Movies in Review: "The World's End"

I had no interest in seeing any of the new movie releases this weekend, and it seems no one else did either...lol. In an effort to stay consistent for my weekly viewers I decided just to the one I felt was the most deserving of wasting 2hrs of my precious time. I had no wish to spend my money to watch people in masks chase a family around their home killing them off one by one ("Your Next"), and a teenage flick based off a book wasn't going to get my money ("The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones"), so The World's End it is...

I like Simon Pegg, which is the reason I even chose this movie to see. The trailer looked like straight nonsense, so believe me, I wasn't expecting much. I was just hoping this movie would be entertaining enough to keep me from walking out of the theater...luckily it was. Simon Pegg, as I expected, was the most entertaining out of the cast, although the whole cast was enjoyable. The comedy was cool, I just couldn't get on board with the nonsense in the story. But I guess this is what should be expected from this trilogy, which is the reason I never saw any of the two previous movies. If you are a fan of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, then I think this will fit right in line with your entertainment expectations. I however am not the biggest fan.

Please take my judgments of this movie lightly as I am not a fan of silly entertainment, with wacky story lines, horrible costumes, and production for the sake of a laugh. The movie was Ok, but nothing I would spend my money on...D

Movies in Review: "Lee Daniels The Butler"

The trailer for this film sent chills through my body when I first saw it. The story and characters looked so captivating I couldn't wait until this one hit the big screen. Since "Precious" I have become a fan of Daniels, so I must admit I had high expectations for this one...and each and everyone was met...

This movie will touch every emotion in your body. Get ready to be sent on a spectacular emotional roller coaster as you follow the life of Cecil Gaines, played wonderfully by Forest Whitaker. This film was directed perfectly. I enjoyed that Daniels put in life clips of what was really going on during that time to make you feel what was happening with Gaines and his family. I thought Whitaker looked a little aged during the earlier scenes, but his performance is so strong you won't notice. Oprah Winfrey is no joke. I thought her performance as Sophia in The Color Purple was a fluke, but it's not, Oprah can act. I loved her as Gaines's wife. She owned every scene she was in. I have no complaints about any of the performances, because everyone was amazing and brought what was needed to this movie. Kudos to Cuba (so happy to see him back on the big screen) and Kravitz (he impresses me with every performance).

This movie will break your heart, you will be angered, and belt out a laugh. With a running time of 2+ hours, you won't find any of your time being wasted on this one. This isn't just a must see, this is a go see it now...A+

Movies in Review: "Kick-Ass 2"

I know I'm not the only one who found it surprising that the first Kick-Ass film was so good. But as much as I enjoyed the first, I can't say I was interested in seeing a sequel. Was a sequel really necessary? The characters from the original were great. However the new characters I saw introduced in the trailer, Jim Carrey, didn't look as interesting. I already knew going into the theatre I would come out happy...and I was right.

This sequel tried way to hard to be something, which was one thing the first movie didn't have to do. The first movie just worked. This sequel has way too many new characters that have no appeal, except for Jim Carrey, I actually liked him. This movie also had too many sub-plots that only took away from the focus of the movie. They should have cut the cheerleader segment out of the movie...nonsense. And what was the point of having Christopher Mintz character meet with his uncle in prison?

This movie also tried to hard to be funny. Did anyone find Christopher Mintz's new villain name to be funny? Did anyone find his racial jokes humorous? The writing and direction were so awful for this movie. Even the action sequences looked like something a 5yr old choreographed...smh.

If you enjoyed the first Kick-Ass don't go into this one expecting the same thing. This movie was entertaining, but also way too corny for me to stomach...C-

Movies in Review: "Jobs"

Not many people were interested in seeing this biographical film about the Apple Computer mogul Steve Jobs, and I think that had a lot to do with the fact that Ashton Kutcher was cast as the lead. I think I may be the only person in the world who doesn't dislike Kutcher's acting abilities. I think he does a decent job with comedic roles, and I was interested to see how he would tackle this drama.

Uuuugggghhhh...now I see why people dislike you Kutcher. Can I tell you that I almost fell asleep within the first 15min of this movie. This movie was so dry. I think they did a poor job of writing and directing this film. They tried to cram too much of everything about Jobs in 2hrs, and all it left me with was a undertold story and frustration.

Kutcher may have captured Jobs look/appearance thanks to great make up, but he didn't really capture his essence. It looked as if Kutcher was imitating Jobs, instead of BEING Jobs. I wanted Kutcher to impress me so badly, but all I kept thinking is why does his walk look so forced...smh
If you are interested in seeing the story of Jobs, I can save you money and sum it up for you right here...Job's was a genious a$$hole. At least that's what you will get from the movie when you leave the theatre. This movie isn't great so catch it in Redbox...C-

Movies in Review: "Paranoia"

I am sure this movie failed to register on anyone's radar. I only saw the trailer once, but it was captivating enough to mark the release date for this one on my calendar. I love Ford and Oldman, but not as much as I enjoy looking at the Hemsworth brothers on the big screen, and this one has Liam in the lead role...Yum!

I know I can go a bit overboard when it comes to a very handsome lead, but besides good looks, Liam has some great acting chops that I have to compliment as well. He's not just a pretty face on the big screen. I could have used a little more character development in some areas of the story, but what the story lacked didn't take away from the depth of the movie. The story had great movement, although sometimes scenes felt rushed. I would have liked more background on Ford and Goldman's characters relationship, and the relationship with Judith Bolton.

I loved Goldman's character and his performance. He gave the movie depth as did Hemsworth. Ford lacked a bit, but I no longer expect too much from him. As much as I adore him, his age is really starting to show...ijs.

If you find this movie in your area, it is well worth seeing. It's a thriller that actually thrills and will have you wondering how things will end...A-

Movies in Review: "Elysium"

I have to be honest and say that I was on the fence with this one. Although it was written and directed by Neill Blomkamp the same man who directed and co-wrote District 9 (one of my favorite movies), I think was thrown off by Matt Damon in this lead role. Damon is one of my favorite actors, but there was something about this role that had me skeptical.

I am happy to say I enjoyed it. Damon played the role of Da Costa with no problems. Surprising enough, although Damon was the lead, it was Sharlto Copley (District 9, A-Team) as Agent Kruger who stole the show. Wow he was amazing, and I loved what they did with his make-up and costume. It was almost hard to tell who he was.

The story was decent, although it could have used some character development. I felt at a loss with Jodie Foster's character. I could have used more background on her for sure. There is great action, acting and directing, and the ending sealed the deal for me.

This is a good one. You won't find yourself bored, and will easily find yourself vested in the characters still left on earth. Go see it...A-

Movies in Review: "We're the Millers"

My apologies this weekend for not posting updates about this weekend's new releases for those of you who follow me on Instagram, Twitter and my Code Blue Movie Review facebook page. I returned from a much-needed vacation this weekend and got a late start on seeing the new releases. I didn't get a chance to see everything, but I did get to see We're the Millers. I can't say I was highly interested in this movie, but I love a good comedy, and Jason Sudeikis rarely fails me in this category. So I went into the theatre hoping for the best.

Let me first let you know that I missed the first 20min of the movie. Anyone who knows me knows that I was pissed I wasn't there early enough to get a hand-picked seat and catch the movie trailers...Uuuuugggghhhh!!! Ok I am over that now and will continue with my review...lol

It wasn't as funny as I hoped, but it had some hilarious scenes...if that makes sense. What I'm trying to say is that there were parts that were hilarious, but the other parts sometimes made the movie drag, or the punch-lines were missing their mark. Sudeikis was hilarious and so were his co-stars, well except for Emma Roberts who plays Casey. She added very little to any scene she was in, and the only funny punch-line she delivered was the one on the plane. Will Poulter, the young actor who plays Casey's brother was brilliant. Besides Sudeikis, he made this movie worth seeing...hilarious. Jennifer Aniston was the same Aniston. Not that I'm complaining, because it worked for the movie, but the fact that she seems to play the same type of characters has to be wreaking havoc on her career...ijs. She was a tripper in this movie, but she was still the same, if you know what I mean. But I will give her this...That Woman IS GORGEOUS!!! I wish I had half of what she had swinging on that pole. Aniston's body is crazy! #ThatIsAll

The movie could have used something to spark the scenes that felt empty, but the movie was still funny enough for you to go see it and get a laugh. Great date movie, good movie if you need a laugh...B+

Movies in Review: "2 Guns"

Was I the only one who thought that Wahlberg and Washington looked like a strange pair. But somehow as strange as it initially looked, it looked like it worked. I haven't been the happiest with the movies Wahlberg has starred in lately, but the trailer for this film had my complete interest.

I can't even begin to explain how surprisingly pleased I was with this movie. The storyline wasn't the strongest, but the performance of Washington and Wahlberg trumps what the story lacked. These two were the perfect pair and I wish this was a mini series instead of a movie. That's how bad I want to see them in action together. They were so natural with each other that the comedy in the film was effortless. The action was decent, but the chemistry between Washington and Wahlberg is what you will enjoy most.

I enjoyed almost every performance in this movie except the performance from Paula Patton...smh. I usually have no objections with her acting, but it looked like she overdosed on a drama pill. Her performance was way too dramatic for the scenes she was in. I thought it was a joke at first, and found myself wondering if she was going to act like this through the whole movie...unfortunately she did. Luckily her scenes were minimal...

This is a movie I think most people will love and enjoy. In my opinion this is one of the best action comedy films I have seen in a while. I am hoping and praying that there will be a follow-up for this movie soon...A-

Movies in Review: "Smurfs 2"

I adore the original Smurfs and was happy with the first movie version for the animated TV series. I didn't expect there to be a second movie, and really didn't think a second movie was necessary when I saw the trailer. But I absolutely adore the Smurfs, so it was in my plans to still see this film.

I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first movie, but it was still cute. The second installment gets a little too sappy, and has a little too much going on. I enjoyed the new naughty smurfs, voiced by Christina Ricci and J.B. Smoove. It was the addition of Blue and Patrick's father that made it feel like a casting overload. Honestly Patrick's father was cool, but Blue was annoying and a waste of film...bleh. Patrick's father had more relevance to the overall story, but the storyline between him and Patrick dragged on through the movie. I think there should have been more Smurf's and less Patrick and his father.

The Smurfs were great as always, although I can't understand why Papa Smurfs voice was so annoying to me in this movie...smh. But other than that, they were a joy to watch. I enjoyed having Vanity Smurf tag along in this movie, but Clumsy is always my favorite.

This movie is cool and cute. I felt that it ran a little long, and the story was less interesting than the first, but it was ok, and the kids in the theatre I was in still seemed to enjoy it. Adults may find themselves bored here and there, but I think the kids will still enjoy it...B-