Top 10 Favorite Holiday Movies

     I thought about posting this earlier in the month but I'm glad that I waited until now to post this list. It's been a while since I posted a Top 10 list but given the time of year, I feel like it's appropriate.

     We all love the holidays and every season that passes, Hollywood releases a Christmas-themed movie or a movie that takes place during the holiday (A recent example would be Iron Man 3). Most holiday movies are drama themed about families coming together again after living their own lives, finding love during the holidays, or finding the importance of living your life.

     Here is my Top 10 Favorite Holiday Movies.

   

1)  It's A Wonderful Life - This 1946 classic has withstood the test of time, not getting lost in the shuffle of holiday movies. This feel good fable stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a deeply-troubled businessman who goes to commit suicide but is stopped by an angel (Henry Travers) trying to get his wings. To show him the value and impact of  an individual life, he places George in a world where he never existed. 

   

2) A Christmas Story - Everyone's favorite holiday movie, no matter how young or old you are. Nine-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) tries to convince his parents, his teacher, and even Santa himself that a Red Ryder B.B. Gun is the perfect present for him. If you have never seen this movie, you must take the time out to see it this season. I'm sure some channel will have a marathon before Christmas. Don't forget: Don't stick your tongue onto a cold metal pole outside and don't get a Red Ryder B.B. Gun because "you'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

   


   

3) Home Alone - If you were born in the 1990's, you watched these movies at one point or another. As with all film series, the first is always the best and the benchmark for all the other films following it. Eight-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), a misunderstood child by his family, is accidentally left behind by them when they fly to France for Christmas and Kevin is left to defend his house from burglars (Joe Pesci and David Stern).

   



   

4) Love Actually - This holiday-themed movie has become a new Christmas classic and should definitely be seen at least once. This film follows the lives of eight different couples in dealing with their relationships in loosely and interrelated tales. This film is all set during the month of December all culminating at Christmas in London, England. The romantic comedy has an all-star lineup, featuring Liam Nesson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson, and a then-unknown Andrew Lincoln.

   


   

5) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - The sequel to the first Home Alone is just as enjoyable as the first. One year after his battle against the Wet Bandits, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) finds himself separated from his family again with them going to Miami and Kevin going to New York. While he is in the big city alone with his father's wallet, the bandits (Joe Pesci and David Stern) are not far behind their nemesis.

   



   

6) Die Hard - I know it's an action film but it still takes place during Christmas so it counts! Terrorists, a young Bruce Willis, and full on action; what more could you want for Christmas?!  John McClaine (Bruce Willis), an NYPD cop, tries to save his estranged wife Holly Gennaro and several others that are taken hostage by German terrorist Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) during a Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. Like Home Alone, the first movie of this series is the standard for the other films.

   

7) Elf - This story about one of Santa's helpers certainly helped solidify Will Ferrell as one of Hollywood's leading funny men. Will Ferrell plays Buddy Hobbs, an unusually large elf in the North Pole, discovers his true identity and travels to New York City to meet his biological father and spread Christmas cheer to the cynics of the city.

   

8) Gremlins - One of the movies that my father introduced to me one holiday season and I've never forgotten it, despite the fact that it scared the hell out of me the first time I watched it. The film follows a young man (Zach Galligan) who is given a mogwai as a pet but when he breaks three important rules for taking care of it, he unleashes a small army of destructive, mischievous creatures on his small town. Remember, follow the three rules and this won't happen to your town!

   



   

9) Scrooged - Ah, Bill Murray. This Murray classic is a modern-day take on the Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol. Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a successful but cynical television executive. He gets haunted and scared straight by three spirits that bear lessons for him on Christmas Eve. There are many versions of Dickens' novel that have been re-done by Hollywood and I'm more partial to Patrick Stewart's portrayal but this one is well done.

   

10) The Nightmare Before Christmas - A double holiday strike brings this movie to my top 10. You can watch this movie on both Halloween and Christmas. This creative animated film follows Jack Skellington (Chris Saradon), king of Halloweentown, who opens a portal to Christmastown and decides to celebrate the holiday but not without consequences. This film is a hilarious and enjoyable fantasy for kids and adults alike.






     Happy Holidays!!!

Movie Preview - The Amazing Spider-Man 2

     As we all know, superhero films run Hollywood right now. Almost every other movie that comes out now has a super-powered hero that takes us on a journey through their own personal struggle while dealing with their personal issues. Now, I can't blame Hollywood and the studios continue to look towards the comic book heroes and heroines because they have been box-office hits.

     Marvel's heroes has been dominated theaters recently, particularly the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, there are other Marvel legends that are not a part of this universe, but seriously should be. In 2012, we were re-introduced to the legendary Spider-Man in the reboot film, The Amazing Spider-Man. While there were skeptics, myself included who grew up watching Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi's adaptation of the wall-crawler, Andrew Garfield did a good job stepping into the tight spandex outfit of Spider-Man.

     Now, audiences should prepare to swing with the human arachnid in this anticipated sequel.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

     In this sequel, Peter Parker's (Andrew Garfield) alter-ego, Spider-Man, has been embraced as a hero by the citizens of New York and enjoying the time he spends with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes with a price: only Spider-Man can protect New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must face an enemy that is far more powerful that him. And when Peter's old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) returns, Peter realizes that all of his enemies have one thing in common: Oscorp. 

     Co-starring Paul Giamatti as Aleksei Sytsevich / The Rhino, Chris Cooper as Norman Osborn, and Sally Field as May Parker, this sequel seems to be prepared to succeed the first film as far as being a larger adventure for the wall-crawler. We also seem to get glimpses into more of Spider-Man's back story, particularly his father's involvement with Oscorp. The preview also shows flashes of other villains from Spider-Man's Rogues Gallery (Vulture, Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, possibly the Sidious Six?!). 

     With all of these elements shown in only the first preview, I think this film will be better than the first. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will be released on May 2, 2014. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - This sequel burns brighter and stronger than the original

     One of the most anticipated movies of this season certainly delivered. Smart and sleekly directed by Francis Lawrence, Catching Fire proves to be not only a compelling second installment in the Hunger Games series but possibly one of the best young adult novel adaptations since the Harry Potter series.

     The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the second film in The Hunger Games film series. After winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) return home to District 12 but are required to take a victory tour of the country. Their actions during the Games have sparked a revolution against the Capitol. In order to put an end to the rebellion before it fully begins, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games known as the Quarter Quell - a competition that will change Panem forever. 

     As a whole, I will say that this film is much better than the first. It doesn't just focus on the violence of teenagers killing themselves and surviving for the entertainment of the general public but it delves deeper into the effects that these "games" had on the victors. The emotional and mental trauma showed, especially on Katniss. Dealing with the trauma was escalated when she and Peeta embark on the Victory Tour, seeing the seeds of revolution that were sewn into the other districts, even to the Capitol. What drove this film for me is that the romance between Katniss and Peeta was not at the forefront like other contemporary teenage movies of recent memory but it was intertwined with the very convincingly scary dictatorship of the Capitol.

     Jennifer Lawrence's devotion and commitment to the character of Katniss really helps power this film along. With an Oscar on her resume for last year's Silver Linings Playbook, this film helps solidify Jennifer Lawrence as an A-list actress with staying power for coming years. She was magnificent to watch as the heroine, dealing with her survival of the games, the fear of returning to the arena to survive while embracing the role of a love-struck young woman. With wonderful performances from Hutcherson, newcomers Jeffery Wright, Amanda Plummer, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, this film is a wonderful piece of work that will thrill and excite fans of the series. 

     While the movie does run longer than it probably should have, the ending makes up for that and built up the anticipation for the next installment, Mockingjay, Part 1. This film warranted a double viewing for me and I believe that fans of the books and the first film will be more than pleased by this pop-culture escapism film that has captured the hearts of the world. 

Movie Preview - Maleficent

     With Walt Disney Pictures watching over the current units under their umbrella such as Marvel Studios, LucasFilm, Pixar, and Touchstone Pictures to name a few, we keep forgetting that they have they make their own movies as well. Recently, Walt Disney has decided to revisit their classic animated heroes and bringing them to life for a new generation. Most recently, audiences have seen a retelling of Alice in Wonderland and Oz: The Great and Powerful. 

     Today, we were introduced to the retelling of another classic fairy tale; not told from the side of good, but from the dark side.

Maleficent

     From the official Disney website, the synopsis for this film: "From Disney comes 'Maleficent' - the untold story of Disney's most iconic villian from the 1959 classic "Sleeping Beauty." A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal - an act that begins to turn her pure heart to stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading king's successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom - and perhaps to Maleficent's true happiness as well." 

     Angelina Jolie plays the title role of the dark sorcerer in this remake of the animated classic, diving into her origins and what turned her to the dark side. From the synopsis, it makes me wonder if Maleficent will be seen as a heroine who was wronged and caused her fall into darkness, similar to how the Star Wars prequel trilogy did with Anakin Skywalker. Princess Aurora will be played by Elle Fanning (Super 8), Sharlto Copley (District 9) plays King Stefan. I will say that I am very interested in seeing this point of view in the retelling of this fairy tale. 

     Maleficent is scheduled to be released May 2014.

Now Streaming: Olympus, Alien Invaders, Spies, Pirates, and Sharks, Sharks, SHARKS!

     Netflix just keeps getting better and better. Who needs television besides watching sports? With recent news that they will be bringing some of Marvel's lesser known heroes to life on the small screen and the movies and TV shows that continue to be uploaded (I finally get to watch Dexter!), it's hard to keep track of what's good on the instant streaming website/app.

     So here are my top five recently uploaded movies on Netflix:

   
Olympus Has Fallen - Starring Aaron Eckhart, Gerard Butler, and Morgan Freeman, the film focuses on a disgraced Secret Service agent (Butler) who must come to the rescue when Korean terrorists descend on the White House and take the president (Eckhart) hostage.

The Host - Believe me, I'm not a fan of this novel adaptation. I refused to see it in theaters but this does count as a new movie on Netflix. Staring Saoirse Ronan and Diane Kruger, when an alien race implants a parasite soul named Wanderer into Melanie Stryder's (Ronan) body, she resists the takeover and the two become reluctant allies in this romantic science-fiction movie.

Skyfall - The twenty-third film in the James Bond film series shows our favorite spy at his absolute best in the Daniel Craig commanded spy film.When a serious menace threatens MI6, James Bond (Craig) is on the case -- putting aside his own life and personal issues to hunt and destroy the perpetrators.





Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl - This is the first film in Disney's successful franchise and highly recommended as the best of the Pirates films. Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Geoffrey Rush, this swashbuckling film focuses on a young man (Bloom) recruits pirate Capt. Jack Sparrow to help rescue a maiden (Knightley) from rival buccaneers, he finds he's up against supernatural forces.

   

Sharknado - I didn't know whether or not to add this in or not since it premiered on Syfy Channel but it's gained a cult following so I made an exception. This ridiculous film stars Tara Reid, and Ian Ziering. When a hurricane swamps Los Angeles, thousands of sharks are swept up in tornadoes and deposited all over the city, where they terrorize residents.

   





     Enjoy the movies!!!

Thor: The Dark World - The mighty avenger returns in a better but darker sequel

     I've talked about the rise and control the superhero genre has on Hollywood right now and no other studio has a tighter bear hug around Tinseltown than Marvel Studios. Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe released its second film last weekend and you all know I had to check it out.

     Thor: The Dark World is the second movie in the planned Thor trilogy and the eighth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film picks up a year after the events of The Avengers with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) trying to bring peace to the nine realms. When Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is put into danger, Thor brings her to Asgard and embarks on his most perilous and personal journey, teaming with his estranged brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to battle an ancient evil, led by the dark elf, Malekith (Christopher Eccleston).

     I thought this movie was better than the first Thor, even though it was not its finest out of the universe. While I wouldn't go flocking to it like I did with The Avengers, The Dark World does not seem to take itself seriously and a perfect blend of fantasy, romance, science fiction, and action.Thor's struggles come from his impending rise to the throne as king of Asgard and how ready he feels for that title. In the first film, the God of Thunder seemed overeager to take the throne but, as this character grows, Thor is not so sure that he is ready or wants to rule Asgard. That evolution is what makes Thor more of a likable character to me.His mind is still on Earth and his love for Jane Foster, even though he has responsibilities on Asgard and being observed by Sif (Jaimie Alexander) as more than a fellow warrior. 

     While it's hard to take an immortal being seem more human, Thor: The Dark World did a better job of it than Man of Steel. The Dark World was grounded by strong performances by Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and the chemistry between the two, but the movie was taken by Tom Hiddleston's anti-hero, Loki. While I like Thor, I found myself waiting for Loki to appear. Tom Hiddleston did a great job in commanding the God of Mischief as he looks for a purpose after his defeat during the events of The Avengers. The charisma between Hiddleston and Hemsworth made the movie more watchable as their characters' sibling rivalry took center stage once again while the world is being threatened. Nothing against Oscar-winner Natalie Portman but the Thor-Loki dynamic was more impressive to watch.

     Stunning special effects kept the action going, especially during the final battle between Thor and the villainous dark elf, Malekith, played wonderfully by Christopher Eccleston. The balance between the action, romance, and fantasy was great and not easy to do. Director Alan Taylor does lose his way a little while flashing between Asgard and the other realms along with Earth but did get everything together for the final battle. 

     This sequel seems to be following the current common theme of Phase Two of the MCU, giving audiences a darker tone to their heroes' adventures. As with all Marvel movies, it's best to stay seated during and after the credits. I won't spoil it for my readers but it does a great job in setting up next summer's Guardians of the Galaxy and the potential for the third Thor film. 

     I hope you all go out to the theaters and enjoy this superhero film. Take care!

Star Wars: Episode VII news

     I think that I should start a movie news section for this blog but I'll get to that later. So, what better way to kick it off than with the announced return to a galaxy far, far away. 

     Disney and Lucasfilm announced the official release date for the next episode in the epic space opera series. "Star Wars: Episode VII" will be released on December 18, 2015. So far, pre-production is in full swing now with J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Super 8) at the helm. Abrams will be directing with a script that he is writing in collaboration with Lawrence Kasdam, who penned "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi". 

     There have been no official casting news as to who will be in the film but there have been a lot of rumors floating around. The three main principal characters, Luke (Mark Hamill), Han (Harrison Ford), and Leia (Carrie Fisher) have been scheduled to return but no official word has come from Disney or Abrams. We can all hope that they return based on importance and fans don't want to see anyone else playing those roles. It has been announced that John Williams is returning to score the film. It wouldn't be a Star Wars film without a John Williams-composed score.

     When I first heard that Lucasfilm was bought by Disney, I didn't know how to feel about it. Some days, I still don't know how to feel about it. Will Disney water down this legendary series? But then again, Disney does own Marvel and The Avengers was not watered down at all. I guess I should have more faith. I just hope that this doesn't ruin the legacy of Star Wars. George Lucas already did that by tinkering with the original trilogy.

Movie Preview - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

     Coming into December, we all have our movies to look forward to. This film I am looking forward to especially. The legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien is returning to the theaters to take audiences on another thrilling adventure into Middle-Earth. I will admit that I was unsure of Tolkien's classic prequel to the Lord of the Rings novels becoming a movie trilogy (I'm still unsure about it but I'm not making the decisions), if I was to trust anyone with this task, it would be Peter Jackson. So far, the director has not disappointed.

     The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

     In this second part of The Hobbit movie trilogy, The Dwarves, Bilbo (Martin Freeman), and Gandalf (Ian McKellan) have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains.Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold and the kingdom of Erebor back from the dragon, Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).

     This fantasy-adventure also brings the return of Orlando Bloom to Middle-Earth as the skilled elf archer, Legolas. The audience and die-hard Tolkien fans are also introduced to Tauriel, played by Evangeline Lilly (TV series, Lost). This character is not in the original book but was created by Peter Jackson and screenwriter, Fran Walsh. Bard the Bowman, the heir of Girion, the last king of old Dale, is played by Luke Evans (Fast and Furious 6). We see more of Bard in this preview and I'm very interested to see this character on the silver screen. The character I am mostly looking forward to is Beorn, played by Mikael Persbrandt. The human skin-changer, who plays an important role in the book, will have a more prominent role in this film adaptation.

     All in all, I'd say this return to Middle-Earth will be just as epic as the last. This film is scheduled to be released on December 13.

      

Movie Preview - X-men: Days of Future Past

     When Marvel gets on a roll, they get on a roll! The X-men franchise has been one of the most successful superhero movies of all time, beginning with an original trilogy of movies and spawning a sequel and prequel for Wolverine (I'll let you guess which one is better), and a successful prequel, X-men: First Class. Once news spread about a sequel for First Class, all the fans were excited to see the direction this prequel series would go to connect with the original movies. But then news started to spread about the return of Bryan Singer...along with some of our favorites from the original X-men movies.

     The stars aligned to bring one of the most popular story lines in X-men history to the silver screen.

     X-Men: Days of Future Past

     This sequel/follow-up movie is the seventh movie in the X-men franchise. The X-men of the original movies are fighting a war for the survival of the mutant race. They formulate a plan to join forces with their younger selves from X-men: First Class by sending Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) back to the past in order to help them fight a battle in the past - to save the future. 

     This ensemble movie hosts a superstar list from all of the X-men franchise. Hugh Jackman playing the immortal Wolverine, James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart play Professor X and Michael Fassbender and Ian McKellen play the villainous Magneto. It also stars Jennifer Lawerence, Anna Paquin, Shawn Ashmore, Ellen Page, Nicholas Hoult, and Halle Berry. The audience will also be introduced to newcomers Peter Dinklage as Bolivar Trask, an important character in X-men history as the creator of the Sentinels and Omar Sy as Bishop, another important player in the Days of Future Past story. 

     This epic superhero movie is scheduled to be released on May 23, 2014.

Movie Preview - Captain America: The Winter Soldier

     Everyone is deeply immersed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 2 of this movie franchise has been firmly established with the release of Iron Man 3 earlier this summer. With the impending opening of Thor: The Dark World on November 8th, Guardians of the Galaxy next year, and the news of Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron announced during Comic-Con, scheduled for release in 2015, Marvel is on a great role.

     Now, the internet is abuzz with Marvel's most recent preview release, featuring everyone's favorite comic book patriot. Here is the freshly released preview for...

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

     In this sequel to The Avengers, Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) is living in Washington, D.C. and working with S.H.I.E.L.D. while still trying to adjust to the modern world. When a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague is assaulted, Steve becomes involved in a mystery that could endanger the entire world. Teaming with Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and enlisting The Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Steve works to uncover this terrible plot while fending off hit men but soon encounter a formidable adversary - The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). 

     Co-starring Marvel newcomers Robert Redford (The Last Castle) and Emily VanCamp (Revenge), we also see the return of Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, this next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe certainly looks like an political action thriller that will please Marvel fans and possibly enlist more. Personally, I can't wait to see this!

     Coming to theaters in April 2014

Now Streaming: Halloween Edition

     I promise all of you that I have meant to update this part of my blog for a while but, of course, I've been obsessed with catching up on Breaking Bad and other shows on Netflix. As all of you know, Halloween is just around the corner so Netflix has chosen to be holiday themed once again and unleash their horror movies on their viewers to help prepare them to get into the spirit of ghouls, frights, and, occasionally, murders. There are other movies on here besides the Scream movies. 

Netflix: Halloween Edition

Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) - In this installment in the legendary slasher Halloween films, serial killer Michael Myers once again returns from the dead once again (how many times will that happen?), this time to terrorize his niece and her newborn child.

     

Rosemary's Baby (1968) - This popular classic has provided a legacy for other horror movies to be made that involve black magic and Satan worshippers. Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) is a woman who is excited to discover that she is pregnant but as her pregnancy progresses, Woodhouse fears that her unborn child is in serious danger.

     

Carrie (1976) - Not to be confused with the most recent remake (which I plan to still see), this is the original classic based on the novel from Stephen King. Sissy Spacek plays the outcast teen with telekinetic abilities lashes out with her power when the popular crowd at her high school play a terrible prank on her at the prom.

     

Stephen King's Children of the Corn (1984) - Another horror classic based on Stephen King's written works, a couple (Peter Horton and Linda Hamilton) gets stranded in a rural town where the children have murdered all of the town's adults at the command of their leader, known as "He Who Walks Behind The Rows".

     

Hellraiser (1987) - This horror classic comes to us from Great Britain but has an established following here in America. After an undead man (Andrew Robinson) loses his earthly form to demons from another dimension, he asks his ex-mistress for human sacrifices to rebuild his body.

     I hope you all have a fun Halloween, whether you are watching movies, going out to costume parties, or getting candy.

Movie Preview - Non-Stop

     I'm back and bringing a new preview with a new movie preview, staring a staple of action movies in recent years, Liam Nesson.

     Here is the preview for the action thriller:

Non-Stop

     Global action star Liam Nesson (Taken) stars as Bill Marks, an air marshal who must go into action when he receives threatening text messages that places the lives of the passengers in danger. Co-starring Julianne Moore (Carrie), Bar Paly (Pain & Gain),  While the trailer is short and too the point, I think it revealed too much about the movie, already revealing the twist to the audience. While this move can work to intrigue the audience into seeing the movie when it releases, it could backfire. But, considering it is Liam Nesson, this movie could be a great popcorn action movie for the winter. 

     Comes to theaters February 28.

Movie Preview - Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

     Hello, everyone! With the fall and winter season upon us, there are movies that could be overlooked as more early Oscar nominees start to invade theaters.

     I think this movie might be overlooked during the Christmas season but that will depend on it's competition.

     Here is the first preview of:

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

     

     This reboot presents Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) as a young CIA analyst, who uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack. Co-starring with Pine is Kevin Costner (Man of Steel), Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean), and Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet), this remake seems to have the potential to be a good re-start for the Jack Ryan movie franchise. I was a fan of the Jack Ryan films that starred Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford in the starring role so I'm hoping that Chris Pine is able to give his own spin on the role but stay true to what Tom Clancy wanted the role to be. 

     I also hope this movie makes the late Tom Clancy proud. Coming to theaters December 25. 

     

Don Jon - Everyone deserves a happy ending...in more ways than one.

     Hello, everyone! I'm back, enjoying the fall weather, and seeing movies. This time, I went to one of the movies that I mentioned earlier as one of the fall's best and underrated movies.

     Don Jon is the writing and directorial debut of Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Dark Knight Rises). Jon Martello (Gordon-Levitt) is a New Jersey guy who enjoys simple things in life: his apartment, family, church, and his closest friends. He also loves his porn, which develops unrealistic expectations for women. When he meets Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson), he thinks that he has found his perfect woman but when he develops a friendship with Esther (Julianne Moore), he learns larger lessons about life and love.

     This movie is very well acted. Joseph Gordon-Levitt did a great job in this role, despite dividing his time into three parts for the first time. Scarlett Johansson was stunning as every and convincing as the conceited and saucy Barbara who is addicted to romantic movies and the ideas that they generate for a woman of an ideal romantic relationship, a female version on our New Jersey Don. Their chemistry showed that they had a lot of fun in their scenes together. Julianna Moore portrayed the wise and seasoned Esther, who helped Jon see the wider picture of life beyond the porn he watches and the expectations he has. Her performance was just as strong as Joseph's, being a guiding light for his character. Tony Danza had a good supporting performance as Jon's father, portraying an older version of his son. 

     This is the rare romantic comedy that is targeted towards men more than women. On a center stage, Levitt directed a mirror into what our generation is now for the most part: men who think they have their life all together and go out night after night, looking for women to hook up with but never making time for a real relationship. It's not about what's right or wrong about it because that's the audience's opinion. This movie does have its flaws with the repetitive nature of Jon's life that can wear on the audience a little bit but that is only during the first half. If you can last until the turning point of the film, it is well worth it to the end of the movie.

     The smart, edgy, and touchy film helps establish Joseph Gordon-Levitt as one of Hollywood's most exciting new directors. It proves how multi-talented this actor can be and how far his career can go. While it feels like it takes too long to get to the heart of the film, getting there helped bring the film up and help it's true message shine through. 

Movie Preview - RoboCop

Even though 2014 is a few months away, it's never too early to prepare for the movies of the new year!

As a part of my new movie previews page, I bring to you...

The movie preview of 2014's...

ROBOCOP!

This is a different version from the 1987 classic (notice the suit being all black). From the preview, this remake is more centered on how our future could be with the advancements that we are making in technology and warfare. It seems to also follow the struggle of the control man has over machine and who is stronger. I feel like we'll see Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) as a deeper character than the original version. 

With names like Michael Keaton, Gary Oldman, and Samuel L. Jackson also supporting this remake, the potential for this movie is pretty high for me but we shall see!

Now Streaming: Rundowns, A wannabe Van Helsing, and a team of superheroes

I've been thinking of adding a new attachment to my blog and I think I have it. When I took my literature and film class, analyzing the work of directors Howard Hawks and Alfred Hitchcock, I began my free trial with Netflix. My plan was to use Netflix for the duration of the class and then stop my Netflix subscription.

As time went on and I delved deeper into the Netflix instant streaming library, I knew that I couldn't just quit. So, ever since seeing "Rio Bravo", Netflix and I have been inseparable. 

So, here we are. I introduce to everyone: 

Now Streaming On Netflix!

Everyone knows about the line-up of movies that Netflix presents its subscribers that has been recently added, popular, new releases, etc. I'm sure everyone has a Netflix account and knows these movies or shows are up but I'll give you the top five recommended movies on Netflix right now. 

The Rundown (2003) - One of Dwayne "The Rock"  Johnson's first movies, he plays a bounty hunter named Beck. While he is looking to retire, he is sent on one last assignment to Brazil to recover his employer's rebellious son (Seann William Scott). While in Brazil, Beck comes up against a greedy mining operator, Hatcher (Christopher Walken), and it makes a last easy assignment more difficult than it seems.A movie that help solidify Dwayne Johnson as a bankable movie star, this film is definitely worth a look when you have nothing else planned.  

Solomon Kane (2009) - This origin story film, based on the pulp magazine character, tells the redemption tale of Solomon Kane (James Purefoy), a former privateer who is traveling back to his home to try and save his soul. On his journey, he meets a Puritan family but are attacked by followers of an evil sorcerer. Solomon goes after the young daughter of the family to redeem himself. A film that had delayed theatrical release in the U.S., the film was uploaded to Netflix and has gained a positive following. Purefoy's performance along with the atmosphere of the film has helped its positive buzz and given it a strong following in the U.S. The only problem I had was that Kane looked a lot like Van Helsing but that's just me. 

The Road (2009) - This film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's stars Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings) and Kodi-Smit-McPhee as a father and son pair in a post apocalyptic wasteland. McCarthy's book is truly haunting and will keep you up if you have read it before. The visual look of the film along with the performances helped make the film strong but it's marketing worked against the movie. It definitely had the potential to be Oscar-worthy but you can watch this haunting film on Netflix anytime you want. 

Arbitrage (2012) - This independent movie has received a lot of praise, despite not being presented with the fanfare of a typical big-budget, box office film. Richard Gere plays Robert Miller, a sixty-year-old magnate who manages a fund with his daughter to sell for a huge profit. However, Miller is not what he seems and an accident involving himself and his mistress triggers Miller's drive for self-preservation as he teeters on the line between right and wrong in this tense thriller. Gere's performance has been hailed as one of his best so I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of Richard Gere and loves a good thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. 

The Avengers (2012) - The culmination of Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought us the highest grossing movie of last year. When Nick Fury (Samuel. L. Jackson) and S.H.I.E.L.D. come up against Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and the unlimited energy of the Tesseract, he recruits Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Captain America (Chris Evans) to stop an alien invasion of Earth. Marvel fans waited years for this movie to come to fruition and went into a frenzy when it was released. As someone who saw the movie many times, if you are a fan of any of the Marvel films, you will be ecstatic at the first ensemble superhero film, led by the genius direction of Joss Whedon (Firefly).

I hope everyone looks into one, two, or all of the movies I listed. I'll be back again soon with another update! Enjoy the Netflix movies!

Growing up, self-discovery, and dismemberment in the world of Kick-Ass 2

     Hello, everyone! Well, now that I'm working again, my movie adventures are back in full swing. So I'm here to deliver another movie review for your curious eyes to see what might or might not be good to spend your money to see (paying for the movie is enough but if you have the money and want to buy popcorn and condiments, go nuts!).

     Anyway, here we go!

     We all remember Kick-Ass (2010), the hilarious film joined the superhero film roster with its bloody violence, joyous profanity, and an actual impressive performance by Nicholas Cage. This film also introduced audiences to Chloë Grace Moretz and set her on the fast track to stardom due to her portrayal of the controversial adolescent assassin, Hit-Girl. It was pretty impressive, scored high on Rotten Tomatoes, and had a solid following of fans who read the comics or were being introduced to these heroes for the first time. 

      Kick-Ass 2, on the other hand, seemed to be the complete opposite.

     In this sequel, Dave Lizewski/Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Mindy Macready/Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) have retired from being superheroes while inspiring others to wear the mask. However, both of them have trouble moving on and becoming ordinary citizens. While Mindy fights to lead a normal life, Dave gets the itch to done the mask again, he joins Justice Forever, led by Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey). Chris D'Amico (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), desiring revenge against Kick-Ass, becomes a super-villain and makes the fight personal as Dave and Mindy try to discover who they are: ordinary people or heroes.

     As superhero films fully take over Hollywood, this film was a disappointment in comparison to its predecessor. It tried to emulate the same winning formula and it stayed with the bloody fights and humor but came out more as an uncertain jumble of self-discovery and violence. Even though the title of the movie is "Kick-Ass", the titular hero seemingly played second fiddle to Hit-Girl. I found her struggle to deal with ordinary life and forget all that her father taught her more interesting. Chloë Grace Moretz's ultra-cool portrayal of Hit-Girl definitely shined out through this film. It definitely shows that Chloë, along with her upcoming film, Carrie, proves that she is a shining star in young Hollywood and will definitely be a great actress as she gets older.

     Overall, if you are a fan of the first movie or the comics, you will enjoy this film. I loved the first film, and while this film delivered on the violence, it didn't have enough of an actual story to make it better. A definitely good popcorn flick if you are looking for a violent break from your life, seeing characters doing what you wish you could do (you know you want to!), but definitely check your brain at the door. 

     On a side note, I'll be updating my blog and adding different subjects into it to make a more fuller blog. Be on the look out for it! Catch you all later!

     

The Fall Season is Upon Us...

     I know that I was supposed to do a post on the movies that were previewed, at least talked about (Batman vs Superman!), during Comic-Con but I thought of something else. Everyone knows that we are reaching the end of the summer. Everyone is getting in their last rays of sunshine on a beautiful beach before occupying desks once again at school. Theme parks prepare to close their gates with their biggest season of the year ending. Leaves are changing and football season is returning in full swing.

     In the movie world, the ending of this season means the beginning of the Fall movie season and gearing up to release early Oscar favorites for the impending award season of the Winter. So, in preparation, I present to you all:

Movies of the Fall!

     I have to say that I'm looking forward to some of the movies that will be coming out starting in September. Usually, my birth month is left to movies that are either a sleeper hit or a complete bust. This year, it seems to be different. 

     

 September 6 - Riddick: Vin Diesel seems to be on a roll on reviving his career by going back to the characters that made him a household name in the action genre. This time, he's returning as the night vision assassin, Riddick. The anti-hero, once again hunted by bounty hunters and ruthless aliens on a desolate planet, Riddick (Vin Diesel) fights for survival. Co-starring Katee Sackoff and Karl Urban, this installment in The Chronicles of Riddick film series could prove to be on level with the first film, Pitch Black.






  September 27 - Don Jon: Joseph Gordon-Levitt takes a more active role in his films as he wrote, direct, and stars in this romantic comedy. Don Jon (Levitt) is a New Jersey guy who is dedicated to his family, friends, church, and himself. An encounter forces him to work and find happiness and intimacy with the woman who might be the love of his life (Scarlett Johansson). Co-starring Julianne Moore and Tony Danza, this insightful film has the potential to be a sleeper hit from one of Hollywood's rising stars.





  October 11 - Captain Phillips: Tom Hanks stars in a film based on a true story. The Academy Award-winning actor plays Captain Phillips, the captain of the US-flagged MV Maersk, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. This bio-pic film is directed by Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. This film could possibly be a dark horse in the Oscars race but you can be assured that Hanks will not disappoint.






  October 18 - Carrie: This remake looks to stay very close to the original 1976 horror classic. Chloë Grace Moretz steps into the bloody gown of the titular character, a sheltered high school girl who develops telekinetic powers after reaching the breaking point because of the abuse of her overly religious mother (Julianne Moore) and her peers. Seeing as how Stephen King is one of the writers of this movie and this was originally his work, this remake might be closer to the actual written work of the king of horror novels.





  November 1 - Ender's Game: This film has been long overdue. The Orson Scott Card international bestseller is finally coming to the big screen. Many years after a devastating alien war, a strategically gifted child (Asa Butterfield) is sent to a military school in space in order to prepare for a future alien invasion. Asa Butterfield plays the hero, Ender; a considerably heavy role because of the legacy of this novel and this film could establish him as an actor. Co-starring Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Abigail Breslin, and Viola Davis, this film could make fans of the novel very happy and bring new fans to Card's classic.




  November 8 - Thor: The Dark World: This next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe could be the movie of the Fall and begin the Winter season. This sequel to Thor, set one year after the events of The Avengers, finds the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) battling to save the Nine Realms from the ancient Dark Elves, led by Malekith (Christopher Eccleston). To defeat this enemy, he reunites with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and embarks on a journey that may force him to make the ultimate sacrifice. Co-starring Tom Hiddleston  as Loki and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, this film could help continue the establish the dominance of Marvel Studios and prepare audiences for Avengers: Age of Ultron.

  November 22 - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: The next installment of the successful Hunger Games film series has the potential to be better than the first film. After winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katness Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) return to District 12 but soon have to embark on a "Victory Tour" of the districts. As rebellion swells, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, known as the Quarter Quell, an event that takes place once every 25 years. Co-starring Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, this movie will definitely treat fans of the books and of the first movie very well.



  December 13 - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: With news that an extended version of last year's box office hit, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, about to hit shelves this fall, it's coming at the right time to prepare everyone for the next entry in The Hobbit trilogy. The film continues the adventure the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, the wizard, Gandalf, and twelve courageous dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, as they seek to reclaim the lost dwarf kingdom for Smaug the Dragon. Another fan favorite, this film is highly anticipated from fans of The Lord of the Rings books and film series. A definite box office hit directed by Peter Jackson.



   December 25 - American Hustle: This film is definitely a sleeper in the Oscar race but it will be in the running for Best Picture along with other singular actor awards. David O. Russell directs this film with an all-star cast with actors and actresses that he has worked with before. Based on the FBI Abscam operation, the film stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and Jeremy Renner. Everyone should definitely keep an eye on this movie when it releases because it could kick off the Oscar season and give David O. Russell his third nomination for Best Picture come the Oscars show.

     Well, everyone, I hope you all are looking forward to starting the Fall season and ready to spend your hard earned money on a movie or two to get away from the normalcy of everyday life. Take a break from work and take your significant other or family out and relax, watching a movie. I'll be back!



 

     

The Wolverine - Hugh Jackman still has it as the eternal X-man.

     Well, I'm back and ready to deliver another movie review from Hollywood's summer stable of films. Now, looking back at this summer as it starts to wind down, Hollywood has not had that big of a blockbuster summer with most of their big-budget films being big bombs financially and with audiences. Films like The Lone Ranger, R.I.P.D., and White House Down have fared worse than expected. I don't think that The Wolverine falls into that category. 

 

     When a sequel was announced for X-men Origins: Wolverine (2009), I will say that I was sad because origins was not that good, despite Hugh Jackman's great performance of Wolverine. Then they lost the director and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami happened so the film was set back. But behind every dark cloud, there is a silver lining ready to break through. That came through with a new director, a reworked script, and, therefore, a wonderful superhero movie is created. 

     In The Wolverine, set after the events of X-men: The Last Stand, Logan (Hugh Jackman) lives in seclusion and being haunted by his memories of Nagasaki in 1945 along with hallucinations of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). Being summoned to Japan to visit a man from his past, he must battle assassins, the poisonous Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova), and the Silver Samurai along with his personal demons once he's stripped of his immortality. 

     I applaud that Hugh Jackman and the director, James Mangold, were determined to make this entry into the X-Men film series a stand alone film. It proved the staying power of the Wolverine character and Hugh Jackman's performance of this hardcore hero. The writers could not have picked a better story than the Japanese story arc, arguably the favorite story arc of this character. While I didn't read this comic (trust me, I plan to), it is an awesome story that resonates with the depth of the X-man and it was definitely shown on the silver screen. 

     Seeing Famke Janssen was a small surprise to me but I understand her importance to Logan so she was needed  in Wolverine's pursuit for an end in the movie. The characters, Yukio (Rila Fukushima) and Kenuichio Harada (Will Yun Lee), were both particularly both cool and lethal to watch. Mariko (Tao Okamoto) is not the typical damsel in distress and helps in Logan's personal journey as he protects her. Also, with next year's X-Men: Days of Future Past on deck for the superhero film series, it would be best to stick to your seats after the post credits to see a scene that will open up the door and prepare us for that incredible ensemble movie. 

     I hope you all go see The Wolverine this week and enjoy it as much as I do. I'll be back with another post possibly today or later this week with some Comic-Con news, in case no one keeps up with it. 

     Enjoy the movies everyone!

Top 10 - Movies that should not be rebooted or remade

     Hello, everyone! While I'm looking for my next movie to see (shortage of money being the main reason), I began thinking on the course that Hollywood is on right now. A lot of films or franchises are being rebooted these days to either give new life to a decades old franchise such as James Bond or bringing a classic to a new generation such as Footloose.

     Now, there are a list of movies that other sites have brought up for movies that should not be rebooted or remade and most of them, I agree with. I mean, seriously, what can you do with a good movie or a classic if the original was done so well? While there are exceptions to this way of thinking, such as James Bond being rebooted with Daniel Craig portraying a younger and colder 007, or, Christian Bale setting the superhero standard as a more emotional, realistic Dark Knight; sometimes, remakes and reboots should not be done and the originals should be left alone.

     So, with that being said, here is my top ten list of movies or series that should not be rebooted (these are in no particular order, by the way) :

1) Star Wars


     Now, when I say Star Wars, I'm referring to the original trilogy. Not the prequel trilogy, even though they were alright in their own ways, but they don't hold a candle to the originals. No matter who they recast in the main roles or who directs, there is NO way that the original trilogy should be touched. Leave it as it is. Also, Good luck, J.J. Abrams. Don't let the Star Wars fans down.

2) Indiana Jones


     Now, let's be serious. It's Harrison Ford. Indiana Jones IS Harrison Ford. There is no debate there. I mean, when Shia LaBeouf tried to put on the Fedora at the end of Crystal Skull, I was thinking, "No. Absolutely not." No one can redo and top the series, especially the first three, because of the magic that is generated by the trio of Harrison Ford, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg. Even Crystal Skull was decent enough, even after the disappointing ending. If you haven't seen it, I think you should because I don't want to spoil the ending.

3) Casablanca


     It's Humphrey Bogart. Bogie. An American movie legend. Possibly his greatest movie and most iconic role. When you hear Bogart's name, the first movie that you think about is Casablanca. Some of this movie's quotes have appeared in AFI's list, ranked at number one for having the most lines on AFI's "100 years...100 movie quotes" list. This movie should not even be thought about as far as being rebooted, even having a sequel. If you haven't seen this movie, you are doing yourself a disservice.

4) The Godfather Series


     I don't need to say anything here about this trilogy. You know that fans might send threatening e-mails to Hollywood if they announce The Godfather trilogy.

5) Back to the Future


     Great Scott! Out of all of the movies and series on this list, this one is the most likely to be remade. But, honestly, what new additions could you make to it? Would the DeLorean make a reappearance? Honestly, the charm of Micheal J. Fox and wacky humor of Christopher Lloyd can't be replicated. There are some young actors that could fill the Nikes of Marty McFly but some more time should pass before ideas start floating around to reboot Back to the Future. 


6) The Shawshank Redemption


     Stephen King is a great author and the adaptations of his works have been adapted successfully to the silver screen (Carrie, The Shining, Misery, The Green Mile). But, the staying power of this movie about freedom, life, friendship, integrity, and hope in a hopeless situation stands above them all in my opinion. No one can recreate the close friendship chemistry that Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman generated in this movie. The realism of prison and what it can do to a man, even with the strongest fortitude. The uplifting theme in a terrible situation can't be duplicated. Plus, who else are you going to get to narrate the movie besides Morgan Freeman? Good luck with that.

7) The Breakfast Club...or any other John Hughes films.


     John Hughes movies still have recognition and themes that can be applied to today's generation of teenagers. So, why tamper with a good thing? The Breakfast Club is, arguably, Hughes' most iconic film and put five actors on the fast track to stardom as "The Brat Pack." This movie shows that, despite how different someone might be, no matter their upbringings, you can still connect on some kind of level. A main theme that resonates even today, 28 years later. Do. Not. Touch. This. Film, Hollywood.

8) Jurassic Park


     I thought long and hard about this and despite the fact that it has spawned two, soon to be three sequels, nothing can beat the original. CGI wasn't huge back in 1993 so Spielberg became very inventive and creative with his dinosaurs, making them more real. Now, CGI is used to create animals like dinosaurs and that's not a big problem. What would be the major challenge is to replicate Spielberg's fantastic directing. You could make the movie closer to the book and try to do the film better but the way Spielberg directed, that is something that can't be replaced.

9) Pulp Fiction


     I'm a fan of Quentin Tarantino. I love his work because of how insane it is but he makes it all come together to create something wonderful. If you haven't seen Django Unchained, go to Redbox and watch it. Pulp Fiction was unconventional for its time as far as story-telling, originality, and closeness to neo-noir films makes it an original classic. With this movie, John Travolta reinvented his career after being in a slump but also launched the careers of Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, especially Jackson, whose role as Jules made him a highly-sought after actor after completing work on this movie. This movie has proved to be an inspiration for various other films based on its style and opened the door for independent cinema to be taken more seriously and considered for contention for awards.

10) The Terminator


     I was going to go with the whole series but it's best to start at the beginning. This movie has been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important" by the United States National Film Registry and I would agree. The fast pacing action, compelling story, and strong performances helped solidify Schwarzenegger as a solid, bankable action star and launched James Cameron's film career. This film really helped put science fiction action films into the mainstream and made cyborgs cool. The tension throughout the movie kept everyone on the edge of their seats and is still watched now. Hollywood has made many sequels to this movie, Terminator 2: Judgment Day surpasses the original in my opinion but this film or series does not need a reboot or a remake at all.

     And there you have it, everyone. My top 10 list. I know there can be debates made that some of these movies can be remade but I think that these are the movies that should be left alone. Hollywood should look into new ideas from fresh minds before digging into the golden well of their classics. If anyone has any opinions or their own lists, I would like to hear from you.

     I hope everyone is having a great summer and getting out there, despite the humidity, and enjoying the movies! I'll be back soon with another review! Until then, to quote Arnold: "I'll be back."