The Desolation of the Hobbit?

I was finally able to watch The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, but I must say that this review has been very difficult to write.  As a Tolkien fan, I have to say this was a wretched adaptation in many ways.  As a fan of fun fantasy movies, this was one was great.

It's no secret that Peter Jackson had another character created for this movie and that character is the Elf captain Tauriel.  I could live with bringing back Legolas, since that was a plausible situation, but having this particular character as a part of the movie for a completely ridiculous plot?  That went too far.  I won't give it away if you haven't seen it, but suffice it to say, the entire run of Tauriel's plotline was idiotic - not to mention that she lacked quite a bit in acting skills.  They were trying to make certain that they had an Arwen-type character, even to the point of re-creating a scene from the Lord of the Rings.  It was painfully obvious and fell even more painfully short.

There were also quite a few scenes that were, shall we say, creatively elaborated upon.  Whether from the book The Hobbit or from the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings there was quite a bit of material with which Jackson took creative license.  Again, to avoid spoilers I won't go into detail, but parts with Gandalf and Radagast, and of course, the continuing presence of Azog the defiler made the movie a bit long and seemed to be forcing the connection between The Lord of the Rings movies and The Hobbit rather excessively.

But as I said, it was a very fun movie despite the issues with the conversion from book to movie.  I have never seen a better CGI dragon!  Smaug was utterly convincable and seemed just as alive as the characters acting opposite him.  Benedict Cumberbatch's voice was a perfect choice for that character!  As for the action sequences, and the expanded character of Bard, they were quite enjoyable.

In short, I would recommend seeing this movie and actually traveling to see it.  It's worth the effort.

"Frozen" Warms the Heart

I went to see Disney's "Frozen" in our local cinema. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. Normally I do my research before going to a film so that I at least know the context of the story. I hate spoilers but I usually want a general idea of what the movie is about.  Due to the fact that Thanksgiving was yesterday and I just forgot, I had no clue other than a teaser I saw a month or so ago that had Olaf the Snowman and Sven the reindeer.

When the opening credits started I felt a chill up and down my spine - but the good kind of chill. I did not realize the movie was set in Norway or at least in Norwegian style land and the music was absolutely astounding! I found myself laughing with the little kids in the theater and actually surprised by a twist in the plot. 

While it was a traditional Disney story, it was very well done and I found the cultural change a welcome one. I wouldn't expect I mind blowingly unique story.  It is very much a traditional style fairy tale.  It is, however, very fun story with beautiful scenery and music as well as talented singers.  The characters are heartwarming, even the reindeer, and it's a fun holiday movie for the kids.  Because of the digital effects it would be nice to see on a screen that has a digital projector, but I'm not sure it's worth the gas money to drive a long way to see it. But if you're in town and can go, do!  Its very beautiful animated.

Support Your Local Cinema!

A not-so-long time ago, in a galaxy not-so-far away, movie and gas prices are at an all-time high, making the movie-going experience extremely difficult for individuals and families alike due to the expense and time.  But there was a movement among the locals... Several rose up and began to make more movies available to others by renovating local cinemas, rebelling against the ridiculous prices.

The reason I started this blog was because I had to drive 40 miles one way and pay almost twice the admission fee to see movies that I really wanted to see in theaters. To say that the ability to do this is a luxury is an understatement. I enjoy going to the movies a great deal. It is one of my biggest stress relievers. But I would love to not have to go on an 80-mile round trip just to see a really good film. And that's just to see a wide release film. Heaven forbid I want to see something in limited release, then it's a 90 or 100 mile trip one way.

Recently, however, the local theater in my hometown has been bought buy new owners. And they're here to make a difference.  Since the cinema still runs on a film projector rather than a digital projector the kind of movies we have been able to get have been extremely limited. Now however, they are raising money to make the necessary changes.

Companies like Paramount Pictures  have told theater owners that they will no longer be making movies that run on a film-based projector. in fact Paramount will only make one more movie that will run on film. Everything from then on out will be digital. While this is very good for the quality of the film it makes it very difficult for small town cinemas to make the conversion from film to digital.   It is expensive to begin with and you run the risk of alienating locals who don't want to pay slightly higher prices for tickets.  Honestly, since our ticket prices are so low right now anyway, I wouldn't mind paying a few more dollars for a ticket to avoid making that 80-mile round trip!  Even if the race ticket prices by two or three dollars they are still below current ticket prices in most areas.

So what am I saying?  We really need to support our local theaters! If you want to keep to get prices down and get a quality movie at the same time, then don't let our local cinemas go out of business. I am very thankful that the new owners were able to purchase our cinema, because the only alternative was for it to shut down. I hope all of you take into consideration that the renovations that will be made, including new screens according to local paper's interview with the owners, cost a great deal of money.  So keep going to the movies here in town and support the local business here - especially when it comes to the movies.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire

All I can say is WOW!  After coming out of the theatre from watching Catching Fire, I seriously think that that has to be one of the best converted book-to-movie of all time!  The care that was taken to preserve the integrity of it was so much better in this one.  Despite knowing what was coming, I still felt the intensity of every moment!   The acting was exceptional, if not Oscar-worthy - especially from Jennifer Lawrence. You could see the raw emotion on her face and feel it inside as she struggled through the multitude of trauma and troubles.  You couldn't help aching for Peeta as you realize how deep his feelings for Katniss run. 

I saw this at a local theatre  because I'm trying to help keep it open by supporting it, but I would love to see it anywhere! It's well worth the price of admission and the time it takes to get there, whether you're going to a major cinema complex or whether you're visiting the dollar theater at home. Either way go!

I went with a friend who hasn't read the books. She found the movie a little slow at the beginning and the fight scenes far too short - or so she says. Everything was perfectly to my liking. And I cannot imagine a better cast.

Thor: The Awesome World!

While it has been a while since I last posted, is not been for lack of wanting to go to the movies. My return to the movie going-scene has not been disappointing! I went to see Thor: The Dark World this afternoon and was astounded by the film's quality.  Not only was this an Avengers-worthy movie, the quality of graphics, the quality of writing, and the acting rose high above my expectations! You know I don't like spoilers. I won't give any here. But I can tell you that this movie is well-worth the price of admission as well as the drive to see it in a decent theater.  The soundtrack was better than the last, and the tone of the film overall fit well with Marvel's current trend in the franchise.  Serious enough to feel like an Iron Man 3 movie with inherent danger to both earth  and the nine realms, while maintaining an element of wit that keeps the audience laughing throughout at appropriate times. I would highly recommend seeing this film! As of yet I can't tell you what the 3D experience is like because I haven't tried it but I'm very tempted to at this point.

Turbo or Not To Go

While I'll admit that my seeing Turbo was a bit belated - one could almost say I got to see it at a snail's pace (thanks to my friend for the pun) - I cannot say that it lacked entertainment value.  But the source of my own entertainment within the movie was the same content that made it the absolute worst children's movie ever made for children.  I have to give you a bit of a spoiler alert here.  I'm going to disclose a few details about said content, but not the ending. 

To begin with, children will see multiple snails in Turbo's colony carried off by crows.  The only remark from their friends' being "Well, there goes Jerry."  It was shocking the first time, but was even more so the second and third times.  The little boy on the tricycle (who in one scene reminded me of the kid in The Shining) takes pleasure in running over living things with his trike and hearing them crunch. A life-skill kids can take away is that you can succeed by going viral.  Then if you get enough people to demand something, those in charge will give you what you want.  Another very important life lesson children can take away from this is that it's okay to steal money from your family as long as you're making a big gamble to follow your dreams - or at least as long as you feel justified.  You don't even have to apologize for it if you win!  And of course, you get to celebrate by drinking beer.  So while it was highly entertaining for three friends over 20 in a theatre full of little kids, I would not have taken my own kids if I ever have any nor would I recommend it for anyone else's kids.  It's worth the $1.50 that the this particular theatre charged, but otherwise save your money for better productions.

Lee Weeks Comic Book Art Exhibition

I know this is not a movie, but when an opportunity like this presents itself - especially for those of us living on the east coast - I really feel that I should share with those of you who deign to peruse my blog from time to time.  Graphic artist Lee Weeks who has worked for both Marvel and DC on beloved characters like Captain America, Thor, Batman, Daredevil, and Hulk.  Week's art is on display at Liberty University and there's a gallery FULL of his work on display.  This evening Mr. Weeks was at the opening of his show, signing autographs and talking with fans, students and teachers alike about his work.  Posters and paraphernalia were reasonably priced and personalized upon request.  The opening was worth the trek, but more the that, I recommend visiting the exhibit itself if you're near the area and have a genuine interest in comics or art, you should stop by.  The price is right as it's free and the opportunities are usually rare to see this kind of display with this large number of individual pieces.  Most of them are inks, but all of them are creative and unique.

The World's End

For those of you who were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the "The Three Flavors Cornetto" trilogy's final installment, I hope you are less disappointed than I was.  While the movie was funny - how could it not be with the Pegg/Frost duo? - the film lacked the stories that made Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead so fun.  I won't spoil it for you, but something was lacking in the end of it.  Perhaps it the other characters who figured more prominently as protagonists than before. Perhaps it was the fact that my expectations were too high to begin with.  All in all, either wait for it to get to the dollar theater (if you have one and, less likely, if you're lucky enough to see it there) or better yet wait for it to hit Red Box.  You should see it.  It's just not worth the money for a regular theater.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

I'll admit it: I'm 27 years old and I love the Percy Jackson books.  I have since the first moment I picked one up in Wal-Mart about 5 years ago. I have always been fascinated by mythology and Riordan's writing is absolutely brilliant!   But of course this is a movie review, not a book review.  Despite the fact that they dramatically changed the ending of the movie as opposed to the book's version, I have to say that this movie was just fun.  It's much more entertaining than the last Percy Jackson attempt and the casting was pretty brilliant.  Stanley Tucci was a wonderful Dyonisis.  And I even think that the recasting of Chiron from Pierce Brosnan to Anthony Head worked extremely well.  I highly recommend it, even if you haven't read the books - or perhaps especially if you haven't.  If you have, then swallow expectations of what it should be and enjoy what it is.  It won't win an Oscar, but it will bring you two hours of fun entertainment.

The Lone Ranger Rides - In A Way

I use to watch the Lone Ranger television show reruns all the time.  I loved them.  I was skeptical at best when they said that they were going to have the new The Lone Ranger movie and Johnny Depp was going to be Tonto.  I ended up laughing through most of the movie despite myself.  It was rather campy, but I loved the humor.  Granted, I had to put aside all relevance to the original Lone Ranger in which Reid was a very smart detective along with Tonto, and I had to let my mind just be okay with a corny western.

One of the main criticisms I had for the film was that Johnny Depp's performance felt like Jack Sparrow in Native American costume rather than Tonto.  It was entertaining, but it was very uninspired.

If you want a good laugh, you should definitely go, but don't go with the anticipation of watching great Lone Ranger movie or even a unique and thought-provoking modern take.  It is simply a fun western with lots of comedy and recognizable names.  Worth the drive?  Depends on whether or not you like comedies and westerns.  If you do, great.  If not, wait for the DVD or BluRay.

Despicable Me 2 Cute!

If you thought Monsters University wasn't quite your style for an animated feature, try Despicable Me 2 on for size!  I'm always curious to see how a sequel will work out.  For something as great as Monsters Inc. was, I expected more out of the sequel.  But I also expected Dream Works to put a decent sequel together for the largely popular Despicable Me.  I was not disappointed.

Following all of the familiar characters - Gru, the children, Dr. Nefario, and - of course - the minions in there latest adventure, we also find some wonderful new characters and fall in love all over again with the fantastically cute situation of Gru taking care of the orphans.  From birthday parties to bakeries there's non-stop action and lots of laugh-out-loud humor.

I highly recommend this one!  Even stay for the credits for more hilarity.  The family friendly film has fun for all!  There are enough jokes for the old as well as the young.  I highly recommend this film.  I cannot as yet speak to the value of seeing it in 3D, but I intend to.  This one is worth the price of admission and as for family fun, I recommend it as a family outing film!

Everyone's A Critic...

I have never made a pretense about my comic book loyalties.  I am first and foremost a Marvel fan.  However, I have to say that I am very impressed with the new efforts of DC's newest super hero movie Man of Steel.  But the critics don't agree.  In fact,  Entertainment Weekly gave it a C rating.  The number one complaint I’ve heard is that this movie is not Batman.

What does the Ticket Traveler say to that? Thank heavens it's not Batman!!! People today have an entirely different definition of "superhero".  During the Golden Age of comics, people looked for a hero who could handle any of their problems.  During and post World War II the catastrophic losses on all sides caused worry and panic that - what if another war of that scale ever happened again?  Not to worry! (At least in fiction.)  There was always a superhero to help the helpless.  

But with the rampant skepticism of the twenty first century, many people can't accept the fiction of a superhero who who is simply that.  They have to have their limits.  They have to be human and they have to identify with a them.  Using the terms be "edgier" and "grittier," they define these "human super heroes" with limitations.  They aren't supposed to protect all of humanity from the problems of the world.  They have their limits.  They are fallible to the point of being tragic (alla Nolan's Batman).

The problem of Superman is that he's an alien, so making him human has been a problem.  He's been a figure who has been above brooding and sulking.  He's invincible to "normal" problems here on earth with the exception to a rather dumb and often annoying Lois Lane always seems to be getting in the way.  Superman has never been able to meet the twenty-first century movie-goers' needs... until now that is.

This particular Superman impressed me as accessible to a modern audience.  He has problems.  He is vulnerable - more so than we've ever seen Superman before.  He's more identifiable, perhaps even more human, with struggles to find himself.  I'm not sure why critics have given the movie much worse ratings than it deserves, but you can't make every movie a Batman movie.  The individualism that that movie claims would be defeated should every successive DC flick turn into it.

Even as an Avengers fan, this movie gives me renewed hope that DC might be able to pull off a legitimate Justice League film.  It's definitely worth the price of admission to travel, although I can't attest to the 3D experience.  So go watch Man of Steel in theaters.  After all, everyone's a critic anyway so just check it out for yourself.

Monster Success?

Monsters Inc was a great Pixar film. There's no denying it. But was Monsters University everything the critics created a hype about? Yes and no.

While Monsters Inc presented us with a unique perspective about monsters under the bed, Monsters University presents us with the stereotypical perspective of college life and the struggles every college student goes through... Sort of...

It was interesting to watch characters Mike and Sully become go through the challenges of "real life" in monster land.  It was funny and there were quite a few college jokes, pranks and lessons that those who attended college themselves can relate to.  It really was a good movie, although I cannot attest to seeing it in 3D yet.  

It's worth the price of admission if you decide you see it.  To understand all of it you really need to have seen the first one.  There are too many inside jokes and references not to see "Monsters Inc." first.  However, you don't have to go to the expensive theater to see this one.  The one in your neighborhood or the dollar theater will be worth it.  I do recommend seeing it on the big screen though... or is it scream?

Now You See Me...

There are NO spoilers in this review.  I never saw it coming... not a movie this good with as little hype as it had before release.  Sure you saw the standard run of trailers, but there was nothing until the release of those TV spots.  And then I went to this movie.  It's a definite must-see!  I was curious at first as to whether I would really be entertained and whether this cast - a rather eclectic group - would be charismatic enough to make the movie worth the price of a ticket and worth the drive.  You really need to see this one!  The cast was impressive, the movie flowed with non-stop entertainment: brilliant action sequences, fantastic magic tricks, and a brilliant plot and story.  I have to say that the casting was brilliant. Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, and the rest were perfectly cast in their roles.  I don't want to give any more details about the film, because I don't want to spoil it, but I would watch this one again and I would certainly make the drive to see it if you like action movies that keep you guessing!

Epically Fun

When they mentioned that Epic was from the creators of Ice Age I was immediately intrigued... and I wasn't disappointed.  Epic offers a lot of family fun and adventure with jokes that are aimed at an older audience but appropriate for kids.  Even the old man in the seat behind me was laughing out loud.

When MK has to stay with her dad, she finds that communication is hard - particularly because he's obsessed with "another world" that no one believes really exists.  But the reality is that it not only exists, but MK is about to get a whole new perspective on life when she becomes the key to saving both worlds.

Filled with lots of action and adventure, laughs and excitement this one is good for the whole family and definitely worth the drive.  The 3D was good, but not necessarily worth the extra price of admission.  The issue with this movie in 3D is the same as with many others that are animated.  If you have the technology to do 3D right, then do it!  3D is pointless without things flying at your face.  In this one it was minimal.  Again, it was okay, just not necessarily worth the extra amount - however much that is for you.

The Not-So-Great Gatsby

WARNING: I don't like the story to begin with.  So why bother going to the movie?  First of all, don't.  But the reason I bothered was threefold.  I was told that it was truly worth the price of admission.  I heard that the perspective was unique.  Second, on rare occasions I have found that there are a few movies that I enjoy more than their book counterparts.  Third, I actually had business in a town where there was a great movie theater.

I understand the story of the Great Gatsby, and why it was written, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.  The movie had several weird scenes and the music, at times, was not compatible with the story.   Even though Leo DiCaprio is usually not an actor I enjoy watching, I thought he did a good job with the role.  Most of the actors  performed well here.  However, there were some scenes that were too lengthy - especially some of the party scenes.  I wouldn't bother with this one.  It's not worth the drive.

Star Trek: Into Darkness

This was yet another astounding and spell-binding performance by the cast and crew of the Enterprise.  I was glued to my seat throughout the entire performance and it left me almost literally breathless!  I try hard not to have spoilers on this blog, so I won't divulge the ending, but this was simply incredible!  I could not believe the storyline, the twists and the incredible characters here.

Chris Pine and the rest of the cast not only have a great chemistry, they really "get" the characters they are trying to portray.  This was even more evident in this film.  Benedict Cumberbatch as the villain was absolutely fantastic.  His passionate portrayal of John Harrison should at least earn him an Oscar nod.

The visual effects were amazing in this film.  One of the things I would highly recommend would be to see it in IMAX 3D.  It really does enhance the experience!  This one is worth the trip!

Iron Man Rumors

I've read the rumors that seem to be flying about whether or not Robert Downey Jr. will return for another Iron Man movie.  The opinion on this subject has varied considerably.  Personally?  There is NO WAY that the character of Iron Man would be able to continue successfully without Robert Downey Jr. playing the titular role.  He is Tony Stark and Tony is Iron Man.  There is no way that this character will be able to continue without him.  It would be hard to see another character fill the role of Iron Man other than Tony.  This option would be the least worst, should another actor have to take over.  The worst would being Marvel's choice to make another actor play the role of Tony Stark,  It just wouldn't fly.  I assure you that I'd think twice about seeing it.  There are so many Marvel characters out there.  Don't screw this one up!

Iron Man 3

As a huge Marvel fan, I knew I was going to watch this movie at a decent theater one way or another.  I just didn't know what to expect.  These days when you talk sequels - especially the third in a series, you tend to get a variety.  The chances are particularly slim that you'll have a result such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where it turns out to be the best in the series.

However... Iron Man 3 seems to have done just that.  This was not only action-packed, but the movie contained a relevant and compelling story that really attracted the audience.  The humor was back but the internal struggle for Tony Stark was just as intense as the external.  In the aftermath of The Avengers Tony has to deal with problems on many fronts.  His own fear is just as formidable as his new enemy "the Mandarin." 

This one was worth the ticket of admission and the drive down.  I highly recommend it.  I would even see it several times in theaters.  I don't know if the 3D was worth it because I was on a tight schedule on the drive down and back, but I'd try it.  Sometimes it's worth it for Marvel (The Avengers) and sometimes it's not (The Amazing Spiderman).  But the story for me was the key here and it's very compelling.

Lincoln

There were good parts, but it was really slow at times. I'm not going to judge it too harshly - thus the 3 stars - because my viewing experience was inhibited by some really annoying people talking loudly and kicking the seats behind me throughout the film, but despite all of that, I did fall asleep at one point, something I've never done in a theater before. Tommy Lee Jones was fantastic, though. Those parts really woke me up. Otherwise, it was an okay movie not one which I would accredit to Spielberg if I hadn't known it from the beginning - proof that just because it comes from him doesn't mean it's the best of movies.  It wasn't terrible, but not an Oscar-worthy film.

Skyfall

Definitely the best of the new Bonds! Skyfall was fantastic and Bardem is definitely one of the creepiest Bond villains out there. The more grotesquely evil version of Sean Bean's 006 - and they didn't have to make him disfigured to do so (although it doesn't mean they couldn't). This was certainly a twist to the whole Bond element and the addition of Ralph Finnes is great! The change up of having a younger, more cocky Quartermaster or "Q" is another brilliant move. This worked really well as we see Bond get a bit of the medicine he's been giving out to Q his whole life - but he's up to the challenge nonetheless. For the purpose of this review, I won't give away the ending, but it's hard - this is such a wonderful ending to this particular Bond movie. It's a definite must-see! I will expound on my opinions at a later date, but for now, no spoilers.

Parental Guidance

This film starred the hilarious Billy Crystal along with Bette Middler and Marissa Tormei and was a genuinely heart-warming flick that holds quite a few moments of hilarity, embarrassment, and tearful realization. If you've ever struggled with a relationship with a parent or as a parent, this film touches on it. It hit home for me personally because it seemed to be focused more on the father-daughter relationship . . . and I'll admit to tearing up in the end. It wasn't a brilliant philosophical piece, but it's simple truth-filled look at the often-difficult and bitter problems that stem from relationships were a welcomed change in the theater. Addressing things such as the drastic change in parenting styles and the problems overcoming old versus new in technology, teaching and tee-ball, "Parental Guidance" examines refreshingly examines a working real family - yes they have problems, but they are still together. It was certainly a fun cinema experience that had me laughing, crying, and ducking behind my coat (in the really embarrassing moments).
 Go see it if you get the chance, it's a fun one for the family.

Rise of the Guardians

This is one of the year's best animated films! (In fact it might be the best.) While Pixar's "Brave" was visually appealing and it's music making it well-worth watching, "Rise of the Guardians"s storyline was much more appealing, much funnier, and much more inspiring! One of the things I try to pay attention to in theaters is the reaction of children to movies intended for them.  There was a lot of laughter and children whispering to their parents that they liked one thing or another.  Honestly I was laughing right along with them. Well-worth the effort to watch in theaters or eventually purchase when it reaches the shelves as holiday classic on DVD.

Wreck-It Ralph

This film looked really good and had its moments, but there were times when I really wondered why this was a movie on the big screen. It was a typical storyline with nostalgic characters but nothing I would see again or even buy in the future. The kids in the theater around me didn't really find it all that entertaining either. The short film at the beginning, "Paperman" was much better than the film itself.  Yes, I enjoyed seeing the games I grew up with come to life, but don't waste your time on this one.  Sorry Pixar, not one of your best efforts.

Les Miserables

The acting was phenomenal for the most part, but in acting it out they sacrificed quite a bit in the singing. Hugh Jackman is a convincing Jean Valjean, and Anne Hathaway was fantastic as Fantine. The guy playing Marius had a great voice. That being said, Jackman doesn't have the vocal range intended for a songs like "Bring Him Home". The biggest disappointment was Russel Crowe. I usually love his movies (yes, I even loved his Robin Hood) but he seemed really out of place here. He really can't sing well, even though Javert's part is not that broad in range. He just didn't seem to get the character. Even worse, though, was Thenardier (ala Sacha Baron Cohen). He seemed more depressed to be in the movie rather than being his character. Helena Bonham Carter should have been excellent, but didn't really seem to work well with Cohen. There was no charisma. The sets, props, and locations were stunning as was the orchestra behind everything. If you're a fan, you need to see it to say you've seen it, but if you're going for the vocals, prepare for some disappointment. Again, it's not a flop. With the acting, sets, and the team of Hathaway and Jackman it's worth seeing, but I feel some of the actors were chosen for their names (like Crowe) rather than their vocal abilities. Even performances like those by newcomer Samantha Barks - who has sung her part on stage before in the 25th anniversary special and was absolutely stunning in her performance - seemed a lot more vocally restrained here. She has much more talent than she let on in this rendition. I think 3.5 sums up the rating as a whole.

Definitely an "Unexpected Journey"

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" was a good movie. That probably sums it up well. The originality of the Lord of the Rings movies having worn off of the general public, the movie was good, but not great. I was very impressed with the acting, but disappointed with the portrayal of Radagast (exactly what were they smoking when they decided to do that?). Richard Armitage as Thorin and our new Bilbo (Martin Freeman) were wonderful - as were LOTR vets such as Ian McKellan and Cate Blanchet, but there was nothing that would make this film stand out as the best of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  Worse, there were too many side stories to follow than the "Hobbit" usually contains.  I know that much of the material came from the LOTR appendices and from the "Silmarillion", but the inclusion of that material to essentially make more money did not mean that this was a better movie.  I could have seen them making it into a two-movie set, but not three!  Not all is lost, but it's the worst of the Tolkien book-to-movie series.

Alex Cross

I have mixed feelings about the "Alex Cross" movie. I was very impressed with Tyler Perry's performance as straight-non-comedic character. I had not read the books so I didn't know what to expect. What I didn't like was how decidedly evil the villain was. I came out of the theater wanting to take a shower! I realize that there are evil people and evil acts, but that doesn't mean I want to see it on the screen.  I wonder one day when someone is going to sue a film company (or maybe they already have) for PTSD.  Much of what they showed was unnecessary. The acting was good, I just didn't like how they portrayed the story in the film. Of course that's just me.

Thrown For A Loop?

I usually like Bruce Willis, I almost always like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and I love Emily Blunt's movies. I did NOT like "Looper". I can't put my finger on it, but it wasn't the sci-fi rage that everyone talked about. Jeff Bridges was definitely NOT a good choice as the bad guy for this film.  I really felt that they put someone who couldn't act in with a wonderful cast.  The storyline dragged at some points.  I've said this before, but if I go to a movie, I shouldn't have to look at my watch during it.  True, there were some unique twists that I didn't see coming - but all I thought was "that's a nice twist" rather than "Awesome!".  I'll also grant that the ending was good, but it wasn't the astounding movie the critics claimed it was. See if you want, if not you're not missing anything.

Zombie Pilgrims . . .

I'm not sure what I was expecting with this movie, but "ParaNorman" was not what I thought it was going to be. It tried to be a combination claymation and Tim Burton-esque movie, and while it was interesting and pretty funny at times, I really don't think it deserved the critical acclaim that most were giving it. I understand that the witch trials are medieval by modern day standards (Salem anyone?), but this is certainly not one of my favorite films this year. I definitely won't purchase it.  It tried to throw too many stereo-types from monster movies into the film and combine it with a history lesson, but it just didn't work. Basically we end up with a disturbed kid and zombie pilgrims. 
And you wonder why it didn't make it . . .

"Taken" the Boxoffice

They're called critics because they critique things. I get it, they have "unique opinions."  But that doesn't mean that unique is always right.  In this case, it's not.  Taken 2 was well-planned, well-executed, and frankly a very enjoyable movie.  Having the original cast back was fantastic and the storyline was very logical. If they have to end on this one, it's a great film with which to do it.  If they carry it further, then they have a great set up.  I won't give anything away that's not in the trailers, but suffice it to say, the bad guys weren't too bright when they took his daughter.  They were just stupid when they took his wife AND him. It was a really great action movie!

I'm not quite sure I understand the critics reactions, for example one said that this was a "...softer, more teen-friendly approach" and another said that Taken 2 was "irresponsibly violent for a movie aimed at 12 year olds."  Seriously?  This was aimed at 12 year olds?  I would hate to be that critic's kid!  You should make Taken 2 a priority to see. If this is a kids' movie according to the critics, then I'm going to see a whole lot more kiddie films!

Hotel Transylvania: Dracula's Embarrassed by Twilight

I nearly laughed my head off (pun intended) when I watched Hotel Transylvania.  Using stereotypes of monsters and horror-figures from myth, legend, storybook, and cinema history, the movie revolves around the problem of stereotyping, generalizing, and relying too much on what others have told us to form opinions.  In other words, stock character monsters are afraid of humans.  The writers have been officially nominated for a snark award: best pokes and puns.  

(SPOILER ALERT BEGINNING HERE)  

Dracula drinks blood substitute. The werewolves have a so many kids that they can't control them and the mother is always pregnant. The only one who will listen to her parents is the little girl - who, in a Maggie Simpson-esque role, provides a ridiculous amount of information in her one speaking part.  Frankenstein (I'm ignoring the fact that it should be Frankenstein's monster) plays fart pranks while sending himself and his wife through the mail in pieces rather than pay for travel.  Mavis, Drac's daughter, has been home-schooled for 118 years and never been allowed out to see things.  Finally, and my favorite, Twilight is portrayed as an airline movie and Dracula is absolutely repulsed! This is just to name a few of things that go on in the movie.  

What really impressed me was the fact that everyone was susceptible to the humor.  Geeks, Transylvanians, monsters, regular people, movies, music, destinations - if it pertained to any stereotype worthy of monsters or man, it could be parodied in this film.  Bravo!

But there was a theme, too.  Prejudices can transcend generations because no one takes the time to see individuals and groups for who they really are - in other words, educate yourself.  Don't take yourself too seriously (this movie certainly didn't).  Take time to have a little fun!

I could stand on a soapbox for hours and try to make people see the importance of having fun... but I believe in learning from examples. So I'll just go to Disneyland instead. Or maybe just go see Hotel Transylvania again.

Blood-Sucking Prices

With all of the vampire hype recently, many people seem to be over-looking some of the other blood-sucking that's going on.

While I was in grad school, I went to a theater at the height of the recession (almost an oxymoron), simply to get a break from my studies.  I car-pooled with several friends who had been there before and was told to bring my student ID as they gave student discounts.  I was the first in line of my friends and proudly presented my card, despite the mug shot on the front.

"I'd like the student discount, please," I said.

"That'll be $8.50" the teller replied as she barely glanced at my card.

"No," I said, "I would like the student discount.  See, I have my ID."

"That is our student discount," she replied wearily.
Knowing how dangerous it is to hold up a ticket line for almost any movie, I paid and left.  My student ID had saved me a whopping 50 cents.  Oh boy, if I wait until I'm 55, I can almost buy a cup of senior coffee at McDonalds!

I just can't believe how much movie ticket prices have risen in the last few years.  Everything else has bottomed out, but the three things you need to go to a movie, gas, food, and tickets have gone steadily and, it seems irrevocably, upwards.  By the time I got a small drink, a box of candy, and helped pay my friends' gas money, I could have waited until it came out and bought the freakin' movie on blu-ray!  The total for that night? $26.50!

Friends of mine have told me that many of the local gas stations near larger movie theaters are selling boxed "movie theater candy" for a dollar, hoping that they will attract some of the crowds before the movie.  If theaters don't lower their prices on tickets and concessions, they might just find themselves out of business.  In all honesty I will admit that going to a movie is a luxury, a privilege.  But this is a blog about movies - so guess what? I'm complaining: it sucks!

Personally, I love my home-town theater.  It's much smaller (and there's no 3D) but I can go to a matinee, get a box of candy, and a drink, all for less than the cost of that one movie ticket.  Hey, I might miss out on that senior coffee later, but I think it just might be a worthy trade-off.

(images from: gotchamovies.com  and  dreamstime.com )

The Dark Knight Falls - Alot

The Dark Knight Rises? Really? How about, "The Dark Knight Falls"? Again... and again... and again... and in case you're wondering how many times you can break your back in a film and still live the answer is four.

 I'm going to be honest from the beginning.  I'm a huge Marvel fan.  I simply like their comics and movies better as a hole.  This doesn't mean that I don't like Batman, but I'm not biased towards him as a character and I think he's just another of your average superheroes.  (A lot of you DC and Batfans probably just fainted.)  However, when Christopher Nolan came out with the new Batman franchise, I was excited to see a whole new look to Batman and really enjoyed Batman Begins.  The casting, directing, and story were fantastic.  When The Dark Knight came out, I saw it in theaters, but wasn't as satisfied with the storytelling as in the first movie.  They tried to do too much in one film.

Now that The Dark Knight Rises is out and I've had a chance to see it in theaters, I am thoroughly disappointed with the outcome. There was a lot in the movie that just didn't make it worth the hype.   The numerous falls that just didn't make sense.  After all, Batman isn't immortal, he's just gotten training.  A diehard Batfan explained to me later that his training with Ra's al Ghul allowed him to heal quickly, thus explaining his back-breaking recovery - literally.  But this was not explained well in the movie and for those of us who don't regularly read the comics, it was hard to swallow.  As for character development, well, I would have liked to see more in most of the characters (with the exception of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's and Michael Cain's characters).  To be introduced to so many new faces, there was almost too much of a story for the length of the film.  Finally, Bane, in his Vader-esque dialogue seemed almost useless.  If you took him out, I still think that you could turn it into a better film.  Let me put it this way.  It's rare that I ever check my watch during an epic movie.  I did so at least twice during this film.  I could go on about the negatives, but I won't.  There were a few redeeming factors: it was indeed an epic film that was based on a comic book, it was the last of this Batman franchise, it had fantastic special effects, but overall I was sorely disappointed.

Snow White and the Huntsman - or Kristen Stewart Looks Mad Again

I'm going to be honest, I saw "Snow White and the Huntsman" because Chris Hemsworth was in it... and that was really the only reason to see it. I have to admit that it was a little disappointing. I wasn't expecting Oscar material, but there was a lot of copying from movies like the Lord of the Rings, Narnia, & Harry Potter in terms of props, camera shots and type of filming. The story could have been interesting, but lacked, well, everything that could have made it so.  Charleze Theron was good, but things just got really weird after Snow White meets up with the Dwarves.  Why they chose Kristen Stewart to be Snow White is beyond me.  She has two looks: mad and depressed - but mostly mad.  It's a shame, really, it had a lot of potential.

The Bourne Legacy

"The Bourne Legacy" was surprisingly good... in more ways than one. Jeremy Renner is simply fun to watch for 2 hours, but more importantly, the story was good. Although I read complaints from some of the critics that the movie was disjointed, I had no problem following it (unless of course it takes a disjointed person to watch it). I really liked it overall and would highly recommend it. Of course I was not invested in Jason Bourne being the only thing to come out of Treadstone, plus not being a Matt Damon fan may have helped me like it more, but overall, an A-.

"Brave"'s New World

"Brave" was one of the most visually appealing animated movies I've ever seen. The graphics were absolutely astounding and combined with an equally rich soundtrack, it was a beautiful scene to behold!  The story, too, was good. I particularly love the way Pixar tries to go in-depth into its children's movies. Without spoiling the fun, I thought this a poignant lesson on the relationship between mothers and daughters (not that mothers and daughters ever fight or anything) and it contained a good moral concerned with selflessness, responsibility, and listening. Overall, great job Pixar. While it isn't going to be on the top of Pixar's list of best movies, it was a worth-while movie to see. After all, you can't have a top-of-the-list movie every year!

The Men In Black Are Back!

I have always loved the MIB movies (yes, both of them). No, they're not Oscar-worthy, but that doesn't mean they're not just fun. And while "Men in Black III" may not be the best of them, it's certainly worth the watch as it has a unique twist to the story. Will Smith is hilarious and the time-travel aspect really worked. Josh Brolin was very convincing as a younger Tommy Lee Jones. Don't go to think a lot, just go to enjoy a fun movie! (See if you can catch all of the "Frank" references!)

A Hunger for the Games

While the craze to develop movies from popular books continues, it's not all a ridiculous conglomeration of messed up storylines. Some screen-writers and directors actually care about whether or not their movies reflect the integrity of the titles they're stealing. "The Hunger Games" is no exception. Director Gary Ross, who was also one of the writers for the screenplay adaptation, brought author Suzanne Collins in as one of the script writers to ensure that the movie retained the essence of the popular series. This has to be one of the best moves ever made. Yes, there are some minor diversions and differences, but overall, the movie is the storyline almost exactly. With brilliant casting choices - using talent rather than big names in most cases - the Hunger Games movie tells the heart-wrenching story of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark two of the twenty-four children who are forced to play a role in the most evil invention since the holocaust: Panem's hunger games. A sadistic pageant, the hunger games forces children to fight to the death to remind the country that it should never rise up in rebellion again. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, and Liam Hemsworth are just a few of the fantastic cast that make this movie well-worth watching. If you haven't read the book, go do so now. And read it before you see the movie.  It really is a great adaptation. This movie is proof that filmmakers are finally beginning to take books seriously, understanding that they are popular for a reason, and deserve to be turned into quality movies. 

Avengers, Assemble!

The geek inside me was going bonkers to begin with.  The Marvel comic fan in me was bouncing off walls.  Together, I was going ballistic waiting for this movie to come out.  I was NOT disappointed.  Concerning "The Avengers" All I can say is OMG!!!! I have seen this 5 times in theaters and I'd see it again! This has to be one of my most favorite movies EVER! I love the cast and the script and the direction! It's AWESOME! You can't go wrong if you see this film! The casting is perfect - even with Mark Ruffalo as Banner/Hulk. Go on. Mark it on your calendar. Your heard me. See it now!

As an update, it's worth the price of admission to see it in 3D.

Mission Not Impossible

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" was surprisingly good in my opinion. The MI movies have been hit or miss for me in the past. I liked Mission Impossible 2, but MI3was a miserable failure. This movie more than made up for it with additions such as the awesomely witty Simon Pegg and the devilishly handsome Jeremy Renner.  Throw in some fun plot twists and a lot of action and you have a fun movie worth seeing!

Not One for the Money

I had to see this even though I knew that I was in for a disappointment since I really loved the books. I'll admit that Katherine Heigel pleasantly surprised me. However, Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur was the WORST casting decisions for this movie. Also, the Daniel Sunjata really wasn't in the character of Ranger.  He was sort of close to the person, but just didn't fit the bill.  I think even Dwayne Johnson would have been a better choice than Sunjata.  Jason O'Mara wasn't who I pictured for Joe Morelli, but he did a good job.  It was an okay movie overall, but it could have been better.

If You Don't Like It, Don't Go

"Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D" Okay, I'm a nerd. I had to go see this. While the experience of seeing another Star Wars on the big screen was great, the 3D effects were not.  I hope Lucas actually puts out the original trilogy in 3D - that would certainly be worth a try. If you're a Star Wars fan, it's always worth the money... if not, then don't go.  This isn't a new movie, so don't try to make something out of it's that's not there.