Django Unchained

Django Unchained(RATING) 2013

Directed by Quentin Tarantino 

Starring:  Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Dennis Christopher, James Remar, Michael Parks and Don Johnson

Here We Go:  Quentin Tarantino fills the screen with a cast beyond the big names.  Two thumbs and a big toe up!  Western.  Lots of action, unbelievable wit, dark humor and lots of blood.  Slave, Django (Foxx), sets out on a quest to reunite with his slave wife, Broomhilda (don't ask, you'll find out).  The outcome is greatly attributed to his relationship with bounty hunter, Dr. Schultz (Academy Award winner, Christopher Waltz).

Bottom Line:  This is a must see!

The Dark Half

The Dark Half (R) 1993

Directed by George R. Romero

Starring: Timothy Hutton, Amy Madigan, Michael Rooker, Julie Harris, Robert Joy, Kent Broadhurst, Beth Grant, Rutanya Alda and Tom Mardirosian

Here We Go:  Really what do you expect from a B Rate movie based on a Stephen King novel that was made in 1993?  Its not a "bad" movie but go in with the right expectations.  Some fairly average acting and your typical Stephen King made-for-TV-movie quality special effects.  (Just wait until you see the birds.)  There is a bit of suspense until about half way through, because you really don't know who the killer is, but once you figure it out the movie kind of drags on.  

Bottom Line:  A good space filler but definitely not worth paying for.  

Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray (2009) R

Directed by Oliver Parker

Starring: Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Ben Chaplin, Rebecca Hall, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Caroline Goodall, Emilia Fox, Douglas Henshall, Fiona Shaw and Maryam d'Abo

Here We Go:  Oh Dorian...what a screw up you are.  The innocent Dorian (Barnes) is influenced by a man with no moral compass to just do whatever he wants and lead a life of indulgence.  Eventually, Dorian becomes a complete creep and basically takes down those closest to him.  Watching this movie was like watching something on how STDs happen, followed by why not to do drugs, and then the downfalls of alcohol.  As Dorian continues to butterfly as the world's biggest warning label, you see that people are aging and he's not.  Good concept, but it felt like the movie dragged on for awhile and the repetitive debauchery quickly became dull.  The ending was well done and there's a even a jump-in-your-seat moment.

Bottom Line:  Watch it but only if it's free....or if you want to scare a troublesome teenager straight.

The Darkest Hour

The Darkest Hour (2011) PG-13

Directed by Chris Gorak

Starring:  Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor, Joel Kinnaman, Veronika Ozerova, Dato Bakhtadze, Yuriy Kutsenko, Artur Smolyaninov and Pyotr Fyodorov

Here We Go:  This was a surprisingly entertaining find.  I had never heard of it prior to finding it "On Demand" last night and the description was interesting so we gave it a shot.  The acting was good enough, the production clearly put some money into the cinematography and special effects, so the movie didn't feel "cheap".  While the story was a spin on a common alien invasion plot (aliens invade to mine/harvest earth), there was some nice spins on the old story to make it new.  The aliens and their technology are something I've never seen in any other alien invasion movie.  Don't get too attached to any character, as main characters do die in this movie which is refreshing.  The backdrop of Moscow is also a nice change since Hollywood seems intend on letting aliens invade Los Angeles and/or New York City.  The location also allows the introduction of stereotypical Russian characters that are entertaining.  The ending leaves this film wide open for a sequel and I for one am hoping it comes through.  

Bottom Line:  Worth renting.