Collateral

Directed by: Michael Mann
Produced by: Michael Mann and Julie Richardson
Written by: Stuart Beattie
Starring: Tom Cruise (Vincent), Jamie Foxx (Max), Mark Ruffalo (Fanning), and Jada Pinkett Smith (Annie)
Music by: James Newton Howard
Cinematography: Dion Beebe
Editing by: Jim Miller and Paul Rubell
Distributed by (USA): DreamWorks SKG
Distributed by (not in USA): Paramount Pictures
Released: August 6, 2004
Running time: 119 minutes

Summary from this site:
A nihilistic, erudite hitman, Vincent (Tom Cruise) uses a cab to make his rounds one night in Los Angeles. After Max (Jamie Foxx) learns the truth about the man he's been driving when the first mark falls onto his cab roof from a window after being shot by Vincent, he tries to get out of Vincent's way offering him his cab, but Vincent forces Max to drive him all night.

Eventually Max realizes that the marks are key witnesses for the prosecution in a court case against an organized crime boss. Max must find a way to save himself and the one last victim.

Big Momma’s House 2

Honestly, I was not able to watch the first one. That is why I cannot say what exactly is going on and I could not exactly compare.

On the other hand, it was a hilarious movie. And it surely was fun. And I mean fun. Of course, the media person that I was, I really found the usual storyline embedded in it. It was more of like problem-then-find-a-solution-then-solve-the-problem-then-help-new-found-friends-out-then-come-home-to-his-own-family. Well, something to that effect.

Although it was a hilarious one. Malcolm goes on an investigation himself without the ‘blessings’ from the FBI. He is an FBI agent. And he goes on the investigation posing as Big Momma and becomes hired as a nanny. Oh well, I won’t be going deeper into the whole Big Momma thing. But I tell you, if you are needing a couple of laughs, try this one out.

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

When I watched Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, at first, I felt like it was just another of those sequels that never make quite a statement to those who view it. However, as the movie progressed, I became engrossed in all the characters and how they lived their lives. I was back at Ice Age (the first one) yet it seemed like there’s many new things. Let’s just say, if I were to compare, that both hold the same kind of funny antics as well as lessons learned.

Sid is always hilarious. Diego has learned to be with his herd, nevermind the fact that he’s still a sabertoothed tiger. More of the story dwells on Manny as his being the last mammoth on earth. The antics of Skrat, though, at keeping his acorn, were quite old so much so that it did not bring quite much laughter to me compared to his attempts during the first movie.

Of course, this new one tells about friendship and helping each other out. It is fun. And it surely would be something that you may want to see. Maybe to relax a little.

Starbucks, the Movie: Revenge of the Latte

I came across this article while I was reading Reader’s Digest. It really was something that made me smile and think and then later on laugh. Of course, I would want to share it with you. I surely would not want to keep all the laughter to myself.

With great apologies to its writer. I have copied it word for word. I just felt that it would not do the article justice if I just retold the whole story.

Make Mine Multimedia, Please

First, Starbucks sold coffee. Next, it moved into music, selling CDs and then launching a satellite radio station. Now, feeding our suspicion that this is a media empire masquerading as an upscale coffee shop, the company has commissioned a series of Starbucks-themed animated shorts by Laika Entertainment (co-producers of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride), available on its holiday website, theRedcup.com. What’s next – Starbucks, the Movie: Revenge of the Latte?

So, whatcha think?

However, there is a new film ready to be shown. I think it starts Tom Hanks. And it is titled, “How Starbucks Changed My Life” or something to that effect. It is about a man who was laid off his job and yet had a family to feed and it was a good thing that Starbucks hired him as a worker in one of their cafés. Well, just another way to advertise itself, huh?

Cinderella Man

What’s its tagline?
One man's extraordinary fight to save the family he loved.

Who stars in it?
Russell Crowe (Jim Braddock), Renée Zellweger (Mae Braddock), Paul Giamatti (Joe Gould), Craig Bierko (Max Baer), Paddy Considine (Mike Wilson), Bruce McGill (Jimmy Johnston), David Huband (Ford Bond), Connor Price (Jay Braddock), Ariel Waller (Rosemarie Braddock), Patrick Louis (Howard Braddock), Rosemarie DeWitt (Sara Wilson), Linda Kash (Lucille Gould), Nicholas Campbell (Sporty Lewis), Gene Pyrz (Jake), and Chuck Shamata (Father Rorick).

Summary of the movie from this site:
During the Great Depression, a common-man hero, James J. Braddock--a.k.a. the Cinderella Man--was to become one of the most surprising sports legends in history. By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom. His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him--his family--was in danger, and he was even forced to go on Public Relief. But deep inside, Jim Braddock never relinquished his determination. Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true. In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring. No one thought he had a shot. However Braddock, fueled by something beyond mere competition, kept winning. Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete. Carrying the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised on his shoulders, Braddock rocketed through the ranks, until this underdog chose to do the unthinkable: take on the heavyweight champ of the world, the unstoppable Max Baer, renowned for having killed two men in the ring.

Fact-based story of depression era boxing champ James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe). The film opens with Braddock winning a fight in 1928 and becoming a contender for a championship bout. The film then quickly jumps five years into the future. The depression is on and Braddock has had a series of defeats. Fighting injured, including with a broken hand, made him less of a fighter. Braddock, like many others in that era, lost everything in the stock market and scrimping by on the small fights he can get and on dock work. His wife (Renee Zellweger) would prefer he quit boxing, but knows how badly they need the money to get by with their three kids. Watering down milk just to make it do for several more days is a common occurrence. When his trainer (Paul Giamatti) manages to get him one more fight on the spur of the moment against the current #2 contender, Braddock rises to the occasion and knocks him out. His amazing comeback becomes the source of inspiration of many down-on-their-luck Americans. A series of fights later leads to the championship match against the arrogant champ, Max Baer (Craif Bierko). Baer, who had already killed two men in the ring, urges the older Braddock not to fight him. Of course, Braddock feels he has nothing more to lose and very devastating, intense fight ensues. Contains very brutal boxing violence.

Chasing Amy

Who stars in this movie?
Ethan Suplee (Fan), Ben Affleck (Holden McNeil), Scott Mosier (Collector), Jason Lee (Banky Edwards), Casey Affleck (Little Kid), Dwight Ewell (Hooper X), Joey Lauren Adams (Alyssa Jones), Guinevere Turner (Singer), Carmen Llywelyn (Kim [as Carmen Lee]), Brian O'Halloran (Jim Hicks - Executive #1), Matt Damon (Shawn Oran - Executive #2), Alexander Goebel (Train Kid), Tony Torn (Cashier), Rebecca Waxman (Dalia), and Paris Petrick (Tory).

What Is It’s Tagline?
It's not who you love. It's how.

Here’s a couple of summaries from this site:
Holden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything's going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she's a lesbian.

Holden and Banky represent two average guys in this movie, who just need someone to bring out their hidden secrets. Enter Alyssa Jones and Hooper LaMont, two homosexuals who are slightly more experienced than the former two. Together, Hooper and Alyssa show Holden and Banky that being gay isn't as bad as they might think. Meanwhile, Holden develops an 'untainted' love for Alyssa, one which she finally sees in him as well, taking Holden on a journey through the complexities of love in the 90s.