The Lovely Bones

I'm not sure why I even rented this movie... The previews looked intriguing but, really, why would a mother of two beautiful daughters want to watch a movie about a neighbor who kills a young girl?!?! So, Mark Wahlberg did a great job (as I'm sure you know). The most emotion that I could attach to in this movie was from his character. I don't believe that Rachel Weisz performed as well...or maybe the focus was supposed to remain only on the father.
Stanley Tucci played a convincing role. As an ordinary neighbor man he looked and seemed to blend into his surroundings so well yet he was a serial murderer! The thought sends chills down your spine and makes you want to upgrade your door locks.
The daughter was a typical 14-year-old girl with an active social life and a loving family. As frustrating as it was to see how easily she fell into the trap, it was common in that time for people to be more trusting. I didn't like the new "place" she went to...it was very strange. I think that really detracted from the whole movie. I know this type of thing has been done before (Ghost 1990) but this approach was, ...well....lame.

Anyway, my suggestion: PASS ON THIS MOVIE...even as a rental it's not that entertaining for the money!

~Cinema Sampler

Iron Man 2

The first Iron Man just about put me to sleep. Maybe because we saw it at the drive-in and it was late, or maybe because it had an incredibly slow start...either way, Iron Man 2 did not have the same effect on me. The movie lost no steam when introducing the new villain and providing his background information (who, by the way, is the most sinister bad guy that I've seen in a movie since "The Joker" in The Dark Knight!)

The action in the movie seemed much more significant than in the last as well. The relationship between Iron Man and "Pepper" has been developed into something with substance. I LOVE the addition of Scarlett Johansson! What a twist there...

Robert Downey Jr.'s face is getting a little creepy with age but his muscles are NOT! He is in great shape for this role! The only down-side to the whole thing is that I didn't discover until after we left he theater that there was a sneak preview of Iron Man 3 after the credits! BUMMER!

So, my advice is: GO SEE THIS MOVIE and stay after the credits!

~Cinema Sampler