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

Camp Takota (2014)

Directed by Chris and Nick Riedell
Written by Lydia Genner, Mamrie Hart and Michael Goldfine
Starring Grace Helbig, Mamrie Hart, Hannah Hart and Chris Riedell

With her personal and professional life in shambles, Elise ends up having to take a job as a counselor at her old summer camp. There, she reunites with two estranged friends who attended camp and never left. When the future of the camp is put in jeopardy, the three friends must band together to save it, changing the course of their lives forever.

The most apparent thing to me in watching this is that the writers and directors had no idea what demographic they were going for. The humor seemed to be intended for children or preteens. Yet much of the subject matter and dialogue seemed to inappropriate for people in that age group. The whole thing came off as a mash-up of two different scripts written for two separate demographics.

The acting was absolutely atrocious, which is understandable seeing as how the cast was lined with YouTube celebrities, who given their massive following, believe they can act. Every other element of the way it was filmed felt like a Disney Channel original movie, most notably the cinematography and the overall story arc.

While certain characters and situations did provide me with some chuckles, what this boils down to is not the movie itself. In retrospect, the one thing I am 100% certain about is that whatever demographic this was intended for, I'm not a part of it. So there is a strong chance that many other people would enjoy it. It just wasn't for me. I have no idea why Netflix recommended it to me.

My Rating: 4/10