Rocky Balboa (2006)

7/10

I refused to watch this film for quite sometime, but then while sitting at home a little bored I thought what the hey. I was pleasantly surprised, this does not mean i liked the film, but it also doesn’t mean i hated it. I remember the first time i saw rocky (the first one) and I thought no here is a great film, full of heart, determination, love. Essentially Rocky represented the underdog in all of us, the good guy that just wont quit till he gets where he wants to be. In this latest installment I felt that Stallone had finally returned to that guy, With his beloved wife Adrian now passed, his career over and his son off doing his own thing, Rocky for once has to face his darkest demon...His legacy and his pride.
Stallone does great in this, his most famous role, but the story line tends to wonder off a little into sentiment that is never fully explained. I get that he misses having Adrian by his side, and that he wants to be closer to his son, but would that really justify taking in a single mother and her teenage child after a brief encounter in a bar, and a momentary stroll down memory lane? Also the Boy goes from bad ass street kid to the perfect kid within 3 scenes.
I really loved the scene with Rocky and his son outside the restaurant, there was some hard truths laid bare in that scene that really need to be voiced, as we are faced with an ever more apathetic generation of twenty somethings. Any way well worth a watch if you are a fan of Rocky, the other movies are kind of a must see prior to this one, as they really create the mood of the film, and add depth to its sombre reminiscence.

The Plot:

widower of many years now Rocky has fallen into a routine of looking back to his past. A coincidental meeting with a girl that is now all grown up gets him back on track. Rocky always wanting to help those that he cares about lends a hand out for she and her son. Rocky now owns a small restaurant in the heart of Philly, he finds himself telling stories to those that ask about old fights and taking photos with his fans. Paulie, his wife's brother shows him an ESPN exclusive about a virtual fight between reigning undefeated heavy weight champion of the world Mason "The Line" Dixon. The virtual bout intrigues everyone with Rocky "the Italion Stallion" as the winner. Rocky feels like he needs to get back in the ring not for a title shot, but for some local fights that will satisfy his love of the game. When Rocky is approached by Dixon's managers Rocky can't turn the semi charity event down. After tying things back up with his son, Rocky, Duke (his former trainer), Paulie, and Rocky Jr. get to work training the still in shape former 2 time heavy weight champion of the world. You'll be inspired by the heart vs skill bout of ten amazing rounds.

Cast


Sylvester Stallone...Rocky Balboa

Burt Young...Paulie

Antonio Tarver...Mason 'The Line' Dixon

Geraldine Hughes...Marie

Milo Ventimiglia...Robert Jr.

Tony Burton...Duke

A.J. Benza...L.C.

James Francis Kelly III...Steps

Talia Shire...Adrian (archive footage)

Lou DiBella...Himself

Mike Tyson...Himself

Henry G. Sanders...Martin

Pedro Lovell...Spider Rico

Ana Gerena...Isabel

Angela Boyd...Angie

Trailer

The Movie:

Evan Almighty (2007)

6/10

I was a big fan of Bruce almighty, and so gave this one a look. To say the least it was a typical sequel, meaning that it lacked the appeal of the first and tried to reproduce the same ideas and jokes with a slightly new twist.
All that said “Evan Almighty” is an enjoyable watch, but it isn’t what I would call a good movie. As for laughs it is full of them, the animal work in it is incredible, CG is fairly impressive, however it really lacks substance in plot.

What's next, The Rock Almighty with a David and Goliath motif?

I got a laugh when I realised this modern day Noahs wife’s name was Joan, Made me think of “Bill and Teds Excellent adventure”

The Plot:

The last time we saw Evan Baxter, he was being tormented by rival Bruce Nolan on screen, live from their Buffalo TV station. But as time passed and Evan has made up with Bruce, he's gone onto bigger and better things. Newly elected to Washington D.C. as a congressman, Evan has left Buffalo, New York in pursuit of a greater calling. But that calling isn't serving in the illustrious ranks of America's politics, but being summoned by the Almighty himself, who has handed Evan the task of building a new ark, much as Noah did before. With time passing by and his family belittled by Evan's newfound realization, Evan will have to do the work that God has given him in what promises to be an unusual adventure for a man who just wanted to serve his country, might actually be serving humanity.

Cast:

Steve Carell...Evan Baxter

Morgan Freeman...God

Lauren Graham...Joan Baxter

Johnny Simmons...Dylan Baxter

Graham Phillips...Jordan Baxter

Jimmy Bennett...Ryan Baxter

John Goodman...Congressman Long

Wanda Sykes...Rita

John Michael Higgins...Marty

Jonah Hill...Eugene

Molly Shannon...Eve Adams

Harve Presnell...Congressman Burrows

P.J. Byrne...Evan's Staffer

Ralph Louis Harris...Evan's Staffer (as Ralph Harris)

Arden Myrin...Evan's Staffer

Trailer

Anger Management (2003)

6.5/10

This is a funny flick for sure, but what else do you get when you team up Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson? All I can say is Crazy Jack is Back! The ending was a downer for me though, I felt like they just went too far to have any credibility. A little more thought here would have made this film another of Happy Madison's classics, but it fell just short.

The Plot:

After a misunderstanding aboard an airplane that escalates out of control, the mild-mannered Dave Buznik is ordered by Judge Daniels to attend anger management sessions run by Doctor Buddy Rydell, which are filled with highly eccentric and volatile men and women. Buddy's unorthodox approach to therapy is confrontational and abrasive and Dave is bewildered by it. Then, after yet another mishap, Judge Daniels orders Dave to step up his therapy or wind up in jail. So, Buddy moves in with Dave to help him battle his inner demons. Buddy himself has no inner demons since he acts out at every opportunity and that includes making lewd comments about Dave's girlfriend Linda and goading Dave into confronting every slight, past or present, head-on. But Buddy finally goes too far and Dave must decide whether to crawl back into his shell or stand up for himself. Could it be that Buddy's confounding and contradictory treatment is just what the doctor ordered?

Jack is brilliant in his role as always! Finding that perfect balance between Charm, insanity and Brilliance that only he seems to be able to master!

Sandler is Sandler allowing his softer sided charm to shine, with an occasional outburst of pure rage that we have all come to expect!

But once again it was John Turturro that took me by surprise, this guy seems to pop up in so many roles, often very different yet somehow becomes the character brilliantly!

Marissa Tomei is a fine cast as the girlfriend, who is patiently waiting on the man she loves to become the man she knows he is.

Heather Graham had me in stitches in her small role in this film! Heather still drops my jaw with her beauty!

And Keep an eye out for Woody Harrelson, he is out of character, brilliant and impossible to miss!

To sum it up, if you are looking for a good funny easy to watch film that has a wide variety of comedic styles, then Anger Management is the film to see.

Cast

Adam Sandler...Dave Buznik

Jack Nicholson...Dr. Buddy Rydell

Marisa Tomei...Linda

Luis Guzmán...Lou

Jonathan Loughran...Nate

Kurt Fuller...Frank Head, Dave's Boss

Krista Allen...Stacy

January Jones...Gina

John Turturro...Chuck

Lynne Thigpen...Judge Brenda Daniels

Nancy Walls...Flight Attendant

Woody Harrelson...Galaxia / Security Guard Gary

Kevin Nealon...Sam, Dave's Lawyer

Allen Covert...Andrew

Adrian Ricard...Rose Rydell

Trailer