PACIFIC RIM

(2013) 131 Minutes, Rated PG-13, Warnrer Bros.

Mike's Review:  When I first heard about this movie I was psyched to see it.  It reminded me of one of my favorite movies growing up, 'Robot Jox' (1989) with Gary Graham.  It doesn't get much better then seeing giant robots destroy stuff and battle.  This movie didn't disappoint, from a entertainment perspective it gave you plenty of robots battling 'Godzilla' type creatures. The one thing I did think was a little weird was that there were no big name actors.  I recognized all most all of them from being in different movies and TV shows, but I couldn't tell you their names, I think the lead actor has a pretty big following with 'Sons Of Anarchy', but I have never seen the show.  The only actor I knew was Ron Perlman and he was only in the movie for about five minutes, and in the token credit scene with a good one liner.  

Best Scene: Two creatures vs one Robot...and the robot winning of course.
Mike's Rating: Worth the price of the ticket.

 

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Over 1,000 Views and Counting!

We have been up and running now for three and a half months.  We have reviewed 25 movies and we are read in over 9 different countries... by the by movie reviews has now had over 1,000 views!  Thank you to all! I never thought this little blog would have gotten so big, so fast.  I guess we are doing something right!

TURBO

(2013) 96 Minutes, Rated PG, DreamWorks Animation

Mike's Review:  A good kids movie with a cute idea, too bad they had to steal ideas from other movies.  To me this movie was a total rip off of Pixars' 'Cars' and 'Ratatouille' (just to name a few). So if you liked those movies you'll get a kick out of this one.  There were some funny scenes and I thought Ryan Reynolds voice work was better and more suited for this character, then the character he voiced in 'The Croods'.but over all it was still fun to watch.

My 4 year old daughter liked it, but she didn't like the crows or when the mean guy crashed his car.  She thought the ending was the best part when Turbo was all better

Best Scene: The race was pretty good.
Mike's Rating: Matinee

 

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THE LONE RANGER

 (2013) 2 Hours 29 Minutes, Rated PG-13 Walt Disney Pictures

Mike's Note:  Here Is the First review from a new 'guest reviewer', Our big brother Jobo!  We hope he keeps his reviews coming! Thanks Jobo!

Jobo’s Review:  Johnny Depp pulls off another crazy character!  With that said it’s a shame that more than likely a franchise will not rise out of the disappointing box office ashes.  This movie was overall Great!  It starts out a little confusing and I was not a big fan of the story being told from the perspective of an elderly Tonto.  But it was not enough to ruin the show.  The Chemistry between Depp and Hammer was spot on.  Hammer, a relative new comer to the industry and young 27; pulls off the Lone Ranger even with the bad writing that has him look like a bumbling fool at first.  But when the “William Tell Overture” plays He cements the Role!  Helena Bonham Carter as (Red) does a nice job, but the role could have been played by any other actress as the role did not call for a big name.  Ruth Wilson as (Rebecca Reid) did a solid job as the love interest/Mother/Sister in-law.  Tom Wilkinson as (Cole) does his usually good job at playing a good/bad guy!  And William Fichtner as (Butch Cavendish) plays a really good Bad Guy that you want to see get his!  It’s hard to pigeon hole this movie as a certain type as it contains Comedy, Drama, Action, Romance.  The best description is Adventure!  The action scenes in this movie are worth the price of admission.  If you go to the movies for entertainment then this is a must see movie.  But do yourself a favor see this roller coaster of a movie on the BIG SCREEN!

Best Scenes:  When Lone Ranger fires his gun for first time!  And when the “William Tell Overture” sounds!

Jobo’s Rating:  Worth the price of the ticket!

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WHITE HOUSE DOWN

(2013) 131 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Mike's Review:  This movie was a good and entertaining movie. Just the kind of shoot-them-up action movie you need to see after working all day.  It also helps this movie I thought was pretty funny. It had some good one-liners and funny scenes.  The thing I was a little surprised about was the rating.  I thought it was rated R, not PG-13. They walk a fine line with that rating. Overall I enjoyed watching this version of blow up the White House and kidnap the President movie to the other one that came out earlier this year 'Olympus has Fallen'. (which also has a review on this blog Olympus-Has-Fallen). I think the comedy from Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx, made the movie more entertaining to watch, and being entertained is why I like to go see a movie.

Best Scene: Limo on the White House Lawn.
Mike's Rating: Worth the price of the Ticket.

Bean's Review:   This movie was generally interesting enough to keep your attention, although too long.

James Wood’s character was convincing as the “bad guy”.  However, Channing Tatum’s character could have been played by any “action-hero type” character of today.  His character lacked development.  The child’s acting was good, but so typical of these types of movies.  The ex-wife’s character was not even needed. The actor playing the general was annoying as his acting was inferior and his dialogue was again, too typical.  Jamie Foxx’s role added levity to the movie, but we were expecting it.  However, there were some funny scenes.  I thought the actor that was the most interesting was the White House tour guide

Best Scene: Finding out the bullet that hit the “President” was stopped by the Abraham Lincoln pocket watch.

Bean's Rating: Matinee, but definitely DVD worthy.

DESPICABLE ME 2 - updated

(2013) 98 Minutes, Rated PG

Mike's Review:  A very fun movie.  The minions had more screen time in this movie than they did in the first and they stole the show.  I liked this one just as much as the first 'Despicable Me'. Animated films that can combine humor and heart will always turn into an instant great film.

When my 4 year old daughter gave me her review on the movie she said she didn't like it when the minions turned purple, but she did say the ending was a lot of fun and that she wanted to dance to the music.

Best Scene: Over all there were some funny scenes, the ending was a good one and the guard chicken was funny.
Mike's Rating: Worth the price of the ticket.

Dad's Review:  This was a very interesting movie I thought. I was not familiar with the “minions” prior to this movie, but I learned to appreciate them as the movie went along. I thought the storyline was pretty confusing but was also interesting so I put up with the confusion. I thought the way the hero treated his kids was very nice and it showed he had great compassion for them. The lady that played the agent also did a very good job. Obviously being a fantasy there’s a lot of weird stuff going on but that was understandable. I thought that the monologue for the lady agent was very well done. She certainly kept us amused. I don’t want to tell all the plot but I thought it turned out very nicely.

Best Scene:  My favorite scene was toward the end when the little girl jumped into the lady agent’s arms, I thought that was awesome. The expression on their faces was great.
Dad's Rating:  I would certainly recommend going to see this, it was worth the price of the ticket.

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THE HEAT

(2013) 117 Minutes, Rated R

Mike's Review:  This movie was a riot.  It has been a while since I have seen a movie where I laughed just about the whole way through. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy make a great "buddy cop" pair.  The only thing I didn't really care for was the 70's throw-back opening title sequence and disco type music.  And I was also surprised on there being a body count to this movie, I thought it would have been more slap-stick. I wonder when the sequel will be out.


Best Scene: In the bar, while Sandra Bullock gets drunk.
Mike's Rating: Worth the price of the Ticket.

Bean's Review:   Entertaining comedy.  Sandra Bullock’s role as a federal agent is reminiscent of her role in Miss Congeniality. Melissa McCarthy’s role is a bit over the top, but it is entertaining – and that is why we go to the movies!  The storyline is interesting enough and not challenging, so you can just enjoy the antics.  Bullock and McCarthy work well together and some of the scenes reminded me of skits from The Carol Burnett Show.  The movie was a bit long.  The soundtrack was good.

Best Scene: When McCarthy’s character tried to reinsert the knife into Bullock’s character’s leg.

Bean's Rating: Matinee ticket price

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