Olympus Has Fallen
Posted by
Eric
I guess this one just depends on what you’re looking for from the movie. On one hand, it’s a completely unbelievable,
leave all logic at the door, almost over-the-top action movie where one
man knows more than pretty much anyone else and can save the day all by
himself. Or it can be a fun ride in the
spirit of movies like Die Hard or Under Siege, which is how I took
it. You’re not supposed to notice that
the North Koreans that have taken over the White House somehow know more about
using our secret weapons than we do, or how little actual security there is, or
how easy it was for them to walk in and take the President hostage, or how fast
the troops are evacuated once a decision is made, etc, etc, etc… I liked Gerard Butler in the “hero” role and
Aaron Eckhart as the President along with Morgan Freeman as the Speaker of the
House. It did feel like an 80s or 90s action
movie, but I liked that!
Behind the Candelabra
Posted by
Christy
This movie caught my attention because it has two big
name stars as lead actors – Michael Douglas who plays Liberace and Matt Damon
who plays his lover of five years, Scott Thorson. I didn’t know anything about Liberace himself
except for a few things here and there. So I read the
autobiographical book by Mr. Thorson (the same title as this movie) and the HBO
movie stayed true to his perspective of their relationship. Liberace, who had an amazing talent for the
piano, also kept a secret life – he was gay.
This is his story of what it was like to be in Liberace’s life and how
it all unraveled for him. I was
impressed by Michael Douglas – he really stepped into Liberace’s skin, the way
he walked, talked and his mannerism was spot on and Matt Damon was also outstanding
for his portrayal of his lover. To go
behind the mask and into a world of opulence, wealth, and addiction was very enlightening. This movie may not be for everyone - but just
to see the lead actors take on something that wasn’t normal for them and to
bring these very real people to life was very entertaining and eye-opening at
the same time. (Just recently, this film won 11 Emmy Awards – 1 for outstanding
movie made for television and 1 for outstanding actor in a film (which was
Douglas) made for television, plus categories for hair, makeup, casting and
directing).
World War Z
Posted by
Christy
It’s time to get our zombies on! This movie takes off like the speed of light
and never stops. Brad Pitt plays a
father of two who has the knowledge to possibly stop the spread of the virus
that is turning people into flesh eating monsters. In doing so he must fight
every obstacle there is as he races to several countries to try to find the
cure to save his family as well as everyone else. I thought it told a story that wasn’t so
over the top that you could believe it.
I enjoyed Brad Pitt’s performance as a man and father trying to save his
family and the zombies themselves were there just enough to be creepy and give
you some chills. I thought it was a great
summer block buster and I enjoyed it even better watching it again.
World War Z
Posted by
Eric
I LOVED THIS MOVIE! I’m never quite sure
what to expect going into a “zombie” movie.
What I liked about this one was that it felt real – like it was an
outbreak that could actually happen. I
felt like I was with all of the characters just trying to survive and not
knowing exactly what was happening or why.
And I like that Brad Pitt is playing more serious roles with more depth
than just “pretty boy” roles as he gets further in his career, too. I also like movies that I can put myself in
their place and wonder how I would handle different situations – and this was
totally like that – along with zombies!
Star Trek Into Darkness
Posted by
Christy
Space – the final frontier- but for a franchise that has
hit gold at the box office – I’m sure it won’t be the last sequel for the Star
Trek crew. What I really liked about
this movie was the actors (who were in the first movie), and how they have
grasped the original characters mannerisms, but yet has breathed new life into
their roles. You can see James Kirk in Chris Pine – you can see Mr. Spock in Zachary Quinto but they
have transformed the original feel of the characters into new people for a new
generation of fans. I thought this movie
was a lot of fun! It was long in the
story but it was filled with lots of Star Trek “feel”. There is a throwback to this movie as the
villain is one you might remember from the original television series –
Khan! I loved some of the classic lines
that were given and the twist at the end where I held my breath thinking – they wouldn’t do that! Running at 2 hours in length – it keeps your
attention with all the action and an intriguing story line.
Star Trek Into Darkness
Posted by
Eric
I'm a little young to
have watched the original Star Trek series and wouldn't call myself a
"Trekkie" by any stretch of the imagination, but I am loving these
new Star Trek movies! I do know the
characters and their mannerisms and classic quotes and things like that from
the series, though - and I can't believe how these actors capture the young
versions of Kirk and Spock and Bones and everyone else! And it was a good story with good acting and
lots of action and just a good sequel, too.
That hardly ever happens! I even
found myself joking around with classic lines after watching it – “Damn it
Christy, I’m a librarian, not a doctor!”
I feel like there’s a little of me in each character, too – which makes
it even more fun to watch. If you like
the original Star Trek, or even if you don’t, these movies are definitely worth
giving a chance!
Now You See Me
Posted by
Eric
This
movie was about four magicians who get together to perform shows - but not just
any shows - they are also robbing banks and stealing fortunes from CEOs as part
of their performance. I liked how
fast-paced it felt with people chasing after them trying to catch them in the
act as they get more and more bold. The
whole movie kind of felt like you never quite knew if what you were seeing was
what was actually happening – and everyone was always one step ahead of whoever
was following them (or so they thought).
There were also a lot of big name actors like Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan
Freeman, Woody Harrelson, and Mark Ruffalo.
It was entertaining and the whole movie almost felt like one big magic
trick. There were definitely a lot of
"convenient" twists and explanations, but magic can be like that,
too. I have a cousin who’s a magician,
so I related to many of the scenes more than I think most people would. I probably wouldn't need to see it again, but
it was fun to watch.
Mud
Posted by
Eric
I liked this movie, but felt like it could have been much better. Two boys out boating on the Mississippi River
find an island and start exploring.
After looking around, they realize there’s someone living on the island
– who they later find out is a fugitive named Mud. After hearing all of Mud’s tales, they wonder
if he really is a bad guy - or if it was just circumstances and love that got
all tangled up and caused a bad situation?
Should they help him hide from authorities and the bounty hunters after
him or turn him in? And should they help
him reunite with the love of his life, who is partially the reason he’s in this
situation? For a movie with a murderer
and people after the guy, it felt REALLY SLOW and LONG!!! I liked it OK, but it
just never totally grabbed me. Overall,
it really was a story about love and can be viewed on many different levels,
for sure! I think people can let it
affect them as much as they allow or want it to. So yeah, I liked it, but didn't think it was
the greatest movie ever. I think it's one of those movies I'll like more the
more I think about it, though......
Mud
Posted by
Christy
When I read the reviews on this movie I was very
excited. They said it was “emotional,”
“heart tugging,” a “thriller.” All I
thought about it was how lllooonnngggg and sssllloooowww it was! I didn’t come away from the movie with the
same feelings Eric had for it. You know
how sometimes a movie can suck you in – hook line and sinker? Well this one just sunk – to the bottom. I just didn’t buy the storyline. As Eric told you about the plot, for me, there
were too many little stories in the big story.
There’s the story of why Mud was hiding out, the story of why he killed
the man, the story of his love for his girlfriend, the story of the boys and
the one main character, Ellis and his parents having martial issues and his 14
year old crushes which he thinks is love. Is it a love story? Is it a thriller?
Is it a coming of age story? What it is
– is too much. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s
Matthew, maybe we just don’t have a love affair with each other. But whatever it is – all I can really say
about his movie is “eh” no biggie. You
got me to sit through it – but it doesn’t really matter to me if I see it
again.
The Big Wedding
Posted by
Christy
What do you get when you put really big name actors into
a movie with a lackluster story line? Junk!
Ok – maybe I’m being a little hard on this movie but it really wasn’t
very good – at times it even reminded me of the American Pie movies for the older generation. Robert De Niro and
Diane Keaton play a divorced couple with 2 grown kids and an adopted Portuguese
son. Robert De Niro is shacking up with
his girlfriend, Bebe played by Susan Sarandon, who also is the best friend of
Diane Keaton. The family is together
because their adopted son is getting married.
But, he didn’t tell his very religious biological mom (who speaks no
English) that his adoptive parents aren’t married so they have to pretend to be
married for the weekend. On top of this,
the other son is a virgin trying to lose his virginity with the adoptive brother’s
sister and the real sister is having a marriage crisis which also results in a
father daughter crisis. (not to mention the game of who’s sleeping with who and
that includes the neighbors!) Did you get all that? Many of the jokes fell flat, the language and
the sex scenes were like “really” and the whole mood of the film felt so junior
high. There were just a few “heart tug”
moments but the whole movie was just lame and I’m glad I didn’t pay money at
the theaters for it.
Pain & Gain
Posted by
Eric
I actually watched this one twice because I couldn’t believe it was as bad as it
seemed – and I did like it better the second time. This movie is the true story of some “not too
bright” bodybuilders that decide they’re tired of their lives and deserve to
live the “American dream” – and instead of working hard, getting an education
and working their way up the ladder, they decide it would be a lot easier to
just kidnap and steal the wealth of somebody who’s already rich! I know I shouldn’t have expected much when
the infomercial wisdom that gets Mark Wahlberg’s character all pumped up to go
through with it is “Don’t be a don’t-er, do be a do-er”… I’m not really sure what to think of this
movie. It was rude, crude, almost
obnoxious and makes light of a very serious crime that actually happened. You almost feel sorry for the very people
committing the crime instead of the victims – and that doesn’t seem right! If you can suspend all belief of what’s right
and wrong, aren’t easily offended and just want something that is actually kind
of funny at times, you might like it, but I wouldn’t bet on it!
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