Movies in Review: "The Wolverine"

There isn't a chance in the world that I will ever pass on seeing an X-Men movie, and especially one focused around Wolverine, my favorite X-Men character. But can someone explain to me where "The" came from in Wolverine? Seriously? There wasn't a better title that could have been given for the movie? Feels all types of weird to call Hugh Jackman's character "The" Wolverine especially when there could be no other. Ok ok...enough of me complaining about the extra 3-letter word placed in front of Wolverine's name...lol...onto the review...

This film begins interesting enough, but I think It may have been too long since the last X-men movie because it took me a while to understand why Jean Grey seemed to play such an important part with Wolverine. I loved Jean Grey and was crushed when she was killed off in The Last Stand, but as important as she seemed for this film, I found her to be annoying. Her scenes tended to slow the movie down for me. Although I get her relevance for the story of the movie, I still think she was in far too many scenes...ijs.

I want to be honest here, this had to be my least favorite X-Men movie. I was actually kind of bored. Hugh Jackman put on a great performance as always as Wolverine, but everything going on around him killed my experience. The theatrical trailer had me expecting more than I felt I received. For example the character Yukio is supposed to be one of the deadliest assassins in Shingen's clan, but a majority of her fight sequences looked like choreographed performances instead of natural movements. And was I the only one who had a hard time understanding what the hell she was saying in her opening scene...smh.

She wasn't the only character who brought the movie down for me. I also wanted more from the character Viper. Her mutant abilities were boring to watch, for me anyway. She was one of the least interesting mutants I have seen come out of this series. The character Mariko also failed to pull my interest in. She was a decent fighter, but also too much "damsel in distress". You know what, now that I think about it. I think that the major problem with everything was the writing and direction. I wasn't a fan of this story as it progressed. The story didn't excite me like the other movies, and had me anticipating the end.

But the movie wasn't a total fail. Hugh Jackman is still great to watch, and there are plenty of action sequences to provide entertainment, my favorite scene being the train sequence. I thought that the storyline and characters were some of the weakest in this movie, but the entertainment factor is still there...for the most part...B

Movies in Review: (INDEPENDENT) "Fruitvale Station"

I saw think I first saw the trailer for this movie 2 weeks before it was released. I enjoy movies that are based on real stories and I was happy to see Michael B. Jordan in a lead role, so my radar was on the watch for it's release date. I must say that I was very naive about whose story this movie was telling. I found myself coming across and article that mentioned Oscar Grant, the young man the story was based. After then doing some research, I became very interested to see how first timer Ryan Coogler would tell this story.

All I have to say is Coogler deserves all the recognition and praise he has got from this movie. This is honestly one of the best stories I have ever seen to...wow. Coogler wrote and directed it so that we see Oscar in one 24hr period before the event at Fruitvale station. The acting and directing were so on point that it felt like you were watching the real people instead of characters. Michael B. Jordan WAS Oscar Grant to me. It felt like Grant had been reincarnated. The best thing Coogler did with this movie was to get us involved and attached to the relation between Grant and his daughter, Grant and his mother, and Grant and his girlfriend. By movies end you will find yourself feeling like you also have a personal connection to Oscar Grant.

Everything about the direction has a subtle feel, but makes a huge impact. The Fruitvale Station scene will have you in awe and on the edge of your seat, and will pluck every heart string in your body. I hope this is playing in your area when it is widely released on July 26, because it is a definite MUST SEE. Just a warning, please don't go in already angry, and ladies, bring the tissue...A+

Movies in Review: "Red 2"

I will be the first to say that I was not a fan of the first Red, and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the trailer for this second installment. It seems that I was one of a few who didn't love the first movie. For this reason I decided to give this 2nd movie a fair chance hoping to get the enjoyment that apparently was over my head in the first movie. I went into this movie with little expectation, but left the theatre feeling the same way I had felt about the first movie...smh.

This movie obviously does not appeal to me. Don't get me wrong. I didn't totally hate it, there were some performances and characters that made parts of this movie enjoyable for me. Mirren and Malkovich are always great. Willis was God awful as always, but Mary Louise Parker made him easier to bear. But I seriously wish they would replace Willis, he brings the movie down. But he wasn't the only one. They added Catherine Zeta Jones, and dressed her in an awful tan and directed her to speak in a ratchet Russian accent...Womp Womp. Zeta wasn't the best addition, but I did enjoy Hopkins Lee Byung-hun, especially Byung-hun. Ladies let me tell you as much as I disliked this movie, it is still worth seeing just to get a look at Byung-hun's body on the big screen...yeah I'm still drooling...But besides his body he was one of the most entertaining characters in the movie.

The action for the film was decent, although Jones and Willis's car scene played out better in the theatrical trailer than it did in the movie. I did however enjoy the action car sequence Mirren was in...very cute.

If you were a fan of the first movie, it is likely you will find yourself a fan of this one. The story was a little crazy at times, but I did find this one to have stronger characters which made it more interesting. But I can't say I can call myself a fan...C

Movies in Review: "Turbo"

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a big kid at heart. So you will likely find me seated to see an animated film with no child by my side. I love a good animated movie. When I saw the trailer for Turbo, I was definitely anticipating it's release.

I was hoping to write something wonderful about this movie, but unfortunately I found myself unfulfilled. It's a movie about a fast snail, and that's pretty much all it's about. The storyline is by the book, with your cookie cutter moral of the story by the time the credits hit the scene. And as cute as all the characters were, it was the lack luster story that killed any enjoyment you would find in characters such as Chet played by Paul Giamatti, Whiplash played by Samuel L. Jackson, or Kim-Ly played by Ken Jeong. 

There is very little exciting or entertaining about this movie as the story seems to drag, and you start to care less about the fact that this snail has super duper speed. They should have made this movie a 1hr cartoon special. I saw this movie in 3D and didn't find the visuals to be worth a 3D ticket. In my opinion, if your kid is begging to see this, of course take them if they have already seen Despicable Me 2. If this movie is not on their radar, then thank the heavens that they won't be begging you to waste your money to see this one. Best fit for video release...C

Movies in Review: "Despicable Me 2"

The big kid in me has anticipated this movie for over a year now. I absolutely loved the first one, and left the theatre without any thoughts of them releasing a second movie. However, as excited as I was to see this movie, I was hoping that it wouldn't be horrible and ruin the feelings I had for the first movie. Thank goodness it didn't.

The second installment returned with the same directors, screenwriters, and producers, so this movie had the same fun and appeal of the first. I enjoyed everything about this movie. I loved the story and how things progressed without me feeling like I was missing something. The minions played a bigger part in this movie, which I enjoyed. Carell was even more appealing and comical as Gru in this one, but I think a lot of that had a lot to do with the new character Lucy played by Kristen Wiig. Lucy was an awesome addition to the cast. She was my favorite character in this movie. And don't get me started on the musical soundtrack. All I have to say is that Pharell did his thing, and was a musical match made in heaven.

This movie is the perfect family movie, and any adult who enjoyed this will love this one just as much. Despicable Me 2 is a must see...enough said...A!

Movies in Review: "Let Me Explain"

Kevin Hart by far is one of the hottest comedians hitting the stage now, and all of his success is definitely well deserved. This man is funny as Hell. I was able to see his earlier stand up Laugh at my Pain live, and spent money to watch it on the big screen when it was released in theaters, and I laughed just as hard the second time as I did seeing it live. I did not have the same luck getting a ticket for his Let Me Explain tour, so I was definitely anticipating its movie release.

All I have to say is I love you Kevin Hart but I'm glad I paid $14 to see this in a theatre instead of spending $60+ to see this show live. Don't get me wrong, it's funny, but not half as comical as Seriously Funny or Laugh at My Pain. These earlier movies had me pissing in my pants from beginning to end, but I only cracked up a few times on Let Me Explain...all I have to say is Bum Bumps...Lmao

Unfortunately the material for Let Me Explain was weak. We were use to him joking on his own personal life, family and experiences, but on this tour the jokes felt more general. The jokes were so general I didn't feel the connection I felt with the other 2 comedy tours. His jokes kind of rambled, and you could tell that the audience in Madison Square Garden wasn't feeling it either. Unlike his other comedy tours, there were very few audience shots, and when you did see the audience, people weren't laughing out loud.

Kevin is in a different and much happier space, and in my opinion, doesn't need to hit the stage for a while. I thing he should take a break from touring for a while so we have a chance to miss him and he has a chance to get some better material. He has his own "reality" show, many movie roles, so he will still remain relevant...but lets be honest...the best comedians realize that eventually they will leave the stage, at least for a while. Kevin this is your time...

Let Me Explain was funny, but compares nothing to Seriously Funny and Laugh at My Pain. You make your own decision about purchasing a ticket to see this one...B-