Movies in Review: "Transformers: Age of Extinction"

Oh Baby! A new transformers movie that doesn't include Shia Lebouf, who is instead replaced by Mark Wahlberg...yeah I'm with that! I can't tell you how excited I was to see this movie after watching the trailer. I mean come on...I'm thinking with the addition of Wahlberg, this could only be an improvement to the franchise...right? Hmmmmm...well unfortunately, I was sadly mistaken :(. Dang I wanted this movie to be good! But after holding my breathe for 3hrs hoping it would fulfill my expectations, I left the theater sadly disappointed. By the way 3hrs isn't a typo, the movie was that freakin long...smh.

Let me first start this review on a positive note. The best parts about this movie were Mark Wahlberg, who is a huge step above Lebouf playing the lead in these films. Stanley Tucci was another great addition, and actually my favorite character in the  movie. He was hilarious and fun to watch in each scene he was involved. If it wasn't for him I would have likely given up on this movie, and I hope his character will continue to the next installment. The action-effects were also great, and the biggest highlight of the movie, although sometimes it felt like the scenes, although fun to look at, had very little rhyme or reason...eh.

You ever watch a movie that has so much ish in it, your head feels like it's about to explode? Well this is one of those movies. There are just way too many characters, new Autobots, the addition of the Dinobots, new Decepticons, "The Creators" (whoever the hell they are...smh), and some Alien whose main motive is to capture Optimus Prime...smh. The story was so poorly written that character development was left by the waist-side...smh. Hardly anything about this movie made sense, and the characters we love to see (Optimus & Bumble Bee) hardly received any screen time. I think they did Optimus bad. He was a straight up punk in this movie. Bumble Bee was great, but damn I sure could have used more action from him. I was not a fan of Wahlberg's daughter Tess in the film. It's clear she was only cast for looks, as Fox was, but I honestly enjoyed Fox better.

I'm sorry, because I really wanted to enjoy this movie. Instead of leaving the theater excited, I left annoyed and exhausted. They tried to do way to much, and it just didn't work. Everyone keeps talking about how great this movie is, but I can't. If you only want action scenes, and have 3hrs of your life to waste, then this movie is for you. If you want more from a movie, I wouldn't recommend this as a top choice...C- :(

Movies in Review: "Think Like a Man Too"

There was so much hype around this movie that I just couldn't buy in to. I wanted to see this movie, although I thought it was a little soon for the movie to be released so quickly after the success of the first one. By the time this movie hit theaters there was so much hype around it, I kinda lost interest in seeing it at all, but I did, hoping for the best...

Ummmmmm...I can't....Maybe it's just me, or everyone just got caught up in the hype because what I was expecting from my fb and IG news feed was an exceptional comical movie, but this movie was nothing like that. This 2nd installment lost so much of the great elements of the first movie. There were some chuckle moments, but that was about it. The character's stories in Vegas were lame and went nowhere, and I think this had a lot to do with the fact that there was too much Kevin Hart in this movie. In the first film each character had their own scenes and there acting skills were able to shine. Unfortunately for this movie, the men were all together and Kevin seemed to be the comedic focal point of the movie. I'm sorry but this movie OD'd with Hart. You know Kevin Hart is doing too much when his voice hits a high pitch screeching sound, and this is how he was for most of the movie. There was nothing funny about that. Will Packer had a wonderful cast that he failed to use properly. Like wth did they do with Gary Owen's character. He was nothing like the man we saw in the first film. Was that fanny-pack really suppose to be funny? I'm sorry but it was corny. Hart screeching throughout the film...annoying. What was up with the BBD scene. I loved the video concept, but really, the entire song!? Can you say this movie was trying too hard?

The best parts of the movie for me was the addition of Dennis Haysbert as Uncle Eddie ~swoon~, and the last few heartfelt scenes that didn't include Hart. Those scenes were really well done. If the story focused more on each individual relation as opposed to Hart's nonsense, it would have made for a better film. I know many of you won't ride with me on this one, but I stand by my review...C-

Movies in Review: "Jersey Boys"

I watched the Broadway performance of this story 2 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I saw the trailer for the film, I can't say I was too excited until I saw that Clint Eastwood had directed it. The story was beautifully done as a Broadway play, but I didn't know how it would come across as a movie, but with Eastwood at the helm, how bad could it be...

Hmmmmm...well it wasn't as great as I hoped it would be. This movie was directed like a Broadway play being played out in a movie production, which didn't work out so well. Unlike the play, the movie had far less energy. The movie needed more drama to sustain the story and captivate its audience more, because playing it cool as the Broadway play didn't come across so well on the big screen. The musical performances were great, but the story was lacking in so many areas. The costumes and acting performances were also better in the play.

I figured the only reason this movie was released was to reach audiences who are unable to see the play...and I get that. But let me just tell you, if you're ever in NY, your money would be better spent on Broadway. But on a positive note, I do love the theatrical poster...lol...C+

Movies in Review: "How to Train Your Dragon 2"

Yeah yeah I know I'm late, and I usually don't get the chance to see movies past their weekend release, but I really wanted to see this one. I have anticipated the release of the movie all summer. The first film ranks as one of my favorite animated movies, and I was anticipating this 2nd installment to fall right in line.

Unlike the first film, this one started out a bit slower. I guess it's because I was already familiar with all the characters, so there wasn't much character development needed. The animation is beautifully dome throughout the movie, but the story doesn't really pick up until Hiccup's mother comes into the picture. When she arrives we get a chance to meet a few new characters and even more beautiful dragons (tell me you wasn't impressed with that Queen dragon...WoW!). I felt the story dragged for most of the film, but definitely picked up in the middle and kept my attention until the end. Can I tell you how much I love Toothless, and how much Toothless loves Hiccup. Toothless shines perfectly in the end, and has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. I was in awe of his power...amazing.

This movie is fun for the kids, although there is a moment of sadness which almost had me shed a tear :(. But all is well in the end. The kids will enjoy seeing their favorite dragons do some amazing things. This second installment, although slow at the beginning was very well done...A-

Movies in Review: "22 Jump Street"

When I first watched the trailer for this film, I liked it and was looking forward to the movie. However as time went on and the hype behind this new installment grew, my interests and expectations decreased. Btw...this is the first time this has ever happened to me, because once I get excited about a movie, I'm usually excited until it's premiere...but I honestly was this close to not going to see this movie this weekend. After skimming a few reviews this morning, it seems that I am not in the majority with my feelings about this movie.

I was less impressed, but instead more annoyed than anything. I felt like Channing and Hill were trying too hard to be funny that it just came off corny...to me anyway. Don't get me wrong, there were some funny scenes and characters, like the jail scene with Mr. Walters (a character I was sad to see have such a small role), I loved the Yang twins (they made all their scenes more interesting) and Mercedes a new character played by Jillian Bell. I found Mercedes to be hilarious in every scene she was in...for the most part. The problem I had with this movie is sometimes they let the characters ad-lib too much. I wasn't a fan of the story, which was just a lame college version of the first movie. All I kept thinking while watching was "Why is this movie so damn long?". I was bored halfway through it...am I the only one?

I found it surprising to read all the positive reviews for this movie. When things like this happen sometimes I sit back and question myself. But I stand by my review on this one. Now maybe I should have watched this one high or drunk, and perhaps this perspective may have made for a more entertaining movie. It is clear that if you came out of the theater loving this movie...you were drunk...ijs. I didn't hate it, but I have definitely laughed harder and enjoyed myself more at other comedies. You can give this one a go if you want, but it isn't worth more than a matinee...if that...C+

Movies in Review: "Edge of Tomorrow"

I remember how excited I use to get for a new Tom Cruise movie, today, not so much. When I watched the trailer for this new movie I was intrigued, but that had a lot more to do with the trailer soundtrack than the movie itself...smh. This is not to say that I thought the movie looked bad, but the music for the trailer had me in a trance...lol. As I watched the trailer more and more, my interests grew. However I was a little apprehensive about the story line because it looked to be reminiscent of the film "Source Code" (which I loved). I was hoping Edge of Tomorrow would be different...it was...

This is an action packed movie. It starts out a bit slow, but quickly picks up the pace. My advice is that you hold on for the ride. I was pleased with the way the story played out, for the most part. There were parts that were a little meh (like the ending), but there is so much going on, you may not notice or care. I don't know about you, but repeating the same day over and over for an entire movie can get a little annoying, but the writing and direction for this film helped to keep the story moving along, although it was the same day on repeat. The humor helped to keep the story fun and interesting, but the action scenes will blow your mind. Those "mimics" are nothing to play with...Wow! Tom Cruise is a sure-fire hit in this one. He looked like the Cruise of old. Emily Blunt did her thing too. She played the kick-ass tough girl well.

All I can say is buckle up and get ready for an exhausting, bumpy ride. They fudged the ending up, but the meat and potatoes of the story was fun to watch. This one lived up to most of the  hype...B+

Movies in Review: "Maleficent"

I have to give props to the marketing people behind this film. It's not like there was a great deal done to market this movie, when compared to marketing efforts for "The Amazing Spiderman" and others, but there was enough done to grab and keep one's interest without being overbearing and obnoxious. I saw the theatrical trailer for this movie first, and was immediately intrigued. Soon after I watched the trailer, and quickly put it on my must-see list. I am not the biggest fan of fairytale's being made into movie productions, as many have failed to impress me, but I felt like this one would please me.

I don't think they could have done a better job casting anyone but Jolie in the part of Maleficent. She WAS Maleficent. Damn Jolie gives a mean stare!...lol. I don't think Jolie is an incredible actress, but when you get a part that works for you, exceptional acting is not needed. I was in awe of Maleficent. I thought they also did a great job with the story. Writing, visuals, costumes, were all done very well. There were slight quirks in the story that bothered me a little, but not enough to ruin my experience. There are some very cute characters and extraordinary visuals. I watched this movie on the regular screen, but I do wish I would have upgraded to IMAX or 3D. You may want to consider paying a little extra, I think it's worth it.

I got way more than I expected from this movie. Yes I expected to like it, but I did not expect that it would keep me so interested. This was another delightful movie to watch, visually and emotionally entertaining. I think the family will enjoy...A-!