Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Tuesday's With Movies: 12/24/13

Insidious 2: Merry Christmas Eve everyone. Here is a horror film to get you in the mood. This is the lone film being released today. Skip it and enjoy your family.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Tuesday's With Movies: 12/17/13

Well, it finally happened. I promised myself I wouldn't get so far behind that I would have films I saw in the theater unreviewed by the time they came out on DVD. But, I could just not find the time to review a couple of them and both are coming out today. I will just have to do them in the near future.

Elysium: This was the first film I have yet to review. I will just say I liked it and to look for the review in the near future.

Lone Ranger: You know what? I am actually looking forward to seeing this. There is absolutely no way it is as bad as people are saying. The lemmings of the world jump right in and follow what everyone else is saying. Looking forward to getting my own thoughts on it.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters: Haven't checked out the first one yet, but I will check it out eventually. So, this one will be watched eventually as well.

Prisoners: This looks like one of those films where you need to watch it and it's good - but have trouble watching it multiple times. It looks so depressing - but it looks like it can be pretty darn good as well.

The Family: Really only want to check this out because Quinn from Glee is in it. Hopefully there are a few laughs in it.

One Direction: This is Us: I really like Morgn Spurlock as a documentary directory - and I have really gotten into his show on CNN. But, this is still One Direction - a band for teenage girls. So, yeah not really looking into this one.

Kick Ass 2: This was my second theater movie I have yet to review. Again, let's just say I enjoyed it - and again check back for the full review in the near future.

Ghost Team One: Two guys are both in love with the same girl and try to trick her into thinking their house is haunted - but as they begin filming they soon find out that it just may actually be haunted. Probably not on my rush out and see list.

Force of Execution: Ving Rhames. Danny Trejo. Steven Seagal. Sounds like a great early '90s flick. But, it's actually from 2013.

Ain't Them Bodies Saints: An outlaw escapes from prison and sets out to find his wife and the child he never met. It's probably great, but doesn't appear to be something I am interested in.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Theater Review: Frozen

What is that in the rearview mirror? Well, it just might be sister company Pixar.

Disney - and I mean original Disney - just might finally be back.

Starting with 2010's Tangled (though Princess & the Frog was actually pretty good) Disney has made an upward climb back into the limelight - and might even caught up to (or surpassed) animation giant Pixar.

Though Tangled had no chance of taking out Toy Story 3 in the Academy Awards, I felt last year that Wreck-It Ralph was far superior to Pixar's Brave that took home the trophy.

Well, I honestly can't see that happening again. As great as Monsters University was - there is no way they can pass up Disney's Frozen.

Frozen follows a pair of princess sisters, Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell), who are inseparable in their younger years. Elsa, though, has a bit of a mutation? She has the power to create snow and ice.

Once while playing with her power, she accidentally hit her sister and her parents realize that it is becoming too powerful. So, they get Anna's memory of her sister's power erased and hide Elsa in the castle - keeping out all visitors.

As time passes, Anna becomes more and more crazy because of her cabin fever and her inability to play with her best friend and sister, who stays hidden in her room as much as possible - and wears gloves to keep her powers at bay.

But, when she reaches a certain age - she must take over the thrown as the queen. And, the castle is opened and people come in to see her coronation, including Prince Hans (Santino Fontana). Due to what can only be her cabin fever issue - Anna falls madly in love with Hans in just a few hours and they agree to marry.

This news, however, sets Elsa off and her ability is revealed to the entire castle. So, she flees and leaves the entire kingdom in a state of winter.

Anna now must rescue her sister and get her to reverse the spell that is cast over the kingdom. Along her journey she meets an ice salesman named Kristoff (Jonathan Goff), his reindeer Sven and a snowman made by her sister named Olaf (Josh Gad).

I really cannot wait to go see this movie again. I absolutely loved Wreck-It Ralph last year and I might even enjoy Frozen even more. It was breathtaking.

It looked amazing, had a great voice cast, great humor and the story was amazing. It pretty much had everything a Disney movie used to have. Including unbelievable music.

Do yourself a favor and go see this - probably a few times. It is that good. I loved it.

And this song pretty much has the Oscar wrapped up as well. This version gave me goosebumps in the theater. Very powerful.



My grade for now is this, but I feel it might be bumped up with another viewing. I just can't bring myself to give a top grade after one viewing.

Grade:

Tuesday's With Movies: 12/10/13

Despicable Me 2: Wasn't really expecting to check this out in the theater, but was able to head out with my son to check it out. My review is here. Again, the Minions make the film - which is definitely why they will eventually have their own film.

Fast & Furious 6: This was one of the lone films on my Top 10 list this summer that I unfortunately wasn't able to see in the theater - but my wife was able to and I am jealous. We recently had a marathon of the first five films, and I cannot wait to see this one. The release date of this film is so strange with Paul Walker's death just about a week ago.

Battle of the Year: Yet another dance movie - this one starring Lost's Josh Holloway. Didn't get great reviews, and I try to avoid these type of movies.

Ultimate Life: A millionaire reexamines is life once he finds hie grandfathers diary. I honestly have no clue what this movie is really about, nor have I ever heard of it.

Hunt: A teacher is struggling over his son's custody. Yet another film I have really no idea about.

Adore: Well, this is a bit odd - 'Mother Lover' anyone? A pair of lifelong friends fall in love with each other's sons.

Man of Tai Chi: Wow, Keanu Reeves has apparently moved to China. Here he stars in what looks to be the Chinese version of Fight Club.

Touchy Feely: A massage therapist suddenly comes down with an aversion to bodily contact. Meanwhile her brother apparently gets a healing touch. These movies really look good to me, unfortunately I have yet to watch any of them. But, I think I will at some point.

Sightseers: A guy takes his girlfriend out to see the world, but of course nothing goes as planned.

Some Girls: Before he gets married, a man takes a trip across the country to visit he ex-girlfriends and make amends for some of the problems in their relationship.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Tuesday's With Movies: 12/3/13

Wolverine: I have heard so many mixed reviews on this, but I don't understand them. I thought this was a great movie - granted I didn't hate the Origins film, but this was still heads and shoulders above that one. Perhaps the reason was because of the great teaser at the end - which just got so many people excited for the next film. Either way, here is my review - I will definitely be watching this one again.

Smurfs 2: I was surprised by the first film, but I still have yet to watch it for a second time. That is usually the barometer for me if I really like a movie. But, I still have a seven-year old in the house, so I will be watching this. Hopefully it's at least as good as the first.

Mortal Instruments: City of Bones: I have to be honest, I have no idea what this is. Apparently some people in my family have been reading this book series and it is supposed to be the new Twilight or Harry Potter. I can't, however, believe they will be as big as those two franchises because the first film is about to be on DVD and I have heard pretty much nothing about it.

Drinking Buddies: This looks absolutely amazing and it has four amazing actors in it - including my girl Anna Kendrick. Definitely will be watching this as soon as I can.

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane: Well, on imdb it says this movie was made in 2006 - that cannot be a good sign about how good this film is. Either way, looks like a Scream-like film where a ton of classmates begin to drop like flies - and someone needs to figure out who is doing it.