Terminator Salvation

One of this summer's biggest films, Terminator Salvation recently opened. Produced by McG, the fourth installment to the Terminator franchise is action packed darker feel to the terminator series. This film, along with excellent performances by the ever so "dark" and intense Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) along with great work by Sam Worthington (Heart's War) will revive the franchise much like Batman Begins did for that series. The film is set in 2018 towards the beginning of the war between the machines and The Resistance and sets the story up for at least two more films (which Bale is supposedly signed up for). The film brings a grittiness and intensity to the war with Skynet and its army of Terminators and truly reveals a world of anarchy and chaos as humans struggle to survive in the destroyed world. Bale provides a strong and proactive leader as John Connor, the head of The Resistance, but perhaps what is most revealing in this film is the work of Sam Worthington playing Marcus Wright. Wright is a stranger who has lost most of his memory when he wakes up only to remember himself on death row. Connor is unsure if Wright is from the future or past, human or machine. As the story has the two on a journey to save the human race, a revealing fact hits the audience. You begin to realize you are watching more of Worthington than Connor. When I saw this film I was kind of shocked to realize that Worthington's performance somewhat outshines Bale. Not to say that Bale doesn't do a good job but I would have preferred to be completely enamored with the John Connor. Overall, the film is action packed with some great computer work. Some decent writing and nice set up for future films, Terminator Salvation is a good night out even for those who have not seen the other films. But those who are up to date on their terminator films will appreciate the little nuances a lot more (Ex. tapes from Sarah Connor).

Sex: None
Violence: A lot
Language: Mild
Rated: PG-13
Run time: 115 min
Grade: 3.5

Here is a list of Reviews that will be coming shortly (hopefully one a day):
Up
Terminator Salvation
Angels and Demons
X-men Origins
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

As well as new reviews for movies coming out on DVD for those "stay in" nights.

We're Back!
After a long break from the work of movie reviews due to my graduation from college, the Kolb Review is back. We will be giving you all you need to know about the movie world. Additionally, we will be adding a new feature to the blog: TV PICKS!!!!
Please come read and enjoy,
The Staff

Golden Globe Picks

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -WINNER
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk- WINNER
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kristin Scott-Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road-WINNER

BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges-WINNER
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona-WINNER
Colin Farrell, In Bruges
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky- WINNER
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes, The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight-Winner

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt-WINNER
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire-WINNER
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E- Winner

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt-WINNER
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Grand Torino