The Ultimate Gift

RELEASE: 2006

GENRE: Drama

RATING: GP

DIRECTOR: Michael O. Sajbel

STARS: Drew Fuller (Jason Stevens), James Garner (Howard ‘Red’ Stevens), Abigail Breslin (Emily Rose)

MOVIE SUMMARY: Jason thought his inheritance was going to be the gift of money and lots of it. Was he ever in for a big surprise. The story sends trust fund baby, Jason Stevens, on an improbable journey of discovery, having to answer the ultimate question: “What is the relationship between wealth and happiness?” Jason had a very simple relationship with his impossibly wealthy grandfather, Howard ‘Red’ Stevens. He hated him. No heart-to-heart talks, no warm fuzzies, just cold hard cash. So of course, he figured that when Red died, the whole “reading of the will” thing would be another simple cash transaction, that his grandfather’s money would allow him to continue living in the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed. But what Red left him was anything but simple. Red, instead, devised a plan for Jason to experience a crash course on life. Twelve tasks, which Red calls “gifts”, each challenging Jason in an improbable way, the accumulation of which would change him forever.

REVIEW:

It's a beautiful movie. This movie should be entitled "The Ultimate Tear-Jerker" instead of "The Ultimate Gift". It shows the transcending of the character from asshole to wholesome. I love this movie. It shows the value, not of material possessions but of life. There is nothing else I can say. Drew Fuller and Abigail Brelsin surely took the show. They were amazing! Hats off to them!

I recommend this movie for everyone to see. You won't regret it.

12 Gifts: 

1. Gift of Work

2. Gift of Money

3. Gift of Friends

4. Gift of Learning

5. Gift of Problems

6. Gift of Family

7. Gift of Laughter

8. Gift of Dreams

9. Gift of Giving

10. Gift of Gratitude

11. Gift of a Day

12. Gift of Love

Masterminds

RELEASE DATE: August 22, 1997
GENRE: Action / Comedy / Thriller
RATING: GP
DIRECTOR: Roger Christian
STARS: Patrick Stewart (Mr. Bently), Vincent Kartheiser (Ozzie Paxton), Brenda Fricker (Principal Malone)
MOVIE SUMMARY: Trapped in a school which a gang of criminals has seized control, a young troublemaker, Ozzie, fights a cat and mouse battle from inside.


REVIEW:
Although I've seen this movie before (Hello! It was released in 1997!), I couldn't get tired of watching it. It might be the action sequences or the funny commentaries. But one reason definitely has me watching this movie over and over again--VINCENT KARTHEISER as OZZIE PAXTON, the genius troublemaker!


His character is a breath of fresh air in this movie, being his hot geeky-type mess fighting the bad guys with his 'Die Hard'/'McGuyver' stunts to fool the bad guys. He uses his knowledge of the school (Shady Glen) premises against the bad guys. He uses his knowledge of science and technology to get past their radar. His McGuyver-style in doing these things really got me thinking... GOD! He's a HOT TECHIE SOB! He even had this maze chase in the ventilation (and he did that after turning up the heat in the boiler room). He's great with his hands (hopefully, pun intended but in this case, there is none).


Best McGuyver-style works:
1. Connecting the the cord for the Cable TV into the portal for the security system 
2. Pouring Nitric Acid on the floor to buy him time so that he couldn't be chased
3. Placing the flames from the bunsen burner under a metalic door knob so that the room couldn't be entered
4. Turning up the heat in the boiler room to slow down the bad guys' operations
5. Connecting his walkie talkie into the communication system to listen in the negotiation conversation
6. Tinkering with the sprinkler system (while humming 'Singing in the Rain') to get the computers wet
7. Using his jacket and shoe as bait for the bad guys
8. Using the timer in the Pool Room as a timer for a bomb he made to blow up the pool


Another reason I never get tired of this movies is because of Patrick Stewart. We all know him as the serious Professor Xavier, but in this movie, we see a different side of him--his funny side. He gives these funny commentaries during the movie which I admit is pretty funny for a guy almost on the verge of getting caught.


Funny Quotes:
- While sprinklers are on: "You know, I'm not a violent man, but I really do think I'm going to kill someone here." - saying it with a straight face.
- When Claire Malone told him he's going to fry: "Oh, I'll be frying, Claire, under the hot tropical sun." - while dancing salsa and snapping his fingers.


This movie is definitely the ultimate action movie for kids and teens. It doesn't have any gory and bloody parts that's going to give a rating of PG to this movie. I recommend watching it. These bad guys had a very well thought out plan to get rich, but they never expected a troublesome teenager to foil their plans.