Friday Night at the Movies – Reviews of
Fame 2009, Pandorum, Surrogates & The Informant

This week at the movies…Reviews of Fame, Pandorum,  Surrogates, & The Informant

Fame 2009

Rating: PG [See Full Rating] for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language

Genre: Musical and Performing Arts

Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Kay Panabaker, Bebe Neuwirth

Director: Kevin Tancharoen

A reinvention of the original Oscar®-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a… Plot: A reinvention of the original Oscar®-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame…the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work.In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, plagued by self-doubt, each student’s passion will be put to the test. In addition to their artistic goals, they have to deal with everything else that goes along with high school, a tumultuous time full of schoolwork, deep friendships, budding romance, and self-discovery.

As each student strives for his or her moment in the spotlight, they’ll discover who among them has the innate talent and necessary discipline to succeed. With the love and support of their friends and fellow artists, they’ll find out who amongst them will achieve Fame … –© MGM

Kate says – 2 1/2 stars This is an  averaged rating from a group of girls I took.  Consensus…better than Step Up but definitely not great.

Ebert says - 2 stars

Reelviews says – 2 stars

Pandorum

Rating: R for strong horror, violence and language

Genre: Science Fiction?/Fantasy

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster, Cam Gigandet, Cung Le, Antje Traue

Director: Christian Alvart

In Pandorum, actors, Dennis Quaid (Vantage Point, The Express) and Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, Alpha Dog), join Cam Gigandet (Never Back Down, Twilight), Cung Le (Tekken, Fighting), newcomer AntPlot: In  Pandorum, actors, Dennis Quaid (Vantage Point, The Express) and Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, Alpha Dog), join Cam Gigandet (Never Back Down, Twilight), Cung Le (Tekken, Fighting), newcomer Antje Traue and director Christian Alvart (Antibodies) to tell the terrifying story of two crew members stranded on a spacecraft who quickly realize they are not alone.Two astronauts awaken in a hyper-sleep chamber aboard a seemingly abandoned spacecraft. It’s pitch black, they are disoriented, and the only sound is a low rumble and creak from the belly of the spacecraft. They can’t remember anything – who are they, what is their mission? The only way out of the chamber is a dark and narrow airshaft. Corporal Bower (Foster), the younger of the two, crawls inside, while the other, Lt. Payton (Quaid), stays behind for guidance on a radio transmitter. As Bower ventures deeper and deeper into the ship, he begins to uncover a terrifying reality. Slowly the spacecraft’s shocking and deadly secrets come unraveled, and the astronauts realize that the survival of mankind hinges on their actions. –© Overture Films

Kate says - Sorry…Kate doesn’t do horror movies!

Ebert says -Not available for critic screenings

Moviefone says – 4 stars of 5

Surrogates

Rating: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, language, sexuality and a drug-related scene

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Starring: Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, Boris Kodjoe

Director: Jonathan Mostow

Plot: FBI agents (BRUCE WILLIS and RADHA MITCHELL) investigate the mysterious murder of a college student linked to the man who helped create a high-tech surrogate phenomenon that allows people to… FBI agents (BRUCE WILLIS and RADHA MITCHELL) investigate the mysterious murder of a college student linked to the man who helped create a high-tech surrogate phenomenon that allows people to purchase unflawed robotic versions of themselves – fit, good looking remotely controlled machines that ultimately assume their life roles – enabling people to experience life vicariously from the comfort and safety of their own homes. The murder spawns a quest for answers: in a world of masks, who’s real and who can you trust? –© Touchstone Pictures

Kate says -2 1/2 stars  The story was intriguing and interesting enough to keep me entertained, but parts of the movie were so silly I definitely did a few eye rolls.

Ebert says – Not available for critic screenings

Moviefone says – 3 stars of 5

The Informant

Rating: R [See Full Rating] for language

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Plot: What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre (Matt Damon) suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company’s multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent.Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn’t been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre’s ever-changing account frustrates the agents (Scott Bakula and Joel McHale) and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre’s active imagination.

–© Warner Bros

Kate says -3 1/2 stars  Matt Damon is amazing in this movie…already an Oscar buzz going around for his role as Mark Whitacre.  It may help you to know going into the movie that you will probably feel confused for the majority of the film, but don’t stress, it’s supposed to be this way.  While parts seemed to move slowly, as a whole I enjoyed the fresh feel of this movie.  I loved the Marvin Hamlisch score.

Ebert says -4 stars

Reelviews says - 3 stars