Zoolander 2

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, a scene of exaggerated violence, and brief strong lanaguage
Run Time: 102 Minutes
My Rating: 1/5
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! I hope you all enjoy your day and tell those important to you that you love them.  With that said, yesterday my family and I saw Paramount Pictures' Zoolander 2 starring Ben Stiller (Meet the Parents), Owen Wilson (The Internship), Penelope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), and Will Ferrell (Daddy's Home). Zoolander 2 picks up 15 years after the events of the first film with both Derek and Hansel coming out of hiding to finally get their lives back together after tragedy tore them apart.  For Derek, he is looking to getting his son back, while Hansel is trying to figure out who is truly is. However, with people conspiring against them every step of the way, Derek and Hansel must trust in each other and in themselves in order to stop evil once again.
So this film was bad!!! It was so stupid and really a pointless sequel.  The first film was fantastic and hilarious, but unfortunately this sequel doesn't have any of the same qualities.  One of the biggest mistakes in this film is the number of celebrity cameos that occur.  For some reason everyone from Benedict Cumberbatch to Susan Boyle wanted to be a part of this film. Though at times it is entertaining to see some of our favorite celebrities, it seems that the writers were so focused on including everyone that the story became lost and confusing.  The cameos do not move the story along at all, but are more of a distraction.  Also, some of the cameos are just ridiculous and at times annoying.  With that said, the film does have its moments, but unfortunately they are few and far between.
Overall, the film just doesn't live up to its true potential.  Though the actors try their hardest to make it work, the film just gets boggled down by the number of cameos and the lack of jokes.  This is one I probably wouldn't recommend, because there are better movies out right now.  So go spend your money on something else and save yourself time and money.

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

Hail, Caesar!

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content and smoking
Run Time: 106 Minutes
My Rating: 1.5/5
So today my family and I saw Universal Pictures' Hail, Caesar! starring Josh Brolin (Everest), George Clooney (Tomorrowland), Alden Ehrenreich (Beautiful Creatures), Ralph Fiennes (Spectre), Scarlett Johansson (Avengers: Age of Ultron), and Channing Tatum (22 Jump Street).  It tells the story of Eddie Mannix, a Hollywood fixer, in the 1950's who must find movie star Baird Whitlock when he gets kidnapped from an organization only known as The Future.
So after watching this film, I definitely have mixed emotions.  For one thing as I watched the individual scenes, there were moments of greatness, but unfortunately those individuals scenes come together in a very incoherent movie.  The entire time my wife and I were trying to figure out what was going on, but we couldn't figure out how everything was supposed to come together.  With that said, the actors and actresses bring their respective abilities to full use,but unfortunately that doesn't save the film entirely.  Unfortunately, I am not the only one to think this.  After the movie was over, almost everyone in the theater were trying to figure out what they just saw.  I didn't hear a good thing said about this film while I was leaving.  That is really sad, but unfortunately true.
Overall, this film has some good scenes, but they just don't come together.  It is real unfortunate because the cast is spectacular and they actually do a good job.  This is definitely a film that I wouldn't recommend people see, because frankly its not worth the price of admission.  Definitely stay away from this film because there are definitely better films out right now!!

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

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for zombie violence and action, and brief suggestive material
Run Time: 108 Minutes
My Rating: 3/5
So last night I saw Screen Gems' and Lionsgate's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies starring Lily James (Cinderella), Sam Riley (Maleficent), and Bella Heathcote (Dark Shadows).  It takes the classic tale from author Jane Austen about complicated relationships among the different social classes, but puts a new spin on things by placing Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in danger of becoming infected by a deadly virus that turns those infected into zombies.
So, I was incredibly surprised by how enjoyable this movie was. Now, its definitely not the best movie I have ever seen or even the best horror movie I have ever seen, but it was quite fun and entertaining 2 hours.  Though it wasn't the scariest film out there, it did have its moments and actually used its material very effectively.  I think this mainly has to do with the dedication of the actors and actresses involved.  Let's be honest, the concept of the film is pretty hilarious and I don't think any of us would have been bugged had the actors not taken this as serious as other films, but thankfully they do and it definitely comes across in the final product.  Trust me, if it wasn't for them, this film would be more ridiculous than it already is. However, I must give the film credit because it embraces its ridiculousness and does so with enough class that even Jane Austen would be proud.  
Though the actors and actresses do amazing jobs, even they couldn't completely save this film.  The biggest problem that this film faces is sadly its source material and getting its audience on board with it.  As mentioned above, the concept of this film is pretty ridiculous, but if audiences can just give it a chance, like I did, then they will actually be able to enjoy it.  However, that is a big task given its concept, but hopefully audiences will give it a chance.
Overall, I thought Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was quite entertaining and definitely worth the price of admission.  This definitely isn't a film for everyone, but if you are even remotely interested, I urge you to go see it.  This is one that is easy to ignore, but I promise you to give it a chance because you won't be disappointed!!

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

Kung Fu Panda 3

MPAA Rating: PG for martial arts action and some mild rude humor
Run Time: 95 Minutes
My Rating: 4.5/5
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted in a while, but school has been crazy the past couple of weeks. With that said, today my daughter and I saw Dreamworks Animation's Kung Fu Panda 3 starring the voice cast of the past two movies (Jack Black, Angelina Jolie-Pitt, and Dustin Hoffman) as well as adding the incredible voice talent of J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Kate Hudson (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), and Bryan Cranston (AMC's Breaking Bad).  Kung Fu Panda 3 continues the adventures of Po, the Dragon Warrior, and the Furious Five as they face their toughest opponent yet, Kai who is drawing on the power of all the Kung Fu Masters to accomplish his evil plans.  Now, Po must learn who he is by meeting is long-lost family in order to defeat Kai and save the Kung Fu Masters.
So I thought this film was great and definitely an amazing start to 2016 for animation.  In my opinion the Kung Fu Panda franchise is one of the best animated franchises out there and this one does not disappoint.  One of the best thing about this film is the voice talent.  Jack Black has definitely made this character his own and now I can't imagine anyone else in the role.  Personally, I will continue to watch these movies as long as Jack Black stays in the role.  The rest of the actors and actresses do amazing jobs and definitely bring the characters to life.  Another great thing about it is the story.  I don't know how they keep finding stories to tell with these characters, but I love them.  This one is no exception.  The story provides a good balance of laughter as well as emotion to truly be perfect for the entire family.
Though I thought the film was great, its major flaw is its script.  The script provides many of the same jokes that have been used in previous films.  While they may be funny and entertaining, I was looking for more originality., but that may just be me.
Overall, I thought it was very entertaining and definitely a movie that is worth the time and cost to see in theater.  It is one that the entire family will enjoy and love.  If this is a just a preview of the quality of animation that we will be getting this year, we are in great shape.  This is a great film and one that will not disappoint!!

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

Ride Along 2

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of violence, sexual content, language and some drug material
Run Time: 101 Minutes
My Rating: 3/5
So on Saturday my family and I saw Universal Pictures' Ride Along 2 starring Ice Cube (Ride Along), Kevin Hart (Think Like A Man), Benjamin Bratt (Despicable Me 2), Olivia Munn (Deliver Us From Evil), and Kevin Jeong (Yahoo's Community).  The film picks up a year after the events of the first film with James and Ben going to Miami to follow up on a drug-ring case they are trying to solve.  While there, all mayhem breaks loose and they must hurry up and solve the case before they completely destroy the city.
So I thought this film was fun and entertaining, but compared to the first film, it is lacking.  That is not saying that this film isn't good, because on its own it is a very funny movie.  Probably one of its best features is its addition to its cast.  The first film's cast was excellent, but the addition of Olivia Munn and Ken Jeong makes the cast even better.  I have been a fan of Ken Jeong for a while now and I feel like he is great in everything that he is in.  Another great thing about the film and its cast is the chemistry between Ice Cube and Kevin Hart.  It was their chemistry that made the first film great and that chemistry is back.  They are so funny together and truly bring life to the film.  In all reality, if it wasn't for the cast, this film and the first film both would be horrible.
As I said above, compared to the first film, this film pales in comparison.  I think the biggest problem with this film is the script.  There isn't as many funny moments in this one and this film overall just felt forced.  I would have been completely fine not having the sequel, but that is the way Hollywood is.
Overall, the film is just okay when compared to the first one.  Without the comparison, the film is pretty decent.  If it didn't have the first film to live up to, than it would be great.  With that said, the film is quite funny and those that liked the first film will like this film as well.  The cast is excellent and completely make the movie.  If you have seen everything else in theater than this is a good way to spend another evening out!!

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

My Oscar 2016 Predictions

Hey everyone, if you haven't heard yet the 2016 Oscar nominations were announced Thursday 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. Last year there were a few surprises, so my predictions weren't entirely correct, but I hope this year will be different. Anyways lets begin with my 2016 Oscar predictions.......

Best Picture

The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

Will Win - Spotlight
Should Win - The Big Short
Out of all the categories this year, this is probably the toughest one for me to pick.  I personally enjoyed all of these films and would be happy with any of them winning.  However, I think Spotlight will win.  Even though it hasn't won many awards so far this year, I still think the Academy will honor its great performances as well as its subject material.  With that said, I personally would love to see The Big Short win since I was so captivated throughout the film and it had some spectacular performances by all of its cast.  Also, with it being a comedy, I would love for the Academy to honor that genre once in a while.

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Carol
Brie Larson, Room
Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

Will Win - Brie Larson, Room
Should Win - Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
So personally, I haven't seen Room, but it is on my list.  I am just waiting for it to come to Texas. However, I hear Brie Larson is spectacular and definitely deserves all the praise that she is getting. With that said, I loved Joy and Jennifer Lawrence's performance in it.  She definitely shows off all that she has to offer and it is amazing.  All the success that Joy has is because of her and she deserves to be recognized for that.

Best Actor

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
Matt Damon, The Martian
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

Will Win/Should Win - Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
This is definitely Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar to lose.  His performance in The Revenant is outstanding and it is finally time for him to win.  This is probably is best performance and just hearing about all the things that he had to go through will filming this movie definitely makes me like it better.  In my opinion, it is finally Leonardo DiCaprio's time to win.

Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
Rooney Mara, Carol
Rachel McAdams, Spotlight
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

Will Win/Should Win - Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
So I was personally quite surprised when Kate Winslet won the Golden Globes for her performance in Steve Jobs.  I honestly thought that she didn't stand a chance.  However, now that she has won, I am more confident in thinking that she will win again.  Her performance is so great and important that Steve Jobs wouldn't be the same without it.  I just hope that the Academy can recognize that as well.

Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale, The Big Short
Tom Hardy, The Revenant
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Sylvester Stallone, Creed

Will Win - Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
Should Win - Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Though he won at the Golden Globes, I don't think the Academy will honor him.  He is definitely deserving though.  His performance as an aging Rocky Balboa is haunting and breathtaking. However, the Academy will go with another good choice in Mark Rylance, who plays a Russian spy. The Academy loves true stories and they will jump at the chance of honoring this performance.

Best Director

The Big Short, Adam McKay
Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller
The Revenant, Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Room, Lenny Abrahamson
Spotlight, Tom McCarthy

Will Win - The Revenant, Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Should Win - Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller
The Academy is going to have a repeat in their director's award this year.  After winning last year for Birdman, Alejandro G. Iñárritu's follow up is even better.  However, the amount of work and detail that George Miller put into his film is spectacular and should be honored here.  His film was definitely a sight to see and won over fans of the franchise as well as brought new fans to the franchise.  That is pretty impressive with how unique the franchise is.

 Best Adapted Screenplay

The Big Short, Charles Randolph and Adam McKay
Brooklyn, Nick Hornby
Carol, Phyllis Nagy
The Martian, Drew Goddard
Room, Emma Donoghue

Will Win/Should Win - The Big Short, Charles Randolph and Adam McKay

Best Original Screenplay

Bridge of Spies, Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Ex Machina, Alex Garland
Inside Out, Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley; Original story by Pete Docter, Ronnie del Carmen
Spotlight, Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy
Straight Outta Compton, Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff; Story by S. Leigh Savidge & Alan Wenkus and Andrea Berloff

Will Win - Bridge of Spies, Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Should Win - Inside Out, Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley; Original Story by Pete Docter, Ronnie del Carmen

Best Animated Feature

Anomalisa
Boy and the World
Inside Out
Shaun the Sheep Movie
When Marnie Was There

Will Win/Should Win - Inside Out

Best Documentary Feature

Amy
Cartel Land
Look of Silence
What Happened Miss Simone
Winter on Fire

Will Win - Cartel Land
Should Win - Amy

Best Foreign Language Film

Embrace of the Serpent, Colombia
Mustang, France
Son of Saul, Hungary
Theeb, Jordan
A War, Denmark

Will Win/Should Win - Son of Saul, Hungary

Best Original Score

Bridge of Spies, Thomas Newman
Carol, Carter Burwell
The Hateful Eight, Ennio Morricone
Sicario, Jóhann Jóhannsson
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, John Williams

Will Win - The Hateful Eight, Ennio Morricone
Should Win - Star Wars: The Force Awakens, John Williams

Best Original Song

“Earned It,” Fifty Shades of Grey (Music and Lyric by Abel Tesfaye, Ahmad Balshe, Jason Daheala Quenneville and Stephan Moccio)
“Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction (Music by J. Ralph and Lyric by Antony Hegarty)
“Simple Song #3,” Youth (Music and Lyric by David Lang)
“Til it Happens to You,” The Hunting Ground (Music and Lyric by Diane Warren and Lady Gaga)
“Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre (Music and Lyric by Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith)

Will Win/Should Win - Writing on the Wall, Spectre (Music and Lyric by Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith)

Best Cinematography

Carol
The Hateful Eight
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Sicario

Will Win/Should Win - Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Film Editing

The Big Short
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Spotlight
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Will Win - The Revenant
Should Win - Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Best Production Design

Bridge of Spies
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant

Will Win/Should Win - Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Mad Max: Fury Road
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared
The Revenant

Will Win/Should Win - Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Costume Design

Carol
Cinderella
The Danish Girl
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant

Will Win/Should Win - Cinderella

Best Animated Short

Bear Story
Prologue
Sanjay’s Super Team
We Can’t Live Without Cosmos
World of Tomorrow

Will Win/Should Win - Sanjay's Super Team

Best Visual Effects

Ex Machina
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Will Win/Should Win - Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Best Sound Editing

Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Sicario
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Will Win/Should Win - Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Best Sound Mixing

Bridge of Spies
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Will Win/Should Win - Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Best Documentary Short

Body Team 12
Chau, Beyond the Lines
Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah
A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
Last Day of Freedom

Will Win/Should Win - Last Day of Freedom

Best Live Action Short

Ave Maria
Day One
Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut)
Shok

Stutterer

Will Win/Should Win - Ave Maria

Well everyone there you go.  These are my predictions for the 2016 Oscars.  Be sure to watch February 28 on ABC to see who actually wins.


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

Joy

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language
Run Time: 124 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So yesterday my family and I saw Fox 2000 Pictures Joy starring Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook), Robert De Niro (The Intern), Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), and Edgar Ramirez (Point Break).  The film was directed by David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle).  It tells the incredible true story Joy Mangano as she tries to navigate the business world to build a business dynasty through inventing the Miracle Mop.  While challenges from her family threaten her business and profits, Joy must learn that in business it is best for her to rely on her abilities, while maintaining love for those that oppose her.
I loved this film!!!!  This is an incredible and inspiring story that is able to captivate the audience throughout its run time.  It is amazing what this woman had to go through and the fact that she came out on top is amazing.  This is a true underdog story that shows that even from the humblest of beginnings, through hard work, dedication, self-trust, and a little bit of creativity and imagination, anything is possible.  The film basically serves as a display of Jennifer Lawrence's acting greatness. The entire film relies upon her performance and thankfully it succeeds.  Jennifer Lawrence is amazing and she definitely deserves praise for her performance.  If she is not nominated for Best Actress it will be a real shame because this is one of her best performances.  She can definitely hold a movie on her own and in my opinion is one of Hollywood's greatest actresses.  She is greatly lifted up by her supporting cast who all give fantastic performances.
Overall, this was a fantastic movie.  If I hadn't written my Top 10 Movies of 2015 list already, this one would definitely had been on it.  It truly is a remarkable story told by a marvelous director and amazing actress.  This is a film that I would recommend to everyone because of its inspiring-nature and family-focus.  If you have time to see this film you should definitely do so.  I promise you that you will not be disappointed!!

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