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)

Battleship Review (Minor Spoilers)

Hollywood is fucking high

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

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Yeah that's how I feel for wasting my damn time!


STORY


The one question that dwindles in our minds are if we're alone. In this movie that question was answered when scientists found a planet that is in the right spot to create life. They decided to send a message to the planet, hoping to make contact. This proves to be a stupid move. Commander Stone, played by Alexander Skarsgard, is having a hard time keeping his brother in line. He is a loser that would rather steal a chicken burrito for a hot girl than to get a job. Due to his latest fuck up Commander Stone tells him that he has to join the Navy or be his little bitch forever. He agrees but only because that little stunt of his won him the heart of the beautiful Sam, played by Brooklyn Decker. Yes you can roll your eyes now.

Like him

He is trying to ask her father if he could marry her (like that matters now a days) but he is too afraid of him. That's because he knows that he's a major fuck up and doesn't deserve his daughter. He eventually gets told that he's getting kicked out of the Navy and this will be his final test run. Distraught he and his team set out to the waters for a testing drill, when they come into contact with deadly aliens. This turns into a heated battle of wits that only the navy, of many different countries, can fight. Can they put their differences aside and win the war against worlds? You can guess the answer.

Yeah good luck with that.

ACTING

Horrible! I felt that Taylor Kirsch character was more of a special needs student than an actual Navy Seal. Rihanna did a great job when she wasn't trying to be a bad ass. She came off cute and funny but her acting like a soldier was cringe worthy. I can see her doing comedies or having smaller roles but action is not for her, at least not yet. Alex and Liam Neeson was the best ones here but there isn't enough screen time for them for you to enjoy. Shame because they could have saved this film.

O get a damn room

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The only good part about this movie. The effects are great and eye popping. I loved the battle scenes because they did get you off your feet. The CGI is great and it does not disappoint. I wish I could say the same for everything else.

The only good thing

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The film was written by Jon and Erich Hoeber and directed by Peter Berg. I don't know what the Hoebers were thinking but the dialog is a mess, the characters suck, and nothing is believable. The directing, however, was great. Peter did a great job turning this boring movie into an action packed adventure. I actually wish they went the Michael Bay route with this film because the writers need to learn a little something about character development and telling an intriguing story.

THE END

Don't bother watching it. I urge you to save your money and see the Avengers again. This is a complete waste of time. I can say that the action and special effects is the only reason I'm not sending this into the toilet. One of the worst movies of the year!

OVERALL

STORY 2 out of 10
ACTING 4 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 8 out of 10
WRITING 3 out of 10
DIRECTING 7 out of 10

OVERALL 4 out of 10 (SKIP THIS PIECE OF CRAP)

The Hunger Games Review (Minor Spoilers)

Let the games begin!

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

The hunger games is one of the best selling novels of all time. It has excitement, violence, a good story to tell, and star crossed lovers. After watching the trailer it looked promising enough to do the book justice. After watching the film I can say it's not a disappointment. I loved the style of the film and how it forced the actors to show fear and pity with their emotions and not their words. This movie is a must see for all book lovers.

STORY

The 74th hunger games is about to begin but for the residents of district 12 things aren't so exciting. Katniss sister is having nightmares about the games. Katniss reassures her that this is the first time her name is up for grabs but she needs not to worry. The odds of her getting picked are slim. She wanders off in the woods to catch some food but is interrupted by a trusted friend. He wants to move away from the districts and live in the woods. He invites Katniss to come along but she declines. She has very little interest for that life style and she doesn't see her sister living that way either. She will later wish she took him up on the offer because her sister was indeed picked for the hunger games!

I love my sister!

She decides to volunteer and take her sister's place. A boy named Peeta, played by Josh Hutcherson, is also picked for district 12. On the road to the games they meet their mentor Haymitch, played by Woody Harrelson. He is a drunk and has little interest in helping them win. This upsets Katniss to the point of challenging him. It wakes him up and he gives the advice that will keep them alive. He thinks that Peeta has what it takes to survive longer due to his social skills, but Katniss has the survival instinct to outlast everyone. Knowing this, Peeta tells the world that he has a crush on Katniss. This infuriates her but Haymitch sees an opportunity he could not miss.

Fuck you all!

He uses this to bill them as star crossed lovers, making them favorites. This gets them sponsors to send them food and medicine. It even gets the capital to change the ruling from having only one winner to two, if both come from the same district. This drives Katniss to team up with the clever Peeta to win the games together, but will he win over her heart is the real question. Too bad the other district tributes weren't on the same board.

Like this guy.

ACTING

The actors did a good job with their roles. I liked how they showed their fear and not talked about it. Jennifer Lawerence didn't need words to show her emotions. Josh and Lawerence had enough chemistry to pass as pretending lovers. I even wanted to see them kiss but it didn't happen. Woody Harrelson played his character to the bone which may make the fans happy. I even enjoyed Wes Bently's role because he was a likable villain. Actually I don't think he was a villain, just a man doing his job. Donald Sutherland played the cold hearted President Snow. He gave off an eerie presence that tied a knot in peoples throats. A job well done for most of the cast.

Where's the vodka?

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The effects are simply eye popping. Loved the fire on the dress scene. It was classy and not over the top. Everything looked as real as it could be for that type of world. Loved the unique outfits and hair cuts. It made the film feel more stylish and reminds me of the Fifth Element. It could have used more violence but I can live with that.

Too cool!

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The film was written by too many writers to care for and Gary Ross. The story flows at the right pace setting up the main characters and people that you will care for later on. I just wished they had more character development for the other tributes. Their deaths would have been more meaningful if they had more lines. The directing was nicely done and kept the tone of the movie. I felt like I was watching a classic and not a action snuff movie.  I wish this team works together on the sequel because they really have something going here.

THE END

It's a must see. The movie is a classic. Some people may not like the action because it was shot in a different tone. It's not an action packed movie but more of a love story and trust between friends. I say go see the film. You won't regret it.

Well maybe not everyone!

OVERALL

STORY 8 out of 10
ACTING 7 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 7 out of 10
WRITING 8 out of 10
DIRECTING 7 out of 10

OVERALL 8 out of 10 (MUST SEE)

P.S. A little girl dies during the film. Very sad so bring a tissue.