The story is set in 1979 small town Ohio and stars 14ish year old kids. And these kids are kids. They talk like kids, mess around like kids, and really do a great job. They don’t look like they are acting. This is important when the whole movie is based on kid character driven story.

The kid actors are all pretty much newcomers, Elle Fanning (Dakota’s younger sister) has been in some stuff, but not too much. The adult actors are mostly no-namers, aside from Kyle Chandler (TV’s Friday Night Lights and Early Edition). The absence of the “Star” quality actor really helps make this film work. (Unlike the similar situation in 10,000 BC.) No performance overshadows the other, yet all really work for the film.

These particular kids are into movie making. They are making a Zombie film for an amateur film festival when they witness the derailment of an Air Force train. I won’t spoil the plot for you, but it was very well written. J.J. Abrams wrote and directed this film with Steven Spielberg as a producer. It was the best original screenplay I’ve seen since Inception. It was emotional, entertaining, funny, and sci-fi-y.

The cinematography in this film was also very good. Similar to the film’s marketing scheme, the way J.J. Abrams doesn’t let you see what is going on all the time really adds to the intrigue and awesomeness of this film. He and the actors really put their hearts into this film and it shows. It isn’t the throwaway, CGI-packed 3D hunk of crap a lot of movies are lately. Sure, they use CGI to create the awesome explosions and the stuff I won’t spoil for you, but the actors and the story really drive this film. Plus Simon from 7th Heaven plays a stoner, who is quite entertaining.

Super 8 runs 112 minutes and is rated PG-13. For the most part this film is pretty family oriented, though there is a little language (and drug references) at times. Kids under 9 probably don’t need to see it. I was thoroughly entertained and was not let down. I give it 10 ramheads out of 10.

July 14 was an anxious day.  I was watching earlier Harry Potter films all day and doing what I could to look for a job.  I was excited because that night I would get to see the final Harry Potter film at midnight with my wife.  It all started in 6th grade (2000) when I read the first four Potter books in under two weeks.  I never really got into reading until then.  Then the films started that next year.  I was there the day the first one came out.  I was first in line with my friend.  I was there for the first (or second) day or midnight showing for all 8 Harry Potter films.  This is a big deal for me.

Enough about me, what about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 (say that 5 times fast)?  Being the most talked about film this year, HP7.2 lived up and exceeded the hype.  The acting was free from hiccups that has riddled the young actors for years.  The older actors (Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, and more) were great.  All the actors delivered the action and emotion that was necessary to make this film near-perfect.

One element of the film-making that really impressed me for the second time in a row was the pacing.  Part 1 was meant to be a slower, anxious feeling film.  Part 2 was almost the opposite: a fast-paced action film loaded with emotion, well-placed humor, and answers to questions building since the first installment.

This film stays true to the book and will please both fans of the just the films or both films and books.  The film wasn’t perfect, but I’m not going to complain.  How can you complain when [spoiler] Molly Weasley calls Bellatrix Lestrange a bitch and then kills her?  It’s just awesome.  Ron and Hermione’s kiss also did not disappoint.  The years of built up emotion released in the amazing on screen kiss.  I got shivers.  The feeling I got when this film was finished is still lingering: joy.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is rated PG-13 and runs 130 minutes.  This film is a lot of action, death, and scary scenes and a little language.  Just know this before you show your kids or kid siblings this flick.  I gave Part 1 ten ramheads out of 10.  This one was better even than that.  I give Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 10 ramheads out of 10.

Over a month ago I promised some reviews… I don’t like to break promises, so here it goes:

Year One (2009) stars Jack Black and Michael Cera playing their usual roles. The story is pretty dumb and messy and doesn’t really go anywhere. There are a few funny moments, a few insulting moments, and many dumb moments. If you don’t ever see this one, you aren’t missing much. It runs a long-feeling 97 minutes and is rated PG-13. I give it 3 ramheads out of 10.

The Princess and the Frog (2009) feels to me like a genuine Disney movie. It was great to see the comeback of cartoons. This film, though, felt to me like a 2nd tier Disney flick. It doesn’t meet the standards of The Lion King, Up, or Aladdin in my opinion. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t wow me like these other ones did. It runs 97 minutes and is rated G. I give it 7 ramheads out of 10.Kick-Ass (2010) is a somewhat humorous, overly violent, realistic comic-book film. If the stuff that happens in comics happen in real-life, this would probably be it. People would get killed, maimed, and it would be gory. It was an interesting film to watch, but not really my cup of tea. It was strange seeing such a young girl (Chloe Moretz) being so violent. It runs 117 minutes and is rated R. I give it a slightly above average 6 out of 10. NOT a family film.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010) is an entertaining, funny, ride based on the Mickey classic in Fantasia. It stars Jay Baruchel and Nicolas Cage. It is pure entertainment. To me it felt like Taken and National Treasure, you kind of just go with it. This is one of my new favorite Disney flicks and I hope you can have fun with it too. It runs 109 minutes and is rated PG. I give it 8 ramheads out of 10.
Enjoy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 tonight at midnight (or this weekend if you aren’t a die hard fan). More reviews coming soon! Cheers!