One Minute Review: November 2011

Nov 28, 2011

Hugo

Martin Scorsese made a film based on a kids' book? Does anyone get capped? Will my five year old like it? Should I see it in 3D? All these answers, and more, are yours in the 3 and a half minute long One Minute Review!

The Descendants

George Clooney's small film about family/death/dysfunction is getting some serious Oscar buzz. What's the scoop? The One Minute Review has seen it, and is here to let you know.

Nov 11, 2011

J. Edgar

Clint Eastwood directs the biopic of one of America's most enigmatic figures. With all the darkness that surrounded him in real life, can Leonardo DiCaprio shine some light on the man behind the name?

Tower Heist

Ben Stiller, Alan Alda, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Tea Leoni... the list of stars in this heist movie goes on and on. This film looks like Bernie Madoff meets Oceans 11 meets Night at the Museum. Does it live up to its possible genius, or does it disappoint like a ponzi scheme? The One Minute Review checked it out and gives you all the opinion stolen money can buy.

In Time

A high concept sci-fi film from the man who gave us Gattaga and the Truman Show? Yes please! A movie in which Justin Timberlake is the old, ugly guy? Hmmm..., let me think about that one. Let the One Minute Review be your guide so you don't waste your ... time.

50/50

A half-baked comedy about a young guy with cancer? Does that sound fun? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. The One Minute Review will let you know what the chances are that you'll actually like this movie.

Ides of March

Listen to this cast: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, and Jeffry Wright. Can you make a bad movie with those people? The One Minute Review has the answer.

Moneyball

A baseball movie, an economics movie, a geek movie, or the Brad Pitt version of that Facebook movie? Guess you should watch the One Minute Review to find out.

Drive

An action film that won a coveted "Best Director" Award at Cannes? Albert Brooks as a bad guy? What is happening here? Oh, so much is happening. Watch the One Minute Review to find out exactly what...

Apollo 18

The Blair Witch Project meets Apollo 13 meets a little bit of Transformers Dark of the Moon meets the One Minute Review. Looks pretty cool, but does it work? Well, find out.

The Debt

An Israeli film remade for America with a first rate cast, the Debt features two of the best actresses currently working. Check out the One Minute Review for more!

Cowboys and Aliens

Cowboys? Love 'em. Aliens? The greatest. Put them together? What could be better? Or did Hollywood screw this up? Find out.

The Help

The best selling book has become a fairly controversial movie. Is it worth seeing? The OMR will give you five reasons why you should check out the Help, and maybe a few reasons why you shouldn't.

Captain America: The First Avenger

The First Avenger is the final film before The Avengers in 2012. Is it worth seeing, or should you just wait until next year. Find out here.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part two

If you are a Harry Potter fan, then there is nothing I can really say to you. If you aren't, then check out the One Minute Review to help you decide if this is a film worth seeing.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

OK, let's get real. The Planet of the Apes franchise does not have a good track record. James Franco can choose some pretty bad roles. CGI animals look stupid. So, this movie must be pretty bad, right? Maybe you should watch the One Minute Review, just to be sure.... (hint: you're wrong)

X-Men: First Class

The X-Men franchise throws its hat in the ring for this summer of comic book movies. Is it worth skipping Green Lantern for? Watch the One Minute Review to find out.

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen. The name strikes fear into the hearts of movie goers. I know I have to go see his movie, but will it be any good? Genius, madness, annoyingness? What will I get?

Tree of Life

The One Minute Review of Terrence Malick's Tree of Life. Just watch it.

Green Lantern

DC Comics gets a chance to punch back at the Marvel Machine with this adaptation of the sci-fi super hero Green Lantern. A hero rises, a franchise is born? Or is it Fantastic Four all over again? The One Minute Review will let you know.

Super 8

J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg have created a throwback to the days of E.T. and Close Encounters. The cast is largely made of unknown child actors (and the veteran Elle Fanning). The plot has been a state secret for years. So, is it worth watching this summer?

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Disney has brought back Captain Jack Sparrow without some of the dead weight of the original trilogy. Are we glad that Johnny Depp sailed again, or will "On Stranger Tides" remind us of that horrible fourth Indiana Jones movie? The One Minute Review has navigated the treacherous waters and returned to tell the tale. Avast!

Thor

A Norse god becomes a comic book character who becomes a movie. Thor, seriously? Does any good thing come from Asgard? The One Minute Review has the answer.

Soul Surfer

A girl loses her arm and critics pan her movie. Will the Reverend Thomas McKenzie join the bashing of this film, or is this actually a movie worth watching. Watch the LONGEST one minute review ever, and enjoy.

Gods and Men

I love monks, I love North Africa, and I love the Merovingian. Put them all together in a pot, cook them up, and you get Gods and Men. Did I love this French stew? Find out.

Hanna

Saoirse Ronan stars as the scariest home-schooled kid in history. Is she worth watching? Thomas McKenzie of the One Minute Review will let you now.

Sucker Punch

Zack Snyder’s newest film is getting Last Airbender-type trashed in the press. Is it as bad as they say? The One Minute Review knows, and is talking about it.

Source Code

In order to solve a mystery, Jake Gyllenhaal continually relives the last 8 minutes of another man's life. In order to save you some time and money, Thomas McKenzie watched all 93 minutes of Source Code. Who got that better deal? Watch the review to find out.

The Adjustment Bureau

Matt Damon's newest film looks so cool. It's advertised "as mind bending as Inception." Is it? The One Minute Review will let you know.

Unknown

Liam Neeson in a Taken-Bourne-North by Northwest film? Yes, please. Unless it isn't as good as it looks. Oh, please be as good as it looks. Find out here.

The Eagle

The One Minute Review went back to ancient Britain with the Roman legions in "The Eagle." Should you join us?

Rango

Johnny Depp as a small lizard in a big western. Did I like it, did my kids? Better find out.

Gnomeo and Juliet

Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne and Dolly Parton are finally collaborating ... with William Shakespeare and garden gnomes. Could be splendid, could be a bore. The OMR knows for sure.

I Am Number Four

Yes, I saw this film. Now you can watch my review. Though I am not nearly as pretty as the people in the movie.

Never Say Never

Yes, I took 4 tween-aged girls to see Justin Bieber's Never Say Never. Yes, I came home with a splitting headache. But I did learn some things.

Rabbit Hole

Another indie film about a marriage on the rocks. And this one comes with a dead child. Are you going to cry your eyes out? Watch the One Minute Review for the answer.

Blue Valentine

An indie film about a marriage totally falling apart? Does that sound like fun? Maybe it is worth seeing, but you'll never know until you watch the One Minute Review.

Green Hornet

The One Minute Review has heroically seen the Green Hornet for you. Whatever your expectations are, lower them. And watch the review before watching this movie.

Country Strong

How could I not love a Nashville movie? And how could I not love Gwyneth Paltrow after her awesome turn on Glee? But did that translate into loving this film?

The King's Speech

An Oscar darling is born out of this story of honor, duty, and redemption. But is it any fun to watch? The One Minute Review has seen the King and lived to tell the tale.

Black Swan

This is the One Minute Review of "the Black Swan." Want to feel my pain?

The Fighter

Did someone say Oscar? Add this one to your short list, but watch out for the body blows.

True Grit

Hey, I thought Unforgiven was the "last American Western."
Hey, didn't John Wayne already make this movie?
Hey, Jeff Bridges looks like he's going to slaughter some dudes in a vicious, dark No Country style film.
Hey, just watch the One Minute Review.

Tron: Legacy

A sequel starring a woman who wasn't even born when the first movie came out? Jeff Bridges digitally reverse-aged? Light Cycles? What's not to love? Or, is there anything to love? Find out!

127 Hours

In 2003, Aron Rolston found himself physically pinned under a rock in the desert for 127 hours. In order to free himself and save his own life, he had to remove his arm. In 2010, director Danny Boyle made a movie about it. Is this something anyone would actually want to watch? The One Minute Review has been to the desert, and now returns with this review.

Tangled

A Disney Princess film for boys? An olive-skinned over-protective mother as the bad guy? Has the world gone mad? Or has it just gone so-so? Find out.

The Tourist

Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp star in a new-fangled old-fashioned fantasy/spy romance. Do we love them in their first film together? Watch the One Minute Review and find out!

Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Oh, C.S. Lewis, your books are yet being adapted for modern film audiences. They look great, but do they have any soul? Let the One Minute Review scratch the surface of that conversation with you.

Unstoppable

Denzel and the new Captain Kirk try to stop a runaway train. Is this a train worth catching in the theaters? The One Minute Review will let you know.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part one

The first installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is out in theaters. The One Minute Review is here to help you make a decision...that you have probably already made. Let's hope the review is worth watching anyway.

Due Date

Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis team up for a cross-country buddy movie. It looks like it could be hysterical, but is it? The One Minute Review knows.

Megamind

My kids and I were so excited to see Megamind. Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, and Tina Fey in a crazy-twist on the Superman story? What’s not to love? Now that I’ve seen it twice (in 2-D and 3-D), do I think you’ll love it? Find out here on the One Minute Review.

Skyline

I saw the trailer for Skyline and thought it looked like a bad movie with cool special effects. Of course, I thought the same thing when I first saw the trailers for the Matrix (I was so wrong) and Transformers 2 (I was so right). Which of those camps does Skyline fall into? Watch the One Minute Review to find out.

Never Let Me Go

Science Fiction meets Remains of the Day. Does it work? Find out from the One Minute Review.

Let Me In

Can a movie about a vampire be any good? And didn't they already do this one in Sweden? Let the OMR let you in ... on the facts.

RED

]RED stands for Retired, Extremely Dangerous. With a stellar cast of older actors (who I hope never retire), all the studio had to add was the “Extreme Danger.” Did they succeed? Watch the One Minute Review to find out.

The Social Network

The One Minute Review was a tiny audio podcast I did for my friends, until my buddy Andrew (seeing some of my video posts on facebook) suggested I make it into a video thing. So, the OMR is what it is partially because of facebook. While I was watching "the Social Network," my blackberry was getting pinged with posts from facebook. So, facebook is a part of my life. Great, but is the movie any good? Ah, that is the real question. If you watch the review, you'll find out. Oh, and make sure to "like" the One Minute Review . . . on facebook!

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Oliver Stone brings back 80s corporate evil-doer Gordon Gekko for a romp in the world of bank bail-outs and the Great Recession. Can Shia LaBeof and Carrey Mulligan survive his wicked ways? Can America? Or has Gordon gone straight? Should any of us care? Watch the One Minute Review, because (to misquote Mr. Gekko) the Review is Good.

The Town

With a stellar cast (Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Chris Cooper, etc.) and a great premise (Boston bank robber falls for former hostage), director/writer/star Ben Affleck has a lot going for him. Does he pull it together, and pull it off? The One Minute Review knows.

The American

Do I want to see a small, old school European thriller starring George Clooney? Yes, please! Did this film live up to my fairly high expectations? Watch the One Minute Review and find out.

Get Low

Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, and the Great Depression? What could go wrong? Before leaving your hermit cabin in the woods to see the film “Get Low,” maybe you should watch the One Minute Review.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World

This is the One Minute Review of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. From the director who brought you Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz comes the story of a young man who must defeat a girl’s seven evil exes. Loaded with references to video games, indie rock, and comic books, let the One Minute Review offer some wisdom on whether you will like this movie enough to go see it.

The Other Guys

This is the One Minute Review of the Other Guys. Is this buddy cop farce staring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg worth your time and money? I’ll let you know what I think.

Winter's Bone

The One Minute Review gets some indie cred by reviewing the well reviewed but barely seen Winter's Bone. If you've actually seen this little flick, I hope you enjoy the hommage to the film's color palate.

Dinner for Schmucks

Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd are comic geniuses. However, they don't always make good movies. What about this one? Is it worth seeing? Let the OMR give you the good news and the bad news to help you decide.

Nov 10, 2011

SALT

The OMR of the newest Angelina-kicks-butt film. And the first review I've ever done that includes an outtake. Getting excited?

Despicable Me

Finally, a one minute long One Minute Review.

Inception

My most anticipated film of the summer was Christopher Nolan’s Inception. Now I’ve seen it, did it live up to my expectations? Let’s find out in the longest OMR ever.

The Last Airbender

My girls were excited to see the Last Airbender on opening day, and I was hoping that M. Night Shyamalan was going to redeem himself. If you have any intention of seeing this film, may I strongly recommend you take a look at the One Minute Review before you put down your money.

Toy Story 3D

This is the One Minute Review of Pixar’s Toy Story 3-D. Thanks to my friend Jim who suggested the slight change in venue this week, in honor of this animated film. Remember to “Like” the One Minute Review at facebook.com/oneminutereview

Karate Kid

The classic Karate Kid of my junior high years has been remade for the global economy generation. Did it deliver a powerful crane kick, or should we give it the body bag? Watch the One Minute Review to find out.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

The summer movie season has not been kind. So, while I mocked the very idea of the “Prince of Persia” movie, I did go to see it. Here is what I discovered buried in the Sands of Time.

Robin Hood

Robin Hood was one of my Five Most Anticipated Films of the Summer! Director Ridley Scott teamed up with actor Russel Crowe for the amazing Gladiator, as well as the solid but under-appreciated films American Gangster and Body of Lies. Now he takes on the 12th century, as he did in his visually lovely but otherwise hatable Kingdom of Heaven. Would Robin Hood be the next Gladiator, or Kingdom of Heaven II? Watch the One Minute Review to find out!

Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 marks the official beginning of the Summer Movie Season. Finally! I thoroughly enjoyed the first Iron Man and have eagerly awaited this one. Given that this is my longest OMR ever, and includes my most extensive gush on an actor of all time, you might suspect I loved me the Iron Man 2. Better find out.

Kick A#$

Kick A#$, a movie based on a comic I’ve never even heard of, is now out in theaters. So, you name your movie “Kick A#$.” It better. Did it? Is that a good thing? Hmmm... Watch the One Minute Review and find out.

Greenberg

Looks like Ben Stiller took two weeks to shoot Greenberg in an attempt to show that he can actually act. Noah Baumbach and Jennifer Jason Leigh wrote a script about a New Yorker doing nothing in Los Angeles. There is a dog and a younger woman. All the funniest lines in the film are in the trailer. Is this the kind of film you will like? Watch the One Minute Review and find out.

How to Train Your Dragon

So I took three grade school girls to see How to Train Your Dragon in 3-D. I came out both richer and poorer. Find out what I mean by watching the One Minute Review. And remember to subscribe to the podcast of the OMR by visiting OneMinuteReview.com

Clash of the Titans

I was nine years old when the original Clash of the Titans came out. Given my great love for that film as a kid, how would I feel about the idea of a remake? Stoked! But when the Kraken was actually released last week, how did I respond? Find out in the three and a half minute long One Minute Review.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

You and/or your kids loved the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. Will the movie be any good? Let the OMR be your guide.

Green Zone

The team that brought us the Bourne Identity now brings us an action thriller set a month after the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Does George W. Bush jump out and knife fight Matt Damon in front of a shaky camera? Could be, better watch the review and find out.

Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton has made a movie based on my (second) favorite book! What will happen? Find out here on the One Minute Review of "Alice in Wonderland"

Shutter Island

The One Minute Review of Shutter Island, finally out in theaters. No spoilers in this review, so watch it if you want to find out if you should see this film or not. Thomas McKenzie reviews for RabbitRoom.com and ThomasMcKenzie.com

The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief is a book my kids love. Now it has been made into a movie. I saw it, and now I'm reviewing it. If your kids loved the book, it is pretty well a done deal that you are going to see this film. But otherwise, is it worth plopping down your hard earned drachma on?

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