Movie #323 - Jersey Girl

Jersey Girl
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 42 min
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Raquel Castro, Jennifer Lopez, Jason Biggs, George Carlin, Stephen Root, Mike Starr, Will Smith

Despite a quote that says so on the back of the DVD, I don't think this is "Kevin Smith's greatest film yet."  While it's nice that someone thinks so, that claim belongs to Dogma.  But this film -- as a classic troubled family man rom-com type deal -- has a much wider appeal than just jaded Catholics, so I can see how some might laud this as his best.

Maybe.

The truth is, his characters have weird names that sound silly.  The relationships are a bit flat.  And Liv Tyler's just not as sexy as she thinks she is.  Although many applaud J Lo's early death in the film, cuz hey J Lo's gone, this film had the potential to become another Gigli and fast.  George Carlin does what he can to save the movie and Will Smith's cameo as himself is pretty funny. 

But no, it's not Smith's greatest film.  It's a mediocre attempt at the "main stream."  Even Zac and Miri Make a Porno was more entertaining.

Movie #307 - Independence Day

Independence Day
1996 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 25 min
Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Randy Quaid, Vivica A Fox, Harvey Fierstein, Adam Baldwin, Brent Spiner, James Duval, Lisa Jakub

I saw this in the movie theater way back when and loved it.  It's cheesy and very Roland Emmerich-esque, but it's just so much fun to watch that you can't help but enjoy it.  The cast is great - president Pullman, Smith as a marine, Goldblum as a failed scientist, Fierstein and his effortless dramatics.  And Brent Spiner as the weird, crazy-haired scientist in the alien lab - it's just too much.  I love it.

We all know how much Emmerich likes to destroy the world and, although some of his later attempts weren't so bad, this has got to be the best one.  The aliens are creepy in their calculated silence, the people featured at the center of the action are diverse and interesting, and there's just enough personal tragedy and sacrifice to make it seem "real."

Alright, so it's not very "real."  But it's a nice balance of victory and loss, a perfect Hollywood blend of comedy and tragedy.  And the effects aren't so bad either.

Movie #293 - I, Robot

I, Robot
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 55 min
Director: Alex Proyas
Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, Alan Tudyk, Chi McBride

Another book adapted into a movie staring Will Smith. And in the letter I.  I've never read the Isaac Asimov book this is based on, so I can't speak to that angle of the movie.  As a stand-alone futuristic action movie, I really do like this one.

Will Smith falls easily into the shoes of his hero character and the analysis of a society largely reliant on robots is not new territory, but explored with a fresh perspective.  They "can't" hurt humans and there are all these other rules that restrict them.  But a loophole, and a new model, start causing serious problems.  The central robot character, who actually feels emotions and dreams while he sleeps, voiced expertly by Alan Tudyk, is a really compelling figure - although that may be surprising.  Overall, the plot keeps you invested in this movie, rooting for our main robot.  And the end is a nice cap on a solid plotline.

Movie #288 - I Am Legend

I Am Legend
2007 - Rated PG-13 - 1 h 51 min
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Willow Smith

I watched the movie, read the book, and was surprised by the differences.  The basic idea is the same: one man alone in a world of vampire-like disease-ridden people.  He's lonely, he's fighting to stay alive.  In the book he's not a scientist, nor does he go down quite like the movie shows it.  Still, I liked the modern updates, the revamp this story gets.

While I don't like the way they redo the meaning of the titl. In the book, he becomes the "legend" to a society of vampires who fear him, like a bogeyman. In the movie, he becomes the "legend" for finding what could become a cure.  The basic details of his life are the same, however, and so this story at its core is about one man on his own and what can happen in such extreme circumstances.  It's compelling, either on film or on the page.  I think both deserve to be held separate and appreciated.

And that scene with the dog still gets me every time.

Movie #268 - Hitch

Hitch
2005 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Andy Tennant
Starring: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Julie Ann Emery, Adam Arkin, Michael Rapaport

Time for a campy rom-com, folks!  I don't hate this movie, but it's not as "laugh out loud funny" as the DVD box says it is.  Will Smith is good as the suave confidence-inspiring "Date Doctor." And at least he does stick to his principles throughout the movie, so women never have to hate him.

Eva Mendes is the big shot reporter, but I'm not sure she really does that well in this role.  She looks fantastic all the time and her witty reparte passes inspection, but she doesn't seem rght somehow.  But Kevin James is priceless, so that makes up for it.

The name Alex Hitchens, aka "Hitch" is kinda corny.  Drives me nuts, actually.  Someone thinks they're clever, don't they?  And the plot's predictable. Cookie cutter romantic comedy, with little more to offer.  If you're a Will Smith fan, see it.  If you're addicted to rom-coms, see it.  But otherwise, this is probably one you can skip.

Movie #251 - Hancock

Hancock
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 32 min
Director: Peter Berg
Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Thomas Lennon

From the previews, I thought this movie would be a lot more fun than it ended up being.  Come on. Ornery superhero annoyed by his moral obligation to help people? Could have been great.  Wasn't.

Instead, this becomes some kind of supernatural drama and our "superhero" is really some kind of "superbeing" that is thousands of years old and has amnesia.  As he finds out more about who he is, and concentrates less on getting over his aversion to help others, I start to lose interest.  Yes, it lends itself to some really cool action sequences, which are most likely CGI-heavy, but I really felt let down.

I don't hate it, but I don't like it as much as I thought I would.

Movie #50 - Bad Boys II

Bad Boys II
Columbia Pictures
2003 - Rated R - 2 hr 27 min
Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Gabrielle Union, Joe Pantoliano

Eight years later, Michael Bay is still blowing sh*t up. And getting better at it, too. Mike and Marcus are still at each others' throats in a way that makes you forget their profession of love to one another at the end of the first movie. Especially since Mike is involved with Marcus's sister. Uh oh...

So we open on a shoot out with the KKK, which features Martin Lawrence "singing" the verse to the song Bad Boys. I remember this scene from the preview. And somehow, even though it's shot using Michael Bay's classic 360-degree circle approach, it's still funny.

Gabrielle Union is really just the eye candy here (sorry, Gabs) and sets up the plot by getting kidnapped. Save the girl, get the bad guy, uncover the money laundering. Standard stuff here, fellas. Still, it's done with such explosive panache from the director and such charming wit from its stars that you can't help but enjoy this one.

And, oh by the way, that's 50 MOVIES DOWN, ONLY 500+ TO GO!

Movie #49 - Bad Boys

Bad Boys
Columbia Pictures
1995 - Rated R - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Joe Pantoliano, Tea Leoni

In this movie, Michael Bay blows some sh*t up. Shocking, I know. Also, Tea Leoni tries her hand at action films. That actually is shocking, but not as disastrous as you might think.

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith are lots of fun to watch in this movie. The whole "who's Mike Lowrey" subplot probably goes on a bit too long, but the mix up makes the interactions between them all the more priceless. Many shoot outs ensue, Tea Leoni is apparently a "bullet magnet," and the Bad Boys win. But they probably overuse the slo-mo action sequence thing. Guess I can't blame them... that technique was pretty revolutionary in 1995, wasn't it?

Overall, this is a fun buddy cop movie that's a little more intense than your average Starsky & Hutch episode. Lots of fire and guns, lots of diving through the air, and a little bit of a body count, too. Good times.