Movies in Review: MATERNITY LEAVE

Hello to all my faithful movie goers! It is an exciting time for me. If you don't already know, I am on my way to becoming a first time mother...Exciting! Lol...anyone who knows me, knows where the sarcasm is coming from...lol. Anywho...I am now in my 38th week and my newest addition will be arriving any day now. I am writing to let you know that it is with sadness that I have to let you know that I will be away from my blog and the movie theatres for a while as I get adjusted to my new duty as "Mother".

But please don't worry because I will return. I have new and exciting things planned for "Movies in Review" in the coming New Year. I hope that you hang in there, and stick around until then :). I plan to restart my reviews early to mid January. Please keep in mind my start will be slow, but I plan to be in the full swing of things by Feb. I know I know...but I ask that you give me the opportunity to see how this motherhood thing works...lol.

I will return sooner than you think, but for now its all about the little one :). I look forward to reading up on my fellow bloggers reviews, as I don't see myself making it to too many movies this end of season :(. I ask that all my followers not forget about me, and please check back in January or register you email addresses to my blog so that you can receive my reviews through email as soon as I return. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope that your Christmas and New Year are even better! Later until we meet again in the theatre...xoxo!

Movies in Review: "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2"

If you are not a fan of this saga, then you will likely find no interest in this review at all. I actually don't know if I would consider myself a "fan", but I will admit once I stepped in to see my first movie from this saga, I definitely wanted to find out how it would end. Unlike some people, I rather enjoyed Breaking Dawn Part 1. It was one of my favorite installments from this series. Part 1 had me eagerly anticipating the last chapter. However, although eager, I wasn't expecting much from Breaking Dawn Part 2. All too often the end of a saga seems to leave movie goers with disappointment, than closure. Well I am happy to report this was not the case here.

Breaking Dawn 2 was absolutely amazing!!! I say this with excitement because this film had me on the edge of my seat. This was by far the best installment yet. I enjoyed almost everything about it. I am happy that he characters acting chops all seemed to have gotten better with each film. None of them annoyed me in this film. All were very natural acting and appeared to be the most comfortable with themselves in this film. The character Edward was always hard for me to connect with because he seemed so fake. In this movie he was real and I enjoyed him the most. Kristen Stewart never looked better as Bella. I like her better as a vampire for sure. Her character had substance in this film, and was strong in every scene. This installment had more movement than in the other films, which upped its entertainment stock. I loved the story, and even more, the ending.

I may not have liked all the films in this saga, but I feel like waiting for the ending made suffering through the other films worth it. This one ended on a high note for me, and left me with satisfactory closure. If you're a fan of the book and series I am interested to know if you enjoyed it as much as I did...A!

Movies in Review: "Skyfall"

The trailer for this Bond film won me over immediately, just like all the others did, but I was still a little skeptical. I enjoyed Casino Royale, but the second installment with Daniel Craig in the role of Bond, Quantum of Solace, left little to be desired. I was just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best for Skyfall...

Let me just tell you that the opening sequence was absolutely amazing, and was a great set up for the rest of the film to follow...Wow!!! If you go into the theatre to see this, and find yourself tired, the opening scene will have no problem waking you up so that you can enjoy the rest of the movie...yeah its like that. Oh and don't let me forget to mention the titled song for this movie, which is written and performed by Adele. They play it in the opening credits, and its a banger!!!

This installment of Bond had one of the better stories. I loved the addition of Javier Bardem as the film's villain, he was excellent. Javier's character kept the movie interesting, as you anticipated what his next evil move would be. Daniel Craig was great as the character Bond, and I definitely enjoyed how his character was directed in this one as opposed to Quantum of Solace. The only thing that may have irked me a little was the actress Naomi Harris who plays Eve Moneypenny. They tried to make her look sexy, but the result on screen just looked awkward in my opinion. Maybe she should have held back on the "sexy", because it seemed a little forced...ijs.

All in all you will definitely get your monies worth with this one. I went to see it in IMAX and thought it was great. There are some really beautifully filmed scenes in this one, and is filled with enough action to keep you awake through the whole 2hr running time. I enjoyed it and was exhausted by the end...A+!

Movies in Review: "Flight"

Yes due to super storm Sandy, I am a week late with this one. But who cares, I still have to chime in with my opinion of it. I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this movie, and was disappointed that I was unable to see it opening weekend. There was nothing that really grabbed me about the trailer, but it did look like the character Denzel was playing in it was different from many of his earlier roles. This is probably what caught my attention the most, well that and John Goodman...lol.

I am happy to say that the movie played out nothing like I expected, but was as good as I hoped it would be. In the second weekend out, the theatre I watched it was sold out. I enjoyed how the audience became invested in Denzel's character "Whip", a functioning alcoholic and drug user. Watching Whip struggle with his addiction was a crazy ride. You might find yourself debating if he or the plane was at fault for the tragic accident...I know I did. Denzel did a great job with Whip. I also enjoyed Goodman, as I hoped I would. He added great comic relief. His part was small, but greatly relevant. The story was well written and played out. I enjoyed how the ending was unpredictable and real.

This is a drama that I think will appeal to almost every one's liking. If you are a Denzel fan, you will be happy to know this is another one of his good ones...A-

Movies in Review: Hurricane Sandy

Due to the personal devastation Hurricane Sandy has caused the NY area, and my own personal life, I was unable to review any movies this weekend. I was flooded out of my home during the hurricane, and at this time am trying to get my life back to some normalcy. I am blessed to not have lost everything, but it is taking time to get everything back in order.

I hope to be able to post the movie reviews missed this week soon, but I will not put too much pressure on myself to do so. I am hoping to get your understanding, and want you to know that I hope to have my reviews going again by this weekend, or worse case scenario, 2 wks from now.

Please feel free to register your email address with my blog so that you will receive emails of my reviews as soon as they are posted. You can also keep checking back. My love goes out to everyone who has suffered loss and damage from this storm. Stay strong! And I hope to see you in a movie theatre soon!

Movies in Review: "Cloud Atlas"

This movie is an adaption of a book of the same name. I thought the trailer was so weird that it was super intriguing. It was hard to even get an idea of what the story was about because it seemed all over the place in the trailer. I think this made the movie most interesting to me, not to mention the phenomenal ensemble cast.

I have to admit that the first 20min had me confused, but this confusion also kept me interested. This film has multiple story lines, 6 to be exact. Most films with multiple story lines usually don't play out well, but for some reason this was not the case for me with this film. The story lines blended easily in a way with each other. I loved how the cast played different characters in each storyline. It was fun to see them transformed into new characters. I also enjoyed how each storyline was its own, but still met at the end with a cohesive message. My favorite story was the one place in Neo Seoul 2014. To me the characters in this story were the most interesting. I know this may cause some of you to gasp, but this film is 3hrs long...Yikes!!!

No worries though...although the film has an extensive running time, I didn't find myself getting bored to the point of exhaustion or sleep. This movie was artfully, and beautifully done. I enjoyed the writing and direction of each story very much. By the end of the film, a great feeling came over me that is kind of hard to explain. This movie isn't for someone who can't handle complexity. There is nothing simple or straight forward about this movie. But to say that I was pleasantly pleased with this film would be an understatement. This movie, in my opinion, is weirdly amazing...A+!

Movies in Review: "Alex Cross"

I was not convinced with the trailer for this film. Every time I saw the trailer all I kept asking is "why the hell is Tyler Perry in this film". The fact that Tyler Perry was cast in the lead role, almost had me counting this movie out. It was Matthew Fox's character that kept me on board to give this movie a chance. However when opening papers Friday, critics had nothing good to say about the movie. Although I don't read critics reviews, but I do skim their ratings of a film, and those were not looking great at all. So needless to say, my expectations dropped even further...

I'm sorry, but after watching this movie I have come to the conclusion that critics do not like Tyler Perry. This movie wasn't as bad as the ratings that it was being given. I have seen worse films. The story was ok, I didn't hate what was going on. I thought Matthew Fox made a great villain, but I thought they would show more of his torture than they did. His torture scenes were a little too watered down for me. They showed the result, but his process would have added so much more to this movie, in my opinion. But don't get me wrong, there is no doubt that he is one ruthless character, but I still wanted more.

Tyler Perry as Alex Cross wasn't as bad to watch as I thought it would be. When I first saw the trailer, I was wondering why Perry instead of someone like Will Smith. But Perry did his thing. I think the problem most people have is separating him from his character Madea. There was only one point in the movie where he starts speaking so quickly that he starts to sound like Madea, I think you will notice. But other than that, Perry was decent.

My only issue with this movie is that it could have been pushed further, especially Fox's character. Other than that, it was a crime thriller that played out like most of them do, but it's not the worse film I've seen. It was actually better than I expected...C+

Movies in Review (INDEPENDENT FILM): "The Sessions"

Another independent film that I was able to take advantage of seeing this weekend. I wanted to see this one because of Helen Hunt, who I haven't seen in a film in a while, and William H Macy who is one of my top actors. After seeing the trailer for this movie it reminded me of The Intouchables, another independent film I thoroughly enjoyed, and was hoping to get the same feeling from this movie.

Well...it was good, but I enjoyed The Intouchables more. Don't get me wrong, it is a great story that plays out well. Maybe it was all the sex that made me uncomfortable at times...lol. Helen Hunt looked amazing, and is very comfortable with her body, but after seeing it more than I cared too, there is no reason she should be ashamed. William H. Macy was a great addition to the cast for more comedy relief. He was my favorite character, and I'm sure you will like what he brings to this film. Kudos to John Hawkes for  playing the lead Mark O'Brien. He was on his back throughout the entire movie, playing a man paralyzed from the neck down due to polio. The sex scenes between him and Hunt will having you cracking up, and feeling his pain...and pleasure.

This is another decent film that I would recommend you seeing if you can find it in your area. Its a feel good movie, that will have you smiling even at the end...B+                            

Movies in Review (INDEPENDENT FILM): "Middle of Nowhere"

When I watched the trailer for this film, there was something that truly captured me. It had a very smooth and interesting vibe that had me wanting to see this one. In addition to the fact that it starred Omari Hardwick and David Oyelowo, two of the best looking actors in the industry right now...oh and they are super talented too :). This movie is written, directed, and produced by Ava DuVernay, who won best director for this film at the Sundance Film Festival. The first African American female to win this honor...Kudos Ms. DuVernay!

I would have to say that I agree that this award was well deserved. I felt the directing for this film was excellent. There is a real solemn, and lonely feel that is portrayed with cool shades of grey. The scenery  plays a big part in telling the story, it is not all about the dialogue, which is something that I love about this film. I found the musical soundtrack to be the best part of the movie. The music in this film did more for the story than in any other film I've seen. If you're into underground music, you will like this movie for the musical soundtrack alone...

Hardwick and Oyelowo were not disappointments, but it was the female lead Emayatzy Corinealdi who stole the show. She has only been in a few short films, and had some appearances on a soap opera, and a few other television series. This is her first major lead role, and after what I saw in this film, I hope to see her in a lot more. She is a very natural actress. I love actresses like this, where it feels like they aren't playing a character, but instead ARE the character.

This movie is not a major release film, so you probably won't find it everywhere. If you are one of the lucky ones to have this film playing in a theatre near you, and appreciates the art of a good independent film, then I recommend this one. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, and I think you will too...A-

Please Note: My apologies for the late posts. I was dealing with technical issues.

Movies in Review: "Argo"

The trailer really didn't have me convinced to see this film. It was Ben Affleck alone in the director's chair and lead that had me give this movie a go. I have enjoyed The Town and Gone Baby Gone, so although the trailer looked like a snoozer, I figured that there would be more to the film that wasn't easily seen in the trailer.

I was right to trust my gut with Ben. As with his earlier projects, this film was wonderfully written and directed. It's not the most theatrical film, but it is a pretty damn good movie. The story is very simple, but is directed so well you will find yourself caught up. There are some great suspense sequences that had me breathing sighs of relief. There is a wonderful cast that left me with no complaints. Argo has Oscar buzz surrounding it, and I can definitely see why.

This movie is simple, it is the writing, direction, and cast that make it extraordinary. This movie is 2hrs long, and in my opinion can only be appreciated by movie-goers who can appreciate a good film. If you're an action fanatic, and enjoy utter non-sense, this is not the movie for you. For everyone else, Argo is a good watch...A-

Movies in Review: "Seven Psychopaths"

I was looking forward to seeing this movie. From what I saw in the trailer, it had an amazing cast that includes Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, and Colin Farrell, all of whom I am fans of. The trailer made me laugh, and I anticipated even more from the movie. I was also looking forward to seeing Farrell in a hit movie (and I thought this was it), instead of the box office flops he's taken roles in lately. Although regardless of tickets sales, I very much enjoyed Total Recall...

But unfortunately I hated this comedic catastrophe...smh. Where do I begin? Should I start off by telling you that I hardly laughed? Or should I tell you the story is all over the place that there seems to be no rhyme or reason for anything happening. I will tell you that I enjoyed Sam Rockwell's and Christopher Walken's characters, but the story was so poorly written that they and the rest of the cast just appeared to be foolish. This hasn't happened in a while, but I seriously wanted to walk out of this film a half hour before it was slated to end...horrible

In my opinion you would have to be a teenage boy, or seriously crazy to sit in the theatre and act like you are enjoying this. There are 7 psychopaths in this film, but if you are stupid enough to buy a ticket for this one, I would definitely have to consider you the 8th!...D-

Movies in Review: "Here Comes the Boom"

I have not enjoyed all of Kevin James's comedies, but I am a huge fan of Kevin James to know that I have enjoyed enough of his movies to give this one a go. From what I saw in the trailer, I expected this one to be one of his better comedies. He looked amazing, Selma Hayek looked adorable, and the story seemed interesting enough...so I was in...

In my opinion the movie was alot better than critics were giving it credit for, and I'm happy to say that I enjoyed it. The ending was super predictable, but it was the cast that made the movie entertaining and fun to the end. Kevin James was in the best shape of his life, and was able to pull off his great comedic antics. I haven't seen Hayek in many/any comedic roles, but I enjoyed her. She was just naturally funny, and her and James were a great pair. Bas Rutten the ex MMA champion, and Henry Winkler were also great additions with Rutten being my favorite character. I enjoyed the way the film was written and directed in a way that made the cast seem natural and blend well together.

By no means is this the best comedy I have ever seen, but it did make the viewing audience, myself included, laugh. It is fun and cute, something I would consider a good date movie, or matinee. I enjoy comedies like this, so this one gets my recommedation...B!

Movies in Review: "Taken 2"

It seems that everyone has looked forward to this sequel since the sleeper success of the original. Unfortunately I can't say that I have been looking forward to it. I felt the first one started and ended so well, a sequel wasn't really necessary. Besides, we all know it's rare that a sequel ever adds up to the first movie...I'm just saying...

I sat down in a packed theatre as I expected, and prepared to be disappointed...and I was to a point. True to form the second was nowhere near as great as the first one. This version had more fists and gun fights, and lacked the story build-up of the first. The lack of dialogue made the story less interesting for me. I enjoyed how Neeson's character had to piece clues together in the first one, unfortunately there wasn't much of that in this one. Pietrel, the character from the first film was in the first scene being interrogated, but that was the extent of his role, and I missed the relevance of his part...smh. The car scene with his daughter should have been shortened, because it seemed to last 10min, and Neeson's character kept repeating the same sentence "Go Grace!"...boring.

In my opinion, the story wasn't nearly as strong as the first, and reminded me of other mediocre action flicks. It wasn't as special as the first one, so don't go in expecting the same thing. Maybe I shouldn't keep comparing the two, but it's really hard not to. If its any consolation, audience members seemed to enjoy it, as it received some applause as I was exiting. I was entertained to an extent, but overall...it was just ok to me...C+

Movies in Review: "Loopers"

As great as the trailer is for this film, I admit that I was still skeptical about how well the content was going to play out. I thought it was a great idea, but thought that I would be disappointed like I have been so many other times this year. I had all intentions of still seeing this movie, but wasn't expecting to be satisfied.

Loopers starts out cool, as we see the hired hit men in action. I thought they did a great job of making Joseph Gordon-Levitt look like Bruce Willis, who plays an older version of Levitt's character. Levitt also does an amazing job of capturing Willis's facial expressions, to make it easier to believe that they are the same character. I was surprised at how well the story was written, and how it left me satisfied with everything that was happening. The premise of the movie was so complex that you would have expected to be left with unresolved question, but not with this film, a definite plus in my opinion. I only had a problem with a few slow moments in the film, but the ending brought it back on a high note for me. The movie wrapped up great.

This movie had my heart racing by the end, that's how exhilarating it was. This is a time travel adventure that is well worth the ride. Be prepared to get the unexpected...A-

Movies in Review: "Hotel Transylvania"

I am guessing this will be the highest grossing movie coming out of this weekend. I was in the theatre for most of the day Sunday, and all showings for this movie were sold out, and had the theaters packed with excited kids. I have to admit, I was even looking forward to this animated film. It is filled with tons of actors/actresses who I adore providing voice overs for the characters. The trailer also looked fun. So I was ready for the enjoyment.

I wasn't filled with enjoyment, but I did catch a few Zzzzzzzz's....lol. This animated film wasn't as interesting as it appeared in the trailer. I haven't snoozed on an animated movie in a while, but this one didn't really capture me. Was it just me, or was this movie too long. I honestly couldn't wait until it ended. I'm sorry if it sounds like this movie was horrible, because it wasn't. But then again, it wasn't that great either. There was a lot going on in the movie, and too many characters. I think I liked Selena Gomez, and Adam Sandler the least, and that's unfortunate because they are the main characters...smh. My favorite characters were Steve Buscemi as the werewolf, and his huge wolf pack. They were very entertaining.

When the credits started rolling, audience members just left. There was no applause, and the excitement from the kids going in, wasn't the same coming out. You could tell that everyone was leaving with an "ok" feel about the movie...C

Movies in Review: "Won't Back Down"

I admit I would probably go see any movie that stars Viola Davis...love her, but it was Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance in the trailer that had me super interested in this movie. I don't think I can get enough of films based on our educational system. Its just unfortunate that the system is always shown in a negative light.

This movie was held together by great performances from the cast, especially Davis and Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal was my overall favorite because she seemed to melt into the character she was playing. A mother's love for her child is a strong bond, and Gyllenhaal played it excellently. The story was well written, but of course always disturbing to digest because you don't want to believe all the bureaucracy that goes into the education system. My only complaint is the length of the film. It seemed like they could have cut out 20min, and gotten to the end quicker.

You are in for a very well written, directed and cast film. It was a bit long for me, but it may not bother you as much, especially because the content of the movie will keep most audience members attention...B+

Movies in Review: "Pitch Perfect"

I couldn't wait for the release of this movie. I saw the theatrical poster before I saw the trailer, and even the trailer had my interests. Once I saw the trailer, my interest was sealed. I thought the trailer was hilarious, and it had my favorite girl at the moment in it, Rebel Wilson. It seem that I wasn't the only one anticipating this movie. With limited release this weekend, the movie theatre I went to see it was full. We were all anxious to get our laugh on...well I know I was. So did I laugh...

Unfortunately, not as much as I had hoped to. This movie suffered from most of the funny parts being shown in the trailer...smh. I hate when comedies have little to offer outside of the trailer. There really wasn't much that I laughed at that wasn't already shown in the trailer. This put a damper on my feeling for the film. I also wished the story would have moved a little quicker. It took too long to get to its predictable resolve. In my opinion, it shouldn't have taken so long for someone to step up to the character Aubrey. She was seriously getting on my nerves.

I know so far my comments sound really negative, but the movie wasn't all bad. The singing was the bomb. I really enjoyed all the musical routines. The story was also cute, but really nothing special. Rebel Wilson was hilarious, and the character Lilly also provided some laughs. I have grown fond of Anna Kendrick, but this wasn't my favorite role for her. It felt like she was trying to hard...eh.

Overall it didn't really meet my expectations, but then again, I may have expected too much. It's a musical, filled with plenty of great musical selections. If you are into that, than this will be a plus for you. You will laugh, but don't expect to laugh out loud. This movie is ok, but if you were like me and expecting something great, please lower your expectations...C+

Movies in Review: "End of Watch"

I am a huge fan of Michael Pena, so there was no way I was going to miss this movie. I wish he would get more major roles because in my opinion his acting abilities are well deserving of it. Besides Pena, the trailer for this movie looked great. The trailer was enough to draw my interest, but by no means did I feel like I was given the entire story, and I needed to see how this ended.

I expected this movie to be decent, but it was way better than what I expected. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I liked how it was filmed. It really made you feel like you were watching real life LA PD officers on the job. This movie had humor that appealed to the audience, the story is gripping and will keep your interest throughout. Gyllenhaal and Pena were a match made in heaven. The chemistry between the cast looked natural and made for a great film. I have felt that a majority of this years movies have been somewhat disappointing, but believe me when I say...not this one.

I have not said this in a while, but this one is a must see. Like Training Day, this is one of those movies that will have you watching over and over. I can't wait to see it again...A!

Movies in Review: "House at the End of the Street"

I felt like this movie had a great deal of potential when viewing the trailer. From the trailer, the story seemed interesting enough, and I am a growing fan of Jennifer Lawrence. Knowing that I would be unable to see all new releases this weekend, this movie made the cut.

Like most horror films, the movie started very slow. Jennifer Lawrence was cool, but the story dragged. When the story started to pick up is where it got weird. Well actually no, I take that back. You will think that you've gotten the story figured out early, but when it starts to unravel is when it gets strange. The conclusion will likely have you shaking your head...seriously. How am I really suppose to take this story seriously. There were just  a few too many unanswered questions, like why no one mentioned anything about missing women. I may have already given away too much, and that's not usually my style, but it had to be said...smh.

This movie could have been decent, but it's obvious the writers expected the viewing audience to be idiots...smh. It wasn't the worse horror movie I've seen, but I really can't help but to suck my teeth at the  whole thing. This movie is just ok. If you are a fan of horror flicks, then I'm sure you expect some non-sense and won't find it to be that bad. But if you're like me and expect a comprehensive story, this is your fair warning. This movie had a few thrills, was a bit slow, and didn't wrap up that great...C

Movies in Review: "Arbitrage"

Definition of Arbitrage: The simultaneous buying and selling of securities, currency, or commodities in different markets or in derivative forms in order to take advantage of differing prices for the same asset. Once you know the definition and see this film you will agree that it is perfectly titled. But don't think that this is the whole story, because this film is filled with so much more.

This movie was one of the best movies I have seen in a while. You forget how good it feels to see a well written, directed, and performed movie. Its like a breath of fresh air. The drama in this film was subtle, but still intense. Richard Gere is amazing, and looks edible. That is one sexy 60+ year old man. This has to be one of my favorite roles from him lately. He had such a strong presence, and brought so much to his character. Susan Sarandon's role was small, but great along with the rest of the cast. I was surprised to see Nate Parker in this film, but was also very pleased with his performance. I felt like this movie was strong all the way through.

I hope this movie hits a theatre near you. Im sure Im not the only one who has been disappointed with the films being released lately. Prepare yourself to feel good about your ticket purchase for this movie...A+

Movies in Review: "Resident Evil: Retribution"

YAWN!!! For the life of me could someone please tell me why they keep continuing with sequels for this movie. Better yet, maybe I should figure out why I keep stepping into the theatre to watch them...smh.

I believe this is the 6th installment, and its the same ol' BS. Quite honestly, do we even care anymore. This installment starts as every other movie before it with the character Alice narrating who she is, and the umbrella corporation...blah blah blah....yadda yadda yadda. Same ol ish with a few added characters, but filled with the same old dumb story. As a matter of fact, is there really a story? Just seems like a movie filled with gun battles and zombies, who are wearing the worse makeup I have seen in a long time in a movie...lame.

The worst part about this movie is that it ended like it always does, leaving it open for yet ANOTHER sequel...smh. Well just to let you know, I have had my fill with this franchise and will no longer partake in another viewing of their films. The only good thing that came out of this was that I was able to use a free movie ticket to sneak into the theatre to see it. If you paid to see this, I'm pretty sure you are slapping yourself...lol...D-

Movies in Review: "10 Years"

To be very frank, this movie is nothing more than a 10yr class reunion. It played out exactly as such, especially for those people who have ever attended any of their reunions. I know I found myself reminiscing. I enjoyed the fact that each situation was easy to relate to. I also enjoyed the cast, especially Ari Graynor, and Justin Long. However there were a number of things that did not make this movie great for me. Maybe I'm just being an a$$, but Channing Tatum should have rethought his hairstyle. It was all over the place, it didn't look great and was kind of distracting. I also didn't find the writing to be that spectacular either. It kinda felt like many of the characters were improvising. The story failed to movie along for me, and it wasn't all that funny.

There is no reason to really jump to go see this movie. It was ok, but not really great...C

Movies in Review: "The Words"

I had little interest in seeing this film from what was presented in the trailer. The story seemed to be transparent, and I'm not the biggest fan of Bradley Cooper. Skimming reviews, no one seemed to have anything great to say about it. The only reason this review is touching this blog is because it was one of the only major released films this weekend and I'm not going to leave you guys hangin with nothing.

Given the unsavory reviews of this film, I was expecting it to give me a sweet hour and a half nap, but I left the theatre with my eyes wide open and feeling ok about what I had seen. This movie has more of an Independent movie feel, with subtle nuances that create the story. I enjoyed it for the most part, especially since the story was more intricate than I had anticipated from the trailer. It was somewhat weird that it played out like a book in a book, and by the end I was left hanging out on a cliff instead of receiving actual closer. Unlike most people, I kind of enjoy when a movie messes with my head...lol. This could be half the reason I enjoyed it more than most. My only complaint was the storyline with Quaid and Wilde. I really could have used more clarity with that situation.

I found this to be a sweet short story that was subtly entertaining. If you are a fan of independent films, then you may find enjoyment in this movie than most...B-

Movies in Review: "The Bachelorette"

I am becoming a huge fan of Rebel Wilson's comedy style. This is the only reason I went to see this movie. Unfortunately this comedy-drama lacked comedy, and was filled with too much drama. In my opinion there were just way too many characters with their own personal dramas that saturated a potentially clear storyline.

This movie is mistakenly titled The Bachelorette, because the story spent most of its time on the Bridesmaids than the actual bachelorette. Rebel Wilson did not add much to the comedy aspect of the movie, and I found this to be unfortunate. She wasn't in the movie nearly enough, and she seemed to be playing a character that was unable to take advantage of her comedic acting. This was my least favorite role for her. It seems that most of the comedy was supposed to come from Isla Fisher, who wasn't bad, but her character was a bit too much at times. Kirsten Dunst seemed to be the lead in the movie, but there was nothing exceptional about her acting. There are a number of other characters that added more chaos than clarity to the story. The whole "Dress" storyline that was obviously in place to hold the storyline in place was lame, especially because things that made absolutely no sense were put in place to make the situation bigger than what it was...smh.

In my opinion this movie tried too hard to be another Bridesmaids, but failed miserably. This movie could have used more character editing and more comedy. This movie is a mess, but not the worst mess I have seen...C+

Movies in Review: "The Possession"

It is no secret that Horror films are my least favorite genre of films, especially lately. The main reason is most of them are just plain stupid instead of being horrifying. So Possession was not a movie I was looking forward to, especially with a PG-13 rating attached to it. However I am a fan of Jeffery Dean Morgan, and the trailer had a nice "Exorcist" appeal to it. So when I entered the theatre I was hoping for the best.

I am pleased to say that the PG-13 rating didn't hurt this movie much at all. With a rating like this, there was only but so far this movie could be pushed. It was pushed enough to at least be thrilling, and I can honestly say I found myself jumping a few times. For those of you who loved the Exorcism, this movie has a way of giving you the same scared feelings. I give alot of credit to the musical soundtrack in the film which helped to add to the scenes. Although it was PG-13, the opening scene freaked me out enough to almost leave the theatre...lol...I know, I'm a punk...

Possession had a decent story that kept the movie interesting instead of stupid. Keep in mind its rated PG-13 so don't expect too much, but I think you will definitely get your monies worth...B+

Movies in Review: "Lawless"

This movie was a must see for me when I first layer eyes on Tom Hardy in the trailer, but it lost a few points in my eyes when I saw Shia LaBeouf. Shia isn't horrible, but I think his off-screen antics seem to get in the way of him reaching his full potential on-screen. Tom Hardy on the other hand can do no wrong in my eyes. So on that note, here are my thoughts...

The movie started out exceptionally slow in the beginning in my opinion. To the point where I was on the verge of giving up on this film. Shia LaBeouf was giving his usual performance, which is just ok, but I did believe and like his southern accent. But his southern accent made Mia Wasikowska seem out of place, as she had no southern twang at all. Honestly she had the same tone she seems to carry in every movie I've seen her in so far. As a matter of fact her character in this movie reminded me of the same character she played in Mr. Nobbs, which just made her boring.

I love Tom Hardy the most when he is playing a tough guy role, so needless to say, I was drooling over him in this movie. He didn't say much, but the grunting he was doing was still enough to get his point across, and made for comical moments in the movie. He was my favorite character, but the plot of the movie didn't pick up until Guy Pearce came into the picture. This is when the mayhem begins and doesn't stop until the end. Pearce and his over sized center part were sinister, and made for a better movie.

Thanks to Pearce and Hardy's performances, this movie was very entertaining to watch. I would recommend checking it out, but please be reminded to not let the slow start bore you to death because it does get better...B+

Movies in Review: "For a Good Time Call..."

Well movie viewing was light this weekend, with the top movie only bringing in $17 million in ticket sales. Unfortunately for the people behind this raunchy comedy, they weren't fortunate enough to take in any more than $141,000 in its opening weekend. Yes you can definitely call this one an epic fail, but I am here to let you know if it was deserved...

Hmmmmmm...its hard to say, because I did laugh here and there. But there was something about this movie that did not have me attached, and I can't put my finger on it. Maybe there was just too many sexual innuendos that kept the story on one playing ground. Honestly there is such a thing as too much sex...I'm just saying. The movie had its funny moments, but some of the humor did fall flat. From what was presented in the trailer I was expecting a little more. I think the movie could have used more of Justin Long and Ari Graynor, they were the best parts about the movie in  my opinion.

All in all, the movie was just ok, but nothing spectacular. It's not a complete epic fail in my book. It's at least worth a rental. It had some decent funny moments, but may have went overboard with the sex...C+

Movies in Review: "Premium Rush"

In my opinion, the title says it all. This movie was definitely a rush, and played out better than I expected it to.

The bike riding shots were phenomenal! It felt like you were actually riding the bikes yourself in the city streets. I am a fan of Joseph-Gordon Levitt, and he did not disappoint as the main character Wilee. I was never worried about his performance, it was Dania Ramirez that had my concern when watching the trailer. Happy to say Ramirez did not do a bad job at all. I enjoyed the speed of this film, there wasn't a moment that did not have my interest. The story was decent, there was suspense, humor and action, what more could you want. I enjoyed almost everything about this movie, except for one scene. Someone tell me if it's possible to do tricks on a bike with broken ribs...I don't think so. But no biggie still an entertaining movie.

This movie obviously did not register on any one's radar, but it needs to be...B+

Movies in Review: "Hit & Run"

This movie didn't really catch my attention. When I watched the trailer, I thought Bradley Cooper looked ridiculous, and for a comedy, the trailer wasn't that funny to me. I was surprised when I saw positive reviews for this movie before its release. But positive reviews or not, something in me was still not convinced.

As I expected...a comedy that wasn't very funny. The only scenes I laughed at were the ones with Tom Arnold. I did honestly crack up on every scene he was in, but unfortunately he wasn't used in nearly enough. Besides the comedy, the story was also lacking. I got annoyed that a trip to LA kept landing the main character back in the town he was hiding out in. It seemed like the scenes were going in circles, which kept the movie from moving the way that it needed to.

I really don't have too much to say. Hit and Run, felt more like a hit and miss. It was ok, but nothing that needed to hit the big screen. I would wait for this one to hit a local TV channel...C

Movies in Review: "Expendables 2"

Wow! What a way to start a movie. The action begins from the opening credits, and stays consistent throughout the entire movie. I guess this was their way of keeping this sequel as entertaining as the first.   I will admit that I was a little apprehensive about this sequel, especially since the first one was so entertaining. I really felt that this 2nd installment would fail like most other sequels. It failed in some areas, I wouldn't call it a total fail.

All characters from the first film made their return, with the addition of other great well known action heroes. I enjoyed Jean-Claude as the villain. I have never been a Jean-Claude fan, but I actually enjoyed him in this movie. His character gave the story substance when it was on the verge of being overloaded with too many characters. Because there were so many new characters, the film did lack some of the charm and humor in the first film. The original characters like Crews and Li did not get the shine that they received in the first film. Whats even more strange is the fact that Li's character was replaced by an Asian female 20mins into the movie. That was disappointing because the female character lacked everything that Lei brought to the film. The overload of characters put this movie on the verge of corniness to me. Characters like Chuck Norris, Schwarzenegger, and Willis were popping up in scenes out of the blue saving the day...smh...corny.

The bickering between Stallone and Statham's characters was the most entertaining to me, besides the action. Although this is an action film and this movie is packed full of it, the action sequences were not written as well as the first movie. Don't worry, it's still a very entertaining movie, especially to see all your favorite action heroes in action again. The first one was definitely better, but I didn't hate this one...B-

Movies in Review: "Sparkle"

Sorry my reviews for last weeks movie releases are so late, but I was on a much deserved vacation. I am sure most of you have already ran to the theatre to see this film. I know I was looking forward to seeing the late Whitney Houston do her thing on the big screen. I did not have high expectations for the overall film, I just wanted to see Whitney. Surprising enough, this movie was better than I expected it to be.

I enjoyed most of the performances. Jordin Sparks is not the strongest actress, but she did a decent job holding her own. Her voice is what took her over the top for me. With her voice, and decent acting, I wasn't disappointed with her as the choice for the main character Sparkle. She was quite adorable, and gave the character what she needed. I enjoyed her and Derek Luke together, and I felt Luke made her better. Mike Epps was cool. I am happy to see him take on more serious roles, although that fight scene with his wife was a little wonky...lol. I loved Tika Sumpter, and wished her character had a more vocal role in the story. My least favorite character was Sister. They tried to portray her as the sexiest sister, but the actress who played her lacked in so many areas. There were scenes that showed seductive shots of her body, but there was no body to show. She had absolutely no curves whatsoever. In my opinion, she wasn't that cute, and it was obvious that they worked hard to play down Sparks looks as to not upstage her. Eh...they could have done a better job casting with this one, but oh well...

Although she did not appear in the movie as much as I hoped she would, I enjoyed every scene Whitney Houston was in. This was my favorite performance from Ms. Houston. She really felt like the mother of the 3 women in the story. I thought she looked and sounded amazing...considering. In my opinion this movie is definitely worth seeing if its just for Whitney alone. If you are expecting great singing, you also won't be disappointed because Jordin Sparks does her thang...that girl can sang! This is a great date movie, or personal matinee. This movie doesn't sparkle as bright as some of you may hope, but there is a glimmer...B-

Movies in Review: "ParaNorman"

I will first let you know that the trailer for this movie did not capture my attention that much at all. However, I did find Norman's chubby buddy to be interesting and funny. I think he was the only reason I even stepped into the  theatre to see this movie. I wasn't expecting much from this film, but I left the theatre happy that I let Norman's chubby little friend guide me in.

The best parts about this movie are the one-liners, and there are plenty to chuckle at. There are some very surprising funny lines that keep the movie interesting for adult viewers. The story was ok, but it was the characters that made the movie. My favorite characters being Norman's friend, and his older sister. The shape of Norman's sister's body alone is enough to get a laugh, everything about her is exaggerated, especially the lip gloss. I loved the way his sister looked...funny.

This movie is cute, but some of the humor could be a little much for younger children under the age of 7. If you are an adult who loves animations, I would recommend this one. If you have no interest in seeing this in the theatre, its definitely worth the watch at home...B+

Movies in Review: "The Bourne Legacy"

Wow...I was receiving text messages about this movie all weekend. I was unable to see the movie until Sunday, but from everyone's disappointment, I wasn't anticipating seeing this new installment as much as I had been Friday. Once the movie started rolling, within the first 15min, I could see where all the disappointment was coming from.

Right from the beginning it is easy to see and feel the difference of this installment and the previous 3. Legacy is directed by Tony Gilroy, who only wrote the screenplay for the other 3. So fair warning, please don't go in expecting to get the same Bourne feel that you received from the earlier 3 movies. What I had a problem with was the way the movie was sequenced and edited. I don't think that the character Aaron Cross was given a proper introduction. It was like the director just threw the audience into a whole new story without much needed background. I thought Jeremy Renner was great for the part, and I enjoyed him as Cross. I had a problem with the fact that I have no clue where the hell he came from. It seems as if his division was totally different from Jason Bourne. Cross and his group were more like science projects...but why?

Like I said, editing, directing, and character development played a role in making this movie as likable as the previous 3. There was way too much going on that made the story hard to follow. I loved the addition of Norton, and I hope they keep his character, although I am unclear about where he came from...but oh well. Once things finally got rolling, the movie wasn't so bad. There were some unanswered questions, but at least the movie was moving because the first 20-30 min felt like it was swimming in molasses. But the worst part about this movie was the beginning and unfortunately the end. This ending almost killed any substance I was able to salvage from this movie. The ending was less developed than the characters and left you hanging...smh. You know an ending that makes you suck your teeth...yeah its one of those. Bourne isn't horrible, but will likely find a way to leave a bad taste in your mouth...C+

Movies in Review: "The Campaign"

I will be the first to say that I'm not a huge Ferrell fan. His movies are usually hit and miss with me. However the trailer for this movie had my interest and had me laughing. I was at least hoping that the movie would be half as decent as the trailer. Hmmmmm...well I'm happy to say that it was, and this Ferrell movie was definitely a hit.

For all Ferrell fans you are definitely in for  a treat. Ferrell and Galifianakis kick the humor into high gear. What I enjoyed most is that I actually believed Ferrell as a politician...in a way. This had to be one of my favorite roles for him. He wasn't goofy funny, he delivered great comedy while also taking hold of his character. Galifianakis and his voice were enough to have you pissing in your pants, but he also gave so much more. You will easily find yourself cracking up. Jason Sudeikis also co-stars and he was a great addition. Loved his southern twang. I think they added Dylan McDermott for sex appeal...and all I have to say is Amen to that! Damn that man is fine! Oh, and he was funny too...lol.

I am just happy to say that this is a comedy that did not fail with the comedy, and had a decent story that kept it from entering a world of nonsense. I got more than I expected from this movie, so The Campaign has my vote...A-

Movies in Review: "Hope Springs"

All I have to say is how can you go wrong with a movie that has Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones starring in its cast. I'm sure many of you did not have this movie on your radar since The Bourne Legacy also opened this weekend. Well let me be the first one to say that this movie is worth a shot.

I left the theatre praying that my relationship, and marriage does not turn into the situation between Streep and Lee's characters. From the opening scene, it is a little hard not to feel Streep's loneliness, and despair with her marriage. Wow when Streep takes on a role, she encompasses that character 100%. When I watch her, it never feels like I'm watching a character. It really felt like I was watching the struggles of a real relationship. I think it had alot to do with the great chemistry between Streep and Jones, but also because the material is very realistic and easy to relate. I enjoyed almost everything about this story, except for maybe all the geriatric sex scenes...but I guess they were necessary for the story...Steve Carell also co-starred in the film, but he just seemed like a pawn. Not that he was horrible, but his role could have been given to any flake, and it wouldn't have matter...I'm just saying.

All the movie-goers in the theatre seemed to really enjoy the film. This movie was written well, with a story that touched everyone. The audience even stayed as the credits rolled. This is a great date movie, a promising matinee that I think is worth the view...A-

Movies in Review: "Total Recall"

I have to admit as much as I liked the original Recall movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger, the trailer for the reboot starring Colin Farrell, had me excited to see this story redone. I was expecting exciting action from this movie, and I'm happy to say that I got just that. In my opinion, this reboot was just as good as the first one, with upgrades.

The story was pretty much the same, there may have been a few changes here and there, but you will definitely find similarities. The movie is just as action packed as the first one except with much needed upgrades. Everything seemed to be amped up more. The action was phenomenal, starting with the first fight scene with Kate Beckinsale. That scene is kick a$$. This has to be one of my favorite action roles for Beckinsale so far. She really owned her character. I also love Farrell as the action hero in this film. I am happy to see him on the big screen again. He does Schwarzenegger's old character major justice. It was great seeing Bokeem Woodbine in a decent co-star role. Although he's been in a few movies here and there, his last major film I can remember was Ray...now I can say Total Recall. I liked that his character had relevance to the story, and he didn't disappoint. One of my least favorite characters however was played by Jessica Biel. I really can't say what it was, but Biel usually doesn't do it for me, and this role was no different. It also didn't help that Beckinsale was so strong, she made Biel seem that much weaker...smh.

I was very pleased with this movie for the most part. The ending was slightly far-fetched considering the place Beckinsale's character was in on the ship. It seemed as if no one wanted to get creative on the ending, and decided to make is predictable. Although, for lack of a better word...dumb...the ending didn't ruin the film. It's a testosterone filled adventure, but with the great addition of Beckinsale, my female audience will also find favor in it...B!

Movies in Review: "The Watch"

So The Watch was about the only major released film this weekend, but I still don't think that this fact will help it with opening box office sales. I wasn't in a hurry to see this movie, and only watched it because it was the only new release. Although its a comedy, the trailer didn't look very funny to me. Just as I thought, this movie is just luke warm in the comedy category.

I am a fan of Jonah Hill in comedic roles, and I've yet to be disappointed by him...until now. I don't know what it was. Maybe Vince Vaughn overpowered everyone, or this was how his character was directed, but he wasn't very funny. I chuckled here and there, but it seemed as if Hill's charter was being held back. I did however find Vaughn to be the most comical. I am an on and off fan of Vaughn, but I did like him in this movie. Ben Stiller is the same as he is in all of his comedic movies. He makes the same facial expressions, and is so mechanical that it is hard to differentiate his characters from one another...eh.

You would be a fool to go into the theatre expecting a phenomenal story. You have to go into the theatre expecting nonsense and a good laugh. Well this movie is packed full of nonsense but the laughs are more infrequent. I would wait for a rental on this one. It's not the best comedy I have seen this summer, and in my opinion your money would be better spent to see Ted...C

Movies in Review: "Killer Joe"

I can honestly say that the words on the trailer poster really say it all, "A totally twisted deep fried Texas redneck trailer park murder story", because this is exactly what it was...and more. It was very interesting to see the level an NC-17 rating puts a movie on. I guess I forgot how far more graphic the story can get. So you should have seen my face for the opening scene...lol.

It was hard to get bored while watching this movie because scenes would just shock me back into the story. The story is interesting and complicated to keep you interested in the ending. I enjoyed McConaughey's performance in this one, almost as much as I enjoyed him in Lincoln Lawyer. He is not one of my favorite actors, but as of late, he has chosen roles that he really shines in. Some of the scenes made me uncomfortable, but I guess that is to be expected from an NC-17 rating. One thing is for sure, this movie will hand you more surprises than any movie you have seen in a while.

I can honestly say that I enjoyed the story, but it lost me at the end. This movie ended so oddly in my opinion. It was like a non-ending. You know how credits start to roll and your left without closure...yeah this movie ended like that. It didn't ruin the movie, but just left me a little frustrated. If this movie is playing in your area, do yourself a favor and go see it...B

Movies in Review: "Ruby Sparks"

I was looking forward to this movie. I felt the trailer revealed a very interesting love story that was different from any story that I have seen in a while. I am happy to say that this movie gave me everything I was expecting. It is a uber cute chick flick.

This film was written by Zoe Kazan who also stars as the main character Ruby Sparks. I felt that this film was very well written and Kazan couldn't have been more perfect as Ruby. She was cute, and had such great energy. I thought that she captured her character perfectly. Her boyfriend was cast as the writer Calvin. The chemistry between the two was obviously very natural, and made the movie enjoyable to watch. The only odd character to me was Chris Messina who was cast as Calvin's brother Harry. It was odd because Messina and Dano look nothing alike. But Messina's performance was so great, that the fact that they didn't really look like brothers was a passing thought.

Annette Benning and Antonio Banderas made appearances. I am always down to see Banderas, and of course he never disappoints. He was quite adorable in this film, and he and Annette just added more star power to an already decent movie. I lucked up and went to a showing where the lead Paul Dano stopped by for a quick Q&A with viewers. Such a nice treat. I enjoyed this movie, but you would like it more in the comfort of your home. It's a chick flick, but I still think men wouldn't mind a rental of this. Very well written, and great performances...B+

Movies in Review: "The Dark Knight Rises"

This was the most anticipated movie of the summer for me. Without a doubt I thought I would claim this as the best movie of the summer when I walked out of the theatre. With a 3hr running time I was expecting to be taken on the best ride of my life. Well...unfortunately this movie did not meet my expectations at all. I wish someone would step to me because of my views, because I honestly don't have too many positive things to say.

When the movie started, I can't say I really understood what the hell was going on. I was totally confused about all the memorials being held for Harvey Dent AKA Two Face. From what I remember he didn't die at the end of the last movie, but was not represented at all in this film. But no worries, that was no big deal because the villain Bane was more than enough...kinda. This villain had so much potential, but in my opinion was not given full opportunity to shine. Maybe this is because the story was a little all over the place and had no real focus. There was really too much going on, that made for chaos.

There was a great deal of focus of Bruce Wayne coming out of hiding with a number of ailments to overcome...smh. There was also the addition of the cat burglar played by Anne Hathaway. Her infusion to the story caused a little confusion for me and I wonder if she was actually necessary if there we already had Bane. I can't say I felt this installment was better than the previous with Heath Ledger as the joker. I was expecting to be amazed, but instead found myself underwhelmed. Unlike The Dark Knight, the action and gadgets were also lacking. There was the introduction of only 1 new gadget, which I wasn't too impressed with. I was expecting great action sequences, but instead was bored to death with fist fights, and gun battles...lame.

I was upset that I was unable to catch this movie in IMAX, but after seeing it, was happy that I saved a few extra dollars. This installment is definitely not worth the extra dough. For all of you expecting to get that same feeling that Dark Knight gave us, will find themselves disappointed. I honestly found myself falling asleep more than once. As I was watching, I kept trying to hold on hoping it would get better. It didn't...until the end. I can say that I did like the ending, or maybe I was just happy for it to be over...lol. I was hoping to give this movie rave reviews, but it hurts me that this is not the case. I know most of us rushed to be one of the first to see it. For those of you that decided to wait out the crowd, good decision...C+ :(

Please leave a comment and let me know how you enjoyed this film. I honestly was going to give this movie a better grade, but I just couldn't force myself to do it...

Movies in Review: "Ice Age: Continental Drift"

Oh how I savor and look forward to weekends like this when there is only one major movie release, and nothing Independent out worth seeing. Don't get me wrong, I love my movies and giving these reviews, but sometimes a sista needs a break! I'm sorry, but I'm just saying...lol. Ok so after getting that off my chest, I am pleased to give you my thoughts on the 4th Ice Age movie installment...

I know many of you are over the sequels for Ice Age. You are interested in seeing another Ice Age like you're interested in another Shrek movie. Well for all you adults trying to be judgmental about this series, let me remind you that these movie are not for you, they are for the kids...so get over yourselves. The theatre I watched this movie in, the kids enjoyed it, and let me also say, so did the adults. This movie had the adults cracking up, including myself. This 4th installment, in my opinion, was the most humorous. It had the return of all your favorite characters, with plenty of addictions. In my opinion...too many additions.

The addition of Peaches is understandable as the offspring of Manny and Ellie. It was the unnecessary additions of Drake and Nicki Minaj that was a little blah to me. It seemed that producers were interested in reaching a tween audience by adding these two. There were so many other new characters that some favorites like the two possums Crash and Eddie, who made the 1st movie so enjoyable, hardly got any shine. But they were smart to give Sid more shine and even add his granny, who is played by Wanda Sykes. She was my favorite new character, and I hope they keep her in future sequels, if there are any. Leguizamo and Sykes kept this movie entertaining and worth watching.

I enjoyed this movie, and left the theatre smiling. I loved hearing the audience laugh out loud and clap as the credits rolled. I honestly don't think another Ice Age is necessary. If they were to end this series here, I would say they ended it on a good note. This movie is good family fun, and entertaining enough that adults without kids will find enjoyment in it...B-

Movies in Review: "The Amazing Spider Man"

Nothing I have to say about this movie is real deep, it's more simple. I really can't understand why the big wigs behind this unnecessary remake felt it necessary to put so much money and time behind this movie. I am over the Spider Man Franchise, and The Amazing Spider Man was far less amazing than it was overly theatrical and dull.

Although I enjoyed the cast performances in this version better than the 3 Spider Man installments starring Tobey Maguire, the story had nothing new or exciting to offer. The writing was horrible and me catching a few winks more than on one occasion. Long and boring is an understatement. No one in the theatre seemed to be impressed by this remake. And as far as the 3D feature, they are pretty non-existent. I watched over 85% of the movie with my 3D glasses on the top of my head.

This version was hokie (yeah I just got country on you), but to make it clear, it's not worth paying to see in the theatre. Wait for it on a local tv station. It was ok at best, but to keep it plain, you've seen it before...C-

Movies in Review: "Savages"

Well it seems that Oliver Stones latest flick did not register with movie goers. It ranked a disappointing 4th, only bringing in 16.1 in ticket sales...smh. I wonder what it was that turned many movie goers off. I was personally intrigued by the trailer. It had all the elements I look for in a movie, a decent story, action, and a great cast that includes Selma Hayeck and Benico Del Toro. I can't say what was missing to get viewers into the theatre, but I was anticipating this movie more than The Amazing Spider Man.

I can honestly say I was happy with this movie until the ending sequence. It was sexual, which didn't bother me, it worked with the movie. There is a deep violence element, which kept the movie interesting. The story got a little lost, and wasn't as tight as it needed to be, but it was easy to follow. Blake Lively had to be my least favorite character. It is obvious she was put in the movie for sex appeal. I honestly found her annoying and unfit for this character. I think her character need someone stronger. I was hoping for her to suffer a detrimental death just so I could feel like it was worth the time I had spent to watch her on screen...I know...that was mean...oh well.

However what Lively lacked Selma Hayek definitely made up for. Hayek was amazing and looked even better. If it weren't for her and Del Toro, this movie might have found itself more fit for the dogs. Oliver Stone needs to recognize how to leave well enough alone. The dual ending to this film only killed the ending as a whole. When I felt like I may have been ok with the 1st ending, the 2nd came along and left a bitter taste in my mouth for both.

So like I said at the beginning of this review, I enjoyed this movie up until the end. Unfortunately an ending can make or break a movie for me, but luckily for Stone, this ending only left me bruised. For the most part, this movie was entertaining and I was interested to see how it would end. Too bad it didn't end as strongly as I hoped, but it wasn't an epic fail...kinda...C+

Movies in Review: "Ted"

I wasn't really on board with this movie mainly because I'm not a fan of Mark Wahlberg in comedic roles. Yes I'm saying it...I did not like The Other Guys...so there! Imagine my surprise when I found myself cracking the hell up!

I enjoyed this comedy, and it was obvious that it was a hit with all the audience members. EVERYONE was cracking up! This movie is funny as hell. Finally a comedy that got the comedy part right. Mila, Wahlberg, and Macfarlane were a great team for this comedy. Of course I'm not going to lie, Ted was the best part about this movie. The stuff this bear was doing had everyone rolling.

The only complaint I had were the racial jokes that fell flat at times...How did you like that "Cristal" reference? Some may take some offense to some of the jokes...fair warning. This movie was the most enjoyable flick I watched this weekend, and a comedy that is worth the ticket price...B+

Movies in Review: "Magic Mike"

I was shocked when I saw that critic reviews were mostly on the positive side for this film. The trailer already had my interest because I would never turn down the opportunity to see half naked men strut their stuff on the big screen. If the storyline was decent, then this would be an added bonus. After seeing the positive reviews, I became even more excited to see it.

All the women in the theatre cheered in anticipation of what was to come in the opening scene, however by the end there was no applause. The movie wasn't horrible, but not great either. They should have cut 20-30min out of this movie, because parts of the storyline seemed to drag the movie down. It was cool watching the male dancers performances, but by the 5th performance, I was over it. Yes I understand that this was the premise of the movie, but I was hoping for a little more depth.

The actors cast as the male dancers were ok, but didn't have me drooling. The only one who had any moves at all was Channing Tatum. I'm not a fan of Tatum, but when he takes on a role that fits him, my mind has a way of changing. This role was great for Tatum and fit him well. No one would ever deny that this guy has a great body, and even better moves. His dancing was the only thing worth looking at during the performance scenes. Another element that also helped Tatum to shine is that he wasn't the worst actor cast in this movie. Cody Horn the actress who played Brooke lacked depth. She was flat and had problems delivering emotions with her eyes. She looked empty when the camera focused on an emotion on her face...blah.

This movie is for the women and my male compadres who are in to men. Let me warn you, you may feel a rush in the opening scene, but that soon will fade as you reach a point of exhaustion by the end of the film...C+

Movies in Review: "Madea's Witness Protection"

For all you non-Tyler Perry fans please save your breath and complaints about all of Tyler Perry's movies playing out the same. It is what it is, and this movie falls in line with the rest of them. When I go to see Perry's films I know that I am going to get the same format, I just want the movie to be funny, and have a half way decent story, if I also get a great acting performance, then thats a bonus. So how did this one measure up? It was ok...

It wasn't his worse. I definitely enjoyed this movie better than Madea Goes to Jail, or Madea's Family Reunion...awful. The story was cool, but nothing grand. The one thing I enjoyed the most about this movie is that the character Madea was a big part of the story. She was the most entertaining element in this movie. The most annoying element however was Romeo. Again Perry always has a problem in all his movies with one of his characters laying it on too thick. Romeo was the culprit this time. He almost ruined the movie. Every scene he was in I cringed. I wanted him to be good, but unfortunately he was just awful.

I have nothing great to say about this movie. I would never call it a must see, but it wasn't a bad watch. If you're a Tyler Perry fan and need to get your fix, try checking this as a matinee. All others who are not as pressed, waiting for this to hit your local Redbox might be your smartest move...C