Movies in Review: "The Muppets"

When I went to the theatre to see this film, it was funny to see how the audience consisted of 90% adults, and 10% kids. And the theatres were full too! Everyone should be blessed with the joys of the muppets in their childhood. These guys have shown me so much. Seeing them on the big screen sent me back...

Omg! They are still the same. They all sound the same, do the same stuff. It was crazy that after all these yrs nothing had changed about them, and this is what I appreciated most about this film. I forgot that the Muppets like to sing so much. I was a bit confused at first when the singing started happening...lol...yeah its been a while. They kept the movie as corny as the show use to be. Come on, as much as we loved the muppets, you know that show use to be corny...lol. As in true Muppet style they always get star cameos. Some of them included Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, and a slew of others.

I liked the story, but I don't think the younger generation would be able to relate. But if you grew up watching the Muppets you will be happy to check out this movie. I forgot how much I loved the song that they performed at the end...Ma Nam Ma Na!...B

Movies in Review: "Arthur Christmas"

This movie still has me smiling from ear to ear. It made me believe in the idea of Santa Clause again, and the spirit of Christmas. This film was wonderfully executed in my opinion. It mixes the Santa we all know with his sleigh and Reindeer, but has upgraded him to the 21st century technology driven world. It is fun to see how the advancment of technology has even reached the North Pole...lol.

This movie is not short of laughs as we watch Santa and his elf militia in action. It is hilarious to see how technology has made Santa super lazy...hint hint. Arthur is the focal point in the story as he believes in the spirit of Santa and Christmas, and no child should be left without a gift from Santa under the tree. We know how the story goes, but this adventure is still well worth seeing. My favorite character was Bryony, the elf from the gift wrap dept. She is a hoot as she continuously raves at how she can wrap a gift in under 5secs using only 3pcs of tape...lol...She was a doll.

In my opinion you have to take the kids to see this. Its fun, funny, there is plenty of movement and bright colors so the kids won't get bored. The story is in their lane, and won't be over their heads. If you don't have any little ones take yourself to a matinee. If nothing else, this movie will definitely put a smile on your face :)...A!

Movies in Review: "Hugo"

This movie was suppose to be an adventure, but was less adventure, and instead a total bore...yawn. It seemed that Scorsese tried to make something out of nothing, but failed to do a good job at it. The introduction was almost 10min long, and seemed to "introduce" nothing...smh

The story was not well written at all, and even the dialogue between characters lacked substance. There were events in the story that were not well thought out, for example the accident that happened to Hugo's father...wth. I would have liked to received more detail about that event because in the movie it made no sense. The events following also left me scratching my head. The story was so annoying that I left 20min before the credits started rolling. So I have no idea how it really ended, but there wasn't enough time left to fill in all the unanswered gaps that were left throughout the film. And to make matters worse, this dull action drama is already 2+ hrs long! Uuuuuuggghhhh!

If you're interested in watching an orphan who is pretty handy with tools, and fixes clocks, run around a train station for 2hrs, then be my guest and check this movie out. If you're smart and have read the words that I have written, you will save your money and spend them elsewhere...C-

Movies in Review: "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1"

This franchise just like all others like it, "Harry Potter", "Star Wars", "The Lord of the Rings" etc, either you're a fan or you're not. Unlike the other movie franchises I have listed, Twilight is the only one I happen to like. So this is for all my Twilight fans...

Considering how well it did its opening weekend (283.5 million) this franchise has a super huge following. I admit I did not see the first installment, and only got on board with "Twilight" once they brought in Taylor Lautner as Jacob (team Jacob all the way). I felt that the previous movies were a bit dull and melodramatic, but also somewhat addictive. Well unlike the previous installments, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and would crown it as the best one so far. All of the actors/actresses have finally matured to a level where they were bearable to watch. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson seemed to have reached a comfort level with each other that was not evident in the previous movies. I also found Lautner to be at his best.

This was the best written story that I have seen written for this franchise so far. The emotions that Bella went through felt as if they cam from a real place. The ceremony scene was my favorite, and Kristen Stewart gave her best performance yet. I honestly didn't feel a dull moment as I felt in the previous movies. I was emotional, interested, and on edge throughout. It was quite realistic to see Edwards reaction to Bella's pregnancy...smh. I swear you men, and even Vampires are insensitive...smh. Once the pregnancy comes in to play, the story really gets rolling, and will totally pull you in. The ending was phenomenal, and I can't wait to see the final chapter. Unfortunately this chapter was so great I'm a little scared that Part 2 wont be able to live up to the first. But I guess we'll cross that point when we get to it. But to my Twilight fans, this is a must see that won't leave you filled with disappointment...A!

Movies in Review: "Happy Feet 2"

Well if you saw the first Happy Feet, its hard not to get excited about this 2nd installment. I couldn't wait for this movie to be released, as I expected all the joys that I felt in the first. Hmmmmmm...I don't know... I can say that I did like it, but not as much as I enjoyed the first. There are a number of your favorite characters from the first movie like "Ramon" played by Robin Williams, "Mumble" played by Elijah Wood. Both put on great performances as in the first, especially Robin Williams. He is super adorable, and I actually wish there was more of his character in this movie as in the first.

In the 2nd installment we get introduced to a number of new characters also. One of my least favorite characters was "Seymour" played by Common. Omg I found Common's voice as this character to be overwhelming. It was hard to see the penguin he was playing and not Common himself. It got so bad that I wished that he didn't have so many speaking lines...smh. There is also "Gloria" Mumbles wife who is played by Pink. If it wasn't for Pink there wouldn't have been much singing in this movie. Although Pink's singing was extraordinary, it got kind of boring to have her have the lead in all the musical selections. "Will" & "Bill" Krill were played by Matt Damon & Brad Pitt, these guys provided the best comic relief for the movie. Their characters were so funny. I actually would like to see an animated film that was centered around them. I also enjoyed the actor who played the elephant seal "Brian". I thought all the kids were cute. To me it was the story that lacked motion that made the movie kind of dull. The singing was great, and I found the movie to be very kid friendly. However I don't feel that its necessary to see this film in 3D. The 3D graphics are not as great as they should have been. There were many scenes which should have jumped off the screen, but didn't. Adults don't go expecting what you got from the first. Its really not gonna matter much to the kids, they'll be happy going to see this movie either way...B-

Movies in Review: "The Descendants"

The Descendants is a comedy drama that seemed to be filled more with drama than comedy. This is not to say that you won't laugh, but the dramatic life situations told in the story doesn't seem like much to laugh at. I found this movie to be very emotional and real. I don't think there is anyone who won't be able to relate to the family drama that takes place. Drama that includes infidelity, family business, problems with your children's behavior, the death of a spouse. All were touched on in this story, and touched on very well I might add. It was a little drawn out, and a bit melodramatic, but still a great story.

I thought George Clooney did a great job as Matt King. As an "absent father" having to step in when his wife is hospitalized due to a boating accident. To see him having to adjust to his "new" position looked very realistic. I enjoyed the two young actresses they had play as his daughters. It felt as if I was watching two real siblings. The material in the story makes it very emotional. I felt that the director did a great job at capturing everyone's emotions when it came to the hospitalization of Clooney's wife. The swimming pool scene being one of my favorites. I cant really say what I enjoyed without giving too much of the story away, and I never want to spoil a movie for anyone. The movie was a bit drawn out, but still a joy to watch. The cast was awesome, and the comedy is there, although subtle. Its not a "drop everything your doing" must see, but definitely worth a matinee, or rental...A-

Movies in Review: "Immortals"

The promotion of this movie was helped by pushing the fact that this movie was produced by the producers behind the film "300", which was a major blockbuster hit. Unfortunately instead of hiring the producers of "300" they should have hired the director and writers because this film did not meet the bar that "300" set. Promoting it using "300" may have been this films major downfall.

From the opening scene It wasn't looking strong. It started out with a scene including Freida Pinto. Believe me when I tell you that the acting in this scene was so poor, there was no way I had hopes that this movie would be able to redeem itself. The story was weak, and the writing was even worse. The actions scenes were more phenomenal in the trailer than the way they appeared in the story of the film. Most of the action scenes were pretty great, but there were a few that were duds. For example the sequence with "The Beast" and Theseus in the cave of the temple. This was a very weak sequence. The scene with the boat and oil...a very unbelievable sequence. So needless to say, in my opinion, there was a glitch in the direction. The story was all over the place, and the actions being made did not add relevance to the story. There were even common ideas from "300" that did not play out so well in this film. The weakest acting came from Freida Pinto, Stephen Dorff, and Mickey Rourke, whose character seemed to be a bit over the top. This role should have been great for Rourke, but it seemed that the direction he received cause him to miss his mark. The best scenes involved The Gods, which this movie could have used more of. I also loved the scene with the metal cow...that was just evil...smh.

 "Disappointment" would be an understatement for this movie as a whole. One thing it did have going for it was the 3D effects. But the movie was so bad I don't know if you want to waste the extra money. The movie is entertaining to an extent. There is plenty of action, blood, and movement. If this is enough to keep you entertained then go see this film immediately. However if you are looking for a good movie with a cohesive story, great writing, and acting, then this movie is not for you. Please don't make the mistake of thinking your going to get the same emotions you received after watching "300". This movie is nowhere on its level...C

Movies in Review: "Jack & Jill"

Oh Adam Sandler...smh. I must admit that the idea of "Jack & Jill" twins is a really cute idea. But I think putting Sandler in the middle of this idea degraded it to just mediocre. As I am not a true fan of Sandler and his movies, I had no great expectations when going to see this film. Sandler has a strong fan base standing behind his style of comedy, so I will give him that. However this movie played out for me the way most of his movies have. I chuckled, but that's as far as the laughter went.

Sandler gives you the same style of comedy in all of his movies. This makes a movie dull early. I can't say that there was anything to give this movie new life. Katie Holmes co-stars, and she's a major bore herself. Her acting ability is like watching paint dry. She has no dimension...if you can't already tell, I'm not a fan of Katie Holmes. My apologies to the Katie Holmes fans... The two young actors they chose to play "Jacks" kids were a waste of money. This is the first time that I have not been pleased with the young actor/actresses performance in a movie. Usually kids are just naturally funny, but I guess the director of this film, Dennis Dugan, was unable to capture this. The funniest parts were shown in the trailer, as I'm sure you guessed. And the double dose of Adam Sandler was more annoying than anything else to me, but again, I'm not a Sandler fan so Sandler fans can take my comments lightly.

It wasn't all bad though. There are some really cute cameos of real life twins that was entertaining to watch. As I stated in the beginning, I did have a chuckle here and there. I honestly would feel bad if you went to pay your money to see this movie. Its a cool watch, but something that you can wait for on DVD, preferably REDBOX...I'm just sayin...C-

Movies in Review: "J. Edgar"

Ha! When I saw the trailer for this movie I honestly thought it was about one of our past presidents. Well that tells you how much I know about J. Edgar Hoover, the first FBI Director. I may not be familiar with who he was or what he did, but his name is definitely well known to me. When watching the trailer, I was all types of confused because I couldn't understand why the "President" was working so closely with the FBI...smh. Forgive my ignorance...The trailer was just ok to me, I didn't think it looked cohesive, but I could see that Leonardo seemed to have a nice handle on Mr. Hoover. Then you add director Clint Eastwood to the pot, well that was enough to get me on board.

Skimmed a few reviews before seeing it, and a lot of critics loved Leonardo's performance, but didn't like that the movie didn't give more insight to Hoover himself. "What more insight would you like the film to have touched on to make you satisfied" would be my question to these critics. I personally felt I received way more insight than I needed on J. Edgar's life. Of course this is coming from someone who didn't know much about him going in, so everything was new to me. I thought his life was amazingly complex, and a little disturbing. I feel that I got alot of insight into the life of the 1st Director of the FBI. Subject matter that I read hasn't even been confirmed, but rumored, ran deeply in the story...wow.

I agree with critics when they praise Leonardo's performance. It was very hard to even separate his character from the man himself. I did find the aging makeup to be a little scary for all characters. The makeup at first looks plastic, and looks as if everyone's face is melting...lol. But don't worry, the makeup isn't bad enough to distract you from the movie. I can't say I had much discontent with the direction of this film, although I am biased because I am a total fan of Clint Eastwood's directing style. I did find however that the film lacked some cohesiveness. The story continues to switch from "present day" Hoover, to younger Hoover. I did find myself getting lost at points. For the life of me I could not understand why every time they came back to the part of the story where Hoover is having his biography typed by a young agent, there was always a DIFFERENT agent in the chair...did I miss something? I also wished at the end they would have given more insight as to what happened to "Helen Gandy" after everything was said and done. She seemed to be a major key component in J. Edgar's career, but there was nothing else about her past his death...hmmmmm.

All in all I have to say that I enjoyed it. If you know Hoover like the back of your hand, then this may not be the movie for you, as you may feel you didn't receive anything that you already didn't know. But for those that are as less informed as I, I think you will find it to be a very interesting biographical film...B+

Movies in Review: "Tower Heist"

I am happy to say that this was a crime comedy that hit its mark. I was quite surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. Thank goodness they limited Eddie Murphy's camera time, or this review may have gone a different way...lol.

The story was decent, but it was the even better comedic performances that made this film entertaining to watch. I feel that they cast a nice group of actors/actresses, although Broderick and Murphy were my least favorite, everyone else was on point. Casey Affleck where have you been my love...I enjoyed Affleck in this film, but he is definitely way too talented for this mere role. Michael Pena...love him in comedies, and any other genre of film that he plays. I find myself pleased with his performances, and he delivered again in Tower Heist. Sidibe...smh...I am happy that she has been able to do and be more than just "Precious". I think the accent needed work, but her overall performance was a much needed addition to this comedy.

There is so much going on in this film that you won't find yourself bored. You will find that some of the plot is reminiscent of something that you've seen before, but it was still fun to see it played out. Again the ending of this movie was also lack luster. And it lost a few points for me in that regard. To be very honest, I wasn't expecting much from this Tower Heist, but I got a little more than I had expected. Its not great, but definitely not bad...B-

Movies in Review: "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas"

Im not a fan of stoner comedy's...you know...those movies that are more entertaining when your high...smh. This is mainly because I don't smoke. Needless to say I've never been a fan of the Harold & Kumar franchise, but I have plenty of friends who love them and are always quoting and re-enacting scenes from their movies...smh. When I viewed the trailer for the christmas 3D version, for the first time, their movie actually looked interesting to me. But I must admit that alot of that interest came from the fact that I have developed an overwhelming love for Neil Patrick Harris...lol. So here is my review of the movie. You true Harold & Kumar fans can tread lightly with my remarks...

This movie was lame...to an extent. I guess it was a little annoying to see Kumar still getting high after all of these years. I really didn't find his idiotic antics to be that hilarious, and Kal Penn just looked too old to play his character, and still act the way that he was. However, I thought when they mixed Harold & Kumar together, it made for a "better" comedy. I thought that the movie would be a bit more entertaining, but instead I found that it ran dull at some points. Thank goodness for the other characters/actors like Thomas Lennon who plays Todd and the baby who played his daughter Mary. Lennon always seems to have small roles in his movies but always makes his scenes count. I love him in comedies, and he was another reason I went to see this movie. The situation with his daughter Mary was hilarious. The party scene and any scene with Lennon and NPH were great, and were the highlights of the movie. But outside of that it seemed that Harold & Kumar have outgrown their characters. It would be a mistake, in my opinion, not to make this the last installment. I think these guys have had a pretty good run, and actually did not end on a bad note, if this is in fact the last one.

The bonus to this installment is that it was also filmed in 3D, and I mean REAL 3D. It is definitely worth the money if you are true fans to get the 3D glasses. The stuff jumps off the screen, which made the movie fun in that regard. Like I stated earlier, I've never been a fan, so the movie was just ok for me. I didn't hate it, it just goes on my list of senseless buffoonery that I only need to see once...C