The Dark Knight

Plot Summary: Batman returns to fight the evil Joker and his minions.

Movie Groupie Jabber: First of all, this movie is very dark. I keep asking myself if I liked it better than Iron Man, but they are so different, it's hard to compare. While Iron Man was full of light humor and fun action, Batman is full of murder, madmen and sometimes disturbing ideas. I almost question its PG-13 rating, though there isn't a lot of blood or profanity. However, the ideas are dark, very dark. Heath Ledger really made the movie for me. He WAS the Joker. Shuold he be nominated for an Academy Award? Maybe. Would I recommend this movie? Absolutely. But don't take the kids.

My Rating: 96 (I know, it's higher that Iron Man)
Metacritic: 82
Rotten Tomatoes: 95

Iron Man

Plot Summary: When wealthy weapons manufacturer Tony Stark is captured and nearly killed by militants in Afghanistan, he realizes the errors of his ways and constructs a super hero suit to fight against evil.

Movie Groupie Jabber: Best. Movie. Of. The. Summer. Hands down. Well, so far anyway. The movie is funny, action packed and even includes a little romance. Robert Downey Jr. brings Tony Stark to life while Gwyneth Paltrow, though a lot like her character in Sky Captain, is perfect as Pepper Potts. There is a torture scene toward the beginning of the movie that probably earned its PG-13 rating, so I wouldn't take younger children to see it, though. Iron Man moves at a brisk pace and the action is exhilarating. Honestly, I think one of the main reasons I enjoyed this movie so much is because Robert Downey Jr. (a long time Iron Man comic fan, by the way), so earned this role and it is a joy to watch him shine.


My Score: 94
Metacritic: 79
Rotten Tomatoes: 93

Wanted

Plot Summary: Hottie James McAvoy is recruited and trained by a group of assassins because his father was the best in the business.


Movie Groupie Jabber: This flick is pretty much non-stop action from start to finish. While the plot was a little weak, McAvoy and Angelina Jolie have good chemistry and keep the movie rolling. Violence is bloody and pervasive, though the gun fights didn't bother me nearly as much as seeing James McAvoy beat to a pulp. It's a little predictable and a little farfetched, but still lot of fun.


My score: 85
Metacritic: 64
Rotten Tomatoes: 72

Hancock

Plot Summary: Unlikely hero John Hancock tries to redeem himself and improve his image by ridding L.A. of some of its worst criminal elements.

Movie Groupie Jabber: Another Will Smith July 4th movie, though I saw it with my friends on the 8th. The hype about this flick has been going on for quite a while, but when the movie finally premiered, the reviews were dismal. I had heard it was very "dark," and I was sure I wasn't going to enjoy it. Surprise, surprise! It was actually pretty fun! Some good lines and some good action. Jason Bateman was his usual awesome self and Charleze Theron handled her role well. And of course Smith's tongue-in-cheek humor brought more laughs than I expected. Hancock's PG-13 rating is for some non-bloody violence and language; it's a very mild PG-13. This movie does what movies should.... it entertained.

My score: 83
Metacritic score: 49
Rotten Tomato score: 35