Step up Revolution Review (Minor Spoilers)

Another one bites the dust

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

The Step Up franchise is turning into the Final Destination series. They should have stopped at 3. This series is more entertaining than many others but how long can they keep this up? Writers are struggling to come up with something decent to put on film so the movie can have a storyline and not make it feel like a 90 minute music video. They're desperate but so is every other studio. All the fans want is to be entertained and inspired. This film does deliver that with its dancing but nothing else. That's perfectly fine for a movie like this. You're only seeing it for the dancing anyway.

STORY

What story? Its pretty much the same storyline from the last 3 films except Emily, played by Kathryn McCormick, arrives in Miami to meet up with her dad. He is a business owner hell bent on destroying the Mob's neighborhood. She meets the leader of the Mob Sean, played by Ryan Guzman. She sees them in action and loves the artistic design of their performances. This drives a knife between her and her dad as she wants to help them with their struggle while she lives her dream of being a dancer. There is another contest brewing that can earn them sponsorship but her dad has other plans. Together, the dancers devise a plan that will either save their neighborhood or just give the business personal headaches. Can their dancing save the day? It opens on Friday July 27th nationwide.

ACTING

Well let me put this nicely. You're not paying for the acting are you? Let's hope not because you might vomit afterwards. The acting in this series was never good with a few exceptions. The character Moose returns and brings the fun with him. That's about it. The performances are flat and forced. I couldn't feel any kind of chemistry with the crew in this department. It's not good acting but that's something we can live with when it comes to films like this.

O she's in it too!

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The look of the film is great for your eyes. Everything pops on screen and grabs your attention. The 3D does add more fun to the dance routines. The best part of the film is the dancing. The dancers were able to flow together to create some interesting pieces of art. Dancing is what you came for and they did not disappoint.

Sweet!

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The movie is written by Jenny Mayer and directed by Scott Speer. The story does manage to flow at a decent pace. It won't have you bored but the dialog is pretty bad. She tried too hard to have her characters come off cool and inspirational. The directing is pretty solid. The guy was able to capture the dancing in a way the other films couldn't do. The film had a vision and he was able to make it come to light.

THE END

Overall the film kind of sucks. It's only the dancing that makes the film worth seeing. The 3D does help bring it to life but if you saw the last one you know how they are going to use it. If you're into dancing films then this is for you. Other than that skip it. It'll be out on DVD soon.

OVERALL

STORY 4 out of 10
ACTING 3 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS/DANCING 7 out of 10
WRITING 3 out of 10
DIRECTING 7 out of 10

OVERALL 5 out of 10 (SKIP IT)

The Dark Knight Rises Review (Minor Spoilers)

It's about damn time!

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

It's been 4 years since we saw The Dark Knight. It has been credited as one of the best films ever made. It won Health Ledger the Oscar for best actor and changed how comic book movies need to be made. Some people wondered if Nolan could top himself with the third and final installment. I can say he didn't but the film does live up to the hype. It's just as good as The Dark Knight and is a fitting closer to an epic trilogy.

STORY

It's been 8 years since Bruce Wayne has dawned the dark knight costume. Gotham is in a state of peace. Harvey Dent's memory is still being kept alive and no one is aware of the truth. Selina Kyle, played by Anne Hathaway, is at an event at Wayne manor and happens to kidnap a very important person from the police force. She also manages to get her hands on Bruce Wayne's finger prints as well as his curiosity.

I'm in love

He learns that she is a cat burglar and is working for someone. He also gets wind of a super criminal known as Bane. He learns that he was kicked out of the League of Shadows and has gathered himself his own army. Together they take over Gotham's trading system and causes Wayne to go broke. He learns that Bane is working for someone on his board of directors and asks Selina for help. This proves to be a huge mistake.

That's one big motherfucker!

She leads him into a trap. Bane challenges him to a showdown and proceeds to beat the shit out of him. Not only does Batman get his ass kicked but Bane breaks his back. He takes over Gotham for several months, holding the rich and powerful hostages. He unleashes all the criminals and encourages them to take what is theirs. Bruce is sent to a prison stationed in a pit and it's there where he will either find his true self or die trying. Can the bat regain his composer and take back his city or will Bane end Gotham along with Batman? The movie is 3 hours long but it's well worth it.

ACTING

The acting here is almost flawless. The chemistry is solid with everyone involved. Anne Hathaway played a great Selina Kyle and proved she deserved the role. Tom Hardy was menacing and made me think that Batman didn't have a chance. Gary Oldman played the tortured soul well also. Throughout the movie he seemed like he wanted to break down and cry at any moment. Joseph Gordon Levitt kept the chemistry alive with his slick but toned presence. He worked well with both sides of Christian Bale, which shined on screen. If you loved the acting in The Dark Knight then you will love this film. 

We're too old for this shit!

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The film looks great from all fronts. I'm glad Nolan doesn't use a lot of computer graphics in his films. It reminds me of the old days of film where live action ruled the world. The IMAX scenes were breathtaking and in your face. The fight scenes were gritty and brutal and not over the top like most comic book films are. Overall this film is easy on the eyes.

She stole the bat pod?

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The film was written by the Nolan brothers and directed by Christopher Nolan. They put together a well crafted story that exploded on screen. There were some story lines that weren't needed or dragged on too long but that can be forgiven. The directing was great overall but man Nolan needs to film fight scenes better. He's a great director but when it comes to his fight scenes it looks like a rookie filmed it. I know he wanted it to be gritty but he could have directed it better. The WWE films their backstage fights better than Nolan does.

THE END

The film is a must see. The trilogy ends with a bang. It has twists and turns that no one saw coming. It doesn't surpass the last one but it does hang tough with it. Grab an IMAX viewing if you can. It will make your eyes explode.

OVERALL

STORY 8 out of 10
ACTING 8 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 8 out of 10
WRITING 8 out of 10
DIRECTING 6 out of 10

OVERALL 8 out of 10 (MUST SEE)

The Amazing Spiderman Review (Minor Spoilers)

I'm back bitches!

THE MOVIE CRITIC'S TAKE

When I first heard about the reboot I thought "So soon?"
I didn't understand why Sony wanted to do the Spiderman story over again after having a successful one with Sam Raimi. It has something to do with Sony not wanting Disney to get the rights back to their characters. I swear businesses can be real douches. Anyway does this movie live up to expectations? I say it succeeds them. It's a gritty approach but it's a fun ride as well.

STORY

This time around the film opens with Peter playing hide and go seek with his father. The dad finds Peter in his home office but sees it trashed. He quickly packs up Peter and sends him to live with his Aunt and Uncle. Fast forward to high school and Peter is one big nerd. He is barely noticed and continues to get bullied by Flash. It seems that though one girl is noticing him. A girl by the name of Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone.

She wants to fuck him!

Peter finds his dad's old briefcase and unwraps some interesting documents. He goes to Oscorp to find some answers but finds himself becoming a science project. He gets bitten by a super spider and turns into a super human. He falls asleep on a train and encounters some dirt bags. He realizes he can kick butt, rip away poles, and steal women shirts. He learns he can do a lot more and starts helping the local police do their job. One problem though, they don't like it.

Like him

He also has another issue. Dr. Curt Conners has turned himself into a man lizard. He goes insane and believes that he is the superior species. He thinks up a plan that will turn every New Yorker into a mad lizard. With the cops on his trail can Spiderman stop the lizard from turning everyone into scales? Let's hope so or there would be no Sequel.

ACTING

The acting was great. Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield had great chemistry together. They looked cute and shy and played off their relationship like it was real. Denis Leary was fun to watch and Martin Sheen reminded me of the Uncle Ben from the comics. Rhys Ifans also played his part well. He didn't seem evil but a guy that was confused and angry and wanted to make the world better. I think this crew did their characters justice and made the film enjoyable.

They look like a real family.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The effects didn't live up to the first Spiderman film but they aren't bad. The effects are on the grittier side and they aren't too over the top. The 3D was ok at times but there are scenes that just doesn't pop like they should. The fight scenes don't hold a candle to the others but they still manage to grab your attention. Overall the effects weren't anything to shake your head at.

Pretty cool

WRITING AND DIRECTING

This film was written by way too many writers to care for and directed by Marc Webb. The writers managed to deliver a well thought out origin story with action and suspense. What they did better than the other films were the dramatic approach and not keeping his identity a secret. There was a time in the movie where I thought Spiderman was going to fail. Marc did a so-so job as the film's director. I wasn't too impressed with him in this film. I can't put my finger on it but a few of his shots and direction felt like they were off. This is his first real action movie and in time he will get better, I hope.

THE END

The film is a must see. It's a decent retelling of the same old story. It goes deeper this time around, involving his parents and the mystery behind Osbourne. They seem to be building him up as a menacing character for the future. I see good things for this franchise if they keep the same team. I would avoid the 3D though. It really wasn't needed.

OVERALL

STORY 7 out of 10
ACTING 7 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 7 out of 10
WRITING 7 out of 10
DIRECTING 6 out of 10

OVERALL 7 out of 10 (MUST SEE)

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Review (Minor Spoilers)

Presidential Ass Kicker

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

When people first heard about the film they filled the world with laughter. Good old honest Abe was a vampire hunter and president? I smell a small case of bullshit. People said that they couldn't believe that Hollywood would steep that low to make a buck. The real problem with these people is that they talk out of their ass about a subject they know nothing about. This story is an adaptation of a book written by Seth Grahame - Smith. The book found an audience due to its unusual storytelling and injecting fantasy into the real world. The book is a must read but will this film follow suit? Of course not... the book is always better.

STORY

It starts with Abraham Lincoln as a child. His father is paying off his debt when Abe witnesses his friend being beaten. He tries to help but only manages to get his father into trouble with his debt collector. Turns out the collector is a vampire and kills his mother. As Abe grows up he resents the man that destroyed his family. He gains the courage to kill his mother's murderer, by means of getting drunk, and attacks him. This proves to be almost fatal but is saved by one powerful vampire hunter named Henry, played by Dominic Cooper.

Isn't he dreamy?

He teaches Abe everything he needs to learn about vampires. He sends him on his way to do Henry's will but is not allowed to kill the one vamp that he desires. During his adventures he meets a young woman named Mary Todd, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. He courts her away from his future presidential opponent and marries her. His adventures has caught the attention of a powerful vampire named Adam, played by Rufus Sewell. He believes that Abe and Henry will detour his plans of taking over America and sends him a message. The message is to kill his lover the same way his mother died.

I think he gets the message.

He ends up saving his wife and his friends life from Adam and his vamps. He learns that he will have to save America from the political front, not the battlefield. He becomes president and soon realizes that the south is using vampires to help them in the war. Mary bears Abe's child but that is short lived. Adam has the child killed which sends the Lincolns into dismay. Abe and Henry make a plan to save the war, America, and to put a stop to Adam's plan. The question is how much are they willing to lose?

ACTING

Overall the acting wasn't too bad. I did think Benjamin Walker played his role well. He wasn't trying to act like a president but a killing machine. I will say that the chemistry was lacking with many of the actors. I didn't buy Benjamin and Mary as love interests and his moments with his friends felt forced. Rufus had the best performance in this movie and it seemed like he was the only one that cared. The acting isn't horrible but you can tell they were just acting. Many of them couldn't fall into their roles.

I'm going to eat your friends

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The effects were not impressive at all. I've seen much better and I think most of you has as well. The train scene looked like something out of a video game and the vampires were more laughable than scary. I couldn't feel the terror ooze come from the screen. The clothing and atmosphere did capture the feel of that era but overall this department was a disappointment. They could have done a lot better with the budget they had.

The only cool part of the movie.

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The film was written by Seth Grahame - Smith and directed by Timur Bekmambetov. Seth wrote the book and the screenplay. The book is much better and has a decent pace but the movie doesn't follow suit. The dialog is laughable and everything is predictable. The directing was decent though. He was able to capture the movie in full view and made the film watchable. I just can't get past how this movie feels more like a video game than an actual film.

THE END

Skip it. Wait for Netflix or Redbox. It's not worth your money. It's hardly worth your time. It's one of those movies that you might catch on HBO and say to yourself "So glad I skipped that crap."

OVERALL

STORY 5 out of 10
ACTING 4 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 5 out of 10
WRITING 5 out of 10
DIRECTING 6 out of 10

OVERALL SCORE 5 out of 10 (Skip it)