Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Directed by Zack Snyder
Written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer
Starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot and Amy Adams

A lot of Superhero fans were upset with me when I pointed out the Rotten Tomatoes score for this film. Some stated that film critics hate Super Hero movies (not true). Others stated that the then 33% (now 29%) was an exaggeration of it's failure. And while that may be true. Let's face it. This movie just wasn't good.

If you enjoyed it, that's completely different. Hell, I enjoyed it. But technically speaking, with editing, cinematography, acting and writing, it was one of the worst $250 Million dollar movies I have ever seen.

The acting was stiff, but that was expected. The writing was campy, as expected. Zack Snyder, a man who more or less invented steady cam action scenes, created sequences that were terribly shot and it seemed as if the camera operator was shaking under the weight of the camera. And the editing! Oh my, how it was some of the worst editing in recent memory. The film had very little flow and there were so many scenes that felt like they were cut short.

It was an enjoyable movie, but by no means was it a good movie. There were too many problems to forgive. And while I don't expect the average movie goer to notice, that is the reason I did not like it. The entire thing felt phoned in from what's supposed to be a professional cast and crew. It was as if they were forced into making it. For a film they've been teasing for decades, it was too little too late.

Thank God I don't have to pay for movies.

My Rating: 5/10

The Lobster (2015)

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou
Starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Léa Seydoux and John C. Reilly

In a dystopian near future, single people, according to the laws of The City, are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into beasts and sent off into the woods.

If there was an academy award category for weirdest movie of the year, I can't think of any other movie that would top this one. Despite taking place in a rather unbelievable world, there is something rather familiar in the way characters interact with each other, all struggling to find love. The only difference is that the stakes are much higher in this universe.

In a way, it is an extreme exaggeration of how society views single people. Viewed as outcasts, citizens without partners are banished from the rest of the world and forced to find love within a tight timeline. The pressures of having "a normal life" are magnified tenfold when the threat of becoming an animal are thrown into play.

On the other end of the spectrum, when in a group of loners, the same prejudices are projected onto the idea of love and intimacy and any displays of such are punished just as harshly. It is a complex world in which there is little hope for happiness.

For such a random and uncomfortable film, it had a surprising amount to say about societies views on how others live their lives. This is for certain, not a film for everyone. It is aggressively outlandish and is performed as if it took place on another planet. But under that veil of deceit is an incredibly human story.

My Rating: 8/10

The Brothers Grimsby (2016)

Directed by Louis Leterrier
Written by Sacha Baron Cohen, Phil Johnston and Peter Baynham
Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Isla Fisher and Penélope Cruz

A hit man working for MI6 finds himself with a target on his back after his long lost brother ruins an attempt to save a politician causing the job to look like an agent gone rouge.

You know it's a slow week in movies when I decide to see this over any of the new releases. With the showing of a scene on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" as the main form of advertisement in which the only thing that could be televised was the reactions of the audience, I knew that this would be vulgar for the sake of vulgarity. And I was right.

What I did not anticipate was for me to be laughing that the absolute absurdity of the disgusting series of events that happened. It was portrayed in such a way that I couldn't help but laugh, even if brought shame to myself and my family.

With the impossible to watch (in my mind) "Borat" and "Bruno", I was glad to finally see Sacha Baron Cohen in  a movie in which playing tricks on people wasn't the whole premise. Knowing that everyone involved is in on the joke makes it so much easier to watch and finally laugh with Cohen instead of hiding in my jacket from anxiety caused by awkwardness.

With actors as serious as Mark Strong, Ian McShane and… well, that's about it. Anyway, seeing these actors not taking anything too seriously was refreshing to say the least. It was wildly inappropriate, a terribly executed movie, yet overall, I'd have to say I enjoyed it.

Especially with Donald Trump contracting HIV.

My Rating: 6/10

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
Written by Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken and Damien Chazelle
Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr.

After getting into a car accident, Michelle finds herself chained to a pipe in a cemented room of a bunker. When she meets her captor, he tells her of the ongoing apocalyptic crisis happening outside of their doomsday shelter. However, Michelle has her suspicions when she learns more of the man who says he saved her life.

While J.J. Abrams has explicitly said that this is not a continuation of the original "Cloverfield" film from 2008, it certainly takes place in the same universe. And although I haven't seen the first installment of this alien plagued world, I have seen enough through several shifts working at a movie theater during it's release to know I did not care for it.

The areas that I felt were terrible in "Cloverfield" (i.e. "found footage" style, story etc.), were greatly improved for this film. Any style is a huge upgrade from the shaky-cam style of "found footage" movies. And I found the story to be much more engrossing than it's predecessor.

Rather than motivate the story using action and destruction, the filmmakers decide to go the psychological rout, focusing on the protagonists thought process after essentially being kidnapped. It made for a significantly more interesting film.

As for the cast, John Goodman stole the show. He captured his character so perfectly that it was easy to sway between trust and distrust with him. You were never sure of his intentions or his past. He proves yet again why he is one of the greatest actors of his time.

I'm not sure if anyone really asked for this film. Or if it was even meant to be involved with "Cloverfield" until they realized it would be the best way to market it (which is the more probable case). But regardless, this movie has been presented to the world. I would't go as far to call this a great movie. But it is better than a lot. Especially at this time of year. With the exception of "The Witch" and all of the Oscar winners that have been rereleased, I would say this is the best movie out right now. 

Although most of you are probably asking, "what about 'Deadpool'". For you, it's probably better than this. But not in my opinion. And that, my friends, is the beauty of movies.

My Rating: 7/10

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Written by Robert Carlock, based on the book "The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan" by Kim Barker
Starring Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman and Christopher Abbott

Feeling trapped by her mundane desk journalism job, Kim Baker (changed for some reason) makes a decision to find more adventure in her life by taking a position as a war journalist in Afghanistan.

On the surface, due to a misleading advertisement, this would appear to be just another situational comedy. When I first viewed the trailer, I perceived it as one of those standard comedies that takes a slightly interesting setting and plot and inserts sex and drug jokes in an attempt to seek tickets, but overall not accomplish much as a film. Fortunately for this film, it was surprisingly more delicate than that.

From the get-go, it is apparent what kind of film this will be. With an opening scene showing how hectic her life in Afghanistan would be in just three years, the directors then cut to the chronological beginning of the protagonists story as an incredible example of juxtaposition. Tina Fey masterfully captures the essence of her character and puts it on display right away.

I was quite surprised with how unfunny this movie was. But I was even more surprised that I didn't mind. It was more complex and gratifying than I could have predicted and kept me engaged throughout.

With several themes, including the morality of journalism, the dangers of the addiction to conflict and moving forward in your life no matter what happens, it is safe to say this is the most unexpected important film in this young year.

Much of my opinion of this film comes from expecting very little from it. Had I gone in expecting greatness, I might have a completely different opinion. But that's not to say it's not a good movie. It's a hell of a lot better than I expected it to be.

My Rating: 7/10

Triple 9 (2016)

Directed by John Hillcoat
Written by Matt Cook
Starring Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Woody Harrelson and Chiwetel Ejiofor

 A gang of criminals and corrupt cops plan to murder a police officer in order to pull off the biggest heist yet across town.

John Hillcoat, Director of one of my favorite films, "The Road" as well as "Lawless" has unfortunately missed with this newest film. There is so much potential within this plot for an absolutely breathtaking movie, yet it falls short with it's pacing and writing.

The talented ensemble cast does their best to make the script work. With intense performances from all (with the exception of Kate Winslet), it is clear that the weak script is the biggest of many problems. It is clear that Matt Cook was trying very hard to recreate Scorcese's "The Departed".

This is not a bad movie by any means. It's just disappointing to see a film with such great potential fall short. Perhaps it was my high hopes prior to the films release. I expected more from this incredible cast and crew.

My Rating: 5/10

Zootopia (2016)

Directed by Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush
Written by Way too many people to list… Like seriously, too many people. Come on Disney! Calm Down!
Starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba and Jenny Slate

In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a fugitive con artist fox and a rookie bunny cop must work together to uncover a conspiracy.

Going into the theater, what I was expecting was a fun, clever and heartwarming story about some animals who think they're people. And that expectation was delivered, as promised. However, what I was not expecting was the blatant, yet incredibly important social commentary about prejudices and mob mentality.

"Zootopia" proved to be a more meaningful family film than anticipated. It is quite possibly the most vital animated film in history. It is more than just a self-confidence building film that Disney is mostly known for. It is about more than just accepting yourself. It is also about accepting others and not judging people because of their heritage.

The middle act of the film was so intense and topical that it feels as though this is the perfect time for this story to be shared with children. It perfectly mirrors much of the hate being spread right now and I was pleasantly shocked at how mature the themes were. But perhaps I'm over thinking it.

Great thematic elements aside, this film provided me with many laughs and a great couple of hours of entertainment. It is a fun movie that I feel the entire family will enjoy and it is incredibly clever. It is rare that I find a Disney movie lives up to it's hype. I feel most people are blinded by the "magic". But this is one that did not disappoint.

My Rating: 7/10

The Lady in the Van (2015)

Directed by Nicholas Hytner
Written by Alan Bennett
Stars Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent and Deborah Findlay

Alan Bennett, a play-write moving into a new home, finds his living situation less than desirable when he learns that his new neighborhood is also home to a hermit residing in a van. Conditions become even less desirable when she asks to move her van into his driveway, and because he is overcome with British politeness (or timidness) he reluctantly agrees.

This "mostly true" story has a lot of humanity to it. It's a showcase of how most of us would like to treat  vagabonds and hermits if they would just stop asking us for change in a world where paper and coin currency has become obsolete. And it also shows that all British people are polite to a fault… I guess.

A light-hearted story of treating others with kindness and patience, this film marks the best performance that i have seen from the great Maggie Smith. She truly transforms into this dirty and borderline insane homeless woman, yet creates such a charming character that you root for her the whole time, regardless of the troubles she undoubtedly brings the lead character. Through the filth and garbage, she glows as an older woman who is still young at heart.

Overall, the film plateaus after the exhilarating opening. It succeeds at holding ones attention throughout, but it is a relatively flat movie that finally steadily begins to rise in the final ten minutes. But ultimately, it ends at about the same level of intrigue. I guess you could say this is a good thing given the subject matter of the film. But it did leave much to be desired.

I guess what I was hoping for was more of an emotional impact. The view point of the writer (Alan Bennett, who's life the film is made after), is dry and distant. And while his humor does keep you invested just enough, I couldn't help but feel it could have been so much more.

Still a better film than most out at the moment. Not all… But most.

My Rating: 6/10