Reviews

This movie just goes to show you that the National Lampoon name doesn't really mean anything anymore. This feels like a low-budget TV Movie, with a simple linear story, basic acting, and a stereotypical cast. However, it isn't "awful"... it is saved by some interesting outcomes I wasn't expecting at all, and a cast that doesn't try to hard with their limited dialogue.

I don't know why they called this "Surf Party" as their is hardly any surfing, and hardly any partying. It's about a stolen surf board, and the short quest to venture from Ventura (see what I did there) into the Valley to recover it.

Since this is National Lampoon branded film, you might be expecting a lot of nudity. But this film doesn't deliver much even on that front... so you will be disappointed if that is all you seek.

Not much to recommend, really. If you're from Ventura or surrounding areas you'll see familiar sites (I enjoyed that aspect at least). However, the "Wonder Years" style of opening and closing seems to be a particularly cheesy flavor for this genre of film.

A real classic in animated children's movies, full of wit, humor, great characters and a story that appeals to all ages. Full of quotable lines and excellent voice talent, and one of the funniest "outtake" reels ever created.

The tale of a quirky inventor trying to make a difference for his colony is heart-warming and lesson filled. It strikes a chord in us all, the powerful need to make an impact, improve the world around us and better the lives of those we care about... especially when nobody believes you can do it! The humor has broad appeal. From some slapstick for the kids (Flick crashes into the river bed rocks)... to inside "bug humor" (the grasshopper with a sign "Kid pulled my wing's off") for those who understand more about the bug world. It's got jokes throughout the entire movie... even up to Heimlich sprouting little wings and saying "From up here you all look little ants." haha Not only are the visuals strikingly real in many places, but to take things down to the world of bugs creates a fascinating perspective on things. From raindrops that are like bombs to the "city life" of a country house's junk pile. "This stop, Deeeeead Rat!" Yes! All this, and more, from a "kid's movie." One mark of a great movie is that you watch it again and again over the years, and still manage to enjoy it every time you see it. That has certainly been the case for me with "A Bug's Life."

Earth is a feature-length cut-down of some of the most jaw-dropping nature footage ever shot... the Planet Earth series. I'm a huge fan of the series, and watch it often with my family, and because of that I wasn't as impressed with the movie version.

I understand Global Warming problems, but the voice-over comes across as preachy and tries to hard to tug at the heartstrings. I'd prefer a more factual approach... not even the mellifluous voice of Patrick Stewart can overcome the script issues.

Planet Earth gets 10 of 10 stars in my book, and Disney makes an admirable attempt to piece together a feature film in an hour and a half. But there is so much ground to cover (har har) with these stories, and so many incredible locations that it feels overly stuffed and unfocused. You can tell they were cramming it all in, instead of the lush exploration of the original episodes.

I think once you see something in one format, to see the same elements mashed up together in a different way can often be less satisfying. But for first-time viewers, I wouldn't miss this documentary film... if for nothing other than the footage. You will undoubtedly see things you've never seen before.

Admirable attempt to create a new adventure in the Pirates canon with no egregious violations but certainly a host of minor infractions. It's fun, sometimes funny, with some favorite characters as well as a few new faces and succeeds at entertaining even as it falls short of it's venerable history.

First the GOOD: Johnny Depp, while not quite as out of balance or odd, still delivers the quirky pirate we've all come to love. Geoffrey Rush also reprises a favorite character with relish and aplomb. Ian McShane as Blackbeard has surprising presence and I enjoyed the mystery and intensity he brings to the role. Also good are a few good action scenes, some funny moments as Barbossa & Sparrow attempt a daring heist and are captured, and the interesting twist on mermaid folklore.

Another great moment was the inclusion of a true classic scene from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride - the "Skeleton on the bed with a magnifying glass". It was a joy to see they're still working in elements from the Disney ride that launched this billion dollar empire.

The NOT-SO-GOOD: The two primary offenders happen to be the dialogue and the land-locked conquest. First of all, this is a Pirates movie, and that should mean a lot of action on the sea, canons shooting, fighting and outmaneuvering and the mystery of discovery. Instead, we spent at least 3/4ths of the movie getting prepared to set sail, or searching for the Fountain of Youth. Oye, ye Land Lubbers!

The second major problem is the dialogue doesn't have the punch, or the comedy worked into the original. There is too much exposition about the quest, and everybody seems to already know where the Fountain is. Jack Sparrow is more coherent and succinct, with less meandering and fewer odd word choices. And I think we miss out on a lot of comic potential without the two bumbling sidekicks or a love triangle involvement.

The interaction between Sparrow and Angelica (Cruz) is never quite believable. We don't sense Jack actually pining for her, nor does Angelica seem any bit entranced by Sparrow. She is overly dedicated to her father for reasons not explained or believable. I can't believe this... but I miss Keira Knightley's internal struggles and wish Cruz had more of that conflict.

The movie definitely suffers from the lack of a true good guy (ie. Will Turner) and a true bad guy (ie. Davy Jones). This setup had allowed Jack Sparrow's self-serving nature to be showcased, moving on a whim to whichever angle served him best. In Pirates 4, Jack Sparrow has taken the "good guy" role, which doesn't fit him quite right.

CONCLUSIONS: While it's not a bad movie and I was happy to see it, this movie is going to be more sharply criticized for its shortcomings. Too much land-trekking, more mundane expository dialogue, too light on comedy and not enough discovery.

It's a fun ride, but not repeatably wonderful like the "original trilogy" (which is becoming a more common phrase isn't it?)

This movie is as great now as it was when it came out - filled with snappy one-liners, awesome explosions, terrorists to stop and only one guy who can do it.

Alan Rickman makes for a slimy, believable villain which ultimately gives us more reason to like the hero. Nothing ruins an action film like some stupid, pushover villain... or one of those meathead buffoons whose muscle mass impairs proper brain function.

The everyday hero John McClane is made believable by Bruce Willis. It works so well because the situation is plausible, McClane has skill and knowledge (as a police officer) and he gets beat up, shot, cut, bruised, burned and more. He doesn't do a Rambo, but hides in the shadows just mucking with the bad guys plans often enough to really tick 'em off! You know a movie is special when the title becomes a useful summary in describing other films: "Die Hard on a plane", "Die Hard on a bus", "Die Hard with a Femal Lead", etc. But it's the rare movie that balances the necessary elements so well: pacing, believability, acting, dialogue, ingenuity, and fun.

See it again!

I wanted to like this movie, and it caught my attention at the beginning... but as the movie devolved into trite, feel-good, sentimental mush I went from enjoyment to frustration.

I know people will say this is a family film, but I like my family to have good role models - not some dreamer who pursues his desires at all expenses. Yes it is important to pursue your dreams, but when you start a family and need to be there for a wife & three children, you don't gamble everything on a foolhardy mission likely to kill you. That's not admirable, it's not responsible... it's selfish.

So the core message is white-washed, and then you get other junk messages like throwing a brick through a window is okay if you were angry and you apologize later, ... and promiscuity is okay in your teens (when Charles reminds the shrink he asked her "to go to the moon with him" and she said that was just about getting laid.) The acting wasn't bad, but the music was bland (cue "We Did It" music, cue "We're going through a rough time" music, etc.) . My initial thought was that this movie might be okay for my 10-year old... but the more I thought about the messages and the annoyances, I don't think so.

Cheap 80's movie that parodies the horror genre. It's "Scary Movie" of the early 80's, and although it's pretty awful it does have it's share of hilarity and fun. You can't help but laugh at such bits as the over-the-top so-named "breather", or the instruments of murder (eggplant? seriously?), and I admit I've never been privy to the wood horse head phenomenon before. I feel like I"m now part of a "in-crowd"... somebody in-the-know. Gotta love that kind of originality.

From the cover image you'd expect something raunchy, but it's much more mundane. Actually, I think the cover image might be the sexiest thing about the film! There is one locker scene, but unlike a movie of the current age, the girls remain in nothing less than bras & panties. The "Breather's" comments in this scene make me laugh just thinking about it! Actually, one of THE most interesting things about this movie is the character Malvert - played by an actor called, "The Stick". He truly is a sight - very tall, paper-thin with gangly arms that hardly even seem to have joints. Every scene with him walking was a trip... worth watching the movie just to see him in action.

Not a masterpiece, but funnier and more original than a lot of the gross-out trash they slap the "spoof" label on these days.

Gripping, realistic drama about our interconnectedness and the potential for great chaos with simple misguided actions. It's about how quickly life can change with pivotal moments even if the weight of that decision is only discovered in retrospect.

I put off watching this movie for a few years... it just didn't really interest me. Now that I've watched it, boy was I wrong! I was riveted with the story lines, and couldn't wait to see how it all turned out.

The movie is weighty with sadness, fear and anxiety, but that's a part of our life here on earth. I appreciated the way each of the four stories gradually connected with each other, surprising us with the outcomes and also the timelines. It is intercut as if they happen concurrently, but that might not necessarily be true - and only as everything unfolds do be get the final layout.

Excellent film, one of the best of 2006! It can be depressing, but not needlessly so. I also felt hope, joy and love and it will be a movie I remember and think about.

Noisy, wild, hyperactive, crazy... depending on how you interpret those words will likely determine how much you like this movie. The comparisons to "Despicable Me" (which came out a few months earlier) are inevitable, as is those who will line up behind one or the other as better. Personally I go with Despicable Me for its extra heart, wittier dialogue and more laughs.

One thing that Megamind has in abundance is dazzling animation on a grand scale. The destruction is phenomenal in some scenes, and the battle between Megamind's Monster Machine and his Monstrous Creation (Titan) has some of the hardest hits I've ever scene in any film. I also liked the insights into the superhero genre and seeing the caricature hero & villain both evolve in the course of the movie.

It did start to get predictable in the last half, to the point where I started guessing lines of dialogue (much to the amazement of my boys) and correctly foresaw plot twists. Also, many scenes in the movie are backed-up by raucous 80's & 90's metal, and there's a lot of noise and high-intensity action throughout the film. While I do like this stuff, it has to be balanced for the right impact and here it just felt like an assault of the senses. Last of all, there is a lot of exposition, (starting from the opening intro) and I think it would have been a better film to follow the old adage, "Show, don't tell".

Overall, it was enjoyable and entertaining. Some good laughs, some hard actions, great special effects... worth watching. But Ohlo, not for small children!

A decent re-imagining of the classic "Karate Kid" (1984), that follows the basic storyline closely but changes the characters and locations. As a big fan of the original, it was fun to see so many plot elements intact (the big bully, the romance between two mismatched individuals, the calm and good-natured mentor, etc.) In fact, the closeness of the story allows for the funniest moment in the film - having to do with the chopsticks & catching a fly!

I really enjoyed seeing China on film: from the Forbidden City to the Bird's Nest, the Great Wall to the mountain-top temple... it's gorgeous and still feels fresh. Jackie Chan did a very good job as the "Mr. Miyagi", although it's hard not to wish for Pat Morita's warm smile and unique voice. "Aii, Danielson"

What really spoils this movie from being great is that it tries to make everything bigger and better than the original. The fighting is rougher, the "bad" instructor is over-the-top (way out of character), the romance is an even bigger stretch, etc. Even the running time is expanded at well over 2 hours! Another problem is that instead of a teenage boy finding his way in a new location, you have what appears to be an 11-year old boy in a role that is 6 years too early!

Original: Sweep the leg New: Break the leg... Original: Wins with "Crane Technique" New: Wins with some one-legged back-flip impossibility Original: Learns special moves by doing hard labor New: Learns special moves by repeating jacket on, jacket off

Are we really supposed to believe that picking up a jacket teaches you how to duck a kick to the head? It's a fine line to make something a little fantastical without exceeding the audience's ability to suspend belief... and this Karate Kid snaps the line early on.

Enough nit-picking though. It was an enjoyable film - especially for fans of the original. While not destined for the category of classic like the original - at least they made a respectable, spirited film.

Raunchy, obscenity-filled comedy that manages some funny moments within it's throwback-nostalgia setting. The best part of the whole movie is when the four time travelers (er, hot tubbers?) begin to notice they are back in the 80's: cassette walkmans, bright clothes, old MTV videos... tons of fun.

The dialogue between the friends is often funny, if laced with anger and frustration throughout. These guys definitely have love/hate relationships. Chevy Chase makes a paunchy appearance as the repairmen who seems to know what's going on, but talks in riddles. He's pretty cool.

Unfortunately the movie has many problems in spite of the laughs. All the "ladies" spew profanity right alongside the boys, which just gets tiresome. It also tries to teach us about living life and pursuing your dreams... but ends up with the conclusion that money & success is the answer to your sadness.

And obviously the time travel theme is just a setup for comedy, as the implausibilities keep adding up. There are conversations about the time-space continuum and how they need to avoid the butterfly effect... but it's all for nonsense as everything becomes drastically altered without any sense of believability.

So if you can stand f-bombs throughout your movies, don't mind a crazy setup and want to laugh at the 80's - you'll have some fun. I did, but had hoped for a little more.

Hard-hitting (haha) drama about much more than boxing. It's about making tough choices when you need to change directions, perseverance and a family that loves each other even if they have some pretty crazy ways of showing it.

This movie had me tense and on-the-edge... I had no idea going in what to expect, and there was no pre-ordained Hollywood ending. The fighting was realistic, although never took over the movie. It's not a boxing film, it's a story-driven look at two under-privileged brothers fighting for honor, to provide for their family and to do something with their lives.

You might have heard of Christian Bale's Oscar-winning acting in this movie, and it is worthy. Mark Wahlberg is also great in a less demanding acting role (but more demanding physically!) The supporting cast rounds out the realistic and important family dynamics... excellent all around.

I really enjoyed this film! It raises a number of issues and gets you thinking. What opportunities have you let go because of perceived "duties." Or are you ruining your life with drugs? If you're in a messed up family situation, is there something positive to grab on to? Can you find redeeming qualities and benefit from that? There is a lot of heart behind the hurt, and I know I'll watch it again someday. Just terrific.

A decent undertaking of a much-beloved book. It takes some major liberties with the story, but retains many of the locations, challenges, and concepts from the book.

I was about 10 minutes into the film when I had to drop all my thoughts about how the movie was differing from the book. After that I enjoyed the film more and was able to appreciate what they did with the conversion to film. It's unusual to have a story with no specific antagonist, just a grand quest for exploration & information. Makes you think of the frontier days when people went exploring just to see what's out there! If you didn't like Eustace, then kudos to Will Poulter for making that character as annoying as he is in the book. The friendship that formed between noble Reepicheep and awful Eustace is a touching example of what a little love & care can do to somebody's heart (that, and turning into a dragon..haha).

But please, people... why should the fact this movie has Christian allegories be pointed out as a negative? This was based upon a Christian book and has some great messages to take to heart. If Charles Dawkins (famed Athiest) book "God Delusion" were made into a movie would people gripe about it's atheistic leanings? C'mon.

Yes, I'm more inclined to the book... it's fantastic. I'm happy with the movie conversion, and think the writers did a decent job converting this book into a movie experience (total length, ending climactic battle, etc.). But if you really want a beautiful experience and sense of adventure, pick up the book and read it through!

A film that is heart-wrenching, anger-inducing and provides more shock value than a horror film. It might not be all new material, but it certainly does an excellent job of providing an understandable narrative and explaining the collapse step-by-step.

I loved that this movie made it simple to understand the financial machinations that like to hide behind the "very complex" moniker. It's not so hard to understand at all... which means it's quite clear those running the scams are desperate to keep up the illusion of major complexity to avoid detection.

Most unfair of all is the lack of punishment for those who gained enormous wealth to the detriment of millions! They're still in power, still in businesses which they ran into the ground and they're still writing their own rules in the political system.

Yes, we need to make the point that declining to be interviewed for a film is not proof of somebody's guilt. It seemed too often the "declined to be interviewed" message was overly emphasized with ominous overtones. The facts speak loudly enough... no need to ruin it.

Also, I do wish there was a stronger call to action to finish the documentary. This material points out a system so corrupt, run by the most powerful and rich... so what can we as individuals do about it? With the exposure of an Academy Award for best documentary... let's just hope it prompts action for the change we so desperately need.

An enjoyable chick flick elevated by some great performances, lots of fashion sense, and common themes we can all identify with: balancing work and social life, trying to get ahead without sacrificing your morals, and the battle of pursuing a dream but not alienating family and friends.

Meryl Streep was admirably awful, not her acting but her character. If this is an insight into the fashion industry, I certainly don't want to be a part of it. On the flip side, it's an intriguing world we get to see a glimpse of without being overwhelmed by insider-only lingo. Anne Hathaway also does well at creating a sympathetic character we can cheer for, even though we're pretty sure she's going to somehow win everybody over.

This movie is like popcorn... easy and fun to eat, not too heavy but with good flavor. It definitely is above average in the chick flick genre, and I believe its appeal will be wider because of the humor and smarts. There's enough for the guys to enjoy with their gals, and I also appreciated it being a fairly clean movie. A few good moral dilemmas, but nothing you haven't experienced likely in your own work environment.

But why do people toss cell phones into water? Turn the thing off and sell it on ebay!

When Freddy Krueger first came on the scene and started killing teens in their sleep, it was creepy, scary and fresh. After a whole bunch of movies (including this latest attempt) we hope Freddy Krueger goes to sleep and stops making any more movies!

To me the biggest problem with this movie is the lack of any rules that govern the game. At first you can only see Freddy while dreaming, but then the lines of reality get blurred, and finally he can just appear at anytime whether you're sleepy or not. Why, he can even jump out of a mirror and kill somebody if he wants to... no sleep required. And if you really are sleeping, why in the world would your body go flying about the room - no matter what's happening in your dream. It just makes no sense at all.

All the jump scares are accompanied with loud music accents, but you'll be expecting them anyway so they aren't scary. The acting is passable, but the real culprit is boring dialogue and predictable plot. Hey I know... let's have the parents conveniently go out of town even though our kids just experienced major trauma. Uh, duh!

While I'm not a fan of horror movies in general, a good scary film can be recognized and sometimes appreciated even if it's not "your thing." This is not that film. You know, even in horror films killing should have a reason behind it other than "let's be creatively gross."

Under appreciated in its time, Tron was a unique film undertaking that produced an above average film with way above average lasting power and name recognition (as evidenced by the 2010 remake). It pushed the envelope of possibility and made it's way into the venerable world of "cult classics" with its unique vision.

I love science fiction, and the epic struggle between man and machine provides terrific fodor for a great story. The computer world of Tron might have been primitive for special effects, but is still visually intriguing and believable.

Perhaps a little bit tough to understand conceptually (ie. why would "programs" have free thinking) it provides memorable scenes that have been part of our culture ever since. The human element is present, even in the computer world, and we connect with "programs" like Tron and sympathize with those who fight the oppression (a definite human trait) of the MCP.

I always thought the sound effects in Tron were superb, my favorite being the unique sound of the flying ships. Another unforgettable scene filled with original sights and sounds are the iconic light cycles. Add some great music throughout that fits the mood and style and it's no wonder it has survived the test of time.

When Flynn (Jeff Bridges) emerges from the computer near the end of the movie, we feel like we've been to another world and back, and I really enjoy "Tron" for bringing us through that journey. A great adventure, and a sci-fi classic.

A hilarious blend of comedy, action and drama taking aim and squarely blasting the cop buddy movie genre. Too serious to be a "spoof", but filled with humor both obvious and subtle, this is the type of movie that begs repeat viewings. It's a cross-genre mashup that might be hard to define, but sure is fun to watch.

In "Hot Fuzz" we get the traditional mismatched cop buddies, but it's taken to the extreme, and actually works very well. Even the dichotomy of a rural setting for a crazy murder mystery plot adds to the surreal as well as the humor.

My biggest gripe with the film is that I'm not a fan of overt gore. True it is done in a comedic manner for effect (ow, ow , ow), but it caught me off guard and is unnecessary. Severed heads, impalement's, blood-spurting wounds... the explicitness should be left to horror films.

Another minor gripe was that some of the action stuff was cut way too fast and makes you dizzy. I appreciate the idea of adding multiple cuts to add energy, but this was over-the-top. Perhaps the decision was purposeful, lampooning even the style of action movies... but for me it was a little distracting.

"Hot Fuzz" is at it's best with the many laugh out loud moments: the runaway goose, translating the local dialect, the human statue "threat", the bodyguard who just says "Naarp!", and wordplay twists throughout. These smart bits of humor make the film a keeper... just be prepared for high action and some gore with your laughs.

This excellent drama centers on the clash and incompatibility of two completely different worldviews: a free-wheeling single guy, and a dedicated lesbian couple with teenage children.

What is so cool about this movie is that it shows the challenge of marriage and the commitment it takes to make it work through good times and bad. It shows remorse and tough consequences for breaking vows and there is no easy solution if you make egregiously bad choices.

The cast was all-around excellent and likable (or in the case of Nic, purposefully unlikable). I thought Mia Wasikowska was superb as Joni, and really grounded this film through her emotions on-screen. It helps that the dialogue throughout the movie was very natural and realistic.

I thought Julianne Moore has done better in other films and displayed some strange lip-pulling in some of her scenes. I also struggled a little in the attraction between her & Mark Ruffalo... seemed a little mismatched. This movie also rates lower for me in its overabundance of cuss words. The script was smart enough and realistic enough, why can't the writers be a little more creative than dropping the f-bomb as the only proper way to show anger. C'mon! Overall an emotional movie that I think teaches some good lessons, shows consequences for sexual promiscuity, and also mirrors the importance of family, trust, love & commitment.

Powerful sounds & special effects, a dystopian computer world and a classic human vs. machine battle for survival. What's not to like!? Well, unfortunately enough that it's not an instant classic, but still a terrific addition to sci-fi cinema! What is so cool about the movie is the upgraded but still retro feeling of the Tron world. The detail is striking and pulls us in and keeps us in a strange land. It is a rather bleak world (why didn't they program in some sunlight?)... so we're thankful for the welcome bits of levity and "human-ness" found in the father-son connections. Quorra also provides smiles and such wonderful soulful eyes we can almost sense things will be okay from her gaze alone.

As unbelievable as it might be for Flynn Jr. (Sam) to survive the light disc battles and the light cycles, etc. it does make wonderful visual popcorn. In fact, I think the light cycles with the new multi-layered tracks is one of the best scenes of the entire movie! Other cool stuff is sprinkled all throughout the movie, from the huge claw-shaped ships, to battle arenas with breakable floor tiles to the streamlined flying ships at the end There are a number of things that knock at the edges of this world allowing reality to creep in. First we have the completely CGI Clu, who although impressive for a computer-generated human still gives off that strange vibe of not being "real". When surrounded by real human actors the effect bothers a little.

Second, it is rather unbelievable for a human (even as physically fit as Sam Flynn) to survive highly trained computer programs with lightning fast reflexes. This action-movie convention has always bothered me... and is worsened by the hyper-speed and quick cuts used in this film.

Third, the story is somewhat confusing and requires a lot of exposition by Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges). I like his Matrix-ish powers, but if he has special abilities like that it should've been no problem for him to escape a long time ago. Overall there are just a lot of plot holes, and the motivation behind Clu and his minions is not well explained. For example, why would Clu need to invade our world instead of just visit it? The programs seem happy, so why take them somewhere else? Seems like there's always SOME megolomaniac building an army! In any case, fans of the 1982 original will find some inside jokes and have that nostalgia factor, but the movie is fresh enough that it should create many new Tron fans as well. I imagine the first Tron movie will see renewed interest... I know I wanted to see it again as soon as the credits rolled on Tron: Legacy.

But I have to ask... after all our heroes go through, they drive off on a motorcycle without helmets! C'mon, that's just asking for a spoof ending...

Some top-notch special effects and likable cast keep this movie from sinking in the mire of predictability and inconsistency. It was passably good for being a young-adult film, but does not transcend that level as do better movies like the Harry Potter franchise.

If you've ever seen movies with Greek mythology (ie. Clash of the Titans, etc.) then hardly anything will surprise you. I do like the twist on the concept, however, that demigods (children of god/human relations) are still being born in our modern age.

Two big problems with the movie that lock the movie into a "teen flick" or "family" film (no, it's not the welcome absence of graphic violence or sex) 1. Inconsistencies and impossibilities 2. Predictable dialogue and outcomes

Just a few of the things I thought of as I watched this to illustrate:

• Why would Percy not have been kept in the "safe camp" like the other children from the beginning if he was so special?

• Hydra's have only 1 TRUE head, so cutting off all 5 heads would have killed the beast.

• If Zeus's bolt is so powerful, how can Percy defeat the guy with the bolt just by using water

• Speaking of water... 4 water towers on the top of one building? hmmm..

• The daughter of Athena says "Hi Mom" and mom responds.. and then moments later Poseidon BEGS Zeus to talk to his son. Hmm... I thought they were all under the same rules?

So anyway, just check your brain at the door and you can still enjoy it with the teens for the fun and visuals.

I haven't seen "Rear Window" but I think this movie works just fine without being called a remake. I appreciated the pacing of story and how we didn't learn everything at once. Although it could be argued that this neighborhood has way too many people who don't go to work, it does make for a good story. Also makes you wonder what you might discover if you had a bird eye's view and all day to study your neighborhood.

The setup was a little forced, but sufficient enough. The real fun begins when our "hero" gets his Xbox and iTunes accounts deactivated and he's forced to fill his house arrest boredom by spying on the neighborhood. Luckily for him a cute girl moves in next door and another neighbor seems suspiciously like a serial killer in the news.

There were a number of good plot twists and the traditional "bad guy tells good lies in front of the cops" moments. It's also fun when the cute girl decides to check-in on her voyeuristic neighbor. I think it drags a bit in reaching its final conclusion, but not enough to ruin anything.

If you like a little bit of scare from time to time but aren't a big fan of gore (maybe a little?) then you'll enjoy this movie!

Much more than a movie about chess, this movie deals with childhood geniuses, the difficult choices of parents in how far to push their "prodigy" and the challenge of finding balance in a life filled with difficult choices.

I have watched this movie a few times now, and have gleaned different things from it depending on where I am in my own life. This time around had new meaning as I have a child very gifted with piano. I've had similar challenges to Josh Waitzkin's parents in trying to decide how much to push your children - and for what purposes. Most parents probably feel that pull, even without "geniuses" - finding balance in what kids CAN do, what they SHOULD do, and what they WANT to do. We want our children to be happy, but we also know that part of being happy is doing something they are good at and helping them find meaning.

I'm also a fan of chess and so really enjoy the glimpses into the chess world this movie portrays. The brilliance of those who stand even above the best minds in their field is the stuff of legends. Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Emmanuel Lasker... every bit leaders in their elite worlds as the likes of say Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Tiger Woods. Always interesting to me.

Great performances all around, from the young (and skinny) Laurence Fishburne to the always stately Ben Kingsley. From the interested and caring parents to the young Josh Waitzskin... even the "enemy" chess player are all well cast and enjoyable throughout the movie.

A modern classic in my opinion, and great for the whole family (probably at least 7 or 8 years old is a good lower limit). I appreciate the lessons it teaches, the story of Josh and the truths we discover.