Ted

After a long drought from the movies I was finally able to see Ted and it was so worth the wait. Its was funnier than I had expected it to be. I am not a fan of seth mcfarlane I can only take is tv shows american dad and the family guy in small dosages before I have to change the channel. The humor is the same as his show but if you like crass and offensive than this film is right up your alley. Mark Wahlberg yo found success working with Will Ferrell on the "the other guys" more than holds his own against a CGI bear which isn't easy to do. I say the next act of his career should be to do more comedies. I still find myself laughing about some of the jokes.

My Grade A

The Roundup

It is officially summer so now it is time for the summer films. Let's start with Snow White and the Huntsman I have been looking forward to this film since it was announced last year. I am quickly becoming a fan of Chris Hemsworth and with Charlize Theron's impressive resume there isn't much that she can do wrong. As for Kristen Stewart I have never been a fan of hers the only movie that I have seen of hers has been Panic Room and that was when she was ten years old. I have  heard other people say that she is a one note actress and after seeing SWATH I can kind of see why. As it has been mentioned before this isn't your mothers typical Snow White. We get a more detailed view of the journey that Snow White takes when she runs away from her evil step-mother Ravenna. While on the run she is chased down by the Huntsman who quickly becomes her ally and helps her become a warrior. Problem is we aren't given too many scenes of him teaching her to become this tough women. By the end of the movie she is wielding a sword that looks as if it weighs as much as she does and a shield. With all that aside I didn't mind the movie too much Rupert Sanders the director clearly is a visual master and I look forward to his future projects. Universal has already green lit a sequel which I am not sure that this film really needs but hey as long as chris and charlize are back for round 2 I am in.

Grade B

After months of anticipation I was finally able to get to see Prometheus. I have seen alien but it has been awhile since I have seen it the last time I saw I was a young kid and it scared the crap out of me. This one didn't scare me as much. Noomi Rapace stars as a women who is determined to find the origins of  man kind. OF course in her journey she unlocks things that should have never been unlocked. This is definitely slower and a thinking mans version of aliens. I gotta say the real standout here is Micheal Fassbender (this guy can do no wrong) he plays a droid named David. You simultaneously love and hate his character and yet every time he wasn't in a scene I was anxiously awaiting for him to pop back up on screen. I can't go into the movie too much without giving away to many spoilers. There is one scene in the film that is very alienesque with an alien bursting out of a stomach that is pretty stomach churning. All in all a good movie but I was expecting more I am not sure what more I was expecting but I was left wanting more.

Grade B

Finally on my list of movies to see was the Dictator, to say that this was a huge swing and a miss for Sacha Baron Cohen is an understatement. These characters that he has been creating are getting kind of old. and the Dictator by far was the worst. By now we all know what to expect when Sacha does these characters a lot of low blows and obvious jokes about the situation his characters find themselves in. I probably laughed maybe a handful of times. To Sacha Baron Cohen as a fan please stop making these kinds of films but continue to make films like Hugo or Sweeny Todd.

Grade D

One final note I wanted to throw in some Hollywood dish on Friday Katie Holmes filed for divorce from that nut job Tom Cruise and I want to say thank goodness. There whole relationship always creeped me out their courtship how they got together him trying to make her the women he has always wanted, it all was a little too strange. Personally I feel Tom was abusive to her not physically but emotionally. Keeping her family at bay cutting off her friends making his family and Scientology friends her new family and friends. It all just seemed a little too staged. On the bright side with Tom out of the picture Katie's career will surely get a boost much like what happened to Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz both of whom went on to become Oscar winners post Tom. So good luck to you Katie!!!!

The Avengers Rocks

I was finally one of the millions of people who finally got to catch The Avengers and it fully lived up to expectations. There is always worry when you put several super heroes together and making sure that each character gets enough screen time and The Avengers pulled it off perfectly. The premise is the only weak link of the movie which is laughable at best but hey its a comic book movie. What really stuck out was that these heroes had to learn to work as a team there a was a lot more in fighting among them than expected. But again that makes perfect natural sense. All these men and women are used to working on there own and now they have to learn to band together to form a superhuman team and what a team it is. Everyone was pitch perfect the only one that I was concerned about was Hawkeye since he went rogue early on in the film but other than that an enjoyable film, bring on the sequel.

Grade A


The second film I caught was Dark Shadows, now I should state I wasn't born when the original aired some 40 years ago I don't know the history of the show and I don't know how much of the movie plays off the show. Johnny Depp working with Tim Burton usually brings a smile to my face but this time around it didn't. I found myself bored watching this film which is hard to do with a Johnny Depp film. I didn't laugh at a single joke and kept checking the time to see when the film would be over. You know its bad when a person two seats away from you is snoring in their seat. Maybe I would have been more invested in it had I seen the show or had at least been familiar with it as I was with 21 Jumpstreet. Although I have heard from people who are familiar with  the show and say that this movie is a slap in the face to fans of the show. This is one film Depp and Burton should have passed on.

Grade C-

207.1 Million

207.1 million that is how much I wish I had in my bank account but alas I don't. That number is a big deal today because that is how much money the Avengers has taken. It easily smashed all kinds of records. I was planning on seeing this movie this past weekend but every showing that I try to see was sol out so better luck this weekend.

So I settled for other movies this weekend.

I got around to seeing the Cabin in the Woods. I have been anticipating this movie since last year and I have to say it didn't dissapoint. There is a reason the word genius is used when describing writer, director Joss Whedon CITW was the perfect almost parody of what horror films are like present day. When I say parody it makes it sound like I am describing Scary Movie 5 (which in the process of being made). What I am referring to is on the side of the Evil Dead an absolute brilliant depiction of what is wrong with horror movies today.The cast is filled with mostly unknowns with the exception of Thor himself Chris Hemsworth who turns in some nice work. The true standout is Franz Kranz a stoner who somehow knows to much and catches on to things early in the film I can't say much without giving much away. All I will say if you have a chance to see it before it leaves theatres please do so.

Grade A-

I checked out the Hunger Games, now like a lot of people I have read the books and enjoyed all three. People have been talking about this film quite a bit, mostly because the film is really good. So I went in with high expectations. I found the film to be enjoyable but a tad overrated. There was something more I was expecting but I just din't get it. It had nothing to do with the performances. Jennifer Lawrence has become a heroine for girls across the world. She clearly has the charisma to carry this movie. Even with that being said I still felt like something was missing.

Grade B

The final of my 3 films was American Pie Reunion, an unnecessary film that did not need to be made. I will give the film credit for bringing back everyone from the original film. I don't think that there was one person that was left out. They really should have stopped making these movies after the first one why mess with a good thing. The story line is the same everyone is older and now living in the era of Facebook. Honestly watching this film made me feel old. This is one sequel we could have done without.

Grade C

Back with new reviews

I am a little behind but I was finally able to catch up on some of the latest flicks.

The Lorax was a film that I had been looking forward to ever since I saw the first trailer late last year and it didn't disappoint. You know I am hooked when by the time the film is over I am crying. I have to admit I am not as familiar with the the lorax as I am with some of Dr. Seuss's other staples like the Cat in the Hat. I have to say I am surprised at how well Dr. Seuss was able to accurately predict what the future was to look like, its almost scary how ahead of his time that he was. I know that there has been a lot of debate about the message this movie gives to children and its a good one at that but instead of people looking for a message to brainwash young children how about enjoying the movie for simply what is.

My next film was the highly controversial Project X, I fell for all the silly ad campaigns all over twitter and facebook. I didn't expect much and I din't get much in return. 3 teens throw an epic party in order to rise in popularity at their school. Except said party goes completely out of control with  houses on fire the destroying of  a 100,000 dollar car and utter chaos that teenager can cause. Two things came to mind while watching this movie one being hat I felt that I was gonna be sick during the entire movie, one would think I would learn my lesson after watching cloverfield. Maybe I am just getting old but no more films that are strictly shot by a hand held camera. The other thought I had was I wish growing up I had been to a party like this. I wouldn't want to throw it but I wouldn't mind attending it.

The best film out of the 3 I saw was 21 Jump-street. I don't remember much of the show I know that my aunt watched it every week and I caught glimpses of it. The only thing I do remember is johnny depp. The great thing about the film is that you don't have to be a fan of the show to get into the movie. The only thing that is the same is the premise. Grown adults who look younger then there years take part in a police program where they infiltrate high schools and find some kids who are running drugs. Jonah Hill co-wrote the script as well as co-produced it with Channing Tatum. The real standout here is Channing I didn't think he would really be able to pull off a comedy but he did a terrific job, sometimes being eye candy can work against you as an actor but if anything it works to his advantage. There has already been a green light on a sequel to the film which will more than likely follow them as they head to college, you can count me in.

That is my review for march I will be back later with more reviews.

See you at the Movies

Reviews in a hurry

I am a bit late but I was able to catch a couple really good movies last month. The first being The Woman in Black starring Daniel Radcliff. I wasn't expecting a whole lot from a movie that is rated pg-13 but I was pleasantly surprised. What really works for this film is the silence you never know what is gonna come at you, the cat that jumps out at you from out of nowhere that still gets me every time. The film follows Arthur Kipps played by Radcliff a recently widowed father. He is heading out of town to handle some business only to find that this town is being terrorized by a vengeful ghost. Radcliff proves that he has onscreen presence and is easily believable outside of his harry potter role. I couldn't help but wonder why I enjoyed this film so much until I saw who wrote it, Jane Goldman who in recent years has written some of my favorite films.
My Grade B+

The other film that I was able to catch was the Vow, I had been looking forward to seeing this movie ever since the trailer came out early last year. Channing Tatum and Rachel Mcadams have an easy and undeniable chemistry on screen. The film opens with Paige and Leo a young couple that is clearly madly in love as they are heading home from a night at the movies, the couple is involved in a terrible accident. Both survive but paige suffers from short term memory loss and can't remember her husband. From there Leo tries to show paige what there life was like before the accident.  This task proves to be too difficult for the couple. Paige having trouble adjusting to her new life falls back into her old ways. Where she was a rich snooty girl who was working on  her degree to become a lawyer. How and why did paige change so drastically from a corporate woman to a free spirited artist? I had high hopes for this movie but was a little let down by it. Mostly due to the ending if you have seen the movie you know what I mean.

My Grade B-

Lastly I wanted to touch upon SNL this weekend as many have heard Lindsay Lohan hosted this past weekend. I caught most of her episode, and it wasn't good. I knew that it wasn't a good idea for her to host so soon after getting out of recovery and with her still on probation. What she should have done was popped up in a skit and be done but instead she hosted the whole thing. Most of the skits were sub par at best and it seems the writers weren't that confident in her ability since it seems that she was relegated to being the straight woman while cast members got the best jokes. If anything she looked like a deer caught in headlights and was visibly nervous. They really would have been better if they had let Jon Hamm host for the third time

Reese in a rut

I just saw the latest trailer for Reese Witherspoon's new movie This Means War, after seeing the preview I couldn't help but wonder if this was something I had seen before. Let's go back to December of 2010 the movie How Do You know (a terrible title for a movie) Reese was caught in a love triangle between Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson can I take any bets as to who she ultimately ends up with, it rhymes with small smudd.  A seemingly interesting movie that apparently no one went to see.

Next up was Water for Elephants a movie that I was excited to see. Reese dressed in 30's garb sounded like a great idea. Yet once again we find her caught in another love triangle this time with Christoph waltz and Robert Pattinson. Based on previews and trailers many people thought that her and Robert Pattinson had real chemistry but after seeing the movie it looked like a mother trying to woo her son completely unappealing. Now we cut to present day with her current film. Once again she is stuck in another love triangle with Chris Pine and Tom Hardy wagging war over this women's affections. And sorry to say but not for a single second to I believe this. In real life I have seen what both these guys can pull and they never looked anything like reese. I am not saying that reese is ugly because she is not. She is not your typical A-list beauty that is true but she is a cute girl none the less.I am not sure if reese is thinking highly of herself or if her agent told her that these films would be a good idea whatever the situation may be she really needs to give it a rest. Maybe she is going through a mid life crisis and wants to be seen as a hottie and if that's the case someone needs to tell her she needs to reevaluate her career. So here is hoping that Reese's next movie has nothing to do with her trying to find love at all.

The Grey & Underworld

Back with another set of reviews for the month of January generally considered to be the worst month out of the year for new releases. And it is easy to see why with films like Joyful Noise or the Devil Inside there isn't a whole lot to choose from but I made an exception with two film Underwold: Awakening and The Grey. My sole reason for seeing the Underwold films is that I have seen the 3 previous so why stop now.

Kate Beckinsale is back as Selene she didn't appear in the third film in the franchise. Truth be told it was good to see her back in character again. The story picks up with Selene years later attempting to run off with her lover from the first two films Michael who happens to be a werewolf. Their plans are soon foiled and instead Selene finds herself in a lab. She quickly comes across a young girl who turns out to be her daughter. The story quickly goes from there with lycans now several feet tall. This is an ok film nothing truly memorable about it. The introduction of new characters that are easily forgetable, this isn't the best in the series but it certainly isn't the worst that title goes to Rise of the Lycans.
My Grade C-

The next film is The Grey the latest January release from Liam Neeson. He is quickly becoming that go to guy you see to start your year off. Little information is given about his character Ottoway all that we know is that he is missing his wife and he works in Alaska killing wolves. He is a man who doesn't have much to live for. He is headed back home when the plane hits turbulance and crashes in the middle of nowhere. The men who survive band together to fight the cold but most importantly fight to stay alive against some very angry wolves. After seeing this film all I wanna say is that if I am ever stranded in the Alaska wilderness I want Liam Neeson by my side. There has been a debate about what was real and what was not and the ending of the film which I personally wished had been different but I won't say why you will have to see the film to understand what I mean.
My Grade B-

2 new reviews

It was another slow week and I was able to catch up on two new flicks that I have been looking foward to see one was Young Adult and the other was The Sitter.

Let's start with the good, I was a big fan of Diablo Cody's first film Juno so I had high expectations for YA. To say that this was no juno was putting it lightly juno was a smart dramedy and this is that as well but with a much darker tone to it. Now I don't mind that, I like a film that has a dark sense of humor to it. Problem was I found myself not laughing at this as much as I did with juno. Charlize Theron was completely fearless in her role of a selfish and self obsessed writer Mavis. A women who thinks she has made it because she now lives in the "big city" Minneapolis, Minesota and is a famous writer although no one knows she is since her name dosen't appear on the books. The opening scene is of mavis in bed with the t.v. on with an episode of the reality show kendra playing in the background. Yes folks mavis is living the life she sleeps all day, gets up writes for a couple of hours goes on the occasional date and then does the whole thing all over again. One afternoon mavis receives an invite from an old boyfriend who recently became a father and invites her the the christening, she happily accepts thinking this is a shot for her to rekindle things with said boyfriend buddy. From there we follow mavis into her hometown where we encounter a former chum played by the delightful patton oswalt. The more I got to know mavis the more I really began to hate her which is the point. Clearly this women wasn't going to just come to her senses and realize that what she was doing was wrong in her eyes she was the victim her early marriage which is mentioned briefly in the film failed and everyone in her eyes was supposed to feel sorry for her. It isn't until the end that our heroin realizes that maybe there really is something wrong with her and perhaps she needs help. There is no happy ending with a pretty bow this a raw and unflinching look at a women who still seems to be stuck in her highschool hey day and can't seem to grow up.
My Grade B-

Next up is The Sitter the latest comedy from Jonah Hill and probably the least funniest and one of his worst. This is clearly an updated and loose remake of the 80's classic film The Adventures in Babysitting a true gem if you haven't seen it go out and rent it. I guarantee you will enjoy that more than the sitter. Jonah playing what he knows best a college slacker who is suspended from school and moves back in with his mother. A neighbors sitter cancels and of course Hill's Noah is asked if he could look after them. What ensues is a painful laugh free night of what could possibly go wrong scenarios, including a bomb in a toilet, bringing underage kids to a bar and stealing money from a Bat Mizvah. There is a useless B-story with the outing of character that seems contrived and highly unneeded and noah needing to buy drugs from a drug dealer played by Sam Rockwell. I'm wondering if this story line was created just to give the movie an R rating. It's a dissapointment to see so many good actors being put to waste here (I'm looking at you Ari Graynor). I can understand why this film was made on paper this sounded like a good idea unfortunately when it came to shooting things got lost in translation.
My Grade D

Don't believe the hype

I should start off by saying that I am a big fan of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo book series, so like many people I was have been waiting for the movie to reach theaters. After all the holiday hoopla died down I was finally able to catch a viewing of the movie last night. I enjoyed it although how can you really enjoy a rape and revenge story. Rooney Mara was absolutely amazing as Lisbeth. I wish I had seen the original Swedish version to kind of do a compare and contrast of the two. Another plus the movie stays remarkably faithful to the book. Now there has been a lot of hype behind this film this should have given Mission Impossible a run for its money but it didn't. Some analyst have said the reason behind its lackluster performance is that they opened the film at the wrong time of the year. I can understand there point who really during this time of the season wants to see a women get sexually assaulted and later have to help a journalist solve a 40 year old murder.

Which brings me to my point the hype behind films. As we enter 2012 many films are being hyped to make hundreds of millions of dollars. Inevitably one of these movies will fail as to which one it will be, the jury is still out on that. What with the Hunger Games, The Avengers, The Amazing Spider Man, The Dark Knight Rises and lastly The Hobbit all expected to turn a massive profit this year. Will the hype behind these films hurt it in the long run like with TGWTDT?

This is why I think TGWTDT has under performed, there was a natural backlash against the film. With magazines such as Entertainment Weekly telling us what movie we have to see that weekend (side note I want to point out I have nothing against EW I am an avid subscriber).  Mission Impossible is a perfect example there wasn't a ton of hype behind it, it was still going to get noticed because it is a Tom Cruise movie. There weren't 20 magazine covers telling us we had to see it. It was promoted and released and did better than everybody expected it to do. The best thing for MI was that it wasn't hyped enough it flew under the radar of the TGWTDT.

The first real big blockbuster of the year is the Hunger Games I am a fan of the books and enjoyed all three of them. Now I am starting to feel like I don't want to see it anymore (which of course I am going to no matter what). But again with blogs and magazines telling me that this is something that I cannot miss, now I'm thinking I can miss it. Lets be honest it would be cheaper on DVD.

When will the media realize that they can't just tell us what to do and not expect repercussions a la The Green Lantern. So why not let us the public make our own decisions, it is our time and money that we are spending.