Starwars: The Force Awakens Review (2015)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

 

  The most anticipated movie of all time came out last night, pulling in a record breaking $57M. All Star Wars fans wanted for Christmas this year, was for this film to be good or even just better than the prequels. So, did they get what they asked for?

  I think so! First, let me start off by saying that there are a LOT of problems with this movie. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, because it's not what I wanted to say, but I must be objective in this review.   

  Secondly, there is a lot to love about this movie too. SO, I will start with the things I love. 

  Guatemalan/Cuban actor Oscar Isaac. Boy am I excited to see him as Apocalypse in the new X-men movie. This dude is extremely likable and even in the brief screen time he was given in Force Awakens, he displayed very Han-Solo-like charisma and big acting range. Most people think Isaac is new to the scene, but he actually has quite the resume, including 2014's indie gem, A Most Violent Year. 

  Another thing I loved, was Adam Driver as Kilo Ren. Aside from a comedic drama called While we're Young, I can't bring to mind any memorable performances I've seen from this guy. When I heard he was going to be playing the menacing villain of the Star Wars universe, I was really curious to see what would happen. He had the height, the deep voice, and the emotional range, but could he compete with Darth Vader, Palpatine, and General Grievous? This will probably be the most debated thing among fans, but I think he competed pretty well. Driver brought a humanity to the character and really tried to make him redeemable. I feel like he's going to be the Prince Zuko of Star Wars characters, which granted, may bother some people who didn't find him so sympathetic. The only thing I didn't like about the character, was not being able to completely understand his motives. We are told he is seduced to the dark side and then it is presumed that the reasons will be revealed in later movies, but certain plot points in this movie don't have quite the impact they want because his character isn't fleshed out enough. There is an inner battle going on between dark and light, and in order for us to really relate to the battle, I think we need to be given more insight into why Kilo Ren is the way he is. Driver is given a big job with this character, but he brings his A game and really gives us an expression-filled, unforgettable performance. 

  Daisy Ridley. This was the first movie I've seen with her in it and I really liked the fact that she isn't a big name actor. That way, you see her as her character only and nobody else. The movie really hinges on whether or not you like Ridley or not, which thankfully her character is written and acted extremely well. I wouldn't say she's the most amazing actress in the world, but she was solid and likable.

  BB-8. SOOO cute. I loved this little bot. Not only was it a great R2D2 replacement, but it was funny and had a big personality. I really enjoyed this character.

  John Boyega. I won't spoil whether or not his character is a Jedi or a Storm Trooper, or just some random dude, but I will say, I'm not quite sure what I felt about him. He's probably the most different character in the Star Wars universe that we've seen so far. You can tell he's excited to be here, but sometimes his dialogue was a little clunky, which made it harder to deliver. They laid his relationship with Daisy Ridley's character on pretty thick, and sometimes it felt a little too rushed for them to be so emotionally attached, but aside from those things, he was an interesting character.

  Domhall Gleeson plays General Hux and really models his character from the old trilogy generals. I know to some he seemed to be a bit over the top, but I actually really liked him. I was unaware that he was in this movie until I saw it, and I'm a big fan of his acting style, which is ironically pretty similar to Adam Driver. He's usually super likable characters in movies like About Time or as Bill Weasley in Harry Potter, but here we get to see a different side of him, which I really appreciated! He looked like he was having so much fun being in a Star Wars film and it showed.

  Harrison Ford was AWESOME as you probably expected, and slipped back into the role of Han Solo effortlessly. So many cool nostalgic moments in this film, and he was probably my favorite of all. 

  Now that I just vomited fangirl all over you, time for the things I didn't like so much. Predictability and the rewatchability factor are the two biggest problems for this film. It is very derivative of A New Hope which comes off as very safe. J. J. Abrams is trying so hard not to rehash the prequel movies, that he isn't very ambitious with this one. Some fans may like that he didn't try to make it a completely different thing, but for me it felt a little unoriginal. The rewatchability factor comes into play because, as shocking as this might sound, there isn't really any huge action sequences. Weird for a Star Wars movie right? Aside from one lightsaber battle, a CGI monster, and some gun fights, there was never a scene in this movie where I thought, I need to go back and see that scene again. 

  One thing I absolutely hated, was the way they handled one particular scene (don't worry I won't spoil). For those who've seen the movie, I'll just say that it's on a bridge and they'll know exactly what I'm talking about. This scene is between the villain and a main character. As I said before, Kilo Ren isn't developed very well, so when we have this big, critical moment, it doesn't impact us emotionally the way it wants us too. This is a huge disappointment, because it's such a critical moment to the Star Wars Saga and it could have been done so well.

 The only other problem I had with the film was some of the comedy. It would have been fine if the comedic dialogue was limited to only one or two characters, but everyone seemed to get at least two one-liners. This had a very Marvel Avengers type affect. Sometimes the jokes landed, mainly when it was without out dialogue and just action, and other times, it just took me out of the film a bit.

  Once the high of the movie wears off for fans, I think they might realize that this is a good film, but not a great one. However, to be fair, I don't think any movie can live up to the decades worth of nostalgia Star Wars fans have had stored up for themselves. For this reason, I'll give Star Wars: The Force Awakens an 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

Bridge of Spies Review (2015)

Bridge of Spies

  Tom Hanks is arguably one of the best actors in Hollywood with quite the resume of amazing movies. Because of this, I didn't really question whether or not Bridge of Spies would be good, despite the somewhat ambiguous trailer. Throw Steven Spielberg in the mix and you really have a winner. 

  The true story of the American lawyer, James B. Donovan, takes place during the Cold War and walks us through what it might have been like to defend an accused soviet spy. While never painting any of its characters as black and white villains and heroes, we get an objective view into the war as Donovan orchestrates an exchange for American spy, Francis Gary Powers.

  The acting of course was excellent. Not an Oscar worthy performance for Hanks, but good none-the-less. Aside from the slightly long-winded opening, Bridge of Spies managed to entertain me for the whole rest of the 2 hour run time. 

  What we have here is a very solid film that makes you proud to be American, but lacks in realm of ambition on a film-making level. It's polished, uplifting Oscar bait that will score high with critics, but possibly bore your generic audience. I, however, quite enjoyed the film. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

Macbeth Review (2015)

Macbeth

  Oh boy, where to even begin with this review. . . Macbeth stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cottilard as its main leads. I'm a huge fan of both, but recently Fassbender is going up the ranks on my personal favorites list. 

  The gritty film, though beautiful to look at, wouldn't be quite as marvelous if it weren't for Fassbender's raw performance. He has a way of making the most intense scenes work so organically as he breathes life into his characters. The way he transitions from physical battles to emotional ones, while never losing the audience's sympathy, is extremely impressive. Likewise, Cottilard is just as precise in her portrayal of Lady Macbeth, bringing the perfect amount of emotion to the role.

  From the very first shot, I knew I was in for a treat. The cinematography was beyond stunning, so rich and vivid. From the accurate period costumes, to the music, to the slow motion battle sequences, to the Shakespearean English, Macbeth is a unique masterpiece from director Justin Kurzel. 

  While at first it was extremely hard to follow their regional accents and poetic language, it became one of my favorite aspects of the movie. The dialogue was so beautifully written that it made me want to spend hours watching a single scene and taking in/analyzing every word said in it. While I do suggest reading up on the basic plot and cliff notes, Macbeth is a movie you should see in theaters. Absolutely mesmerizing. . . 10 out 10 stars (A Must See)

 

Spotlight Review (2015)

Spotlight

  Spotlight is the true story of how the Boston Globe turned over an ugly rock to reveal cockroaches molesting children in the catholic church. It stars Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, and Stanley Tucci. As great as this cast is, I don't feel like anyone, aside from Mark Ruffalo, really stood out in a way that screamed Oscar. They all had solid performances, but the focus was on the story more than the characters. Not a knock on the film, but something I thought I should mention.

  Spotlight reminded me of Zodiac in it's approach to storytelling. It started out slow and as it went on, began to really grip and compel us. It's dark material, and the execution at times gave me chills. On the other hand, there were times where the way it was shot felt almost like a lifetime TV movie.

  One thing I really did like about Spotlight, was its unapologetic way of painting the characters. When tempted to point blame, the film reveals the hypocrisy in not only the church, but the reporters as well.

  While there's not much depth to Spotlight in a artistic, cinematic sense, there is a lot of depth in its lesson that those who turn a blind eye to evil are taking the side of the oppressor.

  I won't rave over this film like other critics seem to, not because it wasn't good, but because it didn't quite have the impact on me that I wanted it to have.

  In the end, where it lacks in character building, style, energy, it made up for in it's candid depiction of mankind and the tendency to overlook suffering right under our very noses. 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price)

Creed Review (2015)

Creed

  Sports films are very hard to get right and after watching the trailer for Creed, I figured it would be as generic as the rest. When it came out, the reviews started flooding in and they were all positive. Curious, I decided to give Creed a shot and let me just say, I'm glad I did. 

  If you're a fan of the Rocky franchise, consider it successfully rebooted and rebirthed for the next generation. Adonis Creed (played by Michael B. Jordan) is our main protagonist, a self taught fighter who convinces Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) to train him. 

  Living under the shadow of his father's name, Adonis takes on his mother's maiden name, Johnson, and tries to make a name for himself. 

  I really liked the emotional process they took Adonis and the audience through as he begins his training and as his relationship with Rocky blooms. Beneath his hard shell, there is an endearing quality about him that makes you want to root for him no matter what. 

  It's organic storytelling is engaging, full of heart, and a real winner as a Rocky follow up. It was never predicable or overlong, but instead a great balance of lightheartedness and poise. I really really enjoyed this film! 8 out of 10 stars! (I'd Buy It)

Mockingjay Part 2 Review (2015)

Mockingjay Part 2 Review

  I'm sad to say that The Hunger Games series has finally come to an end. As a huge fan of the books, I've had mixed feelings on the movies. While the story and concept is phenomenal, the delivery onscreen didn't always quite meet my expectations and do the source material justice. A lot of this has to do with the casting. As much as I like Jennifer Lawrence, she doesn't quite fit the look of the 18 year old, starving capital girl I pictured in the book. On top of that Josh Hutcherson doesn't look very much like Peeta and his delivery of the character comes off as soft more often than not. Because these are the two character we should be rooting for the most, it does put me out of the film a bit. Katniss's fickle and childlike behavior would be much more forgivable to the audience if she actually looked like a child. After the director switch from Gary Ross to Francis Lawrence, the movies did get better, but huge details had already been left out that would make characters like Peeta more understandable. For instance, in the book Peeta had to have his leg amputated after being attacked by mutts. Gary Ross left this out and so Francis Lawrence, who was still trying to follow the source material, had Peeta falling and tripping all over the place in the second film. Without the leg amputation, this doesn't make very much sense and just makes Peeta look like a wimp. On top of that, Hutcherson just isn't a GREAT actor and the height difference next to Jennifer Lawrence is a little laughable. The mutts in the first movie looked like scary pitbulls, but Francis Lawrence in Mockingjay Part 2 makes them look like zombies (again, more accurate to the book). This change might leave viewers who haven't read the books confused and suspending belief. 

  Because Mockingjay is a 300 page book, splitting it into 2 parts did more harm than good. You can tell when they're trying to use filler and because of this, it can be quite boring at times. 

  I know it sounds like I'm bagging on the franchise, but I do actually like them. It's just sad to me when I can see exactly how they could have been phenomenal, and instead they're just good. Mockingjay Part 2 tries and succeed in instances of grabbing my emotions, but in the end it still fell flat. I'll give it a 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price).

Brooklyn Review (2015)

Brooklyn

  The story of a young Irish girl who moves to Brooklyn, New York in search of a better life, is a simplistic one, but it has more depth than you'd think. Through Eilis Lacey's journey, we are taken on an emotional roller coaster and there is nobody better to bring us on that ride than Saoirse Ronan. Ronan has a way of making her characters effortlessly likable. With her bright blue eyes and understated, nuanced performances, she draws the audience in and keeps us there. Her subtle acting style allows her to convey the perfect amount of sentiment without making it feel contrived.

  Brooklyn is good old fashioned storytelling, driven by interesting characters with a lot at stake. Its simplicity is a breath of fresh air, beautifully shot and crafted. This is a story about the pursuit of happiness and the loss that goes along with that. In search of a better life in America, Eilis must leave behind her family and her country. 

  The supporting cast, Emory Cohen and Domhnall Gleeson, are our lead lady's love interests, as shown in the trailer. They did a great job with their characters, but I wish that the romance aspect of the story would've been handled with slightly more care. At a certain point, there is a bit of a love triangle and one of the decisions Eilis makes, in my opinion, distances the audience from her character. Something that could've been avoided, lost almost all sympathy from me for her and she almost didn't gain it back. Aside from this, the film had a lot to say and it did so profoundly. Brooklyn is a charming, coming of age tale that resonates with the audience and packs a punch that will leave you thinking about it long after you leave the theater. Elevated by superb acting and poignant elegance, I give Brooklyn 7 out of 10 stars. (Very good)

Steve Jobs Review (2015)

Steve Jobs 

  After Jobs, staring Ashton Kutcher, failed miserably, Danny Boyle (Director of Slumdog Millionare and 28 Days Later) decides to give us his version of the life behind Apple's co-founder. 

  The movie stars Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels. It begins in 1984 as Jobs is about to unveil the first Macintosh and takes us all the way to 1998 where he revolutionizes the computer with the iMac.

  Before going in, you should know that this movie is completely dialogue driven. There are no crazy action sequences or car chases, it's just people in intense conversations. I really appreciate the screenwriters here, because the movie didn't feel overlong or boring, it was always compelling. Fassbender is no newbie to these intense type roles and he absolutely nailed Steve Job's narcissistic, irritable personality. While most of the movie is Jobs arguing before a presentation of his next product, Boyle cleverly provides exposition into Jobs complex character without explicitly laying it out before us. Fassbender's nuanced performance really added to the film and made you care for him despite his sometimes despicable personality. The cinematography is another plus for this film. The three acts were shot on 16mm, 35mm, and digital cameras to demonstrate the progress and development in technology as we switched from decade to decade. Also the symmetry of the shots, the way the close ups aligned perfectly with Fassbender's face, and the overviews of the crowd stomping their feet or clapping really reminded me of 2014's Whiplash. 

  I really liked the way Boyle captured Jobs relationship with his daughter and how they brought it full circle in the end as the climax. My only gripe with the film is how over-dramatized some of the fights were. It seemed like every couple arguments were in front of some absurd crowd of people and I kept wondering, "You couldn't have had this conversation anywhere else?" That aside, I really enjoyed this film and would give it an 7 out of 10 stars. (Very Good)

Everest Review (2015)

Everest

  Let me start out by saying that the marketing for this film is a bit misleading. Why, you ask? Because the first trailer marketed it as a Jake Gyllenhaal film when in actuality it is a Jason Clarke film. I can understand why they'd do this with all of the momentum Gyllenhaal has picked up after Nightcrawler and Southpaw, but considering he only has a few lines in the movie it was a bit disappointing to me as a fan. In most cases, I wouldn't complain about there being a big ensemble cast of A-list actors, but here it seemed so unnecessary. Keira Knightly was another example of a miscast character. All she did was sit on a bed and cry the whole movie. Any actress could have done that.

  Anyway, moving on to the actual content of the film. Right off the bat, the characters were all developed pretty well. The ones you were supposed to care about, you did, and the ones you weren't supposed to care about, you didn't. This is half the battle with disaster type movies, so I'd say well done in those regards. Another good thing was the visuals which really were breathtaking! Seeing the contrast of Tibet and the mountain and then back to regular life with the character's families was really beautifully done. 

  My problem with the film doesn't lie with the execution or the characters, but with the true story itself. It was hard for me to feel sympathy for people who did such dangerous, reckless things. It's not like they are the victim of some crazy disaster that couldn't have been avoided, these people put themselves in a bad situation and literally paid 65,000 dollars to be there. For me, I questioned why the movie needed to be made in the first place when the story, though historical, doesn't really have any redeeming qualities. It wasn't life-affirming like 2012's The Impossible, it wasn't inspiring like 2010's 127 Hours, it just left me feeling unsatisfied and by the end I was asking myself "Is this it?" I wanted the movie to have a point, but it didn't. For that reason, I'd give it a 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price) Go see it for the visuals.

The Martian Review (2015)

The Martian

  What do you get when Life of Pi meets Interstellar? You get Ridley Scott's new film, The Martian, staring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Sean Bean, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and a lot of other A-list actors.

  I was super excited for this movie because the trailer looked absolutely incredible and I'd heard a lot of good things about the book. Yes, it's based off a book, it's not a true story, although it definitely felt pretty real due to the awesome script by Drew Goddard. While the movie had a LOT of strong points, the script was definitely the strongest. It was witty, heartfelt, and clever. Not only that, but a lot of the science was actually plausible, which blows my mind. I just kept thinking to myself as I sat there in the theater, "how the heck did the author come up with a solution for THAT problem?" It was truly genius.

  Matt Damon does an awesome job, as usual, making our protagonist incredibly likable despite the lack of backstory. This isn't necessarily a knock on the film, but I did want to know more about his family life. Was he married? Did he have kids? Did he have a girlfriend? How was his relationship with his parents? What did his parents think about the whole situation? I feel like if they had focused a little more on developing that aspect of his character, the stakes would've been raised and the ending would've been even more satisfactory. On the other hand, I think they handled his bond and chemistry with the rest of the crew incredibly well! It was also super nice seeing Jessica Chastain play such a leader-type main character since she's such a big advocate for important roles for women.

  The movie easily could have been super drab and depressing simply because of it's subject matter, but it wasn't. It was funny, serious when it needed to be, non-sentimental, and really a celebration of life and why it's worth fighting for. The Martian boasts in it's visual effects, really bringing life to Mars (no pun intended). I think at this point, it's fair to say that Ridley Scott has redeemed himself from that atrocity Exodus: God's and Kings. 9 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray)

The Visit Review (2015)

The Visit

  After murdering The Last Airbender series and making Will Smith look like an idiot in After Earth, M. Night Shyamalan is back and just as terrible as ever. In his latest project, we have two kids who are visiting their "creepy" grandparents for the first time. I put creepy in quotations because, as hard as it tries, this movie isn't very scary at all. All of the jump scares are predictable, none the characters are intimidating. It's a lot of stuff we've seen before and honestly, it got boring pretty quickly. 

  As for any good coming from this movie, Shyamalan seemed a little more self aware then usual, cracking some occasional jokes and not taking himself too seriously. I'm not sure if I liked this aspect or not, because sometimes it seemed to mess a bit with the tone. I wish the entire movie was strictly comedy because the moments where Shyamalan was trying to be sentimental came off super annoying and pretentious.

  I've found that in every M. Night Shyamalan movie, there is always one actor/character that makes the movie watchable. In Signs it was Joaquin Phoenix. In Lady In The Water it was Paul Giamatti. In The Village it was Bryce Dallas Howard. In The Visit, it's new comer Ed Oxenbould. This kid was the heart of the film and without him it would have just been flat out awful. He was amusing, good at delivering even the stupidest lines, and was really the only character I cared about. Aside from that, I don't have much good to say about The Visit. If M. Night Shyamalan never made another movie, I think I'd be okay. 2 out of 10 (Skip It)

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Review (2015)

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

  I read all three Maze Runner books before the first movie came out, so as you can imagine, I was very much looking forward to The Scorch Trials release. That being said, when the first trailer came out, I was highly concerned. The plot looked completely different from the book––and I'm not talking about Harry Potter different either. I'm talking about Eragon different. Anyway, my family saw the movie before me and said it was the best they'd seen in a long time. Meanwhile critics gave it pretty low ratings, only a 50% out of 100% on rotten tomatoes. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect, so I went in expecting nothing. What did I think? 

  I think that Scorch Trials was one of the worst book to movie adaptations I've seen since Percy Jackson. From the very beginning, instead of following the book's excellent story, it completely rips off the first half of Michael Bay's The Island. And trust me, The Island isn't the only thing that gets ripped off. What was once a unique YA story has now been turned into generic dystopian soup mixed in with a little bit of Divergent, Ender's Game, Hunger Games, Mad Max, Lord of the Flies, and World War Z. If you think this sounds like an awesome mix, maybe this movie is for you. Personally, I wanted to see something fresh, not a sequel rehashing the same beats as the first movie.
  Not only am I disappointed with the storytelling, but I'm disappointed with the character development. Due to a specific subplot in the next book (which they may due away with completely), it was important that we get to really know Minho and Newt. But no. Thomas is the only character given proper screen time while everyone else we could literally care less about. Ugh. 

  There are so many things I could talk about; the cringe worthy dialogue, the vomit inducing shaky cam, the CGI zombies/cranks used in the end half, the fact that Teresa was even in the movie, the fact that the Right Arm was in the movie. There are just so many things wrong with this plot that are really detrimental to the third book. Things that just can't be overlooked.
  I know a lot of people who never read the book liked this movie, so I don't want to rain on their parade. I just find it frustrating that they so brazenly strayed away from the fairly well-written source material. Honestly I have no idea how they are gonna tie up loose ends for the third movie.
  All that to say, does Scorch Trails have entertainment value? Most of the people who watched it would say absolutely yes. Would I have liked it if I'd never read the book? Maybe. I probably would have loved it when I was younger. For those reasons, I give it a 4 out of 10 stars. (Watch If Free)

Love & Mercy Review (2015)

Love & Mercy 

  Love & Mercy follows the life of musician Brian Wilson. As a fan of the The Beach Boys, I was super excited when I saw the trailer for this. One of the reasons I was excited was because Paul Dano is finally getting some more screen time. After Prisoners, I knew this kid had some acting chops and now after seeing Love & Mercy, I am officially sold. To say the acting in this film is amazing would be an understatement. Both John Cusack and Dano show extreme depth and transparency in their roles. All that said, the person that surprised me most was Paul Giamatti. Everyone knows the dude can act, but he usually plays very likable characters. This role was refreshingly different from his usual roles and he absolutely nailed it.

  Another great thing about this film was the music. It was really cool to see how the songs contrasted with Brian Wilson's life and where he was at mentally when he wrote them. Without being overtly sentimental, Love & Mercy tugs at the heart strings. I thoroughly enjoyed the unconventional storytelling and how they went back and forth between young Brian Wilson and older Brian Wilson. Despite the "good vibrations" of The Beach Boy's albums, Brian Wilson was a very troubled soul. I give Love & Mercy a 7 out of 10 stars. (Very Good)

Mission: Impossible––Rogue Nation Review (2015)

Mission: Impossible––Rogue Nation

  There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who like Tom Cruise movies and those who don't. I am all for Tom Cruise movies and I don't think one person who saw Mission: Impossible had a bad thing to say about it. I would also like to mention that the only other Mission Impossible movie I've seen is Ghost Protocol, which I very much enjoyed. That said, I wasn't as impressed with Rogue Nation as I thought I'd be, despite all of the hype and good reviews. I don't say this because the characters are cartoonish and survive multiple situations in which they'd very likely be dead, although that is true, but I say it because I was bored at times. As I'm sure you know, bored is something nobody should ever be during a Tom Cruise movie. Granted, there were some really good action sequences and chases, but I really wasn't too invested in the characters. It felt like I'd seen everything before. Is that to say this film is bad? No, I think it has entertainment value, but after watching this year's earlier release of Mad Max: Fury Road, I don't think I can be blown away by action in comparison. 

  Another thing that bothered me was some of the comedic relief. I like Simon Pegg, but I felt that some of his line delivery fell flat. If they wanted us to laugh, I think having Jeremy Renner as the comedic relief would have worked out better. 

  In the end, I wanted to like this movie, but in my opinion, Ghost Protocol was more memorable. Still, if you enjoy Mission Impossible and you enjoy Tom Cruise, I'd say go check it out. 5 out of 10 stars. (Rent It)

The Gift Review (2015)

The Gift 

  The Gift is directed by Joel Edgerton, produced by Joel Edgerton, written by Joel Edgerton, and acted in by Joel Edgerton. Can you say multi-faceted dude?  

  While the trailer isn't a great representative of the film, turns out this is one to see. Because this is Edgerton's first movie and he wore many different hats for it, I am going to talk about him first. I am a big fan of Edgerton's work in one of my all time favorite movies, Warrior, and I thought he was good in Exodus, despite the movie being not so good. Because he has such a teddy bear face, I wasn't confident he could pull off the role of someone intimidating/scary, even with the rapist mustache. Let me tell you though, he proved me wrong. He has such an unassuming way about him and he really committed to this character. His subtle, subdued performance makes you uneasy, but at the same time, you kind of feel sympathetic for the guy. Edgerton's directorial debut is quite the achievement. It's a very well shot film and it is masterful at building tension. 

  Rebecca Hall is the center lead of the film and she did great as I expected, but what I was extremely impressed with, was Jason Bateman's performance. Seeing though he usually acts in comedic roles, it was surprising to see him nail such a dramatic, three-dimensional character.

  The Gift is really a conversational piece and when it's over, there are a lot of layers you can pull back and appreciate. I really really enjoyed this film. 9 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray)

Fantastic Four Review (2015)

Fantastic Four

  Here we have yet another reboot from the Marvel universe, only unlike Spiderman, this isn't getting better. Fantastic 4 doesn't start off bad. Miles Teller and Jamie Bell are our leaders into the story and I thought they were quite likeable. That, or maybe I'm just a biased fan of the actors. ANYWAY!

  It's not a secret that this movie wasn't popular at all with critics, winning itself a 9% out of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Ouch. Do I think it deserves that low of a score? Mmm, yeah. But before I get to the many problems of the film, I'll tell you the few things I liked. Firstly, their team had a lot of chemistry in the beginning. I bought their friendship and liked them as a group. Secondly, I really dug how they got their powers and their physical reactions to their powers, despite the CGI being absolutely horrific.   

  I kept thinking the movie would get better after this, but it gets soooo much worse. Once they get their powers, (Which is about 45 minutes into the movie) they immediately become products of the government and then the movie rushes through their training so that they already know how to control their powers. Then an hour into the movie (mind you the movie is only like an hour and 45 minutes) Dr. Doom comes into the picture. While he is pretty menacing and his powers are cool, he was hardly in the movie at all. I'm not even exaggerating, like what the heck. Miles Teller, Jamie Bell and Kate Mara seem to clock out on the 45 minute mark, probably because they realized how terrible it was, and the only one really trying is Michael B. Jordan. This movie was such a waste of great actors and such a waste of a director with so much potential. Fox gave the artists no liberty and now they are paying for it with this piece of garbage. Not only would Fantastic Four have benefited from a lot of re-writes to the script, it would benefited from being thrown into that teleporting machine and shipped off to a different planet. The ending was terrible, the actors had nothing to work with, and the studio tinkered so much with the end half that it felt like a completely different film. The more you think about it, the worse it gets. 2 out of 10 stars. (Skip It)

Ant-Man Review (2015)

Ant-Man

  I went into Ant-Man with very very low expectations, even despite the pretty good rotten tomatoes score. I don't know, something about a guy who can shrink into the size of an ant seemed kinda silly to me. Paul Rudd, who usually does comedy roles, was playing the main character which made me very curious to see how this would turn out. To my surprise, it actually turned out pretty good! While the concept is just as silly in the movie as it is in the trailer, it knows it's silly and it capitalizes on that fact. Do we take anyone in this movie seriously? Not really. Are we really invested emotionally in any of the characters? Not really. If someone were to die, would I care? No. But it's fun and it gave me some good laughs. The way they did the shrinking power was actually really cool too and fun to watch when he's training. My gripe with the movie is with Evangeline Lily's character and her father. They tried to make this deep, kinda broken relationship with the two of them, and it just came off as really melodramatic. Other than that, Ant-Man was pretty entertaining. Maybe a little long, but better than Avengers: Age of Ultron and Guardians of the Galaxy. 3.5 out of 5 Stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

Paper Towns Review (2015)

Paper Towns

  John Green's latest movie adaption stars Nat Wolff and Cara Delevigne as two very different teenagers who live next door to each other. Nat's character, Q, is very dorky and plays everything safe while Margo is adventurous and popular. Q has had a crush on Margo since she moved in next door when they were ten years old, but as they grew older they grew apart. That is until one night when Margo comes through Q's window asking him to be her revenge accomplice on her cheating boyfriend and fake friends. 

  As a reader of John Green's work, I was really excited for this film even though rotten tomatoes didn't seem to think very highly of it. I on the other hand, found it incredibly enjoyable. While the source material and script can seem conveniently plotted at times, something about this film is just so charming. It works with big themes and efficiently gets them across in it's strong 3rd act.  

  Granted, it does take from some of the cliches of your typical high school flick, but it does so in a way that feels much more earnest. Paper Towns aims high, and though it may not move us quite as much as it wants to, it does move us. 4 out of 5 stars. (It's Great!)

Southpaw Review (2015)

Southpaw

  I think it's fair to say that Jake Gyllenhaal's Prince of Persia days are officially behind him. Not only have all his movies in the recent years been incredibly good, but his method acting and nuanced performances, really show his depth as an actor. When I watch one of his movies, I no longer see Jake Gyllenhaal, I see Louis Bloom, or Detective Loki, and now Billy Hope.   

  In Southpaw, Gyllenhaal plays the number one heavyweight champion of the world. As spoiled in the trailer (which you should avoid if you can help) a certain tragedy strikes and Billy Hope loses it all. This film goes to some dark, heavy places, but if anyone is fit to bring us there, it's Gyllenhaal. Good performances aside (and there were a lot of good performances) I really was rooting for our protagonist, even when his methods weren't exactly ethical. 

  The style of the film and cinematography from scene one hook you and keep your eyes glued to the screen. Yes, the story is predictable at times and somewhat paint by the numbers, but the execution makes it feel entertaining and fresh. Despite Southpaw being a very good film, it isn't perfect. Hope's character arch felt a little abrupt to me, which is odd because it took a while for him to start turning his life around and working his way to the top. Also, I felt like there was such a big build up and not an epic enough climax. In the end, it isn't as memorable as Warrior or Rocky, but honestly, not many movies are. Southpaw is a solid film even if it's performances are more memorable than it's script. I'll give it a generous 4 out of 5 stars. (It's Great)

Jurassic World Review (2015)

Jurassic World

  Let's talk about the movie breaking records at box office, shall we? 

  As a kid, I grew up on Jurassic Park and was a big fan! Like many others, I looked forward to Jurassic World and let me tell you, I was not disappointed!

  The story takes place at an amusement park (Jurassic World) where they show off dinosaurs like they're just another whale at sea world. The park is absolutely incredible and the details they put into it really bring the film to life.

  As seen in the trailer, scientists want to peak attendance by making a hybrid dinosaur. Unfortunately, they have to learn the hard way that this was a mistake.  

  The movie stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard as it's main characters and they are excellent! Chris Pratt especially has a charisma about him that makes any character he plays extremely likeable. 

  There were some flaws with the movie, I will admit. The pacing in the beginning was a little slow, and sometimes the characters felt a bit one-dimensional. There was also a subplot that I wasn't a fan of. Thankfully, none of it detracted too much from the film. 

  Jurassic World is a fun filled ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Is it perfect? Not even close. But it's super entertaining. 3.5 out of 5 stars! (Worth Ticket Price)

Me & Earl & the Dying Girl Review (2015)

Me & Earl & the Dying Girl

  So I had the awesome opportunity to see an advanced screening of the book to movie adaption, Me & Earl & the Dying Girl. I read the book a little while ago and I was a big fan of Jesse Andrew's quirky writing style. I also had super high hopes for this film because it practically blew up at Sundance. 

  The story focus on a super awkward senior named Greg (played by Thomas Mann) and his eccentric co-worker/kind-of-friend Earl (played by up-and-coming actor RJ Cyler.) Greg's mother forces him to hang out with one of his classmates (played by Olivia Cooke) who is dying of cancer, and his life is changed forever.  

  What I really loved about the book and movie, is that it doesn't follow any of the "cancer genre" cliches. Nothing happens the way you expect it to, but instead it takes a refreshingly more realistic, non-hollywood approach.

  Even though it's about a girl with cancer, Greg's character is absolutely hilarious and Earl really balances him out. There are moments of humor gold and moments of quiet where required. 

  By the end of the book, I felt a little underwhelmed with the ending, and so it wasn't exactly surprising that I felt the same way with the movie. I'm not saying the ending is bad or anything, (they actually changed it a bit from the book) but I wanted to be moved a tad bit more than I was.

  Over all, I really really enjoyed this film and would totally see it again. 4.5 out of 5 Stars (I'd Buy It)

San Andreas Review (2015)

San Andreas

 

  I'm gonna start off by saying that I really didn't want to see this movie. In fact I was forced into it because pest control was coming to spray inside and I had to be out of the house. Now that that's out of the way, let's begin. 

  San Andreas stars Dwayne the Rock and the plot is pretty straight forward. The big California earthquake hits and now the Rock (who's basically playing himself) has to save as many people as possible. If that doesn't sound interesting to you, it's because it's not interesting. Unless of course you like watching buildings crumble and people dying in tons of unrealistic ways. Granted, I don't think the movie itself thinks it's realistic. 

  For two hours we watch Paul Giamatti try to sincerely act through terrible dialogue, watch 29 year old, super white, Alexandra Daddario pretend to be the Rock's daughter, and don't even get me started on the tsunami.

  It's rare to see a disaster movie that has more depth than it does CGI (The best I can think of is The Impossible). That being said, if you're a fan of disaster movies and you're capable of turning off your brain completely, you might actually enjoy this. Is it as bad as 2012 or Into The Storm? No. It does have more entertainment value, but that doesn't mean it's good either. I give San Andreas 2.5 out of 5 stars. (Watch If Free)

Mad Max: Fury Road Review (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road

  I don't even know how to start this review because Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the craziest action movies I've ever seen. Going into this, I had really high expectations. Critics all over raved about it, Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 98% out of 100%, and one of my absolute favorite actors is in it. I could not wait to get in that red chair, grab my popcorn and watch what was supposedly the best action movie of the decade. Were my expectations met? Why, yes. Yes they were.

  Mad Max: Fury Road had me on the edge of my seat as soon as the movie began. From the incredible camera work, to the ridiculously amazing practical effects, to the jaw-dropping stunt work; I was sucked into the colorful, crazy universe of Max and it was awesome.

  Age of Ultron can take a seat, because this is how you make an epic movie. Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult are excellent in their roles, adding surprising depth between the welcomely excessive action sequences. If you are a fan of the old Mad Max movies or you just love action, stop what you're doing and go get tickets. There were times where I was literally just sitting there with my mouth open in shock at the mind-melting, wild things happening on screen. George Miller takes us on a exhilarating adrenaline ride unlike any other post-apocalyptic film I've ever seen. Even the soundtrack was awesome. 5/5 stars. (A Must See)

Avengers: Age of Ultron Review (2015)

Avengers: Age of Ultron 

  The second installment of the Avengers is perhaps one of the most anticipated movies of 2015. Did it live up to the hype? 

  Let's start with the good. The awesome ensemble cast returns with tons of dazzling action sequences, witty one liners, and perfect chemistry. Director Joss Whedon loves his characters and he loves this material, which is evident in the time and care he puts into making the movie look awesome. Because we don't need to introduce the characters to each other in this movie, the story can immediately plop us into the action. Have we seen this type of action before? Yes, but Whedon has a way of making it still feel fresh. 

  Unlike the last movie, Age of Ultron felt more dangerous, like the characters might not actually make it. This is a real improvement because nothing is worse than watching an action movie where you know if someone dies they'll just find someway to bring them back and then give them a TV show.

  Now for the not so good. As you can tell from the poster, this Avengers movie is a little more crowded then the first. Unfortunately this is in cast and plot.   

  The twins, played by Aaron Taylor Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen, felt unnecessary at times and their Russian accents were just so inconsistent and bad. Personally, after seeing Evan Peters version of Quicksilver in X-men: Days of Future Past, Aaron Taylor Johnson just doesn't come close.

  Two other character are introduced as well, Ultron and Vision. The whole process of making Ultron seemed rushed and then his odd mix of humor and menacing villain behaviors didn't contrast each other smoothly. Vision, however, I'd put in the category of improvement. Not only did he look amazing, but he really seemed powerful and god-like.

  Now for the plot. The overall story is quite good, but there are points where Whedon just seems to be adding random subplots to give the avengers something to do on their own. On top of that, there is a romance brewing between two character (I won't spoil who) that feels unexpected and abrupt.

  My last complaint is the fact that they only gave Andy Serkis (one of the best actors in the cast) a couple minutes of screen time. What on earth. Why hire Andy Serkis if you're not going to use him? Such a waste of talent and whatever money they spent to get him in the movie.

  In the end, there were some things I would have changed and a lot of things the first movie did better, but it was entertaining. 3 out of 5 stars. (Rent It)

Boyhood Review (2014)

Boyhood

  Most people, myself included, dismissed Boyhood as a gimmick movie that people only payed attention to because of the time span used to shoot it. After all, anyone can admit, watching the same little boy grow through the film into an adult in college is quite a spectacular thing to see. However, this movie was more than just a cool gimmick. It was actually really beautiful and intimate. 

  Before I say anything else, I want to say that this movie isn't for everyone. It's almost 3 hours long and the story is completely character driven. If you are going to watch this, you'll need patience. 

  What I really liked about this film was the nostalgic moments of my childhood that I felt while watching Mason (played by Ellar Coltrane) grow up. The cast was really strong and natural, especially Ethan Hawk and Patricia Arquette. 

  Boyhood really captures the essence of childhood and the angst of growing up in a way that everyone can relate to. It is not only an achievement in cinema for Richard Linklater, but it's also a moving story for those with the required patience to watch it. 4 out of 5 stars. (It's Great)

Unbroken Review (2014)

Unbroken

  Okay, so this movie got a lot of mixed reviews and I wasn't sure why until I stepped into the theater to watch it myself. I'm going to start out with the things I really liked about the film. Number one being Jack O'Connell. If the Oscar competition for 2015 hadn't been so fierce, he might have found himself on the list of nominees. Director Angelina Jolie called O'Connell's acting style somewhat wild and unpredictable, which you can totally see in this film. He was really fun to watch and the supporting cast for the first hour and a half of the movie really did great as well. The cinematography was beautiful, particularly in the first scene in the fighter plane. It was shot in a way that made you feel like you were really there with them. Also the scenes in the lifeboat when they get stranded. Excellently shot! It was a really pretty movie to look at and I wish I had gotten to see it in the regular theater as apposed to the scratched up dollar theater screen. 

  The problem with this movie lies in the second half of it. There is so much story to get through that at points it does feel very long. Once Louis gets to the prisoner of war camp in Tokyo, the film starts to lose a bit of momentum. I think this has a lot to do with the supporting cast. In the beginning of the film, you really care about the people he's with (played by Domhnall Gleeson, Jai Courtney, and Finn Wittrock), but then things happen when they are no longer with Louis and we are introduced to a new supporting cast (Garret Hedlund and Takamasa Ishihara). Hedlund's character feels undeveloped while Takamasa (who is actually a singer, not an actor) feels somewhat miscast as The Bird (Louis antagonist). 

  While there are really powerful moments in the movie that really gripped me, there are also moments in the last half that don't punch the audience quite hard enough and at times is even underwhelming. Fortunetly, the powerful moments outweigh the underwhelming ones which is why I'll give Unbroken a 3.5 out of 5 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

Cinderella Review (2015)

Cinderella

  March is known as one of the worst months for movies, however, Cinderella seemed to be getting a lot of critical praise and so I decided to check it out.

  The movie starts out with her as a child, showing Ella's relationship with her parents. They're the perfect little family until a random, unnamed illness befalls the mother and she dies. Her father remarries the evil stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and that is where the story from the beloved cartoon comes into play.

  When the story started, I was worried because I dislike most child actors and the girl playing young Ella is an example of why. Thankfully, within five to ten minutes, Lily James came in as Ella and the story got a little better. 

  Cinderella is a very paint by the numbers type of movie. It doesn't change much of anything from the source material, which is fine, except we've had so many versions of this particular fairytale already. 

  What I did really like about the movie, was the costume design and the sets. Everything was shot very beautifully and I really felt like I was immersed in the world. Lily James and Richard Madden (the Prince) had good, believable chemistry, and Cate Blanchett really gave some layers to the evil stepmother. 

  There were some cheesy moments, particularly with the stepsisters and Fairy Godmother, but there were also some really sweet moments that brought magic to the film. If you like the original Cinderella cartoon, it's almost guaranteed you'll like this. 3 out of 5 stars. (Rent It)

Rosewater Review (2014)

Rosewater

  Jon Stewart gives us quite the directorial debut with a film about freedom within the confines of a cell. Gael Garcia Bernal plays Maziar Bahari, a journalist who finds himself accused of being an American spy and imprisoned.

  You'd think a movie about being locked up in Iran would be pretty dark and hard to watch, which at times it was, but at other times it is actually amusing. Our main character, Maziar, is such an endearing person and the tactics he uses to restore hope to himself when everyone around is trying to break him, is incredibly inspiring to watch.

  Rosewater is filled with genuinely moving moments, funny moments, and a powerful message that makes the audience question their values. The cast is superb, the cinematography is beautiful. My only critique is that the ending felt slightly underwhelming in light of the build up. That aside, I think Rosewater is a spectacular film! 4 out of 5 stars! (It's Great)

Foxcatcher Review (2014)

Foxcatcher

  While Foxcatcher is the story of a wrestler, it is quite unlike most sports films. Don't get me wrong, all of the elements of a sports film is in there, but the story is driven by nuanced characters instead of the sport itself.
  In the beginning, it is very slow and the lack of a musical score makes it feel even slower. The characters are quite hard to read, but as we get to know them and understand their motives, this darkly toned film begins to find its feet.
  Steve Carell does an excellent job in his role, leaving the audience in perpetual confusion as to whether or not we like or hate his character. The nomination for best supporting actor was well deserved.
  I'm not a fan of Channing Tatum in dramatic type roles, but his performance in Foxcatcher wasn't as distracting as I thought it would be. In fact, he even showed some spurts of convincing and intuitive talent.
  There were moments while watching where I was honestly quite bored. It's almost as if the chilly tone and intentionally distant characters put a barrier between the audience and story. All of that said, by the third act, the movie takes an even darker turn and I found myself engaged again. I'd have to give Foxcatcher 3.5 out of 5 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

Locke Review (2014)

Locke

  Time to review a small indie flick you probably haven't heard of. Locke, staring Tom Hardy, a phone, and a car.  

  Yep, you heard it, and I don't think anyone else would have been capable of carrying this movie as well as Hardy did. Tom's performance is genuinely moving and captivating in every way. For 80 minutes we have a guy with a problem, trying to prove to himself that he's not only a good person, but better than his father was.
  Tom Hardy's character has so much going on and his choice of using a Welsh, calming accent really adds a nice contrast to his anxiety driven state. Through just a single car ride, we see a man's entire life fall apart in the most heartbreaking ways. Everything about this movie just felt so authentic, like we had just bullied our way into the vulnerable private life of a man who on the outside seems very well put together.
  Tom Hardy's characters always have this gentle strength about them––his eyes the perfect amount of emotion to convey this protagonist's internal monologue. This makes it really easy for the audience to connect with him.

  The trailer portrays the film like an intense thriller. Locke is not that. It is an intimate drama about a man's life that Tom Hardy so brilliantly brings to life through his superb acting. I didn't want it to end. 5 out of 5 stars. (A Must See)

Black Sea Review (2015)

Black Sea

  Black Sea stars Jude Law and is about a group of men (half British and half Russian) who go on a quest for gold hidden inside one of Hitler's sunken U-boats. 

  I had a feeling that the movie would be intense, but I don't think I've been that stressed out in a while. Everything feels so claustrophobic from the start as we watch these men lock themselves within the metal torpedo of a submarine and sink to the bottom of the Black Sea.

  It was really interesting watching these characters interact with each other with such tension going on between the Russians and Brits and then the language barrier on top of it all. 

  Naturally, things start going bad and the movie really takes us on a rocky ride. The journey is at times exhausting, but I think that was the point. To see what these characters were willing to lose to become rich and get the gold, even to the point of death (which there was a lot of) really set a dark tone.

  The performances in Black Sea were really good and I bought Jude Law in this leader type character. Sometimes the accents were a bit tricky to become accustomed to, but it didn't detract too much from the story being told.
  It is a well done, solid film you won't be disappointed paying for. 3.5 out of 5 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

Nightcrawler Review (2014)

Nightcrawler

  No, it isn't about the X-men character. Nightcrawler is about stringers. If you didn't already know, stringers are the people behind the camera at every emergency, car crash, murder, and shooting that is played on the local news. These guys wait for trouble, they film the trouble, then they sell it for money so that you and I can watch.

  Jake Gyllenhaal's performance in this film is by far the best I've ever seen him. It is absolutely brilliant, and I think the Oscars are insane for not nominating him for best actor. Everything about his acting in this is top notch; from the 30 pounds he lost to look like a hungry coyote, to his wide eyed, never blinking stare, to his total lack of a moral compass. Gyllenhaal transforms himself so much that you won't even recognize him.

  Dan Gilroy's directorial debut is one of the best movies of 2014. It really exposes the underbelly of nightlife in LA and how twisted the media and it's audiences are.

  Gyllenhaal's character is a study of a mind driven mad by the desire for success and how he completely loses his soul in the process of that. Essentially, Gyllenhal is the villain of his own movie and it is due to his incredible acting ability that we are able to connect with his character and understand the way his brain works. This not only makes us reflect on ourselves, but on society. That society creates an environment for a person like him to thrive in, yet is totally opposed to his actions.

  The movie is surprisingly funny at times, twistedly entertaining, sinister, and thought-provoking. It was a real mirror of the lengths depraved humanity will go to for entertainment, art, and money. 5 out of 5 stars. (A Must See)

The Drop Review (2014)

The Drop

  This review may be a little late, but I'm glad I have the opportunity to tell you about this awesome little flick. 

  The Drop introduces us to a character named Bob played by the brilliant Tom Hardy. Bob is trying to get out of gang life while running a bar with his cousin that holds all of the towns dirty money. Hardy's performance, much like his character in this, is really unassuming. You just can't quite figure him out. As the story progresses you really start to like this Bob character and all of his little quirks begin to make sense.

  The Drop takes its time to build the characters and set up the story which could bore some casual watchers, however, the payoff at the end makes it all worth it. 

  I believe this was James Gandolfini's last role before he passed away and I'd say it was a good one to go out on.  

  The Drop is a slow thriller that patiently fleshes out it's characters motivations before delivering with an epic finale. 4 out of 5 stars! (It's Great)

Prisoners Review (2013)

Prisoners

  So I saw this movie a long while ago, but never had the chance to review it. Considering that it is one of the best movies of 2013, I think it deserves a post.

  Let's get this out of the way now, Hugh Jackman was robbed of an Oscar for his performance in this film. He was intense, terrifying at times, and really just desperate to find his daughter. I was so impressed by the cast of this film and how they each represented different stages of grief at the loss of their children. The movie was so dark and unsettling, you really don't trust any of the characters.

  Runner up to Hugh Jackman's performance is Jake Gyllenhaal as the detective. You just feel like there is this past about him and even though they don't elaborate on it in the film, Gyllenhaal manages to give depth to what could have been a very generic character.

  Prisoners really begs the question, how far would you go to rescue your children? It is thought-provoking, it will stick with you for months, it'll have you questioning where your kids are at all times.

  I got chills multiple times while watching this movie. 5 out of 5 stars. (A Must See)

Whiplash Review (2014)

Whiplash

  Thank God for these late December releases because January has been the month of bombs.

  Whiplash has been nominated for best picture, which is exactly how it should be because the movie is crazy good!

  Andrew (played by Miles Teller) is a young drummer who wants to be one of the greats. His jazz teacher, Fletcher (played by J.K. Simmons) wants to create the next great with his controversial teaching methods that are both terrifying and psychologically torturous. Both actors do unbelievably good jobs in their complex roles, bringing so much life and energy to the intense scenes. 

  The film focuses on strong themes such as, "How far are you willing to push yourself to become the best?", "Can someone who is really passionate about something ever become discouraged by criticism?", "Is there a line to be crossed when pushing someone to become greater?", "How much should being the best cost you?", "Is 'good job' really the two most harmful words in the English dictionary?". 

  The psychological battle between Fletcher and Andrew is compelling to watch and yet unnerving at the same time. It's dark and edgy, the music is incredible. Considering this is 29 year old Damien Chazelle's debut film, it has tremendous directorial style and flare. Damien not only shows potential as a great a director, but this film proves he already is one. 

  Whiplash is one of the best movies of the year and one of my favorite movies as all time. This instant classic wins 5 out of 5. Flawless. (A Must See)

American Sniper Review (2014)

American Sniper   

 

  I'm not usually a fan of Clint Eastwood films because they tend to be on the boring side, but I have to say that American Sniper is definitely the best I've seen from him. 

  American Sniper was a lot like the movie Argo in that it's incredibly intense without having to add a bunch of explosions and too much gore. It tells a heavy story about a sniper who deals with post traumatic stress disorder during his four years on tour.
  I think it's worth saying that after watching this film, I definitely have a new found respect for the military.
  Bradley Cooper gives an excellent, dynamic performance as Chris Kyle and really transformed himself for the role. However, I do think his character could have been played by a lot of other actors and still would have been just as good. Kyle wasn't perfect and the movie never tries to portray him as so. In fact, I think it really humanized him.
  It's hard to say that I enjoyed American Sniper in the same way I would enjoy a Marvel movie or something. It's the story of a man's life that was hard and tragic and difficult. Because they try not to Hollywoodize the movie too much, the plotting does lag at points sometimes to the point where there isn't really a plot at all. This isn't necessarily a gripe, but from a movie stand point, it does makes it less entertaining then some of the other Oscar nominees. If I wanted to watch a movie about PTSD, I think 2009's Brothers was a more compelling character study, but American Sniper is a very well done film and gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me. (Worth Ticket Price)
 

The Imitation Game Review (2014)

The Imitation Game

  Two words. Benedict Cumberbatch. Saying he's a good actor is probably the understatement of the century and is so obvious that it's almost not even worth mentioning. However, I will mention his acting because in this movie he is absolutely phenomenal! I was a fan of Cumberbatch in the Sherlock TV Series and thought he did decent in some of his earlier stuff like the BBC film, Hawking, where he played Steven Hawking. In The Imitation Game, he really out does himself with his performance. He has such a great emotional range that even though his character can be a jerk at times, there's still something about him that makes you really want to root for him.

  The rest of the cast also gives great performances in this thought-provoking film about breaking the unbreakable enigma cipher machine and essentially inventing the first computer. I knew nothing about Alan Turing prior to seeing this film, but wow was this guy a genius. It's crazy that he played such a vital part in ending World War 2 and yet his whole story was classified for 50 something years.

  This movie and it's characters had a lot of layers and those layers really keep you invested in the story. My only gripe with this film was the way they emphasized Alan Turing's homosexuality. Obviously this was a true event and his character being a homosexual was essential to the plot, but I did feel that in the end notes, they try to shine this massive spotlight on homosexual injustice and really just victimize him. The movie was about the war and breaking this unbreakable code, so to diminish it in the credits to gay propaganda about how many homosexuals commit suicide a year, really soured the brilliant story being told. This aspect I found to be a bit off-putting and for that reason I can't quite get the rating to five stars, but I will give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. (I'd Buy It)