DVD Reviews on EdgeCurve.com

The Simpsons Movie

EdgeCurve Rating:
The Simpsons Movie

I expected this to be to be slightly more entertaining than a TV episode, and it was. So my high expectations were met, but not exceeded. And there's not really much a review of this can do for you. Seeing this movie is a no-brainer if you're a Simpsons fan...and in that case, you probably already have. But if you're not a Simpsons fan (seriously, you're not?), then you're probably ok skipping this one. So this review is for the 2% of you out there who like the Simpsons but haven't seen this yet, go get it now!

More information:
- The Simpsons Movie on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Live Free or Die Hard

EdgeCurve Rating:
Live Free or Die Hard

Another great, great action movie. Bruce Willis in his classic roll. (And Justin Long in his classic roll too I suppose.) Funny and intense. It starts and doesn't let up until the end. My only complaint would have to be the jet scene. The stretch of my imagination ends as soon as we have people running around, spinning, and jumping from moving, flying jets. No. Not going to happen. But whatever, it's Die Hard!

More information:
- Live Free or Die Hard on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Transformers

EdgeCurve Rating:
Transformers

Now this is what an action movie should be. I'm not going to spew a review that says it's for everyone, it's not. But if there is any part of you that is slightly intrigued by the thought of giant robots, who can become cars, jets, and things, fighting and blowing things up, then you should not hesitate. See this. If you need more convincing, it's seriously funny. Some of the lines in this are so quick and clever, along with several situations. It's really good to see a great action movie that knows not to take itself too seriously.

More information:
- Transformers on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Spider-Man 3

EdgeCurve Rating:
Spider-Man 3

This movie has been out a while, and a ton of people have already seen it. Combine that with my poor reaction to this movie, I haven't been eager to write a review. I found this third installment of the series to be seriously lacking. I don't want to see Mary Jane sing, or Toby for that matter. And what's with all the bad guys? Maybe if the story would have focused on just Venom it would have been better. Way, way too many lame sub-plots for me.

More information:
- Spider-Man 3 on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

The Ex

EdgeCurve Rating:
The Ex

Here's a movie full of actors that I like watching and have enjoyed immensely in the past. Somehow though, this movie just falls flat. Sure, there's an occasional laugh but overall it just was not funny. I think what did it was that the movie felt like it could kind of happen but absolutely nothing was believable. Like it could be a silly over-the-top Will Ferrell ice skating movie but it couldn't be a romantic comedy either. It's just one of those movies that had the right ingredients but came out of the oven at the wrong time. Maybe it was even dropped on the floor and stepped on and then picked up and had sugar poured over it it to cover up the mess.

More information:
- The Ex on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Knocked Up

EdgeCurve Rating:
Knocked Up

This film walks the ever-so-fine line between distasteful and heartwarming and it's very refreshing. It thankfully ignores a lot of "political correctness" and the result is something uniquely charming and utterly hilarious. Obviously the theme of this movie is about someone getting "knocked up". We see both the events leading up to and the ensuing chaos of events that followed. I should qualify my recommendation for this review. I'd totally recommend this to a college buddy but would not recommend this to my mom. So depending which group you fall into, watch at your own risk.

More information:
- Knocked Up on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Brooklyn Rules

EdgeCurve Rating:
Brooklyn Rules

This is a good movie full of actors I don't really care for (Freddie Prinze Jr., Scott Caan, Mena Suvari)...though there are some I like (Jack Donaghy, Turtle). But they all do a good job in their roles and that allows the film to work. The story takes place in the violent days of the early 80's in New York City and follows three childhood friends and their path to adulthood. It's a totally typical mafia movie that you may feel you've seen before, but if you liked mob films before, you'll probably like this one as well.

More information:
- Brooklyn Rules on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Perfect Stranger

EdgeCurve Rating:
Perfect Stranger

What happens in the first half of this movie has almost nothing to do with the second half. Nothing! It's like they just made it up. It's not a "clever" twist if you're not hinted at what a twist might be. The "twist" isn't even a twist. It's more of a do-over. Anyway, do not waste your time with this. Hollywood must just make movies like this with huge stars as some kind of market research device. Either that or they just got lazy. Whatever the reason, it was not meant to entertain people. Avoid!

More information:
- Perfect Stranger on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Tadpole

EdgeCurve Rating:
Tadpole

A 16-year old boy, Oscar Grubman, returns to his New York City home from his boarding school for Thanksgiving break. Oscar is described as a "40-year old trapped in a 16-year old body". And this kid has a taste for mature, sophisticated women. What then follows are his attempts with one woman in particular. Let's just say he has a bit of a "step-Oedipus complex". And we then take a funny and, at times, embarrassing ride with young Oscar. Elements of the film "The Graduate" and the novel "Catcher in the Rye" pop up here and there. One other thing, this movie might be considered a tad sexist. If this movie had the exact same story but with the genders of the characters reversed, it would be considered extremely offensive. But thanks to double-standards this version is hilarious and entertaining.

More information:
- Tadpole on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Air Guitar Nation

EdgeCurve Rating:
Air Guitar Nation

In this film, we follow the birth of "Air Guitar" in the USA. The world air guitar championships have been going on for years (in Finland) and this is the first year the US had contestants. We follow C-Diddy and Bjorn Turoque on their path to, well, you'll just have to see for yourself. Overall, this is one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long, long time. If you have any ounce of interest in anything "rock and roll", this will certainly appeal to you. The 2 hour running time will hold your attention throughout with drama, suspense, and comedy. Meanwhile, I'm going to go practice.

More information:
- Air Guitar Nation on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Dinner Rush

EdgeCurve Rating:
Dinner Rush

This is like a cross between HBO's "The Sopranos" and the Food Network's "Cooking with Emeril". It's a fast-paced and entertaining story of many different characters set in a restaurant in New York City. It's actually filmed at the director's own restaurant, Gigino's Trattoria. There's illegal gambling, food reviewers, thugs, sous-chefs, hit men, chef specials, etc. There are about 10 different characters each going about their own life and we see the story affect each one in a different way. I've never seen a cooking show so enthralling nor a mafia movie so mouth-watering. And cooking is hot these days!

More information:
- Dinner Rush on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Fracture

EdgeCurve Rating:
Fracture

Some movies earn stars one by one and climb up to their rating. Fracture does the opposite. It shoots up right away into 4 or 5 star territory. The beginning is interesting, stylish, and entertaining. However, as the film moves on, certain plot points become obvious. Stretching of the imagination must occur, and other subplots fall flat. It loses steam and becomes the same type of movie you were worried it might have been all along.

More information:
- Fracture on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

Blades of Glory

EdgeCurve Rating:
Blades of Glory

This movie is stupid...my kind of stupid. Things happen in this movie that wouldn't even happen even if some of these things actually happened. And that's the way it should be! It's funny, Will Ferrel is funny, Napolean Dynamite is funny, and Gob Bluth and his wife/sister are funny. Pam, from The Office, even shows up.

More information:
- Blades of Glory on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

The Lives of Others

EdgeCurve Rating:
The Lives of Others

This is a story about the Stasi, the East German secret police. It follows a group of artists, who may or may not harbor revolutionary attitudes toward the communist state, and a group of Stasi agents. In this film we witness the impact of stress and paranoia on people's lives. What's really great about this movie is that it doesn't choose sides politically, rather, it is telling a story about a situation that could only happen in this time and place. I can't really go into more detail without giving things away. This movie is a bit long. And though the middle drags, the beginning and end support it well.

More information:
- The Lives of Others on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com

300

EdgeCurve Rating:
300

This movie screams "I am an epic movie!" with its dramatic editing, music and dialog. It screams, "I deserve 5 stars!" And frankly, it screams too loud. Its in-your-face ambition hits you over the head with loads of stylized special effects, which are cool, but are not everything. And the characters range from annoying to watch, or even look at (Xerxes), to just another part of the show (everyone else). It is an action film though after all, a good action film (just not a great one). Bottom-line, 300 is totally worth watching, once. I suggest renting the special edition DVD if possible. It comes with loads of extras the original DVD did not have.

More information:
- 300 on Amazon.com
- Full review on EdgeCurve.com