Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

I’ll start by saying that I was VERY skeptical of this movie before watching it.  Why make Abraham Lincoln a vampire hunter?  The whole concept just seemed strange to me.  But from the start, I was sucked into this movie!  No pun intended…  It wasn’t a bloody “slasher” movie like I was expecting, it was serious - like they wanted you to believe history could have actually happened this way.  Not to say there wasn’t any blood or gore – there was plenty!  It all started when Lincoln witnessed a vampire killing his mother when he was just a child – and he vows to seek revenge on him!  After years of patiently waiting, he tries going about it himself and learns it might be a lot harder than he initially thought!  Lucky for him, Henry Sturges comes along and trains him in the art of killing vampires.  His weapon of choice is an ax that he can swing and control like he's some kind of ninja and it becomes the star of many scenes.  The path he takes leads him through being a vampire killer, a politician, and eventually President of the United States.  I hate to say it, but the movie does such a good job, it almost seems plausible!  Fantasy is tied in with history to create a whole new past and I was hooked right away!  I liked the characters, I liked the acting, and I liked the story!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

This show was so much more than what I thought it would be and I really liked it!  Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a movie, that if you let it, will make you stop and think.  It isn’t a heavy film but the emotions it can evoke can be pretty heartfelt.  The end of the world is here – there is no choice, there is no Bruce Willis to save the world, the asteroid Matilida is due to hit the earth and time is of the essence.  Steve Carell plays Dodge, whose no-nonsense approach on life is as plain as the nose on his face.  He meets his neighbor, Penny, played by Keira Knightley, who is an optimist looking at the world through rose colored glasses.  Together, they set out to fulfill their last wishes – for him it’s to find his first love and for her, it’s to be with her family.  Along the way, you meet people who, in their own way, are dealing with the end.  This movie made me think, what would I do if I knew I had 21 days to live – would I drink and party, would I go to work, would I riot and go crazy or would I spend that time with the people that matter the most in my life.  This movie isn’t an action movie – it is a very heartfelt movie of life, loss and a friendship that lasts through the final moments of time.  The ending was the culmination of the whole movie . . .it made me cry.  It was so much more than what the commercials presented and it’s worth every minute of it.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

I can’t stop thinking about this movie…  I liked it a lot!  I’ve watched it twice already and it just came out on DVD last week.  The asteroid is definitely heading towards Earth and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it from destroying all life as we know it.  I think what I liked most about the movie is that it’s not just another action movie – it’s like it goes below the surface of the normal chaos and panic and into the real feelings and emotions of the characters who are reflecting on their lives and looking at what’s left of their future.  Penny and Dodge are about as different as they can be, but they are both needing someone and have that in common.  It seemed to me like the movie was more than just the asteroid – it was about figuring out what – and who – is really important to you before it’s too late.  And they have all kinds of crazy things happen on their adventure, but nothing seems to phase them or stop them from finding what they’ve been looking for all along. I just hope if that time ever comes for me, I will have a friend like Penny and Dodge were able to have and be there for each other.  I really think this one can be as “deep” as you want it to be and allow it to be.  If you let it, this movie will get to you… 

The Machinist

I had never heard of this movie until a friend recommended it to me – and I am so glad she did!  The Machinist was different, intense at times, unpredictable, and kept me on the edge of my seat for sure.  It’s an older movie where Christian Bale plays an industrial worker who literally has not slept for an entire year and has no idea why he can’t fall asleep.  Strange things start happening and his lack of rest starts catching up with him - after a horrible accident at work, he doesn’t know if people are out to get him, if he’s just paranoid, or if he’s suffering from his lack of sleep and just isn’t thinking straight.  He really begins to question his own sanity and you know eventually, something has to give.  I don’t sleep very much and found myself identifying with his character over and over through the whole movie – not sure if that’s a good thing or not…  I can’t say too much here, because it’s not until the last scenes of the movie that you find out what’s been happening and all of the answers you (and him) have been looking for the entire film!

Magic Mike

Magic Mike is a waste of time, brain cells, and anything you “think” it might be!!  This movie is filled with vile language and a storyline that reminded me of a seedy 70’s movie about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll.  I have read many reviews on this film and I think I must’ve watched a different movie from all the other people that “loved” it!!!  The only good thing about this movie was Channing Tatum!  If you enjoy watching awesome dance scenes – he’s it!  He can dance and it’s not even about the stripping scenes – he can actually dance and it’s fun to watch him do what he does best but other than that – it’s a waste.  Every word in the movie is the “f” word, the actual “stripping” scenes were pretty laughable, and the story itself was sad and desperate.  The other main character story line is with Alex Pettyfer, who finds himself getting roped into being a male dancer but along with the money comes the down side of drugs and nameless sex.  He finds himself going down an empty road.  And a shout out to Matthew McConaughey fans – he plays the sleaziest, greasiest, foul-mouthed club owner who runs around half naked and cussing everything in sight.  His character made me cringe every time he was on screen.  I didn’t find anything appealing in this film and I can’t believe they are making a sequel.  So you’ve been warned – there isn’t anything “magic” about this movie!

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

This movie was released a few months ago, but I finally got around to watching it.  Maybe it was the title?  Salmon Fishing in the Yemen?  Really???  That didn’t sound very exciting to me.  But in some ways, it really was!  Not in a blow up buildings and shoot everyone in every scene kind of way - but more in a “following your dreams no matter how crazy they seem, following your heart, and working against impossible odds to accomplish what you set out to do” kind of way.  It’s the dream of a sheik to bring the sport of salmon fishing to the desert and he wants someone to make it possible.  This is definitely no easy task!  Even the man he hires to do it thinks it’s impossible to actually make it work in the beginning.  You need the right water, you need a lot of fish, all kinds of things – and besides just acquiring these things, you need to be able to get them there and make it all work in a natural environment.  It wasn't "really" about fishing, though – it seemed to be more about what it all represented by making the fishing possible and how getting to that point affected everyone involved.  There were side stories that kept everything moving along, and of course, a love story.  It was a smart, caring type movie that was actually about the story.  It was sweet, nice and just a decent overall movie.

Rock of Ages

You know the artists – Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, WhiteSnake, REO Speedwagon, Guns n’ Roses, Night Ranger, Scorpions, Def Leppard just to name a few of the rockers of the 80’s.  That is what Rock of Ages is about – the music and the feel of the 80’s. This movie is a musical first and story second. The storyline is ok but it’s not the star of the show.  You watch this movie for the cheesy fun that was the 80’s - the hairstyles, the leather pants, the hair bands that defined it so well.  Tom Cruise plays every rocker persona of the 80’s in his character, Stacee Jaxx, a worn out, sex crazed, boozed rocker.  He’s still got it – but along the way, he sold his soul to the devil of rock and roll and now he’s reaping the price.  Throw in a small town girl, played by Julianne Hough, with the bright lights of the big city in her eyes and you’ve got your love story as she falls in love with a young rocker to be, who breaks her heart.  But as every good musical goes, they sing, they dance, and cast their spell on the rest of the story as you follow the journey of each person’s dream.  This is a group of talented actors who you can’t help but laugh at and sing along with.  AND, if you’re wondering if Tom Cruise pulls off the rock god persona – he does and with a voice to boot!  It was a “totally awesome” rocking movie and if you’re “looking for nothing but a good time” you’ve come to the right place . . .dude!

Rock of Ages

I’ll start by saying I liked this movie – A LOT - it was fun!  I’m not really sure how to describe it, though.  It was kind of like a self-mocking “tribute” to the 80s and many of the bands that helped define the decade.  It was the music I grew up with and listened to in high school – I knew every word to every song in the movie!  It was definitely different hearing others sing the songs I’ve heard at least a million times throughout my life – and I won’t lie - there were times it felt like some extended episode of Glee – but some were fairly decent, some surprisingly good, some not so much.  I wasn’t too sure about Tom Cruise right away, but I think he pulled it off!  And with Russell Brand, I’m never quite sure what I’m going to get and have never been a “huge” fan of his, but I’m liking him more and more and thought he was hilarious in this one!  If you’re looking for a documentary or something that really captures what the 80s music and scene were like, I’d say “this ain’t it” – but if you want something that’s fun and doesn’t take itself too serious – almost to the point of being completely ridiculous at times – you should like this one!  The music took me back to my youth and was a really fun trip down memory lane!!!  It rocked!!!  In a “musical” kind of way…

Marvel's The Avengers

I enjoyed this movie a lot!  I saw it in the theatres and anxiously waited for it to come out on DVD so I could watch it again!  LOVED Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk.  You get to see a side of him, (the Hulk), that might not have played out in other previous movies.  He plays the Hulk’s counter part, Dr. Banner, as a  sensitive guy with a sense of humor but yet you know, bottled up, is the lean, green, mean machine.  LOVED Robert Downey, Jr. in his return character - Iron Man!  His character is smart, witty and full of himself but he delivers on full blown charisma.  Chris Hemsworth is the handsome God of Thunder, built to take on any enemy that comes his way and this time, it’s his brother, Loki, who plans on imprisoning earth and all its inhabitants.  Along the way, you have Jeremy Renner who plays Hawk, a very skilled professional with a bow and arrow, The Black Widow, played by the beautiful Scarlett Johansson, who kicks butt as good as any guy and don’t forget about Captain America.  The suave Chris Evans brings to life the solider that was made from a test tube – but will forever stand for liberty and pursuit of justice.  Mix in evil plots, aliens from another world, a lot of humor and just really good acting and you get a super hero movie!!  Coming in at 2 ½ hours – it will keep you engaged, laughing, and always cheering for the good guys to win . . .which they do . . .because they are . . . The Avengers!!

Marvel's The Avengers

I liked this one, too!  After working out all of their issues, it was fun seeing all of the superheroes work together and use each of their strengths to go against Loki – when none of them could have defeated him and his “army” alone.  I’ve always liked the Hulk and Captain America, and have gotten to know Thor, Iron Man and all the others through the movies leading up to this one – it really felt like an all-star cast!  I think Iron Man is my favorite with all of his sarcasm and one-liners, but I do like them all.  The special effects were pretty cool, too – I’m thinking it would have been quite a spectacle on the big screen, but they were still good on a smaller scale, too.  It was just a fun, “get away from it all” for awhile, nice escape movie for me!  If you’ve seen the earlier movies or like comic book/superhero movies, you should like this one!