Now You See Me

Now You See Me (PG-13) 201

Directed by Louis Letterrier

Starring:  Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Jesse Eisenberg, Mélanie Laurent, Common, Elias Koteas, David Warshofsky, J. LaRose and Caitriona Balfe

Here We Go:  A group of elite magicians comes together to pull off some extraordinary, and ultimately illegal, tricks.  I absolutely loved this movie!  It was fantastical, extraordinary, smart and intriguing.  I would say that it's magical, but that would just be lame, right?  Seriously, the amount of awesome in this movie made it worth seeing.  Who doesn't like magic?  The group of actors assembled for this movie are right on point and the ending is just like any magic trick...surprising.  

Bottom Line: It's a treat for the senses, and definitely one that we think is worth seeing! 

Killing Them Softly

Killing Them Softly (R) 2012

Directed by Andrew Dominik

Starring:  Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, Vincent Curatola, Max Casella and Sam Shepard

Here We Go:  Two knuckleheads rob a mob card game and we spend the rest of the movie watching the repercussions.  With Pitt, Gandolfini and Liotta, this movie had potential but never quite seemed to get "there."  The story was very predictable, though well done.  The acting was good but without a wow factor.  Gandolfini seemed wasted in his role and Liotta does tough guy much better than whining whimp.  Pitt, surprisingly, played the hitman role well and was the highlight of an otherwise average, yet entertaining, movie.  

Bottom Line:  Watch it but don't pay for it.  

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!

The Call

The Call (R) 2013

Directed by Brad Anderson

Starring:  Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund, David Otunga, Michael Imperioli, Justina Machado, José Zúñiga, Roma Maffia, Evie Thompson, Denise Dowse and Ella Rae Peck

Here We Go:  At first I didn't know where this movie was going to go because it seemed like it started with the climax.  However,  you quickly learn that there is more to the plot and that the story is really about redemption, closure and revenge.  I have to point out that the police chase made the LAPD look ridiculously inept while the 911 operator was a superstar.  I  guess since Halle Berry was the 911 operator they had to make her the star but LAPD could have been a little more competent.  And why were there no detectives on this case?  A kid is kidnapped and it is left to a 911 operator and some uniformed officers for a day long chase?  Without ruining the ending I will tell you that it is excellent and doesn't fall into the normal "happy ending."  In fact, the ending makes the entire movie worth watching.  

Bottom Line:  Watch it!

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.

Oblivion

Oblivion (NR) 2013

Directed by Joseph Kosinski

Starring:  Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau , Melissa Leo, Zoe Bell, Andrea Riseborough and James Rawlings

Here We Go:  In a post alien apocalypse  Tom Cruise and Andrea Risborough are responsible for overseeing the safety of giant harvesters left on earth to siphon its remaining resources.  An interesting and original story that throws you for a twist about 2/3 of the way through is a refreshing change from the typical alien invasion film.  The story, and its twists, are reminiscent of the sci-fi thrillers of the '70s and early '80s.  But make no mistake, the special effects of this movie make it very clear that this is not the '70s or 80s'.  The film is a visually stunning depiction of post apocalyptic earth that is, thankfully, not overdone.  While the plot is not overly confusing, you may need to watch it twice to put the pieces of the puzzle together, so make sure you pay attention!

Bottom Line:   Watch it!

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!

The Next Three Days

The Next Three Days (2010) PG-13

Directed by Paul Haggis

Starring:  Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Brian Dennehy, Lennie James, Olivia Wilde, Ty Simpkins, Helen Carey, Liam Neeson, Jason Beghe, Aisha Hinds, Allan Steele, RZA, and Daniel Stern

Here We Go:  What a nail-biter!  John (Crowe) is desperate to free his wife (Banks) from jail for a crime that she adamantly denies committing.  He watches his son falling apart without his mother and John struggles to keep his family intact.  Eventually, he knows that his only chance of saving his family is break his wife out.  The lengths to which this character plans her escape results in a chain of events that keeps you on the edge of your seat.  The script is well written, the characters are believable, and I was particularly impressed with Banks' acting.  The movie is a bit long at 2+ hours, but you never notice it because the story and pace are excellent. 

The Bottom Line:  Watch it!

In Time

In Time (2011) PG-13

Directed by Andrew Niccol

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Justin Timberlake, Cillian Murphy, Vincent Kartheiser, Olivia Wilde, Johnny Galecki, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer, Shyloh Oostwald, Yaya Alafia, Ethan Peck, Toby Hemingway

Here We Go:  This is a movie full of young and beautiful people. It's like an entire society based on the pages of a catalog.  Overall, the plot was disturbing and good.  Imagine only being allotted a certain amount of time to live, and then having to trade seconds of your life for things like a cup of coffee!  It's such a wild concept and it's interesting to see how their society works within these constrictions.  Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried work well together on screen as two unlikely lovers from different socioeconomic backgrounds. In other words, Seyfried has all the time in the world and Timberlake is living minute by minute.  There were several nail biting moments and plenty of down-to-wire action.

Bottom Line: Watch it. The interesting concept, settings and characters make this movie worth seeing.

Abduction

Abduction (2011) PG-13

Directed by John Singleton

Starring: Taylor Lautner, Lily Collins, Alfred Molina, Jason Isaacs, Maria Bello, Sigourney Weaver, Michael Nyqvist, and Dermot Mulroney

Here We Go:  Abduction is one of those movies that keeps you on your toes and interested from start to finish.  Nathan (Taylor Lautner) has a insanely intense father (Jason Issacs), and it's hard to understand the family dynamic, but then things start rolling.  As soon as you think you know what's going on, a new twist enters the picture, and you have to start putting the pieces together again.  During the movie, I actually said that "this movie has it all." There's action, suspense, mystery, and Taylor Lautner shirtless... if you're into that kinda thing.  It's a smart movie that comes with plenty of "Oh!  I get it now" moments.


Bottom line: Watch it.  There's something for everyone.