Category Archives: Uncategorized

John & Becky’s Movie Review of The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

Water HorseBecky and I took the kids to see The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep at the Kerasotes theaters in Castle Rock, Colorado tonight. The Yahoo website at The Water Horse describes the movie as follows:

“Angus, a young Scottish boy, finds an enchanted egg. Taking it home, he soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical “water horse” of Scottish lore. Angus begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend.”

The Review
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep is a heartwarming story about a boy and his horse, but in this case it’s a creature of myth and legend. The movie is extremely well done and takes place in Scottland on the famous Loch Ness where the famous Loch Ness Monster is believed to reside.

There are no well known actors in this film, but the acting is fantastic. The story is great and our 6 year old Bianca told me at the end of the movie, “Dad, I cried at the end”. It’s definitely one to put on your list to see with the entire family. Regardless of the age, everyone will like this film, especially since it’s such a unique film.

We’re rating The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep a Don’t Miss It. Go see it this weekend, if you’re looking for something to do.

John – **** Don’t Miss It

April Fool’s Day movie

Keith video

Becky – **** Don’t Miss It

The Kids Review

Corban – **** Don’t Miss It
Bianca – **** Don’t Miss It
Conroy – **** Don’t Miss It
_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune Into The Cool Car Guy Show Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review of Alvin and the Chipmunks

Alvin and the ChipmunksBecky and I took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks at the AMC theater on Pleasure Island in Disney World, Florida on Christmas night before we left Disney World for Colorado. The MSN movie website at Alvin and the Chipmunks describes the movie as follows:

“Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are back in director Tim Hill’s computer-animation/live-action hybrid following the further adventures of the world’s most adorable singing trio. Songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee) has been struggling to gain recognition in the music industry for some time, and despite the fact that his former college roommate (David Cross) is now a high-profile powerbroker at Jett Records, Dave still can’t manage to get a break. Things soon start to look up, however, when Dave discovers three singing chipmunks hiding out in the branches of a Christmas tree in Jett Records’ world headquarters. Realizing that these woodland crooners cold prove to be his ticket to the big time, Dave does his best to transform Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler), and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) into the next great pop sensation. As adorable and talented as they may be though, these bouncy little critters aren’t quite domesticated just yet; they still have a wild streak in them a mile wide, and it isn’t long before Dave’s life, home, and career are in utter chaos. But staying mad at such lovable little creatures is next to impossible, no matter what kind of mischief they might get into. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide”

The Review

April Fool’s Day movies

Alvin and the Chipmunks is a movie made from the famous Alvin and the Chipmunks songs we used to listen to as kids. The animated characters were really cute and the story was fun and funny at times.

The movie was sold out with a crying baby that I think the parents left in our theater and went to a different movie, or at least it seemed that way since they never took them out – ever. That didn’t help the movie at all, since there were times we couldn’t hear some of the dialogue during the film. The acting was something to be desired though especially by the lead actor. The co-star was actually more believable as a villain than the main character, but the kids loved it so it didn’t really matter.

Becky and I would rate it as a Rental, but since all of our kids rated it as a Don’t Miss It, if you have kids you’re going to want to take them to this one during this Holiday season.

John – ** Rental
Becky – ** Rental

The Kids Review
Corban – **** Don’t Miss It
Bianca – **** Don’t Miss It
Conroy – **** Don’t Miss It

_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune In The Cool Car Guy Show Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway rip Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky's Movie Review of National Treasure Book of Secrets

National Treasure 2Becky and I took the kids to see National Treasure – Book of Secrets This Christmas film at the AMC theater on Pleasure Island in Disney World, Florida last night. The Yahoo website at National Treasure – Book of Secrets describes the movie as follows:

“Treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates looks to discover the truth behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, by uncovering the mystery within the 18 pages missing from assassin John Wilkes Booth’s diary.”

The Review
National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a continuation of the first National Treasure story with another great history lesson. There is plenty of action, the majority of the movie is really far fetched, but like the first film it’s a great deal of fun. The story is easy to follow, probably easier to follow than the first installment and the characters are good with a mix of individuals for all ages.

The kids really liked it and so did Becky and I. We wouldn’t rate it a Don’t Miss It, but it was Worth The Trip. It’s a good clean film for Christmas to go and see with your family, but be prepared for a little bit of violence.

John – *** Worth The Trip
Becky – *** Worth The Trip

The Kids Review
Corban – **** Don’t Miss It
Bianca – **** Don’t Miss It
Conroy – **** Don’t Miss It

_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates The Old Curiosity Shop move in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune In The Cool Car Guy Show

The Butterfly Effect movie

Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review of Atonement

AtonementBecky and I went to see a sneak preview of Atonement at the Esquire theater in Denver last week. The Yahoo website at Atonement describes the movie as follows:

“In 1935, 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony’s vivid imagination. Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the educated son of the family’s housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony’s headstrong older sister…”

The Review
Atonement is a great classic movie with fantastic acting, plenty of emotion and a very interesting story. This movie will drain you emotionally, which is what it’s intended to do, but it will totally suck you in and it’s worth the emotional drain. Atonement is easily one of the best films of the year.

It’s very well done and has a strong message on how the choices we make can lead to disaster and regret. Some things in life that are done cannot be undone. The settings and the situations that transpire are really tragic that will make you appreciate that you didn’t have to go through a World War. It’s just a really good film for a change. With all the terrible movies that Hollywood put out this past year, this is getting our vote as possibly the best movie of the year.

John – **** Don’t Miss It
Becky – **** Don’t Miss It

_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune In The Cool Car Guy Show Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of The Golden Compass

The Golden CompassBecky and I went to see a sneak preview of The Golden Compass at the AMC theaters at Flat Irons Crossing on Friday night. The Yahoo website at The Golden Compass describes the movie as follows:

“Based on author Philip Pullman’s novel, ‘The Golden Compass’ is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people’s souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who’s been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers – and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. The cast includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, and Ian McShane.”

The Review
The Golden Compass is a the controversial children’s film written by the atheist author Phillip Pullman who supposedly has said that his whole intention was to write a book that kills God. The whole notion of that is completely absurd and ridiculous, but even with his goofy religious views aside, and I do mean religious since it takes more faith to believe that God doesn’t exist than that he does. In fact, if you write a book that you’re going to kill God and yet you claim that you don’t believe that God exists, okay, I won’t go there.

However, I will say that I love talking to people who are so foolish that they claim to know everything there is to know in the unknown Universe that they can actually claim that they are convinced that God doesn’t exist. It’s actually laughable. At least the Agnostic is smart enough to say that he or she doesn’t know if there is a God, but someone who claims to be an atheist is a fool.

That’s the problem with this film, it’s rather foolish. There are plenty of great special effects. The characters are interesting, including the beautiful Nicole Kidman, but it reminded me of Harry Potter meets The Davinci Code. Like Harry Potter there is a battle between good and evil with a child that has special wizard skills, but like The Davinci Code there is a great conspiracy with the Church denying the existence of dust and a giant cover up. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be a children’s film, but it’s too adult with an agenda.

That’s really the problem with this film. I didn’t have a problem with the movie’s message, even with the animal spirit guides being called “demons”, which was obviously a ploy to tick some parents off. I just thought it was boring. I think that it over-promised and under-delivered since there was so much hype surrounding the movie.

Our advice is to wait for the Rental or Don’t Bother and if you take your kids they will probably be pretty bored, unless they are older kids. I know my nephew Sterling in Florida liked it.

John – ** Rental
Becky – * Don’t Bother
Barney: Let’s Go on Vacation
_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com Stormbreaker divx

Tune In The Cool Car Guy Show Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of Hitman

HitmanBecky and I went to see Hitman at the AMC theaters in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on Friday night. The Yahoo website at Hitman describes the movie as follows:

“The “Hitman” is a genetically-engineered, elite assassin known only as Agent 47. His hallmarks are lethal grace, unwavering precision, and resolute pride in his work. But even 47 couldn’t anticipate a “random equation” in his life exactitude: the unexpected stirrings of his conscience and the unfamiliar emotions aroused in him by a mysterious Russian woman.”

The Review
Hitman is a movie made from a video game and it is like watching someone playing a video game. If that sounds like something worth paying $9 to do than go see this movie and waste some time and money. Otherwise you would be better off staying home and watching your kids play a video game. It’s non-stop violence with a plot that is far too obvious with really bad acting to go along with it.

For example, the Hitman walks around train stations in Russia with a bald head and a bar code on the back, while the entire Russian government is chasing him, but nobody can find him. The Director could have at least put on a baseball cap as a disguise and I don’t think it would have thrown them over budget. The audience is supposed to believe that nobody can find this suit and tie wearing bald assassin who stands out like Shaquille O’Neal in Chinatown.

A shoot-em up, hand to hand combat movie with double crosses from the Russian government and help from the CIA that is really goofy and has been done too many times before only with new characters. It’s as though they wrote the script while sitting at Starbucks after a Hollywood executive said, “Hey, there are a ton of people who play this video game Hitman, let’s make a movie about it.”

At best wait for the Rental or Don’t Bother.

John – * Don’t Bother

Crime Fiction trailer

Becky – * Don’t Bother

_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune In The Cool Car Guy Show

The Hillside Strangler download

Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of Enchanted

EnchantedBecky and I took the kids to see Enchanted at the AMC theaters in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on Saturday. The Fandango website at Enchanted describes the movie as follows:

“The tale follows the beautiful princess Giselle (Amy Adams) as she is banished by an evil queen (Susan Sarandon) from her magical, musical animated land – and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn’t operate on a happily ever after basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey) who has come to her aid – even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince (James Marsden) back home – she has to wonder: Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?”

The Review
Enchanted

America the movie

is a classic Disney movie that is a great family film like the old Walt Disney movies. If you’re single or double income with no kids this probably isn’t your movie. If you have little kids like ours, ages 9, 7 and 6 that want to see a clean and funny movie with a princess, prince, wicked witch and a dragon than this is the movie.

Enchanted also beat out all the competition at the box office, so obviously there are plenty of people like The Boyd’s looking for good clean family films to take their kids to the movies. Great job on the part of Disney to deliver a blockbuster for the Thanksgiving holiday.

John – *** Worth The Trip
Becky – *** Worth The Trip

The Kids Review

Corban – *** Worth The Trip
Bianca – **** Don’t Miss It
Conroy – *** Worth The Trip

_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune In The Cool Car Guy Show Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of Beowulf

BeowulfI went to see Beowulf at the AMC theaters in Highlands Ranch, Colorado last night. The Fandango website at Beowulf describes the movie as follows:

“The ninth century Old English epic poem chronicles the exploits of Beowulf (Ray Winstone), a Scandinavian hero who saves the Danes from the indomitable monster Grendel and later, Grendel’s mother, who begins killing out of revenge.”

The Review
Beowulf is an animated epic adventure that is amazingly real to life. After about 10 minutes you forget that you’re watching an animated film. It’s very well done. It’s not a kid’s film though as it’s extremely violent and has a number of sexual situations.

The characters are really cool and if you’re not into fantasy don’t bother seeing this one. Becky didn’t want to see it, but I really like fantasy flicks when they are done well. A buddy of mine called me and told me to go and see it. I was going to pass, but I’m glad I went to it.

If you like fantasy films like Lord of the Rings and other adventure type films you should like Beowulf. Otherwise you will want to wait for the rental or skip it all together.

John – *** Worth The Trip
_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune Into The Cool Car Guy Show Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of The Mist

The MistBecky and I went to see The Mist at the AMC theaters in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on Thanksgiving night. The Fandango website at The Mist describes the movie as follows:

“Following a violent thunderstorm, artist David Drayton and a small town community come under vicious attack from creatures prowling in a thick and unnatural mist. Local rumors point to an experiment called “The Arrowhead Project” conducted at a nearby top-secret military base, but questions as to the origins of the deadly vapor are secondary to the group’s overall chances for survival. Retreating to a local supermarket, Drayton and the survivors must face-off against each other before taking a united stand against an enemy they cannot even see.”

The Review
The Mistis the latest Stephen King novella turned into a movie and it stinks as bad as so many of his previous films. There are very few Stephen King movies that I’ve ever seen that are worth recommending. The best was probably Salem’s Lot and after that they have all been down hill. I’ve always been up for a good horror movie, like Dracula, Frankenstein or the Werewolf, but this movie is ridiculous and pathetic.

The entire story takes place in a supermarket grocery store after a mist forms bringing with it giant pre-historic bugs that supposedly have come in from a parallel world that has been opened up by the military working with time travel. That in itself was stupid. It would have been more believable that the military was conducting some high-tech laboratory experiment to create the ultimate super weapon that went wrong. However, that still wouldn’t have saved this film. It was terrible. Like a buddy of mine said, “Sounds like a remake of The Fog only with bugs.”

As bad as that movie was, The Fog was actually better than The Mist. The characters in this film are absurd, the events that take place are ridiculous and the movie is disturbing, annoying and boring. The ending really sucks too when the only Hero of the film kills his own son after spending almost two hours trying to save him from being a bug Lunchable. How goofy is that?

This isn’t even a good rental. Our advice would be to skip it. Maybe we’ll get lucky and some Hollywood executive will remake Salem’s Lot one of these days.

John – * Don’t Bother
Becky – * Don’t Bother

_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune Into The Cool Car Guy Show Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com

John & Becky’s Movie Review Of August Rush

August RushBecky and I went to see August Rush at the AMC theaters in Highlands Ranch, Colorado tonight. The Fandango website at August Rush describes the movie as follows:

“Twelve years ago, on a moonlit rooftop above Washington Square, Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell), a sheltered young cellist, and Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a charismatic Irish singer-songwriter, were drawn together by a street musician’s…”

The Review
August Rushis a great movie! Forget what the critics say about this film, the audience actually applauded at the end. Unlike the other movie we saw last week with a catchy title, No Country for Old Men, August Rush doesn’t have people being shot for no reason that the critics can get excited about. Quite the contrary, this is a heart warming and moving story with music as good as that of a classic film like Mr. Holland’s Opus.

Sure, the story is a bit unrealistic, but it grabs you with awesome characters, fantastic acting and a great story even if it was a bit over the top. It gives the audience everything that we want emotionally and why we go to the movies in the first place.

It stars that cute kid from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Robin Williams in a different role than we are used to seeing him in and Kerri Russell. It’s a great family film for Thanksgiving and although it’s rated PG and fine for kids, our kids that are under 10 would probably have been bored with the movie.

This is one of the few movies this year that we really think you’re not going to want to miss.

John – **** Don’t Miss It
Becky – **** Don’t Miss It

_________________________________________________________________________ John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Tune Into The Cool Car Guy Show Every Monday – Thursday 10AM – 11AM MST on CastleRockRadio.com