Aloha (2015)

Written and Directed by Cameron Crowe

Starring Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams and John Krasinski

A celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and re-connects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him.

Despite having a cast filled with A-list actors, most of which have won or been nominated for Oscar's, and a celebrated Academy Award winning director, this Hawaiian based romance is not without it's problems. The writing is up to par with Cameron Crowe's previous work and the acting is undoubtedly a showcase of the best. But the flow of the film is unbearably slow and often unfocused. 

It's hard to see exactly what Crowe was attempting to say with this convoluted and cluttered plot line. It swings between a romance, a Hawaiian ghost story and a struggle with war based morality and never really finds it's footing with either theme.

The romantic aspect is perhaps the strongest of the three. However, the connection between Cooper and Stone's characters never seemed right other than having two beautiful people romantically linked. The story seemed to play out just for the sake of playing out.

This film, while certainly not being the best in any participants career, is definitely not without it's merits. As I said before, the acting is up to par with everyone and it has a lot of funny moments. The story just had very poor flow and never kept a consistent pace.

My Rating: 5/10

Pride (2014)

Directed by Matthew Warchus
Written by Stephen Beresford
Starring Ben Schnitzer, George MacKay, Faye Marsay and Paddy Considine

U.K. gay activists work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984.

With themes of solidarity, human rights and equality for all, "Pride" is a remarkable and inspirational film that shows that the likeliest of people can come together for a common cause. But it's also an example of just how terrible people are.

Equally hilarious and frustrating, this film flips back and forth between showing the good in humanity and showing people who are the reason the "C" word was created. Of course, this is just the reality of the world, specifically when fighting for rights, whether it be for the gay community or workers. But damn… there are a lot of people in this movie that make you just want to punch your screen.

A huge part of the humor in this film comes from the reactions people have to being around gay people. Mind you this was in the mid 80s, when AIDS was on everyone's mind and homosexuals had one foot in the closet. Seeing all the different reactions from all of the different characters was quite entertaining.

Perhaps, the most compelling thing about this movie was it's message. Unfortunately, it is as equally prevalent today as it was during the events of this story. That message can be broken down into three simple things. You should never hide who you are. Always stand up for yourself. Love your fellow man. It's a shame that this is still something that needs to be said today.

Lead by a brilliant ensemble of characters, "Pride" proves to be one of the better films in recent memory. It takes an event that happened thirty years ago and compares it to the world today. It is beautifully written and honestly performed. Like the characters in the movie, gay, straight or "as yet undecided", I feel everyone could take something away from this picture.

My Rating: 8/10

The Mule (2014)

Directed by Tony Mahony and Angus Sampson
Written by Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson and Jaime Brown
Starring Angus Sampson, Leigh Whannell, Hugo Weaving and Georgina Haig

A first time drug mule is caught by law enforcement and kept on a 7 day watch as he tries to hold his bowels.

A dark, yet hilarious take on the legalities of drug smuggling, this film includes some of the smartest "potty" humor I've seen. If there is such a thing. The ensemble of Aussies display a great chemistry with each other, creating a tightly performed story.

Despite having such names attached as Hugo Weaving, Angus Sampson. Leigh Whannell and John Noble, it was easy to believe all of the characters and their reaction to the scenarios they faced. That is often something that is lost with such a star-studded cast.

On top of this movie being funny as hell, it's also a really good story. It takes a overused topic of drug smuggling and makes it it's own. Not once during it did I feel I had seen the movie before. I continued to second guess what I thought would happen, which in today's world is almost impossible for me. It was refreshingly new and creative, and that is the best thing a movie can be.

My Rating: 8/10

Area 51 (2015)

Directed by Oren Peli
Written by Christopher Denham and Oren Peli
Starring Reid Warner, Darrin Bragg, Ben Rovner and Jelena Nik

Three young conspiracy theorists attempt to uncover the mysteries of Area 51, the government's secret location rumored to have hosted encounters with alien beings. What they find at this hidden facility exposes unimaginable secrets.

With a weak and cliched opening, the first twenty minutes felt like unnecessary character development that only hurt the movie. With the introduction of three "bros" who say "dude" way more than they should, you immediately begin to hate everything about these characters, thus rendering the next 70-80 minutes the most annoying 70-80 minutes in recent memory.

One of the characters just keeps complaining the whole time and when they finally ask him why he's there he doesn't give an answer. His character is entirely useless. The main character-- or the character who seems to be the most interested in the mission, makes really dumb choices, like refusing to leave a house they had broken into when the owner gets home. He seems to forget that THIS IS NOT A TIME SENSITIVE MATTER!!!

They come up with all of these security measures that Area 51 is apparently armed with, yet in one of the most secure bases in the country, they don't have security cameras and people watching those cameras? 7-11's have more security cameras than this depiction of Area 51 has.

Also, there security guards are only trained in seeing heat. Not human shaped objects.

Perhaps this films worst offense (next to being made) is how much it drags. It takes so long for anything to happen and it's not suspenseful. It's just three guys and occasional one woman being really annoying. That mixed with there terrible way it's filmed (it's the first movie to give me headaches, including other found footage films), create for an overall terrible 90 minute experience.

And this complaint is more about Area 51 conspiracy theorists than it is the movie. Who cares if they're lying? It has nothing to do with your life! You are obsessing over something that literally does not matter and the day that the government finally comes out and says "you were right", nothing will change. Except you might have an alien friend. Which is cool and all, but focus on what you have, not what you don't have, man! It makes for better movies.

My Rating: 3/10

Aloft (2014)

Written and Directed by Claudia Llosa
Starring Jennifer Connelly, Cillian Murphy, Mélanie Laurent and Peter McRobbie

A woman who struggled as a mother has her past come back to haunt her when she encounters the son she abandoned 20 years earlier.

In a film where I assume you are supposed to empathize with the mother and some how understand why she abandoned her son, it achieves the exact opposite. Perhaps it is Jennifer Connelly's portrayal of the single mother, or even the writing, but the character seems to be nothing more than a whiny, stubborn woman who makes poor choices regarding her children and obviously has a favorite.

Despite the frustrating stupidity of Connelly's character, the director, Claudia Llosa keeps it interesting with it's artsy feel and beautiful cinematography. But that's not enough to raise the overall quality of the film.

Even though Cillian Murphy acted phenomenally, even acting circles around Jennifer Connelly when they shared screen time, his character was just dumb. He made choices that made no sense (i.e. cheating on your wife while she's at home watching your kid, with no other reason to other than the fact the woman was French and attractive. It just didn't fit the character).

The entire film felt like it was made to show the harsh landscape of living just out side the arctic circle. The story made no sense. What needed to be explained, wasn't explained. No one learns anything. There isn't a single character arc throughout. It's just plain boring, with the exception of a single five minute scene.

My Rating: 5/10

Being There (1979)

Directed by Hal Ashby
Written by Jerzy Kosinski based on his novel and Robert C. Jones (Uncredited)
Starring Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas and Jack Warden

A simple, sheltered gardener becomes an unlikely trusted advisor to a powerful businessman and an insider in Washington politics. With his literal dissection of everything said to him, his innocent and honest answers are taken as wise musings of the economic climate.

An elegant and subtle comedy, "Being There" is touching, yet slightly terrifying. While I'm sure the situations of this film would never happen in real life, the idea of an illiterate man with no formal education taking the political and financial world by storm raises some serious questions (i.e. Are all Politicians stupid? Answer: Yes.)

Peter Sellers is brilliant as the quiet, simple man of few words. He brings a humanity to his character that is sadly lost even in today's depictions of people with mental illness. As usual, he is hilarious. But this character, despite having the mind of a child, had a maturity to it that truly shows Sellers' depth.

In a modern world where comedies are loud and in your face 99% of the time, it is refreshing to watch the classics that are so widely regarded, yet simple and understated. It is remarkable that a film about "the village idiot", as the trailer describes,  could have such deep, meaningful themes of life and death. It is a rare, beautiful comedy.

My Rating: 8/10

Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

Directed by Mike Nichols
Written by Aaron Sorkin, based on the book by George Crile
Starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams

A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.

The question of whether or not Charlie Wilson was a hero in real life is still up in the air. But we're not talking about real life here. We're talking about a movie. And regardless of how things happened in real life, in the film for all intents and purposes he is. And it is a brilliant depiction of the American political system and their views on helping other countries during war contrasted to their views on helping during reconstruction.

Tom Hanks shines as the foul mouthed, womanizing congressman who becomes the unlikeliest of diplomats in a covert operation. As usual, his comedic timing and charm are on point as he makes even the dirtiest of dirt balls likable.

With a Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor, Phillip Seymour Hoffman kills it as "the Zen Master" CIA agent that Charlie Wilson works with. It is a further example of the talent that was lost far too soon.

While, I guess you could technically call this film a "war movie", it is more a "behind the scenes" of a war, taking an in depth and interesting look into the politics that come with aiding another country fight. With amazing writing from the incomparable Aaron Sorkin, and outstanding performances by an amazing cast, "Charlie Wilson's War" is as entertaining as a movie where people just talk can get… You can take that however you like. But I personally enjoyed it.

My Rating: 7/10

Home (2015)

Directed by Tim Johnson
Written by Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember, based on the book "The True Meaning of Smekday" by Adam Rex
Starring Jim Parsons, Rhianna, Steve Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Matt Jones

When the Boove discover sanctuary on Earth from their enemy the Gorg, the abduct all humans and jam them into Australia, stealing everything else. But when an unpopular Boove named Oh jeopardizes his species' peace, he is hunted down. While on the run, he finds a lonely girl who escaped capture and helps her find her Mom.

In a time where many animation studios are staying a float by adding more things for the parents in their family movies, Dreamworks has stepped in and taken the reigns with the films directed towards younger audiences.

Unlike movies from Pixar and Disney Animation (two different entities that just happened to be owned by Disney), in which plots are often darker and have heavier content that is both kid friendly and holds the adults' attention, "Home" aims for an even younger audience and neglects to think about the parent's in attendance.

Their first mistake, in my mind, was casting both Rhianna and Jennifer Lopez. Perhaps it is the crowd I surround myself with, but I don't know many people over the age of 16 who listen to those artists religiously. Or at the very least, enough to be excited that they are in a movie. Not only was it meaningless from a marketing standpoint, but from the acting side, it just gave the movie lower quality voice performances.

With a soundtrack plagued by Rhianna  and Jennifer Lopez songs, the entire movie just felt like an advertisement for her. Sure, when a musician agrees to be in a movie, they usually lend a song for good measure. But the songs just did not fit the scenes they were in. The became a distraction rather than an enhancement.

The plot of the movie itself, although cliché, was an interesting enough start. They definitely had a foundation and enough jokes and gags to make a good movie. And the casting choices weren't an immediate deal breaker. I just can't pinpoint where the filmmakers went wrong. It's a decent movie, but I feel a lot of little mistakes cost them the quality of the movie after such a promising short film.

My Rating: 5/10

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Directed by David Wain
Written by Michael Showalter and David Wain
Starring Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter and Marguerite Moreau

Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, a group of counselors try to complete their unfinished business before the day ends.

The comedic genius of David Wain and Michael Showalter is often lost on people. Their over the top jokes and gags could easily be perceived as forced. And that's because they are. But that's what makes them brilliant. They force their comedy. They don't try to hide the fact that they are attempting to make you laugh. They just go all in and do the most absurd thing they can think of.

I will admit, their comedy is not for everyone. But if you can come to understand it, you will love "Wet Hot American Summer". It is an in-your-face parody of such teenage based comedies as "Dazed and Confused", in which over sexed teenagers try to have sex. And being camp councilors, this sometimes leads them to neglecting the kids they've been put in charge of.

This movie is goofy and ridiculous. If you expect anything else, you will be disappointed. It is not a movie for the serious. I really can't say anything else. This type of comedy takes some serious guts and everyone involved just killed it.

My Rating: 7/10

They Came Together (2014)

Directed by David Wain
Written by Michael Showalter and David Wain
Starring Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Cobie Smulders, Bill Hader and Ellie Kemper

When a couple on a double date tells their friends the story of how they met, they realize the whole thing sounds like a corny romantic comedy movie… 'cause it is.

I don't understand how anyone could dislike this movie. Everywhere I look, I see poor ratings for it. It's as if people think making fun of cliched romantic comedies is a bad thing! This takes everything you hate about date movies, amplifies them and forces you to love them through laughter.

Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler nail the overplayed protagonist couple that need to overcome their difference to come together (OH SHIT! That's the name of the movie!). This is the kind of satirical comedy that has been missing from the Wayans' parody movies since "Scary Movie 2". And it is beautiful.

There were times during this movie that I laughed so hard, I was afraid I would wake up my neighbors. It is a clever movie with brilliant performances from actors who knew exactly what director David Wain was trying to accomplish. Everyone was one the same page throughout this movie. Even the brilliant cameo appearances were on point.

My Rating: 7/10

Slow West (2015)

Written and Directed by John Maclean
Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelsohn, Caren Pistorius and Rory McCann

A 16-year-old Scottish boy leaves his home and travels through the wild west in order to reconnect with the girl he loves, while accompanied by a mysterious traveler, Silas.

Unlike most westerns, which are flashy and loud, this film takes a more subtle approach. It's subdued themes and characters build an intensity that is often missed in films in which people shoot first and ask questions later. Every action and bullet is meticulously thought over before decisions are made.

Another thing that stood out about this movie is that unlike other westerns where the entirety of the movie is spent on gun fights, this is a genuine character study into the mind of a naive teenage boy and the man using him to get what he wants. An intriguing scenario in which the unlikeliest of a friendship is built.

Michael Fassbender and Kodi Smit-McPhee have this uncomfortableness between them that really adds to the building of their bond. As their relationship develops, so does their chemistry. It is a very fluid feeling, following the two of them.

Ironically, what I believe to be it's biggest strength, others will more than likely see as a weakness. Yes, it would appear as though very little happens throughout most of the movie. But what they fail to realize is this isn't your typical western. This isn't all about gunfights and violence. This is a movie about the characters involved, not their actions. And from that standpoint, it is brilliant.

My Rating: 7/10

Poltergeist (2015)

Directed by Gil Kenan
Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, based on the story by Steven Spielberg
Starring Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Catlett and Kennedi Clements

A family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive.

The latest in a remake plagued market, this remaining of the 1982 horror classic doesn't hold much water to it's predecessor. In my opinion, the original isn't that scary. Sure it is filled with great visuals and awesome special effects, but the fear isn't there. The same goes for this one.

With every single scene a nod to Tobe Hooper's classic, Gil Kenan struggles to find his own voice i his reboot. Perhaps that is at the fault of Sam "I don't know why he's famous" Raimi. Even in his own creation "The Evil Dead", Raimi can't find originality.

The only differences between this and the 80s film is the time period and humor. As a comedy, this movie was pretty entertaining. There were plenty of slapstick moments and satires of modern culture. But as a horror film, it is weak.

I really wanted to like this movie. Upon viewing the first trailer, I had so much hope for it. But as soon as it was announced that it was rated PG-13, I knew it was going to be weak. With the exception of a few cool scenes with great imagery, there was nothing special or worth while about this movie.

You can skip this one this weekend. Instead, rent the original. If you're lucky like I was, a light bulb that isn't on will explode above your head, adding to the experience. 

My Rating: 4/10

Tomorrowland (2015)

Directed by Brad Bird
Written by Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird & Jeff Jensen
Starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy and Hugh Laurie

Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.

From the very beginning, it is painfully obvious that this film was created for the purpose is selling tickets to Disney World/Land. It felt as though Brad Bird was forced to remind people that this was in fact a Disney movie continuously throughout. Because of this, it was often hard to watch.

Regardless of it's forceful advertising, much of it was fun and even humorous at certain points. Particularly the actress who played the Casey Newton had superb comedic timing and had a great rapport with George Clooney.

The inventions and visions of the future weren't particularly impressive. Everything was either just an improvement of a device already in existence, or just so unbelievable that even in my wildest dreams, I feel would be impossible. It didn't inspire me as I'm sure was the intention. Rather, it made me role my eyes in disbelief. Or at the very most, say "that'd be cool if it were possible".

There is no way a metropolis would be surrounded by that much wheat.

Regardless of all of the problems I had with it, I did enjoy it. I'd probably even see it again if a friend of mine wanted to go. I just felt like the message of "hope fixes all" was a bit forced and very painfully Disney. Perhaps I'm too cynical. But I just couldn't handle the cheese!

My Rating: 6/10

The War of the Worlds (1953)

Directed by Byron Haskin
Written by Barré Lyndon, based on the novel by H.G. Wells
Starring Gene Barry, Sylvia Van Buren, Sandro Giglio and Lewis Martin

After a suspicious object lands just outside of Los Angeles, all of the citizens of nearby towns flock to go see what they believe to be a meteorite. But they soon discover that the object that crash landed in the hills is intact an alien spaceship. One of many sent to destroy life on Earth.

Undeniably way ahead of it's time, the 1953 adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic is certainly not as intense as it's 2005 counterpart. But it is a brilliant example of the ingenuity and creativity of it's generations filmmakers. Back before computers became the answer to all film making problems, miniature sets, props and special effects had to be imagined using limited resources.

While the film itself is not terribly horrifying and the performances were given at a time when very few people knew the difference between stage acting and film acting, it is definitely one of those movies that are impressive merely for it's age. To see how things were done before the age of Hundreds of millions of dollar budgets.

"I got no strings on me… oh wait"

I doubt many other types of people would enjoy this film. This is a true film buffs movie. I personally didn't watch it for the story. I've read and seen that story in a version specifically made so that Tom Cruise could run. This was exclusively out of interest into how they would pull it off. And from that standpoint, it was quite impressive.

My Rating: 6/10

Furious Seven (2015)

Directed by James Wan
Written by Chris Morgan, based on the characters by Gary Scott Thompson
Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez

Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother.

Ludacris is not just the name of an actor in this movie. It is also the single most correct word to describe it. Ludicrous. Physics? Thrown out the window, along with the cares of everyone involved. But it achieves the most important thing when it comes to action movies. It is fun as hell.

Filled with laughable one liners and scenes of terrible etiquette (i.e. Vin Diesel wearing a wife-beater to his wedding when his bride wore a gown. Apparently he didn't get the "formal memo"), the movie has more explosions and gun shots than it does lines of dialogue, and that is perfectly fine.

Yeah. Bring the army to your home town and let them destroy it. Good plan.

From a human standpoint, the tribute to Paul Walker was great. But from a film standpoint, not so much. It felt more like the actors saying goodbye (which it was) than it did the charters (which it should have been). There was nothing about the way Paul's character arc ended that signified his team should have been sad. It's like being sad that your friend got out of a war zone alive and wasn't going to be shot at anymore. It didn't make sense.

This movie is not good. The film snob in me can't allow me to say that. However, I enjoyed the crap out of it, regardless of it's terribleness. It was a high octane thrill ride worthy of the big screen. But I'm sorry Mr. Diesel, if that is your real name! (It's not. It's Mark Sinclair) This movie will win no awards worth mentioning.

My Rating: 5/10

Enjoyment Rating: 7/10

The History of Future Folk (2012)

Directed by John Mitchell and Jeremy Kipp Walker
Written by John Mitchell
Starring Nils d'Alaire, Jay Klaitz, Julie Ann Emery, April L. Hernandez and Dee Snider (Yup)

The possibly exaggerated origin story of the real life alien bluegrass band, Future Folk, that has been playing for NYC audiences for the better part of a decade.

The history of a relatively popular comedy duo from New York City, "The History of Future Folk" is definitely not short on imagination. A story about aliens sent to destroy Earth only to fall in love with music, which their planet did not have.

The music the duo creates is catchy and topped off with clever lyrics and catchy melodies. The idea of a couple of aliens adapting to Earth culture provides humorous imagery, particularly when they wander around a Cost-Co like store in amazement.

The film itself is nothing special. The acting of the protagonist is bland to the point where I can't tell if he's just bad at acting, or he feels that a hardened General from the plant Hondo would have a lack of emotion comparable to someone who has had too many Botox injections.

However, the creativity of this film, and the devotion of creating a back story to their musical duo was enough to make this film interesting. And regardless of it's catchy songs, it is an entertaining movie.

My Rating: 6/10

The Informant! (2009)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Written by Scott Z. Burns, based on the book by Kurt Eichenwald
Starring Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale and Melanie Lynskey

The U.S. government decides to go after an agro-business giant with a price-fixing accusation, based on the evidence submitted by their star witness, vice president-turned-informant Mark Whitacre.

In true Soderbergh fashion, the hard working directed created a film that transcends his own style with this crime dramedy of Corporate greed and corruption. Based on a true story, Matt Damon plays the worlds worst whistle blower who can't seem to keep his mouth shut or his hands in his own pockets in this quirky, period piece.

Matt Damon is superb as an everyman who gets in over his head. The nuances that he brings to his character add so much comedic value that much of it goes unnoticed. With a supporting cast of award-winners and stand-up comedians, there is no doubt in my mind that this film has one of the most diverse casts in recent memory (talent wise… most, if not all of them are white…. but that's for another day).

The last of five films that Soderbergh directed in a three year stretch between 2007 and 2009, it is amazing that he can direct so many films with such consistency. This movie, like most, isn't life changing. But it is worth a watch. It feels like an earlier Coen Brother's movie.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Life of Crime (2013)

Written and Directed by Daniel Schechter
Based on the book "The Switch" by Elmore Leonard
Starring John Hawkes, Jennifer Aniston, Yasiin Bey and Tim Robbins

Two common criminals get more than they bargained for after kidnapping the wife of a corrupt real-estate developer who shows no interest in paying the $1 million dollar ransom for her safe return.

This quirky heist comedy, complete with a star studded cast doesn't particularly stand out in the sea of other films like it. In fact, the entire time I was watching it, I felt as though I had already seen it, despite knowing for a fact that I hadn't. However, regardless of any cliché or overplayed thematic elements, it achieves the ultimate goal of every movie. It entertained me.

All of the performances were believable and the chemistry between the actors was strong. Every plot point, line of dialogue and detail put in to the story flowed naturally onto the screen. And as a bonus, it was pretty funny. It played much like a low-key version of the "Ocean's Eleven" movies.

All in all, Daniel Schechter delivers a solid, enjoyable movie. It may fail to make itself memorable to the average movie goer and I'm not even sure if I will remember it in detail further down the road. But for the hour and forty minutes I was watching this movie, I was engaged. And there are more movies than I care to mention that couldn't do that.

My Rating: 6/10

Valhalla Rising (2009)

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Written by Nicolas Winding Refn, Roy Jacobsen and Matthew Read
Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson, Gordon Brown and Gary Lewis

For years, On Eye, a mute warrior of legendary strength, has been gel prisoner by the Norse chieftain Barde. Slaying all of his captors, he soon finds himself on a journey with Christian Crusaders in search for Jerusalem. But when a strange mist plagues their travels, they find themselves in a strange new world, with no provisions.

With a strong and ominous first chapter, this film started off just right. There was action, mystery, violence and superb pacing within the opening ten minutes. It seemed that this film was going to have a quality more like Refn's "Drive" and less like his "Only God Forgives".

Then everything came to a screeching halt. The action became nonexistent, the mystery was boring, the violence was plagued by cartoonish blood splatter, regardless of the awesome makeup effects. But nothing was worse than the pacing. The pacing became less suspenseful and more yawn inducing.

With the entire third chapter stuck on a small boat in the middle of a misty ocean, the director decided to show long takes of people trying to stay awake. One can only presume it was his way of holding up a mirror so the audience could truly see themselves in that moment in time.

In an attempt to parallel "Heart of Darkness", I believe Refn was aiming for "Apocalypse Now", but with Vikings. The only problem is, nothing happened for a good twenty minutes. And once they found land, the explorers wandered around aimlessly and separated with no rhyme or reason.

Overall, my biggest problem with this movie were some very questionable choices. It felt as though Refn cared more about having striking visuals with an ambient soundtrack than he did an actual story. And unlike some art films, this Nordic epic had little to say.

I understand Refn has made strong silent characters his trademark, but that shouldn't mean everyone else around the characters should be as stoic. That is what was so great about "Drive". Everyone around Gosling's character talked and wouldn't stop talking.

But this film felt as though he had only a forty page script, and then just stretched it out over an hour and a half. And after as strong as a beginning as this film had, I had such high hopes. Unfortunately, they were not met.

My Rating: 5/10

The Maze Runner (2014)

Directed by Wes Ball
Written by Noah Oppenheim, Grant Pierce Myers, T. S. Nowlin, based on the novel by James Dashner
Starring Dylan O'Brien, Aml Ameen, Ki Hong Lee, Blake Cooper, Will Poulter and Kaya Scodelario

Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape.

In a world plagued by mediocre to terrible young adult, post apocalyptic, Lord of the Flies-esque movies, where for some reason teenagers are the only people that can save the world, "The Maze Runner" sticks out among them. 

At least in the first film, the main plot isn't overshadowed with a will they, won't they romance. It is straight and to the point and doesn't play any games, even when a female character is introduced (Which unfortunately makes me think that all of what I just said will change in the next film).

It is also not filled with several plot holes, rendering the entire story unlikely like others in it's genre. It is a solid, coherent story that explains, or promises to explain everything in later films. Supported by several actors who are unknown to the average movie goer (not me of course), I found the story to be more immersing than "The Hunger Games" or "Divergent" which are filled with A-list actors.

Really, the only complaint I have about this movie was the protagonist. Thomas' plan was so solid and made so much sense that it made the character of Gally just seem like a stubborn bully who was backed into a corner. His defiance to the plan and everyone who sided with Thomas seemed immature in a world where even the youngest of characters were logically thinking human beings.

Despite this slight annoyance, the filmmakers did a great job at keeping the tempo up. There was seldom a dull moment. And the action scenes were nail biters where I legitimately didn't know what was going to happen, unlike it's more popular counterparts which are extremely predictable.

I didn't have much hope for this movie while it was in theaters. Which is why I waited until now to watch it. But it surprised me. It was much better than I anticipated and it got me more excited for the next one. "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" opens in theaters September 18th.

My Rating: 7/10

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Directed by Elizabeth Banks
Written by Kay Cannon, based on characters created by Mickey Rapkin
Starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow and Hailee Steinfeld

After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform.

This film did not miss a single beat, no pun intended, from it's predecessor. Where many sequels try to explain where the group has been since their last journey, and bore the audience with unnecessary back story, this movie just jumps right into the plot without hesitation.

In her feature length directorial debut, Elizabeth Banks shines at the helm of this film. She created a fun and humorous sequel to the 2012 film in which she had a small, bit part. Her talent as a director is unquestionable in my mind after witnessing this enjoyable musical ride.

What else is there to say about this movie? I mean, it doesn't have any deep, well thought undertones. It doesn't have any kind of agenda or opinion to give. It is just a fun, enjoyable movie. Despite my disdain for watching people sing solos (it makes me very uncomfortable), I found myself laughing and tapping my feet after those solos were over. And that's all this movie really wants to accomplish.

My Rating: 7/10

Just Before I Go (2014)

Directed by Courteney Cox
Written by David Flebotte
Starring Seann William Scott, Olivia Thirlby, Garret Dillahunt and Kate Walsh

A man in the midst of a divorce realizes his past has created a terrible life for him. So he plans to commit suicide in his hometown, but before he does, he seeks revenge on those who have wronged him. Things don't go according to plan when he finds that people aren't as they were when he was a child.

In similar comedies in which the premise is as dark as this one ("Better Off Dead", "Wilfred") the comedic relief is plentiful and condensed. However, in this film, the comedy is spread out and separated by inspirational and important life lessons. Sort of.

While all of the messages were well meaning and honest, they seemed to clutter the film. It kind of felt like the writer wanted to touch on many subjects instead of just one, so he shoved them all into one storyline.

As far as the humor goes, the entirety of the comedic relief relied solely on Garret Dillahunt's character. Very few laughs were had due to other performances, which is strange for a self described comedy. It had it's humorous moments, but all in all, it kind of fell flat.

This was a decent movie. It had it's moments. And for her feature film directorial debut, Courteney Cox did an excellent job creating a film that flowed well. While certain scenes did drag, the majority of the film moves well. This movie won't blow your mind. But it is enjoyable.

My Rating: 6/10

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Directed by George Miller
Written by George Miller, Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris
Starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult and Hugh Keays-Byrne

In a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, two rebels just might be able to restore order: Max, a man of action and of few words, and Furiosa, a woman of action who is looking to make it back to her childhood homeland.

Let me just start off by saying this. Anyone who does not like this movie is stupid!

The fourth installment of the Mad Max franchise originally created by George Miller, this film takes the dreams of what George Miller probably wanted in the 80s but didn't have the technology for, straps dynamite on it and blows it up. It is seriously the most fun movie I have ever seen. It just doesn't care!

Just when you think that the movie couldn't get even more ridiculous than it already is, it exceeds itself. It is a 100% adrenaline fueled thrill ride. The world that George Miller has created with this film trumps all over the worlds he created in both Road Warrior and Thunderdome.

And to think that that same man directed both "Happyfeet" and "Babe: Pig in the City" is remarkable. He is truly a versatile man. Creating a talking pig and a dance penguin, then going back to his roots. Only this time, the ladies kick some serious ass! All of the female characters in this film are more tough and bad ass than Black Widow in "Avengers". And she is still pretty tricking tough! 

The visuals of this action packed film are second to none. Every punch, explosion, crash and line of dialogue is filmed perfectly and compliments the shots before and after it. There isn't a dull frame in it's entire two-hour running time. And the vibrance of the colors makes the world that much more enticing.

As far as blockbuster, mindless action movies go, this is hands down the best I have seen. At least in the past decade. No film comes to mind that can even touch this. It's dark and edgy, but still ridiculously fun. Something Marvel and DC can learn from it. And I am dead serious when I say if you don't like this movie, we can't be friends anymore.

My Rating: 10/10

As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me (2001)

Directed by Hardy Martins
Written by Bastian Clevé, Hard Martins & Bernd Schwamm, based on the novel by Josef Martin Bauer
Starring Bernhard Bettermann, Anatolly Kotenyov, Michael Mendl and Iris Böhm

At the end of World War II, a German POW doing hard labor in the Soviet Gulag escapes from his Siberian camp to return home. He travels over 8,000 miles, mostly on foot as he is pursued by a Soviet NKVD officer.

Undoubtedly, an impressive story, this film is plagued with budget problems. Made with only 15 Million German Marks (about $8 Million US), the sacrifices made might have seemed small, but they really distracted from the story.

Filmed using the digital cameras that Christopher Nolan still thinks are being used, the image quality looks more like a PBS made for TV movie, rather than an epic German war films. That alone was a enough to lower the overall quality of the film.

The majority of the performances were strong enough to carry the film. However, at a running time of 120 minutes, the plot begins to seem almost as repetitive as the Nazi soldiers days had become. I understand that it is, in fact, the story of a man walking 8,000 miles, but there are ways of telling a survival story without them becoming tedious.

Had the film been shorter, or even told in the past tense like other, similar films, this could have been a great film. The story is definitely there. That is not being contested. The way the filmmakers decided to tell the story just did not do it justice. I had such high hopes for it.

My Rating: 5/10

Adaptation (2002)

Directed by Spike Jonze
Written by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman (Fictionally), based on the book "The Orchid Thief" (sort of, kind of, not really) by Susan Orlean
Starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper and Brian Cox

A lovelorn screenwriter becomes desperate as he tries and fails to adapt "The Orchid Thief" by Susan Orlean for the screen.

A satire of just how wrong film adaptations of beloved novels can be, Charlie Kaufman took his real-life struggles of adapting Susan Orlean's book and did what any good screenwriter would do when writing an adaptation and made it nothing like it's printed counterpart. Making himself the main character, Kaufman took a story that wasn't even in his own genre and put his imaginative twist on it.

The genius and ingenuity of his writing made for a fun film in which we got to see into his psyche. Or probably not. There really is no telling after this script. Regardless, the journey he takes us on is one that all film lovers will appreciate.

Backed by great writing, the A-list cast gave remarkable performances that earned Chris Cooper an Academy Award (although, I believe it to be a "sorry for snubbing you for 'American Beauty' award). It even earned Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep Academy Award nominations for their roles.

A film that I can't imagine anyone other than Spike Jonze to direct. The quirkiness and ingenuity of Kaufman's writing is complimented by Jonze's style and proves to be a perfect followup to "Being John Malkovich".

I really haven't seen another film like this. It is so different and extraordinarily wild that I really can't compare it to any other work. It's just one of those movies that can't be defined other than by a few meaningless words that don't delve into what it really is. You just have to see it.

My Rating: 8/10