The Good Dinosaur

MPAA Rating: PG for peril, action and thematic elements
Run Time: 100 Minutes
My Rating: 4/5
Sorry guys it has taken me so long to write this review, but I was with family all weekend and didn't get to it.  With that said, on Saturday my family and I saw Walt Disney Studios and Pixar Animation's The Good Dinosaur starring the incredible voice talents of Jeffrey Wright (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2), Frances McDormand (Moonrise Kingdom), and Raymond Ochoa (Monsters University).  It tells of the journey of Arlo, a dinosaur, who must overcome his fears and anxieties as he must search for his family after being separated from them.  Along the way, he teams up with an unlikely human friend.
So I actually really liked this film and thought it was pretty entertaining.  This is the first time that Pixar Animation has released more than one film in a year and they have proven that they can provide more than one quality family film in a year.  The Good Dinosaur is a stunning masterpiece and incredible to look at.  Though the story may be lacking compared to Pixar's other film this year Inside Out, the animation is truly beautiful to look at and completely make the movie. Seeing Pixar's incredible animation, delving into the forests and outdoors is spectacular and more than enough reason for this film to be made.  Also, the characters are quite likable and quite funny. Finally, the film is layered with many emotional scenes that leave audience members in tears of both sadness and joy.  This film is everything you could ask for from a Pixar film.
However, with that being said, it is really hard not to compare this to Inside Out.  Inside Out was a return to form for Pixar and has a great chance at being nominated at least for Best Picture come awards time.  The Good Dinosaur will not be in that category, although it will definitely be nominated for Best Animated Picture.  The Good Dinosaur lacks a lot of depth that has been seen in other Pixar films.  That is not to say that this is a bad film because I loved it and thought it was fantastic.
Overall, this film was great.  It is a fantastic family film and one that will continue to please audiences for years to come.  This is the best family film out right now and one that you need to see. Pixar has done it again with The Good Dinosaur and has proven to everyone that they can provide two high-quality family films in a given year!!!

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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for some thematic material
Run Time: 137 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So today my family and I saw Lionsgate's The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 the final film in The Hunger Games franchise.  It brings with it the incredible returning cast of Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  It continues directly after the events of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 with Katniss and the Rebels trying to find a way to enter the Capitol and attack President Snow. Throughout all of this, Katniss must try to unite all of Panem as well as protect everything and everyone she holds dear.
So I loved this film.  This is saying a lot because though I have loved all the other Hunger Games films, I was not a fan of how the book ended.  So I wasn't too sure how I would like the conclusion on the big screen.  Fortunately, my worries were calmed and I actually enjoyed the ending. I definitely believe this is due to the amazing cast and the incredible direction by Francis Lawrence.  The cast is absolutely spectacular.  In my opinion, this is the most talented cast of all the Young Adult adaptions so far.  Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss so well and there is definitely no other actress that could have played her.  The talent in this cast is unbelievable and many filmmakers who want to adapt books into film should look to this Young Adult franchise and its cast for pointers.  Also, director Francis Lawrence has had an incredible vision over the past 2 films and this one is no different.  Lionsgate took a huge risk hiring him for its last 3 films of this pivotal franchise, but it definitely paid off.  I wouldn't be surprised if he gets some incredible offers after this.
Overall, I thought this film was spectacular.  This franchise is incredible and deserves all the praise that it gets.  This is an incredible final chapter and for those that have followed it over the past 4 years, will be truly satisfied with the outcome.  For me that hated the final book, this was an incredible ending that truly exceeded my expectations.  This is the movie to see right now and probably one of the best films of the year!!!

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Love the Coopers

MPAA Rating: PG - 13 for thematic elements, language and some sexuality
Run Time: 107 Minutes
My Rating: 3.5/5
So yesterday I saw CBS Films and Lionsgate's Love the Coopers starring John Goodman (Monsters Inc.), Diane Keaton (Mad Money), Ed Helms (NBC's The Office), Alex Borstein (Fox's Family Guy), Amanda Seyfried (Les Miserables), Alan Arkin (Argo), Marisa Tomei (Fox's Empire), Olivia Wilde (Fox's House), and Jake Lacy (NBC's The Office).  It details the adventures of four generations of the Cooper family as they try to make it home and get ready for a big family Christmas.  While many mishaps and unexpected visitors get in their way, they come to realize that how important their family bond and the holiday season can be.
So I surprisingly really liked this film.  It had its quirks and its downsides, but overall it was a pretty enjoyable holiday film.  I know I say this a lot, but the cast in Love the Coopers was perfect.  Venus Kanani and Mary Vernieu, the casting directors, did an absolutely amazing job.  Each actor is cast in the perfect role for them and they all seemed comfortable on the screen.  The entire time I couldn't stop smiling at how perfect the cast came together and I want to watch this film again and see a sequel just because of this amazing cast.  That is saying a lot because I am not the biggest fan of at least one of the actors in this film.  Another great thing about this film was that it actually was pretty funny.  Though it wasn't as funny as I would have hoped, it still had some great moments that were pretty memorable.
Though the cast was great and it had some funny moments, the film still had its flaws.  For one thing, the film was overly dramatic.  There were some things in it that annoyed me so much because it felt like the writer was trying to add every dysfunctional aspect of a family into this one.  There was so much dysfunction that it was too unrealistic, formulaic and predictable.
So overall this was a great holiday film and one that I see myself watching again.  The cast was incredible and were perfect in their roles.  This movie may not be for everyone, but if you liked films such as The Family Stone and Surviving Christmas, then you will like this film as well and won't be disappointed.

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The 33

MPAA Raiting: PG-13 for a disaster sequence and some language
Run Time: 127 Minutes
My Rating: 3/5
So today my daughter and I saw Warner Brothers' The 33 starring Antonio Banderas (The Expendables 3), Rodrigo Santoro (Focus), Juliette Binoche (Dan in Real Life), and James Brolin (Burlesque).  It details the true story of a Chilean mine collapsing on 33 miners and their struggle to survive for 69 days.  It also delves into their rescue and the turmoil that their families faced trying to save them.
So I thought this film was good but not great.  I didn't really know what to expect from this film when I first walked into the theater, but though the film was captivating there was just something lacking that kept it from being great.  The worst part is that I can't figure out what it is lacking.  I mean the story is fascinating and one that I had never heard before.  Also, the characters were well-cast and each actor puts their all into their characters.  However, for some reason I was left wanting more. In my opinion, the story line that intrigued me the most was not of the miners stuck hundreds of feet below the earth, but was of the families struggles to get their husbands, brothers, and sons free.  From a corrupt mining company to many failed attempts, the faith and determination that these family members showed was inspiring.  I would have been completely fine just watching those parts instead of the entire film.  That doesn't mean that the other parts aren't good, just they weren't as appealing.
Overall, I liked this film, but it wasn't my favorite.  I really don't know much else to say about it.  If you like true stories then this is definitely the film for you.  Though I came out of the film disappointed, I still want to watch it again.  Maybe I will like it better a second time.  With that said, I think that this is definitely a interesting movie that may intrigue people more than it did me.

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Suffragette

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some intense violence, thematic elements, brief strong language and partial nudity
Run Time: 106 Minutes
My Rating: 4/5
So yesterday my family and I saw Focus Features' Suffragette starring Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby), Helena Bonham Carter (Cinderella), Meryl Streep (Ricki and the Flash), Ben Whishaw (Spectre), and Anne-Marie Duff (Before I Go to Sleep). It delves into the lives of one family as they try to find where they stand during the women's rights movement in the United Kingdom.  It shows how these women fought for what they knew they deserved and the struggles and challenges that they faced. However, through all the persecution, these women never discredited their convictions as they fought hard for their dignity.
So I thought this was an incredible story and truly inspirational.  I had heard a lot about this film at the beginning of the year, but then as the year went on it was almost impossible to find anything about it.  I truly think this is unfortunate because this film deserves way more credit and much more attention than it is getting.  This film is incredibly cast and has story that is inspiring and  heart-breaking.  For most people if they have heard of this film, they mostly have heard of it because Meryl Streep is in it. However, Meryl Streep is in the film for maybe 2-3 minutes and the rest of it her character is merely mentioned.  With tvhat said, she makes the most of her 2-3 minutes on screen. Fortunately she is backed up by an amazing cast who both Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter deserve recognition and praise now and come awards season.  They bring this incredible story to life and tell a story that needed to be told.
Though I thought the film was fantastic, there was still one thing that frustrated me as an audience member.  The one thing that I was left wanting more of what the background behind each protester.  I wanted to know how they got to where they were? and How did they get started?  Suffragette starts off right in the middle of the women's rights movement, so you really don't get that kind of back story that I desperately wanted.  However, I still thought this was a fascinating film.
This film is definitely a must-see for everyone.  I will definitely see it again and one that I think is very educational for all.  I truly hope that this film expands wider because it would be a shame if everyone was not able to see it.  Through its great story and incredible awards-worthy acting, this is definitely one that I hope will live on for ages.

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My All American

MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, language and brief partial nudity
Run Time: 118 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So yesterday my daughter and I saw Clarius Entertainment's My All American starring Finn Wittrock (FX's American Horror Story), Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight), Sarah Bolger (ABC's Once Upon A Time), and Robin Tunney (CBS's The Mentalist). It tells the inspiring true story of Freddie Steinmark, a football player for the University of Texas.  All of his life he dreamed of playing football, but he was always deemed too small by most athletics. However, with his determination and hard work that he brings to each game, he is noticed by the University of Texas coach Darrell Royal. Now, as his team is making a run for the national championship, Freddie Steinmark must face his most daunting challenge yet.
So I absolutely loved this film.  For a sports film, this is top-notch and in my opinion, will inspire many.  Many critics have been criticizing this film for being too formulaic and while that may be the case, we can't criticize a film for portraying true life.  This is an incredible story and one I believe everyone can learn from.  This film had me going through a roller coaster of emotions that I had no idea what to expect next. With that said, probably the film's best characteristic is its story, but I can't imagine a film being cast in a better way.  Finn Wittrock and Aaron Eckhart both provide excellent performances. I was especially surprised by Finn Wittrock.  This is a completely different character than anything he has played on American Horror Story and it definitely shows that he has a very bright career ahead of him.
Overall, I would definitely see this film again and from the praise it got from the people in my screening, they would as well.  If you love true stories and are a fan of sports you will love this film just as much as I did.  Honestly, there is nothing wrong with this film and one of the most inspiring sports movies out there.  If you have a chance to see this film do so because you will not regret it. This is one of the best films in theaters right now and if you don't see it would be a real shame.

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Spectre

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, sensuality and language
Run Time: 148 Minutes
My Rating: 3.5/5
So today my wife, daughter, and I saw Columbia Pictures' next installment in the James Bond franchise, Spectre, starring Daniel Craig (Skyfall), Christoph Waltz (Horrible Bosses 2), Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter Series), Naomie Harris (Southpaw), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Andrew Scott (BBC's Sherlock).  It follows the latest mission for James Bond as he tries to hunt down a person from his past and encounters a sinister organization known as Spectre.
So I did really like this film, but it was not my favorite James Bond movie.  It had all the elements of a Bond movie, but for me it just fell short.  With that being said, there was still things that the film did do well.  As always, I thought the cast did a very good job.  I have been a huge fan of Daniel Craig's interpretation of James Bond and this film is no different.  He is only complimented by one of the best supporting casts of any film this year. They all work so well together and it is truly a pleasure to see all of these amazing actors on the same screen.  Another thing that works so well for Spectre is that it has probably one of the best opening scenes for a Bond movie.  It is spectacular and definitely worth the price of admission.
With that being said, the film really did fall short on a lot of things.  Unfortunately, probably the biggest issue with Spectre is that it has to directly follow Skyfall.  For a James Bond film, Skyfall was a phenomenon and was absolutely amazing.  Spectre had big shoes to fill and has very high expectations, which is pretty unfair in my opinion.  However, I still couldn't help myself from comparing the two and feel disappointed with the follow-up.  Nevertheless, Spectre is a very good film, it just doesn't live up to the enormous success of its predecessor.  Another thing about Spectre that just doesn't work out is its story.  It wasn't the most captivating story and at times I felt confused at what was going on and where the film would be going.  I think I might have to watch it again order fully comprehend and possible fully appreciate what Spectre has to offer.
Overall, this was a pretty good James Bond film.  In my opinion, the cast and the opening sequence are worth the price of admission.  They provide enough value and intrigue for the audience.  It may not be my favorite film, but it is a good film to go see on the big screen.  If you like James Bond or you just want something to see, Spectre is a good way to spend your time.

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The Peanuts Movie

MPAA Rating: G
Run Time: 93 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted in a while, but school has been very hectic and I haven't had anytime to do anything other than that.  With that being said, today my daughter and I saw 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios' The Peanuts Movie.  The film stars a group of young newcomers to add their voice talents to the characters.  The Peanuts Movie brings together everyone's favorite gang in Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sally, Linus, Snoopy and the rest to the big-screen for the first time. In this adventure, it follows Charlie Brown as he tries to impress the new girl across the street. Along the way, America's most lovable dog embarks on a high-flying adventure against his arch-nemesis the Red Baron.
So I loved this film.  This was on my list of my most anticipated movies of 2015 and this film did not disappoint.  I was so excited for this film because I grew up watching the Peanuts episodes and this film definitely brought me back to my childhood.  This is everything I wanted in a Peanuts film.  One of the things I loved about it was the nostalgia factor. The creators definitely brought in a lot of elements that made the past episodes fantastic.  This is great because the adults in the audience can share their favorite Peanuts moments with their children or just relive their childhood.  In fact, I think there were more adults in my screening than there were children.  However, the children that were there loved it and my daughter was actually smiling  as well.
Another thing that I loved about this film and probably one of the most impressive things about it is its use of child voice actors for all of the children in the film.  Not only that, but most of these kids are newcomers to voice acting as well as acting all together.  They all did amazing jobs and truly brought the essence of the characters back to life.
Overall, this was one of my favorite films of the year.  With that being said, it still wasn't my favorite animated film of the year, but it is a very close second.  This is the perfect film to take the entire family to because it has something for everyone.  If you are a Peanuts fans, you have to see this film because you will not be disappointed.  This is one of the funnest films of the year and a guaranteed good time at the movies!!!

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