Review- White House Down

White House Down is the latest action film  from director Roland Emmerich, whose given such big budget films as Independence Day, Day After Tomorrow and 2012. In the film, ex military and current police officer Cale(played by Channing Tatum) is trying to make a better life for himself.  He has a interview set up for the Secret Service with former classmate and current agent Finnerty(played by Maggie Gyllenhaal). Cale also takes his estranged daughter Emily(Joey King) on the tour of the White House to make for time he missed with her. When there is a bombing inside the White House, Cale is the only person that can keep President Saywer(played by Jamie Foxx) safe from terrorists, each with different agendas in mind. The movie starts out like a cross between Independence Day and Die Hard with no inspiration to be any more than that.White House Down lets you know it is aware of those comparisons(given you an Independence Day reference) and gives you so much more. Once the explosions start, you will be on the edge of your seat. . It has its funny moments here and there through the movie as well Channing Tatum is great in the film and Foxx definitely fills the roll of the President pretty well throughout. There is not that much of a surprise which character is one of the main villains but it won't stop you from loving this film.

Rating: 9.1 out of ten.

Review-Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is a re imaging of the tale of two kids getting lost and fighting off a witch trying to eat them(hopefully I didn't spoil the original story for everyone). The movie focus on the original story for about 5 minutes before launching into their take on this classic story. Hansel & Gretel(Jeremy Renner & Gemma Arterton) have devoted their entire life from the original story to hunting and killing witches. This devotion also leaves themselves  as the only source of support. When children start disappearing from the town, Hansel & Gretel senses a connection to them. They feel they must retrieve the children before it's too late. The movie overall is entertaining and offers a good touch of action and comedy through most of it. My complaint about the movie is the cinematography. Fight scenes and chase scenes are blurry and all over the place, especially dealing with CGI characters.  The movie isn't that long(88 mins), which helps the movie's enjoyable factor. It know what it is: a movie that will give you entertainment if you don't think to much about it.

Rating:7.1 out of 10

Star Trek: Edge of Darkness

Star Trek: Edge of Darkness is the second film of the new Star Trek timeline. The first film, which debuted in 2009, addressed how the world of that particular film and  the original series/films can coexisted. That film did a good job at satisfying new and old fans alike. The second film harkens back to the classic style of Star Trek films rather than the 2009, which walks the line to get everyone in the theaters. The main focus is between the Enterprise crew and Khan(played Benedict Cumberbatch), who walks the line between an misunderstood vigilante and maniacal psychopath. Cumberbatch, as well as the rest of the cast,  did a wonderful job in the film. The action is steady and ramps up through the second half of the film. Even though there was a scene that looks like it was filmed on a sound stage, this doesn't affect the overall feel of the film. I recommend this movie to every that loves Star Trek and scifi in general.

Rating: 8.4 out of  ten

See you at the movies

I know this is a review blog (more reviews are coming soon) but this is at appropriate place to discuss this. Robert Ebert, one of the most familiar faces in the history of movie reviewers,  has passed away today. No matter if you agreed with his reviews, you always appreciated him and his viewpoint. He is one of  the main reasons why my love of movies grew from a child to now. When he and Gene Siskel talked about movies, it was passionate and heated. At the end of the day, they respected and genuinely cared for each other. That is one of the things that I remember to this day.  RIP Robert Ebert.We celebrate the life that you lived today. Siskel & Ebert can review together once again.  

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/roger-ebert-dies-at-70-1200333136/#1/from-the-pages-of-variety-1981/

Guilty pleasure movies of 2012

My guilty pleasure movie list of 2012

top ten movies of 2012

my top ten movies of 2012

Review-This is 40

This is 40 is promoted as the sort-of sequel to Knocked Up. So, before getting into this review, heed my warning: DON"T EXPECT IT TO BE KNOCKED UP! It's more of a spinoff of that movie with the same director of that film (Judd Apatow). It follows the married life of Debbie and Pete(Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd) years after the events in Knocked Up. The movie plays as a dramedy and it examines every part of marriage life, especially coming close to the age of 40. There are hilarious moments and there are moments of heartache, pain and growth. The movie is similar to Funny People and Friends With Kids. The film works because gives you a slice what their lives have been and will be about.

Rating 8.2 out of ten