Deadpool (2016)

Directed by Tim Miller
Written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, based on characters by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller and Ed Skrein

Quite understandably the most hyped up movie of any February since "The Passion of the Christ", "Deadpool" once seemed like the on superhero movie that would never be made. A character that revels in the macabre and a well placed dick joke seemed like a sure bust to a industry that kills creativity just to make the sacred PG-13 cut.

But Ryan Reynolds wasn't having it. While I'm sure he'd still deny it (unless he has already admitted and I'm just misinformed), we all know he released that animated footage on the internet. And fan girls and boys squealed at the very notion that there was someone who was even thinking about making a movie.

Cut to February 12th, 2016, and it's finally here.

Ladies….

This movie was exactly as I thought it'd be. Snarky, yet hilarious comments from the films protagonist, mixed with fourth-wall breaks and unforgiving violence. It delivered fully on all fronts and did not disappoint. 

However, despite that R-rating, it still felt produced by Disney. It's hard to explain, but even through it's unique qualities that made it stand out from the rest of the Marvel Universe, it seemed just as formulaic and flat.

Before y'all go and bite my head off, I liked it. I liked it quite a bit. But if I never see it again, I won't be disappointed. It didn't feel as though it would offer anything more from the loyalty of a repeat viewer. And even through the refreshing dialogue from the lovable asshole that is Wade Wilson, I felt as though I had seen it before in all of the other Marvel movies.

Yeah, Yeah… I know, Mr. Pool

This of course is of no fault to the movie or it's filmmakers. I just have lost all interest in Superhero movies since the second Incredible Hulk movie. They all seem the same to me and really don't provide me with any worthwhile entertainment. For the 90+ minutes, I remain entertained and locked on the screen. But when I walk away, nothing has changed for me. 

Granted, that's how I feel with most popular movies. I just feel the overall hype around superhero films drains me of any energy that could go into loving them more.

All that being said, go see "Deadpool". I know most of you are more normal than I am and will love it. I'll just join the old people in the next screening of "Macbeth".

What the hell is wrong with me?

My Rating: 6/10

Spy (2015)

Written and Directed by Paul Feig
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart and Jason Stathom

A desk-bound CIA analyst volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent diabolical global disaster.

A brilliantly funny action comedy with the unlikeliest of heroes, "Spy" is Melissa McCarthy at her prime. With an honest performance as a CIA Agent that no one is rooting for, she brings a humor that is equal parts self-deprecating and ass-kicking.

It is rare in today's world that there is a comedy in which the scenes in the trailer are the least funny gags or lines in the movie. The trailer, for once, is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath there surface are so many laughs that I still cannot pinpoint what my favorite line or scene from the movie it. It is just a hilarious and fun ride.

I knew this film would be somewhat enjoyable. But I did not expect it to be so wildly entertaining and to keep me laughing the whole time. From director Paul Feig, who I admittedly rarely enjoy his work, has created quite possibly his best film yet. This is not a summer comedy you'll want to miss.

My Rating: 8/10

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

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

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

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Directed by Jason Moore
Written by Kay Cannon based on the book by Mickey Rapkin
Starring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson and Skylar Astin

Beca, a reclusive freshman at Barden University with dreams of becoming a music producer, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school’s all-girls singing group. The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.

I have to admit, from the time this movie came out up until this very week, I avoided this movie like the plague. For me, the whole competitive A Cappella, “Glee” inspired fad is so tired. Everyone and their mothers and their mother’s mothers have attempted an A Cappella based show or movie. So naturally, I was skeptical to watch it. But I did. And it wasn’t as bad as I imagined. However, that’s the highest compliment I can give it.

I am nowhere near the key demographic for this movie, so please take everything I say about it with a grain of salt. It wasn’t good. It wasn’t terrible. It was…OK. Many of the jokes were poorly executed or felt incredibly forced.

However, I will say that the jokes that did land for me, landed very well and had me laughing harder than I ever thought I would watching this movie. In particular, everything Lilly Okanakamura said was on point.

All in all, I’m glad I watched it. I may not have loved it quite as much as some people I know, but it was an enjoyable movie and now I have some idea of what to expect from the sequel. It had great songs and fun characters who all had unique personalities, which is definitely not something I expected. It just goes to show you that sometimes a movie can take you by surprise.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Get Hard (2015)

Directed by Etan Cohen
Written by Jay Martel, Ian Roberts,  Etan Cohen and Adam McKay
Starring Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Alison Brie and Craig T. Nelson

When millionaire James King is nailed for fraud and bound for San Quentin, he turns to Darnell Lewis to prep him to go behind bars. What is to follow is a chaotic, hard fought battle to learn how not to get raped while in a maximum security prison.

With the controversy that claims racial themes following this movie, I was curious to see what all the fuss was about. But what I found did not surprised me. Of course it's racist! It's supposed to be. It's a satire for how disillusioned and prejudice some rich white people are. Come one, guys! This isn't first grade!

This entire film is meant to show how ignorant and presumptuous Will Ferrell's character is when it comes to the working class of Hispanics and black people. It spells it out from the get-go, but apparently this country has become too politically correct to understand that satire is used for good, not evil!

Pictured: A cut scene from the acclaimed mini-series "Roots"

With many modern comedies, there is an epidemic of movie trailers showing all of the funny parts and leaving nothing for the movie. This has the opposite problem. For myself, at least, I saw advertisements for this movie so often, that the parts in the trailers became overplayed and unfunny. However, it is filled with several other humorous moments, but due to the over marketing, I left feeling the same way I would if the only funny parts were in the trailer… I realize, writing this out, that that may sound crazy, but I know what I'm trying to say… So, shut up!

How I probably sound to you.

Regardless of this fact, the comedic chemistry between Ferrell and Hart is wonderful and provides many hilarious scenes. The juxtaposition of the two clashing cultures creates an unlikely duo that learn to focus on their similarities rather than their differences. Despite what critics may say, it has a pretty good message if you choose to look at it like that. Or you can look at it like it's an attack on the culture of impoverished people and be angry. It's your choice.

My Rating: 6/10

Grizzly (1976)

Directed by William Girdler
Written by Harvey Flaxman, David Sheldon and Andrew Prine
Starring Christopher George, Andrew Prine, Richard Jaeckel and Joan McCall

When a eighteen-foot tall grizzly bear terrorizes a popular National Park during peak camping season, the head Park Ranger must protect the visitors from its wrath.

In an attempt to become the "Jaws" for the woods, this movie takes damn near every single plot point and filming style from Spielberg's classic thriller. Everything from the shooting style (having angles from the perspective of the creature), to having a Park Manager (the Mayor in "Jaws") who refuses to close the mountain risking the lives of their visitors for the sake of money.

It even has a war veteran who has stories that give him extra inspiration to seek revenge on the killer animal. And he makes huge speech about a tragic even caused by the bear much like Quint does in the 1975 film (Spoiler: Even the endings are the same).

Yeah… This happens.

The only thing they didn't rip-off, excluding the antagonist and location of course, was the soundtrack. The soundtrack to this movie switches between sounding like it's from an old western film to that of a romantic film from the 50s. It is so unfitting that it's laughable. And that's not the only thing funny about this.

The scenes in which the bear kills someone are pretty hilarious. I don't know if it would have been scary back in the 70s, but today it'll just make you laugh. The acting is terrible. 90% of the scenes throughout the entire movie are ADR'd (Automated Dialogue Replacement). And the way the killing scenes are shot have been parodied by too many modern comedies to not produce a chuckle.

This movie isn't bad enough to be good like "Troll 2" and other great-terrible movies. And it's certainly not good enough to be good. It's just bad. The blatantly stolen plot points from "Jaws" don't help it's case either. It does have an awesome poster, though.

My Rating: 2/10