33. Clue

        Recently it was announced that there will be a movie made based on the board game Battleship. My first reaction was really??? A movie based on a board game, how is that going to work? Then I went on to further wonderment when announced that Liam Neeson is starring in Battleship.  Filming now.

                But I failed to remember that in the mid 80’s there was a movie based on a board game. That movie was Clue. And that movie is pure genius.  This movie is so funny, so well written, so thought out that you actually forget that you are watching a movie based on the Parker Brothers game.   Plot twists, alternate endings and did I mention that it’s really funny.

       The movie follows the plot that of the game. Six characters that you know and love are all invited to a dinner party where slowly the other people in the house start dying off. Some die by candlesticks, some by lead pipe or a noose. Sound familiar? The casting of this movie was great. There are such good actors in this film. I think it is one of the best ensemble movies ever, right up there with Rat Race. Also on the DVD we get the joy of watching all three alternate endings where Tim Curry really gets to show off his comedic chops. Great movie, if you haven’t seen it please do so.

Final Verdict: It’s a keeper.

32. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

                Well, just got done watching all three Twilight movies. If was fun to watch all three with my lovely wife.  Kevin and Shelby were here too!  Here is the thoughts on the third one.

Team Jacob!

      This movie is like a roller coaster to me. Up and Down, Fast and slow.  That is really the only beef I have with this movie. It's all over the map. The action sequences are great, action packed. But then there is so much down time that just seems to drag. I mean how many different times and in how different ways can you talk about the same thing.  Seriously, we get it. Bella wants to be a Vampire. Edward doesn’t want her to be. Jacob wants Bella. Bella is torn….blah blah blah. This movie could have been better if it was about 30 minutes shorter.

                On the acting front. Lautner is still the best, Stewart stays the same and Pattinson? Well Pattinson is Pattinson. Maybe he will do better in a movie with an Elephant, I don’t know.  The brightest part was Jackson Rathbone, who plays Jasper. His role takes on a more prominent part in Eclipse and he does a fine job. Overall, Eclipse was better than the first time I saw it, not as good as New Moon. It will be interesting to see how Breaking Dawn turns out. 

Final Verdict: Not worth it unless you own the set.

31. The Twilight Saga: New Moon

               Dakota Fanning is a vampire.  Now that I have your attention lets move onto the second of the Twilight moves: New Moon. 

Bella Has a BOO BOO!

                Here is the premise of New Moon. Bella turns 18, gets a paper cut, Edward leaves Bella, Bella is sad, Jacob helps her get better, Bella jumps off a cliff….oh and Jacob is a werewolf .  So begins the battle that has taken over our world.  Team Jacob vs Team Edward. The battle to end all Tween Battles.   Also beginning is the torment of Bella. The torment of the fact that she no longer wants to be human, but to be vampire. So that way Edward doesn’t have to kiss her as a grandma.

                This movie is better than the first. I think part of the reason is that Robert Pattinson  is absent for about 75%. Which, ironically, is the same percentage that Taylor Lautner  goes shirtless.  Speaking of Lautner, despite the fact the he was shark boy, he is the strongest of the three lead actors. Stewart improves in this. Pattinson continues to underwhelm. This movie is better paced than the first. Not so much endless staring at each other with longing in their eyes. But Bella really has bad luck with guys. Not to mention she chooses the wrong guy.  

TEAM JACOB ALL THE WAY. 

Final Verdict: Actually, I would own this one. 

Other Tidbits:

-Taylor Lautner was almost replaced in his Jacob Black role.