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

Maggie (2015)

Directed by Henry Hobson
Written by John Scott 3
Starring Arnold Schwartzenegger, Abigail Breslin, Joely Richardson and Jodie Moore

A teenage girl in the Midwest becomes infected by an outbreak of a disease that slowly turns the infected into cannibalistic zombies. During her transformation, her loving father stays by her side, refusing to give up hope.

In an unequivocally valiant effort, Arnold Schwartzenegger gives a shot at a straight drama. No over the top action. No ridiculous comedic scenarios. Just straight drama. And as much I was praying that he would showcase some real acting chops, I feel his ambitions were slightly naive.

His performance isn't terrible, mind you. In fact, it's on par with everyone else in the film. The portrayals of people living in a disease infected world are mediocre across the board. No one shows any deep, intense emotions. Live deliveries are weak and unbelievable. And everyone seems to be trying to cry the entire time, without success.

The movie itself isn't bad. The story is interesting. Overplayed, perhaps, but interesting nonetheless. I do feel as though they could have added more development in the beginning. They jump into the plot very quickly and never look back to explain things or enlighten the audience to what has happened beforehand. It's a movie I enjoyed once. But I really think it could have been better with a different cast.

My Rating: 6/10