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)