Movie Reviews and Ratings: 2007

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Blades of Glory

Perhaps nowhere in sports is the marriage of athleticism and grace more evident than in the arena of world champion pairs figure skating--the lifts, the jumps, the routines. It⿿s an elegant world, a rarefied universe, a noble place populated by the crème de la crème of skating elite. Well, it used to be. When the macho, swaggering Chazz Michael Michaels takes to the rink, he is the rock star of the arena, leaving a trail of thrashed ice and shrieking female fans in his wake. The only competitor who can match Michaels⿿ scores is the driven former child prodigy, Jimmy MacElroy. Spotted as a youth executing triple lutzes on the frozen pond of an orphanage, MacElroy was whisked away to days of endless training, and now stands as the picture of poise, the personification of the highest ideals of the men⿿s sport. Michaels and MacElroy have met in finals rounds before, but their latest head-to-head at the World Championships--when they tie for first--is more than either one can bear, and their longstanding rivalry erupts into a no-holds-barred fight. The ensuing brawl not only sets fire to the World Championship⿿s helpless mascot, but lands both athletes in hot water: Chazz and Jimmy are called before the sport⿿s governing board, stripped of their gold medals and banned from the sport for life. Now, three-and-a-half years later, both men are still trying to find their way in a world without competitive skating. Michaels has devolved into a drunken party machine, skating as a costumed evil wizard in a kiddie ice review, and MacElroy has been banished to the shoe department of a chain sporting goods store. But then, inspiration (in the form of an over-friendly, former stalker of Jimmy⿿s) strikes, and a loophole emerges. To skate again, all Chazz and Jimmy have to do is set aside their long festering hatred of one another and join forces--as the first male/male figure skating pair to compete in the history of the sport.

Production Status: Released

Genres: Comedy and Sports

Running Time: 1 hr. 33 min.

Release Date: March 30th, 2007 (wide)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, a comic violent image, and some
drug references.

Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Production Co.: Red Hour Films, Smart Entertainment

Studios:DreamWorks SKG

Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California USA, Montreal, Quebec Canada

Produced in: United States

The Reaping (2007)

A supernatural tale that centers on a myth debunker who tries to prove that a small boy is not the supernatural force behind the devastation of a small, religious Texas town.

Genres:Science Fiction/Fantasy, Suspense/Horror, Thriller and Politics/Religion

Running Time:1 hr. 38 min.

Release Date:April 5th, 2007 (wide)

MPAA Rating:R for violence, disturbing images and some sexuality.

Distributors:Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

Friday, March 23, 2007

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

After the defeat of their old arch nemesis, The Shredder, the Turtles have grown apart as a family. Struggling to keep them together, their rat sensei, Master Splinter, becomes worried when strange things begin to brew in New York City. Tech-industrialist Max Winters is amassing an army of ancient monsters to apparently take over the world. And only one super-ninja fighting team can stop them-those heroes in a half shell-Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael! With the help of old allies April O'Neil and Casey Jones, the Turtles are in for the fight of their lives as they once again must face the mysterious Foot Clan, who have put their own ninja skills behind Winters' endeavors.

Production Status: In Production/Awaiting Release

Genres: Action/Adventure, Animation and Adaptation

Running Time: 1 hr. 26 min.

Release Date: March 23rd, 2007 (wide)

MPAA Rating: PG for animated action violence, some scary cartoon images and mild language.

Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

Production Co.: Imagi Animation Studios Group

Produced in: Hong Kong

The Shooter

Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg), a former Marine Corps sniper who leaves the military after a mission goes bad. After he is reluctantly pressed back into service, Swagger is double-crossed again. With two bullets in him and the subject of a nationwide manhunt, Swagger begins his revenge, which will take down the most powerful people in the country.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Thriller and Adaptation

Release Date: March 23rd, 2007 (wide)

MPAA Rating: R for strong graphic violence and some language.

Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Reign Over Me

Former college roomates Charlie Fineman and Alan Johnson meet up again by chance on a Manhattan street corner. Five years after losing his family on 9/11, Charlie--once a successful dentist--has retreated from his life, and Alan is stunned to see the changes in his formerly gregarious friend. At the same time, Alan--who should be enjoying his beautiful wife, children and career--is overwhelmed by his responsibilities. Their rekindled relationship becomes a lifeline for the two men, who are both in need of a trusted friend at this pivotal moment in their lives.

Production Status: Released

Genres: Drama

Running Time: 2 hrs. 8 min.

Release Date: March 23rd, 2007 (wide)

MPAA Rating: R for language and some sexual references.

Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing

Production Co.: Sunlight Productions, Relativity Media, Mr. Madison

Studios: Columbia Pictures

Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA
New York, New York, USA

Produced in: United States

Monday, March 12, 2007

Wild Hogs

A group of middle-aged friends decide to rev up their routine suburban lives with a freewheeling motorcycle trip. Taking a long dreamed-of breather from their stressful jobs and family responsibilities, they can't wait to feel the freedom of the open road. When this mis-matched foursome - who have grown far more used to the couch than the saddle - set out for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, they encounter a world that holds far more than they ever bargained for. The trip begins to challenge their wits and their luck, especially during a chance run-in with the Del Fuegos, a real-life biker gang who are less than amused with their novice approach. As they go looking for adventure, they soon find that they've embarked on a journey they will never forget.

Genres: Action/Adventure and Comedy

Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.

Release Date: March 2nd, 2007 (wide)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and some violence.

Distributors: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Production Co: Tollin/Robbins Productions

Studios: Touchstone Pictures

The 300

In the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Adaptation and War

Running Time: 1 hr. 56 min.

Release Date: March 9th, 2007 (wide)

MPAA Rating: R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity.

Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution