| Orphanage, The (Orfanato, El) Year: 2007 Studio: Picturehouse Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona Produced by: Guillermo del Toro Genre: Foreign, Horror Rating: 8 out of 10 Comments: This amazing movie will sadly be overlooked by US audiences because it's a foreign film. There are few gripping horror films that can affect a person emotionally, this is one of them. A woman returns to her childhood orphanage with her family setting off a chain reaction of events leading to the disappearance of her son, ghostly encounters, and the discovery of its tragic past. |
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Music and Lyrics
Year: 2007
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Marc Lawrence
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 6 out of 10
Comments: The music is what makes this such a unique film. A fading 80's singer receives an opportunity to
rejuvenate his career with the help of an idealistic writer. With two fine performances by Hugh Grant and
Drew Barrymore AND the catchy tunes, it's worth a look.
Year: 2007
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Marc Lawrence
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 6 out of 10
Comments: The music is what makes this such a unique film. A fading 80's singer receives an opportunity to
rejuvenate his career with the help of an idealistic writer. With two fine performances by Hugh Grant and
Drew Barrymore AND the catchy tunes, it's worth a look.
Live Free or Die Hard (Die Hard 4)
Year: 2007
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Directed by: Len Wiseman
Genre: Action
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Comments: The unrated version is probably the second best Die Hard film in the long running series. When
a high-tech terrorist group shuts down the infrastructure of the US, its up to John McClane and his latest
sidekick (Justin Long) to save the day. The filmmakers did a fantastic job despite a few outrageous action
sequences and Bruce Willis and Justin Long are on top of their game.
Year: 2007
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Directed by: Len Wiseman
Genre: Action
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Comments: The unrated version is probably the second best Die Hard film in the long running series. When
a high-tech terrorist group shuts down the infrastructure of the US, its up to John McClane and his latest
sidekick (Justin Long) to save the day. The filmmakers did a fantastic job despite a few outrageous action
sequences and Bruce Willis and Justin Long are on top of their game.
Police Academy
Year: 1984
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Hugh Wilson
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 5.5 out of 10
Comments: Not as bad as critics claimed during its original release but if you’re not a product of the ‘80’s,
you will probably not enjoy this film. With its lowbrow humor and blatantly unrealistic take on police
academies, it’s the pop culture this series created that makes it so appealing. You cannot walk away from this
film and not remember Lieutenant Harris (G.W. Bailey) and Mahoney and company. Watch for Kim Cattrall in
an early role. A group of misfits enroll in the police academy and clash with its instructors.
Year: 1984
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Hugh Wilson
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 5.5 out of 10
Comments: Not as bad as critics claimed during its original release but if you’re not a product of the ‘80’s,
you will probably not enjoy this film. With its lowbrow humor and blatantly unrealistic take on police
academies, it’s the pop culture this series created that makes it so appealing. You cannot walk away from this
film and not remember Lieutenant Harris (G.W. Bailey) and Mahoney and company. Watch for Kim Cattrall in
an early role. A group of misfits enroll in the police academy and clash with its instructors.
Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment
Year: 1985
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Jerry Paris
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
Comments: Mahoney and company return and must stop a gang from running amok in their city. This film is
most notable for introducing Zed (Bob Goldthwait) and Lieutenant Mauser (Art Metrano) into the series and
contains the same lowbrow humor that made the original so successful. You will want to avoid this sequel if
you were not a fan of the original.
Year: 1985
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Jerry Paris
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
Comments: Mahoney and company return and must stop a gang from running amok in their city. This film is
most notable for introducing Zed (Bob Goldthwait) and Lieutenant Mauser (Art Metrano) into the series and
contains the same lowbrow humor that made the original so successful. You will want to avoid this sequel if
you were not a fan of the original.
Police Academy 3: Back in Training
Year: 1986
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jerry Paris
Rating: 4 out of 10
Comments: The successful series continues with its third film in three years. Mahoney and company must
help their old friends at the academy from being shut down by competing against a rival academy led by
Commandant Mauser. Although it has its moments, the series is progressively getting worst. It’s worth a look
if on cable or perhaps a rental if you’re a fan of the series.
Year: 1986
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jerry Paris
Rating: 4 out of 10
Comments: The successful series continues with its third film in three years. Mahoney and company must
help their old friends at the academy from being shut down by competing against a rival academy led by
Commandant Mauser. Although it has its moments, the series is progressively getting worst. It’s worth a look
if on cable or perhaps a rental if you’re a fan of the series.
Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
Year: 1987
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jim Drake
Rating: 3.5 out of 10
Comments: Clearly this series is hurting despite the success of its previous entries. Mahoney and company
help train citizen volunteers to fight crime that is running amok in their city again. Realizing the series was in
decline, we’re introduced to a number of new but less memorable characters. Watch for Sharon Stone and
David Spade in roles before they became Hollywood stars.
Year: 1987
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jim Drake
Rating: 3.5 out of 10
Comments: Clearly this series is hurting despite the success of its previous entries. Mahoney and company
help train citizen volunteers to fight crime that is running amok in their city again. Realizing the series was in
decline, we’re introduced to a number of new but less memorable characters. Watch for Sharon Stone and
David Spade in roles before they became Hollywood stars.
Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach
Year: 1988
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Alan Myerson
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
Comments: This sequel is an improvement compared to its previous entry but is clearly missing Mahoney
and a number of original characters who is replaced by Nick Lassard (Matt McCoy) who just doesn’t have
that charm that made Mahoney so memorable. It’s a difficult act to follow as Mahoney remains Steve
Guttenberg’s most famous role. On a trip to Miami to honor Commandant Lassard, our heroes match wits
with a group of criminals trying to recover diamonds hidden in Lassard’s video camera. This film is
recommended for fans of the series.
Year: 1988
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Alan Myerson
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
Comments: This sequel is an improvement compared to its previous entry but is clearly missing Mahoney
and a number of original characters who is replaced by Nick Lassard (Matt McCoy) who just doesn’t have
that charm that made Mahoney so memorable. It’s a difficult act to follow as Mahoney remains Steve
Guttenberg’s most famous role. On a trip to Miami to honor Commandant Lassard, our heroes match wits
with a group of criminals trying to recover diamonds hidden in Lassard’s video camera. This film is
recommended for fans of the series.
John Tucker Must Die
Year: 2006
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Directed by: Betty Thomas
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 5 out of 10
Comments: Feels like a watered down ‘American Pie’ with its young cast and catchy soundtrack without the
raunchy jokes and gags. You may enjoy this film if the mood hits you but be warned that this is a bit mean
spirited and plays heavily into the female perspective of heartbreak. Three ex-girlfriends of a notorious
cheater conceive a plot to set him up with the new girl in school to watch him get his heart broken.
Year: 2006
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Directed by: Betty Thomas
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 5 out of 10
Comments: Feels like a watered down ‘American Pie’ with its young cast and catchy soundtrack without the
raunchy jokes and gags. You may enjoy this film if the mood hits you but be warned that this is a bit mean
spirited and plays heavily into the female perspective of heartbreak. Three ex-girlfriends of a notorious
cheater conceive a plot to set him up with the new girl in school to watch him get his heart broken.
Hot Fuzz
Year: 2007
Studio: Rogue Pictures
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Genre: Action, Comedy
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Comments: One of the best action films in recent years. It does have a touch of horror and is quite
gruesome in some scenes. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost reunite from Shaun of the Dead and star as Sgt.
Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman. When London's top cop (Pegg) is transferred to a small town and
partnered with Butterman (Frost), the pair stumble onto a series of accidents and events that may or may not
be the work of a killer. Highly recommended.
Year: 2007
Studio: Rogue Pictures
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Genre: Action, Comedy
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Comments: One of the best action films in recent years. It does have a touch of horror and is quite
gruesome in some scenes. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost reunite from Shaun of the Dead and star as Sgt.
Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman. When London's top cop (Pegg) is transferred to a small town and
partnered with Butterman (Frost), the pair stumble onto a series of accidents and events that may or may not
be the work of a killer. Highly recommended.
First Blood (Rambo)
Year: 1982
Studio: Orion Pictures
Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
Genre: Action, Drama
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Comments: Based on a novel by David Morrell about a troubled Vietnam veteran waging a one man war
against an abusive small town police force. The success of this film and its sequels reinforced Stallone’s
superstar status in Hollywood. We get to experience a vulnerable Rambo before he evolved into an
unstoppable killing machine. Watch for David Caruso in an early role.
Year: 1982
Studio: Orion Pictures
Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
Genre: Action, Drama
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Comments: Based on a novel by David Morrell about a troubled Vietnam veteran waging a one man war
against an abusive small town police force. The success of this film and its sequels reinforced Stallone’s
superstar status in Hollywood. We get to experience a vulnerable Rambo before he evolved into an
unstoppable killing machine. Watch for David Caruso in an early role.
The Interpreter
Year: 2005
Studio: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Sydney Pollack
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 5 out of 10
Comments: You’ll be mildly entertained with this average thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn.
Silvia (Kidman) is a UN interpreter who overhears an assassination plot and is investigated by a US Secret
Service Agent (Penn). Might be worth a look if on cable.
Year: 2005
Studio: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Sydney Pollack
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 5 out of 10
Comments: You’ll be mildly entertained with this average thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn.
Silvia (Kidman) is a UN interpreter who overhears an assassination plot and is investigated by a US Secret
Service Agent (Penn). Might be worth a look if on cable.
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REVIEW section are used
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FAIR USE LAWS for the
purpose of conducting
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