Movies in Review: "Kung Fu Panda 2"

Yay! Finally a sequel that lived up to the success as the first. Loved, loved, loved the first Kung Fu Panda, and I'm happy to say that I feel the same way about the sequel. This has to be the best character I have ever seen Jack Black play, animated or non-animated. Po and all his animated sidekicks are as fun, and delightful as the first. What I think is so great about the Kung Fu Panda films is that they don't totally forget their audience, but the writing is so great that it reaches both kids and adults. The story was written well and there is always a message to be remembered. Such a fun film. So I recommend you do not hesitate on this one, especially if you have seen the first. Any kid I have spoken to is a fanatic of the first, now its time to bring on the second addition. If you do not have any children (like myself), don't worry there were plenty adults in the audience who were clapping just as happy as the kids...just go see it...A!

Movies in Review: "Hangover II"

Well reviews are mixed on this one, and I'm about to give you my take on it...I expected the story to be along the same lines as the first one, which I had no problem with as long as they made it better...eh unfortunately I can't say that they did :/.

This sequel had the misfortune of releasing waaaaayyyy too many trailers, which gave away too much. So unlike the first movie, there was no element of surprise as to what was going to happen. Most of the funny parts were shown in the trailer. And the first movie had a much better, and more cohesive story. The sequel was kind of all over the place. Some things that were bad...Mr Chow is back in the 2nd, but not even as exciting as he was in the 1st. He was all drugged up in the 2nd, which did nothing for his character but bring it down. The storyline with Paul Giamatti made no kind of sense, and was an abrupt notion. The young actor who played "Teddy" was horrible, and makes the same facial expressions throughout, and he can't deliver a line without sounding like he's reading it...smh. Disliked the "monk" storyline...that was just stupid. Alot of the fun and jokes in the film fell flat, like the awkward scene at the end with "Stew" and his future father in law. U will hear the silence in the theatre, when you know they meant for it to be funny.

But it wasn't a total failure. You will get some laughs. Like the monkey was hilarious, and I wish they would have used more of him. "The Wolfpack" will still make you laugh, especially "Alan" who seems to nail every scene down to his facial expressions. "Phil" is not as funny as in the first, but the other 2 make up for him a little. Their friend "Doug" should have been cut out of every scene in which he was shown in the background. He was putting it on thick with his facial expressions, its kind of distracting. You'll see what I'm talking about.

Anyway not as good as I expected, and I actually left a little disappointed. But I know we are all had pressed to see it, but you may not be making it such a priority now. If you do check it, don't say I didn't warn you. Although I must say that the men will probably get more of a kick out of it than the women, because they have a higher tolerance for stupid ish...I'm just sayin...lol. All in all it was just ok. I recommend you wait until it comes out on demand, or DVD, but if it is a must you might not feel so bad paying a matinee price...C-

Movies in Review: "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"

Hmmmmm...was it me, or did this movie just drag. I think that the people behind this installment forgot what was so entertaining about the previous ones, and that's Capt Jack Sparrow. I'm sorry, but there were just waaaayyy too many characters in this film, and waaaaayyy to much going on. There were the "Spanards", and honestly, I did not understand the opening sequence at all...smh. There were the Zombies, Mermaids, Blackbeard...who I actually liked alot. But it was Penelope Cruz that should have been the 1st to get cut. She just kind of slowed the film down in my opinion. No one wants to see Capt Jack in love! They should have axed Cruz's character and kept the monkey instead.

The writing in this film was not as great as the others and neither were the action scenes. Not worth seeing it in 3D at all so save your money. This film just had way too much going on, and with their harsh pirate dialect, its sometimes hard to understand what the hell is being said. Keira & Orlando were definitely missed. The comradery between those 2 and Capt Jack was the best part of the previous films. Its something you just don't get from Cruz. Johnny Depp is perfect as always as Capt jack, unfortunately he was just not given a story that was fitting for his character to shine...eh. If you want to see it because you are a fan of this franchise, I advise you wait until it comes out on DVD...C :/

Movies in Review: "Midnight in Paris"

This film was written and directed by Woody Allen, which is enough to just turn me off...sorry but I'm just not a fan. I decided to see it because it was getting such great reviews, and I was sold once I saw that Kathy Bates and Rachel McAdams were starring in it...love them. Well the movie started off in true Woody Allen Style. The screen was black and credits were rolling, but you could hear Owen Wilson talking. This went on for about 1.5 min, meaning that I was already annoyed...smh. But then the film begins...

Owen Wilson is the starring character name "Gil". Eh...to me Wilson has no dimension to his acting ability. In all his films he seems to play the same guy, either a little hyper, or a little relaxed. This character was his relaxed one...but its still all the same. He's a writer who's in Paris and at midnight seems to go back in time to the 1920's, Gil's idea of the golden age. It seems that this film would be great for anyone interested in art history of this time period. As I am not, alot of this film just got lost in translation for me...smh. I really can't say the film was bad. Although Owen Wilson was, in my opinion anyway, but all the other actors were on point. It was cute, but if you don't have an interest in art and literature, this may not be for you...B-

Movies in Review: "Bridesmaids"

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being as funny as your trailer made you appear...lol. This film was really great, and LOL funny. The story was good, and the humor even better. They could not have picked a better cast of women. It may seem like a chick flick fellas, but I recommend that you do not pass this by because you will love it! I recommend the ladies to go see it with their BFF's, or your very close girlfriends. If your having a bad day...go see this...if your boyfriend is getting on your nerves...go see this...if the kids are driving you crazy...go see this. You will walk out of this film totally forgetting that you were ever in a bad mood. I loved it...and you will too. A comedy that is not short of hilarious...A!

Movies in Review: "Priest"

Im guessing Priest was suppose to be the blockbuster this weekend. Too bad it did not live up to expectations...smh. Unfortunately this film was quite disappointing. It wasn't half as exciting as it's trailer. The story was weak, and the film seemed so short, that the story hardly had the time to fully develop as it needed. This is where I felt this film failed miserably. Not to mention the great action scenes you see in the trailer don't look half as interesting in the film. The fight scenes fizzle, and die too quickly. The special effects were just ho-hum. Its a 3D movie, but I just can't see paying the extra cash for this. I must not have been the only one expecting more, as movie goers were sucking their teeth when the credits rolled...I hate to see a movie go out like that. Needless to say, this film was just not intriguing. I'm not recommending you rush to see this one at all...C :/

Movies in Review: "Thor"

Chris Hemsworth the God of Thunder? Ummmmm...this man is a god...and who didn't feel the tunder when he was on the screen...Wow. They couldn't have cast a better actor to play Thor in my opinion, because I totally believed him. He had it all, the look, the voice...omg he was wonderful. Kind of reminds you of a young Brad Pitt but (can I say this) Better.

I forgot how much I like Anthony Hopkins, but was quickly reminded as his portrayal of Odin. The whole cast was just perfect. And lets talk about the action. I didn't see it in 3D, but it looked like it might be worth the money. I absolutely loved this film, and I'm hoping there will be another. You have to see it. Its all its hyped up to be for sure...A+

Movies in Review: "Jumping the Broom"

I am happy to give this review, because this film was way better than what I thought it would be...it was actually really good. It puts all of Tyler Perry's movies to shame, and actually should have made more in the box office this weekend, but had the misfortune of being released the same weekend as "Thor".

I admit I thought the following people were going to ruin this film, Mike Epps, DeeRay Davis, and Tasha Smith, who all can be a little extra in films. But I'm happy to say that all was good. This was actually the best character I have seen Epps play. He was funny, and you believed him as Willie Earl. I was happy to see him in every scene he was in. It was great to see Romeo (with his fine self), but that kiss just looked awkward...lol. Paula Patton seemed like she was on a shot of expresso and red bull (you'll see what I'm talking about...smh. But everyone looked beautiful, and unlike Tyler Perry's films, it didn't look cheap.

The story was great, becasue you think you have it figured out, but then you get hit with an unexpected twist. So I liked that it wasn't too predictable. Loretta & Angela were fire! This movie is underrated and underlooked. I advise you go see it. It's fun, funny, and all around good time...A!

Movies in Review: "Something Borrowed"

First off the movie was waaaaayyy to long. It was a cute story, but started to get on my nerves with all the back and forth that was going on. This movie could have used some strong editing, and a better wig for Goodwin :/. Colin Egglesfield was cute as the male interest. I thought he was a great pic for the character Dex. Kate Hudson was however getting on my nerves. Can't really say what it was. She looked older than the 20 something character she was playing, and she was just a tad bit over the top. My favorite person was Ethan played by John Krasinski of "The Office". The insults between Ethan & Darcy were hilarious.

It wasn't a bad film, cute, just a bit too long causing it to drag on. Matinee is cool...or even a rental...B-

Movies in Review: "The Beaver"

Wow this is quite a depressing film, well maybe it was just the mood I was in :/. But nonetheless, the movie was good. Damn you Mel Gibson!...having your personal life and crazy antics overshadow your art. To anyone, like myself, who forgot that Mel Gibson is a pretty good actor, this film will snap you back. He was great. Kudos to Jodie Foster for casting him...oh and by the way...Jodie Foster directed it, so double kudos to her!

Can I tell you it was a bit weird at first with Gibson talking as this puppet on his hand. It was just strange because you can see Gibson's mouth moving, so you know its him acting as the puppet. But it doesn't take long before you start actually seeing them as two separate entities. The puppet took on his own persona, and was "The Beaver". Mel Gibson did his thing. To see him struggle with his depression was just heartbreaking, and sad. But don't worry, there's light at the end of the tunnel :). However if your in a bit of a funk, I suggest you pass on this one until you get in a better mood. But I don't recommend that you pass on this movie all together...A!

Movies in Review: "Fast Five"

Omg!!!! This movie killed at the box office! Now I was expecting the numbers to be big, but I was thinking it would bring in no more than 50 million. Opening weekend this movie raked in a whopping 84 million dollars!!!! Movies just don't bring in those types of numbers, but then again most movies don't have the recipe that the Fast & Furious franchise has...Wow!

The film started off a bit all over the place, and I was annoyed within the first 5 min of it, but things got better when Vin Diesel finally came into the picture. The storyline was a bit wonky, and some stuff was unbelievable, but you won't even notice because you will definitely be on the ride of your life! Whoooooo! And I haven't even mentioned the cast line up with Vin Diesel, whose voice just makes me melt, and his tough guy attitude makes you want to take him home...Yum. Then you have the boy next door Paul Walker whose eyes and sweet smile just light up you life :). "The Rock" who I thought bulked up a little too much for this film, and he could have toned his acting down a bit, but none the less, that man is FINE! Tyrese with his chocolate skin and infectious smile, and lastly grown and sexy Ludacris...whooooo!!! (Ok sorry men, this section was definitely for the ladies...lol)

All in all the movie gives you everything you want. Its fun, there are outrageous stunts and car scenes, beautiful MEN & women, and its quite funny as well. Half the people in the world have already seen it this weekend, so I would advise that you do the same...B+!

Tribeca Film Festival Event: Movies in Review: "Jesus Henry Christ"

So I had the opportunity and pleasure of being invited to a movie event at the Tribeca Film Festival. It was my first time being able to take part in the event, but definitely not my last. I had such a great time. The event was hosted by American Express. It was great and ran smoothly. There was all the food you could eat, drinks you could drink, and when the movie started, concession snacks were also provided. All attendees, including myself seemed to be very pleased.

The movie that premiered was "Jesus Henry Christ" written by Daniel Lee. It is a comedy, but I must say a comedy that's a little to the left, the comedy doesn't come straight at you. It starred the actress Colette, who is the start of that show "United States of Tara". I really enjoyed her performance as well as the other cast members. It was quirky...ummmmm a little off...but it worked. I can't say you'll be knocking down doors to see it, but if it does cross your path, you will appreciate it. I enjoyed it...B+

PS...there was no artwork that I could find for this movie, so the above pic is my glass of champagne and movies pass :)