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

Furious Seven (2015)

Directed by James Wan
Written by Chris Morgan, based on the characters by Gary Scott Thompson
Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez

Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother.

Ludacris is not just the name of an actor in this movie. It is also the single most correct word to describe it. Ludicrous. Physics? Thrown out the window, along with the cares of everyone involved. But it achieves the most important thing when it comes to action movies. It is fun as hell.

Filled with laughable one liners and scenes of terrible etiquette (i.e. Vin Diesel wearing a wife-beater to his wedding when his bride wore a gown. Apparently he didn't get the "formal memo"), the movie has more explosions and gun shots than it does lines of dialogue, and that is perfectly fine.

Yeah. Bring the army to your home town and let them destroy it. Good plan.

From a human standpoint, the tribute to Paul Walker was great. But from a film standpoint, not so much. It felt more like the actors saying goodbye (which it was) than it did the charters (which it should have been). There was nothing about the way Paul's character arc ended that signified his team should have been sad. It's like being sad that your friend got out of a war zone alive and wasn't going to be shot at anymore. It didn't make sense.

This movie is not good. The film snob in me can't allow me to say that. However, I enjoyed the crap out of it, regardless of it's terribleness. It was a high octane thrill ride worthy of the big screen. But I'm sorry Mr. Diesel, if that is your real name! (It's not. It's Mark Sinclair) This movie will win no awards worth mentioning.

My Rating: 5/10

Enjoyment Rating: 7/10