I really like the characters from this universe but for some reason I find myself bored while watching these films. The filmmakers know the minions are the moneymakers so half of the screen-time is spent on them. The other half is spent on Gru's mission to save the world... in a shopping mall (how exciting). Which leaves pretty much no time for the children. The youngest, Agnes has a cute birthday party scene in the beginning (my favorite bit) and Margo has a thin sub-plot about starting to like boys, but it's not properly concluded. Poor Edith's entire sub-plot is that she likes to practice karate moves. I guess that will come into play in a future sequel? I laughed at a few things Dr. Nefario said, played by Russell Brand, but most of the humor is aimed only at children. I've been spoiled by Pixar's ability to please young and old alike.

2.5 Stars (out of 5)

The film is mostly repetitive and bland. The first 20 minutes on Krypton are essentially useless to the overall story, especially considering the points discussed there are endlessly reiterated throughout the film, by a hologram of the same character who originally said them no less. It bothered me that there's no attempt at humor until the last thirty minutes, unfortunately by that point we have witnessed thousands of innocent people lose their lives so it doesn't seem like the right time for levity. The acting is stiff, except for Michael Shannon, who may be good, but the words written for him aren't. Amy Adams and what's-his-name as Superman just fall flat. And not since Neo in the third Matrix film has a character been so blatantly portrayed as Jesus.

There's like 40 minutes after the opening but before the plot kicks in that were actually enjoyable, especially the oil rig and school bus scenes. Plus Kostner is refreshing, playing a human being in an otherwise robotic film. Somewhere halfway through this movie though it just turns into another in a long line of long, drawn out CGI battle sequences that offer nothing in the way of entertainment. While watching I couldn't help but think, "Wow, I really feel bad for all those animators, spending so much time demolishing CG buildings and drawing spaceships, just so I can drift in and out of consciousness for 45 minutes. Hmm, did I leave the stove on? I wonder what we're going to this weekend. Oh, did the movie end? Good."

2.5 Stars (out of 5)

According to Business Week, more than 100 companies paid to have their products or brands visible in Man of Steel, raising around $160 million, the most money ever made through product placement. How many did you notice? Does it take you out of the film? Hmmm? IHOP!!!

The first one was funny and outrageous. The second one was terribly stupid, but at least had some creative moments. The third one is just plain boring. Zach Galifianakis was funny in a few scenes, but it seemed like the director and editors weren't editing this as a comedy, and that messed with the actor's comedic timing. The movie plays like a serious thriller with bad acting. I enjoyed the heist sequence and some of the flashbacks in the beginning, but other than that all the best bits were ruined by the trailer. The funniest scene is probably the bonus scene in the end credits.

2 Stars (out of 5)

Baz Luhrmann is a creative and talented filmmaker so I was looking forward to this one. It has a strong start, with whimsical fun that plays with the 3D film medium. As the film goes on though, the story's material becomes more serious and I'm left to wonder where the whimsy went, but more importantly if this film even merits being 3D in the first place? At the end of the day this is just a competent adaptation of a classic novel that runs 20 minutes too long and has not much going for it after the first 35 minutes. The story is good but I'm guessing that may have more to do with F. Scott Fitzgerald than the Luhrmann.

2.5 Stars (out of 5)

I appreciate the messages it's trying to convey, but it's an easily forgettable film with only a few fun sparks throughout. Worth watching once for the clever ingenuity of the story. The direction and performances come off more demented than playful leaving the final product more dark than I was expecting, or would've wanted it to be for re-watch-ability.

2.5 Stars (out of 5)

This film feels like a hodgepodge of story elements all fighting for dominance. It starts out pretty straight-forward.  The main character Merida is determined to live by her own rules while her mother is trying to groom her into being a great queen someday.  The montage of Merida exploring waterfalls and riding through the beautiful landscapes was by far the best thing in the film.  I expected this movie to tell the story of two people who need to each give a little and meet somewhere in the middle at the end...

Then the witch scene happened.  As soon as the awkwardly non-funny but trying to be funny witch wishing scene happens the film completely falls apart.  It's trying to be silly like Dreamworks' How to Train Your Dragon, to be sentimental like a classic Disney film, but also capture the exquisite natural beauty from Pixar's art department.  Mix it all up and what do you get?  Bears.  Scary, children are crying in the theater-not relevant to this story-realistically rendered, frighteningly loud bears.  I don't understand why.  The montage of mommy bear learning to hunt salmon with silly music is literally taken directly from Brother Bear.  But why?  Why does the mom need to learn how to ACT LIKE A BEAR if she's going to be transformed back the next day?  Wouldn't you want to not try to let her act like a bear, since she might get lost to the bear instincts as the film pointed out?

The art and locations of this film are wonderful and I like the characters (other than the witch).  It's a shame the story is just so utterly awful.  BEARS!?!

2.0 Stars (out of 5)

Unfortunately this film fails to live up to its concept. The trailer is better than the movie. There are times that the movie is entertaining, but they are short-lived. It's mostly 90 minutes of filler footage shot in boring drainage ditches with drab dialogue cut in between fleeting moments of mild entertainment executed in a mediocre way.

2.5 Stars (out of 5)

Now I know how to make Ryan Gosling seem like a good actor. Don't let him say anything. I'm not sure what all the hype was about for this film. It's a well made movie, but I wasn't that entertained by the story. Perhaps my expectations were too high. Movie critics must really enjoy realistic violence and hearing the same song over and over.

2.5 Stars (out of 5)

I'm tired of seeing movies where the main actors always have their mouth hanging open. Mouth-breather boring action hero crap. They spent years building up The Avengers, but seeing another one of these things is the last thing I want to do at this point. Screw you, I already spent 60+ dollars in movie tickets on this series so far, and they've been getting worse each time. When Samuel L. Jackson pops on screen after the end credits of these films he may as well be reaching his hand out asking for more money.

2 Stars (out of 5)

You've probably heard by now that The Hangover 2 is just a carbon copy duplicate of the original.  If you haven't heard that yet, let me be the one to say it.  It's hilarious at times, namely from the performances of the talented top billed trio, but even that is sadly overshadowed by the lack of ingenuity from the writers.  Director, producer, and co-writer Todd Phillips was more interested in making money than making art.  He's playing it safe on every front and not at all straying from the winning formula of the first film.  It worked then, so it should work now, right?  This film is not lightning in a bottle like the original, it's more like a photo of lightning in a bottle that we already saw already. ...continue reading →