I watch movies every week and then write down my thoughts. Read my previous reviews!
My rating is simple, Watch It, It Depends, Skip it.
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| X Men: Days of Future Past - Wolverine glares and Professor X walks! |
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Watch X-Men: Days of Future Past
Written by: Simon Kinberg (screenplay), Jane Goldman & Simon Kinberg & Matthew Vaughn (story)
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, Evan Peters
Rated: PG-13
Plot:
Wolverine travels to 1973 at the behest of Professor Xavier and Magneto to change history and save both mutants and humans.
Review:
This may be the best X-Men movie due to a concise story and a number of entertaining scenes. Time travel is engaging, especially when we get to see a young, apathetic Professor X that can walk. Screen time focuses primarily on the well known mutants instead of trying to give every known mutant an equal share. The story does not rely on knowing intricate comic book details. The acting is great with James McAvoy and Peter Dinklage in prominent roles.
Watch it.
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| Exodus: Gods and Kings - The general of the Egyptian army, Moses. |
Watch Exodus: Gods and Kings
Written by: Adam Cooper & Bill Collage and Jeffrey Caine and Steven Zaillian (written by)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley, John Turturro, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn
Rated: PG-13
Plot:
Moses defies the Egyptian Pharaoh to free the enslaved Hebrews amidst numerous plagues.
Review:
While certainly epic, it misses out on scenes that could be great. I don't mind a reinterpretation, but there was no turning a staff into a snake or parting of the Red Sea. Those could have been amazing moments. The movie could have delved into the hardening of the pharaoh's heart due to Moses leaving, instead it seemed like a brief summary missing so many key moments. One big set piece after another just for the sake of it fails when enough time is never spent on any one moment. Moses leaves his family, but never seems to actually miss them.The characters are never fully developed. By explaining away the miracles, one improbable scenario is traded for another, gaining nothing and losing wonder.
Skip it.
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| A Most Violent Year -The American dream. |
Watch A Most Violent Year
Written by: J.C. Chandor
Directed by: J.C. Chandor
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain
Rated: R
Plot:
In 1981, an ambitious businessman fights to save his business from criminals, peers, and the DA in New York's most dangerous year in recorded history.
Review:
The events unfold at a slower pace than most movies, yet it's engrossing and never boring. The production is spot on, capturing the '80s perfectly. The characters are well written and the story is refreshing. A fuel oil businessman is not the protagonist of many movies. The American dream is analyzed in a number of ways. The hard work of Abel Morales who insists he runs his business the right way, despite the implication that illegal means may have been used to originally acquire his business. Abel's wife made sure to provide for herself no matter the means or dishonesty. Abel's employee takes an ill-fated shortcut, hoping to one day become Abel. So many movies depict an illegal means to win, this is the complete opposite when everyone around the protagonist is committing crimes, he resolves to refrain. When the odds are against him, he ensures his success at his own loss. His dubious past, only hinted upon, is what helps make him a good character because he is conflicted. He is trying to make up for his past transgressions. The cinematography must be mentioned because it is very good.
Watch it.
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| How to Train Your Dragon 2 - Now with more dragons. |
Watch How to Train Your Dragon 2
Written by: Dean DeBlois, Cressida Cowell ("How to Train Your Dragon" book series)
Directed by: Dean DeBlois
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler
Rated: PG
Plot:
Hiccup and Toothless must defend the Berk against Drago Bloodfist and the dragon army he's amassing.
Review:
It blends a lot of different story elements to create a stand alone sequel. The movie is amazing visually with many well done scenes. The villain felt a bit generic. While he was provided a bit of back story, his characterization still felt flimsy. He had potential to be a great villain if only he had been developed. Some of the secondary characters like the dragon hunter Eret, were great conceptually, but lacked screen time to complete the characters journey. The number of story elements and fast pace rendered what should have been a touching scene towards the end completely flat. The influence of the stars wars trilogy is apparent, and a third movie is in the works.
Watch it.
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| Working Girl - Who's the boss? |
Watch Working Girl
Written by: Kevin Wade
Directed by: Mike Nichols
Starring: Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver
Rated: R
Plot:
Tess is a secretary, aspiring to become a broker. When her boss breaks her leg, Tess pretends to be the boss.
Review:
This movie is a showcase for extravagant '80s style. It's a fun movie. Everyone has thought at some point, 'I can do a better job than my boss.' This movie brings that fantasy to life, balancing the plot with humor. The under dog succeeds given an opportunity. Melanie Griffith is just okay, but Sigourney Weaver does an impeccable job, embodying the essence of a sleazy executive. Impersonating the boss stories are numerous, but this one does a great job at getting everything right.
It depends.
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| The Station Agent - It's Tyrion Lanister... or Bollivar Trask. |
Watch The Station Agent
Written by: Tom McCarthy
Directed by: Tom McCarthy
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale
Rated: R
Plot:
A man with dwarfism, moves to a train depot to escape life and people, and ends up making friends.
Review:
The plot is different from most movies, focusing on the every day struggles of one man. Great performances all around and intriguing characters keep you wanting more. Concepts explored include judging based on looks, the depth of a human being, self acceptance, and determining what we think we want versus what we really want.
It depends.
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| Let's Be Cops - Pretending to be cops? What could go wrong? |
Watch Let's Be Cops
Written by: Luke Greenfield, Nicholas Thomas
Directed by: Luke Greenfield
Starring: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr
Rated: R
Plot:
Two friends frustrated with life decide to dress up as cops. After uncovering a criminal conspiracy, they just may have to call the real cops.
Review:
It's definitely a fun concept, assuming the role and authority of a police officer. It has some good laughs, but will never be a prototypical comedy. It's a light hearted buddy movie about improving your self confidence and circumstances.
It depends.
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| The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her - |
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her (2013)
Watch The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her
Written by: Ned Benson
Directed by: Ned Benson
Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy
Rated: R
Plot:
An undisclosed tragedy involving their son, tears a couple apart.
Review:
This film is part of a trilogy that explores the story from Her viewpoint, His viewpoint, and an abridged version of both films, Them. If you watch Her and Him you don't need to see Them. If you don't like Them, don't watch the other two.
This movie has a great hook. While the pace is slow, you watch due to the looming big questions. What happened to their son? Where will this go? The problem is that it never goes anywhere. We see Eleanor Rigby address loss and grief, but the character isn't compelling enough to actually care. I wasn't sympathetic for her plight nor did I actively dislike her. She fell into the apathetic middle ground. That's a problem when she is the movie's sole focus.
Skip it.
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