:
Paul Walker
Bruce Greenwood
Jason Biggs
Moon Bloodgood

THE DAY AFTER, He Said: B

2006-03-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

I caught this made for TV flick about a nuclear holocaust on the Sci-Fi channel. It originally aired on ABC in 1983 amidst much controversy. With the Cold War still going strong at that point, I can see why. "The Day After" is the very definition of a B-movie. It's stocked full with cheesy moments and B-list actors. Hell, even Steve Guttenburg gets to play a part here. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't entertained. Worth a look if you're feeling nostalgic for the Soviet Union as bad guys or crap special effects.

PROOF: He Said, A

2006-03-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

Fantastic film starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins and Jake Gyllenhal. Wonderful acting and dialogue. It made a seamless transition from stage to screen. Now I'm dying to see the play.

PROOF: She Said, A

2006-02-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

Very good... Anthony Hopkins always brings life to the screen. Additionally, I felt there was good chemistry between Gwyneth & Jake.

I cannot wait to see the play.

WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? He Said, A

2006-02-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Always a classic, even years later. Even more fun because I got to watch it with SHE, who had never before seen the movie. It's a wonder the filmmakers ever convinced Warner Bros. and Walt Disney to allow their cartoon characters to be in the same film. I loved this movie as a kid, and love it still as a grown-up version of myself.

A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT, He Said: A-

2006-02-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

Beautifully shot and very good acting throughout this French film made by and starring the creative forces behind the film 'Amelie.' Jodie Foster had a nice surprise cameo appearance -- and in French! A bit gory and a tad depressing, but in the end love won out. Then again, doesn't it always in films like these?

JUST LIKE HEAVEN, He Said: B

2006-02-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

Here's another one of your typical chick flicks, although I'm surprised to admit that Just Like Heaven is not half bad once you've had a couple drinks. Guys - I wouldn't suggest watching this at home alone or with the fellas. But if you're gonna sit through a movie your girl picks out, you could certainly do worse. You always have Reese Witherspoon to look at.

HE SAID: B

LORD OF WAR, He Said: C-

2006-02-18T23:04:00.000-08:00

Very average film starring Nicolas Cage about the life of a gun dealer. Interesting characters, although a bit underdeveloped. It's hard to enjoy a film when there isn't any character you find appealing or care to emotionally invest in. Other than "guns are bad and kill people," this movie really didn't have much to say.

SAW II, He Said: C

2006-02-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

I guess this movie was everything I was expecting -- poor acting, lots of blood and overly gory. But it just wan't that interesting. I felt the first one was at least a bit more original. Listening to the commentary made me like it even less. The director was a bore and seemed thrilled with all of his unoriginal ideas. I say wait for it until it on TV - and save your money.

HIGH TENSION, He Said: F

2006-02-17T17:22:00.000-08:00

I have to give a movie props for actually scaring me, but this foreign French flick was outright disturbing and extremely graphic. A lot of it didn't make much sense, but then again I doubt the filmmakers cared much for plot holes. This is a movie to see only if you're feeling bad about humanity and like to see people killed onscreen. Most definitely NOT a date movie.

THE CONSTANT GARDENER, He Said: A-

2006-02-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

Very emotional film, with superb acting by Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes, about a murder conspiracy and a cover-up by powerful drug companies in Africa. Based on a popular novel. Great film, but I was expecting something even 'greater' based on the buzz around the movie.

MUST LOVE DOGS, He Said: D

2006-02-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

I'm always amazed when wonderful actors participate in terrible films. I find myself distracted from the movie wondering how much money they took to act in such crap. Surely, they knew it was crap when they signed on. Alas, this 'chick flick' is a prime example of a terrible idea on paper looking even worse when lensed. You have your stereotypical older divorced woman-seeking-guy character and her meddling sisters plus the cliche gay friend character who gives her advice. It was almost offensively bad, that's how much I disliked this movie. And it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a guy. I can be a sucker for a romantic cheesy movie as much as the next guy/girl, but this film was just BAD. Even though I didn't pay to rent this (we borrowed it from SHE's boss), is it possible to ask someone for her money back?!?

THE NOTEBOOK, He Said: A-

2006-02-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

Good love story; SHE's favorite movie right now; sad, funny, and definitely a tear jerker

ANNIE HALL, He Said: A

2006-02-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

A classic Woody Allen film that I hadn't seen in years. I loved seeing it again for the first time with SHE. Even though it was made 30 years ago, it remains a timeless comedy. Long live vintage Woody Allen.

MATCH POINT, He Said: B+

2006-01-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

Best Woody Allen film I've seen for quite some time, although strikingly different from his typical movie; smart, sharp, taut thriller with great acting all around from Scarlett Johansson and the supporting British cast; I think SHE would've liked this (though probably not as much as I did) had she been able to stay awake after the 10 minute mark - unfortunately, we had decided to see a late night show following dinner (sitting front row definitely didn't help matters, but at least she had room to stretch out).

MUNICH: He Said A-

2006-01-27T21:02:00.000-08:00

Another great Spielberg movie; excellent acting (especially by Eric Bana) and a rich story based on the events from the Munich Olympics.

KING KONG: He Said A-

2006-01-13T23:27:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly moving and very romantic. Much better than I was expecting, especially considering the ending was never in question. Another impressive Peter Jackson flick. Great action, decent acting, superb special effects. There's a lot to love in the movie, whether you're an action film lover or romantic drama fan. Go see King Kong.

SERENITY, He Said: B

2006-01-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

Slick sci-fi follow-up to the Fox TV show "Firefly." Probably would've been better had I seen the show. Nothing to write home about and I doubt I'll ever watch it again.

DIRTY WAR, He Said: B

2006-01-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

A realistic film by BBC on the effects of a dirty bomb going off in downtown London. It originally aired on PBS about a year ago and I've wanted to see it ever since. Minimal characters and very little plot, but still disturbingly realistic and entertaining. Perhaps I enjoyed it so much because I watched it shortly after another episode of '24'.

FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, He Said: C-

2006-01-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

Dull movie starring Dennis Quaid; interesting acting turn by some supporting actors; mostly I was surprised at how boring the plot was.

BAD NEWS BEARS, He Said: C

2005-12-29T08:23:00.000-08:00

Loved the original as a kid, but this remake was very uninspiring; although I always love Billy Bob Thorton on screen, there really wasn't much else to enjoy.