Les Miserables

Movie:  Les Miserables
Major Actors: Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russel Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne
Rating: PG-13
Best Audience: Teens and adults....and people who don't mind musicals.

Review:

Most people who did not like Les Miserables cited the fact that the entire movie was sung.  Yes, they sing throughout the whole movie.  That is a true musical.  So as long as you can get past that aspect of the movie, you'll enjoy it.  It was very emotional.  The thing that struck me the most was the close-up shots during the very emotional songs.  I thought that added to the feeling of the scenes.  The story is obviously one of the most popular novels of all time.  The musical itself is also known around the world.  The movie is very sad, but also has a lot of happy moments.  I loved it and would recommend it to anyone (as long as they enjoy musicals).  If you don't enjoy musicals, read the book (which is one of the longest novels ever written).

 

Madagascar 3

Movie:  Madagascar 3:  Europe's Most Wanted
Major Actors:  Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Francis McDormand, Jessica Chastain
Rating: PG
Best Audience: Children 3 and up would enjoy this.  Some adults might also enjoy it.

Review:

Obviously, kids will love this.  It isn't the best kids movie I've seen, but it is entertaining for a summer afternoon.  I like that the jokes were aimed at children (unlike many kids movies that have embedded adult-oriented jokes in them).  My favorite thing about this movie was the circus imagery, which is awesome in 2-d and 3-d. 

The Dictator

Movie:  The Dictator
Major Actors:  Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris
Rating:  R
Best Audience: Adults who are not easily offended, and who can take serious subjects extremely lightly.  You have to have an easy-going sense of humor.

Review:
This movie was outrageous, but actually pretty funny.  For those of you familiar with Sacha Baron Cohen's work, it is no Borat, but it is worlds better than Bruno.  The Dictator is probably in between those two movies.  Although funny, it is at times a "stupid" kind of funny, and ALWAYS offensive.  Cohen's characters have a way of offending people indiscriminately.  I guess if you have to offend, that is the best way.  So you have to have be light-hearted, easy-going, and not take life too seriously to enjoy this.  Also, the movie has a lot of language, nudity, sex, and other things that give it the R rating.  So, like I said, it is funny, but you must be prepared for all the things I just mentioned.  And if you don't like those things, don't see the movie.