Terminator Genisys (2015)

Directed by Alan Taylor
Written by Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier, based on characters by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd
Starring Arnold Schwartzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney and Jason Clarke

John Connor sends Kyle Reese back in time to protect Sarah Connor, but when he arrives in 1984, nothing is as he expected it to be.

While sitting in the theater, watching the story unfold, the same question kept repeating in my mind. How much better would this movie be if they didn't reveal one of the biggest plot points and surprises in the trailer? How much more emotionally invested would I be had I gone in not knowing that John Connor was turned into a cyborg, regenerative, terminator thing?

And that is possibly the biggest problem with this movie. Overall, it's a fun, action packed movie that is not as dark and brooding as the 2009 "Terminator Salvation". It doesn't take itself too seriously and is playful in it's action.

But seriously, how much better would it have been had I not known that the legend known as John Connor-- that little punk ass teenager in T2-- had I not known his fate because of a poorly planned marketing strategy, this movie could have been so much more.

It's the Terminator! You're not going to get any more butts in the seats why giving the whole plot away!  Not only that, but had the marketing team kept their mouths shut about that whole plot point, it could have blown people away and sold even more tickets due to word of mouth. It's a missed opportunity thanks to the new fad of showing the whole film in the trailer.

I'd turn evil too if I had to share screen time with Jai Courtney…

Despite, perhaps the worst marketing strategy known to mankind and terrible acting from everyone other than Jason Clarke and JK Simmons, "Terminator Genisys" turned out to be better than I expected.  While no match for T1 and T2 (obviously), it surpasses T3 and "Terminator Salvation". But it's no match to other action movies released this summer.

My Rating: 6/10

Dom Hemingway (2013)

Written and Directed by Richard Shepard
Starring Jude Law, Richard E. Grant, Emilia Clarke and Demian Bichir

A career criminal who was just released from prison returns to the boss whom he had been quiet about while in prison. The reward money the was given for doing so is stolen and Dom Hemingway's life begins to spiral out of control.

Neither a film about repentance or life change, "Dom Hemingway" is just about a criminal trying to get back his criminal life, yet attempting to regain the trust of his daughter. He never once apologizes for his actions and continues to break the law throughout.

While not a deep, meaningful story that we see so often in movies about gangsters, it is rather interesting. The character Jude law creates is so fun and eccentric that it is near impossible to turn away. With seemingly poetic threats and insults, he speaks his way through the film with such a force that it is difficult to dislike him.

Just look at this side burns!

"Dom Hemingway" has a lot of positives about it. It has great writing, acting and cinematography just to name a few. I enjoyed it. But this isn't a "must see" movie. Sure it was fun and comedic and I'm happy I watched it. It just wasn't mind-blowing or even heart-pounding.

My Rating: 5.5/10