2006 Movie Review Pt. 2

#10 The Break –up

If you haven't seen this movie then you need to know that it was probably the most poorly marketed movies of the year. It was billed as a romantic comedy, and while it has some funny parts, I wouldn't call it a comedy, and it's not really that romantic.

The movie, as it's title would suggest, is about a break-up, a Bad break-up. The movie centers around the fact that neither wants to give-up their loft apartment. Vince Vaughn plays his typical role, opposite a decent preformance by Jennifer Aniston.

What I liked about the movie is that is wasn't your typical romantic comedy. It has a some grit to it. Several scenes that were very believable, and emotional. It doesn't let you off the hook just to advance the plot it makes the characters, actually have to work through some issues. It's not perfect but good enough for #10


#9 The Illusionist

Ed Norton and Jessica Beil, did a good job in pulling off this tale of romance and intrigue. However, Paul Giamotti was worth the price of admission. The plot was so, so but the cast made up for it .

#8 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
& A Prairie Home Companion

The tie here is becasue I just had a lot of fun while watching both of these movies. Neither are oscar worthy, both were enjoyable.

This movie I remeber stopping about half way through and say to myself, half these guys are digitally enhanced. They did an incredible job, with the CGI, i haven't seen anything this good since Golum in the Lord of the rings series.

Good summer popcorn flix.

I've been a admirer of Garrison Keeler since i was in college. I love tails from lake Wobegone, and thought this would be an interesting show. It didn't dissapoint! It has a good pace to it and has lots of good individual moments.

The best however are John C. Rielly and Woody Harolson, as the singing cowboys. Funny stuff.





#7 Freedom Writers

This was the biggest suprise of the year to me. I expected a "Dangerous Minds", "Stand and Deliver" type of knock off. But Hillary Swank did a tremendous job of being a real person, and true to her character.

Also the movie doesn't overwhelm you with the cheese that it could. It doesn't make everything ok. What it does do is give you a picture of what could be. What happens when you provide a place where students feel like family, and give them a place to feel safe.

If you work with students in any capacity you have to see this movie!


#6 Mean Girls & Brick
Both of these movies are about high school kids. And they are on completely different ends of the spectrum, but both good shows.

(yeah I know this came out in 2004, but I just saw it)

I saw about 5 minutes of this on TBS and really wanted to rent it. After seeing just how mean girls really can be in middle school, the makers of this movie nailed it!

You have to be able to appreciate the hyperbole, and real nastiness that can occur in this realm of popularity and status. The show also showed what can happen to a person who get's wrapped up in them selves and how they appear. But really what it did best is show just how MEAN girls really can be.

This movie is really gritty. It is a film Noir (detective) set in a High school. It's complete with a murder and a good bit of violence. The lead is the kid from "3rd Rock from the Sun". If you have the stomach for it, it does a good job of capturing the high school mind set and putting a n interesting twist on it.