Gran Torino: Opened December 12, 2008 | Runtime:1 hr. 56 min.
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang

This movie is about sacrifice, and it’s so refreshing to watch a complex movie with such a simple plot. Clint Eastwood plays the character of the angry, racist veteran Walt Kowalski flawlessly. Walt loses his wife and is left all alone in a predominantly Asian/African-American neighborhood. Walt is extremely racist and sees all Asian people as the “savages” he fought in the Vietnam War. He is a kind man stuck in the body of a bitter veteran. The only person who can bring him outside of himself is his next door neighbor, Thao, who Walt calls “Toad.” The kindness of his neighbors and the horrible attitude of his own family help Walt to realize that holding onto unrealistic prejudice only poisons his own life. The way in which Walt transforms as a person through the film is truly inspiring. I definitely recommend this movie because aside from all the hype it’s a movie that will make you laugh, cry, become angry, and become hopeful all at once. Definitely SEE IT because Fandango.com users gave it a Must GO.

Pink Panther 2: Opened February 6, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 32 min.
Cast: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai, Lily Tomlin.

Being a kid who always watched the Pink Panther cartoons, I was excited to see the movie, but disappointed when it fell short. The film was funny, but at times I felt it was a little over-the-top. I knew going into this movie it was not an Oscar-worthy film, but I didn’t expect it be so predictable either. Honestly, I don’t even remember the plot, it was something about a lost diamond called Pink Panther. Emily Mortimer saved with her cute portrayal as a French girl who loves Agent Clouseau. I totally agree with Claudia Puig of USA Today, “The plot is wafer-thin and the acting is pallid.” Furthermore, Betsey Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times says, “There’s a sort of desperation at work here that makes watching it all a bit sad, or funny, if you’re the type amused by train wrecks.” Sorry to quote so many critics, but I want proof before I tell you to DITCH a movie with such a cute title.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Opened January 23, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 33 min.
Cast: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra

This movie starts with a bang. However, as the movie moves along, the plot stops making any sense. I know it’s just a werewolf movie, but it still has to make sense. The prequel traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their one-time slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (played by Michael Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (played by Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (played by the beautiful Rhona Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom. The movie has so much potential to be great, but the movie has no good plot development and leaves the audience guessing. When the movie ended, everyone in the theater sat waiting for more because the movie ended so abruptly. In my opinion, a movie that doesn’t end well is a bad movie. I would say RENT it because Rhona Mitra is beautiful, and who doesn’t want to see Kate Beckinsale’s baby daddy as a Lycan.