Nightcrawler

MPAA Rating: R for violence including graphic images, and for language.
Run Time: 117 minutes
My Rating: 5/5
Hey y'all, so last night my wife and I went and saw Bold Film's Nightcrawler starring Jake Gyllenhaal (Prisoners), Rene Russo (Thor: The Dark World), and Bill Paxton (Twister).  The film centers around the story of Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a driven young man desperate for work who finds that crime journalism in L.A. may be his niche.  After discovering a group of freelance cameramen who film crashes, murder, and other such pandemonium Lou jumps right into the profession of Nightcrawling where everybody else's pain and suffering becomes his cash flow.  After being encouraged by TV News director Nina, Lou begins to blur the lines between observer and participant as he begins to star in his own story.
So I have to admit, I loved this movie, but throughout the film I was absolutely appalled by what was presented to me on screen.  Probably the films most important aspect is Jake Gyllenhaal's performance as the antisocial Lou Bloom.  What Jake Gyllenhaal has done is nothing less than outstanding.  I personally believe this is probably his best performance out of any movie he's done and probably the best performance I have seen by an actor all year long.  His work here is stunning.  From the very first moment you see him on the screen you can tell that there is something completely terrifying about Lou Bloom and Jake Gyllenhaal uses that terrifying feeling that that you get to his advantage and plays with it throughout the entire film.  At first Gyllenhaal is barely recognizable with his dramatic weight loss (over 30 pound), which just shows how much dedication he put into the role.
Also one thing that I loved about the movie is its total honesty towards news and media in general.  The entire film is just social commentary on what us as society feel is important and what it takes for us to turn on the TV to a specific channel.  The stuff in the film is gruesome and at times hard to watch.  When Lou Bloom first talks to Nina about becoming a cameraman for the crime in L.A. the way that she describes what she wants should horrify all of us, but for some reason it doesn't.  She states that she wants Lou Bloom to find all the "gruesome" things out there.  The bloodier the better.  If it is a white person in a good neighborhood, she wants it.  If it is a minority, don't bother.  As Lou begins to do this, his desire to capture the next big story only increases.  Then when its time for November Sweeps, a time of the year where network execs evaluate their programs, Lou Bloom and Nina will do and show anything that will get people to watch and give them the ratings that they want..
The sad part of all of it is that we as consumers watch that stuff.  I hear all the time that all the news show these days are negative things about society and that is true, but that is what people want to watch so that is why they show that stuff.  The sad part is that it doesn't just stop at news networks, but it also is prominent in all shows on TV today.  Lets look at what is popular on TV today.  Shows like "Walking Dead," "NCIS", "Criminal Minds", and "The Blacklist" all have to deal with violence and crime.  The more blood, violence, and crime we see the better.  This is what us as society like to watch and the entire film though it shows what the news goes through to put it on the air, really is a social commentary towards us as viewers at how corrupt we are getting as a society and how desensitized we are towards things that should make us squirm.  This to me is one of the most honest films this year and should be praised for that.
Now my only negative comment towards this film isn't really a negative, but more of a warning for people that are thinking about seeing the film.  The film does have some gruesome things.  There is a lot of blood so if that is something that you don't want to see, don't see it.  Also the film is dark and it kind of makes you feel a little uncomfortable and that feeling is there from the very beginning.
Overall though, I loved this film.  This movie is not for everyone and that is ok, but if you think that you can handle its content and have the time to see it, you should.  Through its great acting and its perfect social commentary, this film should get some Oscar buzz throughout the coming months.  

Before I Go to Sleep

MPAA Rating: R for some brutal violence and language.
Run Time: 92 Minutes
My Rating: 4/5
Hey everyone!! So today my wife and I decided to go see Millennium Film's Before I Go to Sleep starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth.  The film follows the story of Christine (Nicole Kidman) who finds herself waking up everyday and not remembering what happened in her life over the last 20 years.  Each day she wakes up to her husband (Colin Firth) who has to explain to Christine that they are married and what has happened to her.  The amnesia started after Christine was in an accident.  Finally Christine is determined to find out who she really is and what really happened to her so she decides to leave herself messages through her camera so that she can remember what she learns each day.  As she delves deeper and deeper into her past though she discovers that maybe her life isn't as nice as her husband would want her to believe.
So because I hadn't really heard anything about this film, I was going in with very low expectations and I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw.  I personally am not a huge fan of Nicole Kidman nor Colin Firth so I didn't know what to expect.  However, after leaving the film, I have to say that this is probably one of my favorite films from both of these actors.  Their acting is amazing and really carries the film, especially Nicole Kidman who has to act like she is living the same day over and over again.
Another thing that I really enjoyed is that this film is just a good mystery film that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire film.  The film keeps you guessing throughout at what is real and what is fake.  It does everything that a good mystery/thriller should do and with that brings a lot of suspense to the audience.
Ok, so now with the negatives.  Really the only problem with the film is throughout the first 45 minutes the film moves along very slowly.  The last half picks up quite nicely, but the first 45 minutes can be brutal if you aren't prepared.  To tell you the truth I thought the first half was a typical Nicole Kidman movie, but then the second half starts and its like a brand new intense movie.  This change makes the film very enjoyable.
So overall, I thought this movie was fantastic.  I would definitely recommend seeing this film.  It has great acting and an amazing story with twists and turns throughout.  If you have time to go to the movies, I would definitely go see this one.

My Top 10 Movies to Watch this November

Hey everyone so I hope everyone had a great Halloween yesterday.  So I got such great feedback from my "Top 10 Movies to Watch this October" post, I decided that I would start doing a Top 10 list at the beginning of every month.  So unlike Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving isn't really shown in films very much; at least not in a major role.  There are movies that share small Thanksgiving scenes, but with the exception of very few films, that is about it.  So this list will be centered around Thanksgiving films, films that have Thanksgiving scenes in them, and those centered around food in general since that is what most people associate with Thanksgiving.  Well here we go......

10. The Hundred Foot Journey (2014)
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, some violence, language and brief sensuality.
Ok so to start off the list, I chose Dreamwork Studio's The Hundred Foot Journey starring Helen Mirren.  Now this film has nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but it does talk about great food.  Helen Mirren plays Madame Mallory, a high-end French restaurant owner who receives an unwelcomed surprise when the Kadam family moves in across the street from her restaurant and open their new Indian Restaurant.  Soon Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal), a talented Indian chef, challenges everything that Madame Mallory believes in about culinary arts. As the two begin to learn from one another and start accepting each other's cultures, they are able to create some breathtaking results.
So I thought this film was great.  It is near the bottom of my list, because it isn't really a Thanksgiving movie, but that doesn't mean it is any less valuable.  This film shows how food can bring together two completely different cultures.  It is a great film for the whole family to watch and I would definitely recommend it.  This film is still in theaters right now, so if you have a chance go see it!!!

9. Ratatouille (2007)
MPAA Rating: G
Once again not really a Thanksgiving movie, but by far one of the greatest food films out there.  Pixar did an amazing job with this film and is definitely one you should see.  The film focuses on Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a French chef, but faces the obvious setback when the profession that he dreams of having hates rats.  As luck would have it Remy finds himself in the French sewers directly below the restaurant founded by his culinary hero.  What ensues is a hilarious rat race that completely turns the culinary world of Paris upside down.
This film is amazing and is one of Pixar's greatest films to date.  Though this film isn't about Thanksgiving, it shows how anyone can be inspired by food.  This is a great film for kids and adults alike and might even interest kids in cooking themselves.

8. Chef (2014)
MPAA Rating: R for language, including some suggestive references.
This is my final food-centered movie on the list and this one is by far my favorite.  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.
I love this film.  It is by far one of my favorite movies that has come out in recent years.  The cast is spectacular and the films message is memorable.  If I could justify this being higher on this list, it would probably be number 1.  This is movie that you should definitely see.  This film provides delicious pictures of food and I definitely don't recommend to watch this film on an empty stomach.

7. Spiderman (2002)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for stylized violence and action.
Ok so the first film on the list that actually shows something that has to do with Thanksgiving is Columbia Picture's Spiderman directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco.  The film centers on the origins of our favorite web-slinging hero Spiderman.  It follows the story of Peter Parker, a high school student who is just trying to get through his school.  He is a smart kid and while on a class field trip he is bitten by a genetically-enhanced spider that makes Peter start inheriting the spider's attributes.  Soon after the death of his uncle, Peter decides to use these new attributes to good use and become the vigilante that his city needs him to be.
Now I know that this may seem like a weird fit in my Thanksgiving movie countdown, but the Thanksgiving scene is this film is vital to the film.  It is the first time that the Green Goblin notices that Peter Parker is Spiderman and really the short battle during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is priceless.  If you can't remember it, I definitely recommend that you watch it this month.

6. Jack and Jill (2011)
MPAA Rating: PG for crude material including suggestive references, language and comic violence.
So this one is another film that has a fantastic Thanksgiving meal scene.  The film stars Adam Sandler and Katie Holmes.  Adam Sandler plays both Jack and Jill, twins that over the years have grown apart.  Jack is a very successful business man who is married and has two wonderful kids.  His life is great until his twin sister Jill comes to town for the holidays.  Jill absolutely loves Jack, but her neediness and passive-aggressiveness annoys Jack.  When the entire family decides to go on vacation together, it is up to Jack to finally accept Jill for who she is or he may just lose his entire family altogether.
So I think this film is hilarious.  Watching Adam Sandler play both roles is great and it something of a work of art.  The Thanksgiving scene happens at the beginning of the film and it is hilarious.  Though this scene isn't vital to the film it does show how Thanksgiving can bring the family together and even the families that annoy each other can come together for the holidays.

5. The Blind Side (2009)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.
So next on my list is Alcon Entertainment's The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw.  The film is based on the true story of Baltimore Ravens Offensive Tackle Michael Oher.  The story follows Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who decide to bring in and adopt Michael, a homeless teenager who has no idea who is father is and has little formal education and skills to help him learn.  The Tuohy's help him get up his grades and get him on the high school football team.  He eventually becomes eligible to the for a NCAA Division 1 scholarship.  Though from the outside looking in it seems like the Tuohy's have given Michael everything, Leigh Anne realizes that Michael has done more for them, than they could ever do for him.
This film is great and is one that everyone should watch.  Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for her performance here and it was well-deserved.  The Thanksgiving scene in this film is something that all of us can relate to.  We are watching the big football game on TV and then all of a sudden it is turned off (much to our dismay) so that we can have dinner as a family.  Also just like all of us, we continually check the scores so we don't miss a single play.  This film is very inspiring and I definitely recommend it to anyone.

4. Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994)
MPAA Rating: PG for action violence
The next film on my list is Walt Disney Pictures' Squanto: A Warrior's Tale.  It tales the story of Squanto, a Indian warrior, and his tribe before and during the arrival of the English settlers.  As Squanto prepares for these strange new people, he notices that his tribe is being held captive and eventually he becomes a captive.  Suddenly it is up to Squanto to fight for the freedom of his tribe and try to mend the rifts between these two completely different cultures.
Though this film isn't wildly known, I personally really enjoy it.  I remember watching during class while I was in school during this time of year.  It shows the first thanksgiving, but it also shows how two cultures can come together and be thankful for what each other has.  It really shows the true meaning of Thanksgiving and is definitely a film that you should watch this month.

3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 & 1994)
MPAA Rating: G
Ok so I know what your thinking, this is a Christmas movie and to tell you the truth you are exactly right.  One of my favorites by the way and will probably be posted on my list for next month.  Anyway the film follows the story of an old man named Kris Kringle who claims to be the real Santa Clause.  When people start hearing this some become cynical of the old man try to reject all notions of belief.  Suddenly people begin to notice something special about Kris Kringle and after much debate both in courts of law and in conversations, people realize that maybe Kris Kringle could be the real Santa Clause and if not,his advancement of Christmas Spirit certainly makes him a good man.
So why is this film on my November list?? Because if it wasn't for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this story would not have happened.  Kris Kringle was the Santa Clause during the parade.  It was the Thanksgiving holiday that began the story and that is why this film is so important on my list.  It really is a classic and I truly recommend this film to anyone.

2. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
MPAA Rating: R for adult situations and language.
The next film on my list is Paramount Pictures' Planes, Trains, and Automobiles starring Steve Martin and John Candy.  It follows the story of Neal Page (Steve Martin) on his quest to get home for Thanksgiving.  When his flight is cancelled due to bad weather Neal decides to make other means of transportation.  During his travels he meets up with Del Griffith (John Candy), an annoying, talkative, and crude person who finds out that they are heading the same way.  Suddenly Neal has to deal with his new friend on what seems like his most impossible journey ever.
This film is hilarious and is definitely one that I would recommend to everyone.  This is one of the only true Thanksgiving movies and it shows just how important family.  This film truly shows all that there is to be grateful for in this world.  The true meaning of Thanksgiving is shown in full view in this film.

1. Free Birds (2013)
So my number 1 film to watch this month is Reel FX Creative Studios' Free Birds starring the voice talents of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Amy Poehler.  The story follows the story of Reggie (Owen Wilson), a turkey who is chosen to be the pardoned turkey this year.  His easily life is soon interrupted by Jake (Woody Harrelson), a turkey who takes Reggie on an adventure back through time in order to stop the turkeys from being on the menu of the first Thanksgiving.  What ensues is a hilarious ride through time as Reggie and Jake find themselves with a clan of turkeys struggling for survival.
Now just so you know, this film is cheesy and isn't for everyone.  I personally really enjoyed it and thought that it was funny.  The thing I like most about this film is that is shows that it doesn't matter what you eat on Thanksgiving, the only important thing is who you are with.  This film is great and is definitely one for the whole family to watch.

Well everyone thanks for reading.  I hope you liked my list.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!! Have a great November!!

Fury

MPAA Rating: R for strong sequences of war violence, some grisly images, and language throughout. (Recommend kidsinmind.com)
Run Time: 134 minutes
My Rating: 4.5/5
So today my wife and I went and saw Columbia Pictures' Fury starring Brad Pitt (Mr. and Mrs. Smith), Shia Labeouf (Transformers), Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson series), and Michael Pena (End of Watch).  The film details the story of a Sherman tank crew during the final push of World War II in Germany.  They are led by their fearless leader Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) as they embark on a deadly mission behind enemy lines.  Soon they find themselves outnumbered and outgunned and as the odds continue to pile against them, they must face their most horrific test yet.
So I absolutely loved this film.  I thought the story was great, the actors worked great together, and the action was memorable.  The story takes place in World War II, Nazi Germany.  I for one love war films and this one is just as good as any.  The film focuses on the tanks in the war something that is unique to the genre and personally I thought it was great.  The film focuses on one crew in particular which makes the film even better because of its fantastic cast.  The actors make the film great.  They all have their own distinct personalities that they portray and the crew is so diverse that it makes you relate to the crew no matter what.  Another thing that makes the film great is the chemistry among the cast.  With this film being so depended on a single crew, chemistry is important.  Apparently the cast had to go through some rigorous training before filming and it brought the crew together incredibly.  Finally the action scenes in this film is amazing.  Now this film is very graphic in its depiction of war violence so if you have a weak stomach I definitely wouldn't recommend this film, but if you can handle it, this is definitely a movie you should see.  The final battle in the film is a work of art and just watching it is breathtaking.  The final 30 minutes of the film alone is worth the price of admission.
Now beware that the film is long, but it has a good balance of action and story line that makes it a good 2 hours of your time.  I definitely recommend this film.  It is spectacular and one that you don't want to miss.  It may not be the best war movie ever made, but it is definitely one that you should watch.

St. Vincent

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material including sexual content, alcohol and tobacco use, and for language.
Run Time: 102 Minutes
My Rating: 3.5/5
Ok, so today I went and saw Chernin Entertainment's St. Vincent starring Bill Murray (What About Bob?), Melissa McCarthy (The Heat), and Naomi Watts (The Ring).  The film centers around Vincent (Bill Murray), an old Vietnam war veteran who is down on his luck.  He drinks all day, gambles all his money away, and doesn't care about anybody else.  His life turns upside down when Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), a single-mother going through a rough divorce, and her son, Oliver, move in next door.  Suddenly Vincent's life begins to change as he starts taking care of Oliver everyday after school.  Finally Vincent has someone that truly cares for him, something that he hasn't experienced in such a long time.  
So when I first saw the trailer for this film I was really excited.  I love Bill Murray and I think Melissa McCarthy is hilarious, so I was expecting great things from this film.  While I wasn't blown away by this film comedy-wise, the acting was incredible.  Yes there is some comedic humor throughout the show, but it isn't as profound as what you would expect.  Bill Murray gives ones of his best performances in years as the drunk, old Vincent.  At first as you watch Vincent go through his every day life, you can't help but be disgusted by him.  The way he treats others and the way he lives is life is hard to watch because you think that there is no way that you could have any sympathy for this guy.  However as the film goes on, Bill Murray's great performance makes you love Vincent even through all his flaws.  Melissa McCarthy and Naomi Watts give very powerful performances as well that completely change your perspective on them.
While the film's acting makings this film great, there are some parts of the story that create the film's biggest flaw.  In all reality though I love Naomi Watts, her character really doesn't have to be in the film.  Her character has some funny moments, but really distracts from the overall plot.  I see why they put her in the film, but I believe that the film could have been better if the character wasn't in the film.  It would have given the director more time to focus on the true meaning of the story.
Now is this the best film out in theaters right now? No!! However I do believe that this film is one that people should see.  Why?  Because the lesson taught in this film is priceless and something that we all need to remind ourselves of.  That is why you need to see this film.  It may not be the best film ever, but it is one that all should see.
Thanks for reading.  If you have any comments, ideas, or thoughts just let me know.

Men, Women, & Children

MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue throughout-some involving teens, and for language.
Run Time: 119 minutes
My Rating: 0/5
Ok, so my wife and I decided to go see Paramount Pictures Men, Women, & Children.  The film depicts the lives of parents, kids, and teenagers as they live life both in the real world and online.  That is basically the whole story.
When I first saw the preview for the film, I thought it looked very interesting and thought-provoking.  It reminded me of 2012's Disconnect starring Jason Bateman (a movie which I loved by the way and I think everyone should see it), but to my disappointment it wasn't anywhere near that kind of quality.  To be completely honest my wife and I walked out of the film within the first 10 minutes.  That is how horrible it is.  Seriously within those first ten minutes, a dad was looking as porn (in full view), a son was looking at porn, and a teenager was posing for immoral pictures to post on the internet which were taken by her own mother.  What a load of crap.  Now I know that with technology people can live different lifestyles than they normally live, but seriously there is no way that this movie depicts reality.  The thing I hate about these types of movies is that they say they are providing us with reality, but in reality there is so much good on the internet as well that never get depicted.  Yes this is film that shows the dangers that the internet can provide, but if we look at it with just that lens, then we are denying ourselves of all the good.
It is a real shame that this film turned out the way it did.  It stars an amazing cast with Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Ansel Elgort, Emma Thompson, and Judy Greer.  Such a waste of perfect talent.
There is a reason why this film is failing at the box office and I would suggest that people don't waste their money like I did.  Please stay away from this film, because there are so many better options out there.

The Book of Life

MPAA Rating: PG for mild action, rude humor, some thematic elements and brief scary images.
Run Time: 95 minutes
My Rating: 4/5
So last night my wife and I decided to go and see Reel FX Animation Studio's The Book of Life.  The film details the story of Manolo (Diego Luna), a young man who is in love with the beautiful Maria (Zoe Saldana), as he tries to live up to the expectations of his family as well as follow his heart.  Unfortunately for Manolo he is in competition for Maria heart against his best friend Joaquin (Channing Tatum).  However in order to win the love of his life, Manolo embarks on a grand adventure that spans three spectacular worlds where he must face his greatest fears.
Personally I thought the film was fantastic.  The content was unique, cast was great, the animation was breathtaking, and the story was so humorous   The film takes its cue from the Hispanic holiday "Day of the Dead."  This is something that hasn't really been touched in most mainstream American films, so it was really refreshing.  Now I am no expert on Hispanic holidays, but from what I know about the "Day of the Dead" the film was extremely accurate as to its concept.  This is a great film to take the kids to in order to bring more culture into their lives.  Along with the film being very culturally informative, the cast helps bring the film to life.  In addition to the three leads mentioned above the film also has the voice talents of Christina Applegate (Anchorman), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Ice Cube (22 Jump Street), Gabriel Iglesias (Planes), Danny Trejo (Machete), and Cheech Marin (The Lion King).   This film is full of incredible talent and each actor makes their character their own.  Each character directly resembles that actors personality and with that it makes the film a more enjoyable experience.
Another great thing about the film is the animation.  As Manolo embarks on his journey through the three worlds, the animation just jumps off the screen.  The colors are amazing and it truly brings the worlds to life.  There is so much distinction between the three worlds that it is great to see the amount of effort that the the animators put in to making the film come to life.  Finally with such a great cast and impeccable animation, the film's true strength is in its humor.  The film is hilarious and throughout the entire film there is comedic relief.  Each character provides their own unique type of comedy which really makes the film even more spectacular.
Now for all the greatness that this film provides, it still has its shortcomings.  Probably the biggest shortcoming of them all is that the film is very cheesy at some points.  There are times when you just stare at the screen and you can't believe what you are seeing.  This is the most apparent shortcoming of them all, but it is easy to get past with the great things that the film provides.
Overall, I thought the film was amazing and I would recommend this film to anyone.  This is a great film that the kids and adults will love.  I personally think that this is probably one of the greatest animated features of the year.  I would definitely go see this movie again and I hope that y'all will give it a chance.  You won't be disappointed.
Thanks again for reading, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas, just let me know.