While I enjoyed Rise a little more, this was a competent and impressive film filled with big ideas and incredible acting, both in the flesh, and behind the "digital makeup". Once again Andy Serkis' Caesar steals the show, showing us what it really means to be human, through the eyes of an ape. The movie delicately threads the needle of how a war can start between two very different groups, who aren't really that different after all. Technically this film showcases the best special effects in film history, pushing motion-capture to a new limit and showing what a force it has become. At the end, as with many summer blockbusters, the intelligent story-driven film starts to devolve into a CG clusterfuck of action. It never gets too bad, and even has some interesting action set-pieces (the 360 degree tank shot comes to mind) but the last fifteen minutes of action come off as a little stiff.

3.5 Stars (out of 5)

A little film that dares to tackle the big issue of abortion... And from a down-to-earth realistic approach. It does a good job of navigating this cinematic uncharted territory without sounding preachy, without going overboard, and without being cheesy. Jenny Slate carries the film as a likable and relatable young screw-up, but her talents alone are not enough to carry this thin story along as it meanders from one set-up to the next. Even with its short running time it still manages to drag on and feel long. Even though it's about a comedian, and filled with jokes, it's never really very funny. It has heart and it has true romance, but it didn't completely win me over overall.

2.5 Stars (out of 5)

I went in having not seen any of the earlier films, and trust me I was not expecting much. I was actually surprised by how much sense the film actually did make, at least for the first hour that is. After that it devolved into complete disarray, making less and less sense while knocking the sense out of you. I did enjoy the first third of this bloated film, (and I use the term "film" lightly.) The plot started out interesting enough, with a tech company backwards engineering their own Transformers, but just when I think the story might get interesting, it completely takes a backseat to two solid hours of unintelligible nonsensical action sequences strung together by comedic one-liners. Ho-hum.

1.5 Stars (out of 5)

A film that is well aware of its own clichés, aware of its sappiness, and aware of its sadness, yet still manages to take an upbeat approach. The comedy is honest and the drama is well acted leaving a fairly balanced feel, even if it is a little heavy-handed at times. I liked the inclusion of a little history with Amsterdam and the Anne Frank Museum, something I imagine John Green had in the novel to educate us while still being entertaining.

3.5 Stars (out of 5)

My favorite film for 2014 so far, this movie packs a punch! It's clever, fast-paced, well executed and even funny at times. I haven't been much of a fan of Tom Cruise as of late, just kind of burnt out on him, but he handles this material well. Emily Blunt does a great job and even Bill Paxton shines. The story is great and the action scenes actually had me on the edge of my seat, rather than numbing my brain with an overload of CG imagery. As the film goes on the characters get a little farther along each time, much like playing a video game and getting better as you go. It's a fun style that never really gets old because of the great directing. Much like the film this one is being compared to, Groundhog Day, it could've gotten old fast, but the filmmakers make just the right adjustments right before you get tired of something to make it fun again. Will watch again. And again.

4.5 Stars (out of 5)

You got to hand it to Seth MacFarlane for the quality of his work. The score is amazing, the location breathtaking with intricate sets, period-piece costumes, and believable props, make-up and production design. But, and this is a big but, this movie is not a good movie. The script probably could've used a few more revisions, a few more connections between the sub-plots and main plot, and a few more reasons to make us care at all about any of the characters. He did a pretty good job with Ted, even eliciting a tear from me when Ted miraculously comes back to life at the end. That magic is missing here. Maybe he should stay behind the camera from now on. Not sure if we are ready for, or if he is ready, to be the star of a film and in the flesh.

2 Stars (out of 5)

This was the best documentary on the subject of obesity in America I've seen. Seeing how school cafeterias look more like a mall food court with brand name fast food joints littering the wall, and not just high school or middle school, but even elementary school now, is just incredible. How can a healthy lunch even compete with that? As the film went on I heard gasps from the people around me. We see young children being told they must have surgery to survive, being told to eat better or die, but then they switch from one food they're told is bad to another that's just as bad but says "Light" on the package and it's all a little unnerving. We've had to re-name adult onset diabetes because it's not just for adults anymore. In the end the film asks you to try a couple of weeks without refined sugar in your diet, and I couldn't agree more.

3.5 Stars (out of 5)

Still an entertaining entry to the series, and a clever way to combine the two casts while also spinning everything off into a new and separate timeline, yet I found myself bored and ultimately disappointed much of the time. After the first scene in the future hellscape and other time we see what's happening there is dull and mostly shot against a greenscreen, leaving all the fun to the 1970's sequences. And while there are some fun scenes, most notably one with Quicksilver, the plot itself is thin and once again too heavily reliant on Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. What I liked about First Class is that it had a fresh feel to it, but with this one it's once again more of the same. Either way, a good film, with an interesting set-up for future installments.

3 Stars (out of 5)

Gareth Edwards was the perfect fit for this franchise. I adore his film "Monsters" and his ability to make a believable story from a cheesy concept. This film rights all the wrongs that left a bad taste in my mouth by Roland Emmerich and his 1998 Godzilla film (by name only). The slow build-up in this movie before really showing Godzilla was much like the older original Japanese versions, saving the big city battle for the end. The adversary monsters were terrifying and their appearance early in the film not only caught me off guard but also kept me on the edge of my seat. I do hope Edwards takes the helm on any sequels, if they are to make them, which I'm guessing they will. I'll be first in line.

3.5 Stars (out of 5)

The film has a strong start, but meanders and loses steam as it goes. The biggest laughs are all in the trailer, and I realize that's how most comedies are, but unfortunately there's just not any other funny moments that aren't in the trailer at all. I love Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, and they both do a fine job in this film, but the movie is just not up to task when it comes to being as funny as it thinks it is. It's relying too heavily on set-up visuals and situational humor, but the real talent of the actors is in dialogue delivery, but there's not enough clever words to go around.

2.5 Stars (out of 5)