Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa – Eric Darnell
The troops loved it. No one was scared. No one wet his pants. I didn’t think it was too bad myself. Thumbs up.
Yes Man – Peyton Reed
I wouldn’t be the world’s greatest Jim Carrey fan (he’s a little bit scary, isn’t he?) and he is definitely too old for the love interest but I found myself giggling away all the same. Note that I did go in with expectations at rock bottom which is always a help.
Lemon Tree by Eran Riklis
I’m on a roll with the Israeli films here. This got great reviews. I thought it was alright. It didn’t present me with any amazing insights into the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and I certainly wouldn’t call myself an expert. I heard an interview with the director on the radio and he said that the film despite international accolades had been very poorly received in Israel. This could be because they are all hawks or it could be because the film is a bit facile. If you only see one Israeli movie this year, make it “Waltzing with Bashir” and not this one.
Slumdog Millionaire by Danny Boyle
It was ok. We were sitting in the last seats of the house in the very front row. Craning your neck up to be assaulted in close up by the glory and squalor of India is sub-optimal. It was clever enough, I suppose, but it failed to enchant me. Sorry, but there it is.
Bolt 3-D by Chris Williams and Byron Howard
I have three small children; I see a lot of this kind of thing. It was fine, if you like 3D.