December 30, 2006

  • movies I've seen recently...


    Rocky Balboa  (2006)  B+

    Despite the seemingly negative reception by some movie goers thinking that a Rocky movie couldn't possibly be good anymore, I went in it anyway and came out a much happier man for doing so. "Rocky Balboa" is a good dramatic movie, no doubt about it. Sylvester Stallone does most everything right in directing and writing the movie. The film is nostalgic of what happened in the past, but it works in contrast to the present time, giving us the perception that a "has been" boxer couldn't possibly get back in the ring. That's right, it is another great traditional underdog story. This isn't a boxing heavy movie though as there really are a lot of dialogue and character driven plots. In fact, this film had a lot of great inspirational speeches that anyone can take to heart. The final boxing match though is one great experience. Several rounds were pretty much like an actual pay per view televised programming, that it was very easy to get sucked into what looks like a real boxing match. The audience in my movie theater even cheered on or grimaced at proper moments like they would at home watching the big fight. This is probably the final Rocky movie ever made, but I'm glad to see that it acts as a great book end to the franchise.


    Akeelah and the Bee  (2006)  B+

    How's this for a subject for an underdog movie? A Spelling Bee. Not convinced? That's unfortunate, because "Akeelah and the Bee" probably even beats out "Rocky Balboa" as the underdog movie to beat. What a wonderful, touching, and inspirational movie this is. The basic plot premise isn't exactly the most original, but you should be touched by the journey that Akeelah goes through to get to the Spelling Bee finals. Akeelah by the way is incredibly talently acted by the young Keke Palmer, who deserves great recognition for her work here. In fact, I'll go as far and say that Keke deserves a nomination for best actress in the Academy Awards. The rest of the cast are also well done, although some caricatures straight out of other underdog movies are present and alive here. Director / writer Doug Atchison does a great job of keeping us interested in what should be a boring competition, but damn if you don't get excited by people spelling in this movie. One of the best feel good movies around right now, don't miss it.

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