Of Toons, Abes and Hobbits

WRECK IT RALPH

ANIMATION

Plot:  Ralph is a villain in a video game who wants to become a hero by any means necessary.

The 3D animation is great and the voice actors are even better.  John C Reilly is the Ralph; comedienne Sara Silverman does a fine job as his friend. It has what good film needs, humor, heart action and drama.  Your kids will enjoy it and the kid in you will too.

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS

ANIMATION

Plot:  Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost must stop the evil Pitch Black/Boogeyman.

Wow this film brings the childhood myths back to life in interesting ways.  Santa Claus in this feature is called North(don’t know why) The Easter Bunny voiced by Hugh Jackman(Wolverine) has an Australian accent, The Tooth Fairy(Isla Fisher) is very cute, The Sandman doesn’t talk and Jack Frost (Chis Pine, Star Trek 2009) carries a crooked staff and has a back-story. All of the myths give children hope and happiness but Pitch Black (Jude Law, Sherlock Holmes) wants fear and darkness.  It is very imaginative and the best part is that the director is a black story board artist name Peter Ramsey!! I hope he does more films because this was very good.

LINCOLN

HISTORICAL DRAMA

PLOT:  Near the last months of his presidency to abolish slavery and Civil War.

This movie is not about a bio about Abraham Lincoln but the last months of him before being killed.  Daniel Day Lewis is great as Lincoln and Tommy Lee Jones is brilliant as Thaddeus Stevens. The arguments on The House of Representatives feels like you are there.  The movie is slow and many people may find it boring.  The questions we should be asking did Lincoln want to free the slaves for it was wrong or was it politics. Another question we should be asking is there are 44 presidents in the United States and only Hollywood makes over and over these three: Lincoln, FDR and JFK.

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

FANTASY/ADVENTURE

PLOT: Bilbo Baggins joins a group Dwarves to go back to Erebor to deal with the dragon Smaug.  First of the trilogy.

Fantasy films don’t get any epic than this!!  Director Peter Jackson who was brave enough to do the Lord of the Rings trilogy does The Hobbit.  I don’t think he wanted to direct it but so many other directors dropped out he just says “just do it” and he did a great job.  The movie is sooo spectacular and the 48 frame per second gave it depth.  It is amazing and there are two more films to go!!!

Iron Fists, Black Drunks, War for White Chicks

MAN WITH THE IRON FIST

ACTION

                Plot:  In feudal China, many warriors and killers hunt for the gold in Jungle Village.  The story is really not important as hip-hop artist Rza from the Wu-Tang Clan makes his directorial debut as well as stars in the feature.  He loves martial arts movies and it shows.  He is not that successful at it but it is full cheesy clichés found these kinds of movies.  The cast also has Lucy Liu, Russell Crowe (don’t know why he is in this, some say he is a friend of Rza.) and who stands out for me is former wrestler of WWE Dave Bautista as Brass Body!!    He can change his body to  metal and nothing can pierce him. He is a villain and doesn’t say much but he is a character in need of a back story and story of his own.

FLIGHT

DRAMA

                Plot:  Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) is an airline pilot who saves lives by doing a stunt move with the plane but when they investigate they find out he is an addict.  I spoiled the story but you have to see Denzel at his very best!!  It is sympathy for the devil but he plays it beautifully.  All the other cast members are fantastic but Harling Mays (John Goodman) as a drug dealer is amazing!!  He is funny and frightening.  I see two Oscars buzz and nominations for Washington and Goodman.

TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN 2

ROMANCE/ACTION/FANTASY

                Plot:  Bella gives birth to Renesmee and now she is a vampire with  super powers but now she must protect her daughter from the evil Volturi.  The teen phenomenal is finally over!!  It doesn’t stop the twihards but may stop others.  The good stuff is that Kristen Stewart looks very beautiful and she strong and aggressive, there is a lot of action this time.  The bad is some of the special effects and it drags before the violent climax.  It is the best of the series. Honestly, I don’t know why it makes so much money or has a devoted following.  It is Star Wars for white chicks!!

Fall Thrillers ROCK in 2012

ALEX CROSS

CRIME DRAMA THRILLER

   

                Tyler Perry (writer, director of Madea movies) stars as Alex Cross, homicide detective psychologist must find a psycho, lonely assassin named Picasso (Matthew Fox).  If you can believe that Tyler Perry can be Sherlock Holmes for most of the movie and Shaft near the end you will enjoy it.  Give Perry an A for effort for trying to be an actor other than in his movies. Matthew Fox is good as the killer.  Do you know any happy, social assassins?  The movie is not doing well in the theaters but it will do much better on video.  

ARGO

DRAMA/THRILLER

                This movie is based on a real story of six American diplomatic personnel rescued from Iran by Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) by pretending they are making a fantasy film. It makes you wonder how close Hollywood and the CIA really are. Sounds like a comedy and there are very funny moments in it but it is very serious and at times intense!!!  The cast is great including Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), John Goodman and Alan Arkin.  Ben Affleck was born to direct and he does an excellent job.  An Oscar nomination is in his future.  There is not a lot of action but much suspense.  Recommended!

SKYFALL

ACTION/THRILLER

                The movie is the 23^rd Bond movie and it delivers like the others.  Daniel Craig is James Bond for the third time.  The plot is about a vengeful former MI6 agent called Silva played Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men won an Oscar) who wants to get M played Judi Dench.  Judi Dench is great as M, tough with a tender side very rarely shown. Mr. Bardem’s Silva a bad guy and there is a scene where he flirts with Bond!!  He is not an average adversary.

The opening sequence is spectacular!!  The two new Bond women are Naomie Harris as Eve and Berenice Marolohe as Serverine. Craig’s Bond is more like James Bourne than the traditional James Bond, the superhero guy who slaughters the villains and sleeps with the ladies.  When you see the film the title is explained.  It is better than the last movie Quantum of Solace.

Fall Action: You'll Be Taken for a Looper

END OF WATCH

CRIME/DRAMA

                Hollywood has made a gazillion cop buddy movies but this one is very realistic.  Jake Gyllenhaal (Prince of Persia, Source Code) is Brian Taylor and Michael Pena is Mike Zavala are the cops who are partners on the street and act like brothers after work.    Their acting is wonderful.  Their wives  Anna Kendrick (Twilight Saga) and Natalie Martinez (Death Race, TV show Detroit 187) is equally good.  I wish Ms. Martinez could do more work.  The cops’ loyalty is tested when a cartel is after them.  You have seen it all before just not this way.  The trailer is misleading; it is action-packed but not like the trailer.  If you like a lot of action wait for video if you like bromance watch it.

LOOPER

SCI-FI/DRAMA

                This is a good IFC movie.  It is not your typical time-travel action film.  There is good acting by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt.  If you saw the trailer the mob has a way to kill people with time-travel and the hitmen are called loopers.  See this movie ONLY if you want to see something different than popcorn movies.  It is very intelligent, very violent and for action-hounds wait for video or VOD.

TAKEN 2

ACTION/DRAMA 

                Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson, The Grey,Taken ) in Istanbul is targeted to be kidnapped  along with his family by a vengeful father (Rade Serbedzija X-Men First Class )who killed his son in the first movie.   There is a lot of action if you like movies likes this but –spoiler a realistic ending to it.  It is a star film for talented Neeson and he plays it well, funny, straight and of course, man of action.  Not as good as Taken but it has its moments.  See it if you like Liam Neeson and action, if not wait until video.

A Spark of Dreddful Evil

SPARKLE

MUSCIAL DRAMA

                This is a remake of 1976 movie.  It takes place in the sixties with singer Jordin Sparks as Sparkle a beautiful gifted songwriter and singer if she would get over stage fright.  Her acting is okay. She has two sisters Sister (played very well by Carmen Ejogo) and Dolores (Tika Sumpter) she is great and she is dark skinned and usually writers make them so ghetto but she was very smart and sensible.  I hope to see these actresses in more movies. 

Their mom Emma (played by the late, great Whitney Houston) doesn’t want them to sing for she tried unsuccessfully. She sings one song. Sister hooks up with the wrong man Satin, a stand -up comic (Mike Epps, Friday, The Hangover) I didn’t like his character but he may be portraying Richard Pryor in an upcoming movie.  It is a good movie if you like singing but if you can wait for video do so.

RESIDENT EVIL:  RETRIBUTION

ACTION/SCI-FI

                The fifth of the series stars Milla Jovoich as Alice who has to save the world again.  Plot really not important because they are not following the plot of the video game.  The ONLY reason you should see it to see the action and there is a lot of it!!  The women for the most part kicking all the ass and they are Michelle Rodriguez and Sienna Guillory.  It is worth seeming on video.

DREDD-3D

ACTION/SCI-FI

                I was one of the ten people who enjoyed the 1995 movie Judge Dredd starring Sly Stallone.  Now the film is rebooted and it is very violent and very good.  Karl Urban (Star Trek 2009) is Dredd Clint Eastwood talking, never takes his helmet off and kills for he is judge, jury and executioner!!  The villain is Madeline Madrigal or short Ma-Ma (Lena Headey Game of Thrones 300) is a gangster who owns Mega City and pushes a drug “Slo-Mo” and he has to bring her down.  She is malicious!!  It didn’t make money and I don’t know why it is so good.  It will fare better on video.

Summer-Fall 2012 DVD/Video Review

LOCKOUT

ACTION/SCI-FI

               

                When you mix Die Hard and Escape from New York you get this good movie that was in the theaters for a hot minute. Set in the future  is about Snow (Guy Pearce The King’s Speech) a wise -cracking government agent is framed and his only way to clear himself is to bust in a maximum security prison to save the President daughter Emilie (Maggie Grace, Taken). It is very funny, very violent thriller.  It will do much better on video.

PUNISHER: DIRTY LAUNDRY

CRIME DRAMA ACTION

(YouTube)

                I usually don’t review a ten minute movie but I looove the Punisher so much Thomas Jane made a short film that is on YouTube.  It was first shown at this year’s Comic Con.  It is about Punisher who now lives in a van and he decides to do laundry.  He sees hookers assaulted and a kid harass to sell drugs.  He tries not to get involved but when he does badass is the only way to describe it.  For fans of Punisher it is so good yet you just want more.  One thing I didn’t like was all the bad guys were black.

THE RAID: REDEMPTION

CRIME DRAMA ACTION

                This film was in theaters with not much fanfare but this flick is action packed!!!  Director Gareth Evans is AMAZING!!!  The story is about an Asian SWAT team trapped in a building to arrest a ruthless mobster protected by his killers and thugs.  Plot is not important but mayhem is and each floor it gets more and more dangerous.  The standout performance is not the hero Rama (Iko Uwais) but Mad Dog( Yayan Ruhian) is martial arts skills are outstanding!!!  He is Tony Jaa’s (Ong- Bar) equal!!  It is dubbed and the English subtitles are terrible but you not watching for that.  PLEASE RENT, BUY THIS VIDEO!!!

THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS PART 1

ANIMATION

                Wow!!! This animation is amazing and VERY, VERY violent.  It is based on Frank Miller’s graphic comic.  Batman voiced by the original Robocop Peter Weller is 55 and retired until mutant criminals get him out of retirement.  It is not a long movie but it packs a lot in.  DVD is not for children but good for teens and adults.

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS

FANTASY/ ACTION

                The film that broke box office records is finally on Blu Ray and DVD.  If you love the superheroes it is a must to have!!  On the DVD they have a short movie about the movie and on Blu-ray they have a gag-reel.  You will enjoy it!!

A Summer When the Bullets Flew

TOTAL RECALL

SCI-FI/ACTION 

                Actor Colin Farrell should be called   “The Remake Kid”,   last year he did Fright Night now this.  He is too talented  yet  he was good in this remake.  He plays a factory worker Douglas Quaid he has a beautiful wife Lori (Kate Beckinsale Underworld series) but he has bad dreams and when he goes to Total Recall his memory is jarred and finds out he is really an agent – not fantasy!!  People will debate which is better. 

This one has better special effects and it is very serious.  The best thing about the film is Beckinsale, she is one bad-ass chick!  Sharon Stone was the evil wife  in the 80’s  movie  but she is nothing compared to Beckinsale.!!!  She would go against her superior just to kill Quaid!!  She is Bond girl that NEVER was a Bond girl!!  If you are patient wait for video but if you didn’t like the 80’s flick –go!

THE EXPENDABLES 2

ACTION

                ACTION HOUNDS REJOICE!!!! This is the movie you have been waiting for!!!  The gang from the last film is back plus Norris and the evil Van Damme.  Plot and acting not important but bloodshed and funny one-liners are.  I liked the first film but this one is just AMAZING!! The review is quick so you can get out of your house and go!!!

BOURNE LEGACY

ACTION/THRILLER

                The Bourne series continues with Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross who is in a special black ops unit Operation Outcome who uses enhancer drugs to complete missions..  Soon the government wants them ALL dead and you know who survives as the few people who know about Jason Bourne go to trial.  The film is quite good, acting very good and action sensational. There is a lot going on so if you can wait see it on video so you sort it all out.

The Dark Summer Cinema Rises

MAGIC MIKE

COMEDY/DRAMA

                When you think of strippers it is usually about women but not the case with this film.  If the movie was like the trailer it would have been great.  The story is about Mike (Channing Tatum, Dear John, GI Joe) an aging exotic male dancer who wants to do more than strip.  He takes an aimless young man under his wing Adam (Alex Pettyer I am Number Four, In Time) under his wing and his sister Brooke (Cody Horn) has a problem with her brother’s new life style. Mike likes her probably she sees him as a real human being, not a sex object. She wasn’t that good and neither was Olivia Munn as a woman who treated him as a booty call.

I usually want a lot of drama but because it is summer and the subject matter I wanted much man flesh, sleaziness a dash of romance and happy ending.  It happens but not the way I liked. Mostly white guys take off their clothes no black dancers and one Latino. Ex-wrestler Kevin Nash is one of the strippers but I don’t know why!! This is a chick flick because no straight man would see it.  It is a girl night out movie and will do even better on video so you can repeat!!

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

ACTION/DRAMA

                First, don’t let the tragedy in Aurora Colorado stop you from going to see the best superhero film of the year!! Eight years Batman (Christian Bale) stopped being the Dark Knight until the terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy) and Selina (Anne Hathaway) come to Gotham.  The plot is more complex than that but the movie is amazing!!  The writing, acting and directing is wonderful.

Anne Hathaway is surprisingly good as Selina, a cat burglar.  She has come a long way from Princess Diaries. The picture is played very seriously and so realistic it’s depressing!!  The film is two hours and forty-five minutes along with trailers so empty your bladder before going.  My only complaint is Bane didn’t sound like Sean Connery and Darth Vader and look like Tom Brady.  Bane is LATINO!!!  A Latino actor could have become an overnight sensation in this blockbuster!!

SAVAGES

CRIME DRAMA

                I don’t know why they placed this movie in the summer.  It is a very adult, very violent story about the best pot producers Chon (Taylor Kitsch John Carter, Battleship) and Aaron Johnson and they share Ophelia (Blake Lively).  Their world crumbles as a Mexican cartel led by Elena (Salma Hayek) kidnaps Ophelia for them to comply.  The film should have been called Anti-Heroes for no one really is the good guy or gal. 

The most complex character is Elena.  She deserves a prequel to find out about how she became the head of a cartel –not by choice.  Lado (Benicio Del Toro) Elena’s enforcer is crazed, corrupt and frightening fascinating.  All the actors did the movie to work with Oliver Stone, the guy who directed Scarface with Al Pacino.  It will do better on video.

Spider Magic, Musicals, Mayhem and Madea

ROCK OF AGES

MUSICAL

             This movie is from the play of the same name.  It is a spirited but senseless mess!!  It has every cliché of Hollywood you ever seen.  Small time girl Sherrie (Julianne Hough) comes to LA meets hard-worker guy who want to be a rock star (Diego Boneta) and don’t forget Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) who is a rock legend –a mix of Axel Rose, Bret Michaels, Gene Simmons and Michael Jackson. 

Cruise is all attitude and no voice.  The only singer is Mary J. Blige and she is very good.  Lots of face palms moments.  If you love the 80’s but want the real singers buy the albums!!  It’s kind of a good movie just don’t PAY to see in the theater-wait for cable!!

ABRAHAM LINCOLN:  VAMPIRE HUNTER

FANTASY/ACTION

                Suspension of belief is really tested with this film!!!  If you can believe the title you can see the movie.  It is based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith and he wrote the screenplay.  Young Abe’s mom is killed by vampires so he swore he will kill them all!!  They mix fact with fiction. The director Timur Bekmambetov who did Wanted should do a superhero film for the actors are larger than life!!  The action is insanely good but you GOTTA believe A LOT in this movie.

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN

ACTION/FANTASY

This movie is well AMAZING!!!  It is not a remake of Spiderman 2002 but a reboot of the comic!!  You know the story Peter Parker played by Andrew Garfield ( Social Network) who gets bitten by a spider but it tells a little bit more about what happened to his parents.  He has a new girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone, The Help) is smart and can defend herself when necessary and a new villain Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) who mutates into  The Lizard. 

The director of this flick Marc Webb (500 Days of summer) made this spider man very vulnerable but very heroic as well. There will be debates of who is the better Spiderman but they were all great for their time.  See it for the little kid in you.

TYLER PERRY’S MADEA’S WITNESS PROTECTION

COMEDY

                The story you have heard before innocent CFO (Eugene Levy) in a mob Ponzi scheme and his young wife, Denise Richards,spoiled teenage daughter, neglected son.  What is different the safe house is where sassy take -no -mess Madea.  The movie is really good when she is in it.  Perry’s Madea is stereotypical but sooo funny.  Tyler Perry is trying to branch out and do other things please give him a chance or soon we will have Madea In Outta Space!!!

Mid-Summer 2012 Action Bloats In

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN

ACTION/FANTASY

When you mix 200 year old fairy tale with Lord of the Rings and a feminist slant you have this movie.  You know the story Snow White (Kristen Stewart, Twilight) is the fairest of them all and Ravenna, the evil witch (Charlize Theron) doesn’t like that at all!!  Wicked as she is she does have a back story so she is not just evil to be evil. The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, Thor) also has a back story why he is lost soul.  Theron’s gowns are amazing as well as the sets. 

It is beautiful to look at.  The movie Mirror Mirror where Julia Roberts was the wicked witch was comical, Theron’s witch is terrifying!!  Anytime she can be horrible she is!! She deserves a MTV or Scream Award for her performance. Stewart becomes a damsel-in-distress to Snow White, warrior princess.  She is tougher than in the Twilight movies unless you like those movies. This is the better Snow White.

PROMETHEUS

SCI-FI/ACTION

First, you want to know why Ridley Scott called this movie Prometheus.  It is from mythology, a Greek god who made man and in another meaning seeking knowledge. In the film Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace, The original Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) with her partner want to know where Man came from.  They are funded and go to an isolated planet and get in scary situations which results in saving earth. 

The film is like a rose beautiful but dangerous.  It asks more questions than answers, and there is always a gross scene around the corner, and there is always a android---this time 'David,' played by Michael Fassbender (who looks like Peter O Toole from Lawrence of Arabia) knows more than he is telling.  He is very good as well. You will either applaud or scratch your head.  It is that kind of movie experience.  

CHERNOBYL DIARIES

HORROR

The film is not that interesting.  You know the story six people visit the contaminated Chernobyl with “something” chasing them and one by one they are attacked.  Cast of newcomers does have some jumps but you can wait for video for that. The movie probably made because of the guy Oren Peli who was a success at Paranormal Activity let him rip off this tragedy.  How the hell it got a summer release is just amazing.

Summer 2012 is Dark, Black and Hasbro Safe

DARK SHADOWS
HORROR

The supernatural soap that was on TV is now a movie and it is not bad. The trailers are very misleading. It is very serious for most of the film and lavished. The story is about Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) imprisoned and turned into a vampire by the jealous witch Angelique (Eva Green). Ms. Green is sexy and evil!! He is set free and wants to rebuild the Collins family back to greatness. Now Angelique has taken over the business and still wants him. Depp’s Baranabas knows how to be weird and has to adjust to the modern world. Director Tim Burton makes great gothic movies and this is no exception. There is comedy in it but nothing like the trailer. If you like the classic Dark Shadows you should see it.

BATTLESHIP
SCI-FI/ACTION

When you mix Transformers, Independence Day and a reason you should join the navy and you have this picture. Plot not much a practice test the ships what they can do in a crisis becomes the real thing when aliens decide to take over. Peter Berg is good director and makes being in the navy like the most patriotic thing in the world. It is good if you like action. The most important thing does anyone say: “You sunk my battleship” is said but not directly.

MEN IN BLACK 3
SC-FI ACTION COMEDY

If you didn’t like MIB2 this one is a little better. J. and K. (Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones) are back but K is in danger from being non-existent by a villain named Boris The Animal (Jermaine Clement) so J has to go back in the past and save K. Plot not really important but the relationship between Smith and Jones is good. Josh Brolin as the younger K is just outstanding!! It is very funny and near the end very touching. If you are looking for a popcorn movie this is it.

SAFE
ACTION DRAMA

Action hounds rejoice Jason Statham is in a movie!!! It is not a summer movie but I finally got to see it. It is not a great movie but it has a huge body count. Story young Asian girl has knowledge that organizes crime wants and is saved by Statham. Lots of action after the first fifteen minutes. It did do well in theaters but it will on video. Has some acting for Statham but it is action we want before Expendables 2.

Superhero Fans, Assemble!

THE AVENGERS
ACTION/FANTASY

Six superheroes Iron Man, (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) join forces with S.H.I.E.L.D. run by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to combat Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his evil band of aliens to save the earth. The 2012 summer of movies kick off with a blast with this film!! It is just amazing.

The director Jess Whedon (Serenity, Buffy The Vampire Slayer--the TV series has made a popcorn movie no one thought Hollywood could. The movie may drag to some because they are establishing characters and plot, but the finale is worth the admission!! All the actors are just great!! This is why you go to the movies!! SEE IT BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!!!! And don’t jump up when the credit rolls--STAY!!!!

Blacks, Clowns and Crazy Cabins

CABIN IN THE WOODS
HORROR/COMEDY

I don’t know what to say about this movie. You will either find it brilliant or bizarre. I found it bizarre!! It gives a new spin on a group of young people in an isolated place. It is funny and gory. It is not your typical slasher film. I can’t believe the person involved with this is the great Joss Whedon who did Buffy the movie and the series and the upcoming superhero movie The Avengers. If you can wait, wait for IFC.

THE THREE STOOGES
COMEDY

This film is not a biography about the three funny men, this is about the guys in the modern world. Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos) Larry (Sean Hayes, Will and Grace) and Curly (Will Sasso) born in an orphanage want to save the place from closing go on a slapstick adventure. Plot not really important but the physical comedy is!! The three actors did a good job especially Sasso. It is not great comedy but it is funny. It will do extremely well on video!!!

THINK LIKE A MAN
COMEDY

Wow a black romantic comedy that isn’t a Tyler Perry movie!!! It is based on the bestselling book by Steve Hardy who tells woman how to get men to get and keep the men they want. It is a very good black battle of the sexes. Steve Hardy is a smart man. He is also executive producer. The black people in the film are middle to upper class. The actors are attractive, sexy and professional. It is well done with a happy ending. The film is a success for black audiences are hungry for a movie that shows them as people. Highly recommended!!!

The Wrath of Games and Fantasies

HUNGER GAMES ACTION/SCI-FI This film is set in the future where it is broken down in twelve districts and two teenagers- a boy and girl must fight to the death with 23 other teens to be played out on television. Katniss Everdeen (played very well by Jennifer Lawrence(X-Men First Class) isn’t chosen but volunteers to be in The Hunger Games instead of her sister. She is taken away from her poverty district and see The Capitol where there is an abundance of everything, woo to the crowd to get endorsements then must be trained then be killed.!!! Thats a mindf*ck to me. The film is being compared to many other movies including Twilight, The Running Man and Battle Royal. It is all of the above. It is better to read the books by Suzanne Collins because books tell more detail. I didn’t read the books but the movie is very good if you read or not read the books. It is like Twilight for it is a popular book but it has action and the heroine is not waiting to be saved she can save herself. It is like Battle Royal but not as violent. It is good for the fans of the books but if you’re not interested wait for video. WRATH OF THE TITANS ACTION/FANTASY Director Jonathan Liebesman who did Battle Los Angeles now does this movie and it is action packed. Perseus (Sam Worthington) must save his father Zeus (Liam Neeson) from Hades (Ralph Fiennes) and Aries (Edgar Ramirez) who capture him for Kronos. That’s about it for plot. Could have easily been titled Wrath of the Brothers because Zeus and Hades are brothers, Perseus, a demigod fights his godly brother Aries. Acting not really important in this kind of movie but Neeson and Fiennes are good. Special effects are amazing. Not doing very well in the US because of The Hunger Games but overseas doing extremely well. Will there be a next? I have no idea. MIRROR, MIRROR FANTASY The classic tale of Snow White gets a makeover!!! You know the story but it is sooo different. Julia Roberts is good as being the comical yet villainess Queen. Lily Collins (daughter of Phil Collins) is cute as the title character. You have to believe a lot in this lush looking film. Director Tarsem Singh (The Immortals) is more style than substance and the music by Alan Menken is wonderful. It is great for kids but for everyone else. If you are a fan of Roberts go but if not, wait for cable!!!

Movies From Mars

SAFE HOUSE
ACTION/THRILLER

Denzel don’t hurt ‘em!! I am talking extraordinary actor Denzel Washington. He can play very noble characters or at least you feel they are noble and he can play bad!! When Washington plays a bad guy look the hell out!! In the trailer you think Washington’s Tobin Frost is a intelligent agent who went rouge and Matt Weston(Ryan Reynolds) wants to move up in the CIA and luck would have they have to keep Frost in safe house where Weston’s works.

It is like the Bourne movies and in spy movies you can’t trust anyone. Reynolds is great he wasn’t as good in Green Lantern will be better in Dead Pool but here he is serious as a heart attack!!! He is determined, fierce but still wants the truth. Washington is always good as with the rest of the cast.

JOHN CARTER
ACTION/FANTASY

This film is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs, the guy who gave us Tarzan. It is a Civil War vet transported to Mars by a medallion and encounters monsters, a beautiful Martian princess and becomes a hero. Sounds great doesn’t it and the movies aren’t bad but it is not what you think. It is not for action hounds for the action doesn’t start until the end of the movie. It is not very comical but it is funny. It is hard to describe unless you see the film.

The cast is good Taylor Kitsch (Gambit from Wolverine) the star, Lynn Collins (also from Wolverine) as the exotic princess and the best villain in movies today Mark Strong (Green Lantern, Kick Ass). It is not making money for Disney didn’t market it correctly and frankly I don’t know how to market it correctly. Really in one sentence it is good but strange.

DR.SEUSS’ THE LORAX
ANIMATION/FANTASY

It is amazing how the writers took a ten minute animated short and made a full animated movie about the title character. He is The Lorax and he speaks for the trees!! It is a very good and faithful to the book about saving the environment. The kids may not get it but the adults do. It has made a lot of money and I can see why. If you have children –TAKE THEM!! It is magical!!

March Movie Madness

SHAME-2011
DRAMA

Brother, can you spare a therapist? Brandon Sullivan (Michael Fassbender) is a thirty something handsome, successful guy who has a problem: he’s a sex addict!!! He has sex-of any kind, anywhere!! He MUST be satisfied!!! He does however try to have a relationship with Marianne (Nicole Behaire, American Violet) a black employee. He tries to have sex with her but stops for he seems to like her then has sex with a white chick taking her from behind!! This sounds like great porn only he is not enjoying sex very much. He gets worst when his equally needy sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) come to stay with him.

Director Steve McQueen (not the white actor from Bullet but the British and black) wants you to assume a lot. They are naked in front of each other and he hot for this woman on the train in the beginning of the movie and near the end he lust for her but does he act? Michael Fassbender is a great actor. He doesn’t have to talk much to show his feelings. It is sloooow to the average movie audience. If you like artist porn this is for you-if not wait for video!!

THE GREY-2012
ACTION/DRAMA

An oil-drilling team plane crashes and the survivors left including Liam Neeson have to brave the billowing snow freezing temperatures and a group of wolves. It is very dramatic but it does have comical moments. It is very good and Neeson is a great actor. I will give you a mini-spoiler if you see the poster for the movie that tells a lot and the WTF ending. Action hounds will not like it but video will be better so you can repeat.

GHOST RIDER 2: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE-2012
SUPERNATURAL/ACTION/THRILLER

Nicolas Cage is back as Johnny Blaze in Eastern Europe trying to cope with the Ghost Rider inside him and then Moreau (Idris Elba) a priest who will help him if he can save a boy from Satan. Look, if you didn’t like the first movie woo-hoo this one is more insane than the last one. The action is great and Cage is funnier than the last flick. Elba’s Moreau seems to have fun playing this French character. Video is recommended unless you like Cage and the character he is playing.

JOURNEY 2: MYSTERIOUS ISLAND
ADVENTURE/ACTION

Sean (Josh Hutcherson Journey to the Center of the Earth 2008) is searching for his grandfather (Michael Caine Alfred in The Dark Knight) and with the help of his stepdad Hank (Dwayne The Rock Johnson Faster), a pilot Gabato (Luis Guzman) and his beautiful daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens Sucker Punch) they find him in a mythical island. It is nothing you haven’t seen before only it is in 3D and it is lovely to look at. The three male leads, Caine, Johnson and Guzman are having a great time in the film. The young people Hutcherson and Hudgens act like the adults. It is family oriented but it is cute. See it if you like Johnson, the 3D experience and the action if not wait for video.

Winter 2012 Movies Go Action

UNDERWORLD 4: AWAKENING-2012
HORROR/ACTION

Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is back from being frozen for twelve years to find out humans are now the enemy along with mutated lycans (werewolves). She doesn’t take much time kicking anyone who stands in her way. Acting not really important but it is great that Kate has returned. There is a lot of action. If you don’t like the Underworld series you probably won’t like this one but if you do and it is in 3D by all means GO!!!

HAYWIRE-2012
ACTION/DRAMA

Mallory Kane (Gina Carano) is a black op who gets double crossed. Bad idea. This lady can kick MAJOR ASS!! Her story is told in flashback. She is co-starring with the top people in Hollywood such Michael Douglass , Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor and Antonio Banderas. She is not a good actress nor does she have to be. She knows how to fight for real for she is a MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and it shows when she defends herself mostly by men!! Lovely and lethal-best kind of female action hero!! It is better to see for video so you can replay a lot!!!

CHRONICLE-2012
ACTION/DRAMA

Three guys in high school get superpowers from a rock and all hell breaks loose. It sounds like a routine comic book story-it is but this film is so realistic it is scary!!! When they first get their powers it is fun then slowly it becomes frightening especially for Andrew (Dane DeHaan) whose father abuses him and his mother is sickly. The movie is low-budget but it is well made. New director Josh Trank will have a future in cinema. It is making money and once you see it you will see why. If you can wait see it on video but it is worth a look.

More Oscar 2012 Heads & Tails

WAR HORSE--2011
DRAMA

This is an epic film based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo as well as the stage play. The story is about a young man who loves his horse like a dog and his father had to auction him (Joey) to keep his farm to help the solders. It is farfetched, sentimental yet is brilliantly done. If you love animals especially horses you will adore this movie. I didn’t mention any stars of the movie because the horse is the star. The film is slow and it shows war is hell for both man and horses. The lush photography should win an Oscar alone!!! If you don’t cry at some point you are not human!!! It is very good and should be seen on the big screen if you can.

HUGO--2011
DRAMA/FAMILY

First of all this is another movie where you have to know the history of beginning of film to truly enjoy it. It is about the title character Hugo who lives in a giant clock and after his father dies in a fire the uncle makes him work as a clockmaker and the boy wants to fix a broken automation that leads him to an incredible adventure. It is beautiful to look at and very well acted. The most bizarre is Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat himself) as a handicapped French police officer!! It shows what film really is and it is not about box office, Oscars but how movies can change the world.

A BETTER LIFE--2011
DRAMA

An updated, Mexican version of The Bicycle Thief is about an illegal immigrant Carlos (Demian Bichir) who works hard every day to give his son a better life. Things do get better when he gets a trunk but then stolen. The two search for the trunk to discovery they love and respect each other. Bichir deserves his Oscar nomination. There is a scene close to the end that if you don’t cry you have no heart!! Cast and crew deserve praise of a well made movie. It is getting limited release. You will probably have to watch it when it comes on video but it is worth it.

RED TAILS--2012
HISTRORICAL DRAMA

It took director George (Star Wars) Lucas twenty-three years to make this movie and then he had to use his own money (like he is broke) for Hollywood felt they couldn’t sell the film. What Hollywood really means how to you sell an all black cast in a drama that whites want to see? Well he did a very good job as producer. He hired writers John Ridley and Aaron McGruder yes the same guy who writes the raunchy cartoon Boondocks. He hired Anthony Hemingway to direct which is his film debut.

In the beginning of the film an American War College study in 1925 and I quote “Black men are mentally inferior to the white man.” The movie shows black men as being brave, daring and HERORIC. It is very inspiring. The sky battles are nothing short of AMAZING!!! It drags a little only because they are developing characters. Terrance Howard who plays Colonel A.J. Bullard is good but corny for he always says something very important with the soundtrack booming patriotic. There is one woman in the movie Sofia (Daniela Ruah) a white woman that marries one of the pilots.

Black women won’t like that but the fighters were not in America but in Italy. All the mistakes I still give Mr. Lucas all the praise in the world for trying to show black men in a positive light. I do hope black directors take a hint from Lucas and show black people in general as good, intelligent hard working people.

2012 Oscar Time Arrivals

THE DESCENDANTS-2011
DRAMA

George Clooney is not only good looking but can act!!! He plays Matt King an everyday man dealing with everyday but tragic problems in of all places Hawaii!!! His wife is in a coma, he finds out she was cheating on him, he has a vast amount of beautiful land many of his family wants to sell and he is clueless how to deal with her rebellious daughters. The daughters played by Alex (Shailene Woodley ) the oldest with a foul mouth and Scottie (Amara Miller) leaning the wrong things from her sister.

The King family has many ways right or wrong to deal with death and it is truly heartbreaking. It is not like typical Lifetime movie. There are no flashbacks of how Elizabeth King (Patricia Hastie) how she was before the accident you find out about her through her husband and kids. Woodley is very good as a hellish teenager but learns her father needs help with the younger sister. If you enjoy excellent acting you should go.

THE IRON LADY -2011
BIOGRAPHY/DRAMA

This review is a tough one. I don’t know about Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. I read a little bit about her so I am only reviewing as a movie. Meryl Streep is wonderful as the character but they rushed the film about her raise and fall. The best parts are when she is not in power but just a citizen trying to ordinary. To me, it’s a better Lifetime movie with a great actress. Depending on your political views she was amazing or an amazing bitch!!! If you like incredible acting by Streep watch it the film is not very accurate.

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO-2011
(AMERICAN VERSION) DRAMA/MYSTERY

If you like this movie you should have read all three bestselling books by Stieg Larsson and watched all three movies –the Swedish version. I haven’t done either but I have watched the English version and it is interesting once you get passed the explicit sex and violence ( the Swedish version is likely much worst) and get to the story of Mikael Blombkist (Daniel Craig) a reporter paid of a rich family to find his daughter from 40 years ago.

He gets an assistant Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) an antisocial gothic lean chick who is a brilliant hacker and together they uncovered a hot bed of corruption. Craig is not James Bond in this movie but he is good. Actress Mara who was briefly in The Social Network is very good but I don’t know is she as good as the original Salander played by Noomi Rapace. This is not a family movie, not a date movie so they release it around Christmas. WARNING: Be prepared to see some kinky stuff!!

THE ARTIST-2011
SILENT/DRAMA/ROMANCE

Ladies and gentlemen this is a great movie but you really have to enjoy silent movies that are shown on TCM. You can enjoy the film but you will appreciate more if you like silent movies. It is about a silent movie idol George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) who doesn’t do well when talkies come in and a fan Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) in love with him who becomes a sensation. It is a joy to watch. The music is very important to silent films and Ludovic Bource does an excellent job. Everything about cinema silent or otherwise is great. See it if you can.

So, HOW Do you Sell Red Tails?

The movie Red Tails is a true historical drama about the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of brave black fighter pilots in 1944 who had to deal with war and segregation. There was also a HBO movie Tuskegee Air Man in 1995. My question is, how do you advertise such a film to the public? Sad to say, it is a hard sell. It is not a blockbuster bit of cinema, but George (Star Wars) Lucas is producing it. It has great action sequences –some say fantastic.

It is set for release in January 2012, the dumping ground for movies. The trouble is no big name black star is in the film so how to sell it, so let's brainstorm. First, it is not a Tyler Perry movie or a black romantic comedy. Now what? How will that make it go over in Leicester Square cinema, or elsewhere? Well, it has Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr., and in it he's finally acting – which he hasn’t done in years. The movie also has Terrence Howard, from Hustle and Flow and Iron Man, and you know he can act.

It is male oriented, so there will be action in it. It's great to show young black men in a good light. Should they use rap in their commercials? Or a catchy dance tune? The director is Anthony Hemingway, who has done a lot of TV shows –Fringe, CSI, ER and The Closer. This is his film debut. On the cover of Ebony for February 2012 they will feature the main actors. As another marketing manuever, they could go the patriotic route, with the song Star Spangled Banner sung by Whitney Houston, or a soulful rendition of God Bless America as they show the battle sequences. A promo could fade out to say: Courage Has No Color.

The trailers must show the men being very heroic, because doggone it, black men can be heroic. I hope the movie makes money or at least break even, but I strongly doubt it. It is the old story of prestige versus popcorn movies, and usually the popcorn film wins. I do hope I am wrong, very wrong this time. Black people go to the movies more than whites, and we should demand better movies. If we don’t go, we'll have the usual urban comedies, no dramas, more maids, more gangster movies, "white folks can only raise black children" white saviors in films, when the fact is we can save ourselves. Hollywood can do better if we make them for remember the bottom line is money, so satisfy the black audience.

Early Winter 2012 Family Fare

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
ANIMATION/FANTASY

TinTin is a really old cartoon character. Director Steven Spielberg must have really wanted to make this exciting tale and it starts with the Tintin buying a model ship. He is hunted at every turn and he meets always drunk Captain Haddock voiced by the great actor Andy Serkis (Gollum, from Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Caesar from Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and the evil Sakharine voiced by Daniel Craig, the latest James Bond. It is like Indiana Jones only animated. The young kids may love the motion caption and 3D but older people who know the comic might enjoy it. If you don’t want to pay the high price wait for video.

CHIPWRECKED
ANIMATION

The franchise is so cute you may get a cavity just by watching it. The plot is not really important by the stars Alvin and the Chipmunk and don’t forget the Chipettes are. Alvin gets them in trouble on the cruise and they are accidentally stranded on a tropical island. They have a lot of pop culture but to young kids it is very funny to adults not so much. It is a joy to watch at least for me. If you can wait see it on video if you have children that like them please go!!!

HAPPY FEET 2
ANIMATION

If you saw the first one you know Mumble couldn’t sing but could dance now his son Erik is trying to find his way and what his talent is while a threat to the entire penguin nation is in danger. It is a very well made movie-not as good as the first one but the music is pretty good. There is another story along with the penguins that blend together in the end. If you liked the first one and love music you will like this one-you should see it on video just to understand more of it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE
ROMANCE/COMEDY/DRAMA

In 2010 a movie made named Valentine’ s Day with lots of star in it and money now they made another star studded film for the last day of the year. The people are all connected with happy to sad results. It is very romantic, very unrealistic situations too but characters are given not much time for development. Should you see it depends of what you like and if you didn’t like Valentine’s Day don’t go wait for video.

SHERLOCK HOLMES 2: GAME OF SHADOWS
ACTION/ADVENTURE

In the second installment of this movie Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) meets him nemesis Professor James Moriarty played with ego and menace by Jared Harris. Watson seems to have more common sense than his flamboyant partner. It is like the first one more action and daring situations yet Downey’s Holmes is intelligent as well as reckless and rough. If you like the first please go to this one for it is very good.