Delayed movie reviews

Opportunities for going to the movie theatre are pretty much non-existant or Stephanie and me
but movies I have seen in somewhat recent history I will review a bit.

Terminator, Salvation
My grade: B
John Conner battles machines and cyborgs in a potential future created by man's misuse of an artificial intelligence gone bad and spiteful. Pretty good actually. It didn't try to get into the whole time travel thing and kept it simple. Christian Bale (Conner) was great and the movie flowed well. The twist with the convict who "voluntarily" participates in experimental surgery was predictable, but still satisfying. My only complaint was the impromtu critical medical operation at the end in the middle of a desert without proper sanitation, staff, or equipment. That didn't help me sustain my suspension of disbelief.

Year One
My grade: D
Jack Black and his androgenous pal Michael Cera play two villagers equivalent to cavemen. They are exilled to the outside world and have adventures with people of the Biblical era. It had its moments of humor, but they were inconsistent and sometimes incoherent. I do not unjoy discomfort and gross out humor. I don't mind a little, but this movie had it off the scale at times. The fight between Caine and Abel was amusing but the pranks with Abraham and Issac were in poor form and just not funny. Jack Black is hit and miss with me and this one is a miss. I loved him in School of Rock and Be Kind Please Rewind. In my opinion it is not worth buying or watching.

Four Christmases
My grade: A-
This one surprised me a little, but Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon are excellent together in this one. Vince Vaughn is very hit and miss with me as well but this one is a hit with me for sure. Perhaps it depends greatly on who his co-stars are. His and her families have been split by divorces and they've been avoiding them until they are caught in a lie and have to spend Christmas with all 4 of their father's and mother's re-established units. Stephanie and I had a great time with this one and we laughed profusely.

Star Trek
My grade: A+
The origins of Kirk and Spock and their battle with a time travelling bad dude. The time travelling part is all too familiar for Star Trek plots, but they pull this one of masterfully.
Wow. This one was amazing. Being a fan of the series and some of the movies probably helped me get into it and enjoy it, but the story stands alone enough on its own I think. The commitment to detail was supreme. The actors they cast to do the classic parts of the crew were uncanny in their ability to emulate and embody their parts. Especially that of Karl Urban playing Dr. McCoy. It was as if watching DeForest Kelly reincarnated (but perhaps even better) The only slight I would have against it is that they make Jim Kirk and the cadets full fledged fleet members at the end without completing their training. That I am sure is required and forgivable so that they can set it up for the probably sequel coming forthwith.