Review-Lockout

Lockout is the newest  sci-fi film from the makers of Taken. The story takes places in the future where criminals are frozen and sent to an out of space prison. The protagonist, Snow(played brilliantly by Guy Pearce), is wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. Before he gets to the space prison, it is taken over by recently unfrozen prisoners. Snow is sent in to rescue the president's daughter,Emilie Warnock(Maggie Grace), out of the prison in exchange for his freedom. The movie, overall, was fun and entertaining.The movie's plot is simplistic but it works. The graphics, when shown, make the scenes look like a video game movie clip(not it a good way). There are some spots that will make you scratch your head. It's one of those "check your brain at the door" type of  films. Lockout will show glimpses of Die Hard, Escape From New York and Pitch Black throughout. While it does not measure up to those films, it is a solid entry into the action genre. I would recommend this film.

Review-21 Jump Street

For those who do not know this, 21 Jump Street was a popular television show in the 80's staring Johnny Depp(yes,the same) and Holly Robinson(before she added Peete). In this date and age, remakes are the way studios believe that can attract new and original viewers. Here comes 21 Jump Street, the latest movie that tries to capture in on that trend. The good news is that it is not a a remake. The movie works well when it is totally aware of it. It starts with geeky Schmidt(Jonah Hill) uniting in police academy with the jock from his high school Jenko (Channing Tatum). They both get transferred to 21 Jump Street to go undercover as high school students. The movie even has Ice Cube being angry as their captain. This is the good part of the movie, which it stops at the halfway mark. The second half was uninspired and killed every momentum it earned before. There was a big high point towards the latter part of the movie that I thought would redeem it(can't tell you what it is without spoiling something). That idea went out the window real quick. By the end, I didn't care what happened. I definitely will not recommend this movie to anyone.

                                                                                        

Review-Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Nicholas Cage is back as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider in the new film Ghost Rider:Spirit of Vengeance. This sequel to the 2007 film finds Johnny hiding from the world to avoid unleashing the Rider. He still suffers with this "curse" from the deal he made with the devil to save his father. When a man named Moreau (Idris Elba) offers him a way to lift his curse, he comes out of hiding. His job is to locate and protect a boy from Roarke(Ciaran Hinds), aka the devil. The movie has a good amount of pyrotechnics graphics and Nicholas Cage being Nicholas Cage. If you like the first one, you will have a better shot of liking the second one. The movie almost seems like a good direct to video(or indie film) sequel than a straight up theatrical release. The budget of the movie will show at times compare to that of the first film. I did like the direction of the film(the directors were Neveldine/Taylor, the directors of the Crank movies) and had some really cool scenes. If you blink, you will miss appearances of two stars of sci-fi lore.
P.S. There is no need to watch this in 3D.

Review-Safe House

Safe House is the lastest action/drama film starting Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. The story focuses on Tobin Frost(Washington), an ex CIA operative wanted for espionage and treason. For reasons known only to him, he surrenders and is taken to a safe house. When things go awry, it is up to CIA agent Matt Weston(Reynolds) to deliver Frost safely to face the crimes that he has committed. On the surface, Safe House looks like a carbon copy of action dramas like Man on Fire, Smokin' Aces and Broken Arrow. When you look beyond that, you get a good solid entry into that movie genre. The movie, underneath it all, is a very good morality play. It lets you see both sides of the coin while they are wrestling with each other. It is because of this and the great acting of its stars that I can recommend this film. There are visuals and sounds in here, especially the last twenty minutes, that gives even more weight to the theme of the movie.

Review-The Grey

The Grey is the newest action/drama film from director Joe Carnahan(Narc, Smoking Aces, The A-Team) starring Liam Neeson. Ottway (Neeson) is part of an Alaska oil drilling team that keeps separate from the group and his thoughts to himself. When the plane that the team is on crashes, Ottway must become the vocal leader of the survivors. Not only do they have to brave the elements(snowstorm) but survive a pack of wolves as well. The crash happens right where the wolves live at, which makes them angry and territorial. I thought this movie was well done and I really enjoyed it. You have so many layers of conflict to this film. You have man versus man, nature, and beast that is woven together pretty good. There is also man battling versus himself throughout the film that is handled exceptionally well. Every survivor does not have a black and white story to them(hence the title). As I recommend this film wholeheartedly, I do offer this advice. PLEASE, when you watch the movie, STAY PAST THE CREDITS! This movie will leave you disappointed if you don't watch the last scene after the credits.

Oscar Nominations are in.

The Oscar nominations were released today and there were plenty of things to talk about. It can be broken down into four categories.
1. The no surprise nominations*:
      George Clooney and Brad Pitt got nominated for their roles in The Descendants and Moneyball,   respectfully.
      Meryl Streep and Glenn Close are nominated again. Streep for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady and Close for the title character Albert Nobbs.
      The Help got nominated for Best Picture and for three of its actress(Viola Davis for Best actress, Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer for Best Supporting Actress).
*because he/she/that movie was that good

2.The surprise nominations were:
     Bridesmaids got two nominations (for Best Original Screenplay Melissa McCarthy for Best   Supporting Actress)
     Jonah Hill (for his role of Peter Brand in Moneyball)
     Hugo (for getting eleven  nominations, the most of any film this year)

3.The Snubbed section:
     50/50  not getting nominated
     Any song,other than two, that wanted a chance at a Best Original Song Oscar.
     The Adventures of Tintin not getting nominated for Best Animated Film
     Judi Dench for Best Supporting Actress for My Week with Marilyn

4. Wow. I'm happy about that nomination.
    The rest of the nominations for My Week with Marilyn
    Melissa McCarthy(mentioned earlier)
    Gary Oldman getting his first nomination for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The Oscars winners will be announced February 26.  Here's the list of nominees to prep you for your Oscar pool this year.

My top 10 of 2011 list

My top 10 movies of 2011

My guilty pleasure movies that I've seen in 2011