Review-The Adventures of TIntin

The Adventures of Tintin, based on a series of books, is a fantastic new animated movie from director Steven Spielberg. The movie follows Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell),a young  adventurer, and his dog on a mystery that starts with a model ship. The ship is constantly pursued by a mysterious man named Rackham(voiced by Daniel Craig). The pursuit of the truth about the ship leads Tintin from dry land to the high seas. The movie is at an even pace until Captain Haddock(voice by Andy Serkis) appears on screen. At that point, the roller coaster ride really begins. The animation is amazing. At times, you cannot even recognize that it is an animated film. The action keeps you going throughout, especially the mind blowing climatic scenes. It has a Raiders of the Lost Ark/ Pirates of the Caribbean(1st one) feel to it. Definitely go see it! 

Review-Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows

Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows is the sequel of the widely successful 2009 film. This time, the movie focus on the rivalry between Sherlock Holmes(Robert Downey Jr.) and Professor Moriarty(Jared Harris).  There have been major crimes happening around the world. Holmes suspects that Moriarty is behind these activities but cannot prove it. So, he teams up with a reluctant Dr. Watson(Jude Law) to find the evidence and solve the case. Along the way,they cross paths with a gypsy named Madame Sizma Heron(Noomi Rapace from the original Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) who is a key to this mystery.  The movie works well as a chess match between two champions. Every character in the film is a chess piece moved around in position to establish who will win. On another layer,it also works as a buddy road trip picture. The pacing flowed better than it did in first one did. There is a twenty minute sequence in the movie that is superb. It reminds me of a scene in Guy Ritchie's other film, Revolver. I definitely recommend this film to  anyone who liked the first one and/or those new aspects they added in this time around.

Review-Mission:Impossible-Ghost Protocol

Mission:Impossible-Ghost Protocol is the fourth installment in the franchise. The movie centered around a failed mission that places nuclear weapons potentially in the wrong hands. Ethan Hunt(Tom Cruise) is recruited to get them back for the IMF.  When tensions  arise between Russia and the US over an unforeseeable situation, the IMF is shut down. Hunt,  as well as Benji(Simon Pegg), Jane (Paula Patton) and Brandt (Jeremy Renner) must go rogue the save the world from nuclear terrorism. This is the best of the Mission Impossible films. It is nonstop action from start to finish. This film, unlike the other films, has the ability to mix in humor with the action and suspense. I say most of that is due to Pegg, who has much more screen time than he did in M:I 3.The music of the film adds an extra character to it, using it as soft or as bold for each scene. The running time is two hours and thirteen minutes but it flies by so quick. It is a true representative of the spirit of the original television series.I definitely recommend this movie to anybody who likes pure adrenaline in their action film. If there is anyone out there that has a very bad fear of heights, be warned.

Some Christmas Movies that I would recommend

Here's a list of Christmas movies(some are traditional, some are not so much) that I would recommend.
In no particular order:

1.   Love Actually- This is a great movie with a great cast. The movie centered around several love stories around Christmastime. This movie is what films like Valentine's Day and He's Just Not That Into You strive to be. A funny film with heart and soul.

2. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear-Mickey Rooney stars as a retired cop that passes away before he can show his grandson(Scott Grimes) Christmas in New York. He strikes a deal to come back to show his grandson and others the true spirit of Christmas.

3. Christmas Vacation- The third and most memorable installment of the National Lampoon Vacation series. Instead of traveling all over during the holidays, the Griswolds decided to spend Christmas at home with family. What could go wrong?

4.  Elf- Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human raised by elves, who is looking for his real father. His search leads him to New York at Christmas. Funny and sweet, this is the movie that most can watch without being a fan of Ferrell.

5.  It's a Wonderful Life- The classic Jimmy Stewart movie about a man who feels like he has nothing to live for and the angel who attempts to change his mind.


6. Scrooge(1951) and Scrooge(1970)- The best versions of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol*.
The 1951 version is in black and white and the 1970 version is a musical. If you can handle that, these are definitely worth watching. 

7. Just Friends- Ryan Reynolds stars as a man who left home to reinvest himself. Years later, after becoming successful, he returns home during at Christmas(not by his own will). He sees the girl he loved in high school but never told(Amy Smart).  Let the awkward romantic comedy begin!!

8.The Holiday- Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet star as two women who decide to take a holiday in different continents by living in each others' house.It is a good romantic comedy also starring Jude Law and Jack Black(not over the top in this one).

9. Nightmare Before Christmas- Awesome animated film that brilliantly blend a entire holiday season while telling a great story.

10. Die Hard- Best action Christmas movie ever! Yes, I say it.  Bruce Willis an action stars as John McClane, a New York cop trying to foil a terrorist situation while trapped inside a 40 story building. Alan Rickman is absolutely brilliant as Hans Gruber, the mastermind of the takeover of the Nakatomi Plaza during a Christmas office party. Die Hard 2: Die Harder counts as a Christmas action movie but not as beloved as the first.

Review-Real Steel

Real Steel is an action family film about the world of robot boxing. The world of humans boxing has gone by the waste side. One of those boxers, Charlie Keaton(Hugh Jackman), is having rough time adjusting to this new world. He is self centered, risk taker that has fallen on hard times in the robot boxing circuit. During this time, he is reunited with his eleven year old son, Max(Dakota Goyo), who he was too busy to raise. Neither one of them see eye to eye due to the hurt from their past. With the help from their gym owner/robots expert Bailey Tallet(Evangeline Lilly), they begrudgingly tour the robot boxing arenas together. Real Steel is more than just a Rock 'em Sock 'em robot film. The film mixes up parts of films like Over the Top, Rocky and Iron Giant and manages to pull it off. The movie has heart, which is shown through the relationships of the three main characters. The film is directed by Shawn Levy(Night of the Museum 1&2) and it almost resembles an anime film in some ways. Despite being heavily male dominated, it is a good action film for the whole family.

Review-50/50

50/50 is a comedy, inspired by a true story, about a man who discovers he has cancer and the changes it has on his life.  Adam(Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a twenty seven old professional that works with his obnoxious best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen). When Adam decides to visit his doctor about pains he is having, he finds out he has a rare form of cancer. This diagnosis forces him deal himself and the relationships around him, which includes Kyle, his girlfriend Rachael(Bryce Dallas Howard) and his mother(Angelica Hutson). He sees a counselor named Katherine(Anna Kendrick) to deal with everything he is going through. The title 50/50 not only describes the chances he has on beating the disease but also the perfect balance this movie has. A comedy dealing with cancer could end up way too dramatic or too comedic that it  does not take the subject seriously. This movie find the right balance of laughing and crying throughout to make the story believable and heartfelt. The performances are good to great, especially Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the main role. I love this movie and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Quick review-Ip Man 2

If you haven't seen the first Ip Man, you should. It's one of the best martial arts films in years. Ip Man was a grandmaster that taught Bruce Lee as well as many others in the martial art of Wing Chun.  The second film is as good as the first one. The cinematography is great in the film and so is the choreography. The scene with Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung fighting on a balancing table is amazing! Go see it if you have the chance(after you watch the first one, of course). 

Review-The Smurfs

The Smurf is the live action movie based on the popular 80's cartoon. If you never seen the cartoon before, here's a brief summary. The Smurf are little blue people(no, it's not Avatar) that live in harmony in  a village filled with mushroom houses. Most of the them are named for their character traits. In the cartoon as well as the movie, their nemesis is Gargamel(Hank Azaria). He wants to capture them to harness their essence for magical purposes. Enter a portal that transports a handful of Smurfs and Gargamel to New York and you have the plot for the movie. It is a surprising cute movie that will appear to kids and the parents that loved the show when they were young. Even if you were not a fan of the show, there are moments that you will enjoy in the movie. The animation is good but it seems a little off at times. Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays(from Glee) does a good job in the movie as the couple who protect the Smurfs while in New York. 

Review- Captain America

Captain America: The First Avenger is  part of the Marvel Entertainment's puzzle piece that started with Iron Man. Several movies has followed to connect the dots while being their own movie, most recently Thor a few months back. Captain America does a great job of being a good standalone movie with connection to others films. Most of the movie takes place during World War II. The story focuses on Steve Rogers(Chris Evans), a skinny man who gets pushed around a lot. His goal is to get into the military and fight for his country. Even though his medical conditions keeps getting him rejected, his will and heart keeps moving him forward to his dream. He is selected to be a part of the government project to make a person a Super Soldier. The serum was taken before by Johann Schmitt(Hugo Weaving), a Nazi officer whose power hungry obsession bubbled over after he took it. The movie does a great job on characterization. You feel for Rogers and the journey that he goes through, more than some films.There is a huge Captain America(U.S.A.) versus Schmitt/Red Skull(Nazi Germany) comparison throughout the movie. The director is Joe Johnston, which has a good grasp of the past in his movies(The Rocketeer, Hidalgo, The Wolfman,). If you like superhero movies or movies that was made during that era, you will love this movie. If you don't fall into that category, there are plenty things in there for you to like. PLEASE, remember to stay after the credits(it's awesome!).

Review- Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses is a movie about three friends and the bosses they despise. Nick (Jason Bateman) has worked overtime hours to get a promotion just to have his boss David Harken(Kevin Spacey,who is at his slimest here) give it to himself. Dale (Charlie Day,from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) has his boss Julie Harris(Jennifer Aniston) blackmails him and sexually harasses him at work for sex. Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) has a cokehead jerk named Bobby Pellitt (Colin Farrell, almost unrecognizable) who doesn't care about anyone. All three are stuck at their jobs for one reason or another. They decide the best way to find happiness in the workplace is to kill their bosses.Then, add Jamie Foxx to the mix as an ex-con with an usual name that the friends hire. The movie was funny and has some memorable moments to it. The cast of actors/actress playing the friends and villains have so much fun with their roles.  The movie did have to fight through the "showing too much/the best parts on the preview" syndrome. Overall, it was a good movie and I would definitely watch it again. Watch through the credits for extra stuff.

Review- X-Men: First Class

X-Men: First Class is the fifth film from the X-Men franchise and a prequel to the first film. It takes place in 1962 and the two different roads Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr(aka Magneto) took before they had met. As like the first film, it opens up with what happens with Lehnsherr as a kid. It proceeds to expand on what you know. There is a moment that takes place after that with Sebastian Shaw(Kevin Bacon, in an great villainous performance) that will cause Lehnsherr(Micheal Fassbender) to hunt him across the Earth. Xavier(James McAvoy) works on his study on genetic mutation with childhood friend Raven aka Mystique(Jennifer Lawrence) by his side.  Their paths cross as they both try to stop Shaw: one for revenge and one for peace. The theme of which path do you choose is the strength on this movie. The action is good and it does a decent job making sense of what is happening. For the regular movie/non comic fan, this will be a great movie to see. If you are a fan of the original ongoing stories from the comic, some of it might not sit well. It is nowhere near as bad as the things that happened in the third film or X-Men Origins:Wolverine though. If you like the first two movies, you will like this one. Some scenes may be too intense for younger audiences.

Review-Green Lantern

Green Lantern is the newest movie based on characters from DC Comics,which brought you Batman and Superman. The movie centered around Hal Jordan(Ryan Reynolds), a test pilot who is courageous and reckless with himself in mind. When a member of the Green Lantern Corps (a group of beings in charge of policing the universe) crashes on Earth, he needs to find his replacement. The ring that he wears chose Hal as his suitable replacement. While this is happening, there is a being called Parallax that is killing off Corps members and getting stronger from it. It feeds on the fear of those it encounters. Corps members are suppose to be fearless so it has everyone very concerned. What drives the movie is the story of what makes one fearless and the fear that hides inside us. What also makes this movie go is the performances of Reynolds as Hal/Green Lantern and Peter Sarsgaard as Hector, a scientist who becomes Green Lantern's nemesis on Earth. The negatives about the movie come from the beginning of the movie. Two elements took me out of the moment the movie: the graphics and Blake Lively.  The graphics was like food you try for the first time. It doesn't look right to you at first but you give it a try. After the first few bites, you start to get use to it and appreciate it for what it is. Blake Lively is another story. Her character Carol Ferris in the opening scenes is someone who stands her ground. She loves and is upset at Hal, all at the same time. She does not pull this off at all. As the movie goes on, she settles in her character and is not that bad. Overall, I like the movie but I would have liked it more if it grabbed me from the beginning. Make sure you stay for the front part of the credits.

Review-Art of Getting By

The Art of Getting By is a new independent film about a boy, a girl and figuring things out before graduation. The movie centered around George(Freddie Highmore, best known from Charlie and Chocolate Factory), a high school senior that does not see the point of doing anything. He believes that since we are going to die, doing things like schoolwork does not matter. He has gone through the school year without doing any assignments. For some strange reason, his principle(Blair Underwood) keeps giving him chances to correct things. He lives with his stressed out mom(Rita Wilson) and stepfather(Sam Robards) he does not respect. He admits that he is scared to live. Then, he meets Sally(Emma Roberts),  a girl in his graduating class that he opens up to. They share a connection with their dysfunctional family as Sally's mom(Elizabeth Reaser) is recently divorced and is making up for lost time. Their friendship ends up affecting everything they know and see about themselves. The movie works well as a study of how one person can change your outlook on life. It hits a hull in the middle of the third act but corrects itself towards the end. Even though the movie Charlie Bartlett handles some of the same topics better, it is a good movie for those who like indie films.

Review-Super 8

Super 8 is the newest movie from J.J. Abrams, the man who brought us Lost, Fringe and the last Star Trek film. The film takes place in 1979 and starts off showing the effects of a factory accident on a small town. It hits Jackson Lamb(Kyle Chandler),a local officer, and his son Joe(Joel Courtney) the hardest. Jackson copes by throws himself into his work, which strains their relationship. Joe helps his friends(Riley Griffiths, Zach Mills ,Ryan Lee, Ellie Fanning) make a movie after school, which Jackson doesn't understand at all.  After sneaking out the house last at night, Joe and his friends film scenes of their movie at the railroad station. While filming, there is a train wreck that destroys a lot of property. Something escapes the train during the crash and ,shortly after, strange things starts to happen in the town. Super 8 is a very good film that has many layers to it. It pays homage to sci-fi and monsters films that came before that adults still love from their childhood(too many to name). It is also about filmmakers (Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg) who loved to see films like this as a kid making that film through that childlike perspective. The film, underneath it all, is about what is good and evil from the eyes of another and the influence that it brings. Be sure that you don't leave after the credits start rolling.

Review- Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids is a new comedy co-written and starring Kristen Wiig(SNL). Annie(Wiig) a single woman trying to get over a break up and loss of her business. She always has the support of her childhood best friend Lillian(Maya Rudolph). When Annie finds out Lillian wants her to plan her wedding, she says yes to support her. She having a hard time running her life but adding a planning she getting her stressed out. The chaos ensures when you add the bridesmaids in the equation. There is Helen(Rose Byrne), who wants to take Annie's place as best friend/wedding planner. Becca(Ellie Kemper from The Office) is a newlywed with a fresh eyed look at marriage.Rita(Wendi McLendon-Covey, best known from Reno 911) is the complete opposite and has experienced what marriage and kids bring to your life. Lastly, there is Megan(Melissa McCarthy), who is the sister of the groom and lays everything out of the table. There is a possible romance for Annie from Nathan Rhodes(Chris O'Dowd), an officer in the town. This is a hilarious movie and the ensemble cast shines through. This is especially true for McCarthy, who steals the show whenever she is onscreen..There is  an occasional slow moment throughout the film but it never last that long. The movie is produced by Judd Apatow, who has a good track record producing funny hits like Superbad, Step Brothers and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Review-The Hangover Part II

The Hangover was the biggest surprise hit of 2009. Even before the movie did so well, the makers of the film was talking about a sequel. If you compile those two details and fast forward two years, you have The Hangover Part II.The story starts two years after the events in Las Vegas. Stu(Ed Helms) is off to get married to Lauren(Jamie Chung) in Thailand. Phil, Doug and Alan (Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, Zach Galifianakis) are reluctantly invited to come along to the wedding. Just like in the first movie, things get fuzzy after a late night drink.  When you add to the mix that Mr. Chow(Ken Jeong, as hilarious as he was in the first) is along for the ride, things get real crazy. The first movie, for me, was funny but wasn't consistently funny.The sequel is a better movie because it is funny all the way through. It follows the same formula of the first movie (almost as a fault). The sequel gives me more of the things that I found funny in the first(Stu and Mr. Chow) while dialing back a little of what didn't work (Alan felt more of a complete,but messed up, character).As like the first one, watch the credits and enjoy.

Review-Rio

Rio is an animated movie about two birds that are brought together to save their species. Blu(voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) is a sheltered bird who lives with his owner Linda(voice by Leslie Mann). Linda is told that there is another like Blu but they are the last of their kind. To have the birds mate, Linda and Blu must go to Rio with bird expert Tulio(voiced by Rodrigo Santoro). It is in Rio where you meet Jewel(voice by Anne Hathaway), the bird Blu is suppose to meet up with. She is a little more street smart than he is. Before they can give comfortable with one another, they are kidnapped and force to escape to save themselves. That is when the fun begins. Rio is fun, sweet and charming movie that people of any age can enjoy.It is a good fish out of water story and has a romantic element to as well. It reminds me of The Little Mermaid in parts of the movie. With actor/musicians Jamie Foxx, will.i.am and Jemaine Clement(from Flight of the Conchords) providing voices, the music for the movie is great and will have you dancing in your seats.

Review-Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the fourth installment of the franchise starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. The story this time centered around finding the Fountain of Youth.  The government for both England and Spain are competing to find it first. As Jack gets entangled into the search, he runs into every side hunting that spot down. There is Angelica(Penelope Cruz), his former love that he spurred before. His old rival Barbossa(Geoffrey Rush) is now working for the British government and helping them lead their search. Jack has a run in with Blackbeard(Ian McShane),whose looking for the fountain to avoid a prophesied death. Mixed in with all of this is a subplot about mermaids that could scare some children at first. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a fun addition to the Pirates franchise. Johnny Depp is awesome in it as usually and the rest of the cast is great too. The movie is directed by Rob Marshall(Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, Nine) and it is the first Pirates film under his helm. While the movie does miss Gore Verbinski(director of the first three Pirates movies), Marshall does well most of the time of not letting us know the difference. It's not better than the first but it is less bogged down than the second and third film. Please advise, just like the first three, to stay after the credits roll.

Review- Thor

Thor is the newest movie based on characters from Marvel Comics, like Iron Man and Incredible Hulk(I mention those two for a reason). Thor(played by Chris Hemsworth, most familiar as Captain Kirk's dad in 2009 film Star Trek) is an arrogant, self centered man whose thirst for battle is wore on his sleeve. His home is Asgard, which is in a different realm than Earth. His father Odin(played by Anthony Hopkins) has make a decision on which son he would have succeed him, Thor, the God of Thunder or Loki(played by Tom Hiddleston). Thor, due to actions of his own, is stripped of his powers and banished down on to Earth as punishment. The movie is directed by Kenneth Branagh, who is known for acting in and directing some of the great Shakespeare adaptations. Thor, under the surface, plays like a modern day Shakespeare tale. Elements like jealousy, power struggles  and epic battles are all present in the movie. On the surface, it's a good action movie with the story of redemption deeply rooted inside. It starts out a little slow trying to tell the back story. Once you get through that and on Earth, it's even paced and charming, especially the chemistry between Thor and a scientist named Jane Foster(played by Natalie Portman). As like the other movies(Iron Man 1 & 2, Incredible Hulk) there's stuff after the credits so don't leave yet. It's all connected so go see it.

Review-I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four is a drama/sci fi movie that works better as a two hour pilot for a television show than a movie. It centered around John (played by Alex Pettyfur), a seemingly normal teenager whose hiding a secret: (spoiler alert) he's an alien. He's in a line of aliens on Earth that are hiding from a monster alien race bend on destroying their kind. When the first three are killed, they come after him(hence the title of the movie). He's being protected from these killers by Henri (played by Timothy Olyphant), an alien bodyguard. It is hard to protect John after he meets Sarah (played by Glee's Dianna Argon) in his high school. You can now skip the first hour of the movie because it's so slow. All the stuff in the preview is in the second half on the movie, which should have been the whole movie. The romance element is interesting but not enough to push it through the first and second acts. The action scenes without major special effects looked awkward and the ones with were pretty good. These were based on a series of books so keep that in mind when you watch it. As a complete movie, it was OK. I would watch it again for the last part of the movie including Number Six(played by Teresa Palmer).

Review-Just Go With It

Just Go With It is the newest romantic comedy featuring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. This is the best Sandler film in a few years and the best romantic comedy that he has done (that doesn't involved Drew Barrymore, obviously).  The movie centered around Danny (Sandler), a single man who wears a wedding ring to sleep with women. When he finally finds someone he want to have a relationship with in Palmer (played by Brooklyn Decker), he has to explain the ring. So, he gets his assistant Katherine (Aniston) to fake being his wife for a short time to proof that 1. a wife exists and 2. they are getting a divorce. That's when the craziness kicks in. The chemistry between Sandler and Aniston works very well. It makes his character less of an annoying jerk and more of a guy who wants to love and care about people.  It's slow at the beginning (first 15 minute rule) but the laughs keep coming after that. I recommend it as a very good date that's an Adam Sandler movie.

Review-No String Attached

No Strings Attached is a romantic comedy about the relationship dynamic between Emma and Adam (played by Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher). They met when they were teens and their paths have crossed throughout the years. There was a pact made about them being "friends with benefits". The movie was fun and entertaining. The main stars give good performances and the huge supporting cast(including Kevin Kline, Lake Bell, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Mindy Kaling) add depth to this story.  It's not greatest Rom Com ever but it will leave you with  some good laughs and a good time. 

Review-Virginity Hit

The Virginity Hit is a documentary comedy about the quest to get one boy to lose his virginity. Friends vow to lose themselves in a night of passion (to get laid). Sounds familiar? If you said American Pie, you guessed correctly. This movie doesn't come anywhere close to being as charming or entertaining. It has unique things to it, like the main character's family history and an after school special moment with an porn actress. These things alone can't save the movie from being slow, rude (in a bad comedy way) and pointless. Overall, other than the main character's family dynamic, I just didn't care enough about anything in the movie. I wouldn't see it again.

Review-You Again

You Again is a comedy about a woman, her tormentor from high school and the event that brings them together again. Marni(Kristen Bell) has horrible memories of high school, mostly due to the head cheerleader, Joanna (Odette Yustman). As we fast forward to present day, Marni finds out that Joanna is engaged to her brother(Jimmy Folk). From that point on, it's like the Hatfields and the McCoys with each generation having an arch nemesis. Overall, the movie was like Mean Girls mixed with Mr. Woodcock. It didn't have a good pace to it and it wasn't as funny as it could have been. If you like the major actresses in the movie(Bell, Betty White, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver) then you should like the movie. If not, it's just an ok film.