Jumper (2008)

I heard that some critics didn't really like Jumper, the sci-fi flick starring young Darth Vader himself, Hayden Christensen. However, the trailer just looked to cool for a geek like me to pass up. I am glad that I didn't.

Summary
Christensen plays a guy who discovers that he can teleport at will to any place on Earth. After ditching his bum of a father, he robs a bank without leaving a trace, and is soon living the high life traveling the world at will. However, after eight years of this, he finally runs into a Paladin, played by Samuel L. Jackson with a wicked haircut - who is apparently a religious zealot who is sworn to kill all "Jumpers". Turns out there is a centuries old war between Jumpers and Paladins, and Christensen's character finds himself teamed up with another Jumper in a fight to protect his family and loved ones.

Why you should rent it
I thought the movie was a lot of fun. Contrary to what I have read about the film, the special effects were pretty cool, and there are some crazy chase sequences. The film didn't build to quite the climax that I was expecting, and the characters were a little dull, but all in all it was just a cool sci-flick. If you are not into sci-fi, you may not like it, but if you are, you probably will.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

My wife and I were able to catch the new Indiana Jones flick this weekend. Being big fans of the first three films (who isnt?) we had high hopes.

While the movie was fun, ultimately I didn't think it was good as any of the other three. In this movie he is at odds with the Russians instead of the Germans. There are plenty of Indiana Jones moments that were a lot of fun - action and escapes at impossible odds, such as surviving going over three massive waterfalls, being chased by an army of killer ants, and getting out of the prehistoric temple just before it collapses. And there were some really funny scenes, like when Indy has to grab onto a snake to escape some quicksand, and nearly decides to go ahead and sink rather than touch the critter. And of course, the end had the mixing of the supernatural/science fiction with archaeological legend. So all in all, a lot of fun, and about what you would expect.

However, Harrison Ford is just a little too old to really pull this off and make it believable. The plot - though Indiana Jonesey - was a little too superficial, and there were several moments in the film that went unexplained.

Verdict, good not great if you are a fan of Indy, but just fair if you are not a fan.

In Bruges (2008)

In Bruges is a dark comedy reminiscent of Pulp Fiction to a degree, albeit with a European setting. It is violent, quite disturbing in parts, equally as hilarious in parts, and in the final moments rather pensive and philosophical. That having been said - I loved the movie.

The movie follows two hit men that are hiding out in the town of Bruges after a hit went awry and an innocent child was killed. Collin Farrell's character is tortured by guilt after inadvertently killing the child. One of my favorite actors, Ralph Fiennes plays the mob boss, and Brendan Gleeson plays Farrell's mentor. The plot is endlessly surprising, and is filled with supremely ironic moments which are really great, so I won't ruin it for you.

The interplay between the characters is quite funny - and the dialog shows the humanity of the characters even though they are in the end, hired killers - which makes for the same kind of cognitive dissonance in the audience that you get watching Pulp Fiction. How can a hit man be a moral person? Do immoral people who do immoral things actually have a conscience? These are the things you will be asking yourself as you watch this movie.

I was very entertained, and give this a hearty recommend. The sensitive should beware though - like Pulp Fiction it is very violent and disturbing.

Made of Honor (2008)

Finally got to my first movie made in 2008. My wife and I went to see Made of Honor in the theater. The movie is a fun little RomCom starring Patrick Dempsey, in which, he plays an affluent New York playboy averse to commitment. His best friend is Michelle Monaghan, a girl he once tried to seduce, but resisted his advances in college. She runs off to Scotland on a business trip, meets the perfect man, gets engaged, and asks him to be his "Maid of Honor". The rest of the movie is Dempsey realizing he has been in love with her all along and trying to break up the wedding from the inside out and get her back.

As I said, it is a fun little movie to see with your spouse or significant other. There aren't any scenes that jump out at me as noteworthy, just your run of the mill Romantic Comedy. I am not a huge fan of RomComs in general so this gets a mild recommend at best for me.