Connor Macgregor Reviews Thread

that was before i did this review. I split it into Categories

100% - A+
91 - 99 - A
81 - 90 - A-
71 - 80 - B+
61 - 70 - B
51 - 60 - B-
41 - 50 - C+
31 - 40 - C
21 - 30 - C-
11 - 20 - D+
1 - 10- D
0 - F

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Get Him To The Greek

I wasn`t crazy about seeing this film to be honest,but seeing as i am bored stiff this summer, i decided to give this a watch.

Aaron Greenberg (Hill) gets things done. The ambitious 23-year-old has exaggerated his way into a dream job just in time for a career-making assignment. His mission: Fly to London and escort a rock god to L.A.s Greek Theatre for the first-stop on a $100-million tour. His warning: Turn your back on him at your own peril. British rocker Aldous Snow (Brand) is both a brilliant musician and walking sex. Weary of yes men and piles of money, the former front man is searching for the meaning of life. But that doesnt mean he cant have a few orgies while he finds it. When he learns his true love is in California, Aldous makes it his quest to win her backright before kick-starting his world domination.

As the countdown to the concert begins, one intern must navigate a minefield of London drug smuggles, New York City brawls and Vegas lap dances to deliver his charge safe and, sort of, sound. He may have to coax, lie to, enable and party with Aldous, but Aaron will get him to the Greek.

To be honest, this film is actually really good. I think the characters are really solid in this film. Jonah Hill`s character is very interesting and this experience changes his relationship with his girlfriend or fiance (it isn`t established) and it is an interesting journey for him. He does some good moments in this film. Russell Brand is really good in this. There i said it. He does play the rockstar character really well. I think this is because his own personality is sort of rockish. The star of the film for me was P Diddy. I thought his character was just brilliant. The Mind**** scene in Vegas was really funny stuff. I think Diddy should consider doing more movies because he is quite talented in the acting arena.

The story itself is pretty interesting. I haven`t seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Sorry Jake) but i do know that Russell Brand plays the same character in this and that it delves more into his background and personality which i like. I also have to mention Rose Byne in this. Her performance is hilarious. Her english cocky accent is so good i could think that was actually her. Never the less it is a great performance.

Overall i thought this was a funny film and if you have spare time i think you should check this out.

Rating - 75% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Nine

I knew this would not be as entertaining as Chicago...but i hoped that this would be watchable enough...and because of one person,it was.

Famed Italian director Guido Contini is ten days away from the start of principal filming of his latest movie, ambitiously titled "Italia". The general speculation by anyone who has followed production, including the press, is that Guido has lost his creative vision and that this production will go the way of his last two films: be a flop. The first part of that statement is indeed true as Guido not only does not yet have a script, but he has no idea for the movie at all. Guido escapes to a seaside resort to convalesce and get away from all the pressures of this production, this convalescence only to moderate success as he thinks about the women who have shaped his life.

I think one person really stood out in this film. That was Daniel Day Lewis. What a character Guido Contini is and Daniel Day Lewis is maybe the right person that pulled it off. He is self centered and at times arrogant, but he is stressed and lost the love to make movies and is now searching for some sort of redemption to keep going. Guido must juggle many women in his life, His wife played by Marion Cortland who does ok but could have done miles better,she is still talented though. His mistress played by Pinelope Cruz who i don`t understand why she won an oscar when she didn`t do much, The Journalist played by Kate Hudson who does the role justice, The Actress played by Nicole Kidman who also does the role justice. There is also the fashion designer played by Judi Dench who shines in any role particulary this one, The Mother played by Sophia Loren who has a small but fairly reasonable part. Another role i want to mention is Fergue`s role playing Saraghina The Prostitute.

Rob Marshall once again goes for this format in which when a song begins, it cuts away to the act performing it in a fantasy stage or area in which only one or two characters know about, in this case Guido and all of his women singing and dancing certain songs. My favourite songs in Nine are Cinema Italino by Kate Hudson in which it is shot like an Italien Music Video. Another is Take It All sung by Marion who sings and performs the song fairly well. But the highlight for me was Be Italien by Fergie. I love the song and i love how Fergie sung it.

Overall Nine isn`t Chicago but it is good in its own right so do take a look.

Rating - 66% - B

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Lymelife

I went to see this in a cinema outside my home town. I had to take 2 trains to get to this cinema, and was it worth it ? Oh Hell Yeah.

Lymelife is a coming of age dramedy where infidelity, real estate, and Lyme disease have two families falling apart on Long Island in the early eighties. Scott, 15, is at the point in his life when he finds out that the most important people around him, his father, his mother, and his brother, are not exactly who he thought they were. They are flawed and they are human. He then discovers the true deception of his family.

The reason i love this film first of all is that i saw it in a place or a cinema that i had not seen a film in before. It felt very different,but exciting. The acting in this film is fantastic. The performances are some of the best i have seen in a long time. I can`t pick a standout this time, but i will mention some performances. I will start with Emma Roberts & Rory Culkin who both act their socks off in this film. I have a soft spot for Emma Roberts (Not that way) and i think very soon she is going to be a Big star in Hollywood (Along with AnnaSophia Robb) and this film proves that she is ready and capiable of taking bigger and bolder roles. Rory Culkin was the same but just didn`t have the charm that Emma has. Another two i want to mention are Alec Baldwin and Jill Hennessy who are both incredible in this film. Jill is amazing as the long suffering wife of Alec Baldwin`s character. Alec Baldwin himself is also great in this film as he brings emotion and heartlessness greed to this role. That is what makes Alec Baldwin to me an incredible actor. The third and final actress i would like to mention is Cynthia Nixon. Her character is such a bitch in this film, yet she has reasons for being a bitch. She is miserable. She is in a miserable marriage and just wants a bit of fun and you see that in her own performance.

There is very little music in this film and that is what makes the film so emotional and interesting. Silence is a powerful thing in films when used at the right time. And in this film it is used very correctly and well done.

Overall this is my favourite film of the year and hopefully you can track it done and give it a watch because it is worth your time.

Rating - 86% - A-

Lymelife is one of my favorite films.. maybe I liked it coz I could relate to the story.
I would second it as a recommendation.

I saw Get Him To The Greek. Very ordinary. Think I laughed twice.

__________________
"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and like it, never really care for anything else thereafter." - Ernest Hemingway

GENESIS PIG - I know. Its so brilliant. Can't believe The Oscars overlooked it. It had Oscar written all over itself. Emma Roberts was great in it and honestly could watch the film all day.

GUNNY - I liked it because of The Bit in Vegas. Everything else was ok. Plus The Girl from Damages is in it and I do think she's great.

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Eragon

Don`t worry i didn`t buy this on DVD...i watched this on Film 4 because i was bored and there was nothing else on...and do you know what...it was average.

Orphaned farm boy Eragon destiny is sealed forever when a mystic stone chooses him for its keeper, this is no ordinary stone, this is the last surviving egg of the dragon race. Eragon is now the new Dragon Rider, the boy who will be savior to the repressed peoples of the Kingdom ruled by the wicked King Galbatorix and his evil wizard Durza. Running, hiding and battling across the lands with his mentor Brom and the gracious dragon Saphira, together, with the beautiful Princess Arya, this Band of Brothers learn more about themselves, their responsibilities and their destinies. Who shall succeed toward the end? Shall good overcome evil? Or will all be lost to the dark forces forever? Fly with the adventure.

Now don`t get me wrong, this film is laugh out loud bad,but not horrible in anyway. The acting is laughable apart from Jeremy Irons who i swaer may have been the only person who took this seriously. The teen lead is so dry in this film that he bears resemblance to the actor who played Alex Rider in Stormbreaker. Robert Carlyle plays a weird wacky villian who isnt scary or intimidating in the slightest. His speech in the middle of the film to the CGI army reminded me of his speech in Hitler:The Rise Of Evil. Apart from that,everyone else just sucks.

The story is very boring and resembles Dragonheart,Lord Of The Rings and various other films. There is no originality in this film nor the books. Its dull,unentertaining and very fast paced. Although The CGI Dragon in this is pretty well done.

Overall,its not very entertaining in story,but if you want CGI and Decent Battles,Eragon may be passable in that area,but it isnt very groundbreaking.

Rating - 39% - C

I wouldn't even bother reviewing Eragon.

I'm in total agreement with you, Gunny. I guess I'm getting to that age where the dick and fart jokes are just getting old.

__________________
"I was walking down the street with my friend and he said, "I hear music", as if there is any other way you can take it in. You're not special, that's how I receive it too. I tried to taste it but it did not work." - Mitch Hedberg

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Rent

I had never seen or heard of Rent since 2008. I never watched the show and so picking this film up would be my first experience of Rent.

Based on Puccini's 'La Boheme', 'Rent' tells the story of one year in the life of friends living the Bohemian life in modern day East Village, New York City, 1989-1990. Among the group are our narrator, nerdy love-struck filmmaker Mark Cohen; the object of Mark's affection, his former girlfriend, Maureen Johnson; Maureen's Harvard-educated public interest lawyer and lesbian lover Joanne Jefferson; Mark's roommate, HIV-positive musician and former junkie, Roger Davis; Roger's new girlfriend, the HIV-positive drug addicted S&M dancer, Mimi Marquez; their former roommate, HIV-positive computer genius Tom Collins; Collins' HIV-positive drag queen street musician/lover Angel; and Benjamin Coffin III, a former member of the group who married for money and has since become their landlord and the opposite of everything they stand for. Shows how much changes or doesn't change in the 525,600 minutes that make up a year.

This film is absolutely fantastic. The music for starters is wonderful and passionate. It opens with one of my favourite musical songs of all time "Seasons Of Love". It is such a memorable and emotional song about these group of friends just trying to survive the big city and make it day by day. The Songs in Rent are all very memorable and create the heart and soul of the story which makes it its masterpiece today. Another big thing about Rent`s success are the characters. These characters are fantastic and are all so different in many ways. My favourite character would have to be either Maureen or Angel. Angel was the centre of the story for me, as he united everyone through good and bad times. Maureen i like because she is a woman wanting to have fun and live her life, but she feels trapped and feeling she has to change for her girlfriend.

Overall, this is an amazing experience. I love the story, characters and emtional messege Jonathan Larson is trying to show in the story. Please Please Please find this film and do give it a watch as it is an underrated timeless gem.

Rating - 92% - A

Connor Macgregor Reviews...The Devil Wears Prada

This was another film that was on The TV and so i figured. "Why Not?" i always wanted to watch this film. And Boy it was a big dissapointment.

Miranda Priestley, of "Runway" magazine tears up the landscape as a demanding fashion editor. She is a terror to everyone who is around her as is quickly depicted in the opening scenes of the movie. Her first assistant strives to please her and tries to emulate her, but one can sense that she is not quite as hard as she tries to put on. Into this mix comes a young woman who knows nothing of the fashion industry, has never read the magazine, and doesn't know who Miranda Priestley is. She only sees this as a stepping stone to another journalism position. Showing no fashion sense and immediately scorned by everyone, Miranda nonetheless hires her as the second assistant. When Miranda demands that she obtain the next unpublished Harry Potter manuscript, you can sense that she is trying to force her to quit, but it makes the young woman dig in to please her boss. With the help of one of the magazine's fashion editors, she gets a complete makeover and a new security. However, with her new appearance and the demands placed on her, she starts to lose her friends, family and her live-in boy friend. As she is whisked away to Paris with Miranda and faces all of the glamor that could be hers, including a flashy if not artificial freelance journalist, she is forced to make the decision of where she wants to be in her life.

This film was dissapointing with the reason...nothing happens. The story is Girl gets a job at a fashion magazine, has a bitchy boss and quits. Quite basic and quite a snooze really. Anne Hathaway is great but she keeps picking really all the misses of the bunch. I haven`t seen all of her films but i hear Bride Wars is god awful, so can`t she just stop and say to herself "What Haven`t I Done" or "What Am I Good At" and then focus on that. Meryl Streep is always great and you can see what she is trying to potray in this film. The problem is i didn`t know if she was meant to be Very Bitchy and Anne Hathway`s character was to come and make her see light or she was meant to be The Patty Hewes Of the Film World,Manipulative and Controlling. Emily Brunt is ok but nothing special (Just looks hot) and Stanley Tucci who i think was the star of the film. A character i liked and had a proper personality.

Overall dissapointment and sadly wasn`t as interesting as i hoped it would be.

Rating - 61% - B

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Shrek Forever After

So we arrive at another Shrek Movie where this franchise is on its last legs to make money. While this premise seems pretty interesting, it falls flat and here is why.

A bored and domesticated Shrek pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away -- where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met -- he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.

I went to see this in 3D and my 3D Revival reaction is this...3D SUCKS BIG ASS! First of all it hurts your eyes due to the fact that it is 3D and its HD too. I had to take the glasses off at certain points and watched it in its blurry vision and it wasn`t so bad. As for the film itself, it was ok but nothing special. Is it better than Shrek 3 ? Yeah i think it is but it still brings nothing new to the franchise, it is basically in for the money as most films are these days. I think Fiona was given a new personality and a new backstory which really interested me. The villian Rumpulstilksten (Might be a wrong spelling) was ok but again not very original or special.

So Overall i would rent this to be perfect honest as its another lame ass money grabbing sequel.

Rating - 48% - C+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Predators

Going in and wasn`t expecting much at all, i came out and it was better than i expected. It contains the same rough plot as the first Predator film does, only with a different cast and with the story tweaked around a bit but it is still very enjoyable.

The First Film was in a Jungle,The Second Was In A City, so i think it makes sense for the Third Film to be On A Different Planet. It kind of gives The Humans the disadvantage for the first time. In the first two films, The Predator was in environments that weren`t to his taking. Never the less the story is engaging and very easy to get to like the characters particulary Adrian Brody`s character.

Some people can argue and say that they are the same personalities as Predator 1 but there are some original parts to these new characters. There are also two factions of Predators. There are the classic Predators with the classic helmets and look, and then there are the newer Predators with half masks and with a more sinister look. They look a lot more deadlier and hardcore in a way.

Overall its an enjoyable film, while it does resemble Predator 1, it is still very good and brings its own twist to the series.

Rating - 73% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Moon

Everyone At the end of 2009 and Award Season were saying how fantastic Moon was and i wasn`t interested in seeing it at first, but then I decided to buy it and watch it.

Sam Bell has a three year contract to work for Lunar Industries. For the contract's entire duration, he is the sole employee based at their lunar station. His primary job responsibility is to harvest and periodically rocket back to Earth supplies of helium-3, the current clean and abundant fuel used on Earth. There is no direct communication link available between the lunar station and Earth, so his only direct real-time interaction is with GERTY, the intelligent computer whose function is to attend to his day to day needs. With such little human contact and all of it indirect, he feels that three years is far too long to be so isolated; he knows he is beginning to hallucinate as the end of his three years approaches. All he wants is to return to Earth to be with his wife Tess and their infant daughter Eve, who was born just prior to his leaving for this job. With two weeks to go, he gets into an accident at one of the mechanical harvesters and is rendered unconscious. Injured, he awakens back at the station in the infirmary, he assumes assisted by GERTY. GERTY tells him that a rescue team named Eliza will come to the station to clean up the aftermath of the accident. After his recuperation, he takes an unauthorized trip back to the broken harvester, where he makes an unexpected discovery. Because of his find, he begins to doubt his sanity, then his true identity, then the company and GERTY's willingness to do what is best for him. Because of his resulting beliefs, his sole mission becomes how to get back to Earth on his own.

Moon is something like a fresh air into The Sci Fi Genre. Its original, edgy and chilling at the same time. The story is a work of genius and really had me confused at some points. I won`t spoil it but you will think something at first and then the film reveals that it is something completely different and to me that was pretty clever and sparked my interest a lot more. There are no cliches in Moon really, Duncan Jones creates an original story that is very hooking and very interesting.

The acting is marvellous. there really is one actor in this whole film and its Sam Rockwell. Sam Rockwell delivers a very powerful performance and really was overlooked in The Award Season. He really wants to go home and see his family again,but then goes on a dark road where he discovers that not all is what he thinks. Another classic performance is Kevin Spacey as The Voice of GERTY. In my opinion, GERTY is The Next HAL, only GERTY is original in many different ways. He is iconic and chilling at the same time.

I also love the effects in Moon. The Moon is shot as though something terrible has just occured. Its like the silence after a fiery gunbattle or the field after a nucleur bomb going off. It feels very weird but wonderful at the same time. I wasn`t in tears of joy but i did admire the work that went in to make those wonderful effects. Effects today in Hollywood just seem cheap and not very inspiring these days.

Overall Moon is really really entertaining and destined to spark your interest because it eventually sparked mine.

Rating - 76% - B+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Jason X

This was one of the first horror movies i ever saw. I know your laughing there at that first bit but its true, and i was dissapointed not because the film was flat out bad, but because i didn`t get scared...at all.

Finally captured in the year 2008, Jason Voorhees (Kane Hodder) is held inside a government research facility whose scientists try to answer the question that keeps eluding them - why one of the most infamous mass murderers in history cannot die. Once Rowan (Lexa Doig), leader of the research project, prepares the specimen for cryogenic suspension, a greedy scientist goes over her head and comes to remove Jason, only to have the mad slasher break free and slaughter him and his entire entourage. Tricking Jason into following her, Rowan eludes him into entering the cryogenic freezer and begins the process, but a breach in the system causes her to freeze with him. The government tries to deny any evidence of the project, and nearly four centuries pass, during which the Earth gradually becomes less and less habitable and humans have relocated to a planet in another star system that they've named Earth II. A team of young students descends onto the ruined Earth, where they find the frozen bodies of Jason and Rowan in the forgotten research facility and take back on board their ship with them. Rowan is thawed and revived, but the team mistakes Jason to be dead, having no idea of his abilities or motives. Before long, Jason awakens to the sound of young people having premarital sex once again, and the carnage erupts once again as the ship proceeds to Earth II. The remaining survivors fight for their lives as the centuries-old mad slasher proves that he is just as evil and just as indestructible during their time as he was centuries before.

Now where to start...DO NOT TAKE THIS FILM SERIOUSLY AT ALL. The plot is just out there in the realms of fantasy. There is no way that in the year 2455 we will be able to bring people back to life with robotic ants. Second of all, the characters are two dimensional apart from a certain few (and those are the ones who survived). There aint any worthy talent in this film and i ain`t surprised. I only liked 3 of the cast. The Hot girl that died by being sucked out into space, The guy that looks like a young Matthew Perry and The Tough Black Soldier Guy. And Jason X was pretty damn cool, but not amazingly wow Cool.

I also must mention that The Special Effects are just terrible. They are Early PS2 Graphics and they look incredibly ****. I mean granted its 2001 and CGI wasn`t at the level it is today, but still they could have done a lot better.

Overall its terrible but can be fun at the same time. While watching it, I had this fun feeling to it. I guess you could watch and enjoy it without taking it seriously in a way. I mean i could when I was 12 or 13 but now i`m 16 and I can just about get through it.

Rating - 49% - C+

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Toy Story

I will be seeing Toy Story 3 when it is released in The UK This Coming Monday. However i wont have internet access because i will be on holiday. Trying to bring back some nostalgia for The Third Upcoming Film, i am going to review both Toy Story films and any other Pixar Films that are floating around my house. So lets start with Toy Story.

A little boy named Andy loves to be in his room, playing with his toys, especially his doll named "Woody". But, what do the toys do when Andy is not with them, they come to life. Woody believes that he has life (as a toy) good. However, he must worry about Andy's family moving, and what Woody does not know is about Andy's birthday party. Woody does not realize that Andy's mother gave him an action figure known as Buzz Lightyear, who does not believe that he is a toy, and quickly becomes Andy's new favorite toy. Woody, who is now consumed with jealousy, tries to get rid of Buzz. Then, both Woody and Buzz are now lost. They must find a way to get back to Andy before he moves without them, but they will have to pass through a ruthless toy killer, Sid Phillips.

This movie is timeless. It revolutionised animation and introduced new wonderful disney characters. Woody and Buzz are like the animation buddy cop team. They are two classic characters with two classic personalities. Also the other toys of Andy are fantastic characters too. You have Woody the Cowboy and Leader, Buzz Lightyear the Space Ranger who has yet to discover his true cause, Mr Potato Head with The Wonderful Voice of Don Rickles, Hamm who is so hiliarious for being sarcastic and witty. But my favourite has to be Rex, the sensitive dinosaur. He is the exact opposite of what a Dinosaur should be. Sensitive,scared and very confused of his emotions. I also love Sid, the villian of the story who wants to distroy toys for fun. He must have an abusive parent or something.

The story is classic. Two toys that can`t get along who must in order to return home. both Woody and Buzz learn a valuable lesson whilst going on this scary but wonderous journey. I think both Tom Hanks & Tim Allen are just perfect for the voices of both Woody & Buzz. I reckon like Star Wars, generations and generations in years to come will fall in love with this movie.

And one last thing, the music is also fantastic. Randy Newman is a music god when it comes to Toy Story. You Got A Friend In Me is such a touching song that brings my Nostalgia flooding right back in.

Overall, this film is a classic, its story, characters, voice work and above all The Animation. I recommend this to anyone a fan of great films because this is one of them.

Rating - 100% - A+

Nice review Connor

__________________
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
Buddha

thanks. More reviews are on the way.

Connor Macgregor Reviews...Toy Story 2

Just when you thought the first one could not be beat, Toy Story 2 comes along in 1999 and takes the story to a whole new level.

In "Toy Story 2," the fun and adventure continues when Andy goes off to summer camp and the toys are left to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector kidnaps Woody who unbeknownst to himself is a highly valued collectable. It's now up to Buzz Lightyear and the gang from Andy's room - Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm - to spring into action and save their pal from winding up as a museum piece. There's plenty of excitement and fun as the toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get home before Andy does.

In My Opinion, I think the sequel is a lot better than the first one. Why, for starters it has a more exciting and interesting story. It introduces the fact that Woody will not be with Andy forever and that one day, He will not longer be Andy`s toy. It also introduces Jesse voiced by Joan Cusack which like all Toy Story characters fits the part. It also introduces Bullseye who i like as well. But Kelsey Grammer as Stinky Pete was a great part and a great underrated Disney Villian. Zurg is in it to but his best parts are in The Disney Animated Series The Adventrues Of Buzz Lightyear voiced by Wayne Knight Who also voices and has the likness of Al.

As usual, The animation is great and proves that Pixar is a growing force in Hollywood and one of the few studios that haven`t been warped into money grabbing idiots (All of their Films have received Positive Reviews) and Toy Story 2 is one of an underrated classic. The Music and Score is tremendous in this and again proves that Pixar cares about their audience.
So This film exceeds the first film in my opinion of all films that was great about 1.

I am awaiting Toy Story 3 in which the story will conclude (Although i hear small rumours of a 4th. Good Or Bad ?) and i swear i think this will be the first time i may cry at a film. But who knows and by next week, i will know whether Toy Story 3 will be my Film Of The Year (Or Inception ?)

Rating - 100% - A+