Gulliver's Travels

Gulliver's Travels (2010)
Starring: Jack Black, Emily Blunt, and Jason Segel
Directed by: Rob Letterman
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Grade: B+

This was another movie I wasn't interested in, but sat down and watched anyway. It is hilarious! The only reason I gave it a B was because the story was just OK. The dialogue was so funny. Jack Black is funny, of course. But my favorites were Emily Blunt and Jason Segel. I've liked Jason since he was on one of my favorite shows, Freaks and Geeks. I've only recently started liking Emily Blunt. But they were amazing in this movie! They were very likable and funny, just understated, although anyone would seem understated next to Jack Black's "in your face" humor. Gulliver works in the mail room and is content, until a new intern comes in and advances in one day. He realizes that he should be doing more with his life. In an effort to do this, he plagiarizes an article for his friend, Darcy, who is an actual reporter and is sent on an assignment to the Bermuda Triangle. Once he gets there, he is transported to another dimension and to an island where a lot of little people live. After a while, he is able to make friends with the people and live as their protector. But, trouble comes from another country and Gulliver actually has to step up and protect them...which actually goes better than you might expect. Don't be thinking you're about to see an award quality movie (although with Jack Black in it, you should know it most likely won't be), but for a good two hour laugh, this movie definitely does the trick.

Ramona and Beezus

Ramona and Beezus (2010)
Starring: Joey King, Selena Gomez, and Bridget Moynahan
Directed by: Elizabeth Allen
Based on the books by: Beverly Cleary
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Grade: A+

I loved these books when I was little. Beezus and Ramona was my favorite. (I always had more in common with Beezus than Ramona). This movie is magical. And wonderful. And adorable. And any other adjective like that you can think of. Ramona Quimby (King) is, of course, the mischievous little girl from the books and this movie follows her misadventures more than how they affect Beezus, although Selena is in it quite a bit. Joey King is adorable; a perfect match for Ramona. She perfectly captures Ramona's adventurous spirit. Selena is great as Beezus, the exasperated but loving sister (I still have more in common with Beezus...just sayin...). Other standouts are Ginnifer Goodwin (ahh! favorite actress!) as Ramona's Aunt B, Josh Duhamel as Ramona's neighbor Hobart, Bridgit Moynahan and John Corbett as Ramona's loving parents, and Hutch Dano as the adorable Henry Huggins. Overall, an adorable and heartwarming family comedy about a sweet little girl just trying to "find her way in the world".

The Last Song

The Last Song (2010)
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, and Liam Hemsworth
Directed by: Julie Anne Robinson
Based on the novel by: Nicholas Sparks
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Grade: B

Okay, first of all, this is my favorite book...period. And if you've ever seen my other blog, you'll know I love books. It's an amazing book. The movie...not so much. The first part that was ruined was casting Miley Cyrus...even if this movie was written for her, she's just a terrible actress. I mean, look at the poster! She's even terrible at pouting, which used to be the ONE thing she was good at...okay, I'm done ranting about Miley...for now. The second part they ruined was the costumes. The clothes she wears aren't dark enough for the character, especially towards the end...and don't even get me started on the dress she wears to Will's sister's wedding...it's awful. So, the movie is about Ronnie, who is very rebellious and is sent, along with her brother, to spend the summer with her father in a small town on the beach. Ever since her parents divorced, Ronnie has been angry with her father, even going so far as to stop playing piano, because he taught her how to do it. Now, they are forced to live together, which doesn't go well at first, but slowly becomes better with the help of her new love interest, Will. But just as things look like they might be okay between Ronnie and her father, she learns something that changes everything. And just when she needs Will the most, Ronnie finds out that he isn't exactly what he appears to be either.

Despicable Me

Despicable Me (2010)
Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, and Russell Brand
Directed by: Peter Coffin and Chris Renaud
Grade: A++

This is my favorite animated movie ever. And I love Beauty and the Beast...but this is adorable. The minions are too cute to be described...like tiny yellow pills of adorable. Anyway, the story is about Gru (Carell), a super-villian who gets jealous of the newest villain on the block, Vector (Segel). So, to outsmart him, he adopts three adorable little girls (one voiced by iCarly actress Miranda Cosgrove). He plans to use the girls in his villainous plan (which is to steal the moon) but ends up loving them instead. I'm a huge fan of animated movies and this one is the best...and it's not even Pixar...hmm...