Dave's Rating System

I am going to attempt putting my own rating system onto the movies that I am watching.  One of the things that annoys my about critic rating systems is that it doesn't take into account the "likability" of the movie.  Pretty well all critics base there scores on the cinematography, uniqueness, acting, etc.. of the movie.   Which is fine but then you get movies that were critical flops that, I found I enjoyed VERY well.  Of course you are going to say, that "likability" is totally subjective.  Movies that I might like will not be the taste of everyone.  True enough, but those who know me should know if their tastes match up with mine and then they can take it from there.  Anyways here's my breakdown.

3 points will be given for overall likability.
1 point will be given for cinematography
1 point will be given for acting
1 point will be given for story line

For a total of 6 points.

Edge Of Darkness

This is NOT an action movie, as some have surmised.  What it is, is an extremely well written mystery/thriller. I enjoyed this movie, not so much for the action sequences, although there was a few, but for the twists and turns to the plot.  Mel Gibson plays an awesome role as a father struggling with his MONUMENTAL grief for the death of his only daughter (who meant the world to him) while trying to figure out who killed her and why.  My only complaint was a kind of slow start to the whole process.   Things take a bit of time following the murder until Mel finally starts to pick up speed in the investigation.   At the same time I suppose they needed to establish the blow that this was having on Mel's character, otherwise the movie would just be a revenge movie.   4.0/6.0

The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones is a beautiful movie that is different from the book but is still great in its own right.   Saoirse Ronan who plays Suzie Salmon is fantastic.  Her haunting blue eyes and innocent looks draws you in..  and when she is murdered its like a blow to your heart.  Stanley Tucci who plays the murderer on the other hand is EVERYTHING you expect in a child killer.  It gave me chills just watching him.  You are almost impelled to yell at the screen.. RUN.  Definitely gives you the willies.   Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh have, I believe, been able to capture the essence of the novel in this movie.   If you have read Roger Ebert's review...  don't buy it... he only gave this movie 1.5 stars...  but I think he is full of it..    This movie is definitely worth catching.. 4.5/6.0

The Book Of Eli

This was a total surprise!!!  What a wonderful movie.   The most Christian movie I have seen come out of secular Hollywood since the Passion Of The Christ.  Denzel Washington plays the part of a lone traveller in an post apocolyptic world, destined to protect the last bible on Earth.  He walks this road with a serene elegance and poise as if he is being guided.   Always heading west...   he just knows that eventually he will come to a place where his charge can be read and appreciated at the right time.   Until then he is its feircest protector.   Some people wont get it I am sure.   They will have gone in expecting an action movie only..   Which they will get for sure as the movie is chalk full of that.  But they will also get a fantastic morality tail and a deeper story. In an interview I read that Washington, a Christian himself, changed parts of the script to better bring out the Christian message.   Which was fantastic.    I love it when I am surprised about movies.. and this is definitely one of them.  6.0/6.0

Daybreakers

Okay first movie of 2010 and its not half bad.  Of course I went in not expecting much.  On the whole though it wasn't a bad take on the whole Vampire mythology.  Especially with the latest fad of making Vampires romantic and good...  Twillight this movie is not.   The movie asks... what if Vampirism was real...  and people were given the choice..   Do you want to be come a vampire and live forever??   I would say MOST would say yes.  It then goes one step further... if almost everyone is a vampire then what are they going to eat.   This is the world we find ourselves as humanity is on the brink of extinction and the vampire world is on the brink of starvation.   Again on the whole a pretty decent movie...  maybe kind of cheezy... but hey what do you expect. 3.5/6.0