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!