to rent or not to rent...

hey party people, here is your next grouping of movies i've seen of late. i should extend a thank you to Qantas and Air New Zealand first though...thank you both for offering movies before they are available in the US. you allowed me to take many off my netflix queue and for that i am extremely grateful.

so this list is quite long (many many flights to NOT sleep through) but it does contain a nice array of genres...

1. thor
RENT

although i found the acting to only be okay, the story is one i was impressed with. i wasn't that familiar with thor before this movie, but now i can't wait for the sequel. chris hemsworth was HOTT and i am a huge fan of sir hopkins, so both were a treat to watch. sadly, i wasn't so impressed with natalie portman's performance, but i guess we all have our off days. thor will also be featured in the avengers movie (due out may 2012), which is linked in this movie, in an after-credits scene.

2. scream 4
RENT

if you are a fan of the original film (i could watch it on repeat) you will love this outing. 4 brings us back to the original mystery and surprise that we haven't seen in 10 years. seeing the familiar faces back, in addition to some newbies, we are transported back to the crazy life of sidney prescott, and we welcome it. wes craven and kevin williamson did an amazing job captivating me throughout the entire film, and although i hate to admit it, i did have to cover my eyes a few times. bravo scream cast, welcome back!

3. water for elephants
NOT TO RENT

oh dear, where to begin. robert pattinson was great, absolutely no qualms about his performance whatsoever. the same can be said for christoph waltz. reese however, i'm just not that into you. i didn't feel any connection to the character of marlena, and you sadly didn't bring any chemistry to your forbidden romance. this is one of those books that definitely shouldn't have been transferred to the big screen.

4. arthur
RENT

or maybe don't rent, but wait until it's free on demand. although russell brand isn't dudley moore, he brings a newer flair to the character. i read all the terrible reviews and was surprised that i didn't agree with most. i found brand to be captivating, and his acting spot on. let it be said, i am not a jennifer garner fan, but i didn't find myself loathing her in this role. she portrayed the villain perfectly...maybe she's found her calling.

5. fast five
RENT

i am a HUGE fan of all of the fast/furious movies, and this one did not disappoint at all. the whole gang (characters from all of the movies so far) is back for this outing, coming together to pull off one last job. paul walker and vin diesel fall easily back into their roles. dwayne johnson was wonderful as the bad-ass government official sent after them. i would have put this first on my list above, but i couldn't resist putting fast five at spot number 5.

6. dilemma
NOT TO RENT

didn't like it. at all.

7. something borrowed
UNDECIDED

i can't say to rent or not, as i am genuinely perplexed by this movie. SPOILER ALERT-- i don't understand how the book series as been such a hit and has such a fan base. the characters in this book cheat on their best friend/fiance and then end up together? i don't care if they have known each other forever and have undeniable chemistry, this isn't right. as always, john krasinski is adorable, he makes you want to rewind to watch him over and over again. however, i am still just too confused by the plot line to take a stance one way or the other. if you've read (and loved) the book, i guess it's a RENT. but i can't be pulled in either direction for certain...maybe i need to read the book to understand what you all see.

8. hall pass
NOT TO RENT

i didn't like this movie so much, i don't even remember most of it. jason sudeikis i still love you.

9. source code
RENT

so great! jake gyllenhaal is amazing in this groundhog day-type thriller. even though you find out the ending can't really be happy, you are still rooting for it. trying to figure out who the bad guys are and what they are planning had me on the edge of my seat. this movie is fast paced and truly engrossing, you won't be disappointed.

10. adjustment bureau
RENT

i am still not quite sure i am fully getting the entire message, but this movie was great. matt damon once again shows us all what a gifted actor he is, and he's a pleasure to watch in this film. it's films like this that really make you think, and this one had me thinking that i am glad this is not our reality...

11. limitless
NOT TO RENT

bradley cooper is hot and nice to look at, but i wasn't impressed by this movie. a pill that gives you super powers? c'mon now, you had to know there would be a downside to a drug like that. robert deniro didn't get enough screen time, even if he is the pseudo-villain. i would have liked to see more of what ELSE the pill could do, not just enhancing the ability to rock the stock market.

12. you again
RENT

if you are in the mood for a funny rom-com, this is perfect. kristin bell is adorable and odette annable is hot. the high school rivalry revisited between 2 generations of characters made for a great base plot in this film. the movie is light hearted and fun, a great sunday afternoon pick (after football season is over)

13. the rite
RENT

very intense, but great. i am a sucker for possession movies (i mean, those are clearly the real true stories, right?). sir anthony hopkins was great in this movie, as the priest out to save the world. little does he know that he might be just a little too close to the action.

14. just go with it
NOT TO RENT

i was really hoping that the jennifer aniston jinx wouldn't affect an adam sandler movie...sadly, hope is lost. movie was eh, sandler is still funny, but aniston is not. don't waste the spot in your rental queue

well folks, there you have them. the movies that made my journey across the date line a little easier. none of my reviews are meant to be hurtful, just my thoughts on what's out on dvd now. i hope you see at least the RENTS, they are definitely worth it

but hey, that's just this girl's opinion