Movies in Review: "Spy"

Melissa McCarthy will get me every time. I don't think I care what kind of movie she's in. All I know is if she's in it, I'm going to see it. I'm only saying this because I wasn't too enthused with the trailer with Spy. It kind of just looked silly. Yes I laughed at the trailer, but it still looked silly to me. I think I was more interested to see Entourage than Spy, but I definitely going to see both.

O...M...G...far better than I had expected. Yes it was still silly, but in all the right ways. The comedy was on point. Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne had me pissing in my pants with their back and forth. I would have really loved to see the out takes from their scenes, I know they are just as memorable as the scene that made the cut. Can Melissa McCarthy go wrong in a comedy? I don't think so. But you put Byrne by her side and now you've got a work of comedic art. Again, the movie was silly, but also extremely fun to watch. Jason Statham even surprised me with him comedic abilities. He brought sexy and comedy...well done Statham. Nancy, who is Cooper's, played by Melissa McCarthy, co-worker and friend was also a hoot. The jokes were non-stop, and there was no way I could have been more pleased.

This action comedy takes both to an enjoyable level. A comedy hasn't made me laugh this hard in a minute. But it's more than just the laughs, this movie is entertaining and fun to watch. If you need a smile on your face, this movie is guaranteed to do it...A+

Movies in Review: "Entourage"

Although the series ran for 8yrs, I think we were all still sad when the final season came and ended this series :(. Who didn't love this show, and felt a void when there was no weekly fix of the adventures these group of friends faced together. I think our cries were heard, and we were given a movie...Yay! I got chills every time I would see this trailer, and a huge grin would fall across my face. It was like being reconnected with old friends you haven't seen in a while. I had little expectations for this movie, all I knew is that I had to see it...

I walked out of the theater with the biggest grin on my face. I was more than pleased with this movie. he movie felt like and extended version of the TV series, which I enjoyed, but critics disliked. It felt like coming home. Ari was on one, but in the best way. Everyone was in rare form. I couldn't get enough of Ari, and was pleased to see everyone from the series make their return. I wasn't a fan of Ari's new Assistant, played by Kid Cudi. He was far from a Lloyd, whose chemistry is comedic magic with Ari. We do get to see Lloyd, but not enough for my taste. Surprised to say Drama was one of my favorite characters in the movie, because he was usually my least favorite in the series. I loved him for the film. It was funny because Vincent's Entourage outshines him in the movie. Vinnie, in my opinion, got lost in the background, which was fine with me. The other character's storylines were better. I'm not the biggest fan of Billy Bob Thornton, but he didn't bother in this role, and fit it perfectly. However the creepy, and now chubby Sixth Sense kid, was annoying as hell. I know he was supposed to be an ass, but I think I had more trouble with the actor they chose to play this role...meh...

Roles aside, the movie was fun. I think everyone wanted some action in this movie because there are more guest appearances than I can count. Critics also hated this, but I actually enjoyed the guest surprises that came from nowhere. There was so much going on I think some of the stories didn't get the chance to develop like they should. I enjoyed the ride of the movie, but was a little disappointed with the ending, which felt unfinished and rushed. The film could have used a 30 min extension...but maybe I feel this way because I didn't want it to end :(. For all fans of the series, I think you will be pleased with the movie, but will still find yourself leaving the theater without closure...A-

Movies in Review: "Aloha"

So I was less than thrilled about this weekends new releases, San Andreas and Aloha. However I dislike over the top disaster films and have a soft heart for romantic comedies, so Aloha won the toss-up for the film I would waste my time seeing. Yes usually I try to see all movies, but when I have the choice between enjoying a beautiful day and wasting my time in a theater on a movie I know isn't worth my time, a beautiful day will always win. Hence the reason I only chose to watch 1 of these movies. Unfortunately I think I chose the worst of the 2...womp womp.

I wasn't expecting a great film, but I thought it would be cute and somehow tear at my emotions, but it was neither. Rachel McAdams is my go to girl for decent romantic comedies. Although I enjoyed her performance as always, there definitely wasn't enough of her, instead way too much of Emma Stone's character Ng, who I found to be absolutely annoying. I'm a fan of Emma Stone, but she was uber obnoxious in this one...Ugh. Almost every scene she was in ended with me rolling my eyes, and that relationship between her and Bradley Coopers character, truly unbelievable...smh. Nothing about this movie worked. The story wasn't clear, and got lost in translation as we tried to figure out which girl Brian Gilcrest was going to pick, but honestly, did we really care...such a waste of time.

I can't recommend this movie at all. I wish I could have slept in instead of giving this movie 2hrs of my time, but my dedication to this blog had me take one for the team...You're welcome...D-

Movies in Review: "Tomorrowland"

I will say that I was definitely intrigued by the trailer and all the promotional clips for this film. It starred George Clooney, who isn't one of my top actors, but I do usually enjoy the films he's involved in. This weekend was an extended holiday weekend, and I was hoping this movie was worth giving up my extra day off to lay on the couch...but unfortunately it wasn't.

The movie started out interesting enough, well sorta. I didn't really understand the documented filming the characters Casey and Frank Walker were doing at the beginning. By the time the movie ended, it didn't feel like that part was even necessary, and the intro into the film could have been written a better way. However I did enjoy the actress who played the character Casey, she was the best part about the movie. Unfortunately the story was written with too many holes. It was way too long and seemed to lose its focus. The cinematography was great to look at, it wasn't enough to pick up where the story was lacking. Was the scene at the Blast from the Past gift shop really necessary? That scene was the corniest 10min I have watched in a movie in a while...ugh.

This movie had the potential to be so much better than what it was, but the content was watered down with nonsense. There is a decent message by the end, but by this time I don't think anyone really cared. I was definitely hoping to like this one better than I did, but I didn't...C+

Movies in Review: "Mad Max: Fury Road"

Soooooo...don't kill me...but I had little interest in seeing this movie. Yes it starred 2 of my favorite actors, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, but I'm not really a Mad Max fan. This is the 4th Mad Max movie, and I think I only watch 1 of the first 3...smh. If it wasn't for a friend strongly recommending this movie, I might not as been as impressed to see it as I was when it was released.

I enjoy a good post-apocalyptic film...but be warned, this film is unlike anything you have ever seen. I left the theater totally messed up by what I had just seen. This movie is crazy in all aspects of the word, and will blow your mind. It's an absolute visionary work of art. My eyes are still amazed at the over-the-top stunts, the filming, and interesting characters...this movie is amazing. First off...can we talk about the band playing the theme music riding with the "War Boys"...that was insane! Can we move on to those swinging poles they used to snatch the girls out the car...What!? Blown...my mind is blown...

I could go on and on, but I would give too much away. This movie is unlike anything you have ever seen, and a movie that definitely needs to be experience on the big screen. You would be playing yourself if you choose to watch it at home...A+!

Movies in Review: "Pitch Perfect 2"

Pitch Perfect was a musical comedy hit, so it seems only fair to hit fans with a sequel...right!? I'm usually not a fan of sequels, but not in this case. This was a movie that made sense to have a follow-up. I was happy to see from the trailer that all characters were coming back to reprise their roles. I was only hoping that the story and music would be as entertaining as the first.

I have to give it to Elizabeth Banks as she co-starred and took the reigns in the director's chair, not a bad job at all. However I definitely think the first installment had more charm. This film missed the mark on a lot of its humor. Some of the new characters added, failed to improve the movie at all. "Flo", the Guatemalan addition to the Bella's was stale. I could hear crickets with 90% of the jokes she had in the movie...smh. I thought the new legacy Bella played by Hailee Steinfield, would have packed more of a punch, but she seemed to fall in the background.

However I did enjoy the addition of Keegan-Michael Keys as Becca's boss. He was hilarious and insane as he always is. His comedic nonsense was a breath of fresh air this movie needed. I was happy to see Elizabeth Banks and John  Michael Higgins reprise their roles a the a capella commentators. Their comedic improvisation is hard to beat. Das Sound Machine was also a great addition, although I wish their was a little more of the Treblemakers, who I thought had better performances in the first movie. An added plus, and the most important element, the singing was definitely on point. The singing was without a doubt Pitch Perfect. The last Bella performance left me floored...it was beautiful.

Although not as great as the first, still not at all a bad sequel. It was cute, fun, and entertaining. If you enjoyed the first one, I would recommend this one, however adjust your standards in comparison to the first...B

Movies in Review: "Avengers: Age of Ultron"

Hot movie ticket of the weekend was definitely the Avengers. Everybody I know went out this weekend to see this film, so I was this close to not even writing a review, but I really have to get my feelings out about this movie. I was expecting this movie to be good, but not this damn good...

From the gate this movie was in full motion. There was no warm-up, no-prep...From the gate Avengers go! I loved this opening, and it set the pace for the rest of the movie. All our favorite Avengers were in full effect with their comedic taunting (Did Cap just say language?)...lol...hilarious. Does anyone think Black Widow is the ish!? They were right on point choosing Scarlett Johansson for this role.

I didn't think they could improve on the first Avenger movie...but they did. I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed the story. I know a few elements were changed from the original comic book series, but I think they dotted each I and crossed every T to have this movie make sense. There were so many intricate pieces to the story that all came together in the end. What I enjoyed most is that the story got more in-depth with some of the Avengers personal stories, like Hawkeye. Hawkeye got a little more screen time in this film, and it was all worth it. This movie was an action paradise. There was never a dull moment. Oh... shout out to Beats by Dre for the ill product placement...Nice!

I could go on and on about this movie. I loved the introduction of new characters, although the actor who played Quicksilver wasn't really my favorite. Ultron was amazing. I loved how Ultron's facial expressions looked exactly like James Spader. I was so intrigued with Ultron. However my favorite new character was definitely Vision (played by Paul Bettany), which is weird because I'm not the biggest Bettany fan, but he was wonderful as Vision. Was anyone as drawn into Vision's costume/make-up?...Wow! Very well done...

Like I said, I could go on and on...This movie was worth 2.5 hrs, and worth the extra money I spent to see it in IMAX. This is definitely one of the best movie released this year, and one you don't want to miss...A+!