Race to Witch Mountain: ** ½
Release Date: 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Andy Fickman
A worthwhile sci-fi action family pic. Doesn't dig deep into characters, and there's a lot more special effects then we would have expected, but the movie remains amusing nonetheless.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Mike Tollin
Entertaining and warm-hearted drama based on a true story, and boosted by the two lead performances. This one is seriously underrated.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Steven Spielberg
The greatest action/adventure film ever made. There's no other movie that can so effortlessly combine great action, comedy, humor, wit, romance, and drama. This is entertainment at it's very, very best. Pays homage to the golden age of Hollywood.
Rambo, First Blood Part II: ** ½
Release Date: 1985
MPAA Rating: R
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Not much of an improvement over the first, but it certainly delivers the goods for an action movie. Otherwise, it's as mindless as any movie could get, but then again on the other hand, it manages to be patriotic (Rambo style of course)...and a heck of a lot of fun.
Rambo III: * ½
Release Date: 1988
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Peter MacDonald
Third Rambo flick is incredibly dumb, and not that much fun. Gets the plot going in the first twenty-five minutes...and then throws it all away when we get nearly a full hour of Rambo gunning down hundreds of Russian soldiers amidst lots of explosions.
Ratatouille: **
Release Date: 2007
MPAA Rating: G
Director: Brad Bird
Pixar's animation quality never fails, but the plot or the characters never really shine in this Pixar pic. Slow moving and at times bovine. This one could have been cooked better.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Robert Schwentke
A typical fun movie that brings back together a few good, old actors for another adventure. The action is smart and funny, and it's a good thing the movie itself doesn't take itself seriously. Recycles a few elements used many times before.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Nikolai Mullerschon
Hopefully, someday, a decisive movie will be made about the Red Baron's real life. This pic had potential but lost it all.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: John Milius
Soviets invade the US and are in turn attacked by high schoolers employing guerilla warfare. The teens take down Soviet soldiers and Spetnaz teams without getting a scratch for the majority of the movie. In the end not a satisfying war picture. Should be noted that this is the first movie to ever be rated PG-13.
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Howard Hawks
Probably one of the most overrated westerns ever filmed, even though it's considered a classic of the genre and the Duke is at the top of his form. End shootout disappoints, and the straightforward story is drawn out to unnecessary overlength. However, the cinematography is masterful, and Hawks handles the well-defined characters with the utmost profession.
MPAA Rating: G
Director: Howard Hawks
The second and last remake of Rio Bravo. Western shootouts never disappoint, but this a rather weak western by any standards. The supporting cast is perceptible, while Wayne remains mancho and tough as usual.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: ***
Release Date: 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Somewhat unneccessary but very entertaining reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise. First two thirds of the film are very well done, whereas in the final third part the apes go on a rampage throughout San Francisco, with the exciting climax on the Golden Gate Bridge. Look for homages and references to the 1968 classic original.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Curtis Hanson
A highly entertaining adventure picture, filmed pleasantly against the Montana scenery. Features quite a few exciting, life-threatening sequences involving floating on rapids; it just could have been more vindicatory had they not thrown a few unbelievable scenes where the luckiest things happen to the good guys. A fun ride for sure.
Road to Perdition: ***
Release Date: 2002
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Sam Mendes
Cold, dark and original tale of a father-son relationship in 1930's gangster-era. Ultimately very engaging and quite admirable, but not at all masterful.
Robin Hood: ***
Release Date: 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Andy Fickman
A worthwhile sci-fi action family pic. Doesn't dig deep into characters, and there's a lot more special effects then we would have expected, but the movie remains amusing nonetheless.
Radio: ***
Release Date: 2003MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Mike Tollin
Entertaining and warm-hearted drama based on a true story, and boosted by the two lead performances. This one is seriously underrated.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: ****
Release Date: 1981MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Steven Spielberg
The greatest action/adventure film ever made. There's no other movie that can so effortlessly combine great action, comedy, humor, wit, romance, and drama. This is entertainment at it's very, very best. Pays homage to the golden age of Hollywood.
Rambo, First Blood Part II: ** ½
Release Date: 1985
MPAA Rating: R
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Not much of an improvement over the first, but it certainly delivers the goods for an action movie. Otherwise, it's as mindless as any movie could get, but then again on the other hand, it manages to be patriotic (Rambo style of course)...and a heck of a lot of fun.
Rambo III: * ½
Release Date: 1988
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Peter MacDonald
Third Rambo flick is incredibly dumb, and not that much fun. Gets the plot going in the first twenty-five minutes...and then throws it all away when we get nearly a full hour of Rambo gunning down hundreds of Russian soldiers amidst lots of explosions.
Ratatouille: **
Release Date: 2007
MPAA Rating: G
Director: Brad Bird
Pixar's animation quality never fails, but the plot or the characters never really shine in this Pixar pic. Slow moving and at times bovine. This one could have been cooked better.
Red: ** ½
Release Date: 2010MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Robert Schwentke
A typical fun movie that brings back together a few good, old actors for another adventure. The action is smart and funny, and it's a good thing the movie itself doesn't take itself seriously. Recycles a few elements used many times before.
The Red Baron: **
Release Date: 2008MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Nikolai Mullerschon
Hopefully, someday, a decisive movie will be made about the Red Baron's real life. This pic had potential but lost it all.
Red Dawn: **
Release Date: 1984MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: John Milius
Soviets invade the US and are in turn attacked by high schoolers employing guerilla warfare. The teens take down Soviet soldiers and Spetnaz teams without getting a scratch for the majority of the movie. In the end not a satisfying war picture. Should be noted that this is the first movie to ever be rated PG-13.
Rio Bravo: ***
Release Date: 1959MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Howard Hawks
Probably one of the most overrated westerns ever filmed, even though it's considered a classic of the genre and the Duke is at the top of his form. End shootout disappoints, and the straightforward story is drawn out to unnecessary overlength. However, the cinematography is masterful, and Hawks handles the well-defined characters with the utmost profession.
Rio Lobo: **
Release Date: 1970MPAA Rating: G
Director: Howard Hawks
The second and last remake of Rio Bravo. Western shootouts never disappoint, but this a rather weak western by any standards. The supporting cast is perceptible, while Wayne remains mancho and tough as usual.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: ***
Release Date: 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Somewhat unneccessary but very entertaining reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise. First two thirds of the film are very well done, whereas in the final third part the apes go on a rampage throughout San Francisco, with the exciting climax on the Golden Gate Bridge. Look for homages and references to the 1968 classic original.
The River Wild: ***
Release Date: 1994MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Curtis Hanson
A highly entertaining adventure picture, filmed pleasantly against the Montana scenery. Features quite a few exciting, life-threatening sequences involving floating on rapids; it just could have been more vindicatory had they not thrown a few unbelievable scenes where the luckiest things happen to the good guys. A fun ride for sure.
Release Date: 2002
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Sam Mendes
Cold, dark and original tale of a father-son relationship in 1930's gangster-era. Ultimately very engaging and quite admirable, but not at all masterful.
Robin Hood: ***
Release Date: 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Ridley Scott
Takes the Robin Hood legend back to it's roots to deploy a new origin story that actually works. Determined and focused acting by the two leads. While overlong, this movie works as a historical picture and neatly paves way for a sequel.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Mel Brooks
Has a funny but unworthy scene here and there, the best of which spoofs the Godfather. But there's absolutely nothing else to talk about in this otherwise dull and overly crude comedy. Don't even expect to have a marginally good time.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Costner's version of Robin Hood sports an American accent. A drawn out and sometimes cartoonish motion picture which doesn't relive the Robin Hood legend but rather draws out the all too familiar story. Features a memorable music score.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: John G. Avildsen
Inspiring story about a down on the dumps, part time boxer who rises to stardom. This was the breakthrough for Stallone's career. Overall, a very good movie that follows it's lead character on the inside and out. Has a memorable music score and started a franchise.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sylvester Stallone
The best of the sequels rematches Rocky against Apollo Creed from the first pic. Continues to follow the life of Rocky through his ups and downs in trying to raise a family.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sylvester Stallone
This third sequel confirms that the Rocky films have been now turned into all out star vehicles for Stallone. Same basic formula replays here.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Stallone fights for the United States as he travels to Siberia to fight a new breed of Russian boxer. By now, the Rocky series has lost most of it's steam.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: John G. Avildsen
Returns Rocky and his family to the slums in Pennsylvania like in the first movie. Rocky spends the entire movie training a new aspiring boxer and then street fighting him in the end all while dealing with cliched family problems. The Italian Stallion has completely lost his edge.
Rocky Balboa: ***
Release Date: 2006
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Brings us back to the spirit of Rocky like what felt in the original and the first sequel. Rocky has aged but not his indomitable will to fight.
MPAA Rating: R
Director: John Frankenheimer
A veritable action flick boosted by some good looking car chase scenes, well placed shootouts and a fine cast. Sublime action entertainment.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Stuart Millar
Following the success of the first True Grit, this needless sequel starring two big time stars was given the go ahead. Think True Grit and the African Queen mixed together, and this is what you get.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brett Ratner
Chan and Tucker form an impressive buddy cop duo, about a Chinese Secret Agent and an L.A Cop who team up to save the day. Has lots of both fun and crude moments. Predictable from the start, but at least we have a good time.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brett Ratner
Just as funny as the first film, and Chan and Tucker continue to work great together. Globe treks from Hong Kong to L.A to Las Vegas. Once again, entertaining but most likely senseless.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brett Ratner
Scenery is changed to Paris, where Chan and Tucker continue to deliver the laughs. Yet again, we are given a funny but pointless motion picture, so it's a good thing it works fine as an action-comedy pic.
RV: ** ½
Release Date: 2006
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Barry Sonnenfield
What is otherwise a typical family comedy ups the ante in places with a few funny moments. Entertaining though predictable.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Ridley Scott
Takes the Robin Hood legend back to it's roots to deploy a new origin story that actually works. Determined and focused acting by the two leads. While overlong, this movie works as a historical picture and neatly paves way for a sequel.
Robin Hood, Men in Tights: * ½
Release Date: 1993MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Mel Brooks
Has a funny but unworthy scene here and there, the best of which spoofs the Godfather. But there's absolutely nothing else to talk about in this otherwise dull and overly crude comedy. Don't even expect to have a marginally good time.
Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves: **
Release Date: 1991MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Costner's version of Robin Hood sports an American accent. A drawn out and sometimes cartoonish motion picture which doesn't relive the Robin Hood legend but rather draws out the all too familiar story. Features a memorable music score.
Rocky: *** ½
Release Date: 1976MPAA Rating: PG
Director: John G. Avildsen
Inspiring story about a down on the dumps, part time boxer who rises to stardom. This was the breakthrough for Stallone's career. Overall, a very good movie that follows it's lead character on the inside and out. Has a memorable music score and started a franchise.
Rocky II: ***
Release Date: 1979MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sylvester Stallone
The best of the sequels rematches Rocky against Apollo Creed from the first pic. Continues to follow the life of Rocky through his ups and downs in trying to raise a family.
Rocky III: **
Release Date: 1982MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sylvester Stallone
This third sequel confirms that the Rocky films have been now turned into all out star vehicles for Stallone. Same basic formula replays here.
Rocky IV: **
Release Date: 1985MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Stallone fights for the United States as he travels to Siberia to fight a new breed of Russian boxer. By now, the Rocky series has lost most of it's steam.
Rocky V: * ½
Release Date: 1990MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: John G. Avildsen
Returns Rocky and his family to the slums in Pennsylvania like in the first movie. Rocky spends the entire movie training a new aspiring boxer and then street fighting him in the end all while dealing with cliched family problems. The Italian Stallion has completely lost his edge.
Release Date: 2006
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Brings us back to the spirit of Rocky like what felt in the original and the first sequel. Rocky has aged but not his indomitable will to fight.
Ronin: ***
Release Date: 1998MPAA Rating: R
Director: John Frankenheimer
A veritable action flick boosted by some good looking car chase scenes, well placed shootouts and a fine cast. Sublime action entertainment.
Rooster Cogburn...and the Lady: * ½
Release Date: 1975MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Stuart Millar
Following the success of the first True Grit, this needless sequel starring two big time stars was given the go ahead. Think True Grit and the African Queen mixed together, and this is what you get.
Rush Hour: ** ½
Release Date: 1998MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brett Ratner
Chan and Tucker form an impressive buddy cop duo, about a Chinese Secret Agent and an L.A Cop who team up to save the day. Has lots of both fun and crude moments. Predictable from the start, but at least we have a good time.
Rush Hour 2: ** ½
Release Date: 2001MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brett Ratner
Just as funny as the first film, and Chan and Tucker continue to work great together. Globe treks from Hong Kong to L.A to Las Vegas. Once again, entertaining but most likely senseless.
Rush Hour 3: ** ½
Release Date: 2007MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brett Ratner
Scenery is changed to Paris, where Chan and Tucker continue to deliver the laughs. Yet again, we are given a funny but pointless motion picture, so it's a good thing it works fine as an action-comedy pic.
RV: ** ½
Release Date: 2006
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Barry Sonnenfield
What is otherwise a typical family comedy ups the ante in places with a few funny moments. Entertaining though predictable.
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