We Are Your Friends

MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, drug use, sexual content and some nudity
Run Time: 96 Minutes
My Rating: 2.5/5
So today I saw Warner Brothers and Working Title Films' We Are Your Friends starring Zac Efron (Neighbors), Wes Bentley (Fox's American Horror Story), Emily Ratajkowski (Gone Girl), Jonny Weston (Project Almanac), and Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead).  The film follows Cole, an aspiring DJ, who is trying to create that one track that will set his career on fire.  He spends his days with his friends and works on his track during the night. However, his life completely changes when an older DJ takes him under his wing.  Now, with is life spinning out of control, Cole must decide between love, friendship, or his booming future.
So, I thought that this film was good, but it has some major flaws that truly affected its outcome. Probably the biggest flaw in this film is its indecision on what kind of movie it wants to be.  It first starts off as a buddy comedy, but then turns into a coming-of- age story, then it turns into a love story, and then tries to tie it all back together with a drama.  It becomes very confusing and very jumbled together.  It is very hard to decipher how to watch this film and what the filmmakers wanted it to turn out.
With this major flaw glaring throughout the entire film, the film actually has some major strengths. One of its biggest strengths is the acting.  Every actor in this film does an amazing job.  In fact I would say that this is Zac Efron's best dramatic role yet.  He does a spectacular job and I think that it is very impressive that he actually learned to DJ for the film.  His performance is only magnified by the excellent supporting cast.  Honestly, if it weren't for the acting, this film probably wouldn't be watchable.  Also, the film has an incredible soundtrack which also helps make the film easier to watch.
Overall, I thought the film was good, but not great.  If the filmmakers could have stuck with one genre then the film would have been great.  This film had so much potential, but unfortunately it fell short.  However, if you are like good music and good acting, this may be film that you might want to check out.  Otherwise, don't waste your time.

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Sinister 2

MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, bloody and disturbing images, and language
Run Time: 97 Minutes
My Rating: 1/5
So today I saw Blumhouse Productions' Sinister 2 starring James Ransone (Inside Man) and Shannyn Sossamon (Fox's Wayward Pines).  The film follows the events of the first film but with a new family.  A mother and her two sons move into a new house with a horrific past.  However, when the deputy from the first film finds out that this family is next on the Bhughul's list, he must try everything he can so that this family doesn't face the same fate as his previous friends.
First off, I loved the first film.  I thought that it was a unique horror film and had a great story. However when I heard that they were going to make a sequel, though I was excited, I was a little hesitant because of the big reveal at the end of the first film. Sadly, my fears were correct.  This new film, though interesting, doesn't add anything new to the story and in all reality completely ruins any sort of franchise hope.  From the very first scene, the audience can tell that this film was not made for them, but for an easy cash grab.  If you are a fan of the original film, then you most likely won't like this film.  Also, if you never saw the first film, then don't even attempt to watch this film because you will have no idea what is going on.  The filmmakers definitely alienated its audiences to only those that have seen the first one and then didn't even provide a good enough movie for those that liked the first one.  The worst part about all of this is that the acting is quite good and there are genuine scares, but the story just feels sloppy and put together without any thought whatsoever.  The cast does a great job with what they are given with and I believe that if the filmmakers had put a little bit more thought into this film, it could have lived up to the heights of the first one.
Overall, the film just lacked where the first one thrived.  This could have been a great film, but unfortunately money speaks louder than quality.  This is definitely one of Blumhouse Productions' worst films, which is sad because I am a huge fan.  I would urge people not to see this film because hopefully it can show Hollywood that we prefer quality filmmaking over rushed sequels, especially in the horror genre.

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The Gift

MPAA Rating: R for language
Run Time: 108 Minutes
My Rating 5/5
So Monday I saw Blumhouse Productions' The Gift starring Jason Bateman (Bad Words), Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3), and Joel Edgerton (Warrior), who also wrote and directed the film.  It tells the story of a young married couple, Simon and Robyn, whose lives change forever when Simon runs into an old high school colleague, Gordo.  Now, after a series of uninviting and eerie encounters and gifts, secrets from Simon's past begin to unfold and Robyn begins to wonder how much she really knows about her husband.
I loved this film and I would say that this is one of my favorite films of the entire year.  In his first time in the director chair, Joel Edgerton does an amazing job and I think that he has a bright career as a director.  He truly created an intense and memorable psychological feature that will stay in the minds of the audience for years to come.  This film is scary because it is real and is very prevalent in today's society.  Thought I think this film is absolutely amazing, I wish that they could have toned down the language so that younger audiences could see this film because it truly could teach them something about life.  With that being said, the cast does a phenomenal job and each one of them deserves praise for their performances.  Joel Edgerton deserves to be recognized during the upcoming awards season because is performance is chilling and flawless.
Overall, I honestly can not get enough of this film.  In fact, I have already seen this film twice and each time I am just enthralled in the story.  If you want a good suspenseful film, you definitely need to see this film.  This is one of the best films of the year and one that I believe everyone should see. This film teaches some great life lessons and truly makes you wonder and question those around you. This is definitely a must-see and worth your money

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Fantastic Four

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, and language

Run Time: 100 Minutes

My Rating: 1/5

So yesterday I saw Twentieth Century Fox's Fantastic Four starring Miles Teller (Whiplash), Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station), Kate Mara (Netflix's House of Cards), and Jamie Bell (Snowpiercer). The film tells the story Marvel's original and longest-running superhero team.  It revolves around four youngsters who travel to an alternate dimension.  However, their trip completely alters their physical form in ways they couldn't even imagine.  Now, they must come together and learn how to use their powers in order to save the world from an evil that they created.

So I just want to start off my review by saying that this is not a good movie.  In fact, this is one of the worst superhero movies of all time and definitely one of the worst movies of the year.  This is a boring, uneventful, and sad excuse for a superhero origin story.  There was a lot of controversy surrounding this film for the past year during its production and after seeing the final cut, you can completely tell that there were some problems.  The film just doesn't have the same tone throughout and the first and second halves don't blend well together. Also for a movie that considers itself an action-packed superhero film, it should probably have more than 10 minutes of action.  The action doesn't come until the film's final moments and it is such a let-down.  Supposedly during editing there were 3 action scenes that were taken out of the film and in my opinion, that is one of the worst decisions the filmmakers could have made.  It makes the film very boring and completely unsatisfying to the audience.

So the only reason why this film even got a score of 1 is because the first half of the film is actually pretty entertaining and the movie that most people were expecting and hoping to see.  Unfortunately that last half of the film completely falls flat.  If the filmmakers would have kept the same tone and inspiration as they had for the first half, this film would have been incredible.

Overall, this film is just a big disappointment and really a film that should not have been released. Though the film falters, the cast does do a great job with what they were given.  However, that is not enough to save this film.  In my opinion the audience and the cast deserve better.  With that being said, do not go see this film because you will definitely be disappointed.

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Ricki and the Flash

MPAA Rating: PG - 13 for thematic material, brief drug content, sexuality and language
Run Time: 101 Minutes
My Rating: 3/5
So yesterday I saw TriStar Pictures' Ricki and the Flash starring Meryl Streep (Into the Woods), Rick Springfield (ABC's General Hospital), Kevin Kline (Last Vegas), and Mamie Gummer (CBS's The Good Wife).  The film tells the story of Ricki, a rock-and-roll singer and guitarist, who gave up everything she had in order to live her dream as a rock star.  However, she now has to face the music, when she returns home to try to make things right with her family.  With so much hatred from her family towards her, Ricki must show her kids and learn herself that to be a parent, you must give all that you have to them, even if it isn't much.
So this film was actually pretty good.  The film isn't amazing, but it does have amazing aspects to it. Probably the greatest aspect of the film is the cast.  The entire cast does a great job.  Meryl Streep shows her greatness as she usually does.  This is definitely a different role than what we have been accustomed to seeing Meryl Streep play, but she is such a fantastic actress that she plays this role flawlessly.  She also does some excellent covers of songs for the film and the soundtrack with her voice is spectacular.  Though Meryl Streep does an incredible job, she is greatly supported by the other members of the cast.  Rick Springfield is probably one of the biggest standout performances of film and possible the summer. This came as a complete surprise to me, but it was a great surprise. Finally Mamie Gummer, who is Meryl Streep's actual daughter, is the perfect pairing with Meryl Streep in the movie.  I hope that they can do more films in the future because I loved seeing them on the screen together.
Though the cast was amazing, the film's biggest flaw is that it is too formulaic and too predictable. There is nothing new to this film and besides the soundtrack, nothing too new or exciting about this film.  Even before going into the film you know exactly what is going to happen.  Honestly if it wasn't for the cast and the music, there isn't any real reason to see this film.
Overall, the film was good, but not great.  Though the film is very predictable, the cast and the soundtrack make this film quite enjoyable.  Meryl Streep is amazing once again and I wouldn't be surprised if she was in discussion during Award's Season for Best Actress.  The film is good and if you are interested in something that is not an action or superhero movie, than you should definitely see this.

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Shaun the Sheep Movie

MPAA Rating: PG for rude humor
Run Time: 85 Minutes
My Rating: 3/5
So today I saw Lionsgate and Aardman Animations' Shaun the Sheep Movie.  The film comes from the same studio that brought us Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run.  The film tells the story of Shaun the Sheep who is tired of his same old boring routine. Hoping to finally have a day off, he decides to put matters into his own hands.  However, after a prank gone wrong, he and his friends must venture into the big city in order to save his farm.
So I thought this film was very entertaining and very cute.  I have always been a fan of Aardman Animations, as I grew up watching their television shows.  Since they have tried to expand their products to the big screen, I believe that they have been very successful.  With that being said, this film is definitely not for everyone and in reality it doesn't try to be.  It plays big on its brand and the nostalgia factor and knows that most of the audience will be people like me bringing their kids to the film. That is why I believe that adults will probably find this film more entertaining than the children.  The kids will like watching Shaun and his friends' crazy antics, but most of the humor in the film will mostly be understood by the adults more than the kids.  With that being said, this is still a fantastic kids film that parents will certainly enjoy.  In fact, there were more adults laughing than kids in my screening.
Another reason why this film is good is that there is absolutely no talking.  The entire film lives and dies on the actions of the characters alone.  This is a huge risk, especially for a kids film, but this film does it spectacularly.  Even though there is no talking, the audience can fully understand exactly what the characters are trying to say.  It is an incredible feat for the studio and is one reason why this film is great.
Even with all of these great aspects, the film still falls short on a few things.  First, the plot is very dull and in my opinion stretched way too thin.  There have been many other films that have used the same plot devices with better outcomes.  Also, I felt that most of the movies better aspects were portrayed in the trailer, so if you haven't seen a trailer then this won't be a problem for you.
Overall I thought this film was good, but not great.  I commend Aardman Animations on it great effort and beautiful animation.  Though it may not be their best animated movie in my opinion, this was still very enjoyable and brought me back to my childhood.  This is a film both parents and kids will enjoy.

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Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, and brief partial nudity.
Run Time: 131 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So today I saw Paramount Pictures' Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation starring Tom Cruise (Edge of Tomorrow), Jeremy Renner (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Simon Pegg (Star Trek Into Darkness), Rebecca Ferguson (Hercules), and Alec Baldwin (NBC's 30 Rock). The film was directed by Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher). The film continues the story of Ethan Hunt and his team as they face off against the Syndicate, a highly trained and secret international organization that is committed to destroying the IMF by using any means necessary.
So I really liked this film and it is my personal opinion that this is the best film in the franchise.  The franchise was on the verge of destruction about 10 years ago, but was revived in 2011 with Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol.  This film builds on the aspects that made Ghost Protocol so great and enhances them even further in order to make such an incredible, awe-inspiring film. There are many aspects that make this film a must-see this summer.  One, is the incredible stunts that are performed in this film.  A major marketing ploy for this film was telling the public that Tom Cruise performed all of his own stunts, meaning no stunt double, or CGI technology.  With this knowledge, it makes the film more engaging and breathtaking.  Now many people may disagree with me on this, but I truly believe that Tom Cruise is the last true action star there is.  There have been many people in the past few years who have tried to become action stars, but they rely heavily on stunt-doubles and CGI effects.  Tom Cruise doesn't and has stated recently that the only way he will do a movie is if he does his own stunts.  That to me is what a true action star is and why I think Tom Cruise has stood the test of time.
Another reason to watch this film is the incredible cast.  The film brings back almost the exact same cast as the last one and adds the talented Alec Baldwin and Rebecca Ferguson into the cast.  The cast works so well together and is actually one of the reasons why Ghost Protocol did so well.  The cast is very likable and it makes the film much easier to watch.  Also, probably one of my favorite things about this film is Rebecca Ferguson's character.  She is by far the most intriguing and mysterious female lead in the entire franchise.  She is definitely independent and isn't just there as a pretty face. She actually shows a lot of depth and I applaud the franchise for finally including a strong female lead, especially in a franchise that has mostly relied upon and is known for its men.
Overall, I thought that this film was incredible and is definitely a must-see.  The franchise right now is improving with each new entry and this is a testament to that.  It has amazing action sequences and one of the best casts of any franchise right now.  This film has something for everyone and is a true action movie that reminds us why we fell in love with the franchise and its main lead to begin with.

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