How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

*TOP 10 ALERT*
WOW....and WOW!! This is a wonderful exercise in taking the old and making it new. Not what it is but how its done that makes it so special. This is Dreamworks animation, so on par with(quietly following the lead of)Pixar. The narration style of story telling has really found favor of late, and works here as well. No surprises anywhere in this feel good film, including a clever twist at the end. The story is pretty well summed up by the picture. Family friendly and infectious, I expect every kid to be running around with a dragon soon. Enjoy the warm fuzzy.

Terminator Salvation (2009)

4th installment in the Terminator series. Storyline is that in the future, the machines decide to exterminate the human race. At this point, if you haven't seen any prior Terminator movies, getting the first Terminator movie (The Terminator-1984-Directed by James Cameron. With Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton) would be very helpful, but not essential. Terminator 2 and Terminator 3 do nothing to further the storyline. This one takes place in the near future, in the early years of the war against 'Skynet'.
The best since the original, this is a sci-fi military style film with lots of action and FX. Fairly fast paced, with not a lot of complications or complex plot notions, this is a fairly entertaining watch. Points for obscure nod to the short lived indy comic release, Terminator, that came out shortly after the original punched a hole in American pop culture.

Repo Men (2010)

Logan's Run meets Jack the Ripper with a Vanilla Sky flavor. Cookie cutter set-up about an evil corporation who sends out hired butchers to repossess organs. Too many holes for me story wise. Couple of collectors, best buddies, one winds up on the debtor end and his friend is sent to get him. There's one scene that's a weird erotic surgery thing... and the ending actually makes more sense than it initially seems. Action is okay, with fairly typical hollyweird fight choreography. If the lone wolf against all odds type of movie appeals to you, this is the light beer version.

Kick-Ass (2010)

Regular high school geek decides to put on the mask and go crime fighting. He finds out rather quickly that it takes more than a mask and snappy remarks to get it done. After the comic of the same name, stays plot wise true to the comic, some of the actual storyline is changed to help continuity and put big hollyweird smell on it. Built in sequel.
Overall not bad, but not particularly good either. Some of the societal commentary is right on the mark. I think the R rating and language coming from an 11 year old girl is going to chase a lot of repeat seats away. The violence and gore is nothing really new, and toned down considerably from the comic.
If you've been to GenCon, own anything Star Trek aside from DVD's, have a comic collection, own a set of elf ears, and/or have never actually had sex and its not for lack of wanting to.. then head on down to the nearest screening and do some networking. Otherwise, save your cash for something needing big screen attention and wait for the rental.

30 Days of Night (2007)

From the comics of the same name. A small Alaskan village is terrorized by a roving band of feral vampires. This is a very cool flick. Its bloody, its terrifying, its action packed, and the dumb asses die early. The vampire effects are very cool, as you can see, and they waste no time in showing up for dinner. If you are into weepy vampire romance stories, this may not be for you. For everyone else who likes it fast, violent and bloody, this is a good watch. If you can put yourself into movie mode, surprisingly realistic. Recommended.

Dorian Gray (2009)

For those unfamiliar, this is the film adaptation of a story by Oscar Wilde. A young aristocrat finds a way to cheat death as he lives a life of debauchery and vice. I found this to be an excellent thriller, not in the BOO! but in the tingly spine sense. Some cheesy FX aside, this was top shelf viewing. The ultimate expression of 'be careful what you wish for'. Fans of The Libertine (2004), Dangerous Liaisons (1988), and Quills (2000) should find this one very much to their tastes. A good choice if you want something in a taut drama with a little twist of the extra-natural.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

*TOP 10 ALERT*
A hilarious look at a rock band while on tour. Its hard for me to admit Rob Reiner, AKA Meathead, has more than one film on my top 10, but there it is. I know this is old, and if you haven't seen it already, then this is a gem waiting for you to find. This is a 'rockumentary' about a rock band coming apart and going down in flames while promoting their latest album on tour. Without giving too much away, there is a number of cameos, and the humor is a raw as the lifestyle. A must see!!

Wo hu cang long [Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon](2000)

*TOP 10 ALERT*
Seeking peace, a warrior of great renown turns his mighty sword over to a trusted noble, but when that sword goes missing he is called upon to investigate its theft.
With stunning backdrops, over the top action, and world class storytelling, this film unfolds as complex and multi-faceted as anything ever done in the west. Everything about this film is larger than life.. ironclad honor, uncompromising love, superhuman martial skills, and slithering evil. Really two stories that converge, their fates collide in an ending that William Shakespeare would stand and applaud. Allow yourself to be enveloped by the rich lore and outstanding cinematography. The film is subbed and dubbed as far as I know, but is filmed in its native mandarin. The photo is for anyone harboring warm thighs for Mr. Fat.

Dead Man (1995)

Johnny Depp stars as a man who is wholly unprepared to step out of his element. The west don't need no stinking accountants!! A single act of kindness sets him on a one way path. Shot in black and white, with cut scenes, the story moves forward in leaps and bounds. Colorful characters and dialogue greatly enhance things. Not your average western thats for sure, probably more realistic than it seems. They say a dead warrior is fearless... of course they also draw flies. Recommended.

Far North (2007)

Clan of the Cave Bear meets Secret Window. A woman outcast from her village survives in the harsh wilderness of the arctic. Finding a wounded soldier changes everything. This is one odd duck of a film. A fairly good drama that menders along at a very relaxed pace. The scenery is stunning and contrasts against the harsh living conditions the principles endure. Not all the dots are connected, so some of the story is left unsaid. There are some realistic scenes of animals being killed and butchered, so if this is bothersome be forewarned. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the ending, a definite WTF ?!?!?!. I mean who hasn't been told by a crazy old woman that they will bring doom to those around them? No its okay Grandma, just eat your oatmeal, then you can play with Mr. Bubbles.

Gran Torino (2008)

A crotchety old war vet is slowly losing everything he has known, and while reluctantly adapting to the new order gets a chance to make a positive difference in the lives of those around him. Directed and starred in by Clint Eastwood. This movie may seem a little course by sensitive people who are chaffed by cotton, but I found it to be a very entertaining watch beginning to end. There is a lot of Clint style action and situational humor that keeps it moving along to a very satisfying conclusion.

Legion (2010)

In the middle of the desert, a dusty broken down diner will become the battlefield for Armageddon. This is one of those movies where a couple scenes shown in a preview can make a movie seem very different than what it actually is. And if you have seen these previews, and can't wait to see the film, I would say that you are better off with the impression you have now, then the one you will have after viewing. I will reserve one segment aside, angel kung-fu was pretty cool. Take a Dawn of the Dead(70's version)setup, throw in a couple pissed off angels, a storyline like a sad piece of swiss cheese, and God getting it 'wrong', and you have this film. If you must see this movie I recommend a rental with a back up.

Splinter (2008)

A shock thriller about a killer who is caught in a terminal situation while seeking redemption. A strange infection/parasite/alien? will determine the lives of 6 people one night at a roadside gas station. Fairly cookie cutter with some cool FX and grisly events. Points for avoiding the stereotype hysterical character, but lost by the universally boneheaded cop. Not as cool as Slither or Bug, but along those lines.

Quigley Down Under (1990)

A rifleman of some renown is hired to come to Australia to exterminate the native population. This is a very moving western with a great storyline, excellent cast of players and a plot that rides along in a very easy and natural fashion. With the exception of a side story about Crazy Cora, things are kept simple and direct. I never get tired of watching it and have viewed it easily more than a dozen times.
Fans of more adult westerns such as Unforgiven and Lonesome Dove will especially appreciate.