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

Movie Trailer Tuesdays - 4/28/15

Area 51
Directed by Oren Peli
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.

Ugh…. UGH….. UGGGGGGHHHHHH…. This trailer is filled with cheap gimmicks and bad acting. I like the concept, but the execution seems to be half-assed. Modern horror/thriller movies have gone down the toilet with the found footage format. "Area 51" hits theaters May 15th.

The Visit

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

Starring Kathryn Hahn, Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould and Peter McRobbie

A single mother finds that things in her family's life go very wrong after her two young children visit their grandparents.

Confession time: I've got a soft spot for M. Night Shyamalan.  I have at least enjoyed all of his movies. Doesn't necessarily mean I loved them, but I did enjoy watching them. Though it is undisputed that this will not be as good or even close to "Unbreakable" or "The Sixth Sense", I am looking forward to this. "The Visit" hits theaters September 11th.

Mr. Holmes

Directed by Bill Condon

Starring Ian McKellen, Milo Parker, Laura Linney and Hattie Morahan

An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes looks back on his life, and grapples with an unsolved case involving a beautiful woman.

I was about to post the original trailer I had seen and tear it apart. It wasn't a very good trailer. But I found this one which is a huge improvement from the last. This one actually gets me excited for the movie, and having the song "Nero" by Two Steps from Hell is a plus! Seriously, check it out. It's beautiful. Now I'm actually looking forward to seeing this. And that, my friends, is the power of editing! "Mr. Homes" hits theaters July 17th.

Pitch Perfect 2

Directed by Elizabeth Banks

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 never won in order to regain their status and right to perform.

This trailer made me laugh. A bit too much, actually. Having seen the first one, although I'm not crazy about it, it's actually making me look forward to this one. And worse comes to worst, I get to watch Anna Kendrick for two hours. And that's enough for me. "Pitch Perfect 2" hits theaters May 15th.

Black Mass

Directed by Scott Cooper

Starring Johnny Depp, Dakota Johnson, Benedict Cumberbatch and Joel Edgerton

The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf.

Damn, Johnny Depp! You scary! This just jumped up to my most anticipated fall release. My buddy had the chance to work on this film and that's just an added bonus to go see it! GO see Johnny Depp completely lose his mind on September 18th.

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