World War Z

World War Z (PG-13) 2013

Directed by Marc Forster

Starring:  Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Matthew Fox, Eric Weston, David Morse, James Badge Dale, Elyes Gabel, David Andrews, Michiel Huisman and Julian Seager

Here We Go:  The world is being taken over by zombies and Gerry (Pitt) is a former United Nations investigator who is racing around the globe trying to find a way to prevent the end of mankind.  This is like a cross between Contagion and I Am Legend (but with zombies, of course).  The effects are great, the plot makes sense and the acting is solid, which makes the whole story seem realistic.  The only criticism I have is that the guy sitting behind me would forget how to use his "inside voice" throughout the film and I was lacking any solid objects for throwing that I was willing to dispose of.  But other than that, the movie had several nail biting moments and the zombies weren't walking pixels (bonus!).

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

Red Dawn

Red Dawn (PG-13) 2012

Directed by Dan Bradley

Starring:  Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Adrianne Palicki, Josh Hutcherson, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Isabel Lucas, Connor Cruise, Kenneth Choi and Alyssa Diaz

Here We Go:  This is not the film that the 1984 class was.  But, then again, I didn't expect it to be. The plot for all intents and purposes is the same as 1984 but the villain has changed.  My biggest problem with this movie was that Josh Peck was horribly cast.  He just didn't fit the role.  He looked exhausted the entire movie and constantly sounded hoarse as though he had been screaming for days on end.  His acting and casting was so poor that I found myself focusing on him instead of the rest of the movie.  Remove Josh Peck from the movie and its not that bad.  

Bottom Line:  Watch it if you don't mind Josh Peck.  

Sucker Punch

Sucker Punch (PG-13) 2011

Directed by Zack Snyder

Starring:  Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm and Scott Glenn

Here We Go:  Babydoll (Browning) is sent to a shady asylum where she teams up with other patients and plans an escape.  Sure, at the root of this movie there is definitely a disturbing foundation where girls are taken advantage of and politics and money mean more than the moral high-ground.  But the way that this movie shifts from reality to fantasy, and takes the girls out of their vulnerable roles into being deadly warriors, just makes it all eye candy.  Reality is a dark 1950s world that looks touched by Tim Burton.  Fantasy is world of action packed, robot slaying and full-on combat with some guidance from a sensei-like Scott Glenn.   Mix together an awesome soundtrack, sexy women battling it out with guns and swords, and a larger than life fantasy world, and you end up with a pretty hot movie. 

Bottom Line:  If you like an action packed movie that doesn't follow the typical prototype, this is the movie for you.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (PG-13) 2012

Directed by Gary Ross

Starring:  Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Wes Bentley, Toby Jones, Alexander Ludwig and Isabelle Fuhrman

Here We Go:  It can be hard for popular novels to make it to the big screen and live up to the detailed expectations of the book, but this film was on point.  During a time when the world has been reduced to enclosed Districts, the citizens scrape by while those who live in The Capitol prosper.  The Hunger Games basically pull two citizens from each District, drop them into a environment controlled by The Capitol, and the players' progress is broadcast for all to see as they kill each other off.  The last one standing wins.  It's a twisted and emotionally charged concept.  Even without reading the book, you'll have a good understanding of what's going on.  Lawerence is so believably cast as Katniss that you truly feel as though you're going through each step and decision right along with her.  Prepare to walk away from this movie wanting to operate a bow and arrow like a champ.  While this movie caters to a younger crowd, people of all ages will find it well done and disturbingly entertaining.  

Bottom Line:  Watch it and get ready for the second movie to follow!

300

300 (2007) R

Directed by Zach Snyder

Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham,Vincent Regan, Michael Fassbender, Tom Wisdom, Andrew Pleavin, Andrew Tiernan, Rodrigo Santoro, Stephen McHattie, and Alex Ivanovici

Here We Go: This is one of history’s most interesting, heroic and inspiring stories and, for some reason, Hollywood felt the need to add monsters to it.  While it is loosely based on the facts surrounding the real battle at Thermoplyae, some liberties are taken for dramatic effect.  Those would have been fine had they limited the liberties to human beings.  The real battle involved 7,000 Greeks holdings off an army of 100,000 – 300,000 for seven days.  That doesn’t need monsters for dramatic effect.  Let me say that again: 7,000 vs. perhaps 300,000. Being outnumbered 42:1 is terrifying – no supernatural creatures needed.  History aside, Gerard Butler is very good as King Leonidas and the final scene with Dilios leading the Spartans into the battle of Plataea will give you chills.

Bottom Line: Historical inaccuracies aside, this movie is definitely worth watching (but we’re looking forward to Hollywood telling the real story of Thermoplyae).