A Most Violent Year

MPAA Rating: R for language and some violence.
Run Time: 125 Minutes
My Rating: 3.5/5
So today I went and saw A24's A Most Violent Year starring Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty), David Oyelowo (Selma), and Elyes Gabel (CBS's Scorpion). The film is a gripping crime drama that tells the story of Abel Morales, an immigrant, trying to expand his business in New York City in 1981 which is known as being one of the most violent years in the city's history.  Unfortunately for Abel, the violence and destruction of the day affects his business personally and threatens to take down everything that he has built.
So, I didn't really know what to expect when I walked into the theater.  I had only seen one preview for this film and had heard that many people and critics that the believed that this film was going to be a serious Oscar contender, but it was not nominated for anything.  So I really didn't know how I was going to like it. Then as I sat in the theater and the movie began I thought that it was going to be a long movie.  The film started off really slow, but eventually picked up and I was on the edge of my seat for the rest of the film.  Personally, the subject matter was and will never be something that I will be truly interested in, but somehow this film kept me hooked the entire time.  Another great thing about this film is the impeccable acting from all of the cast.  One performance that stands above the rest though is Jessica Chastain as Abel Morales' wife and financial bookkeeper.  Everyone thought that she would be at least nominated for a Supporting Actress Oscar and personally I agree.  She definitely deserved it and the Academy definitely missed their opportunity to recognize such an amazing performance.
Though I really liked the film, like I said above, the thing that I didn't like about the film was the fact that I thought that it started off really slow.  Though it picked up after the first 20 or so minutes, I thought that it was going to be a long day.  Other than that I thought that this was a very entertaining and gripping crime drama.
Overall I thought that this was a really good film.  I would definitely recommend this to people that like crime dramas or those that like anyone of the films actors.  Other than that, this film is definitely not for everyone.  However that being said, if you have time and have seen the other films at the theater I would definitely recommend that you try this one out!!

Thanks again for reading.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!!

The Duff

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual material throughout, some language and teen partying.
Run Time: 100 Minutes
My Rating: 4.5/5
Hey ya'll, so tonight my wife and I got invited to a special early screening of CBS Films' The DUFF starring Bella Thorne (Blended), Mae Whitman (NBC's Parenthood), and Robbie Amell (CW's The Flash).  The film tells the story of Bianca, a senior in high school who is content right where she is at.  However, her life is torn apart when she learns that her entire school sees her as a DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier, more popular friends.  Desperate to change her image she enlists the help of her neighbor and former friend Wesley, the high school jock.  As her senior year is becoming more terrible by the minute, it is up to Bianca with the help of Wesley to learn how to stand up to the popular kids and remind everyone that no matter what image or look you may have, we are all someone's DUFF.
So when I first saw the trailer for this film, I thought it looked good, but I thought that it had the potential to being an absolute mess.  So when I received the invitation to go see this film early and for free I decided that even if I didn't like it then I wouldn't be too disappointed since I wasn't losing any money.  After seeing this movie though, I would pay to go see it again.  Yes even full price.  This film has a great story, a fantastic young cast, and is absolutely hilarious.  The reason the story is so amazing is because it deals with real issues that affect our society today.  Having insecurities about body images has always been an issue in life.  What this movie does is teach people that really no matter what we do or how we look there will always be someone better looking or in better shape, but that shouldn't matter because we need to accept and be happy with who we are and if we do so people will like us more as well.  Another great thing about this film is its cast.  They have such great chemistry.  All the actors are next generation Hollywood actors and seeing what they do in this film makes me really excited for new movies starring these newcomers.  They all should have bright futures ahead of them which they do deserve.  /Finally, this film is absolutely hilarious.  From its very first minute to the end credits this film delivers quality laughs.  There hasn't been a PG-13 teenage comedy in a long time and it was a nice breath of fresh air to see it.
Though I thought the film was great, I have to admit my only criticism is that I thought that it was a little bit cheesy in some parts.  Though I thought that this just added to the uniqueness of the film, it did get annoying at some parts.
Overall, I loved this film.  I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard at a teenage comedy. I will admit that this film is not for everyone (especially those that don't like teenage comedies), but what I do know is that those that go and see it will not be disappointed.  There was quite a diverse crowd in our theater and every single person was laughing or at least smiling by the end.  This film gets my full recommendation and maybe even my money once it eventually comes out.

The DUFF will be released in theaters everywhere on February 20, 2015.

Thanks again for reading!! If you have any questions, ideas, or comments just let me know!!!!

Cake

MPAA Rating: R for language, substance abuse and brief sexuality.

Run Time: 102 Minutes

My Rating; 3.5/5

So tonight my wife and I went and saw Cinelou Films' Cake starring Jennifer Aniston (Friends), Anna Kendrick (Into the Woods), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Adriana Barraza (Thor), and Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives).  The film follows Claire Bennett, a woman suffering from chronic pain who becomes obsessed with the suicide of a friend in her chronic pain support group, Nina.  As she discovers the details of Nina's suicide, she begins to form an emotional relationship with Nina's husband and son.  While she gets close to figuring out Nina's mindset before her suicide, Claire is able to grapple with her own very personal tragedy.  

So personally I thought this film was really good.  I had heard a lot about this film the past few weeks because everyone believed that Jennifer Aniston was going to receive an Oscar nomination and to tell you the truth after seeing this performance I will say right here that I believe the Academy made a huge mistake not honoring this incredible performance by Jennifer Aniston.  This is by far Jennifer Aniston at her best and I think she should be rewarded for it.  This is completely outside the realm of her other film and television projects and she makes the transition flawlessly.  She is by far the thing that holds this entire film together and she does an amazing job.  Another thing that I loved about this film is just how realistic it actually is.  There are real people dealing with the issues that Jennifer Aniston's character is dealing with and this film is not afraid to hold back.  I commend the director in treating these issues with great care, but also not being afraid to show them in their fullest.
So though I thought the film was really good, I have to admit I was just really depressed and angry for most of the movie.  It has nothing to do with the film itself or the actors or anything, the subject matter is just really depressing and infuriating to watch.  I just wanted to be there and tell the characters that everything was going to be alright, but of course I couldn't.  Another thing that bugged me about this film was that I was very confused about where the film was going for probably the first 20-30 minutes and really even after that I still didn't know exactly where this film was going to end up.  That doesn't mean that I didn't like it, but that is just how I felt.
Overall, I thought the film was good.  I personally would watch this film again.  Now this definitely is not a film that everyone will like.  Even if you are a die-hard Jennifer Aniston fan or movie fan you may not like it.  This film is deep and deals with really emotional and personal issues.  However I think that this is a true work of art and should be praised for its portrayal of these issues and the incredible acting by its star.

Thanks again for reading!! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

Strange Magic

MPAA Rating: PG for some action and scary images.
Run Time: 99 Minutes
My Rating: 2/5
So today I went and saw LucasFilm's and Walt Disney Studios' animated adventure Strange Magic featuring the voice talents of Alan Cumming (CBS' The Good Wife), Elijah Kelley (Hairspray), Sam Palladio (ABC's Nashville), Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids), and Kristen Chenoweth (Broadway's Wicked). The film is loosely based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and details the relationship between two Kingdoms: the Fairy Kingdom and the Dark Forest.  It follows the misadventures of goblins, fairies, imps, and many other creatures whose lives are about to change when a battle ensues for a very powerful potion.
So I thought the film was good, but unfortunately I didn't think that it was great.  I personally was really excited about this film. This film has been George Lucas' special project for the past 12 years and was something that Disney acquired when they bought LucasFilm, unfortunately Disney wasn't able to save it. However, though the film wasn't amazing, there were some things that were really good about this film.  One of the best things about the film and in my opinion the film's saving grace is the music. Pulling from popular music from the past six decades in order to tell its story, it is truly the only thing that adults can look forward to while they watch this film.  Another good thing about this film was that the animation was really great to look at.
Though there were good things about this film, it was really hard to mask all of its flaws.  One thing is that the story is really lacking.  There are a lot of good ideas in the script, but unfortunately they just don't mesh together the way that they should.  If the writers would have spent a little bit more time on the script instead of creating these crazy characters then the film might have been better. Another thing is that some of the characters were so annoying that it was really hard to stay focused because I just wanted to tune them out.  
Overall, I thought the film was just ok.  There wasn't anything special about this film or anything new that hasn't already been done.  This film is definitely not for everyone.  Most kids will enjoy it, but some of the creatures might scare them, depending on their age.  I wouldn't necessarily recommend this film as a must-see, but if your kids want to see it or if adults have the desire to go and listen to some of the greatest hits in music than you should see it.  Otherwise I would avoid spending your money on this and go see another film instead.

Thanks again for reading.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

Blackhat

MPAA Rating: R for violence and some language.
Run Time: 133 Minutes
My Rating: 2/5
So tonight I went and saw Legendary Pictures' Blackhat starring Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Viola Davis (ABC's How to Get Away with Murder).  The film was directed by Michael Mann (Ali).  The film follows Nick Hathaway (Chris Hemsworth), a extremely talented computer hacker who finds himself released from his 15 year prison sentence in order to help both the U.S. and China after a cyber-attack hit a factory in China.  With his freedom on the line he has to not only keep the control of power balanced between both the U.S. and China, but also find the hacker/cyber-terrorist or else he may find himself behind bars once again.
So personally this film was not for me.  When I first saw the trailer for this film I was really excited.  It looked like a good thriller, but unfortunately the trailer was way more exciting than the movie itself.  Now before I talk about all the things I didn't like about the film, I have to admit there were some things that I thought were great about the film.  First, I thought the concept behind the film was brilliant.  I honestly believe that all of us need to be conscious about what we put online and how much we rely on our technology because like shown in this film it can be destroyed or hacked into at any moment.  I mean just last month we saw a company suffer much controversy and bad press because of a cyber-attack.  This affected one company, but it could have easily affected more.  So I thought the concept was great, I just wish that it was executed better.  Another thing that I liked about the film was that the acting was actually pretty good.  I thought that for the script that they were given the actors did an amazing job.  Actually it was the great acting that kept me in the theater the entire time.
Though the concept was interesting and the acting was great, like I said before I just didn't like the film as a whole all that much.  To be completely honest I got really bored while watching the film. There was so much that happened in the film's first and second act that I had a hard time actually believing that the third act would actually happen.  I mean by the third and final act I thought that the characters really had no point to continue on.  Also I thought that the film too long.  There were a lot of scenes and a whole separate subplot that they added that I thought just weren't necessary.
Overall, I thought the film was just ok.  I probably would only watch this film again if someone that I was with really wanted to.  If you have absolutely nothing else to do and you have seen everything else in the theaters than I would recommend you see it.  Also if you really think that this film is for you I would recommend waiting for it to come to the dollar theater.  But then again you can make your own decisions.

Thanks again for reading.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

Spare Parts

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language and violence.
Run Time: 83 Minutes
My Rating: 4.5/5
So today I went and saw Lionsgate's Spare Parts starring George Lopez (Rio), Jamie Lee Curtis (Freaky Friday), Marisa Tomei (Parental Guidance), Carlos PenaVega (Big Time Rush), and Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids).  The film follows the true story of Fredi Cameron, a new substitute teacher, who brings together 4 Hispanic high-school students to form a robotics club in order to enter an underwater robotics competition in California.  With only $800 to their cause and absolutely no support from their family this team takes on the task of dethroning the country's reigning champion MIT along with 14 other of the countries top technical programs.  As the odds are stacked against them both in the competition and in life, the team forms a bond that will last a lifetime.
So I loved this film.  It had a great story and a great cast.  The story is a true underdog story and quite frankly a very controversial one.  Almost all of the main characters in this film are undocumented immigrants.  This is something that really hasn't been seen in mainstream Hollywood and I commemorate the filmmakers for doing so.  Right now in this country immigration is a hot button issue and many people will take different sides of the issue, but that shouldn't discredit this incredible story.  One thing that I truly loved about this film though is that it shows audiences what life really is like for the undocumented immigrants and their children.  Many of these children want to do so many good things and they can't because of their citizenship status.  They are told every day that they won't amount to anything and it isn't even their fault.  This film shows that even when life has been hard and nothing seems to be going your way, there is still hope and good in people to help.  The cast does an incredible job portraying these wonderful characters and bringing to life this incredible true story.
Though I loved this film, there were some things that could of been better.  The acting could have been better at parts and the script could have been better as well.  However even with these flaws they are easy to look over because of the amazing story.
So like I said before I loved this film.  I would definitely recommend this film to anyone.  I promise you that you will not be disappointed.  If you are looking for a feel-good, clean film then this is the film for you.  I would see this film again in a heartbeat.

American Sniper

MPAA Rating: R for strong and disturbing war violence, and language throughout including some sexual references.
Run Time: 132 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So tonight my wife and I went and saw Warner Brothers' American Sniper starring Bradley Cooper (American Hustle) and Sienna Miller (Casanova).  The film was directed by Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby).  The film is based upon the book of the same name and follows the true story of Chis Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. history.  It follows him in his early years as a simple Texan just wanting to be a cowboy, through his training to become a Navy Seal, his four tours in Iraq, and finally his life after his time in the war.  The film focuses on his relationships with his wife and also those that he served with.
So I absolutely loved this film.  Out of all of the movies that are up for Academy Awards this year, this is by far my favorite.  I honestly believe that this film should win every award that it is nominated for, but unfortunately just because of the way the Academy works, it won't.  However that doesn't discredit the film in any way.  There is so many things that this film has going for it that it is hard not to love. First of all the man behind the story is an absolute American hero.  What he did for this country is something that should be recognized by all.  He is a great representation of every person who has risked their lives for this country.  They are asked to do so much and things that us here in America couldn't even imagine every single day while they are there, and each and every day we forget to appreciate them or we discredit them when we have no right to do so.  They deserve to be honored and that is what this movie does.  Chris Kyle is one spectacular man and a hero and this movie does a great job at showing this.  Another thing that I loved about this film is that the man himself Chris Kyle helped in the production and the writing of this movie.  His family has come out and supported this film 100% which makes this film even more special.  When you go into the theater you know that what you get is an actual true life account.  That is what makes this film so special.
So honestly in my eyes this film did no wrong.  For me it was perfect.  However I will warn you that there is some war violence in this film.  So if you can't handle some blood than this probably isn't the movie for you.
As if you couldn't tell already, I loved this film.  It was fantastic.  I could watch this film again and again.  This is a film that I would recommend to everyone.  This film will give you a greater appreciation of those serving our country and their family members at home.  Also it will give you just a small glimpse of what those that return home have to go through.  This is a film that I think everyone should see and I promise you that if you do, you will not be disappointed.

Paddington

MPAA Rating: PG for mild action and rude humor.
Run Time: 95 Minutes
My Rating: 4/5
So today I went and saw TWC-Dimension's Paddington based on the timeless children's classics of the same name.  The film stars Nicole Kidman (Before I Go to Sleep), Ben Wishaw (Skyfall), Imelda Staunton (Maleficient), and  Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey). The film tells the story of Paddington, a young Peruvian bear who travels to London in search for a home.  After he arrives he finds himself alone and homeless until the Brown family takes him in for the night.  Just as he becomes accustomed to London lifestyle, he finds himself in the cross-hairs of a psychopathic taxidermist.
I personally was quite surprised by this film.  When I first saw the trailer for this film, I was not impressed.  I had absolutely no desire to see this film, but I received a request to review this film and personally I am really pleased that I did.  There were so many great things to like about this film and during the film I just couldn't help but smile.  First off, there is a lot of humor in this film.  Not only is there a lot of humor, but it is humor that all of us can relate to.  Each and every one of us has had a time where we have had to become accustomed to a new situation.  Just last summer my wife and I traveled to England and getting used to the customs there made for hilarious experiences.  Though not all of us have had to get accustomed to the customs of other countries, but every time we move or do something different there are things that we just have to get used to.  This is the kind of humor that Paddington offers, which personally I found both hilarious and something that I could relate to.  Another thing that this film brings is great animation when it comes to Paddington himself.  I always am impressed when studios can put live action and animation together in the same film and Paddington is no different.  The animation comes out as a spectacular product. Finally probably my favorite thing about Paddington is the fact that this film has one of the scariest kids-friendly villain that I have seen in a long time.  Nicole Kidman does a fantastic job as a taxidermist seeking revenge.  She balances the kid-friendly aspect with psychopathic villain perfectly.  This is the most ingenious villain in a while and there is something truly evil about her that you usually don't see in family films.  This gave the film the added boost that it needed.
Though the film had a lot of things going for it, there was just one thing that I really didn't like.  I just couldn't get into the story completely.  There were times where I was kind of bored and I couldn't figure out how it was all going to tie together.
Overall though, I thought the film was great.  I will definitely watch this film again.  Kids will really enjoy this film and adults will appreciate the humor as well.  However adults may get a little bored like I did.  I would recommend this film though if you are in search of just a good, clean family movie.  This film will not disappoint and like it did for me it may even surprise you.

Well thanks again for reading!! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!

My Oscar 2015 Predictions

Hey everyone, if you haven't heard yet the 2015 Oscar nominations were announced this morning.  There were definitely some things that surprised me as well as things that did not surprise me.  So for the past couple of weeks I have received many emails asking me what my Oscar predictions were and I wanted to wait until the nominations were announced until I did so (mainly because my actual choices for the categories would have never been nominated due to their story and content). However I can say that I am very pleased with the nominations even though for me they may not be my favorites.  For this blog I will post who I think will win and I will also post who I think should win. They may be the same or they may be different, once again it is just my opinion.  Also I will not be going into as much detail into some of the more technical categories, I will simply state my prediction.   This will be the first year that I actually make known to many people what my predictions are, but I was 100% correct last year in my predictions. Now this year, unlike last year, is completely different since there are no true front-runners in the main categories, so I could very well be wrong,  Anyways lets begin with my 2015 Oscar predictions.......

BEST PICTURE

American Sniper
Birdman
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything
Whiplash

Will Win/Should Win - Boyhood
This category is really hard for me because I love most of the films nominated.  This was a great year for movies and there is a reason why there is no true front-runner.  However, this film is a spectacle all on its own.  It took over 12 years to make as it follows a young boy growing up. What the cast and crew were able to do is simple amazing.  Now this film may not tackle hot-button issues as some of the other films nominated, but I believe the Academy will reward its cast and crew for doing something that no one has ever done before.

BEST DIRECTOR

Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman
Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher
Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game

Will Win/Should Win - Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Once again each of these directors are worthy in their own right, but the Academy will have to honor the director that was able to keep the same cast and crew together for over 12 years in order to make a single film.  Richard Linklater, definitely deserves this award and his vision is absolutely incredible.

BEST ACTOR

Steve Carell, Foxcatcher
Bradley Cooper, American Sniper
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game
Michael Keaton, Birdman
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Will Win - Michael Keaton, Birdman
Hollywood loves a comeback story and this year there is no greater comeback than Michael Keaton. This is Keaton's first Oscar nomination.  I think the reason many people love his performance so much is because it really is a reflection of how Hollywood is and in particular how Michael Keaton's career has been.  It shows just how hard it is to be an actor once your most popular role has come to an end.  No one exemplifies this more than Keaton and because of this the Academy will reward him for this self-awareness
Should Win - Steve Carell, Foxcatcher
All of the other actors in the category all provide wonderful performances and each one would be more than deserving to win this category.  They have all completely transformed themselves to fit the role that they have been asked to portray.  However I truly believe that no other actor in the category has changed themselves and their image more than Steve Carell in the eerie Foxcatcher.  From his prosthetic nose to his raspy voice, Steve Carell has completely taken away all of his comedic form in order to portray this role.  I personally believe that the Academy should honor that because it is an incredible feat for any actor, but for a comedic actor it is breathtaking.

BEST ACTRESS

Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night
Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon, Wild

Will Win - Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Julianne Moore is definitely the one to beat this year in the Best Actress category.  She has won every award and guild up to this point and I don't think that it will change when it comes to Oscar night. Julianne Moore has been nominated 4 times for an Oscar and has yet to win.  The Academy will finally want to reward her for her incredible life in Hollywood.  Though this may not be her best performance, the Academy will reward her for her career.
Should Win - Reese Witherspoon, Wild
Reese Witherspoon shines portraying Cheryl Strayed as she makes the 1,100 miles hike through the Pacific Crest Trail.  She portrays a woman struggling to find herself in this crazy world.  The Academy usually likes to award actors and actresses for carrying the weight of an entire film on their shoulders and Witherspoon does just as good as any in doing so.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Robert Duvall, The Judge
Ethan Hawke, Boyhood
Edward Norton, Birdman
Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Will Win/Should Win - J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
This is J.K. Simmons year.  His portrayal of an intense music professor is not only breathtaking, but is by far the best acting I have seen from any person this year.  He has won every award and guild up to this point and there is no denying that he completely deserves it.  Expect to see his name called on February 22.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Laura Dern, Wild
Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
Emma Stone, Birdman
Meryl Streep, Into the Woods

Will Win - Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
All the women in this category give amazing performances, but all of Hollywood has been raving over Patricia Arquette's performance as a struggling mother in Boyhood.  All the actors give amazing performances in this film, but Patricia Arquette's stands out more than any.  She really captures what it is like to be a single mother.  She has won everything up to this point and there definitely is no end in sight.
Should Win - Laura Dern, Wild
Laura Dern gives a spectacular performance as Reese 'Witherspoon's mom in Wild.  What makes her job even more difficult is that all of her performance is done in flashbacks and there is not that much screen time for her.  However she makes the most of her time and truly creates a character that it is hard not to love.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

American Sniper, Jason Hall
The Imitation Game, Graham Moore
Inherent Vice, Paul Thomas Anderson
The Theory of Everything, Anthony McCarten
Whiplash, Damien Chazelle

Will Win - The Imitation Game, Graham Moore
The Academy will not let this WWII film that deals with social issues go unrewarded.  This will be the film's best bet
Should Win - Whiplash, Damien Chazelle
This was by far one of my favorite movies of the year and maybe even all time.  I am still confused as to why it is in this category, but for whatever reason, it deserves the win.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Birdman, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo
Boyhood, Richard Linklater
Foxcatcher, E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson and Hugo Guiness
Nightcrawler, Dan Gilroy

Will Win - Birdman, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo
It won at the Golden Globes and I don't see it losing here.
Should Win - Nightcrawler, Dan Gilroy
One of the best social commentaries that I have seen in a very long time.  It got snubbed in all of the top categories, so I think it deserves a win here.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Birdman, Emmanuel Lubezki
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Robert D. Yeoman
Ida, (Ryszard Lenczweski and Lukasz Zal
Mr. Turner, Dick Pope
Unbroken, Roger Deakins

Will Win - Birdman, Emmanuel Lubezki

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

The Grand Budapest Hotel, Milena Canonero
Inherent Vice, Mark Bridges
Into the Woods, Colleen Atwood
Mr. Turner, Jacqueline Durran
Maleficent, Anna B. Sheppard

Will Win - Into the Woods, Colleen Atwood

BEST FILM EDITING

American Sniper, Joel Cox and Gary Roach
Boyhood, Sandra Adair
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Barney Pilling
The Imitation Game, William Goldenberg
Whiplash, Tom Cross

Will Win - Boyhood, Sandra Adair

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

Foxcatcher
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Guardians of the Galaxy

Will Win - Guardians of the Galaxy

BEST MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Alexandre Desplat)
The Imitation Game (Alexandre Desplat)
Interstellar (Hans Zimmer)
Mr. Turner (Gary Yershon)
The Theory of Everything (Jóhann Jóhannsson)

Will Win - The Imitation Game (Alexandre Desplat)

BEST MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)

“Lost Stars” from Begin Again
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me
“Everything is Awesome” from The LEGO Movie
“Glory” from Selma
“Grateful” from Beyond the Lights

Will Win - "Glory" from Selma
Should Win - "Lost Stars" from Begin Again

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Adam Stockhausen; Anna Pinnock)
The Imitation Game (Maria Djurkovic; Tatiana Macdonald)
Interstellar (Nathan Crowley; Gary Fettis, Paul Healy)
Into the Woods (Dennis Gassner; Anna Pinnock)
Mr. Turner (Suzie Davies; Charlotte Watts)

Will Win - The Grand Budapest Hotel (Adam Stockhausen; Anna Pinnock)

BEST SOUND EDITING

American Sniper
Birdman
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Interstellar
Unbroken

Will Win - American Sniper

BEST SOUND MIXING

American Sniper
Birdman
Interstellar
Unbroken
Whiplash

Will Win - American Sniper

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Guardians of the Galaxy
Interstellar
X-Men: Days of Future Past

Will Win - Interstellar

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Big Hero 6
The Boxtrolls
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Song of the Sea
The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Will Win - How to Train Your Dragon 2
This category opened wide up when The Lego Movie was not nominate, so expect the Academy to award the Golden Globes winner.
Should Win - Big Hero 6
This definitely is no Frozen, but Walt Disney Animation definitely did not disappoint with this film. By far my favorite animated film this year!!

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Wild Tales (Damián Szifrón; Argentina)
Tangerines (Zaza Urushadze; Estonia)
Timbuktu (Abderrahmane Sissako; Mauritania)
Ida (Pawel Pawlikowski; Poland)
Leviathan (Andrey Zvyagintsev; Russia)

Will Win - Ida (Pawel Pawlikowski; Poland)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM

CITIZENFOUR
Finding Vivian Maier
Last Days in Vietnam
The Salt of the Earth
Virunga

Will Win - CITIZENFOUR

BEST DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)

Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
Joanna
Our Curse
The Reaper
White Earth

Will Win - White Earth

BEST SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

The Bigger Picture
The Dam Keeper
Feast
Me and My Moulton
A Single Life

Will Win - Feast 

BEST SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)

Aya
Boogaloo and Graham
Butter Lamp
Parvaneh
The Phone Call

Will Win - Aya

Well everyone there you go.  These are my predictions for the 2015 Oscars.  Be sure to watch February 22 on ABC to see who actually wins.
Thanks again for reading!! If you have any other questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!

Selma

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including violence, a suggestive moment, and brief strong language.
Run Time: 128 Minutes
My Rating: 4.5/5
So tonight my wife and I went and saw Cloud Eight Films' Selma starring David Oyelowo (Interstellar), Carmen Ejogo (The Purge: Anarchy), Oprah Winfrey (Lee Daniel's The Butler), and Tom Wilkinson (Belle).  The story tells the true story of Martin Luther King Jr's march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama in order to bring about the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  It details his discussions with President Johnson, the brutal beatings of his followers, and the overwhelming movement that completely altered history.
I personally really enjoyed this film.  There were many great things about it that made it really hard not to love.  One thing that I loved about this film was the story.  In grade school the only thing that we really learn about the legendary Martin Luther King Jr. is his march on Washington and his "I Have A Dream" Speech.  Other than that most people don't really know who he was as a man and his other accomplishments.  This film tell an incredible story from his life that I believe should also be taught in all schools.  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 changed the American landscape forever and the story behind it should be taught.  This story is truly inspiring especially in the way that all of America came together for the cause.  Another great thing about this film was the breathtaking performance by David Oyelowo as the legendary Martin Luther King Jr.  His portrayal is spot-on and completely worthwhile.  It is a performance that I could watch again and again.  He should definitely be recognized for this portrayal.  It's a real shame that there hasn't been many films that portray Martin Luther King Jr., but if Hollywood decides to make more films from his life I would definitely recommend David Oyelowo to reprise his role.
Though I thought the film was spectacular, there are things that I didn't really like.  One thing is that there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the film in the past few weeks.  Now I am not even going to pretend like I know exactly all the details of Martin Luther King Jr's life, but even while I was watching the film I could see some very controversial aspects that didn't really have to be added. If anything I thought that they distracted from the overall plot of the film.  Another thing about the film that I didn't like was that I felt like there were moments in the film where it dragged on and on. It was very slow at some parts and it made the film seem longer than it actually was.
Overall, I thought the film was great.  I would definitely watch it again and recommend it for people to watch.  This film is definitely not for everyone, but if you decide to go see it, I promise that you won't be disappointed

Thanks again for reading!!! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!!!

Taken 3

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, 

and for brief strong language.

Run Time: 109 Minutes

My Rating: 3.5/5

So tonight my wife and I decided to go see Twentieth Century Fox's Taken 3 starring Liam Neeson (Non-Stop), Forest Whitaker (Lee Daniel's The Butler), and Maggie Grace (ABC's Lost).  The film is the third film (and hopefully the last) in the Taken franchise and once again follows Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) as he is trying to save his family.  This time around Bryan Mills his accused of murdering his ex-wife Lenore after he returns home one day to find his wife dead on his bed.  Now he has to find who killed Lenore before the police department find him and locks him up.  

I really liked this film.  It has a lot of action and a great story. It is just like every other Liam Neeson movie where no matter what happens he is just unstoppable.  Even when it looks like he can't go no more somehow he is able to pull through.  However unlike every other Liam Neeson movie for some reason I love the Taken franchise.  I think for one thing it shows just how far a person would go for his or her family.  It is something that everyone can relate to.  Sure not everyone will be asked to do the same things that Bryan Mills does for his family, it still is a great representation of how important the family unit really is.  So that is why I love the franchise, but the reason I liked this film in particular is that it was different from its previous installments.  Instead of Bryan Mills hunting down those that kidnapped his family, and though he does that in this film, the filmmakers added an extra element with him being hunted as well.  Though the police that hunt him don't stand a chance against him it was still interesting to see this added element.

However, though I liked this film, there were however some things that I didn't like.  For one the film was a completely different sequel than what I was planning on.  I don't want to spoil the film for you, but I thought that this film would build upon the ending of the second film (Taken 2) since it left on a cliffhanger, however this film has its own unique story.  Now I am not saying that it is a bad thing, it was just different from what I was expecting.  

Overall, I liked the film.  It was entertaining and action-packed.  If you like the other films in the franchise or just Liam Neeson than you will definitely like this one.  I would definitely recommend this film to people because it definitely will not disappoint.    

Wild

MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, nudity, drug use, and language.
Run Time: 115
My Rating: 5/5
So today I went and saw Fox Searchlight Pictures' Wild starring Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) and Laura Dern (The Fault in Our Stars).  The film is based on the incredible true story of Cheryl Strayed and the international bestseller which she wrote.  It chronicles the 1,100 mile solo hike that Cheryl took in order to get over a personal tragedy in her life. It shows her reflect on her life and the choices she made that brought her to embark on this incredible journey.
I absolutely loved this film.  This is probably one of the best films I have seen all year long.  It has an incredible story and is acted beautifully.  One reason why I loved this film is because the story is something that everyone can relate to.  We all suffer personal tragedies in our life and we each have a different way of grieving.  Sometimes the grief pushes us to make stupid choices that completely mess up our lives.  As such, we find ourselves just like Cheryl taking our own journey to find who we truly are and what we need to do to cope. Now not all of us take that journey literally like Cheryl did and actually take a physical journey, but her physical journey is great representation of all the mental and emotional journeys that we all take. Seeing this journey on the big screen is one of the most breathtaking pieces of cinema you will ever see.
Another reason why this film is so great is the incredible acting by both Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern.  The is by far Reese Witherspoon's greatest performance since 2005's Walk the Line. This has been an incredible year for her as she has started to finally get back to her original greatness.  I only hope that she is able to maintain this great momentum that she has.  In my opinion Reese Witherspoon deserves the Oscar this year for her performance.  It is truly incredible and by far the best female performance all year.  There is so much raw emotion in her performance that it completely makes the movie-going experience worthwhile.  Besides in the flashbacks, Reese Witherspoon is the alone in this film and she makes this 1,100 mile hike riveting.  Also another great performance is by Laura Dern.  She takes her role and makes the most of it.  She brings so much heart to this film.  They could not have picked a better actress for this role.
This film is so good that I honestly can't think of anything wrong with it.  It honestly is just that good. My only wish is that the film was PG-13 so more people could appreciate the greatness of it.  I would recommend this film to anyone.  It is truly a spectacle.  If you have a chance to see this film, you should definitely take it because I promise you that you will not regret it.

Thanks again for reading.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some disturbing and frightening images, and for thematic elements.
Run Time: 98 Minutes
My Rating: 1.5/5
So today I went and saw Relativity Media's The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death starring Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) and Helen McCrory (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows).  The film is the sequel to the 2012 smash hit The Woman in Black.  The film picks up 40 years after the events of the first movie right in the middle of World War II.  With the war raging on, a group of kids without a home are taken to the old Eel Marsh house to wait out the war.  While there they awaken the house's darkest curse........The Woman in Black.
So you can ask my wife, I loved The Woman in Black back in 2012.  I saw it 3 times in theaters which is really unusual for me and horror films.  I thought it was amazing.  However I thought that the film ended perfectly.  I couldn't stop talking about how great the ending was.  To this day I still think that it is probably one of the best endings for a horror movie of all time.  So when I first heard that they were making a sequel to The Woman in Black I had my reservations.  I didn't know how they were going to continue it since the first one ended so nicely.  However when I saw the first trailer for this film I was really excited.  It had great suspense and even a few scares.  Unfortunately my first thoughts were correct, this film had no reason being made.  The story just wasn't there and the Woman in Black barely made an appearance.  Having the film set in World War II was great and it got people back to the Eel Marsh house.  However usually in a sequel there is more information given about the haunting spirit, unfortunately there is no new information.  In fact there is even less information and if you haven't see the first film, you would be greatly confused. Also all the Woman in Black mythology set up by the first film is completely overturned in this film. In addition, the I still have no idea why they titled it Angel of Death.  They did nothing to set that up. Finally, the titular character, the Woman in Black, barely makes an appearance.  I think that she maybe is seen three times throughout the entire film, which is way less than the first film.
Now although I thought the film was really bad and the story was horrible, there were a few good scares.  Also for the script that they got, the acting is quite good.  Other than that, I can't really think of anything else that is positive about this film.
Overall, if you couldn't already tell, I didn't like the film.  I wouldn't recommend people to go see this film unless you are an avid horror fan that is used to being disappointed by horror films.  This definitely isn't one I would watch again and one that you shouldn't waste your time or money seeing.

Thanks again for reading.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!1

Big Eyes

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong 

language.

Run Time: 105 Minutes

My Rating: 4/5

So today my wife and I decided to go and see The Weinstein Company's Big Eyes starring Amy Adams (American Hustle) and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained).  The film was directed by Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas).  The film tells the true story of Margaret Keane, the phenomenal painter from the 1950's who is responsible for the famous "big eyes" artwork.  The film details how she was swept off her feet by her husband Walter Keane and how he latter took advantage of her by claiming credit for her work. The film ends by detailing the legal proceedings that followed.

So personally I really enjoyed the film.  When I first heard about this film and found out that Tim Burton was directing it, I was really interested in how it was all going to work because this definitely is not a film that I would picture him doing.  I was quite surprised with the result.  It definitely isn't a film that Tim Burton usually does, however he still is able to add his own little quirkiness in the film which I believe completely make the film.  I have loved all of Tim Burton's movies and this on is no different.  For those that aren't huge fans of Tim Burton, this film is definitely toned down a lot from his typical showings, so I would definitely give this film a shot before you completely write it off.

However, though I went to the film because of Tim Burton, I stayed because of the incredible acting by both Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz.  Though I think that neither of them will win many awards for their performances, I do believe that they both have good shots of at least being nominated.  Amy Adams was nominated for a Golden Globe for this performance where she probably has a good shot of winning.  They both do incredible jobs and both deserve more praise than what they are getting.

So though I thought the film was amazing, I couldn't help but be annoyed the entire time.  Now don't get me wrong, the film was great and me being annoyed has nothing to do with the film itself, I was more annoyed by the actual events.  Seeing Walter take complete control over Margaret and her being so passive about everything just made me so mad.  That isn't to say that the film was bad, in fact if anything the actors do such a great job that they make you feel exactly how they want you to feel.

Overall I thought the film was great.  This is definitely one that you should go see.  I probably wouldn't take children to it, not because of content but because they probably wouldn't find it as entertaining as adults would.  If you go see this film, you won't be disappointed.  

Thanks again for reading.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

My Top 10 Movies of 2014 & My Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2015

Hey y'all, Happy New Year!! I hope you all have had excellent holidays and have already started working on your New Years Resolutions.  One thing I love about the new year is being able to look back at what happened the past year.  Last year was a big one for me as I graduated from college, got married to the most wonderful woman, moved from Utah to Texas, and started law school.  So many things happened, that have completely changed my life for the better.  Along with everything that happened with me, like always, there were some excellent films that were released the past year.  Here is my list of the Top 10 Movies of 2014.

10. Edge of Tomorrow
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and brief suggestive material.
The first film on my Top 10 list of 2014 is Warner Bros. Edge of Tomorrow starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt.  It details the invasion of Earth by an alien race so powerful that no military unit in the world can stop it.  Enter Major William Cage, who has never seen a day of combat in his life, but somehow gets placed in a unit that is embarking on a suicide mission.  After being quickly killed in the mission, he now finds himself in a time-loop that makes him have to relive the same suicide mission day after day.  Live. Die. Repeat.
I was really excited when this film came out and this film completely exceeded my expectations.  This was a fantastic show that had a lot of action, but also a lot of humor as well.  It didn't do as well during its theatrical run that Warner Bros. might have hoped, so if you were one of those that did not think that it looked entertaining, then you have definitely missed out.


9. Whiplash
MPAA Rating: R for strong language including some sexual references.
Next on my list is Blumhouse Productions' Whiplash starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons.  The film tells the story of Andrew, a young and talented drummer attending a prestigious music academy, who puts every last of his tears, sweat, and blood to impress his respected professor Fletcher.  While he sees it as a great honor to play for his professor, he realizes that his professor doesn't have the most humane way of teaching.  Fletcher does not hold back on abuse of his students in and out of the classroom.  As Andrew tries to become the greatest drummer of his time, his only obstacle may be Fletcher, the person who is assumed to be helping him.
This movie has so much going for it.  With it being the winner at the Sundance Film Festival this past year, I wish it would have received more attention that what it got.  This film, though being a drama, had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.  Also. J.K. Simmons gives one of the greatest performances all year long and if he doesn't get an Oscar for this performance than the Academy is severely messed up.  This is one of the greatest films I have seen in years and is definitely one that you should see.

8. 22 Jump Street
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, sexual content, drug material, brief nudity and some violence.
Next on my list is Columbia Pictures' 22 Jump Street starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.  The film continues the story of Schmidt and Jenko following their highly successful high school drug bust.  This time around the team is taking their abilities to college in order to stop a new drug that has been found killing people.  Schmidt and Jenko are told to do the exact same thing because it is the exact same mission.  What ensues is comedic genius at its best.
So in a time where almost every movie is getting sequel after sequel it is very unique that a sequel actually lives up to its predecessor.  Fortunately for 22 Jump Street it completely surprises the greatness of the first film.  With its self-awareness of its sequel status and its two lead actors, this film is perfectly hilarious.  This is by far the best comedic sequel I have seen and the end credits scene is possibly the best scene on the big screen all year long.

7. The Lego Movie
MPAA Rating: PG for mild action and rude humor.
The next film on my list is Warner Bros. The Lego Movie starring Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks. This animated film follows the story of Emmet, an ordinary Lego mini-figure who is deemed the most "extraordinary person" and the key to saving the entire Lego universe from the evil Lord Business.  With the help of his friends along the way, Emmet realizes that there is no "most extraordinary person," but that everyone can be extraordinary in their own unique way.
I absolutely loved this film.  It was entertaining and the animation was stunning.  For anyone who has ever played with Legos, you will be excited to see everything that you have built on the big screen together.  Also this film has a very catchy tune with the popular "Everything is Awesome" and an ending that will blow your mind.  This is definitely a film that children and adults will enjoy.

6. Into the Woods
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, fantasy action and peril, and some suggestive material.
Next is Walt Disney Pictures' Into the Woods based on the Broadway musical by the great Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story).  The film is led by an amazing cast with Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine, and Johnny Depp.  The film follows the story of the Baker and his wife who due to a curse cast upon their household by a witch, are left childless.  When one day the witch gives the baker and his wife a deal that if they can gather the 4 items that she needs for her spell, in return she would remove the curse of baroness from their home.  Along the way they run into Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Jack (Jack and the Beanstalk).
With a great soundtrack and an excellent cast this film has all the makings of a great movie.  Director Rob Marshall does an amazing job at putting all the pieces of the musical together to create such a fantastic movie.  This was a great treat to watch over the holiday season and if you have time before school and work starts up again, this is one that you should see.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language.
The next film on my list is Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, and Dave Bautista.  This all-star cast form a group of intergalactic criminals who are forced to work together when they begin to be hunted down by Ronan the Accuser because of the powerful orb in their possession.  It is up to this group of criminals to stand with those that oppose them in order to defeat the greater threat and save the galaxy that they love.
This film was a huge gamble for Marvel Studios taking a lesser known, hard-to-sell property with a science-fiction, space odyssey twist and incorporating it to their ever popular cinematic universe. However this gamble paid off for the studio since it is officially the highest grossing domestic earner this year.  This film has an excellent balance of both action and humor.  This is definitely a must-see movie the whole family can enjoy.

4. Chef
MPAA Rating: R for language, including some suggestive references.
The next movie on my list is Open Road Films' Chef starring Jon Favreau, Scarlett Johansson and John Leguizamo.  The movie follows Carl Casper, an acclaimed chef whose family life is decaying right before is eyes as he focuses solely on his career.  Eventually after a bad review, he finds himself out of work and at rock-bottom.  While on vacation in Miami he decides to buy a food truck and drive it across country.  While on the road he is able to remember why he decided to cook in the first place.  He is able to find passion again.   Finally he as his career begins to flourish, he is able to strengthen his relationship with his family as well.
This film is absolutely amazing.  With an all-star cast, this film does not hold back on entertainment.  I went and saw this film on a whim one day and fell in love with it.  There is so much comedic gold in this film and so much heart in the center of it that it is impossible not to love it.  This is such a breathtaking film that relates to so many people which makes it all the better.

3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, gunplay and action throughout.
Next on my list is Marvel Studios' Captain America: The Winter Soldier starring Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson.  The film follows Steve Rogers a.k.a Captain America as he faces his greatest foe yet, his best friend Bucky Barnes a.k.a The Winter Soldier.  With trying to save his friend from becoming truly evil, he faces major setbacks as he deals with the destruction of S.H.I.E.L.D by a traitor.  Now wanted as a fugitive, it is up to Captain America, Black Widow, and The Falcon to destroy Hydra before it is too late.
This movie was greatly entertaining.  When it first came out, I saw it twice in the same weekend and once the following week.  This film brought back great nostalgia of a 70's crime thriller.  This movie completely changed everyone's opinion on what a superhero movie should look like and that in and of itself is reason enough to deserve a spot on this list and any top 10 list.  This was a great film and I think that more movies should take notes of everything that this film did right.

2. Big Hero 6
MPAA Rating: PG for action and peril, some rude humor, and thematic elements.
The next film on my list is Walt Disney Studios' Big Hero 6 starring the voice talents of Scott Adsit, Maya Rudolph, and Damon Wayans Jr. The film tells to the story of Hiro Hamada, a science prodigy, and Baymax, a plus-sized inflatable robot.  When tragedy befalls both of them and a new evil rises in their town of San Fransokyo they must work together along with their friends to save the city.  In doing so Hiro transforms this group of science-nerds into a band of high-tech heroes called Big Hero 6.
With a team like Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios working together it is hard not to have a winning product.  Fortunately for this film it is a winning product.  There is so many great things to say about this film, it is difficult to begin.  With the amazing story line and the great writing this film will go down as one of the great Disney classics.  This is by far the best animated feature of the year and one of the greatest films all year.

1. The Babadook
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, but my guess would be PG-13.
So in my opinion the best film all year is none other than IFC Films' The Babadook starring Essie Davis.  The film follows the story of the Amelia who is struggling being a single mother after the loss of her husband in a car accident on the way to the hospital.  Samuel, her child, makes things worse due to his constant fear of monsters, which causes her friends to leave her alone.  One night Amelia reads Samuel a strange book called The Babadook about a how the Babadook monster hides in the dark and feeds on fear and doubt.  Now Amelia and Samuel are being terrorized by the Babadook and they must trust in each other and themselves in order to survive.
Now I saw this film back in January at the Sundance Film Festival and I fell in love with it instantly.  Now I know that many people will look at this and see it being a horror film and immediately disregard it, but honestly this is by far the best storytelling, acting, and premise I have seen in any film all year long.  This film does everything right and so little wrong that it seems almost too good to be true.  The film hasn't been released to all audiences yet, but when it does or if you can get your hands on a copy this is definitely a film that is a must-see.

Now as we have looked forward to the future, there are so many exciting films to look forward to in the coming year.  Here are my most anticipated films for the coming year.

10. Ant-Man (July 17, 2015)
With what Marvel Studios was able to do with Guardians of the Galaxy, I can't wait to find out what they can do with their next lesser-known property.  Also with an all-star cast, this seems like a movie that can't be beat.

9. Peanuts (November 6, 2015)
As a child I grew up with watching the Peanuts cartoons and reading the comic strips.  Now next November Blue Sky Studios will be bringing back the nostalgia with a brand new Peanuts adventure with Charlie Brown and the gang.  Also, to be honest if the film is anything like the first trailer, then this film will not disappoint.

8. Pitch Perfect 2 (May 15, 2015)
The breakout hit of 2012 is getting a sequel with all the original cast returning.  Everyone fell in love with the Barden Bellas the first time around and Universal Pictures are hoping that you will fall in love with them all over again.  With the great singing, the hilarious cast, and the catchy soundtrack the film will definitely be a fan-favorite.

7. Jurassic World (June 12, 2015)
After 22 years since the original came to theaters and 14 years since the last sequel came out, the Jurassic Park franchise is coming back to theaters with another installment that based on the new trailer looks fantastic.  It has a great cast and stars the newest Hollywood sensation Chris Pratt.  The film looks amazing and with the new technology that there is, this film has all the makings of being a technical masterpiece.

6. Jupiter Ascending (February 6, 2015)
This is the newest film from the Wachowski Brothers, the same team that brought the science-fiction epic The Matrix.  While their past few outings haven't been crowd-favorites, this film has a lot of good stuff going for it.  With the young cast of Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, and Eddie Redmayne and the interesting science-fiction story line this film has all the makings of bringing the Wachowski Brothers back on top.

5. Insidious Chapter 3 (June 5, 2015)
With the sequel surpassing the original in all aspects, the next chapter in this horror franchise has a lot to live up to.  Unfortunately this sequel isn't being directed by the original director.  However, the film has an interesting premise in showing how the medium Elise Rainier came to use her powers to communicate with the dead.  Elise has always been the shining star in the series so far and seeing her origin story will only help audiences fall in love with her even more.

4. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II (November 20, 2015)
With the excellent installment that came to us this year, everyone is in suspense to see what will happen to Katniss Everdeen.  Jennifer Lawrence has become such a huge star in the past few years and for most people this franchise is where they first saw her in action.  It will be very difficult to see this franchise leave us this year, but it should be a farewell suitable for all fans.

3. The Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1, 2015)
When Marvel Studios' The Avengers came to theaters, it raked in over $1.5 billion dollars and since then each Marvel movie has garnered at least \$200-300 million more than their previous installment.  So my prediction is that if Joss Whedon and company can make the same magic that they did with the first one then expect to see some major cash flowing in.  This looks like a hit for Marvel Studios and Disney because the whole crew that brought the first one is here for the sequel.  With the explosive trailer that became a hit seconds after being released and the eerie rendition of "No Strings on Me" this film is looking to be one of the greatest of 2015.

2. Inside Out (June 19, 2015)
With 2014 being the first year in more than 10 years not to be graced with the presence of a Pixar movie, we will be graced with 2 new original Pixar movies.  The first one is Inside Out which shows how emotions of a young girl work together to create the human existence.   Based upon the two clips that have been shown for this film, it looks great.  It looks like Pixar has finally gotten their magic back and that it will be a great film for the entire family to enjoy.

1. Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens (December 18, 2015)
I would be surprised if this film isn't on most people's must-see list for 2015.  It has been almost 10 years since the last Star Wars film hit the screen, so many people are pretty excited about this one. Since the last film was in theaters there have been a lot of changes like Disney purchasing the franchise and producing this newest trilogy.  Disney is doing its best to try to bring back the nostalgia of the first Star Wars Trilogy such as filming it in the same locations and bringing back the original actors.  This will definitely be a must-see next holiday season.

Well thanks for reading!! I hope you have a great New Year!!! I can't wait for these movies and many more that are in store for us.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, just let me know!!!