KICK-ASS 2

(2013) 103 Minutes, Rated R

Mike's Review:  Not as good as the first, but a pretty decent sequel.  The characters were older and the story progressed from where the first one left off.  The adding of the new hero's and bad guy's got to be a little boring but overall I could actually see a third kick-ass come from this if they did it right.

Best Scene: The Hit-Girl and Mother Russia fight scenes were pretty good.  But I thought the 'sick stick' in the school was a riot
Mike's Rating: Worth the price of the ticket/ Matinee.

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ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER DVD REVIEW

(2012) 105 Minutes, Rated R

Bean's Review:  Not at all what I was expecting.  This Fantastical story of Lincoln's life was quite an interesting interpretation of the continued existence of slavery up to Lincoln's presidency. Despite the believability of this movie, Benjamin Walker portrayed a very likeable Lincoln and was able to convince the audience that Lincoln was a vampire hunter.  This portrayal allowed the audience to become engrossed in the movie.  The fight scenes with the axes were riveting.

Best scene: The fight scene on the train.

Bean’s rating:  Full ticket price - Would see it again.

ELYSLUM

(2013) 109 Minutes, Rated R

Mike's Review:  This movie had a lot of potential, the trailers and previews look good the story seemed to be interesting and then they screwed it all up in the end.  I hate movies that kill off the main character in the ending of the movie.  There were so many ways they could have avoided killing off Matt Damon in the end or at very least reviving his deed body.  I mean 30 minutes before they killed him off, they completely rebuilt the entire face of Sharlto Copley who was playing a pretty decent bad guy. I know they try to give the movies dramatic effect by killing off the good guys...but come on.


Best Scene: The facial reconstruction was decent.
Mike's Rating: Catch it on cable if you really want to see it..

Bean's Review:   Disturbing predication of the future of our culture and planet, as it could become what is being portrayed in the movie.  Earth has become a toxic dump and the primary language is Spanish/Mexican. Matt Damon plays a sympathetic character that needs to go to Utopia or the magical kingdom that is Elysium – a man created planet – as he is dying. The movie was just interesting enough to keep your attention, but is not one I would see again.  After seeing Matt Damon in the “Bourne” movies, it is a bit difficult to view him as one with an average to mediocre intelligence, such is typecasting.  Jodie Foster portrays the “bad” guy, but her acting came across as acting – not natural at all.

Best Scene: When all of the citizens on Earth became citizens of Elysium

Bean's Rating: DVD

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WE'RE THE MILLERS

(2013) 110 Minutes, Rated R

Mike's Review:  This movie was a riot! I laughed just about all the way through the movie.  It even had a decent ending, which is rare for a movie this year. The humor was at times a bit raunchy and I think that actually made it funnier while not going to overboard.  The plot was interesting and shows that Hollywood can come up with new stuff every now and then, and the casting of Jennifer Aniston and the kid Will Poulter was great, because they stole the scenes.  Make sure you stay for the credits they show some of the out takes from the movie

Best Scene: There were a few pretty funny ones, the spider bite scene is one you will remember for a long time.
Mike's Rating: Worth the price of the ticket.

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PLANES

(2013) 91 Minutes, Rated PG

Mike's Review:  Well there is a reason Pixar didn't put their name next to this movie.  It pretty much failed to take off.  It was pretty slow the beginning.  The race scenes were okay, but you could see where they stole scenery and bits of plot, through out the entire movie, from other, better Pixar done movies.  I guess I was disappointed more than anything, the whole movie seem to just lack heart.

My 4 year old sort of liked the movie.  She said she didn’t like the part where Dusty got hurt, in fact right after that she wanted to go home.

Best Scene: There really wasn't one.  I did like the part that Sinbad voiced.
Mike's Rating: Matinee

 

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THE WOMAN IN BLACK cable movie review

(2012) 95 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Bean's Review: I happened upon this movie on Encore.  Initially did not think much about it, then it drew me in.  Turned out to be a great old-fashioned ghost story.  It held my apt attention unlike many of the recent “action” movies.  It was quite suspenseful, reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.  The storyline was such, that it did not need to depend on gore, crazy fight scenes, nudity or foul language.  Very unusual for today’s movies and a welcome reprieve.

Daniel Radcliffe was quite believable as the young, hesitant, overwhelmed lawyer, dealing with the death of his wife and trying to provide for his young son.  I did not see the Harry Potter movies, so he was not typecast for me.  I really enjoyed the setting of the early 1900’s English village.

Best scene: The ending – bit of a twist and surprise

Bean’s rating:  Definitely work the price of a DVD

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THE SMURFS 2

(2013) 105 Minutes, Rated PG

Karyn's Review:  You don’t necessarily need to see the first Smurfs movie to enjoy this one, but it will help.  It was cute to see that the Smurfs need the help of their human family.  Neil Patrick Harris does a great job, just like the last one.  Its going to be fun to see what the Smurfs are up to next now that there are 2 girl Smurfs.  I hope they make another one.

My 4 year old liked the movie.  She said she didn’t like the scary parts, when Gargamel was being mean to all the Smurfs.

Best Scene: When the Farris wheel was rolling around Paris.
Karyn's Rating: Worth the price of the ticket.

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THE WOLVERINE

(2013) 126 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Mike's Review:  Overall I liked this movie and it was fun to watch, but I saw it more as a filler movie for the new X-men movie coming up.  'X-men: Days of Future Past'.  I think 'X-men Origins: Wolverine' was a better movie and I thought that 'The Wolverine' movie would have tied better into that one, due to the fact at the end of 'X-men Origins: Wolverine' he's seen at a bar in Japan trying to remember who he is.  In 'The Wolverine' there is no mention of his memory loss, in fact he remembers killing Jean very well.  I did like the plot of this movie the story gave you more insight to Logan and the fight scenes were awesome to watch, but shouldn't his adaptainum claws been able to slice through all the swords they came in contact with. 

On a side note I was ticked when Wolverines' adaptainum claws were chopped off and he was back to using his bone claws, but I saw a glimmer of hope of him regaining them when Magneto and Professor X showed up in the credits.


Best Scene: The open heart surgery fight scene.
Mike's Rating: Worth the price of the ticket.

Bean's Review:  Moral of this story:  No good deed goes unpunished!

Highly entertaining movie.  Hugh Jackman is in excellent shape for the role and provided the audience with ample drooling pleasure. Unlike many other lead actors cast in action movies, Hugh Jackman cannot be replaced as 'The Wolverine'. After saving the Japanese solider, Yashida from the nuclear blast of World War II, Logan is plagued by him 60 years later, as Yashida has gone insane and tries to steal Logan’s immortality.  The two young women playing the granddaughter and pseudo sister do well in their parts.  Yashida’s son is slimy and without morals and portrays these characteristics well.  Although Viper is one enemy to contend with, Yashida is by far, the creepiest and most threatening enemy force. As Hugh Jackman totally becomes 'The Wolverine', the audience is able to connect with him and feel everything, every blow, cut, piercing and the angst he goes through, especially with coming to grips with the death of Jean.

Best Scene: The train scene was very intense, but I was feeling the attack on Logan by “Yashida men” with the arrows through the village streets. 
Creepiest scene:  when old Yashida drills the screws into Logan knuckle/blade holes
Bean's Rating: Full price ticket!

Karyn's Review:  This movie was awesome.  From the previews I was a little skeptic.   I was under the impression that Wolverine was going to lose his mutant abilities.  That was so not the case.  I loved that the movie is taking place after the last X-Man movie.  The twist at the end was great.  Didn’t see that coming.  I cant wait for the next movie

Best Scene: The fight scene when he is cutting his own chest open

Karyn's Rating: Worth the price of the ticket.

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