The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries

Disney

August 3, 2001

Children's, Comedy

DVD
C

I saw this at the time, with very mixed feelings, and later read many of the books in the Meg Cabot series, with a different set of mixed feelings.  This time, I gave the movie a C after half an hour, because I just felt it's a good premise with a mostly flat execution.  Garry Marshall directed, because he likes makeover plots.

Get Smart

Get Smart

Warner Bros.

June 20, 2008

Action, Comedy
DVD
D

I walked out of this in the theater, maybe at a point slightly beyond the quarter hour I gave this today.  It badly misunderstands the original TV series (which was itself admittedly hit or miss), most significantly in that Max is not supposed to be clued in to his own ineptitude, and so casting Carell in the lead is a bad idea.  Also, I can see why they might not want to have 99 hero-worship Max, but they haven't found a good "modern" take on her character (played by also miscast Hathaway).  Furthermore, every joke fell flat, when it wasn't mildly offensive.  At least this time it didn't cost me any money to watch the movie. 

Peter Segal directed.

The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises
Warner Bros.
July 20, 2012
Action
DVD
D

A movie so bad that it sounds like Michael Caine is faking a British accent, although I will admit the cinematography was pretty good.  Christopher Nolan directed and co-wrote.