Django Unchained

Django Unchained(RATING) 2013

Directed by Quentin Tarantino 

Starring:  Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Dennis Christopher, James Remar, Michael Parks and Don Johnson

Here We Go:  Quentin Tarantino fills the screen with a cast beyond the big names.  Two thumbs and a big toe up!  Western.  Lots of action, unbelievable wit, dark humor and lots of blood.  Slave, Django (Foxx), sets out on a quest to reunite with his slave wife, Broomhilda (don't ask, you'll find out).  The outcome is greatly attributed to his relationship with bounty hunter, Dr. Schultz (Academy Award winner, Christopher Waltz).

Bottom Line:  This is a must see!

Tower Heist

Tower Heist (PG-13) 2011

Directed by Brett Ratner

Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Michael Peña, Téa Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe, Alan Alda, Judd Hirsch and Nina Arianda

Here We Go:  This was a good movie with a story line that came full circle.  Basically, Stiller is forced to go after a man who tries to dupe his staff out of their pensions.  I would label this movie more "action/mildly entertaining" than "action comedy," but hey at least the "action" part is consistent.  I would also say that the language in this movie is the only thing that gives it a rating over a simple PG.  Still, it was a cute movie with an ending that gives you closure.  

Bottom Line:  It's nothing to write home about, but it's good enough to watch...if it's free.

One for the Money

One for the Money (2012)  PG-13

Directed by Julie Anne Robinson

Starring:  Katherine Heigl, Jason O'Mara, Daniel Sunjata, John Leguizamo, Sherri Shepherd, and Debbie Reynolds

Here We Go:  At first I was thinking Katherine Heigl just highjacked the plot from The Bounty Hunter, but this movie was a pleasant surprise - even though it wasn't drop down hysterical.  Nothing terribly original in the story, but Heigl's down-and-out character is likable and entertaining.  The ladies will probably be wondering throughout whether she will end up with Jason O'Mara or Daniel Sunjata, but I won't ruin that one for you.  It was a little odd that Sunjata kept getting mystery calls to run away after helping Heigl.  At first I thought this was on purpose and that the mystery calls would go somewhere but, alas, it was just a way to get him out of the scene.  The film's main protagonist, Gavin-Keith Umeh, is a murderous rapist that says maybe 15 words through the whole movie.  Could have used some more development on him but this was a comedy aside from being the main bad guy, he really didn't have a role.  

Bottom Line:  Probably not worth spending any money on (hence its bombing at the box office) but worth renting for 90 minutes of entertainment.