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In The Imitation Game, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Alan Turing, the genius British mathematician, logician, cryptologist and computer scientist who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code that helped the Allies win WWII. Turing went on to assist with the development of computers at the University of Manchester after the war, but was prosecuted by the UK government in 1952 for homosexual acts which the country deemed illegal.
I've said it a million times before. I'm not really a history buff so movies like this one have to be really good to keep my attention and what not. This movie was really good because I was totally into it throughout. The performances were great. The story and character development was great and they did a good job of mixing the two major plot points together that you were equally intrigued about the creation/use of the machine and the lingering punishment of the lead due to the absurd prosecution of homosexuality in that time period. I am pretty sure that this movie will be up for several awards when the 2014 announcements are made.
I would absolutely recommend people checking this movie out. It is a well done and very enjoyable telling of historical events.
Directed and produced by Tim Burton, Big Eyes is based on the true story of Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz), who was one of the most successful painters 1950s and early 1960s. The artist earned staggering notoriety by revolutionizing the commercialization and accessibility of popular art with his enigmatic paintings of waifs with big eyes. The truth would eventually be discovered though: Keane's were actually not created by him at all, but by his wife, Margaret (Amy Adams). The Keanes, it seemed, had been living a lie that had grown to gigantic proportions. "Big Eyes" centers on Margaret's awakening as an artist, the phenomenal success of her paintings, and her tumultuous relationship with her husband, who was catapulted to international fame while taking credit for her work.
This was a very well told movie featuring great performances by the two leads. There really isn't much else to say about the movie though. It wasn't really a story that "needed" to be told. The movie is what it is. True story that is told well. The weird thing was that this was probably the most normal Tim Burton movie ever.
I would kind of recommend people checking this movie out. It's got great acting but isn't a must see by any means. It's a decent watch but ultimately is just kind of there.
Angelina Jolie directs and produces Unbroken, an epic drama that follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis "Louie" Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII—only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. Unbroken brings to the big screen Zamperini's unbelievable and inspiring true story about the resilient power of the human spirit. Starring alongside O'Connell are Domhnall Gleeson and Finn Wittrock as Phil and Mac—the airmen with whom Zamperini endured perilous weeks adrift in the open Pacific—Garrett Hedlund and John Magaro as fellow POWs who find an unexpected camaraderie during their internment, Alex Russell as Zamperini's brother, Pete, and in his English-language feature debut, Japanese actor Miyavi as the brutal camp guard known only to the men as "The Bird."
Wow! This is easily one of the best movies of the year. I expected it to be well done but it actually exceeded my expectations. When they were in flight, you felt like you were in the tight confines of the plane. It just felt so real. And it continued through the rest of the movie with you feeling like you are with the main character on this brutal and incredible journey. And there is simply no way that you can't be amazed by the characters strength and fortitude.
I would absolutely recommend people checking this movie out. It's a lock to make my top ten for the year list.
Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett's future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance...
This was a fun watch. Wahlberg's acting was great enough to keep you hooked and wanting to see how it all plays out. The best part of the movie was his interaction with the multiple casino bosses and bookies. John Goodman stood out the most and every time his character spoke with Wahlberg was the best scenes in the movie.
I'd recommend people checking this out. There is no rush. It's not a must see or anything, but it's an enjoyable watch.
In the The Interview, Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show 'Skylark Tonight.' When they discover that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the most unlikely candidates, to 'take out' Kim Jong-un.
I'm going to leave my political thoughts about the making of this movie and all the chaos that has ensued over the last month out of the review. The only thing I will say is that it is things like this movie and the marketing of it that make the rest of the world hate the U.S. Moving on - the movie in itself was actually pretty funny. James Franco was great as the over the top personality and I usually don't like him all that much. The banter between him and all other characters made the movie.
I am torn on recommending the movie. On one hand it was very funny. But on the other hand this is a movie that has contributed to all sorts of controversy, propaganda and self-righteousness that I find frustrating and annoying as hell. Why couldn't they have just used a made up world leader with a similar name and appearance? Foolish.
Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.
This was a great movie. The music was great throughout and they took some breaks from constantly singing but we're able to switch right back to it. These are the kinds of musicals I like the most. The interlocking of the four stories was done so well and it was entertaining as hell seeing all these characters you are familiar with interacting with ones from other stories.
I would definitely recommend people checking this out. It really is a very fun trip to the movies.
Six years after the violent death of her husband, Amelia (Essie Davis) is at a loss. She struggles to discipline her 'out of control' 6-year-old, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), a son she finds impossible to love. Samuel's dreams are plagued by a sinister monster he believes is coming to kill them both. When a disturbing storybook called 'The Babadook' turns up at their house, Samuel is convinced that the Babadook is the creature he's been dreaming about. His hallucinations spiral out of control and as he becomes more unpredictable and violent, Amelia is genuinely frightened by her son's behavior. But when Amelia begins to see glimpses of a sinister presence all around her, it slowly dawns on her that the thing Samuel has been warning her about may be real.
This was a creepy ass movie. The kid was creepy. The mom freaking out was creepy. The scenes with the creature were simple as opposed to other movies and that in turn made it creepy. I liked this movie a lot. It was similar to the first Grudge and Ring movies and was very well written/developed.
I would definitely recommend people, especially horror fans, checking this movie out. It was much better than I expected it to be.
Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled Night At the Museum ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.
Is this really a franchise with three installments? Was there really a need for another Night At The Museum? What more can be done with these movies. Based on watching this . . . . Nothing. This is pretty much a retread of the two previous installments and more of the same shennanigans. Sure there are parts that make you laugh a bit - especially if you found the first two funny. But there really is nothing more of value than that. It was also very sad seeing Robin Williams on the big screen for the last time.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone wasting their time with this. There are much better options out there right now than this blatant retread.
From Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo's frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.
This movie was just as good as the other Hobbit movies. In fact, I think that this one was actually paced a lot better than the previous two chapters. I still have to say that both this movie and all three parts of The Hobbit while great and completely entertaining are not close to the same level of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. I don't know if it was just that it was one book that was stretched out to three segments or what, but it was just missing that LOTR level of awesomeness. Still great. Just not as great. We're not talking Star Wars prequels from the original differences. I would watch the Hobbit movies again unlike the Star Wars prequels (except for certain parts). It's just not as good as LOTR. I laugh every time I review one of these because I just say the same thing for all three.
I would still recommend people checking this out. It was very entertaining and paced much better. Plus it's not 3 hours long like most of the other entries.
In Wild, director Jean-Marc Vallee ("Dallas Buyers Club"), Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line") and Academy Award nominated screenwriter Nick Hornby ("An Education") bring bestselling author Cheryl Strayed's extraordinary adventure to the screen. After years of reckless behavior, a heroin addiction and the destruction of her marriage, Strayed makes a rash decision. Haunted by memories of her mother Bobbi (Laura Dern) and with absolutely no experience, she sets out to hike more than a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail all on her own. Wild powerfully reveals her terrors and pleasures - as she forges ahead on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her.
This was one of those movies that get graded based on the performance of its lead since they are going to be the only thing on the screen for huge chunks of time. Like Tom Hanks in Cast Away or Will Smith in I Am Legend. Reese Witherspoon's performance was definitely as good as those and that made this movie and her journey an excellent watch. You felt like you were there with her and felt all the same emotions and pain. The way that they told her backstory in flashback form depending on what was going on during her escapade kept you very interested and wanting to know more.
I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out. It was a great work of storytelling with an incredibly wide range of emotions. Reese Witherspoon will surely get nominated for several awards because of this performance - and rightfully so.
From Ridley Scott ("Gladiator," "Prometheus") comes the epic adventure Exodus: Gods and Kings,,the story of one man's daring courage to take on the might of an empire. Scott brings new life to the story of the defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton), setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
I had pretty high hopes for this movie based on the great visuals in the trailer and the quality of talent Involved. I figured with the PG-13 rating it would be more watered down and there could only be so much of that "epic" feel to it. It was even less so though. There were really only two major battles. The opener was decent and the ending was great but most of the stuff between - and there was A LOT of time inbetween - was lots of dialogue and deep thought close ups. The pacing was very off and it made this movie drag and feel even longer than it actually was.
I wouldn't really recommend people rushing to check this out. I was hoping for something maybe like Troy in terms of an "epic" movie and got something much more like Kingdom Of Heaven.
Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children, is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a diagnosis of Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Alice and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. Her struggle to stay connected to who she once was is frightening, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
This was a clear reminder of how good of an actress Julianne Moore can actually be. She used to be amazing but then pretty much decided to mail it in for years. She was great in this and so was the rest of the cast. The family members different reactions to her disease and the progression of it felt so genuine. And watching her deteriorate was very tough and terrifying to imagine going through.
I would absolutely recommend people checking this out. It's a great movie with great acting across the board that should end up getting considered for end of year awards.
Mr. Turner explores the last quarter century of the great if eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851). Profoundly affected by the death of his father, loved by a housekeeper he takes for granted and occasionally exploits sexually, he forms a close relationship with a seaside landlady with whom he eventually lives incognito in Chelsea, where he dies. Throughout this, he travels, paints, stays with the country aristocracy, visits brothels, is a popular if anarchic member of the Royal Academy of Arts, has himself strapped to the mast of a ship so that he can paint a snowstorm, and is both celebrated and reviled by the public and by royalty.
Not even going to waste too much time here. If there is one kind of movie that it would have to be incredibly amazing it is these old English type of movies. They just bore the hell out of me. I tried to pay attention but I just couldn't care enough.
I'm sure that the acting was good and that the story was interesting to people that like these kinds of movies but I am not one of them.
A Broadway classic that has delighted audiences for generations comes to the big screen with a new, contemporary vision in Annie. Academy Award nominee Quvenzhan̩ Wallis ("Beasts of the Southern Wild") stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything's about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) Рadvised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) Рmakes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel, but Annie's self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it's the other way around.
I had the lowest of expectations for this movie. I hate the remakes of movies like this. Rarely are they any good and are usually huge insults to fans of the original. I'm not sure if it was the low expectations or just the lightness of the movie and it's acknowledgement at times orpf they original it was remaking but I shockingly ended up liking this movie. The singing was better than expected - especially the kid. The overacting of Cameron Diaz was nowhere near Carol Burnett in the original but was still entertaining. And the bottom line is that they hook you and you care how it will all play out even though you already know.
I would actually recommend people checking this out. It's a great family movie and is actually a decent version of the movie for a new generation even if it's not nearly as good as the original.
Fed up with answering to higher-ups, Nick, Dale and Kurt decide to become their own bosses by launching their own business in Horrible Bosses 2. But a slick investor soon pulls the rug out from under them. Outplayed and desperate, and with no legal recourse, the three would-be entrepreneurs hatch a misguided plan to kidnap the investor's adult son and ransom him to regain control of their company.
I loved the first movie and thought it was one of the more underrated comedies to come out the last couple of years. This sequel was pretty much more of the same. The casting makes this movie just like the original. The chemistry between the three leads is amazing and just makes their friendships so believable and hilarious. Mix in the return of Jennifer Aniston in her most different role ever and random scenes with Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx and you get plenty of laughs throughout.
I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out. It's got lots of laughs and anyone that liked the first one will like this too.
Based on true events, Foxcatcher tells the dark and fascinating story of the unlikely and ultimately tragic relationship between an eccentric multi-millionaire and two champion wrestlers. When Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) is invited by wealthy heir John du Pont (Steve Carell) to move on to the du Pont estate and help form a team to train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics at his new state-of-the-art training facility, Schultz jumps at the opportunity, hoping to focus on his training and finally step out of the shadow of his revered brother, Dave (Mark Ruffalo). Driven by hidden needs, du Pont sees backing Schultz's bid for Gold and the chance to "coach" a world-class wrestling team as an opportunity to gain the elusive respect of his peers and, more importantly, his disapproving mother (Vanessa Redgrave). Flattered by the attention and entranced by du Pont's majestic world, Mark comes to see his benefactor as a father figure and grows increasingly dependent on him for approval. Though initially supportive, du Pont's mercurial personality turns and he begins to lure Mark into an unhealthy lifestyle that threatens to undermine his training. Soon du Pont's erratic behavior and cruel psychological game-play begin to erode the athlete's already shaky self-esteem. Meanwhile du Pont becomes fixated on Dave, who exudes the confidence both he and Mark lack, knowing that these are things even his money cannot buy. Fueled by du Pont's increasing paranoia and alienation from the brothers, the trio is propelled towards a tragedy no one could have foreseen.
Every year there is always a movie that receives massive amounts of critical praise and you know that it's an amazing film from an acting and artistic standpoint but I just find myself not enjoying it that much. Foxcatcher is that movie for me this year. I was very excited to see it because of all the reviews and the actors involved but I just was not into this movie. Or at least the first two hours of it. It definitely got my attention at the end but by that point I was in the mind frame of thinking of other things I could be doing instead.
Again - it's not a bad movie. I know that it was a very well made movie with great acting. I just was not into it. There is always one like this a year. Hopefully this is the only one.
Super spy teams aren't born…they're hatched. Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. These elitists of the elite are joining forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Led by handsome and husky Agent Classified (we could tell you his name, but then…you know), voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, voiced by John Malkovich, from destroying the world as we know it.
Through all the Madagascar movies, I was never really a fan of the main characters. It was the supporting characters that were funny as hell. Especially the Penguins. They were my favorites and made me crack up. Their cartoon was awesome and equally hilarious. This movie is no different. The Penguins are still hilarious and the witty writing for the new characters got plenty of laughs too. It's nowhere near up to par animation or story wise as top notch animated movies that have become the norm but you just don't care because the laughter is what you are going to this for.
I'd definitely recommend people checking this movie out. It's fun for people of all ages and a perfect short escape for this time of year.
The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, which finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage.
This movie wasn't really as good as the first two entries but that was to be expected. A - The book wasn't as good as the first two. B - It's a movie split in half that really doesn't have to. C - This one is totally different from the other two in terms of subject matter. There are no more games which was the best part of the previous two movies. This one is more about rebelling against the government and in all honesty - this was nothing but a set up for the real story from the third book which will be out next Thanksgiving. All of that being said - it is still an enjoyable watch and compared to previous "Part 1's" that have been put out in the recent past this one is definitely better than those.
My recommendation on this one really doesn't matter. You are either going to see it because you are into the series or you are not. I enjoyed it. Not as much as the others but I completely expected that going in. It was still a great watch though.
Starring Eddie Redmayne (Les Misérables) and Felicity Jones (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), this is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of – time. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed. The film is based on the memoir "Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen," by Jane Hawking, and is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh (Man on Wire).
This movie featured extraordinary acting across the board. Both of these young actors in the lead are worthy of Academy Awards. The direction was also phenomenal and the telling of the story and the progression of his disease and their lives together is perfectly paced and keeps your attention even if you are aware of how it will all play out.
I would definitely recommend that everyone check this movie out. It is definitely one of the better movies to come out this year and is going to be a leading contender for many awards by the time they are all said and done.
Beyond the Lights is the story of Noni, the music world's latest superstar. But not all is what it seems, and the pressures of fame have Noni on the edge - until she meets Kaz Nicol, a young cop and aspiring politician who’s been assigned to her detail. Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of those around them who urge them to put their career ambitions ahead of their romance. But it is ultimately Kaz's love that gives Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.
This was a good love story and different due to the careers that these two have. And with how much spotlight is put on the lives of music superstars, it was a good portrayal into all of that. There just wasn't enough of a hook to really keep me locked in to the movie and what not.
I wouldn't really recommend people checking this out. At least not at movie theater prices and stuff. This is more of a catch on tv type of show when you are just taking it easy and have time.
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their signature roles as Lloyd and Harry in the sequel to the smash hit that took the physical comedy and kicked it in the nuts: Dumb and Dumber To. The original film’s directors, Peter and Bobby Farrelly, take Lloyd and Harry on a road trip to find a child Harry never knew he had and the responsibility neither should ever, ever be given.
I tried to keep my expectations low for this movie. It's pretty much 15-20 years too late and the opportunity to make this anywhere near the level of the original expired a long time ago. There were parts of the trailer that cracked me up and I hoped that they wouldn't be the funniest parts of the movie but they were. There were still some laughs scattered in it but nowhere near enough and the movie was a major disappointment.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend anyone bothering with this movie. It was nothing but a lame attempt at catching the hilarity from a 20 year old movie. Not worth the time or money.
Interstellar chronicles the adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.
There really is no other director that does a better job of making your jaw hit the floor with the visual aspects of his movies than Christopher Nolan. This movie is no different. There were too many times to count how awestruck I felt with what I was seeing on screen throughout this movie. At the core of the movie, it really was his most simple story that he has told so far. The father/daughter bond was one hell of an anchor for this movie and really kept you interested even if the science part of it all was a little too much. And when I say a little too much what I really mean is holy crap I didn't understand half of what the characters were saying. I followed the movie and I understood what was happening (or at least I think I did) but the terminology and explanation provided throughout sometimes made me feel like I was watching a really great foreign movie without subtitles. You knew what was going on because of the direction and acting, but if anyone wanted to have a straight up conversation with me about what happened scientifically in this movie or debate how accurate it was - I've got nothing.
I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out. Christopher Nolan doesn't make bad movies and he is by far the best director of this generation. Just be aware that the movie is 3 hours long and there is A LOT of heavy science involved. Regardless, it still was a really amazing journey.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios, comes Big Hero 6, an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter). When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago (voice of Jamie Chung), neatnik Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), chemistry whiz Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez) and fanboy Fred (voice of T.J. Miller). Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called Big Hero 6.
This movie was A LOT of fun. The story dealt with a bunch of different emotions. The action and animation were great. The characters were all well developed. This movie was a really great watch for both kids and adults and would have been so without all the laughs. But the laughs took this movie to a whole other level that I didn't expect at all. There is a good 10-15 minutes in this movie where Baymax's battery was dying that might honestly be the funniest scene I have ever seen in a movie. I was crying from laughing. Words do no justice.
I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out. It was very well done all around and Baymax should end up becoming another classic Disney character.
An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a fresh and stylized take on the assassin genre.
This was an enjoyable, short, simple badass movie. It wastes no time getting started and they do a good job of building the John Wick character just through people's reactions to hearing his name. The fight scenes were great. There was plenty of action and very little talking for Keanu Reeves. This is basically a solid throwback to 80s/90s action movies.
I would recommend anyone who was interested in this from the commercials check it out. It will be exactly what you expect and I thought it was pretty enjoyable.
Nightcrawler is a pulse-pounding thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling -- where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Rene Russo as Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou thrives. In the breakneck, ceaseless search for footage, he becomes the star of his own story.
This was a well done creepy movie that wasn't technically scary. It was creepy in the sense that there was just something seriously off with Jake Gyllenthal's character. His delivery, mannerisms and decision making process were all disturbing on so many levels. The performance was so good that you basically couldn't take your eyes off him no matter what he was doing on the screen.
I would definitely recommend people checking this one out. It's a great psychological thriller and Jake Gyllenthal's performance was Oscar worthy.
In Fury, it is April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.
This was a very well done movie and the goal was clearly to make you feel like you are there in the middle of the war and more specifically - in the tank. That mission was definitely accomplished. The intensity was great. The characters and their different levels of acceptance of where they were was great. The only major knock I can make against this movie is that it was simply too long. This could have easily been 30 minutes shorter and there were various scenes that looking back were not necessary whatsoever.
I would still recommend people checking this out. It is a very good movie and could have been awesome if there wasn't such an overly long running time.
From producer Guillermo del Toro and director Jorge Gutierrez comes an animated comedy with a unique visual style. The Book of Life is the journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Rich with a fresh take on pop music favorites, The Book of Life encourages us to celebrate the past while looking forward to the future.
I never in a million years thought I would love this movie as much as I did. The different visual style of animation used was very catchy. The story was simple but done well enough that you were rooting for the characters. And the music was awesome. The covers of recent songs mixed in with originals made this one of the better animated movie I've seen in a long time.
I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out. It is an incredibly enjoyable watch. With all of the high profile animated releases, this and The Boxtrolls have really been two of the better ones.
Ouija follows a group of friends who must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board.
This was pretty much your run of the mill horror movie. Slow build up of stories where something happens to members of a group of friends one by one. There were some good sight gags to make you jump but there really wasn't much else to this movie. It actually felt like it dragged a lot for a 90 minute movie.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone checking this out. It's not the worst horror movie but it really wasn't that good either.
In St. Vincent, Maggie (McCarthy), a single mother, moves into a new home in Brooklyn with her 12-year old son, Oliver (Lieberher). Forced to work long hours, she has no choice but to leave Oliver in the care of their new neighbor, Vincent (Murray), a retired curmudgeon with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. An odd friendship soon blossoms between the improbable pair. Together with a pregnant stripper named Daka (Watts), Vincent brings Oliver along on all the stops that make up his daily routine – the race track, a strip club, and the local dive bar. Vincent helps Oliver grow to become a man, while Oliver begins to see in Vincent something that no one else is able to: a misunderstood man with a good heart.
This was a great movie. Formula in every way. You are totally aware of where this movie is going to end up and the bumps in the road it will hit on the way there. That being said - it is still beyond enjoyable because of the performances across the board. Bill Murray finally returns to a straight up comedic role and plays his character to perfection. The kid actor was also awesome and the chemistry between the two really made the movie special and made the ending the type of source material that is the definition of causing happy tears.
I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out. Very enjoyable and filled with great laughs throughout.
In The Judge, Downey stars as big city lawyer Hank Palmer, who returns to his childhood home where his estranged father, the town’s judge (Duvall), is suspected of murder. He sets out to discover the truth and along the way reconnects with the family he walked away from years before.
Wow! I thought this was pretty much one of those movies where you saw the trailer you saw the movie and to a certain extent it was. There wasn't much that you didn't see coming and that should have been a bad thing with a 2 hour 15 minute family/courtroom drama. But it wasn't. I loved this movie. The acting was awesome and felt so real across the board. It was awesome to see Robert Downey Jr knocking one out of the park in a non-action or super hero role. He was amazing showing such a huge amount of emotions. And the direction of the movie was done so well that even though you knew that your heart strings were being pulled you didn't care because you were so invested in the well crafted characters and watching this all play out.
I would absolutely recommend people checking this movie out. It's one of the best movies I've seen this year and never expected to like this as much as I did.
Addicted is a sexy and provocative thriller about desire and the dangers of indiscretion. Successful businesswoman Zoe Reynard (Sharon Leal) appears to have attained it all – the dream husband she loves (Boris Kodjoe), two wonderful children and a flourishing career. As perfect as everything appears from the outside, Zoe is still drawn to temptations she cannot escape or resist. As she pursues a secretive life, Zoe finds herself risking it all when she heads down a perilous path she may not survive.
This movie started off like a really good and sexy affair movie. It reminded me a lot of Unfaithful from a few years back. Unfortunately, about halfway through it switched the focus over to the sex addiction focus and the character's spiral out of control. It lost a lot of the hook that it had set up for the first half.
I would somewhat recommend people checking this out. It wasn't horrible but it did lose my interest with the focus switch.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life—a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns that he’s not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette) and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn't had one.
This was based on a very popular kids book that I used to use in preschool to teach kids about how things can always get better. The book was short and to the point and happily so was this movie. The premise is pretty simple. The family is developed appropriately and quickly and we follow them through their day. Plenty of laughs. Plenty of happy feelings. This movie is a perfect family movie.
I would definitely recommend people checking this one out. It's a nice, quick and very enjoyable trip to the theaters.
Almost an entire century after the world's first cinematic introduction to Dracula placed audiences under his haunting spell, the studio that pioneered the genre reawakens one of legend's most captivating figures in an action-adventure that heralds a pulse-pounding rebirth of the age of monsters. Evans transforms from the cursed man history knows as Vlad the Impaler to an all-powerful creature of the night in Universal Pictures' Dracula Untold, the origin story of the alluring immortal we have come to fear as the sun sets: Dracula.
This was a very different take on the story of Dracula. And just for that alone it was an enjoyable movie and worthy watch. I like Luke Evans a lot and I think he was perfectly cast here. It was a very fresh take seeing Dracula not necessarily just be the vampire version that we are familiar with. The action scenes were good and the movie had such a better dramatic part than I expected.
I'd recommend people checking this out. It is not just another silly Dracula movie like I expected. It's a legit movie with a great telling of the start to Dracula.
A family event movie from the creators of Coraline and ParaNorman that introduces audiences to a new breed of family – The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they've built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town's villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, "into the light," where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs' family.
I always liked the animation style used by the creators of this movie but their movies were always kind of out there and not simple/enjoyable for families. I always hoped that they would make that type of movie with this same kind of animation. They did with The Boxtrolls. This was a very, very enjoyable movie. I didn't remotely think that I would like this as much as I did. Again - I always liked their animation but even though it was quirky and dark - the story was great and you found yourself totally falling for the Boxtrolls as characters and rooting for them throughout the movie. That kind of a hook is all you need to make a great family film like this one.
I would definitely recommend that people check this movie out. It was cute. It was funny. It was great animation and story. And its super short.
Directed by David Fincher and based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn – unearths the secrets at the heart of a modern marriage. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his beautiful wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?
This is a tough movie to review without giving things away. All I will say is that there is ALOT more to this movie/story than is advertised in the trailer/commercials. And I think its great that they have been so purposely vague so that everyone who hasn't read the book can get the same holy shit type of moments that you got while reading the book. I loved this book and the movie did a great job of transferring it all to the screen. Again - there is only so much that I can say but this movie is one of the more thought provoking "date" movies you can see. You can't help but ask yourself how well do you know someone after watching this. The only knocks I can make against it is that it's really long, even though that is necessary. You definitely feel how long it is. The other is that the ending is very much like the book. I won't give anything away but will give people the heads up to not be expecting usual Hollywood like closure.
I loved this book and movie and would definitely recommend both to everyone. David Fincher's streak of awesomeness remains very much intact with this offering.
She terrified you in The Conjuring, but this is where it all began for Annabelle. Capable of unspeakable evil, the actual doll exists locked up in an occult museum in Connecticut - visited only by a priest who blesses her twice a month. John Form has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia - a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure white wedding dress. But Mia’s delight with Annabelle doesn't last long. On one horrific night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind. The cultists have conjured an entity so malevolent that nothing they did will compare to the sinister conduit to the damned that is now... Annabelle.
I enjoyed this movie. Scary movies are usually hit or miss for me. I either think that they are pretty much crap and a waste of time or good enough to keep my interest and make me jump a couple of times. This one fell into the latter category. I think I actually liked this one more than The Conjuring. I liked that movie but didn't think it was nearly as good as everyone had advertised. This one was more simple in story and sprinkled the scares around better. And that damn doll is still creepy as hell.
I would definitely recommend that horror movie fans check this one out. Its a good 'origins" story with more than enough scares to keep you entertained if that's your kind of movie.
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
This was a fun, badass movie. It was very easy and enjoyable to sit back and watch Denzel kick ass. His silent and assessing nature of each action scene just made the intensity that much better. This is basically the type of story that everyone daydreams about if anyone were to harm their loved ones.
This movie was a great watch. I would definitely recommend everyone checking this out. There are some parts that were crazy violent but still a great watch.
Dolphin Tale 2 will tell another true story inspired by the life of Winter, but also involves a new baby dolphin named Hope who was rescued by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2010. Winter, who still resides at the Aquarium, played herself in the original film and returns in “DT2” and Hope will play herself in the sequel.
This movie was just like the first one. Totally formula in every way. You know how it's all going to play out just by watching the commercial. There are several heartwarming moments and you will no doubt love this if you are an animal lover. There really isn't anything else to say about it though.
If you saw and liked the first one - I'd recommend this to you. If not or you didn't see the first one, I wouldn't bother with this.
