National Treasure

[2005]

Starring:
Nicholas Cage
Justin Bartha
Sean Bean
Diane Krueger
Jon Voigt

average rating: ★★★★
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performance: ★★★★
screenplay: ★★★★
plot/storyline: ★★★★
cinematography: ★★★★★
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Action/Adventure

This is a very good movie, actually. We watched it last night, on a whim and a lack of library movies. For reasons later disclosed, I really like this movie, its so gripping. :D

Nicholas Cage, despite his extreme hairline, is really good in this. He plays a man named Benjamin Gates, who is obsessed with both American history and finding a legendary, historical treasure. Along with him is his technical genius, Riley (Bartha), who provides most of the humor and good fashion in the movie (I love everything he wears. That velvet suit jacket is AWESOME). Diane Krueger plays a historian who is dragged into the whole treasure hunt when Ben is forced to steal the Declaration of Independence before his former partner does.

The movie is quick-paced, interesting, and chock-full of historical facts. And, with an official oh my, it managed to stay within a PG rating. Kind of shocking, really. The entire film is clean and fun. Bravo to the director or whoever made that decision!

P.S. Nicholas Cage is actually moderately attractive with a hat on. That hair...

Hairspray

[2007]

Starring:
Nikki Blonsky
John Travolta
Michelle Pffiefer
Zac Efron
Amanda Bynes
Christopher Walken
Elijah Kelley
Queen Latifah

average rating: ★★★★
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performance: ★★★★★
screenplay: ★★★★
plot/storyline: ★★★★
cinematography: ★★★★★
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Musical

This was a really fun, colorful movie! If any of you have ever seen the old "Hairspray," you will be very impressed by this remake. Without changing much of the context at all, they reworked the movie into something entertaining and interesting. The 60's theme is so consistent, from the clothes to the colors and the racial issues.

Each of the actors were great as each of their characters. Nikki Blonsky could act, sing, smile, be chubby and still be absolutely adorable. John Travolta was absolutely hilarious as Mrs. Turnblad, dressed in a giant fat-suit, with long hair and make-up. John Travolta is tall, too, so he was gigantic. The rest of the cast consisted of Christopher Walken (always funny), Zac Efron (who was just okay, but he fit his character), Michelle Pffiefer (the evil Barbie Doll), Amanda Bynes (who was cute, but sort of mute) and Queen Latifah (as big as usual).

The songs were actual bearable, too, and the story was just altered enough so that everything fit into an actual story. Anyway, it was worth the watch, quite cute. :)

The Incredibles

[Pixar, 2005]

starring the voices of:
Craig T. Nelson
Helen Hunter
Samuel L. Jackson
Jason Lee
Brad Bird

average rating: ★★★★★
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performance: ★★★★★
screenplay: ★★★★★
plot/storyline: ★★★★★
cinematography: ★★★★★
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Animation/Family/Superheros