I Hate It When...

I hate it when television movie trailers give away the entirety of the film, not to mention, the best scenes. Not here at the DM Review. I may cast a few pearls of wisdom so you know what you're getting into, but just enough to make that all important decision...to be or not to be?

The best trailer I have ever seen past or present has to be the 2008 film, Righteous Kill starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. Regardless of your take on the film, the two legends provided one of their TV commercials with the smoothest line (in my opinion):

Announcer's Voice: DeNiro. Pacino. What more do you need to know? Righteous Kill. Rated R. Now playing in theaters everywhere.

You Don't Mess With Eastwood's Torino

3 1/2 STARS

Tough as nails cinema titan Clint Eastwood has done it again.

Delivering a performance that could make grown men wet themselves, Eastwood directs and stars in Gran Torino (Rated R) as Korean vet Walt Kowalski and is as no nonsense as the characters he has played in the past such as Dirty Harry and The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Set in an urban ghetto of Michigan, the lone soldier has seen it all and has the scars to prove it. However, this battle he marches into that begins with his beloved 1972 Gran Torino, is even more memorable than the first.

Easily one of the best films of his career, with the likes of Million Dollar Baby, the living legend shows he still has the goods and he's not going anywhere.

*Side Note- Beware of racial & strong language throughout the entire film; virgin ears will be destroyed.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button May Not Be That Curious

3 1/2 STARS

The 2009 Academy Awards most nominated film (13 Oscar nods) goes to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Rated PG-13). (For more Oscar info go to www.oscar.com)

This creation is a story of life at its core with an age-reversing twist starring Academy Award nominees Brad Pitt & Taraji P. Henson, and Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett.

The film is visually stunning, the script is solid, and all three lead actors shine on screen. However, you'll find life is not that different whether you age forward or backward. That can make this 3-hour feature feel as long as it is.

Although quite different from the fable written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Curious Case delivers, but being as Oscar-worthy as the Academy has made it out to be is up for debate.

Opinions vary from great to downright hate as shown from this blog: Official Anti Benjamin Button Club. The Rolling Stone review is worth a look into the insight of into Pitt's newest character creation.

*Side Note- Lady lovers of Brad Pitt will swoon as the magic of cinema transforms the modern-day Pitt to a younger twenty-something version of himself reminiscent of his past films, Legends of the Fall and Meet Joe Black.

Bedtime Stories Has Enough Humor To Stay Awake

2 1/2 STARS

Funnyman Adam Sandler loves the kids. That can be said for latest film, Bedtime Stories (Rated PG), co-starring Keri Russell and Courteney Cox.

Sandler delivers a kid-friendly flick where the imagination blends with real life while taking care of his niece and nephew.

Featuring cast members of Sandler's entourage in his past films (Rob Schneider and Co.), it has enough funny to keep adults awake.

If you skip it in theaters, that's okay, but if you do go, you won't fall asleep.

To Be or Not to Be: DM Review's Rating Scale

Here's how movies are rated at the DM Review:

1. Not To Be (One Star) - Don't do it. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Don't even think about it.
2. So Be (Two Stars) - So what if you do but then so what if you don't? No big either way.
3. Just Be (Three Stars) - Just fine. A nice way to spend two hours plus worth of time.
4. Must Be (Four Stars) - That's a must see. You won't be disappointed.
5. To Be (Five Stars) - Amazing. Phenomenal acting. Incredible script. You've wronged yourself if you skip a film like this.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Dramedy Movie Review. Here, you will find reviews and top picks from comedies, dramas, and everything in between premiering this year and reminiscence on memorable movies from the past.

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So before you take your precious time and money to view a film, help yourself to a free movie review that will make your choice much easier. Enjoy the show!

Jason Pinnock
Head of DM Review