Accepted

Accepted is a teen comedy about facing rejection from college. It stars Justin Long, Lewis Black, and Jonah Hill. It was released in theatres nationwide on August 18, 2006. The movie is set in Ohio, but was filmed on the campus of Chapman University in Orange, California.

Plot

Bartleby "B" Gaines was rejected by every college he applied to. After recognizing the true disappointment of his parents, he counsels with other rejected friends. Together they decide to create their own college in order to fool their parents into believing they had been accepted. Thus, the South Harmon Institute of Technology (S.H.I.T.) is born. The friend's plans go awry when the fake website they created leads to the acceptance of several hundred prospective students. Having to deal with burnout students, nosy parents, a deranged and angry dean, and the "big sister" school, Harmon University, Bartleby must find a way to prove the true educational value S.H.I.T. has to offer.

Style

This movie was the first truly funny teen comedy I have seen in a long time. I have liked Justin Long since his beginnings on Ed, and he continued to play the awkward teen role flawlessly. Lewis Black was cast perfectly and was given the chance to release his angry views on society. Good casting and a well-written script combined to keep the entire film funny. I also liked the musical selections of popular alternative rock ranging from Green Day to The Hives. An interesting fact: this film used the word "shit" more than any other PG-13 movie. Overall, I would recommend Accepted to anyone ages 16-25.

Score

4 out of 5

After The Sunset

After The Sunset is a heist comedy/drama. It stars Pierce Brosnan, Selma Hayek, Woody Harrelson, and Don Cheadle. The film was released in theatres in 2004 and was shot the previous year in the Bahamas.

Plot

Master thief Max Burdette and his fiancé partner-in-crime Lola are calling it quits. After a final heist of the second of three Napolean diamonds, the two decide to retire to the Bahamas. FBI Agent Stanley Lloyd has unsuccessfully tried to catch the duo in the theft of the first two gems and discovers that the final diamond is coming to the island where Burdette now resides. Max tries to convince Agent Lloyd that he has no intention of stealing the diamond and puts Lloyd up in a fancy hotel. The two start spending a lot of time together and form an unlikely friendship. With the final Napolean diamond about to leave the island, Max faces a difficult decision.

Style

This film is everything a movie should be. The acting was perfect, especially the relationship between Brosnan and Harrelson's characters. I was entertained throughout the entire movie and the plot was seamless. Quality editing and music selection added to the film. The humorous back-and-forth dialogue and fast-paced plot made it perfect. The twist ending was well done and I would suggest watching the deleted scenes to see alternate versions. I would reccomend this film to everyone.

Score

5 out of 5

Godzilla

Godzilla is a modern take on a classic character. The 1998 film stars Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, and Hank Azaria. This film featered a new, thinner, faster, and more agile version of the monster.

Plot

Nuclear radiation and mutation scientist Nick Tatopoulos is recruited by the U.S. military to help with the discovery of a giant lizard, mutated from nuclear testing in the South Pacific. After learning that the towering reptile is asexual and is ready to lay its nest in Manhatten, Tatopoulos warns that they must destroy the creature and its eggs before it is able to multiply and become earth's new dominant species. After being forced from the military campaign, Tatopoulos joins a group of French nationals who share his view of urgency. The discovery of the nest in the center of Madison Square Garden leads to a chase by the newly hatched lizards and the giant creature itself.

Style

Godzilla is one of the most ridiculous films ever created. The acting was terrible and the effects were poor, even for 1998. The only reason I finished it was due to its sheer absurdity. The story
was pitiable and included the destruction of several American landmarks and made a mockery of our military and its technology. This film was laughable and its only redeeming value is the humor in the absurdity of its story.

Score

2 out of 5

Sahara

Sahara is an action-packed story of treasure hunters in Africa. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penelope Cruz, and William H. Macy. Sahara was released as a summer blockbuster in 2005 and earned over $69 million in US theatres. The main character, Dirk Pitt, was created by Clive Cussler and is featured in Cussler's exciting series of novels.

Plot

Ex-Navy Seals Dirk Pitt and his friend Al are on a quest for a mysterious ironclad ship from the Civil War. Their search leads them to Africa where they meet World Health Organization doctor Eva Rojas who is searching for the source of a fatal disease. After stumbling upon a chemical waste plant in the middle of war-torn Mali, the three must stop the spread of the toxic waste that threatens to contaminate earth's waters. First, however, they must simply survive.
Style

This movie was well done and has the intense action and effects that are expected in a popular blockbuster. It was fun and contained the suspense and moving storyline needed to keep the viewers attention. The trio provided talented acting and Bill Macy was excellent as the retired admiral. This film was everything it could've been, and I will agree with its comparisons to the unforgettable Indiana Jones trilogy.

Score

4 out of 5

The Matador

The Matador is the tale of an aging hit man. It stars Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, and Hope Davis. Before its February 2006 release in theatres, the film earned the support of critics at major film festivals.

Plot

Julian Noble doesn't have any friends. He doesn't have a home. His career as a "facilitator of fatalities" is winding down. After a chance encounter with a normal American businessman in a bar at a Mexico City hotel, Julian makes his first friend. They exchange stories and Julian eventually reveals his profession while attending a bull fight. The two friends part ways with no intention of meeting again, until six months later Julian shows up on the porch of his distant friend. He asks for help with a final hit so that he may retire for good.

Style

The Matador allowed Brosnan to show his full acting potential. The cinematography and camera work was superb and added many interesting shots and views to the film. Combined with decent acting by Kinnear and Davis and a great story, this movie should have been perfect. Instead, it was slow...very slow. Scenes dragged on and made it hard to finish. I enjoyed some of the humor and the use of The Killer's "All These Things That I've Done" to end the movie, but The Matador still seemed like a watered-down version of The Whole Nine Yards.

Score

3 out of 5

The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects is a crime movie starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio Del Toro, and Kevin Pollak. Released in US theatres in 1995, the film was not immediately successful. Kevin Spacey won an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his performance.

Plot

Five felons are placed together in a lineup and are held together without being charged. They decide to fight back against NYPD. After a successful crime that exposes the corrupt police, they find that they are all being blackmailed into a dangerous heist by crime kingpin Keyser Söze. Mystery surrounds Söze and some claim he doesn't exist. The film tells the story from the initial meeting to the heist and beyond.

Style

This movie has an exciting, interesting plot, and its own unique style. It uses flashback narraration to change to different periods of time before, during, and after the crime. Because of the constant movement and talented acting (especially Spacey), it never slows. Full of drama, action and comical wit, it will appeal to many. With an amazing surprise/twist ending, it leaves you thinking.

Score

4 out of 5